Vote Abigail!

The 2012 Election might be over, but now it's time to vote for something that doesn't involve barbs, endless ads, and actually serves a greater good!

While I was in Georgetown this summer, I got to meet Katie Meyler, who founded the More Than Me Foundation, which gets little girls off the street and into school in one of the world’s most dangerous slums in the world in Liberia, West Africa. 

She is probably one of the most inspiring people I've ever met, and her foundation is amazing. This Christmas, they've been chosen to compete for $1 Million in the 2nd Annual Chase American Giving Awards contest!

The voting begins today! Vote Abigail! 

I am very selective in choosing charities to support, and I firmly believe that Katie is changing the lives of these little girls. I wish that I could be in her shoes! 

Who is Abigail? Below is a letter she wrote a few weeks ago.

My name is Abigail.

I’m 13 years old. I live in West Point, Liberia. I don’t know my parents… I was left with women I didn’t know when I was 6 years old. They took care of me, but life was hard. Often, I didn’t have a place to sleep or food to eat. I was in and out of school. I used to sleep at a video club, that’s how I survived. I was abused, both in my mind and body. I didn’t feel loved.

When I met Katie and More Than Me, my life changed. I have a new home now and food to eat. I’m in school now. I’m happy now. I feel like I have a future now. I feel loved. I’ve learned how to bake, which helps me earn extra money.

Thank God for More Than Me — they are the only family I have now. Please help vote for me so I can continue in this new life and stay in school. Your vote is my future. I’ll do anything to show you that I’ll do my best in school and become something with my life.

Love,

Abigail

More than Me is definitely doing their part! Vote Abigail for the next four days and help support their efforts!

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Mon-Day

Yikes, two quote posts in a row?

Today marks the beginning to the in-between stage. It's not yet Christmas, but there's no turning back now. It's not yet exams, but not the beginning of the second quarter. It's the two weeks of quiz-paper-test-project, because clearly teachers didn't learn when they were younger "if everyone else jumped off the bridge, would you too?", hence the same four things, six times over. 

But today is my day, and I'm going to be productive. The agenda has been written, the outfit picked out, bags packed, run planned, and breakfast made. I have been weirdly looking forward to this day since last week, partly because I'm itching to get some things crossed off my list, and partly because I really want to speed these next two weeks along. Time marches on, and there are far better things ahead. 

But I also have to slow down and appreciate these moments. For most of my classes, these will be the eleventh and last exam I will sit for. Second semester will fly by, and I'm going to be walking out of school for the last time before I know it. Sometimes I get so caught up in the future, in the possibility, the story that has yet to be written, that I forget that God has a plan for me. Then I get a reminder in the form of a few amazing girls, who remind me that everything turns out right in the end, that life is good, and that good times are ahead.

But today, first. Today will be an awesome day.

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

TFW

There are five weeks left in 2012. I have five weeks to get my goals done, leave my mark on this year, kill my second quarter grades, ace my exams, and make my first semester count. I can prepare myself to have a rocking last semester of high school and make habits that will benefit me beyond that. 

What will you do with the rest of 2012?

xoxo,

Royar
{The Young Southern Prep}

Christmas Music

Thanksgiving and Black Friday have now passed, so now it's time for Christmas Music!

Here are some of my favorite albums:

Do you have any favorite albums? I'll be doing a playlist later in the season, but these will be playing in my car for now!

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Black Friday!

Will you be shopping today? I will be headed out to Gabe's, TJ Maxx, and Hobby Lobby today, but other than that, nada! 

I'm not a huge shopper, and my favorite shopping is done with a Diet Coke in hand, curled up on the couch!

If you're into the BF deals, here are some collected by HerCampus!

Amazon

It’s Cyber Friday on this website where you can find big-screen HDTVs for under $1,000, 25% off laptops and more than 50% off some kids toys!

Bed Bath & Beyond 

Very straight forward over here: 20% off your entire purchase — IF you shop between 6 am and noon.

