Browsing Tag

Sorority

Fashion

Etsy Favorites

vjs

If you’re familiar with my blog, you know that I love Etsy. I appreciate that it is a platform that artists can share their creations and profit from truly beautiful pieces. Sharing the stories of small business owners is one of my biggest joys. I have found a few of my favorite shops on Etsy like 8:38 Designs and Plum Paper (see my posts about them here and here).

I wanted to share two more favorites with you: Pure Impressions and Vintage Stamp Jewels.

Pure ImpressionsPure Impressions

Pure Impressions (website here) was created by Laura Hunter. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, she now lives in Casper, Wyoming. Laura was such a sweetheart to send me the rings, bangles, and keychains pictured below! She loves creating handmade jewelry and says it is one of the most rewarding things you can do. She is also a full-time mom with a full-time job. I love stories like Laura’s because despite her extremely busy life, she still finds time to do what brings her the most joy – which in turn brings her customers joy! Not only will she work with you to create exactly what you want, she will also make and ship everything super fast.

I’ve loved working with her and highly recommend her store – it’s perfect for bridesmaids, graduation, wedding, and birthday gifts!

Follow Pure Impressions on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!

Big, middle, little sis

Vintage Stamp Jewels was created by Monica, a stay-at-home mom of three. In her spare time, she loves to create this beautiful jewelry.  Her pieces are perfect for brides and bridesmaids.

I requested a layered necklace for my older sister who was recently engaged. The first layer of the necklace had a simple elegant heart and the second had her new initials “CLS.” My sister loved it so much.

Monica was so generous and threw in a stunning personalized ring for me as well. I wear it everyday and receive so many compliments on it. She is so accommodating and you can tell she genuinely cares about getting her customers exactly what they want.

Follow VSJ on Twitter and Facebook!

vjs

Vintage Stamp Jewels

Vintage Stamp Jewels

Fashion

Ultimate Guide to Formal Dress Shopping Online

Formal Dress Shopping

Formal Dress Shopping

It’s the best time of the year: FORMAL SEASON! That’s right! Whether you’re in a sorority or plan on getting yourself invited to a fraternity’s formal, this is your ultimate guide to finding the perfect dress online at an affordable price (tips, tricks, and favorite stores).

Here are some rules of thumb:
  • Look at the size chart every time and actually know your measurements. You won’t know how the dress will fit until you actually try it on, but this is the best way you can guestimate
  • Check the store’s return and exchange policy – many require you to pay postage. Look for stores (like the ones listed below) that offer free returns and exchanges.
  • Try to find stores with free shipping or discounts for first-time users
  • Google search coupons and promo codes for that store (RetailMeNot.com always has great ones!)
  • See if any sisters/friends want to buy with you if there’s a large shipping fee

tobi logo

Tobi is GREAT! This is my #1 recommendation by far. I ordered my semi-formal dress from here along with another dress as a backup. Not only did they ship incredibly fast (within a week!), but the dresses were such high quality. I love Tobi because they have something for everybody – from super scandalous cut-out dresses to modest work-appropriate dresses.

The main reason I ordered through them was because they offer free returns and exchanges. Also, they offer 50% off your first order AND free shipping! You just can’t get a better deal than that.

I do have to say though, their dresses do run small. I am usually a size small/medium in dresses, so I ordered a medium to be on the safe side. My dress was skin tight – which was fine, just not what I had anticipated. I would recommend ordering a size up. Worst case scenario, you can exchange it for free for the smaller size!


Nordstrom LogoI will always stand by Nordstrom. With free shipping and free returns, you know they are dependable. They are known throughout the industry to have the highest quality and customer service.

Mod Cloth

 

ModCloth is another super cute online shop with free returns and exchanges. Their dresses are unlike any you will see. If you buy a formal dress from here, I doubt anybody else at your formal will have the same one!

urban-outfitters-logoWho knew Urban Outfitters had free returns and exchanges? Not me! They have super cute dress options as well especially if you’re going for the more boho look (I’m looking at you, Little!)

Where are your favorite places to shop online?

