Cheryl Shops

 As we move on to more muted color palettes, closed-toe shoes, and cozy knits for the colder weather ahead, it's easy to let ourselves feel "ho-hum" about our wardrobe, letting excitement take a backseat to warmth and comfort. Fluorescent takes on the year's hottest hue, tangerine, serve to cure our summer neon withdrawals and instantly add life and vibrance to any fall or winter look. And while Missoni's neon pouts from their latest Milan Spring/Summer 2013 runway may have been styled with warmer weather in mind, we can't bear the thought of waiting for sunny skies to return in order to rock this edgy lip color! Makeup artist Lucia Pieroni may have carefully crafted these lips backstage with 4 different products, but you can cop a wearable version of the look yourself with the right shade of gloss or lipstick (or both for maximum effect)! Photo Credit: Style.com Pictured above: MAC Lipstick in Scarlet Ibis, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Psycho, and Elizabeth Arden Exceptional Lipstick in Neoclassical Coral. - Alexandra Gambardella

  Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

There was a definite Art Deco thing happening on the fall runways, and while I love the roaring twenties as much as the next girl, sometimes such literal trends need to be handled lightly, lest you look like you're going to a costume party. (Although that does give me an idea for Halloween...) An easy way to wear Art Deco is through jewelry, which has the bonus of being universally flattering—you definitely can't say that about midi hems and boxy dropped waists. And while Art Deco conjures up all manner of pavé diamonds and geometric shapes, I like the fun, modern look of tassels. Slip one on, grab a glass of champagne, and play the stock market...

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This Elizabeth & James tassel pendant is quietly luxurious—the gold-plated snake chain is nice and thick, but the ends are studded with white sapphires. The length reaches almost to the navel, making it perfect for dressing up even the simplest T-shirt.

Still luxurious but a little less quiet, this David Yurman tassel pendant has a fabulous 15mm pearl accented with diamonds.

Irit Design's long necklace is a grungy-glamorous take on the trend. The dripping chains make it look a bunch of your necklaces got tangled in your jewelry box, but through the mess, the diamond-studded baubles truly sparkle.

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Ben-Amun's pearl tassel necklace is a very ladylike interpretation, accented with authentic-looking Swarovski crystals. You can say it was your grandmother's; I promise I won't tell.

Eddie Borgo has been making tassel necklaces for years now, so it's only fitting that I include him here. As far as the trend goes, this cone tassel pendant is pretty much a no-brainer: simple design, classic gold, perfect.

Part of the fun of wearing a trend, however, can be subverting it. This Vanessa Mooney ladder tassel necklace takes fringe and multiplies it, with a strikingly modern effect.

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This tassel pendant from BaubleBar has a kind of Spanish-vintage vibe with its black beads. Instead of jazz, put on "La Isla Bonita" and channel late-'80s Madonna.

Rock & Republic has resurfaced at Kohl's, and the good news is that they're still doing everything with that signature rocker-glam vibe. So this toggle necklace, with its faux-leather tassel, is a brilliantly cool interpretation—and one that looks much more luxe than its price tag implies.

Confession: I have an addiction, and it's called Stella & Dot (in fact, I'm wearing three pieces of it as I type this). Stella & Dot has so many fabulous tassel necklaces at the moment, I had a hard time choosing just one to feature here, but I'm going to go with the Windsor tassel necklace, because it has the added cute-factor of looking like a Windsor-knotted tie. Also, the two-tone effect means you can wear it with pretty much everything. Win-win!

Jane Mayle's own clothing and accessories label may be history, but that can't keep a good designer down for long! The cult favorite designer is keeping her craft alive, most recently with a 5-piece capsule collection of handbags for Club Monaco! Available at both Shopbop.com and Club Monaco's website, these chic suede color-blocked bags make for the perfect fall handbag staple – bold yet sensible autumn-festive colors, practical sizes and shapes, and of course, a touch of look-at-me metallic for the girl who just can't resist a little shine. Ranging in price from $195 to $595, these fall handbags are hard to resist and go with almost everything (yes, even the metallic one!), but don't hesitate – ever since they hit e-shelves on October 3rd, they've been selling like hotcakes! From fold-over cross body bags to convertible strap totes and mini duffels, it's difficult not to find something to round out your fall handbag collection. Get one (or several) now before they're gone! - Alexandra Gambardella