Best Buy

Stores open at midnight on Friday (and they’ll hand out entrance tickets up to two hours before) to score deals like $240 off a 40 inch Toshiba TV, $225 off laptops and DVDs like Breaking Bad Season 4 for just $8.99!

Kohl’s

First of all: everyone gets $15 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent between Nov. 21 and Nov. 25 (Kohl’s cash redeemable Nov. 25 – Dec. 3). Early bird specials are 55-60% off plus an extra 20% off fine jewelry.

Lowe’s

Sneak peek at the sale includes patio heaters down to $99 from $189, fire pits for $39 from $79 and tons of tools for more than 50% off.

Macy’s

Get the most up-to-the minute alerts on Black Friday deals by texting BF to 62297. Sample of the crazy deals? Diamond Oval Hoop Earrings originally $600 – marked down to $149, 40% off select coffee makers/tea kettles and luxurious wool coats marked down to $99.99 from $275.

Old Navy

Sale starts at 4 am on Friday and includes hourly doorbusters like ½-zip fleeces for $5 and adult jeans for $15.

Sears 

They’ll have two waves of “doorbusters” (code for killer deals) — one at 8 pm on Thanksgiving and the other starting at 4 am on Black Friday. Deals include a 50 inch TV marked down from $900 to $300, B&N’s NOOK for as low as $40, and select cosmetic kits marked 50% off.

Scoop NYC

25% off your entire purchase (with select exclusions) in store.

Target 

Black Friday deals are available Thursday through Saturday and include a Canon T3 DSLR bundle originally $750 and knocked down to $500, $100 off XBox Kinect Bundle, and $80 for a TomTom GPS (originally $120).

ULTA

Sample taste of the sale includes Smashbox Studio Steal Brush Collection originally $74 and slashed to $19, store brand mini-nail polish for $2.99 (from $8) and Benefit Cosmetic’s 3-Piece Fa La La La Flawless for $25 (a $79 value!).

Let me know if y'all get any great deals!

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Thankful

I'm thankful for planes, brains, and automobiles. For books and tests, for really hard classes and college acceptance letters. I'm thankful for deferrals and second chances, for forgiveness and praise. For leggings and cowboy boots, cozy sweaters and fleeces. For bunny rabbits and puppy dogs, for moose and deer. I'm thankful for skype and twitter and facebook and mail. iPads, blackberries, and iPhones too. For fast cars and slow days, for Pinterest and flyaways. For TV shows and warm socks, for Chinese food and checking stocks. 

I'm thankful for friends who make me laugh, cry, and grow in love. Who celebrate my life, and help me through my sorrows. For late nights and early mornings, for senioritis and hurricane warnings. Wrap watches, pearls, and monogrammed jewels, for capes, vests, and swimming pools. For smiles and charity, for water and heat, for India and France, for tea that is sweet. I'm thankful for queen size beds, 800-count threads, open doors and football scores. For country music and hairbows, for headbands and bootcut cords, for riding boots and hardwood floors. I'm thankful for camp and gold bandanas, for the South and progression, for history and english and lines of regression. I am thankful for a family that loves me, supports me, and cheers me on in everything I do, for a school that has grown me in more ways that I know, and for a country that has given me endless opportunities.  

There is so much more that I'm forgetting, but this is a pretty good list.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

xoxo,

Royar
{The Young Southern Prep}

Road Trip Must Haves!

Today I'm off to West Virginia! Since I will be spending five or six hours in the car, there are a few must-haves!

1. Cozy Sweater

It can get super cold in the car, and I hate to be cold! I'll be bundling up in a big sweater with leggings and fluffy socks!

2. Neck Pillow

Confession: I used to be a neck pillow hater, until I went to India and took one at my Mummy's insistence. Well, Mummy knows best, and I haven't gone anywhere without mine since!

3. Noise Canceling Headphones

Best way to fall asleep. Ever. And I actually have some work to do tomorrow, so these are a must to focus!

4. A new book!

I just started this, and it's well over 600 pages, so it's sure to keep me occupied!

