Holly in Heels

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...

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...

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...

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's something amazing about finding a new designer who you've never heard of, never seen before, that is behind a shoe that you just can't keep your mind off of. Something of an adrenaline rush is what happens to me - I know it sounds silly, but honestly, when I find a new designer that I love, my immediate thought is: I must blog about this . See, one of the many perks of being a fashion blogger. At any rate, this week's adrenaline rush is brought to you by Paul Andrew. This British designer lit up the scene on planet shoe fashion with his Spring 2013 line. Andrew's signature style of edgy lines, dainty buckles, pointed and peep-toes has brought buyers to their knees begging for more. See why? Check out a few of my faves , which can be found at Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com  (and hopefully on my feet someday soon!)... 'Zenadia' Stripe Silk Pointy Toe Pump ...oooo la la, chic! And the insane snakeskin on this bright yellow 'Europeaus' s...

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...

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...

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...

Of course I always dig when Target partners up with a top-notch designer--but it's icing on the fashion cake when they pair up with a shoe brand! That's why I'm currently digging the Sam & Libby for Target of sandals, wedges, and stilettos currently on shelves. I picked myself up a pair the other day when I was at Target, and I am looooving my neon purchase! Here's a taste of what you must get your fashionista hands on, with Sam & Libby for Target: The Sam & Libby Kylie Strappy Thong Sandal is a metallic dream come true. The ankle strap adds an adorable gladiator-like look that will never go out of style! Next on my list of Sam & Libby faves is the Kelly Wedge Sandal with an ankle strap, in bone color. The tribal-inspired wedge has a pop of color around the toe, and a perfect wedge and platform. I love the color on the Sam & Libby Sonia Silver Wedge Sandal in natural snake & coral. Check it: And last, but not least, is the Sa...

Summer-summertime is just around the corner, and frankly I can hardly wait! I am counting down the days until the days are even longer, the shade is even more satisfying, and the vacation days are plentiful! And as I narrow down my summertime must-haves, my current 3 summer obsessions are sandals, swimwear, and sunglasses . Here are a few of my faves from Piperlime.com that have currently caught my eye: You can't go wrong with Rachel Zoe. Her style is impeccable, and her line of fashion is to-die! For sandals this summer, I'm majorly crushing on these 'Scarlett' sandals by Rachel Zoe --they come in two fab colors that are on-trend for summer 2013, and a touch of metallic gold to finish the look. Swimwear is tricky, I'll be the first to admit. But the great patterned detail and structure to this Nanette Lepore 'Tec-Porcelain Toile Stargazer Halter' is nothing short of perfect. The halter and v-neck give it that vintage sorta spin that I dig. A great...

It's Sunday night, and I'm blogging again. It's been an awesome few weeks of summer vacation--traveling the highways and byways of the golden state of California, making the most of this great weather! All the while, I've been inspired by new shoe finds found in the nooks and crannies of some adorable boutiques in all of these amazing Cali cities. But my latest crush, you ask? My answer would be: Loeffler Randall . LR is about as old as my college education--founded in 2005, designer Jessie Randall was the brain child behind it all. Loeffler Randall is the creator of some of the great staples in flat boots, now branching out into some amaaaayzing heels, flats, and clog-inspired sandals. So, so cute and with their own unique style, browse the summer sale (up to 50% off!) and get a taste of what they do. I think I dig the cork heels, random buckles, and studded edges of these adorable heels for just that: their character. If you haven't noticed by now, I to...

Occasionally I find some good deals at an old favorite friend of mine, Old Navy . I'll admit, Old Navy is a lil' bit old skool in the fact that I started shopping there when I was a wee 12-year-old or so. It was cool and new at the time, but the newlywed perception of the Gap-owned company slowly wore off as I grew out of my tweens. But lately I will admit that I've found some real gems at Old Navy, while shopping on my lunch breaks :) From my favorited 'Diva' skinny jeans , to some cute, brown boots I snagged there, and even the occasional fun blousy top, Old Nav has been impressing me lately! Check out some of their sweet summer heels & flats that have just come out (each photo is linked)... Hey, hey, hey, sunshine + sandal season, here we come! xoxo, holly in heels