Current faves: Quarantine week 11, a little giveaway, animal print and workouts
Hi, friends! I hope you’re doing well! I have some current faves coming your way.
This week, Dave and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary. Due to the current quarantine conditions we’re still under here in the Bay Area, we didn’t actually do anything special, but we did exchange gifts and get a take-out lunch, which was nice.
A little bit about our story: We got married in downtown Orlando with just under 100 of our closest friends and family. Then, about three months later, we decided to move from Orlando to San Francisco for Dave’s job, and the rest is history — including the beginning of A Lady Goes West. What a journey it has been together. 🙂
Anywho, let’s get to the faves for the week …
Current faves
Giveaway
Liquid I.V. is now sold at Target!
My favorite hydration product, Liquid I.V., is now sold at Target.
I’ve been using Liquid I.V. for a couple years. It’s a powder supplement you add to your water for extra hydration and electrolytes when you need it. They have a ton of great flavors, and boy, it works.
Dave and I each have at least a few a week, especially after super sweaty workouts. Liquid I.V. keeps you from getting those dreaded dehydrated headaches that can come about after you’ve just been drenched in sweat and are struggling to drink enough water to regain your fluid balance post workout. Plus, it tastes really good — nothing weird and no aftertaste.
Now for the GIVEAWAY: Want to win a Target e-gift card?
In honor of Liquid I.V. launching at Target, I’m giving away a $25 e-gift card to Target to one reader, which you can use on anything (but may I recommend Liquid I.V.?). All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post, and I’ll choose a winner next week and email the gift card code.
Beauty
Last chance to try Beautycounter for 20 percent off
Throughout the last two months, there’s been a special new client offer for my favorite nontoxic makeup and skincare brand, Beautycounter — and all first-time customers can get 20 percent off their first order. This amazing deal is coming to a close on May 31. So if you’ve been on the fence and want to try Beautycounter, now’s a great time to do it at a discount.
- You can sign up for my Beautycounter email list here for some more details on the brand.
- And you can also fill out the skincare survey here, and I will send you some personalized recommendations.
- But if you know what you want, head here, add your email address, then you’ll get a 20 percent off code emailed to you to put in when you place your first order.
I recommend the Overnight Resurfacing Peel, the Charcoal Bar, the Brightening Oil, all the makeup, the Countertime regimen and the Mineral Sunscreen Spray as great places to start. But please, reach out if you need help. And as always, thank you, for supporting my business.
Food
Huge salads eaten outside on a hot day
I do not make salads at home very often. I love salad, but I just prefer to get my salads from restaurants for some reason. And I crave salads on warm summer days. Anyone else?
The last couple of weekends, we’ve been getting takeout for lunch from Mendocino Farms. It’s a chain restaurant in California, and the salads are so good.
Dave and I both get the avocado and quinoa salad, and it has amazing superfood crunchies in it, as well as a little heat from spiciness in the chipotle dressing. What I also love about this salad is that it’s huge and very filling.
Snacking on Keetz plant-based bites
I love finding out about new healthy snacks and sharing them with you, so I was excited to get a box of these in the mail to try out.
These Keetz plant-based snacks are so full of good ingredients and full of taste — and I mean incredibly nutrient dense in a small bite-sized ball. They are also raw, vegan and gluten free.
Keetz is a super new company, started by an NYC-based chef. And you can find them for sale on the brand’s site, as well as on Amazon and in a few stores.
The bites come in three flavors: turmeric, cacao and maca. I liked them all, but the cacao is my favorite. I ate these before workouts a few times, and they were the prefect pre-workout snack.
Fashion
Animal print leggings and more from Carbon38
I have a lot of animal print belongings. But I didn’t have any animal print activewear, and I’m happy to say that has finally changed.
I had seen several of my fitness friends talking about a site called Carbon38, so I checked it out. Let’s just say they have a lot of cute activewear from different brands, so I ordered a few things. And here’s the first outfit in play …
I ordered these no-show socks, which are amazing. I also ordered these animal print high-waist leggings, this black cropped tank and this shiny black sports bra. Totally a fan, and I will definitely be ordering more soon. It was nice to find some items that don’t look like everything else on the Lululemon site. You know?
