A blog refresh, my weekend and my weekly workouts
So many good things to talk about today, my friends! First and foremost, you may notice a little bit of a different look-and-feel around A Lady Goes West. Over the weekend, my friend and one amazing social-media guru and blog expert, Katy Widrick, transformed this blog. While the logo and colors stayed the same, you’ll see some new features (check out those drop-down menus above), as well as added functionality on the homepage when you visit aladygoeswest.com, which now shows more previous and popular posts. I’m super pleased with the end-result and would highly recommend Katy. She’s a wealth of knowledge and gets the job done. If you’re thinking about starting a blog, redoing your site or just need some social media guidance, reach out to her ASAP.
Other than time and attention spent blogging over the past couple-of-days, I also had some fun. Just a short weekend recap, which looks like this …
An easy and uneventful weekend
Friday night, I got home a little before 7 p.m., after finally getting my hands on a new iPhone, and Dave was on the couch exhausted after being away on a business trip. With zero motivation to go back out, we decided to pop an oven pizza in and catch up on some Modern Family.
On Saturday morning, I went to a power yoga class at a nearby studio, which I’m totally not a fan of and will likely never discuss. In the afternoon, Dave and I ran some errands, and in the evening we went out to dinner to Walnut Creek Yacht Club. Most of our friends with kids were doing kid things, so we just treated it as a regular night.
Take a look at this spread, including a delicious ceviche, ahi tuna salad over noodles, fish tacos and a gingerbread cheesecake.
This was, however, our first time living in a place that could possibly get trick-or-treaters, so we were prepared with a bowl of goodies. Only a few tiny costumed-kiddos came at the very end of the night, and they were lucky, because I gave them all of our candy.
On Sunday, Dave and I did some work on our computers in the morning, then took the BART into the City. We got some beverages at the Ferry Building, walked through our old neighborhood and ended up in the Marina area for lunch. I had a delicious vegan sandwich at Seed + Salt on Chestnut Street, then we walked back to Union Square, had an unsuccessful trip into DSW and headed home.
It was a casual day riding public transit, and my collard-wrapped beet burger was totally worth photographing.
In the evening, we had a nice steak dinner and laid low. That was the weekend! Now, let’s get to fitness …
My weekly fitness and workouts recap
Every Monday, I like to take a look at my most recent week of workouts to stay accountable. And this week, I’m doing so as part of a “Week in Review” link-up with Meghan, so let’s get to it …
(Photo credit to Leah Bentley Photography, 2015.)
Weekly Workouts
- Monday: Taught a one-hour BODYATTACK class, foam rolling
- Tuesday: Took a one-hour Vinyasa flow yoga class
- Wednesday: Taught a one-hour BODYPUMP class, foam rolling
- Thursday: Taught a 45-minute BODYPUMP and a 30-minute core class, foam rolling
- Friday: Taught a one-hour BODYPUMP class, foam rolling
- Saturday: Took a one-hour power yoga class
- Sunday: Rest day
What was good about my week of workouts?
One full rest day, two full hours of yoga and three resistance training sessions? Those are all good things that happened in the fitness world for me this past week — and ones that I’d like to make a regular habit.
What could have been better about my week of workouts?
No complaints here. Perhaps I could have done another session of cardio, but I do feel that the high-rep nature of BODYPUMP gives me a good cardiovascular benefit.
I hope you have a fabulous start to your week!
Blogging, food and fitness all in one post. Check out this fun one ... #WeeklyWorkouts #Fitness Click To TweetQuestions of the day
What did you do this weekend?
READERS — Do you find the blog refresh user-friendly and readable? What do you think of the colors?
Nice look! I know my blog could use some sprucing up. I’ve got a list of things I would like to do to it. I think it helps to ask someone else like another blogger to see it through their eyes. Katy does amazing work!
Yes, definitely! I had a running list of things I wanted that my last theme wouldn’t do, so she helped me to switch to a totally new one! Happy Monday, Megan! 🙂
I really like your blog colors so I’m glad you didn’t change them 🙂 I clicked through via Bloglovin’ and didn’t notice a difference at first but when I went to your homepage, I loved it! Easy to navigate and read. What a fun change!
Thank you, Becky!! 🙂 YAY! Glad you like it! Hope you had a nice weekend!