5. iPad

I bought a few magazines, downloaded some new games, and bought Jason Aldean's new album! 

What are your road trip must haves?

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Packing Light

Many of us are off for the Thanksgiving Holiday, and I will be heading out early tomorrow morning! Since I'll be back on Sunday, there's no need to take a full suitcase to West Virginia.

First, the bags:

I love my VB duffel! I got it when I was in seventh grade when we all used them as gym bags (middle school, so cool). But now it's like the ever expandable bag! Seriously so much stuff fits in them, and they're really easy to carry!

+

This is perfect to throw toiletries, shoes, a sweater or two, or even hair dryers/straighteners in, as well as any last minute clothes! 

Here's a sampling of what I'll be taking for the long weekend away!

This weekend will be all about bundling up, while still looking cute! I will be pretty formal on Thursday for dinner, and Friday night's dinner at the club, but Friday will probably be a leggings and flats day for a little Black Friday shopping!

What are you traveling this weekend?

xoxo,

Royar
{The Young Southern Prep}

Perspective

So Friday may or may not have been the longest day of my life. But at 4:20, I logged into my status check for UGA, and clicked the "view now". Not really knowing what to expect, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and looked at the screen. 

I got deferred. 

It doesn't mean I got denied, but it also certainly means I wasn't accepted. My application needs a little more time to develop. So now I get to write some fun essays, talk about myself, and hopefully be admitted in the coming months. While I would have loved to have been admitted for early action, it's not the end of the world. I'm not a perfect student, but I know I will leave high school with few regrets, and if that causes UGA to not accept me in the long run, so be it. God has a plan for me, and I'm just along for the ride.

Besides, at the same time a year ago, I was getting accepted into Mission Training for Operation Smile. Would I have rather gotten into UGA this year, or not gone to India last year?

You bet I'd take India a million times over.

xoxo,

Royar
{The Young Southern Prep}

Decision Day

Well, y'all, today's the day. I find out where I'm going to college, or if the road continues on. I have been accepted to Alabama already, and if I get into Georgia, it's going to be one tough choice. I would like to say that I've had a gut feeling about UGA, but I don't. I honestly don't know what I'm going to see on that screen. Since I don't know how I stand with UGA, I've made myself fall out of love with it, in case I end up getting hurt. But sometimes I forget that I teared up on the tour twice, because I could see myself there. I didn't want to leave Athens, nor did I want to go to Alabama the next day.

The past week has been rough, but I've made peace with the process, and I'm ready to see what the outcome is. I'm also very excited to hear about my friend's results.

As much as I would love to be a Bulldog for another four years, I do know I get to buy a lot of red and black either way!

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Winter TV Shows

Confession: I don't really watch a lot of live TV. This fall has been mostly me watching (and live tweeting) the debates, Fox News, and BBC. 

But there are a few eternal faves:

But since I've been doing a lot of work on my computer this fall, I've also started watching a lot of "old" shows!

These have become my new guilty pleasures! It's so much fun to start them from the beginning!

Do you watch any "old" shows?

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Lilly P: Resort 2013

There were a select few things that I truly liked for Resort 2013. The prints are great, but the items, not so much.

Look, Lilly. I love you, but I'm just not going to wear a jumpsuit. Just give me some shifts, and let's call it a day.

But things that are still good?

Elsa in Reef Madness

There will never be a time in my life when I don't love my Elsa's. They are the best.

Wilda Dress

Pool coverup by day, cocktail attire by night.

Worth Straight Jean

I may or may not be going down to the store tomorrow just to try these beauties on. Perf.

Delia Dress

Absolutely love the print and the cut is darling!

What are your favorite Lilly items this season?

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Royar's Day Off

For my third day off in November, I am enthused about having another day to amble around as I please. 

My thoughts on the day...

And my OOTD!

Happy Monday dear friends!

