My Monday Musts

Happy Monday, readers!

Hope you all enjoyed your first day of summer yesterday and your Father’s Day.

Before I even jump into this week’s edition of My Monday Musts, I just wanted to say a big, big thank you for how supportive everyone was for my most recent personal post about Father’s Day. When putting myself out there like that, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As I said in the post, I mainly talk about college life, Greek life, celebs, fashion/beauty, etc. and not so much my personal feelings. However, I felt that this was just something that I really needed to share with the world.

After publishing the piece, I got an overwhelming amount of comments and e-mails from readers, as well as text messages and phone calls from friends. I broke my records for amounts of views in hours. Most importantly, I was able to shed some light from a different perspective and help others in a similar situation express feelings that they haven’t been able to.

So big, big thank you to everyone who shared the post, send me warm wishes and comments, or even just reading it!!

Source: Teen.com

I also wanted to share with you all how much I am hustlin’ for all of you!

I’ve recently grown an obsession with vloggers (which is video bloggers,in case you didn’t know). I’ve been watching their videos at all hours of the night and coming up with different post ideas for you. I’ve been checking out their different social media platforms, seeing what types of posts are most popular for them, and more.

(My favorites include Sarah Belle and Caitlin Bea.)

I’m seeing how they are putting on their lipstick (quite figuratively in their makeup tutorials) and how they are hustling! After seeing this ADORABLE pin below, I made it my phone background as a reminder.

Pin it H E R E

What it comes down to is this – I love blogging and I love all of you.

I am so thankful for the opportunities that have risen from this and the only way I can repay you for checking out Sparkle and Shine is with awesome posts. This is why, for the rest of the summer, I am making the ultimate pinkie promise of posting multiple times a week and bringing you some of the best content I have ever given you.

The only way life will sparkle is if you do, readers.

6Apr2015

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Hey readers!

I hope you had a great week. I’ve been a little M.I.A this past week (in case you didn’t know), but I am back now and have plenty of fun posts planned for this week!

But first, I’m going to back track myself a little bit and explain what would have been My Monday Musts from the following week….

Last Monday, I explained all about how I had turned twenty-fun and had been having the time of my life since. But on the 28th, my friend Alyssa and I had an open bar booked to celebrate. In sweet-sixteen fashion, we had our super sweet 21st open bar birthday bash. Check out some of the pictures from the fun, filled night with my best friends!

But now, birthday world has come to an end and it back to reality. Time for meetings, Res Life duty shifts, classes, homework, and everything in between.

All I know, is that I have so many exciting posts planned for this week. Stay tuned readers, keep sparkling, and just wait and see what is coming this week for Sparkle and Shine!

23Feb2015

Mirrorless Monday

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

Today is a special Monday. In honor of Eating Disorder Awareness week, today is Mirrorless Monday. The concept of today is to avoid the mirror. How you look on the outside does not matter, it was what is on the inside. You are unique. You are beautiful. You are you – your hair color, your pant size, and the pimple on the tip of your nose does not matter.

I challenged my residents to participate in today by covering up our large bathroom mirrors and writing reminders to them about beautiful they are on both the inside and outside. More importantly, I reminded them that how they look on the outside does not reflect their self worth.

Today, I have not looked in a mirror. I have promised myself, in honor of the 20 million women and 10 million men in America who suffer from the disease, to honor this day.

I didn’t do my makeup and I let my hair naturally air dry, then put it into a pony tail. I did not do my makeup. I didn’t have to look in the mirror while brushing my teeth or washing my face because of the large paper covering the mirror.

I ask you to take this promise, too. From now on today, do not use a mirror. Do not stop and look at yourself.

Then tomorrow, do not critique yourself. Ignore that zit, ignore the off-white shade of your teeth, and ignore the so-called rolls and flab you see on your stomach, arms, and thighs. Instead focus on what is inside – how much you care about your family, how hard you work in school, and how amazing you are just being you.

I know there are plenty of days I want to stare down everything I see that is wrong in the mirror – did eating those french fries yesterday make me gain weight? Are those blackheads on my nose? Why is that hair so out of place? But instead, I chose to ignore this. I focus on my GPA that I work my butt off for; I focus on my blog and how far it has come in so little time; I focus on how much I love my friends, family, and sorority sisters. I focus on being more than what I see in the mirror. I focus to be happy and confident for who I am.

Just promise yourself, and me, that for one day you avoid these thoughts and avoid looking in a mirror. Honor those who no longer can.

If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, reach out to the confidential hotline at 1-800-931-2237 to get help.

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!

25Aug2014

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

My oh my, happy Monday readers!

I haven’t said that in quite some time. After going on an M.I.A. stint, I moved back into Quinnipiac to start my junior year and life as a Resident Assistant. Since then, my life has been more chaotic than normal. Classes finally started today, my residents are all settled in, and I have a fresh new manicure to start tackling junior year!

