Holly in Heels

OMG. Why is Anthropologie always so stinkin' cute?! Every time I take my stylish little steps into that store, I walk out feeling soooo inspired by the outfits I see, the shoes on the shelves, and even the warm, home-y smells of carefully lit candles. And since I'm on a boot kick this month (cold weather will do that to a gal), I of course had to check out the boots at Anthro. They currently have a delicious selection of boots - leather, suede, and short, tall - but the one that stuck out to me amidst the sea of style were these 'Botanical Booties' by Sheridan MIA . Anthropologie boots are outstanding - I have never been bummed when I've purchased a pair myself. And these, I am certain, are no different. These botanical beaut's have some great texture in their design - almost like a real piece of artwork on your toesies. Adorned with a side zip, rubber sole, and a nice stacked 2" heel, the leather knots and detail are a perfect match for a simple jeans +...

So I neeeeever do this, but for some reason yesterday I totally caught the Black Friday fever! I set my alarm for 5:30am, and opened my peepers to the sound of silence in my house...and it inspired me to jump outta bed, jump into my sneakers and throw up a ponytail for a little early shopping trip! It was quite a success, I must say, and I knocked nearly all of my Christmas shopping out of the way! Now, I can enjoy most of December without thinking about what I'll get so-and-so. But now that my tired Black Friday, early-riser hangover has kicked in, I figured I'd blog a little today and tell you about some pre-Christmas treats I recently snagged for myself. Why the heck not?! If you are a shoe, handbag or accessories maven like me, I'm sure you know of Sole Society . Mainly known for their fashionable kicks, and recently launched line by the adorable Julianne Hough , Sole Society flaunts all sorts of great stuff, for a price that's juuuuust right. My recent wears are ...

Although December hasn't quite hit yet, the buzz of holiday glitz and glam has arrived! You know you have caught the fever when you are already thinking of that killer holiday outfit, or swanky pair of shoes for New Years. Don't lie! Well, Shop It To Me is only sweetening the deal this season with 3 little words: Valentino, Gucci, Coach. Now you're listening, right?! This shopaholic's dream of a site is giving one of these lust-worthy designer prizes away to one lucky Shop It To Me member. And being a Shop It To Me member myself, I'm here to spread the good news! The rules are simple: To enter, invite friends to join Shop It To Me. You’ll get one entry for each friend who signs up!   Here's a link to the official giveaway page, y'all - get to it! And the next big decision you may be making is if Valentino, Gucci or Coach will be your hot date to that holiday party this season! Holluh! Contest ends at 11:59 PST on Friday, November 22, 2013. US ...

As we enter November and the holiday shopping season begins (yipee!), it's time to make a list and check it twice for gift-giving! I absolutely love to give gifts, personally - it's fun to browse and see what's out there in the stores, local boutiques, and of course online. From bargain to luxury, seems there's something for everyone on the shopping list! And guys, listen up: if you want to do right this shopping season, remember the key phrase "diamonds are a girl's best friend" - it's true! Ok ok ok, shoes...yes...it's a given, but what goes better with a stellar pair of black patent leather stilettos, than a pair of to-die-for hoop earrings , or a an gorgeous diamond bracelet ?! I think you're catchin' my drift here... This season, I'm diggin' the bling on Anjolee.com - where diamond tennis bracelets, earrings, necklaces and wedding rings are fine jewelry store's specialty! Since 1977, this San Diego-based fined jewelry ...

One of the (few) tragic things about living in California is that you don't get much cold weather. Especially here in Southern California, I often find myself gleefully grabbing for my cozy scarf and stylish boots as soon as the temperature hits 70 degrees! But that doesn't prevent me from going batty for boots. Oh no no, you see, I looooove boots, especially suede boots, that hit the ankle at that perfect spot. At my last trip to Nordies, I was tempted by these BP. 'Trolley' Ankle Boots in Navy (also pictured below in Burgundy Suede). At an awesome price of $99, these may just be the only boots you need for the entire season. The block heel measuring at 3" is just right, and the brass side zipper is that adorable added accent of style. Enjoy this amazing fall weather, my friends, and get out to enjoy the fall breeze in some stylish boots! xoxo, holly in heels

You faithful readers of mine may remember my blog post last week, about a new online boutique that I'm currently crushing on, Serene Sky Boutique . This online lovely has tons of cute accessories, at just the right price! Art deco jewelry is their specialty - and I'm adoring every piece of it. I ordered a few of their gorgeous jewels for myself, paired with some fall faves from my own closet (please note adorable box, upon arrival!):   Cor al Pyramid Cuff, $ 14 / G old Bar Tassel Bracelet, $12   Art Deco Geometric Necklace, $32 Want some of your own? Head to shopserenesky.com and enter promo code HOLLY15 for 15% off your order! In addition to that amaaaazing promo code (yay for discounts!), I'm happy to announce a GIVEAWAY from Serene Sky Boutique ! Oh yes, you heard right, these pretty vintage brass, handmade Arrow Triangle Earrings can be yours all yours when you enter now! TO WIN you simply must: 1. Comment on this post telling me your favori...

