What to Wear to Pure Barre

Tomorrow morning, I have the pleasure of attending a complimentary Pure Barre class hosted by lovely ladies of Poplin & Queen. The winners of their giveaway will also be in attendance and, for some of these girls, it will be their first barre class ever. If they're wondering what I was wondering before I went the first time, then we need to talk about what to wear! 

As you'd expect, you wear standard gym clothes except PB requires that you do wear pants to keep your muscles warm throughout class. I also did not know that socks were required, although you do not wear shoes. Thank goodness my pal in Raleigh who had attended a barre class gave me that heads up. Your socks do not have to be Pure Barre socks, the non-slip, grippy kind, but they sure do make a difference. And don't think for one second that your won't sweat. You will. A lot. Make sure your tops are a moisture-wicking or breathable material. 

All that being said, here are my favorite, most flexible barre outfits in case you are considering your first barre class...

Option One: Lululemon tank, Target pants

Essentials: Patagonia pullover, Pure Barre socks

Option Two: Lululemon tee, Lululemon crops

Lululemon's activewear happens to be some of the best I've ever owned. I haven't been let down yet by one of their pieces. The tank above is great as it has a tight, midlength fit that allows you to move without slipping or gapping. It also comes with a built-in bra so don't worry if you haven't had a laundry day to clean your sports bras yet! The Lululemon tee is a great, more covered alternative. It is long enough to hide your booty in tight pants. Score! Of course, it's chilly outside so you might want another layer during warm-up. And while the PB grippy socks are more than the usual pair of socks, they are worth it...you'll find out when you slip and slide in plank...

Hope these tips help you in your quest for fitness! Off to take an Advil in expectation of tomorrow's burn!

Wednesday's Look For Less: Heart Shaped Blouse

How many bloggers do you know that will reference a little Nirvana the Wednesday after Election Day? Who loves you, baby!

I digress. Today is about looking good for less. Behold the two chic blouses below. Both classic in style but precious in print. Every gal needs a little novelty blouse in her closet. So I put it to you- which top is the splurge and which is the steal? 

These two tops are so incredibly similar. If you guessed that the top on the left is the save, then give yourself a pat on the back! Designed by Ark & Co. and available from Piperlime, this top rings up at only $59. Such a stylish top for a great deal! The top on the right looks lovely but is much more of a splurge. You can pick it up at J. Crew for $135. 

Which one would you choose or do you have one of these tops already? The good news is you can't go wrong. Either way, you'll be able to wear your heart on your sleeve.

All-American Style

On this Election Day, what could be more patriotic than a nod to classic American style? Maybe it's because I've suddenly decided I'm a horse person (see here) that I've started noticing but equestrian inspired pieces appear everywhere this fall. The whole horse "bit" truly embodies timeless Americana. Everyone from the Old West's cowboys to New England jockeys have inspired these looks. And they are equally as chic in your home as they are in your closet. 

1- C. Wonder Blazer
2- Collective Concepts Dress
3- Vintage Trojan Horse Bookends
4- C. Wonder Horse Studs
5- Hermes Scarf
6- Hermes Bracelet
7- Tory Burch Horse Head Necklace (on sale!)

BTW, Tory Burch is offering free shipping today only in honor of Election Day with the code ELECTION2012. Go vote! And then maybe exercise your right to shop. 

The Chic Setting

Can you believe that it's NOVEMBER?? Thanksgiving lurks just around the corner and then we know it's all down hill from there until 2013. For the decoratin' types, holidays can be a real dream and I am finding myself drawn to place settings of all things. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, Thanksgiving feast or just setting the table for two, it's always fun to get creative with your plates and linens. But what makes sitting at the table so striking? It's time to dissect the chic setting. 

via Lonny Magazine

via Martha Stewart

via I Suwanee

via Martha Stewart

via Ralph Lauren

via Veranda

Now how about we put these tips to use...

