Five on Friday {5/15}

Hey friends! Happy Friday!

I am munching on toast and getting ready to head to barre class (read about my recent barre love here). Here are some Friday thoughts:

1. Missing New Orleans 
We had such an amazing trip last weekend. It was the perfected to the semester. I walked way too much, had too much champagne, and enjoyed way too many beignets. And I wouldn't change a thing about it.

2. Pitch Perfect 2
... came out today in theaters. Obviously, I am going to see it today. This isn't really a movie AR wants to see in theaters, so my girlfriend (and bridesmaid!) and I are heading to the theater at noon to go watch it. A movie at noon on a Friday? It must be vacation :)

3. Engagement photos
AR and I take ours next weekend, so give me your tips! What should I be sure to bring/wear/do/etc? What did you love about yours? What did you with you haas done differently?

4. Junior League of Atlanta
This week I attended the end of the year wrap-up party for the Junior League. This party recognized provisional members who completed the requirements to become active members - aka, me!!! I am beyond excited to be an active member this year and start working in my placement in the fall.

The provisional year is a massive time commitment, with lots of mandatory meetings, trainings, classes, and volunteer hours, but is was also a great time. I loved meeting so many diverse women and learning more about the city of Atlanta.

5. Thursday night in
Last night was my first evening home alone with no studying to do since December. I walked to yoga class, ate dinner on the couch in my pjs and caught up on the RHONY. Can we talk about that for a second? I love Bethany and bless her heart, she keeps trying to help Sonja and it is a no-go. I die.

Then I decided to watch Sex & the City 2 (thanks Jacki for sending me all the moves!). Talk about a serious girl night.

x0xox, 

Hannah 

Thanks for hosting 5 on Friday, Liz!

Workouts: Barre Love

I've been obsessed with ClassPass every since I joined. I've taken 9 classes in 2 and a half weeks, which is amazing.

I've taken a variety of classes, but a lot of barre. Are you a fan?

Barre classes use a ballet barre and focus on core strengthening moves. I like that the moves are small and controlled, rather than super complicated. The moves include yoga, pilates, and dance. Often, weights are incorporated for a full body workout. 

Here are the classes I've tried:

Pure Barre (inman park location): Pure barre is done on a carpet, which was different to me. I am used to a wooden floor. I felt the choreography was a little confusing, but my instructor, Roxanne, was great about correcting people. I did not feel as sore from this workout, but it could be because I didn't understand the choreography.

Pink Barre (buckhead location): This class BURNED my outer thighs and butt. It was amazing. This was a small class and everyone was so friendly. I really appreciated how welcoming the class was and how small. The instructor cam ever to help me a few times and was so encouraging. This was done on a wood floor and required sticky socks.

Forme Barre Fusion (virginia highlands): This class is barre without the barre. Seriously, there is no barre. As a result, my core got an incredible workout because I had to do so much balancing. Some times this was tricky for me, but I loved how sore my sides were the next day - a sure sign that my muscles were working. I've done this class twice now and will absolutely be back.

Core Fusion Barre (exhale): Oh my gosh. This was the most challenging barre class I took. The class was backed (over 30 people) and we worked for 60 minutes. Each part of the workout was killer for me, but I loved it. I have already signed up to go again next week.

Barre 3 (south buckhead): I did not take this on class pass. This was my first barre experience several months ago and I have been maybe 5 times. I liked the workout, but sometimes the studio was a little crammed.

If you are considering your first barre class:

• Tell the instructor that you are new, so that she can assist you in getting into the poses. 
• Wear leggings and a loose shirt. You want to be able to move freely, but you also don't want to flash the class when you put your legs in the air. Leggings are a safe bet
• Consider sticky socks - many studios require them! I've been wearing my sticky socks that Kushy Foot sent me and I love them. Several women have asked where I received them. They are very inexpensive and have held up well through my many classes. I absolutely recommend them!
• Prepare to be sore! The moves may seem small, but the impact is significant. 
• Have fun! Unlike a zumba class, or other dance class, the moves are not choreographed to go with music. So find your rhythm and don't worry if it takes you a while to catch on. No one can tell :)

Do you do barre? What is your studio of choice? 

x0x0, 

Hannah

image via 

NOLA weekend

AR and I got back from New Orleans late Sunday night after a fantastic trip. This was probably our fifth or sixth trip to the city together and we always enjoy it. 

This trip was extra special because we were there to celebrate the wedding of our dear friends from Houston. We met them in Houston and stayed with them last year for Mardi Gras. It was fun to celebrate their special day and see friends from Texas. I can't wait to have them all in Atlanta in August for our wedding!

flying into the city on Friday evening

loved our hotel... why don't more hotels have wooden floors? they are so much nicer than carpet!

this. is. disgusting. don't take your shoes off on Bourbon Street, friends. 

