Summer Fashion

Summer. Shorts. Tanks. Sandals. Swimsuits. That's the typical summer wardrobe, unless you're like me and resort to Norts and baggy Comfort Color tees every other day. I'm here to tell you that there is more to fashion life than shorts and crop tops this summer!

Kimonos

My favorite trend this summer has to be these fabulous outer wear pieces. They can be sheer, printed, or even fringe and they go with everything. I think I have an addiction because I wear one to work almost everyday. I have absolutely fallen in love and you will too!

Only a few of my collection

As you can see, they come in so many different shapes and sizes. They go with anything and can be pared with a maxi dress, V-neck tee and capris, or even as a swim suit cover up.

I have come across most of mine at boutiques, but they're also sold places like T.J. Maxx, Dillard's, and even Walmart.

Shoes

As if this even needs to be said, gladiator sandals and wedges are the shoes of the season. This year, I am typically finding gold, nude, black, and strappy shoes.

Some of my finds so far this summer

Again, T.J. Maxx is legendary, but don't forget to keep an eye out everywhere you go. The black wedges are from Charlotte Rouse and the tribal print are from Target.

Printed/Lace Shorts:

Self explanatory. These are EVERYWHERE this year and they can be dressed up or down to go with anything!

Typically, the more wild the pants/shorts, the calmer and simpler the shirt, or vice versa.

These are just a few of my favorite looks for summer. I hope you've enjoyed them! Be sure to comment and tell me some of your favorite looks or pieces.

XOXO

-Ashely Wewers

Summer 2014... A Summer To Remember! Part 2

Finding activities to do during the summer can be difficult. If you've lived in the same area for awhile, chances are you've done everything it has to offer. That's where this summer to do-list comes in handy! Sometimes, you just need a fresh perspective on things. I have 10 more ideas that may spare you some money and help make this summer one to remember.

Bowling. I know what you're thinking: bowling is for old people. Surprisingly, if you get the right group of people together, it can be lots of fun. The local bowling alley in my city has a special discount days and many others do, too. Lots of chain bowling alleys don't really promote these things, so do some calling around and see what specials your own bowling alley has to offer!

Game night. Invite your friends over and tell everyone to bring a board game, cards, or game for a gaming system like Wii or Xbox. Any sort of game will do. Add some snack food and beverage and you're good to go! One of my personal favorite games is Cards Against Humanity. If you or a friend owns the game, you should definitely play it!

Make pizza. This is a bonding activity that my family tries to do every other week. It is actually a really good time, plus who doesn't love to bond over food? If you don't want to make your own dough, you can buy pre-made dough that comes in a tube (usually near the cookie dough in grocery stores) that works just as well! Then all you need is the pizza sauce, your choice of cheese and toppings. Homemade pizzas taste good, if not better, than an over processed or frozen one!

Dollar theatre. Not everyone has a dollar theatre in their city but for those that do, take advantage! You can't beat a $1.50 movie, especially when two months ago it would've cost you $10. The movies that they play may be a little old but honestly, it's the same sort of atmosphere to go see a movie at a much better price. How can you beat that?

Visit a flea market. I could spend hours upon hours in flea markets just rummaging through the piles of things that people don't use anymore. It's always interesting to see who can find the weirdest stuff while there. My family and I actually turn it into a game! We typically don't buy things (unless we stumble upon some interesting treasure) but it is the bonding that makes the visit worth it.

Wake up early enough to see the sunrise. Then DON'T go back to sleep after. It's probably one of the most rewarding things to watch the sunrise because not many people are up early enough to watch it. I understand summer is all about sleeping in and staying up late, but why can't it be the opposite for a change? Wake up early and see how rejuvenated you feel. I promise the feeling is much better than staying up all night then feeling groggy when you wake up the next morning.

Try something different. You want to get a tattoo? Go for it. Bungee jump? Do it. Never tried sushi? Eat at a Japanese restaurant! Now's the time when we're young and have the time and ability to try and do something we've never done before. Go do it before time runs out.

DIY High Waisted Shorts. You know you want too. Grab a pair of mom jeans from Goodwill (or just raid your moms closet) and start snippin'!

Jolly Rancher Vodka. If you're lucky enough to be of legal drinking age, this little project is one to remember. It's where your adulthood and childhood collide in a way that you and your girlfriends will always be able to reminisce on. Get everyone together and have a girls night with this delicious fruity shot! All you need is vodka (think cheap but smooth), a bag of jolly ranchers, and containers to keep the vodka in once it's all mixed.

