Holly in Heels

You guys. Has it seriously been a full YEAR since I've typed up a blog post on here? That is both depressing and encouraging. Depressing--because I feel like I have forgotten about my first "child" my Holly in Heels blog. Encouraging--because it means that I have been suuuper busy with other fun and creative projects, like my continued PR and media copywriting, contributions to Coyote + Oak magazine out of San Luis Obispo, as well as Locale Magazine 's newest San Francisco addition. I have to admit that while these other (paying) jobs keep me busy and on my toes, I do stop and think about my former life as a fashion and lifestyle blogger, and how I miss the creative outlet. To be able to write about whatever topic I choose is certainly a gift. Writing is also therapeutic for me--this blog is like a friend. Like the kind you can call up anytime, talk about the deep stuff and then mention this new conditioner you tried...and then switch back to the meaning of lif...

Cyber Monday! The day when we are all glued to our phones and laptops, listening to that joyous "ding" every 10 seconds when a new email offer comes through. Let's face it, it drives us mad, but we love it. Right? This year, the deals seem undeniable and I am snagging every one that my bank account will possibly allow! From gifts for friends, gifts for kiddos, holiday party-wear, and even some adorable everyday shoes, here are some faves from today's Cyber spectacular sales: It's hard to find a good Anthro sale on regular priced items. I managed to snag this long leopard blazer during the 30% off Black Friday sale, but if you haven't snatched up an Anthro item (tons of great gifts, by the way!), now is your chance. The site is 20% off for Cyber Monday, with free shipping on orders over $100. Doooo iiiiit. Everyday sneakers that are stylish and femme make the perfect gift for yourself or your BFF. If you're a mama on the go like me, then a solid...

Hey guys! It's been a while. While the world has been spinning madly on, I've been taking a little time off from blogging to work on my freelance writing career. It has been a blast. Sure, the shoe shopping has continued--but so have a few wonderful new projects and ventures. One of my latest projects has been particularly inspiring, and I wanted to make sure all of my faithful, fashionable and wonderful readers knew about it. Because it's pretty much the bomb. The project is Dinner with Friends magazine . Dinner with Friends is all about featuring local people and places. It is a design-focused, online lifestyle magazine celebrating California's Central Valley (also my native land), one dinner party at a time. The work featured in this super special online mag will come from local writers, photographers, stylists, artists, graphic designers, and more. This month, I was proud to have written the feature piece about the magazine's first official dinner party . ...

You guys. There are so many cuuuuuute shoes out this spring. This is kinda the time of year where I start to get excited about shoe shopping again. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a universal, year round sorta hobby...but when I can paint my toes pretty colors and pop on a dress or a cool pair of skinnies - my feet get excited that they're not longer crammed into boot weather! This season, lace-up sandals and flats, cage sandals, gladiators, and wedges are all the rage. I can get on board with the wedges, but now that I'm in mom-mode for most of my everydays, I shy away from cage and lace-up styles. Puh-leeease. It takes me too dang long to lace up a sandal when my toddler is running out the door, and when I can easily slip into a chic slide sandal just the same. Well, THANK YOU JESUS, I found work-around! I am love love loving these Sam Edelman 'Ginette' Sandals that criss cross, but ZIP up the back. Holluh! I thought twice about the price, but I think in...

Valentine's Day. It's a super special day to me. Yes, like many women in American, I'm a total sucker for red roses, a good box of candy, and a dinner date on the town. Now don't get me wrong, I feel totally and utterly loved by my main man 365 days out of the year - but there's something about St. Valentine and all that his day means, that makes me so grateful we stop to celebrate love . This year, my guy earned some BONUS POINTS due to a surprise flower delivery to me from Farmgirl Flowers - heard of them? Farmgirl Flowers first caught my eye on a show we domesticated couples like to watch, called " The Profit ." Sorta akin to "Shark Tank," "The Profit" centers around small business and entrepreneurs, and helping them improve upon their existing businesses. The founder of Farmgirl Flowers caught my fashionista eye, and my husband paid attention. So this year, instead of the standard red roses and chocolate mix box, I got fresh 10...

Before we begin...I need to ask for your forgiveness. I haven't blogged  since May . Ahhhh! Shame on me, I know. But before you grab your voodoo doll and punish me for the lack of shoe inspiration I've been sending your way, please be proud of my for massively growing my freelance writing business, tackling some public relations work, and stepping up  my Instagram pop-up shop . It's been fun, but the blog has been lacking. Luckily, I got guest blogger, Kelsey, to help me out this week with a fun story about how to creatively store and display your shoes (and keep you looking stylish, too!). Read on. . . . Shoes can pose a serious storage problem, even in spacious closets. The average American owns 19 pairs of shoes , while most shoe lovers are guilty of hoarding many more than that. This can too easily cause clutter and set us back 5 or 10 minutes during our morning routines. If you need shoe organization ideas to get a wrangle on your repertoire, Modernize has sever...

