t2i battery grip / lens question

hi all,

i am asking for what to get for my wife for her camera

i got her a t2i with a kit lens (18-55mm) and 50mm F1.8 last year

she just got the canon 430ex ii speedlite

she wants to get another lens for close-ups / portraits, but not exactly sure what to get.

a photography friend of hers suggested the 24-70mm F2.4 is a little out of my price range ($2200 new). is there any suggestions for a $400-600 lens that would be a step-up from the kit lens?

also, i wanted to get her a battery grip. i have researched the various off-market brands (meike, opteka, zeikos) and seen move good and horror stories from missing screws and poor build quality. though i have seen just as many good reviews, comments, and youtube videos. I am currently leaning toward the opteka, but wondered if anyone had any long term experience with the t2i and could shed some first-hand experience for it.

thanks for all the advice, and please bear with me, this is her hobby and i am trying to get her good components without fully understanding the dslr world, at least not as much as she does or any of you do.