Four ways to bring Mardi Gras to your sorority!

As a college student in Louisiana, I live for Mardi Gras! Mardi Gras is a celebration beginning on or after Epiphany and ends on the day before Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday, which is the last day before lent begins, is the final day for Catholics to treat their selves to the coveted object or obsession they are about to give up for lent. Typically, Fat Tuesday is the day everyone associates as Mardi Gras, due to the extensive celebrating that occurs that day. This year Mardi Gras falls on Feb. 21! If you cannot make it to New Orleans to join in the festivities, why not bring Mardi Gras to your sorority? Here are four ways to bring Mardi Gras to your sorority.

 

Masks- No Mardi Gras celebration is complete without masks. During Mardi Gras an individual’s mask represents their personality. All you and your sisters need is a plain mask, glitter, sequins, and anything else needed to show off everyone’s individualism! To guarantee your sorority has the best masks around, spice it up and have a contest for the best mask!

 

Beads- Beads are the must-have accessory for Mardi Gras. Throughout Mardi Gras people wear a variety of colorful beads to display their festive side. Traditionally beads are treasured during Mardi Gras, as they are usually the result of winning a contest or souvenirs of the parades they attended. Get your sisters in the spirit of Mardi Gras by having a game night where you give beads as prizes for the winners. Remember the more beads the better!

 

King Cake- No celebration would be complete without dessert. King Cake is a cake that is filled with cream cheese, cinnamon, praline, strawberry, blueberry or other common fillings and twisted in the shape of an oval. It is typically topped with icing and sugar in the colors of Mardi Gras (purple, green and gold).  When eating this be sure to look out for a tiny plastic baby that has been embedded in the cake. As tradition has it if you find the baby in your slice you must buy the next king cake! Ingredients PASTRY: 1 cup milk 1/4 cup butter 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast 2/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 1/2 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour FILLING: 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 2/3 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup melted butter FROSTING: 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon water

Directions Scald milk, remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup of butter. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water with 1 tablespoon of the white sugar. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. When yeast mixture is bubbling, add the cooled milk mixture. Whisk in the eggs. Stir in the remaining white sugar, salt and nutmeg. Beat the flour into the milk/egg mixture 1 cup at a time. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours. When risen, punch down and divide dough in half. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 2 cookie sheets or line with parchment paper. To Make Filling: Combine the brown sugar, ground cinnamon, chopped pecans, 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup raisins. Pour 1/2 cup melted butter over the cinnamon mixture and mix until crumbly. Roll dough halves out into large rectangles (approximately 10×16 inches or so). Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough and roll up each half tightly like a jelly roll, beginning at the wide side. Bring the ends of each roll together to form 2 oval shaped rings. Place each ring on a prepared cookie sheet. With scissors make cuts 1/3 of the way through the rings at 1 inch intervals. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Push the doll into the bottom of the cake. Frost while warm with the confectioners’ sugar blended with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water. Courtesy of allrecipes.com

 

Parade- To get the full affect of Mardi Gras, you must have a parade. Mardi Gras parades consist of large and vibrant floats filled with candy and of course lots of beads! Unlike most parades, Mardi Gras parades are often hosted by Krewes, or private clubs, preparing for Mardi Gras season all year. Be sure to give your float a name, theme and dress up in costume!

 

You and your sisters are destined to enjoy Mardi Gras this February with these simple easy-to-do steps to bringing Mardi Gras to your sorority. So, as we say in Louisiana “laissez les bons temps roule” or “let the good times roll!”

 

Sherelle Black is a junior at Louisiana Tech University majoring in journalism with a minor in marketing. She is president of her chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and likes to dance and hang with her sorority sisters in her spare time.

CL’s Guide to Getting Involved in Your Sorority

Winter Recruitment season has officially come to a close!  Congratulations to all sorority ladies who completed another successful year of recruiting fabulous pledge babies!  And to all new members: welcome to Greek life!  The next 3-½ years of your life will be the most fabulous yet!  If you’re anything like me, recruitment wiped you out.  I’ve spent the past week attempting to catch up on sleep and homework.  But even though we’re all busy balancing classes, friends, and other activities, we need to remember to be active sorority co-eds!  Follow CL’s Guide to Getting Involved in Your Sorority for tips on embracing sorority life!

Take the Time!

The first step to getting involved with your sorority is to make the time to do so!  Break out your planners, calendars, and phones to make sure you have a little bit of time each week carved out for sorority events.  I personally recommend setting aside the same block of time each week for Greek events to stay consistent!

Show Initiative!

The months following recruitment are perfect for trying new things in your sorority!  For previously active members like me, use these months to get to know your new sisters!  Take the initiative to invite a new member out for coffee or even on a sister date to go shopping off campus.  New members, be confident!  You were given a bid for a reason and your sisters want to know you.  Offer to meet them for lunch or dinner and organize an event for your pledge class to get settled in your sorority!