As a busy mama and freelance writer and fashion blogger, there is so much on my plate! I mean, if I’m not cutting up strawberries into tiny pieces or picking up Cheerios off of the ground, then I’m burning the midnight (naptime) oil blogging away, working on my latest writing project, or reading up on the latest fashion trends and shoe styles to keep my busy mind well inspired! It’s a good job, and I’m glad I get to do it. But I’ll also admit, sometimes I just need a little vacay. You know, just a few days to get out of my routine and feel the ocean breeze, eat at some new joints, and get my tan on! This month, my little fam is going to an island getaway, and since I know you all may have some vacation time in your future, I thought I’d show you my getaway shoe picks from the one and only surf apparel favorite, Reef . Let’s start with the ladies, shall we? I am mad crushing on these Reef ‘SHADED PALMS’ sandals . Their good, natural color goes wi...

I love to look at things according to trend. Every season, I think it’s one of my most favorite things, to check out the top fashion magazines, the top fashion blogs, and peruse street wear, to see what types of items will be next on my wish list. This is one of my favorite things about shoes, too. There are endless amounts of styles, possibilities, flairs – from buckles to studs, kitten heels to spikes, pointed toe to round – the trends come and go, just like the seasons do. This season, you can count on a few eye-catching trends to hit your shoe must-haves list. I know we all have our flip-flops, combat boots, and our cute flats from every single season past, and those have their place. But if you’re like me, you want to freshen up your shoe closet now that the summer sun, short shorts and party dresses are almost here. So I give you: 4 laws of summer sandals. First up: Floral Sandals . You’re likely seeing it everywhere, but floral patterns are a MUST this spring and summer. Fr...

You guys. I'm currently doing something I have not done in a loooong, long time. I'm blogging at a coffee shop - sans kiddo! Now, don't get my wrong, I love love love time with my little - she's not only adorable and sweet as can be, but she also loves to try on clothes, put on play makeup, and try on mama's shoes. How perf is that?! But when munchkin is at grandma's house, you better believe I'm bloggin'! Today I've decided to pull out a book that's been on my work desk for quite some time now. When I am in need of fashion inspiration, a dose of creativity and art and style all at once, I flip through the gorgeous, lush pages of this sweet little coffee table book by Jane Gershon Weitzman. LOVE. You may recognize Miss Jane's last name because you're a shoe fanatic like I am, and your ears perk up when you hear Stuart Weitzman . This book, called Art & Sole, is a spectacular selection of more than 150 dreamed-up art shoes from t...

A lot of you follow yours truly on not only this fine and dandy blog, but also my Instagram and Facebook fanpage. And if you do, you know that my style has changed a little bit over the last few months. Yes, it is true, since keeping busy with my freelance writing work, as well as my brand spakin' new  Instagram Pop-Up Shop , I have found myself sporting the finest in flats, boots and booties. At first it was hard to let go of my heels - sifting through my heel closet was one of my favorite parts of my morning routine. But now, I must say that I am absolutely obsessed with the expansion of my shoe-loving mind. What was once a "heels only" girl is now a full-fledged boot obsessed fashionista. I can wear my boots and booties all day long, dash to coffee to do some writing, and not feel overdressed...but still have that style. I have boots with studs, boots with fringe, booties with buckles - you name it! But the go-to boot that I keep coming back to over and over aga...

Ok ok ok, I will be the FIRST to admit what a wimp I am when it comes to winter. My fuzzy wool fedora seriously goes off to the people who live in the Midwest or the East Coast where freezing temperatures are well below what we experience here in sunny California!  So when the 40's and 50's roll around in the forecast, I sadly push my tees and tanks to the back of the wardrobe until May, and start to stock up on cozy pullovers and wool scarves. It's kinda fun for a change, really!  The key to mastering winter style in California is to keep it fresh . It's super easy to get stuck in a rut of solids and stripes - but if you keep your winter style new and fresh, it's bound to perk you up like a good latte in January. Geometric patterns are a strong accent to any top, polka dots keep style spunky and young, and mixing colors and stripes is key to keeping it interesting. And don't you forget the power of a colorful, patterned scarf!    'JANE...