Holly in Heels

Good morning, shoppers! I hope you all have had a fabu Thanksgiving, and a little time away with family and friends. I don't know about y'all, but I've taken FULL advantage of some excellent Black Friday deals (mostly from the comfort of my cushy couch, hot cocoa in-hand), and even Small Biz Saturday! It's been fun to check some things off of the Christmas list, and see what's out there, too! Well, lemme get to the good stuff here...as some of you know, for a long time now I've had this blog, gushed about shoes, wailed over shoe sales, found you all bargains and on-trend beauty finds, and even had a man's perspective on women's shoes (one of my faves!). I love writing, and I am HAPPY that I'll continue to do so via this fashion blog and a few print magazines - but I DO have a confession: I have always wanted a boutique . Oh yes, it's true. To be my own buyer, sell on-trend threads and accessories, shop the seasons and chat with customers, thi...

Soooo, I recently ran into the brand Rockport , who I have to admit I had heard of years ago, but hadn't really come across it in a while. There's been a ton of buzz surrounding their #PoweredByHeels #Sweeps as of late, where Instagrammers are posting their favorites from Rockport's Total Motion line, check it out here for a peek ! Browsing and clicking through the Total Motion line , I found that shoe-lovers can pick up insane comfort and flexibility in a shoe as you walk, trot, bend, and move in these beauties. And best of all, like all Rockport kicks, Total Motion shoes are crafted with care with the finest leather and suede out there. Check out the dozens of superb styles, including women's ballet flats, women's wedge shoes, lace-up wedge shoes, women's dress pumps, and more more more! I, personally, sprang for something a bit unlikely, the Total Motion Boot came in this awesome boyfriend style that I have been looking to pair with some skinnies and an...

Well folks, I've done it. As of last week my family of 3 and I picked up and moved to a whole new city, a whole new part of California. Aside from going from apartment to apartment, post-college, I haven't really done a big move. See, the house we said goodbye to was the home of A LOT of things: where my husband proposed to me, where we came home as Mr. & Mrs., where we had endless parties and family dinners (including an epic 30th birthday, where the living room was cleared out to make room for a live band!), and where we brought our newborn babe home. Not to mention, it was also the home of my shoe closet ! Sigh! It's a big change, and today has honestly got me feeling a bit homesick, so I decided to think about that AMAZING things that my new city has to offer... One of those things is boot weather ! For the first time in a long time, I'll be able to dwell in my yummy leather boots for longer than a week! Hoooooray! This fall, there are so many adorable short ...

One of my favorite memories I have with my man is the time we went country line dancing. Now now, I know I may seem more like a city gal to you, but deep down underneath this mall-strollin', money-spendin' machine is a simple girl. I remember we grabbed a few cold ones, did some two-steppin' amidst the crowded dance floor on the Central Coast of California, and got our boots a little dusty. It was quite magical! Well, in this season where leaves are changing and new chapters are beginning, I've decided that I need to drag that man o' mine back out on the dance floor and do some country line dancing once again (plus, a cold beer sounds pretty delish!). I, of course, cannot even think about doing this without getting some brand new boots - and the trend alert for this season is silver boots ! Silver cowboy boots are taking a front seat right now - they're gorgeously metallic, and perfectly paired with dark denim or even skinny black jeans (also on-trend ...

Labor Day weekend has passed us right up, the "back to school" commercials are circling the airwaves, and the sun is going to bed a little earlier every night - so you know that means summer is drawing to a close. Personally, I'm ok with it - and guest fashion blogger, Lauren Farnoosh , agrees with me, too! Miss Lauren is author of the sassy style blog 'Styled By Noosh' at  styledbynoosh.com , and here gives a few key fashion tips on layering up those fall fashions. Enjoy! . . . Transitioning from summer to fall can be an uncomfortable time. One minute it's cool and breezy, then suddenly scorching hot! Layering with lightweight clothing is an easy fix. I personally love wearing a jacket with some shorts or a skirt. This is the time of year when you can be really creative with your wardrobe and mix and match your summer and winter clothing together for fun and eclectic looks.  for more fab fashion tips head over to 'Styled By Noosh'...

