My girlfriend loves riding, and thanks to me she's got a stable of bikes. Santa Cruz Chameleon, old Bianchi women's bike, and an old Ross cruiser with fenders and chain guard.
She loves the Santa Cruz because it a fairly lightweight build...probably 25lbs. It's got full gears, and she loves being able to go as fast as most on road bikes without worry of potholes, but it doesn't have fenders and the stand over is that of most mountain bikes.
The Bianchi is her original bike. It's heavy, lacks fenders, and kinda slow.
She probably enjoy the Ross the most because its got full fenders, 3spd rear hub, and a huge chain guard. She says she usually picks that one because she doesn't have to worry about what shoes or pants she wearing, and doesn't have to worry about getting dirt flung up on her back.
So, are there any fender, chain guard, easy standover, gearhub AND lightweight bikes out there under say...$800?
marin bridgeway, brodie pax would be faily light and in your price range. bobbin birdie, linus dutchi or mixte, creme holymoly might be a bit heavier but still deserve some attention.