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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Dating Apps - Dos & Donts

We are big fans of dating apps as we have had so many friends find great success with them. We even wrote a post about our favorite dating apps (click here to read it!). On the flip side, dating apps can present some dangers so it's important to keep these three things in mind when meeting anyone you've met via these apps:
  1. Save any texts/emails you've exchanged with the person you're meeting up with. In case anything should happen to you, the police and friends and family can trace you through the text messages.
  2. Don't give out your personal info. We would even go so far as to say don't give out your Instagram or Twitter handle. It's important to keep that personal information under wraps until you really know the person on a deeper level after several dates. Build that trust first!
  3. Meet in a public place. Meeting in a space that is private can pose a lot of risks so be safe and meet in a space where people can see you. This can diminish any funny business!
Just be aware of your surroundings and always consult a friend if ever you feel like removing yourself from an unsafe dating environment.

Have fun!

Monday, March 14, 2016

Beach Essentials for 2016



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Some of you have already had your Spring Break but for those that haven't, here's a little beach essential list for 2016!  We always go to the beach and forget one of these items, so we made it for you so you can pack up for the beach or pool and not forget a thing!

1. Sunblock - you can never forget this guy!  Even though you want to get a tan, don't forget to put sunscreen at least on your face so you don't get wrinkles in the future.  It's really important to take care of your skin, and sunscreen is your solution to that!

2. Sunglasses - so you don't blind yourself out in the sun, duh!

3. Tangle Teezer comb - for those that have fine hair, the chlorine or the sandy beach water can really get your hair up in a tangle!  Can't forget your comb or brush.  We really love the Tangle Teezer comb- try it out!

4. Beach Towel - so you can dry off, of course.  There are so many cute beach towels out there so make sure you pick out a cute one for this beach/pool season!

5. Tanning Oil - Though you want to wear sunscreen as we stated above, you still want a little sun kissed glow!  Use some tanning oil on your legs and body to get that perfect tan!

6. Portable Speaker - We LOVE music and it totally changes the vibe of the atmosphere, so you can't forget your portable speaker! 

7. Swell Bottle - The S'well bottle is a great water bottle to have as it helps your liquids stay cool for a long, long time! They're also so cute and Instagrammable, which is a plus!

8. Book - Well you gotta have a book or magazine to read when you're out laying out.  It really is the perfect time to catch up on some good reads!

9. Swimsuit - so you can go in the water, of course!

10. Tote - You need a cute tote to put all of your beach essentials in!  There are so many right now, so be sure to snag a cute tote before they're all gone!

Hope everyone has a wonderful & safe Spring Break!

Friday, March 11, 2016

Our Favorite Photo Editing App


We all have our personal preferences when it comes to the way we edit our photos- especially for Instagram.  It helps us make our photos looking 10x better as well as achieve the perfect look & feel!  We've had our fair share with playing around with different photo editing apps and we've come to the conclusion that there are pros and cons to EVERY photo editing app!

Either they have amazing filters, but their adjustments tools aren't just up to par or the app's user experience is amazing and so easy to use, but the editing & adjustments tools aren't quite the best.  Can't we just get an all around perfect photo editing app?!  At the end of the day, these apps are all so different, because they are designed to create different aesthetics for different people with different styles.  

We personally love VSCOcam!  The user experience might not be quite the best, because the app is designed very minimally, but the filters (presets) are absolutely amazing and it just takes a little bit of work to create the style you want.  There's a reason why a lot of BIG Instagrammers use VSCOcam as well as most professional photographers!

Give it a try for at least a week and tell us what you think!

Thursday, March 10, 2016

10 Spring Break Safety Tips For Sorority Girls and Beyond

 
Wow, wasn't it just NYE?! Now, all of a sudden it's Spring Break! Well, one thing both NYE and Spring Break have in common is that it's a time to party. You've worked hard so it's definitely time for a vacation. However, it's important to stay safe during this mini break. Below are our Spring Break Safety Tips. Be sure to share these with your sisters/friends and practice them yourself.
  1. If you're traveling, especially out of the country, identify a safe place to keep your id and/or passport. We recommend using the safe that is found in most hotels.
  2. Even though you are ultimately responsible for yourself - keep a watchful eye on your friends. Don't let them stray with anyone you feel is suspicious. 
  3. In fact, keep a watchful eye on your drinks. Unfortunately, date rape drugs are real and can be slipped into your drink at any moment. If you place your drink down unattended, DO NOT drink from it again. Throw it away and buy a new drink - it's just not worth it.
  4. ALWAYS have your phone on you. Keep it fully charged. If you're in a different country, consider getting a cheap loaner phone. Just have something on you so friends and family have a way of getting a hold of you.
  5. If you are of age and plan on drinking, do not drink excessively. Be mindful of your body weight and how alcohol consumption can impact that. Don't mix your alcohols either.
  6. Have a safety word between you and your friends. This is a code word that your friends can associate to you needing help. A fun word could be "Pineapples!" {haha}
  7. Remember that No means "NO!" - don't ever feel obligated to do anything you don't feel comfortable doing.
  8. Understand the laws in the state or country you're visiting and abide by them to the fullest.
  9. Drink A LOT of water - stay hydrated at all times.
  10. It's okay to have a relaxing day - you don't have to be the life of the party every day. Relax. After all, this is a BREAK for you!
Have fun!

