Around/About: The "Help Me, Help You!" Edition

A collection of links I love, sites I like, interesting reads and sometimes things to do.

For the first time, I’ve actually been skimming some pre-Black Friday ads. Holy Toledo–there are some CRAZY/incredible deals too good to ignore! Who knew? The best ones I’ve seen within my affiliate network are listed below. Two things to keep in mind about clicking through a blogger’s links: 1) it costs you NOTHING extra and 2) it helps them earn a little money for the referral (I wrote a whole post to explain affiliate advertising if you’re interested).

In fact, you’ll be my best friend FOREVER if you click through this link for Amazon (<–bookmark it for later!) any (every??) time you shop year-round. I’ll earn pennies on your purchase, and I promise, I have NO idea who buys what (I only can see what items are purchased, never the purchaser’s information).

Ann Voskamp’s Greatest Gift Collection is a beautiful follow-up to her NY Times best-selling book, 1000 Gifts. The book’s companion Jesse Tree paper ornament set is very affordable at $29.99; but the has been out of reach for many until now. Today through November 16th you can save 40% ($120!) by . Actually, you can use that code on any single regular price item, but if I were you, I’d choose a pricier item (and if it’s over $50 after the discount, shipping is free).

Check out DaySpring’s early Black Friday deals that begin 11/17 with savings up to 70% off! Be sure to check that link weekly because they will be adding additional Markdown Specials throughout the following two weeks leading up to Cyber Monday.

Amazon is getting a head start on Black Friday deals, too. It’s amazing how much you can save if you’re paying attention (these don’t last forever, and new deals populate often).

If you’re a fan of Zulily, they’ve got some wonderful things coming up, so be sure to subscribe for those specials.

Now, on with today’s Around/About–

18 Disney GIFs That Totally Nail This Parenting Thing. Courtesy of Babble, this is fantastic! I can’t decide which is my favorite, but the Ba-Gina and Girls Nights Out are contenders. What’s YOUR favorite?

The Conversation Bloggers Are Having About You. If you aren’t a blogger, this will probably be of little interest, but the wonderful Laura Tremaine, aka Hollywood Housewife, asks questions that beg answers for those of us who’ve been around a while. She’s given me pause, that’s for sure.

If These Walls Could Talk. ManOHmannymanman, THIS makes me wish I hadn’t gotten rid of the outfit I had on when Tad asked me to marry him. I kept it for YEARS because, at the time, I loved it, and later, I was sentimentally attached. Lysa TerKeurst is BRILLIANT for framing her special dress.

What You Should Tell Your Teen (and Yourself) About Kim Kardashian. My friend Annie tried to break the internet with this one. It’s a strong word for women of all ages, helping all to sift through the insanity of our selfie/exhibitionist culture.

Six Mile’s Famous Roadside Clemson Fan. If you’re a Tiger fan, you’re nursing a broken heart this season; so much hope in freshman quarterback sensation Deshaun Watson, only to be crushed with his injured finger then knee a few weeks later. But this feel-good story about W.T. Wooten will help everyone else to understand why we never, ever, never, ever give up on our beloved Clemson Tigers. There’s something magical about the place.

And last, but hardly least, have you seen Grace Table yet? Mammamia it’s fantastical! The brainchild of Kris Camealy, Grace Table is “a space for sharing stories about food, faith and how these things connect us to the world beyond our front doors.” I’m thrilled to join their wonderful team of writers. Spend some time knocking around the place–with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, you’ll be glad you did.