ARE YOU AN ERIN OR A LILLY?

Erin Condren Life Planner

Lilly Pulitzer Large Agenda

It seems like everyone is getting their planners for 2012-2013 right now. Which one are you going to get?

INTRODUCING

I am so excited to announce two new features on Your Sorority Sister - Sorority Testimonies and Chapter Spotlight!

Sorority Testimonies will give women the opportunity to share how their sorority has changed their lives. I am hoping to make this a monthly feature. Of course, in order for this feature to be successful, I need your help! If you are interested in being a part of this feature and sharing your story please click here to apply. One woman will be selected at a time.  

The other feature I am excited to introduce is Chapter Spotlight! This will be a monthly feature to give chapters a chance to showcase their accomplishments. If you would like to nominate your chapter for our inaugural Chapter Spotlight please click here!

Despite the adorable Lilly Pulitzer Panhellenic Crest above, these features are open to ALL sororities! I think this will be a great way to learn more about sororities besides those that fall under the National Panhellenic Conference.

CORKED

Chaser maxi dress / Kate Spade necklace / Rag & Bone belt / Type Z heel

I have seen this cork trend everywhere. Last week I was watching Pretty Little Liars (a horrible addiction, by the way) and loved a look that Spencer wore. It was much like this one, but I had to make some modifications. I think cork is great for a summer look that is totally different than what most people are used to. 

Have you accessorized with cork yet?

JUST A FAVOR

WISH LIST

J. Crew shirtdress / Kendra Scott necklace / Tory Burch wedges

One of my friends is the cutest thing ever. She is one of those people that you want to hate because she can wear anything and look adorable, but you just cannot seem to hate her. We were talking the other day and she mentioned this shirtdress from J.Crew. Red accessories were also discussed in the conversation and I am loving this look. 

I could definitely see this dress worked into an early fall gameday dress. The blue creates a neutral for you to add whatever accessories you need to add colorful flare!

WATCH THIS.

You cannot call yourself a sorority woman if you do not love this. 

Okay, I am kidding. But seriously... It is pretty great! 

Thoughts?

SORORITY OF THE WEEK {ALPHA CHI OMEGA}

Alpha Chi Omega won the poll by a landslide! Thanks to everyone who voted, but it looks like these girls wanted to see some love on Your Sorority Sister. 

My favorite pieces in this collection are the Dogeared necklace and the BB Dakota dress. The necklace is so cute and subtle to work into every day outfits. I think it would be a wonderful initiation gift. The lace on this dress is gorgeous. I think it is the perfect shade of red for a preference party.

Marc Jacobs watch / Gap shorts / BB Dakota dress / Hunter boots / Dogeared necklace / Evans earrings

WISH LIST

I have had my iPad for a while and been crushing on an case for it. These are a few of my favorites. I definitely want something fun, but professional. These options above fit those criteria. Which would you pick?

Michael Kors / Kate Spade / Tory Burch / Nine West / Lodis

BID DAY GIFT IDEAS

Picture this...

It is Bid Day. You are at your house waiting for you chapter's new members to come busting through the front door. You look around and there is (insert sorority colors) and (insert sorority mascot/symbol) everywhere! There are baskets and baskets with the new members' names plastered to them. Suddenly, your mind thinks not of your new members, but whether your (insert Bid Day friend name) will think of her basket of goodies. 

Now let's pause. 

There is no reason for you to worry about this. Your "friend" is going to be so excited that she is there, that she is hardly going to remember that her friend got a clipboard and she didn't. However, I know I was always the girl that was like, "Ah! Why didn't I think of that?!" It is frustrating. And why should you be frustrated about what to get your "friend" when I can provide you with a comprehensive list of items to put in her basket?

First, let me set forth some ground rules:

1. As much as we all love it, do not buy her anything Lilly Pulitzer. Even if your colors are pink and green, Bid Day is there to create pride in her sorority. Save the Lilly gifts for another day and possibly your actual little sis.

2. Do not splurge. There is no reason to go all out and spend hundreds of dollars. First look around to see what you have that you would be willing to pass down. I guarantee that you have an extra sorority mascot/symbol laying around that you forgot about. 

3. Crafts = Hobby Lobby. You can get anything at Hobby Lobby and usually for pretty cheap. Look at their ads before going to see what is on sale. I usually can find canvases or paint for 50% off! 

4. If you really want to get your "friend" a gift, see if it comes in a set and split the cost with friends. Then you will all have similar (but different) gifts and it will not be super expensive. 

Okay, so now for the list!

1. T-shirt. 

Your chapter will most likely provide this, but toss it in her basket!

2. Letters. 

This girl is going to want to leave your chapter house with some hand-painted letters in her hand. Browse pinterest for some unique ideas.

3. Picture frame. 

Hobby Lobby has a ton of wooden frames that are easy to paint. Use your sorority colors.

4. Mascot/symbol. 

If you have one laying around that you do not care for, give her that. If not, see what you can find at thrift stores or Walmart.

5. Koozie. 

By koozie I mean one of those big foam ones from Hobby Lobby. Add some puff paint and glitter!

6. Keychain.

This could be worth the splurge. Your "friend" is going to want to show off her new letters and she can only wear her new t-shirt so many times. Give her a keychain with your letters on it so she can show off a bit. 