Workouts
Weekly workouts
Here’s a look at my workouts from last week …
- Monday: 30-minute Les Mills GRIT Strength, practiced POP Pilates for 20 minutes, 4 p.m.
- Tuesday: Taught 45-minute barre virtually, 12 p.m., 20-minute cycle, 6 p.m.
- Wednesday: 30-minute strength workout, practiced POP Pilates for 30 minutes, 6 p.m.
- Thursday: Taught 45-minute POP Pilates virtually, 12 p.m., 20-minute cycle, 6 p.m.
- Friday: 45-minute-weights circuit, 10:30 a.m.
- Saturday: Taught 45-minute barre virtually, 10 a.m.
- Sunday: 45-minute yoga flow, 10 a.m.
This week was a strong week of home workouts, with a lot of diversity and a light yoga (active recovery day). I taught three virtual classes, lifted weights three times, did two cycling workouts and practiced POP Pilates, because I just love the way POP Pilates feels on the body.
I will be MORE than ready to get back to the gym and group fitness one day, but right now, I feel like I’m in a good place with my home workouts.
Speaking of workouts, I know I’ve mentioned this particular 40-minute workout before, but it’s worth mentioning again …
It’s a class on Les Mills On Demand that isn’t one of the signature group fitness programs you’d find in a gym, it’s a hybrid workout made just for Les Mills On Demand called “Les Mills Training Strength 1.” I did it again recently and loved it … By the way: You can get a 30-day free trial of Les Mills On Demand by using my referral link here to give “Les Mills Training Strength 1” a try for yourself.
Best reads
A few things from around the web …
- Comedy. I grew up watching “Seinfeld” and still laugh when an episode is on and I catch a few minutes of the interactions. Well, last week, Dave and I watched Jerry Seinfeld’s new stand-up comedy special “23 Hours to Kill” on Netflix, and I literally couldn’t breathe at times I was cracking up so much, especially with his jokes about marriage. Highly recommend.
- Smoothie tips. Do you like to make smoothies at home? If so, make sure you’re including more than just fruits and veggies so your smoothie keeps you full. Here’s a good checklist of some things to throw in the blender next time you’re going to make a smoothie.
- How to choose a dumbbell. If you’re in the market for some dumbbells, or are just wondering which size to use during your home workouts, the big determining factor is what type of workout you are doing. For barre workouts, very light, for bootcamp workouts, a bit heavier. Here’s an article with great tips on how to choose. But remember, work on your form before you add weight.
And here’s the quote of the week from the Calm app, which I use to do my daily morning meditations …
A Lady Goes West favorite archives …
- Inspiration. It’s something we all need in life, especially right now … “How to find inspiration (and why you should care).”
- Food. I know you guys love to talk about food, so here’s a list of what I always have on hand … “Five grocery staples I’m currently obsessed with.”
Thank you for being here, my friends. I’ll see you soon! xoxo
Don’t forget to leave a comment on this blog post in order to be entered to win the Target e-gift card!
(By the way, I also have a giveaway on Instagram going on for a foam roller, so head here to enter that one as well.)
Questions of the day
How was your week?
What are you up to this weekend?
What’s one good thing you’ve discovered lately?
I’d love to try the Liquid IV…I’m a runner and summer heat and humidity has hit me hard already!
Oh my gosh, running in the summer heat is no joke! Good luck and drink up, Tara! 🙂
Liquid IV sounds interesting. I use a competitor’s brand but would love to try something new.
Hi Sharon! Yesss! Thanks for saying hi! 🙂
Love the animal print leggings! And always interested in finding ways to boost hydration.
Yay, thanks Allison! 🙂
My husband JUST bought liquid iv to try as he has been getting dehydration headaches. Good to know we can buy at Target!!
