Cheryl Shops

I never turn down a trip to New York City, even if it's cold and snowy. Sean had a work trip starting on my birthday, so we left a few days early for a weekend getaway celebration. NYC has been having a rough winter, and while signs of spring were on the way—the sun was shining and the snow was starting to melt while we were there—I still needed to break out my winter gear. Here's how I layered for the weather. 

The first time I saw a YSL Le Loafer, my initial thought was "What in the Serge Gainsbourg are these?" But the next time I saw them, I couldn't get them out of my head. They felt like a softer evolution of the classic loafer, a pair with a little more personality and point of view—a classic with a twist, if you will. But that twist comes with a hefty price tag: currently around $1,200 give or take $100 depending on the leather. Oof. As much as I love Saint Laurent, I don't love paying four figures for a pair of shoes that are not exactly reinventing the wheel (to be fair, they have truly refined the design of the wheel, though). So I went in search of the best dupe I could find. Here's what I discovered. 

We're more than halfway through February, which means my birthday will be here very soon (it's March 2nd for the record). I do a birthday wishlist every year, and while my original intent in posting it was to drop a not-so-subtle hint for family members, it's evolved into a sort of pre-spring shopping list for myself. (For the record, I now own everything but the dining table from last year's list, and depending on what my tax return looks like, the table might be coming soon too.) Here's what I'm hoping to manifest in 2026. 

I have a friend with exquisite, poreless skin and I nearly died of shame when I found out that she never washed her face. At the time, I was—unbeknownst to me—stripping the hell out of mine every night with a harsh glycolic acid cleanser that my dermatologist had recommended to keep my acne under control. This was many years ago and while I've thankfully since figured out that my skin reacts best to a gentle cleanser, it took me awhile to learn how to actually use it effectively. But after many, many years on this planet, I've finally honed in on three life-altering tips that have transformed how I cleanse my face. 

It all starts with a good cleanse

One of my most-clicked but lowest-converting links is for my Nili Lotan Shon jeans (formerly known as Emerson jeans). I think I know why: While these jeans are truly unique-looking in terms of fit, they are definitely an investment. I feature both my Shon jeans and pants on the blog frequently because I actually wear them a lot in real life. I've been trying to buy fewer but better-quality pieces over the last few years, and while I obviously still love a bargain, when I find a truly transformative, holy grail piece of clothing, I'm willing to spend accordingly. Here's why the Shon is worth the splurge.

 Last week I shared my best fashion buys of 2025; this week we're onto beauty. While I receive a lot of products for free—I work in the beauty industry and get a lot of gratis at work, and brands send me a lot of stuff to try as well—I do actually buy a lot of things myself, so most of what I've included here is stuff I've spent my own money on (with a few exceptions that are noted below). Here are my top 10 favorite beauty buys of 2025.

It's not that I'm in denial about it being a new year—I'm always happy to welcome a new one, particularly after the roller coaster that was 2025—but in spite of having the last two weeks off and doing absolutely nothing for the last half of it, I am somehow amazed at how quickly time passed. So before I mentally adjust to 2026, I thought I'd take a look back at the last year and acknowledge some pretty solid buys. Here are my favorite things I bought in 2025.

Halfway through January 2025, I seriously thought I wasn't going to make it through the entire year. That may sound a little dramatic, but January was a rough month for me. I started the year with an intense respiratory infection that would not go away and had a very unexpected professional development arise mid-month. And then there was the inauguration and the chaos that ensued (and is still ongoing, to be honest). Thankfully things got better from there. While I am fairly dependent on the Internet for my livelihood, I slowly started living more of my life offline and re-learned how to be more in my senses. I spent most of May traveling, first to New York, then to Italy. I started a new job in June that I am so much happier doing. I tried (tried!) to save more money and spend more consciously. I feel so much more calm and balanced than I did at this time last year, when I basically went on a bacchanal in NYC to blow off some steam (note: it did not work). You may notice that I'm not on Instagram as much as I used to be; that is intentional and I highly suggest trying it. In a world that's quickly moving toward AI slop in so many places, I want to embrace what's authentic and human. But before I do more of that, here's a look back at 2025.

This is an outfit we shot back in October and never used on the blog—the season has passed, but I still love this transitional look!

There's a lot to love about the holidays—quality time with loved ones, a general sprit of joy and celebration—but I particularly enjoy getting dressed up for all the parties. I own far too many sequined pieces in proportion to how many events I actually attend, but few things put me in a more festive mood than a little sparkle. What's been missing from my holiday wardrobe, however, was the perfect pair of red party shoes. I have an older, more casual pair of red suede slippers that I break out for more low-key events, but I wanted something that made more of a statement. Thankfully I found the perfect pair at Bells & Becks, an indie shoe brand that makes really sophisticated, refined shoes that you don't see every day. Meet the Nadia in crimson, my new go-to party shoe.

