In recent weeks, it's felt like everyone has been quite concerned, all of a sudden, with my breasts. Was I wearing the right size? Ws I getting the most support? Was my bra working as hard for me, essentially, as it should be? I found the answers to these queries and more in an hour-long lingerie fitting at Journelle.

Tucked into a side street near Union Square, Journelle's a quiet and luxurious reprieve for the lingerie-obsessed. Carrying an assortment of international brands ranging from Eberjey to Stella McCartney to Chantelle, their fit specialists generally have one mission and one mission alone - to get you/me/everyone into a better fitting and more beautiful bra. Noble, yes?

Bra fittings can be quite surprising, so brace yourself accordingly if you plan to visit a specialist (and you should - every six months, if you can abide by it). Journelle moved me from a 34B to a 32D in most styles, and I realized that despite my love of soft cup styles like this spicy little number from La Fee Verte, I really do best (read: look and feel my best) in structured lace styles like the Elle Macpherson babes seen above (her nickname wasn't 'The Body' for nothing; mmmkay?), OR this gloriously sexy C Chic Lace Demi Bra from Chantelle ($68):


Can you even? I mean, I can't. But, on second thought - I CAN and I WILL.

Pop into Journelle for an expert fitting if you're in the neighborhood (it might just change your life) - or simply explore their decadent assortment online here.

When I told my friend Sarah earlier this week that I was planning to try something crazy called AQUACYCLING today, she quite snappily summed things up by responding: "Accu-scuse me?" 

It's understandable that you might be confused, but aquacycling as a phenomenon has existed in Europe long before the April 15 opening of AQUA, a luxury fitness studio in TriBeCa. AQUA's impossibly chic tri-level space boasts an airy entryway/check in, minimalist dark wood locker room and a 4' deep pool replete with 13 stationary bikes, submerged in the water to the handlebars.

AQUA is one of those unusual spaces that feels more like a spa than a gym (I found it almost ironic that it's located directly next to AIRE Ancient Baths, one of my favorite spa experiences in the city, in fact). That odd feeling continues even through the class itself, which despite being 45 minutes of almost exclusively cardio feels extraordinarily low impact, and even...therapeutic. Unlike a traditional cycling class, the water provides all of the resistance at AQUA, and as your pace becomes more intense, you almost feel as if you're being massaged by the water. Sprints and jumps are broken up by a brief abs section (yes, still in the pool - you anchor your feet to the handlebars and crunch) and some light arm work (no weights required). While today was my first time in the water, one of the women I took class with today swore up and down that she's experienced no soreness after taking AQUA classes 4 days in a row, and has felt remarkably energetic, and been sleeping better than ever. 

Classes at AQUA are, however, more expensive than classes at other boutique fitness studios (the current per-class norm seems to be $32-$37, while drop in classes at AQUA ring in at $40, with 5-30 class packages available at reduced rates). Insult is added to injury by the $2 fee rental fee for the rubber slip on shoes required for class. That said, I'll certainly be back - I left today's class feeling nothing short of exhilarated!

Learn more about aquacycling, and book online here.

I had long been curious about Strip: Ministry of Waxing, a specialty hair-removal salon located super-centrally in SoHo. It's a quirky and curious looking place, with cheeky proclamations and imagery front and center - take note of the board above, noting just how many "bushes" have been "pruned" at Strip locations worldwide (the company is headquartered in Singapore, with NYC being its sole US location at the moment.)

What finally pushed me OVER the edge and INTO the salon was word of Strip's all-new, limited edition Gingerbread Wax, created specially for the holiday season. I've got a sweet tooth, you see, and it's not limited to seasonal sweets. Strip's Gingerbread Wax is formulated in much the same way as their signature Berry Chocolate hard wax, but with the sweet scent of Gingerbread. So festive, yes?

Now, whether you're new to waxing or not, it's worth noting the distinction between traditional wax and hard wax, as hard wax is infinitely less painful, and also requires less clean-up than strip waxing. With hard wax, the warm wax is applied to the treatment areas (you decide how bare you want to be - and Strip deals with all body hair removal) and as it quickly hardens, it shrinks around the hair shaft. When the hardened wax is pulled off, it takes pesky hair along with it, as quickly and painlessly as possible.

I loved not only the service and warm professionalism at Strip: Ministry of Wax but also the quirky scene (and the cookies. DON'T FORGET THE COOKIES!) Book an appointment for the Gingerbread Wax - it's available from now through December 31st - by calling 212.431.1121. Brazilians begin at $65 for women or $85 for men (sorry, guys!) - for more information, visit Strip: Ministry of Wax here!

Nothing keeps a New Yorker from brunch, you guys - not even impending Hurricane Sandy, on track to hit New York tomorrow. I've battened down the hatches since then, but not before taking my new 'do out to Freemans, one of my favorite spots in the LES. 

