Here at Ped HQ in Berkeley, Ca., we receive wonderful things from all over the world—Fiorentini + Baker boots from Italy, Trippen shoes from Germany, Antipast socks from Japan, and Cydwoq footwear and bags from down the California coast in Burbank (just to name a few). But after their brief sojourn here at Ped, we send these lovelies on their global way to points far and wide. It’s always fun for us to discover what countries are particularly fond of what lines.

For instance, in Australia and New Zealand—where autumn is currently on its way to winter—Ped fans can’t get enough of Fiorentini + Baker boots.

Meanwhile, all things Cydwoq are popular in France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Our Canadian friends love Jamie Joseph’s sparkle.

And in Japan, our customers are wild about Parisian Sophie Digard’s designs!

No matter where you are, Ped is ready to travel the world to bring you international style!

Is everyone out there as happy as I am about spring? When the trees leaf out and the grass turns green, all I want to do is leave my dark clothes in the closet and wear something light and breezy. That goes for my shoes and accessories, too. White, cream, and light metallics are so summery and fresh. (And for those of you who insist on not wearing white until after Easter, well, gals, it’s this Sunday, so you’re almost there…) Think bridal showers. Think afternoon tea parties on the verandah. Think dining al fresco with your sweetheart. Even if you usually wear all black all the time, why not surprise your friends and colleagues by doing the reverse? It’s fun to shake things up! Here are a few of Ped’s favorite ways to lighten the mood:

No, you’re not dreaming—Ped now offers Fiorentini + Baker’s Eternity boot in white (well, blanco in Italian)!!! Don’t you love how it exudes retro flair, calling to mind 1960s go-go boots, and yet is still so modern and badass? Think how cute this style would look with a light cotton dress or skirt! CUTE!

But if you prefer something more traditionally lady-like, Chie Mihara has your number:

Feminine without a hint of prissiness, Chie’s Levante t-strap sandal has such a sweet vintage air with its cream-colored woven leather. I especially like how the toe straps resemble flower petals folding in toward the center. Plus, the lift up front makes this heel a comfortable pleasure to wear.

For an edgier, artier sandal, consider the bronze version of Cydwoq’s fabulous Elect:

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The silvery edges of the faux-crocodile leather take the Elect’s gladiator-esque style into the stratosphere. Wear this number to a gallery opening, and we guarantee all eyes won’t only be on the art!

Maybe what you really need, though, is a new bag to take you through the warm-weather months. Look no further than 49 Square Miles Winans Hobo:

If you haven’t touched a 49 Square Miles bag, you are in for a treat! The leather of this carry-all is as creamy and delicious as its color! Also, although you can’t fully see the shoulder strap in the photo above, it loops through the bag and intertwines like a lovely vine (check “views” at the Ped site to see what I mean).

Speaking of vines, how breathtaking is Jamie Joseph’s Cultured Pearl on a Vine ring?

As lovely as a full moon on a spring night, this ring combines the smooth opulence of a pearl set in 14k gold with an organic vine of sterling silver. It’s the perfect treat for celebrating the return of warm weather!

Ped has THE most interesting customers! From artists to teachers to world travelers, our fans take their Ped goods on some amazing adventures. It’s always the highlight of our day at Ped HQ when we get to hear about who did what where wearing what. So, don’t hold back–share your “Tale of the Sole”!!! To make it worth your while to put fingers to keyboard and upload a few photos, each month we’ll pick one entertaining tale to post on the blog, and that storyteller will get a $100 Ped gift certificate! That’s right–$100 in Ped credit to whoever makes us smile the most with her sole-ful tale!

Maybe you were carrying your Cydwoq Bright Bag when you stumbled onto a Hindi movie set while visiting the Taj Mahal in India. Perhaps your true love surprised you with Jamie Joseph’s Oval Drusy Ring on your anniversary. Or maybe a reluctant editor oohed and aahed over your Chie Mihara Frederica heels and offered you the book contract after all (but we think it’s because you felt super confident and persuasive in your Chies). Whatever your story, we want to see and hear all about it! (And extra points if you tell your tale from the perspective of your shoes or bag or other Ped treasure.) So, send your “Tale of the Sole,” ideally with pictures, to yourfriends@pedshoes.com, and maybe we’ll send you a sweet $100 Ped gift certificate in return.

Laura's worn-everywhere Cydwoq Plant shoes take a breather in the garden.

In past posts, I’ve encouraged Ped fans to use the site’s “Zoom” feature to take a closer look at the finer points of Ped’s treasures. Sure, there’s a lot of info packed into the descriptions, but nothing quite matches seeing the additional views and examining the exquisite details for yourself. For instance, take a gander at the mind-boggling number of beautiful yarns Sophie Digard uses to crochet her Mini Flower Scarf:

And check out the precise cutwork and topstitching that enhance the design of 49 Square Miles’ Kerouac Satchel:

Finally, take a look at the hand-painted leather treatment that makes the Cydwoq Vintage Feel sandal so unique:

At Ped, it’s often the little things that take our shoes, bags, and other treasures to the next level. So dig into the details!

Well, I’m back at Ped HQ, and I’m happy to report that, as usual, I had a complete blast while working hard in Paris! A few notes about what you have to look forward to next fall and winter: The “in” colors are cool tones—greys, ranging from graphite to elephant grey, and blues, running from slate to cobalt to teal. And good news! Black is the new black! The style trend dominating Paris is the boot—both short and tall—worn all seasons of the year. It’s a look I personally love. I think a breezy summer dress paired with chic boots is so fresh! Stay tuned because new Fiorentini + Baker boot styles arrive in June. (Yippee!!!!) Plus, I’m excited about the amazing Cydwoq and Trippen designs coming for fall. 

My favorite men in shoes: Rafi of Cydwoq, Michael of Trippen and Pierre of Anatomica (which carries the best selection of Cydwoq and Trippen in Paris).

Of course, while in France I made time for a little personal shopping.

Photograph by Andri Beauchamp

Gals, if you don’t already know about Cotélac and Noa Noa, you definitely need to acquaint yourself with these wonderful clothing shops the next time you’re in Europe! They are always at the top of my Paris to-do list. And, of course, I had to stop by Ladurée to pick up some macaroons for my sweetie! Terry is so terrific about holding down the Ped fort while I skip around Paris, eating Lebanese food, drinking espresso, and soaking up everything from shoes to architecture, that the least I can do is bring him his favorite treat!

When I got home, I discovered Ped transformed into Sandal Central! We have so many eye-popping new designs, and they are ALL so fabulous that I hardly know where to begin. But here are a few of my favorites (with more to come in a later post):

Oo-la-la, ladies, how sexy is Coclico’s Odalisk? Every time I look at this gorgeous heel (which is so, so soft to the touch), all I can think of is movie-star glamour! Wearing this suede beauty, you could truly stop traffic.

Next…

The Cydwoq Vintage Feel makes me feel like going on a romantic picnic on a sunny afternoon (and maybe turning a few cartwheels). This flat sandal captures the very spirit of summer! Plus, you have to love, love, love the orange insole—what a fun detail!

For those of you who like a more earthy look:

Trippen has wowed us again with the Curls sandal! The look is hippie-retro but with a modern edge (and, needless to say, it’s ultra-comfortable). The design of the leather is truly ingenious (notice how the braid running up the front organically emerges from the solid strap over the toe). Plus, we’re crazy about the fringed knot at the back, which is both functional and fun.

Now let’s all do a warm-weather dance to bring on spring! I’m in the mood to let my toes run free.