Black Friday

It's the day where the holiday commercialism gets into full throttle. Black Friday. 

While Black Friday is pretty popular, the popularity has not come without controversy. For example:

Article and Screen Shot via the Associated Press

One side says that it will shrink the population that camps out to purchase their new TV. Will it create less turmoil in the morning? We don't know.

The other side makes us wonder: Why are we shopping for things we don't need after a day of thanks? And shouldn't we be spending Thanksgiving eve with our families? And what about the people working in those stores? Do they have to miss out on Thanksgiving because of these sales starting so early?

We wonder: what side are you on? Is "Grey Thursday" acceptable, or is "Black Friday" already too far?

xoxo,

A+C

Give Thanks Today and Everyday

Today is the day! The day we give thanks for everything and everyone we have. We (A+C) are thankful for so many things, but one of the things we are most thankful for is, well, our fabulous 119 readers! We never thought this little baby blog would turn into something we love as much as we do. We thank everyone who is (has) reading the blog, you're another reason we love it so much!

via

So, enjoy time with your friends and family. And don't forget to give thanks for everything you do have!!

xoxo,
A+C

Road Trip Necessities

In continuation with yesterday's post, here are some things we love to have (maybe we don't need them all....) 

1. Car Charger: Almost always forgotten, but so helpful.

2. Healthy Snacks

3. Not So Healthy Snack

4. Water Bottle (don't drink too much!)

5. Headphones

6. iPod or iPhone with some new music!

7. Magazines

8. iPad/nook/Kindle:If you have an iPad lucky duck!

9. Book (if you're unlike me and get nauseous from reading.

10. Pillow

11. Blanket

12. Fuzzy socks

13. Rollerball of your perfume

14. Chapstick

15. Evian Spray (not remotely a necessity but I really want to try it! I would love any thoughts haha.)

16. Lotion

What are your road trip necessities?? Let us know!

A+C

Road Trip Outfits

Road trips. If you're like us, your family is spread out everywhere. You might be like me and have to take a 4.5 hour road trip to your aunt and uncle's house. Confession: I despise road trips. with every ounce of my body. I have to learn to cope with them, because much of my family lives about 4.5 hours away, and by the time we fly, it would take longer than driving. So, here are things I wear when I'm stuck in the car.

I also admit that I do not dress up for car rides, at all. Even if I know I'm going to get there and have to be ready right away, I don't care. I'll change. I have to be comfortable. Here are my comfy but put together looks.

Look #1: Yoga pants + fleece + moccasins. This is most likely what I'll be wearing, with a plain tee underneath. It's easy to change into and it's not a bad outfit!

Look #2: Leggings + big sweater + flats. Good look that is a step above the first look. Can translate easily into a quick Panera run with the cousins when you arrive.

Look #3: Jeans + thermal tee + loafers. The nicest look of the three, still comfy but a step above jeans or leggings.

TIPS:

-Do not wear boots in the car. Yes, I love my riding boots, but honestly they are uncomfortable to sit for hours and are not conducive to either driving either!

-Wear layers. I'm chronically cold, but my sister is the exact opposite. If you run into this problem, wear a tee under your fleece or sweater.

-Do your hair decently the morning of or night before. It's a lot easier to fix when you arrive at your destination.

Do you have to go on road trips a lot? Do you struggle? Let us know!

A+C

MYMM: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is this week. The official start of the holiday season. As much as we love the holidays, there are always a few rules to follow, especially on Thanksgiving!

1. Try everything. If your aunt Dianne makes her "new sweet potato casserole" that she is so obsessed with, try it, even if you don't like sweet potatoes. It will brighten the cook's day!

2. Do the dishes. The younger members of the family always help with the dishes. It's really sweet and appropriate to to offer to help out, your grandparents will be impressed!

3. Engage in conversations. I know you're so sick of being asked what you want to major in or if you have a boyfriend, but it's the way your family shows interest in your life. It's time to suck it up.

4. Talk to those who you don't see. I know you never see great aunt Beth, and you might care to socialize with your cousins, but go out of your way a few times to chat it up with her. She will appreciate more than you know.

5. Express thanks. To everyone. The hosts, your parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents! That's the meaning of the holiday!!

xoxo,

A+C

Thanksgiving Chic: Casual

For those of us who are a bit more casual on turkey day, here are some ideas. My (C) family has an unspoken rule: no need to be formal, but no jeans allowed! Here are my looks that don't involve jeans, but are more casual.

