Hello there, my beautiful blog-reading friends. How are you?

We had a good week over here. I taught six classes, worked and did all the other usual stuff, including a lot of time with this cute creature …

And this weekend, we have some little travel plans. Dave, Brady and I are off on an overnight trip to Asheville. There are so many areas around Charlotte that we want to explore, and we’re finally making time for that. I’ll share some stories on Instagram from our trip, and I’ll report back here next week. Although Dave has traveled for work a few times, we haven’t been on a family trip together since August in the Florida Keys — after a very busy summer last year of traveling a lot. It’ll be nice to have a change of scenery, and then we’re traveling again next weekend too. 

Also, before we begin: Did you have a chance to enter my giveaway for a $300 e-gift card to shop at nowfoods.com? If not, head to this post to enter, and thanks for supporting this sponsored post for NOW. 

Now for the current faves …

Current faves of the week

Books

“Want” by Lynn Steger Strong

This is a book I picked up from the new release section of the library based just on the look of the cover. I love a good cover, and the colors on this one seemed inviting. “Want” by Lynn Steger Strong, is a fiction novel about a woman in New York City, whose life is pretty stressful, due to work, motherhood, anxiety and financial strain, and we get into her thoughts as she juggles all of these issues.

The writing is a little different in this book. And some of the speaking parts are just placed in italics within the text, which is a little weird, but it somehow works. Also, the way the author describes everything from the first-person perspective of the main character is very captivating. Because of that, I read large chunks of this book at a time, because I was totally pulled in.

But what’s funny is that there aren’t huge significant events in the book, really. A lot of smaller things happen, and then it sort’ve just ends. While this may not sound satisfying, even if I didn’t know there were only a couple of pages left, I could feel the end coming as I was reading it. 

(“Want” by Lynn Steger Strong.)

I don’t think I’m describing this book very well, but it’s more about the experience of reading it — rather than the story itself — that was worth mentioning. It was not the best thing I’ve ever read, but there was something interesting about the strewn-together first-person account from the narrator as she struggles through daily life, constantly making poor decisions, but ultimately, still trying her best. While she can’t get everything together, she does find joy in her relationships with people that matter — and I think just maybe — that may be the point of the book. There’s a lot that she wants, but really, she’s got so much.

I’m reading an autobiography now, but I’m definitely open to your suggestions of fiction or nonfiction moving forward. Sometimes I pick good ones when I go just for the cover, but I’ve also picked some not-so-good ones lately that never got finished.

Fashion

New matching workout set from Sweaty Betty

You guys know how much I love my matching sets. Not only do I like how matching sets go so well together, but I like that you never have to think which top you should wear with which bottoms when you have matching sets. I recently ordered some clothing from the Sweaty Betty line (out of London), in an effort to try out a new brand, and I’ve loved what I’ve ordered so far.

Back to this latest matching set: Here’s the tank, which has a really cool vibe with a high neck, which I absolutely adore. The leggings are high-waisted, but not super high, and they stay up nicely with some good compression. Also, I’m a big fan of color-blocked pieces, which both of them are. I’m wearing a medium in both the top and the bottoms. 

(My leggings and my top. Please excuse the red face, but this is an after-class photo.)

I have to know, are you into matching sets? If not, why not? It’s so darn easy.

I also bought this simple plain workout tank from Sweaty Betty, and it’s quickly becoming a staple piece for teaching classes. It hits right at my waistband, which I like.

Overall, I could always use more workout clothes, and I’ve been very pleased with what I’ve received from Sweaty Betty, so I’d give them a recommendation if you want something different. I just may try a few more pieces.

Fun

Little delights from the week worth mentioning …

I had a request to include more content in my current faves post. But sometimes the things I want to mention may not warrant a full section, so here are some little delights …

• Jonas Brothers documentary. Did you know that if you have Amazon Prime, you can access all the Amazon Prime movie and TV content? You can. Last weekend, when Dave was out for a work event, I watched the Jonas Brothers documentary, “Chasing Happiness,” and it was so interesting. I like their music, but I had no idea about their backstory and rise to fame. I love a good artist documentary, and I’ve seen so many at this point. I’d recommend this one, if you’re into those too.
• Zoom call interruption. This week, I was doing a Zoom call with a client for a new potential freelance project. About five minutes into the meeting, Brady came out from his room, where he was supposed to be napping, and was calling my name. I tried to ignore him. But then he came right over to my desk in front of the camera and said, “Mommy, I need to poop.” I giggled, and told him to go find Daddy. And the person I was meeting with chuckled and told me he had kids so it was no big deal. Nonetheless, it wasn’t quite the first impression I hoped to make as a professional writer. 🙂 

