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!

15Jul2014

My Weekend Adventure with My Little Diamond

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Tuesday, readers!

So many people were tweeting at me and asking me where My Monday Musts were. I took the day off from My Monday Musts yesterday to catch up on some sleep (I slept for 16 hours and then took a 3 hour nap. Whoops.) and get some errands done because my weekend was very busy.

Why was my weekend super busy? Because my little diamond, Amber, came to New Jersey for the weekend!!

The first thing we did when Amber got here? Take a picture of the three of us reunited!

Want to know what’s really cool? Since my best friend from home goes to Quinnipiac with me, she knows Amber, too. Even better – they’re college BFFs and roommates, so we spent the entire weekend together!

On Friday, we took Amber around our town and surrounding towns showing her what our life here in the Dirty Jersey is like. We showed her our jobs, were we hang out, and gave her the tour of our houses. During middle school/the beginning of high school, going to the movies and then Fuddruckers was THE thing to do. Amber had never gone to Fuddrucker’s, known for it’s “World’s Greatest Hamburgers” so we took her there.

Afterwards, we went to Morristown to show Amber something very New Jersey. Plus, it was something I could cross off my bucket list! Just a few days ago I posted about how I have been a little side tracked in completing tasks on my bucket list and Amber coming to New Jersey was the perfect opportunity to do so. However, you’re just going to have to stay tuned to “Sparkle and Shine” to see what it is….

The following day, Saturday, was Julia’s mom’s 50th birthday party! Amber and I laughed the entire time as got ready, blasted our typical Saturday night Pandora station “Turn Down For What” – but instead of getting ready to go to a club, we were getting ready for a 50th birthday party!

We all put on our best maxi dresses and danced the night away to 80’s music. I absolutely loved dancing around to Madonna and Toni Basil’s “Hey Mickey.”

Julia, Amber, and Julia’s younger sister (and another one of my best friends) Jenna and I were killing it in our maxi dresses!

To round off the weekend, we shopped til we dropped at Jersey Garden’s – New Jersey’s largest outlet mall. With over 200 stores, we were in total heaven. As for our bank accounts, not so much.

As any True Jersey girls know, there are three things that really define NJ. Julia and I made sure to show Amber, who is from Connecticut, three core parts of Jersey:

1. Not pumping our gas

From Connecticut, Amber has to pump her own gas – YUCK! So of course, we had to have her say “$20 regular” and hand over a debit card.

2. The Garden State Parkway

Julia and I wanted to show Amber the Garden State Parkway. On Sunday, we were planning on going to Seaside. However, gross rainy weather ruined that plan. At least we got to show her a sign that was leading to the Parkway, right?

3. Taylor Ham

Ask anyone from New Jersey – there is NOTHING better than Taylor Ham. We couldn’t have had Amber leave without having it. We made sure to stop at our favorite diner and order her a Taylor Ham, eff, and cheese with salt, pepper, and ketchup. YUM!

It was such a great weekend getting to spend time with my little diamond. Of course, the weekend wasn’t complete without us throwing what we know!

Hope you had a great weekend, too, readers!

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!

2Mar2014

Top 3 Instagrams of the Month: February 2014

by sparkleandshinesami

Hello, readers!

It’s officially March a.k.a. my birthday month! WOOHOO!

Last month, you may remember how I introduced the post saying I will be starting the monthly tradition of sharing my Instagram posts with the most likes. Well, if you don’t, you can check out January’s top Instagram posts here and keep reading to find out what February’s most liked photos were!

So my first Instagram with the most likes was in honor of my guardian angel, my father, on World Cancer Day. February 4 was World Cancer Day, as well as the 3 years and 8 months since my father passed away. I couldn’t help but to dedicate a post to my hero on this day explaining not only the importance of having him in my life, but the importance of finding a cure.

My second post with the most Instagram likes was during my Alpha Delta Pi District Leadership Conference. Alea, is currently our chapter’s president. Prior to becoming our sister prez, she was the Director of Social Enrichment, which is what I currently am. I am so honored to follow in Alea’s shoes as the Director of Social Enrichment for the Theta Theta chapter and plan on living up to those big shoes to fill in the next year, since she did such an incredible job.

My third Instagram post with the most likes was when I pinned my little diamond, Amber, with her own pin for the first time. It is Alpha Delta Pi tradition that little diamond’s wear their big diamond’s pin until they get their own. Two chapters ago, Amber finally got her own pin. I was honored to pin her with her own pin!

Don’t want to wait for the beginning of each month to see the Instagram pictures with the most likes, then follow me on Instagram!

Enjoy your Sunday readers!

7Dec2013

DIY Bejeweled Photo Collage Letters

by sparkleandshinesami

For my big diamond, Katherine, and little diamond, Amber, I had searched for hours on Pinterest to find the perfect Christmas present for them. I wanted to craft them something personal to show all the memories we had shared together. I had finally found the perfect gift for them, bejeweled photo collage letters!