Take the Plunge!

The final step to getting involved with your sorority is to take the plunge and run for executive board or other elected positions!  After getting to know your new sisters, the best way to immerse yourself in your sorority is to become a leader in your chapter.  By taking on these roles not only will you gain experience but you will also find a new appreciation for your sisterhood!

 

 

Cassidy McAloon is pursuing a Bachelor in Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism at Marquette University.  She is a fashion, sorority life, and apartment life writer at College Lifestyles.

How to effectively transition to a new E-Board

Transitioning to a new E-Board can be difficult if your sorority’s old officers do not take the necessary steps to prepare the new E-Board for the long, but rewarding, journey of leading your sorority for the upcoming year.

Before the new E-Board takes over, or during the transition, the old E-Board should show the new officers how to hold meetings, organize events, and how to conduct business within the sorority. All E-Board members should be told what to say or do to effectively run a meeting. It’s important to inform the new E-Board of the rules and regulations, so that the meetings will continue to run smoothly.

Organizing service and social events are a huge part of sorority life. Therefore, the new E-Board should be shown where to find forms to rent buildings or props, given a list of contacts, and have a meeting with the old E-Board to discuss what events they were working on or events they wanted to do but didn’t have time to complete.

Besides teaching the new E-Board how to conduct meetings and organize events, the new E-Board should be taught how to conduct business within the sorority. This is a very important step when transitioning to a new E-Board. The new members have to familiarize themselves with all documents and rituals, and be shown how to fulfill their duties. Along with these important steps, make sure your sorority completes this checklist to effectively transition.

Checklist

•   Pass down important documents
•  Switch names on bank accounts
•  Notify nationals and school officials of new officers
•  Build a bond with the graduate advisor
•  Get to know fellow E-Board members

 

 

Sherelle Black is a junior at Louisiana Tech University majoring in journalism with a minor in marketing. She is president of her chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and likes to dance and hang with her sorority sisters in her spare time.

CLassy Out-of-Season Fashion Finds

It may be cold now, but it’ll be summertime before you know it. If you’re like me– already thinking about the warm days on the beach–  there’s some  cute clothing trends you’ll want to try out for the warmer weather. Thinking ahead of the seasons is just another way to help you budget for fun in the sun!

1. Swimsuits

If you’re going to school/living in a warm place, you’ll always want to have a swimsuit at hand, and right now is the best time to buy them!

Victoria’s Secret

Venus Swimwear

Forever21

2. Tank Tops and Shorts

You can never have too many pairs of shorts. Whether you need in now, or in a few months, it’s always nice to have them on hand to wear under outerwear, or to dreamland!

GoJane

Aeropostale

Old Navy

Need a little black dress? How about a blue one? These stores may summer-oriented, but the sales and hot deals are all year around.

3. Dresses

Charlotte Russe

PacSun

Delia’s

4.Formals

With prom coming for the highschoolers, it’s almost time for dresses to go back in-season. But if all you need a cocktail dress for a wedding or a quick closet stretcher for a formal event, these stores have your back.

The Rose Dress

Formals Etc.

Pacific Plex

Shopping out of season is the best way to save money on new clothes and accessories. The stores listed here are always trying to get rid of old inventory to make room for new clothes, so take advantage of the great sales! I know it seems way too early to be thinking about what you’re going to wear to you’re cousin’s summer wedding, but if your strapped for cash, now’s a great time to start thinking ahead!

 

Martha-Raye Adjei is an environmental studies major with a concentration in Sustainable Apparel at the University of Delaware. She hopes to become a journalist and sustainable apparel designer. In her spare time she likes to read, swim and watch TV

The Relationship Between Big and Little Sis

Out of all the hundreds of sisters you gain when you pledge a sorority, your “Big” becomes your closest friend and mentor. When you first join your sorority, you probably don’t know many people yet, and your Big can help you get to know her friends and other people in your Greek Family. Everyone in your pledge class will be fixed up with a Big Sis. Prior to the reveal of who your Big Sis is or around Initiation, you might receive gifts (handmade gifts, treats, letters) or little notes from your Big- it’s her job to be your support system and go-to girl!

Your Big Sis is someone you can tell anything to and guides you through all of your most important moments, such as I-Week.

Now that everyone is coming back from winter break, it’s important to catch up and spend quality time with your Big!

 

 

 

 

Activities you can do with your Big/Little Sis:

Go out to eat

Pedicures

Movie night

Crafting

Work out

Library dates during midterms/finals

Get coffee!

