For me, February was all about treatin’ yo self. So, because of this I got to try a few new products this month and I treated myself to some much needed online retail therapy. Out of all the things I picked up in the month of February, I narrowed it down to my most used and beloved things. So here are my monthly favorites! Enjoy!

Beauty:

Revlon Brow Fantasy, Maybelline Gel Liner, Rimmel Provocalips, Rimmel Show-Off, Wet n Wild Mega Last Lipstick.

Night-Time Soothing Makeup Wipes- These makeup wipes from Equate are affordable and work really well. I have sensitive skin so many makeup wipes tend to irritate my eyes and the skin around them but these are gentle and get the job done. Plus, they smell amazing.

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Rockin’ Curves Mascara- The cool thing about this mascara is the “broken heart” design of the brush. It makes it really easy to catch every lash and it provides great volume and length without clumps.

Rimmel Provocalips in Kiss Fatal- I’m so obsessed with this thing it’s insane. The two-step lip product makes sure your lip color does not budge until you want it to come off. This stayed all though class, lunch, dinner and cheerleading practice. The color is beautiful and comes off lighter than it does in the tube but it’s buildable. It’s comparable to the Kat Von D liquid lipstick in Lolita, another fave of mine.

Rimmel Show-Offs Matte Lip Color in Meteoric Matte- Yet another Rimmel product. I loved the original glossy formula of the Show-Offs but I was so glad when they came out with the matte version because I LOVE matte lips. The color goes on smooth and has great staying power.

Wet n Wild Mega Last Lipstick in Cherry Picking- I’ve talked about these lipsticks on here before so it’s no surprise that yet another is featured in a favorites post. The color is a bright magenta and it’s a nice creamy formula.

Revlon Brow Fantasy in Dark Brown- The pencil side goes on light to fill in brows so if you go in heavy handed it won’t look too overdone. The tinted gel holds the brows shape all day.

Nyx Cake Powder in Dark Brown- I reach for this over my Elf brow powder kit now. The darker powder fills in my brows perfectly without making them look too intense.

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner- This is the best gel liner from the drugstore that I’ve ever tried. I’ve used it almost every day since I purchased it. It makes winged liner a breeze which is perfect for when I’m getting ready for class in a hurry.

Hair:

Garnier Fructis Leave-in Conditioner- Y’all, this stuff smells amazing and it makes your hair smooth and soft. You can apply it on damp or dry hair and it makes detangling a breeze. It’s a life saver.

Garnier Fructis Anti-Frizz Serum- I can’t enough good things about this product. It leaves my hair so soft and shiny; it’s my pride and joy. Go get you some.

Fashion:

Marley Lilly Monogrammed Pullover Sweatshirt- This keeps me warm and cozy when I have to brave the cold to go to class. It’s the perfect thing to throw on when you want to look cute and put together for class.

Kiss My Southern Sass tank- The original KMSS design. I’m so in love with these tanks I can’t wait to buy like five more. These things will become my life when the weather finally gets warmer. If you want to get your hands on one (which you totally should) you can use my code for a discount “MikaylaAnderson”

Phi Mu Spirit Jersey from Carnation Collection- This jersey is so soft and comfy if I could wear it every day I would. It’s another great piece to have when you want something comfy to wear to class and still look cute as hell.

Books:

Dirty Rush by Taylor Bell- Y’all, if you haven’t already picked this up then you need to run out to Target or wherever and get it. Now. This book is a hilarious truth bomb of Greek Life and you need it in your life .

TV:

Parks and Recreations- Still crying.

Movies:

Snowpiercer- 1. Chris Evans. 2. Kick ass storyline. 3. It’s on Netflix.

All Cheerleaders Die- This horror/comedy is absolutely ridiculous in the best way.

Barefoot- This movie gave me so many feels, it’s also on Netflix. Go watch it if you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy with meaning.

Music:

Uma Thurman by Fall Out Boy- I’ve listened to this song on repeat. It makes me want to dance like Uma Thurman and its Fall Out Boy so it’s perfect.

Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars- If this song doesn’t make you want to get funky then don’t even talk to me.

So there you have it, those were all the things that warmed my heart in the month of February. Let me know what some of your faves were for this month.

As many of you know, I’m very involved in Greek Life so it’s a pretty huge part of my life. I came across this channel on YouTube of two college girls that post things on beauty and lifestyle called Finding Fabulous. They did the “Sorority Girl Tag” and I thought it’d be an awesome idea to do it here!

Let’s get started.

1.      What is the name of your sorority?

I am a member of Phi Mu Fraternity!

2.      What is your sorority hand sign?

The quatrefoil! It’s also our symbol, and it’s one of the hardest hand signs to make.

3.      Did you always want to rush a sorority?

Yes, I knew from the first time I had heard about sororities that I wanted to rush. One of my role models growing up was Elle Woods, she was a strong, intelligent female who followed her dreams, stood up for herself and others and did it in style. I wanted to be just like her. Sororities are all about helping young women become stronger, more independent and to teach them to be more than they could ever be, and I wanted to be a part of that.

4.      What was recruitment like for you?

It was the most stressful and rewarding week of my life. Going through recruitment, I had somewhat of an idea of where I wanted to go but then I ended up bonding with every chapter and each chapter was amazing in its own way. It was a hard decision trying to choose but in the end I picked the right one for me.

5.      When did you know you found the right house?

When you meet the group of girls you want to call your sisters, you are overcome with a sense of family. You can picture yourself bonding, making memories and becoming a part of their lives. Sounds cheesy, yes, but that’s seriously how it happens. When I met Phi Mu it was an instant connection, I bonded with some of the girls right away and in the end, I knew it was the right fit for me.

6.      What is your favorite sorority-related memory?

I have plenty, but one of my favorite memories will always be the day I got my little. My little is seriously my better half. We’re so much alike but we’re also very different, it’s the perfect match. My family within Phi Mu is very special to me.

Me and my little.

7.      What is your favorite gift from your big?

Definitely has to be my picture frame that has my sorority creed in it. My creed is something that I value so this one meant a lot to me. I get to look up at it every day and remember the values of my sisterhood and it reminds to be a better person.

8.      Is sisterhood a real thing?

Absolutely, it’s a real thing. One of the biggest misconceptions of sorority life is that we’re all a bunch of shallow, spoiled girls that just go out and party together. That’s not the case at all. We are in every sense of the word- a family. These are the girls I spend all of my time with; they’re there for my highest and lowest moments. We have fun together, we cry together. The only difference between a sorority and actual siblings is that we’re bonded by our sorority and values instead of by blood.

9.      What is the time commitment like for you chapter?

It was very time consuming. A sorority is run almost like a business; there are many components to it. You have formal chapter meetings, committee meetings, you plan events, fundraisers, you work in public relations, worry about finances- it’s a lot of hard work and dedication on top of school and everything thing else you have on your plate.

10.  What were you most surprised about your sorority?

I think, I was the most surprised about how much I was able to be myself around them. I was very shy and reserved in the beginning because I was new and I didn’t know everyone yet but I was able to find people that I really meshed with. I was like, “wow, these girls watch Doctor Who and listen to All Time Low too!”

Me and my g-little.

11.  Do you plan on living in the house?

We didn’t have a house; we had our own floor in the dorm buildings. We went to a small, private college so each sorority had their own space in the dorms. I did live on the sorority floor, it felt like a home away from home. It’s much more relaxed and comfortable than the normal floors in the dorms. I miss every second of it!

12.  What was your favorite exchange/invite/date party theme?

Definitely our Wedding social, it was the most fun I've ever had at a social.

13.  What is your favorite thing about your philanthropy?

Our philanthropy is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. My favorite thing about CMNH is the fact that we get to help children live long, healthy lives. Seeing the smiles on their faces is the best feeling ever.

14.  How many items of clothes do you have related to your sorority?

Way too many. I have multiple drawers full of just sorority shirts and I’m getting more…I don’t have a problem.

