Splurge or Steal: Clutch Wallets

Today's SPLURGE or STEAL is all about the clutch wallet! Have you seen these before? I'm sure you have. I first saw them pop up when I was browsing Nordstom.com like a year ago. I love the versatility of them. They seem to fit a lot, and I love that I can use it as a wallet or throw it in my diaper bag and not carry the whole purse and what not. 

First up the SPLURGE! This Lauren Hobo wallet from Nordstrom retails for $128! Sometimes you can find it on sale for around $85. It comes in a variety of colors and either matte or metallic finish. I've had my eye on this wallet for a long time but could never justify the hefty price tag. 

So that's where the STEAL comes in! When I happened to be in Walmart again, of all places and was looking in the accessories section for a backpack for Ava this just happened to catch my eye and I thought what are the odds? 

Urban Expressions Sandra Clutch wallet, comes in a few colors as well and the price $25! I love the inside as well, it's a bit different and has more pockets and such than the Nordstrom one. 

It also comes in orange, navy, black, and kelly green are just some of the colors this wallet clutch comes in. 

In this case I chose the STEAL clutch wallet at a price you can't beat! What do you think about these wallets? Which one would you choose, would you splurge or steal? 

Potty Training Help with Pampers Cruisers

We've begun potty training with Zane, this is probably one of my most difficult challenges as a mom. He's been super interested in going potty for a while now, so we took the plunge and started the process. He's two and a half and showing all the signs he's ready. 

We've been setting a timer each day and he's been going to the bathroom most of the time. We had a bit of a challenge because we started right before vacation and then he regressed a bit while on vacation and wasn't going as often, or shall I say telling us he was needing to go. 

So once we got back from vacation we have been working on it. So even though he's going to the potty during the day he's still not potty trained at night. 

This was the part that took the longest with Ava as well, so I sorta expected it. Both my kiddos are seriously hard sleepers and them getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom is pretty slim at first. 

Special promotions! August 23- August 29, Buy 3 Pampers Giant Packs Get a $25 Gift Card, August 30 – September 5, Buy 2 Pampers Giant Packs Get $10 Gift Card. Giant Packs include: Pampers Cruisers and Pampers Swaddlers diapers and both offers will be available in store and online

So we headed to Target to pick up some essentials for potty training. One of those is their new Pampers Cruisers! I've been a Pampers fan since Ava was a baby, they were the only diaper brand that didn't make her break out into a rash with her super sensitive skin. 

Couple things I love most is their absorbent channels to distribute wetness evenly, no more saggy diaper butts! Also the way they stretch and fit great around the waist! I love that I can trust he'll wake up with no leaky diapers or wet clothing, especially sleeping all that time and not using the bathroom. 

Pampers Cruisers also have some fun designs on them, we love making changing time a little more fun by finding and calling out the names of the Sesame Street characters on them. 

Yay for Elmo! 

So even though we're getting our feet wet in this potty training business, I know that Zane will wake up from nap time & bed time dry and ready to conquer the rest of potty training. 

One of the biggest things I've learned as a mom over these last 5 years is to do what works for you and your family and especially what works best for your kiddos. 

Ok, mamas? Raise your hand if you're with me on this potty training gig? What are some of your best potty training tips for getting your kiddos to wake up dry in the morning or potty training tips in general? 

Ready, go! 

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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Dancing Through Life Book Review

Two book reviews in 1 week! I know, I know. But I've been reading a ton ya'll. Can I say that? I know I'm not Southern or anywhere close, I was born in California for the love. But in my heart I'm a cross between beachy California girl and Southern belle. 

You follow me right? 

Moving on, back to the book...... 

If you were a child of the 80's or early 90's you probably grew up with DJ Tanner in your home! Well, now she's all grown up and I've been a fan of hers since I was a little girl. We're about the same age she and I. I feel like I know her, but with out really knowing her. You feel me here?! 

I have followed her career a lot over the years, I tend to do that with people I like. Celebs and all. I watched her on Make it Or Break It back in the day, and I can't tell you how excited I am about this Fuller House show coming to Nexflix! 

I read her first book Reshaping It All a few years back, and so I was excited when I saw she had a 3rd book coming out about her Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) journey and how her faith helped her through the weeks of competition. Appropriately called 'Dancing Through Life- Steps of Courage & Conviction'

One of my favorite chapters was chapter 4 'A Clean Slate' where she talked a lot about finding JOY in your circumstances. That choosing to be joyful is God's idea and how it effects your over all attitude is major! 

