Friday Favorites: A book, a drink and shine
Another Friday, another chance to share my weekly favorites. Before we begin, let’s chat …
After arriving back in town on Monday morning from a weekend trip across the country, my week was pretty standard with work, blogging and teaching classes. Perhaps the highlight of this week was a fun get-together with some ladies on Tuesday night to watch Pitch Perfect 2 (which was really enjoyable, by the way). I rarely do anything social during the weeknights, so it was good to get out, even if I was wearing my pajamas.
Of course, this week has also included some less-than-fun stuff. As I mentioned, my little Rudy pup had some surgeries on Wednesday and is currently sporting a cone. On the day we picked him up from the vet, he was all wimpery and drowsy and not doing well. He had a bit more energy yesterday, but will be wearing the cone until his stitches come out in a week-and-a-half, and he’s not a happy camper. And because he had some baby teeth extracted in addition to his neutering, he’s not allowed to play with any toys or eat hard food for another week-and-a-half, so his mouth can heal. No running, jumping, playing or biting, makes for a bored and frustrated puppy. (And yes, he is still as adorable as ever, cone and all.)
But he’ll be back to normal in no time, and I don’t want to be all “Debbie Downer,” so let’s move on …
My latest “Friday Favorites” of the week
Every single Friday, I like to take a minute to pull out a few things that have been making me smile lately, with no rhyme or reason. And don’t miss out on the sneaky giveaway included in this week’s edition …
My favorite read of the week
Right before I left for Columbus, I picked up a new book at Target. I really enjoyed reading “Big Little Lies,” so I knew I wanted to grab another book from the author of that, Liane Moriarty. She had a couple of books out, but several readers suggested this one …
It’s going to be a movie! Well if history repeats itself, the movie won’t be as good as the book. Isn’t that always the case?
“What Alice Forgot” has started out strong, and I’m happy to report the story is unfolding little-by-little with the best narrative, much like “Big Little Lies.” I’m such a fan of this author and the way she creates characters with a bit of mystery. Good stuff!
My favorite drink of the week
A big box arrived at my doorstep last week and inside was just this one singular bottle of goodness. While I tried kombucha once before and was not a fan, boy did this beverage change my mind. The fizzy consistency is totally pleasing, as are the flavors. I didn’t want it to end.
The combination of root-based vegetables, turmeric, carrot and ginger is beyond delicious.
This is a special, raw, organic, limited-edition kombucha flavor from GT’s Kombucha, which was made in celebration of the company’s 20 years in business and was released for World Gratitude Day, which took place on September 21. Thanks GT’s for sending me the special edition. I loved it, and I hope to find it in stores soon while supplies last.
GIVEAWAY ALERT: If you want to win a few coupons to pick up free bottles of GT’s Kombucha in stores, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Anybody can enter, and I’ll select the winner on Monday night. Good luck!
My favorite cosmetic of the week
It’s no secret that I don’t get to spend a lot of time “done up” these days outside of my weekly Saturday night date or activity. But when I do, I really like to add some glam to the face, and I’m totally a fan of this sparkly gloss I recently started using …
Milani’s Fierce Foil lip-glosses in Rome and Florence shades are pearlescent and fancy.
These glosses have such a nice consistency and color and are a good change from a matte lip-stick, like I usually wear. I also like that these glosses go on so smoothly and do not require a lip-liner. A girl can never have too many lip-glosses or lip-sticks, that’s for sure, especially when the price is right. Thanks to Milani for sending me these samples, which you can purchase for around $5 each at CVS and Walgreen’s, if you’re interested.
My favorite links of the week
Did you miss some of the good stuff on A Lady Goes West this week? Here’s what happened …
- Weekend and fitness — A surprise getaway and my weekly workouts
- Travel — Great memories made in Columbus with friends
- Food pictures — A much-needed day of healthy food and drink
- Goal planning — Falling back into good habits this fall
Also, this is a great article by Feeling Fit: “Seven Tips to Increase NEAT activity for bloggers.” And congrats to Molly, who was the winner of last week’s Siggi’s Dairy giveaway.
That’s it for today! I hope you all have a great weekend! Speaking of weekends, there isn’t a whole lot on my agenda other than teaching BODYPUMP on Saturday morning and going to a soccer game in San Jose on Sunday with Dave and some friends. See you back here on Monday morning, you lovely folks!
Want a fun and easy diversion? Check out these favorites with a sneaky giveaway ... Click To TweetRead more Friday Favorites
If you’ve enjoyed browsing through this post, visit the the link-up hostesses, Heather and Katie, or check out all of my older “Friday Favorites” posts.
*There are a couple of affiliate links in this post. Thanks for your support.
