The Midsemester Revival

Spring Break is over and you are back to having a test and a project due every week. Congratulations. For a lucky few, you are only a few weeks from being done with the rest of your education! By now, I'm sure you all have calculated exactly what grades you need to get on the remainder of your assignments to pass all of your classes to walk in May. I'm so jealous. 

I've officially hit the point where I don't care about random assignments so long as I maintain my grades enough to make it into Law School (my newest post-grade plan - god help me). I have reached out to some of my friends in order to find some advice on getting back on track (and over the midsemester slump).

One guy friend suggested that exercise is the best way to regain focus. Endorphins aren't just to make people happy so they don't commit homicide (please tell me you got the reference). 

Eating well was another suggestion. Fish is relatively easy to cook and with a side of broccoli or spinach and pasta you have a perfect meal! 

One of my sisters suggested that I get some sunshine! I have to admit that this is probably the best suggestion I got for me. I thrive after a little bit of sun and I love reading outside!

If all else fails, take a break and grab a cup of tea and a good book to settle into proper procrastination mode. Sometimes taking a little bit of time for yourself is the best way to clear your mind. 

I hope you can get over your Midsemester Slump and please send your suggestions my way! I can use all the help I can get! 

YIPS

Sonia 

Holiday Philanthropy Ideas

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays it often becomes easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of all that is happening. However, as a sorority sister, it is necessary to remember to give back through philanthropy during this season. Remember, philanthropy doesn't have to be boring, so grab a few sisters and have fun while giving back!

Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen - With a few sisters, you can call your local soup kitchen and schedule a day to get together are serve lunch to the less fortunate.

Go Caroling - It is easy to spread cheer by simply caroling! Go to your local nursing home and sing to the residents. You will have a blast and spread cheer!

Make Cards for the Elderly - Before you go caroling at the nursing home, gather all of your craft supplies and craft cards for the elderly. You get to use the left over scrapbook paper that is sitting in your drawers and the recipients will love them!

Volunteer at the Animal Shelter - Animals need love too during the holidays and what could be more fun than playing with puppies all day?

Wrapping Gifts for Busy Moms - Mothers of small children can rarely find time to go Christmas shopping much less wrapping the gifts as well. Gather supplies and a group of girls and set up a wrapping station for busy mothers!

How do you like to give back during the Holidays?

Reunited: Things To Do with Your Friends Back Home

Reunited and it feels so good! Finals are over, and everyone is back home for break. With not an ounce of homework in sight, there’s nothing standing between you and your high school friends from catching up. Some of your friends may have gone to the same college as you, but most likely you all went separate ways after graduation. Winter break is the perfect time to get together to reminisce about the old times and to make new memories. Here are some suggestions to keep you laughing together all break long.

 

Every December, my high school friends and I get together to have a secret Sana gift exchange. Everyone dons their best ugly Christmas sweater and brings holiday treats to share. We do gifts differently every year. One year we are randomly assigned another girl in the group so we knew who we were buying for. Another year we just brought a present then played a game to see what order we picked gifts in. This is always my favorite way to play. You can each pick a gift in a random order, but everything gets more exciting when you can “steal” presents from someone who already opened theirs. Another way to play is musical presents, where gifts get passed around the circle until the music stops. No matter what way you play, it’s usually best to put a spending limit on gifts. We’re college students, not millionaires. By limiting everyone to the same budget it equalizes the playing field and forces people to get creative.

If presents aren’t your thing, have a baking party! Everybody knows calories don’t count over break. So pull out grandma’s recipe and turn on the oven. You’ll get some quality time to catch up on gossip while you’re baking. Who’s got a hot new boyfriend?  Who’s got the crazy roommate? Which girls from your high school are pregnant or married already? If you’re old enough, add some wine into the mix! By the time you’re done chit chatting, your desserts should be ready.

Nothing compares to shopping with your girls. No dressing room mirror is as honest or as helpful as your best friends. There’s so many shopping opportunities over break. Braving the mall crowds for pre-holiday shopping is 10 times easier with your friends. Post-holiday, you can all get together to return that well-intended, but not so chic sweater from your aunt or you can spend; all those gift cards that are burning a hole in your wallet. Don’t forget to stop for lunch or coffee at your favorite little café.

Get outside with your girls! Go ice skating or sledding, just like when you were little kids. You’ll laugh more than you have in weeks and you’ll get some cute photos to add to your Instagram. If you live near the mountains, hike the slopes for a ski or snowboard weekend. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere warm, go to the beach or for a hike. There’s no better way to work off that extra cookie weight than with an adventure with your best friends.

5 Easy Fall Apartment Decor Ideas

Fall is upon us and it's time for our homes to slowly become a little more orange, yellow, and red as we wave goodbye to summer and hello to fall. I have gathered five easy crafts to get your home in the spirit of fall. I can't wait to try these crafts out myself because we all need a touch of fall. Click each title to get an in depth look at how to make each craft.

1. DIY Leaf Mason Jars

This craft requires a lot of things that are already sorority craft essentials: mod podge, sponge brushes, and mason jars. It's easy to go to a dollar store and grab some fake leaves or go outside and get real fall leaves depending on your preference. These mason jars look wonderful and seem like the perfect way to add a little bit of light to a room if you go the candle route. 

2. Glitter Monogrammed Pumpkin

Pumpkin carving is a thing of the past. Actually cleaning out your pumpkin and carving it can be a total mess to do so instead the best thing to do would be painting it. This tutorial shows you how to make the most adorable pumpkin that includes your last initial monogram and lots of glitter. I don't know about you, but those are some of my favorite things.

3. Candy Corn Decor

There is just something about candy corn that speaks autmn and Halloween. These adorable candy corn pieces would look great on a dinner table, or on your desk. These lovely candy corn decor pieces are there to remind you to take sometime out and enjoy the sweetness of the season.

4. Popcorn Candle

There is just something special about fall and popcorn. In the fall I love to eat popcorn balls and caramel popcorn. This decor item looks so easy to make and it requires very few dollars. By using the link above the blogger who gives the tutorial shows how she did this project for just about $6!

5. Fall Recycled Wine Bottles

Last, but certainly not least in this set of fall apartment decor ideas is this adorable wine bottle upcycle. I am in love with how effortless this blogger makes the tutorial. This is such an adorable project that is easy to finish in a weekend, but it will make any part of your apartment a million times more fall themed. You can use other color paints if you wish on this and this craft would be great throughout the year with different words. 

I hope you enjoyed the crafts I shared today. These look amazing and simple to do. Get out there and unless the inner crafty person in you!