Hey sorority gals, The Collegiate Standard is having a give away!

Hey, readers, The Collegiate Standard is having a giveaway and you need to enter!

And I mean need to just as much as you desperately need that morning coffee….

The Collegiate Standard is currently hosting a Heart to Heart Sorority giveaway. The awesome Greek life jewelry company is giving away two heart pendants to one lucky sorority gal.

The giveaway is all about why you love that sister who is always there for you no matter what – whether it be your big, little, or someone from your pledge class! No only is it an awesome way of reminding yourself of why you’re so in love with your sorority (like you really need that reminder anyway), but it is super easy to enter.

Just head on over to their Instagram page and throw them a follow.
From there, check out the picture for the giveaway.
In the comments section of the pic, tag a sister that you love and say why you love them.
As soon as you hit send, you’re entered to win! Easy, right?

The giveaway ends this Friday, the 13th, and the winner will be announced the same day.

But don’t wait until Friday to wear their beautiful jewelry – Head on over to their website, shop around, and use coupon code SAMI10 to get 10% off your order!

Hope you have a great Wednesday, your coffee is strong, and one of you win this awesome giveaway!

11Jun2015

GIVEAWAY: Win a beautiful cocktail dress from sponsor Sherry London

by sparkleandshinesami

This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions are my own.

Hey, readers!

It’s Thursday, which means one more day closer to the weekend. I’m bringing you even more news – a giveaway from Sherry London!

The U.K. based dress company, that has a solid online base, sells beautiful cocktail dresses, prom dresses, evening dresses, and Bridesmaids dresses (hmmmm, I wonder if JWoww will get her Bridesmaids dresses from here!).

In the International giveaway, one winner will receive the beautiful black, one shoulder Chiffon cocktail dress shown below. The winner will need to pay shipping and post a photo of them in the beautiful dress. It’s simple to win – just visit their social media sites.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

CLICK HERE

After entering, make sure you browse around the site! They are currently hosting a summer sale, which is the perfect opportunity to find a beautiful dress for a good price. I’m already thinking about my senior year sorority semi and formal. A dress from Sherry London will definitely help me make these nights ones to remember.

Here’s to hoping you win the dress that sparkles just as much as you do!

9Feb2015

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy snowy Monday, readers!

It’s been one snowy week, filled with plenty of hot chocolate, binge watching Lifetime Network Movies, and catching up on my color coated to-do list. Life was even so hectic, that I didn’t watch a single second of the Super Bowl because I was too busy studying for biology (a true struggle for a journalism major) and being on duty as an R.A. Plus, that night I didn’t even get show off my style because I had to wear my Res Life gear in case of any serious issues, which trust me, did happen!

I ended up getting to relax much later in the week with my little, g little, other of our sorority gal pals, and friends at a faux ski resort themed bash!

Also, I received my fabulous goodies from winning fellow Her Campus Blogging Network member, Amanda, who blogs over at College is Love! Thanks to the Etsy shop Fabric Bows for Days, I received these two bows – one monogrammed, of course! – and this ADPi Lily Pultizer key fob.

Speaking of the Her Campus Blogging Network, I am now a member of their Premier blogging network! That wouldn’t have been possible without all of you. Thank you so much, readers, to checking out each post, following me on social media, and being you!

I wish I could actually thank you all with kisses from Zac Efron, but unfortunately, this is the closest it’s going to get…for now.

Source

Stay with me this week to see what else Sparkle and Shine has to offer. Make this week as sparkling as you are because life won’t sparkle unless you do!

23Jun2014

My Monday Musts: The Secrets to Style Summer Pack from Seventeen Magazine!

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

This week’s Monday Musts are going to be all about one of my awesome perks from Seventeen Magazine, as a contractual member of the Seventeen Social Club!

As always, it is important to look and feel your best. Thanks to Seventeen Magazine’s Secrets to Style Summer Pack, I absolutely will!

Thanks to Milani Cosmetics, I recieved a bunch of cosmetics to help look my best! These cosmetics included a Brow & Eye Highlighter in vanilla/natural taupe, a Clear Gel Brow Shaping wand, Runaway Lashes instant volume mascara in black, Lip Intense Liquid Color in Fiery Coral, Eye Tech Extreme liquid eyeliner in blackest black, Liquid Eye eyeliner in black, Anti-feathering Lip Liner in transparent, Power Up lasting and moisturizing gloss stain in mango, Baked Blush in Delizioso Pink, Runaway Eyes eye shadow in beach sand, lipstick in best red, Brilliant Shine lip gloss in red my lips, and Color Statement Lip Liner in true red.

With all of these fabulous new makeup pieces, I decided to scour Pinterest for some looks I just can’t wait to try out with all of my new cosmetics!

