Hey all, I had a crazy cool weekend and a mini getaway to the southern part of my state.  For anyone who hasn’t visited California yet, the South and the North are like night and day.  I don’t get down south as often as I like to, but it’s such a fun place to visit.  Palm trees, beaches, breezy tropical cocktails, fish tacos, and plenty of things to see and do.  It was my cousin’s baby shower but also an opportunity to hang out with family and friends, even if just for a 36 hours.

I met up with my blog buddy JJ from the Blah Blah Blahger on Saturday and she was kind enough to drive us down to the Newport Beach area, and we headed to Crystal Cove for lunch and some great beach views.  This is such a cute little beach hangout where you can actually rent cottages if you make your reservations way in advance. 

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One thing I have never done is gone shopping on Black Friday.  Yes, it’s true.  Traditionally, my family is recovering from the tryptophan, and then we manage to consume another round of leftovers, only to “drag” ourselves to a few wineries on Friday afternoon.  I typically do most of my shopping locally or online, especially when I see those words “Free Shipping”.

This year will be a little different.  We are entertaining some out-of-town family next week, and they really want to go to Union Square in San Francisco on Black Friday to shop Bloomingdales, Macy’s, and see the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree.  I’ve always been a little afraid to brave the stores the day after Thanksgiving, despite the amazing savings available. However, there is no escaping it this year. 

When my friend Amanda over at Serenity Now mentioned that she always goes shopping on Black Friday, it prompted this guest post.  I’ve picked up a few helpful tips from Amanda on life, mothering, and now Black Friday shopping.  I hope you will too.

Here’s Amanda:

Hi there! My name is Amanda, and I write a little blog called Serenity Now to hold onto the thin sliver of sanity that I have left. I hope you might stop by to say hello. I stay home with my two cutesy little girls; but I love being crafty, reading, thrifty decorating (bloggers like Kate are helping me in leaps and bounds in that department), entertaining, my DVR, and shopping.  Due to family politics, I can’t tell you where my family will be spending Thanksgiving this year, but I can tell you what I’ll be doing the day after Thanksgiving. I will be frolicking with the bargain-happy masses, participating in Black Friday shopping.

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