Thank you, Seventeen!

by sparkleandshinesami

After two years of working with my dream company, I am now passing on my Seventeen Social Club torch to other social media mavens and bloggers. My contract with the company has wrapped up, there is now an end-date listed next to Seventeen Magazine on my LinkedIn, and the chapter in my life has ended.

My favorite memory was during my first year with the company. My little and I got to attend the 2014 New York City Makeup Show. We skipped a day of studying for finals to go gallivanting around the beautiful Big Apple. It was the first time I got to introduce myself as press at a big event, leaving me with butterflies that I could certainly get used to. Once inside the Metropolitan Pavilion, Amber I got to talk to different vendors, sit through tutorials, test our new beauty products, and of course, make some purchases! To find out more about that incredible experience, make sure to check out the post from May of 2014.

Besides being able to attend the New York City Makeup Show, I was exposed to a lot of different companies that I may not have gotten the opportunity to contact otherwise. Maybelline and Milani cosmetics became staples in my makeup bag after receiving so many awesome products from them. I also got hooked on ABC Family’s one-season show “Chasing Life” after ABC Family and Seventeen helped me host a season premiere party for “Chasing Life” and “Pretty Little Liars.”

While working for Seventeen over the past two years, I have gotten to experience so much and realize how much I truly love the media industry. Here’s to hoping I continue to reach more goals, continue to fall in love with this industry, and more as graduation (eeeeek!) keeps creeping up on me.

26May2015

Fresh faced lazy days, thanks to Seventeen Magazine and L’Oreal

by sparkleandshinesami

This is a post on behalf of my contractual membership with “Seventeen Magazine” for the Seventeen Magazine Social Club.

Some days are just lazy days- am I right readers, or am I right?

I don’t want to put on my full face of makeup, do my hair, and every other task it takes to get ready. Some days I want to just throw on a baseball cap, like my favorite from Vineyard Vines, throw on some foundation, and call it a day. Thanks to L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation I can do just that while looking and feeling fresh faced!

The foundation went on so smoothly and gave me an airbrushed finish. It gave me the appearance of having flawless skin, without even being able to tell that I had makeup on.

This drug store foundation worked just as well as some of the much more expensive department store foundations I have used in the past. All the expensive foundations promise this same airbrush finish that you can now get for half the price at any local drug store.

Now I just can’t wait to wear it for a night out and feel as glamorous as as a Kardashian.

Thanks, Seventeen!

4Jan2015

Hello, 2015! I’m Coming for You!

by sparkleandshinesami

Happy New Year, my sparkling readers!

With 2015 already underway, I’ve been writing down many, many post ideas in my Victoria Secret notepad. As with life, you learn more and more with blogging as the time goes by. With almost a year and a half under my belt, I can safely say that these ideas are some of my best yet. It’s time for “Sparkle and Shine” to become your go to guide, to all things to help your life sparkle! That means more beauty posts, fashion posts (I have my first Outfit of the Day post planned out), and more. I’m on a mission to not only have my life sparkle, but to help add some sparkle to yours!

2015 is already starting out on the right foot for me, adding a lot of sparkle to my life! In 2014, I received the amazing opportunity to earn a contract with the one and only Seventeen as a member of their Social Club. For years, I have scrolled through the pages of the magazine learning about beauty hints, fashion go-tos and faux pas, and more. Now, it was my turn to learn more and help decide on beauty picks, fashion picks, and more for the glossy pages of the magazine. At the end of the year, the magazine asked me to renew my contract! I am too lucky to start this new year working for my favorite magazine yet again.

Also, If you haven’t already noticed, “Sparkle and Shine” got a makeover. New year, new you is the mantra all over CVS, which I am constantly staring at as I stock the newest beauty products. Well, it’s new year, new blog, too! I chugged a medium iced caramel swirl with skim one night, downloaded Photoshop, and went to town teaching myself the ins and outs of the Adobe program. As the hours ticked by, I ended the six hour night with a new header, new background, new meet me photo, and a new signature! The concept that “Life won’t sparkle unless you do,” readers, is still threaded throughout the new layout.

2015 is going to sparkle – for you and me! Stay with me in on the wild ride!

31Dec2014

Spending My Last Day of 2014 with Some Goodies from Seventeen Magazine

by sparkleandshinesami

This is a post on behalf of my contractual membership with “Seventeen Magazine” for the Seventeen Magazine Social Club.

Happy last day of 2014, readers! It’s officially page 365 in the 365 page book of 2014. Starting tomorrow, we are starting a new book – blank and ready for a fresh start.

Prior to ringing in the new year at work (save the champagne for next year when I’m 21), I’m spending my last day home – relaxing with some goodies that I received from Seventeen Magazine, as a part of my Holiday Sample Box.

