Hi, friends! How are you? I hope you’re doing well.

Before we get started, a quick invite: I’m hosting a little Beautycounter face-mask self-care virtual party next Friday, October 23 at 5:30 p.m. Pacific over Zoom. I have a couple spots left, and if you’re available and interested, email me right away, so I can send you the mask and a moisturizer to have on hand.

Moving on, how was your week? Mine was good. All the usual stuff like teaching virtual classes, workouts, work, hanging with Brady, and we even celebrated Dave’s birthday too, complete with a breakfast outing, takeout dinner, balloons and presents. Also, we finished the series finale of “Schitt’s Creek” and now I feel a big hole in my life. Not as badly as I felt after we finished “Friday Night Lights” for the second time, but still pretty big. Anyone else agree? Ohhh how I loved “Schitt’s Creek.”

Anywho, this weekend, Dave and I are popping up to wine country for an afternoon for our third Brady-free outing in eight months, and Dave’s sister, Gwena, is coming to watch Brady. I’m definitely missing the days of having a rotation of babysitters to use for dates. But we have loved all the time we’ve had together doing family stuff too.

Let’s get to the faves …

Current faves

Books

“You Are Not Alone” by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

This book, “You Are Not Alone,” which just came out earlier this year, was really enjoyable. It’s a thriller/suspense, which is not at all what I normally read. Quite frankly, I didn’t know what I was getting into when I picked it up on the new releases list on my library’s website.

This book is about a lonely young woman who lives in NYC and is pretty unhappy with everything in her life. One day, she witnesses a suicide while waiting for a subway train. Then, all of a sudden, she gets wrapped up with a group of women who have a history of manipulation and cover up. It gets intense.

(“You Are Not Alone.”)

Let’s be honest: I think there were some holes in the narrative and a few tiny loose ends that didn’t get cleared up. But I was into this story through and through. In fact, I finished it in about a week, and I read the last 140 pages in one evening staying up way too late. It was gripping. You sort’ve knew what was going to happen, but then you didn’t. 

No need to say much more on it, but if you like suspenseful fiction that keeps you intrigued, this one may be for you.

Fun

Recent family outings

Last weekend, we did not one, but two little family outings worth reporting.

Spark Social San Francisco

The first one was hitting up the Spark Social food trucks in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco.

It’s such a cool scene, where you can choose from several foods trucks, sit at picnic tables and enjoy live music, while you eat. It was chilly, and I was wishing I had brought more layers (which is totally a silly mistake from a former City dweller who should know better). But we had a great time, and Brady was happy to be at the “food semi-trucks,” which he called them. He loves to people watch and be out and about, much like his momma.

Dave and I each got bowls from the Poke Delish truck, and both of our meals were superb and really filling.

After we finished lunch, we walked over to the Chase Center to visit Dave’s office (which he hasn’t been to in months). Overall, it was a great little City outing for us, especially because Brady saw a lot of trucks and construction sites, which is always fun for a toddler.

(Here’s what I’m wearing: My jeans, my comfy shoes, my denim jacket, my bag and my shirt.)

Smith Family Farm pumpkin patch in Brentwood

We took our first trip to the city of Brentwood this past weekend to check out Smith Family Farm. Our usual pumpkin patch is not open this year, so we had to try a new one, and this one had a lot of stuff. Smith Family Farm is pretty cool and had more activities than our usual patch, but not as many pumpkins.

At Smith Family Farm, you pay admission per person, then you have access to live music, hay mazes, farm animal exhibits and more. With your admission fee, you can also choose a pumpkin from the patch. We didn’t realize there would be so much there and may have shown up earlier if we had known. 

We were there for about an hour and spent time looking at all the pumpkins and ended up with three good ones. Brady had a fabulous time picking out his own pumpkin, and he selected a small one, which he carried all the way to the car proudly.

It was a fall festive event, although quite a bit hotter than we had hoped, and I had to roll my sweater sleeves up for some air. Yay for fall activities.