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

TFTW: Breaking Habits

This year has been all about habit breaking for me. For the past few years, especially at school, I've been afraid to step out of the 'bounds' that others have set, or those I think that others have set, for me. This summer and this fall, I finally decided to stop living my life from fear, especially of what other people think of me. This year, I have taken a lot of new risks, and some have immediately paid off, some have not, and some will take a little to see. Some of my risks have been those I've been waiting to do for years, and fear has kept me from doing them, a bad habit of mine.  But hey, it's senior year, I have nothing to lose, and I hope that by breaking my habits, and living with intention, my better habits will stay with me.

xoxo,

Royar
{The Young Southern Prep}

The End of the Election Season

I'll admit it, I'm a little happy the election season has come to a close. I have lived and breathed politics for the last two months, and while I love speaking about it, I'm done. But I know in a few weeks, there will be something new for me to debate about, and the cycle will go on. I mean, 2016 is only four years away!

With regards to Tuesday night, yes, it was hard, and yes, I did cry during Mitt Romney's concession speech.



He is the epitome of class, and has left the GOP party, for now, very sad, and we will now be lacking in the 'good hair' department for some time.

Wednesday was tough, but it wasn't over when the German's bombed Pearl Harbor, and it sure isn't over now. I still believe in America, and I will always love being an American more than I love being a Republican.

I am working on a new (political themed) project that will hopefully debut in the next few weeks, and I can't wait to share it with y'all!

xoxo,

Royar
{The Young Southern Prep}

Dogwood Black

Remember that one time I posted about Southern Ties? (Almost exactly a year ago!) Well now they've rebranded, and I am oh so excited to share with y'all about it! 

"In physicality, the American South exists below the Mason-Dixon line; in mentality, the South resides in the head and the heart. This philosophy led to Southern Ties changing its operational name to Dogwood Black. The Dogwood is the state flower and tree of Virginia, the birthplace of our company. There is a saying here in Virginia: “Virginia is for lovers.” And if you love the South, you will love Dogwood Black. We aim to pay homage to both the Southern tradition and Southern ideology. Dogwood Black signifies that the South is still, and will continue to be, very much alive and kickin’."

The South is a state of mind. Not a state of mine. Dogwood Black.

Here are my picks:

Custom Shirts

You can build your own shirt on their website! How nifty is that? Words can't even do it justice...just go play around with it for yourself!

Camo Bow Tie

Maroon and Gray Gingham Bow Tie

Swoon.

Pink and Navy Stripe Neck Tie

Koozie

Obsessed.

And the best part of all? Everything is made in the Great U.S. of A. No joke. It's even printed on the tag of the shirt. 

Go check out dWb and tell 'em I sent you!

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Election Day!

It's finally here!

Living in a battleground state has it's perks, like getting to meet Senator McCain, his wife, Cindy, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, all in one morning!

Senator Graham and I exchanged a "Go Gamecocks!"

But then there's the five ads in a row on TV, and the ten ads in the mail, plus signs everywhere.

But it's all worth it. What lucky people we are where our elections are fair and non-violent, and the candidate is chosen by a system that has worked 44 times. How lucky we are that our candidates can debate, trade jabs, and the people can hold their leaders accountable without fear of repercussions. How lucky we are that Democrats and Republicans can still be friends at the end of the day. 

I don't care if you're a Romney/Ryan Republican, Gary Johnson Libertarian, or even a Obama/Biden Democrat. As Gladys Payne Schieffer said, "Go vote; it makes you feel big and strong". Exercise your right as an American.

Although I am a Republican, I love America more than I love being in a certain party.

In short: Go America. Go Vote.

xoxo,

Royar
{The Young Southern Prep}

WRR: October

So I may or may not have read only two books during the whole month of October (Stress much?)

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

I loved this book, then hated this book, then loved it, then hated Nick, then hated Amy. But in the end it was a great book, and definitely a page turner!

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

I loved this book! It's such a sad story, but it has a great plot. I had seen the movie before reading it, but the book beats the movie!

Here's what I'm reading right now!

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Thought For The Week: Sheep

This is so relevant to my life this week.  Respect people's opinions, but remember who they are at the end of the day.

xoxo,

Royar
{The Young Southern Prep}