Add balloons and tissue paper and you are ready to go!

Now, resume your Bid Day festivities!!

HOW TO REPRESENT YOUR SORORITY

I think one of the most fun things about having a blog is being able to see what search results brought people to your blog. With that being said, I find myself perusing my blog's stats about once a week. My favorite section is 'Traffic sources' because it tells you the top searches that brought people to your blog. Usually, the top searches are 'Erin Condren planner', 'arts and crafts', and something about finals. So imagine my surprise when the phrase "How to represent your sorority" presented itself as a top search result. 

I find this interesting for two reasons. One, I have never discussed it so why would Google or Bing send you here? And second because the answer is so simple. Actually, the answer is not as simple as it seems. I honestly did not realize the answer until my senior year. The answer most of you are expecting is that you represent your sorority in everything you do, which is true. You represent your sorority when you wear your letters, when you drive your car, when you go to a fraternity party, when you're in class, etc. But I think the better question is "How to represent your sorority properly?"

Adding that one 8-letter word changes the entire meaning of the question and the response you will receive from me. Representing your sorority properly depends on your sorority. Yes, I will admit to thinking that all of our sororities are pretty much the exact same with the exception of the names, symbols, mottos, and meanings; but those names and meanings end up defining us. To represent your sorority properly you must understand those meanings and have the ability to apply them into your daily life. 

Over the summer take some time to examine the promises you made when you joined your sorority. You made a lot of promises during your initiation and you may not yet realize what all you said you would do. Doing this will teach you how to represent your sorority properly.

image via

BEING GREEK: A SISTERHOOD OF BLOGGERS

You may have noticed the button I recently added to my page - Being Greek. I came across this blog over the weekend and knew that I had to reach out to the creator, Whitney. She is so sweet and was open to answering some questions about her blog.

Being Greek is a blog with the purpose of connecting bloggers to their sorority sisters and other sorority members. Each sorority has a page with listings of bloggers names, blog addresses, locations, what chapter they belong(ed) to, and a description of the blog.

How did you get the idea for Being Greek? 

I first started blogging with the goal of meeting people that I could become friends with after I moved across the country. I joined a blogger networking group for my city and met lots of ladies right away. I found that once I discovered that a blogger was Greek, I got very excited... especially if she was a member of my sorority. I figured that many others had the same feeling I did, so I tweeted about what I was doing and got an overwhelming response.

How many bloggers do you currently have accounted? 

 Right now we have 51 bloggers across the US on the list, as well as a few from outside the US!  

Which sorority has the most bloggers that you have found? 

Right now ADPi has 8 and Delta Zeta has 6. (I'm only adding bloggers that reach out to me, just in case. Some people may not want to join so I'm not added people without being asked!)

Do you have a personal blog? 

How long have you been blogging? I do, it's called The Observant Turtle. I've been blogging on and off for many years, but I officially started this blog back in December. I wrote a post about being a member of a sorority and how it's affected me as an alum as well that got lots of positive feedback!

How can other sorority bloggers contact you with their address? 

 Just go to the Being Greek page and click on the link that says "Join Us!" Fill out that form and send it on in.

Go check out Being Greek and sign up to let Whitney and your other sorority sisters know where they can find your blog!

NEW AFFILIATE: SHABBY APPLE

I would like to introduce a new sponsor here at Your Sorority Sister - Shabby Apple. Shabby Apple has tons of cute, unique clothes to choose from! I think their styles are perfect for chapter outfits to going out. I pulled a few of my favorite items from their store to share with you!

I absolutely love this dress. I love the blue and the pattern on the skirt. 

How adorable is this pencil skirt? A bow? Yes, please!

These crystal earrings are gorgeous. They would be so pretty with a black dress for pref.

I love polka dots and this dress is so perfect for summer. 

I am loving all things lace right now and this top is just right.

SORORITY OF THE WEEK {GAMMA PHI BETA}

Rebecca Minkoff iPad case / Michael Kors watch / Kenneth Cole New York necklace / Modcloth blouse / Kelsi Dagger bag

SHORTS ON SHORTS

I have seen so many cute shorts lately that I am loving! I am particularly loving colored shorts. They add that little something extra to an outfit. 

WISH LIST

I know how much you all love the Jack Rogers Sorority Colors, so how much do you love the College Colors? Just looking at this photo gets me excited about football season! I can see the perfect pair for me. Would you buy these for game days? 

MONTHLY FAVORITES

This is the beginning of a new series on the blog. The first Monday of each month we will kick off with a few of my favorites that I have curated from all over. Now I do not want this to be all about me. Share your favorites as well! I know that a lot of us are on budgets, so go all out! Share your monthly favorites as well!

Lilly Pulitzer dress / J.Crew bracelet / J.Crew coverup / Incase phone case / Kate Spade wedges / Tory Burch iPad case

What are some of your current favorites?

SORORITY OF THE WEEK {PHI SIGMA SIGMA}

King blue and gold adorn the ladies of Phi Sigma Sigma. What a fun color combination! We hope our Phi Sig Sisters enjoy this round up.

Sphinx statue / Wendy Mink ring / Gap dress / Mafana bag / Zad cuff

FOR ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS

Please read.