1. Clean and Clear: Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub

One of my biggest beauty must haves is always making sure my face is washed and feels fresh and clean! I’ve been using Murad routinely, since Seventeen sent it to me months ago. I started using this Clean and Clear product and it truly does leave my face feeling clean. The scrub has a cooling sensation, so I can actually feel it going deep down into my pores and getting rid of dirt. Plus, it leaves my skin looking radiant!

2. New York City Color Proof Twistable Intense Lip

After being a biker chick for Halloween, I’ve realized I loved myself with a red lip! I always thought it would be too daring for me, but it turns out it wasn’t! This New York City lip is super easy to use – just twist, glide, and boom! you had that instant color on your lips! With Roosevelt Island Red, I”m looking forward to doing looks like this pin and this pin!

3. Blistex Ultra-Rich Hydrating Lip Balm

Move over Eos, I have a new lip balm I will be using! This new Blistex has a dual layer of extra hydration for smooth, healthy lips. My lips get so chapped during the winter, that this new Blistex is doing just the trick to keep them smooth and hydrated. Just because I’ll be in my work uniform and won’t be kissing anyone at midnight, it doesn’t mean I can’t have the smoothest of lips tonight!

4. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

I’m relaxing in my Tiffany box bedroom, in my new cupcake pajamas, reading my advanced copy of “All the Bright Places” by Jennifer Niven. I look forward every break to getting to spend time in my comfy bed reading a good book – and this was just the book I was looking for! The heart wrenching love story focuses on two love birds (or a love Finch and a flower, I could say), who meet in an unlikely place – at the top of their school’s bell tower, contemplating to jump. What happens next as the two continue a journey together of wandering left me laughing, crying, and everything in between. It is a must- read!

Enjoy your last day of 2014 tonight, my sparkling readers! Remember, tomorrow starts page 1 of a new book – make sure to write a good one!

20Oct2014

My Monday Musts {Seventeen Magazine App}

by sparkleandshinesami

This is a post on behalf of my contractual membership with “Seventeen Magazine” for the Seventeen Magazine Social Club.

Happy Monday, readers!

Seventeen Magazine has released their latest mobile app – your go-to place for all things Seventeen!

I received a free download of the app and have been obsessed ever since. I can read the latest issue of the magazine, check out my horoscope for the month, and read about the latest buzz on celebrities, beauty, and fashion.

The app offers a library feature, where I can check out the latest issue of the magazine. Being in college, my subscription to Seventeen gets sent home to New Jersey. Thanks to the app, I can pull up the latest issue whenever I want, and don’t have to worry about when I can go home to get to it. The latest issue is the Ultimate Fangirl Blowout.

Here are some screenshots of the app below:

Now go and add some sparkle to your Monday by downloading the app!

Have a great week, readers. Keep sparkling!

7Oct2014

Top 3 Instagrams of the Month: October 2014

by sparkleandshinesami

Hey, readers!

It’s officially one week into October – a.k.a. one of the best months! Before deciding which Halloween movie I am going to want to watch while on R.A. duty tonight, I have to share with you all my top Instagrams of September!

A majority of my September involved around sorority recruitment – which is why there is no surprise that my photo with the top likes came from day one of recruitment! This year was the first time my little diamond, Amber, went through recruitment as an Alpha Delta Pi and the last time my big diamond, Katherine, would get to go through recruitment. It was amazing getting to snap my fingers, chant my loudest, and recruit new sisters with them by my side in our day one attire of chapter letters and white jeans!

My second most popular post related to my Back to School post, courtesy of Seventeen Magazine and Office Depot. Through my contract with Seventeen, I was able to get some awesome school supplies from Office Depot. I stocked up on cute folders and my multi-purpose four color pen. To learn more about these supplies, check out the post or search the #GottaGetIt hashtag on your favorite social media site!

As I mentioned, this was Katherine’s last recruitment. As you can see in the caption, Katherine has been one of the greatest assets to my life. If I never went Greek or Alpha Delta Pi, I wouldn’t have been able to be blessed with Katherine was my big diamond. Over these past few years, Katherine has shown me how to exemplify the Alpha Delta Pi values each and everyday. More importantly, she has become my best friend, my forever friend, my future bridesmaid, and my rock. Going through recruitment made me reflect on my time in ADPi and I know it wouldn’t have been the same without her. So, on our last day of recruitment, I posted this photo of us before we started the final rounds!

To stay update on all things Sparkle and Shine, you can follow me on Instagram by going HERE.

OR if you want to check out previous Top Instagram posts, you can see what made the list in January, February, March, April, May, June, and July/August.

I wonder what Instagrammable opportunities October will have for me!

