Hey! Remember when I went to College Fashion Week? Find out more about the event!

by sparkleandshinesami

This post is sponsored by Her Campus Media and its College Fashion Week brand partners. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Sparkle and Shine possible!

Hey babes, miss me?

Let’s be honest, I know you have.

Source: Jezebel

Life has been so totally crazy cause I started my big girl job as an Account Coordinator for the PR firm Access Emanate in NYC! (Post coming soon to tell you all about it – don’t worry! As well as many other posts as I get my footing as a full-time working gal and part-time blogger) Because this post isn’t about that, it’s about my incredible experience at New York College Fashion.

So for the longest time, during my commute to and from the city, I would try to put into words how much of an amazing time I had at New York College Fashion Week with my mom. Each time, I struggled – there are no worries to describe one of the most fabulous nights of my life with fellow bloggers, fashionistas, and some amazing brands!

If many of you know me, you know I’ll probably be late to my wedding (is the phrase wedding? Or is it funeral? If it is- that’s rather depressing. Either way, I’ll probably be late to both tbh), but my always early mom came with me. This meant I had plenty of time to stop by the different booth of the fabulous sponsors (Thanks, mom!)

If you followed along on SnapChat or Instagram, you were able to see so many of the awesome sponsor booths – such as Maidenform, European Wax Center, Boxed Water, Hanes, and Bertha Watches. There was so much time to interact with the vendors, learn more about their products, meet other bloggers, and eat some yummy Insomnia Cookies and candy!

And when I did not think I could be enjoying the night anymore, it was time to kick off the show – where I got to sit front row as a VIP Press AKA coolest moment in my twenty-two years of life!

The show itself was absolutely incredible! The models were all real college girls and they absolutely nailed it – they looked so gorgeous and so confident. I love working with Her Campus because of how much they always empower women to be proud of themselves, love themselves, and be confident. In a room full of bloggers and Influencers who took opportunities upon themselves, real-girl college models, and upcoming-and-coming fashion designers, this empowerment was an incredible force!

The girls modeled in four different shows (Study Chic ft. My Social Canvas, Festival ft. Foray Collective, Girl’s Night Out ft. Bow & Drap, and Rush ft. Ali & Ariel and Frill Clothing), which represented the many different moments in a college girls’ life. Just another way Her Campus keeps it real with us- they get what life is like!

And of course my favorite look that repped Alpha Delta Pi!

Completing the looks were accessories from Rebecca Minkoff, shoes from Vince Camuto, perfume from Perfumania, and the perfect blowout from DryBar. No need to be Gigi or Kendall for that sound like a dream. And let me tell you, readers, those finishing touches all made the looks absolutely perfect. Just look at the pictures – they were stunning!

Hope you don’t think the fun is over…. Because it isn’t! What does every press get at events? Swag bags!!

I was so excited to get my first ever press swag bag, and let me tell you, Her Campus sure did not disappoint! Some of my personal favorites are pictured below – including a FitBit Flex 2, Vince Camuto perfume, a free blowout from Drybar, and this super cute Rebecca Minkoff makeup bag!

Here’s to this press event and many more experiences, thanks to Sparkle and Shine, now that I am back on my blogging grind! Hope you’re as excited as I am because I am back, baby!

30Sep2016

I’m Off to College Fashion Week Tomorrow➺ Learn More About the Event!

by sparkleandshinesami

This post is sponsored by Her Campus Media and its College Fashion Week brand partners. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Sparkle and Shine possible!

Happy Friday, babes!

So for today’s post, the title pretty much says it all….. tomorrow I am going to NYC’ venue 404 to see Her Campus’ College Fashion Week. I’m super excited for the opportunity to attend the event as a VIP and wanted to fill you in on CFW, the sponsors, and more!

Of course, attending a fashion show has me super stoked. Who wouldn’t be?! But Her Campus makes sure that the event is empowering and fun for collegiettes, in order to celebrate their bodies and fashion. Self love totally rocks and Her Campus makes sure to celebrate that at CFW, which showcases talent of upcoming fashion entrepreneurs. The shows’ four collections – Rush, Festival, Study Chic, and Girls Night Out – feature the talents of My Social Canvas, Foray, Ali & Ariel, Frill Clothing, and Bow & Drape. Plus, all of the runway models are real local college girls of all different backgrounds, shapes, and size. HOW AMAZING?!

Want to join me at the event? To see if there are any tickets available for tomorrow’s NYC show (Oct. 1st from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.), head HERE. Not in the NYC area? There are shows in L.A. on Oct. 22 and Chicago on Oct. 15!

All good fashion weeks need good sponsors, right? As if Her Campus didn’t completely nail the event with these upcoming designers (I’m already going through their sites to see what I can expect to ~~see~~ purchase at CFW), they knocked it out of the park with their sponsors! Let’s talk about them, shall we?

