Showing posts with label big/little. Show all posts
Showing posts with label big/little. Show all posts

Monday, October 28, 2013

Weekends are for Carolina Wins, Pumpkins and GreatGreatGrandlittles


Hey y'all,

My office has a case of the Mondays but it is ok because I had an amazing weekend that I think the quiet will help.So let's get right to my weekend re-cap.


Friday.

Friday I left the office and ran back to my apartment to grab the letter shirt from All that Jas that had arrived in anticipation of Big/Little reveal Saturday. After chatting with the roommate before she headed off to work I headed to the gym. After watching Family Feud while getting some time on the elliptical I headed over to Target to grab some things for dinner. My apartment's fridge has been having issues so I did not trust the milk I put in there for any meal. Luckily the fridge had a temp fix by Friday and will get the new part this week! It was a relaxing night and I was able to get in some reading and me-time.

Saturday.
CW and I outside of the suite we had lunch in.
After getting up a bit early to get ready I was off to Chapel Hill for a work function that included a tour of the Loudermilk Center for Excellence and the Kenan Football Center as well as lunch before the Boston College/Carolina game. It was a lot of fun hanging out with some of my co-workers at a Carolina game and we had some great seats to watch Carolina win against Boston College!
Our view at lunch.
I work with a lot of other Carolina Alums and a few of them were at the game so we had to snap a picture.
With AC who is so sweet, I love that I get to work closely with her daily.
 So I left the game in the middle of the fourth quarter in order to make it over to the PBX house in time for one of the biggest events of the semester, Big/Little reveal! My family welcomed a new little addition, gBl and I am so excited for the Fish Fam!
My Grandlittle, kBm has a grandlittle now!!
Last photos as just Big and Little
REVEAL!
Welcome Home gBl!
FIRST FAM PHOTO!
I love these girls and I can't wait to get to know my ggglittle better!
 The night ended with watching DCC: Making the Team, doing some dishes and then having some heart to heart talks with the roomie until after 1am.


Sunday.
After my usual morning babysitting I ran home to begin working on my mess of a closet. I keep putting off cleaning my closet which is the messiest part of my room but I was able to clean it up a bit before heading with the roomie to grab a pumpkin for carving! We checked Aldi but their selection was limited and luckily the Target had a great one. After church we headed home to make a yummy dinner of shrimp in a vodka sauce over pasta and corn. It was then time to carve so we threw on the Princess Bride and to the sound of "as you wish" and discussed our love of the film though it had been forever since we had seen it but could still quote the entire thing. 

And being the people we are, our pumpkin had a minion design. I mean, it fits in with our collection...

I hope your weekend was filled with lots of fun!

Sami's Shenanigans

Friday, September 6, 2013

Happy Birthday, sCa!

Hey y'all,

We interrupt Blogtember with the celebration of my beautiful Big's birthday!


My experience at Carolina would have been completely different if I had not joined PBX and met my beautiful Big, sCa. She is one of the sweetest people and has always been there for late night venting, tons of support, and lots of love. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for her and hopefully it will include some catch up visits/time since I haven't been able to see her since October of 2011 due to our both being in school/job searching.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my favorite 24 year old!


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Hey y'all,

This week I'm loving...

...little L finally arrived. My cousin was induced Monday night and we finally have a new member of the family. I can't wait to meet this little guy but he just so happens to live on the other side of the country. :( I guess I will have to live with pictures and my parent's seeing him this fall.

.....FINDING DORY! Yesterday's announcement that Finding Dory will be happening makes me wish I had a planner for 2015 to mark down a movie date in November.
....my Big, sCa. Today is Big Appreciation Day for my chapter. It comes around at the end of every semester as a reminder of how special the bond between Big and Little are and how much we appreciate the guidance and support that comes from our Bigs.
My great-grandbig, my big and I at Mother/Daughter Brunch circa Fall 2009.
little #2 mGk and her little (glittle #2), kBm posted these on my facebook for Big Appreciation so I thought I would share.


....this list I saw on Erin's page. I think we often get too tied up in this world.
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....a new Bible reading plan. So I tend to stop most devotionals/reading plans and it can be a real problem but my church handed out bookmarks with a reading plan for the Gospels and so far so good. You can read along as well, here is the plan.