Fashion

A-List Greek Giveaway

A-List Greek Giveaway

A-List Greek Giveaway

I’ve teamed up with A-List Greek to bring you an amazing giveaway! A-List Greek makes adorable sorority and fashion jewelry. Their pieces are perfect for big/little reveal, graduation, or birthday gifts! They can be customized for your sorority, which I love.

I received this Kappa Alpha Theta necklace from them and I never stop wearing it. It’s so simple and beautiful. I really appreciate how they incorporate the letters into our national symbol – the kite.

I highly recommend checking their store out! (Boyfriends of sorority women: you’d get super huge bonus points for shopping here…just a little hint for you)

The giveaway begins at 12 a.m. PT 4/7/2014 and runs until 12 a.m. PT 4/14/2014

3

The Kappa Alpha Theta necklace I received is PERFECT!

1Win this necklace from A-List Greek

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was provided with the Kappa Alpha Theta necklace free of charge and the blue heart necklace free of charge. The blue heart necklace was given to me for the purpose of a giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Fashion

Outfit of the Day: April 3rd

Outfit of the Day April 3rd

Outfit of the Day April 3rdThis incredible kimono from Jane is the perfect spring addition to my wardrobe. The bright colors and floral print brighten up any outfit. The beautiful chiffon fabric feels light and fun. I also adore this Kappa Alpha Theta necklace from Tomi’s Treasures – an Etsy shop that I found. It’s so dainty and stunning – I love it!

Necklace: Tomi’s Treasures | Kimono: Jane | Ring: Texas Roots | Purse: I Flew the Nest | Jeans: Vigoss | Bracelet: Alex and Ani | Booties: Sofft | Hair: Bellami Extensions | Tank: Mossimo Supply

Outfit of the Day April 3rd9

Outfit of the Day April 3rd

Outfit of the Day April 3rdI want to talk briefly about Tomi’s Treasures. Tomi was incredible to work with. She was so interested in hearing about my life as a college woman. She worked so hard to provide me with jewelry that I wanted. I will post later about another amazing necklace she sent me (it’s in the shape of Washington state!). She went above and beyond to make it for me. I would highly recommend checking out her Etsy shop full of beautiful Greek jewelry. She even has hand-stamped bottle openers with fraternity letters on them! Anyways, I would just recommend you check her shop out for big/little gifts or a something special for a friend.

Outfit of the Day April 3rd

Outfit of the Day April 3rd7

I was provided with the kimono by Jane, ring by Texas Roots, and necklace by Tomi’s Treasures free of charge. All opinions are my own.

 

Fashion

Bows and Kites Giveaway

Bows and Kites

Bows and Kites is an adorable store that sells hand-crafted bows! Created by Paulette, a recent UC Davis graduate, each bow is made by her personally.

CLOSED

The giveaway is now closed. Thank you all who entered!♥

 

Paulette sent me way more bows than I asked for. She's amazing!

Paulette sent me way more bows than I asked for. She’s amazing!
Paulette remembered that I'm from Seattle and sent me this amazing Seahawks bow! So sweet!

Paulette remembered that I’m from Seattle and sent me this amazing Seahawks bow! So sweet!

Her sorority inspired her to name her store “Bows and Kites” since she is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta (our symbol is a kite!). She speaks very highly of her time in college with her sorority sisters at UC Davis. It’s always so exciting for me to meet not only fellow sorority women, but also other Thetas!

Paulette is doing such an amazing job running this shop while also working – it just blows me away! She also has an adorable blog where she explains how to get cheap deals on Lilly Pulitzer, posts pictures of her sweet puppies, and shares her beauty secrets. Check it out here.

Paulette kindly offered to send me some bows for myself which I am absolutely OBSESSED with! I’m a sucker for bows in general, but these are so beautiful. She even remembered that I’m from Seattle and sent me a Seahawks one. She also asked me which kind of clasp I like and made sure they were all that style.

She also provided me with two other bows to giveaway to my lovely readers! If you want to enter this giveaway, all you have to do is enter in your email.