Love the new blog refresh! Katy did a wonderful job!!
She sure did! Hope you had a nice weekend, Brie! 🙂
Katy is amazing and she did a fantastic job! Now let’s talk about that first meal…. I WANT IT ALL
Yes, it was super good. I know we’ll go back there for more! Hope you had a nice weekend, Susie! 🙂
The Blog looks great, it’s always fun to spice up the look every once in ahwile!
Thank you, Marielle! 🙂 Happy Monday to you, lady!
What a fun looking weekend! We had a pretty low key weekend, took Sully around to the grandparents house to show him off in his Turtle costume and then we ran home hoping to hand out candy to millions of kids..nope we got 5 ..which means I have 3 boxes of candy leftover..thank god my husband took them to work because I could have easily polished off at least one box..I think we came close! With the time change Sunday, we laid low and finally caught up on Suits and got the yard prepped for dare I say winter…..that that’s about it! How times have changed from going out for Halloween to actually looking forward to staying in!!
Hi Fiona! I know, I know! I was definitely planning to send the extra candy with Dave to work — but we didn’t even have extra heheh. I hear Suits is a good show by the way, but have never watched it. Hope you have a good day!
Loving the blog makeover – easy on the eyes, good navigation and still kept your great color scheme!!
Hmmmmm not sure why my maiden name showed up on my comment. Now you know who left it 🙂
HA! Got ya!
Thank you, Catherine! As a loyal reader, I’m really glad you like it. 🙂 Have a good Monday!
I love the new refresh! Everything looks really clean and the colors are popping a lot more. Great job Katy! When I need some changes I’ll definitely contact her 🙂 Happy November!
Yes, you definitely should work with Katy! Happy Monday to you, Gretchen. 🙂
The refresh looks great, lady! I like that you stuck with the colours of your brand and just spruced things up a little bit 🙂 Hope you’re having a great Monday!
Thanks, Amanda! Glad you like it! I sure do! Happy Monday to you too! 🙂
I love the new blog refresh. Everything stands out a bit more. 🙂
Thanks, Emily! Hope you had a nice weekend! 🙂
Love the refresh! I’ve been needing some updates so might have to give Katie a call 🙂 I’ve always used the same designer but love supporting fellow bloggers and LOVE Katie! We were just talking about planning a train trip into the city or driving to Walnut Creek then taking Bart into the City. My son would love to ride on the train and it would be fun to take him to San Fran when it’s all decked out for Christmas 🙂
Hi Giselle! Yes to working with Katy. And YES to a trip to Walnut Creek! I’d love to meet for coffee on your way into the City. 🙂
The blog looks good as does your weekend – lots of relaxation and good food. Can’t go wrong with a weekend like that!
Sure can’t, Torry! I hope you had a great weekend as well! 🙂
Love the new look! I just went through a total rebrand and it’s been a nightmare. I’m glad to hear yours went smoothly. 🙂
And your food always looks so delish. I hope all is well in your world, it’s been awhile!
Sure has been a while, Jessica. Hope everything is going great with you! Perhaps we’ll run into each other one day soon. 🙂
I like the new look! I spent the weekend doing marathon activities 🙂
Thanks, Alyssa! Marathon activities? Good work on those! 🙂
Hi Ashley! Katy is awesome, isn’t she? I’m sure there will come a time I will actually hire her to help me with blog tasks. I’ve certainly bugged her enough over the years with questions, and she’s always been my blogging knight in shining armor! Love her. The new functionalities are great!
Not a fan of power yoga, huh? I go back and forth with it. I used to take at Orlando Power Yoga in Florida and LOVED it. I haven’t found a studio similar up here yet.
Hi Heather! That’s the thing, I am a fan of power yoga, but this particular studio I was NOT a fan of hehehe:) And yes, Katy sure is a blogging knight of shining armor hahah!
Loving the new layout… so pretty!
Thanks, lady! 🙂
Collard wrapped beet burger?!!? Yes, please. Also, Katy is awesome! LOVE her 🙂
Yes, Doc. This place had some amazing food on the menu, so I will be going back! Hope you had a nice weekend! 🙂
The refresh looks great Ashley! Life is good with Body Pump and yoga 🙂
Sure is, Jill! 🙂 Happy Monday to you!
