Two Hundred & Fifty

This week, I took my 250th class at Pure Barre Boulder. (I've also taken 3 other classes this year that don't count toward my total: 1 at Pure Barre Park City, 1 at the pop up studio at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, and 1 private class taught by PB Boulder's newest teacher.) At my studio, 250 isn't a barre-signing milestone like it is at other studios, but I only have 50 classes to go before I join the next club!

I've been doing Pure Barre for over a year and a half now and it has truly become a way of life for me. I've honestly never lasted so long with one particular exercise. I tried yoga. I tried boot camp. I tried spinning. Nothing has stuck quite like Pure Barre and I think I owe it all to the community at the studio.

I've been working at the front desk for almost 10 months now and it has completely changed my relationship with Pure Barre. I've gotten to know so many of our amazing clients and I absolutely love being at the studio every day I'm there. If I'm having a crummy day, my mood and attitude completely change the second I step through those doors. It's impossible to be in a bad mood there!

The last few months of my employment at the studio have been so exciting and filled with new opportunities. On January 1st, I completely took over the Pure Barre Boulder Instagram and have been posting daily ever since. As of this week, I'll also be putting out the studio's monthly newsletter. It's been so much fun to head up the social media and communications aspect of the studio and I'm having such a blast with it!

Besides my professional opportunities at the studio, I've also noticed a lot of improvement physically and with the technique. I continue to feel I still have a long ways to go, since it's always a work in progress, but I'm consistently meeting goals that I set for myself months ago. I have endurance throughout class that I didn't have when I first started, or even a year ago when I joined the 100 Club! Plus, my butt has never looked better!

Starting March 1st, we're doing another challenge: 21 classes in 31 days. I'll be out of town for 6 days in March, but I'm going to try to complete the goal anyway. Last year, I took 22 classes in the month of March and it would be awesome to beat that, but we'll see what happens! If I knock out another 21 classes in a month, I'll be joining the 300 Club in no time!

Follow my entire Pure Barre journey with these posts:

2 Weeks of Unlimited Pure Barre | Pure Barre, 5 Classes In | What Is Pure Barre? | Pure Barre Class #9 | Pure Barre Update | Christian Hits the Barre | 60 Day Challenge | Comparisons | 60 Day Challenge Recap | 100 Classes Later | lift.tone.burn* | Loving Me for Me | One Year with Pure Barre Boulder | Physique 57 vs. Pure Barre | Pure Barre Bingo + 200 Classes

*guest post

Ten on Ten :: February 2015

10 pictures on the 10th day of the month!

Document a snapshot of your life & find beauty among the ordinary things in your day!

A friend told me about this app Sleep Cycle. It's been pretty cool to track my sleep each night.

Since I woke up about 30 minutes before my alarm, I decided to get a jump start on my Tuesday ritual of watching The Bachelor from the night before. (I think this was my favorite episode in recent memory!)

The top knot has replaced the braid as my go-to IDGAF hairstyle.

A work errand took me past Einstein's, so I stopped for breakfast. I'm all about that uncooked salmon.

My favorite part of the job: notarizing!

I was kind of cranky today, so on my lunch break, I decided to diffuse some Joy and Peace & Calming (along with Lavender because I don't love the smell of Joy) and it definitely changed my mood. If you have any questions about essential oils or would like to try something, shoot me an email: hannahhereblog@gmail.com

Yesterday, I went into Target for a few things (not one of them being a dress) and came out with this adorable green dress with a back cutout. I love it, but I did feel kind of Christmasy.

Because where else would I spend my evenings?

Tomorrow is the first night of my new small group and we're going through the Basic Training workbook from church, based on the series we just wrapped up.

 You can't beat this view. (Although about 30 minutes earlier, the sun was blinding me so badly that I was literally hiding behind the computer monitor.)

February 2011 | February 2012 | February 2013 | February 2014

Sundance :: Days 6 thru 10

The second half of my trip to Utah started with a really long day. I woke up early to head back to Main Street in Park City to visit the Pure Barre Pop Up Shop where the two owners of my studio were working for the weekend. I was able to get into the 7:00AM class and we had a blast working out with some Sundance VIPs.

I went back to my hotel for a quick nap and then headed back to Park City for my long shift. To be honest, I was dreading this 13 hour shift, but it ended up being so much fun. In the afternoon, I was scheduled to work crowd liaison, which means I was stationed outside. I ended up getting put on the main entrance to the theater for pass holders and because of my awesome location, I got to see so many famous people! We were screening Partisan, starring Vincent Cassell, and Unexpected, starring Cobie Smulders and Anders Holm. I saw Cobie Smulders walk by before heading into the press tent and I have to say she is even more stunning in person. I got a glimpse of Anders Holm as he went into the theater. I saw Jake Johnson and spoke to him briefly as he arrived for the movie and then I saw Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt and made them laugh!