To earn more entries in this sweepstakes style contest:

The more entries you have, the more likely you will be to win these amazing bows!

One lucky contestant will win these two lovely bows!

One lucky contestant will win these two lovely bows!

 

Contest rules:

Open to U.S. residents only. Begins at 8pm 3/2/14. Ends at midnight on 3/9/14. Winner will be contacted via email and have 24 hours to confirm. If winner does not confirm within 24 hours, the prize will be awarded to the second place winner. The use of multiple emails, usernames, etc. will result in the elimination of all entries. Immediate unfollowing will result in elimination of entries as well. Entries from private Twitter accounts will not count as we will not be able to verify them.

I was given all of these bows free of charge from Bows and Kites. Please read the Terms of Use for the giveaway. Open to U.S. residents only. All opinions are my own.

Lifestyle

Greek Stationary from Greeked

Stationary from Greeked

Continuing my recent obsession with Etsy, I stumbled across the store Greeked. The owner, Lisa Arnett, created this spin-off from her other Etsy stationary store, Skel Design, to have a Greek emphasis.

Greeked offers extremely cute to-do lists for almost every sorority. For an office supply addict, this is one of the best things ever. I love making to-do lists. There’s something about crossing items off that’s extremely satisfying.

Please check out Greeked on Etsy here.

Please also check out Skel Design here.

 

Skel Design creates super cute prints like this one!

Skel Design creates super cute prints like this one!

Stationary from Greeked Stationary from Greeked

Lisa was kind enough to throw in the “Keep Calm and Get it Done” notepad as well in the package she sent me. It was such a generous surprise! I loved it!

When I emailed Lisa, she was genuinely interested in my life. I really enjoyed working with her and it was fun to hear about how she was a Delta Gamma at UCSB and her daughter is an Alpha Phi at UT! I love meeting other sorority women!

I would highly recommend ordering through her because she clearly values customer service and everything shipped so quickly.

Here are some more examples of their Greek stationary:

Greeked sorority designs Greeked sorority designs

Please check out Greeked on Etsy here

Please also check out Skel Design on

Greeked provided me with the four notepads “Big,” “Little,” “Kappa Alpha Theta,” and “Keep Calm and Get it Done” for free. I was also provided the “When I laugh with my family…” print for free. I did not receive any other compensation. All opinions are my own.

Lifestyle

Blogger Spotlight: Annie Hornung of In Rainbow Order

Annie Hornung - Author of blog In Rainbow Order

A Chapman University alumna and Kappa Alpha Theta member, Annie Hornung recently launched her blog In Rainbow Order. A beauty, fashion, and lifestyle blog, Annie posts about her favorite products, most recent obsessions, and fun tips on how to live a more happy and healthy life.

Annie Hornung - Author of blog In Rainbow Order

10 Facts about In Rainbow Order author, Annie:

How did you get started blogging?

After graduating in December, one of the first things on my to-do list was to start a blog. I launched In Rainbow Order shortly after the start of the new year.

Where do you hope your blog goes from here?

More than anything, I want my blog to be a community. As much as I love to share my ideas with others, I also have a lot to learn from my followers. I want to start discussions and collaborate with other bloggers to create content that is meaningful!

What are some of your favorite blogs to follow?

Cupcakes and Cashmere is probably my favorite blog of all time, and Emily Schuman is one of my biggest inspirations. Temptalia is also a great beauty blog for in-depth product reviews and high-quality swatches.

If you could have dinner with one person in the whole world, who would it be and why?

There are so many celebrities and world leaders that I would love to meet, but I think I would choose my grandmother. She passed away when I was young, and I’ve always wished that I could have a conversation with her as an adult. 

What are your five fashion staples? (things you can’t live without!)

  1. My favorite pair of jeans from Madewell
  2. My Tory Burch riding boots
  3. Tory Burch Reva flats
  4. Neutral camisoles from Nordstrom BP (I layer them under everything!)
  5. Colorful scarves

What are your beauty staples?

I could not live without my beautyblender, Clarisonic Mia, and Wet Brush. My skin is one of my biggest insecurities, so a good facial cleanser and moisturizer are at the top of my list, too.

