Friday Favorites: Goodies and a yoga giveaway

ByAshley Hours
Comments 103 Comments

TGIF! Hi, my friends! Yes, it’s Friday again! This morning, I’m teaching an early BODYATTACK class and finishing up some work. Dave and I don’t have a lot of plans for the weekend. But I believe a casual sushi date is on the agenda for tonight, and tomorrow night we’ll be watching the Warriors playoff game with friends.

It seems like this week has just flown by, but it’s been a good one. And because it’s Friday, it’s time to share some of the things that I’ve been loving lately — and look out for an awesome giveaway thrown in right off the bat. Here we go …

My favorite new online yoga service and a yoga GIVEAWAY

If you’ve been reading my Monday weekly workout recaps lately, you’ve seen a ton of short yoga sessions at home included. The nice folks at The Yoga Collective reached out to me about a month ago and offered to let me try their new online yoga subscription service for free, as well as give away one year of the service to TWO lucky A Lady Goes West readers.

The Yoga CollectiveJust a little taste of The Yoga Collective online library of classes, and my personal “studio,” which of course, is an empty carpeted guest-room. Perfect for yoga at any time of day.

I’ve done nearly 10 different class videos from the site and have enjoyed them all. My favorite thing about the site is that the search function is very helpful, so you can find what you want. Here are a few other great things about The Yoga Collective:

  • You can search by yoga format, focus, instructor, class duration or class difficulty. Videos range from 5 to 60 minutes.
  • There are currently 45 free pose instruction videos and 60 class videos as part of the membership library. New videos are being added all the time.
  • The classes all take place in one well-lit yoga studio in Southern California with a few participants in the room, so you’re part of and watching a real yoga class.
  • There are several different instructors, and they are all very knowledgable.
  • The instructors assist participants in class, which can be helpful when you’re doing the yoga poses at home on your own. I’ve noticed that they have all offered plenty of options and modifications to make poses easier or more challenging.
  • There are also some Yoga for beginners classes, designed to help anyone get started in a practice. (On the flip side, the advanced classes are quite challenging.)
  • There are super short yoga videos lasting from 5-15 minutes available, which are perfect when you crunched for time, but in need of a stretching session. You want to open your hips? There’s a video for that. You want to open your chest? Done.
  • A one-year membership, which gives you unlimited access to all the videos on the site, is $130. And with that, you can do yoga anytime, anywhere, which is pretty neat. 

Overall, I’m super excited I have access to great yoga classes whenever I want, and I know I’ll continue using this service throughout my year. I like the fact that these videos were all filmed in an actual yoga studio in Venice Beach, because they seem real. While you can occasionally hear some background noise in the studio, it does not take away from the practice at all. Therefore, I’m giving The Yoga Collective a big thumbs up!

ENTER TO WIN FREE ONLINE YOGA! TWO lucky readers will win a free year-long membership to The Yoga Collective. To enter: Leave a comment on this post. Additional entries if you like The Yoga Collective on Facebook, like A Lady Goes West on Facebook, or follow A Lady Goes West on Instagram, and leave a separate comment on the post for each thing you do. Easy as pie. I’ll select two winners on Sunday night. Now for some more favorites …

My favorite new faux leather good

Leave it to Marshall’s to come through with a great find when you’re in need. I’ve been searching high and low for a cute cosmetics bag, even going as far as ordering one online that ended up being too small, which I had to return. Well last Saturday afternoon, while Dave was working, I popped out on a quick shopping trip and found this little beauty.

Love make-up bagNot too big, not too small. Just the right size for all of my cosmetics. 

True story: I had been using the same make-up bag for nearly two years, and it was time for a change, as it was ripped inside and out. I’ve already done the transfer and am loving my new bag. Let’s hope this one doesn’t have to stick around as long as the last one. 

My favorite new healthy snack

I’m a snacker. A major snacker. One to two, to sometimes three snacks a day. And I like to try just about everything when it comes to healthy snacks. Throughout the years, I’ve had a lot of good bars and a lot of bad bars. Well, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to one awesome bar …

Odwalla barFor real, people, these Odwalla Berries Go Mega Bars are super delicious. 