...these pins
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What are you loving this week?


Peace and Blessings,
jDl

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Sorority Chat Saturday: Big/Little Day Themes


Hey y’all,

So here is to another edition of Sorority Chat Saturday! Since I love Big/Little I figured we could stay on that topic for a while. Most chapters have specific guidelines for each day’s theme but today I thought I would imagine a few theme days if you are left on your own or I you need some inspiration.

Décor.
I know that a lot of little’s gain canvases but think of outfitting your little’s dorm room and future room in the house. Think of painting a tv table for her nightstand, a stool, blankets, a market tote filled with picture frames, family tree, letters, monogram, a vase filled with fake flowers, candle holders, a bow holder, a chalkboard, memoboard, mirrors, a craft box for when she takes a little/crafts for her space in the house. Think of jewelry trays or paint a small plate for her nightstand jewelry or favorite perfumes.

Relaxation Day.
I don’t know about you but I have always loved a good sleepover. Think of including in your basket a pillow (monogrammed or with letters), a stuffed animal of your sorority’s animal, pajamas, slippers, sleep mask (dollar store/Michael's), nail polish or a gift certificate for a big/little main/pedi date before the next formal, fun chick flicks (WalMart $5 bins), tickets to a movie for a big/little date (Safe Haven anyone?), candles, lotions, fuzzy socks, popcorn, favorite soda, the options are endless.

School Days.
Your number one priority in college is of course classes so give your little lots of fun items to motivate her and keep that high fam GPA. Fun items include a customized clipboard, a fun corkboard/dry erase board, a stack of notebooks (you can find lots of fun personalized ones on etsy or pick up some Vera Bradley or Lilly Pulitzer ones), a cup full of fun pens/pencils/highlighters or even a monogrammed makeup bag turned pencil holder. You could even include a planner, post-its and the Lilly Greek and Academic Sticker Sets. Also think of things you would pack for a trip to the library…a monogrammed baseball cap, hair ties, a cute sweatshirt, a tumbler, snacks, etc. You could include an Llbean boat tote with letters or your monogram as the transport for this day.

Favorite Things/All About Her.
My sororities Big/Little pairing includes a long survey including fun questions  about favorite things and is a great way to learn about all the new members and potential bigs. However, if your sorority does not include those things Facebook is a great way to learn some of her favorite things. Create a basket that is all about her favorite things: baked goods, board games, flowers, gift cards to her favorite store or restaurant, favorite candy, drinks, tv shows, movies, canvases with her favorite quotes, and of course have everything wrapped in her favorite color and patterns, monogrammed items.

Letters/Family Traditions.
I know that Big/Little is the beginning of gaining lots of things with letters on them! It is such an exciting time as a new member and helps you begin to acclimate to your family and your sisters in a more one on one relationship. Think of nontraditional ways to give your little letters: bows, hats, plaques, pillowcases, and things that she will keep as an alum: memo boards, wooden letters for her apartment, small symbols and picture frames.

A Week of Outfits.
Fill a laundry basket full of t-shirts (letter shirts and family heirlooms), hats, bows, hairties, nike tempos, sweatshirts and pullovers, pajamas, shower shoes you paint-pen her name on, lots of fun colored socks (Target/Forever 21) and some jewels that connect to her (monogram) or your sorority (symbol/lavalier/etc) and a few monogrammed towels. If you know your little’s favorite stores find small items to give her like jewelry for the next formal.

School Spirit.
Think coozies, a cooler, school shirts, bows, canvases, and sports décor. I think most girls love their school and I can tell you I love my Alma Mater, I mean I work there now so anything that connects to Carolina and is Carolina Blue would be a welcome addition to my home. You could easily make some coasters, make a coozie via etsy or HayMarket Designs, buttons that read “Phi Beta Chi loves the Heels,” include pictures from gamedays, and paint cute glasses or tumblers.

