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.

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.

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.

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.

Featured in photo: Cory Vines Racerbank Tank in Aqua

Photo by Lindsay M. Koffler Photography; shot in NYC’s West Village.
This post is in partnership with Cory Vines; product provided by (but, no payment received from) the brand.

A year ago, I changed things up.  Having always worked in marketing & events for fashion magazines and luxury brands where the day-to-day is beyond demanding, I needed to create some new space.  I wanted a place where I could write about what I want, and just let my hair down and be myself.  In the process, I have learned more than a thing or two about the digital and social worlds (before STRENGTH+Sole, I had never put forth a single Tweet!). I have also, I hope, helped old friends, new friends, family and co-workers discover places, ways and reasons to work out–and work their closet.

They’re no longer alive, but, my grandparents were my biggest fans, long before social media. They lived ten minutes away for most of my life. In these photos, you’ll see my grandmother’s wedding ring, which I wear on my left index finger. Every so often, whether I’m at a business meeting or out on a date, searching for the right guy, wherever he may be, I look down and think of her. And, also, of my grandfather–an eternal optimist and entrepreneur, whose life motto was, “The time is now.” This gives me hope.

So, here’s to STRENGTH+Sole. Here’s to you. Thanks for reading, commenting, clicking and supporting the work that I love most. And, to my grandparents. Everything that I do is for–and because of–them, too.

Aqua Dress; Rebecca Taylor Coat; Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes.

Photos by Sean Williams/studioARC; shot at Billy’s Bakery, Chelsea.

Designed by mostly New York-based artists, each of the seven eco-friendly yoga mats brings art into our daily yoga practice with totally eye-opening, avant-garde imagery.

One of my favorites is the Eric Cahan Mat (directly above).  Taken from his Sky Series, it shows the East Hampton sunset as captured by the artist at exactly 7:22pm, exploring the relationship between light, color and space.  Who doesn’t love a dreamy beach sunset?

Launched at buzzy Art Basel Miami Beach in partnership with lululemon, you can grab your favorite at South Beach Morgans Hotel properties like The Delano, Shore Club and Mondrian and shop the collection on Grey Area’s site.

This is one viewing party that just can’t be missed.

During the holidays, it’s easy to gravitate toward the myriad black pieces in my closet.  They’re easy to throw on after work before a cocktail party and a no-brainer to accessorize.  I stumbled upon this little red dress while shopping with friends, originally thinking that I’d wear it to the Creative Time Fall Ball at Output a few weeks ago.  I wound up going more funky that night (a form-fitting, multi-color graphic print), but, I’ve since worn this to a number of fun, festive events around town.  I’ve felt a little more daring (and, P.S. guys notice girls in red!)  So, this season, it’s goodbye (for now) to the LBD.

H&M Dress, Lady Grey Bracelets, Ivanka Trump Pumps, Angela Frascone Purse, essie “Chinchilly” Nailpolish.

Photos by Lindsay M. Koffler Photography.

My race day check list includes: a headlamp (our team’s start time is 6 a.m. and we’ll be on the move for 14 hours), one ear headphones (many races now allow only these, if any), my most comfortable pair of running shorts and lots and lots of Pink Lemonade Crystal Light in my Klean Kanteen (post-run, it’s kind of great).

More to come from our crazy adventures on the run.

The concept: it’s a retail space with “the point of view of a magazine, changes like a gallery and sells things like a store.”  Every four to eight weeks, a re-invented STORY is revealed to High Line visitors, Cookshop brunch-goers and West Chelsea dwellers (and their dogs)–with a completely new theme, fixtures, merchandise…everything.

The current shop-with-an-opinion, Art STORY, is a colorful, brilliantly-curated intersection of art and fashion.

It made my gray, snowy Saturday in NYC much more fun (and fashionable).

With the help of Constrvct, you can create dresses, skirts and tops screened with images from your own photo library, sized to your exact measurements.  They call it “fashion for the digital age.”  I call it cool.  constrvct.com

Art STORY: now through April 17
144 Tenth Avenue @ 19th Street / ThisIsStory.com