STRENGTH+Sole » Fashion

From Ms. to Mrs.

Rachel — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 13:49:46 +0000

What are the odds?
A little more than two years ago, I met my now-husband through this blog. At that time, I had been on literally hundreds of online dates through all of the traditional matchmaking sites. I’d always felt that I had to slip on my heels, gloss my lips and get out there and find him. Instead, Stephen found me–sweaty, in spandex, doing the thing that I love most.

In celebration of our wedding last Sunday, we were featured in The New York Times. My takeaway from our very chance meeting…and the twelve years prior that I spent dating online? Never give up. And, always wear a cute workout outfit. :)

Here’s our story.

Photo by Sarah Merians.

It Takes Two {2nd Anniversary}

Rachel — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 02:24:59 +0000

Happy 2nd birthday, STRENGTH+Sole.
STRENGTH+Sole is turning two–and, we’re getting a new look to celebrate. Stay tuned for expanded search; big, beautiful fashion images and more sweaty fun from inside NYC’s best fitness studios.

Thanks, as always, for reading–see you back here again in early March.
And, until then, follow me @fitgirlrachel!

Killer Heels

Rachel — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 04:05:15 +0000

Whether you’re planning a staycation in the city or just looking for a weekend activity that doesn’t involve holiday shopping and schlepping, be sure to catch Killer Heels: The Art of the High-Heeled Shoe at the Brooklyn Museum. It’s a multi-media exhibition: fancy footwear with heels of dizzying heights mixed with short films by big names like fashion photographer Steven Klein and artist Marilyn Minter. Here, a few of my favorites:

My advice? Run, don’t walk!

Showing through February 15, 2015.

Flirty Fall

Rachel — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 02:35:04 +0000

I’ve long been a fan of ladylike dressing: A-line skirts, pencil skirts, flirty tops, sparkly jewels and sky-high heels. In my closet, you’ll find them all. Here’s one of my favorite fall looks, worn to my nephew’s “welcome to the world” party at my parents’ house this past weekend. He’s four months and it didn’t take long (mmm, maybe a second or two?) for me to fall head over heels.

Ain’t love grand?

Skirt: Trina Turk, Sweater: Uniqlo, Pumps: Louise et Cie and my grandmother’s antique pearl ring.

Carnival

Rachel — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 16:35:40 +0000

Yesterday was one of the most beautiful fall days that I can remember. Sunny, warm and not a cloud in the sky. It was the perfect chance to get outside. I took a trip to the ‘burbs for a festival overflowing with kettle corn, carnival rides and lots of fun and games.

My look? Preppy chic. Levi’s paired with a lavender cashmere sweater, sparkly gold flats and oversized Jackie O.-style shades.

Do you live in jeans? If so, check out Levi’s Mid Rise Skinny–with the perfect amount of stretch, you’ll actually feel like you’re in leggings…because we should all have as much fun as we can.

Product provided by Levi’s c/o Women’s Health. #LiveinLevis
All thoughts/assessments are my own.

Lighthearted

Rachel — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 22:05:57 +0000

Sitting on 200 acres near the Napa and Sonoma County line, deep in California wine country, you’ll find Scribe Winery. With a picturesque view and a pair of California hipsters at the helm, the winery employs a practice called “Forever Wild Farming,” integrating their cultivation of the land with its natural ecosystem.

It was the perfect setting to have some fun in relaxed pieces by Nancy Rose, a former nationally ranked elite gymnast turned Parsons graduate. Having studied design in Rome, Rose’s collection focuses on high quality fabrics, not flashy prints, combined with fit and flexibility. It’s a fashionable toast to excellence–at the barre, on the treadmill and in our favorite yoga poses.

Keyhole Short Sleeve Tee in Sea, Odyssey Tank in Scarlett and Plank Crop in Black, all by Nancy Rose Performance.

Product provided by Nancy Rose Performance.
All thoughts/assessments are my own.

Say What You Need to Say

Rachel — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 16:41:42 +0000

Where I work, we’re in the thick of planning and producing a food & music festival headlined by John Mayer this fall. So, he was on my mind when I spotted Pamela Barsky’s collection of ultra expressive zip-up pouches at Artists & Fleas in Chelsea Market and also downtown at the new South Street Seaport.

Always a fan of communication, just like Mr. Mayer (yes, I was one of those chatty teenage girls who obsessed with my friends about, like, everything via phone for hours), I chuckled while rifling through her snarky-meets-sophisticated collection of canvas bags.

And, when it comes to New York, these are a handful of my favorites.
Because in this town, let’s face it, you can never have too much style…or too much love.

Knotty & Nice

Rachel — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 17:56:33 +0000

Don’t you love how friends of friends can instantly become your friends too? I do. And, that’s how I felt when I met Nur-E Rahman, the designer of Knotty Gal, a collection of colorful necklaces, bracelets & earrings made from very simple, straightforward materials (cords and metals, knotted together) with a very deep, meaningful mission.

Nur-E and I were introduced by a mutual friend, who felt that we’d connect. We met up in Tribeca, cracked open her trunk of jewelry and spent most of our time gabbing away like we were old friends. And, then, when it came time to talk about the collection, I learned that Nur-E and her mom started Knotty Gal just last year to raise money for a girls’ school in Bangladesh founded 50 years ago by her great grandfather. Most of the students there, more than 1,000 today, come from very poor families.

The Knotty Gal necklaces and earrings are bold, so they’re strong enough to be worn alone. The bracelets, ranging from oversized cuffs to chain link cords, are ideal for layering. A few of my favorite pieces, shown here, are the Lazy Sunday and Good as Gold necklaces and Carpe Diem earrings. Like a lot of good things in life, Knotty Gal grabs your attention based on what you see, but, it’s what’s behind the collection that really counts. Who says that you can’t make the world better through your accessories?!

Necklaces: Lazy Sunday & Good as Gold; Earrings: Carpe Diem, all by Knotty Gal. Sunglasses: David Yurman. Top: Forever 21.

Photos by Jennifer Liu Photography.

Decidedly Downtown {Part II}

Rachel — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 03:14:59 +0000

Ready, set, go. Warming up in ALALA, my new fitness fashion obsession. With its see-through panels and ladylike details, this collection just may be all you need to work up a sweat.

Sneakers: ZQuick by Reebok; Sunglasses: David Yurman.

Product provided by ALALA; all thoughts/assessments are my own.
Photos by Jennifer Liu Photography.

Decidedly Downtown {Part I}

Rachel — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 20:01:39 +0000

My latest obsession in fitness fashion is ALALA, a newly-launched brand with a decidedly downtown look. From the collection’s primarily black and white color palette (with a pop of tangerine and teal) to its sophisticated prints and mesh and tulle details, these are pieces that I actually want to stay in all day. I particularly love the Toughie Tank, with its high neckline yet semi-sexy cut, since I find most too low on top, especially for high-impact workouts where I’m really moving, like CrossFit or cycling. For those of you SOULCycle riders, you’ll recognize the face of ALALA, Julie “Jaws” Nelson. She’s one of the those girls who seemingly has it all: she’s beautiful, strong and beloved by those around her. With ALALA, maybe we can have it all, too.

Sneakers: ZQuick by Reebok; Bracelets: Skinny and Rich by Knotty Gal.

Product provided by ALALA; all thoughts/assessments are my own.
Photos by Jennifer Liu Photography.