So, we know that I’ve been trying to be healthier, which is why I am beyond ecstatic that FitBit and their Flex 2 bands are sponsoring the event. The Flex 2 is 30% smaller than previously released models and the removable tracker can fit into bangles and pendants. Finally, a way to keep my FitBit fashionable?! Yes, please! Nothing ruins a good picture (like my pics with my BFFs at a Toby Keith concert) than the huge black band! Plus, you can easily style the bangle with a Bertha Watch, another CFW sponsor. You can choose from their Signature, Crystal, Classic, and Charmed collections to perfectly style your arm candy. LOVE IT!!

But wait… it keeps getting better. Fashion icons Rebecca Minkoff and Vince Camuto are also sponsoring the event and I am droooooling at the thought of it! If you haven’t checked out their websites yet and added a ton of items to your shopping cart, you need to get on it! Rebecca Minkoff has a wide range of apparel, handbags, footwear, jewelry, accessories (including tech), and athleisure, while Vince Camuto designs tylish, versatile office and off-duty shoes, handbags and apparel for the fashion-focused modern woman. Fingers are crossed that I get a swag bag that could potentially have one of their products in it. A girl can dream, right?

Drybar, the original blowout bar, Perfumania, America’s largest perfume retailer, Haines, and Kind Bars round of the list of CFW sponsors.

Sounds like heaven right? I’m so excited! And the best part of all? I get to experience it my mom!!!

Tickets sold out? Can’t make the event? Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat to check out live updates.

31Dec2015

Come travel with me + Vera Bradley this New Years Eve

by sparkleandshinesami

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Vera Bradley and Her Campus Media. All words and opinions are my own.

I’m late.

Readers, no matter how much time I have to get somewhere, I always end up late. Give me an hour or five and I’m going to use every extra minute and then some. My family has even started telling me that events are happening earlier than they actually are just so I can end up on time.

This is why when I travel, I like to stay super comfortable. My yoga pants and puffer vests are always my go to outfit and my Vera Bradley Large duffel travel bag in Katalina pink is my go to luggage!

The bag, which sells for $85 online, is big enough to fit so much stuff in it. Ask any of my friends – I am a total over-packer. For a simple one night’s trip, I bring about three bags – this duffel, my purse, and a duffel just for hair products.

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Vest: (similar) puffer vest from the Gap | Top: (similar) Long sleeve from Victoria’s Secret | Yoga pant: Foldover waist bootcup yoga pants from Victoria’s Secret

Whenever I travel, my four most important items are my robe, my makeup bag, my travel coffee mug, and my sunglasses!

I’ve always loved robes for as long as I can remember, thanks to my grandma. She would always show me how blissful it would be in the morning to be snuggled up in a cozy robe and slippers. My robe has become a part of who I am – and the fact that’s cheetah print really seals the deal! Whether it’s a trip to my little’s house or a beach vacation, I always have my robe to wake up to in the morning and wear when I am doing my makeup.

Which leads me right into my second most important item – my makeup bag! Makeup gives me that extra confidence boost that I always want- whether it be just my basic mascara or a full smokey eye. My newest makeup bag, from Victoria’s Secret (similar), is big enough to carry all that I need from any of makeup hauls.

I live off of coffee. I’m pretty sure my veins are a mixture of coffee, diet coke, and glitter more than they are blood. Whenever I travel, I always need to have coffee with me. Hey, I need coffee with me whenever I go anywhere. Santa Clause brought me this new Juicy Couture travel mug to bring with me. If I don’t get to stop at a Dunkin Donuts before I hit the road, I always make my own coffee. It’s great to have my own travel mug with me because some places, especially at my school, let you fill up your own mug for a cheaper price.

Lastly, I always will have my sunglasses with me. I have three of the exact same pairs – one pair I always have in my car, one I always have in my purse, and then another pair that I try to always use and keep on me. They’re great to avoid the sun in your eyes while driving, any glares on the road, or keep your eyes hidden when you’re peaking on the hotties laying next to you on the beach! Something about a great pair of sunglasses also always helps my confidence level – I feel just so badass in a great pair of aviators.

What are your must have travel products? Comment below and let me know!

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9Sep2015

Thanks U by Kotex for keeping me confident when wearing white during recruitment

by sparkleandshinesami

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

Thank you to Kotex brand, Kleenex brand, and Acorn Influence for the opportunity.

Happy hump day readers!

This past weekend I went through my last recruitment. I would type cue the sobbing…but I haven’t stopped.

Recruitment is equivalent to Christmas shopping and wrapping gifts for Christmas Day, with Christmas Day being bid day when all the new members come running home. We meet hundreds of women who are interested in joining our organization, for hours on end for days on end. At the end of the weekend, we welcomed home the beautiful new members into the organization that gave me life long friends, my future bridesmaids, and my rocks with a 90’s theme Bid Day for show off our “New Bids on the Block!”

However, this year’s recruitment was a lot more stressful than usual.

Talking to potential new members? I’m completely fine with it. I didn’t win “Most Talkative” in high school for nothing! Getting up in front of others and talking about how much Alpha Delta Pi means to me, even if it means discussing the loss of my dad? I’m able to get through it because my sisters comfort me every step of the way. Riding the crimson wave when I’m going through recruitment in white shorts and a white dress? SO not okay.