Wooden placemat/ Twig flatware/ Feather napkins/ Leopard print dinner plate (on sale!)/ Pheasant salad plate/ Tortoiseshell tumbler/ Bronze vase (similar)/ Pheasant feathers/ Tortoiseshell bowl/ Pheasant feather balls (here and here)

Have you thought about your holiday place settings yet? I'd love to know your ideas. The possibilities really are endless!

Pure Obsession

It's time I clue you all in to a little addiction I'm facing. Yes, I need to admit that I've been hanging out at the Barre a little too often...as I have recently become obsessed with some serious exercise fun at the new Pure Barre in Wilmington.

Pure Barre just opened here last Friday and you better believe I was there that day. If you've been to a barre class before, then you know the love/hate relationship that can develop from a 55 minute class. Friends of mine who had been to barre class warned me that your legs will burn, your arms will shake, you'll be sore the next day and you'll look amazing with a little commitment. Let me tell you, these ladies who have done it over time look AH-MAZ-ING...sleek, toned, trim, fit.

But here's the really amazing news for my fellow Wilmingtonians... 

My friends Lindsey Cheek and Shannon Darrough of Poplin & Queen are hosting an invitation-only, complimentary class for five gals in Wilmington. You just have to enter on one of their blogs to win! BONUS ALERT: You'll be offered 10% a Pure Barre package if you attend. This opportunity will save you some dough and get you looking great all while having tons of fun with the likes of Lindsey, Shannon and maybe even me!

This giveaway ends on Thursday, Nov. 8 so enter today if you can! I hope to see you there. And make sure you drink tons of water before and after. This workout is LEGIT.

Wednesday's Look for Less: Animalistic Clutches

via Style.com

There's so much I want to say to explain how excited I am about today's Look for Less. But you, dear reader, are supposed to guess which one costs less! 

(Like those rhymes??)

So without further ado, I present you with two very similar clutches at two very different prices. Which one do you think is the splurge and which is the save? 

(Now I can start freaking out.) 

The one of the right first caught my eye during fall fashion week. Proenza Schouler marched it down the runway with so many different looks, it was clear they knew they had a hit on their hands. Literally. 

via Style.com

But that gorgeous designer bag comes at a price. It's $745 in fact. OUCH! Imagine my delight when the other little gem handmade by Emily Rosendahl popped up over on Southern Arrondissement. While I would never say that this bag is inexpensive, a $275 price tag is a bit easier to handle than nearly $750. And I dare say Emily's clutch is more interesting. Eek! Sorry, PS boys. 

And in case neither of these bags strike you're fancy, there's always this Clare Vivier clutch for even less...meow.

Closet Foulard Nothing to Wear?

via Pinterest

Problem: Even though we've entered a new season, you feel like you have nothing to wear. What's worse? You don't have an endless supply of funds to fix it.

Solution: You can have your cake and eat it too...er, you can revive your wardrobe with pieces you already own by mixing in some unexpected "out of season" items.

Case in point: Harper's Bazaar's mention of foulard in the November issue. The signatures of this lightweight, silky fabric are an interesting, scarf-like print and an ease of wear...in fact, it's so effortless that I personally considered it more of a summer material. That is until today. If J. Crew's foulard print pants can still be full price, then you can pull off this look on any nice fall day. So cute! 

Of course, my favorite fashion glossy suggested recreating this look with a $1400 Derek Lam dress and $3100 Celine bag. Yeah, thanks for the help. So here's my little recreation with some much more affordable pieces...you know, just in case you aren't sure if something is in your closet.

Let me break it down for you:

Vegan motorcycle jacket from Modcloth

Foulard asymmetrical dress from London Times

Structured handbag by Rebecca Minkoff

Booties from Piperlime

Tell me you don't have a summery dress that you could throw a jacket over to look chilly weather chic and I'll give you $100. 

Well, maybe not. But I will suggest that if you find a great summer frock on sale that you buy it now and wear it like this chic chick!