About a month ago I was contacted by Nicole, the lovely CEO and founder of Darby Smart to become a Darby Smart Editor. If you don't know what Darby Smart is, you need to check it out. 

Darby Smart is an website that helps launch designers by creating DIY kits based on the latest fashion and designer trends. 

When you sign up to become a designer, you are able to purchase DIY kits. They have everything from bracelets to clutches to planter pots. It's insanely cool because they send you everything you need to create the product in one neat little kit.

Nicole sent me a complementary kit to create my own DIY craft; I've had it for a little while but wanted to get settled in at school before I tackled it. 

The kit I received was DIY headbands; in the kit there was three silver headbands, three different color thread, and some gorgeous accent pieces to add to the finished headband.

This was absolutely perfect for me because I love wearing headbands and channeling my inner Blair Waldorf. 

Before and after the VMAs on Sunday, I tackled this project; it seemed difficult at first and I couldn't imagine completing it but once I started, I got the hang of it and I am so thrilled with the outcome. 

Darby includes directions with all the kits and they are all relatively simple and easy to understand.

First I chose my thread (pink of course) and decided to pair it with the string of pearl accents that Darby included in the kit. I placed a dab of superglue (also included) on one end of the metal headband and then placed one end of the pink thread on the glue.

After, I begun to wrap the thread all the way along the headband till I reached the other side where I then finished with another dab of superglue. That took a while and it was tedious but I watched Law and Order SVU whilst doing so, so it went by quickly.

After, I was confused to how I would get the pearls on the headband but after carefully re-reading the directions, I figured it out. All you had to do was hold the pearls on top of the threaded headband in place and then continue to wrap the pink thread through the pearls No glue needed; just go through the spaces of the pearls. Very simple.

At the end, I have an adorable skinny, pink and pearl headband. This is something I would definitely buy so the fact that I was able to make it myself was incredible. 

I really loved doing this DIY project provided by Darby Smart and I'm looking forward to doing more projects similar to this!

I've mentioned before that I am a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma and we are currently putting our new members through the new member education process.

During new member ed., the girls get their bigs and it is such an exciting time!

We got 10 new Phi Sig babies this semester and my chapter is one of the smaller national ones with only 42 sisters. We did though have a number of girls who were up for a little so I was nervous that it would get too competitive.

I was only initiated one year ago and there were plenty of older girls who had seniority over me so I didn't think I was going to get a little.

Well, I thought wrong and last week I revealed myself to my most precious and perfect little, Tina.

I spent the weekend leading up to reveal crafting for my little and it was some of the most fun (and stressful) I've experienced.

It's difficult to explain but having a little is similar to having a child, I felt like I was shopping for a new born baby.

I crafted so much and made so many different goodies for my perfect babyangel. 

I went to two stores to buy my crafting supplies: Michaels and The Christmas Tree Shop.

At Michaels, I bought my paints and decorations, and a few wood and glass products. At the Christmas Tree Shop, I purchased all my picture frames and glasses that I decorated.

On the glasses, I used Sharpie Paint markers in blue, yellow, purple, and pink; they worked wonderfully and it was really easy to write out words...a lot easier than using any other type of paint.

For the wooden products such as the PSS and the pin box, I used regular acrylic paints. After painting them, I put some mod podge on top to use as a glue and sprinkled as much glitter as I could on top, making it sparkle. 

The one mistake I made with the glitter was that I didn't secure the glitter with an adhesive spray so it was a mess, glitter everywhere.

One of my favorite products was the bowl I made; I made a glitter glue out of mod podge and glitter, mixed it together in a cup and then painted the inside of the bowl. I let it dry for a few hours and it came out beautifully...I've never seen anything like it.

The tradition in my chapter is to decorate a keepsake box for your little and that was another one of my favorite parts.

I really enjoyed crafting for my little; it was such a wonderful experience to give back when my own big has given me so much. 

Here's two slideshows of all the crafty goods I made ! Check them out!

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d3422223k4205824o1/biglittle-craft

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d3422308k4361517o1/biglittle-crafts-2

Getting a little is the most precious part of being in a sorority and I'm so excited for the journey that lies ahead!