This resonated with me so much, because much of the last 6 years I've chosen to be just that, in circumstances that weren't what I'd choose first. God has been teaching me a lot in this area and I was so blessed by reading her words and thoughts on this. It was such an encouragement to me. 

If you are a fan of Candace or DWTS or both, I promise you'll love this book. Put it on your Fall reading list now, you know you need something for those school carpool lines mamas! You can purchase the book here. 

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And just for fun, while I was reading the book as Candace recalls each week of dances. I found myself wanting to see them again. This was such a fun season and you can really see her progression as a dancer and how much fun she's having. Below is a video I found online of all her dances she did through out the season. 

Simply Tuesday Book Release + Review

I was excited to be able to read an advance copy of Emily P. Freeman's new book that comes out today! Simply Tuesday. Let me tell you friends, this book couldn't have come at a better time, and I think it's such a God thing. Pretty sure he knew I needed to read these words.

God speaks to me a lot through words, reading and music. He uses the words of others to confirm things in my heart he's speaking, to show me something he wants to teach me through what others are learning or have learned. 

This quote from the book is one of my favorites, it just speaks volumes to me. The older I've gotten, the more God has shown me that there is value in the small. Small beginnings, small moments between me and Him. Small moments with my family. There's worth in the small, and it should never be overlooked or looked down upon. 

I know there have been many times in my life where I've been behind the scenes on things, or helped from a far. I haven't had the leading role, and haven't been in the fore front but God reminds me time and time again that's where he has me. My talents are being used there, and he hasn't forgotten me. 

Reading Emily's words reminded me and confirmed what God's been speaking to me about smallness. 

Don't be distracted by smallness, instead celebrate it and see what God wants to teach you. 

One of my other favorites excerpts from the book is this one:

Small was Jesus' whole life, how he came, how he lives, how he died, even whom he revealed himself once he rose again. Small is the position of my soul.

I just love that simple reminder. I'm repeating that to myself over and over again when things become overwhelming, when Satan tried to attack me with something I know isn't from God. When I need to say "no" to things in my schedule. When I need to breathe. 

I also love that she encourages you to take a step back, slow down and that's ok to do. It's hard for us to conceive in this fast paced, do it all world we live in now. But those simple slow moments with Jesus are my favorite. 

Pick up a copy of Simply Tuesday here. I promise you'll love it as much as I did! 

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I was apart of the Simply Tuesday book launch team in exchange for my review I received an advance copy. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Bid On A Budget Lifestyle Blogger Contest

Happy Monday friends! I have some fun news to share with you today, I've been asked to partner with EJ's Auction & Consignment to participate in a "Bid on A Budget" room makeover contest! 

Which I glad accepted, and love the challenge of making awesome spaces work on a budget. EJ's is giving each of us lifestyle bloggers $500 to bid on and purchase items from their auction house to makeover our spaces. 

I will have 4 weeks to shop for items, and then another 4 weeks to decorate and finish my space. Then my finished space will be open for voting and the winner gets $500 cash + $100 credit to EJ's to give away to a lucky blog reader! 

Plus, the contest winner will be chosen on my birthday! So obviously, I need to win and I'm gonna need all of you to vote as well! 

I attended my first live auction experience a couple weekends ago and it was so much fun! It's a little intense at first I'm not gonna lie. I can totally see how people can really get into going into attending auctions, it's so fun to bid on things and win them! 

I already had in mind a price that I wanted to pay, so this was a good practice in self control not to go over budget. They have three live auction rings going on at the same time. Selling anything and everything from large pieces of furniture to baseball trading cards. 

I often shop Craigslist and second hand stores for my home anyway, so this was another fun option to explore and I'll for sure be back! 

So which room am I going to makeover for this contest? 

Well, I went back and forth for a while between my office and some other spaces in our new home. However, Zane has been telling me he wants a "big bed like Ava" for a few weeks now and when I saw a bed come up for auction at EJ's last weekend I just knew I had to get it for him! 

I bid on and WON this awesome vintage bed frame. 

I've already begun sanding it down and I have big plans for this baby. I'm going to makeover Zane's room from his nursery to a big boy bed, which is sorta breaking this mama's heart a bit but he's also going to be three in December so it's time to make the transition. I can't wait to show you how we're going to transform his space!

Stay tuned, I'll be heading to auction again this weekend and can't wait to take you along. Follow along with me on Instagram @andreamworley or follow EJ's @ejsauction

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This contest is brought to you by EJ's Auction & Consignment. I have been given a credit to shop for and makeover a space in my home, but all opinions and thoughts are my own.