The Carolina Girls

Hey guys! So knowing me and how much I love running and working out, I decided for this week’s blog post that I would post the music I’ve been working out to! So here we go:

1. Starships - Nicki Minaj
2. Make Me Proud (feat. Nicki Minaj) - Drake
3. We’ll Be Fine (feat. Birdman) - Drake
4. On My Mind - Cody Simpson
5. Together (feat. Jason DeRulo) - Demi Lovato
6. United State of Pop - DJ Earworm
7. The Motto (feat. Lil Wayne) - Drake
8. Ass Back Home (feat. Neon Hitch) - Gym Class Heroes
9. Wild Ones (feat. Sia) - Flo Rida

Enjoy, and I hope you all had a wonderful Thursday!!

Love, Sydney

So recently I have seen an onslaught of online stores that are invite only.  I personally love them and I wanted to give you a few links to them so you can check them out, if you haven’t already!

For the girls:

Ruelala - Most of ya’ll have heard of this, but Ruelala is a invitation only store that has private sales on well known brands for a short period of time.

Dailylook - You get personalized looks that are on sell for 36 hours!

Haute look - Each day at 8 am pacific time there will be an update of sale events.

Birchbox - This is the only place that you actually have to pay to be a part of.  You have to pay $10 a month in exchange for 5 wonderful and deluxe sample products.

For the boys:

Five mile - member only access to wonderful brands for 72 hours or until the products sell out… which ever comes first!

Birchbox male - Birchbox is considering opening a male version, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Ruelala (for men) - Same site and idea as the female version!

Country Club Prep - a fairly new site, but none the less very cool!  has a few women’s things thrown in the mix as well.

Hope everyone had a fantastic Wednesday.

Sarah

xx

Hey y’all! like most people I enjoy listening to music, so I thought I would share with y’all a playlist to help you get through the week.

• Paper Thin Walls-Modest Mouse
• Time is Love-Josh Turner
• Drunk on You-Luke Bryan
• Wanted-Hunter Hayes
• Healing Begins-Tenth Avenue North
• She’s Beautiful-Darius Rucker
• Let Her Cry-Hootie & the Blowfish
• About Rain-Sequoyah Prep School
• White Blank Page-Mumford & Sons
• Fix You-Coldplay
• Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise-the Avett Brothers
• She Doesn’t Get It-the Format
• Nobody But You-Sequoyah Prep School
• Set Sail-the Movement
• Make Noise-Villanova

Hope everyone is doing well! 
-Hannah (: 

Do you ever feel like you aren’t really the same person. I feel this way all the time. I love playing sports more than absolutely anything. It just makes me feel so on top of the world and happy. However, afterwards I want a hot shower and my nails painted and cute clothes. I like going out and having fun but I like going to church on Sunday too. I eat really healthy but I love my fast food on the rare occasion. I love for my closet to be completely organized but some days I walk into my room with clothes everywhere….

This has become a major issue for me in my dating life. I don’t really know what I want in a guy because I am so many different things. I know what I like and what I’m attracted to but I like so much it’s hard to find one guy that likes everything too. 

Do any of you feel this way too?

Sorry, I know this is deep for a Monday but I’ve had a lot on my mind….

Love you all so much! Have a great week!

-SueAnn Forrest <3

Is anyone else extremely excited about the Hunger Games movie on Friday? I have been obsessed with this series since the first page and it took me about a month to read the entire thing! While I will not be at the midnight premiere, y’all can bet I’ll see it the first day it comes out. However, this book is incredibly hard to describe and I think the description from barnesandnoble.com is spot on! “In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.” 

Much love, Hannah (:
ps. Team Peeta! 

Well, being a hugeeeeee PLL fan I could not talk about anything besides pretty little liars! Tonight was the big night! This event was a web phenomena called A-day. Are you guys fans of the show? I don’t want to talk about the ending because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it. However, I’d just like to hear back from you guys on what you think of the show. I’m completely obsessed with it. I have club volleyball practice mondays at 9 and I show up late every night because I just can’t leave without knowing what happened. It will drive me crazy. Hope you has a great A-day!

Kisses,

SueAnn <3

Recently, and this may come to a surprise to some (I don’t mind sharing), I’ve had issues remaining happy. Usually, I’m a very cheery person and don’t get me wrong, I love life, but sometimes there’s just periods where you’re in kind of a slump! I compiled a list of tiny things that make me smile (and hopefully, you too!):

1.) Running or any type of exercise – You know truer words haven’t been spoken by anyone but Elle Woods. Exercise release endorphins, and endorphins make you happy!

