The third thankful Thursday

1. The leaves changing - The leaves changing in Franklin is one of my favorite things to see, when I was in New York the leaves in Central Park were changing, and here in Oxford the trees are changing in the Grove. There's something about the leaves leaving and winter coming that makes me so happy. It makes me know that I will be with my family soon on Thanksgiving and Christmas break.

2. Grandfathers - Over a one year period I lost both of my grandfathers. Both were sudden and both were absolutely heartbreaking. I am thankful for the 18-19 years I had with them and the impact they had on my life is unforgettable. From taking me to plays to helping me shoot a bow, there is never a day I don't think about them.

3. Walking to class - When you're a freshman it can be awkward walking to class alone. What I love about living in Tri Delt is walking to my 8 am classes with my best friends. There's never a moment alone, which sometimes can be strange, but now we are so used to be surrounded by each other 24/7 it is weird when we aren't. I am thankful for every moment with these friends.

4. Music festivals - In high school if you would have told me that I would go to Lollapalooza I would have told you that you were crazy. What I loved about Lolla was the city, the people, the atmosphere and last but not least, the music. It was such a great experience and I'm thankful to have gone to the Windy City with some great people.

5. Dates - Couldn't tell ya what a date with a male is like, but roomie dates, lunch dates, dinner dates, coffee dates, etc. I love them all. Whether it's a nail salon date with Ali, a High Pointe date with Ann Marie, a South Depot date with Betsy Kate or a sister date to the Ellie Goulding concert, I love one on one time with my friends.

6. Christmas - What's better than Celine Dion's Christmas CD + Starbucks red cups + Christmas lights? Let me tell you, nothing. The Polar Express, Elf, Christmas Vacation. Hot cocoa, peppermint hot chocolate, milk and cookies.

7. Silences that aren't awkward - Comfortable silence is a great gift. With the roomies, comfortable silence is a must. We can be bonding the most when we all have our headphones in watching our shows on Netflix.

8.  Cozy clothes - Snuggles on snuggles in fleece pajama sets, Free People loose tops, Tri Delt hoodies

Ole Miss beauty queen looks back at her year of success

by: Chandler Clarkson

With her days as Miss University ending, Caroline Conerly is thankful for the opportunities this title provided. From winning Miss University then competing in Miss Mississippiand placing fourth, this past year has been incredibly successful for Conerly.

“You never expect that kind of stuff to happen to you. You never really let it sink in,” Conerly says.

Conerly is from Hattiesburg, Miss. She is an education major and in the sorority Delta Delta Delta. She had competed in only a handful of pageants before entering the Miss University competition.

“Seeing her win was incredible. I knew she would be excited, but seeing the genuine amount of joy she got from hearing her name called as the winner made me very proud to support her,” said Sid Johnson, a fellow student and close friend.

Conerly says she was elated to represent the university and the place she loves so much.

“I’ve been coming to Ole Miss games since I was 9 or 10 and Ole Miss truly has impacted my life in every way possible. This is a part of me, this is a part of who I am,” Conerly says.

Director of the pageant Bradley Baker worked with Conerly every day.

“I’m going to miss Caroline for sure as Miss University. She has done an outstanding job,” Baker says.

From singing at the Christmas tree lighting on campus to reading to children locally, Conerly “wore many hats” as Miss University. Conerly said the role on campus takes many forms.

“It wasn’t always one thing. I think that’s what I liked most about it. It was always an adventure,” Conerly says.

As Miss University 2013, Conerly landed a spot in the Miss Mississippi pageant. Often her days were filled with paperwork for Miss Mississippi, talent rehearsals, wardrobe fittings, and more to get her prepared for the pageant. Conerly’s chosen talent was opera. In July 2014, she will compete again, this time, hoping to win first place.

“I’ll be cheering for her in July when she competes again,” Baker says.

Having talked with the participants of Miss University 2014, Conerly says she is looking forward to the pageant. Her advice to the contestants is simple. She says to “not take yourselves too seriously” and that “it is okay to be a real person in the interview.”

The Miss University pageant will be held in the Ford Center on November 20 at 7 p.m.

Defying the stereotype

When I first decided I was going to attend the University of Mississippi, I did not know where this journey would take me. In high school Ole Miss was seen as some srat star, Lilly Pulitzer campus. I knew I wasn't like that, I didn't own any Lilly dresses, Tory Burch sandals or David Yurman rings, but I knew I was meant to go to Ole Miss.

Let me go ahead and say, before you stop reading now, Ole Miss is not all about the latest Lilly clothing line, Tory Burch sandals or anything you read on Pinterest as "sorority girl." 

What I've learned here at Ole Miss is to be yourself. Everyone on campus wears the same thing to class every day essentially, yet when you look closer everyone remains who they truly are. Whether you're noticing the crazy socks underneath someones converse, a ring that perfectly describes their personality, or maybe they're defying the oversized t shirt & Nike shorts memo all together.

