Holly in Heels

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...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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!...

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...

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...

Soooo, we all know that I'm shoe obsessed, right? I mean, if you haven't already, take a look at my high heel closet and you'll see what I mean. But my latest obsession is accessories! I most recently added this gorgeous thing from Jessica Elliot to my personal accessories collection--sold by a favorite local boutique of mine, Briana Rene (located at the very hip OC Mart Mix in Costa Mesa, CA ). I love this doo-dad of a ring because it's simple + chic (and it pairs well with almost any heel in my closet!). What's YOUR favorite accessory that just seems to go with everything? Do tell! xoxo, holly in heels

Sooo, not only do I love shoes (obvi!) but I love accessories. Yep, anything I can get my hands on in order to add a little sumpin' to my style is what I dig. Whether it's some oversized earrings, a big baubly ring, some lovely bangles or a colorful scarf--all do the job of spicing up my life! And when I came across the scarves on this sweet lil' online shop called Fresh Produce, I was giddy-- check it out . Lots of color, texture, and design that I haven't been able to find anywhere else. Loved this beachy starfish scarf , the basic-colored pom scarves (too cute!), and this casual fall-like scarf , too. I, myself, was able to snag their super-pretty tie dye scarf in a bright & pretty coral color (although it was hard to choose from the 4 tie dye'd colors they offer!). It sorta reminds me of something my art school'd mom would've worn when she was in college. I love the braided tassels that adorn each edge of the scarf too--so cute! Here's me, happ...

There are a loooootta cute shoes out there on the market. I'd like to say that I own a good amount of them, but it is rather hard to keep up. And aside from shoes, what I can never have enough of is accessories . Beaded necklaces, bauble-y bracelets, earrings and statement rings all call my name on a regular basis. So naturally, when I came across Raptor Jewelry , a local accessories queen, I immediately fell in love. Raptor is sold at a ton of top local boutiques here in Orange County --50 stores from San Diego, Long Beach, Orange County, South Dakota, and Park City Utah to be exact! Most recently, Raptor hit their biggest boom in sales when getting notoriety on FOX's American Idol, where a star contestant rocked Raptor's 'Turquoise Tears' earrings on her audition. Idol's judges even saw the style and were instantly smitten--considering Steven Tyler's love for feathers, I'm not surprised! But this business all started when owner Ashlee studied fashion...

Watch out...the gift guide from one of my all-time fave designers, Tory Burch, recently hit my inbox and man oh man, if it weren't for my financial analyst husband, I'd be shamelessly taking my lunch break at the mall, making a beeline for the Tory store, and whippin' out the credit card on the spot! Sooo much shine in this holiday gift guide: you'll find glimmers of gold, blocks of black, and that classic clean-lined design that is Tory Burch. Check it . Here are a few of my personal faves, which juuuuust may make it to the short list of Christmas wishes this season: Dear Tory, Your designs drive me crazy, your style is so chic! Can you whisper in Santa's ear that I've been an extra good girl this year? K, thanks. xoxo, holly in heels

Let's face it, heels are an important part of any outfit. Whether it's a night out on the town, a date night with your main squeeze, a Saturday shopping day, or even a sassy day at work--heels are style essential. Comin' from a gal who regularly goes by the name Holly in Heels , of course I say that, ha! But do you know what comes in a close 2nd to a good pair o' heels in my book? BLING! Yep, an outfit just ain't complete unless it's finished off with some good accessories. And that's exactly why when I met the lovely + oh-so stylish Alison Fuller, stylist of the uber-cute Stella & Dot jewelry line , I felt compelled to partner up with the gal for a giveaway! I know all of you lovely lady readers deserved a true treat like this--and what better way to kick off the summer than with some sweet gems? So we're accessorizin' you up with your choice of bling. Enter this sizzlin' summer giveaway fun, and you'll get your pick between Stella &...

I am so excited for not only the weekend, but that the month of March is finally here! Let spring begin! Take some time to check out these amazing links today... there is so much inspiration, all in one place!! thought and musing is claiming to 'break the rules' with this belted scarf - but it looks absolutely perfect to me! yams designs is celebrating spring all week long (hallelujah!) and what better way to celebrate spring than with a sweet rainbow round-up. (find yams designs on twitter !) holly in heels rounds up comfortable pumps... yes, they do exist and yes, they are still lust worthy. Check out her picks! (find holly in heels on twitter !) jewelscapes is always creatively dressed and adorned with jewelry. I love this simple outfit featuring an orange top. So simple and chic! the capital barbie is celebrating her birthday this weekend (Happy Birthday!) and will be shining in this gorgeous sequin number! Yay for birthdays! (find the capital barbie on twitter !) a s...

Welp, it's about that time... giveaway winner announcement time! There are so many pretty pretty jewels at mimi&lu --and I ADORE that I was able to pair up with them and show all of my readers what they've got. But alas, there can only be one winner...and...drum-roll please...Ryan Seacrest style... the winner is: Cat ! Congrats, sista! Expect a congratulatory email in your inbox soon, with instructions on how you'll get your prize in the mail, just in time for the holidays! And to the rest of ya's: don't fret, you can still snag your mimi&lu swag online, anytime! Just check out their collection and click that cute little 'add to bag' button, before their inventory runs out! Great gifts for anyone, at any time. And for the latest mimi&lu specials and updates, follow them on Facebook . Thanks again for all the luuuv and a happy Monday to ya! xoxo, holly in heels

Most of the time, I'll tell ya straight to your pretty lil' face that there's nothing better than buying shoes . Obviously this would be my advice, given that I have a shoe blog and all, right? But coming in a close 2nd on my love-to-shop-for shortlist is accessories! Yep, it's the lovely jewels that I could continue to buy, buy, buy (and not in the NSync sorta way ). So to share my love for the sparkly things in life, Holly in Heels is pairin' up with nationally recognized jewelry-creator, mimi & lu , in this super-chic giveaway! Get to know mimi & lu a bit, and then ENTER TO WIN some of their best in dainty gems... 1) Tell us about mimi & lu and how you got started: mimi & lu 's original name was 'Moushart'. In 2004, I was living in Boston working a summer position in the wardrobe department of Cirque Du Soliel and making jewelry has a hobby. Some of the cirque performers noticed my jewelry and purchased a few of my pieces right off o...