2.) Music – Turn to the music you trust the most when you’re down. 

3.) Meet someone new – This literally just happened the other day in my Math class in a class of 70 people, where I am not that close to anyone in there. It really made the rest of my day, and now I know I’ll have someone to talk to during lectures if I have questions, or just to share a smile.

4.) Be thankful – Honestly, be thankful for where you are. We all forget to be thankful, all of my friends and I included- but when you think about it after complaining about the small things, you then have the chance to realize how lucky you are. There are people that are by far worse off than you are.

5.) Write a letter – I just wrote a letter to one of my Tumblr friends the other day – you know who you are! And had the best time writing it. It helped relax me.

6.) Make a mix CD – Put whatever you like on there…even better when you design it for a friend!

7.) Last but certainly not least- nap – Napping is one of the best things to do when you just can’t get something off your mind, for me at least!

Have a beautiful week,

Sydney

Hi guys!  I hope all of you have had a fabulous Wednesday.

I have been growing my hair out for probably about a year now and so I wanted to give all of you lovelies tips that I have come up with and/or acquired through the process  :)

The ends of your hair are the oldest.  This means that they have been there with you through all of your straight hair days and forgetting to put in heat protectant in.  Due to this they are the most damaged and the only way to stop the damage from spreading is to get the ends cut. 

Don’t pull up your hair often.  Hair ties cause stress on the roots of your hair and can break the strands.

Cut out all heating protects aka bye bye hair straighteners, curling irons, and hair dryers.

With that said I know that is nearly impossible to do.  So…. HEAT PROTECTANT IS YOUR BEST FRIEND. ( side note: I use CHI 44 Iron Guard like it is going out of style.)

Eat healthy and take a daily multivitamin.  If it is good for your body, it’s good for your hair.

Just say no to dyes, perms, saltwater, and chlorine.  And if you do come in contact with these, condition often and if you do dye your hair get products for treating colored hair.

Use a wide tooth on your hair when it is wet to get tangles out, and after hair is dry only use a bristle brush if your hair needs brushing.

Wash your hair less.  This does not mean stop washing your hair period ladies.  But cut back on it a bit.  (side note: if you can stand it cold water is fabulous for your hair)

Embrace dry shampoo with all you have.  Fun fact about dry shampoo, if you have very fine hair, use your dry shampoo after you have washed your hair and it is dry and it will make your hair thicker and have more volume. (side note: Suave professional dry shampoo spray is geniusness in a bottle.)

Sarah

xx

Most of y’all have probably heard these before but you aren’t from around these parts you may be a tad confused as to what they mean:

• Bless your (or his/her) heart-First off, nothing good ever and I mean EVER comes before or after this statement. It is basically an expression of pity or sympathy. This phrase is also used as an excuse when speaking ill of someone else.
  ex: “That girl has a face only a mother could love, bless her heart.”
• I reckon-I guess, believe or suppose.
  ex: “I reckon that we’ll have to leave early to get there on time.”
• Kiss my grits-Grits are located between the toes and to say this basically means you are telling someone to kiss your behind.
  ex: “I think you are an obnoxious, ugly person.”
  “Sweetheart, you can kiss my grits.” 
• God willin’ and the creek don’t rise-If you say this you are basically hoping that something will or won’t happen. It may also mean everything that can be done is being done.
  ex: “God willin’ and the creek don’t rise, I’ll be able to head down to Charleston for Spring Break!”
• Were you raised in barn?-The answer is always no. Someone is indicating that you are not using your manners or have just used foul language.
  ex: “Your room has not been cleaned in weeks! Were you raised in barn?”

I hope this has offered some clarity for the Northern folk that follow this blog and that y’all are enjoying your week!
-Hannah  

Recently, I received a anon comment on my personal blog about how I post pictures of the confederate flag. The anon told me that I needed to “grow up” and that this was 2012. This comment truly bothered me. I am completely captivated by American history and learning about the Civil war. It pains me to think that an American would want to forget where we came from. That is the only way we will be able to appreciate the many freedoms we all share today. To me, the Confederate flag is a symbol of the south. period. Therefore, I will continue to post it on my blog.

I know that I may receive many negative remarks about this post. However, I want to know the opinions of our followers. So, please comment on this post, ask me personally, or ask any of us how we feel on here :)

Also, please do not bash me for my opinion. I’m not asking anyone to agree with me. I’m just curious to know how everyone feels about this subject.

