It really isn’t just four years, it’s for life….

Hello, hello!

Ever go on one of those runs when you do SO much thinking that you feel like your brain may explode? Well, that was how I spent yesterday morning. One of those thoughts (when I wasn’t thinking about which Kylie lip kit to purchase, what I should wear to see Toby Keith this weekend, or my future wedding to Animal Kingdom star Finn Cole) was about how Greek life has impacted my life in the past month since graduating school.

This whole thought process started when I received a text message about writing a letter of recommendation for someone who is looking to go rush Alpha Delta Pi at USC.

Whenever someone in ADPi gets a little butterfly feeling about remembering why they chose to come home to ADPi, we call it an “ADPi moment.” Some of mine included getting my big and little, when all my sisters supported me at my first Relay for Life to honor my father, and when I realized that one of my sisters, Lauren, is pretty much my soulmate. I’ve heard some alum sisters talk about how they get these ADPi moments as alums and our advisors say that this moments continue, but I wasn’t really sure when I would experience my first one.

Then, I got that text. It came from a girl who I used to work on our school’s television station with who was transferring. Knowing my involvement with Alpha Delta Pi, she said she would be “honored” for me to write her a letter of recommendation. Completely ecstatic, I said yes. I figured I would plan out everything I wanted to say in that letter when I went for a run.

As my mind went through everything I wanted to say, I started to think about the true impact ADPi has had on me. I’m one month out of college (gag), but still see so many ties to the organization.

I think the fact that my sisters are a majority of those that I am still deeply in contact with speaks volumes about the bonds I have made within my chapter. Every girl in my Snapchat best friends list, except for my hometown best friend, is a sister. I don’t go a day without being in contact with someone from ADPi. I recently needed some fitness advice – I texted a sister. I recently got tagged in a super funny meme on Instagram – it was from a sister. I’m getting a FaceTime call – it’s from a sister. I didn’t graduate and become just some face on a composite.

And this is all because the bonds I have with these women aren’t just for four years, they’re for life and it’s during post-grad that I’m finding out how true this statement really is.

Interested in going Greek? Check out some of my recent posts about Greek life:

Story time with Sami: That time I ran a match-making service for my sisters

My last Alpha Delta Pi formal {pictures & senior superlative}

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

An Open Letter to my Little as she becomes a Grand-Big

How I asked my date to sorority semi & cute ways you can ask, too!

ALSO, have you seen my new Instagram theme? Just one of the exciting things happening for Sparkle and Shine! Make sure to stay around to see what else is coming.

19Nov2015

Viva Las Alpha Delta Pi {Semi Formal 2015 pictures!}

by sparkleandshinesami

Hey, readers!

Looking back at recent Sparkle and Shine posts, I realized how I shared how super excited I was for my semi formal. I told you how I asked my date and how I was fueling my excitement by wearing my new letters, but then I never told you about how the actual semi formal was!

And it was awesome!

Since I was my chapter’s previous social chair, I haven’t been to a semi that I haven’t planned in years. It was so nice to go to an event and just be able to enjoy it and not need to make sure everything is going smoothly. Plus, I went with my best friend in the entire world so I knew we were going to have a blast.

Plus, since my big is still here for grad school, she came to pictures, too! It was the first family photo with my big, me, my little, grand little, and great grand little.

Check out some of my favorite pictures from the night below:

And after a great night at my semi formal, Paul asked me to his fraternity’s Christmas party on Tuesday. Stay tuned to see more about his proposal in an upcoming post!

15Sep2014

TTYL, BLOGOSPHERE! It’s recruitment time!

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

The Monday Musts are going on hold this week.

Why? BECAUSE IT’S RECRUITMENT TIME!

Instead of having a list of my fabulous happenings from this week, I am going to share with you posts about my sorority and about recruitment.

If you’re interested in recruitment, check out some of these posts about going through recruitment, about Alpha Delta Pi, and different aspects of Greek life:

WHY GO THROUGH RECRUITMENT?

