TOPSHOPxNordstrom & TSS Party Time!

To all of our readers in our home state of Arizona, it's time to party!  We're hosting a shopping event at Chandler Fashion Center Nordstrom, in the TOPSHOP department.  P.S. did we mention, we're also celebrating our One Year Anniversary?!

• Come meet & chat with the Co-Founders of The Sorority Secrets!
• Receive a TOPSHOP swag bag with every $100 TOPSHOP purchase
• Enjoy music, refreshments, and shopping!

We hope to see all of you on Saturday, December 28th from 1pm-5pm! 

2013 Holiday Gift Guide for Your Guy

Whether it's a gift for your boyfriend, brother, or dad- buying a gift for a guy can be a tad bit tricky! Throughout the years, we've all gotten pretty good at selecting gifts for the guys so we thought we would create a "2013 Gift Guide for the Guy" list!

We have presents that are suitable for everyone!  Check it out and if we missed any great gift ideas, share them with us by commenting below!

1. Birch Box Man Subscription
2. Apple TV
3. Playstation 4
4. Call of Duty Ghost
5. BEATS Pill
6. iPin Laser
7. Apple iPad Air
8. Tickets to a football game
9. A Stay-cation
10. Bow Ties & Ties
11. Erin Condren Men's Keep It Simple Notebook
12. Helo TC iOS Helicopter
13. Personalized Leather Dopp Kit
14. Happy Socks
15. Nike+FuelBand
16. Mad Men Season 5
17. Warby Parker Sunglasses
18. Barney's New York Sperry Topsiders
19. J. Crew Sweatshirt Sweater
20. Alien Workshop Andy Warhol Skateboard
21. Jack Spade Tech Accessories
22. Beard Scent by JAO
23. Everlast strike bag
24. Everlast boxing gloves
25. Everlast weighted jump rope

Happy Gift Giving!

Bright Pink Power Hour Fashion Event

  
We are so excited to be exclusively invited to the Bright Pink Power Hour Fashion Event going on in Washington next week! However, you all can have a chance to go as well! Westfield Southcenter and Girl Power Hour invite you and your girlfriends to a fabulous night of fashion and fun! 

On Thursday, October 10th from 6–9pm in Tukwila, WA they will be transforming Macy's Court into the ultimate girl’s night out with drinks, sweet treats, a live DJ, beauty bars and more!
We've set up an exclusive promo code that our readers can use to save $10. Simply
purchase your ticket today in support of Bright Pink at https://pinkpowerhouratwestfieldsouthcenter.eventbrite.com/ and use promo code SECRETS to get $10 off the ticket/s. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door. You must be 21 years old or over. 100% of ticket sales benefit Bright Pink- the only national nonprofit focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women, while providing support for high-risk individuals.

Ticket price includes:

• drink ticket
• quick bites
• sweet treats
• beauty bars from Nordstrom, Macy’s, Gene Juarez, LUSH and Aveda
• fall fashion show at 7pm
• photo booth
• must-have swag bag, includes $20 Guess shopping card
• The Bright Pink Book of 30 exclusive retailer offers
• Westfield Style Magazine
• and more

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase with all proceeds benefiting Bright Pink. Raffle prizes include a spa day for you and a friend at Gene Juarez Salon & Spa ($500 value), Michael Kors Hamilton Tote, and a $500 Westfield Southcenter Shopping Spree!
Take advantage of this secret steal! We will be attending this event so we hope to see you there too!

It Girl Trend Report: My Favorite Sunglasses

We all have those favorite pairs of shades that we always wear in the hot sun. Whether you're at the beach, cruising on the freeway, or taking a stroll around town, your shades are often a style staple and a reflection of you. This week, we asked our It Girls what their favorite sunglasses were and we got exposed to many cool brands to choose from. It was no surprise that half of the girls are obsessed with Ray Bans--we are too! For Victoria, she loves her Ray Bans because "they are very unexpected". "The frame is almost wayfarer style with a fun modern yet old Hollywood twist! The white color attracts attention in the best way! They go with almost anything and never fail to be a fun statement piece for whatever I am wearing". Serena also has a love for the non-traditional Ray Bans as she sports a pretty white-framed Ray Ban style. Serena added, "I picked my white ray bans. I love these because they're an unusual shape so they stand out in a way. Plus, I love how the white looks against my complexion-it accentuates my tan". For Cristina, she opts for the Ray Ban classic aviators which go best with casual outfits. Allie loves her Diane Von Furstenberg sunglasses--we love the square framed lenses that are still trendy right now. 