15.  What is the best part of being in a sorority?

The fact that these girls are going to be in my life for a long time, not just until the end of college, is the best part of being in a sorority. These girls are going to be at my wedding, baby showers, and so on. If I needed to get rid of a body I know exactly who to call to help me dispose of it.

Well there you have it, the sorority girl tag! If you’re in a sorority I tag YOU to do this tag. Let me know if you do this tag, I’d love to read your responses!

Caitlin Bea

My pick for January is the lovely, Caitlin Bea, better known as Glamourista16. I discovered her channel through another YouTuber, Sarah Belle, when they spent the summer together in LA last year. I’ve been following her ever since! Caitlin is a beauty and lifestyle vlogger from Minnesota, she has a variety of videos from tutorials, study and organization tips, sorority recruitment tips, style videos and more. If you’re a college student, you need to start watching Caitlin now because her college help videos are amazing to get tips from on how to stay organized while managing being a college student.

Caitlin’s style is edgy yet girly, the outfits she puts together have the perfect mix of comfort and trendy. Like me, a lot of the items in her wardrobe are as dark as my soul but she has a personality like a ray of sunshine. Caitlin has her own clothing and accessories collection on Markkit, it has everything from rompers, cross-body bags, sweaters, spiked earrings and more PLUS you can use Markkit to buy the things from her collection as well as other YouTubers collections.  Aside from vlogging, she also loves art, and she’s posted a few things on her Instagram so definitely check it out.

Caitlin has become a permanent part of my day, especially since I added her on Snapchat (her name is caitbea add her- like now). Definitely check out her channel and give her some love! Tell her I sent you!

Her latest video:

You can find Caitlin Here:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/glamourista16

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/glamourista16

 Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/caitlinbea

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Glamourista16/115859131843567

Markkit: http://mymarkk.it/cbc 

When searching for colleges as a senior in high school the one thing on my mind was: “where the heck do I want to go?” It was a confusing time, everything was moving so fast and I was being pressured to make some big decisions for my future.

One thing I knew was that I didn’t want to end up at a school where the majority of my classmates attended as well. Going to an entirely new place with no one I knew was a scary thought but it was better than attending a school that still felt like I was stuck in high school.

As a small-town girl, the thought of going to a huge university with class sizes of 400 where most professors don’t know your name just didn’t appeal to me. I was going to be out on my own for the first time and I wanted an environment that I knew would be a great fit for me which is how I landed at Barton College in North Carolina.

Barton College is a small, private liberal arts college in the city of Wilson, NC. It has a small, close-knit environment and class sizes average around 13-20. It has a variety of majors and minors but the one I set my sights on was Mass Communications, which had numerous concentrations within the major. I chose Journalism as my concentration and psychology as my minor- the two things I love the most.

During my time at Barton I was able to do everything I had set out to do: major in something I was very passionate about, become a member of the collegiate cheerleading squad, and I made the best decision ever when I became a sister of Phi Mu Fraternity.

Coming to Barton was a huge move for me as I was the only person in my entire county to come to Barton. After going to school with the same people for my entire life I was about to venture out into a new place where I didn’t know a single soul but it ended up being the best choice I had ever made. It came me a chance to really find myself and build a new life with new people. With my cheer squad and my sorority I had a new family and support system and it truly made Barton become my home away from home.

Although my life has had many ups and down during my time in college I wouldn’t trade one second of it. Barton became my second home and the people I encountered during my time here are some of the most important people in my life. My professors, advisor, coaches and the members of my team and sorority have all had a difference in my life, whether they know it or not. I will always be thankful to Barton for making my college experience and unforgettable one.

Anxiety and depression have a way of taking charge of your life and swallowing you whole. It can consume you and the suddenly you feel like you’re drowning. It can make everyday tasks such as going to class, going out with friends, completing assignments, and just leaving your room seem like you’re about to face your impending doom. This has been something I've dealt with since I was a kid, some days are better than others but no matter what I've learned that you can’t let your anxiety hold you back from living your life.