What’s your number one most played song on your iTunes?

Ordinary Love by Ben Rector. His newest album, The Walking In Between, is fantastic.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Reality television and, more specifically, The Bachelor. 

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

I don’t read as often as I should, but The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a recent favorite.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

A friend once shared the following quote with me: “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” It’s such a comforting reminder, and one that I always refer back to!

Annie Hornung - Author of blog In Rainbow Order

I’ve had the incredible privilege of knowing Annie on a personal level. She is one of my closest friends, my mentor, and my sorority sister. We’re also from the same tiny hometown which is pretty incredible considering we met over 1,000 miles away from home!

Annie graduated a semester early this fall and immediately landed a full-time, paid internship with CRG Events in Seattle, Washington. Tomorrow (March 1st), Annie will be embarking on an adventure of a lifetime to Washington, D.C. to work as an Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC) for a brand new chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta at Georgetown University.

Words cannot describe how much Annie has inspired and encouraged me over the short year and a half that I’ve known her. An incredibly brilliant, selfless, poised, articulate, gracious, and ambitious woman, I hope that one day I can be like her.

Connect with Annie on social media

Blog Twitter || Personal Twitter || Facebook || Instagram

Great posts from Annie

At-Home Acai Bowl Recipe

Naked Palette Review

Top 13 Beauty Products of 2013

What I Learned in College

Lifestyle

Fraternity/Sorority Flags from GreekLifeStuff.com

Kappa Alpha Theta flag from Greek Life Stuff

Greek Life Stuff is the go-to place for sorority/fraternity flags! They have almost every single fraternity and sorority represented in their store. In addition, they have flags for co-ed organizations such as business or law fraternities. They even have a few other items available such as lanyards and beanies, but flags are their main product. Be sure to check out their main site as well as their Etsy shop!

Greek Life Stuff was extremely generous to provide me with this Kappa Alpha Theta flag for only $3 (the price of shipping). I am completely obsessed! Whether you live in Greek housing, the dorms, an apartment, or a house, it’s the best addition to any room. (They also stuck a Theta lanyard in the box too which was such a great surprise!)

Kappa Alpha Theta flag from Greek Life Stuff

I got the traditional Theta colors of black and gold, however they have options like pink to customize your flag how you want! There’s other styles available as well such as an American flag style with stripes and one with the crest of the organization.

I would highly recommend buying through them because they ship fast and are such a fun way to show your fraternity/sorority pride!

Fraternities they offer:

Alpha Epsilon Pi || Alpha Gamma Rho || Alpha Kappa Lambda || Alpha Sigma Phi || Alpha Tau Omega || Beta Theta Pi || Chi Phi || Chi Psi || Delta Chi || Delta Kappa Epsilon || Delta Sigma Phi || Delta Tau Delta || Delta Upsilon || Kappa Alpha Order || Kappa Delta Rho || Kappa Kappa Psi || Kappa Sigma || Lambda Chi Alpha || Lambda Phi Epsilon || Phi Delta Theta || Phi Gamma Delta || Phi Kappa Psi || Phi Kappa Sigma || Phi Kappa Tau || Phi Kappa Theta || Phi Iota Alpha || Phi Mu Delta || Phi Sigma Kappa || Pi Alpha Phi || Pi Kappa Alpha || Pi Kappa Phi || Psi Upsilon || Sigma Alpha Mu || Sigma Chi || Sigma Nu || Sigma Phi Epsilon || Sigma Pi || Sigma Tau Gamma || Tau Kappa Epsilon || Theta Chi || Theta Xi || Triangle || Zeta Beta Tau

Sororities they offer: 

