Tag / portable fan

by Kelly Mattei

Amazon Prime Day Deals for Sorority Rush

Participating in sorority recruitment in the south this fall? Let’s get ready! Here are some deals from Amazon Prime Days that can help you during sorority “rush.”

  • Rush Bag. You’re going to need a bag to carry all your necessities on those hot days. And it’s hot in the south. I highly recommend a nylon bag with a zippered closure to keep your things dry during those inevitable afternoon showers. Get a great Prime Days deal here. It comes in seven colors, so pick one that’s probably easy to find when there’s a sea of bags. I highly recommend putting a luggage tag on it and maybe even an AirTag. I’ll provide links to both below.

  • Apple AirTags. Surely you’re familiar with the concept. Put an Apple AirTag in your bag so you can locate it with your iPhone’s “Find My” app. We have them in all our suitcases, and I have one in my wallet. I need to put one in my daughter’s wallet. I highly recommend you do the same for your college-age kids. Get a 4-pack of AirTags here. Personally, I would add AirTag holders. There’s a Prime Days Deal for that. Get four multicolored ones here. For my daughter’s keys, I got the Otterbox Rugged Airtag holder keychain. Purchase here.

  • Portable Charger. Because your daughter could be out and about all day, make sure she has a portable charger for her phone! Get a Prime Day deal on a great one at Amazon here.
  • Luggage Tag. You don’t need something fancy, but something bright-colored can help her find her rush bag when it’s in a pile. She definitely NEEDS a luggage tag to ID her bag. I highly recommend a colorful, inexpensive 10-pack, so she has extras to put on her real luggage, her school backpack, and more. Purchase here.

  • Mini Travel Umbrella. In the south, it can rain at any given time. Your daughter needs an umbrella that will fit in her Rush bag. I think her freshman roommate’s parents thought I was crazy when I gave the girls umbrellas, but they literally used them every day during rush.There are lots to choose from on Amazon. Get one with great reviews here.

  • Rechargeable Mini Fan. While this is not a Prime Days Deal, it’s inexpensive anyway. This is the one my daughter used. And it’s necessary on those sweltering August days in the south. Save your daughter some agony during recruitment. Get her a fan here.

  • Sharpies. They need to write their names on everything they own when they go to college, and all these things in their rush bags are not exceptions. You can check out the assortment of Sharpie products on Amazon here.

  • Comfy Shoes. Because recruitment goes on and on for days, the girls need to wear some comfortable shoes or slippers when they walk to and from the houses and between parties. They do not wear these into the parties. I recommend some comfortable flip-flops or slipper-type shoes. See some great ones here. Crocs also offers a wide variety of slip-on comfy shoes here.

  • Waterproof Changing Pad. Sounds silly, I know, but if they have to sit on the wet ground, they’ll thank you. Get one here.
  • Insulated Water Cup that closes securely. I know these girls love their Stanley and Yeti cups. If you need to purchase one, there’s a Stanley you can get with a Prime Day Deal here. There are lots of colors offered, but I could only find the one color on the deal. Yeti has one here.

What else will they need for their rush bags? You can see a previous post with links we made about it here. If you just want a quick list of the other things, here you go:

  • Hand sanitizer
  • Deodorant
  • Tissues
  • Breath Strips (no gum…nothing is uglier than someone chomping gum during a rush party)
  • Band Aids
  • Lip Gloss or balm
  • Blotting Papers
  • Small snacks
  • Safety pins
  • Feminine products
  • Painkillers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen and dose(s) of any necessary medications.

If you’d like to see previous posts we’ve made about sorority recruitment in the south, click here.

*Please share this information with anyone you know who is participating in sorority recruitment in the south! And feel free to send us a message if you have any questions about any of the above or anything else!

*We receive commissions on items purchased through our links.

by Kelly Mattei

Stay Cool

Stay cool.

With temps all over the country at or above triple digits, staying cool is a priority these days…and it’s not easy. Last weekend, I went to Sorority Bid Day at the University of Alabama with a friend, and we both declared it to be as hot as the surface of the sun. Every year, we declare it to be the last year, but somehow, we keep going.

