Top 10 Summer Beauty Tips!

 

Now that summer is pretty much here it’s time to change up the beauty routine. When it gets hotter I tend to switch up my skin, hair and makeup routine not to mention my fashion obviously. I know that sounds like a lot of change but don’t worry as always I will give just the top 10 tips that will help ease you into the change of summer.

 

1. BB cream is your best friend-I was a bit half and half about this product but it’s become one of my favorites to put on my face. And now there are so many different kinds depending on your skin type. All you need is a quarter size (sometimes nickel) amount on your face, a thin layer and you’re done. Not to mention is also leaves off a nice dewy glow.
2. Any makeup you have I strongly suggest it should have SPF in it- Even lip balm, and these days a lot of lip gloss and lipsticks have it in. You can always just put sunscreen on your face then add foundation but me I prefer to do it when there is SPF in it. This is so there is not a lot of product on my face, especially when its hot outside and I'm sweating. Also that way there is not so much makeup on my face and I can enjoy the summer rays more.
3. Summer Detox? - I’ve said this before only because I am a true believer. Fresh cut lemons in your water really help cleanse the palette, not to mention it’s a great detox. Make a pitcher of water add some fresh cut lemons then add some mint leaves. Leave in the fridge till its cold and pour yourself a glass and relax.
4. How can I make my tan stand out?-Bright neon nails on your toes and nails bring out any summer glow. Try colors like coral and pink those will really bring out any beach glow.
5.  In need of a fast tan-If laying out in the sun is not your thing, and you’re in need of a fast tan. There are a few products that can help with this problem. Top 3 products I'd recommend would be Victoria Secret Beach Sexy Tanning Spray, Sally Hansen Airbrush legs and L’Oréal Sublime Bronze.  But that does not mean to lay off the SPF!
6. For kissable summer lips try using sugar- I’m serious! Take a teaspoon of sugar and use your finger (or a toothbrush) and scrub it on your lips. After your done use a light warm washcloth to clean off your lips then apply your favorite flavored lip balm.
7. It’s ok to have messy hair- Let’s face it every summer every girl does the beach waves, even if your hours from the beach you want to have your hair look like you live right next door to it. It’s all about texture. Sea Salt hair products are your best friend, use a little bit and use your fingers to create the beach waves you desire
8. Do blonde really have more fun? - I know for me every summer I want my hair to be lighter but I don’t want to use dye or sludge to go to the salon. So my mom got me hooked on a trick that she uses on her blonde hair. Lemon juice. I know it’s random and there are products that have it already but if you do it yourself you save way more money. Get fresh pure lemon juice  then pour some into a spray bottle and add a little water and spray away. Also another thing if you add a little sea salt it builds texture but lightens your hair at the same time. But don’t over board the spray. 
9.   Messed up tan lines? - Lemon juice and a loofah sponge does wonders will smoothing out any tan lines. It make take a while for it to fade completely but it’s worth it to make sure your tan is flawless.
10. Free Spa day!- Sand from the beach is a natural exfoliator. So while you are moving your feet around in the sand know your making your feet extra smooth and ready for some polish (remember tip #4).

I hope these tips help and have a great summer!

 

Countdown of the Top 5 Best Things About Living in a Sorority House

Love your sisters, but not sure if you could commit to living in a house with them? Moving into a sorority house is a big step, but there are many perks to having your own spot in the sorority's dorm floor, suite, or house. Here are top five reasons counting down why you should (or why you probably did) live in a sorority house:

5. You are most likely near everything. And by everything I mean fraternity houses. Often sorority houses are on "Sorority Row" or some kind of location where most of the Greek houses are. This means you are close to the parties, a lot of your friends, and maybe potential future boyfriend? OK, that last one may be a little bit of a stretch.

4. The house is probably spotless. (Or, at least is meant to be clean). Typically sorority houses have a cleaning staff, whether they are hired through the university or the sorority's housing corporation. That means you get treated like the princess you deserve to be! No worries about taking out the trash on time or buying toilet paper every other week. (Warning: Don't let these privileges let you become a slob.) Some houses even incorporate a meal plan that chefs prepare. You can wake up, walk to the kitchen, and eat your brunch in PJs without feeling guilty. This is another way to get closer to sisters. Can you say Taco Tuesday?

