These Boots

"I wore out more soles than I care to count

Done more stupid things than most would dare to

I've kicked myself more times than not

for the roads they led me down

but the darndest thing I've ever seen them do 

is walkin' out on you."

~ Eric Church, These Boots

I first heard this song a few weeks ago, and I'm not going to lie, I started sobbing. I love Eric Church, firstly. Springsteen, Love Your Love The Most, Carolina, My Heart's Got A Memory, anyone? But it really got me thinking about all the places I've gone with my boots, and where they've taken me in my life. 

I get emotionally attached to some of my things. There, I said it. 

A wise woman, because I really don't know who, once said:

“I love things.

Not just because they’re beautiful or chic or pretty, but because they’re a distraction. 

I love them because they will never leave me. 

My fur won’t get up and leave me one day. 

My pearls won’t choose another neck over mine.

My cashmere won’t decide it doesn’t love me anymore. 

I confess, I love things because I trust them more than I trust people. 

That, and because they also make my life a little more fabulous.”

This could not describe my life more accurately. My cowboy boots make my life a lot more fabulous. They're a connection to Texas, one of my favorite spots in the world, they've taken me to Dallas, Beijing, Georgetown, Richmond, West Virginia, Charlotte and many more places. They make yoga pants look amazing, and can dress down a three hundred dollar Lilly frock just as easily. They were never anything special that I picked out, they were just the most comfortable and the cutest ones they had in my size at Cavenders. We would begin our love/hate relationship of getting said boots off that night, before I learned to invest a good boot pull. Two hurt muscles in the back of my knees and $8.95 later, after arguing with my Mother about just why I should be able to get the hunting printed boot pull, but settling for the plain black, my boots and I were off into the world together.  

They're looking a little rough these days, with two frayed toes, one broken seam, but they're still my boots all the same. They've aged nicely, and they're not going anywhere anytime soon. I mean let's face it, I'll wear these under my long white dress next year when I graduate, maybe when I graduate college, and even when I get married.  Like many "first" things, I think you always remember one special first thing. For me, it's my Size 9.5 Tan Dan Post Boots.

I do have my eye on another pair however...

What can I say? 

These boots are the most beautiful works of art I've ever seen. And they might just be made for walkin'.

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Southlake

While in Texas, we always visit the adorable town of Southlake. And yes, it is the home of Greg McElroy. Nevermind he was playing 613 miles away at Bryant-Denny that day, I had my eyes peeled at all times.

Our first stop was Snuffer's. If you ever visit for lunch, I highly recommened the cheese fries. They are to die for! Everything on the menu is wonderful and you can't go wrong no matter what you order.

Of course, I had to pop into the Lilly P Southlake store. These ladies are so kind and this is my favorite store that I have visited. I didn't try anything on, but I made sure PM was taking notes (Hint, Hint).  PM bought my Aunt an iPhone case in Checking In and I received the reciept on my Blackberry in an email! Pretty nifty if you ask me.

After the Lilly store, it was time for the store that I wait all year to visit, Anthropologie!



 The store is wonderful and the employees are helpful and sweet as can be.  I purchased the Rugged Carats dress,

and I love it! I love how every piece at Anthro is a different brand and their homeware is spectacular!

While the Cousins, my Aunt, PM and PF went to James Avery, PB and I slipped into Brooks Brothers. We are so much alike, even with our 4 and a half year age difference.  They had a great women's section and I think I could've bought the entire store. It was far larger than our local store and I wish we had a full women's section at ours.

Our last stop was James Avery, a long standing tradition in my family.  While I didn't find any charms to add to my bracelet, I did look at a ring I am asking for for my birthday. When I was browsing, I did spy a "Class of 2013" charm and it was quite weird to see. I can remember when the charms used to say "Class of 2007". Very weird to see, but it was a wonderful visit! I do wish they had one in VA!

It was a wonderful day and I can't wait to return next year!

xoxo,

Royar
{The Young Southern Prep}

Texas Places!

Here are just a few of the many places I always have to go to when I'm in Texas!

