barre3 style

i'm not gonna lie, i'm that girl in barre class that is staring weirdly at others trying to figure out where they got that workout top or where are those leggings from?! i love workout clothes, and i could live in what i wear to barre class if it was socially acceptable. my favorite pieces of clothing i have actually gotten at the barre3 studio (usually seeing it before class then convincing myself i need it all through class and buying it after).

so shopping and an amazing workout all in one place? does it get any better?! both the northshore and bearden hill barre3 studios have the cutest tops and bottoms so that you can be the best dressed in your class. check out some of my favorite looks below, and make sure to shop some before you shake and quake!

be love tank / beyond yoga essential gathered long legging

be love tee and cropped leggings / tiny devotions scarf

barre3 branded tank / beyond yoga essential leggings

barre3 branded tank / jala leggings

be love tee / jala leggings

beyond yoga tank / jala leggings / tiny devotions scarf

special thanks to the ladies of barre3 knoxville for collaborating with me on this post! 

xoxo,

clp

back at barre3 + breakfast

theclairewithredhair has hit a milestone... 50,000 page views! i cannot thank y'all enough for reading my ramblings and recipes, my thoughts and tribulations! i really do enjoy blogging and as long as you keep reading, i'll keep posting. and if you really like it, share with your friends and family!

as you have read about before i am not one to shy away from trying out fitness classes... from barre3, to total body to spin to hot yoga, i have tried quite a few. some i have hated (read: zumba) and some i am sore for a week afterward. my latest fitness class obsession is barre3. i have written about it before, but now i practice barre3 more frequently than in the past and can really see results. i started going to class infrequently about a year ago, but in the past three months or so, i go on a regular basis.

i have noticed such a change now that i go 3+ times a week. not only just in getting better and challenging myself more in class, but in my everyday life as well. barre3 is all about the mind body connection, a three part formula that carries you from class to work to home. the workouts are designed to change the body to "one of equal balance, flexibility and strength." so what changes have i seen since practicing regularly? more than i am most likely aware of. i can tell that i breathe better and more controlled in my other workouts and am aware of how my breathing connects with my workout. i have much better posture. i was talking with one of my favorite barre3 knoxville instructors, cara, and she told me that my posture has improved exponentially since i first started and she has noticed a change. i find myself carrying myself taller and sitting up straighter while in lecture or even just at home watching tv. my physical body has also changed. as many of you know, i was drastically underweight. now i am at a healthy weight, putting on about 15 pounds of muscle in the past year. barre3 has helped me do that. through isometric holds, light weights and small one-inch movements, i have built muscle and actually have a what they call a "barre3 butt!"

the barre3 method combines holds and both small and large movements to give the full body workout that revs the metabolism, increases the heart rate and energizes the body. i have never once left a class feeling worn out and exhausted, but rather feel energized.

in addition to taking studio classes, i partake in the online workouts as well as read the barre3 blog for recipes (which are all amazing) and health tips and have the barre3 app on my phone! i really do believe in everything that barre3 teaches... it has improved my lifestyle for the better. everyone at barre3 always has a smile on their face and is willing to talk to you, modify any poses and help you in any way that you can.

don't be afraid of trying a new fitness class. with the new year, try something new. you never know, it could become something that impacts your life in a positive way. try barre or spin or yoga or a new healthy breakfast recipe (below), whatever strikes your fancy!

PB2 overnight chia oats

1/4 c old-fashioned oats

1/4 nonfat greek yogurt

1/2 c unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1 tbsp chia seeds

2 tbsp PB2 powdered peanut butter

1. combine all ingredients in a container with an airtight lid. mix until well combined.
2. refrigerate at least overnight. (you can prepare up to two nights ahead of time)
3. serve with sliced banana, berries, nuts, etc.

xoxo,

clp

easy-peasy trail mix recipe & a deal

trail mix is such a good go-to snack! however, the pre made trail mix at the store often contains too salty nuts, too sugary dried fruits, and chocolate without the health benefits. so, instead of buying the store's trail mix, i dare you to make your own! it really is one of the easiest things you can make... so easy a kid could do it! the recipe below is my favorite version and i am often finding myself replenishing it! it can easily be adapted to fit your tastes and easily doubled or tripled! i usually keep mine in a plastic container so it is easily accessible for snacks! (just make sure you don't eat too much - while nuts are good for you, they can be high in calories so make sure to keep it to a single serving)

trail mix

1/2 c unroasted, unsalted almonds

1/2 c unroasted, unsalted peanuts

1/2 c reduced sugar craisins

1/2 c unsweetened banana chips

1/4 c unroasted, unsalted sunflower seeds

1/4 c white chocolate chips

1/4 c dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs

1. combine ingredients (i often just make it in the container i plan on keeping it in) and mix well! 

i also wanted to share with my knoxville readers an amazing deal if you are looking for a good workout! Barre 3 Knoxville is celebrating their second anniversary and they are offering their clients an awesome deal on Groupon! 4 classes for $39 - an $80 value! i definitely jumped on it because i really enjoyed the Barre3 class i went to! Click here for the deal!