Here’s some of the looks I can’t wait to try out:

This piece combines not only the red lipstick, but the liquid eye liner and voluminous mascara. To get the sleek brows – and to keep them in place all day – I would highlight my eyebrows and then use the clear gel shaping wand. To get the perfect liquid eyeliner look, I always look at my idol, Lauren Conrad, for inspiration! Find this look on Pinterest HERE.

To achieve this hot look, I would use the Lip Intense Liquid Color in coral. Based on the look above, I would then pair it with the liquid eyeliner and voluminous mascara once again. The eye shadow in beach sand would also look phenomenal for the easy going vibe to accent my baby blue eyes! To pin this look, check it out HERE.

When using the pink blush, I would go for a smokey eye. Though Milani did not send me any dark shadows, the Naked palette is perfect for achieving the best smokey eye. Another key concept of achieving a smokey eye is to make sure that your eyebrows are equally as fierce. I’ll be keeping them in check by using the liquid brow shaper! As for lips, I would want to keep it simply – so probably just throw on some chapstick. Eos is my favorite – especially in fruit punch! To check out this look on Pinterest, head over HERE.

P.S. For all of you looking to also attempt a red lip, I also found this awesome red lips cheat sheet for when I attempt to rock bold red lips.

Seventeen Magazine also sent me the biggest key to all summer makeup – sunscreen! Looking like a lobster – and then peeling – won’t make for any successful makeup looks this summer. Make sure to spray on your sunscreen and reapply it to get a nice tan this summer. I’m currently loving the Australian Gold Continuous Spray Sunscreen that I was sent from Seventeen Mag. It’s SPF 30 so it protects me from those harmful UV rays, while still helping me achieve my perfect tan.

It’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, which is perfect for beach days, lounging by the pool, or when I’m swimming laps. Julia and I would have been completely burnt on our day off if we didn’t use sunscreen when we were lounging poolside!

After you head out to your favorite drug store to pick up these products to try out your own new makeup routine, I wanted to remind you of a bunch of special events going on right now for “Sparkle and Shine” as I continue to celebrate my one year blogiversary! First, head on over to The Collegiate Standard to get 10% off by using coupon code SAMI10. Then, check out my giveaway with the Comeback Momma HERE.

Enjoy your week readers. Keep sparkling!

20Jun2014

Orchard Valley Harvest & Market Basket Giveaway! {Partnered with Comeback Momma}

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Friday, readers!

It’s the start of the weekend. With the beautiful weather, it’s the perfect weekend to go to the beach, go for a swim, or even just lay out and tan! (Just don’t get sun burnt like I did this week…oops!)

Don’t only remember to put on sunscreen, but remember to rock that bathing suit. There’s no need to pull a Honey Boo Boo..

If you are feeling a little self conscious (we’ve all been there, don’t worry!), pack a healthy snack and leave the soda and junk food at home.

Fellow Northeast Blogging Network member, Jenn from Comeback Momma, is reminding us all on how to stay healthy this summer. To stay on that healthy track, she’s launched an awesome giveaway!

I’ve decided to join Jenn in her giveaway!

The winner of the giveaway will win….

Variety of Orchard Valley Harvest minis
$250 Market Basket Gift Card
Define Bottle Water bottle
Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband

What a great way to stay healthy this summer! Sound interested?

Find out more and Make sure to enter HERE!

And if you want to find other ways to stay healthy, make sure to check out this post on eating healthy on a college budget!

10Mar2014

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

So I’m currently on Spring Break! Instead of laying out on a Florida beach soaking up the sun or skiing the Vermont slopes (not that I know how to ski anyway, I’m too accident prone that no one ever will take me on the slopes….), I’m laying on my couch in good ole’ Dirty Jersey planning my sorority’s formal, while taking a few breaks to catch up on America’s family, the Kardashians.

So with my messy bun looking messier than ever, 10 tabs of Pinterest open to my formal board, and crafting supplies scattered all over my dining room table, I decided to take a break from creating Alpha Delta Pi’s own wonderland for our “Alice in Wonderland” themed formal to share with you all this week’s My Monday Musts!

1. My Big Diamond and I celebrated our One Year Anniversary this Week!

Remember before I mentioned how I’m not skiing on any slopes because I’m so accident prone – well, one year ago during big/little diamond reveal ceremony, I wasn’t there because I had broken my hand and had possibly tendon damage. So a few days after everyone else had their formal reveal, I came back to school, and within 10 minutes, Katherine took me and my sling out to froyo so we can do an impromptu reveal. The day I received Katherine as my big diamond was one of the biggest blessings Alpha Delta Pi has given me. Katherine has been there for me through every up, every down, and every weekend adventure. She is my best friend, my sister, and my big diamond. I can’t express how incredible she is in my life, so not only did I have to share with you all that we just celebrated one year together as being big/little diamond sisters, but hope that all of your sorority girls have bigs like her!

