Hi, friends! I hope you had a nice weekend. Did you enjoy that extra hour of sleep? I sure did. Let’s chat about the weekend (which featured a mixture of healthy activities, movement, retail, self-care and sugar) and then dig into my recent workouts.
Dinner at Postino in Lafayette
While I definitely prefer to have a low-key evening at home on Fridays because I wake up so early on Saturdays to teach, it seems like lately, Dave and I have had plans on Friday nights. The good news is that this past Friday night was great, so I can’t exactly complain. We met two other couples (from Dave’s work) for a delicious meal and wine at Postino, an Italian spot in Lafayette.
Postino has an incredible setting — shaped greenery around the entrance — and cool decor inside. We dined on burrata, bread and Brussels sprouts as appetizers, then I had a salmon dish for my entree (surprise, surprise), and we finished up with two delicious desserts. I kept my camera away for most of the meal, but did at least capture the sweet ending.
BODYPUMP, car shopping and Walnut Creek Yacht Club
Saturday morning included teaching my usual Les Mills BODYPUMP class in Walnut Creek. Then, I was supposed to get my hair done in the late morning, but there was an appointment snafu, so I ended up with some unexpected free time. I used that time to make myself a tasty lunch at home featuring my dear purple sweet potato …
In the afternoon, Dave and I headed out to get a new car for me. We had done some pre-shopping the week before and were ready to make a decision. My lease was three months away from being up (which means we are three months away from being in the East Bay for two years after moving out of San Francisco, BTW), and I opted to get a new car from the same car company, but instead of white, I went with black. It’s shiny and pretty and I’ve named her “Betty.” (My previous car was named “Pearl” because she had a pearl-ish white color, you see.)
That night, Dave and I went to one of our regular spots, Walnut Creek Yacht Club and sat at the bar. We’re such creatures of habit that we ordered the same thing we always order — except this time we got a different dessert — seasonal, of course. Our line-up included prawn cocktail, fish tacos, lots of thick brown bread and pumpkin cheesecake and ice cream for dessert. Yay pumpkin!
Soccer game and lunch at Lemonade restaurant
On Sunday, I took Rudy to go watch half of Dave’s weekly soccer game. He plays in a co-ed intramural team, and this was our first time going to watch him. (In fact, I hadn’t seen him play since our Orlando days.) It was a nice sunny day, and Rudy and I got to see Dave score three goals so that his team could win. Go Dave! Oh, and Rudy was a total hit. People kept coming up to me to pet him, as they tend to do. He was mostly a good boy, but he did have a barking fit at a dog about five times his size, so that was great.
Later that day, we hit up Lemonade for a late lunch, and it was everything we had hoped for and more, because we were both pretty hungy. I’m still hoping to try the new True Food Kitchen soon — but for some reason, we keep ending up back at Lemonade when weekend lunch-time hunger strikes.
In the late afternoon, I got a mani and a pedi (red on all accounts), then we had grass-fed burgers at home for dinner. I wrote this post while lounging in my pajamas with almond oil slathered all over my face, and that was the weekend!
My weekly workout recap
Here are all the ways I’ve been moving lately …
Weekly Workouts
- Monday: Rest day
- Tuesday: Taught a one-hour BODYPUMP class
- Wednesday: Did 45 minutes of Bootybarre at home
- Thursday: Did 20 minutes of full-body weights
- Friday: Did 45 minutes of Bootybarre at home
- Saturday: Taught a one-hour BODYPUMP class
- Sunday: Rest day
Overview of the week
Two full rest days, two big workouts and three less intense workouts — that’s what made up this past week. Between BODYPUMP and Bootybarre, I got in plenty of resistance training and bursts of cardio, so I’d say this past week was balanced. I haven’t been to yoga in a couple of weeks, but plan on making my return to my favorite spot, CorePower Yoga, very soon, because I can tell I’m in need of some more time on the mat!
Pictures of good #food and fun in the #BayArea with @apstyle #Fitness #Workouts ... Click To TweetP.S. Thanks to Meghan for today’s “Week in Review” link-up. See you soon! And don’t forget to enter to win lots of delicious peanut butter!
Questions of the day
How was your weekend?
What’s something you’re looking forward to this week?
