Hey everyone! Today I'm bringing you a different, but really fun and positive guest post into this space. I know I'm not an animal related blogger and I know that animal related content isn't something I generally focus on here. However, when Mary came to me with this post idea I couldn't say no. I love animals so much and more importantly, I love finding ways to get involved in something I'm not sure how to approach directly. 

I grew up with a dog, a shihtzu I got when I was seven, that we saved from a puppy mill. Spot, was the best dog and a true and probably the most beloved member of our family until my sophomore year of college. Ever since, I've wanted so deeply to have another dog and have decided that I would certainly like to rescue one if given the chance. Right now, being in college and living in a pet free apartment, adopting or rescuing a pup of my own isn't in the cards. I loved that when I read Mary's post I really felt like I could connect to this awesome cause of rescuing animals even with my inability to actually have pet myself. That's what makes this post alone worth the read. Without further ado, here are some fun, fashionable, and affordable ways to support/get involved with animal rescue!

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Hello there, Dearie Lovie Readers!

I am so excited to be stopping by today from Little Holly's Big World, where I spend my days writing about all the fun and fabulous things you can do (and wear) with your pup in New York City!

My dog, Holly Golightly, is a rescued Chihuahua mix from the Humane Society of New York, and she is the best gal pal a girl could ask for. Through working on my blog I have been so fortunate to connect with many amazing people who hold the cause of animal rescue close to their hearts, and hope to raise further awareness about animal adoption and all the ways we can help save every animal possible.

Since I know a lot of people are not in the position to bring a new rescue into their home, even as much as they would love to, I thought this would be a great place to share some of the fun & stylish products I have come across in my blogging experience that also benefit animal rescue. Looking cute and saving a cute animal is the best win-win situation I can think of! As an added bonus, everything here is under $50, proving that making a difference doesn't have to mean breaking the bank.

1. Alex & Ani Paw Prints Charm Bangle ($28, buy it here):

Until December 2014, Alex & Ani will donate 20% of profits from each bangle purchased to the Mayor's Alliance for NYC animals, which focuses on caring for and adopting out homeless animals throughout the city.

2. Hendrick & Co. William Tote ($30, buy it here): 

Hendrick & Co. is a brand dedicated to helping animals in critical need (they even support a skunk rescue!), and underfunded animal shelters. Starting August 15th, buyers will be able to enter their zip code into a special map on their website and select the local shelter their purchase will help. 

The "William" tote was inspired by the owner's own rescue pup, William, and is part of the SquareIt collection, which donates 2x more than a standard purchase to animal rescue. Head over to Little Holly's Big World this week to check out my interview with the company's CEO and a gift card giveaway!!

3. Crafting4Cause Little Dog Big Kisses Chihuahua necklace ($20, buy it here):

A portion of all proceeds from the pretty hand stamped jewels on this Etsy page goes to animal shelters. She carries a ton of products promoting everything from animal rescue to Autism awareness and even makes custom items, so whatever your cause, you can wear it proudly!

4. I'd Rather Be With My Dog Paw Print Tank ($27.99, buy it here): 

The founder of I'd Rather Be With My Dog created his collection of tanks, tees, mugs and stickers after getting a ton of response from a song he wrote about an ex with the line "I'd rather be with my dog, then be with you girl" (take THAT, Taylor Swift!). A portion of all sales goes to animal rescue. 

The company also offers breed-specific styles so you can rock your pooch's lookalike even when they aren't at your side! As an added plus, shoppers get 20% off with code BIGWORLD through August.

These are just a few examples of the fun and stylish ways you can help give back to the animal community. Of course, there are free ways you can give back as well, from volunteering your time at a local shelter to donating old quilts to shelters in need. Even sharing an article or photo on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram encouraging animal adoption or spay & neuter programs can have a huge impact (spaying or neutering one pooch can ultimately save hundreds of lives). 

No matter what you support, know your voice is enough to make a difference, and that is paw-sitively fabulous!v Hope to see you on the blog, darlings!

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Thanks again Mary for sharing and you can catch more of her journey with her rescued pup Holly in tow over at her blog!

