Cheryl Shops

1. Cuyana makes the most quietly beautiful leather goods, and even better, they're incredibly well priced. This is pretty much the perfect bag, and it comes in three colors, as well as a larger size.
Cuyana smal hobo $195

2. Gap makes this sweater every year, and sales from it are probably propping up the company year-round, but, hey, if it works, it works.
Gap crazy stripe sweater $34.95 (on sale!)

3. Think of this as the new stress ball—moving your hand back and forth to change the pattern of the sequins is incredibly mesmerizing and calming. Also, it's just a darn glamorous pillow.
Levtex sequin pillow $39.99

4. Bite Beauty's lipsticks are made of food-grade ingredients, which is a good thing, considering you actually swallow most of the lipstick you put on. I am a huge fan of the deeply pigmented hues, too.
Bite Beauty perfect bite set $25

5. Pretty much every cool girl I've seen recently has been wearing a pair of sculptural metal statement earrings like these. Bonus: they look great on women of all ages.
Madewell sculpture earrings $25.50 (on sale!)

6. Who doesn't love athleisure? These leggings will make her the best-dressed woman at barre class (and even afterward at brunch).
EXP Core watercolor leggings $34.95 (on sale!)

7. The older I get, the more I'm learning the power of good lighting. This iPhone case ensures every selfie (or conventional photo) will be shot in flattering light.
Lumee iPhone case $69.95
8. Do you have a friend with a pricey kombucha habit? (I'm talking $7 a bottle, or more, people. The struggle is real.) This will let her brew her own, minus the random yeast globs.
Kombucha brewing kit $48.95

9. These boots were probably not made for walking, but they are made for dancing—and they're a tenth of the price of those YSL runway beauties.
Shellys London sequin boots $228

Have a happy Thanksgiving, and an even happier Black Friday and Small Business Saturday! I'll be back next week with more gift guides!

Shopping for your girlfriends is a little like shopping for yourself, at least when your girlfriends are as awesome as mine are. (As my guru says, the light I see in others is a reflection of the light within myself.) So while it's hard to put a price on friendship, these gifts certainly can try.


1. Your BFF would be the first person to admit that the standard-issue white iPhone headphones are hopelessly unglamorous. Luckily, these Deos earphone covers jazz them up with the full Swarovski crystal treatment.

2. You'd kill anyone who harms your bestie, but for those rare cases when you can't be around, this Carol Brodie evil eye candle will keep her protected (and with a nice berry-and-spice scent to boot).

3. You'd buy her the real thing if you could, but since she knows the extent of your credit-card debt, your girl would be just as happy with this Céline-ish Thursday Friday XO Here pouch (also available in faux-nel, Balenciaga-esque, and PS-non).

4. True story: I was with two girlfriends recently, and two of us whipped out our Sephora birthday gifts for 2012, the Sugar Rose lip balm from Fresh. The third friend was incredibly jealous. Don't let this happen to you—give the gift of Fresh Sugar Kisses.

5. Because she never says anything when you teeter out of the house in 5-inch stilettos that you have to change out of after 30 minutes, return the favor with Corso Como's Ballasox flats, which come in a purse-stashable pouch for emergencies.

6. Recycled keys engraved with uplifting words, The Giving Keys pendants are both green and charitable—the company employs workers transitioning out of homelessness. They're designed to be given away to someone who needs their message, so consider this the gift that truly keeps giving.

She has enough dirt on you for years of blackmail, but that's not why you should buy your BFF a present. She deserves something awesome because she is awesomeness personified. And, hey, giving her a date with Ryan Gosling is probably not an option.



Top row:
Your BFF is a stone-cold fox, so what better gift to give her than a foxy lady T-shirt? Girl Fox Tee, $30

Because you don't judge her for her guilty pleasures, she can listen to Katy Perry to her heart's content on this cool headphones. WeSC:The WeSC x Bing Bang Headphones, $100

Because she will play this game with you and be the only one to give you a real challenge.  Assouline Books Fashion Game Book by Florence Muller, $35

Middle row:
Your BFF has never met a statement necklace she hasn't liked, but this Pam Hiran collar is truly radiant—just like her! Brilliant A-Ray Necklace, $60

While this NARS palette seems almost too beautiful to actually use, your BFF will know exactly what to do with it. Nars Hanamichi Kabuki Eyeshadow, $65

She's your favorite mani-pedi partner, so why not commemorate the occasion with this festive set?  Deborah Lippmann Three Times a Lady 3-piece Nail Lacquer Set, $35


Bottom row:
You'd get her a PS1 bag if you could, but in the meantime, your bestie will still love rolling out this fancy towel at the beach. Proenza Schouler Beach Towel, $145

Because she knows what song this line is from: "What's that you've got on/Is it Comme des Garçons?" Comme des Garcons leather zip around wallet, $100

And while she'll gladly participate in a cheese-fest with you, fondue is that much better when served in a ceramic bunny. Shinzi Katoh Dip-Hop Hit Fondue Set, $50

She helps you decide what shoes to buy, she listens to your work drama, she's been around way longer than any of your boyfriends, and, well, she's like Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte all rolled into one.