Last Year

We've all heard them, the horrible, never ending "last year" jokes.  It's already January fourth and twitter is still buzzing with "I haven't talked to you since last year!" or "I haven't been to school in a year." Like come on, how much longer must this go on? (Although, I found Wyatt's tweet quite amusing)

2013 was a great year and it's impossible to choose 12 moments from the year, but here goes nothing...

 January: The senior cheerleaders surprised the student body at a pep rally.

February: I was serenaded four classes in a row by the mens chorus (thanks Josh)

 March: I toured my future University!

April: Kelcey came to visit for a weekend!

May: I had the flu at prom but my date was perfect.

June: Martha and I wondered around San Francisco for a week! 

July: Shoulder surgery on a torn labrum from October 2012. 

August: Rush week with Jenny, future DZs.

September: Went out for the first time with my twinny.

October: Parent's weekend was quite a hit. Caroline's dad loved it the most. 

November: I joined this wonderful Alpha Fam! 

December: I bar tended for the first time ever!

All in all, I'd say it was a good year.

xox

Char

TGIF

Wow. This week has been a long one.  Between two tests, multiple graphic design projects and bad news around every turn, I am amazed I lived to friday.

I just finished my final test of the week that I studied hours and hours for (and only took 15 minutes to finish) and intend to just sit and enjoy my starbucks until I have to go to my next class.

Luckily, I found the silver lining in this week.  I'll just be frank about it.  I have the most incredible people in my life.  I'm so mad it took me so long to realize, but I'm truly blessed.

Let's start with my best friend and how he drove three hours to be my semi-formal date. Like what? It's so funny how I never thought we would be friends or even get along.  Thanks Kbo! Even though I had just received bad news, Ryan wouldn't allow me to stop and think for even a second. From semi-formal, to downtown, to frat lot tailgating, to watching batman, he never let me stop laughing and dancing and being happy.

Then came Monday, and if you didn't already know, I'm very very accident prone.  Can't trip over enough bricks on the horseshoe or fall out of my bed in the mornings.  It's pretty ridiculous.  

At the University of South Carolina, there is a major rivalry with Clemson and every year, the two schools put that rivalry to good use.  There is a friendly competition to see which school can donate the most blood to the American Red Cross.  Naturally, I wanted to give blood (despite my fear of needles) and did just that. The line was a bit longer than I expected and right after the nurse took the needle out of my arm, I had to run off to french class.  Big mistake.  As I walked down the hall towards 213, I realized I couldn't hear anyone in the hall... even though there was at least 40 people in the hall.  Then my eyes started to blur and I felt hot.  Now, every girl dreams of fainting and being caught by a cute boy, but this was so not the case.  I dropped my bags next to my desk and laid on the ground.  The poor girls in my class were so worried. Yet another example of the amazing people in my life, eight girls that I've known for four months were so worried that they were considering calling an ambulance. 

Okay, I'll wrap it up.  But first I have to talk about the most important people, my best friends, new and old, who never fail to amaze me.

Tuesday morning, I got the call that I knew in my heart would not be a happy one.  My mother had been forced to put our beloved Cleo down.  November 2012, we were given one week with our puppy.  I cried every day at school and Caroline and Julia never let me forget that they were there for me.  And then a year later, even though the two are at UGA and I'm at USC, the minute they knew Cleo was gone, I was getting endless phone calls and texts from the two.  Between that and the best-friend-turned-ex-turned-best-friend-again dropping his plans to make sure I wasn't curled up in a ball on my floor all day, I realized I hit the jackpot.  Caroline and Erin brought me cookies (not stolen this time) and hugs, Kaela distracted me, Y@ checked in with me, Jenny and Taylor made it their job to hug me every time they saw me, heck, even my roommates friends were checking on me.  Martha even offered to drive home and check on my mom for me.  

|| RIP Cleo 11.19.13 ||

Although having to say goodbye to Cleo when I'm no where near home sucks, I'm so grateful that I was with people who cared as much as my friends did.  Going home tonight will be hard without sweet Cleo greeting me at the door, but I know she is still with me everywhere I go.

So hell week is over. I am going home for a week to celebrate Thanksgiving.  I get to see my best friends for the first time in a month.  Everything is going to turn around. 

xox

Char

Style (with a twist)

Yeah, so basically, I'm a walking accident. 

In the past year, I've worn two different slings, gone to three physical therapists, and had shoulder surgery.  Now, I am wearing a nice black ankle brace.  It's ridiculous how it happened, especially since I tripped and rolled over my ankle over absolutely nothing.  I swear, nothing can be blamed for my clumsiness.  (is that even a word? just go with it.)

So, for those of you who are as accident prone as myself, here are some pictures on how I've styled my many braces!

Love this picture because cheering was such a struggle but a good source

of entertainment!

black dress, black sling, what else do you need?

*Happy Birthday Wyatt*

 I could wear a button up, leggings, and boots everyday.

Day after surgery, on to the blue sling

Luke Bryan Concert

Because I'm obsessed with Garnet and the Gamecocks 

Long day of classes requires a big sweater 

First night of Lamp lighting for DZ!

Right now, it is super frustrating not being able to wear my boots especially since it's getting cold out.   I cannot wait to get out of this ankle brace!! 

xox 

Char

The art of Gameday Dresses

Gameday in the south is quite an event.
Whether you're tailgating in the frat lots or watching the parade of players into the stadium, eating your heart out or drinking it down, watching from the student section or on a small television hooked up to a generator, it's an experience to experience.

A girls biggest concern on a saturday morning is what to wear. Isn't that always a concern? 

Here at South Carolina, tradition is to wear black dresses and cowboy boots. Why, you may ask? Nobody actually knows.  At this point, I've been through about 5 black dresses, worn one twice, spilled god knows what on my cowboy boots, and scrubbed off too many tattoos from my face.

Sorry for the picture overload in advance...

 || Stacy ||

 || J.Schamay & Carol at UGA ||

|| Taylor & Jenny ||

 || Future roomies and Caroline's dad ||

|| Kaela, Caroline & Erin ||

My favorite dresses are from Hope's, Tobi, and J.Crew.

Any suggestions?

xox

Char

The art of a good tailgate

Oh, how we love country concerts down here in the south. 

Whether you are a freshmen being dropped off by by your momma or tailgating for hours with random strangers, country concerts are a part of growing up in the south.  From Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts on the Lakewood Lawn to the Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw stadium tours, everyone saves up for tickets to summer long concert series.

A good tailgate needs good people, good food, good music, and good outfits.
Here's what J.Schamay and I wore to Luke Bryan last night!

Char: J.Crew Tiki shorts || white tube top || cowboy boots || sling
Julia: Levi's homemade thrift shop shorts || Lizard Thicket tube top || cowboy boots

Any country lovers out there?!
xox
Char