MY MONDAY MUSTS: RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE & DIAMOND DASH

SET YOUR COLLEGIATE STANDARD

AWESOME RECRUITMENT PICTURES {GUEST POST}

To find out more about going through recruitment, check out more on the blog.

I promise to be back next week with more posts and share with you all about the exciting new members of my chapter of Alpha Delta Pi.

Have an amazing week, readers! Keep sparkling!

8Jun2014

Set YOUR Collegiate Standard This Summer

by sparkleandshinesami

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

I’ve been home from college for about a month now and there is nothing I miss more than my Alpha Delta Pi sisters. I miss everything from doing ritual with them to impromptu diner runs and hour long heart to hearts to sharing clothes for the perfect weekend outfit. My sisters truly live for me each and every day.

Thanks to Collegiate Standard, these ladies won’t to be too far away from my heart because I will be wearing my letters, proudly, on a necklace!

The lavaliere features a Swaroski Clear Crystal with sterling silver letters and a sterling silver chain. To see the exact one featured here, you can check it out HERE on the Collegiate Standard website!

After reading this, does The Collegiate Standard ring a bell to you, readers? Well, they’ve worked with Sparkle and Shine before. Just like in that post, The Collegiate Standard and I are working together to help YOU set your own collegiate standard this summer.

Sorority girls spend a lot of money – between dues and daily Starbucks trips, money seems to disappear in the blink of an eye. That’s why Collegiate Standard and I are giving you the coupon code SAMI10 to save 10% off your entire purchase! That 10% saved just may be your next Mocha Frappachino!

The Collegiate Standard offers rings, necklaces, and other pieces of jewelry for not only sorority women, but fraternity men. Being a member of a Greek organization means wearing your letters with pride, so whether you are male or female, you can wear your letters with pride thanks to The Collegiate Standard!

Now head on over to The Collegiate Standard, enter coupon code SAMI10 at the end of check out, and wear your beautiful officially Greek Licensed jewelry with pride!

PLUS, did I mention you’ll be getting free shipping AND money from your purchase will go towards the Greek organization your piece of jewelry is purchased for. Now head on over there now!

21May2014

“Big May Know Best, but Little Always Gets What She Wants”

by sparkleandshinesami

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

One of the hardest parts about being home for summer from college is how much I miss my sorority sisters, especially my big diamond sister, Katherine, and my little diamond sister, Amber!

My big and little diamond sisters mean the world to me. They are my best friends, my biggest support system, and two of the girls who I know will be standing next to me, as bridesmaids, on my wedding day.

They are the two girls I always want to go out with on the weekends….

They are the two always supporting me – just like in this picture, right after I was announced as our chapter’s new social chair…

They are the two that I am with at every philanthropy event, like at our King of Diamond’s event…

They are my rocks and my biggest support system, as you can see here at Relay for Life….

I can always be silly with them….

Because at the end of the day, they are the greatest thing to happen to me since I came to Quinnipiac University…

For any of you sorority women who understand the bond between a big and little sister, you may be experience #LittleProblems.

Don’t worry, because there is just a store – and Twitter account – to help you!

Little Problems is all about promoting the incredible bond between a big and little sister / a big diamond and little diamond sister, being a proud Greek woman, and supporting your sisters, and supporting your letters.

The shop features decals, bows, and koozies, while the Twitter account, started in May 2012, offers a variety of tweets than any sorority woman can relate to.

When purchasing from the store, orders are processed within 24 hours of placement and then are shipped out on either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. Shipping, for all products, is $3.0o. All sales are final and the site will also design custom koozies! For more information, you can check out the FAQ page here.

Do you know what it’s like to be a proud sorority women with such a close bond? If so, then you have to check out Little Problems to show off your pride!

25Mar2014

Check out Collegiate Standard for Greek Life Jewelry

by sparkleandshinesami

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

Remember way, way, waaay back when I was saying to use coupon code SAMI10 on The Collegiate Standard to purchase the awesome Greek Life products around Christmas time? Well, here I am to showcase it again!