Visit a local museum. There are always tons of random museums in neighborhoods that people don't normally take advantage of. If you live near a military base, they usually have days where civilians can get on base to see the different museums that are located there. They can range anywhere from a history museum to a naval museum! It is really awesome to see where our country actually came from.

Summer is about making memories that you'll remember for the rest of your life. Stay up late, eat whatever you want whenever you want (pshh, summer body?, hang out with good friends and get tan! Don't forget to take lots of pictures and just live in the moment, that's what summer is all about.

XOXO,

Kelsey

Sorority Spotlight: Delta Delta Delta

Tri Delta sisters supporting St. Jude's

Delta Delta Delta: 

Epsilon Eta chapter at North Carolina State University

     Who are these girls? They are a group of beautiful women who truly believe in philanthropy. They have exceeded the expectations they had when they joined Tri Delta and gained so much more. In the Fall 2009 semester, a very special person joined their sisterhood and became Katie Aiello's Little. Her name was Daphne Aguinaldo. Daphne was diagnosed with ovarian cancer before joining Tri Delta, but was in remission. Her cancer came back the summer before her first recruitment as a sister and she went through the Fall wearing a wig, always smiling and greeting all of the potential new members in the best way any recruitment chair could ask. Her sisters decided to give to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in honor of Daphne and all she has given not only their chapter, but also the children at St. Jude's. Through St. Jude's Hospital, bricks that are engraved with someone's name and a donation that has been made in their honor are available for purchase and will go on a pathway, a wall, or some other place of memorial. If you are interested in learning more, information can be found at http://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/shop.do?cID=14503. Katie had a mission: no matter what it took, she wanted to get one brick to honor her Little.  In around 24 hours she ended up with 37 donations from Tri Delta chapters all around the United States, for a total of $1,780. This allowed Katie to not only get her little one brick, but two! Daphne was beyond touched and speechless when she heard the news. In the Spring 2012 semester, Daphne's cancer spread to her lungs. Unfortunately, she lost her battle in Fall 2013.  

Katie (left) and Daphne (right)

I was fortunate enough to speak with Katie and ask her some questions about Daphne and their time together.   

How does your chapter remember Daphne? 
"We wear purple. Seriously, it was her favorite color. We also continue to serve St. Jude in her name. Her birthday is on June 16th, she would have been 23. We are going to celebrate with her mom and release purple balloons at her graveside. Finally, I got in touch with our exec office when she passed and helped her family get rights to put the Tri Delta Stars and Crescent on her headstone." 

How did Daphne represent a true sister? 
"She was fiercely loyal. No matter what you needed or what kind of trouble you were in, Daph was the girl you could count on to find a creative solution."

What is your favorite memory? 

Daphne and sisters having fun

"All of them. I mean there isn't a time I spoke to her that she didn't make me smile. I think one that sticks out the most would be coming back to college after I graduated to watch her in a sorority step team competition to benefit St. Jude. My little could seriously dance and I loved watching her cut it up onstage. "

       These Tri Delta women all came to support a sister in need, and that is the definition of sisterhood. We always love being around our sisters and sharing all of the wonderful moments so much, that sometimes we never think of the worst can happen. These women opened their hearts to a beautiful girl, with a big heart and an even bigger passion! They are the true definition of sorority women and I am so sorry we all missed out on the chance to meet the wonderful Daphne. Tri Delta, keep on living in sisterhood and staying true to your motto "Let us steadfastly love one another."

Summer Playlist

Now that we've given you plenty of options for fun summer activities (and you probably have a few of your own in mind), all you're missing is the music to go along with it. The soundtrack can make or break those long road trips or lazy days laying out by the beach, lake, or pool. I've put together a little playlist of some great 'all-purpose' tunes. It's made up of a range of different genres and there's no real rhyme or reason, just some favorites that I've personally had on repeat for the last few days.