Christmas is right around the corner, but you still have time to make these! You can complete a letter in a matter of a day.

First, you need to prepare to do the craft. I went to my local Jo-Ann craft store and got a cardboard letter. I then printed out pictures, right from my computer, of my favorite black and white photos of me and the gift’s recipient.

I didn’t want the letter to just be plain cardboard, so I used white acrylic paint to paint it.

The paint was super quick to dry. Make sure to paint every side!

I’ll be honest with you, readers, I am a perfectionist. So instead of just gluing the photos down with mod podge, I laid out the photos on the letter. I pieced everything together like a little puzzle to see how it would all fit.

Once everything was how I wanted it to be, I took a picture to remember. I then took the photos off the letter and began to glue it down! To do so, you need a sponge brush and mod podge. Both can be purchased at a local craft store. I bought mine at Michael’s.

To glue the photos down, I would first use the sponge brush to put glue down on the letter. I would then stick the photo onto it, trying to avoid allowing air bubbles pop up. Once the photo is on, I put the mod podge over it. The mod podge was put on top of the photo for a glossy feel.

Continue on by gluing down each photo with mod podge and put the mod podge on top of the photo, as well.

Once you have every photo glued down, run one last layer of mod podge over the entire thing. Make sure it is all even.

If you can see the white glue on the photo, it’s okay. That’s what makes the photo appear to have a glossy finish once it dries.

Before doing anything else, you need to let the mod podge dry!

You can always leave the letter just like this, but I decided to bejewel the letter with adhesive jewel stickers.

Once you finish adding the jewels onto the letter, it’s all done!

Amber and Katherine loved them. I am so happy with how they came out!

If you decide to make these bejeweled photo collage letters, drop me a message in the comments below and me know!

And remember to check out the site The Collegiate Standard for sorority and fraternity jewelry! PLUS use coupon code SAMI10 to receive 10% off! A post on their products will be coming soon!!

18Nov2013

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers! I don’t think I have ever been more excited to say that it is Monday – because this is my last week of classes before going home for a week long Thanksgiving break. I am so excited to go home to see my family, my friends, sleep in my own bed, and shower without flip flops on in my own shower. However, in classic college life, this week is so stressful – exams, papers, projects, and nonstop craziness! It’s only Monday and I’m counting down the hours til I can go home.

Now don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love college. This weekend alone really proved it – I was able to spend time with some of my favorite people because it was initiation weekend for my sorority. We held our day initiation starting on Thursday. Finally, on Saturday my little diamond went through the official initiation ceremony to become an initiated Delta of Alpha Delta Pi. I am so proud of Amber and am so excited that my little diamond now gets to know all of our secrets and our ritual. Since it was initiation weekend, I spent so much time with my little diamond & big diamond – between a sleepover, late night talks, and baking cookies.

Now, enough about my love for Alpha Delta Pi and my big diamond & little diamond – here is this week’s Monday Musts!

1. Miley Cyrus’ cover of Lana Del Ray’s “Summertime Sadness”

A recent Buzzfeed title caught my eye – it was about how Miley Cyrus performed a cover of Lana Del Ray’s “Summertime Sadness.” Miley and Lana are both two of my favorite female performers, so to hear that Miley did a cover of one of Lana’s best songs, I was ecstatic. As soon as I listened to it, I immediately became obsessed. It’s been on repeat nonstop and is even playing as I type this post. Here’s the video for you to check it out for yourself! If you ever doubted Miley’s talent, after listening to this cover – you never will doubt it again!

2. 21 & Over

One of the rules of initiation weekend is that it is dry weekend – which means we are unable to go out. One night, a bunch of my sisters and I sat around watching movie marathons on Netflix. We ended up watching the recently released movie “21 and Over.” “21 and Over” is about three childhood friends, one who just turned 21. The friends take on a crazy night of legal drinking, until the birthday boy becomes so intoxicated he can’t give the boys his address to get home. He has to be ready by 7 am for his medical school interview, according to his super strict father. As Miller and Casey try to get Jeff Chang home, they realize how much college has interfered in their friendship. The movie takes on many plot twists that left all my sisters and I laughing until we were crying. This movie is a MUST for any college student!

3. QuizUp

During a study session with my friend Megan for our nutrition exam last night, she kept taking a break to play QuizUp, an app on her iPhone. At first, I had no idea why she was so addicted – until I downloaded the game myself. The trivia app lets you play against your Facebook friends, or other opponents that it matches you up with, in different categories – ranging from Spelling to Boy Bands, Beyonce to Dogs. As you play, you get points in the different categories that increase your levels in each category. I haven’t been addicted to app since Candy Crush – but I think I have found what my next one will be!

And as usual, now that I am finished sharing My Monday Musts with you – I must get back to my crazy schedule – a project, meetings, homework, and so much more.

Enjoy the rest of your week, readers! Remember, it’s almost Thanksgiving break!