The Nadia (use code cheryl10 for 10% off)

If you're not familiar with Bells & Becks—I wore the Aurora in this post—it's a brand founded by my former coworker Tamar Miller; I can attest that Tamar has incredible taste and an amazing network of family-owned Italian factories where the shoes are made. All Bells & Becks shoes have a little detail or two that just make them so unique, and as someone who values comfort, I appreciate that they tend to have lower heels and lightly padded footbeds. The Nadia is kind of a cross between a Mary Jane and a d'Orsay, with a dainty little button and a devastatingly sexy pointed toe that does not at all pinch. It comes in four different colors, but I love how the crimson leather has a texture to it that makes it look like velvet—and that made it the obvious choice for the holidays. I've worn these shoes several times already, including on a five-hour holiday bar crawl, and can attest that they're surprisingly comfortable; I ordered my usual European size 39 (I'm an 8.5 US). Read on for some of the ways I've worn them. 

Dressed down

Sometimes sequins and lace aren't the best choice for a daytime event; for, say, a work party, my advice is to wear what you'd usually wear, then throw in a festive accessory or two, like the Nadia—the pop of red goes a long way but doesn't feel over the top. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: Quince leather jacket | Naked Cashmere sweater (similar) | IRO pants (similar) | Bells & Becks Nadia shoes (c/o; use cheryl10 for 10% off) 

Dressed up

While not the most dressed up I tend to get—that would require sequins—I do love a mix of faux fur, silk, and lace, with a cozy sweater thrown in for good measure. I also maybe didn't need the red tassel earrings with this look, but I do love how this pair brightens up my face, especially when I'm otherwise wearing all black. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: Vintage faux fur jacket (similar here) | Modern Citizen Hadeel sweater | J.Crew slip skirt (current) | Bells & Becks Nadia shoes (c/o; use cheryl10 for 10% off) 

Every content creator and media outlet on the face of the planet puts out a gift guide, and since I've been doing them since 2009, why stop now? Getting a gift guide together is a lot of work, but it's also very fun and for people who know me personally, very helpful this time of year. As always, everything I've included here is something I would actually love to give and/or receive, but more importantly, I hope these suggestions help you check off your gift list. Here are my favorite holiday gifts for 2025. 

 Use code cheryl15 for 15% off your purchase at Inez. 

When it comes to your fall-winter wardrobe, one of the most versatile things you can buy is a pair of black boots that go with everything. While fashion trends can definitely influence my choices, I personally like a low heel that's not too chunky, an almond-shaped toe, and a streamlined shape—a classic black boot, if you will. The funny thing is, I can't remember the last time I actually bought a workhorse black boot, so I decided this was the year. Thankfully, it didn't take me long to find the right pair. I've been partnering with Inez shoes for the last year and their footwear strikes the elusive, perfect balance between style and comfort. They gifted me this pair of Andrea boots, but the following are my honest and unfiltered opinions. 

My boyfriend is not exactly hard to shop for, but I definitely agonize over what to get him for his birthday or Christmas, and while gifts aren't his number-one love language, I always want to give him something that he'll use and enjoy. I will award myself a pat on the back for giving him an Oura ring last year at Christmas; he immediately loved it and I could tell that he was using the data it provided to help him make subtle improvements in his health. I decided to get one for myself after seeing him enjoy it so much, and while not every data point has been a big surprise, I've learned some interesting things about my health. 

I have the Oura ring in gold—as you can see, it's a little more yellow than the 14k gold ring on my middle finger.

When I was growing up in the '80s, polos and rugbys were everywhere...and I hated them. As a very individualistic child, they felt like trying to be something I wasn't. I still have an aversion to actual polos, but polo sweaters I can get behind. They tend to come in softer, more neutral colors and more sophisticated fits, plus they don't have an annoying little logo embroidered on the chest. Polo sweaters have been around for a few years now, but I'm including them in this year's trend report because they've evolved a bit. Whereas a few years ago they all had open collars—technically called a Johnny collar—this year's batch has buttons at the placket, the deeper the better in my opinion.  My original intent was to wear one of the latter, but you'll see I'm in the former for reasons I'll explain in a minute. Long story short, I'm a big believer in this season's polo sweaters, and I've got my eye on a bunch of great options. 

Suede has been surging in popularity for a few years now—I included it in last year's fall trends—and we're either about to reach Peak Suede or maybe it's just a sign that it's here to stay. I am a fan; because of the natural nap, it has a richer, softer texture than leather and it takes dye beautifully, particularly in autumnal colors like brown, which has also been trending for awhile now. That said, suede can be a little more high-maintenance than leather—it stains more easily and I find it to be harder to keep clean—but for what it lacks in ease of care, it makes up for in pure luxuriousness. And yet there's something inherently boho about suede, which is what appeals to me—it's the ultimate rich-hippie essential. Which brings me to my latest, very specific fall trend: the fringed suede jacket.