Trend Spotter: Back to School

Back to school is upon us and whether you are back at the books yet or not, I'm here with some style tips to help make the transition smoother!

(All you freshman out there, I'm wishing you a warm welcome to college! This advice is mainly geared towards you and I hope you find it helpful!) 

1) First off, campus temperatures right now are always awkward. The classrooms can be freezing but outside is still pretty warm. Keep yourself satisfied by bringing along a sweatshirt or pullover to class but avoid wearing long sleeve shirts. If you can't take it off, you'll end up being miserably hot later on. 

2) Even if you skip bringing along the sweatshirt, always be prepared for weather. A rain jacket and/or umbrella are must haves for your book bag. You never know when the weather will change! 

3) Think twice about footwear! Sandals or flip flops may seem like a good idea, but college usually involves a lot of walking around. Tennis shoes are your best friend. 

4) People aren't judging you like you may think. There's no need to wear fancy clothing or uncomfortable outfits to class. (Forever Loving Norts!) Let yourself live easier and dress down a little bit. But also don't lean too far the opposite way. Walking into class looking like a slob is disrespectful to the teacher. Find the good balance! 

5) "Dressing Down" doesn't have to mean completely casual. I loved rocking my Norts/Tee combo with various accessories. Do a bracelet stack or a watch and some studs! You'll still feel dressed up AND be extremely comfortable! 

6) Backpacks are not for geeks. Purses are cute but by the two week mark, you're going to be dying to rest your shoulder. Find a good backpack and dress it up, stylize it, monogram it, whatever! Just make it yours and rock it. 

I'll finish up by saying this. College is an amazing time to find yourself. Even though I love clothes, sometimes purpose has to come before vanity and I am telling you now, don't ever feel like an oddball for making that choice. That being said, it's also an amazing time to find your personal style and make it yours! So have an amazing first day of classes and get ready for an amazing adventure! 

Getting Ready for School Without Feeling Like You Are

Ah yes, the familiar sound of frazzled mothers buying school supplies in Target and too-early TV commercials for Halloween costumes. It's time for the new school year and I'm sure there's a lot left to do before you leave. My room is currently under, um, reorganization after my recent move back home following my summer internship. This is what I am currently doing to both avoid my impending unpacking and pretend like I'm accomplishing things before leaving for campus. 

• Clean out your closet, donate/sell your old clothes, go shopping for new fall/winter clothes
• Go through your dorm stuff and reevaluate what you used and didn't use. Take less and make your life easier (for tips to get started, check out my post from last week!)
• Make plans with people from home - you'll be glad you did and if you start now it won't be rushed the two days before you leave

Tara, Victoria, Bridget and I aka the high school crew

• Make a list of all the things you love about your hometown and do each one as an end of summer bucket list
• School supplies shopping
• Clean out and backup your computer
• Make a personal reading list for the year
• Make a binge list for Netflix
• DIY for your dorm/apartment

I learned how to make pretty letters

• Have a girl's day with your mom or a daddy daughter day with your dad
• Print out the football schedule and make a wall calendar of the dates
• Clean out your email subscriptions
• Clean out your Facebook friends list
• Treat yourself to a magazine subscription for the year

• Or a makeup or snack box subscription
• Make a list of new places to eat in your college town or nearby city
• Clean out your makeup
• Choose and print out photos for a photo wall collage

It's Who You're With That Matters

Since I started my undergrad education 2 years ago in a city halfway across the country from where I grew up, by far the hardest thing to do has been learning how to live with long distance friendships. Whether you’re at home or at school, there’s always a group of bright, lovely friends that you stay in touch with through text, snapchat, FaceTime, and, if you’re lucky, good old fashioned I-hopped-on-a-plane-just-to-see-you visits. 

Now I’m really lucky because one of my very best friends from school has come to visit me in my hometown of Washington D.C. twice now in the two years that I’ve known her. Last year, Delaney and I spent days at the zoo, exploring monuments, and checking out the hip neighborhoods – all of those fun touristy things that I’ve been doing with relatives and out of town friends since I was old enough to walk. Really if you’re ever in town, hit me up, cause I’ve got an evening monument tour that I could give in my sleep.

 

Delaney and I at the National Zoo in 2014.

But this second year around, the tourist routine didn’t seem to cut it. On Delaney’s first day here, I took her to a street fair in which I expected browsing to take at least an hour, and after a 15 minute spin through we were done. And that was when my little bit of anxiety started creeping in…was I being a terrible host for not having planned more effectively? I mean Delaney was only here for a few days! And she had come all the way to D.C. from Chicago! Shouldn’t I be making every moment as special as I could?