We don't know about you guys, but as much as we love name brand shades, we always worry about one thing: losing them! Avery understands our fears too and so therefore, one of her major weaknesses is buying cheap pairs of sunglasses that look like the real thing! "My go too cheapy places are Forever 21 (naturally) and Urban Outfitters. I love that I can grab a cute pair, throw them on, and if I lose them, hey, I lose them". Our thoughts exactly! Marisa feels the same way with her cool shades from Nordstrom. "These sunglasses are actually only $10 from Nordstrom in the BP section! They are super cheap and fashionable and I love them".

What are your favorite sunglasses to wear? Let us know by leaving a comment or sharing with us on Instagram: @thesororitysecrets.

Pre-Fall 2013: Back to Basics

Top: Express (similar here).  Necklace: Nordstrom.  Planner: Erin Condren.

 In preparation for the semester ahead, we're putting together a few of our favorite staple items: hot pink, statement necklaces, and our trusty Erin Condren Life Planners.  Call them "basics" if you will; these items are a part of our weekly rotation.  And the planner?  Part of our daily routine!  We love how It Girl Cristina pairs a simple hot pink peplum top with a bold necklace.  It gives her shirt a whole new feel!  The same can be done with plain tees, graphic tees, and your favorite chambray button down.  Add a pair of dark denim jeans, and you've got a chic look in a snap.  

What basic items are a part of your wardrobe rotation?  Tell us below!  Oh and P.S. be sure to order your Erin Condren planner in time for Back to School season!

It Girl Interns Trend Report: Statement Pieces

Colored jeans. Amrita Singh bangle. Tory Burch wristlet.

Be bold. Stand out. Make a statement. This week's It Girl Trend Report features our It Girls showing off their favorite statement pieces. A statement piece is unique to you; it could be a pop of color with your jeans, a bright handbag, a spunky nail polish design, or a piece of eclectic jewelry. A statement piece stands on its own. One of the best ways to make a statement is through the use of color in your wardrobe. Our It Girl Victoria shared, "I love mixing a bold color with an essential yet classic counterpart. It keeps symmetry within the outfit and is more aesthetically appealing and fashionable!" Whichever way you decide to make a statement this spring and summer, rock it!

What is your favorite statement piece? Show us on Instagram by hash-tagging #thesororitysecrets and #statementpiece.

The Staple Scent

 Candle: Voluspa Vervaine Olive Leaf

A pretty smelling home is a happy home! We can't tell you how many candles we've purchased in the past that have smelled amazing in the store, but then when we burned them at home, we couldn't smell them at all. Karen recently discovered Voluspa candles when she got it as a birthday present. From the second she lit the Voluspa candle, the fragrance came through so pure and strong that even when she blew it out, the scent still permeated through the room. Why are these candles different from most? We found out that Voluspa candles are made with the highest quality ingredients which include natural apricot & coconut wax (mmm!). Coconut/apricot wax candles are better quality candles because they burn brighter and longer than your average candle wax. These candles are also different with its unique, beautiful packaging- they're pretty fabulous! You can find Voluspa candles at places like Nordstrom and Saks 5th Avenue. Karen has made Voluspa candles a staple scent for her home for a pretty decent price so be sure to check it out and let us know what you think--we think you'll be obsessed too!

Pastel Palette

{Ali's Outfit} Dress: Victoria's Secret Catalog.  Vest: Urban Outfitters.  Shoes: Vince Camuto (old, similar here).  Earrings: Express.  Bangle: Express.  {Sakura's Outfit} Skirt: Splendid.  Necklace: Nordstrom.  {Karen's Outfit} Top: Forever 21.  Skirt: similar here.   Necklace: Forever 21 (similar here).  Photo Credit: aMaes Photography.

Maybe it's still a little chilly outside, but that doesn't stop us from craving a taste of spring's pastel confections!  This past weekend, we got together for a photo shoot, and braved the cold air for these springtime ensembles.  We can't wait to wear these pretty pastel & sorbet inspired colors all spring season long!  The maxi skirt length helps to carry you from the end of winter season, into springtime.  Which pastel hue are you most excited to wear this spring- mint, peach, lavender, or lime?

Statement Hairpieces

Sequin Top: Forever 21 (old, similar here). High-low Skirt: Forever 21. Earrings: BEBE (old, similar here). 

Booties: Trends Shoes (old, similar here) Silk Flower Headwrap: Forever 21 (old, similar here). 

Feather Hairpiece: Charming Charlie (old, similar here)

Sometimes you need to add a finishing touch to make your outfit feel complete. It could be an extra bangle that adds more bling to your wrist, a vibrant lip shade to make your ensemble stand out, or a trendy jacket to make for a polished look. For us, we have had an infatuation with tying our look together by dressing up our hair with statement hairpieces. Flowers, feathers, and jeweled hairpieces can be placed into your hair and tie into your outfit of the day or night. Since statement hairpieces are so bold, you don't need to add much else to your outfit to complete the look. Pair your statement hairpiece with simple earrings or a simple necklace and just see how many compliments you will get!