My new color and bang trim come courtesy of Eiji Salon, which is one of those rare New York salons that holds best-kept-secret status. Founder Eiji Yamane was trained at John Sahag, as were many of his staff, and the salon is best known for a signature, uber-precise dry cut as well as stellar, potentially best-in-the-city corrective color.  Color was the real order of the day for me, as my roots were AGAIN leaning a hot (a hormonal issue, apparently - how appalling), while several layers of color had accrued at my ends, leading to irregularities in hue. Carol took me back to the rich, glossy brunette you see above, while rock star Johnny gave me a bang trim, intuitively understanding my need to channel Bettie Page once my hair grows out a bit. 

To book an appointment at Eiji, call 212.838.3454.

Also seen above: Saks Fifth Avenue cashmere scarf, Zara army jacket, Seven for All Mankind Skinny Cords, Loeffler Randall Satin Ruffle Flats and Proenza Schouler Large PS1 in Military.

The SoHo PINK store is one of my favorite downtown shopping destinations. Regardless of your age, it boasts killer loungewear, colorful, fun and comfy bras (this multi-way push up is a savior, but I digress), AND, on the last weekend of each month, a bling machine for free custom bedazzling on PINK gear purchases over $50 – sweet, yah?

And NOW, PINK is expanding its footprint in Manhattan, taking over a full floor in the mega-sized Herald Square Victoria’s Secret flagship in Midtown this November. To celebrate the impending re-opening, the brand is marrying two of my great loves – NYC itself, and Pinterest – and challenging fans to share their city pride and Pin their way to NYC!

To enter, simply create a board inspired by what YOU love most about NYC (think creatively…could it be fashion? Food? Art? Broadway?) for a chance to win a trip for two to the Big Ap, a $1,000 shopping spree in the brand spankin’ new PINK Herald Square store and a styling session with an ELLE stylist. 

I’ll be kicking off my board today, but if you need a little inspiration, check out PINK’s NYC Love Pinterest board here, and see the official contest rules here*. Don’t forget to pin PINK’s contest image and at least one other image from the PINK NYC Love board, then copy your board's URL and submit it by October 18 at www.elle.com/vspink.

Visit the new PINK destination at Victoria’s Secret this November in Herald Square, or if you simply can’t wait, visit one of the two exclusively PINK stores in NYC – SoHo or Kings Plaza in Brooklyn.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open to legal residents of U.S., D.C., Puerto Rico 18 years or older. Enter between 10/2/12 and 10/18/12. See rules at Pink.VictoriasSecret.com/ElleContest for details.

While all opinions expressed are my own, this post was produced in collaboration with PINK, ELLE and Style Coalition.

I've been feeling a little...stagnant lately, which is probably a conversation for another day. BUT, one of the simplest ways to mix things up is to integrate a new workout class in my rotation - the most recent being Refine Method, founded by former New York City Ballet dancer and fitness pro Brynn Jinnet. With chic, comfortable studios uptown and down (I visited the new Union Square location, which boasts a gorgeous skylight), Refine Method is kind of like what I'd imagine would happen if a Boot Camp mated with a Pilates class...only maybe worse/better. More officially, it's defined as circuit-style Metabolic Resistance Training, which uses a proprietary pulley system and kettlebells in lieu of free weights. You complete each circuit at least twice, with bursts of high-energy cardio interspersed throughout the class.

Pros: Extraordinarily challenging, if that's a pro (it is, it is!) Unlike many boutique fitness studios, Refine Method offers up a strong mix of strengthening exercises, balance work and cardio. Also - for a limited time, you can book a free introductory class.

Cons: Things move quickly, and with intensity at Refine Method, so expect sweat and lots of it. Also, those kettlebells are not kind. I have not lifted something so heavy in months, if not years.

What to Wear:

• The No Limits Tank from lululemon will make you feel like you're fully equipped for this class, even if you're not.
• Leggings, full length or capri. I sweated like an animal, and thus would even consider wearing tiny shorts like these.
• Bare feet or socks, if you're a particularly delicate flower.

To learn more, locate a studio or book online (single classes are $32, with a unique Monthly Rewards Program for those who attend class regularly), visit Refine Method online.

Andrea and I get down to business -namely a yummy celebratory birthday dinner - at Chinatown's The Fat Radish. Thanks to Heather for the snap!

Birthdays are important days to me, and accordingly, I take every possible opportunity to spoil myself on that special day. This year that included a visit to John Barrett's Braid Bar, where stylist Kayley gave me the chic milkmaid braid and bun seen above. With shampoo, a TDF scalp massage and blowout included in the $50 price tag, it was a worthy indulgence.

New to the John Barrett Salon is an extension of Braid Bar services, the Ponytail Bar. Debuting in Vogue this week (you can see a gallery of four editors' chosen looks on site), I browsed through the menu of available styles (inspiration shots of celebs and models) on site, and thought to myself, WOW, how GENIUS. There are SO many creative things you can do to add interest to a simple ponytail, but truth be told, I lack both the ambition AND the hand-eye coordination. Why not leave it to the pros? I'll be booking a return visit soon.

Like the Braid bar, styles at the Ponytail Bar begin at $50. Learn more here.