With these worries in the back of my mind we spent the afternoon sitting and just talking. After a couple of hours of chatting aimlessly we stopped and looked at each other, realizing that my lack of planning and trying to make it special had given us a great day. It was kind of nice, even though we only had four days to spend together to just take those hours and chill. To talk outdoors without a computer or cellphone in sight. To not worry about whether of not the moment was as special and unique as it could have been and just be able to enjoy each other. Even though we were busy and had limited time and at first it felt counterintuitive, there was no more valuable or special way we could have spent that day together than just doing nothing.

So I guess my big lesson was this: in our busy and scheduled lives, we need to take the pressure off our ourselves to have every moment we spend with our friends be special or planned. I mean, in the end Delaney didn’t come visit to see the city, she came to see me. It was a lovely reminder that it’s not what you’re doing or where you are, but who you’re with that matters.

Remembering to Find Time for You

First let me begin by saying that I am currently writing this from a balcony overlooking the bay in Ocean City, Maryland.

I am on vacation and I have been enjoying the crisp waves, bright sunshine, buzzing boardwalk, and of course quality time with my fiancée and his family.

After three years, of nothing but work or school, this is the first time in a while I have had a chance to truly spend a whole week focusing on things other than work (not that I mind work, I truly love what I do, but a break was long overdue).

During the past few days, I have become aware of how busy I truly have been and how I never really took time, even during my “free” time, to do something that I wanted to do. 

I would work one job, shoot a wedding, and then go to the other job the next day. If I wasn’t working at either job, I was still working on my projects for my own personal business. If I wasn’t working on personal projects in my spare time, I was doing other things that needed to be done like cleaning, laundry, or cooking. The only time I wasn’t working (or in my case editing) would be when I slept.  My life has become Sleep. Eat. Edit. Repeat.

After almost a week in “paradise” I learned that hard work is important and is the only way to achieve your goals but taking time to take care of you once in a while is important too.  

During my time here in Ocean City, I have been able to see some amazing things by exploring a new area. It has been peaceful, truly relaxing, and exactly what I needed. I feel relaxed and know when I return home, I will be ready to take on the world.

I am fortunate to completely love what I do, but even so I needed this time for me. Sure, as a photographer I have my camera, but every shot I took during this trip has been for me, and me alone. 

So the moral of this blog post is, yes work is a part of life, but make sure you find time to do the things that will make you happy. The world would be a better place if every once in a while, a person did something for themselves, and not worried about getting ahead.

Having More Than One Little

With the fall semester quickly approaching, it's that time of year again. Yes, school is starting and that's just dreadful exciting but that also means recruitment is right around the corner. With recruitment comes PNMs and with PNMs comes the potential for new littles. Perhaps this is your time to shine and take one of these new girls under your wing to become their big sister or maybe you've been an active member of your organization for a while and have had the opportunity to take more than one little. Whatever the case may be, sharing the experience of your sorority (or fraternity) with your little is so special and it is a relationship that should not be taken lightly. I have one actual little sister, Little J, who is an initiated member of my sorority and I cherish our relationship to no end. 

Little J and I at her initiation (as seen on TSM).

I also have five other individuals who are very much like littles to me, I call them my "unofficial littles". They're equally as important and I try my best to make sure I'm always there to support them. Each one of them incorporates a unique piece to my puzzle that I call life. To put it in simple terms that might help you understand, they're like my adopted children and their Greek affiliation (or lack of Greek affiliation) does not matter to me because I'll be there for them for life. Maybe you've been in a similar circumstance or maybe you share your big with another person and are having a difficult time adjusting. So, without further ado, here are a few key points I've put together of what you should and should not do if you have a little, multiple littles, or if you're considering taking a little in the future.

You Should: Have group dates. Make your littles hang out with each other because, let's face it, you'll probably graduate before any of them and be off into the real world before they know it. Having those family bonds solidified before you graduate makes the transition much easier for everyone involved. Plus, it's always nice to have someone in your corner if your big is not around. 

You Should: Treat them equally. No one likes to feel left out so even if your connection with one little is stronger than it is with your other little(s), always make an effort to show them you care.

Different Day. Different Little. Different Leggings. Same Pose.

You Should: Celebrate their accomplishments! Little one got a new car, little two got a new puppy, little three killed their internship interview. No matter how big or small these events are, they're important to your little. Let them know that you're thinking about them! 

You Should: Make a fun family name or give each little a nickname. Like I mentioned, I have acquired a small family of littles. We are the Nugget Family, not like chicken nuggets, but somehow that's the association that's transpired. So, as a result, they're my little pack of nugs. We even have our own secret Facebook group for easy communication but we'll pretend like I didn't just spill the beans with that one. 

