Curtsis Kreations Giveaway

       Curtsi's Kreations is a shop ran by an Alpha Chi Omega alumni from Sam Houston State University which is in small town Huntsville, Texas. The shop owner, Katherine Curtsinger, graduated in fall 2013, but has been crafting since she got her hands on paint and glitter at a very young age. All of her products are custom for each client and hand painted to the clients specifications. Nothing is out of reach at Curtsi's Kreations and anything can be created that the client wants. This shop specializes in paddles and canvases that are based on popular likes such as Gossip Girl, Starbucks, Superheroes and Disney movies and characters, but she is happy to make anything you wish. 
      I love the style of all of these canvases! Check out this Starbucks themed Phi Sig canvas I got! And you can win one too or use the code SGTBLOG10 to get 10% off til the 17th! Enter below.

Curtsis Kreations Giveaway

What is Advocare?

         "At AdvoCare, We Build Champions^® through physical and financial wellness. Backed by the latest science, AdvoCare provides innovative nutritional, weight-management, sports performance and skin care products."
         This company has a variety of vitamins, energy drinks, snack bars, and everyone's personal favorite is the 24 day challenge.  
         I just recently began my journey with Advocare and I am still in the first steps of it. I do believe in this company and what it stands for. There are different vitamin supplements to take daily to help you become the best version of you. In working with this company I don't plan to be checking the scale everyday, but I do plan to try to eat better, try to get to the gym more, and to continuously benefit myself. 
This is the beginning of my journey, if you want to join me comment and go to this website www.advocare.com/150215420
         If you need any suggestions or have any questions feel free to ask. I'm sticking to my New Years Resolution to becoming the best me I can be!

 

Recruitment 101: Get Past Looks

My first and most important advice when going into recruitment, “Do not pick an organization based on looks.” Please for the love of the Greek Gods, get it out of your mind that you want to be a part of that all around “perfect” sorority because you will most likely end up completely miserable. I’m not saying that you should never be a part of the organizations that look like gorgeous Barbie dolls, however, make sure you go into recruitment with an open mind and finding out where you truly feel comfortable. Where do you feel like you fit, not because you feel accepted or honored to have been considered for a “pretty org”. Everyone is trying to put their best foot forward during formal recruitment and you want to be in an organization where you feel like you can be your best self. Go where you feel you belong, not necessarily where you want to belong. 

I know it’s easier said than done to go into recruitment with a clean slate and 100% open mind, because unfortunately a lot of girls go in with the predetermined mindset of where they want to end up, and naturally, sometimes your predetermined mindset ends up being correct, and often other times it isn’t. You see what’s on the outside, and recruitment is such a short period of time to figure out where your perfect fit is and so many girls get sucked into the organizations that look the prettiest, not necessarily the most down to earth and best organization for you and your personality. 

As you go into each room this is a subconscious checklist you should be looking for:

1. Can I see myself getting sick of these girls too quickly?
2. Am I having a good, and decent conversation with these ladies?
3. Where do I see myself a year from now if I joined this sorority?
4. Do I agree with their philanthropic work; is it something I would enjoy doing?
5. Do I have the time commitment to put into this organization?
6. Other than being pretty, what are some good qualities of these ladies from first glance?

Take a deep breath and go into recruitment as open minded as possible, if you are joining a sorority because it will better you as a person, don't get too caught up and have your heart set on one organization because where you may end up may be the best org for you. 

So please please please, go in with an open mind and heart and don’t just look on what’s on the outside. You may surprise yourself and being a part of an organization where you feel at home just may be one of the best decisions you ever make.

10 Valentines Date Ideas

Hey there, readers! 

With Valentines Day (or as I like to call it, single awareness day) coming up within the next week, I wanted to share some ideas with you for dates, whether they be with your significant other, or just your friends, here are some things I've done in the past or other things you can do that I still have yet to try! 

