Sweatin’ good at SoulSpin!

Happy Sunday!! I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend!

I am taking the blog in a little bit different direction again this time and wanted to focus on an amazing new health and exercise opportunity I have found. In November of 2016 SoulSpin, a boutique cycling studio, was born in downtown Grand Forks.

When it comes to exercise for me I have always been most motivated by things that involved groups or teams. I grew up playing mainly soccer and some other teams sports and always liked getting to be surrounded by others and competing together for a common goal. Once high school sports were done and I got to college, I found it hard to be motivated to go to the wellness center and workout on my own. I started to play intramural soccer to combat some of that and then I also started to sign up for my first ever group exercise classes.

I tried step, bodypump, Zumba, kickboxing, and cycling classes and it was just what I needed. I liked having the commitment of signing up to go at a specific time and having a room full of people, including an instructor, to hold me accountable for my workout. Of course, only YOU can give your best level of effort in a workout to get the most personal gain, but for me to have a planned group workout was what “clicked” best.

After moving back to Grand Forks following my graduation from NDSU I found myself in a similar situation with having trouble getting in an exercise pattern that worked for me and was something that I enjoyed. When I changed jobs about a year ago to a more traditional work schedule working out became a little more frequent for me but I still wasn’t feeling in the groove….until November!!

I noticed posts on Facebook in early November about this new cycling studio that was moving in downtown and I knew I had to check it out. After checking out the website I signed up for a class on the VERY first day they were open and the experience was even more than I hoped it would be…the studio is intimate and quaint, just 15 bikes, which allows for class sizes that are personal and comfortable. The music is LOUD and the playlists are always on point 🙂 Riding to the beat of the music is unique and keeps your body alert and changing throughout the workout. Most of the 45-minute ride happens in the dark, with only battery-operated candles to keep the room glowing. This element adds another degree of “personal” to the workout because it feels like you’re the only one in the room.

My experience at my first class was amazing but it wasn’t just because of the atmosphere, it was mainly due to the people. Sarah Newgard and her fiance Chip Shea are the owners of the studio and I have never met more welcoming or more positive people. They greeted me at the door on my first day and asked my name. They wanted to know more about me right away and were so thankful to all of us that had signed up to come and spin with them. During the rides Sarah always reminds everyone to modify whenever they see fit and to not get distracted by others because this ride is just for you. Her message always involves setting an intention for the class and why you’re here. I also love that she reminds us how INCREDIBLE our bodies are and how it is such an amazing thing that we can do what we do at her class.

Now, when I walk in the door 2 (if not 3!) times a week for class I am greeted by a whole room of smiling faces and usually a handful of hugs and high fives. I have loved the community that I feel at the studio and it’s a pretty amazing thing to feel EXCITED to get in the car and drive to your work out (which has definitely not been the case for me in the past!!)

Here is a photo from the studio and our group after a Saturday morning sweaty ride this weekend 🙂

I am so thankful to Sarah and Chip for making this such a positive place for me and so many others in Grand Forks. I can’t wait to continue working out with them and the rest of the crew for a long time to come!!

If you are brand new to spinning or have spun before but never at SoulSpin I encourage you to try it for yourself! I would be happy to answer any questions you have or have you sign up to a class I’m going to and I can spin with you! All levels are welcome at every class and Chip will help you get your bike set up just right if it’s your first time.

For more information on the studio you can visit them on Facebook here and click “book  Facebook now” to sign up for classes online. OR you can visit Sarah’s website and choose SoulSpin in the top right corner to view the schedule and sign up for classes!

I’m already looking forward to my class on Tuesday night!!! Have a great week, everyone!!

#SoulSpin on #sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

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BarkBox love <3

I’m stepping away from design tonight to write about something that every dog owner should try at least once : BarkBox!

When I got my goldendoodle Luna a little less than a year ago I thought about trying this subscription right away because I had heard and seen many other dog owners give positive reviews. I signed up 6 months ago for a membership and haven’t been disappointed….neither has Luna 🙂

In your box each month you get 2 toys and 3 different types of treats. When you sign up initially you build a profile for your dog that includes their age, size/weight, and they ask you some questions about your dog’s play style such as: how serious of a chewer/destroyer they are. This helps them build a box with the best toys and treats for your furry friend! Luna loves to chew on nylabones and tougher toys so they send her stronger toys that are more durable for her.

The best part of BarkBox is the theme that they choose for the box each month. My favorite box came in November and was Thanksgiving themed! Complete with turkey dinner treats, a turkey sandwich toy, and a stuffed piece of pumpkin pie!!! The pumpkin pie has been Luna’s favorite toy yet and it’s still around 3 months later.

The subscription is also a great value for your money. I pay $24 per month to get 3 bags of treats or bones and 2 toys. That is MUCH less than I would spend to buy that much all separately at a pet store or Target. The subscription is also less expensive monthly the more months you commit to up front.

Luna’s favorite day of the month is when her box shows up. She knows as soon as I bring it in the house that new toys have arrived. Here she is waiting patiently last week when her January travel-themed box with an airplane and duffel bag toy showed up!

I give a big stamp of approval on this service for anyone who owns a dog or would want to gift a box or subscription to someone else with a dog! For more information and to sign up for a subscription you can visit their website here

If you have any questions or want to know more don’t hesitate to ask. I hope you all are having a great week!

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen

get inspired in 2017

Everyone: I am so sorry that I have been on such a long hiatus….yikes!! The holidays and a family vacation snuck up on me and now it’s almost the end of January!!! I promise it won’t happen again 🙂

As I mentioned, I just returned from a relaxing tropical family vacation last week and one of the highlights of the trip for me was how much reading I was able to do! I read 2 books but was also able to read a handful of design and style  magazines!!

I have a few magazines that I subscribe to but Santa ( Thanks Mom 😀 ) gave me a few new finds in my stocking this year that I was excited to leaf through.

Something that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone is that my go-to magazine is HGTV. Each month when it arrives in my mailbox I practically run inside and land on my couch with my post-it flags to start diving in.

Many months just looking at the cover is enough to get me inspired! Some of the best things about this magazine are their front door ideas, amazing paint color ideas, and the ULTIMATE house tours 🙂  I highly recommend picking up a copy one time just to see how you like it…I know you’ll fall in love.

This next magazine was brand new to me and it will now become a other one of my regulars! “I did it!” is just as it sounds: an entire showcase of diy projects and step to step guides on how to complete them all the way down to a materials list and lots of photos!

I hope that you’ll grab these magazines or another one of your choosing to get inspired and have fun dreaming and imagining what some of your spaces could look like and then TACKLING it!!! And telling me about it when you’re done!!

I have quite a few flagged pages in these two magazines so be ready for a recap post on some new projects SOON! Let’s make it a great week!

#sugarspiceandstylethatsnice

xoxo Jen