Ok sweet blogosphere friends--welcome to the final few days of summer. I simply cannot believe it. As much as I'm an "autumn" spirit at heart, I have loved this last June, July, and August which have been filled with so many memorable adventures, highs, lows, loves, heartbreaks, and of course...lots and lots of summer shoes! As you'll be able to tell from the amount of blogging I have not done, it's been a very good summer! I'd say one of the BIGGEST highlights of the hot, hot, heat this summertime was my adventure to Las Vegas! Exactly 1 week before my little baby Hazel's 1st birthday, I hopped a plane and met my beloved cousin in Sin City. Not only was it one of the most relaxing vacations I've had, but it was the most money I've ever spent in one weekend - ha! I'm still mayyy-jorly loving my husband for not disowning me after he saw the receipts ( more on that story later! ). During my fab Vegas adventure, I had a few go-to shoes that I...

I have to admit that I am an autumn girl at heart. I love traipsing around in leather boots, scarves, a colorful knit beanie, sipping on hot cocoa and curling up in a coffee shop. Now, don't get my wrong, I love the summer too - mostly warm summer nights that allow me to keep my shorts and tank on at 9pm, and feel the warm summer breeze on my sun-kissed, sunblocked skin! But to be honest, I'm always stuck on what to wear in the summer. In beautiful SoCal, we get this phenom called "June gloom" and it is enough to drive a fashionista bonkers. It's cardigan weather up until the clouds burn off, around 11am or 12pm, and I'm left needing an entire outfit change! So basically, layers are my BFF. This summer, you can find me in 3 key things: 1) stripes 2) short shorts 3) flat sandals I majorly love these summertime outfit ideas from Piperlime - fun combos of stripes + lace, nude strappy heels and flat leather sandals, too. The Steve Madden 'Stecy...

Shoes can make or break an outfit, so it's crucial to invest in a pair that suits your personality! Created by Farfetch , this adorable quiz (below) tells you whether you're the cool minimalist type (think streamlined flats by J.W. Anderson ) or if you should be channelling your inner Rih-Rih with a pair of metallic heels. I'm Celine Mules = adore! So what's the verdict? Take the quiz and lemme know! xoxo, holly in heels

As I enter my mid-thirties, the summers of wedding after wedding seem to be simmering down. It's really a darned shame too - not only do I LOVE weddings...the decor, dresses, cocktails and dancing 'til my feet hurt...but I love to go SHOPPING for a solid wedding guest dress. With a few weddings on the calendar this summer (YOW!), it's high time I break out my shopping shoes, and find a good guest dress. #1 on my list? This Long Sleeve Crepe Shift Dress by Wayf . With an entire collection of perfectly patterned and cut dresses at Nordstrom (also my go-to for wedding wear, please note!), this classic floral pattern tops the list. I'm also adoring this great polka dot pick by Wayf - great shape and style, and perfect with a bright heel or sandal.  And option number 3, is this perfectly pink little number, also from Wayf . At $59, this beauty can easily be dressed up with a chunky statement necklace, and a killer pair of black leather pumps. I'll take t...

Helloooo, shoe gals (and guys!)! I want to start out by saying...PHEW! This spring has really taken off for me, in the best way possible! Not only is my baby girl grow-grow-growing out of her newborn shoes fast (see her via Instagram ) but my writing has taken a MAY-JOR upswing, and I'm loving it. My most recent dream come true has come in the form of being one of the new contributing writers to The Orange County Register! Check out my first published article here - and you'll see me in many more print papers that come dashing to your Orange County, CA doorstep. Yipee!! Locale Magazine LA has also dropped this month, featuring my writing and modeling (haha, still funny to me, but true!). The digital issue of this new, cool mag is all over the City of Angels as well as online  (my spread page 96!). So that's been my life these past few months, and why blog posts have been scarce. All #GOODSTUFF! So, to catch you up on a few of my shoe + style thoughts so far this seaso...

