Walking around Chelsea the other day, I spied a chic, new fitness space called CULTURE.  Part “urban country club,” part 1-on-1 athletic studio.

It was the perfect setting for my post about Comes With Baggage, a collection of clutches that double as witty, wearable objet d’ art.  My friend and CEO/über talent broker Lori Levine sold a third of her Coveteur-featured closet on eBay to fund the original collection; they’re made out of leather, woven leather, patent and snakeskin and emblazoned with snarky expressions and edgy doodles.  And, they’ve been spotted on Katy Perry (my pop idol), Uma Thurman and Rosario Dawson.

So, it was just another day in the neighborhood, taken up a notch or two.  Because as another friend, a New Yorker-turned-Angeleno, says: We can all benefit from a little art & culture.

Jacket: Nuan Cashmere; Blouse: Forever21; Jeans (similar here): LOFT; Booties: Me Too; Clutches (all): Comes with Baggage; Earrings (similar here): David Yurman; Nails: essie.

Photos by Lindsay M. Koffler Photography.

And, nowhere is that more important than when it comes to well-being.  From diet and exercise to relaxation and sleep, knowing what you actually do (vs. what you think you do) is the first step toward setting goals for significant improvement over time.

A few weeks go, I attended the NYC launch of the Bowflex Boost, a 24-hour activity monitor, joining the popular NikeFuel and Jawbone UP.  It syncs with my iPhone to measure steps, distance, calories burned and sleep patterns on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis.

I immediately set my goals…

Some of the things that I’ve learned are obvious.

For instance, I move more on weekends, when I’m not behind my desk: walking to/from morning cycling classes, with my dog from Chelsea to the Union Square Greenmarket and with friends in the West Village.

On a typical work day, I average 5-6 miles vs. a Saturday or Sunday, when it’s more like 10-12.

Something that I’ve found interesting is that it takes me, literally, NO time to fall asleep: between 8-10 minutes. I’ve always been a sound sleeper, but, seriously?! I must be really tired.

The Boost has been a great addition to my day-to-day for information and motivation. Here, wearing my Boost before a run in Hudson River Park.

And, if all else fails, here in the city there’s always a little caffeine nearby…have you tried Intelligentsia at The High Line Hotel?

Bowflex Boost (c/o), Eddie Bauer vest (c/o), SmartWool shirt (c/o), Lululemon leggings, SparklySoul headband, New Balance sneakers (c/o).

The High Line Hotel: 180 Tenth Avenue @ 20th Street, NYC

Well, he’s back. And, in a big way.

He’s running a new box, Brick, which opened just two months ago in Chelsea.  With over 400 members, it’s taking the city’s CrossFit scene by storm.

The decor is industrial and upscale; the vibe is upbeat and empowering.

On Saturday morning, my brother and I did an amazing class led by Heidi, a totally zen ultramarathoner-turned-CrossFit instructor.

Then…I joined.

So, stay tuned for much more about burpees, squats and slam balls.  Buh bye, elliptical and treadmill.  Hello, Brick!

With a kaleidoscope of colors, Waking is a can’t-miss.  And, in a neighborhood buzzing with creativity, culture, innovation & artfully-dressed pedestrians, it’s perfectly at home–day and night.

Waking:
Through October 1.
Billboard next to the High Line, 18th Street & 10th Avenue
art.thehighline.org/project/gilbertandgeorge/

I fully realize that it’s, essentially, just an old railroad track with some well-thought-out landscaping, but, like most New Yorkers, there’s something about it that I find endlessly enchanting.  It’s not nearly as manicured as Central Park and there’s no Shake Shack, like Madison Square.  But, when the sun is shining, it’s completely packed.  And, I understand why.

Lush, quirky flowers and amazingly colorful trees against an urban, industrial backdrop.

A place to sit and chill with a friend or a book, plus, lots of space to stretch out.

The High Line takes me from my apartment building straight to Equinox.  Here, I emptied out my gym bag to show you a few of the things that I’m loving right now.

Ouidad Wave Create Sea Spray, for a blowout-free weekend.  Aviators, funky scarf and sparkly bangles (similar here) for layering (and going incognito while super sweaty), post-workout.  Katy Perry–because no workout of mine is complete without her.  And, Tracy Anderson is a fitness inspiration–she may be tiny, but, who doesn’t want to look like that?!  Got a few cool, new moves to mix up my routine from her piece in SELF.

Because, as they say: sometimes, you just have to stop and smell the roses.  Even on the way to the gym.

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

Jacket: DKNY (Madison Avenue store exclusive).  Dress: Cynthia Steffe.  Booties: Me Too.  Jewelry: David Yurman.  Clutch: St. John.  Sunglasses: CHANEL.  Nails: Midnight Cami/Essie.

Four ways to turn your intention into action, when it comes to working out:

1) Schedule it:
Cliché, but, true.  Commit to 3-4 times per week and make it happen.  I love my iPhone 5, but, I confess: I still use a Filofax.  Planning and penciling in specific workouts (like 30 minutes of high-intensity intervals on the elliptical before work or a 7pm spin class) really does keep me on track.  I also tape Post-It notes and inspiring images on my computer screen to get me going at the end of a long day.  Make an appointment…with (and for) yourself.

2) Find what you love:
There are more fitness options than ever, from yoga to bootcamp and everything in between.  It can be overwhelming.  Explore and (give it time) to find what you like.  I, personally, hate running on the treadmill (except at Barry’s Bootcamp), so, I either run in Hudson River Park or cross train.  I don’t force myself to do something that has me constantly checking the clock.

3) Set goals:
Identify non-aesthetic benchmarks of success.  It could be a certain number of push ups or miles completed.  Or, a particular race.  I ran my first half marathon last year, with one of my best friends from high school.  It was one of the best days of my life.  I felt invincible.  And now, I’m seriously contemplating my first full marathon this fall.  (More to come on that later.)

4) Get real:
I’ll never be 6′ tall.  Or, even 5’5″ for that matter.  So, I’ve given up aspiring to look like women who are completely different from me.  After years of semi-obsessive exercise and regimented eating, I’ve taught myself to chill out.  I’m happier (and thinner) for it.  Also, once in a while, I eat a cupcake from Billy’s Bakery, across the street.  And, I go about the rest of my day.

So, throw away that torturous, size-too-small pair of jeans in the back of your closet.  Enjoy your life.  And, just eat the cupcake.

Tank: Old Navy.  Leggings: Adidas (similar here or at Soho store).  Sneakers: New Balance.  Wristband: Y-3 (past collection).

Images by Sarah Anderson Photography.

I always considered myself an east side girl, having spent most of my time, post-grad, there.  At 30, I felt stuck and needed to change my energy–I decided to move.  One winter Saturday, walking back from spin class through Madison Square Park, I got the call from a building in the heart of Chelsea.  I signed the application 20 minutes later, fingers crossed.

A lot has changed since then.  But, I found a new life on the west side.

Muléh: 500 West 22nd Street (@ 10th Avenue) / muleh.com
Decidedly downtown coats, dresses, bags and booties.

Fun, flirty party dresses (starting at $120) and colorful costume jewelry.

COMING SOON
Saint Laurent: 541 West 22nd Street (btw. 10th & 11th Avenues)
Yes, please.