11Nov2013

My Monday Musts, old sport

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

If you could not tell from the title, this week’s Monday Musts are special – they’re “Great Gatsby” themed in honor of my Alpha Delta Pi “Great Gatsby” semi-formal on Friday! I wanted to share with all of you, readers, some of my favorite pictures from the memorable night. I decided to do so by sharing with you three of my favorite “Great Gatsby” quotes!

1. “Can’t repeat the past?…Why of course you can!”

This is my favorite photo of the night with my two favorite people – my big diamond, Katherine, and my little diamond, Amber!

2. “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

My little diamond, Amber, came over to my room before the pre-party for some cute pictures! We decided we wanted to take a “Great Gatsby” photo. This is what Amber, Rob, Connor, and I came up with!

3. “I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.”

I decided to take my best friend, Connor, with me to semi!

Now, I know that My Monday Musts normally just contain three points of information. However, there are just too many quotes and too many pictures, that I’m going to break the rules, just like Jay Gatsby, and share more quotes and pictures with you all!

4. “I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”

One of the greatest parts of semi is taking pictures with my sisters and their dates! Here, my little diamond and I are with our friends Alex, Kathleen, and Kathleen’s date, Ray.

5. “In my younger and more vulnerable years, my father gave me some advice. “Always try to see the best in people,” he would say. As a consequence, I’m inclined to reserve all judgement.”

Since I have been initiated into Alpha Delta Pi last semester, these are the girls that I have been closest to since day one! Katherine, Crystal (far right), and Crystal’s big diamond, Nikki have always been, and will always be, three of the girls that I am closest to.

6. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter–tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.”

I don’t think any other photo from this night makes me laugh as hard as this one does! Rob, Amber, Crystal, and I thought it would be funny to pick Connor up for a photo!

7. “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired.”

I am so grateful to have Katherine as my big diamond sister!!

8. “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”

And I am so thankful to have Amber as my little diamond sister!!

9. “It occurred to me that there was no difference between men, in intelligence or race, so profound as the difference between the sick and the well.”

I’ll be honest with you readers – I took a lot of selfies at semi! My big diamond sister brought her roommate, Emily, to semi!

10. “Reserving judgments is a matter of infinite hope.”

Overall, semi was a ton of fun and filled with many laughs and memories! Here I am laughing with my sister Lauren!

Remember, readers, a little party never killed nobody!

Enjoy the rest of your week!!

Note: I have used quotes from both the classic novel and the movie.

21Oct2013

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

Hope you all are having a fabulous Monday! I know I sure am! Guess who got a 100 on her last nutrition exam after studying for over 8 hours?! Me! And nothing can put me in a better mood than knowing that all my hard work is paying off during my 8 a.m.

However, now I’m stuck back in reality though after the incredible weekend I had. It’s no more city streets, but back to my campus. There’s no more hole-in-wall dining, but a cafeteria. I’m just stuck with all the memories, tired legs, and a new Facebook profile picture.

But another part of my reality though, is bringing to you all my Monday Musts!

1. How I Met Your Mother

Once I returned home from New York City, my little diamond, Amber, began to tell me about her newest obsession, the television show “How I Met Your Mother.” I’ve heard so many people talk about, read so many tweets about it, but never had any interest in it. I always felt that it was in someway similar to “Friends,” and nothing could ever compete for my heart the way Chandler, Ross, Joey, Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe have. After a much needed few minutes of relaxing, I decided to give the show a chance and watch with her. I quickly became obsessed. We have watched so many episodes in just a short amount of time as we try to figure out who the mother is. It’s safe to say that I finally hopped onto the “How I Met Your Mother” bandwagon!

2. Quinnipiac got an Alex and Ani

I looooove Alex and Ani bracelets! My collection includes the anchor bangle, the Alpha Delta Pi bangle, and the daughter bangle. Quinnipiac’s campus was in uproar when Alex and Ani released the Quinnipiac University bangle, decked out with the Bobcat and our school’s name! I, like every other girl on campus, was in love and obsessed – and may have even stopped breathing for a few seconds. I can’t wait to hopefully add this to my collection, especially since Christmas is just around the corner( if you really want to know, I like it in silver)!

3. Ice Cream IS Happiness

By accident before, I opened up my Tumblr app, which hasn’t been open in forever thanks to Pinterest. The first photo that popped up said “…You cannot buy happiness, but you can buy ice cream (which is almost the same thing).” I instantly fell in love with the photo and had to screenshot it to save it and now share it all with you. Fun fact, one of my all time favorite foods is ice cream. Whenever I’m happy, whenever I am sad, or almost whenever in general, I could go for a big bowl of ice cream! Almost every Monday, my big diamond, Katherine, and I go to a local ice cream place, called Wentworths. We catch up on each other’s weekends and give each other a play-by-play of our nights. The only thing that gets me through the dreaded Monday is our weekly big diamond/little diamond ice cream dates! Seeing this photo made me realize how true it is- my true happiness from Mondays comes from ice cream dates with Katherine! If you’re stuck in those Monday blues today, grab yourself some Ben & Jerry’s! Yummy!