My advice? Run, don’t walk!

Showing through February 15, 2015.

Ain’t love grand?

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

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.

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.

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.

With his mega-watt smile, playful personality and perfect plié, you’ll find just that in FlyBarre’s Brandon Goodman.

Brandon got his start in the industry teaching in his living room at 7 a.m.  A former Tracy Anderson Method front desk staffer and member of the popular studio’s “first line of defense,” Brandon had what he calls a long-time “love/hate relationship” with fitness.  He wasn’t overweight, but, he wasn’t in shape, either.  So, using what he learned at his day job and via personal training, he kicked himself into high gear and invited a small but determined crew over for early morning exercise with light weights and high reps (essentially, FlyBarre’s key to success).

He’s a trained actor and creative writer, with a flair for fashion inherited from his mom. He describes her as “the most stylish minster you’ve ever met.” “If it sings to you, then you’ve gotta have it,” he says, listing colorful socks, vintage pieces from Beacon’s Closet and everything by ASOS as his go-to favorites. Check out those leopard print sweatpants! (They’re American Stitch.)

As a guy who not long ago was on the outside looking in, Brandon understands that fitness can be intimidating.  He suggests finding a personal trainer with whom you really connect and can be yourself.  Ask a friend to show you a few things around the gym or tag along with you to that boutique studio you’ve been wanting to try.  “Fitness is where you’re most vulnerable.  You’re either strong or you’re not.  You can either lift that weight or not,” he says, noting that FlyBarre’s classes are designed to be small enough that the instructor keeps a close eye on your form for maximum results but big enough to be social.  Why?  “You’re gonna work hard when someone is watching you.”

If you haven’t tried FlyBarre, a few things to know:

• When it comes to clothes, the more fitted, the better–but, wear what makes you feel comfortable.
• Set an attainable goal for just that particular class, whether it’s staying in plank or using your weights for a full song.
• And, bring socks, if you want (he teaches barefoot, but, lots of students wear them).

Above all, set goals that are realistic and are designed to make you happy.  So, if you’re working out to please your nagging boyfriend/husband or to squeeze into a string bikini for an upcoming beach vacation with friends, you may be heading down the wrong path.

“When it’s only about you, that’s when you change.”

Who needs a sweat session with Brandon?  Book it here.  And follow him around town: @manbgood.

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.