Yes, Suzie! Hope he gets those headaches under control! Hope you are doing well! 🙂
Liquid IV sounds amazing and the Keetz balls do too! Thank you for sharing and be well!
Thank you for reading and being here, Renata! 🙂 Hope you are doing well!
I have been struggling to stay hydrated now that I am breastfeeding again. Didn’t realize how much I need all night long!
Oh my gosh, Jen, YESSS perhaps the time in your life when you need the most fluid (and calories) ever. I remember that extreme thirst. Hope you are doing well, lady!
Congrats on your 8th Wedding Anniversary!
Thank you, Jill! Hope you are doing well! 🙂
I like doing POP Pilates workouts.
Me toooooo, KV! Love POP Pilates! Are you an instructor or student?? Any favorite moves?
You’re the third person I’ve heard about Liquid IV from this week! I guess it’s a sign 😉
Hi Angela! It is a sign!! Hope you are doing well! 🙂
I do love me some liquid IV! That stuff is amazing! I am also in love with ur leopard leggings! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Mandi! Thanks! I looked everywhere for these leggings so am quite happy with them too hehe! 🙂
I’ve been looking for an electrolyte powder like that! Would love to try it. Is it pregnancy safe??
Hey Emily! Yes it is … here’s what the Liquid IV site says: “Yes, all of the ingredients in Liquid I.V. are safe to drink when you are pregnant or nursing. Many of our customers have made Liquid I.V. a staple in their routine while pregnant or nursing because dehydration becomes so prevalent. However, we recommend that pregnant and nursing women consult their physician before consuming Liquid I.V.”
Wow! Always great giveaways!
Thanks!
Thanks, Alaina! Hope you are doing well! 🙂 xoxo
I’ve seen the Liquid IV at Costco and was intrigued. I may have to pick some up and give it a try. It’s already hot here in South Carolina!
Hi Amanda! Yesss — it’s sold there as well. Thanks for saying hi — hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
Congratulations on your Wedding Anniversary! 🙂 Looks like you had a good week
I’ll have to try the Les Mills training strength workout, thanks for the tip.
Have a great weekend
Yesss, Andrea! Please let me know if you try it! 🙂 Have a great weekend too!
I just tried it and it’s so good! 🙂
That’s awesome!! 🙂 Glad you liked!
I tried the cardio one a few weeks ago but somehow missed the strength one so was so glad when you mentioned it. Have a good week
I might do it again soon too! 🙂
I would TOTALLY use the gift card on Liquid I.V. if you chose muah! I’ve been wanting to try. Now that Target sells it now it definitely makes it easier purchase. So convenient! Yay ?
Enjoy your weekend and happy belated anniversary ?
Hi Stephanie! Everything is easier to get when it’s at Target! ehehe! Agree! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Congratulations on 8 years! That activewear outfit looks great on you 🙂
Nothing crazy planned here, husband worked some crazy hours this week (at home) so we will probably be relaxing and walking a lot. Maybe grilling up some burgers <3
Hi Jessie! Isn’t it funny how some weeks can be so tiring even if you haven’t really been able to leave the house? Enjoy the relaxing! 🙂
Happy anniversary! Yum – that Mendocino Farms salad sounds good.
Something fun I’ve discovered lately is that a lot public libraries are offering access to ancestry.com so that’s been fun to explore. Also, coursera has tons of free courses, including Yale’s most popular class on happiness!
Hi Liz! Wow — that is such a great tip — thank you for that! Hope you have a great weekend!
Loooooove those leggings.
I’m also a huge fan of salads someone else makes. I feel like they aren’t as good when I make them at home.
Hi Nicole! Agreeeeeee — I never have enough good salad ingredients on hand, so let’s let the professionals make them for me heheh. Hope you are doing well, friend!
Love reading your blog each week and following you on insta!
Thank you so much, Meagen! I appreciate you! Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂 xoxo
Hope you had a great anniversary! Our house went under contract last so we’re hoping that some potential new homes for us pop on the market to view this weekend or early next week!
