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Cheryl Maday, 31, started Cheryl Shops in 2003 to combat creative frustration at her former job as an editor at a men's magazine. She now finds fulfillment as a fashion copywriter and writes her blog in her spare time. This girl is dedicated: After covering New York Fashion Week 24/7, she was blogging the very next day on sample sales and online discounts. Here, Cheryl shares her top 10 must-haves -- the items she's loving (and can't live without) right now. Sneak peek below, full list after the jump.
cheryl shops

Madewell Scarf, $45 I have what I call "a weird neck thing" -- my neck must be covered at all times, so I'm rarely without a scarf, even in summer. Madewell's scarves have that elusive combination of bohemian and glamorous that is generally the intent behind adding such a thing to one's outfit.
Levi's Low Skinny 531 Jeans, $70 Like King Arthur in pursuit of the Holy Grail, I am constantly on the prowl for the absolute perfect pair of skinny jeans. I've tried everything from Current Elliott down to Old Navy, and, truth be told, I think Levi's are among the best. The 531 style comes in three different inseams (no hemming!), and this particular pair is made of organic cotton with vegetable dyes, making it an eco-friendly choice as well.
Freya Balcony Bra, $54 As Christian Dior said, without foundation, there is no fashion. So with that in mind, a good-fitting bra is a necessary starting point for any outfit. My favorites are by Freya--they're comfortable, they keep everything in place, and they come in a much wider range of sizes than most American-made bras.
Pour La Victoire Ankle Boots, $175 One thing I will always splurge on is shoes -- if my feet are uncomfortable, I am uncomfortable, and, in general, more expensive shoes tend to have better arch support, which is important. Pour La Victoire is a fairly recent discovery of mine; it's a Brazilian company, and their shoes look and feel much more expensive than they are. This zippered style (similar to that of a major French designer) is well worth the investment.
Alexander Wang Pocket Tee, $80 I own about 10 iterations of this T-shirt -- white, gray, black, long-sleeve, short-sleeve, dress, etc. -- and while the price may seem a bit on the high side ($80 for a T-shirt?!), I guarantee you will wear it more than anything else in your closet. It's cut perfectly, with a just-loose-enough fit that skims your body.
Aqua Boyfriend Blazer, $88 Aqua is Bloomingdale's private-label contemporary brand, and it's often my first stop for better-quality trendy items at a great price. I have this boyfriend blazer, and I wear it at least once a week, year round. It's perfect for layering, but it's light enough to wear in warmer weather, too.
Gap Girl Shorts, $14.50 While many women are known to wax rhapsodic about a certain maker of $28 panties, I still prefer Gap's Girl Shorts, hands down. They actually cover my entire bum--which, considering the thought behind boy shorts, should not be as rare as it is -- and they're virtually undetectable under even your most snug-fitting jeans (like the Levi's above). Even better, they're almost always on sale, so I tend to buy in bulk.
Forever 21 Ring, $4 Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but I've found some pretty good pals in the jewelry department at Forever 21, including a cocktail ring that people stop me on the street to ask where I got it. I like the quirky, vintage-inspired look of this elephant ring, and for $3.80, you can afford to buy a backup or two.
Hermes Eau des Merveilles, $110 I believe you're never fully dressed without a fragrance, and at the moment, my favorite is Eau des Merveilles by Hermes. My mom says, "It smells expensive," but to be more specific, it's a warm, woody-citrus blend with a hint of sea salt. It's pretty much the only thing I can afford at Hermes, and it's totally worth it.
Embroylisse Lait Creme Concentre, $25 If you can get past the kind-of creepy name (note: no actual embryos are involved!), this cream is beyond amazing -- it's a really rich moisturizer that manages to be not at all greasy. It doesn't make my sensitive skin break out, and a $25 tube lasts several months. The only place I've been able to find it in this country is the New London Pharmacy in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood (which, thankfully, has a Web site).