I had one of these every single day this week. There was a big basket of them available at the gym, and I helped myself to one every single morning. The texture is just soft enough, the flavors are sweet, and the bar is super filling. There are 210 calories, and it’s called a “superfood” bar because it’s chock full of real fruits, vitamins, Omega-3s and antioxidants. Outside of that, it’s incredibly tasty. I’m going to be buying myself some very soon.

My favorite new sparkly accessories

Okay, people. Rocksbox jewelry subscription service is on point. As you know, the lovely folks at Rocksbox gave me a couple of complimentary months to enjoy the shipments and share them with you. While I normally would have stopped at the first share, the jewelry just keeps getting better. 

Rocksbox delivery threeTake a look at the Perry Street Ariana Necklace ($76), the Kendra Scott Parker Studs ($36) and the Gorjana Kate Tribal Etch Cuff ($54).

If you want to know more about Rocksbox, check out my original post. Of course, there’s still time for you to try it out with your first month free using the code aladygoeswestxoxo. Just visit Rocksbox to sign up. I’m thinking I’ll keep the bracelet and earrings from this delivery. But honestly, all three items are just so perfectly my style and taste.

My favorite links of the week

There were some good things going on around here on A Lady Goes West this week …

And that about does it for today!

I’ll be around Instagram over the weekend, so find me there, my friends. Have a great Friday and weekend!

Read more Friday Favorites

If you’ve enjoyed browsing through this post, see below for previous editions or visit the the link-up hostesses, Heather, Clare and Katie. 

  1. A snack, a purse and a ritual
  2. A delivery, a bra and a guy
  3. A sweet, a wine and a read
  4. A drink, a gadget and a plan 
  5. A time, a bottle and a powder
  6. San Francisco edition
  7. Beauty edition
  8. Beach vacation edition
  9. Hidden meanings
  10. Kicks, a book and a bowl
  11. The very best sweatshirts
  12. Party hosting and froyo
  13. Fourth of July daytime activity
  14. Beauty basics edition
  15. Workplace edition
  16. Shopping, sales and a show
  17. The foods I always buy
  18. Sushi, a game and pants
  19. Fitness apps
  20. Delicious and healthy products
  21. Comfort, fitness and function
  22. Beauty, buddha and blog events
  23. Dining, the city and gift ideas
  24. POPSUGAR, sweets and such
  25. A bunch of fun stuff
  26. e-book, food, picnic and tunes
  27. A link, a superfood and a mask
  28. Pants, shoes, food and links
  29. Dining, protein and goodies
  30. Shopping, events and a book
  31. A gym bag, pumpkin and juices 
  32. Workout gear, a top and a massage
  33. prAna, a watch, tea and more
  34. Tasty stuff and gift sales
  35. Decor, bars, boots and a drink
  36. Flowers, music and more
  37. Coqueta, a brush and food
  38. My people and the holidays
  39. Beauty, bling and entertainment
  40. A hodge-podge of goodies
  41. Just a few special things
  42. Tasty food, drinks and moving
  43. A bunch of feel-good stuff
  44. Home, car and fitness finds
  45. Sweets, cooking, beauty and blog
  46. Gold, yoga, photos and more
  47. Celebs, scents, games and more
  48. Food, shoes, stretches and fun 
  49. Purse, snack, plant and more
  50. Fresh, healthy, clean and square
  51. Pilates, sneaks and much more
  52. Quite a few good things
  53. Food, jewels and sweat etc.
  54. Fun stuff and a giveaway

Questions of the day

What are you up to this weekend?

What have you been loving lately?

GIVEAWAY REMINDER: To enter to win a free one-year membership to The Yoga Collective, please leave a comment about anything you want on this post below. For additional entries, like The Yoga Collective on Facebook, like A Lady Goes West on Facebook, or follow A Lady Goes West on Instagram, and leave a separate comment for each of those actions. This giveaway is open to anyone in the world and will close on Sunday night 4/26. Namaste!

*By the way, I received a couple of months of free service from Rocksbox and a free year of membership to The Yoga Collective. But all thoughts and opinions in this post are my own.

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103 Comments

  2. I am so bad at yoga and there are no classes in my immediate area, so a subscription to yoga online would be great. Thanks for the giveaway! And you don’t want to know how old my makeup bag is. Old Navy and still going strong (but my makeup is new I swear!). Have a great weekend!