 

 

 

Make sure you plan some fun “family nights” too! Your Big’s Big is usually pretty similar to her and all of you can end up being great friends. It’s important to get to know more girls than just your pledge class, and this is a fantastic way to start!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morgan DeBoest is an intern for College Lifestyles (TM), and is a freshman Magazine Journalism major at Drake University. She is a proud sister of Kappa Kappa Gamma and loves her friends, family, a good book, and traveling. Her Big is abroad this semester in Thailand but that won’t stop them from Skyping!

CL’s Guide to Winter Sorority Recruitment: Why Should I Sign Up?

Here’s to a new semester co-eds!  Winter break is officially over and now is the perfect time to change things up!  As you’re getting back into your classes and routine, Greek life is just getting started!  Winter Sorority Recruitment is right around the corner and for a lot of schools this is the last weekend to register.  If you’re on the edge about registering for recruitment or if you aren’t sure Greek life is for you, never fear!  Follow CL’s Guide to Winter Sorority Recruitment and find out why you should sign up!

Get Involved!

Joining a sorority is a great way to be active on campus.  Greek organizations offer a variety of events from socials and mixers to philanthropy fundraisers.  Going through recruitment will introduce you to countless opportunities to be a confident leader on your campus.

Discover Sisterhood!

Sisterhood is the reason I signed up for Formal Sorority Recruitment at Marquette University 2 years ago.  I’m an only child and always wanted the experience of having a sister.  After going through the recruitment process and accepting a bid from Alpha Chi Omega, I’m proud to say I have tons of fabulous sisters and could not be happier!  By signing up for recruitment you have the opportunity to find a group of classy ladies on your campus that share your same drive, passion, and interests.  Discovering the bond of sisterhood is an amazing consequence of signing up for recruitment.

Find Your Home!

Signing up for Winter Sorority Recruitment will introduce you to a lot of different groups and girls.  While the process can be overwhelming and confusing, if you go through it with an open mind you may find the ladies and house that become your second family and home on campus.  AXO is my home away from home on Marquette’s campus.  Going through recruitment has the potential to give you a strong support network that will last a lifetime!

 

 

 

Cassidy McAloon is pursuing a Bachelor in Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism at Marquette University.  She is a fashion, sorority life, and apartment life writer at College Lifestyles.

What to Expect During Sorority Recruitment

If you are interested in joining a sorority at your school, you are going to first have to go through recruitment.  During the recruitment season, there are a few things to expect:

 

1)      Getting overwhelmed is ok and normal.  The events you attend are going to be overwhelming (in a good way).  Choosing which organization would be the match for you can be a tough decision.  Attending multiple events in one night or in a few days can seem like a lot to handle, but it hopefully will help you narrow down your choices.  I would encourage attending as many events as possible (from multiple organizations as well) because it will help you learn the most about each sorority, which can help you when you need to decide who you wish to join the most.  There are a lot of factors that go into this lifelong decision.

2)      You are going to meet a lot of new people.  You are going to meet a lot of new people in each organization.  Remembering names can be tricky, so really observe the women you talk to.  Don’t feel embarrassed if you have to ask her to refresh your memory.  Remember, they were once on your end too, so they can definitely relate to how you are feeling.  It’s ok if you become friends with an individual and do not wish to join her organization.  You can still be her friends, and rightfully should.  You are also going to get a lot of friend requests on Facebook.

3)      Hearing unfamiliar words, such as “Panhellenic,” “philanthropy,” “Bid Day,” and “PNM.”  The Panhellenic Council is the governing body of 26 recognized social sororities.  There is also “Pan-Hellenic,” which is equivalent to Panhellenic.  They each govern different social sororities.  A philanthropy is a service event that raises money for a specific cause.  For example, Alpha Sigma Tau’s national philanthropy is Pine Mountain Settlement School.  The various chapters of Alpha Sigma Tau hold different kinds of fundraisers and donate the proceeds to Pine Mountain.  Each sorority does multiple kinds of philanthropic work for a number of different philanthropies.  Bid Day is the day in which sororities can start handing out bids (bids are invitations to join a sorority).  You can receive a bid from multiple organizations, though you can only officially join one sorority.   “PNM” is a potential new member, which is what you are considered while going through recruitment.  A new member is someone who is a member of a sorority but has yet to be initiated.  Therefore, a potential new member is a person who is going through the recruitment process.

 

Though it is an overwhelming process, sorority recruitment is meant to be fun and enjoyable.

 

Four Unique Ways to Fundraise With Your Sorority Sisters!