What does the confederate flag mean to you?

Love,

your southern belle, 

SueAnn <3

So, I begin this entry with a question a lot of college (and high-school, although not as much pressure) students have: “What am I going to do with my life?” I have heard this question asked by my colleagues as a college freshman more times than I have heard what is going to be served at the dining hall that night.

Unfortunately, I believe this is something that does take a huge toll on college students. But you know what the good thing is? You don’t HAVE to know. If you don’t know what you like, that is why you are at college to take classes and figure out what you like. The same can be told to a high school senior or junior. You sometimes can’t and won’t be able to predict what you like and don’t like until you get into college. Don’t let any one tell you elsewise. Otherwise, they are lying. By taking mandated courses that the college hands to you, you’re broadening your horizons and seeing what interests you. If you find something fascinating, go ahead and take the next level up! Take chances, and it might end up being your college major. Even if you think you know what you’re interested in, you might end up finding something else even better, or potential minors! I just declared my first minor, and might end up declaring a second by the end of next semester all because of finding random interests.

Another thing I wanted to add to this blog entry was to take the opportunity to tell y’all to do what makes you happy. The last thing I like to see is someone so intent on being an Economics major even though they hate math and money, or majoring in Biology when they hate science and saying they need to be a pre-med student. If you aren’t happy, that’s not success. This nation was founded one of several principles, which is the pursuit of happiness. I know in the long run, I won’t be making millions with my major. But I plan to be successful, and happy. I might not own the Maserati, but I will be doing fine if I can supply what my future family needs, and we are comfortable. I have had more fun in the past two months being able to diagnose architectural styles versus trying to add up various variables and digits that won’t matter to me in the long run. It makes me feel alive to be able to learn the knowledge I feel is right for me. 

I hope y’all don’t feel like you got a lecture from me. And if you did, I’m sorry. I just feel as if this is something weighing on a lot of people’s shoulders, but I am aware of the issue and if you EVER want someone to talk to about it, I’m there for you.

Love, Sydney 

“Reading makes you better at everything.” This is pretty much my motto for reading period.  I try to read as many books as I can, which can be a bit hard if you factor in all the things that life throws at you.  But I will forever have a list of books I want to read and need to buy (and of course I am always up for some recommendations!) So with all of that said I though I would give you a list of books that are my absolute favorites that I could seriously read over and over again and not get bored and a link to where you can check them out :)

1. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
2. The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
3. The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
5. Paper Towns by John Green
6. The Outsiders by SE Hinton
7. Looking for Alaska by John Green
8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
9. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
10. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
11. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
12. The Hunger Games series

I hope everyone had a fantastic Wednesday!

Sarah

xx

I know that for a lot of people out there high school can be a tough place, and it’s not always the school work that’s stressing you out. I know, for me at least, that bullying has always been an issue. Someone may indirectly or directly say rude things about your appearance, weight, ext., but the thing to remember is the person who said it is just as insecure as you are. They don’t say these hurtful things because they mean it, it’s because you’re a vision of what they wish they could be or they have something else going on that we don’t always see. I remember being extremely underweight all throughout my sophomore and junior years and other girls thought it would be funny to call me names such as Bones because of it. The best thing to do is just ignore it.

I was talking to one of my friends recently who has to put up with a lot snide comments and I asked him how he dealt with it. His words were “As long as I know I’m good at what I’m doing, what others say doesn’t matter.” Isn’t that the kind of attitude we all should have? Be confident and don’t underestimate yourself. We are all our own worst critic! Don’t let it get to you and if it becomes a reoccurring problem, talk to an adult or a friend you trust. People will see the good in you that you don’t see yourself. Someone out there cares for you and diamonds are made under pressure (:

Hope y’all are enjoying Spring Break or if you aren’t on Spring Break (like me!) it will be here before you know it!

-Hannah (:

Happy Monday! I hope y’all are having a wonderful start to your spring break! (If you’re on spring break) I’m going to keep my post short and sweet tonight. I just wanted to share my personal mantra: tough times are the best test of character. I write this down several times if I have a bad day. How you handle yourself in a complicated and difficult situation says a lot about you. Please remember that no matter what you are going through that someone else is struggling more than you. You have clothes, shelter, and food. Sure, it you may not have a closet full of lilly and a gourmet diet but you’re alive! Smile! It looks much more beautiful than a frown. Know that there are so many people out there than love you (including me) :). Blessings from Kill Devil Hills NC! Love, SueAnn <3

As most of you know if you are a follower of my personal blog (polosandpearls.tumblr.com), I LOVE college! I have been presented with so many amazing opportunities from working with alumni to being a published sports writer to interviewing our basketball team to playing tennis against the country’s best college players. I am a very lucky girl to be able to study what I want (communications and political science!) at a beautiful and amazing school in fabulous South Carolina.

