Friday Favorites: Sparkles, comfies, carols, foods and more

ByAshley Hours
Comments 42 Comments

And just like that, it was the last weekend before Christmas. I hope you’ve had a great week and have something to look forward to over the next couple of days. I’ve got four holiday parties to attend over the course of the weekend, and I’m quite excited about all the festivities ahead. Without further ado, let’s jump into the topic at hand.

This week’s finds for “Friday Favorites” 

As usual, I’m keeping it light today, so please enjoy the latest edition of my favorite recent finds spanning fashion to food to musicals …

My favorite comfy gift of the week

For Dave and my three-year wedding anniversary earlier this year in May, my parents bought us some luxurious personalized bathrobes from Pottery Barn. Why, you ask? Because when recounting our vacations, Dave always talks about the quality of the bathrobes in the hotel room. For instance, when we took our honeymoon in Jamaica, the bathrobe was way too short for him, and it was laughable when he put it on. However, when we went skiing in Tahoe a couple of years ago, the Ritz provided one awesome robe, and he lived in it and talked of it often post trip. Totally weird, right??

Pottery Barn robes via A Lady Goes West

I would highly recommend these monogrammed high-quality robes as a gift in the future, because everybody needs a solid bathrobe, and the long ones go down to about mid-calf.

Now that the weather is so cold this past week, I’ve been living in my bathrobe over my clothes when I’m home. I mean, it’s just so warm and comforting. Major props to my Mom for coming up with such an awesome gift, which unfortunately had to live on the closet shelf half of the year until the temperatures dropped, but has now been a total life-saver. 

My favorite food of the week

If you read A Lady Goes West on the regular, particularly my food posts on Wednesdays, then you know that truly, my favorite food of every week is the purple sweet potato. However, I’ve got a few new things I’ve been enjoying lately in the food department …

Steam Fresh veggies via A Lady Goes West

Whole grains, lentils, veggies and light sauce all mixed up in one bag and nearly ready to eat? Yes, please. Nice work, Birds Eye. The California Style is my jam.

When I was home over Thanksgiving in Florida visiting my parents, my Mom offered me one of these steamers bags, and I was so impressed. While typically I prefer to roast my fresh veggies slathered in coconut oil in the oven, these ready-to-steam bags are so much more convenient. They cook up in about five minutes and are super tasty, with just a slight bit of sauce and plenty of good vegetables and grains too. They really fill you up, paired with eggs or additional protein.

My favorite delivery of the week

Every time I get a new delivery from Rocksbox jewelry subscription, I’m so excited about it, that I wear all three of the pieces the next time I get to dress in normal clothes (yes, I mean something other than my daily attire of workout wear). I did that this past week, throwing on all three of these items I recently received for a night out for dinner and drinks in the City. 

Rocksbox jewelry set with Kendra Scott, Loren Hope and more via A Lady Goes West

This Loren Hope necklace is to-die-for. It’s the most expensive necklace that’s ever arrived in my shipments, and I feel good wearing it. This Kendra Scott bangle is pretty darn fashionable (similar), and these Gorjana earrings could seriously go with everything.

If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for a fashionable friend, I’d definitely suggest a subscription to Rocksbox. It’s only $19 a month for unlimited deliveries of jewelry you can wear and send back or purchase for a discounted price. I’ve bought about half of the items that have been sent to me, because I like them so much. PROMO CODE: For your first month free, use the code aladygoeswestxoxo. 

My favorite show of the week

Last weekend, I had a ton of holiday festivities to enjoy, but one that stood out as the most festive was the Christmas show that Dave and I attended at our local theater. It had been quite some time since we went to a production, and this one was our first since living in the ‘burbs. We arrived for the Sunday-evening show just in time to grab a drink and be seated for a strong rendition of “A Christmas Carol.”

A Christmas Carol at the Lesher Center via A Lady Goes West

True story: There was a very talkative child behind us during the first half of the show, who was then kindly escorted out by his parents by the second half.  

This was our first time seeing a show at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, and it’s a nice little performing arts hall with a parking garage attached to it. I’d definitely go back. “A Christmas Carol” is such a classic, and even though I’ve seen plenty of versions of it, this was the best live one, put on by the Center REP. Some good singing, a little bit of dancing, great acting and a whole lot of Christmas.

My favorite links of the week

Did you miss the latest on A Lady Goes West this week? 

And from around the web worth checking out …

  • Even though I’m a trainer and group fitness instructor, that doesn’t mean that I do all of the exercises my body needs. In fact, sometimes, I avoid the hard ones. For instance, this combination move, which is so effective and should probably be in my next solo workout.
  • Whatever you do, make sure you take three minutes out of your day to watch this video from beginning to end. You’re welcome, friends. I die. I seriously die. I’m going to watch it again right now. This girl is my spirit animal.

Have a wonderful day, my friends! Spread some holiday cheer!

Take a minute and enjoy this #fun read full of #fitness and more ... Click To Tweet

Read more Friday Favorites

If you like this post, visit the the link-up hostesses, Heather and Katie, or check out all of my older “Friday Favorites.” 

*There are a couple of affiliate links in this post. Thanks for your support.

Questions of the day

What are you up to this weekend?

What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?

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42 Comments

  1. This weekend I’m doing the PT workshop I mentioned to you. Yup! Signed up after we talked. I started reading through some of the materials and it made my head spin. Haha! Hopefully it won’t be that bad and will make more sense during the workshop.

    Reply

  2. Those robes are such a great gift idea. My husband loved the robes we had on our honeymoon in the Dominican. I always like getting clothes for Christmas especially workout gear. How is Christmas only a week away?!? Going to one Christmas party this weekend along with some shopping and cookie baking. Happy Friday!

