She Picks
1 Sarah’s Pastries & Candies
To really melt your gal pal’s heart, customize her favorite flavors into an artful mélange of chocolate candy. With just 48 hours’ notice, Sarah’s Pastries & Candies will hand-blend white, milk, dark, or even sugar-free chocolate with your choice of nuts, fruits, and sweets (crushed graham crackers, marshmallows, peppermint chunks, granola, espresso beans). The label, as well, will spotlight your personal investment in her gift.
$32 per pound, with a two-pound minimum, www.sarahscandies.com
2 Mad Men, Seasons 1 and 2
Proffering hours of uninterrupted drama — especially drama studded with hunks, highballs, and high style — is a gift that earns high marks from most women. Think about it. She will spend hours enjoying her gift. And you, my fine fellow, will be off the hook for at least three weeks, in terms of planning date night. Perfect!
$40 for Season 1, $50 for Season 2, www.amazon.com
3 Diane von Furstenberg Sunglasses
Every woman needs a fab pair of oversize shades to (a) protect herself from harmful UV rays and (b) add a soupçon of Audrey Hepburn-esque style to her look. The Goddess of Glam (aka DVF ) hits a home run with these dramatic, spectacular new specs.
$125, www.dvf.com
4 Kara Ross Bracelet
A statement cuff is an easy way to add panache to basics. With Kara Ross’s Stingray coral-and-gold-striped cuff
, she’ll score a multitasking accent piece that can be dressed up for cocktail parties or worn with jeans to the movies. And you know how they say food is the way to a man’s heart? Well, for women, it’s jewelry.
$375, www.kararossny.com
5 Mia Booties
The accessory du jour? Sassy ankle booties. Unlike the legions of six-inch stiletto boots maiming women nationwide, this three-inch suede bootie — so aptly named Seductive — by Mia is at once chic and comfortable. And remember how I said that jewelry was the way to a woman’s heart? Well, shoes are a close second — at least for me.
$130, www.piperlime.com