3. Every girl's dream: endless closets! I went to almost 20 dances, and probably paid for dresses for three of them. The coolest thing about living in a big sorority house is getting to try on and borrow each others' clothes. This comes in handy for everything from themed mixers to job interviews.

2. Running late to chapter? NOT ANYMORE! Your house most likely is where 90% of your meetings will take place. Formal chapter is probably in your living room, so just throw on a pair of dress pants and run downstairs and you're all set for the meeting. No more scampering through the snow or rain in your heels to chapter.

1. The cliche, cheesy, but TRUE reason: You live with your best friends and basically have a slumber party every night! Between TV show screening parties and late night snacks after a night out, you will always have sisters to bond with you. Plus, you are now guaranteed to have someone to get food with you or to drive you when you are running late to class. Living with your sisters means the ones who make you laugh, wipe your tears, know all your embarrassing stories, and root for you are never too far.

Living in can really make the whole sorority experience. While not all sorority houses are three-story mansions, they all bring sisters together to one home. If you are still unsure about the move, talk to your sisters about their experiences and check if your chapter has any policies about living in the house.

I have enjoyed living in beautiful chapter houses at two universities, including the Phi Sigma Sigma Manor at Widener University seen below. If your chapter has a house, I recommend signing up for room picks ASAP!

A Letter To All New Graduates:

Hello Graduates:

Hello Graduate!! Welcome to the exciting (yet terrifying) world of adulthood. After years of schooling and preparation, you have finally made it and are now officially a college graduate with the whole world in front of you!!!

Now that you are here, please take a moment to think about all you have accomplished. Take the time to reflect on all the memories you created during college, about what you learned in your field and about yourself, consider how much you have grown and how much growing you still have time to do!!

Now that you have took a moment to look back, now use this opportunity to look forward. What is next? Some of you may have figured that out, some of you may not have, and that is okay!  This is the perfect opportunity to think about what is really important to you, what you want in life, and where you want to end up!!!

You can be anything you want to be, you can achieve whatever it is that you want to achieve. You are a college graduate, and there is nothing holding you back. So go out there, leave your mark on this world and make it a better place.

The world is your oyster, so go get them tiger!!

Sincerely,

The Sorority Girl Thought Team

Greetings from Washington DC

 

Last month I was in Washington DC surrounded by over 100 students from many Greek organizations. It was amazing. I went to Capitol Hill and got to meet with so many people who were part of Greek organizations in college and are now working along side Congress and the Senate. It’s really remarkable to see what being in a Greek organization can do for you. I know during recruitment people are always saying that going Greek gives great networking opportunities, and that’s true but more so, it helps you make steps to get into your career after college.  I spoke to so many people about when they were active in their chapters, they took on leadership positions and were very active in their volunteer work. This got them to see what they wanted to do after college. You get more from your organization with how much you put into your organization.

" Don't think about failing, just go for it. Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game " - A Cinderella Story

Here are a few suggestions on how to do just that.

1.       Run for a leadership position-Nothing says I want to get involved with my chapter more than taking on a leadership positon. It challenges you in ways you never thought possible. I suggest taking on a position that is close to what you want to do after college. For me I ran for scholarship chair because I want to become a teacher.

2.       Ask if you can sit in on meetings with your Executive Board/Council-Its like being the stage crew for a big Broadway musical. You get to see the behind the scenes work and what it takes to make an amazing organization.

3.       Volunteer just to volunteer-Don’t do it for the hours. Do it because you love to help others. With me I love to volunteer with education because I want to become a teacher after college. Not to mention I also love to work with animals. With me I love to volunteer in education, I got an internship on campus where I help high school, middle school and elementary students excited for college, and give them the support they need!

4.       Help out with recruitment-This is the craziest and most wonderful time of the year. This means your recruitment chair/chairs will need lots of help to make sure everything runs smoothly and goes perfect.

5.       Join a committee-In your chapter there are usually committees that go along with the many positions your sorority has to offer in leadership positions.

6.       Look into other student organizations- This is one I really recommend because knowing what your campus has to offer you will really open up doors for you. Especially when your part of a Greek organization. For me, I got an internship on campus with Associated Students where I help out with workshops and campus tours. I’m not only helping my community and school but also promoting getting involved with Greek life.