1. Stay home for a nice night in! 
Sure, going out could be fun, but staying in? It could be a lot more special. Make dinner together, watch a movie. Enjoy one another company! 

2. Stay up all night! 
Stargaze all night and then the sunrise together! One of my favorite things that I've ever done on a date was staying up all night talking and watching the sunrise early the next morning! Whether this be with your SO or your friends, I can promise that it's a lot of fun! 

3. Go out to dinner
Last year, my roommate and I got chocolate covered strawberries and went to dinner with a few other friends before going home and watching rom-coms with wine! Best. Night. Ever. 

4. Build a fort!
What better way to remind yourself of your childhood than to build a fort with couch cushions, blankets, and pillows! Even challenge one another to see who can make the better fort! 

5. Go on an adventure! 
I don't know where you live, but in Colorado, February is the coldest month of the year, but even then, we still have some amazing days! If it's nice out, go on a hike, have a picnic, and fly a kite! If it's not so nice out, go to a museum or take a dance class! Do something that makes both of you step outside of your comfort zone!

6. Have a movie marathon! 
Does one of you have a movie series that you love? I know I have quite a few of them! Spend some time binge watching some of your favorite films. I know I'd watch the Harry Potter films or maybe even the Jurassic Park trilogy, especially since Jurassic World will be hitting theaters this summer! 

7. Scavenger hunt! 
What would be more fun than going on an adventure (see #5) by creating a scavenger hunt and then taking them out on the town. You could experience new things together and maybe have a few laughs! 

8. Recreate your first date
If you've been dating your SO for a while, then maybe you could plan to recreate the first date that you ever had together. Something cute that I've heard of people doing is taking different cars to the same location and pretending to meet all over again. I think both are precious! 

9. Skype Date
If you're in a long distance relationship like I would suspect that some of you may be, set up a Skype date. Figure out a time that works for both of you, put on the same movie and Skype while you watch it. It may not be the most conventional thing to do, but it's always an option. It's something I've had to do and it's not the worst! 

10. Give them a gift! 
Even if you're low on cash like I always was in college, you can do something simple. Though it wasn't for valentines day, I bought a puzzle, put it together and wrote a message on the back of it before disassembling it, putting it in a cute box with a bow, and giving it to him (I was asking him to formal). When he was figuring it all out, I made an italian dinner for us. We ate and watched movies and played video games. He loved it all because I put focus on him and what he wanted to do. Keep them in mind! 

Well SGT readers, I'm definitely far from being Cupid but I hope those ten ideas give you an idea of what you may want to do next Saturday. As for me, I'll be watching 50 Shades with my best friends (wine included because I have the BEST theater) and eating popcorn. You don't need a SO to make Valentine's Day perfect, you just need people you love. 

What It Is Like To See Your Pledge Sister After Months Apart

During the second semester of my junior year of college, one of my best friends, my college roomie, my pledge sister, Jemma, accepted an amazing internship in Washington D.C. (we all knew she was destined to do great things).

She has more or less been down in the nation’s capital ever since.

While I have seen her a handful of times since then, speak to her often, and of course like  her occasional post on social media, she made an unexpected visit this past weekend and I made sure that I was able to see her (despite working an 8 and half hour shift at my part time job before hand).

After months apart, following the paths of our own lives, It was great to see her and celebrity where who we were, who we became, and where we have ended up thus far. Perhaps more importantly, it was nice to confirm that distance has not diminished our friendship but instead further solidified it.

Quite honestly, it was like she never left thus confirming that our friendship despite our busy schedules, fast past lives, and different careers can survive the test of time.

With the spring semester in full swing at this point, many sorority women are preparing to graduate --- this in general is a scary thought.

However, while the future can be uncertain, the lasting friendships that were fostered during your sorority years will live on with you forever. Jemma and I are just one example.  