As much as I scour the web for great deals and trends at major department stores like Nordstrom, Gap, Target, Forever 21, I really do also love to shop small. Supporting local business is such a great thing to do - to step into a boutique filled with hand-picked items, and usually the shop owner at the front counter - there's really nothing like it. Most of these local biz owners have a really cool story, too. They started in a regular desk job, hated it, then discovered their true passion and went for it! I can hear different versions of that same inspiring story, and love hearing it every time. This week, one of my favorite Orange County shop owners, Sarah and Mike Dowdell, are opening up a new store called Scouts Honor . Located in Irvine at Woodbury Town Center, these OC-based owners of Love and Whiskey (also in Irvine), are now focusing on refined goods for men, women, kids and the home. Here are a few sneak peeks! I love love love that Scouts Honor will cary t...

This Thursday is SPRING! Can you even believe it? Ok ok, if you're currently reading this from the East Coast (book a flight to Southern California), I'm sure it's a little harder to believe, but it's true! And not only does the change in season mean longer days and warmer nights are ahead - it means NEW SHOES! Of course. And the #1 trend for sandals this season, think: woven, natural, and caged. Here are a few picks I currently can't resist... The Sam Edelman 'Beck' sandal - inspired by the classic gladiator, with a dash of hippie-chic sophistication. I adore the smooth leather straps, making this caged-up sandal something you'll want to stay in all summer long! A Nordstrom exclusive ( I love those, you see !), DV by Dolce Vita 'Villa' sandal has got to be the sandal of the summer. There's something child-like about this design, something simple and easy about how you can wear it. In 5 amazing colors, to go with 5 different br...

There are tons of accessories that are currently filling my cups, bowls and dishes that line the vanity table in the corner of my bedroom (just ask the guy who sleeps next to me!). In addition to my mild obsession with shoes, I do have a semi-amazing obsession with accessories, too. With a big collection of oversized colorful earrings, metallic watches - big and small, shiny bangles and bib necklaces, there's a lot of real estate in my closet filled with these pretty things! But my latest accessory find was dreamed up by an Austin, Texas designer, Amanda Dimova. Dimova started her style around 2006, making bold statement pieces from leather and crystals, even acrylic and wood baubles. From a one-woman operation, her brand, Vinca , is now sold worldwide - from Amsterdam to Korea - loved by customers who appreciate the brand's sheer cuteness + quirkiness! Yep, you'll notice unicorns, french sayings, and even sriracha bottles in this collection - bound and ready to grab your...

Get your wallets ready, and your credit cards primed - the SJP Collection by Sarah Jessica Parker is a new collection of shoes, launching exclusively at Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com on February 28 ! Eek! With an exclusive reflection of Miss Parker's personal style, this Italian-crafted line of shoes grabs styles that you'll want to get your hands on ASAP this season. Take a look at the rich colors of the line - coral, mint, teal and pink, to classic colors including purple, red and navy - those which Sarah Jessica has often said are "the new neutral." I love love love that there is a story behind each name of a pair of SJP shoes. You'll of course find the “Carrie”, and even the “Maud”, named after legendary designer Maud Frizon. And if you're worried about heel heights, fret no further - the collection of twenty-five shoes fits the shoe prefs of every lady, at every age. The price point is something to adore, too, ranging from $195 to just under $500...

This spring I'm loving the sandals that are splashing the scene. The cage sandal with straps galore, the classic pointed toe flat that seems to be always on-trend, and last but not least...my new fave: the block heel. I think it's really the best of both the wedge and the high heel world - you get the leg-lengthening heigh of a heel, with all of the comfort of a wedge. It's clearly a block party in my closet. Perf! And Dolce Vita has designed this oh-so affordable block heel sandal called the ' FOXIE ' - with a fab 2 1/2" heel, all leather lining and outsole, and an adorable black heel zip-up and buckle detail. Two colors that will go with every denim legging and pencil skirt, even with your favorite springtime dress - you may have to get them both (wink wink!).  Super duper cute, and a MUST this season! Enjoy the block heel and grab this style while it's h-o-t. xoxo, holly in heels