Friday Favorites: Shopping, events and a book
Happy Halloween to you and yours! First of all, this is the 30th, yes, I said 30th week in-a-row that I’ve shared a “Friday Favorites” spread with you. Seems like just yesterday this little blog was getting off the ground. I hope you like this weekly occurrence, and be sure to let me know in the comments section below, because I definitely have fun putting these light and fluffy posts together for you.
Now you’re probably wondering what Dave and I will be doing for Halloween in this big exciting city of ours. Nothing. Yes, nothing. It’s a normal day for us. I was supposed to be teaching my regular Friday evening BODYPUMP class tonight, until the gym decided late last night we could cancel it. So I guess we will use this rare free Friday night to hit up a neighborhood happy hour and do some people-watching, but I’m not quite sure yet. Of course, I have to be up to teach BODYATTACK in the morning tomorrow, so I know we’re not really going to partake in any of the revelry. Living here, we do get other chances to dress up throughout the year, for instance just a few months ago during Bay to Breakers, which is a super crazy San Francisco annual event, so I’m not too sad.
Let’s get rolling with my favorites as of late …
My favorite new finds from the UNIQLO grand opening
Last night, I was invited to attended a fun grand opening of a big UNIQLO clothing store at a Great Mall south of San Francisco in Milpitas. UNIQLO is a Japanese company that is just starting to appear in big cities in the U.S., and we’ve had one in San Francisco for just under two years (and I always bring my visitors to check it out, because it’s quite different). For this event, we met at a downtown hotel and hopped in a chartered motor-coach for the trip. The best part was, I was able to bring a guest. Even though the ride was pretty long in traffic, I didn’t mind because the event was a good time. Not only were we given $50 UNIQLO gift cards to spend, but we were also the very first ones to enter the store after a pretty good pre-opening champagne and hors d’ oeurvres cocktail party. To mark the grand occasion, they didn’t actually cut a ribbon, but they did have some Japanese drummers play a loud song while the curtains were rolled back. And there were models walking around, who let us try things on them, which was cool.
Shown from top left: The vest I purchased, me learning to pose from the models, the display of my favorite jeggings and a couple more shots you can identify yourself.
I got to hang out with Nancy and Jessica, some local bloggers I’ve met before, and Dave got to catch up with a friend from college who was visiting to handle PR for the event. A win-win for everybody. Dave and I both used our gift cards for some great finds, which brings me to my favorites: this cream down-quilted puffer vest and these cream stretchy jeggings. I’ve had a pair of black UNIQLO jeggings forever, and they fit like a glove. I jumped at the chance to get more, and I also bought a flannel shirt. After shopping, we hopped back on the bus with our small group and ended up back in San Francisco just after 9 p.m. Definitely a good time.
My favorite new book: Gone Girl
I haven’t read a real book since finishing up “Beautiful Ruins” over Labor Day. And that book was the first I purchased all year and took it in my bag for our June Cabo vacation, so there hasn’t been a lot of offline reading going on over here. Fast forward to last Friday at the San Francisco airport, when I picked up “Gone Girl” in the bookstore.
Does anyone else out there try to not bend the pages? I always use a bookmark!
I guess you could say I jumped on the bandwagon on this one, because I didn’t really know the premise of the story until buying the book. I knew I hadn’t seen the movie and had no interest in seeing it either. But now that I’m three-fourths of the way through this plot-twisting mystery, I’m absolutely interested in seeing the movie. I know a lot of people are all about their Kindles these days (yes, even my sweet Mom uses a Kindle), but I like a good old-fashioned book in my face. I am loving this book. Hands down. I won’t say anything else about it.
My favorite creation at the Baubles and Bubbles blogger event
Last week, I attended another Lululemon-hosted blogger event, and this time it was held at Brit + Co‘s MakeShop, which is a cool little place in my neighborhood, where you can make things, shop and take crafty classes. I made a mala bead bracelet and browsed around the DIY tutorials (that’s Do-it-Yourself, for those of you not in to the lingo). True story, when the bright orangey-red mala beads get wet, the color runs. I thought I had ruined my favorite white and yellow Lululemon sweatshirt on the plane to Florida last Friday when I got the bracelet wet while washing my hands, but luckily the dye came out in the wash.
Shown from top left to right: My hand-made bracelet, the MakeShop, a silly picture of me and the bracelet in action.
Nonetheless, I chatted with some local bloggers that I see from time-to-time, like Chanda and Catherine. And I also met some new bloggers, mostly in the fashion world who were all dressed to the nines. Do people even say that phrase anymore? Well, I do. It was a good time, worthy of a little “Favorites” write-up, and I love that there are so many fun little events like this in my neck of the woods.
My favorite links
You don’t want to miss out on some of the fun on A Lady Goes West this week:
- A Big Fat Greek engagement party — Celebrating with friends in Southwest Florida
- A look at some awesome meals made by my Mom — What I ate in the Sunshine State
- A total-body workout to do anywhere — Twenty-minute total-body dumbbell workout
- Your chance to win a Lululemon gift card — A good fitmob story and a Lululemon giveaway
That’s that. I’ve got a meeting this morning and am going to partake in some yoga, because my body is already sore from a killer Barry’s Bootcamp session yesterday. Go off and have a wonderful day and weekend!
Read more fun Friday Favorites
If you’d like to see a few more “Friday Favorites,” see below or visit the the link-up hostess, Heather.