This week’s Monday Musts are going to be a little bit different than the normal three exciting items of the week. Instead, I’m just going to give you a life update. So bare with me as we go over my life – without this post, I wouldn’t be able to start all the exciting posts I have scheduled (including one I’ve been working my butt off on!)

Since I last blogged almost a month ago, so many different events have happened!

Three of my best friends headed off to Ireland to study abroad….

I went to Great Wolf Lodge with my favorite guy…

A Blue Claws baseball game with my other favorite guy…

Got moved in and placed on the best Resident Assistant Staff I could ever possibly ask for…

Moved in my residents…

And finally, received the best residents I could ever ask for!!!

My classes started today. I only had one already – which is taught by an Emmy award winning producer on television and radio production. How cool is that?!

Ever have that feeling when you make a really awesome decision and you just know that so many positive things will come from it? That’s how I’m feeling now. I can’t wait to see where my life’s journey continues to take me!

Have an awesome week, keep sparkling, and stay tuned for next week’s Monday Musts to be back to normal!

28Jul2014

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

Wow, I feel like I haven’t said that in a long time. You can blame than on my little M.I.A. stint.

But, now I am back!! I know you’ve been missing your weekly dose of Monday Musts, which is why I’m going to jump right into this week’s!

1. Finding Carter

One of the shows I have been completely binge watching is MTV’s newest show Finding Carter. The show revolves around teenage Carter after she realizes her “mother” is actually her kidnapper. 16 years ago, Carter was taken from her family’s front lawn. Now, she’s reunited with her birth family and is forced to restart her life. The show is like any other show on television right now. Kudos to MTV! You can watching Finding Carter Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on MTV or on demand!

Source

2. Evernote

I live my life off of lists – whether it’s to do lists, a list keep track of books I want to read, blog post ideas, anything and everything! I keep all these lists in the notes application on my iPhone. However, it’s been getting hard recently to keep everything organized when I have notes for my personal life, my blog, and for Alpha Delta Pi all together. I had to keep them organized, so I downloaded Evernote. The app, which then will link up to your computer, allows you to create notebooks to store your notes in. You can add pictures, business cards, save recipes, and anything else you can imagine! It helps keep everything in one place, while still being categorized. The best part? I can just go onto the Evernote website, log in, and all my notes are right on my computer. So, when I’m prepping a blog post, save it on Evernote (like this one!), I can just open it right onto my computer then. How awesome is that?!

Source

3. Icing

When Amber came to visit, we went shopping! My shopaholic self somehow discovered a new store that is literally perfect. It’s my definition of heaven!! The store is Icing by Claire’s. It’s filled with all things sequins, glitter, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and anchor printed – five of my favorite things. I’ve already gotten headbands from there, an accessory for my office, and gifts for others. If it was up to me, I would buy everything! Find out if you have an Icing near you by going HERE.

Source

Now that I’m off my hiatus, I have so many exciting projects to be sharing with you, readers! While I was lounging on the beach this week with my best friend, I kept coming up with tons of post ideas – as I wrote them down in my Evernote app on my phone!

This week, I also tackled another item on my bucket list! I’ll be sharing that with you this week, too! I can’t wait for all “Sparkle and Shine” has in store for the next few weeks. Get excited!!

Most importantly, have an amazing week! Keep sparkling!

30Jun2014

Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

Can you believe that this week starts July? Summer seems to be flying by my eyes faster than the speed of light. Maybe it’s the 40 hour work weeks or all the blogging? Who knows, all I know is that I’m making the most of my time and this week definitely demonstrated this.

First off, I finally got to reunite with one of my best friends from college, Jen!

We got to catch up (she just came back from Disney – I’m so jealous!), talk all about the new season of Orange is the New Black, stuffed our faces at The Cheesecake Factory, and saw one of the best films ever. You’re just going to have to keep reading to see which movie it was!

My mom also surprised me with tickets to see Cinderella on Broadway for this week! Cinderella is my all time favorite Disney character and has been an obsession of mine for as long as I can remember. My wedding – which is completely planned out, thank you very much – will even be Cinderella themed. After my mom surprised me, I tweeted about my excitement – and Cinderella on Broadway tweeted back!

After completely fan-girling and thinking nothing more exciting could happen to me on Twitter this week, it did.

After this week’s Duck Dynasty episode, Martin, one of the show’s main cast members, did #askMartin on Twitter. During this time, viewers could tweet questions at Martin and he would respond. I normally don’t participate, but thought I would give it a shot this week. Much to my surprise, he answered my question!

Follow me on Twitter to see what exciting events will happen for me this week on my favorite social media site!

Before you do that, however, check out this week’s Monday Musts!