For the second half of my shift, I was back inside with my usual crew. We were screening I Smile Back starring Sarah Silverman and Hellions starring Robert Patrick. I saw Edgar Wright, director of Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, and Winona Ryder who were both serving as jurors for I Smile Back. Sarah Silverman was absolutely gorgeous in real life and we got to see James Franco again for both screenings. While the second screening was loading, I spotted Robert Patrick too. Before we left, Gina, Cassandra, and I sneaked into the press tent to take some pictures in front of the step and repeat. So cool!

I had every intention to return to the Pure Barre Pop Up that morning, but after such a long day on Sunday, I had to sleep in. Instead, I went to see The Imitation Game in Salt Lake City and it did not disappoint.

For dinner before my shift, I went to In-N-Out because I cannot go to Salt Lake without hitting up In-N-Out. I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of the fries, but their burgers and shakes are to die for. I truly believe 2/3 of the meal is more than worth the hype. While I was there, I'm 99% sure I saw Jef Holm of The Bachelorette fame. (Emily Maynard's former fiance.)

On the way into Park City, I had to stop and take a picture of this very festive bus stop. It's my personal belief that all mountain towns should have Christmas lights up all year round. 

That night, we screened Take Me to the River and The Nightmare and I was able to see Take Me to the River. Advantageous was screening before my shift and I was taking ballots outside of the entourage door, so I was able to see and talk to Ken Jeong. He was so charming and shy and it was just wonderful chatting with him for a hot second.

I hung out in Salt Lake again on Tuesday and decided to hit up Sushi Burrito on 8th for dinner. There's a place like that in Boulder, so I was really hopeful. It was good, but Motomaki in Boulder is WAY better.

Tuesday was my last shift at the festival and I was working crowd liaison again. I was stationed at the same entrance, where I saw Forest Whitaker and his crew leave. That was pretty cool, I have to admit. He was awesome and signed autographs for fans waiting for him.

We were screening 99 Homes starring Andrew Garfield, Laura Dern, and Michael Shannon as a local screening where Park City residents could see it. Of course James Franco showed up too. The midnight movie that evening was Reversal. During 99 Homes, I started chatting with James Franco's driver and it was pretty cool to get an inside look into another completely different role at the festival.

One of the best parts of working the late shift is the concession stand gives us all of their left over popcorn when they close.

We had another photo shoot before we left that night, this time in the green room. It was pretty cool hanging out in there too.

I had a full free day on Wednesday and I had every intention to see at least two movies, but I didn't wake up early enough to get to Eccles early enough for a volunteer ticket to see Dope. I really dropped the ball there. Instead, I just saw The D Train. It was pretty cool to get out and about at the festival. It pains me to admit that it wast the first time I used one of my volunteer vouchers or the first time I saw a movie at a different theater. Next year, I'm going to do this more! I've really been missing out. I saw Richard Kind from Spin City at The D Train, but it took me a while to figure out who he was.

After the movie, I hung out at Starbucks to kill about an hour, then I headed to Main Street. I happened to walk through an alley that happened to have a Banksy painting on it, which was pretty cool. I wish I had spent more time on Main Street during the festival because it was cool.

 

I met Cassandra and Gina at Davanza's, which was amazing. The pizza was so good and even though I'm not usually one for crinkle cut fries, they were delicious.

It was a pretty cool place other than having delicious food. I would absolutely go back next time in Park City!

After dinner, we went to the Music Cafe for the volunteer appreciation day party. I think last year I missed this by one day, so it was fun to go to that. It was a lot smaller than the party at the beginning of the festival, but it was fun nonetheless. Plus they had the best sugar cookies and Red Vines. You can't beat Red Vines!

The next morning I woke up relatively early to hit the road. I packed up my hotel room and sadly said goodbye, then made the 8 hour drive back home. I stopped in Laramie for lunch, where I stopped for dinner last year, but I ended up eating at Subway because I couldn't find anything local that looked good and I was starving and really had to pee. Next time, I'm finding a restaurant beforehand because last year I ate at Applebee's and I'm thinking there has to be something good and local there! I drove straight to Pure Barre Boulder to take class (I needed some exercise after sitting in the car all day), and then went to church after that for Merge, as per my usual Thursday night. It made for a long day, and honestly, I was a little bummed when I got home to my own bed. I missed my awesome hotel room and Utah!

Sundance :: Days 1 thru 5

I attended the Sundance Film Festival for the second time this year and it was an aboslute blast.

 
On Tuesday morning, my mom and I headed to Utah for the relatively short road trip and we were blessed with exceptional weather the whole way. Last year it was a little dicey (and icy) in Wyoming, but we couldn't have asked for a better drive. 

We stopped at the same gas station as last year and, I have to say, it's my favorite gas station. Everyone has a favorite gas station, right? I just love this old building facade that's right by it, complete with a saloon, bank, and seed & feed store.