Questions of the day
What’s on your agenda this weekend?
Any good favorites to share?
I finished Big Little Lies recently and it was so good, I’ll have to check out that other book…before I see the movie! 🙂 have a great weekend lady!
Hi Marielle! Yes! I wonder if Big Little Lies will become a movie too? Happy Friday, lady!
We are getting our new AC unit installed TODAY so I plan to sit in the cold air and play around with our new cell phone-controlled thermostat, LOL. But really… I’m going bowling with some friends tonight, fitting in a few workouts, and trying out Seasons 52!
That’s cool you can control your AC with your phone! Have fun bowling. And I love the healthy and seasonal meals of Seasons 52 — such a good spot! Make sure you get plenty of dessert shot glasses hehehe. I was there once right before closing and they gave us the whole tray. That was awesome.
Oh poor Rudy! Hopefully you bounces back quickly and is back to his normal fun self. He’s such a cutie!
I hope he is back to normal soon! Happy Friday, Megan. Have a great day and weekend, friend!
Ah, the cone, Luckily he’s small enough that he shouldn’t leave too many bruises on your legs! And people love Liane Moriarty’s books. I’ve yet to try them out! Have a great weekend!
Poor little guy …. no, we have not sustained any injuries from his little cone yet. It’s actually pretty pliable hehe. Happy Friday, Susie! 🙂
I wasn’t a huge fan of kombucha at first, either. I do, however, love the fruit flavors with chia seeds. Some people hate the texture, but I think it adds more to the taste and I love it! Also, movie night in pjs with friends is the best. Happy Weekend!
Hi Heather! I LOVE texture in drinks, especially pulpy orange juice hehee. Happy Friday! Thanks for hosting! 🙂
I’m always hesitant to try drinks based only on veggies because I need some sweetness. Curious to try these though!
It’s definitely a spicy and interesting taste. I LOVED it, because there was a little bit of sweet in there somehow. 🙂 Happy Friday, Brittney! Thanks for saying hi!
Sorry to hear about your pup 🙁 I can’t stand when either of my girls are in pain or are uncomfortable. They are seriously my kids – it makes me cry to see them hurting! But hopefully your pup will be back to healthy soon! Fingers crossed!
And for real, the first time I tried kombucha I spit it into the sink, then proceeded to cough for the next 5 minutes. I had my sister laughing so hard she almost peed herself. Its an acquired taste, but I like it now!
hahahhaha Kat! Hilarious!!! Yes, so you are not into kombucha. I didn’t like it at first, but didn’t have quite such a violent reaction heheh. Anyways, yes, I feel so bad for Rudy. Makes my heart hurt to see him in pain and wearing that cone. Our little FUR babies hehe. Okay, happy Friday. Hope you have a great weekend!
Happy Friday Ashley!
Hope poor Rudy gets better soon. No one likes the cone of shame 🙁
I’ve never tried kombucha anything. I’m such a wimp trying new foods if they aren’t sweet.
Hi Gen! This kombucha has a really ginger and cool flavor, so I enjoyed it. And thanks for the Rudy love … poor little guy is really not understanding the cone thing. He is bumping into things all the time hahha. Happy Friday to you though! 🙂
I’m almost done reading Big Little Lies so I think I’ll have to try What Alice Forgot next! Did you ever read The Husband’s Secret by the same author? I heard it’s a good one too. This is my first time reading a Liane Moriarty book and it won’t be my last. I love her writing style!!
We have a husky that was attacked by a wild animal last year and had stitches so she had to wear a cone for several weeks. She made so much noise walking down our hallway that it always sounded like a severely drunk person trying to navigate and I had bruises on my legs from her walking into it. We were pretty happy when we were able to remove the cone.
Have a great weekend!!
Hi Catherine! No, I haven’t read The Husband’s Secret, but maybe I’ll do that one next. I really like Liane’s writing! As far as your doggy … oh man. Poor little gal! That’s so sad. Rudy is definitely bumping into things with his cone too. He just doesn’t understand it yet. I can’t believe it will be more than a week that he has to keep this thing on. Okay, anyhoo, kiss your doggy! Have a great Friday!! 🙂
Good vibes for Rudy!! I love Kombucha! Would love to win a few bottles since its $$.
Hi Mo! Thanks for the vibes – I’ll let him know. 🙂 Happy Friday to you!
So want to try some of that kombucha! Love ginger and tumeric… Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Fabulous weekend to you too, Jamie! You’d love this kombucha for sure! Great flavors!
Oh yay! I love Kombucha, especially GT’s. I’m also a huge ginger fan, so that special edition flavor sounds delicious!
