Latest favorites, like PiYO, red shoes, a make-up bag, good reads and more
Hi, friends! I hope you’ve been having a great week. Pretty normal stuff over here. This upcoming weekend, Dave and I are hosting a little dinner for some of our friends — it’s our turn in the group dinner party rotation, and our night just happens to fall on a Warriors away game, so we’re keeping it casual, but I will be spending some time in the kitchen cooking, which is always fun. Other than that, not much to report, although some updates are coming your way next week! Let’s get to the favorites …
My favorite new shoes: Red sneaks
When I went to Chicago last week, I debuted my brand new red Nike shoes, which I’m totally obsessed with. I got these sneaks in the mail from my friends at Premier Protein, and they are super soft and comfortable and also quite eye-catching. These shoes are the Roshe One style, and I would call them perfect for city walking and athleisure/fashion — but not the best shoe for cross-training or major exercise, because they aren’t built for that.
Wearing these is like walking on air, because there is a nice cushy platform for your feet, yet they are also super light. (Major benefit when you are packing them for a trip or doing a lot of walking — nothing to weigh you down.) If you are in need of some cute sneakers for romping around on the weekend, I would highly suggest this style. Simple, comfy and oh-so-cute.
My favorite workout of the week: PiYO
You guys, I have been wanting to try the PiYO Workout for years. Literally years. Some of you may know PiYO for its Beachbody fame, and the fact that the amazing Chalene Johnson created it. (Remember when I met and interviewed her last year? So cool!). Anyhow, Chalene created PiYO, because she would always get bored in yoga and felt like Pilates was too strict, but she knew that both of those movement styles were beneficial and totally necessary to keep her body healthy and mobile. Thus PiYO was born. How cool is that? (Not a PiYO pic below, but a pic from the gym this week, so you get it … )
I LOVED the PiYO workout that I took this week. It’s just under an hour, is done in bare feet on a yoga mat and requires nothing but your own bodyweight. You start with a warm-up, opening up the body with squats, lunges, and even yoga sun salutations. You do some upper-body work with push-ups, and a lot of work with single-leg curtsy lunges, leg lefts and more squats. Then, the second half of the class is all about the flow, featuring a fast-paced yoga sequence, which keeps you moving, breathing and opening up even more in all directions. I took a live class and was definitely surprised at how fast some of the patterns were — it kept me guessing. Yet, there was also enough repetition that everyone could catch on. Overall, PiYO opens up your body, helps you to work on balance and flexibility, as well as full-body strength. It moves quickly, does not get boring and is totally low impact and great for any fitness level. I hope to take it again soon! I’m even tempted to order the home DVDs to have access to it.
My favorite make-up bag: Ted Baker
I was in serious need of a new make-up bag around the holidays last year. My Mom gifted me this Ted Baker cosmetic case, which is red, shiny and pretty glamorous with a bow and sparkles, and certainly deserves to be shown on the blog. I LOVE it. It’s firm, so you feel like your make-up is nice and safe inside too.
Speaking of make-up, I’m thinking of switching foundation. Right now I use a MAC compact (so college, I know), but I may go back to a more sheer cream instead. Would love your recommendations of favorite brands in the comments, if you care to share your product of choice! Nonetheless, this make-up bag is adorable and a major upgrade to what I was working with before. Thanks, Mom!
My favorite links
A lot of good stuff from around the web to read …
- Calling all almond butter lovers — there are many more ways you can eat it than just slathered on toast. I even got to throw an idea into the mix in this article: “12 more awesome uses for almond butter.”
- This one was super fun to write, because I’m so interested in mushrooms. I have a few boxes of special mushroom tea that I haven’t tried yet, but you guys will be the first to know when I do. Until then, check out this piece I wrote for 24Life: “Up your game with medicinal mushrooms.”
- How delicious do these little cauliflower bites look? Mmmmm!
- Loved this post from my friend Gina about wellness books she has read or recommends. I’m reading a good one right now that I will share with you soon. Check out her list!
- Admittedly, I haven’t bought a piece of clothing from Target since college. Perhaps it was after a few cheap purchases falling apart that I decided to skip the fashion forever. However, I will definitely pop into the store to check out Victoria Beckham’s new line when it launches in April. Love her style!
Also, my friends in the A Lady Goes West Friends Facebook group are the bomb. That is all. If you want to join us, we’d be happy to have you!
And finally, congrats to Sarah F. for winning the Frontier Bites giveaway. More giveaways coming! Have a great weekend, my friends. Do something healthy and something super fun!
