First-time authors Alison Ross and Gay Gray will be coming all the way from….Wellesley to sign and chat about their new shopping advice book this Saturday at Wellesley Booksmith, 2-4pm. Their book, “Ally and Gaizy’s Girlfriends Guide to Great Shops and Cafes,” features “snapshots of more than 170 independently owned and family run shops and cafés in and around Boston. From fun and funky to classic and chic, you’ll be the ‘go-to’ girl with this guide.”

We double-checked with Ally about whether they took it easy on Wellesley shops and she assured us that they didn’t: “None of the stores knew we were doing the book when we were researching.”

As for any updated shopping advice in light of the economic downturn — the book was released earlier this fall — Ross says: “Since our book is about all independently owned shops and cafés you can find some very unique items in a variety of price ranges. In these difficult economic times we feel it’s important to support your own town and shop locally, whether it’s Wellesley or Dedham or Lexington or wherever.”

If you can’t make it to the authors’ appearance on Saturday, note that on their website they say they’re also available for private parties.