Spring Break Essentials

Camera. Sunglasses. Fedora. Shorts. Beach bag. Sandals. Sunscreen. Bathing suit.

We remember the good old days of planning spring break trips with our sisters. Wherever we decided to go, a sandy beach and heat were always a standard. No matter where you decide to have a little spring vacay, there are some key spring break essentials you will need to pack to be fully prepared. Below is our complete list of Top 10 Spring Break Essentials.

        

Super stylish bathing suit cover-up

This is a must have when you want to take a break from the beach but don't want to be in regular clothes. Our favorite cover-ups are the ones found at Victoria's Secret. 

Trendy sunglasses

You've got to protect your eyes from the sun and still look super cute while laying out, so be sure to pack some trendy sunglasses. Our personal favorite sunglasses are any Nordstrom brand ones, like Jimmy Choo or Tom Ford.

A couple of cute bathing suits

Nowadays, it's not about how cute your bathing suit looks in the water, it's about how cute it looks pool/beach side. We always pack several bathing suits so we have options. Target sells really cute and affordable bathing suits that we love.

Camera

You've got to capture all the memories so packing a camera is a must. Pack a small, sleek, camera that will be easy to carry around. Canon's are the best quality cameras and you can buy them at Target for a great price.

Beach bag

You definitely need a cute beach bag to tote around with all your essentials. J.Crew has the absolute cutest bags and our personal favorite is the Famers' Market Tote.

Fedora hat

Fedora hats are a fashion piece that never gets old on the beach. With your cute sunglasses, bathing suit, and fedora hat you will have the perfect beach outfit. We shop at DPC 1921 or Forever 21 whenever we want some trendy fedora hats.

Sunscreen

Since you are going to be in the sun, you can't forget to protect yourself. Packing sunscreen is probably one of the most important items you should bring on your spring break trip. Places like The Body Shop offer a plethora of different sunscreens to choose from. Their best seller is the Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer SPF 30.

Flip-flops/Sandals

Flip-flops and sandals will likely be your main footwear while on vacay so don't forget to pack them! There are plenty of places to get some basic flip-flops, but if you're looking for a stylish pair, check out these Basketweave sandals and many others at Forever 21.

Shorts

As much as it's so much easier to wear beach clothes all day long, it is important to pack some regular daytime clothes as well. Packing some casual shorts to pair with a simple top/tank is easy and makes for a cute outfit when away from the beach. J.Crew has some cute shorts; check out these Chino shorts.

NO WORRIES!

Without a doubt, having no worries is the most important spring break essential you should "pack".  Spring break is a time to let your hair loose, relax, and have fun!

Contrast

Blazer: Thml Clothing (sold out, similar here and here).  Tee: Splendid.  Jeans: J Brand.  Hat: New Era.  Sunglasses: Ray Ban.  Shoes: Forever 21 (old, similar here).  Belt: Nordstrom (similar here).  Lipstick: Revlon Really Red.

Spring 2013 is white hot!  One of our favorite trends for the season is the classic black & white combo.  It's effortlessly chic, and looks extra polished when worn in the form of a structured blazer.  Black denim is one of our top staple items, as we talked about in the boho leopard post.  Wearing black and white together is a bold contrast that makes a statement.  But, we wanted to make the look even more of a contrast.  We paired a grown-up piece (the blazer) with an unexpected piece (the hat).  With a personal touch, the outfit becomes your own!  What spring trend are you most excited to wear?

We also found a super cute white blazer from Boutique To You, which is perfect for this look!  Use our promo code SECRET15 for an extra 15% off of your purchase.

Table Talk

We recently discovered one of the greatest ways to get a Girl's Night Out {or rather, "In"} party started off right: Table Topics. Over the holidays Karen received this gift from a good friend and so we decided to ask each other questions from the huge stack of cards. All of the questions were so entertaining we could not stop laughing at everyone's answers. Before we knew it, 2 hours had passed and we still were not done sifting through all the questions. The best thing about Table Topics is that it is a great gift under $30 and you can easily find it at Nordstroms or online. It's a good deal for some good wholesome fun with your girlfriends.

Red & Black

Top: Sammy Dress.  Jeans: J Brand.  Necklace: J. Crew.  Shoes: Christian Louboutin.  Bangles: Forever 21.  Purse: Chanel.  Sunglasses: Nordstrom

Sometimes, you just have to go with the classics.  Red and black is an easy go-to, for feeling glamorous in an instant.  Any occassion, any season, it will never go out of style.  Add a red lip for an extra pop of color!