1. Fancy - Iggy Azalea
2. Am I Wrong - Nico & Vinz
3. Wiggle - Jason Derulo
4. She Looks So Perfect - 5 Seconds of Summer
5. Island Song - Zac Brown Band
6. Summer - Calvin Harris
7. Falling - HAIM
8. XO - Beyonce
9. This Is How We Roll - Florida Georgia Line
10. Love Runs Out - One Republic
11. Chandelier - Sia
12. Chocolate - The 1975
13. Sing - Ed Sheeran
14. Classic - MKTO
15. Come With Me Now - KONGOS
16. American - Lana Del Rey
17. Birthday - Katy Perry
18. On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons
19. Boom Clap - Charli XCX
20. Latch (ft. Sam Smith) - Disclosure
21. Ain't It Fun - Paramore
22. Best Day of My Life - American Authors
23. Girls Chase Boys - Ingrid Michaelson
24. Rude - MAGIC!
25. Happy - Pharrell Williams

There are most playlists on the way, but if your favorites were missing or you'd like a playlist of a certain kind send me an email at melissa.litprobs@gmail.com. I also love discovering new music so comment below or email me some of your favorite music!

xoxo Melissa

Summer Beauty

Summer is all about being carefree and having fun, about trying new things and seeing where life takes you, about experimenting with colors, styles, and products...most importantly, summer is about owning you! This summer, trends are very noticeable, easy to try and easy to make your own. Here's to hoping you find something new in this blog post that's worth a try!

*To the left I am sporting the Pop of Color and to the right mom is sporting the Peek-A-Boo. Also modeled is a version of the beachy waves featured in this article.


Make Up:

Seeing as I work at a makeup store, I am constantly seeing "this season's hottest trends" and learning new color combinations that are always a sure hit. This season's color to try for eyes is blue. My favorite thus far in my search for the perfect blue is Glacier by Merle Norman.

There are always so many different ways to apply eye shadow, especially with such a vibrant color. Here are a few tutorials for you to try:

The All Over Color
          The colors used here are Glacier and Cloud 9 by Merle Norman, but any brand in similar shades can be used. Apply Cloud 9 to the under part of the eye almost as an eyeliner, along the brow bone to highlight, and fading from the inner part of your eye to the middle. Next, apply Glacier by blending through the crease and outer corner of the eye into the middle, opposite of what was done with the Cloud 9. To finish, apply black eyeliner to only the upper lid (another popular trend right now) and two coats of black mascara.

Peek-A-Boo Color
                The colors used are Glacier, Ebony and Ivory, and Oyster. Start by highlighting the brow bone with Oyster. Next, pack on the color by covering 3/4th's of your lid below the crease with Glacier. Blend Ebony and Ivory in your crease, be sure to blend well between the three colors until you reach the desired effect. Complete this look with black eyeliner and two coats of black mascara.

Pop of Color
           This is my personal favorite, and what I wear most of the time. The colors used are Oyster, Glacier, and Ebony and Ivory. Start by highlighting the brow bone with Oyster, then blend Oyster from the inner corner of your eye to the middle. Next, blend Ebony and Ivory into your crease and from the outer corner in toward the middle. Finally, for a pop of color, blend Glacier right above the crease toward the brow bone. I complete this look with Teal Soft Touch eyeliner by Merle Norman, but you can use any color you like. Follow through with two coats of your favorite mascara!

*If blue eye shadow is to far out of your comfort zone, you can always opt for a blue eyeliner or mascara for a more mild and subdued pop of color.

Eye make up is just the tip of the ice burg this season. To continue any of these looks, follow through with bright and colorful lip color. Some of my favorites include A Flare To Remember, Romance, and Bistro Berry by Merle Norman, and Diva by MAC.

Hair:

For summer, I tend to keep my hair light and flowy with beachy waves. The best part about light and loose beachy waves is that they can easily be dressed up with a headband or a little tease at the crown of your head. The best way I have found to obtain these high demand beachy waves are as follows:

1. Wash hair the day or night before you want to style it. If this is not possible, be sure to "dirty" your hair and give it texture with a mouse or dry shampoo.
2. Section hair into three layers.
3. Lightly hairspray each layer.
4. WRAP HAIR AROUND CURLING IRON BARREL. This step is crucial! By wrapping your hair around the curling iron you are getting more of a wave vs. a ringlet.
5. Only hold your hair around the curling iron for 10 seconds as anything longer is just burning your hair.
6. Brush out with finger tips and hairspray all over.
7. Complete the look by adding a head band or any other accessories if your heart desires.

For a different effect (such as what I sported in the picture at the top), make the bottom two layers bigger, and don't curl the top. The key is to just have fun with it and see what works best for you!

Good Luck My Lovelies!
Ashley

Summer 2014... A Summer to Remember!