Some of the Nugget Family at a tailgate event.

You Should: Take note of how each little reacts in a troubling situation or when dealing with stress and anxiety. Some people love to be hugged and soothed during times like these when others just need a pat on the back and an ice cream cone. Know how to help your little through these tough times. 

You Should Not: Favor one little over another. Yes, of course, sometimes you can't control the connection you have with someone but don't let it show. Always, always, always try to remain neutral. 

You Should Not: Forget the important dates in your littles' lives. Birthdays, anniversaries, milestones - write them down for yourself so you can always send some love their way on these special days.

You Should Not: Let too much time pass in between hanging out or catching up. Obviously, it's hard to coordinate with multiple schedules especially when you have a busy schedule of your own. However, you're never too busy to shoot your littles individual texts or messages to let them know you're thinking about them. 

You Should Not: Disown your little. Every so often, people who share a very close bond get annoyed with each other and feel that it's necessary to push back. Try not to do this, especially with your little. It's okay to have disagreements but mend those ties as soon as possible. Even if your little irritates you and you find yourself filled with negative emotions, always make an effort to mend the relationship. Your little is like your child and you have assumed the role of a parent - remember that always. Your little is yours for life not just for four years. 

Twinning with Little J.

If you have one little or twenty littles, your little looks up to you probably more than you realize. In many cases, you're the one that drives their passion for your organization or Greek Life and you give them the tools necessary for being an incredible big one day too. Aside from that, they learn from you. You indirectly teach them, hopefully, the right ways to navigate college and they usually keep you on your toes. The best way to summarize this would be to say, treat your little(s) how you would want to be treated. Best of luck this Fall if you're searching for your first, second, or even your third little. Whatever number you're on, having a little is always an awesome experience. 

What's your favorite memory with your big or little? Comment below and let us know! 

Fall Recruitment Survival Kits

In my case fall term doesn't start for two more months but if you're not on the west coast and starting super late fall recruitment is probably either already happening for you or happening very soon. Maybe it is your little or grandlittle's first time being on the other side of the craziness that is recruitment. If you want to help them out then think about crafting them something special, a recruitment survival kit. Check out these tips to get started.

1. Travel size makeup, chapstick, perfume, and beauty essentials can be a cute and cheap thing to include.

Beauty 

2. Relaxation essentials like chocolate bars, magazines, snacks, books sorority themed or otherwise are key for breaks between house tours or prepping for events.

Sisters

3. Summer essentials are helpful if you live in a state where it's still super hot during recruitment. Include things like blotting sheets, fans, makeup remover wipes, water bottles, deodorant, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Summer

4. Include emergency essentials like a sewing kit, a compact mirror, safety pins, band-aids, and feminine hygiene products, double stick tape, a lint brush, and nail polish remover.

Survival

5. Stay minty fresh and energized by packing a Starbucks coffee drink, energy drink, caffeinated chocolate bar, energy bar, Advil, cough drops mints, and gum.

Latte 

6. If you can find a cute and cheap pair of flats include those too because you never know when your sister will want to swap her heels out for them instead.

Lilly

7. If you have an outdoor recruitment event pack your sister a mini-umbrella and maybe even a poncho just in case the worst occurs.

Vineyard Vines

8. Don't forget you may want to write things down or remember them so keep scissors, pencils, pens, and a notepad on hand to do so.

Rush Kit

9. Remember things may get emotional or just tiring so don't forget to pack tissues and maybe even a gift card to your favorite place to eat, pamper, and relax for when all the craziness does finally end.

Lush

10. And finally keep your sorority and their ideals at the forefront by including some type of sorority sugar whether it is a stuffed animal of your mascot, a tee you want to pass down, or some other cute decoration.

Greekies

Good luck with recruitment everyone! 

Trend Spotter : Make Your Style Your Business!

College is a super fun and exciting time. It's also a time when you're extremely broke. Part-time jobs are awesome, but can also be  difficult to fit into your schedule. So why not take a chance and start your own little business? 

Don't worry, this isn't a sales pitch for a new buy in group (like Mary Kay or 31). This is a message of inspiration for all those girls out there, just like me, who have way too many clothes and need some extra cash! Thrifting has been on the rise for a while now, and my suggestion to you is basically the same thing. You take all of the clothes you don't wear anymore and sell them. The best part about it is that you probably have a good chunk of change sitting right in front of you without you even noticing it. Not to mention, selling doesn't require a lot of skill or effort. 

To get started, you want to decide how you're going to sell. Luckily, you have a few options. 