- A snack, a purse and a ritual
- A delivery, a bra and a guy
- A sweet, a wine and a read
- A drink, a gadget and a plan
- A time, a bottle and a powder
- San Francisco edition
- Beauty edition
- Beach vacation edition
- Hidden meanings
- Kicks, a book and a bowl
- The very best sweatshirts
- Party hosting and froyo
- Fourth of July daytime activity
- Beauty basics edition
- Workplace edition
- Shopping, sales and a show
- The foods I always buy
- Sushi, a game and pants
- Fitness apps
- Delicious and healthy products
- Comfort, fitness and function
- Beauty, buddha and blog events
- Dining, the city and gift ideas
- POPSUGAR, sweets and such
- A bunch of fun stuff
- e-book, food, picnic and tunes
- A link, a superfood and a mask
- Pants, shoes, food and links
- Dining, protein and goodies
Questions of the day
How are you celebrating Halloween? Do you have any favorites to share from your week? Are you reading any good books?
I have been looking for that exact vest!! I think I need to order it asap!
Have you heard of UNIQLO before? They have awesome clothing and good prices. Let me know if you order it! 🙂 Happy Friday, Katie!
I am loving your new puffy vest! So cute on you!
Oh man, Gone Girl TOTALLY sucked me in. It’s definitely a little dark and twisted, which I’m not typically into, but it kept me coming back for more. The movie is great too, but good plan on reading the book first!
Enjoy your rare Friday evening off of teaching!
Thanks, Ashley. Excited about my free Friday night. And also excited to finish up Gone Girl. Have a great weekend:)
You have been a busy bee with blog events! Speaking of, I signed up for a BlogHer meeting next week in SF and I saw you are going too! I’m excited to see you again. 🙂
And I LOVED Gone Girl. I just posted my review on the blog. I’m curious to hear your thoughts when you finish it!
Have a great weekend and enjoy your night off!
Yay!! I’ll see you there! 🙂
That bracelet is too cute! I’m with you on the whole halloween thing, it’s just a normal night for me too. I’ll probably head to the empty grocery store and stock up on all the chicken on sale that no one else is grabbing! 😉
Hi Karen! ahhaha! That’s funny. I definitely won’t be at the grocery store tonight, but hope you find some sales:)
Ahh I love all of the blogger events you get to attend in SF. So fun! And yes on the puffy vest. I’m really loving those this year. Thanks for linking up! Happy (not-so-crazy) Halloween! <3
Hi Heather! I’ve wanted a puffy vest for years, so glad I got one finally. Happy weekend to you!!
Fun events! Looks like you had a good week. Happy Halloween!
Thanks, Lauren. You too!
Ohhhh I want to run Bay to Breakers! I love running SF and that one just seems like a crazy blast! Loved reading Gone Girl going to see the movie this weekend. I love Body Pump but never heard of Body Attack!! Have a great weekend!
Hi Diane, Well you’ve got to try BODYATTACK, I love it!! And I will definitely try to see the movie once I finish the Gone Girl book. Have a great weekend!
I am so jealous that you have a UNIQLO! Great vest!! 😀
Hi Lora, Thanks! I sure love their clothing. Happy Friday to you!
Hey no biggie, we’re not doing anything either tonight. I don’t even know if kids are coming knocking on our door for the trick or treating! Only time will tell.
OOOOO I love the white puffer vest on you. I ended up putting the black one back because when I got up to the cash register the pattern i chose wasn’t on sale. So glad you helped me decide which one to get – I LOVE my red full jacket and I’m kinda pleased that it’s chilly enough to wear it today.
What did Dave end up buying? I’m going to return my jeggings I think – I bought them without trying them on and got them too small lol. #IEatTooMuchMcDonalds
WHOA Lululemon had an event! That’s wicked!
K have a good weekend!
Hi Nancy! Dave got a blue vest and a little winter hat for his Godson. Too bad about your jeggings, maybe you just need to wear them with a long sweater hehehe. Happy weekend to you! 🙂
Ooooh those jeggings…I could go for another pair! I like the green and wine colors (guess I’m in Christmas mode already haha). Do they fit true to size??
I loved Gone Girl and am dying to see the movie! I keep hearing all these comments about a shocking ending, so can’t wait to find out what that is (and how it compares to the book’s). And I’m with you on needing physical books in my hands–I had a Nook once and returned it because I just couldn’t get into it, haha. (And because it had some glitches, but mostly, couldn’t get into it.)
Such fun events! The San Fran blogging scene sounds pretty happening! 🙂
It sure is a happening scene here, Kim. And yes, I got a small in the jeggings, which seems just right. Happy Friday!
Gone girl is awesome! You’ll love the movie if you like the book. I’d recommend her other two books as well. Equally dark! Happy weekend 🙂
Hi Courtney!! Thanks, yes, I just may check out the other books once I finish this one. Hope you have a great week!
You have to read her other books…They are so good and just as disturbing! Love that watch, because I have the same one and always wear it when I go out. It was a V-Day gift to myself a couple of years ago. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Thank you! Yes, I’m definitely loving her writing, so I’ll check out the others. And it’s a great watch! 🙂
I signed up for Bay to Breakers… I am so excited! I’ve heard it’s a huge party since they don’t reopen the streets immediately after 🙂