Today, the weather in So Cal is changin'. Ah yes, we went from sunny days of 80+ degrees to an overcast, cloudy day in the 70's! And I have to say, I'm loving it. Not only do I feel uber cozy in my little abode, but I also am sensing it's boot weather! And who doesn't love that?! Forever 21 is currently boasting some pretty amazing boots - adorned with buckles, straps, and suede...   Sleek Faux Suede Booties, $36.80   Runaro un d over-the- knee boots, $44.80   Must- H ave Buckle Booties, $42.80 These might just be some of t he best boots for fall. So enjoy that cooler weather, wherever the heck you are, and sport your fall style proudly ! xoxo, holly in heels

In my writing, I'm always coming across amazing boutiques owned by amazing people. I just love it. My newest find is actually an online boutique, that is locally-owned, called Serene Sky Boutique ! This online fashion boutique embraces California lifestyle to a 'T' - with handpicked jewelry that will knock your socks off. Serene Sky Boutique was founded by two best friends, Donna and Frances, who are just pretty adorable. Donna always had a passion for fashion since her Madonna-lovin' days of the 80's, and Frances has loved fashion (denim especially!) for as long as she can remember, too. Head to shopserenesky.com and you'll find dozens of adorable necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings that are perfy-perf for everyday fashion, as well as those special dates, weddings and cocktail hours that every fashionista finds herself at. Adore! Check out a few of my personal faves... Lovin' this Coral Pyramid Cuff - $14 of coral, on-trend goodness. Yes please!...

I love Target. Who doesn't, really?! I recently have started following "Target Does it Again" on Instagram , and that girl does an amaaaazing job of taking shameless selfies of the cutest Target items on their racks, and enticing shopaholics like myself. Basically, she has me hot on Target's tracks - I'm loving their clothes and shoes more and more each day! And since fall is here, the wind in the OC is blowin' like it does, and I'm shopping for cute sweaters and cords instead of sandals and tanks - I have had my eyes peeled for good fall kicks. Check out these Women's Xhilaration 'Sinead' T-Strap Open Toe wedges , in an awesome maroon color. I dig the gold toe accent, and the open toe t-strap is perfect for Southern California weather (like I'm enjoying now!). An awesome 5-inch wedge with a 1.5-inch platform gives any shorty some extra height on a pretty fall day, and at $29 who can argue they'd find a better deal?! Love these, lo...

Pumpkin spice lattes, cinnamon candles, pumpkins at the grocery store, Halloween cards stocked at Target...oh yes yes, all of these signs are pointing to FALL! And did I even mention the SHOES? Oh yes, tall leather boots galore, adorable oxfords for days, and moccasins in every shade. I will say, it makes me happy just wandering through the mall and seeing all of the pretty displays of warm colors, and cozy coats, too. These LAMO moccasins, the 'Sabrina Moc II' are red and ready to come out of my closet now that the summer sun is hiding its face. How adorable are they?! A great shoe for year-round wearing, these suede babies are lined with microfiber, stitched adorably around the toe, and a durable rubber sole at the bottom. Perfect for long walks to the coffeeshop in the park to play with the pretty amber leaves. Ahhhhh! I just adore the red shade of these shoes...not too bright, but just the right pop of color. Perfectly paired with a basic denim or a simple blac...

Soooo, excuse my absence for the entire stinking month of August , but I swear I have a good excuse. She goes by the name of Hazel! That's right, this fashion blogger became a mama of the world's cutest future fasthionista, on August 2. She doesn't quite fit into any of the kicks in her 40+ pair shoe collection yet (gasp!), but soon...very soon. But I'm back at it right in time for my favorite time of the year (that, and Thanksgiving, ok?): Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week ! It's that fall fashion season, and the only time I wish I lived in NYC. Spring 2014 styles hit the runways, and the stars come out to play dress-up. As I've combed the @mbfashionweek Instagram , I've seen vibrant spring colors of poppy and turquoise, cool cremes and neutrals, stripes and neons, and of course some really amazing shoes . Check out some of the beeeeautiful images thus far!: Click here to watch the runway shows of New York Fashion Week LIVE - right from the comf...

It's no secret that I miss heels . Sure, sure, being pregnant has plenty of perks (getting waited on hand-n-foot, traffic stopping belly, excuse to eat a lotta ice cream), but a few drawbacks too...especially when you've got a case of the swells. Hellooooo, summertime baby! So when I temporarily gave up heels a few months ago, I swallowed my pride and invested in a few pairs of sandals from both Target and Nordstrom. Out of all of the sandals I've slipped these mama-to-be feet into this summer, I have to say that the most versatile and stylish pair of sandals is the Mossimo 'Lena' Metal Toe Flip Flop from Target , in black. A great padded sole, double straps around the foot, and a chic gold finish at the toe, and the $17 price is just right. I dig! And if I had a few more months of this baby-carrying thang, I think I might be tempted to purchase the turquoise , pink and metallic gold colors, too! Look how gorge! So whether it's for pregnancy c...