The girls looking to come to Ole Miss that are in high school get a false representation and view of what this incredible place is like. We don't all wear cowboy boots with a designer dress and pearls. We don't all listen to country music and drink the days away. We don't wear monogrammed floppy hats and carry a Louis Vuitton.

In general, I have remained true to myself in college. I am still, somewhat, the same person I was in high school. What has changed though is my heart. This school that gets such a "party" reputation has made me a sweeter, more caring and kind hearted person that the person I was in high school.

I give people more chances, I do not judge so quickly, I thank the Lord every day for these people in my life and I owe all of this to the opportunities Ole Miss has given me.

My advice to incoming freshman is to take a step back. Don't judge a school by its stereotype. Ole Miss is so much more than a party school with a beautiful campus. It is a home to many for 4 years, some more because they don't want to leave, and this home has impacted every single life.

With five semesters behind me and only three full semesters ahead, I have realized so much about this place I call home. Even though I am only here for 4 years, these years have been crucial to me and who I am as a person.

Yes, most of my friends love to shop. Some of my friends wear Lilly. Tory Burch sandals are actually comfortable. David Yurman rings are beautiful. My point though, is that to fit in here and call this place your home, you do not have to own these material things. 

Come as you are, you are meant to be here. 

I want to thank Ole Miss for softening my heart, for encouraging and increasing my relationship with the Lord, for giving me the best friends that lift me up daily, and for changing me.

To the school that yells "Hotty Toddy" at any given moment, I owe a lot to you.

Happy 21st, Betsy Kate!

10 reasons why Betsy Kate deserves a great birthday:

1. She loves Jesus and wears Jesus band-aids

2. Her love for Harry Potter. She has a ring that has Harry's glasses & his scar on it, a Harry Potter mug she drinks out of, a Harry Potter t shirt she sleeps in, and that's just the beginning. Last year for her 20th birthday we threw her a Harry Potter themed party at midnight, Gryffindor scarf & acceptance letter to Hogwarts included.

3. BK is a squirrel girl. We don't know how the initiation happened, but one day she became one of us.

4. She has a Stitch stuffed animal from Disney that she sleeps with every night, and she can also do Stitch's voice. Lilo & Stitch 2, I'd like to nominate Betsy for the voice of Stitch.

5. When in doubt, South Depot quesadilla, chips & queso please.

6. She's danced in the Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade as JA junior high cheer captain. How much more coolness can I type in one sentence? Go raiders! (glitter on the outside of eyes obviously applied) She was also Miss JA, no big deal.

7. Betsy Kate is always feeling "sexy & free" or being Justin Timberlake's boo

8. Because of videos like this, she deserves a great birthday:

I bet you didn't know I saved this, did you?

9. The options for her nicknames are never ending: Betsy, BK, BK Nasty, Betty, Bresty (hello DDD dolphin on door freshman year) + more.

10. She is one of the greatest people I know. Everyone loves being surrounded by her and she has such an influence on everyone she meets. Although she doesn't find practical jokes funny, like stealing her towel while she is in the shower, it is always a good time when Betsy Kate is there.

I am so thankful for you every day Betsy Kate! I am sad for us & Rebecca to end our reign as pledge trainers, but I absolutely cannot wait to be the Vice President to your President.
You're the best! Love you long time!

Now, let's celebrate and get down tonight at formal!

Happy 21st! You deserve it!

On the 7th day of November I am thankful for..

1. Birthdays - Mine or my friends, everyone is happy on their birthday. It is filled with celebrating the life of the people you love. What could be better than that?

2. Lunch with friends after church on Sunday - Sunday is my favorite day. It's full of relaxing, snuggling in bed, friendship and community.

3. Franklin, TN - I'm thankful for where I'm from. I've lived in the same house since I was 2 years old. I used to think I wanted to move and live in a new house, but why would I ever want to do that? Downtown Franklin is beautiful and my favorite place to be.

4. Roommates - Ann Marie and I have been roommates for three years now. I could have never guessed that my random roommate freshman year would become my best friend & that we would be able to live together all four years of college. Ali joined the roomie life with us this year in the Tri Delt house and fits right in perfectly. I'm so thankful for the two of them every day.

5. Pledge Trainers - For being influenced daily, even three years later, by my pledge trainer and for getting the opportunity to be a pledge trainer myself. I could not have dreamed of anything better. I do this job with the two greatest people and our dynamic together is just so good. Also, I have to add that the pledge class of '13 is by far the coolest.

6. Instagram - Now now, don't laugh. It is how I am inspired daily. I love social media and have my phone on me at all times. I am influenced my social media, Instagram specifically, and hope to one day use my love for spreading information and inspiration through social media as a career.

Pledge trainers + our 118 baby dolphins

Making November unforgettable

This week on Hello Perfect I wrote about "5 ways to make your November unforgettable."

I'm challenging myself to all five of these on the list, and I challenge you too. 

Click here to read my post!

Cozy November

all photos from Pinterest