Cheryl Shops

I tend to harp on The Row a bit; I don't think what they're doing is super original—which is taking classic items and making the best possible version of them, at obscene prices—however you can't deny how influential they are on fashion at the moment. (Yeah, I'll admit I'm eyeing those flip-flops too, but I'll be ordering the Amazon dupe instead.) We can thank their Gala pant for the proliferation of pajama pants on the market the last few years; I was resistant to this silhouette at first because thin elastic waistbands usually don't sit right on me (I am a little thicker through the middle and also in my 40s) and call me old-fashioned, but to me an elastic waistband plus wide-leg pant equals pajamas. And while the teenagers who attend the high school on my block are not shy about wearing pajama pants in public, again, I am in my 40s, which means I'm either trying too hard or not trying hard enough. Then again, the upside of being in your 40s is that you don't care as much what people think about you, so I decided to give the pajama pant silhouette a try. Of course, I don't have $1,090 in my budget, so I set out to find a good dupe of the Row's Gala pant. 

I just got back from a weeklong trip to NYC, which felt like such a luxury. While it's been almost 12 years (!!!) since I've moved away, we tend to go back to visit at least once a year, however those trips are usually much shorter—I'd say three or four days on average, usually for a long weekend or a quick work trip. The pace of this stay felt much less intense, as I didn't feel the need to rush around and see everything on my list, although New York was its energetic, vibrant self as always. According to friends, it was also the first stretch of good weather they've had so far this season, and while it rained several days when we were there, it was so nice to be out walking around in the sunshine—walking is always one of my favorite things to do while I'm in NYC, and I averaged 18,000 steps a day(!). That said, packing for this trip was somewhat of a challenge due to the changing weather, so I broke one of my travel rules and decided to check a bag (it was a direct flight so I wasn't worried). I ended up overpacking a bit, but it was good to have options, and even better to have room in my suitcase for all the shopping I did. Here's what I wore on my trip to New York. 

As I've said many times before, I'm not a mother, but I have one (as we all do) and many friends who are. This year's gift guide contains products I actually own and think any woman—your wife, your sister, your mother-in-law, your dog mom, your mom figure, or you yourself—would like to receive. Some of these products you've seen before (whoops to the L'Occitane gift set below, which I featured last year), some are totally new, but all are highly recommended Mother's Day gifts. Read on for why. 

1. I own quite a few belts, but this is by far the one I've been wearing the most lately—it anchors your look, emphasizes your waist, and makes whatever else you're wearing look more elevated, thanks to its shiny gold details. It is a Khaite dupe, which is a bonus if Mom is into le fashion. 

Madewell Triple Metal Keeper Belt $78

2. As I was writing this post, I realized I featured an almost-identical gift set last year, but hear me out: the shower oil is one of my all-time favorite products, the hand lotion and body cream are really good, and there's a bonus soap. I gave my mom a set of L'Occitane hand creams last year for Christmas that she absolutely loved, so anything from this brand is a home run if you ask me. 

L'Occitane Almond Luxury Set $89 (c/o)

3. A friend came over recently and said how nice our apartment spells and to divulge my secrets, it's because of this very expensive candle. I try to burn it only on special occasions or when I really need a pick-me-up, but I will say the ceramic vessel is so gorgeous, I save mine and use them to store various trinkets—so it's really like two gifts in one. 

Fornasetti Scented Candle $255 (on sale from $340 through 5/4)

4. This book is incredibly analog—for one, it's a book, and instead of photographs of storefronts, it has very charming illustrations of them. Flipping through it will make you want to go to Paris like yesterday; I suggest saving your favorites to your Google Map for next time, as a nice digital counterpart. 

Paris Shopfronts book $23.67 (c/o)

5. Like everyone else on the planet, I am trying to drink less alcohol, but sometimes I really need to take the edge off. When I know I'm going to be spending an evening unwinding at home, I will open a Cann instead of a glass of wine; it has a similar relaxing effect, minus the ensuing night sweats and hangover. It has 2 mg of THC and 4 mg of CBD and does not make me at all paranoid. 

Cann 12-pack $66

6. I vowed not to buy any cheap jewelry in 2025, so I was nervous when I received this paperclip-link necklace for a collaboration. Turns out whatever kind of alchemy they used to make it was solid, because I almost never take it off and it's still bright and shiny, no flaking or greening to be seen. Highly recommend. 

Ana Luisa James paperclip necklace $63.75 (on sale from $75) (c/o)

7. Every influencer over the age of 40 has been raving about Sarah Creal's (rather expensive) makeup line; I couldn't stomach $50 for a lipstick, but this primer has been a godsend in preventing my lipstick from sliding around my face and disappearing into the ether. Even better: it still works during a midday re-application. 

Sarah Creal Lip Grip Peptide Priming Treatment $36

8. Ok, I don't own this product (yet), but if it's anything like the Illuminator Drops, I'm guessing it will be a non-negotiable part of my summertime makeup routine. The Illuminator gives you a your-skin-but-glowier finish, so I'm assuming this will have a similarly bronzy effect. And how gorgeous is the bright turquoise bottle?!

Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Drops $46.40 (on sale from $58 through 5/4) 

9. I was going to feature this in my holiday gift guide, but it sold out; it's back but on backorder until July. Alas, I think it's a gift worth waiting for. The dish is a lot more substantial than you'd expect for the price (it's quite heavy) and all of the little sections are handy for storing earrings, rings, bracelets, etc. Plus, it looks super cute on your dresser. 

Anthropologie Bumblebee Trinket Dish $24 (c/o) 

10. Is it weird to get Mom shoes as a present? I don't think so, especially when they're so comfy. I've been wearing this pair so much lately—they're like a slightly more refined Birkenstock with a sturdier sole. 

Frankie4 Hunter sandals $188 (use code LTK_CHERYL15 for 15% off)  (c/o)

11. I own a longer version of this nightgown and it's the only one that doesn't give me the night sweats (hello, perimenopause). This one comes in a bunch of really unique prints (all of the leopard variations are amazing) but I'm partial to the champagne bottles.  

Printfresh Cami Nightgown $98

12. Having professional laser hair removal is great and all, but schlepping to the 6–8 in-office treatments is not easy for a busy Mom, nor is it cheap. I've been using this at-home device and am amazed at how effective (and not at all painful) it's been already. I'll be doing a full review on this once my treatment is complete. 

Nood The Flasher 2.0 + Serum $199 (use code cherylshops for $50 off)  (c/o)

13. Whenever anyone describes something as "Botox in a bottle" that makes me think they've never had Botox. These patches aren't that, but they're close—I've found they help lessen the appearance of crow's feet (which I don't Botox) and my elevenses in between treatments (which I do). Because doesn't every Mom want to look well-rested? 

Karuna Age Rewind XL Microneedle Patches $15 (c/o)