However, sometimes school can be a little too much. Personal time is necessary. Sometimes you have to tear yourself away from the stress and think about yourself. Whether the stress be from your academics, your friends, your extracurricular activities, or your family no matter where they are, getting away from it all for a little bit is key. For me, I like to take a run or walk down by the water and have some “me” time. I also take “me” time during the week when I sit in the cistern (our quad) or at church on sundays to simply reflect and think about myself and whats going on in my life. Retail therapy is also a ton of fun :). Going out with friends on the weekends is such a fun way to let off some steam, not think about schoolwork or other pressures, hang out with your crew, and meet some new people. I love getting dressed up for a fun night out, whether it be a fancy dinner on the town or a frat party or a concert. Have fun and make these things extra special by donning your new outfit or your hottest makeup. Blast your favorite music in your dorm room and get pumped and simply enjoy yourself. Go out to that restaurant you’ve been wanting to try and spend an extra ten bucks. Hey, you deserve it after putting up with countless Econ or History papers all week or staying up til dawn to memorize Bio terms. Catching up on your favorite TV shows can also be super fun. During the week, I NEVER get a chance to watch my Thursday night NBC shows, so I love to catch up during the weekends or on off days and laughing my head off to 30 Rock or Parks and Rec. My guilty pleasure is watching Dance Moms and American Idol. However, when I really feel like in, I pop in one of my 5 seasons of Friday Night Lights (the most amazing TV show to ever grace your television sets) and reminisce about the amazing Dillon Texas. 

I am writing this as I prepare to leave school to go home for Spring Break tomorrow morning! While I am so happy to be going home and to sleep in my own bed and hug my family, I KNOW that after a few days at home I am going to miss my school so much! I’ve even come to love my dorm room bed :) Plus, all the freedom, friends, and fun that comes with college. I live by the motto Work Hard, Play Hard. Moderation is key, so don’t let one get the best of you and enjoy both realms of college. As my parents and cousins keep reminding me, these are the best years of my life so LIVE IT UP. Every time I talk to my cousins (who are now grown and have real jobs in NYC) they reveal how extremely jealous they are of me and what they would give to be back in school. I just laugh and simply want college to last forever. 

ENJOY your spring breaks everyone in the coming weeks and have an amazing college experience!

XOXO

Caroline

As some of you may know if you follow my personal blog (gothistory), my blog posts haven’t been the happiest to date.

Last Wednesday night around 11:30, my boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend, decided it would be a wise time to call and break up with me. Luckily, I have some pretty amazing friends who came over right away to comfort me and help me brush some negative emotions off. 

Regardless, I was devastated. While the relationship was only a month long, I invested a lot of care and patience into the relationship because I did not get to see him every weekend, nor during the week.  If I had been told the relationship was only going to last a month, I wouldn’t have bothered. I commit to things with 110% responsibility and carefulness. Naturally, getting over this relationship hasn’t been a one-day process. I’m still not over it as I write this, but with time, everything gets better. 

My instant, and best reaction that I had to this was to surround myself with friends. This helped me get things off my mind, and should help anyone get stuff off their mind. However, my friends were very busy this weekend (as was I, studying for 4 tests), so I ended up shutting myself off from my technology and my main bases of communication. Surprisingly, this really helped me to just be by myself. I wasn’t bothered by constant questions, nor was the topic being reiterated over and over again. The next thing I found to be super helpful was to delve myself into music. I turned to my favorite band SafetySuit just to calm my nerves. You’d be surprised to know how much music helps with just your thoughts alone. And lastly, as y’all know from my last blog post, I LOVE to exercise. Sprinting and feeling the pain in my muscles helped me get past my emotional nagging.

Now, hopefully y’all don’t think I’m going crazy and just writing about myself. I wanted to lend some tips to you guys if anyone else is going through anything difficult. If y’all ever need anyone to talk to, my ask box is always open. A one-month breakup hasn’t been the worst thing I’ve been through, and sure as heck won’t be bothering me forever. 

Remember, you’re all stronger than you think.

Love,

Sydney