Cheryl Shops

It's the most wonderful time of the year...if you love dressing up, that is. And I do. I have a bunch of party dresses that sit sadly in the back of my closet for most of the year, so this is the time to break them out. Thankfully, I've had a lot of events this season, and lots of excuses to get dressed up!

If you're like me, you probably own a bunch of little black dresses. Mine are all slightly different—and thus totally necessary, right?—but this one struck my fancy because of the length and shape, both of which are unexpected. It's almost a maxi, but it's also rather snug, and while Spanx are pretty much a necessity with this dress, it's somehow also incredibly comfortable and flattering. I bought it at IRO in Paris (one of my favorite places to shop there), and they make more or less the same dress every season—for a good reason.

This leather jacket is by Vince, and it's also a style they make year after year, in slightly different colors. I am a firm believer that leather jackets are something worth investing in (please don't have a heart attack when you look at the price); this one is buttery-soft and just keeps getting better with age. And it can either go dressy or casual.


Since my jacket and dress were more minimalist, I decided to go a little glitzy with my accessories. As I've mentioned before, I work for a jewelry company during the week, so weekends are my time to break out Other People's Jewelry (although I am wearing one of my favorite necklaces from my company). This is one of my favorite bracelet pairings (last seen here) and the ring is an old $5 cheapie from Forever 21 that, in spite of the fact that the enamel has worn off in the back and the metal is decomposing, people ask about all the time. I love how it looks like a vintage piece.



I was planning on wearing a clutch with this outfit and made a last-minute change to my beloved Jerome Dreyfuss bag (last seen here). I joke that this is the poor woman's Chanel bag, but it's also way edgier, so I think it works with the whole vibe here.



Of course, no party look is complete without festive shoes, and my Valentino Rockstuds are pretty much the craziest ones I own. (In a good way.) I last showed these with jeans here, but they can clearly go with a dressier look too. I should also note they're incredibly comfortable—I traipsed all over Lafayette Park (where we shot these photos), then out to dinner and drinks, and my feet had no pain at all. Of course, that might also have had something to do with all the wine I drank. 'Tis the season!



A few weeks ago when I was editing photos and looked a little washed out, and I heard my mom's voice in my head saying, "Cheryl, put a little lipstick on." So I broke out my Sephora Rouge Cream lipstick in Passion Red 03 for this shoot. I'm telling you the exact shade because not only does this color look good on everyone, it lasts all freaking day. Like, you will have to physically remove it at night and you will be amazed by how much color is left on your lips. And speaking of my mom, I look oddly like her in a lot of these photos. Perhaps proof that we really do turn into our mothers one day?



OUTFIT DETAILS: Vince leather jacket (budget-friendly option here) || IRO dress (also here) || Jerome Dreyfuss Bobi Bag || Valentino Rockstud pumps || Stella & Dot Kari necklace || Hermes clic H bracelet, Rachel Zoe tassel bracelet (similar here) || Forever 21 ring