Hello, my friends! How are you? How was your week?

My week was good! This morning, I’m off to teach back-to-back classes because I’m filling in for a fellow instructor friend in her barre class before my regular barbell class. Other than that, later today, I’ll be hydrating, chilling and recovering from all that movement. 

This week was a good one. I went to a Beautycounter gathering, I took Brady to swimming, I worked, I taught my classes, I ran a bunch of errands and that’s about it. I felt pretty in control of all my responsibilities, which is a great feeling.

This weekend, we’re having some neighbors over for pizza, and we’re hoping to make a final decision on the stone for new countertops in our kitchen. I’ll share more about that pending project soon, because it’s the biggest thing we’ve ever done to our house (or any house for that matter, as we never did any major projects on our house in California, because it was already so darn overpriced). 

Also, it’s the Beautycounter Friends & Family sale, so don’t miss out on that news below. And if you’re running low on one of the makeup or skincare items you usually use, it could be a great time to try Beautycounter with me. Because this exact sale about four years ago is when I first bought a Beautycounter product. 🙂 

Let’s get to the current faves of the week …

Current faves of the week

Fun

Seeing “Hamilton” live in Charlotte

I’ve wanted to see “Hamilton” for a very long time. And although we’ve watched the Disney+ version a couple of times, seeing it in person was still on my list. Dave bought me “Hamilton” tickets for Christmas, and the date really snuck up on us. 

We had our sitter come over around 5:30 p.m. so we could head off early to grab dinner before the show in Uptown (which is actually downtown Charlotte, by the way). As usual, we took a family picture before we left, because I love the mixture of Brady in his jammies and us all dressed up. Here we are … (no shoes in the house, obviously).

(This romper/jumpsuit definitely deserves a spot on the favorites list. I’m wearing a small, and it’s as comfortable as pajamas. I love this romper and will be repeating it all spring/summer.)

Dave and I ate dinner at Aria, an Italian restaurant super close to the theatre, and our meal was delicious. We shared some warm bread, meatballs, gnocchi and a flatbread pizza, as well as some drinks. I really enjoyed the food, and then we had just enough time to finish it up and head over to the show.

We had been to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center once before to see “The Nutcracker” over the holidays, and it’s a great theatre. Not too big, not too small, just right.

Our seats for “Hamilton” were on the lower level toward the middle, on the aisle, which is always where I like to sit. From the moment the show started, I had an excellent time. I absolutely love musicals and live theatre, and “Hamilton” is up there as one of the best things I’ve ever seen. The singing, dancing and production were all amazing. While a couple of the performers weren’t quite as good as the original cast in the Disney+ special, some were even better. Oh how I wish I had a good singing voice. But I do not. Not at all. I have a group fitness voice, and those are two very different things.

(Here are my heels, which I’ve shared before and have been wearing as much as I can.)

Funny story: I thought the end of the first half was taking place, so I worked my way to the back doors so I could rush out for the potty (knowing a huge line would form). I waited until the end of the song, then ran out and went to the bathroom, and I noticed the line wasn’t forming and no one was exiting and coming toward the bathroom. Well, I had left too soon. I had to wait out in the lobby and watch one more song from there, before the real intermission started and everyone else came out. Oh well.

During the second half, I was so emotional during some of the sad parts and had some major tears. Luckily, it was dark, so nobody knew (nor would they care). Are you a movie or play crier? I didn’t used to be, but ever since becoming a mom, I feel like I connect and care more about fiction (or in this case, nonfiction) happenings with children and families. Anyone else?

Overall, “Hamilton” was just as good and perhaps better than I expected, and I’m so happy I finally got to see it. Seeing shows like this makes me want to see more shows. So what’s next? Also, my head has been full of songs from “Hamilton” all week!

Fitness

Teaching Barre & Bubbles at Life Time

This was so fun!

Fitness, music, friends and socializing all mixed into one. Last Saturday, my fellow instructor friend, Tracy, and I hosted another Barre & Bubbles event, and it was a blast.

We each taught half of a Life Barre class (wearing matching outfits, of course), and then we hung out with the attendees afterwards and had refreshments and watched some local dancers perform their solos in front of the group.

Two of my girlfriends from my neighborhood came to the event to check out Life Time and finally take a class with me, and I think they had a really good time too. I love having my friends see me in the studio, because it’s a bit of a different side of me than the one they hang out with. 

We don’t normally take big group photos, but we did try this time. About half of our attendees had already left, but there are still plenty of happy ladies in this one …

Remember, fitness should be fun. There’s a lot of talk out there about how you have to be following a strict weights-only workout program to be fit, and I’m not here for that rule. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I like classes, and I like fun, and I think all these ladies agree with me. 

Beauty

It’s the big Beautycounter Friends & Family sale!

Twice a year, Beautycounter has a big sale, and here’s our first for 2022! This is a chance to buy clean beauty, skincare, makeup, body products and more at a really big discount. And all your purchases through my links support me, and I truly appreciate that.