(Bonus points if you can name what movie the terms “crimson wave” and “as if!” are from – because it’s my all-time FAVE)

A few days before recruitment, I had gotten an awesome female-only care package from Kotex, filled with U by Kotex products and a gift card to Walmart. As soon as the gift card came in, I checked my Lilly Pulitzer planner to see when I would be getting a visit from good ole Aunt Flow and quickly went and stocked up on U by Kotex products for recruitment weekend! Plus, I got a bonus Kleenex wallet pack which was super cute and super necessary to put into my Michael Kors bag for when I need to go into SoHo for my internship.

U by Kotex is a feminine care line with products very different than other feminine care products. U by Kotex has a thin, sleek, easy to conceal product that makes me feel confident when using the product. The Kotex company, which is all about girl-power and enjoying being a female, wants the cool chicks who use their products feel happy and confident, while giving them the right tools to succeed when their monthly visitor has them wanting to lay in bed all day with a heat pack, Ben & Jerry’s, and a Lifetime movie.

On day one of recruitment, the sisterhood round, we wore our chapter letters with white shorts or jeans. In my super cute patterned white shorts from Dressbarn, I was rocking the round with my sister friends, meeting potential new sisters, and informing others about how much I love my Alpha Delta Pi sisterhood.

I never had to fret about having a female crisis because I was confident that my U by Kotex products would keep me accident free! During the rounds and all of the fun photos (like some shown below!), I always had a smile on my face and could be my confident self because U by Kotex was doing it’s job.

With day one successfully in the books, I was able to pack up my bag and head back to the land-of-freshmen to my RA bedroom. When throwing everything in my bag, then repacking the bag for the next day, I never had to worry about the feminine care products taking up space. They were in sleek packaging, which easily fit in my ADPi Lilly Pultizer tote , alongside my text books for homework and change of clothes. What an added bonus!

On day two, which was the philanthropy round, I was able to confidently talk about how much I love Alpha Delta Pi’s national philanthropy, the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and all that our chapter does for our local RMH chapter in New Haven. For this day, my sisters and I wore white dresses and red necklaces. Throughout all my conversations, I never once had to worry that another part of my outfit, other than my necklace, would become red!

Just like my sorority sisters, U by Kotex keeps me happy and confident. I know that when I am with my sisters, or using a U by Kotex product, I am going to be taking care of and in good hands. With no need to worry, it helps me enjoy the best parts of life – like Bid Day!

I’m the most confident when I’m with my sisters or using U by Kotex products! Comment below and tell me when you are the most confident.

6Aug2015

Thanks Square Cash for making going out so much easier!

by sparkleandshinesami

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

Thank you Her Campus Media, Inc. and SquareCash for the opportunity and compensation for this post.

I’ve got to admit something to you, readers. Sometimes, going out is hard.

No, I’m not talking about the hours you spend doing your hair and makeup, the dozens of pictures you send of potential outfits in a GroupMe to your best friends (only to wear the first outfit, of course), or deciding whose house is going to be the first stop of the night before even heading out.

I’m talking about figuring out the monetary aspects.

Whose going to pay for the Uber this time? Who paid last time? And of course, Jackie forgot cash for the cash-only club’s entrance fee, so now what?

Why would I not just pay for everyone’s drinks since I got to the bartender first and we are totally on a first name basis, right? Or the fact that Dominoes is so not about to break up a $100 dollar order for your drunk pizza onto ten different debit cards, so who just got paid last and can throw it on their card?

Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.

And want to know what else is familiar, when all of the calculations for who was going to pay who and how much really goes out the window when the third margarita is served and the newest Nicki Minaj jam is bumping through the bass.

Now you don’t need to worry because Square Cash has made it easy for you!

Square Cash is a free app that allows anyone to quickly send money between their friends or even get paid for doing business. There’s no “cashing out” which means that the money gets deposited right into your bank account. This means that if the mom of the kid you are babysitting for wants to just send you your payment over the app, she will deposit it directly into your bank account from her bank account. No need to stop at the ATM! Plus, it is free to use between friends!

Not only is it super simple to use and works exactly how it should, it’s safe and secure. Plus, in a world where we want to get everything done quick, using this app is the quickest way to pay your friends! All you need to do is download the Square Cash app, link up your debit card, then start sending money to your friends. You can even request them to send you the funds.

So how do I know that this is all this super easy? Because my friends and I use the app! We all downloaded it because as I mentioned above, we got tired of always trying to figure out who owed who what and then trying to backtrack ourselves during breakfast the next morning to figure out who owed who what. Sometimes there is just not enough coffee in the world to help you do math! So now, we would have someone put it on their card, quickly divide the amount spent on our phone’s calculators by the amount of people it was split between, and then send the money right on over to whoever it belonged to. It was so quick and easy we were able to do it in while waiting on line for the bars, waiting on the bathroom line, or even on the dance floor after we checked our text messages. Going into my senior year, I know that this app will definitely be a necessity on my phone and should be on yours, too!

To find out more, check out the app‘s Twitter and Facebook page!

And to see exactly what it’s like to go out with my friends and I, stay tuned for another video blog coming very soon! This one will detail our recent trip to Atlantic City for our friend Jamie’s 21st birthday. Catch a preview from the pic I posted on my Instagram.