1. The Fault in Our Stars Movie

Back in February, when The Fault in Our Stars movie trailer was released, I wrote about my excitement in that week’s Monday Musts. I finally got to see the movie! Jen and I are both TFIOS fans, so we waited til we were both free to go see the movie together. The movie lived up to what I was hoping it could be. Though it may not have been as amazing as the book (the movies never are), the movie itself was still amazing. I laughed and I cried as John Green’s novel came to life right before my eyes. Now, I don’t want to give away any plot details because everyone should see this movie. Plus, now I have the BIGGEST celeb crush on Ansel Elgort, the American-Russian actor who played Augustus.

2. Dawson’s Creek

I remember being a pre-teen and catching re-run episodes of the teen drama, Dawson’s Creek. Every time I heard the start of “I Don’t Wanna Wait,” I would glue myself to the television to watch the episode. However, since the show aired from 1998-2003, I didn’t get to see all the episodes, in order. Thanks to Netflix, I now am able to! I started the six season series, which follows Jen, Dawson, Pacey, and Joey in the New England town of Capeside. The show follows the teens as they experience love, heart break, friendship, and other trials and tribulations. Now that I finished Orange is the New Black, this is the new show I’m watching non-stop!

3. Guess the Emoji App

I don’t really get addicted to games on my phone, since I’m normally too busy tweeting, liking pictures on Instagram, or answering e-mails from one of my four accounts. However, my Facebook feed one day was loaded with people asking for help on the Guess the Emoji app. I love games that make you think like this one. So as I was guessing the answers to the questions people were asking for help on, I decided to download the free app for myself! On the app, you are given emoji images that either form a word, a phrase, or represent a word/phrase. The letters that you need are scrambled up alongside extra letters. You must then solve the puzzle to gain more points and advance to the next round!

I can’t wait for next Monday to share about my adventures of the next week with you – keep your eyes open for a post about my room that I am repainting and redecorating and more!

Have a great week, readers! Keep sparkling!

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!

9Jun2014

My Monday Musts

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

Hope you all had a sparkling and shining week! I know I say every week is crazy and hectic, but this past week seemed to have take the cake for busiest week of summer yet.

I spent Monday in Pennsylvania with some of my college best friends. We went hiking to a water fall, stuffed our faces in Chinese food, and caught up on what we’ve missed in each other’s lives for the month we’ve been apart. Though we use the GroupMe app everyday to stay in touch, it was so nice to finally get to be together!

This past week held a lot of exciting opportunities for Sparkle and Shine. Two of them will be explained in this week’s Monday Musts. Before we jump into them, I just want to remind you about my partnership with The Collegiate Standard! Use coupon code SAMI10 to get 10% off your purchase! Plus, money from your purchase will go towards whatever Greek organization you made your purchase for. You can read more about it in yesterday’s blog post.

Now that you’ve read about The Collegiate Standard – and made a purchase – it’s time for you to read what made it onto this week’s Monday Musts!

1. I’m now a Makeoverly Expert!

Makeoverly is first EVER online Q&A magazine for beauty and fashion. Ask your question and fashion and beauty bloggers, make up artists, journalists, and others experts answer your questions. After checking out Sparkle and Shine, Makeoverly decided that I would make for a good expert. Head on over to the site and ask any fashion or beauty question you may have, then have it answered by myself and other experts!

2. I’m now a member of 20 Something Bloggers

Have you noticed that new badge on the side saying “I’m a Member of 20 Something Bloggers” yet? Well, go check it out because I am now a member! The application based blogging network accepted me this week to connect with other 20 something year old bloggers from around the web. I’ve only been in this network for a few days, but I’ve already learned that there are so many great opportunities! I can’t wait to see what else 20SB will bring for Sparkle and Shine!

3. “Toxic” By Sara Shephard

This past week Sara Shephard release the 15th novel in the “Pretty Little Liars” novel series, which happens to be the second to last novel in the series! It’s summertime in Rosewood and the police believe that it’s been weeks since they put to end murderous A’s reign of terror. However, the Liars know that the real A is still out there and that nothing in Rosewood will ever be the same while A is still on the loose. While dealing with A, Hannah is offered the role of a lifetime in a movie about her own life. Aria’s artwork goes viral. Spencer starts an antibullying blog, but things don’t seem to go as positive for her as Sparkle and Shine has been doing for me. Finally, Emily ends up doing whatever it takes to reconnect with her one true love – even if that means ending up behind bars. While all the girls are all wrapped up in their own lives, they must remember A will stop at nothing to bring them down. I’m so excited to start the novel and continue on with my PLL obsession!

