I'm on a tight budget, but that doesn't stop me from drooling over really cool, pricey fitness gear. My newest obsession: Physhion gym bags (from $225; pPhyshion.com). Lisa Tave, the designer, stopped by the Shape offices the other day to show off her newest creations—and this was my favorite. Like all the Physhion styles, it looks like a designer handbag, but has all the extras—a waterproof lining, detachable toiletries pouch, shoe pockets, and a programmable lock—you need in a workout tote.

While I'm talking about things I'm coveting, I have to mention Devi yoga mats ($120; devimats.com). Forget about boring, monotone mats&$8212;these have beautiful images on them and they're super-thick so they'll last longer than ordinary mats. While I'd never pay this much for yoga gear for myself, I would do it for a gift...so (don't tell) my sister, Chris, may be getting the Jasmine one (shown here) this Christmas.

I'm on a tight budget, but that doesn't stop me from drooling over really cool, pricey fitness gear. My newest obsession: Physion gym bags (from $225; physhion.com). Lisa Tave, the designer, stopped by the Shape offices the other day to show off her newest creations--and this was my favorite. Like all the Physion styles, it looks like a designer handbag, but has all the extras--a waterproof lining, detachable toiletries pouch, shoe pockets, and a programmable lock--you need in a workout tote.

While I'm talking about things I'm coveting, I have to mention Devi yoga mats ($120; devimats.com). Forget about boring, monotone mats--these have beautiful images on them and they're super-thick so they'll last longer than ordinary mats. While I'd never pay this much for yoga gear for myself, I would do it for a gift...so (don't tell) my sister, Chris, may be getting the Jasmine one (shown here) this Christmas.

I recently had a postcard day: the rare kind when the weather is perfect and you find yourself in a scene just begging to be photographed. (Check out the pics!) Dave and I were hiking on the Overlook Trail in Woodstock, New York, and the fall foliage was at its prime—bright orange and yellow trees lined the trail. At about 3 miles, we reached the remains of a house that burned down nearly a century ago. (And now trees are growing where there was once a living room!) A half-mile later we reached the summit, where the view was unbelievable—we were looking down on the entire Catskill Mountain range. I didn't get too close to the edge but it was still scary and completely breathtaking.

It had been a while since I'd done something active outdoors instead of in the gym, and that taste of fresh air has me hooked. In New York City you get a small dose of fall before the bitter cold of winter arrives, and I'm going to take advantage it. You should, too! Come on, do something—anything—active outdoors this weekend. Apple picking, strolling your neighborhood, and getting in a fall bike ride with your kids all count!

My wedding shape-up program didn't go exactly as I planned. One week I was so busy that 20-minute workouts became my norm, some days I felt too tired to push myself through intervals, and then there was the whole "trying to work out in the morning" thing. But for six weeks I can honestly say that I was consistent about hitting the gym and diligent about sculpting my upper body. And last Sunday (my wedding day) I felt like the work really paid off.

After my bridesmaid, Carol, zipped me up and my sister, Chris, adjusted my dress (check out the photo) I took a look at myself in a full-length mirror, then spun around to check out my back. There were no frustrating bulges—just toned muscles. I felt strong, confident, and beautiful. And instead of worrying about standing up tall and pulling in my abs to minimize my belly, or wondering if my arms looked jiggly, I was free to enjoy every single moment of the day. A few of my favorites: hugging my teary-eyed mom before the ceremony; seeing my pals from Los Angeles as I walked down the aisle; feeling Dave's hands shake while we said our vows; screaming every word to Livin' on a Prayer with my girlfriends; watching my 8-year-old niece, Jenna, tear up the dance floor; and hanging out in the hotel lobby with 15 dedicated out-of-towners for an after-after-party.

I had a blast at my wedding and I'm proud of what I accomplished in the gym (in just six weeks!). Which begs the question: Now what? I need a new fitness goal to fuel my workout routine. Maybe it's just continuing to fit into my favorite new pair of jeans or being in prime shape for another try at learning to snowboard this year. I'm not sure yet, but I'll keep you posted.

My wedding is just two days away and instead of excitedly counting down the hours, I'm thinking about how many more sets of lateral raises and pulldowns I can squeeze in. My dress is strapless, so I've been giving my upper body a lot of attention at the gym these past few weeks. My favorite new move: A balancing curl and raise. I love that it tones the front of my shoulders, my core, and my biceps at once.

Thanks to some very kind public-relations folks, I'm never at a loss for workout pants. But a pair I love? Well, that's been a little bit harder to come by. Right now these Energy flares from Brooks are my favorites. These pants have done something no other piece of workout apparel has: They've made their way into my out-of-the-gym wardrobe. I wear them to fly, to hike, and even to weekend brunches. Don't get me wrong, they're still fabulous for the gym. They feel super-soft, dry quickly, and they don't cling to my butt or thighs.

Tell me: What one workout item are you wearing non-stop lately?

Exercising every day isn't just about getting back my girl guns (although I'm psyched to say they've finally returned.) If I don't work out I'm a lot more likely to cry when my sister forgets to call me back or snap at my mom when she asks me a question about the wedding. In other words, working out makes me a more levelheaded person. Still, despite all my best intentions, I haven't been able to make morning sessions a habit. Lately I've been staying up until 1 a.m. doing wedding-related "work" (the programs, the menu, the seating arrangements...you get the idea) which makes waking up before 8 unbearable. (I'm one of those people who can't function on less than eight hours of sleep.)

Don't get me wrong, I haven't entirely given up my a.m. sweat sessions; I'm just not doing them daily like I'd intended. Instead, I've started looking at my planner every night and figuring out when (not if) I'll work out the next day. On Monday, I squeezed in 20 minutes—yes, even 20 minutes is beneficial—before my dinner plans. On Tuesday, my evening was wide open so I spent an hour at the gym after work. On Wednesday—knowing I had an evening meeting with the florist—I worked out for an hour in the morning. And today, I had an 8 a.m. work event so I'm going to hit the gym at 6.

Tell me: How do you stick with your workouts when your schedule is out of control?