Current faves: Collagen giveaway, crafts, fashion and weekly workouts

ByAshley Hours
Comments 103 Comments

TGIF, my people. It wasn’t the best week over in the Pitt household, I must admit, and I’ll tell you more about that soon — because I think there’s a lesson in it for us all — but let’s lighten it up and do the weekly favorites post, because that always makes things better! And we’ve got a giveaway! Let’s get right to it …

Giveaway

Vital Proteins collagen giveaway

You guys know I love my Vital Proteins collagen! I wanted to give you a chance to win, and there will be TWO winners, who each get a tub of their choice.

Vital Proteins giveaway by A Lady Goes West -- January 2019

My favorite Vital Proteins products include the matcha collagen, vanilla collagen peptides and mocha collagen creamer. I use collagen every single day in my morning green tea latte, and every afternoon in my matcha latte, and I’ve been using this brand of collagen for almost three years.

I’ve found that my hair grows faster and stronger and my joints feel better when I’m regularly supplementing with collagen, but I’ve heard of people having all sorts of other benefits. Regardless, I feel like anyone can stand to add some collagen to their diet to see how it helps them. But you want to choose a high-quality brand, which Vital Proteins certainly is — grass-fed and pasture-raised bovine collagen (they also have marine collagen, which I’ve never tried).

Vital Proteins collagen giveaway by A Lady Goes West -- January 2019

Now for the giveaway! Here’s how to enter to win …

  1. Follow A Lady Goes West and Vital Proteins on Instagram.
  2. Leave a comment on this blog post, any comment will do. You will have to put in your email to leave a comment, but that won’t be shared publicly on the blog.

The winner must reside in the U.S. or Canada and must be following both accounts on Instagram.

This giveaway closes on Thursday. And if you want another chance to enter, my Instagram giveaway for the same prize closes tomorrow. Thanks, friends! And thanks to Vital Proteins for supporting these giveaways and for making awesome products.

Friends

Girl time and craft time

This past weekend, I spent a lot of time with different girlfriends, and it was great. During the day, I met up with my friend Katie, and we went to SoulCycle then brunch at True Food Kitchen. While I usually love True Food Kitchen, my meal was so small and not as good as usual (like the tiniest sliver of avocado, argggg, and that’s the third time I’ve seen things going downhill at my local TFK).

Anywho, I hadn’t seen Katie in a while and we had a great time catching up. She’s good people, and I met her when I was a coach at Orangetheory Fitness many moons ago. We made a promise to get together again sooner rather than later, so here’s hoping we do. Next up …

Painted succulent by A Lady Goes West -- January 2019

On Saturday night, I went over to a girlfriend’s house with a group of us to have dinner and do a craft. Truth be told, I’m not crafty, I don’t enjoy crafts, and I never do them. But it was fun to paint a succulent pot and have girl talk at the same time, which is just what we did. I proudly displayed my work in our family room as soon I got home (shown above), and Dave was impressed.

Wondering how we did it? Took a terra cotta pot, spray painted it white, covered the body of it with tape, then hand-painted the bottom and top with rose gold paint and a foam brush, then added some glitter to the bottom with Mod Podge. Easy as pie.

Fashion

The most comfy sweater EVER, Hands down!

I heard about this brand of cozy things from The Skinny Confidential podcast, which is one of my faves, and I happened to share that with my Mom. (Want to see a list of my top podcast choices? Head here). She bought me a big cushy pashmina thing from the brand, which looked awesome on the model on the Nordstrom site, but not so awesome in reality on me.

So I had to go to the store and exchange, and I ended up with this simple black fuzzy cardigan with pockets.

Barefoot Dreams sweater by A Lady Goes West -- January 2019

It may look like any old black cardigan, but it has a bit of a fuzz factor in person and is literally one of the softest things I’ve ever owned, and I think this will be a staple for years to come. It’s been on me constantly, and I’m pretty sure I can dress it up or dress it down. Highly recommend! 

Fitness

Weekly workout recap

And now we’re into the fitness portion. Let’s look at my workouts from last week …

Weekly workouts by A Lady Goes West

  • Monday: 1-hour BODYPUMP class, 10 a.m.
  • Tuesday: 30-minute CXWORX and 30-minute BODYATTACK class, 9:30 a.m., taught 1-hour barre class, 5:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 30-minute weights workout, 11 a.m.
  • Thursday: Taught 1-hour barre class, 12 p.m.
  • Friday: 30-minute CXWORX class, 9:30 a.m., 10 minutes of incline walking
  • Saturday: 45-minute SoulCycle class, 10:45 a.m.
  • Sunday: 15 minutes of BODYATTACK, 1-hour gentle yoga class, 12 p.m.

This past week was full of workouts every single day. So I know what you’re thinking — where’s the rest day? I decided to take several days off this week, so it will all equal out. Anywho, my workouts were good! I taught an extra class (got asked to sub at the last minute) and even did yoga again, so woohoo.

