Thanksgiving in California!

My family and I are flying out to California today! We are going to spend Thanksgiving this year with my Mom's side of the family! I'm really excited, because for as long as I can remember we've never traveled to Cali during this time of year or ever spent Thanksgiving there. Be sure to keep up with me and my adventures in Cali this week by following me along on Instagram! Upcoming this week on ATNC...

Be sure to check back this week for these all new posts!

That Holiday Mood

There's something incredible about the holidays that makes everyone happier, friendlier, and a bit brighter. It's the magic of the season, and in my opinion one of the best parts of the holidays. Maybe people are happy about the crisp & cool weather, the gifts to come, or all the twinkling lights. But whatever it is I swear, something that's in the holiday air shifts everyone's moods completely.

The other day I was in line to buy OJ and the store I was at had one of those reward programs where you earn stamps on a card for every purchase you make, and if you buy 12 items {and therefore get 12 stamps} you get a free item! So I was standing in line to get {the best ever} OJ and the lady behind me said "Here, take my 12 stamps and get that OJ for free. Merry Christmas!" I was so taken aback by the act of kindness, I didn't really know what to say, except for thank you. You really don't come across pure kindness like that everyday. 

I don't know, maybe I'm just crazy! But I just feel like people in general act differently {in a good way} around the holidays. Strangers hold doors open a little bit longer, smile a little sweeter, and say "hi" or "have a great day" a little more often.

  

Have you noticed that holiday mood I'm talking about?

My challenge for you: even if its something big or small, share the love this season and do a random act of kindness for a complete stranger!

A Christmas Movie

I watch a lot of movies, there's just something I love about them. It almost like a 2 hour escape that makes you forget about all the craziness going on. 

Today, while wrapping presents and decorating the tree, we turned on the Hallmark Channel to watch what we thought would be a sappy and cheesy Christmas movie, like 99% of all the Hallmark movies. But I was happily proven wrong when the movie "Christmas in Conway" started playing, it's apart of that 1% of Hallmark movies that actually aren't cheesy. I haven't done any posts on movies before because I'm not a movie critic and If someone wanted to read a movie review they would just Google it or ask Siri what she thought about the movie. But there was just something about this movie that was so special! My mom and I could not stop tearing up through out the whole thing. It is by farrrrr one of the best Christmas movie I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot. What was refreshing about it was that It wasn't cheesy and all Christmasy, and about some dumb romance story where 2 people fall in love while frolicking in the snow. It was real, and sad, and so sweet! I would watch it any time of the year! And my girl Mandy Moore is in it {whose characters name is Natalie;}!

Go watch it on the Hallmark channel and let me know what you think!

What is your favorite Christmas movie? 

Black Friday Haul 2013!

My Mom and I tackled the stores yesterday bright and early at 7 am! We were wimps compared to the hard core shoppers who started at 8 pm Thanksgiving night and didn't stop till sunset Friday night. Its funny, the US is really the only country that celebrates Black Friday and makes it such a big deal. I feel for the other countries who don't get to partake. It really is a great way to get your Christmas shopping done and all the while potentially saving you a boat load of money! 

I get that its not everyone's cup of tea to get up bright and early after stuffing yourself silly the day before. But my Mom and I love it, and make a tradition of doing it every year. I have no doubt we will continue our tradition until we are little old ladies. We may need wheel chairs by then, but that won't stop us from shopping till we drop {maybe literally}!

So here are all the fun things I found after a tiring 5 hours of shopping! I included links to the ones I could and gave the sale price, regular price, and store I purchased it at. 

Here we go!

1. Maybelline Baby Lips Balm// 2. Maybelline Baby Lips Balm// 3. Candy Store Brand Iphone Case

4. F21 Necklace// 5. F21 Necklace// 6. F21 Bracelet// 7. F21 Nail Polish// 8.Boyfriend Watch// 9. LC Bracelet// 10. Not on the website// 11. Not on target website// 12. Jewelry Organizer// 13. LC Jeans// 14. Eos// 15. Nivea Creme//

16. Not on Kohls website, similar: Beauty Sponge// 

-Details on all the items below-

The Beauty Finds

-The baby lips were buy one get one 1/2 half! ULTA {currently in stores/online, the deal is online not sure about if it apply's in stores}