9Sep2014

Office Depot: My Go to Place for School Supplies

by sparkleandshinesami

This is a post on behalf of my contractual membership with “Seventeen Magazine” for the Seventeen Magazine Social Club.

One of my favorite parts of Fall, besides Halloween, Uggs, and hot chocolate, is getting new school supplies for the school year!

Thanks to my partnership with Seventeen Magazine, I was able to get my new school supplies at Office Depot. Let me tell you readers, they had super cute supplies!

I’m now able to tackle junior year of college with super cute Teen Vogue folders and my all purpose four color pen.

I’m very anal about my planner – each item has a specific color. Blue is for sorority events, black is for blogging, black with yellow highlighter is Resident Life work, red pen is important dates, red pen highlighted in pink is important class days – like tests, quizzes, and paper due dates, and green is anything else. Instead of having to switch up my pens, I now have one pen to write it all in!

Whenever I am doing work, the fun patterns of the folders instantly add a pop of color to whatever room I’m in. One of my residents, Taylar, caught me doing work before with my folders out. She couldn’t help but to give me a compliment!

After going to Office Depot with my credit from Seventeen Magazine, I don’t think I will ever shop at any other office supply store again. They had so many super cute supplies that my sorority girl self could indulge in. I didn’t have to get just plain folders for all my work, I could get ones that allowed me to express myself.

Next time you need some school or office supplies, head on over to Office Depot! You can also order online and get free shipping on orders of $50 or more OR receive one hour free in store pick up.

Happy shopping!

4Aug2014

My Monday Musts, thanks to Seventeen Mag and Maybelline!

by sparkleandshinesami

This is a post on behalf of my contractual membership with “Seventeen Magazine” for the Seventeen Magazine Social Club.

I move back into school on Sunday-eek! So that means getting everything I need together. From clothes to school supplies, our family room is overflowing with college items!

A necessity, however, is always buying makeup! I can’t start the semester with half a bottle of consealer – would you start class with a half empty pen? I don’t think so.

In the craziness of getting all my makeup together, Seventeen Magazine sent me Maybelline’s new Pure BB Cream, an 8-in-1 Beauty Balm known as a “skin clearing perfector.”

When applying the BB Cream, it went on super smooth and felt very natural against my skin. I hate wearing anything on my face that feels caked on. This was so light it felt like I barely had any on.

On a recent mother-daughter date to Joe’s Crab Shack, my mom snapped this pic of me for Instagram – in which I’m wearing only the BB Cream.

My skin looked flawless, like I’m wearing no makeup at all. Can’t wait to rock Mabelline’s Pure BB Cream this year as I tackle my junior year of college

Pick up your color of BB Cream at a local drug store and have a great week!

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!

11Jun2014

My Pretty Little Liars & Chasing Life Party

by sparkleandshinesami

My contract with Seventeen Magazine, as a member of Seventeen Magazine’s Seventeen Social Club, helped me land a once in a lifetime opportunity.

To kick off the “Pretty Little Liars” season premiere last night and the premiere of ABC Family’s new show “Chasing Life,” Seventeen Magazine and ABC Family sent me promotional goodies for myself and some friends. To celebrate the premiere of the shows and the awesome goodies, I hosted a Pretty Little Liars/Chasing Life premiere party (#PLLChasingLifeParty).

My friends (starting from left to the right, in the back) Jenny, Kathleen, Jenna, Lawlah, Allie, Julia, and Vanessa came over to celebrate to start of the premiere with all of our amazing goodies!

Some of the goodies ABC Family sent for our #PLLChasingLifeParty were orange Chasing Life bags! They were super cute and the right size to keep some of the other goodies ABC Family sent us in.

We had so much fun with the other promotional goodies – such as the beach balls, “Pretty Little Liars” and “Chasing Life” mini posters, and ABC Family summer season lineup fans.

Coasters featuring ABC Family’s summer shows were also included. They were perfect to put our drinks on…..

…and to keep the “Pretty Little Liars” fun going during the commercial breaks!

ABC Family also included a WATCH ABC Family flyer and “Pretty Little Liars” season 4 DVD coupons.

As a party host for ABC Family, through Seventeen Magazine, I tweeted some of the pictures above. The official ABC Family Pretty Little Liars twitter account and official ABC Family Chasing Life twitter account retweeted me twice. Now, images of my friends and I at our #PLLChasingLifeParty have over 100 likes each, over 20 retweets each, and I’ve gained a bunch of new followers.

Whenever people tweet at me asking how I received all these awesome goodies for my friends and I, I just tell them that I’m lucky enough to be working with Seventeen Magazine thanks to “Sparkle and Shine.”

Thanks ABC Family and Seventeen Magazine for this opportunity!

P.S. readers, The Collegiate Standard is still offering 10% off with coupon code SAMI10. Head on over to get your shopping on while the coupon is still available!