    Reply

    1. Hahhaa Diane! I’ve had a few make-up bags from Old Navy in my day! And yes, yoga at home is so convenient! Thanks for entering, and have a wonderful weekend, my friend! 🙂

      Reply

    1. Hi Jill! I don’t do it often, but when you’re only looking for one item, it makes it easier. Hope you have a lovely weekend, friend! 🙂

      Reply

  4. Happy Friday! Hope your weekend and your class this morning is awesome! I used to use an online yoga class and i loved it. Will have to get back into it for the days I have no time. Love the accessories!

    Reply

  5. Online yoga would be amazing! I would love to get into yoga but since its new to me, would prefer to practice in my own home as opposed to with others. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

    1. Hi Stephanie, I agree it can be intimidating, but yoga at home is just so convenient no matter where you are in your practice! Hapy Friday! Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂

      Reply

  8. Online yoga rocks my world. I cannot attend classes due to a disability.With online I can go easy and not affect a class. I have t the opportunity online to choose my class and level. love the bars but if they have sugar I could not have them. I thank you for this amazing opportunity.

    Reply

  10. I want that makeup bag! I think I might scope out our Marshall’s this weekend to find that exact one 🙂 I am still using an old Clinique one that was free years back! Have a great weekend and enjoy that sushi!

    Reply

  12. Free yoga? Sweet! I’ve been wanting to get back into the practice, especially on those days when motivation for going to gym is low.

    Reply

  13. I am fairly new to yoga and have been looking into some online classes. I have gone to a couple of places here, but am always intimidated… I actually had an instructor comment on my tight hips (my your hips are tight!)… I know, that’s why I was there. I have no flexibility which is why I am working on it. Online seems like an easier way to fit it in.

    Reply

    1. Most people who sit at a desk all day have tight hips, so you’re not alone there! And yoga at home is so great for working on things you really need to focus on. Happy Friday, Amanda!:) Have a great weekend!

      Reply

  14. They have free yoga at my school that I surprisingly have been enjoying all semester. Although weight lifting is my first love, I find myself so much more calm whenever I go to yoga. I’m going to miss it over the summer. There’s yoga at my gym at home, but the instructors aren’t my favorite. Didn’t know you could do yoga online like this!

    Reply

    1. Hi Jess! Free yoga at school? Sweet! Yoga is a great complement to weight-training, so I’m glad you see its importance, even if you don’t LOVE it. Happy Friday to you! 🙂

      Reply

    1. It is! In fact I did some today! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Delia. I keep meaning to ask — where are you living these days? Are you still in Central Florida?

      Reply

      1. Thanks! Good weekend ahead here in Lakeland, FL. Going to a Tigers minor league game. And you’d be proud – going to the huge free health fair my work puts on every year. Free blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screenings, plus if you want mammograms, skin cancer screenings, memory screenings, and more. Lots of vendors and raffles. Then my hubby and I like to go to out for a big breakfast after since you have to fast before the screenings 🙂

        Reply

        1. Hi Delia! The Publix headquarters are in Lakeland, right? Nice! Glad you’re still in sunny Florida. And YES, I’m so proud you’re going to a health fair at work. I love all those screenings and would totally go too! Enjoy your big breakfast afterward! 🙂

          Reply

  33. Marshall’s is wonderful for awesome deals! :]

    Online yoga would be so wonderful for me later on this year! I’m gonna be traveling all over the country for rotations, so I won’t even have a real address, much less a gym! :O!

    Reply

    1. Hi Cayla! For sure! It’s great to have the ability to a little yoga here and there at home when you have time. Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂

      Reply

  43. The online yoga service sounds so cool, such an easier way to work yoga into my schedule! Wanted to thank you for your info about Body Pump too, that’s how I found your blog. I’m brand new to Les Mills workout classes at a new gym, and really loving them so far!

    Reply

    1. Hi Jackie! Welcome to the Les Mills tribe! So glad you found my blog! And I hope you’re having a great weekend. Thanks for saying hi! 🙂

      Reply

  46. I found your blog looking for LM class and AIM reviews & I can’t believe I didn’t find it sooner. 🙂 Also those Odwalla bars are on point.

    Reply
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