-The Nivea creme was only 97 cents! TARGET {currently in stores/online and at that price}

-The blending sponge was only $5! KOHLS {I think it was just a Black Friday deal but I could be wrong}

-Eos lotion & lip balm duo $5! TARGET {currently in stores/online and at that price}

 The Jewelry Finds

-Forever 21 Chain Link Necklace $8! {currently in stores/online and at that price}

-Forever 21 Blue Necklace $6! {currently in stores/online and at that price}

-Forever 21 Dainty Gold Bracelet $2! {currently in stores/online and at that price}

- F21 Nude Polish $3! {currently in stores/online and at that price}

-Merona Boyfriend Watch {Which I'm obsessed with!} $20! TARGET {currently in stores/online and at that price}

-LC Bracelet $7! Reg. $14 KOHLS {currently in stores/online but not at sale price}

-Jewelry Holder {pictured above} $11! Reg. $30 KOHLS {currently in stores/online but not at sale price}

The Clothing Finds

-Xhilaration sweater with beaded shoulder (only) $10!! Reg. $23 TARGET {I would guess its still in stores, but I'm not positive. It's not online}

-Francesca's Dress $14!! Reg. $50 purchased at Plato's Closet {item not in stores or online}

-LC Lauren Conrad Jeggings $25!! Reg. $50 {item in stores and online, at an even better price online at $17!}

Isn't this the coolest case!! For one, it's tie-dye and it's soft and jelly feeling and it holds important things like ID's & Debit/Credit Cards! And it was only $5!!! That's alota good things about 1 case. You won't believe where I got it, ULTA! Yea the makeup store ULTA. I had no idea they sold cases, but hey what do I know! I couldn't find it on their website, but definitely check out the store if you have your heart set on having matching cases with me ;)

Most of these gifts will be wrapped up and placed under the tree, buts it's ok because only 25 days to go!!!

What great Black Friday deals did you score??

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving and had 2.. 3...4 helpings of Thanksgiving dinner!
I don't want to be just a fashion blog, because that's not what I'm all about. I'm all about food, traveling, adventures, and so much more than just clothes. So in order for me to classify myself as a "lifestyle blog" I need to incorporate more lifestyley things.
And As fall comes to a close in no time at all. I thought I'd share one of my favorite fall recipes, homemade pumpkin bread. I thought it wouldn't be right if I let the last month of fall go by without sharing this delicious and easy recipe!
I always love having a loaf of this hangin' around so you can grab it for quick breakfast or an afternoon snack and also cause its the bomb.com.

Mmmmm, doesn't your stomach just growl looking at that loaf of deliciousness? 

Well you're in luck cause Chef Natalie is here to show you how to make it :-)

-Apron-

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups granulated white sugar
• 1 cup canola or vegetable oil 
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups of pumpkin puree
• 2/3 cup water

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease and flour 2 9x5 inch loaf pans.

In a medium bowl pour in the eggs, oil, and sugar.

Whisk, until you get this smooth yellow mixture. 

If you're like me and eat half the batter before you actually bake the thing. Then just trust me when I say that this mixture doesn't taste like much. Don't worry, I'll tell you when the batter will taste soooo good and when its actually worth eating.

Next, in a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients, flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.

Mix together the ingredients.

Then, pour in the wet ingredients.

Mix together until you get a dough like substance.

Last, add in the pumpkin and water.

Mix the ingredients in.

Now is the time to taste the batter, but be careful cause you won't be able to stop.

Pour it into the loaf pans and place in the oven. Bake for 1 hour and 15 min.

Once baked, check with a toothpick to make sure its cooked through.

Enjoy!

To Do List

Most kids on their Thanksgiving Break sit around, watch tv constantly, eat food, and waste this week we get off from school on stupid stuff. Don't get me wrong, I will definitely be eating more than my fair share and probably more than I should  on Turkey Day. But there's just something in me that drives me to be productive on my days off. I've always been a person who just has to be doing something. For example, I almost feel restless or guilty when I watch a movie and don't have my laptop in front of me working away at something. Granted, I'd probably get very little done, and I'm usually way more interested in the movie than what I'm working on, but its just that fulfillment of at least trying to work on a task.

So with that said, I have created a to do list  for things I want to complete on my time off.

Do you have a to do list you're working on at the moment?