Holly in Heels

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. 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...

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...

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...

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 ...

Essential to every girl's closet is a good pair of sneakers. I know, it may seem odd coming from a girl who has "heels" as part of her nickname, but I'm assuming you all have a solid pair of heels and are just in need of a few alternatives. When it's one of those rainy, cloudy, jeans n' tee sorta days, then I will be the first to admit that I don't want to throw on my suede heels or my platform wedges. Oh no no, I want to slip into something a little more comfy and friendly - but not skip the style. That's where the fashion sneaker comes in: the one shoe you need now (if you don't have it already!). Vans, Steve Madden and Vince are just a few brands that have carefully mastered this fashion, too. With some fantastic slip-ons, and great textures like pony hair, textile and metallics, you're sure to find the perfect fashion sneaker that fits your sass and style. Here's a peek at my top 3: 1. Steve Madden 'ECENTRIC' 2. ...

Winter is upon us - to my East Coast friends who are feeling the (freezer) burn, my apologies. This California girl has a scarf on, along with some ankle booties, and I'm still claiming cold! But no matter what coast you leave on, there's one thing that you need in your closet this season: neutral booties. A stylish, neutral ankle boot is the perfect shoe to give a little kick to that boring winter outfit. Buckles, suedes, zippers, you name it, Piperlime.com has it right now. Check out their neutral booties picks here ! Yep, you do. xoxo, holly in heels

It's 2014, y'all! I cannot believe it. Ok, I kinda can, it was Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then time for a champagne toast, and we did it all in style, so it is about time we see a new year in front of us, frankly. But when I look back on all of the good style and glamorous shoes that have come across my fashion-loving eyes this year, I feel quite compelled to take a long hard look at the best shoes of 2013! Let's check it... THE WEDGE SNEAKS. About this time last year, we were looking at the dawn of wedge sneakers ! A trend I was unsure about, I will admit - but it did make the magazines and the wardrobes of some stylish celebs, I will say. Some metallics, some bold colors, the sky was the limit! FLATS IT. As I was prepping for spring (and a baby growing in my tummy!), I had my eye on flats. Honestly, 2013 could have been the YEAR for flats - so many brands and trends were screaming flat nation - adorable polka dot flats, animal prints and patents and suedes l...

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!...

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...