Earlier this week, I covered a new fashion find of mine, a jewelry designer with a sustainable cause . It's all the rage right now ( TOMS shoes , Krochet Kids , the list goes on...), and low and behold, I found a NEW fave to add to the list: iSanctuary . iSanctuary employs young women rescued from human trafficking, in both India and the United States, through the production and sale of this amazing jewelry--a powerful healing experience for these human trafficking survivors. How amazing would it be to recover from such a tragedy in the form of creating something beautiful + new? I'm all for this cause...and I have a feeling you are too.   Read more about International Sanctuary here . And man oh man does this company have some gorgeous and original designs! Check out their most recent Spring/Summer line , and beautiful Artisan line , too. I recently snagged the classic 'Ring of Gold' bracelet from iSanctuary , and I have to say I absolutely adore it. The gold is so...

Well folks, one of my fave men's shoe designers, Bull + Tassel , recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for their awesome fashion project, and I just had to share with all of you fashion-conscious fans. There are some great rewards to offer for all who participate and pledge !:   + Current & future shoe designs for a discounted rate. + Future products such as nylon wristbands, swim trunks and driving gloves. + Shoes for the ladies! + A chance to design and name your own shoe , donate the proceeds to a charity and of course own the bragging rights to it.     So check out the project , SHARE on Facebook and Twitter, and please consider supporting not only the making of shoes but the crafting of an entire fashion line. Head over to Kickstarter  today!   xoxo, holly in heels

I love jewelry. I have always kept the drawers in the mirrored make-up vanity in my bedroom fully stocked (most of the time overflowing!) with bracelets, bangles, bib necklaces, rings, baubles...the list goes on. I figure when I'm in a 'jeans and tee' kinda mood, I can always spice up an outfit on the fly with cute shoes and sweet jewels. But when jewelry has a cause behind it, I get even more stoked (and feel less guilt, honestly!). You too, right?! Well let me introduce you to Color by Amber --the makers of some beautiful jewelry made from sustainable materials, which supporting artisan communities worldwide! By wearing any of the Color by Amber pieces, you're wearing 40% pure recycled eco-resin jewels, helping to renew and nurture our fragile planet that sustains us all! Read more about the cause, as well as partnerships with Nepal and Senegal online here . Very cool. There are tons of collections that Color by Amber has for sale online now, but here are a few...

Zara is one of those beloved but often overlooked stores/brands that I keep circling back to these days. The store's sassy Euro style knocks it out of the park every time for me - stylish wedges, on-trend sandals, heels, and more. And when Zara has a sale...oh man, oh man, you know where to find me! So I thought I'd shed a little light on the sale subject this week and share with you a few of my fave Zara strappy sandals - now ON CLEARANCE online and in-store: The 'Combination Heel' from Zara is beautifully, and stylishly color-blocked, with a hearty buckle and squared off toe to finish. These wedge sandals would go seamlessly with a breezy tank and some boyfriend denim - or even a summer dress in just the right shade. At $29, who could go wrong?! I totally love these 'Studded Strappy Sandals' - their neutral color goes with literally anything in your summer (or spring!) closet, and the 4" heel is just the right height! Your go-to heel with that sum...

A little guest post love + a male fashion perspective from my new blogger friend, Scott Wicken of  sigtweedandcorduroy.com ! Enjoy: *** While it certainly is never prudent to go against a Sicilian when death is on the line, it is imperative to listen to an Italian when it comes to things style-related.   To wit, some excellent advice from designer Domenicio Vacca on the merits of the brown shoe: "Many Americans have this idea that if you put on a dress shoe, it has to be black. But Italians—and I myself, especially—very rarely wear black shoes, except for very formal occasions like weddings and funerals. I’m almost always in brown shoes, because they just work with everything.  The beauty of brown shoes is that all the different shades let you communicate something about your personality—you tell the world you have a sense of play and character just by putting something on your feet." I, too, am a firm believer that black shoes should only be reserved for t...

Every girl loves shoes. That is pretty much a given, right? Ok, maybe I’m a tad bit biased, but aside from shoes, the other things that each and every girly girl loves is makeup! From the time we are wee ones, us gals somehow manage to dig in our mom’s make up cases and smear on that lipstick, and rose up our cheeks with some blush. And from then on, we are always on the hunt for the perfect cosmetics – the right tint or hue, the blush with the most natural look, just the right red for our lips, and the mascara that makes our lashes look most luscious. During my hunt for the perfect make up, my priorities have changed a bit, and over time it’s become increasingly important for me to have natural, healthy make up. I’ve had my fair share of breakouts and blotchiness due to bad, cheap make up – but those days are over now that I’ve discovered tarte cosmetics ! tarte is a leader in high-performance naturals, all cruelty-free products, with pure and healthy ingredients. How do they do it,...