Here are a few things I've learned that help me deal with anxiety and depression and hopefully they’ll help someone else dealing with the same thing.

1.      Time management is KEY!

The main thing that has helped me out is keeping track of all of my assignments, extracurricular activities and other things. Keeping a planner and having all of the things I need to do all in one place helps me stay on track and keeps me from stressing out about missing things. Making to-do lists and keeping reminders in places that I look at constantly like my phone and on my desk help me to make sure I do everything I need to and helps me stay organized. Maintaining organization makes me feel like I have my life together and keeps me from stressing.

2.      Keeping a journal

One of the things I learned from my counselor was to write down the good things that happen during the day, it keeps me from harping on all of the bad things that have happened or could happen. I keep my writings in a notebook that I keep by my desk and at the end of the day I write down the good things that have happened during the day. One of the downsides of anxiety is that it is often paired with depression, having one can be hard; having both can be a nightmare sometimes. This trick also helps me with my depression because one of the things I will do is let the bad things take over and then from then on- everything is terrible. Journaling helps me remember the good things for when I need to be reassured that even when things seem dark there’s still a light at the end of the tunnel.

3.      Skipping class or missing things is a big no-no.

Something that I dealt with was whenever my anxiety and depression became too much to handle is I would shut myself off from everything. My depression kept me from wanting to get out of bed and live my life and then my anxiety would kick in because I would stress about missing things and falling behind. It’s a constant battle. Making yourself get out of bed in the mornings can seem like the hardest thing to do when all you want to do is be alone but you've got to do it. The more things you miss, the more stress you’ll be under and the worse you’ll feel. Be good to yourself and get up in the morning and start your day, it’ll pay off in the long run.

4.      Sleep helps!

Disorganized sleep patterns are a result of anxiety and depression and can affect how you feel. It can range from getting too much sleep or not getting enough sleep- either way you just end up feeling exhausted and then you don’t feel like doing anything. Try to go to bed at a decent time and set an alarm so you can get up feeling refreshed.

5.      Music can be your best friend.

Music has always been my go-to whenever my depression and anxiety become too much to handle. Songs that have the ability to put you in a better mood are so important because when things get rough and you need something to help calm you down and sooth your nerves. I keep a playlist of my favorite songs that help me on my phone so that when I’m out and I start to feel anxious I can listen to them it helps so much.

6.      Don’t be afraid to get help.

Getting help was the last thing I wanted because it felt like I was admitting something was wrong with me and I didn't want to seem crazy. Dealing with anxiety, depression or anything else does not make you crazy and it doesn't mean something’s wrong with you- that’s something I realized after I finally decided to get help. I began receiving help after I let my anxiety and depression rule my life. I had stopped going to class, I didn’t want to see my friends, I wouldn’t talk to my mom about the things that were actually going on, I didn’t want to do anything but sleep because when I’m asleep, I don’t have to deal with life. It started to get bad and my anxiety attacks became more frequent and I had gotten to a really bad place in my life that I had fought for years to bring myself out. I didn’t want to see myself get bad again so I decided enough was enough and I sought help and it was the best decision I had ever made. I now have a wonderful support system that is behind me every step of the way and it felt like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Talking to someone about the things you are going through helps because it lets you know that you’re not going through this alone.

7.      Finally, just BREATHE.

When you feel like things are getting to be too much, just take a moment to gather your thoughts and just breathe. It’s okay, you’re allowed a moment to yourself to get yourself together. If you’re feeling anxious to the point where it seems like everything is caving in and that you’re going to have an anxiety attack, take deep breaths in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. It helps regulate your breathing and slows your heart rate. Take a break from life every once in a while to do things you love whether it’s writing, reading, exercising (which also helps with anxiety on its own), just do things that make you happy and keeps your mind at ease.

These are a few tips that help me with my anxiety and depression and I hope these will help others dealing with similar issues. You’re not alone; don’t destroy yourself when you already have anxiety and depression trying to do that for you. Telling someone with anxiety or depression to "be happy" or "just calm down" is like telling someone that's on fire to stop burning. Everyday will be a challenge but it doesn't have to consume you. It's not something that's going to go away overnight but you can find ways to manage your life. Stay strong.