Here’s my solo weights workout, and I was back to supersets this week, because that’s definitely my weightlifting preference …

Short full-body weights workouts by A Lady Goes West

Favorite reads

Best stuff from around the web 

  • Clean beauty. The clean beauty industry is big business, and Beautycounter is cited in this Forbes article as leading the way into the future. Who wants to join the movement? Send me a message if you want to be a part, because it’s a great opportunity to spread the love of better skincare and make some money too. Yay beauty!
  • Plants. I’m guilty of overwatering my house plants. Anyone else? Here are some tips on keeping your plants alive. Let’s hope I don’t overwater my new succulent!
  • Stair workout. Remember in the fitness trends for 2019 article I posted a few weeks ago I said I think we’ll see more single-piece-of-equipment workouts and classes focused on stair-steppers? Well, I just came across this 30-minute workout designed for a stair-stepper, and it looks intense. I may have to give it a try! 

Hold on, Brady wanted to be in this post too …

Brady walking on driveway by A Lady Goes West -- January 2019

A Lady Goes West archives

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Don’t forget to leave a comment on this post to enter the giveaway!

Questions of the day

What are you up to this weekend?

What’s something great that happened this week for you?

What’s a staple you have in your closet you want to tell others about?

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103 Comments

  1. I don’t really enjoy crafting either, but that pot is too cute, I just may have to give it a try! Love the rose gold accent. As for this weekend, there’s not too much on the agenda, which is lovely. Hoping to hit up a corn and chowder festival at a local winery, and other than that, get in a workout at Burn and work on some school work. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

    Reply

  2. Boo for the crummy week, but congrats on getting your craft on, girl! A DIY’er I am not. But anytime I create anything even remotely presentable, even if it is just arranging my food on a dinner plate, I find that celebratory. So good job on that cute little pot!

    Happy Friday! Hoping to win the collagen giveaway!

    Xxo

    Reply

    1. Hi Court! Total boo for the crummy week! I’m not much of DIYer at all either, I like to buy things already DONE. And I think plating food is an art, so you should always be proud of doing that in a nice way. Happy Friday to you! Hope your weekend has some fun plans! 🙂 xoxoxo

      Reply

  3. I enjoyed reading your take on Vital Proteins since I am always looking at ways to make improvements to my healthy lifestyle.

    Hoping for a quiet weekend, and a staple in my closet is my grey sweater. It is so warm and cozy.

    Reply

    1. Hi Susan! Thanks — I think collagen is a pretty easy addition to a healthy lifestyle, for sure. And a grey cozy sweater sounds like a staple indeed. Happy Friday!

      Reply

  4. The mocha creamer collagen sounds delicious!
    I am headed out for a girls night this weekend that I haven’t done in over a year. So excited!

    Reply

  6. Love your sweet little succulent pot and plant, looks great! We’re pulling out a bathroom countertop and replacing it this weekend — fun stuff! New fixtures and all!

    Reply

      1. My boys are obsessed with this one. Its from Peanut Butter Runner….I love coffee so I think the mocha would work well with all the other ingredients.

        https://www.peanutbutterrunner.com/no-bake-peanut-butter-collagen-energy-bites/?ct=t(RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN)

        Description
        A no-bake recipe for energy bites packed with peanut butter, collagen protein, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds and more!

        Ingredients
        1.5 cups rolled oats
        2 tablespoons Bulletproof unflavored collagen protein
        2 tablespoons chia seeds
        2 tablespoons hemp seeds
        2 tablespoons ground flax seed
        1 teaspoon cinnamon
        1/4 teaspoon sea salt (use 1/2 teaspoon if you’re using unsalted peanut butter)
        1 cup peanut butter
        1/2 cup honey (you can cut this down to 1/4 or 1/3 if you want it less sweet but may need to up the oil or peanut butter for the stickiness factor to form the balls)
        2 tablespoons coconut oil or Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil
        1/4 cup dried cranberries
        1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
        1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

        Instructions
        Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. You might need to use your hands! Tip: spray your hands with coconut oil or cooking spray. Once mixture is combined, roll into balls.

        If it seems like your mixture is too dry or crumbly to be rolled into balls, you can add more nut butter, honey or coconut oil.

        Nutrition
        Serving Size: 1 bite
        Calories: 200
        Fat: 15 grams
        Protein: 10 grams

        Reply

  15. I always look forward to Things Im Loving Friday Post!!! Im curious to try the collagen. I recently cut my long blonde hair 🙁 goodbye 10 inches and I already miss it, so curious to see if it would help make my hair stronger and longer as quickly as possible!

    Reply

  16. I am in the same boat with crafting – I always think it sounds like a great idea and then the perfectionist in me gets frustrated when I mess up. Boo.

    I would love to try the collagen!

    Reply

    1. Hi Megan! hahah! I feel ya! I’m always so impressed when people have made all sorts of crafts that they display in their homes. Now I have one! 🙂 Happy Friday!