7. Become a Big Sister-When I first decided I wanted to become a big I had no idea what to expect. I had always wanted a little sister but little did I know it became so much more than that. My two amazing little sisters have made me a better version of myself. And also they have given me two also amazing grand little sisters. Becoming a Big is more than a title its about being a mentor them and also yourself. Best choice ever!

Side note from my DC trip: This was an amazing experience, I not only got to meet so many Greeks but also got to meet three amazing other women who I am proud and honored to call my sisters. Remembering that its not just four years, its for life!

Five Things To Do Your Last Days as a Senior in College

Being a senior in college is a pretty amazing thing.  After four grueling long years of late night study sessions, last minute papers, group projects, and let’s face it TONS of coffee, you now can see something beyond the ivory walls of your university, you can see your goals for the future.

This ability to now see what is you want in life, or at least a general idea of what you want, can also be extremely terrifying. While you know where you want to be, you are also realizing that you are about to jump head first into a deep, dark, foggy abyss of doubt and uncertainty where no real idea of where you will end up along the way to your dreams.

That being said your last few days as a senior in college are the most terrifying and the most comforting.

So here are five things you should do on your final days before you leave your university to enter the real world, do these things and more as a reminder that while change is inevitable, being happy no matter where life leads is the most important thing.

11)   Spend time with your friends: Spend your final days at college with the people who made your college experience more than just academics. Go to a movie, take a few days and drive to the beach, go to the bar one (or two) last times, spend these final fleeting movements of, dare I say, childhood, with the people who you can’t imagine your life without.

22)   Reflect on your time in college: Whether you take one final stroll around campus or make a scrapbook, take the time to think about your time in college: what you did right or wrong, experiences you are glad you had and ones you wish you didn’t, opportunities you are glad you took and those you wish you did. Take this time to look back not only to see what has changed in just four short years but what hasn’t changed very much at all.

33)   Write down your dreams: Take a moment and write down your dreams, the things you want in life. Think about why you want them and how you plan on getting there. Keep that piece of paper in your wallet. Whenever you feel lost or uncertain, pull that piece of paper out as a reminder of what you are working towards.

44)   Thank your professors, your mentors, your parents: There are certain “teachers “in life that you can look back on and say “that person left an impact on me”, take this time to thank them for that.  You wouldn’t be whom you are with out them.

55)   Just breathe: Take a page out of Michelle Branch’s songbook (yes, I went there) and just relax and breathe. This period of life is about to end, take the time to watch gracefully as it comes to a close.

Proud to Be Able to Write My Future

Writing has always been a passion of mine, from making up terrible fables as a young kid, to growing up through schooling and always enjoying language arts classes, and now as an English major/journalism minor, I'm finally realizing that I get to write my own future. Words are such a powerful thing, and if you're ever bored or lonely I 100% recommend a pinterest search session of positive quotes and you'll be amazed at what you find. This is besides the point, what I'm really here to tell you is that writing, which is such a creative activity, has brought me so much joy this past year.

I have had the pleasure of starting my own personal blog, which I will continue to better and improve, and the pleasure of writing on here for all you Srat ladies out there who care a little too much for glitter or crafting like myself. Unfortunately, this will be my last post on SGT for some time and I say that because I hope to one day rejoin the SGT team once I go out and explore the world for a while. I will be embarking on a new creative internship in my favorite city in the entire world, NYC this summer and will continue to explore my abilities as a blogger on my own personal blog. I have also recently finished out my junior year of college which has been one of the best years of my college career. I have been able to express myself so much this year and I couldn't be more thankful, especially to all of you who read my posts and continue to support writing as a creative art form (because let me tell you it's exciting and rewarding however extremely stressful to stay on your toes). 

(My year at a glance)

My sorority has brought me so much joy, and being able to write about it (and reading my other fellow SGT ladies'  posts) only makes me cherish those memories in college and in my organization that much more. I have been able to write about experiences that keep them fresh and new in my mind, allowing me to reminisce on all the great times I've had this year. To name a few: becoming a big sister, getting rosebuds in my sorority, working as a position holder within my organization, participating in my second greek week, dancing and choreographing homecoming and so much more. This year has brought me so much joy and I could not be more thankful for all the experiences I have been able to have from being a college student. 

