Hi, friend! What’s new? 

We’re officially on vacation countdown over here. Dave and I leave for our Dominican Republic trip on Tuesday morning. So this weekend, we’ll be wrapping up our work, packing our things and getting organized for five days away — woohoo. While we’re gone, my mom is taking care of Brady, and I know they’ll have so much fun together until we return.

Fun fact: Dave and I haven’t gone on a real vacation (just the two of us, more than a night away), without other people, since our babymoon in July 2017 in Santa Barbara! While our besties were supposed to be joining us on this trip, they had an unfortunate delay in one of their passports processing, so we’re going without them. We’ll definitely miss them, but I know we’ll make the best of our relaxing couples trip.

Also, because of my trip, there won’t be a faves post next week. But you know I’ll report all about our time when we come back. You can always catch some real-time adventures on Instagram too.

This week was super busy. I taught six classes (and debuted a new hour in two programs, and it feels so good to get it all taught for the first time), I worked on the blog, I went on a walk with a friend in the evening, I played tennis a few times (speaking of tennis, I’ve recently found myself as the captain of a new USTA women’s team for the fall, which is exciting, but also something I really don’t have the time for), I also took Brady to get a few school supplies (the list for kindergarten is quite long, so it’s a two-part shopping trip), and we had our friends stay over last night, as they drove through from Ohio to Florida, so a mid-week pizza party was necessary. This weekend, I have tennis, a pool party, tons of work and vacation prep. I’m looking forward to pulling out my suitcase and packing! 

Now, let’s get to the current faves of the day …

Current faves

Fun

Seeing the “Barbie” movie with girlfriends

Last week, on opening night, my girlfriends and I went to see the “Barbie” movie, and it was not at all what we expected. I was happy to do this activity with my friends, but mostly because I was excited about dinner before the show and hanging out. But honestly, I hadn’t been all that pumped to see the movie, because it did look pretty cheesy in previews. 

Well, turns out, it was pretty cheesy. But it was also so much more than that. My group of five ladies all agreed that the movie was so good. We laughed, we cried, and we were moved by it! Unexpectedly, for sure. (Also, as a note: It’s definitely an adult movie, and it’s not a kid movie.)

Yes, it was pink, yes, it was fake, and yes, we were nearly blinded by the beauty of lead actor, Margot Robbie (she is just so beautiful, oh my goodness). But within all of the fluff, there was a lot of women’s empowerment too. In case you’re going to see the movie, I’ll keep my description light, because I don’t want to ruin anything. But just know that it was so darn enjoyable and much more inspiring than you’d expect.

(I debuted these new high-top sneakers on Barbie night, my first time with platform sneakers, and I loved wearing them.)

We had such a great time being part of the premiere night for this movie. And of course, we all dressed in pink, and we certainly weren’t the only ones in the theater dressed up. It was a super-fun night all around, and the movie was a true highlight. I’d totally see it again (but because I rarely go to movies, I don’t think that’s happening). I’m so glad we did this.

And if you’ve seen the “Barbie” movie, I’d love to know your thoughts. Everyone I’ve talked to has given it positive reviews.

I made this little video about our Barbie night here too. “Hi, Barbie!”

Changing subjects like this …

Kitchen

Finally using Stasher reusable food-storage bags

A couple of weeks ago, during Amazon Prime Days, I ordered quite a few things on sale. One of the things I hadn’t planned to order, but did, were these reusable Stasher food-storage bags. I’d seen these bags all over Instagram for some time and was intrigued by the idea of them.

Stasher bags are like Ziploc baggies, but they are made out of durable materials so you can reuse them. These bags are supposed to reduce the waste you produce in your kitchen, and we’re seeing that first-hand after just a couple weeks of use. Yes, you can always put food in Tupperware containers, but sometimes, it’s easier to throw your food in a bag, especially if you’re on the go. That’s where Stasher bags come in. You literally “stash” your perishable food in them. The pack I bought has four sizes of bags, and each seems pretty useful. 

(Find the reusable Stasher bags here.)

The bags are made of silicone, and they are safe for the microwave and dishwasher too. Although, we have been hand-washing them so far, and it’s not too difficult. And according to Stasher: 

These bags are made with platinum food-grade silicone and a leak-free Pinch-Loc seal, they’re free from lead, latex, BPA and BPS. Plus, one bag replaces 260 single-use plastic bags a year.

We’ll see how long they last us, but already, I feel like we’re throwing away less plastic bags, and I’m all for that. 

That’s it for the faves.

Let’s get to the movement …

Workouts

My workouts from last week

Now it’s time to take a look at my workouts from last week.

I share this recap to show you how I try to get diversity of movement in my week (with a focus on lifting weights), 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, so you don’t need to compare your movement to mine.

Workouts from the week of 7/17

• Monday: Taught 1-hour barbell class, 9:45 a.m., played 90 minutes of tennis, 4 p.m.
• Tuesday: Taught 1-hour barre class with light weights, 9:30 a.m., took 90-minute tennis clinic, 11:30 a.m., took 45-minute neighborhood walk with friend, 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday: Did 50-minute full-body weights workout (shown below), 10:30 a.m., taught 45-minute barre class with light weights, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday: Taught 45-minute combo class, 9:45 a.m., played 60 minutes of tennis, 11:30 a.m.
• Friday: Taught 45-minute barbell class, 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday: Took 90-minute tennis clinic, 10:30 a.m.
• Sunday: Rest day

This past week had a full rest day, which was much-needed after all the movement the previous days. I also fit in one solo weights workout (which I did it with a friend), and I taught five classes, played tennis for fun twice, took two tennis clinics and went on an evening walk with a girlfriend around the neighborhood. You know what I thought about this past week? (Which I mentioned to the members in some of my classes last week as well.) It’s that I feel blessed to have an able body and the opportunities to move like I do, because movement is medicine, and it’s not guaranteed. I don’t “have to” work out, I “get to.”

Here’s my workout from the fitness floor …

Best watch of the week

Here’s a video worth sharing with you …

Protein-filled snacks. I’ll talk more about this project soon, but check out this video I did for Neighborhood TV with my five favorite protein-filled snacks. Which one is your favorite?

Quote of the week

Here’s a thought worth sharing with you from Muva Mnika via Lewis Howes …

Blog archives of the week

Let’s look back at two posts worth revisiting …

Real food. Sharing some of our real-life meal ideas in this post, all made by Dave, of course … “12 easy weeknight dinners I’ve eaten recently.”

Fashion deals. There’s still a little time to shop the Nordstrom sale, if you haven’t already. Here are my top picks … “My top 13 picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023.”

Thank you so much for reading A Lady Goes West today, my friend. I appreciate it. Have an amazing day and weekend!

Questions of the day for you

How was your week?

Have you been to the movies lately?