Fashion

The most comfy new Carbon38 outfit

I wear workout clothes every day of the week, oftentimes more than one workout outfit a day, so I need a lot of stuff. Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of clothes from Carbon38, which I know I’ve mentioned to you guys.

Here’s my latest outfit, which is a solid-color matching leggings and top made from Carbon38’s new Cloud Compression fabric, which is so incredibly soft. I’m really into matching sets lately, and this one is in a really pretty light blue/purple/indigo shade. It fits so well, stays in place and yet is breathable too — a great combination for a workout outfit.

The leggings are high-waisted, 7/8 length, and they have pockets too, and I’m wearing a medium. The top is a long tank with a built-in bra, and I’m wearing a small.

(Here’s what I’m wearing: My leggings and my top.)

I have a discount code for you to use on the Carbon38 site too. If you use the code “ASHLEYPITT” you can get 15 percent off your first two orders of $100 or more. I definitely recommend the Cloud Compression line, if you like comfort and cute.

Workouts

Weekly workouts 

Here are my workouts from last week …

• Monday: 30-minute BODYPUMP, 10 a.m., 15-minute POP Pilates, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday: Taught 45-minute barre, 12 p.m., 30-minute cycle, 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday: 45-minute weights circuit, 8:45 a.m. 
• Thursday: Taught 45-minute barre, 12 p.m., 30-minute CXWORX, 6 p.m.
• Friday: 30-minute Les Mills GRIT Strength via Les Mills On Demand, 10 a.m.
• Saturday: 30-minute CXWORX, 6 p.m., 15-minute cycle, 6 p.m.
• Sunday: 10-minute yoga, 6 p.m.

This past week, once again, I did some extra Les Mills workouts, because I’ve been trying out the new Les Mills Coach guided program, which I’m going to write a full review on soon. Other than that, the same elements remain in my workout week: cycling for cardio, teaching barre for flexibility and strength, picking up weights and taking an active recovery day with nothing but a short yoga session.

Discounts 

A few A Lady Goes West recommended products

You guys know I only share what I love, so here are some of the brands I recommend …

• Carbon38. The coolest activewear around. Get 15 percent off your first two orders of $100 or more using the code ASHLEYPITT. 
• G2G protein bars. I love these tasty and clean protein bars. You can get 15 percent off your order on the G2G Bar site with the code ALADYGOESWEST. 
• Organifi superfood supplements. I’m all about the Organifi Complete Plant-Based protein powder, the RED powder and the GOLD powder. You can get 15 percent off your order on the Organifi site with the code ALADYGOESWEST.
• Beautycounter. The best safe skincare and makeup. Send me a message, and I’ll share a 10 percent off code for your very first order.
• Les Mills On Demand streaming workouts. My favorite fitness brand. You can do a whole month of workouts during a free 30-day trial by using my special referral link here.
• Four Sigmatic. These superfood coffees and teas are so good — I especially love the Cacao Chill and Lion’s Mane Latte. Get 15 percent off your order on the Four Sigmatic site using the code ALADYGOESWEST.

Best reads

A few things from around the web 

• Endocrine disruptors. This was a super educational podcast episode about how we can reduce our contact with endocrine disruptors in our lives to improve our health. The doctor who is interviewed mentions ditching canned food, reducing your use of plastics and much more. Check out the episode here.

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 

• Target. Here are some of my top picks from everyone’s beloved big-box retailer … “The best health and wellness products you can buy at Target.”

• Skin. Because you only get one chance to take care of your skin … “How to improve the health of your skin.”

Thank you for visiting the blog today, my friends! I’ll see you soon! 🙂 xoxo

P.S. I started a brand new safer skincare and makeup group on Facebook, and I’d LOVE to have you join us for tips, chat, giveaways and more. Join the group here.

Questions of the day

How was your week?

What are you up to this weekend?

Have you gone to a pumpkin patch?