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

I'll admit, I've been avoiding writing about peplums. I thought it was a trend that designers were trying too hard to make happen ("Stop trying to make fetch happen!"), and the silhouette is a bit too retro '50s for my taste. But we're in the third season of peplums now—based on what I saw last month at the spring 2013 shows, they'll be around for awhile—and the good news is that they're coming in a bigger variety of fabrics and treatments. In other words, they're not all prissy. The other thing that changed my mind is that last weekend I saw a woman in the West Village wearing a peplum top with a black blazer and skinny jeans, and she looked so chic, a light went on in my head. There are peplum skirts and dresses galore out there, but I think tops are the way to go—they're so much more versatile. And if you do want that super-girly look—I'm not judging!—you can always wear one of these with a pencil skirt. See? Versatile!

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Peplums can be edgy. Don't believe me? Check out this midnight-blue leather 3.1 Phillip Lim peplum top. This looks like something Diana Rigg would have worn on The Avengers, sexy and a little dangerous.

Of course, peplums can also be pretty. This silk organza Kenzo top is light and airy, and definitely more work-appropriate than the above top.

Calling something with a four-figure price tag a "basic" seems a bit silly, but that's how I see this gorgeous wool knit peplum top by Alexander McQueen. Everything about it is perfect: the darts for shaping, the not-too-deep scoop neckline, the dainty length of the peplum. If this is a look you're planning on wearing for awhile, it just might be worth the investment.

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This Elizabeth and James Yumi peplum top at first glance looks like leather, but upon closer inspection, it's actually a metallic brocade fabric. Regardless, it still looks edgy and cool, and would be perfect with leather leggings.

I like Tibi's eyelet peplum top because the peplum is more sculptural and minimal—in line with Tibi's new mature direction—so it's a way to wear the trend in a more refined way. Plus, the shape won't add any bulk around your hips, if you're worried about that sort of thing.

Torn by Ronny Kobo's Judy peplum top is an all-around solid choice. It's ponte-knit, so it's formfitting yet comfortable, and the way the peplum curves down at the sides gives it a super-flattering shape.

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If you want to go all-out trendy, ASOS has a lot of fun, affordable options. I like Darling's mesh-sleeve top, which is almost over-the-top in its femininity, but in a tongue-in-cheek way.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, J.Crew's striped peplum top is so subtle, the peplum almost seems like an afterthought. It's the most casual style here, and like pretty much everything J.Crew does, it's a brilliantly updated basic.

Sometimes, when you're buying a fleeting trend, you should just go for it. Case in point: Topshop's sequin peplum top, which puts a smile on my face whenever I look at it. Obviously it's not a daytime look, but think of all the holiday-party mileage you can get out of it. Not bad for $64, eh?

Fact: I love T-strap shoes. Another fact: I love studded shoes. So, you can pretty much guarantee I'll love studded T-strap shoes like these Schutz Fiona pumps. I buy a new pair of black pumps every fall, and while on one hand they can be kind of mundane and necessary, it's details like the faceted gold studs that give these lovelies some personality—and that also let me justify buying them. Well, they are different than anything else I own!  They have a small covered platform that will help me transition out of chunky-clunky and into the more ladylike shapes for fall. Plus, the heel clocks in just under four inches, which makes them Cheryl Shops–approved for city life. As for who created such a beauteous pair of shoes, Schutz is a Brazilian brand that's fairly new to the U.S.; they offer very trend-conscious footwear at very reasonable prices (most styles are under $200), so expect to see a lot more of them here, or at their new store at 655 Madison Avenue (at 60th Street).

The exact provenance of cap-toe pumps is a bit murky, but most of the credit goes to Coco Chanel, whose nude shoes with a contrasting black toe had the always-welcome effect of elongating the leg. Like pretty much everything Chanel appropriated, the cap-toe pump is considered a classic, with a certain refined air. And after years of big, clunky platform pumps, ladylike single-sole pumps are making a comeback for fall, although if you're hopefully devoted to platforms—as I am—you still have options. The fun, fashion-forward spin on cap-toe pumps this season, however, is that they incorporate metallics. The overall effect is a little bit dangerous, but definitely sexy. And, well, you know how I feel about that.