I’m a big ginger fan too, Diana! Happy Friday! 🙂
Poor puppy! Hopefully he’ll feel better soon <3 Thanks for sharing about the book, I've been needing some new material to read 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Yes, you should read it!! Happy Friday! Thanks for sending love to my pup!
I read another book by that author (The Husband’s Secret or something) and it was great! I’ll have to check this one out too. I hope Rudy recovers quickly! When I first met Selma, she just got out of her spay surgery and she was so adorable and drowsy..she tried to crawl over to my lap but kept falling asleep on the way. So adorable, and I knew she was the one! I love Milani cosmetics but I hate wearing lipgloss..it’s always so sticky and my hair gets in it!
Have a great weekend!
Hi Gretchen! Yes, best to put the lipgloss on when you know you won’t be in the wind. Lipgloss with hair blowing is not good! ahahh! And sweet Selma! Rudy was nearly drunk when I brought him home after surgery. Sad but cute. Yes, The Husband’s Secret is her other book, I’ll probably read that one next.
I just finished Big Little Lies yesterday! I couldn’t put it down. I love all of Moriarty’s books. What Alice Forgot was the first one of her books I ever read. Enjoy 😉 When I was at One Live, the hotel had a little shop with some food and I picked up a bag of these things called Skinny Quinoa Sticks. They are made with quinoa and chia seeds. I had planned on snacking on them, and never did. I finally just opened them and oh my gosh – they are SO good! They were only like $5 at the hotel – I sure didn’t pay the $50 Amazon is charging here 😉 Happy Friday!
http://www.amazon.com/Cornfields-Stick-Skinny-Quinoa-Sweet/dp/B008N1KYDQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443190555&sr=8-3&keywords=skinny+quinoa+sticks
Ok, so the $50 was for like 12 packs, not one – haha! I didn’t read that clearly enough.
Oh man, I totally need to try those!! Thanks for the tip, Melissa! Happy Friday, my friend! I’m teaching BP 84 tomorrow and it’s got jumps in the lunge track. Love that!
Oh yes! Love lunge tracks like that!!! I just have to make sure to use the restroom right before I teach because after 3 kids…well, sometimes jumping is a struggle 😉
Poor puppy! I saw the picture of him with his cone on IG and it was instant “awwww.” Get well soon, Rudy! And I’m off to the mountains this weekend for a little outdoor fun! And to say goodbye to Sam before she heads back east 🙁 Hopefully the weather holds up. Have a great weekend, Ashley!
Hi Amanda! Thanks for sending some well wishes to my little Rudy! And how awesome you’re heading off to the mountains for fresh air! I’m in need of a little fresh air myself. Happy Friday, lady! Thanks for saying hi 🙂
Oooo I love GTs kombucha & am now on a mission to find that limited edition kind! I limit myself to splurging on it once a week since it hurts my wallet.
Btw you have one of the cutest little dogs!
Hi Stef, Yes it’s a bit of a splurge for sure. Happy Friday to you, lady! 🙂
What Alice Forgot, so good! I picked up some Siggi yogurt last weekend and I really like it, I will definitely be getting more tomorrow.
My cousin is getting married on Saturday night, so my sister is coming in town, and we are going to have a great time! Other than that, I have some movies on hold at Redbox, good workouts, books, and food on the agenda :). TGIF !
WEDDING? I’m jealous. I only had two weddings this year. So sad. Have a great time, Jessie! And so glad you picked up some Siggi’s!!! Happy sweating, dancing and eating to you!
That Kombucha sounds awesome! I love the Ginger Berry!!
Thanks, Michelle! Happy Friday! Thank you for saying hi 🙂
What Alice forgot is really good! I definitely enjoyed it.
I would love to try some kombucha!
Glad you liked the book too, Charlotte! Happy Friday to you!! Hope you have a good weekend! 🙂
Oooo, loving the sneaky giveaway here. 😉
Liane Moriarty has become one of my favorite authors. I read several of her books over the past year and loved them all.
Have a fabulous weekend, Ash! Hope little Rudy gets to feeling better soon. xo
Thanks, Ashley! Same to you!! You and your big bump hehehehhe! 🙂 Any day now … right?
love kombucha!
Good, Victoria! Happy Friday! Thanks for saying hi! 🙂
I’m digging your Friday Faves Ashley! I’m always in search of a non-clumpy gloss, and definitely going to keep my eye out for this Kombucha while grocery shopping tonight. Also NEAT – thank you for reminding me to keep wiggling my leg at my desk this am! 😉
Wiggle the legs and move more. Great post, wasn’t it? Happy Friday, Jill!!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! I usually grocery shop on Fridays too, but not today! Woohoo!
