Why Being Unconventional is the Best

I don’t know about any of you, but I am probably one of the most unconventional people when you think of somebody who is in a sorority.

Yes, I work, and yes, I dress up daily, but I’m the kind of girl who absolutely hates getting dressed and going out of her way to impress people when I absolutely don’t have to. Don’t get me wrong, I like to look presentable, but every day of my life? It’s been a struggle.  I’ve always been the girl who would rather wear baggy sweats and a tank top than a dress and heels any day of the week. I’m the absolute thing from girly that once can think of. I grew up as a tomboy. I played sports from the time I started walking until now and I love a challenge! I’ve never been the kind of person to back down or allow people to walk over me like a doormat.

In Spring 2012, I joined Phi Sigma Sigma and it was the absolute best time of my life! I was part of an organization of women who accepted me for who I was and didn’t try to make me anybody that I didn’t want to be. These women accepted me for being what most would refer to as a “geek.”

I love Harry Potter maybe a little too much and I’m a complete comic book nerd, especially when it comes to Marvel. I binge watch movies on Netflix and I’m not the kind of girl who likes to party very often, and not really at all. I play xbox more than most teenage boys and sometimes I curse like a sailor. I’m unique, to say the least, but I wouldn’t want my life to be any other way.

There was a Greek co-sponsored event during disorientation week when school started in the fall and there were times that I caught myself quoting the movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” while it was playing and my sisters kept telling me how much they loved and appreciated my nerdiness, which I then began to appreciate more about myself.

In these next few weeks when recruitment is going on, remember to embrace everything unique about yourself and don’t try to hide it. Those who appreciate your uniqueness will be the ones in the organization that you’ll most likely want to go to. Go where you fit in and where people enjoy the new things that you bring to the organization.

You know that part of the movie when Elsa is singing and she says, “conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know,” DO NOT listen to her! Be yourself and take pride in who you are and the things that you love! Stand out from the crowd!

Get Recruitment Ready: Makeup Tips and Tricks

Recruitment is right around the corner and it’s easy to get all caught up in classes and lose time to put some effort and a ton of time into your appearance. Have no fear! Here are some tips and tricks that I’ve come up with to save you tons of time and still look put together. Some of you may not know, I own and run the beauty blog thebeautychapterbyali.blogspot.com and have done tons of looks on there you can checkout! But I wanted to do a feature on here for all you sorority ladies who need some pointers and quick tips on how to make the most of your time available and with the least amount of products as possible.

You want to make sure you look your best for recruitment even though getting to know Potential New Members and putting your best foot forward personality-wise means much more. First impressions are important and looking and feeling your best plays a large role in that! Here are some products I recommend.

For your face, stick to a simple foundation routine that can easily be applied with no tools, go for a BB cream, these cover a lot while still being lightweight. I recommend the Smashbox BB Cream which you can get at Ulta or Sephora. It is a little bit pricier than a drugstore product, however it’s definitely a product that you want to splurge on because it works amazing and lasts a while.

For those tired eyes you definitely need a concealer which is quick and easy to apply quickly when you’re in a rush before recruitment starts. Go for an inexpensive drugstore concealer I recommend the NYC cream concealer which is available at CVS or the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer. They're much more inexpensive products than high end ones and do just as well. It also works amazingly and doubles as an eye shadow primer; saving you money and cutting down on products you need. Apply this concealer under your eyes, in your t-zone [forehead, chin, nose] and then use on eyes as a primer.

You most definitely need a bronzer, not necessarily a blush but definitely a bronzer to brighten up your face. A great drugstore bronzer is the NYC brand bronzers they’re also inexpensive and great quality. Apply it in the hollows of your cheeks, on your temples, and down your nose. This will add a great flush of color to your face.

For eyeshadow go for an all in one palette so all your shadows are in one place, I love the Rimmel London eyeshadow palettes that are available at all drugstores. These quads have great eyeshadow colors that are high quality. Go for a quad that is all warm brown tones, they’ll be perfect to add dimension to your eyes, just take a warm brown, pop that in your crease and make sure to highlight under your brow bone.

If you don’t want to fill in brows you don’t have to but if you’re interested in doing so, I would go for a quick and easy fill in pencil or brow gel that’s tinted. The Maybelline brand at the drugstore recently came out with a brow gel that are in various shades and these are a great way to add color to your brows quickly and effectively. If you want a pencil, go for Anastasia Beverly Hills brow whiz at Ulta or Sephora, it’s a little pricier but does the trick.

Lastly, keep your lips simple, for the fresh and clean look go for a sheer gloss or my favorite chapstick. I love the Body Shop lip balms or just simple chapsticks. They add a light glossiness and keep your lips hydrated!

Now go rock recruitment! Shine on the outside and on the inside! 
 

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 24

Twenty- four. As of January 11^th at 4:11 pm, I officially have entered my 24^th year of life.  I am officially on step away from a quarter of century (scary).

And to be honest, I don’t feel any different. I don’t feel older, or wiser, if anything, I just feel blessed.

I am grateful for all the things I have been able to experienced in my life thus far, from growing up with amazing siblings, to getting to explore three beautiful countries, to falling for the best man I have ever met, to graduating with a master’s degree, my life overall has been great.