I love the look of your blog!! The colors have always been awesome. Yellow is such a cheery color 🙂
Ohh thanks, Kat! I’ve always liked yellow. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great day!
I did pilates/spinning on Friday, yoga on Sat and a long run on Sunday – I’m super excited for today’s rest day!
WOW, Dani! Good work on three nice workout days in a row. 🙂
LOVE the new look! Being a new follower, I can’t wait to check out some of your past posts since they’re easier to find. (Moving out of the city?! You must be speaking directly to me…)
I find yoga studios to be all over the place, but I either completely LOVE them, or they’re terrible (in my opinion.) Glad you at least tested it out, though!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hi Jessica! I’m so glad you like the new site, and YES, please do check out the previous posts which were hidden in my last theme eheh. And so true about yoga studios– they are either good or bad. There’s rarely an in between! hahah!
I’m curious to know what it was about the power yoga class you didn’t like…. but understand if you want to bypass the subject.
That beet wrap is pretty amazing. I love the color beets give to everything; so bold and vibrant.
Happy Monday and thanks for linking up with the Week in Review!
Hi Meghan!! The instructor was very much “in-your-face” about correcting participants, and I watched her put down someone near me in front of the whole class. I will NOT be becoming a regular member there hehhe! Oh well!
Oh my gosh, that’s awful and so not what yoga is about. Wow. That’s really too bad.
I know!! The opposite of what yoga is about!
Love all of the new enhancements to the site! I need to undergo some transformation myself, so THANK YOU for linking to Katy! I’m gonna check her out and really appreciate your recommendation, Ashley. 🙂
Also, you look fantastic in that green shirt in your weekly workouts photo! Love that color on you!
Hi Julia! Thank you so much! And yes, you should totally reach out to Katy for blog help! 🙂 Have a great day!
I don’t know what Power Yoga is, but I don’t think I’d like it… I’m just not cut out for any type of yoga.. Those were some lucky kids that were trick or treating.. 🙂 I was out during the evening so I missed the kids round here, and ended up eating most of it myself…
Yoga can be hard to get into, James. It’s taken me years to like it. And I don’t always like it. But I do like candy. Hope you had a great weekend!! 🙂
I love the new look, Ashley! Katy did such a good job.
And I’ve been wanting to try Seed + Salt! It sounds like they have some really good stuff.
Sorry your yoga class didn’t go as planned but I think’s it very classy of you not to embellish on your experience. It can be tough to balance being honest while also not bashing places/products and I think you walk that line very gracefully. 🙂
Happy Monday, lady!
Thanks, Sarah! And yes, you would LOVE the Seed + Salt menu. I wanted everything. Not cheap though … 🙂 hahah! Dave got a burger from elsewhere of course.
Glad you were able to make the changes you wanted! I would like to do some things to my blog but the idea is intimidating 😉
Go for it, Sam! Redesign is not as scary as I had expected. Especially with Katy’s help! 🙂 Hope you had a nice weekend, lady!
Your blog looks GREAT!!! 🙂 And I totally LOL’d when you mentioned the power yoga class you took! Seeing your photos and hearing about your day in the City makes me miss it…hopefully next year we can get out there 🙂 Glad you had a nice weekend!!
Thank you, lady!! I miss living in the City SO much! Hope you had a nice weekend! 🙂
From someone who just entered the wold of self hosting – and has been taking extra care to study and notice things about other blogs – I really really like everything you’ve done. I find it simple, easy to navigate, inviting, and easy on the eyes. Sometimes I get a little scared away from blogs when there seems to be too much going on. So, awesome job – I hope you like it! And that food.. and that sandwich… gahhh.
Thank you so much, Lilly!! I look forward to seeing what you do with your blog! 🙂
The blog fresh looks great, Ashley. It looks super clean and I especially like the drop-down menu – snazzy :D!
Well, thanks, lady! I like them too! Hope you’re having a good week so far! 🙂
It looks great Ashley! Your blog has been eye-catching and easy to read so I always love popping over!
Thank you, Sheena! 🙂
I want that beet burger so bad! Looks amazing, hard to eat but who cares! Haha!
Site looks great, sometimes it’s just those small tweaks that make all of the difference! 🙂
Thanks, Jen! I appreciate it! Hope you have a great week! 🙂