That’s so exciting, Ashley! Gooooood luck with house hunting! 🙂
I go on long walks in the heat, and Liquid IV sounds like a good replenisher.
Hi Kayley! You definitely need some extra hydration for long walks in the heat! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Im actually loving home workouts, i save so much time!
Hi Ellen! I would agree — a lot of time is saved with the home workout setup! It’s good to appreciate the positives!
I tried so many electrolyte powders but not the liquid IV! Would love to try it!
Thanks for saying hi, Bobbi! 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
I love those leggings as leopard is the best
Yesss, Tara! I’m always down for animal print! 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
Happy Anniversary!! Earlier this month, my husband and I celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary. Time flies.
I have heard of Liquid IV for years, but have never given it a try. I will have to look at my Target next time I am there.
Wow, Alicia! That’s amazing! Congrats on your first year! 🙂
I’d love to try the Liquid IV. I’ve heard great things about it.
It’s delicious! Thanks for saying hi, Deidra! Have a great weekend!
As a runner I think the Liquid IV would be perfect to use in the summer!!
Yesss, Nicole! Definitely a good thing to have on hand in the summer heat! Hope you have a good weekend!
Weekend plans are looking good- up early to help my girls set up for a remote learning fashion design summer class (didn’t even think of the 2 hour time zone change from eastern to our mountain time when I signed them up, oops), we have a curbside pick-up slot at our library and we hopefully will see the space launch tomorrow! Will have to check out the hybrid Les Mills class, I’m liking the On Demand classes after doing Pump only at the gym before all of this. I’ve branched out to do Attack, Step and CxWorx.
Hi LOVE to hear you’ve branched out using Les Mills On Demand — me too! 🙂 It’s good to try new things. And we watched the space shuttle launch today! Hope you caught it too!
My gym had a costco sample table giving out that Liquid IV before; it was really good!
Yes!! That’s great! Hope you have a great weekend, Paige!
The electrolyte powder sounds delicious and a nutritious way to keep me hydrated this summer. Would love to give it a try!
It’s a great thing to have on hand during the hot summers! Hope you have a nice weekend, Georgiana! 🙂
Still pumping at 11 months post partum. The south is heating up and I would love to try liquid IV.
Ohhhh the pumping thirst is real, Catherine! Hope you have a good weekend! 🙂
Happy anniversary! I’m going to order some Keetz from Amazon now – they look delicious!
I hope you like them! Hope you’re having a great weekend, Michelle! 🙂
One of my bff’s is 3rd tri of pregnancy and getting super dehydrated so I will for sure be telling her about Liquid IV!
Yes, Amy!! Spread the love for this tasty stuff. Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂
Love your blog! I’ve wanted to try liquid IV and of course, Target is bomb so match made in heaven!
It’s always easier to pick something up when it’s in Target! 🙂
Yes…that dreaded dehydration headache hit hard this weekend.
Sorry to hear that, Caroline! You need this stuff!
I would love to win the liquid IV-I’m 16 weeks pregnant with my third baby and the nausea is next level-wearing a mask for 12 hours as a nurse in boston certainly isn’t helping!-and I’m having such a hard time keeping myself hydrated!
Amy! Wow! Thank you for your front-line service, lady! And I hope the rest of your pregnancy is going well! 🙂
I am in love with those kitty print pants!
I love the term “kitty print” pants, Heather! 🙂
With the temperatures inching up to triple digits again, this is something we could all really use!
Yes it is, Carol!! 🙂
Id love to try liquid IV!!! thanks for the tip
Also happy anniversary, our 8 years was last week too and we also have a 2 year old!!!
Oh yay, Leah! Happy belated anniversary! 🙂
Happy (belated) anniversary!! 🙂 Love your blog! I’m also craving salads a lot lately as the weather is getting warmer here — and that one sounds delicious. I’m getting my CSA box tomorrow so hopefully they’ll be lots of good salad ingredients in there. And love the leopard leggings! 🙂
I’ve always wanted to get a CSA — that’s awesome, Beth! 🙂