 If you're anything like me, you feel physically scared at the idea of spending no less than eight hours a day for seven days with over 150 people, or meeting over 100 people in a single night in crowded rooms while trying to make a good first impression. This is a very real thing, and it's called sorority recruitment. While every school is a little bit different, sorority recruitment can be the most daunting experience for any introverted lady. However, it doesn't have to be! These are some of my tips to totally rock recruitment, even if you're an introvert. 

Do not pretend to be an extrovert.

Do not feel like you have to be the girl screaming the loudest, being the most expressive, or being the bubbliest. Embrace your personality and let those positives shine through. I’m a good listener, and sometimes the women I talked to just needed someone to listen to their fears and concerns. They always felt better walking away knowing that someone really took the time to listen to what they had to say. Recruitment is already an unnatural process, and it’s pretty obvious when you’re faking your personality. Talking to someone who seems like an over-caffeinated, nervous spaz does not help anybody. You are trying to find your lifelong sisters. Pretending that you are someone you’re not isn’t fair to you, or to your future sisters. Be yourself! You are worth loving just the way you are.

Find a quiet space, and make it sacred!

After all of the recruitment activities for the day – prep, parties, clean up, dinner, and post-recruitment celebrations – are through, take some time for you to be by yourself. Find a space that you love and just relax. Recruiters: This is especially important for the work week leading up to recruitment. You will be spending a minimum of 8 hours a day for seven days (likely more) with your entire sorority practicing conversation, introductions, and the scream-chants that must be the perfect volume and perfectly synchronized come Recruitment. Take ten minutes at the end of every day to spend some time by yourself to re-charge. I would go to the basement of my house and read a book with some tea. It was so helpful for me to be by myself and find some peace.

Pamper yourself.

I got a manicure and pedicure by myself before recruitment. While it would have been fun to go with my sisters, I also just needed the time to take care of myself. I know I get this way, but if you are overwhelmed by the amount of time, energy, and activity that Recruitment requires, taking care of yourself is a must! Do yoga, go for a walk, get enough sleep, drink a lot of tea (all that talking takes a toll on your vocal cords – I recommend Celestial Seasoning’s Honey Vanilla Chamomile), and most importantly take care of your mental health and spiritual health. You will be exhausted, but it is so important that you’re healthy! If you get so rundown that you can’t even make it to Bid Day to meet your new sisters, then what did you put in all that work for?

Don’t talk about recruitment all the time.

 It will definitely be occupying much of your time, energy, and thought for at least a few weeks. Don’t talk about it all the time or you will get overwhelmed and nervous (or more nervous and overwhelmed than you already are). In class, do not talk about Recruitment. When I’m with my non-Greek friends, I won’t talk about Recruitment. There is no need to talk about it during every waking hour. Everyone knows that it’s happening, they know how stressful it is, and they know how exciting it is.

Recruiters: When you are at the workweek, or any Recruitment workshop, work hard. Put in 100% effort. If someone asks you about it, answer their questions. Just don’t feel like that has to be your entire conversation with anyone. Make sure you talk about the other exciting things that are happening too!

Embrace it, enjoy it, and let it empower you!

Recruitment was probably the most stressful three weeks of my second year, but it was also the most invigorating! It will be weird and awkward at times, but don’t let it get to you. Learn from your mistakes, but also let them go.  I was so empowered during recruitment. I got to know my sisters that I didn’t know that well. It helped me appreciate that even though my sisters and I are all so different, and some of my friends are the most extroverted people I will ever meet, we all love each other and our sisterhood is amazing. I felt so confident coming out of recruitment that my sorority was where I wanted to be, my sisters would have my back, and that these women I met were some of the most amazing I would ever know. I grew tremendously in my public speaking skills, networking skills, and my relationships with my friends. I look back on Recruitment with a smile, and I’m looking forward to the next one and finding my new sisters!

How do you make it through recruitment? Any advice for introverts?

xo,

Zoe

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Special thanks again to Zoe for sharing such awesome and 100% true advice! You can catch more of Zoe on her blog La Vie en Zoe!