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I love Prada, because she always interprets a trend (often one she herself starts) in a very intellectual way. This suede cap-toe pump balances femininity—the colors, the height—with a somewhat clunky shape and a not-so-sexy squared toe. Call it the thinking woman's pump.

Manolo Blahnik has ceded much of his It-Shoe ground to Christian Louboutin in recent years, but I tend to find his footwear more quietly sexy. The Camparicap Mary Jane takes his Sex and the City classic ("I thought these were an urban shoe myth!") and turns it up a notch.

Based on what Hedi Slimane is doing to the house of Yves Saint Laurent, I am nervous about the future of its wonderful, amazing shoe designers, who create beauties such as the Mae pumps. Let's hope PPR keeps them on the payroll.

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Michael Kors may be quipping his way to the bank right now, but the reason he's so successful is that he makes shoes like the Cynthia pump, which manage to remain both classic (neutral colors) and edgy (hidden platform, chain trim).

Sometimes I like to wonder WWMOD (What Would Michelle Obama Do?), and I think when it comes to this trend, it would be to wear J.Crew's Etta pumps, a fun take in that the body of the shoe is metallic and the toe is matte.

This Steven by Steve Madden Fearless pump is practically a no-brainer, but just in case you need extra persuasion, it's a classic black suede pump with a pointy toe and a perfect three-inch heel. The contrasting silver tip is just the icing on the proverbial cake.

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I'm drawn to these ASOS Pacey shoes not because of their name (best Dawson's Creek character of all time!) nor their price (a very affordable $55, currently) but because of the crisscross straps at the ankle. I have incredibly narrow ankles, which means pumps usually slip up and down on me; this style looks like it will stay perfectly in place.

I've decided I need to wear more white in the winter because, hey, you're only young once. These Danger Zone pumps by Chinese Laundry look icy-hot.

Also from ASOS, the Perry pumps are rather similar in shape to the Blahniks above, however the color is much more fun, and I think it will be the perfect antidote to the winter blahs. The price is also way more wallet-friendly.

At the risk of sounding like a kooky hippie, I'm going to share something with you: I have an astrologist. She is awesome*, and I usually see her once a year, to check in on what's going on in the universe and how it's affecting me. I met with her tonight, and she had a lot of good news for me, which was welcome, considering I've been feeling a little stuck lately. Going over my chart always leaves me hopeful and eager—it's not necessarily predicting the future but guiding me through it. If you've never had your chart done, I'd highly recommend it; you get a much richer sense of things than simply reading your moon sign. On the most basic level, I'm a Pisces, which is the sensitive, intuitive, creative sign, and its symbol is two fish swimming in opposite directions, which I find oddly meaningful. So it makes sense that I tend to be drawn toward Pisces-themed items; I've wanted an Estée Lauder zodiac compact for years. Filled with translucent powder and finished with a jeweled clasp, it's an incredibly elegant way to powder your nose. So I may be a kooky hippie, but at least I'll be a glamorous one. 

 I remember when I was in 7th grade and camo print experienced a sudden surge in popularity. From loose-fitting drawstring pants to camouflage tees, sweaters, backbacks, and beyond, I was pretty much the coolest kid in school as long as I kept buying camo gear like it was going out of style (and it was)! And while we have yet to experience another camo fest quite as enthusiastic as that one was, army-inspired tough-girl duds have certainly found their place in the modern fashion spotlight. Military-inspired jackets, pants, bags, boots and more have been quite a persistent trend for a few years now, so it's not too surprising to see it stepped up a notch with camo print jackets. From bulky oversized coats to throw over all your warm-weather gear to more feminine fits with fun details like studs and spikes, I love the juxtaposition of the rugged camo print over girly fall florals or a soft knit sweater. It's a stylish contrast with just the right amount of "don't mess with me" 'tude to get you through the cold weather ahead! From left to right: Urban Renewal Vintage Tiger Camo Jacket, Topshop Studded Camo Jacket, and Hearts & Bows Vintage Army Camo Jacket.