    Reply

  3. I am working for part of the weekend but I am also hoping to make it to a nearby town’s Christmas light show. It is pretty well known in this area so I’m hoping the traffic isn’t too crazy. I would like a pair of white Kendra Scott earrings. I have a purple pair and love them, but they don’t match a lot of my clothes. I’m thinking purple will be much more versatile. I love your new robes… they look so comfy! A luxurious robe is definitely an added bonus to a vacation 🙂 Have a great weekend!

    Reply

    1. Hi Sam! I hope you make it to the light show. That’s something I haven’t done this year, is see a lot of Christmas lights, other than the few we have hanging on our patio hehe:) Hope you get the earrings you want too!

      Reply

  5. I’m cracking up about your robe comments. I’m not a huge robe person but those look really nice and comfy! I absolutely cannot believe that it is the weekend before Christmas – craziness. We have a few Christmas events over the next couple of days and Kyle just informed me we need to get a few more presents for his family so we will be busy finishing up holiday things before Monday comes!

    Reply

  6. I need to find those protein blends in Canada. I keep seeing people talk about them on blogs and Instagram but have not had any luck tracking them down.

    It’s FINALLY time for us to fly to Florida for Christmas vacay 🙂 We leave tomorrow night and I have a zillion things to do before we go but once I get there I’m so ready to relax and enjoy the warmer weather. The forecast is looking pretty good while we’re there and I’ve heard it’s been unseasonably warm so I’m hoping that weather sticks around for us.

    Enjoy your weekend!!

    Reply

    1. My Mom has been saying that it’s TOTALLY unseasonably warm in Florida right now, so pack lightly and have SO MUCH FUN! Totally jealous!!! 🙂 Safe travels to you, Catherine, keep me updated on your trip. Go to Publix. Soak up the humidity, etc. etc.

      Reply

  7. mmm those protein blends sound delicious! I haven’t noticed them in the grocery store yet, so I’ll need to keep an eye out for them! My weekend includes finishing up some last minute Christmas gift shopping, my boyfriend’s mom’s birthday dinner, and going to my hometown team’s football game! Happy Friday!

    Reply

    1. Ohhh how cool you’re going to a hometown football game. That sounds awesome and makes me think of my favorite show EVER – Friday Night Lights! Have a lovely weekend, Alyssa! 🙂

      Reply

  8. That Mom of yours is the best gift giver ever!!!

    And I have tried and enjoyed those Birds Eye Protein Blends myself! Totally easy when in a pinch for a healthy side dish. California Blend is top notch. I last made that one and mixed in some cooked ground turkey breast and added it all over baby spinach to make a huge bowl of goodness (which I know you aren’t offended by a bowl mixed with all ingredients 😉 )

    Happy Weekend to you pretty lady! Enjoy your holiday and early birthday festivities! Xoxo.

    Reply

    1. “Bowl of goodness” is basically how I like to eat each meal and snack as well — mixing is better, and there’s never too much goodness in the bowl. I am totally stealing your creation to add the ground turkey. I’ve eaten the California Blend with runny eggs on top a couple of times too — YUM. Happy Friday, lady!! 🙂

      Reply

  9. Those robes look so amazing! I think I need to buy one for myself 🙂 And I’m also loving Birds Eye..pretty much everything they come out with. So easy to add as a side (or a main if I eat it all myself!!). Yum! Have a great weekend girl 🙂

    Reply

  11. What a great gift idea… my husband is equally obsessed with hotel robes and always says how much he wants one. It’s our second wedding anniversary this summer so maybe I’ll buy some 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hi Anna! Ohhh good to know that it’s not just mine into the hotel robe. Totally pin the idea for later — definitely a thoughtful gift. Have a great weekend!

      Reply

  13. Loving your outfit from the show 🙂 I am hoping for a new pair of tennis shoes this year… it was tough to come up with anything! I need to wrap all of my gifts, eek!

    Reply

  15. Ohhh I love bathrobes, maybe not as much as your husband but it does add a bit of luxury to the sweat pant attired I tend to wear around the house! Actually when I got engaged it was around my birthday and I had asked for a bathrobe from my then boyfriend as a gift. Well as I got out of the shower there sat a box….so dripping wet I opened it and saw my bathrobe but tucked in the pocket was a ring box….I was less then happy to be dripping wet when he proposed but I’m not big on grand gestures so it was perfect…now that bathrobe means sooo much more to me then ‘just a bathrobe’. This weekend I have wrapping presents to get done and hoping to take Sullivan to get his little foot printed into a mistletoe as a little gift for my In-laws..hoping he’ll be still for it…but I doubt it! lol We’ll do our best! Have a great weekend!

    Reply

    1. Wow, Fiona! That’s an awesome engagement story. I guess you didn’t take any pictures of the scene, right? hahah! Bathrobes are certainly special to you now. And that’s adorable about Sully’s footprint. Cute gift! Happy weekend, friend!

      Reply

  17. Those ROBES!! Good job, Mama. I’m super jealous of them, and would probably wear them year-round and every night up here in Michigan. So comfy! Oh, and we were obsessed with Steamfresh steamers a few years ago… we probably used them for meals once a day! Every now and then I’ll still turn to them. Good stuff! Enjoy your holiday parties 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Heather! How did I not know about these Steam Fresh until now? LOVE them. Happy weekend, friend! I bet you could use a comfy robe in cold Michigan.

      Reply

  19. If you like this BirdsEye blends I think you will also like Green Giants new Sautés also in the veggie frozen section. Two flavor recommdations you ask? Thai coconut or Indian spiced lentils!!!!

    Reply

    1. Hhahahaha glad you enjoyed that thought, Sarah! And YAY for your big robe. We need them right now in Northern California. 🙂 Hope you had a nice weekend, lady!

      Reply

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