Because Valentine’s Day isn’t the only day that you should feel special…
Here’s a chance to win this “Hello Darling” canvas tote–perfect for lugging your spin shoes and stilettos around town (while simultaneously flirting with the cute guy next to you on the sidewalk).

Enter in one of these EASY ways:
Here, on my site: Leave a comment on this post, so that I know where to find you.
On Twitter: Follow @FitGirlRachel and RE-TWEET my #HelloDarling post with tags #tote #win #giveaway.
On Instagram: Follow FitGirlRachel, “like” & comment on my #HelloDarling tote photo and I’ll see that you entered there.

Winner will be notified by March 7.

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.

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.

At 5’1,” I have always worried about my weight.  Five pounds on me is ten pounds on someone taller; the height helps.  Over the years, I have worked hard to make peace with what and who I am.  And, that means being real about the fact that I kinda like a cookie now and then.

That said, good health and proper nutrition are so important to fitness, which is such a huge part of my life.  (If you’re ever looking for me in Whole Foods, I’m in the produce aisle diving into the fresh fruit and vegetable display.)

But, when holidays come around, there are a handful of sweet treats that I love: ice cream, yellow daisy cupcakes from Billy’s Bakery and cookies from Liddabit Sweets.  For Valentine’s Day, I stopped by the Liddabit Sweets shop in Chelsea Market, open (and serving me) since last fall, to show you around and sample some of their latest.

The *amazing* salted caramel chocolate chip cookies…dangerous!

Definitely worth eating, right?  If you’re still wondering about what to buy for your sweet…try these.  (Ask for Robin.) And, have a very happy Valentine’s Day!

Photos by Daniel Friedman.

…paired with this season’s Chanel stacked booties.

Their owner?  Meet Jenna.  She’s a twentysomething self-professed fashion addict.

The purse? A gift from grandma (Nana knows her labels!). The booties? From Bergdorfs, of course.

Topped off with Celine sunnies and Marc Jacobs’ cobalt blue pompom cap-of-the-moment (Bleecker Street boutique), this girl isn’t afraid to mix and match.

Who needs a manicure?!  I’m giving away a fashion size duo of butter LONDON nail polish, one of the U.K.’s most popular beauty exports.

Colors are “Slapper,” a bold teal, and “Knackered,” a kaleidoscope of pearly shimmer.

Enter in one of these EASY ways:
Here, on my site: Leave a comment on this post, so that I know where to find you.
On Twitter: Follow @FitGirlRachel and RE-TWEET my @butterLONDON post with tags #manicure #giveaway.
On Instagram: Follow RachelBeckerNYC, “like” & comment on my butter LONDON photo and I’ll see that you entered there.

Winner will be notified by December 18.

Fingers crossed!

I spy: the most gorgeous pair of sumptuous suede boots.

They’re Dior.  The color, the fringe, the hardware.  Hello.

And, meet their owner–Kim. I spotted her outside The High Line Hotel, where her company Redscout, the branding & design agency, was about to host an event.

I adore the rest of her look, too: a cozy cardigan layered over a simple black sheath and topped with a statement piece. Her style? Ladylike with an edge. Way to start the day off chic!

Necklace by Haute Hippie; Dress by Zara.

Go out there this weekend and sweat!

Photos by Lindsay M. Koffler Photography.

Shot in Hudson River Park.

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.

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