Remember how post-before-last we told you Ari Balouzian, founder of the new Cliff Dweller line, is also an accomplished composer and musician? Well, feast your eyes and ears on “Kenmere Ave,” a new short documenting the care Cydwoq takes handcrafting each and every pair of shoes, which features a beautiful soundtrack by Ari:

Now you know why Cydwoq shoes seem to positively radiate good energy—so many loving hands have contributed to their production!

As Ped fans know, summer days are always sunnier with a pair of Cydwoq sandals on your feet! We’ve brought back lots of favorite styles this season (e.g. the Tomcat, the Thong, and the Naked), but we also have new designs that sizzle and pop! Here are a few to make your toes tingle:

A good black sandal is like money in the bank—it definitely compounds interest! One of the best is Cydwoq’s Train:

The design is gladiator-esque but without the clunk, and the stand-alone toe ring absolutely makes this Train‘s whistle blow! Woot woot!

Cydwoq’s meticulously constructed (you saw for yourself!) all-leather soles offer miles of comfortable walking. The Cedar, for instance would make an ideal traveling companion:

Among its many virtues: the elastic-loop and button closure holds your foot securely; the caramel color is both rich and versatile; and the v-topped t-strap makes any foot look slender and graceful!

We know, we know—as easy as the button-and-loop is, many of you simply want to be able to slide in and go! Cydwoq’s Carbon lets you do just that in red-hot style:

The angular upper is cut from one piece of leather, with only the buckle strap added with a well-placed rivet. So cool! We like how the Carbon‘s buckle lets you cinch up the fit for extra security. Once the buckle’s set, this jazzy flat slides on easy as you please!

Another sandal that lets you adjust a buckle to customize the fit without compromising your ability to slip it on is the Cydwoq Trend:

We constantly get requests for brown sandals that require zero work but look great! Voila! Also, the enclosed heel of the Trend makes it another savvy travel choice.

Speaking of enclosed heels, Cydwoq includes one in the design of THE show-stopping flat sandal of the season, the Laser:

Ultra easy to wear, the Laser is devastatingly sexy with its ankle-strap sassiness! And the multicolored marbled leather? GORGEOUS!

Cydwoq sandals are sweet soles to have and to wear from this day forward—perhaps even ’til death do you part. They’re that well-made and timeless!

(Psst, you have just three more days to eat up one of the sweetest Sweet Treats ever: the Fiorentini + Baker’s Emmy Boot! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Emmy, where you’ll find the magic code that will bring a delicious 20% off at checkout!)

Ped fans, you’ve got to hand it to those Balouzians—they are one creative family! Before father Rafi founded Cydwoq and gained worldwide renown for his artistic handmade shoes, he was an architect. Following in his father’s footsteps (wearing fantastic shoes, no doubt), son Ari began designing eye-opening footwear several years ago, contributing to Cydwoq’s expanding line.

Rafi (left) and Ari (right).

Ari also continued to pursue music as a trained violinist and composer, collaborating on video productions and creating film scores. The name of his media company? Cliff Dweller. Now,  just as his father infused his architectural sensibility into Cydwoq’s designs, Ari is seeking to bring the unique aesthetic of his other creative endeavors to his shoes by launching the Cliff Dweller collection. Made by hand at the Cydwoq factory, with the same attention to materials and construction, Cliff Dweller boots, shoes, and sandals offer an edgy and modern twist on classic styles. Their inspiration comes from such eclectic sources as the city of Burbank, Dust Bowl Era work shoes, William Eggleston photographs, and films of the 1990s.

The results? See for yourself in Ped’s new Cliff Dweller selection! We are wildly, madly, head-over-heels in love them!

One thing you’ll notice right away is Ari’s interest in unusual treatments of vegetable-tanned leathers. The Cliff Dweller Runner will knock your socks off:

Are you swooning the way we are? The simplicity of this slip-on, with its elastic insets and single seam down the front, is attention-getting for its clean lines. But it’s the “Earth” leather, with shifting layers of teal, brown, and tan, that makes us sigh! (Ped also offers the Runner in “Desert Sky,” a rich brown with brushed grey strokes.)

Another kick-around shoe that has everyone at Ped HQ drooling is Cliff Dweller’s Thomas:

Ari’s interpretation of the moccasin is hip and swinging to the 9’s! It makes us think of what the Rat Pack might have worn poolside in Las Vegas. Yet for all its nostalgic charm, this easy flat is utterly modern and ideal for so many occasions. Just leave it by the door. (In addition to the luscious mustard shown, we have the Thomas in midnight blue—blue being the IT color of the season!)

Taking things in a slightly girlier direction, Cliff Dweller’s Norma is another lovely that simply slips on and looks terrific:

Taking a cue from father Rafi, who believes a woman’s arch is the sexiest part of her foot, Ari creates an open area of interest on the inside of this skimmer. Chic and lean, we love the Norma in midnight blue, but this sweetheart also comes in warm brown, both so versatile!

Requiring just an itty-bitty bit more work (adjusting a buckle), the Cliff Dweller Mary is Ari’s modern interpretation of a mary jane:

So much fun! My weakness for green is famous, and the luscious shade of this suede is fresh! I also love the rivet detailing and moccasin-like design. If green isn’t your cup of tea, you can opt for the Mary in sizzling red hot suede or cool midnight blue leather!