When we got to Park City, the first thing we did was stop by the festival headquarters to pick up my volunteer credentials and jacket. I have to say, I love the silver/red combination a lot more than last year's light blue/black.

We walked up and down Main Street to see some of the venues and shops before stopping in No Name Saloon for an extra dirty martini.

It was an amazing day in the mountains and there was even some left over snow on the ground and the roofs! We went to Red Rock Brewery in Kimball Junction for dinner, like we did last year. We even sat at the same table and I was able to rectify my mistake of not ordering the steak salad last time and it was just as delicious as I hoped it would be for the last year.

We started the day at Eggs in the City in Salt Lake. After a delicious breakfast, we visited the capital building and walked around inside and out.

They were setting up for a memorial service inside, but we were able to see most of the building and it was obviously gorgeous.

I especially loved the ceiling in the basement. After our self-guided tour, we went to lunch at Red Iguana (where I had the best shrimp quesadilla ever) and then I dropped my mom off at the airport.

I stopped by my favorite bakery in Salt Lake, Sweet Tooth Fairy. Before I knew it, I was ordering a dozen cupcakes--red velvet, salted caramel, chocolate chip cookie dough, and samoa.

I went to Park City for my first training and then hung out at Starbucks to kill time between training and the volunteer party. I ended up chatting with some fellow volunteers and they invited me to the lodge where the party was to hang out until 8:30. In a weird coincidence, I had actually talked to one of them via Facebook a few weeks before the festival in regards to housing. So crazy! We went downstairs for the party, which was a blast. I ran into two of my favorite volunteers from last year, who were sadly working at a different venue this year, and I also saw my management team again.

On Thursday morning, I got up early to go back to Park City for my theater training. I recognized some familiar faces from last year and got to see the new renovations to the Park City Library.

That afternoon, I visited my favorite movie theater in Salt Lake to see American Sniper, the second movie in my quest to see the eight Best Picture nominees for this year. It was great and I had a wonderful cocktail called Pineapple Express, which ended up being aptly named for who I ran into half a dozen times later in the week.

The days were beautiful and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. Instead of being outside, though, I opted to see The Theory of Everything and it did not disappoint.

I decided to try Yoshi, a fast food sushi place, near my hotel. I was not impressed. The miso soup was delicious, but everything else just seemed to be covered in this orange sauce and it was just too much. I wouldn't recommend it.

So I had one of my chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes for dessert to make up for the lousy dinner.

I got ready for my first shift at the library, where we would be screening The D Train and Knock Knock. While I was walking to the library, I saw Henry Zebrowski (of A to Z fame) walking down the street. He was in The D Train, explaining his presence.  Around the theater and during the Q&A, I saw Jarrad Paul (who played Monk's obnoxious neighbor on Monk and directed The D Train), James Marsden (who is even hotter in real life), Jack Black (who is just as wonderful as you would imagine him to be), Kathryn Hahn, and Jeffrey Tambor (who dresses just like George Senior). At the next screening, I saw the director, Eli Roth, and the star, Keanu Reeves (who just has a movie star aura about him).

Before heading home, I drove up Main Street and it was insane. There were people everywhere trying to get into the pop up clubs and spot celebrities. What a party!

On Saturday morning, I got up early to take class at Pure Barre Park City. In my year and a half doing Pure Barre, I had never taken a class anywhere but Boulder, but I was pleasantly surprised. The studio was beautiful and charming and the class was great!

I had plans to meet my friend Julie for lunch, so I had to pull out my faux fur vest, which is so Sundance. I'm kicking myself for not remembering my wool hat!

We went to The Annex for lunch and it was so good! I got the lamb burger and it was the best burger I've ever had!

After lunch, we went across town to RubySnap for cookies. If you're in the area, you have to check them out! All their cookies are named after women and they have unique flavors and homemade charm. Plus, if you want to try one, they'll give you a pretty good chunk!

I settled on the vanilla bean cookie with beet buttercream. I'm so glad I tasted it because it was amazing and I never would have thought!

That night at the library, I saw A$AP Rocky and Zoe Kravitz who starred in Dope, which finished screening just as my shift began. We screened Z for Zachariah, which I saw and was amazing. I also spotted Chris Pine, Margot Robbie, and Chiwetel Ejiofor who were stars of the film. I sat behind James Franco in the theater and later saw Tobey Maguire in the hallway since he was a producer on the film. Both of whom smiled at me. Our next screening was Cop Car, starring Kevin Bacon. I got to be stationed right outside the theater lounge where the entourage hangs out, so I spotted Kevin Bacon (who also smiled at me) and laughed with Kyra Sedgwick as she waited for her husband before heading upstairs to the theater. Two days later, I watched the latest episode of Brooklyn 99 and it was so crazy to have just seen her in person and then see her on the show!