• Tennis as a hobby. I can’t believe I’m finally playing tennis after wanting to start it for so many years. I finished up my first beginner’s course and am now in my second beginner’s course, which meets for 90 minutes on Sundays. And it’s so fun. But it’s also funny how much it feels like there is to learn with a a new sport, and I’m constantly forgetting little parts of technique — and my tennis coach is reminding me — sometimes I have to laugh how things go in one ear and out the other. That being said, it’s totally for pleasure, and I really look forward to it each week. Yay for tennis. Speaking of tennis, I finally bought some actual tennis shoes, upon the urging of my tennis teacher, and I can admit that they feel way better for the sport than my usual cross-trainers. Good to know.
• Dinner party fun. Last Saturday, Dave and I went over to a friends’ house for a homemade pasta party, and it was a great time. We stayed out late (as usual with this group of friends), but it was worth it. Also, we’ve gotten into the habit of having our babysitter take our family picture before we go out, with us dressed in regular clothes, and Brady in his jammies. Here’s the latest example …

(In this photo, I’m wearing my all-time favorite faux-leather leggings again, and I’ve now been wearing them for three years. I’m in a medium. Also, my sweater is super old from Lulu’s, so no link available.)

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. But remember, I do a little bit more than the average person, because I’m a group fitness instructor. 

Workouts from the week of 2/21

• Monday: Taught 1-hour barbell class at Life Time, 9:45 a.m.
• Tuesday: Taught 1-hour barre class with light weights at Life Time, 9:30 a.m., played 30 minutes of tennis, 3 p.m.
• Wednesday: Taught 45-minute barre class with light weights at Life Time, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday: Taught 45-minute combo class at Life Time, 9:45 a.m., played 1 hour of tennis, 6:30 p.m.
• Friday: Taught 45-minute barbell class at Life Time, 12 p.m.
• Saturday: Took 1-hour yoga flow class at Life Time, 9 a.m.
• Sunday: Played 90 minutes of tennis, 11:30 a.m.

No rest day, what? I know. I did fit in an amazing yoga session though, and right now, playing tennis isn’t a ton of exercise for me, as I’m still such a beginner. But because we have two upcoming weekend trips, I wanted to fit in one more tennis lesson over last weekend, and it had to be on Sunday, when I normally rest. I’m feeling good in my workouts, and I was so happy to finally make it back to yoga. Don’t worry, I’ll have at least two full rest days the next few weeks in a row to make up for this. 

Best read from the week …

Here’s an article I read this week that I felt was worthy of sharing with you:

The benefits of cold showers. Truth be told: I do NOT take cold showers, and I have a bad habit of taking long, hot showers, because they feel so good. However, I do believe in the idea of cold-water therapy and what it can do for your body. A lot of professional athletes jump in a cold plunge after a tough workout to flight inflammation and help the body heal itself, as an example. And the everyday average person like you and like me can get some of these same cold-water benefits from a super-cold shower at home daily (or semi-regularly). There are a host of other good things that can come out of a cold shower, so maybe I’ll consider having a go at it. Check out this article for some reasons behind it and why you may want to give it a try yourself.

Quote of the week …

Being aware sounds like a simple thing, but it actually takes a lot of practice, especially in this day and age of constant connection. Are you aware of your surroundings? Your feelings? Your blessings? I’m always trying to have more awareness, and I’m a work in progress. I love this one …

Discount of the week …

I’m excited to be working with NOW this year, one of the biggest and best natural foods and supplement brands around. Hopefully you already checked out my giveaway from earlier this week. But at any time you’d like to shop on nowfoods.com, you can use the code WEST for 20 percent off your entire order, and you can even get this discount on any other sale taking place. Head here to get shopping. And thanks for supporting an A Lady Goes West sponsor.

A Lady Goes West archives of the week …

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

Supplements and a giveaway. Did you get a chance to enter my giveaway and read about the supplements I’m currently using? … “Five supplements I include regularly in my routine.”

Advice and real talk. I loved writing these posts, and I’m due for another one … “Ask-me-anything A Lady Goes West Advice Corner: fourth edition.” If you have any anonymous questions you’d like to ask, head to this form to submit them.

Thanks for stopping by, my friends! Stay hydrated and have a wonderful weekend. I’ll see you back here next week. And don’t forget to enter my NOW giveaway here. 🙂

Questions of the day for YOU …

What are you up to this weekend?

Have you read or watched anything worth recommending lately?

What’s one little delight from your week?