Ooh, Moriarty reminds me of Sherlock Holmes’ nemesis. ;-D That was random. And this weekend, I’m planning on, Lord willing, doing cleaning tomorrow and helping clean a house of someone in our church today. Tonight we’re hoping to go watch a movie as sisters and visit a friend in the hospital. It’s going to be busy (from my normal quiet life). 😉
You have some great plans ahead, Emily! That’s so nice of you to be helping out someone from the church. Have a great weekend, lady! 🙂
Kombucha FTW!
Sure is, Kristin! Happy Friday! 🙂
Sneaky, sneaky 😉 I would love to try the kombucha. I have always wanted to, but have always hesitated to when I get to the store to buy it!
Happy Friday, Brie! Thanks for saying hi! Hope you have a good weekend!
The new GT kombucha flavor sounds divine! PS you host the best giveaways!
Ohhhh thanks, Nina! I only give away things I love myself, so I’m glad you agree!! Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
What a great list! The drink looks fantastic. I hope it is available in local stores!
Also, thank you for sharing my post on NEAT Activity For Bloggers! A Lady Goes West is one of my favorite blogs, so I was really excited to see this post listed. 🙂
Ohhh you are too sweet! Thanks for writing a great article and for saying hi! Happy Friday!
I’m adding that book to my must-read list! Would also like to give Kombucha another go… wasn’t a fan five years ago, but hoping to change my palate!
I’m with you Allison! Always need to try things again! Happy Friday! 🙂
Ohhh I love Liane Moriarty!!! I read big little secrets (or the other way around lol) on our cruise in February and literally had a jaw drop moment when I got to the end! So suspenseful!
My fave from this week has been lemon greek yogurt. Tastes like lemon meringue pie!!!!! Delicious!
Have a great weekend!
Hi Fiona! I really enjoyed Big Little Lies too! And yay for lemon yogurt! Love that flavor. Hope you have a great weekend too! 🙂
Have a great weekend. I think the lip glosses are really pretty. I wish I could actually read a book. I have never really been able to read a book because of ADD. I cannot sit and pay attention for longer than 5 minutes.
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
Hi Heather! Yes, it can be hard to lay down to read sometimes. I always fall asleep heheh! Hope you have a great weekend!
GT’s mango kombucha is rad! I hope I am able to find the limited edition ones though…..the one in your pic sounds delicious! Have a wonderful weekend!
It sure is rad, Audie!! Thanks for saying hi, my friend! Hope you can find it in stores!
I love GT’s and drink it all the time!!!
It’s so good!! Hope you have a nice weekend, Caroline! 🙂
i LoVe GTs kombucha! I hope I can find this limited edition flavor! Also my dog got neutered on Wednesday too! He hates the cone but it is pretty amusing for everyone else 🙂
Oh wow, Paige! I hope your dog is okay soon! The cone is not fun for the dogs … sad and funny for us to watch, of course. Have a great weekend, lady!
I’m a big fan of Kombucha! That flavor sounds interesting!
Hi Sue! I hadn’t been a kombucha fan, but this one turned me on to it! Hope all is well! Happy Sunday to you, lady! 🙂
I liked big little lies, but loved(!) the husbands secret! I love kombucha, too:) have you tried trilogy flavor? Mmmm!
Mmmm that drink looks SO refreshing! And I love those shades of lip gloss. I rarely wear anything on my lips besides chapstick.. I gotta step my game up!
Ha, Liz! Yes, step up that lip-gloss game! Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂
i so need to try that kombucha! i have been obsessed with kombucha lately! it makes me feel so good after i drink it!
Yes, Rachel. Me too! I want some right now. Happy Sunday to you! Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂
I’ve been ALL about the kombucha lately. I actually think I’m going to walk down to The Plant in a little bit to get one of their house-brewed ones 🙂
Hope you got that kombucha, Cassie! Nice work on the race today. 🙂
Oh no poor Rudy! Hope he’s feeling better soon!
Weeknight outings are definitely hard on me. We had a mid week date night last week and I felt so out of whack for the remainder of the week. This week I’m hosting a mid week wine swap party which will again throw me off. They are fun though!
GT’s is my favorite! I spend WAY too much money on kombucha but it’s so good!
Hope you had a great weekend!
Rudy is getting his energy back, so thanks! And as far as weeknight outings, YES, totally not my routine, but they are fun they happen. Happy Monday to you, lady! Yay for wine swap, that’s a great idea!
I’m reading Mindy Kaling’s new book right now and I love it. That kombucha sounds amazing! I usually love GT’s Gingerade flavor but I’d like to branch out.
For sure, Danielle! Thanks for saying hi! Hope you had a great weekend! 🙂