      Reply

  20. I’ve been wanting to try to add collagen to my life for awhile now. My sister swears by it. Just nervous that it will add a funky taste to whatever I put it in and then I will never use it again and will have just wasted my money. Which one do you think is the best for a subtle flavor?

    Reply

    1. Hi Stephanie, Nope! The unflavored dissolves and you can’t taste it at all, and the flavored ones taste great! 🙂 I’d go with unflavored perhaps. But vanilla is my fave flavor.

      Reply

  22. Oh no- sorry for your hard week! Thankfully you have the weekend to look forward to!

    I’m looking forward to spending Saturday in Temecula with a girlfriend- girl time is always therapeutic !

    Reply

  24. This week has been a doozy. Other than a car show on Saturday (I’m a big car nerd :)), I am hoping for lots of down time to curl up and read. Maybe I’ll light a candle or two! Also, going to try to fit in a yoga class. Fitting in more yoga/stretching/mobilty is one of my resolutions this year.

    Reply

  25. Loveeeee VP – have been dying to try their matcha! Thanks for sharing your weekly workouts and the weights workout above, I like how you always keep things challenging but approachable!

    Reply

    1. Hi Brit!! Yesss, I feel like collagen has been a big help for me with all the unfortunate postpartum effects for the skin and hair! Happy Friday, beautiful momma!! 🙂

      Reply

  29. I am not crafty either, at all! Your pot turned out so cute!
    My kids have a million things going on this weekend! Band performance, dance practice, rugby practice and more! I will be a taxi driver, haha!
    Vital Proteins are my favorite for collagen, I need to try more of what they offer. I’ve only tried one of their products so far!
    Have a great weekend!

    Reply

    1. I am not looking forward to the days of being a taxi driver hehehhe! But I guess it’s entertaining? Hope your weekend is great, Brandy!! Happy Friday!

      Reply

  31. Thank you for the awesome giveaway chance!

    And love the succulent – very cute and they are generally easy to keep alive (a must for me!).

    Reply

    1. Hi Kate! I thought succulents were so easy, but I’ve been nursing one of mine back to health after apparent overwatering haahah! 🙂 Happy Friday!

      Reply

  32. I’ve taken Collagen a few times in pill form with some success. Now that it’s winter , I should be stepping it up a bit. I think powder form might be an easier way to implement with the amount of oatmeal, yogurt and soup I consume this time of year.

    Reply

    1. Hi lady! Yes, I think it’s way easier to keep regular with it when you always put it in a particular drink or meal every single day. 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!

      Reply

  33. This is my 1st visit to your site! I ? it! So much helpful info. T so much. I’m definitely following you… 🙂

    Reply

  34. I’ve never tried vital proteins and they all sound fabulous for your health! Great review and fun pictures too! Thank you Ashley!

    Reply

  36. I have been wanting to try collagen for ages! ?? I have been in full organization mode for January so not much on the agenda besides tackling some closets. ?

    Reply

  39. I heard so much about collagen and it’s benefits! Being a first time mom i was surprised about the postpartum hair loss!! Strong and faster growing hair sounds perfect now!!

    Reply

  42. Following both of you, and already know & love VP, so winning would be bomb! I haven’t tried their matcha yet, so that would be the first thing on my list:)

    Reply

  43. I’d love to try some of the VP collagen! I’m following you both on IG 🙂 I have tried another brand and it did Not taste good :/ But I could use some hair and nail help among all other benefits hehe. Closet staple for me is probably known to most but my lululemon Aligns are my fav going strong for many years!

    Reply

  44. I didn’t know VP did a matcha collagen – yum! This weekend I’m excited to have my hubby home to help with the baby!

    Reply

  45. Well did this not perk my interest more for collagen. I have heard about it in the past. My grandmother took it (maybe that is why I never looked further. I thought of it as old age thing.. ).

    Hope for a better week for you!

    Reply

    1. It’s good! You definitely need to add some milk, cinnamon and stevia to it — but I like the consistency — more so than some other matchas.

      Reply

  47. Cute flowerpot. I love the workout ideas you include. I want to try the stairstepper (currently rehabbing my knee from lyme…) and having a plan would make it less intimidating.
    Curious about the collagen…
    Your blog is always a must read for me. Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hi Stefanie! Thanks so much! When it comes to rehabbing your knee — do you have a plan from a physical therapist to follow? Hope so? I’d imagine you want to take things really slow and stay away from impact (jumping) for a while. You may also want some new sneakers that fit your feet properly — worn-in sneakers can affect the knees too. A lot of walking is probably a great place for you to start. Thanks for reading, lady! 🙂

      Reply

  48. I’m following you and vital proteins on IG!

    Yessss I got a barefoot dreams cardigan during one of Nordstrom’s sales last year and absolutely love it, so I completely agree with you! It’s definitely a staple.

    Reply

  50. I’ve been wanting to try the other vital proteins products! I love that you use it regularly and love it. Also what a fun succulent craft! I’m not very crafty either but love being around friends so the social aspect usually wins for me. Hope you have a good week!

    Reply

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