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...

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...

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...

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...

Get your wallets ready, and your credit cards primed - the SJP Collection by Sarah Jessica Parker is a new collection of shoes, launching exclusively at Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com on February 28 ! Eek! With an exclusive reflection of Miss Parker's personal style, this Italian-crafted line of shoes grabs styles that you'll want to get your hands on ASAP this season. Take a look at the rich colors of the line - coral, mint, teal and pink, to classic colors including purple, red and navy - those which Sarah Jessica has often said are "the new neutral." I love love love that there is a story behind each name of a pair of SJP shoes. You'll of course find the “Carrie”, and even the “Maud”, named after legendary designer Maud Frizon. And if you're worried about heel heights, fret no further - the collection of twenty-five shoes fits the shoe prefs of every lady, at every age. The price point is something to adore, too, ranging from $195 to just under $500...

This spring I'm loving the sandals that are splashing the scene. The cage sandal with straps galore, the classic pointed toe flat that seems to be always on-trend, and last but not least...my new fave: the block heel. I think it's really the best of both the wedge and the high heel world - you get the leg-lengthening heigh of a heel, with all of the comfort of a wedge. It's clearly a block party in my closet. Perf! And Dolce Vita has designed this oh-so affordable block heel sandal called the ' FOXIE ' - with a fab 2 1/2" heel, all leather lining and outsole, and an adorable black heel zip-up and buckle detail. Two colors that will go with every denim legging and pencil skirt, even with your favorite springtime dress - you may have to get them both (wink wink!).  Super duper cute, and a MUST this season! Enjoy the block heel and grab this style while it's h-o-t. xoxo, holly in heels

I love Target. I mean, who doesn't? Where else can you get a re-stock on your paper towels, pick up a birthday card, an adorable cake stand for that new cupcake recipe you just tried out... and pick up an adorable pair of under-20-dollar shoes?! I know you agree. So every time Target pulls off another one of their designer collaborations, I just fall more and more in love with the big-box store. This month, Target is teaming up with designer Peter Pilotto , which has been on my stylish radar since last September. Launching in stores and online on February 9th (just a few days away, hooray!), this color-clad collection is at a friendly price range of about $14-$80. Preview the collection here ! I love the dashes of yellow, poppy, turquoise and lime green amidst the geometric black and white shapes on each piece from this fashion-forward designer. Busy patterns and stripes all accentuate the clean cut lines of Peter Pilotto's dresses and jumpers. You'll find women'...

...I can tell you what I would do! Throw it down on these navy + white striped Penelope Espadrille Wedges from Target (pronounced tar-jjjjjay in this case)! These slip-on wedges are the perfect first shoe for your spring wardrobe - an ease into the new season of colors, patterns and styles. Yours truly, in fact, has them in multiple colors, but the stripes are next on my list! With a 3" heel and a cushioned insole, these darling espadrilles will have you hopping around town in comfort and in style. And 30 bucks means you just can't go wrong! Go go go, I'll meet you at Target! xoxo, holly in heels

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...

Soooo, excuse my absence for the entire stinking month of August , but I swear I have a good excuse. She goes by the name of Hazel! That's right, this fashion blogger became a mama of the world's cutest future fasthionista, on August 2. She doesn't quite fit into any of the kicks in her 40+ pair shoe collection yet (gasp!), but soon...very soon. But I'm back at it right in time for my favorite time of the year (that, and Thanksgiving, ok?): Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week ! It's that fall fashion season, and the only time I wish I lived in NYC. Spring 2014 styles hit the runways, and the stars come out to play dress-up. As I've combed the @mbfashionweek Instagram , I've seen vibrant spring colors of poppy and turquoise, cool cremes and neutrals, stripes and neons, and of course some really amazing shoes . Check out some of the beeeeautiful images thus far!: Click here to watch the runway shows of New York Fashion Week LIVE - right from the comf...