If anything, my birthday made me reflect on my life as a whole and appreciate everything I have experienced so far.

So bring it on 24, I am excited to see what this year brings.

Fun Cold Weather Date Ideas

Attention ladies it's officially cuffing season. If you've been lucky enough to snag yourself a guy to cuddle up with during the winter months with and hopefully beyond then you also probably don't want to be bored during the cold weather. Here are some winter date night ideas to give you warm fuzzies.             
      1. Ice Skating: If you can skate then you can skate around hang in hand. If not you get to laugh at each other when you inevitably fall when trying to stand on the ice.  I did this with my beau and we had an awesome time, it helped that he used to play hockey so he was able to pull me around the rink.

2. Cook dinner together: Skip the restaurant and swing by the grocery store instead to come up with a meal you two can make together from the comfort of home. It also saves money, so you can have dessert too!                                        

   3. The local caffe: If one of you isn't into coffee there's always hot chocolate to warm your insides when it's freezing out. The lighting in these places usually has a romantic vibe as well.

4. A house party: You get to stay in a warm house and you also don't need to be super dressed up, keeping it cozy during the winter.    
                               
5.  A BYOB painting class: The two of you will get to paint a work of art to keep with the added bonus of the wine to keep you warm! There are always Groupons for these so be on the lookout.

12 Shows Perfect for Viewing Parties this Semester

One of the easiest ways to have fun bonding with sisters during the cold winter months is to host viewing parties for new episodes of television shows. Lots of new shows and new seasons of popular shows have started over this winter break or will be starting back up soon. Here are some of the best shows to watch with your sisters this semester:

1. "The Bachelor" on ABC airs Mondays at 8|7C

2. "American Horror Story" on FX airs Wednesdays at 10|9C

3. "Glee" on FOX airs Fridays at 9|8C

4. "American Idol" on FOX airs Wednesdays at 8|7C

5. "Pretty Little Liars" on ABC Family airs Tuesdays at 8|7C

6. "New Girl" on FOX airs Tuesdays at 9|8C

7. "Eye Candy" on MTV airs Mondays at 10|9C

8. "Jane the Virgin" on The CW airs Mondays at 9|8C
*Golden Globes 2015 Winner!

9. "The Vampire Diaries" returns to The CW on January 22 at 8|7C

10. "Scandal" returns to ABC on January 29 at 9|8C

11. "How to Get Away with Murder" returns to ABC on January 29 at 10|9C

12. "The Voice" returns to NBC on February 23 at 8|7C

Take a break from studying and relax with your girlfriends while enjoying these shows. Don’t forget your coziest blankets and favorite snacks!

Binge Watch Your Favorite TV Series

Netflix, Hulu, and any other tv website has a variety of shows. If you haven't started to binge watch a show these are the ones you will want to check out!

1. One Tree Hill- Netflix

2. Nashville- Hulu

3. Gossip Girl- Netflix

4. Orange is the New Black- Netflix

5. Scandal- Netflix

6. How I Met Your Mother- Netflix

7. Friends- Netflix

8. New Girl- Netflix/ Hulu

9. Gilmore Girls- Netflix

10. Jane the Virgin- Hulu

Sit right in front of your laptop, tv, or pull out your Roku to watch some of your favorites and some new shows. Make sure to pour a big glass of red wine for your favorite scandal.

Reasons Why You and Your Roommate(s) Are On the Same Wavelength

By now you’ve figured out if your roommate is the person you’re supposed to be rooming with, here are some reasons why you and your roommate get eachother.

• You know exactly when the other person is going to the bathroom and all the grimy details.
• When you and your roommate can freely talk about pooping you know it’s real.
• Your food needs and patterns are in sync, you usually want the same kind of food as the other at the right time; Chinese? Don’t mind if I do.
• You craft for your sorority on the ratchet floor of your room and make it into quality venting time.
• Venting Sessions happen on the regular, and you’re almost always on the exact same page.
• You know their relationships inside and out, you know when they’re having boyf probs.
• You have the same hatred for the same exact people.
• You love all the same TV shows; hello PLL date nights!
• One of you is messy and the other is a complete neat freak [Yes my roommate currently that’s you and I’m the hot mess]
• You have no problem bugging them when you forget your ID to get into the room or when you need food.
• You have an insane amount of pictures with each other to start a portfolio it’s actually disgusting.
• You’re 95% of each other’s snapchat stories.
• You share clothes.
• Your music moods change constantly one day is Country day the next day is Missy Elliot throwback day and you’re completely okay with it.
• You do your laundry together like an old couple; hey Kar can I borrow a dryer sheet?
• You support each other when it comes to eating junk food and they never let you eat it alone; go for it eat those stale doritos!
• You’re not grossed out by each other’s clothes laying over the entire bathroom floor.
• You text each other when you’re not together about how much you miss the other and they usually go something like…..I MISSSSSSHHHH YOUUUUUUU [insert whining emoji here]
• You text each other even when you’re in the same room but don’t find it weird.
• When you leave notes for each other and slip them under each other’s doors for when they wake up that are so extremely stupid but wonderful at the same time.
• There's always one of you who ends up being the instigator and trying to get the other one to go out even when they don't want to.
• You cannot wait to go back after time away from each other because you’ll be able to be partners in crime all over again.