It is about that time during summer when college students find themselves at a standstill with what to do. Go to the beach? Eh, done it. Swim at the pool? Lame. Shopping? Too bad we're all broke. Even though most everything costs money these days, there are still plenty of FUN things to do to shake up that boring summer routine (and hopefully save you a few bucks, too). I have created the ULTIMATE summer bucket list for you to accomplish with all your friends this year! While some of these things may cost a few dubloons, don't let that stop you for making this summer one to remember.


Attend an outdoor concert. In many cities, there are plenty of little coffee shops and restaurants that have artists playing there for free! While it may cost you a few dollars for coffee or an appetizer, finding opportunities where you can enjoy live, local music is awesome. There are also concerts like Warped Tour that are completely outside, but beware: general admission tickets range from $30-$70 and the concert happens rain or shine.

Bake something. Get your girlfriends together and bake something that you've been dying to try from one of your many Pinterest boards! Have everyone bring one ingredient and all pitch in to bake, but more importantly eat, the yumminess that will ensue. I will definitely be making the delicious Nutella brownies featured below soon (recipe: Chewy Nutella Brownies/).

Go karaoke'ing. Many restaurants and bars have an open karaoke where you don't have to pay anything and get to make a complete fool of yourself for free!

Hit up a local theme park. I know not many people are lucky enough to have a theme park in their backyard, but for those that are, go! I would even buy an annual pass. Theme parks are so much fun with friends, a significant other, families, or whoever! It's a great place to scream your lungs out and just have some good ole American fun. There are also several lesser known theme parks (like Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia or Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California) throughout the country that aren't advertised outside of the local community. Hop on the internet and search around to be sure you're not missing out on one!

Set off fireworks. More good ole American fun! Just remember to be smart and be safe! Plus, there are always random firework shops that have crazy good deals on fireworks in bulk.

Shaving cream Twister. Target and Walmart usually have sales on the game. Then you can go to a dollar store to get the shaving cream. It's such a fun game on a summer day, just be sure to have a water hose nearby! Picture of shaving cream twister featured below.

Volunteer. Summer is one a time when many of us have fewer commitments and lots more free time. Why not use that extra time to go volunteer in a local pet or homeless shelter? Giving to those in need is one of the best feelings in the world and it is an awesome way to meet new people. Though it shouldn't be your only reason for volunteering, those hours also look great on resumes

CRAFT. CRAFT. and craft some more. Whether you craft for your big, little, future little, family, or someone else, crafting is always the answer! I'm actually working on a TON of crafts and DIY things for my future little this summer. You can see some of the ideas I'm getting for my crafts on our Little Problems Tumblr or Little Problems Pinterest. Be sure to submit your works of art to us and you may see them featured

S'mores. Who says you can't cook s'mores in the summer? They're THAT much better on a cool summer evening around a bonfire!

Go to a local carnival, fair, parade, or other event. Most cities have events for holidays or other events (I went to a festival called the Pungo Strawberry Fest a few weeks). Check local calendars for cities surrounding your area and find out what fun events they may be having!

Be sure to check out the next ten ways to make this summer one to remember which will be posted next week. If you have any awesome ideas or pictures of you doing things on your summer list please email any and all to me at kelseyj.litprobs@gmail.com and you just may be featured in the next article! Thanks for reading and HAPPY SUMMER!

WE'RE BAAAAACK!

Hi all!

So we've taken a bit of a hiatus, but we're back in full force! We have some fabulous new bloggers and a jam packed calendar of articles for you. If you didn't already know, Little Problems has undergone a total relaunch in the last couple of weeks. We have new merchandise and a whole new look. We have added stadium cups, sunglasses and a new koozie to our collection. We all need these goodies for our summer fun! For the entire month of June, you will get a FREE gift with every $15 purchase you make, so now is the time to stock up for Big/Little!

Since we have so many fabulous new campus representatives and bloggers, you'll be hearing from a different lady each day for the next few days. She'll share a little bit about herself and have a great new article for you to read! We have representatives from all over the country who are in all sorts of different sororities. We range from girls in their first year of college or Greek life who have their Bigs and are anxiously awaiting their chance to get a Little, to girls who are alum and have GGGLittles. We've formed a sort of family here are Little Problems and we want to share that love and the products that have grown from that with you!

Be sure to check out all of our forms of social media and keep up to date with all things Little Problems!

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xoxo Melissa