On Friday evening, we had dinner at one of our favorite places in New Orleans - EAT. It is BYOB and the food is simple and fantastic. We had fried green tomatoes, crab cakes, crawfish balls, vegetable soup, white beans & shrimp, and lots of red wine.

On Saturday morning, we headed out for breakfast at Stanley's in Jackson square, before exploring the French Quarter.

Saturday morning walk to Cafe Du Monde

Of course, a few hours after breakfast, I needed a Beignet from Cafe Du Monde (always a must!).

On Saturday, I logged over 30,000 steps with all of our walking! We ended up heading back for a quick nap and shower before the wedding that night.

outside the church

The reception was held in the French Quarter at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. It was so gorgeous and the food was fantastic. 

Around 11, we headed out for the second line down Bourbon. The bride and groom lead the way and we all followed with lights and noise makers for a walk through the quarters. It was so much fun. 

We headed back to the hotel for dancing and cake until way too late :)

We spent Sunday morning antiquing on Magazine Street. We took a ride on the Street Car, which I LOVED and found tons of adorable spots to explore. By the time we landed in Atlanta at 10pm, I was so ready to crawl into bed. 

x0x0, 

Hannah

5 on Friday {5/8}

1. This Weekend

AR and I are heading to NOLA this weekend for our friends' wedding. I am so excited: I love NOLA and I love weddings :) I've been in training all week, so this feels like the real end of the school year and I can't wait to celebrate. 

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2. Workout Classes. 

I took a spin class at FlyWheel, a barre fusion class at Forme Studios, and a barre class at Pure barre this week. I love the new classes as a way to supplement my running. As summer approaches, I enjoy outside running less, so I think ClassPass is going to be a great addition to my workouts. My goal is 3 classes a week, which I've maintained the last two weeks. So much fun to try new workouts!

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3. Wedding Details.

I shared some of my May wedding goals yesterday, along with the things I accomplished in April. I am starting two weeks off this weekend and I plan to knock out a bunch more details over these weeks. Every time I open up Southern Weddings, I find a million more details to add to my list. #neverending

4. Gel Manicures

So I love a good gel mani... but I read this article this week and it made me rethink it. In fact, I decided to skip my mani for the wedding this weekend and go with regular polish. It is true that my nails are awful after they take the polish off. And sitting under those UV lights is not a good plan. What are your thoughts? Do you get them regularly?

5. New Bag

My Kate Spade tote is on its last limb. I want a new tote and am deciding between the Madewell tote and the JCrew tote. Any thoughts?

Madewell Tote:

JCrew Tote

Have a great weekend!

Hannah

Countdown to the Wedding: May Goals

Yesterday, we hit the 100 day mark!!! I cannot believe it!

Checking in on all of my wedding planning for the month and sharing goals for May. Let's see how I did.

(You can read about my March and April goals here)

So I am going to be honest... I didn't do so hot. With finals looming, I didn't cross off everything on my list. Here is what I planned to do:


April Goals

•  Finalize the DJ for the reception
•  Order invitations - still working on this. I've narrowed to 3 options and just need to pick one.
•  Book the calligrapher - nope. 
•  Start planning outfits for our engagement shoot --> Cannot WAIT to tell y'all more about this!
•  Survive finals at the end of the month. 
•  Maintain workouts with said finals. Not trying to up mileage in light of exam time, just trying to maintain 5 workouts a week and about 25 miles/week. My running mileage was a little lower, but I maintained 5-6 workouts a week. I joined ClassPass and have loved the challenge of new classes. 
•  Start cutting sugar. My skin looks better with less sugar, so I am limiting sweets to the weekends. This is hard for me, y'all. I love sweets. Doing okay on this. Still room for improvement :) 
•  Finalize bachelorette party plans! Heading to Miami in July with all my ladies. Still need to buy tickets. 

I plan to catch up over May. I have two solid weeks off before I start working for the summer, and I plan to stay busy on wedding fun those weeks. I want to start thinking about some of the small details for the weekend reception and ceremony.

May Goals

• Book the rehearsal dinner location - done! We are heading to a favorite local spot :)
• Schedule venue walkthrough with the planner and florist.
• Take engagement photos in Savannah - ahh!
• Buy tickets for Miami bachelorette.
• Attend first marriage preparation session with our pastor. 
• Plan farewell brunch for the Saturday after the wedding. 
• Continue 5-6 workouts a week with 3 strength training and 3 cardio sessions a week.
• Amp up skincare routine, including deep cleanses and exfoliating. 
• Book mini-moon hotel.
• Finish our wedding registry. 

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x0x0, 

Hannah