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Sisters Succeeding: Tecoya Gordon, Delta Sigma Theta


In honor of International Women's Day, we thought what better day to continue our 'Sisters Succeeding" series than with Delta Sigma Theta, Tecoya Gordon.

Originally from Chicago, IL, Tecoya Gordon is a graduate of Howard University with a B.S. in Health Sciences.

Ms. Gordon reigned as Miss Black DC USA 2013, and has had the opportunity to work with several nonprofit organizations, school programs, and media events during her reign. In her professional career, she works as a Development Associate for Teach for America and was a Washington Redskins Cheerleader for four years. In her last year she acted as one of the team’s co-captains & was selected to represent the team as the 2013 Pro Bowl Representative in Hawaii. As a cheerleader she has been able to travel overseas to several countries including: Kuwait, Afghanistan, Djibouti and China and more.

She is also able to serve her community as an active member of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC., and the creator of two black women empowerment instagram pages, Black Girls Reign and Black Girls Cheer.

Ms. Gordon currently lives in Los Angeles, CA and is working towards being an actress and model. In the future, Tecoya aspires to start her own organization, which will be centered around underprivileged youth interested in the performing arts. Ms. Gordon is certain through dedication, humility, and faith that all things are possible through Christ that strengthens her.

Her accolades are one to look up to as she has proven that you can strive for excellence in so many areas. Tecoya embodies what a well-rounded sorority woman looks like. Read more about her via our Q&A below!

1. What sorority were you a part of? Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC.

2. What was your experience like as Miss Black DC USA in 2013? It was truly an amazing and rewarding experience. I was able to do a lot of youth outreach, mentor young women, and public speaking events. It helped me create my own brand and voice in the DC area.

3. What are the ups and downs of competing in a pageant? When it comes to anything competitive, there are always ups and downs. Obviously, only one person can win, but getting to a National level can take time, money, and other levels of preparation. Once you are able to get past the humps, you are able to enjoy the greatness that comes with being in the pageant. You get to inspire young women, be an advocate for a cause you're passionate about, and join a sisterhood along the way.

4. What/who inspired you to start "Black Girls Reign"? After competing for Miss Black USA, I wrote down all of the things I wish I knew before competing and ways to get more women of color to enter pageantry. So I wanted to create a platform where black Queens could be highlighted and introduced to pageant systems and coaches that they may not have direct access to. At that time, Instagram seemed to have a large influence so I started a page. From there I held an event at Howard University to discuss pageantry, personal branding, and different pageant systems. I definitely plan to hold more programs like the first one on other HBCU campuses, as well participate in additional speaking engagements for our young women.

5. What's your favorite part of being a motivational speaker? My favorite part of being a speaker is being able to motivate and inspire. I grew up with self-esteem issues and experiences of bullying, so I like to speak to our youth about overcoming obstacles and encourage them to follow their dreams. I want each young person to have a better experience than I did.

6. Who's a blogger that inspires you? Charlene Walton, Textured Talk; She has done so much with her natural hair blog and truly inspires me with all of her work.

7. What was the most exciting part about being an NFL Cheerleader? The most exciting part about being a NFL cheerleader is being able to hit the field with 30+ amazing women in front of over 50,000 screaming fans. The rush that you get as a dancer on the field is unmatched. Some of us also get the opportunity of visiting our troops and performing overseas, which is beyond rewarding and a humbling experience.

8. Tell us your Secret Steal? Besides being on every retail stores email list (sad I know, lol), I love Amazon. That's where I order books, decor, appliances, etc. And if you go to Best Buy they will match their price to anything you see on Amazon. So make sure you price match!

9. What has sorority life taught you that you've applied in the real world? Sorority life taught me what it means to put in work and be a leader. My chapter put on about 90-100 programs a year and to do that proper planning and great execution were required. I still use a lot of our planning methods in my career and enforce a lot of the leadership skills I was taught as well.

10. If you can be on stage performing with anyone- who would it be? I would love to dance behind Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, or Missy Elliott. I love their shows, the choreo, and overall performance. Being able to dance with any of those women would be a dream come true.

Thank you, Tecoya!


Monday, March 7, 2016

Business Cards in College


You're probably thinking- "why should I have a business card in college? I don't even have a business and I'm still a student!".  Here's the thing, you never know when you're going to meet someone and in life, it's all about who you know.  Someone you meet randomly can be the person who helps you land your dream job or even a future business partner after or during college- so you should always be prepared.

Business cards typically have the business name, your name, email, phone number, etc but in reality, you can have whatever information you want on your business card- the point is to get the information you want to exchange on your card!  In college, if you don't have a business or anything, you can simply put your name, email, phone number, and even your social media handle!  Another great thing about having a business card is that you look professional and creditable- it really impresses people when you have a business card in college.  It shows us that you're serious and prepared!

You can easily create one online! We typically like to use Moo.com because it has great designs and they're pretty inexpensive and fast!

Take our word for it and get a step ahead among others!

Thursday, March 3, 2016

A Sorority Girl's Concert Secret


Do you ever get really annoyed when you find out that one of your favorite artists was in town and you missed it?! This happens to us ALL THE TIME! But, we just got put onto an amazing app that can help you stay in the know of concerts in your area from your favorite artists. The app is called Bandsintown! It searches your music libraries and notifies you when your fave artists have shows nearby.

With the warm weather upon us, that means a lot of concerts are underway! Don't miss out!
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