xoxo,

clp

my kate spade addiction & barre3

i love love love kate spade. her quirky designs and sayings, glitter and bright colors are everything i could ask for. i love that her motto is "live colorfully," something i strive to do. from her accessories to her home and gifts line to her clothing collections, there is nothing i can't take my eyes off of. this season, kate spade has teamed up once again with keds to deliver the cutest collection i have ever seen. i jumped on the pair of glitter keds before even asking permission to get them (thanks mom!) because i knew they would sell out if i waited.

keds x kate spade new york champion glitter

kate spade also is finally releasing a gifts and accessories line in partnership with Lifeguard Press, who also has a line with Lilly Pulitzer that i am obsessed with. i have been anxiously awaiting the release of the kate spade collection and i finally found some of it online at Swoozie's (this site is great - tons of great gifts and holiday decorations at any price range). i may or may not have made a few impulse purchases because i just couldn't resist...

reusable tote - to add to my collection! 

cat mask - perfect for halloween! 

great gatsby notebook - for jotting down notes!

bookmarks - one for me, one for mama! 

how adorable is everything?! if you can't tell, i am in a major shopping mood, which is unfortunate since i am a full-time student with no part-time job. somehow, i keep finding a reason why i just have to have something! also, i am already starting to brainstorm christmas gifts! i feel like i have more gifts than usual to buy this year and there are only 73 days until christmas so its time to start shopping! i may even do some DIY gifts this year. last year phillip and i did stockings for mom and dad and we are continuing the tradition this year so i am already starting to get ideas for that!

i went to my first barre3 class today and loved it! it was such a nice break from cardio and i know i got a workout because my legs were shaking during class. as the instructor said, "if its not shaking, its not changing!" i will definitely be feeling it tomorrow! you may be wondering what barre3 is exactly. 

"barre3 evolves the dancer's workout by combining the grace of the ballet barre with the wisdom of yoga and strength of pilates. barre3 workouts are set to an upbeat soundtrack and follow a vigorous pace moving through a sequence of postures designed to shape and lift the entire body." 

-barre3

i really liked the class and will be going again. they told me a studio is opening up in nashville soon and i know there is barre11 in murfreesboro that i will have to try out. i can already tell i am going to be feeling my workout tomorrow! 

tonight is family dinner night! we are having my crockpot chicken tacos with guacamole and black beans! i am so excited to spend some time with my little and grandlittle! and since i have been putting it off all day, i now get to work on finance flashcards to begin preparing for the next test because i know it will be a doozy. after dinner, i have clean sheets and a good book to crawl into bed with and no alarm set for the morning! happy saturday! 

xoxo,

clp  

happy october!

"i am so glad we live in a world where there are octobers"

-l.m. montgomery 

happy october! october is one of my favorite months of the year! it brings so many of my favorite things and this year, october is spilling over with things i am planning to do.

october is already off to a great start with the revealing of the Alpha Chi Omega Lilly Pulitzer print! i may be a little bit biased but i think its the best sorority print yet. i am beyond obsessed with it and can't wait to order anything and everything that they put it on! i was afraid it was going to look too christmas-y since our colors are red and green, but in true Lilly fashion, they made it perfect! i also love that they not only incorporated our flower, the red carnation, but also our symbol, the lyre! i just can't get over how much i love it!

lilly pulitzer alpha chi omega print

my month of october is already almost totally planned out which means i will be a busy bee! however, most of it is fun activities with a side of schoolwork. the things i am most looking forward to this month are...

• this upcoming weekend's home football game: the whole family is coming up with a delicious tailgate in hand and it is the SEC home opener. i can't wait to see the vols run through the T in that smokey grey!
• cooking for my friends: i have already planned a chili and cornbread night with my best friends and then also planned a taco night with my alpha chi little and grandlittle. i love cooking for others and the off weekend from football was the perfect opportunity!
• i am going to my first barre3 class on the 12th and could not be more excited! i have always wanted to try out barre3 and i am finally getting the chance to do so. changing up my workout is always good for my body and i think this will be a great break from the cardio i usually do.   
• FALL BREAK! finally a couple of days off from school and it couldn't come at a better time. this girl needs some beautifying done (hair, eyebrows, nails, etc.), some murfreesboro and a little bit of nashville. mom has taken off from work the whole time i am home and we are going to nashville at least once, treating ourselves to IveyCake and just relax at home with daddy and phillip. i would love to go to a pumpkin patch and decorate the house for fall as well! 
• we also have many fun sorority events this month! sisterhood retreat is this sunday, founder's day is coming up and we also have a mixer or two. the new members will perform in LipSync later in the month and i'm sure they will put on a good show! 
• i am going to my first away game as a student this month too! it will most likely be a blood bath, but a group of us in Alpha Chi is road tripping down to Tuscaloosa for the UT vs Bama football game. i have heard away games are the most fun so i can't wait to see what is in store for us! 
• and of course, if its october that means that november comes next which mean my birthday is almost here! the countdown is on which means i will have to get started on the infamous birthday wishlist i make every year for my parents (which they usually laugh at)! 

this list doesn't even encompass the spur of the moment things and schoolwork that will come up. i love fall and october really is the official start of it for me. i am excited to cook some fall recipes and to break out my fall clothes (especially my boots)! life really does start over again when it gets crisp in the fall!

xoxo,
clp