 - Alexandra Gambardella

  Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops.

There is nothing new about jackets with leather sleeves—they were definitely around last year. But I missed out last time, and I'm definitely in the market for a new fall jacket, so to kick off this season's shopping guide, leather-sleeve jackets it is! And just in time, too—it may be balmy and muggy outside, but the temperature is going to drop this weekend, and then the real fall weather begins. I can't wait.

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I'm not going to pretend this isn't a $2700 jean jacket, because it is. However, it's a $2700 Givenchy jean jacket with leather sleeves and an incredibly cool motorcycle-inspired cut. Also, it's lined, so it's probably a bit warmer than the average denim jacket. So it has that going for it.

If you want to go a bit dressier and more tailored, a leather-sleeved trench coat is a great option, and even though this is from Burberry's secondary line, Brit, well, no one does a trench coat like Burberry. The fit and the details—leather piping, big buttons—both look impeccable.

Probably my favorite coat in this post, this Mackage wool coat has an almost blanket-like look—it looks soft and snuggly and warm, and yet the leather sleeves keep it cool. Want.

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I'm not going to lie—I'm hopelessly devoted to Rag & Bone. I love pretty much everything they do, including this update of the classic jean jacket. Who knew leather sleeves would make such an impact?

For the value-driven shoppers out there, this Sam Edelman convertible jacket can be worn with its leather sleeves, or without, as a vest. I often find two-in-one looks like this to be kind of clunky, but even zoomed in, I'm having a hard time even detecting where the sleeves detach. A warm welcome to the world of outerwear, Sam Edelman!

Most of these jackets have been on the casual side, but this MICHAEL Michael Kors tweed jacket has a more tailored, work-friendly look. The sleeves are faux leather, but the look is very Kors-chic.

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If you like the Burberry coat above, here's a Steve Madden trench for a fraction of the price. The sleeves are faux leather and the buttons are a bit over the top, but at $100, it's a much more budget-friendly option.

Chances are you've seen cool girls all over the city wearing something similar to Rhyme & Echo's Hannah jacket. And with good reason: It's an army jacket, only better. And this version is a very affordable $89.

God knows, I don't need another black blazer. But with a snug double-knit body and faux leather sleeves, the Crosby Street blazer from New York & Company might just tempt me to get another one. It's sedate enough for work but cool enough to wear out at night too, and, at $100, a veritable bargain.

In one of the introductory essays in the must-own book Perfumes: The Guide, Tania Sanchez amusingly describes the six stages of perfume fanaticism, starting with "mother's bathroom" and moving through Ambition and Naïveté, Flowers and Candy, and First Love. An avowed perfume lover, I'd been stuck in stage 5, Decadence, in which one wears only heavy-handed (patchouli, amber) or barely-there (tomato, tea) scents, the harder-to-find the better. I was convinced that I didn't like to smell "like a girl," and so I gravitated toward unisex or even men's scents, and if I wore something "feminine," you can bet it was heavy on the resinous woods. I can only imagine to what horrors I've been subjecting my coworkers all these years. And yet a few weeks ago, I reached Sanchez' stage 6, Enlightenment: satisfaction in things in themselves. I was at Barneys, and I stopped at the Frédéric Malle counter, and the salesman, bless his heart, told me I seemed like a Carnal Flower girl. "I don't like floral scents," I told him. "You will like this one," he promised. He was right. The star note in this scent is tuberose, and as far as white flowers go, it's kind of a dirty one, which I like. There's some orange blossom and jasmine (also a somewhat skanky-smelling flower, in a good way) for fullness, but then there's a greenish-gourmand layer, with coconut, melon, and bergamot, resting on a warm ylang-ylang and musk base. What this means is that you smell like a bouquet of flowers that you don't know whether to eat or to bang. You smell amazing. Men will hit on you in line at the coffee shop and when you're waiting for the subway. People will stop you on the street and ask what perfume you're wearing. (And then they will look dejected when they realize they can't buy it at Sephora.) You will rise above the mundaneness of everyday life. I am not overselling it; I decided to take a break from wearing Carnal Flower today and had a terrible day. I am convinced it was because of my perfume.

