Victorian Reading Challenge

Hello! Welcome to Vintage Show & Tell #5. Wow---can it really be the week of Christmas already? Unbelievable! Other than one quick obligation tomorrow and a very short shopping trip, I plan to stay home all week and enjoy my family! Today is our youngest's birthday---miss Brenna Evangeline turns 3 today!

For this week's Vintage Show & Tell, I'm doing something a little different. Each year, I love to challenge myself to read at least 50 books. The past couple years, I've joined more specific reading challenges and had a blast! This year, I'm hosting one of my own on my book blog, Belle's Library.

With an upcoming trip to England, including a visit to the Brontes old stomping grounds, I've got Victoriana on the brain. This year's reading challenge will be all about the Victorians. Make sure to visit Belle's Library to check it out and sign up. There will be prizes and lots of reading inspiration!

Holiday Prep and Everyday Essentials Made Easy with Sam's Club Pickup #fullhomehappyhome #ad

There are all kinds of great challenges that come with having a big family. One of them is shopping. When I was a kid, my mom did the grocery shopping every two weeks---but she didn't have nine children! It used to be that I'd have to go out twice a week for at least a cartful, but since moving to NW Arkansas two years ago, I've really been utilizing our Sam's Club membership. I love how I can buy bulk packs of products that will get us through a week or two. "Family Size" isn't really family size when it comes to our family, but stocking up on everyday essentials at Sam's Club allows me to take the phrase to a whole new level.

What's even better is that I can take advantage of the Club Pickup option. It's so simple to go online and put in my order, pay, and schedule a time to pick it up. Then I just pull up to the pickup area and load up my purchases. Super easy and so convenient!

Sam’s Club is helping shoppers maximize their money this season, offering great deals on things we use every day. Be sure your home is ready for the holidays by stocking up on bulk sizes of brands like Bounty, Olay, Swiffer, Febreze, and Gain at Sam’s Club. Members who stock up on participating essentials will save about $97 this season.

A couple weeks ago, I used the pickup service for the first time---just to check it out. It's really great for bulky items that you don't want to carry or cart around the club and especially awesome if you know what you need and just want to get it fast. I'd been wanting to try out these Tide Pods, as well as the Swiffer Dusters, so I ordered a box of each. When I arrived at the club, my order was sitting here waiting for me to pickup. I've used them for a week now and am loving them both! I really like finding new products that make homemaking easier and more fun. 

Sam's Club has some super cute holiday gifs and fun items to make your home more cozy this season. Each Christmas, I like to buy a new book and a new DVD for the family to share. I love this Christmas ABC book illustrated by one of my favorites, Eloise Wilkin. And how did we ever have Christmas without, A Charlie Brown Christmas? I have no idea.

I found a few gifts for Lynzie, including this fun book of hairstyles inspired by FROZEN's Anna and Elsa. She's really into fun hairstyles and I know she'll love it! Also, our family has a tradition of getting new pajamas for Christmas each year and our family welcomed a new kitty this year so these pajamas will be perfect for her!

I also bought Lynzie a super cozy purple throw blanket to go with the new bedding set we got her. Then I thought, I want one of those! So, I splurged and bought myself a red one to use when I'm curled up watching Christmas movies. I love it!

Have you used the Sam's Club Pickup option? If not, give it a try and see how easy it is to save time by ordering online and grabbing your purchases at your convenience.

Sam's Club is giving away 5 gift cards so make sure to enter the giveaway below!

$100 Sam's Club Gift Card Giveaway for Everyday Essentials

Vendor calculation based on proprietary methodology comparing average non-promoted retail price per unit from a combination of leading U.S. retail outlets vs. average retail price per unit at Sam’s Club® for 2 months ending September 26, 2015. Pricing and item availability may vary in Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Wisconsin, and on SamsClub.com.

Gift Giving Made Easy at TheGiftCardShop.com #eHolidays #ad #cbias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #eHolidays #CollectiveBias

By this time tomorrow, I should be totally done with my Christmas shopping! Sometimes it takes awhile for me to find the perfect thing for all the people on my list. Everyone has loved ones who seem to have everything, want nothing, or are otherwise difficult to buy for. My Dad is the most mind-boggling person to buy for in the entire universe. On top of that, he lives 1,800 miles away, so it's not super convenient for me to just make him a plate of goodies. Gift cards are the perfect gift for him and digital cards are the best. He lives alone so he often doesn't check his mailbox for up to two weeks at a time. If I send him a Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops, or Cabela's card by email, he'll actually get it and spend it before the year is out.

In the past, I've been one of those who felt guilty for "just" giving a gift card---but I love receiving them myself so why wouldn't others? In fact, the majority of people ask for them over any other gift. When it comes to gift cards, 70% of Americans would prefer a digital gift card over a physical gift card because of all the unique ways you can send it.

Digital gift cards are extra special when you attach photos and a message. They're the perfect solution to the question of what to get for that one person that's always tough to buy for. Buying my dad and others gift cards helps keep me from feeling like I'm wasting money on something random just to get a name crossed off my list. Instead, I'm giving a heartfelt message, a few fun photos of our year, and a gift card that they can use however they'd like.

TheGiftCardShop.com offers memorable ways to customize gift cards, such as personalized digital Holiday Photobooks, Santa Videos, and eCards. All you need to do is add photos and memories for a unique touch to your gift. Best of all, they’re free, easy to design, and convenient.

There are lots of stores to choose from so you'll be sure to find something for everyone on your list. TheGiftCardShop.com has a couple great promotions going on:

• Receive a FREE personalized greeting card and a $5 eBay Gift Card when you purchase a $100 eBay Gift Card.
• Receive a FREE Triple Chocolate Meltdown dessert when you purchase a $25 Applebee’s Gift Card.

I've given more gift cards this year than ever before---and I've experienced less stress about my loved ones liking their gifts. What about you? How would the customized options from TheGiftCardShop.com bless you as you prepare for these last few days before Christmas?