Beach Day. Snow Day
If you have a spring Big/Little time think of a basket for her spring break: fun sunglasses, magazines, hats, painted cooler, lots of neon, tanks, flipflops, tumblers, sunscreen, lotion, body spray, beach towel, disposable cameras, re-usable bags like Lilly’s with a vinyl monogram or even a cooler bag,etc. If it is fall think scarves, hot chocolate/tea and a mug, fuzzy slippers, a mug, candles, pumpkin baked goods, hats and gloves, and anything you would need for a nice snowy day.

Small Gestures.
I think sometimes the small gestures matter. Think of painting a small cooler and delivering it filled with food to her one evening, have an a capella group deliver her flowers, send her a rose on Monday and ask if she will be your little, send a candy message, decorate her dorm room or her door, chalk the sidewalk she walks to class. The small things often make a big impact on a Little’s Big/Little Week experience.

I love to look at Pinterest, DollarStore Crafts, Facebook’s Big/Little Connection, and etsy for inspiration. I also think that clues are a fun way to connect to your little/throw her off of you/confuse her is she suspects that you are her Big. I am sure that each of y’all can think of even more ideas!

Remember that you control how much you spend on your little so search fun places like T.J. Maxx and Homegoods for fun décor and cute stationary, the dollar store, Target, search out sales at craft stores and you can begin to collect non-specific things throughout the year leading up to when you take her. Think of focusing on your school and sorority colors and symbols and you can quickly collect lots of small things before you even meet your little.

What was your big/little week like? Any themes I forgot?

ps. Shoutout to my grandlittle kBm who I know is reading this with lKe as well :)

Saturday, February 9, 2013

sorority chat saturday

Hey y'all,

I thought I would start a new series that could last until recruitment in the fall, a series that would discuss everything relating to joining and being in a sorority inculding staying connected as an alum. Since spring recruitment has already been underway, hundreds of new members are settling into new member classes and future bigs are planning their goodies. I know as being a big twice as well as working with other officers Big/Little week is sometimes the most stressful/fun times a member can have spoiling her future little.

Since I love Big/Little I thought I would post a few gift ideas for the next month since Big/Little week for most chapters should be coming up soon. Big/Little is handled differently by every greek organization and each chapter. My chapter has specified themes for each day but if your chapter does not think of themes yourself: your chapters colors/symbol/letters on one day, school supplies/tools one day, family theme another, relaxation day, etc.

Here are some ideas besides the typical painted canvas/letters/monogram:
A small storage dish with letters.
You could fill this with anything. Her favorite candy, emi jay style hairties, nail polish, bobby pins, etc.
VIA
Similarly you could paint a mason jar with your symbol/letters/her monogram. Perfect for pencils for a study day or for a sorority themed day.
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Coasters! I love coasters and they are always needed from your dorm, to the house, to post-grad.
You could make a set with letters or her monogram.
VIA
A corkboard.
I love the idea of adding in your animal/symbol to add some decor to the functionality. We all need a place for photos and reminders.
VIA

Decorate a clipboard! It's a great addition to a study day basket and reminds members that it is studies first before fun.
It would be cute to attach encouraging notes/messages for your little about her studies or an invitation to study together after big/little week.
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Perfect for a Chi Omega, a lantern could be transformed to fit lots of sorority animals/symbols.
A neat way to capture the animal and great room decor for those living in the house.
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Candle Holders for a Relaxation Day gift. I know lots of organizations have the rose as their flower.
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A picture frame with red slippers that says "There's no place like (your greek organization)"
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Get ready for some more ideas next week! What was your favorite gift during big/little week?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

WILW

Hey y'all,

I am in a weird rut when I don't feel like myself and it has been for the past few days so I apolgize. But here are a few things I am loving this week....