Now, here comes the hard part. This perfume is ridiculously expensive. I mean, I write a blog about shopping and I think it's expensive. It is far more than I've ever spent on fragrance. (For the record, $230.) But, it is so potent that I only need two or three sprays, and even that can be a bit overwhelming. I am hoping this bottle lasts until I'm in the next age bracket. And you know what? Even if it doesn't, I will gladly shell out for another one. (I'm already tempted to get the body cream, but I'm afraid men and women will be trailing me around like the Pied Piper of Manhattan.) I've reached Fragrance Enlightenment, and it smells amazing.

 This past summer was all about ankle-strap pumps and strappy sandals, and now our favorite fall footwear is getting the strappy treatment too in the form of fabulous t-strap pumps! A retro-inspired silhouette infused with edgy modern details and textures like snake, spikes, cap-toe details, and vibrant prints make for a winning combination for work or play! Whether you're rocking skinny jeans, leggings, slacks, a skirt and tights, or even layering with socks, these modern t-strap pumps are surprisingly versatile for completing various looks for fall! Look no further than Tory Burch's Everly Pumps or Schutz's Fiona Pumps for an updated take on the Mary Jane pump, or go with fall-festive suede courtesy of Madewell's sessùn kenai stacked-heel pumps or Luxury Rebel's Odette heels. Prefer to live on the wild side? J. Crew puts a graphic printed twist on tweed with their electric tweed Everly Cap Toe Pumps! No matter which style you prefer, t-strap pumps are a must for fall! - Alexandra Gambardella 

Content provided by TheFind in partnership with Cheryl Shops. 

For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram might have been wondering where I was last week, I skipped town to tag along on MW's work trip to California. I am a huge fan of the Golden State—San Francisco is probably the only other city I could live in—from the landscape to the food to, yes, the shopping. So here's what I did on my late-summer vacation.

San Francisco
MW and I stayed at the W San Francisco, which is one of my two favorite hotels in the city (the other is The Clift, where my parents happened to be staying; they were upgraded to a suite that was literally larger than my Brooklyn apartment). I spent Saturday having a lovely girls' day with my dear friend JC; we brunched at Foreign Cinema (which has my favorite daytime cocktail in the world), got mani-pedis, then got drunk on Palomas (maybe new favorite nighttime cocktail!) while waiting for our table at Tacolicious. Sunday we had brunch in Hayes Valley, my favorite neighborhood to shop in (more on that later), then my parents & I went to the DeYoung museum to see the Paley collection special exhibit which, ironically, came from MoMA! With a little break before dinner, I finally made it to the storied Jeremy's, which reminded me of a smaller Daffy's in the days of yore. They were having a pretty good sale, with extra markdowns on clothing, but everything I saw that I liked was either stained or ripped. I am still, however, kicking myself over a pair of nude patent leather YSL Tribute sandals which were in my size and a veritable bargain at $325, and yet, for some reason, I did not buy. After catching up with another of my favorite San Franciscans over a bottle of wine, we ended the night with dinnner at the excellent Bluestem Brasserie. Get the steak. Monday, MW & I trekked out to one of his favorite bookstores, Green Apple Books, which is in the Inner Richmond (or East Jesus Nowhere), but worth the trip. For a city that loves its fleece and yoga pants, it has a pretty impressive selection of fashion books; I found a great one on Cheryl Shops fave Ralph Rucci, as well as an out-of-print collection of vintage YSL photographs. After a lunch break at Nopalito (I swear, I would eat Mexican food every day if I lived in SF), we hit the Haight, where MW loves Amoeba Records and I always head straight to Wasteland, whose vintage section sadly seems to be shrinking. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped in Hayes Valley, which houses two of my favorite stores in SF, Gimmie Shoes and Azalea. I left the former empty-handed, but I got an awesome draped-back sweater by Cheap Monday at the latter. We closed out our final night in SF with drinks at the famous Bourbon & Branch (its cucumber gimlet is also a strongcontender for my new favorite nighttime drink) and dinner at Plaj, a new, incredibly tasty Scandinavian restaurant.