Kiss My Southern Sass is having a HUGE Valentine’s Day Giveaway because we just love y’all so much.

Let KMSS spoil you this Valentine’s Day!

50 Winners will receive a personalized KMSS Valentine, KMSS decal, and a special discount code. If you receive one of these valentines you are in the running to become the KMSS Ultimate Valentine... But you won't know you've won until you receive the Ultimate Valentine Gift Basket on 2/14.

Our GRAND PRIZE WINNER will receive tons of KMSS swag, a limited edition KMSS Be Mine coffee mug, $100 in KMSS cash to spend however you want, an edible arrangement, a year subscription to Cosmo, a red box gift card and much more!

2 SECOND PRIZE WINNERS will receive KMSS swag, $25 in KMSS cash, and other v-day goodies!

Enter NOW, you can find our #KMSSBeMine giveaway tab on our Facebook or go here!

Good Luck!

Hey everyone!

January was full of amazing new things for me; it’s also my birthday month! I turned 22 this month and yes, I blasted 22 by Taylor Swift all day.

I had quite a few favorite things for this month so let’s get started!

Beauty:

Urban Decay Naked 3- I got this for Christmas and I can’t stop using it. I love all of the blush tones and rose gold colors, it’s absolutely beautiful!

Nars Velvet Mattelipstick in Cruella- Anyone that knows me knows that I’m obsessed with red lips, especially matte red lips. This lipstick comes in a crayon stick and it’s quickly become a part of my beauty staples. It wears very comfortably.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita- This is the perfect mauve-y nude lipstick! It goes on smooth and dries to a matte finish. It’s not uncomfortable to wear and it’s long-lasting. The name itself had me sold.

Anastasia Brow Wiz- This is worth all the hype. I don’t know why it took me so long to pick this up but I haven’t put it down since. It’s a quick way to fill in your brows and keep them neat all day. The pencil is thin so it helps to create hair-like strokes for that natural look.

Urban Decay PrimerPotion- I don’t know why it’s taken me this long to get this primer, it’s absolutely amazing! It goes on so smooth and makes my shadows look vibrant and stays all day- even through cheerleading and zumba!

Cake Batter Chapstick- Y’all…this smells so good! I always keep lip balm on me, especially with how cold and dry it is currently. The cake batter balm makes your lips smooth and seriously, the smell is amazing. Go get some!

Taylor by TaylorSwift- This perfume has become my signature scent. It’s slightly floral and sweet, but it’s not too sweet. It has the perfect blend of musk and sweetness.

Fashion:

“Bow Hard for GoHome” tank from Kiss My Southern Sass- This is one of the most comfortable shirts I own aside from my sorority tees. I wear it all the time whether I’m lounging around, going to class-whatever. KMSS has comfy, oversized tanks and those are my favorite things to wear. If you want to get your own use code “MikaylaAnderson” for a discount.

Music:

Taylor Swift 1989- The entire album is my favorite because I listen to it almost every day. It’s not even an issue.

Sia- Elastic Heart- This song is so beautiful, it has a great beat and the video is interesting to say the least.

Lorde- Yellow Flicker Beat- I listen to this every single day. I first heard this song when I heard the The Hunger Games: Mockingjay soundtrack and I’ve been obsessed ever since. This song makes me feel like I’m a warrior princess and I can start a rebellion.

Movies:

Into the Woods- OH MY GOD. This was everything I could have imagined. I wanted to see this because the play itself hold a place in my heart because my first leading role was in a production of Into the Woods as the Baker’s Wife so I knew I had to see this. The cast was spectacular and the music…let’s just say I sang along to every single song. I have no regrets.

American Sniper- This is a recent favorite, I saw this last weekend with my parents and literally bawled my eyes out. Such an amazing film, Bradley Cooper never disappoints. It's a must-see film.

Okay guys, those were all the things I loved for the month of January. What were some of your favorites?