Heather @Lunging Through Life says
I am now in the mood for some fish tacos! New cars are so fun! I’m glad you found one you loved. RUdy is adorable so the question is HOW wouldn’t anyone come up to you to comment on him 😉 Go Dave! We actually were going to go to my hubby’s hockey game yesterday but that darn DLS screwed our entire day up and the little one needed a nap.
Heather @Lunging Through Life recently posted…Fall Fest & The Circus : Weekend Recap
Ashley says
Ohhhh too bad, Heather! It will take a while to get used to the time change, of course. 🙂 And thanks for the sweet words about our little Rudy heheh. Happy Monday to you, friend!!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I want the shrimp and the desserts. YAS. I have tried purple sweet potato several times, and though they look pretty, mine always come out super starchy and not so tasty. I wonder what I am doing wrong!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Late Fall Perfection…and A Migraine
Ashley says
I am so sorry to hear that, Susie. I microwave mine and they are soft and delicious — but I’ve heard a few people have trouble. Maybe we get really good ones here in the Bay Area or something?? Do you poke holes in it before cooking?
Sara @ Oats & Rows says
You had some amazing eats this weekend! I am looking at those tacos and desserts. I miss Body Pump so much- I need to find a class in my area asap
Sara @ Oats & Rows recently posted…This Week’s Meals & Workouts
Ashley says
Yes, Sara! The big BODYPUMP 100 release is mid-January, so you should try to find a gym by then with the class. You don’t want to miss it hehehe. And yes, I’m still thinking about the food from my weekend too. Hope yours was awesome as well!
Patricia @sweet and strong says
Oh so many yummy eats, but I really want some of that pumpkin cheesecake! That’s one of my favorite desserts.
Patricia @sweet and strong recently posted…Spin, Election Inspired Burgers, and all the Weekend Highlights
Ashley says
Can’t get enough pumpkin. Just can’t!! 🙂 Happy Monday, Patricia!
Amy says
I really love reading about your wknds! Yay to the new car:) I went with black for my new car too—I’ve only had it since mid August and appreciate every drive I take in it. With Winter on the way, I’m so ready for the heated seats—ha. We had a really good wknd, flew to Kansas City and drove to Kansas for a family wedding. It was beautiful, the weather was great, outdoor ceremony and we enjoyed the Marriott we stayed at. Great to get away and so good to come home!
Ashley says
I LOVE to use my heated seats to warm up my muscles on the way to the gym. I use them every day even when not cold hehehe. Soooo fun you went to a wedding!! I haven’t been to one in too long after a few years of TONS of weddings. And YAY for being home!! Have a great day, Amy. Thanks for saying hi and sharing, my friend.
Laura R says
Had a black car, it was a nightmare of constant washing and waxing. Black oxidizes easily so make sure you clear coat it and wax weekly with hand wax. Welcome to your car taking up half your weekend. I wish I had such a luxurious life this weekend. My landlord made me paint all weekend and my only possible affordable eating out was Taco Bell.
Ashley says
Hi Laura, I had a black car once before and recall it getting dirty much faster than other colors, so I’ll take your tips into account. I’m sorry to hear that your weekend had you painting — that’s not super fun. But hopefully you’ll have a great week starting fresh today, lady! 🙂
Diane says
AHHHHHHHHHH salivating over that pumpkin cheesecake. I’ll be having a stateside Thanksgiving for the first time in 6 years this year so I think I’ll have to find me a piece!
Diane recently posted…Monday Mishmash: 11/7/16
Ashley says
OMG!! That’s so awesome! You must be SUPER excited. Just a trip or are you moving back??
Diane says
trip
Diane recently posted…Do it for yourself
Jessie R says
Looks like a great weekend! Don’t you love when small dogs decide it’s cool to bark at the bigger ones? Harvey (our corgi) decided it was okay to try to play with and bark at a great dane…. who just ignored him… haha.
Ashley says
And our Rudy has a terrible bark hahaa. But yes, little dogs are funny!! Hope you had a nice weekend, Jessie!!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
You had me at the three B’s: burrata, bread and Brussels sprouts.
Also, you can never go wrong with red toenails. It’s a classic.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets recently posted…Week in Review: The Play Date Edition (#56)
Ashley says
Hahaha if only every meal had those three Bs. Have an awesome evening, Meghan!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
Woah those tacos look amazing! I went to NYC this weekend and watched the NYC marathon-lots of fun!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…NYC Weekend Highlights
Ashley says
Oh my gosh, what an awesome opportunity! I watched some of the finish on TV!!