The Collegiate Standard features awesome jewelry for a variety of different Greek organizations. They sent me a beautiful sterling silver ring inscribed with the Greek Letters for Alpha Delta Pi. Ever since I received it, I haven’t taken it off! More importantly, I’ve gotten tons of compliments on it.

The Collegiate Standard offers jewelry for not just Alpha Delta Pi, but Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Kappa Psi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Alpha Phi Gamma, Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Phi, Alpha Sigma Pi, Alpha Sigma Tau, Alpha Tau Omega, Alpha Xi Delta, Alpha Xi Omicron, Beta Theta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delt Gamma, Delta Kappa Psi, Delta Phi Epsilon, Delta Sigma Pi, Delta Upsilon, Delta Zeta, Gamma Eta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Lambda Theta Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Iota Alpha, Phi Kappa Tau, Phi Mu, Phi Sigma Rho, Phi Sigma Sigma, Pi Beta Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Delta Tau, Sigma Kappa, Sigma Lambda Gamma, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Nu Xi, Theta Phi Alpha, Theta Tau, and Zeta Tau Alpha. How awesome is that not only is there jewelry for sisters of sororities, but brothers of fraternities, as well?

All products from the company are not only of beautiful quality, but are officially licensed products.

The company offers a variety of types of jewelry, such as necklaces, rings, and pins.

If you are interested, I absolutely recommend checking the site out here. Also make sure to subscribe to their e-mail list for awesome updates and information on the company!

Stay tuned because more information on The Collegiate Standard will be coming soon, readers!

12Sep2013

WHY GO THROUGH RECRUITMENT?

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy recruitment season, ladies!

Here at Quinnipiac, recruitment season is underway! As the Theta Theta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi prepares for this exciting new time (I mean, bid day is like Christmas according to all the older members), I am refalling in love with my sorority each and everyday. I became a sister of Alpha Delta Pi about six months ago. Every single day, I am reminded that rushing and joining ADPi was the best decision of my life.

Are you thinking about going through recruitment at your school? If you have even the slightest interest in joining a sorority, I say to go for it! There are a bunch of reasons as to why you should going through recruitment, but here are my top ten!

1. You always always have someone to lean on, no matter the struggle.

Though the number varies from school to school, chapter to chapter, the fact stays the same: you will have a ton of sisters who you can always lean on. Whenever I am stressed, overwhelmed, sad, or just need a froyo date – I always have a sister I can go to . They’re willing to listen, to help, and do whatever they can to put a smile on your face. They are your support system, your rock. The bond that you share is so strong, that you will want to try and be there for every single sister.

Meet my sisters Crystal, Morgan, and Erin (the one we are picking up)! This was taken at our spring photo shoot of my freshman year.

2. You receive a big diamond sister/little diamond sister – the greatest bond you will ever have with someone.

I have featured my big diamond sister, Katherine, on here multiple times. Since I have yet to receive my little diamond, I decided I would also feature her big diamond, Katie. The relationship between a big diamond sister and a little diamond sister is the greatest bond there is, in my opinion. I tell Katherine absolutely everything – she is always the first to know my secrets, she is the person I go to whenever I need any form of advice, and she is the person I know I can always go to. Whether it’s bonding during our typical Dunkin dates or constantly snapchatting, I am so grateful each and everyday for this incredible bond I have with someone thanks to being in a sorority.

Meet two of my favorite sisters – my big diamond sister, Katherine, and her big diamond sister, Katie. This is one of my all time favorite photos, taken at my first Black Diamond Ball – spring semester of my freshman year.

3. Whenever you just need a hug, someone is there.

A day doesn’t go by that I am not hugging at least one sister – whether it be a hug just to say hi, a hug as a way of saying thank you, or just a hug to show how much I love them. As I said earlier, these girls are your rocks. In the photo below, I stepped out of my comfort zone and my incredible sister, Tammy, was hugging me to just show proud she was of me. You can see the emotion, the love, and the incredible bond between the two all through the photograph. There is nothing greater than a hug from your sister.