These are a few of my favorite things

Every sorority girl has those things that get her through the school week until thirsty Thursday begins. Here are some of mine:

1. A Girlfriends Guide to Divorce: this comes on Tuesday nights and is Bravos first scripted series. It's seriously hysterical and just awesome. I'm obsessed, I will make sure I am home in time just to watch this. It stars Lisa Eldenstien from House, need I say more? 

2. My Clarasonice facial brush: this thing keeps my skin nice and exfoliated even in the harsh winter weather. My pores have also been clearer since I started using it.

3. BB cream: If you haven't hopped on this bandwagon you should. It's a primer, concealer, and moisturizer all in one..Makes you look #flawless in one step. Cheers to cutting your before class makeup routine in half.

4. Coffee: I tend to have a cup of coffee mid day to keep me going, too much early in the morning can make me a little hyper. Black tea is a great option too if you don't like the taste of coffee. 

5. Fleece lined leggings: A gift from God, you get to wear leggings and still be warm. They feel pretty good on your skin so stock up on a couple of pairs.

6. Baseball hat: to cover up my hair on early mornings, bonus if it has letters.

12 Classic Sorority Girl Photos

You probably predicted some of the photos you were going to see on here. And you probably have photos just like them. That just means you are rocking some classic sorority girl poses.

1. The skinny arm.
If you don't know this pose, then you're not a girl. You can usually spot this on girls at the end of group shots and in solo shots of girls showing off some attitude. Intended to make the arm and therefore the body appear thinner, the skinny arm has become a phenomenon amongst sorority girls everywhere. But sometimes we genuinely just don't know what else to do with our arms. Is the peace sign still cool?

2. Mirror selfie.
You know when you think you look so cute and your outfit is on point that you need to share it right away? This shot comes in handy when you're too embarrassed to ask someone to take a picture of you but you want to make sure your look is acknowledged that day.

3. Hugging photo.
Aw! This photo always looks adorable. It just screams cuteness and works for groups of all sizes (of at least two).

4. Hand sign.
On the beach, in a foreign country, or at bid day, you will find a plethora of these. No matter where you are, you want the world to know that a [insert sorority name] was here.

5. Selfie.
This had to be on the list and you know it. Whether it is of just you or with multiple friends, you have a lot of these photos. Some were funny Snapchats that your friends screenshotted, and some were intentionally attractive. And then there are those of you that upgraded to the selfie stick. Because that was a necessary addition to the world.

6. Candid.
The jig is up: your candid is carefully planned. In fact, you probably discussed it with your friends before you handed over your iPhone. But that's okay, because "candid" shots are always the cutest. Your laughter is usually coming from absolutely nothing but your impressive acting skills and your desire for likes on Instagram. But if your candid is genuine, then you've hit photography gold.

7. All facing one way (sometimes holding hands).
You're over the prom pics but not quite. This photo is perfect for groups of friends with the same good side. But honestly, this pose takes some skill. You can see I have not mastered it yet:

8. Entire sorority (especially all matching).
When an entire group of busy sorority women are together, you cannot pass up that photo opportunity. The best times for these photos range from big philanthropy events to formal recruitment week. How can you not want a photo with all of your beautiful sisters in matching outfits?

9. Big and little pose.
Cue the tears. The best love you can have is the love for your little. And that is why we all have this next photo. The descending height photo shows off your lineage so you can brag about how perfect your offspring is.

10. Laying on the ground in a circle.
Whether you're fake laughing (see: candid) or just smiling, the circle picture is a common sorority shot. It shows off some sisterhood in a unique style.

11. Duckface.
The infamous kiss-in-the-air shot is another classic. This pose has multiple purposes. We use it to show adoration for a fellow member of the photo or the viewer, to look cute, fierce, or goofy, and occasionally to go along with a frat point. The intent impacts the level of puckered-ness.

12. Sorority squat.
And finally, the srattiest of them all. The sorority squat is the instinctual pose for sorority girls in the front or middle of group photos (note the skinny arm as well).

No matter the pose, the memory is captured forever. Next time a camera points at you, give it your all and own that moment, girl!