After spending money on socials and parties for the holidays, donating money to charities and hosting various events on campus and in the community throughout 2011, your sorority may be in need of a fundraiser. If you want to add some extra money to your sorority’s account without doing the typical car wash or bake sale, you should present your sorority with these unique fundraising ideas:

 

• SWAMPBALL: A fun and exciting way of combining volleyball with mud. All you need is a volleyball net and lots of mud! You and your sorority can host a swampball tournament and have different organizations and individuals sign up to play. You can charge the participants to enter the tournament as well as charge people to watch. Most importantly this is an inexpensive event and a great way to get classy co-eds involved with other organizations on campus.
• Love Grams: Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, your sorority should definitely serve up the campus with some love grams! Love grams can consist of anybody who wants your sorority to deliver a card, candy cane (or other candy), stuffed animal, or even sing to their Valentine! You can raise money by charging to deliver these items. Also, your sorority can make more money by creating the cards and gifts that would be delivered and selling them at a profitable price. This fundraiser is wonderful for helping out college students who have trouble finding that special gift for their Valentine.
• Male Auction: This fundraiser would take a lot of planning, but would bring in tons of money. You can start by sending your sorority sisters on campus and in the community to have them recruit the hottest studs. Once that is done, the hard part begins: publicity! One of the key components of a successful auction is advertising, because the more people that show up the more money you are likely to raise. Make sure to give your sorority enough time to advertise efficiently and plan a possible theme for the auction. Since your sorority is in charge of the auction, they can start and stop the bid at whatever amount they would like. This would be a great fundraiser to have in the spring because it gives you the option of having it outside as well!
• Calendar: One of the more inventive fundraisers that will definitely get your sorority’s creative juices flowing is creating a calendar! Everybody needs a calendar, so why not create one that would illustrate your sorority in a positive light? Although I recommend you use your sorority as a theme for the calendar, you can step out of the box and do themes that you know would bring a lot of attention. Depending on how much money is in your budget, you can get really fancy and creative with the photographs used, artwork, how many months to include and other aspects of the calendar itself. Since the year has already begun I would suggest doing a school year calendar and fill it with all the events of the upcoming 2012-2013 year!

Whether its fall, winter, or spring you can be sure that one of these unique fundraising ideas will boost your budget for the year.

 

Sherelle Black is a junior at Louisiana Tech University majoring in journalism with a minor in marketing. She is president of her chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and likes to dance and hang with her sorority sisters in her spare time.

 

 

 

 

Here’s How to Throw Your First 2012 DIY Glitz Party!

Saying farewell to 2011 may have been difficult for some, but for you classy and optimistic CL readers, one digit change calls for a celebration! If sequins and glitter are some of your favorite things, get ready for a glimmer overload. When you arrive back to campus, round up your friends for a second new year celebration! 2012 is upon us–start the year off right with a few glamorous CL tips.

Decor

1. Balloons – Take a trip to your local Walmart or dollar store and you’re bound to find a pack of gold, silver, or black balloons. If not–and you’re really eager to have these matte-colored party accessories–anything, including balloons, can be ordered from online. Let’s hear it for Amazon.com!

2. Time For Shine - Since glitzy means turning up the notches on vibrancy, why not create a sequined tablecloth? Get a few yards of sequined fabric (or any kind of shimmery fabric for that matter) at a fabric store. It can be any color you’d like, but if you’re sticking with a gold, silver, and black theme, choose your color(s) wisely.  And try your best to not make a mess–this cloth should be saved for future reference!

3. Shimmery Leftovers – Don’t worry about getting a little carried away at the fabric store. The remaining sparkly material from step two can be used all over the rest of your apartment. Tack it up on your walls, cut out some holes and turn it into a shower curtain, or even fold it up horizontally and lay it along the top of your couch.

4. Come Prepared – Let your friends know that they’ll need to bring a champagne glass along with them. A tasty CL-tini can be poured into it later, but first, they’ll use a permanent marker to write any goals that they wish to accomplish this year. Inexpensive champagne glasses are sold at any dollar store, and permanent markers can be found at any store where art supplies are sold. To add some character to the glasses, stock up on some glitter glue and assorted craft materials such as feathers.

Dress Up

Put your most glittery heel forward at this glitzy party! Take a few style cues from the following classy ladies:

Need more DIY help? Read Debra’s article for more glitz party tips!

Tiana Blue is a Senior Writer for College Lifestyles™. This fourth semester sophomore at Penn State is a print journalism major with a penchant for food, stilettos, and the city that never sleeps.

Lilly Pulitzer: Voting Begins On Three New Sorority Prints!

Lilly Pulitzer knows you want to join her sisterhood. If your sorority didn’t get the chance to be part of Pulitzer’s Sorority Collection, fear not!  Voting has opened up today for the January 2012 class of custom prints. The first round will end Sunday, January 15, while remaining sororities will continue to a second round starting Monday, January 16.  The campaign is solely on Facebook, so you and your sisters are only a click away from lettered ID-wrislets and Murfettes scarves. Click here, to vote! The three winning sororities will be announced on Tuesday, January 24 on Facebook.

 

Ariana Romero is a senior entertainment and fashion writing intern for College Lifestyles! She can’t wait to find out who the winning prints are.  

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