You get 15 percent off almost everything on the site (other than the sets/collections), and if you spend more than $250, you get 20 percent off. And if you’re a Band of Beauty loyalty member, or you become one with your purchase of more than $250, you get 25 percent off. Woohoo!

As you know, I’ve been exclusively using Beautycounter skincare and makeup for 3.5 years, and my skin has never been better because of it. I made the switch in order to keep my hormones healthy and avoid harsh products while nursing, and I never looked back.

I truly believe in the brand, because not only are the products super safe and void of toxic ingredients, but Beautycounter does a lot of good in the world, by switching to sustainable packaging, pushing for better laws in the personal care industry to protect consumers and much more. This is not just any other makeup brand, and you need to remember that when you make a purchase.

My favorite products for spring/summer are as follows, and these are all on sale right now for 15 to 25 percent off, depending on how much you spend:

Body

• All over spray mineral sunscreen for the body (I use this on Brady and on me)
• Clean Deo (once you buy the full deodorant, you only need refills moving forward)

Makeup

• Dew skin tinted moisturizer (I love the way this makes my skin look and it has SPF)
• Brow gel (I have light brows and use this almost every single day)
• Cream eyeshadows (I wear the flash shade most days of the week)
• Mattifying powder (to set my makeup and reduce some shine)
• Beyond Gloss (on my lips every single day, and bare shimmer is my jam)

Skincare

• Vitamin C Serum (this gives skin a beautiful glow and improves brightness over time)
• Countermatch Daily Adaptive Moisture Lotion (my go-to daily facial lotion in spring/summer, and I put it on over the vitamin C serum during the daytimes)
• Countertime Supreme Cream (my nightly moisturizer, which is so luxurious)
• #1 Brightening Facial Oil (I love to mix this with my moisturizer at night or wear it alone)
• Daily pore cleanser (this has been my cleanser of choice lately)
• Sheer sunscreen for the face (I wear this if I’m going to be outside)
• Reflect effect exfoliating mask (our newest product that makes my skin so soft)

But there’s so much more to choose from, and those are just a few of my faves. 

If you’ve never shopped Beautycounter before and want to give it a shot with me during this sale, feel free to send me an email or Instagram DM for help choosing what may be best for you. Otherwise, shop through the links, and I’ll follow up and reach out once you do. 

GIVEAWAY!

AND, I’m offering a giveaway to anyone who orders from me during this sale, which goes through May 24th. If you shop through this link or choose my “Ashley’s Friends & Family” pop-up at check out, you’re officially entered to win a free full-sized Beautycounter product from me. I’ll choose one winner at the end of the sale.

Shop through this link to be entered into my personal giveaway!

Speaking of Beautycounter, this week I went to an evening with Beautycounter event in the South Park neighborhood of Charlotte at a nice steakhouse, and it was so fun. I met some local consultants, got to hear from the founder of Beautycounter via Zoom (she was supposed to be at the event, but missed her flight), and I was quickly reminded why I care so much about this movement. Good stuff!

Workouts

My workouts from last week

Here’s where I share a recap of my previous week of workouts. I share this to show you how I try to get diversity in my week, and how I always take a rest day (almost always). But remember, I do a little bit more than the average person, because I’m a group fitness instructor. 

Workouts from the week of 5/9

• Monday: Taught 1-hour barbell class at Life Time, 9:45 a.m., took 1-hour tennis clinic, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday: Taught 1-hour barre class with light weights at Life Time, 9:30 a.m.
• Wednesday: Taught 45-minute barre class with light weights at Life Time, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday: Taught 45-minute combo class with weights at Life Time, 9:45 a.m.
• Friday: Taught 45-minute barbell class at Life Time, 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday: Co-taught 50-minute barre class with light weights at Life Time, 1 p.m.
• Sunday: Took 90-minute tennis clinic, 11:30 a.m.

This past week was full again! I taught six classes and went to tennis twice over the course of the week, which didn’t leave room for a full day off, but I had two last week, so it’s all good. Once again, I plan to switch the day I play tennis soon so I can go back to resting on Sundays, but we’re not there yet. Overall, I’m feeling good, but I do need to find time for my own solo workouts and some yoga soon.

Best read of the week …

Here’s an article I read this week that I felt like sharing with you:

Wash before wearing. Do you wash all your clothes before you wear them? Honestly, I don’t, but I know I should. I used to wash all of Brady’s stuff and still mostly do, but not everything. Read this one if you’ve ever questioned whether you should or not. And yes, I will be washing everything moving forward.

Quote of the week …

Here’s a quote I shared on Instagram that I wanted to share here too:

Blog archives of the week …

There are so many posts on the blog worth revisiting, so let’s look back at two good ones (one recent, one older) …

Reader questions. We covered a lot in this one, and I hope you enjoyed it … “Reader questions answered spring 2022.”

Workout talk. Are you a fan of the workouts you’re doing? Are they the workouts you need/want? Check out this one … “How do you know if a workout is right for you?”

Thanks for being here, my friends. I hope you have a great day and weekend!

Questions of the day for YOU …

How was your week?

What’s the best live performance/play/event you’ve ever been to?

What are you up to this weekend?