From fitness to fashion, check out blogger @apstyle latest favorite things ... Click To TweetQuestions of the day
What are you up to this weekend?
Have you found any favorites worth sharing lately? Make-up? Food? Fitness?
I was noticing those trainers when you were here! PS WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK!?
And Victoria Beckham at target?? That makes me want to wear real clothes so badly…
Have a great weekend, Ashley!
Hi Susie! Me too! You have until April to clear some space out in your closet for Beckham’s stuff hehehe. 🙂 Happy Friday, gal!
I did a Piyo workout with my mom when she visited recently and it was SO much harder than I expected. I really liked how much we kept moving through the entire workout though and it still felt like a good stretch. And I’ll need to check back and see what everyone says about foundation, I’m desperately in need of using something new!
Do you have PiYO at-home DVD through Beachbody? So glad you liked it! I definitely want to do it again. That’s awesome your Mom did it too! 🙂 Happy Friday!
I did a few videos through Beachbody On Demand, def loved the three workouts I’ve tried.
Love those red shoes. I’m always a huge fan of statement colors with mostly neutral. I have some flaming red skinny jeans I love to wear and some aqua sneakers too. The pops of color are my favorite!
Flaming red jeans? LOVE THAT! I used to have ALLL sorts of colored jeans, but I don’t seem to own many anymore. That needs to change. Happy Friday, Heather!
Your Mom is THE BEST gift giver!!!
And yay for Piyo! You know I’m totally on board with you trying out a Beachbody workout. 🙂
Happy Friday to you! Can’t wait to see some pics of your cooking adventures this weekend.
Xoxo.
Is the Beachbody PiYO at home 1-hour long? How many versions of it do you have? Do you ever do it? I SOOO enjoyed it. 🙂 And I hope you have a very happy Friday, friend!!
No, the at home workouts aren’t a full 60 minutes. And it comes with NINE different Piyo workouts!
WOW! That’s awesome!! 🙂
I did PiYo in person once and loved it! I forgot all about that workout. Thanks for reminding me. Enjoy dinner and a low key weekend!
Hi Heather! Yes, I don’t know how popular PiYO is all over these days (maybe more in Southern California where Chalene lives?), but it’s a TOTALLY beneficial and enjoyable workout. Glad you liked it too! Have a great weekend!
Have fun with dinner and GO WARRIORS! I love how you guys have a dinner rotation group! I love those bright sneakers. You will for sure stand out at the gym- hah. I’ve seen some St. Patrick’s day green ones around the blog world too that are cute!
Hi Carrie! I probably won’t wear these red ones to the gym (they are more for street style hehe), but I do LOVE a bright sneaker while working out. And we were very happy to be welcomed into this dinner group when we moved to the East Bay! It would have been impossible to host such things in our shoebox in Nob Hill. Have a great weekend!
i love the soles of those sneakers!
Thank you! They are comfy too! 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend, Christina!
TGIF, Ashley!! Always look forward to the Friday favs post! Loving that new makeup bag, I have a serious obsession with makeup bags. I purchased a Kate Spade one a few months back with my new Initials on it. I’m a makeup junkie and worked in the industry for 10+ years so I’ve tried a ton of stuff. Right now I’m loving IT Cosmetics CC Cream. Its super light weight and a great everyday option. Pare is with some concealer (also obsessed with the IT cosmetics concealer), setting power and you’re good to go! I also LOVE the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue. Same idea as the IT cosmetics CC cream. 🙂 Have a great weekend and a great dinner with friends! GO WARRIORS!
Hi lady! THANK YOU! I just looked up IT and I think I can get it at Ulta. I’ll let you know if I try it. I appreciate the rec! 🙂 Happy Friday! Go Dubs!
Yes, its at Ulta!!! Was just there last night and saw it!
Love PiYo! I take a live class every Friday :).
Have a great weekend! We’re expecting snow tomorrow in KC, even though it was 73 yesterday. Crazy!
What? Snow? Oh geez! Good luck with that, Jessie! LOVE that you take PiYO each week — SUCH beneficial movement patterns. I want more!
I recently switched to beauty counter dew skin foundation and am obsessed. I love the lightweight feeling… I also use bareminerals for the summertime because it’s a little darker 🙂
I need new comfy, lightweight shoes! Thanks for the recommendation!
I have been hearing great things about Beauty Counter — thanks for the rec, Theresa. Hope you are having a nice weekend!