Saltgrass Steakhouse of Texas

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They have the most amazing honey butter. Simply delicious. I also highly recommend the Chicken Fried Steak.

Cavender's Boot City

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The BEST place to buy cowboy boots in Texas. I bought a pair of Dan Post Boots that I can be seen wearing here:

I paired them with an Anthropologie skirt, Bass cardigan and my Dooney and Bourke cross-body bag.

Anamia's

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Best queso I have ever eaten.  Their chimichangas are out of this world.

Stay tuned for my Southlake recap tomorrow!

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Texas Is The Place I'd Dearly Love To Be

I love George Strait

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Adios, Texas

This afternoon, I will be hopping on a plane and heading back to reality...

goodbye hour-long afternoon runs

goodbye super cute boys 

(seriously, they grow 'em good out here)

goodbye Saltgrass, Magnolia and Breadwinner's

goodbye Cavender's Boot City and their cute cowboy employees 

(and yes, I do know they are paid to dress like that for minimum wage)

goodbye wide open spaces

goodbye Southlake, home of Greg McElroy 

(I couldn't resisit a little Bama reference!)

goodbye amazing radio stations that play actual country music 

(All My Ex's Live In Texas was playing yesterday)

goodbye beautiful Dallas skyline sunrise greeting me every morning

goodbye George Bush Presidential Turnpike

 (never ceases to make me feel patriotic)

and finally, goodbye to my sweet cousins and Aunt

I can't wait to see them this summer!

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

PS RABBIT RABBIT! Happy December y'all!

Dallas Day Two

Friday morning, we went to downtown Dallas to brunch and to drive around the area. Our first stop was Breadwinner's which I have been to before and it is simply delicious.  If you ever go there, I highly recommend the cinnamon rolls, but their menu overall is spectacular.

Here I am in front of Breadwinners Uptown.

My cousin M and I

My cousin D and I

After brunch, we drove around the campus of Southern Methodist University. It is a gorgeous campus and I can definitely see myself there for college.

All of the cousins!

Before we retired to my Aunt's house, we drove by The Hockaday School - another gorgeous campus.

Have a great Tuesday!

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was so much fun! My Aunt hosts her family at her house almost every year and it's wonderful to see everyone! In Texas, we boil our turkey and it is so yummy, along with chicken and dumplings!

Here are some pictures from the day:

My cousins and Aunt making a cake!

PM and I

Me with Ranger!

How were y'alls Thanksgivings?

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}

Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks
For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the workingman's hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea;
The land that is known as the "Land of the Free" --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!
Author Unknown 
What I'm thankful for today:My dogs, Tiller and Tess,My good health,My sturdy home,My wonderful school that provides me with a great education,Living in a great country where I have so many freedoms and rights,The opportunity to volunteer with Operation Smile,My loving parents who take care of me and provide for me,My sweet brother who is always there when I need him,You, my sweet readers, who have helped me reach 100+ followers this month,And numerous other things that I am forgetting,however, I know that I am truly blessed and I thank God everyday for the many things I have in my life.
What are you for this Thanksgiving day?
xoxo,
Royar{The Young Southern Prep}

Leaving On A Jet Plane

But don't worry, I'll be back. In a few hours, I'll be hopping on a plane and flying to Dallas!

I am so excited I can hardly contain myself.  I can't wait to see my three sweet cousins tonight!

Us at the Gaylord ICE Exhibit last year

Also, I got an email last night from Student Programs of Operation Smile and I did not get accepted into Mission Training.  I am disappointed, not in that I didn't get in, but that a girl in my grade who is not old enough to attend a mission was accepted. Yes, you read that right. I am still in a bit of shock that she was picked over my sweet friend END, who also applied and myself.  However, I am excited because my best friend HEB was accepted along with a few of my other friends from ISLC.  I look forward to applying again this summer with END. Thank y'all for your sweet comments and support over the past few months. I can't wait to apply again and go to Beijing this summer!

xoxo,

Royar

{The Young Southern Prep}