Look #1: Velvet pants with big sweater. I am obsessed with velvet jeans for the holidays. This is a fun take on colored bottoms but so cozy and the sweater allows room for when we eat a little bit too much ;)

Look #2: Plaid button down with cords and riding boots. A classic fall look, always appropriate!

Look #3: Cobalt jeans with grey sweater and silver loafers. Fun and trendy, this is another great look if you want to be more trendy.

What do you rock on Thanksgiving?

xoxo,

A+C

Thanksgiving Chic: Formal

Happy almost Thanksgiving! This weekend, you're probably trying to figure out what you're going to wear next Thursday. Here are some ideas for those of you who will be dressing up more formally.

Look #1: I saw this skirt in J.Crew last week, and I am completely obsessed with it. It screams holiday! Put on a black silk blouse and pair it with black pumps and fun earrings, you're bound to be the best dressed.

Look #2: Dress with pumps and fun necklace. (aside: those pumps looked brown in the polyvore set, note that the intention was for brown.) Fun dressed, statement necklace and you'll be trendy and classic at the same time.

Look #3: Navy dress pants, chunky sweater and nude pumps. For those of you who will be in the cold, this is always a no fail look!

Watch for some more casual ideas tomorrow!

Love,

A+C

Spread The Love

With this upcoming holiday focusing on "giving thanks," we think it's essential to share some love and give other people something to be thankful for on this holiday, that most of us take for granted. It's hard to imagine how many people there are who have nowhere to go, no way to feed their family, or no house to have family over. Both of us are involved with volunteer work, and think it is essential in keeping ourselves down to earth and well rounded. Plus, it makes us feel great and valuable as people. On this holiday, we have a few ways to "spread the thanks."

1. Use foodpantries.org. This site is a master list of food pantries throughout the whole US. Use this to find a place where you can volunteer or donate food to, if you don't already have a place you know of!

via

2. Find a Turkey Trot. These little foot races are pretty common throughout the US. Frequently, one brings a turkey to participate in the race which is then donated to a family.

3. Volunteer. This doesn't have to be at a traditional food pantry or place where people are served. Many churches host events like this throughout cities, and many youth groups organize an effort. Check it out.

4. Volunteer somewhere else. A children's shelter/safe place. The sad reality is that many kids will be without their families on Thanksgiving. What a valuable thing to do on Thanksgiving morning!

5. Get your family and friends involved. We often do something as a family, either a turkey trot or volunteer as a family around this time. It's a great way to bond and give back.

Do you do anything special for Thanksgiving beyond the norm?

Let us know!

A+C

Show Thanks

Thanksgiving is officially in one week. We love this holiday, but we think it's important to actually "give thanks" and show your love for your friends!

via

Thursday: Call up a close friend who is out of town just to say how much you love them.
Friday: Invite a friend who does a lot for you for coffee, and treat them.
Saturday: Surprise a friend with their favorite baked good at their house/dorm room, just leave it there!
Sunday: Send a card to a friend who means a lot.
Monday: Do something nice for a friend, whether it be to help her with her homework or showing support at an event she is involved in.
Tuesday: Send a few "good morning" texts out!
Wednesday: Compliment a friend on something you know he or she is self conscious about (i.e a presentation or her hair.)
Thursday: Invite a friend over who may not have somewhere to go on this Thanksgiving.

via

Skirt The Rules

Honestly. We all have skirts. (except for me, because I don't find them flattering on my shape!) We think that skirting the rules (thanks Kate!)  is fun. Check out how we skirt the rules!

Look #1: Green and blue. The simple lines make this daring combo doable. Add the classic black pumps and a fun statement necklace (black or neutral) and you have a fun luncheon look! (or office if you're in a more liberally dressed environment.)

Look #2: Simple lines and colors, but the navy heart keeps it interesting. Brown riding boots and a fun cuff keep this a sweet look.

Look #3: This look features a conservative cuts, but fun colors. Similarly to look #1, it's fun. To avoid distracting from the lines of the blouse, throw on fun gold studs and a pair of gold flats.

Do you skirt the rules? Let us know!

xoxo,

A+C