2. Adding Resident Assistant to my Resume

One of my biggest goals of my college career was to become a Resident Assistant for freshman on Quinnipiac’s campus. This past week was the interviewing processes. Finally, on Wednesday, I received the e-mail saying that out of 236 applications, 26 where chosen – and I was one of them. I don’t think I have been this happy and this proud of myself in such a long time. Having a bunch of freshman residents is all I could dream about – I want to stay up late with them eating Dominoes discussing boy problems and life, I want them to come to me for outfit approvals, and for me to ultimately be their shoulder to lean on as they get through their first year of college. I have already been looking on Pinterest for ideas for door decorations and program ideas. For the Quinnipiac Class of 2018 who will be living in Irma next year, get ready, because RA Sami is ready to create the best year you can imagine.

3. Jack Rogers & Chubbie’s Giveaway

Jennifer Taylor, the social media and PR associate of Jack Rogers, contacted me this week to help spread the word on their current giveaway! (Talk about total fan girling… someone from Jack Rogers contacted ME!). Jack Rogers and Chubbies partnered together to create a sorority woman and fraternity man’s dream giveaway – to give away a pair of Jack Rogers sandals for her and Chubbies shorts for him. I entered the giveaway! Have you? Whether you’re on your phone or computer, you can enter the giveaway here.

So as I get back to the craziness of planning a formal and the spring break of a 40 year old woman thanks to the over 100 e-mail I need to answer, I just wanted to share something fun with you all…..

IT’S MY BIRTHDAY WEEK! MY BIRTHDAY IS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 15, AND I WILL NO LONGER BE A TEEN! I’M TURNING 20!

And on that note, have a great week! Keep sparkling!

17Feb2014

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

Hope you all stayed warm this week, “Sparkle and Shine” readers! I got to spend my week in the snow with some of my best friends and sisters – thanks to all the snow Connecticut has gotten this week. Check out another post coming up this week about all the movies I Netflix binged on during this snowy week.

I had so much fun – even though I am sick this week, I’m so not regretting the good times in the snow! We even “borrowed” some lunch trays to go sledding with. If you follow me on Instagram, you can watch the video of Jamie and I sledding with the trays!

And now with another snow storm looming over Connecticut, I present you with this week’s Monday Musts:

1. Alpha Delta Pi Decal

As I said, snow here in Connecticut has been super crazy. When I opened up a package from my mom – which thankfully included a new phone charger – there also was a letter from one of my sponsors, Jacqueline! I had previously posted about Jacqueline’s Etsy shop and being the fabulous woman that she is, she sent me back a thank you note which included this decal! I was so excited – it was like Jacqueline had read my mind, because I was planning on buying a new one soon. Plus, it’s set up like a monogram – which EVERY sorority girl loves! Meet Jacqueline in this post and make sure to check out her blog and her Etsy shop to order decals like mine!

2. My Formal Date

Based on yesterday’s post about how I’m living that single girl life, that put me in quite a predicament for formal dates. But hey, my formal date doesn’t have to be my boy toy. Instead, I decided to ask my best friend, Julia! A lot of other sisters will bring their best friends, so I figured, why not bring Julia. Julia is a year younger than me, so we never got a chance to put on pretty long dresses and go to prom together. Now, when my Alice in Wonderland themed formal comes rolling around, Julia and I can finally both put on our long dresses and get all dolled up together. Just because I was bringing my best friend didn’t mean that I couldn’t still do it in a fun way. So, I wrote a note, on Alpha Delta Pi stationary, that read “Julia, since we never got to go to prom and DANCE, will you be my date to ADPi formal BY ANY CHANCE?” and attached it to her favorite tea. I put it at her spot for yearbook, so when she walked in and went to sit down, it was the first thing she saw. I can’t wait for formal with my best friend!!

3. And the giveaway winner is…..

Sam Edwards, a sister of Alpha Delta Pi, won the giveaway! According to the raffle copter results, which pick a winner at random, it was Sam’s tweet about the giveaway that won my first giveaway for the Go Greek Pro app. Happy Monkey Apps, the sponsor of the giveaway, has been excellent to work with. I would also like to thank Caro for helping me post the giveaway! For the other entrants that did not win, I still recommend spending the money to download the ap. I hope you enjoy the app, Sam, I sure did!

So now, after finish typing this week’s Monday Musts, I’m seeing that it was very sorority related. I didn’t even plan on doing that. But while I continue to talk about sorority life, and bring it to your attention if you didn’t notice that this post unintentionally had a sorority theme, I think I realized why ended up being a sorority girl thanks to THIS TSM post!

