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...

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 . ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...