If you're not a writer, there's always ways for you to get those creative juices flowing (and no I don't mean just writing random stories or blogging) but organizing and inventing your life. You can write your own life and have the ability to hold onto those writings and look back on all your experiences and accomplishments. Here's my advice:

- Start a quote book
~I started a quote book my freshman year of college and have enjoyed reading through it whenever I have some down time, it's an extremely and positive way to keep yourself in an uplifting mindset, and it's a place for you to keep all of your favorite quotes in one spot.

- Make a Bucket List
~Every summer I create a bucket list with my best friend and we try to fill up the piece of paper with as many fun (and sometimes ridiculous) things we can think of and then look back on our summer to see how much we have accomplished. It's a great way to keep track of everything you've accomplished over the course of your summer and a great memento as years pass to look back on. 

- Journal
~I know this may seem a bit tedious for those of you who don't enjoy writing, but believe me when I say it's one of the best ways to keep track of your thoughts. It's great to look back and reflect on how far you've come.

Hopefully you take these suggestions into your own life and begin writing your own. For now this is a see you later. I have enjoyed writing for all you fabulous ladies and thank you to my SGT team for the support! Have an amazing summer and go out there and explore! 

xoxo - Ali 

My senior speech!

Three years ago I came to San Francisco State, as a transfer student with units of a junior. I had only school on my mind. Yet deep down I knew something was missing during my first semester at state. I didn’t know anyone here. I didn’t think anyone would accept me due to my age and awkward social skills. I wanted to get involved in school and meet new people but I was struggling to find where I belonged. It was not till I was walking through the quad that I realized what I really needed and wanted... I saw  my sororities table and I knew I had to be a part of this amazing organization that not only was involved in campus but promoted woman empowerment and togetherness as equals. I went through the recruitment process in spring 2013 and it was the best choice I have ever made in my life. I fell in love with my Big, and my G big and my entire family. Before I joined my sorority I only had two sisters I now have over 100 who will be there for me through times of good and bad.

Now that I am a senior I look back at my years in the chapter and see how much I have grown as a Phi Sig but also as a young woman. I'm thankful to Phi Sig for the opportunities that it is has given me in my life but best of all it made my secret Disney wish come true. I always wanted a little sister, and Phi Sig gave me gave me two amazing little sisters, and two amazing grand little sisters. Who I know will be bridesmaids at my wedding someday and also nanny for me at the drop of hat. When I graduate this month, I will take love and support my sisters have given me and always remember to Aim High. Phi Sig is not only my family and my home, it’s the place where I’ve felt like I can accepted for who I am.  Its not four years its for life. Because once a Phi Sigma Sigma…always a Phi Sigma Sigma<3

 

Six Years of Freedom and Happiness

This past Sunday, I officially celebrated six years with my now fiancé (AJ).

To me, this is yet another major achievement for us as a couple. To me, it has been six amazing years with a man I truly love.

However this achievement also made think about our relationship and how my past still affects us as a couple, even six years later.

As some of you may know, or have read in my first blog post), I not only grew up in a abusive household, I am also a "survivor" of sexual abuse.

While I am proud of where I have ended up despite the horror of 10 years of that specific kind of abuse, I can't help but sometimes notice, how should I word this, the results from that kind of abuse?

For example; I will be the first to admit that I can be insecure, I sometimes need to be reassured that I am loved despite the fact that I know I am, I can also be very immature when others begin talking about sex, even when it is just in a joking nature, it always makes me slightly uncomfortable, and I hate silence, it makes me feel like something is wrong.

I see these traits as side- effects of living in an abusive household and while they are still there I have seen such improvement in that short amount of time.

I also seen some examples of amazing strength in myself, I see these to be the most valuable things I have, despite living in that situation, I still am an good person. For example, I have the ability to be compassionate, to still see the good in others, I also believe in myself and know I can achieve all that I want to make happen. I also believe in myself to the point that I won't settle for less that what I want in life. 

Overall, I am so happy to be continuing this amazing journey with the man I love. In addition, I am excited to continue to grow stronger and stronger as I continue my life in healthy environment.