Guest Blog Post from A Greek Concept: How to Plan a Memorable, Budget-Friendly Trip with Your Sorority Sisters

I haven't done a guest post in a while and I was happy to be contact by Adrienne St. Laurent from A Greek Concept on how to plan a trip with your sorority sisters on a budget. Something that I'm actually planning with my sorority sisters soon and I can't wait but this can also work for you and your sisters also. If your also interested in doing a guest post, don't hesitate to contact me. Enjoy.

How to Plan a Memorable, Budget-Friendly Trip with Your Sorority Sisters

Taking trips together is one of the most fun ways to get to know your Sorority sisters super well! Whether it’s just a few of you gallivanting around together, or it’s a whole slew of girls from your sorority, trips build memories that help strengthen bonds to a whole new level! Don’t go through college without jetting off somewhere with your closest gal-pals – you’d regret it! So grab your bags and get planning!

That being said, there is a lot to consider in how to plan a memorable, budget-friendly trip with your sorority sisters. Prepping for a major extravaganza can cause tensions to rise and opinions to be voiced louder than normal. You’ll need to make sure a couple of things are in order before you plan the details – otherwise you’re asking for a major disaster.

       Things to Consider

As you’re tossing around the idea of where to go/what to do, make sure you consider the following:

        Someplace close

        Look for Livingsocial deals / Groupons

        Driving instead of flying

        Family-owned vacation homes

If you wait ‘til the last minute to discuss these options, it can cause some major kinks in budgeting. When it comes to places close around you [like the Michigan Dunes if you’re going to school in a surrounding state], add the costs of gas + rental place + meals and weigh that against an all-inclusive cruise. Chances are you will save by going someplace more local. If you choose to go somewhere more domestic, toss out the question of whether you should drive or fly. Although either creates memories, traveling in a car/s gives you ample opportunity to get to know your sisters.

These sites offer FANTASTIC trips for nearly half the cost of what the vacay would normally cost [they even have places like Europe and the Caribbean!]. Your parents or relatives might even be able to help out if they have a vacation home somewhere exotic [or even in the mountains]!

Things to Plan

Cutting back on expenses once you’ve decided where to go doesn’t have to squash your memory-making! The simplest way to save some bucks is to stick to the plan. It’s mega tempting to keep adding and expanding the holiday, but it only adds cost to whatever fabulous ideas you already have.

Using your parents’ miles/points massively cuts costs! Maybe your dad/mom is a big traveler and racks up points like nobody’s business – why ask for some of them for your trip as a birthday or Christmas gift! You might be surprised by their response.

We also suggest saving on meals while you’re there by opting for a few nights of cooking in!

The plus of this = cooking together helps you make memories you’ll be reminiscing for years to come.

 Every night of the trip doesn’t need to be wild – wild also adds up! So, kick back and relax instead with a Hunger Games movie marathon or another of the classics.

You can rent these from your local library at home and take with you to help cut back on additional day costs from RedBox.

Happy vacation planning!

Amy Furrow is the owner of A Greek Concept an online retailer of licensed Greek merchandise. She’s got drive, heart, and passion – something Greek life is all about. From Sorority picture frames, tote bags, and jewelry, as well as Fraternity coolers, glassware, and travel accessories; A Greek Concept is filled to the brim with options for every Sorority sister or Fraternity brother. 

Thank You Again to A Greek Concept for your post, Check out their website: www.agreekconcept.com for anything for sororities and fraternities accessories. 

XOXO,

Guest Post! Tips on How to Protect Yourself for the Summertime & Homemade Skin Care Recipe

 Hey Everyone,
I was please to have my first guest post from Michelle Pino, an employee from a Spa in Upstate New York called Skana. I was very happy that she pinch this blog post to me about taking care of your skin in the summer and making a homemade skin care recipe. I hope you all enjoy this post because I enjoy reading it.

Garden Variety Natural Summer Skin Care

Summer is that enthralling time of year characterized by outdoor barbecues and lazy days spent at the beach. Although the warmth and sunshine are part of what makes the season special, these summer elements are known to wreak havoc on the skin that is seen many years after the initial damage is inflicted. While one cannot spend one's life in a bubble, there are ways to minimize summer's harsh effects through the application of soothing natural skin care products.

Do It Yourself Summer Skin Care

People are becoming more aware of the dangers of the parabens and petrochemicals prevalent in today's popular skin care product brands, and many have decided to take matters into their own hands literally. That's right; many times they are skipping the expensive yet safer, commercially available “natural” skin care products and are heading straight to the kitchen cupboard this summer. Here is what they know.

·         Natural ingredients containing antioxidants fight free radicals even externally

·         Antioxidants are more effective when used fresh

·         Natural fruit acids gently exfoliate skin

·         Natural oils help skin retain moisture

A super nourishing, after beach skin care mask embodies all four of the elements of great natural skin care listed above, and happily, all the ingredients for the mask are common to the average kitchen pantry. The spa experts of New York resort, Turning Stone, developed the below luxurious skin mask. 

To make this luxurious skin mask, you’ll need:

1 good-sized tomato

1 avocado

half of a lime

Method:

• The tomato should be squeezed into juice with its pulp to obtain a quarter cup of the juice; an additional tomato should be used if the original tomato is not large enough to yield a quarter cup of juice.

• The avocado should be peeled and mashed to garner one cup, and two of them may be needed to yield the required one cup.

• After squeezing the lime to get one tablespoon of fresh juice, mix the three ingredients to form the skin mask.

• Prior to applying the rich mixture to the skin, rinse the face with warm water to open pores. Afterwards, the mixture should be immediately applied in a generous portion to the face and remain on the face for thirty-five to forty minutes. During that time, it is normal for the skin to tingle largely due to the exfoliating effects of the fruit acid in the tomato and lime juice. After the allotted time has expired, rinse the face with warm water and follow it with cold water to close up the pores.

The result of using this completely safe all natural mask is soft, smooth, and glowing skin with no traces of summer sun damage. The fresh antioxidants and gentle fruit acids serve to brighten, purify, and erase the lines caused by the harsh summer ultraviolet rays. The resulting softness definitely comes from the natural oils in the avocado. This guacamole style skin mask is the perfect ending to a day spent enjoying sunny sea breezes at the beach or a walk at one's favorite park.

I hope you all enjoy it and Thank you, Michelle Pino from Skana for your fabulous post. Ladies, take care of yourself during the summer and be protective of your body and stay fabulous.

XOXO,