Meet Tammy! This was taken just earlier this week during spirit week (hence the interesting clothing choice and fake nerd glasses on my head – we were trying to channel Macklemore for a “Thrift Shop” look).

4. There are so many exciting events you get to do because of being in a sorority – like Formal or Spirit Week!

Sorority life fills your planner with a bunch of social events – and with them comes so much fun! Who doesn’t love getting dressed up?! whether it be in your nicest formal dress or craziest costume possible! Trust me, it’s even more fun with your sisters. Being in a sisterhood event makes one feel so comfortable, so you’re willing to get crazy and go all out for Spirit Week. For formal, it means looking your best because you have tons of helping hands to help with your hair and makeup. These events will become staples in your life and some of your favorite memories – memories that would not be possible if you aren’t in a sorority!

Meet my sisters Nicole, Alyssa, and Ali! We decided to get sleazy and had to look like Ke$ha for our Spirit Night last night! We pulled out all the stops – glittered face makeup, teased hair, and fishnets!

5. Sorority life is more than just about a social scene, it’s about being philanthropic.

One of the biggest aspects of being apart of a sorority is giving back to the community. Alpha Delta Pi’s philanthropy is Ronald McDonald House Charities. Besides just raising money, my sisters and I actually go to a local Ronald McDonald House. As a whole, your sorority will find otherwise to give back, besides just your philanthropy. Relay for Life is another event that means a lot to the Theta Theta chapter. Sorority life gives you so many opportunities to be selfish and give back to the community. You can help make a difference in this world. Best part of all, you have your sisters with you while you do it all!

Here are a bunch of my sisters and I at our school’s Relay for Life event last semester!

6. It means getting to throw what you know!

Each sorority has a different hand symbol that they make with their hands. When you do your sign, you’re throwing what you know! It’s so cool to have something like this, something that only you get to do that represents so many people and so many values. Just something so simple represents more than any stranger would realize. It’s more than just a hand sign – it’s a lifestyle.

Here my sisters Abby, Justine, and I are throwing up diamonds while our school was in the Frozen Four last semester.

7. It means endless dates with people that you will always love.

I don’t think it is possible for me to count the amount of sister dates I have gone on to Dunkin, for ice cream/froyo, and so much more. Dates with your sisters are just something small, but end up meaning so much. It’s during these dates when your bonds really form as you talk about your day, your secrets, and everything in between. They’re great opportunities to get to meet sisters, get to know others better, and to catch up with the ones you are super close to. In life, it’s more than just the big things – it’s the little things to. In sorority world, date nights with your sisters become one of those little things that mean so much.

Say hello to Katherine, Alyssa and Crystal again – and meet my violet sister, Steph! We love going to one of the local ice cream places to catch up over ice cream. Spring semester, when this photo was taken, was filled with many ice cream dates. Yum!

8. Your class will always be a consistency in your life.

When you join a sorority, the other girls joining at the same time with you will be your class. Those girls will be with you for every ride along the way – such as initiation and new member period. When you’re nervous for something new, odds are these girls will be too. It is so nice to have a bunch of girls who are also apart of your sorority who are in similar shoes as you. These girls are your instant best friends and you spend so much time with them. They’re a constant. They’re always your class. Accepting your bid and everything you do from there after will be with those fabulous girls in your class.

Here are some of the girls from my class – just being our fun selves! I can’t wait til we get the new class of girls who are just as fun!

9. Being in a sorority can benefit you after college.

Sororities are also great for connections. From your sisters, you are bound to meet others with your majors. Years down the road, when it comes to find a job or even getting an internship, a sister may be able to help you. Without being a sorority, you do not have this opportunity. For example, of my sisters, Nikki, and I are both very involved with our school’s student media organizations. Last March, we got to go into New York City together, representing our school, at the College Media Association’s spring conference. Together, we got to meet a bunch of people who will help us further our careers, like Willie Geist from NBC’s “The Today Show.” “Sparkle and Shine” has reaped benefits from me being in a sorority, such as being on Your Sorority Sister ‘Sorority Bloggers’ List.