Have a great week, readers! Keep sparkling!

6Feb2014

Must Needed App For All Sorority Girls AND You Can Get it With This Giveaway

by sparkleandshinesami

This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions are my own.

Happy Monkey Apps now offers the perfect app for anyone involved with Greek life. The app, entitled Go Greek, lets you add Greek Letter Stickers to your photos – right from your iPhone! It will make Instagramming, Tweeting, and sharing your favorite sorority/fraternity photos so much easier.

Want to post the picture, but don’t want to keep tagging your sorority in it? Just add the stickers right to the photo. Not only will it make the effort waaaay easier for you, it brightens up the photos!

Happy Monkey Apps gave me a free download of their pro version of the app, Go Greek Pro!

Check out how easy it is to use the app:

I already had the picture I wanted to use in mind, so I just selected Open Picture. It then brought me to a screen where I was able to select what letters I wanted to add. Of course, not all of you readers are in Alpha Delta Pi, so you can select and choose which letters you want to pertain to your sorority!

Once you add the letters, this is the screen the app will bring you to! You then have the option to share it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, E-mail it, or save it to your phone. Here is what that screen looks like (along with one of my all time favorite pictures of my and some of my sisters!):

In the corner you can see the maroon colors outlined in gold -which matched perfectly with our King 0f Diamonds philanthropy event shirts!

Here are some other fabulous pictures of mine I was able to add Alpha Delta Pi’s Greek Letters to:

The cheetah print letters outlined in pink are my fave!

Here is the silver sparkle letters outlined with gold!

The simple black and white letters are perfect for adding to any photo!

And last, but certainly not least, add some photo with some pink polka dot letters outlined in blue!

Now before you rush out and get the app yourself, readers, I am offering a giveaway for you to download the app for free!

This is my first ever giveaway, so make sure to enter! Go HERE to enter!

I will not only notify the winner, but post it in February 17’s My Monday Musts!

4Nov2013

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers! I hope you all enjoyed your Halloweens (but more importantly, your Hallo-weekends!) This year, I dressed up as Tom Cruise from Risky Business and a construction worker. If you are already planning your costumes for next year, I would definitely recommend these two! Both were very easy to do and cheap.

Now it is November – time for on sale Halloween candy and counting down the days til Christmas (50 days!) For me, this week is completely crazy – I already took an exam today and have papers and projects due almost everyday. I do, however, have super positives this week – my sorority has one of our big philanthropy events tomorrow night and our Great Gatsby themed semi formal is on Friday! My schedule is jammed packed this week, so I am going to jump right into this week’s Monday Musts!

1. I am now a member of the Her Campus Bloggers Network!

I have reached one of my blogging goals, readers – I am now a member of the Her Campus Bloggers Network! I write for my school’s chapter of Her Campus (check out my articles here). I knew that they also had a special, application based network for women, and a few men, between the ages of 13 – 30 with their own blog. I have waited months for the e-mail saying if I have been accepted into the HCBN, and I finally received it. My application was accepted! I am so excited to join other bloggers discussing fashion, beauty, Greek life, lifestyle, and so much more. I look forward to reaping the benefits of this incredible opportunity with you all! As a member of the Her Campus Bloggers Network, I get to rep the special badge that is now on the right hand side of “Sparkle and Shine”!

2. I Won A Giveaway!

One of my fellow Her Campus Bloggers Network sisters, Brittany from Oh Hey Brittany, recently hosted a giveaway on her blog. I have been a fan of Brittany’s blog even before we were HCBN sisters. When I saw that she did a giveaway a few weeks ago, I immediately entered. I am normally not a very lucky person when it comes to winning contests. However, my luck turned around because I won my first ever giveaway! Brittany had e-mailed me a few days ago saying that I had won a Dillo shirt. It just arrived and I am so excited!

3. I am now a member of the Northeast Bloggers Network!

As I’ve mentioned many times on here, I am a proud Jersey girl who goes to school in Connecticut. Because of this, I have joined up with other bloggers from the Northeastern United States as a member of the Northeast Bloggers Network. Yay! “Sparkle and Shine” is now listed on their directory under “General Life” bloggers. Just like with HCBN, I will be recieving special opportunities because I am now apart of this network. Just like I stated above about the Her Campus Blogger Network, I can’t wait to share the benefits of this network with you, as well. Right underneath my Her Campus Blogger Network badge is my Northeast Bloggers Network badge!

I can’t believe in the 5 short months of “Sparkle and Shine,” I have been able to accomplish so much. I wouldn’t be where I am without you readers, so thank you!!

Enjoy the rest of your week, my fabulous readers!