And that Pretty Little Liars obsession of mine can continue – with the start of the newest season on ABC Family premiering tomorrow! ABC Family, Seventeen Magazine, and Sparkle and Shine has partnered up to host a Pretty Little Liars viewing party. Nine of my friends and I will be celebrating the premiere of the newest season at my house tomorrow night with fun goodies from ABC Family – just another perk of the Seventeen Magazine Social Club!

Tune into Pretty Little Liars tomorrow night, have an amazing week, and keep sparkling!

14Apr2014

My Monday Musts: Ronald McDonald House Charities & Diamond Dash

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy Monday, readers!

I hope you all had a sparkling weekend! The weather here in Connecticut was so beautiful – as you can tell based on my sun burned face if you see me around campus. After participating in Relay for Life on Friday evening (stay tuned for an upcoming post!), participating in our school’s chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma’s philanthropy event, Katie’s Game, in honor of a deceased sister, and then Alpha Delta Pi having our own philanthropy event, it’s easy to say it was an amazing weekend.

We may not have won the whole entire thing, but the ADPi team at Katie’s Game made it to the semi-finals and had such an amazing time supporting our Panehellenic community!

Plus, after the game, some sisters and I decided that sometimes it’s necessary to just go on an adventure – so we drove to a random beach 20 minutes away. As my Instagram caption said, Don’t wait for adventure, go create it. And when you do, throw what you know.

So many incredible things happened this weekend, that it was hard for me to pick what to put for this week’s Monday Musts.

However, with all the giving back in the heat filled air at QU this weekend, I decided that this week’s Monday Must is going to be something that is a must not every Monday, but everyday for me as a sister of Alpha Delta Pi, the Ronald McDonald House Charities!

The Ronald McDonald House Charities has more than 300 Ronald McDonald Houses serving families in 31 countries around the world, and the Theta Theta chapter of ADPi visits our closest house, in New Haven, once a week. RMHC helps more than 8,000 families per day. Lastly, those who signed up for our 5K run, the Diamond Dash, paid $10 dollars – which is equivalent to one night’s stay for one family at a Ronald McDonald House.

The Diamond Dash was Theta Theta’s second time holding this event and it couldn’t have been more successful. With tons of runners, a cupcake and grilled cheese truck, shopping, and a DJ, everyone had a blast.

Check out some of the awesome pictures from Theta Theta’s Second Annual Diamond Dash!

These are my sisters, my people, and my back bone. Because I know them, I have been changed for good. Deep in my heart I love my ADPi, the Ronald McDonald House, and these ladies.

The runners in Diamond Dash started by running through this balloon arch – in Ronald McDonald House Colors – and then finished the race by running through the same arch. Jess and I didn’t run, but of course we still had to run through it and take our own crazy photos.

Shout out to Clemmey – one of my favorite seniors, who I am going to miss so much next semester when she is no longer here. Hope you enjoyed your last Diamond Dash, Clem! More importantly, hope you’re super pumped that you’re finally featured on “Sparkle and Shine.”

Just like Justine, Morgan has been by my side since day one of joining Alpha Delta Pi. Morgan was one of my best friends since I joined ADPi, since we were in the same Alpha Pride, and still are always be each others’ side to this day!

Meet Emily, another one of the amazing girls from my Alpha class! Love you, Em!

Meet Justine – one of the girls in my Alpha class and has been by my side since day one. Thanks for everything Jussy, including taking this picture.

Remember when I said our Executive Committee, known as EComm, took our first hug train picture? Normally, they aren’t as successful and we end up looking like a hot mess – such as this.

Meet Jess, one of the craziest and funniest sisters I have. There is no one else I would rather twerk with than this girl!

Meet not only my best friend, but my brother, Ben. Since the beginning, Ben has supported me as I went through recruitment, joined Alpha Delta Pi (he even learned all the cheers!), to waking up super early on a Sunday morning to run in our 5K.

In Alpha Delta Pi, when you first become a new member, you are given a Violet Sister. This is similar to that of a pseudo-big diamond as you find your place in the sorority and until you get your big diamond. Meet Steph, my little Big Violet sister. Without her, I don’t know what I would do.

Meet the lovely ladies I am on ADPi’s Executive Committee with (from left to right) – Nicole, Courtney, Alea, Katie, Rebecca, Morgan, and Jess. I don’t know what I would do without these crazy bunch of girls. Plus, this is our first successful hug train pic!

One of the greatest things about being in a sorority is having girls who lift you higher each and every single day. These girls (from left to right), Nicole, Alyssa, Jess, Ali, and Kathleen lift me higher each and everyday. They are my best friends and I couldn’t be luckier to have them in my life.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these photos from Diamond Dash, readers! I also would like to ask you that whenever you go to McDonalds, if you could drop in any spare change into the donation box for RMHC or can donate soda tabs, please do so.

The Ronald McDonald House is the house that love built, and we run/host the 5K to add a little more.

Have a great week, readers! Keep sparkling!