Unfortunately, the photo is blurry. However, meet Nikki! Here we are with Willie Geist from NBC’s “Today Show.”

10. You get to become involved with something bigger than yourself.

First you become a part of it, then it becomes a part of you. Being a member of a sorority means more than anything I can ever sit here and try and explain to you. It means happiness, confidence, sisterhood, friendship, and so many more adjectives. It mean’s always having someone by your side. It means being the best you possible. Remember, your sisterhood is forever.

3Sep2013

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

I hope all of you are having a happy Monday, unlike myself. I’m having a rather unhappy Monday. Over this past weekend, I managed to fall and damage my knee. My mom had to come, on her birthday, to pick me up at school and take me to the Emergency Room. I am now home in New Jersey, waiting for an orthopedist appointment to see if there is any further damage than what the hospital said. Meanwhile, I’m stuck in a rather unfashionable knee immobilizer and crutches.

Now, I’m two hours away, at home, from my school and friends that I love so much. The perfectionist in me is freaking out since I am already missing classes (it’s only the second week!) However, I’m trying to stay positive because I have so many good things coming up back at school – such as recruitment! So with some positive thoughts and good vibes, I’m hoping to make the best of my situation. In the meantime, I’ll be working on some blog posts, catching up on Big Brother, and doing as much homework off my syllabuses so I do not fall behind.

So, readers, send me your good thoughts and positive vibes as you check out this week’s Monday Musts!

1. The One Direction 3D Movie “This Is Us”

Ever since I heard that One Direction was having a movie come out, I had been counting down the days. So finally, on the first day that it was out, I went with some friends (and ended up seeing some sisters!). We sat closer to the screen than the 10 years who were in the theater. We sang along, we danced, we screamed, and we even shed a few tears. I’m not just saying this because I am a huge Directioner (and plan on marrying Niall), but the movie was incredible. It truly gave fans an inside look on the lives of Harry, Niall, Louis, Zayn, and Liam and showed off more than just the goofy image they portray on Instagram and in Youtube Videos. You learned behind the scenes secrets and looked deeper into their lives as actual people, but just performers. But of course, in true One Direction fashion, there were pranks, laughs, and lots of smiles that makes girls swoon! I already want to see this movie again and could watch it everyday. No matter how big of a fan you are, I recommend going to see the movie. Plus, there were a ton of concert scenes to sing along to as if you were right there in the live audience.

2. Lilly Pulitzer Letters

For my big diamond sister’s birthday, I ordered us matching Lilly Pulitzer letters. I hadn’t worn them since we gotten them because I was just so nervous I was going to ruin wear them before I got to school and wear them with Katherine. This past Wednesday, my college hosted it’s annual Involvement Fair. At the Involvement Fair, students meet members and heads of the different organizations on campus to see if they are interested in signing up. Though I had to work my school’s yearbook stand at the Involvement Fair, I still wore my letters all day and got to snap this picture with my big diamond sister! The letters look super cute, the shirts were so comfy, and we got so many compliments (and 50 likes on Instagram!). I know I will definitely be ordering more Lilly letters soon (plus they match the planner I wrote about in a previous edition of Monday Musts!)

Meet my incredible big diamond sister, Katherine!!

3. Good Vibes

As I mentioned above with my injury, I am trying to stay positive with positive thoughts and good vibes. The beach girl in me is coming out when I say that one of my favorite sayings is “Good Vibes.” My twitter background and phone background even used to say that. Good vibes comes more than just from yourself, but the people you surround yourself with. You can’t stay positive by yourself, you need the people around you. You need to think positive to be positive. Negative people cause negative vibes which will not help you in your life. That is why, whenever I get upset over anything, I remember to stay to positive so I have some good vibes to help me get farther in life. So no matter what you’re going through this week either, just remember to keep some good vibes & send me some while you’re at it!