Alpha Chi Omega  || Alpha Delta Pi  || Alpha Epsilon Phi  || Alpha Gamma Delta  || Alpha Omega Epsilon  || Alpha Omicron Pi  || Alpha Phi  || Alpha Sigma Tau  || Alpha Xi Delta  || Chi Omega  || Delta Delta Delta  || Delta Gamma  || Gamma Phi Beta  || Kappa Alpha Theta  || Kappa Delta  || Kappa Kappa Gamma  || Phi Mu  || Phi Sigma Sigma  || Pi Beta Phi  || Sigma Alpha Iota  || Sigma Delta Tau  || Sigma Kappa  || Sigma Sigma Sigma  || Tau Beta Sigma  || Theta Phi Alpha  || Zeta Tau Alpha

Check out their site here: http://greeklifeflags.3dcartstores.com/

Check out their Etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindyCityFraternity

I received this flag at a discounted price of $3 when it is regularly $24.99. Greek Life Stuff is an official Greek License Vendor. All opinions are my own. 

Fashion

Incredible, One-of-a-Kind Sorority Jewelry

Kappa Alpha Theta pendants

A retired art teacher of 32 years, Donna Johnston spends her winters in Texas, her summers in Michigan, and free time making incredible sorority jewelry. Donna has been a member of the Greek community for over 60 years! She is a member of Pi Beta Phi – passing her legacy down to her granddaughters. Using them as her inspiration, she began designing these beautiful pendants that she sells through her Etsy shop. Please check out her amazing sorority pendants that are only $19.50 plus $5 shipping here.

Kappa Alpha Theta pendants

Completely her own designs, Donna draws them first in ink, sends them to a lazer to cut them out of brass, and then she finishes the cutting process by filing each one and tumbling them for about 18-24 hours. After this, she puts a bail on each and they are plated in gold or silver. It’s incredible to think that each stunning pendant has so much thought, care, and time put into it.

Donna was beyond generous to send me two pendants for my own sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. When I first opened the package, my breath completely left me. I had seen her designs online, but seeing them in person is a completely different experience. The attention to detail is so clear in the design and quality of the pendants.

Outfit of the Day March 20

While Donna’s jewelry takes center-stage, I also want to talk about Donna herself because she’s an incredibly inspiring woman. I had the incredible privilege of being able to chat with her over email and learn a little about her life. The legacy Donna has left behind her is absolutely remarkable. I respect her so much.

Here are some of the many jobs Donna has had:

  • Art teacher for grades K-12
  • Kindergarten teacher
  • Third grade teacher
  • Fifth grade teacher
  • Seventh grade teacher
  • Professor at Bowling Green University
  • Professor at Eastern Michigan University
  • Professor at Toledo University
  • Workshop teacher at local schools
  • Teacher at the Toledo Museum of art (children and adult classes)
  • Supervising teacher for student teachers
  • Elementary Principal
  • Author of her own book, “Now This is Art!”
  • Art gallery owner

 

I don’t know about you, but if I were to accomplish 1/4 the amount Donna has, I would be incredibly satisfied with my life. She also teaches art classes from her home and participates in art shows. She also attends various art classes like the watercolor class she’s enrolled in now! I highly recommending checking out her book – it’s great for young educators looking for new ways to teach art. Donna has put so much time and thought into it, it won’t disappoint.

Donna shared this quote with me from somebody she met at a meeting a few years ago: “We are always in the process of becoming!” Donna lives by this and firmly believes that constantly learning is what keeps one young in mind and heart.

I am beyond inspired by this woman. At almost 85 years old, she still has a thirst for knowledge. Her kindness, generosity, and passion shine through her incredible life’s work. I hope to live as full of a life as Donna has. She has inspired me to follow my passions and have the heart of a servant. Her dedication to education is remarkable. I am sure she has changed the lives of so many. I can only hope that I lead as a fulfilling of a life as Donna has.

Working with her has been an incredible pleasure. I hope that everybody reading this checks out her sorority jewelry store as well as her personal art store. I wish there was some way I could give back to this woman who has inspired me more than she knows.

Donna is licensed to make pendants for the following sororities:

Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Mu, Phi Sigma Sigma, Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Delta Tau, Sigma Kappa, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Zeta Tau Alpha

Please check out her amazing pendants that are only $19.50 plus $5 shipping here.

I received these pendants from Sorority Jewelry free of charge. All opinions are my own.