Simple Tank Top with Bow Neck Tie

While on Pinterest the other day, I came across a picture of a dress that I absolutely loved. When I clicked on it, it brought me to a blog with a link to a different blog. The tutorial was very simple and easy to follow. Above is my adaptation of the shirt. It is very cute, and it only took me a few hours to complete. You can find the tutorial here! I highly recommend trying this project out. It is perfect for beginners! I think I'm going to use the same tutorial to sew a dress!

I want it!!!

While perusing the web for a cute beach cruiser for college, I came across this picture. A Lilly Pulitzer bike!! It is so cute! It is the perfect color and patter; super girly and fun. All it needs is a basket! The only problem is that you can't buy it, or at least I can't figure out where to buy it. Grrrrr!

Revamp Old Shorts!

I had a four and a half day weekend this weekend, so I decided to add some flair to a pair of my old denim shorts. I wasn't going by a tutorial or anything; I just kind of winged it. I wasn't quite sure how they would turn  out, but i'm pretty happy with them.

I started by cutting up the side seams of the shorts 4 inches. Then I pressed the shorts since I usually the shorts folded up. 

Next, I cut two 5" by 5" squares of lace. I could have done it will a smaller piece, but at the time I decided to have more material than not enough. 

I pinned the lace to the inside of the shorts leaving 2 and a half inches between either side of the denim. 

I found it easiest to sew the lace on in 5 sections. I marked them above in purple. After you sew the lace on (remembering the backstich), you will have to cut off the excess lace around the seams. Also, make sure that the lace does not exceed the bottom of the shorts. 

And tada your shorts are finished!

Healthy Habits: Snacking

My biggest issue with trying to eat healthy is snacking; I am drawn to the junk food. For some reason my mom feels the need to keep Pringles and cookie dough in the house all the time, and unfortunately cookie dough is my FAVORITE food! I don't know why people ruin it by cooking it!!

To fix this problem I have come up with a little system. I bought a set of 5 small bins with caps at Target.

I used 4 of the bins, 2 for my dads house, and 2 for my moms. I decorated them because they were so ugly and plain before. I just used scrapbooking stickers to write "Clare's Snacks" on all of them.

I put a bin in the pantry and filled it with healthy pantry snacks. For example, I have some Luna bars, Fiber One bars, Special K chips, popcorn, and other healthy snacks.

I put another bin in the fridge for refrigerated snacks. I put string cheese, sliced cucumbers, and yogurts in them. 

Knowing that I should only eat the food in the bins helps me make healthier choices. It also makes packing my lunch super simple because everything is right there to grab and throw in my bag. They give me the mental ability to chose healthy things instead of the cookie dough and chips. 

The Rules of the Gym

I go to the gym a lot and there are a lot of things that bug me. People just need to use some common sense when it comes to their gym etiquette.

Let's start with clothing:

• Many people go to the gym to lose weight, but sometimes it seems like they are wearing their goal weight outfit to the gym. I do not want to see all that giggle.
• To the girls out there, you don't need to dress up to go to the gym; a baggy t-shirt and running shorts are fine. The tight soffee shorts and frilly tank tops are not necessary, and neither are the earrings and tons and tons of makeup and perfume. No one cares enough about how you look at the gym, so don't try to impress anyone!
• It's great that you workout after work, but you should probably put on gym clothes and not wear your slacks and button up. (Yes, I've seen it multiple times)
• Now for shoes, flip flops, dress shoes, socks, barefoot, and those creepy toe things are all unacceptable. Please just get some tennis shoes.

Working Out Etiquette 

• If the sign says only use the machines for 30 minutes if people are waiting, then only use the machine for 30 minutes. It's not that hard to figure it out, and if you do go over the 30 minutes, I will stalk your machine until you get off.
• The gym provides you with paper towels and spray, so why is it so hard to wipe off your machine when you're done? It's gross for other people when you don't, so save us the trouble.
• There is a sign on every machine asking you to turn off the TV. It's one button, do it!
• If I'm on a machine and there are 5 other open ones, don't choose the one next to me. 
• Don't fart.
• Don't stare at other people while they workout that's just creepy.
• Don't get mad when I try to race you on the treadmill; it's my competitive nature.
• Laughing at the TV can startle the person next to you
• If you're going to show up to the gym, at least try to do something productive.
• Don't talk on the phone for extended periods of time

Please, if you go to a gym, don't be the person everyone hates.

The Best of 2011!

These are my favorite things of 2011!

1) Favorite Song
Country Girl by Luke Bryan. This was the song of my summer! I had it on repeat for 5 months straight and I still love it!

2) Favorite Nail Polish
Turquoise and Caicos by Essie. I wore this color almost all summer and I love it. It brings out a tan and looks so so so pretty!

3) Favorite Website
Pinterest! I've become addicted to this website. You can "pin" photos to your different boards. Depending on your interests you can pin things like craft ideas, clothes, food, fitness, car, and pretty much anything else you can think of. My username is clarepurvis if you want to follow my boards.
pinterest.com/clarepurvis

4) Favorite Event
The Kenny Chesney concert was the funnest thing I did all year! It was amazing!

5) Favorite Memory
Meeting Case McCoy and going to the Texas game was the best experience ever!

New Years Resolutions

It is 2012! I have been waiting for this year since I entered high school and have wanted to graduate. The countdown to college has officially begun and I cannot wait! 2012 will be the best year of my life so far! It's only a week in and I'm already very pleased with how it is going! I have never really made New Years resolutions before, but since this is such an important year for me, I thought I might as well start.

1. Eat Healthy!
I consider myself a health freak, but I lack the will power to not give into junk food. This year I'm hoping to stop mindless snacking, and I want to eat more fruits and vegetables.

2. Strength Train Daily!
I go to the gym everyday, but I usually only do cardio. Strength training is important to balance your health, but I hate doing it. This year I am determined to get super strong.

3. Take More Risks!
This is the biggest one to me. I consider myself a very boring person. I never do anything fun. My best friend Sloan likes to say that I'm not boring, I'm just cautious. I realize that there is nothing wrong with being safe rather than sorry, but I feel like I'm missing out on being a teenager because I never do anything fun. I am too worried about consequences and I don't live in the moment enough. Seize the Day!!

4. Read More!
Over Thanksgiving, my aunt said that you would learn all you need to know by reading. I've decided that I need to broaden my reading spectrum and finish all the books I start. This one should be easy since I got a Kindle for Christmas.

5. Get Toned Abs
I am going to be going to college in 8 months, and I chose a college that is five miles from the beach. I would like to look amazing in a bikini by the time I get there, so I am determined to see lines on my stomach by August. I used to have a very strong core when I was a dancer, but since then they have dwindled down.

6. Make my Bed Everyday
It just makes your room look better to have the bed made.

7. Keep my Room Clean!
You're welcome mom and dad

8. Run a 5K
I have been wanting to run a race for years, but I haven't gotten up the motivation to train outside. I can run forever on the treadmill, but I'm not sure if that would help me outdoors.

9. Blog More!
I have decided to give up on trying to write a blog everyday since that was not working. However, I am going to aim for blogging at least once a week.