Enjoy the rest of your week, readers. I hope I have some positive news next week when I write about my Monday Musts!

In the meantime, I’ll try and use my free time to come up with some exciting new story ideas for Sparkle and Shine! 🙂

13Aug2013

Cute New Sorority Stickers from the Girls at Greek Cover Photo

by sparkleandshinesami

My sorority girl self previously posted about Greek Cover Photo, a site that allows for free downloads of already made Facebook cover photos representing different sororities.

Well, the girls from Greek Cover Photo have now added a new feature to their site – the ability to purchase sorority stickers!

The stickers are absolutely so cute and offer a variety of different themes, ranging from

sorority (this one representing my sorority, Alpha Delta Pi) :

to monograms (what sorority girl doesn’t love her monograms?!):

to plain decorative stickers:

The stickers are perfect to give as gifts to your little/big, or to keep for yourself to put on your laptop or notebook. I know I am so in love with the flag with the diamonds on it to represent ADPi that I will probably end up getting that one to put on my laptop right next to my other Alpha Delta Pi stickers! With recruitment coming up, the stickers also work as unique name tags.

On all of the stickers, you can customize them with your name or monogram for free! How awesome is that?! (This is such a big perk if you do decide to use them as name tags for recruitment.)

If your entire sorority is interested, or even a big group of sisters, the girls from Greek Cover Photo offer free shipping and 20% off on bulk orders of 50 or more! Use the coupon code BULKLOVE at checkout today.

Visit the Greek Cover Photo’s sticker shop today to purchase your sticker!

17Jul2013

Show your Greek Pride with GreekCoverPhotos.Com

by sparkleandshinesami

If there is one thing I love a whole lot in this world, it is my sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. I love to show off my sorority pride whenever I can – whether it be through wearing my Greek letter t-shirts, using my Lilly Pulitzer Alpha Delta Pi phone case, or just telling the world that I am a sister of Alpha Delta Pi.

That’s why when Nahal of Greek Cover Photos e-mailed me asking to discuss their new site on “Sparkle and Shine,” I just couldn’t resit myself! (Plus, Nahal turned out to be a sister of ADPi, as well! How cool is that?!)

So listen up, fellow Panhellenic sisters, because I have some information on a new way to rep your sorority!

Greek Cover Photos was recently created by Nahal Poormasjedian, Zainab Aliyu, and Brynn Zoellner on July 7. The goal of the site is to have sorority girls rep their letters on Facebook with the best cover photos possible, according to the site’s about page.

Right now, the site has 12 sororities represented with cover photos, but you can view 11 when you click on the sorority tab. When you go onto the site, click on the sororities tab to select your sorority. If your sorority is not listed, you can click on the blue “sorority not listed?” box to request that your sorority be added to the list. That way, every sorority girl can get the chance to show off your sorority pride in a cover photo!

When I saw all of the Alpha Delta Pi cover photos, I had such a hard time deciding on which one I wanted to use. They were all just so cute! After scrolling through all of the designs, I finally decided on the one with Luke Bryan’s “Sorority Girl” lyrics about ADPi on it:

Once I decided on which cover photo I wanted, it was so easy to set it as my cover photo. All I had to do was click on it, which then brought me to a page that shows how it will look in a mock Facebook set up. Then, I hit “download cover photo” and it was saved onto my computer. Then, I went onto Facebook and changed my cover photo as I normally would. Nothing about it was complicated!

The cover photo fits absolutely perfect on Facebook. No part of the design is cut out, it is not stretched out, and does not look distorted. You can tell the girls of Greek Cover Photos took their time to make sure that their designs would look just right once they were on Facebook.

I recommend to every sorority girl to check out the Greek Cover Photos site to download a cover photo to represent their sorority! It’s also a great burst of pride during recruitment season!

Enjoy representing your sorority, ladies!

Did you end up looking at the site? Did you download a cover photo? Which one did you pick? Let me know below!