Whirlwind Wedding Weekend

Hey y'all,

I am still trying to get back on a normal schedule after my nice long, and busy weekend. This past Thursday I hopped on a plane (not to LAX) but to Illinois to be part of the celebration of my best friend from college jCm as she became Mrs. B! I was honored when J asked me to be her MOH and I was so happy to stand by her side on Saturday. I thought I should share a quick weekend update. *beware of picture overload

Thursday. The weekend started with an early wake up call to make a flight. Of course we started off the weekened with a little bridesmaid selfies before getting on the plane. And no we did not reenact any part of the film Bridesmaids. Luckily we all made it safely to IL with all our luggage and we were on our way to J's place.

We were greeted by this little guy. Meet Max. J&P rescued him and he is a little parrot since he loves being on people's shoulders.

After settling in we grabbed some lunch and then went off to get our nails done.

After nails it was time for some frozen custard and hanging out at the house before we went to see J & P's new place for their final walk through. Their new house is a great started home and I know they are so excited to move in. After the walk through us girls quickly got ready to go to dinner and drinks for J's bachelorette. It was a bit unconventional having dinner with the groom and all the family but we were able to take lots of photos! After a few drinks it was back to J's where we all crashed quickly since essentially we had been up since 4am with the time difference.

 

 Friday. After sleeping in, it was off to errands and grabbing some Panera before heading to the lake to get ready for some photos. We were able to get some of J's bridals done before the rain began but then it became light enough we got some more shots done!

One of the previews from the photographers

After photos would have been the rehearsal but the minister was stuck in Atlanta due to weather. So we all got ready and headed into the city for dinner at the Spaghetti Factory which was so delicious and the bridal party might have all gotten balloon animals. Yes we are all college grads but who doesn't need a balloon giraffe? Also I think the rest of the table thought we were crazy since at one point we were all close to rolling on the floor laughing so hard. I love these girls and am blessed to call them not only friends but sisters.

 

Saturday. THE BIG DAY! It had arrived. After spending so much time in the city the night before we all got up and ready to go run a few errands before heading over to the salon. We all got ready with only one minor trip to the gas station nearby for food. I mean everyone needs caffeine and chocolate the morning of their wedding, right? After hair we headed over to the venue to get ready and hang out.

 The time passed by so quickly and before you knew it it was time to get dressed and down to the ceremony!

THEY'RE MARRIED!

Then the bride and groom hopped on a boat and went up the lake to the clubhouse for the reception!

I was lucky my best guy friend came up from Atlanta to be my date and celebrate J so we all took some photos before heading to the reception.

The reception was a lot of fun and I only cried during the father/daughter dance and I made it through my speech without any major hiccups. We danced the night away and eventually stole the bride for some photos out on the deck (the guys had our cameras/phones so the quality is not the best)

Sunday. Waking up really early after 5 hours of sleep is not fun.  mKh, aAc and I all got ready to go and hopped in the car to the airport by 7am. We were lucky to be on the same flight again so it was time to get through baggage check and security (all while keeping our bouquets in tack) and off to wait for our flight. We had the sweetest stewards/stewardesses who all loved the bouquets and thankfully found a small overhead bin so they were safe in flight. GO SOUTHWEST! We made it back to NC by 12:30 and by 1pm I was home and it was time to work on some more unpacking of my new place. The rest of Sunday was pretty lazy. A trip to the grocery store. Target. and washing hairspray out of my hair concluded the night with me in bed by 9pm.

How was your weekend?

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.
VIA

Candle Holders for a Relaxation Day gift. I know lots of organizations have the rose as their flower.
VIA

A picture frame with red slippers that says "There's no place like (your greek organization)"
VIA

Get ready for some more ideas next week! What was your favorite gift during big/little week?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

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

Think Pink

Hey y'all,

I had every intention to blog today about the books I read this week (Kindred Spirits & Definitely Not Mr. Darcy) but instead this morning when I logged onto facebook and saw one of my sorority sister's blogposts I read it.

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TN was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this month. This is shocking news. I began to cry at my desk and all I can think about all morning is her lovely smile, the way she makes everyone laugh, her tremendous faith in God and her pursuit to end breat cancer even before she received her diagnosis. TN has already done two Susan G. Komen 3-day walks. That in itself is amazing and now she will be fighting the disease herself.

Breast cancer is a disease that impacts a lot of us personally, myself, my grandmother died of it when I was little and my sorority house mom fought it as well. I know TN will fight will all of her strength and the Lord will be with her as we all lift her up in prayer.

TN even placed this verse at the end of her post: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

So if everyone could keep TN in your prayers as she begins chemo in the next few weeks as well as her family, friends and my sorority as we all pray for her.

Also, if you want to donate to TN's 3-day walk team. This will be her third year participating in the walk and I am sure the most important one yet!

Peace and Blessings,
jDl