Rush Bag Prep for 2024

 Hey there princess!

With Rush 2024 on it's way, I know that a lot of girls are prepping their Rush bags for the week. I went through Rush in Winter 2009, and became a Kappa Alpha Theta at Baylor University. My experience was incredibly positive, and I am aware that things today are different than they were back when I went through Rush. 

When I went through Rush we all wore our winter coats (Baylor Rush still takes place in January) and purses aren't allowed in the room. My solution was to keep a lipstick, pocket mirror, ID, and my Motorola Razr in my coat pocket and leave it outside of each room (Baylor also doesn't have houses). Below are some ideas of what I would use as a Rush bag if I were to go though Rush today, and some essentials I would keep in the bag. Please keep in mind that I am not being paid to advertise any of these items, they are just things I really like!

RIBBON STRAW ZIP-TOP TRAVEL TOTE

MONOGRAM MARY FRINGE BAG

ITALIAN CANVAS ZIP TOTE

CANVAS ZIP-TOP TOTE

These are just a few examples of some bags that I think would be great for Rush (and for college students in general) because they:

A. All have zippers

B. Are all customizable 

In a sea of girls tossing around a bunch of identical bags that they bought on Amazon Prime day all over the place, you want to make sure that your items are secure, and that your bag is easily identifiable. 

Now.... as far as things to put in your bag...

There is one item that I think is absolutely essential, and that I will recommend again and again and again, and that is this Chanel lip product (my favorite shade is Sensual Rose). I have worn these liquid lipsticks for YEARS, and I am not kidding when I say that they last ALL DAY. It is a great product, and is pretty much the only thing I will wear on my lips. 

LE ROUGE DUO ULTRA TENUE

Tide Pen Stain Remover for Clothes

Hand Sanitizer (this one is super cute and trendy)

Tic Tacs (I like these mini boxes - perfect for any purse/travel bag)

Band-aids (get your skin tone - this is not the time for Hello Kitty. You want your personality to stand out, not your blisters)

Cough Drops (you will lose your voice by the end of the week, DO NOT CHEW GUM)

I love Airborn - try your best not to get sick!

These claw clips are cute, and can keep your hair from getting frizzy/sweaty walking from one party to the next. Get this set of four so if someone asks to borrow one, they can just keep it and you'll still have extra!

LES BEIGES

l absolutely love this pressed powder. There is a mirror in there as well so you can check your makeup throughout the day. Keep in mind the coverage is light! 

Sparkle on!

What I Would Wear to Rush in 2024

 Hey there princess!

I went through Rush in the Winter of 2009, and was absolutely thrilled to be part of the Kappa Alpha Theta new member class that year. My time in Theta was some of the most fun of my life, and I love looking back through that special Rush experience at this time every year. 

I remember spending months looking through shops and trying on clothes with my mom so that I looked absolutely perfect every single day from my clothes, to my shoes, to my accessories. If you're interested in hearing all about that experience, please let me know! I would love to share!

If I were going through Rush as a freshman today, I have selected a few different items that I think would look timeless and lovely on any young girl today. When selecting outfits, I think it's important to choose something that is classic, something that you can see yourself wearing again and again, and something that can help you stand out in the other girl's memories. I have linked a few things below, and I would love hearing all about what you are wearing!

Simon Miller Albers Knit Mini Dress

Corey Lynn Calter Sleeveless A-Line Mini Dress

Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese Audrey Drop-Waist Midi Dress

Hutch Halter Allover Bows Stretch Crepe Mini Dress

Sachin & Babi Georgia Square-Neck Striped Taffeta Mini Dress

Lilly Pulitzer x Badgley Mischka Willa Halter Dress

Maeve Ribbon Pencil Midi Skirt

Some tips before you head to campus to start going through rush:

DO: Try on all of your outfits at home before you leave. This means the whole outfit including shoes. Walk around in your shoes, and make sure that you have all of the right undergarments selected for each outfit. Make sure your bra straps don't show, and be sure to pack shape wear.

DON'T: Share your outfits with your friends. While you might be excited about your new clothes with your new roommate, or other girls that you know are going through Rush with you, please refrain. The last thing you want is to start stressing about comparing yourself to others. I have also had bad experiences in the past with girls asking to borrow my clothes and returning them in less-than-stellar condition.

DO: Make sure to get recommendation letters submitted to each sorority that you are going to parties for. You want to make sure to put your best foot forward, and rec letters are the top way to do this. 

DON'T: Wear perfume at parties. In a room packed with girls, you want everyone to focus on the awesome things you have to say - not feel overwhelmed by all of the different perfumes that don't mesh all together. Focus on a high-strength deodorant (it can be hot and stuffy in those parties, and you don't want pit-stains) and nothing with too strong of a scent. You want them to remember you - not your smell. 

Sparkle on!

A Surprise Engagement - Our Last Party Before Social Distancing

Hey there princess!

Since March, all of our lives have been turned completely upside down. We are all getting used to our "new normal" and I have to say that the thing I miss most is having parties with my family. Don't get me wrong, wearing leggings and a t shirt every day has its charms, but there is nothing quite like getting all dressed up and tossing some confetti. 

Before we all went into hiding, I got to celebrate the engagement of my younger sister, Coco with a surprise party in Waco, Texas! My mom and her (now) fiancé's mom got together in February and helped her betrothed plan a dinner with all of their family and friends (from Houston to Georgia to Minnesota) at Vitek's, the best barbecue you'll find in Waco. 

One of our favorite trends right now are boxwoods, and my mom had the perfect idea to pot up a few to place on each table. She handmade table cards with the couple's monogram, and finished the look with green gingham ribbon around each pot. 

Coco and her fiancé met freshman year at Baylor back in the fall of 2014, and are now planning for a wedding in August of 2021. For this party, we chose a theme of pink and green, and were sure to provide lots of snacks and sweet treats to go along with the barbecue. We kept everything individually packaged so that whatever wasn't eaten could be packed up and sent back to the hotel with all of the bridesmaids-to-be for a slumber party. 

I loved these "We're getting married y'all" cups and napkins from Natalie Chang, and thought they were the perfect pop of color agains our more rustic backdrop (hello, Texas)! I don't know if you know this about me - but I absolutely love popcorn. I serve some kind of popcorn at practically every party I throw. It is always a crowd pleaser for picky eaters (a.k.a. me) and it's just cute!

It is so crazy to look back at these pictures and think that it was the last time we would all be gathering together as a group. It was such an incredibly happy, and silly time - and I am so thankful that we were able to have all of Coco's friends come together and celebrate her and her fiancé's next steps in life together. Also, look how cute my mom's monogrammed button down is?! I want one! If she is reading this - don't be shocked if it goes missing. 

The next morning, we all went out for pancakes and walked around the Baylor campus to do a mini engagement photo session. If the engagement party was this much fun, I can't wait for the wedding!

What are you celebrating in your life? I know that celebrations are becoming more and more complicated with each passing week. A close friend of mine has had to postpone their wedding twice now, and I can't imagine how difficult it has been for them. What are you doing to keep positive in an ever-changing landscape?