Next year, though, we will be more prepared, because I have done some research on staying cool. I’m also preparing for a couple of warm (hot) vacations, so I’m going to be prepared. You can spend your time doing your own research, or you can just listen to what I say here, because I’m going to share some products I have found that could save you from suffering from heat stroke:

  • Neck fans. I purchased a couple at Amazon recently, and they seem to work pretty well! My husband and I will be taking them to south Florida with us soon, and my cousin and I will use them when we got to Panama in October. It’s always hot near the Panama Canal, but we will be prepared. See these rechargeable neck fans here.
  • Cooling scarf. Yes, I will do anything to try to stay cool, and wearing a cooling scarf is definitely on my agenda! They’re cute and colorful, and they help you stay cool! Purchase here.
  • Be Koool Active Cooling Patch. This one is easy…an adhesive patch to wear during moderate activity, to help keep you cool. Priced under $7, it’s also Prime eligible, so you get free shipping, if you’re an Amazon Prime member. Offering about 4 hours of relief, I’ll be taking a few of these on trips with me. I purchased 20, so my family has them when we need them. Purchase here.
  • Gatsby Cooling wipes. Sometimes, when it’s crazy hot, you just want to “freshen up.” Well, Gatsby Cooling Wipes freshen you up and help cool you off! I’ve used them, and they’re awesome! Take them with you on the go! There are other brands out there, but this is the brand I prefer. Purchase here.
  • Drip Drop Hydration Packets. I carry these everywhere I go. They are great for keeping you hydrated, and they work great for hangovers and illness recovery too. In these crazy temps, it’s important to stay hydrated. There are other brands, but Drip Drop is my favorite, because I think their flavors are better. Purchase on Amazon here.
  • Yeti Insulated Cup. Add some ice, water, and Drip Drop to this insulated cup, and you’re set to move around in crazy temps. For the 26 oz cup with chug top, click here. Or to see other Yeti offerings, click here.
  • Countertop Nugget Ice Machine. Like nugget ice? Keep your drinks cool by making your own nugget ice at home with countertop nugget ice machine! The one from Antarctic Star can be purchased for as low as $159.99 for a light blue color…going up for other colors. Purchase here.
  • Misting fan from O2 Cool. I love this brand. They make my very favorite travel fan, which I will mention below. But for now, it’s all about the portable misting fan. These are a little big, but they’ll fit in a small backpack when you’re at a sporting event, riding a bike, going for hike, or touring a city. Now, get two for under $25 at Amazon! Purchase here.
  • O2 Cool fans. I have used an O2 Cool travel fan for years. I take it anytime I travel and set it up on my nightstand. It’s small but mighty, and you’ll be surprised how much it helps at night when you’re trying to sleep! I sleep with a fan in my room at home, but it’s too big for travel. The O2 Cool travel fan is perfect. Purchase here. O2 Cool also makes a necklace fan they sell in packs of four. This is not one I have tried, but I have ordered it. I expect great things, simply because I love the O2 Cool products. Purchase here.
  • Cooling Bedding. And if you need help staying cool while you sleep, there’s Rest Brand, which makes Evercool comforters and sheets. The comforters and sheets are made to dissipate heat 10X faster than cotton sheets and comforters. They’re not inexpensive, but hey…if you’re sweating at night, they could be the answer. Priced at $199 per twin comforter/$239 for queen/$279 for king. Sheet sets start at $199 for full/$209 for queen/$219 for king/$239 for California King. Like I said, not inexpensive, but they will be worth it for lots of folks. See comforters here. And sheet sets here.
  • Inflatable Pool. There are lots of inflatable pools out there…some smaller, some larger. The one I’m recommending is on the larger size and seems to be more durable. If you don’t have a pool in your yard, an inflatable pool can be the answer for cooling off! See one from Sun Club Inflatable Pools here.

It’s crazy hot out there, people! Stay cool!