Route 1
Having never done the coastal drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles, I somehow convinced MW that it would be more economical than flying. So off we drove, and I felt like I was in a video game. Fun! Our first stop was Swanton Berry Farm, where we spent $25 on jam (but it was totally worth it). We made it to Santa Cruz for lunch (we ate at Zachary's) and strolled around a bit; MW was pumped to find both a new and a used bookstore; at the latter, he bought me this Yoda 2013 calendar, which might as well as had my name on it. (Yes, I'm a dork; I quote Yoda frequently.) Back in the car, we stopped in Monterey, which was having a farmer's market on Tuesday afternoon; it was MW's first California farmer's market, and I think his mind was blown: the most perfect-looking organic strawberries for $2 a container, and everyone has free samples! MW bought a lot of nuts. After almost being blown off the cliff to get this photo, we stopped in Big Sur for dinner at Nepenthe, which came highly recommended by our acupuncturist. And then our troubles began. We had booked a hotel room in San Luis Obispo for the night, and I figured we could safely make it there in a day, however I did not factor in stopping-time in my calculations. This is why I work in fashion and not in finance. Regardless, poor MW drove for another two hours in pitch-black darkness to SLO, where we tumbled into our hotel room. We were bummed to miss the Hearst Castle, but, well, there's always next time. The next day, we stopped by the Madonna Inn, which pretty much needs to be seen to be believed (this is their steakhouse restaurant); I commemorated the experience with a hot-pink bathrobe, although I'd definitely recommend their chalice-like wine glasses too. After a mountaintop dip in the hot tub at Sycamore Mineral Springs, we headed to Santa Barbara, which is where I finally felt like we were in Southern California. State Street is the main drag where there are all manner of national chain stores, from Forever 21 to Nordstrom; I much preferred the Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail, where you can almost feel like you're in wine country...except you're not. I treated myself to a bottle of Pinot Gris, because when in Santa Barbara...




Los Angeles

I've been to LA multiple times before, but this time, it felt a bit...different. I'm starting to understand that whole LA-versus-NYC thing, and I think you can figure out where I stand. Our hotel, the Sunset Tower, was lovely, with Kiehl's products in the bathroom, a Nespresso machine (!!) in the room, and a pretty amazing view. Also, the continental breakfast is fabulous. My big recommendation if you stay there: Don't get the "standard" room. It is "standard" size only if you are a minitaure dog traveling by yourself. That said, they have a great spa, the Argyle, where I had a much-needed facial with Arcona products, and my skin still looks amazing a week later. Also, my aesthetitcian talked about how she lives in Venice because she needs to "absorb positive ions from the ocean" while she sleeps, so that was...informative. MW had to work on Thursday, so after dropping him off, I hit Robertson Boulevard, which I remembered to be a cool place to shop. I bought a crazy studded minaudiere at Kitson, but otherwise, it was a bit sleepy. Then again, that might have been because it was 90 DEGREES outside. What was that about the beautiful LA weather again? We later grabbed a snack at Joan's on Third, and watched everyone check each other out, trying to figure out if they were famous and/or important.  Then we had dinner with MW's agent at Dominick's, and I really started to feel like we were in Entourage. We held on to that feeling the next day with lunch at Urth Caffé, where I had some amazing iced tea and more people stared at us and then figured out we weren't famous or important. Then we did some Melrose shopping, with a stop at Fred Segal, where I treated myself to some awesome-smelling Kai body butter (I also recommend the tuberose-heavy IF perfume) at Apothia. Once again, no one was shopping; maybe everyone was sitting at cafés, hoping to get noticed. We ended the day with a trip to Griffith Observatory (amazing views!) and dinner at Cliff's Edge with two of our favorite former New Yorkers and then a chance meeting with another friend of ours who was randomly in town to write a magazine story. It's a small world after all. On the way to LAX the next day, I stopped in Venice Beach with my friend MT for brunch at Gjelina, which was awesome and all of a sudden made me very homesick for Brooklyn. Venice Beach kind of reminds me of Brooklyn, if you scrubbed it clean and dumped it by the ocean. (Hey, better to absorb those positive ions!) I wish I had spent more time there, but my aesthetician recommended Princepessa as an ion-friendly place to shop. When in Los Angeles, right?