...hanging out with my sorority family. On Monday, my littles, one of my grandlittles and my great-grandlittle all came over to celebrate my birthday, watch the Bachelor, and generally hang out. It was a great chance to see everyone and for me to get to know my great-grandlittle more since she was taken this fall and I have only met her at reveal and once for dinner with her side of the family. We also might have had fun playing Cootie. Childhood games at their best (I also happened to WIN!)
Can you guess which bug is mine?
....my baby sister, kDi is visiting on Friday/Saturday! I am really excited to spend time with her since I haven't seen her since Christmas. We are really close and I am lucky that she goes to NCState which is only 30 minutes away from Chapel Hill. We plan on watchings some Disney movies and might go utilize a Groupon I have to go see Skyfall on Franklin street.
throwback to when kDi came to PBX formal Spring '11
...one of my best friend's is becoming a great-grandbig. rMc and I have been friends since our evil Western Civilization TA back when we are first years and we became PBX sisters our sophomore year. I am really close with rMc's little and grandlittle. Actually, both our Fam's have been really close for years and I am excited for kRe and might have been sending her craft ideas all of yesterday.
kRe & I at her initiation!
We were twins in our J.Crew dresses.
....finding a small group. Last week I visited two small groups and I have finally found my place. I am really excited to see where God leads us in the coming months.
Link up with Jamie

What are you loving today?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

Saturday, February 2, 2013

New Little Lambs!

Hey y'all,

Yesterday Phi Beta Chi Kappa Chapter welcomed their new Alpha Gamma class! I am so excited to meet the new members during the alumni event later this month. While I doubt any of these members will become part of my family, some of the girls I am still close to in the sorority are on the search for their future littles! (All photos from the wonderful book of faces)
My Sorority Fam at Pref Night Wednesday
Bid Day Activities
Big/Little at Bid Day!
cFm's first recruitment from the other side!
The Alpha Gamma Class with the current membership director AW!
I hope all of you that went through recruitment this spring found your home! I can honestly say that Phi Beta Chi shaped me for the better and some of my closest friends are also individuals I can call my sisters. While the media portrays greek life as organizations for bored college students to party they don't see the powerful friendships forged, the wonderful philanthropic activities, the statistics that greek life members have higher GPAs or the fact that greek life connects individuals to amazing networking opportunities. Greek life is about family and connections not alcohol and parties. Viewing national organization websites make that clear!

I hope that you are all having wonderful weekends!

Peace and Blessings (& avvic),
jDl

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Big/Little

Hey y'all,

This past weekend through all of my packing and apartment hunting and a super long to do list I was able to find time in my busy schedule to attend the Big/Little reveal of Phi Beta Chi Kappa Chapter! This semester my family has a wonderful new addition, my great-grandlittle, cFm!

Big/Little is done differently by every sorority and even individual chapter but a run down of how our Big/Little works is that all of the new members and Bigs fill out surveys with fun questions like favorite candy, favorite  movie you have seen recently, song that describes your life (both me and my gglittle put Taylor Swifts "You Belong with Me", back when I was a Big and her survey this Fall) and choices like Spring or Summer, etc. All of the Littles received the Bigs' surveys to read and all of the Bigs get the Littles' surveys to read and connect with them. Then typically our sorority retreat occurs with more Big/Little bonding time. Then low and behold, the Littles and Bigs make a Top 5 list of who they wish to see as their Big or Little and then the internal social chair and new member educator match everyone up. 

That is all of the nitty gritty details. Now for the fun stuff! Big/Little Week! Each day has a theme and the littles receive gifts not knowing who their beautiful Big is. Our days are themed: baked gods/treats, Memo Boards/Canvas/Bulletin Boards, Flowers @ Chapter (typically with some great delivery guys), Relaxation/Pajamas, Family Traditions, and then the basket at Reveal!

I hope you are ready for a lot of photos...


The last family picture before the newest addition. 
My little and glittle awaiting the new addition! It is the last time as just them.

This year reveal included the littles receiving a clue to where their Big was hiding on the quad and a puzzle piece to match. My grandlittle was so clever and tricked my gglittle all week! cFm arrived at the location we were hiding to see another Big/Little get matched. She looked so sad and confused but little did she know that kBm was just around the corner. 
cFm is so lost and confused.
 
The first hug as Big and Little! cFm was so excited that kBm is her Big! 
 Before the new addition.
 And after! Welcome to the FISH FAM!
 BIG AND LITTLE!
 I made pocket t-shirts and my grandlittle made us bows. Cue photoshoot.
Little, Big, Grandbig, and Great-Grandbig
Amor Via Vitae in Christo 
I love my family.

What have you been up to this weekend?