1. Consignment (think Plato's) : Consignment shops are places where you take your clothes and they buy them from you and resell. Some places, like Plato's, will pay you on the spot for what they buy whereas other consignment shops only give you money when your item sells. There are a couple of downsides to this method. (1) They tend to be picky about what they buy. I've gone to Plato's before and earned $100 whereas other times I received $7. It's always hit or miss. (2) You have no control over the price. When you sell items on your own, you can dictate what you want for it. Shops don't usually haggle with you and sometimes, they rip you off. (3) Occasionally, stores only offer store credit vs. actual cash. This is great if you're looking for clothes but if you need moolah for other things, you're outta luck. 

2. Online "Shops" : Poshmark, EBay, and many social media pages exist to help you sell. Personally, I use Posh and I love it. They make it so easy to use and the interactions between buyer and seller is usually positive. They are all similar but vary on certain aspects. Here's a run down of a few different sites! 

Poshmark (FAVORITE): On Poshmark, you list an item, ask a price, and post. People see your item and some will buy flat out. Some may try to bargain a price with you, it's your call on if you accept. Once someone purchases, they pay for the price and a flat shipping rate. You will then get a pre-paid mailing label, already filled out with your customers info, emailed to you. You grab a priority mail package, slap that puppy on there, and ship it out. Fast and simple. Poshmark takes $2.95 out of any sales lower than $15 and 20% out of any sales higher than $15. It may seem like a good portion, but they make it so simple and wonderful....it's really worth it. (I'll chat more about Posh at the end!) 

EBay: EBay is less user friendly, but still useful. It has the same idea, you post your item and chose whether to do a buy it now or auction. With a BIN, you set the price and that's it. If you think your item will be of high demand, you set a starting bid and see how high it'll go! With EBay, shipping isn't included, so you either ask for it in addition to price or pay it yourself. Also, the communication isn't as easy. Whereas Posh, where you have a feed for comments, EBay relies on private messages. They also take a commission out of your profits, but don't provide as much support. That's why I usually chose PM. 

Social Media: Lastly, there has been a surge of pages on Facebook and Instagram for buying and selling clothes. This is a great and simple way to do it BUT it comes with more risk. Without a "governing body", you're not protected from bad buyers and buyers aren't  protected from bad sellers. Sites like Sorority Girl Yard Sale have a pretty good reputation, but it only takes one to spoil a bunch. Make sure before you ever sell anything on here, you really know who you are selling to! 

To wrap things up, I'm going to give you a couple tips to getting more views, more shares, and ultimately, more money! Now as I said, I've tried all of these methods but Poshmark is the way to go in my opinion, so most of tips are geared towards that site. But don't worry! If you keep these in mind, you can be a great seller anywhere! 

1. When you first start your "closet" (your page of items for sale!) get a lot of pieces together before you set up shop. An empty closet is unappealing and unattractive. 

2. Take a GOOD quality photo of all angles of your item and highlight any details. (Tip : Don't try to be artsy or use a bunch of filters. People want to know what they are buying, if the photo is weird or hard to see, it's a big turn off!!) 

3. Be as descriptive as possible! There is no virtual fitting room, so people need to know. Does it run small? Is it true to size? I even like to get out a measuring tape and put all the measurements in there. An educated buyer, is a ready buyer! 

4. Offer discounts on multiple items! If someone wants to buys two or three things, throw in an incentive. It's a nice touch. 

5. BE HONEST. If you're having a conversation with a buyer and they say they really like your item but they need it to be a loose fit, don't tell them it is if you know it's a tight piece. Many of my customers are repeats. That's because they know I am going to be up front with them. You want to be sure to build a reputation for yourself just as you would anywhere else. 

6. Package it nicely! All of my items are clean and folded. Sometimes, I like to throw in a free gift (could be anything! Just a little gift to say thanks) And I always include a note saying thank you (Plus it's fun to have a reason to use all the cute notecards I've picked up). Personalizing the item makes the buyer have an even better experience and they'll probably keep coming back. You'll also get higher ratings which is good when new buyers are deciding whether or not to buy from you! 

7. Take advantage of the "parties" and the share button. You can get more closet followers if you make yourself more well known. Share your items, post them into a Posh Party, get yourself out there. A little work will go a long way! 

8. Make a "fake" listing and introduce yourself. Let your buyers know who you are, tell them about you! If you're trying to raise money for something, tell them! Think about why you love a certain store you go to. Usually, it's because of the atmosphere! This is no different!! 

Here are a couple pictures of items I have had for sale and also, my "meet the seller" pic! I love being a Fashionista and getting to make money from it! Take it from me, this can be fun and rewarding, just jump on in and be sure to follow my Posh Closet @mdevine92