"Little" Bundle of Joy

Y'all, it's a teensy bit ridiculous that I'm only just blogging about my perfect little Phi Mu sister…

 I've been bragging on my own big since clue week of last year, so it baffles me how this post has been sitting in my drafts folder for so long! I honestly thought I published it last week!

The week leading up to the big reveal was so much less stressful for me this year. Last year, I spent the week worrying about who my big would be. Thoughts like "Will she like me?" "Did she even want me as her little?" filled my mind.

I had so much fun thinking of clues (and then accidentally giving myself away with unfortunately-timed Instagrams and our mutual love of Lilly Pulitzer).

I'm an only child in my family, so having two amazing "sisters" is practically a dream come true. 

I can't wait to see where these next few years take us! 

Recruitment Recap

Life's still as crazy as ever, but I've been wanting to share this video with y'all for a while.

This is Phi Mu's official 2014 Recruitment Video! I spent most of my free time this summer working on it, and then most of August stressing over the finishing details. Even though it's a little different than how I imagined it, I'm still super proud of it! I couldn't have done it without the help of our amazing chapter advisor. 

The first half is basically the last year summed up and then after the chant is what we did this past summer! 

In case you're curious about the Mardi Gras scenes, we had a big dance party to celebrate our last recruitment practice :) 

This was the video we showed at our Slideshow Night parties! (Remember my "what to wear" post?)

I'm super excited because our big/little week is next week! I can't wait to be a big sister!  ;)

Bid Day 2014: Welcome to Wonderland!

Waking up this morning, slowly but without needing the snooze button (although still rushing around to make it to church on time), I finally felt relaxed after an exhausting two weeks.

Being off of social media for the week meant that all the sorority girls here at Nicholls State blew up Facebook and Instagram with pictures from Bid Day yesterday (myself included). Of course, I had to share some of my favorite pictures from the day on the blog, as well!

It was such an amazing day, full of excitement, smiles, and loads of confetti! (See the video at the end of this post for an idea of just how much confetti)

How adorable are my sisters?!?

I thought the theme of Wonderland was so fitting, especially since we're all a bit mad here ;)

Check out this amazing video our advisor KT put together! 

Recruitment Week

My life has been revolving around sorority recruitment for the last month, and the week is finally here! (I blogged about it last month, too!). I'm so looking forward to my first time as an active member of Phi Mu, and especially meeting the new girls! It feels like I was just in their shoes, anxious and excited like I hope they are, too!

I love words so much, but putting into words how amazing this sisterhood has been to me? It's proving to be pretty challenging. 

Most of my pledge class on our bid day last year! 

I'm risking major cliches with this post, but the girls in Phi Mu are so much more than friends; they're my sisters. 

There aren't enough pictures I could post that would ever show all that Phi Mu really is. My sisters are, without a doubt, the most genuine, classy, kind-hearted, loving ladies. They know me better than I know myself sometimes, and love me even though I'm sure that's not so easy some days.

I'm praying that all of the girls going through recruitment this week (or in the near future) have a great experience (I made so many friends before I even received my bid).

My biggest piece of advice for all Potential New Members? Listen to your heart. You'll meet a lot of girls and hear so many facts about each sorority. You'll be asked your hometown, hobbies and major a thousand times, and there will probably be a few awkward moments.  But most importantly, you'll find a group of girls that makes you feel like you belong. Phi Mu felt like home to me, and I hope you find your own home, too.

Recruitment here at Nicholls means a social media-free week for all sorority gals and new members. I'll be back, happy as a clam, on Saturday after bid day! 

Sorority Recruitment Style

I can't believe sorority recruitment at Nicholls is only a little over a month away! It feels like just yesterday I was stressing out (for no good reason) about what to wear to each party! I bought all of my dresses so far in advance that I was worried I'd jinx myself! Ha!

I knew going into recruitment that I wanted/had to be a Phi Mu (I don't recommend setting your sights on one sorority; it only adds to your stress levels).

Because Nicholls is such a small school (6,000ish students?), there are only three NPC sororities to choose from. This makes our recruitment process a million times simpler than LSU or other big schools in the Southeastern Conference (not to be confused with the Southland Conference, home of our fighting Colonels).

Instead of running around to different sorority houses (sadly, we don't have those) for a week, there are three nights set up for potential new members (PNMs) to get to know the sororities.

I don't have many pictures from my own recruitment (there was a rule about no phones and social networking), so I put together new outfits that I'd wear if I could go through it again!

outfit details here! 

The first night is Philanthropy night, the most casual night. PNMs will visit all three rooms, learn a bit about each group's philanthropic activities, and do a craft that goes along with it. 

outfit details here!

Slideshow night is the second night. This is when PNMs watch slideshows that show what each sisterhood is all about. At Nicholls, this is business-chic night. I wore flats because heels make me nervous, but either are acceptable. (I'm in LOVE with this dress from J.Crew Factory!)

outfit details here!

The final night, preference night, is the most formal night when PNMs and the sororities make their decision. It's a mutual selection process, and girls receive their bid cards are on the next day, Bid Day. It's a good idea for PNMs to stay away from solid black or white dresses on this night because that's what most of the sororities will be wearing.

If you're planning to go through recruitment this fall and are having outfit concerns, check out this guide from Sorority Sugar! Every school is different, and what works for Nicholls may not be the norm at your school. I suggest checking your school's NPC website or talking to someone in a sorority there just to be sure. 

Is anyone planning on joining a sorority this fall?