Finally, if you’ve been searching for the perfect travel sandal, your quest is over! The answer is Cliff Dweller’s Emma:

The Emma’s enclosed heel holds your foot securely, while the simple band up front lets your toes enjoy the breeze! The tie in front of the ankle adds sexiness, and the molded leather footbed keeps your soles happy mile after mile. The textured red leather version is spicy fun, but Ped also offers the Emma in go-with-everything chocolate brown.

What a bevy of beauties! When you put on a pair of Cliff Dwellers, your feet will feel right at home on the cutting edge!

We can’t wait to see what Ari has in store for us next fall!

Cliff Dweller founder and design genius, Ari Balouzian.

(Psst, did you see the spring-tastic Sweet Treat this week? It’s the sunny Vialis Elyse! Get a fresh 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to reach the Elyse with the magic code to enter at checkout!)

February is the shortest month of the year—at least, in rational, according-to-the-calendar logic. But, Ped fans, the truth is it feels sooooo looooonnnngggggg! Winter makes 28 short days seem endless.

Ped’s antidote? First suggestion: Start planning for warm days and green grass—what would you most like to wear once your winter coat is stashed in the back of the closet? Even better suggestion: Take a midwinter vacation to a tropical destination, where you can break out the warm-weather wear and give your sun-starved flesh a welcome dose of Vitamin D!

Either way, Ped is ready to help since fresh spring and summer goods are arriving daily at the warehouse! We’ll have new eye candy to show you throughout the month, but for now take a gander at these sunny temptations just unpacked from Cydwoq!

If you need an infusion of spring stat, the style doctors at Cydwoq have the cure for what ails you: the Link!

Doesn’t this jazzy flat instantly make the world seem sunnier? Because the Italian leather is hand-painted, each individual shoe is unique—so fun! Time to throw your toes a party!

Although we love a big dose of color, we also realize many of you prefer to keep things black. You can air out your tootsies and still keep your urban edge in Cydwoq’s Train:

Chic day in and day out, this gladiator-inspired sandal will be your constant companion in warm weather because it looks fantastic with everything! We love how the Train‘s body, with its cage-like design, is cut from one piece of leather, accented by the stand-alone toe ring.

Another example of Cydwoq’s virtuosity at cutting leather is the lean and lovely Prospect:

The perfect transitional shoe for going from spring to summer to fall, this simple flat is a breath of fresh air for feet that have under wraps all winter! If you need one shoe to do it all, the Prospect is IT—dressy when you need it to be and casual when you just want to relax. Also, two words: Travel. Shoe.

You know me, I live and die for anything green. Happily, Cydwoq has plenty to fuel my fantasies of new grass and leafy trees! A favorite among the latest arrivals is the Artery:

The aloe-colored brushed leather is so soothing, and the cobalt blue strap, which secures with a simple rivet, provides the perfect accent. In a word, yum!

Another fantastic shoe for making the seasonal jump is Cydwoq’s luscious new Cover:

This is the one that has Ped’s Laura beside herself with love! An innovative interpretation of a mary jane, the Cover turns heads with its brick-red leather, complemented by a natural-colored thong knotted over the forefoot.

Looking for a little more va-va-va-voom? Cydwoq’s red-hot-and-ready-to-rock Steam is guaranteed to steam things up:

Holy moly! This heeled beauty is so likely to set hearts on fire, it should come with a warning label! But no matter how much trouble you manage to stir up in the Steam, your feet will be cool and comfortable, thanks to Cydwoq’s superb all-leather construction.

We started this post with a knockout example of Cydwoq’s amazing hand-painted leathers, so let’s end with another—the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Boomerang:

When we took this stunner out of the box, we were speechless; all we could do was sigh with admiration as we fell hopelessly in love! It’s that beautiful!!! Yes, this sandal features a gorgeous etched resin heel and an amazing design, but it’s the leather, with its layers of green, silver, fuchsia, and ochre, that walks off with the show! (Winter, what winter?)

Just writing this post brightened up our day! At Ped, we aim to make it easy to find something wonderful—Cydwoq or otherwise—to sustain you through winter or to carry you off on a tropical adventure! (Take pics—we  love to live vicariously!)

(By the way, this week’s Sweet Treat is another wonderful transitional shoe: Trippen’s Vivienne, a perennial Ped favorite! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Vivienne with the code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)

It’s the dead of winter. Holiday parties are long past. It’s weeks before the first crocuses sprout. And daylight is still in short supply.

Time for a little pick-me-up, wouldn’t you say?

Well, that’s just what we at Ped Central have in mind! Welcome to the Ped Winter Sale, where those shoes you’ve been drooling over for months suddenly have a nicer price! Here’s just a taste of the sweet deals we hope will brighten your smile on even the greyest day!

First up, one of our favorite ankle boots this season: Argila’s oxford-inspired Lauren!

Argila serves up a lot to love, from the perforations on the toe to the leather’s pinked edges to the sculpted wooden wedge! Drool-worthy at $418, it’s even more delicious at $209!

Another wonderful suede style, unlike anything else on the street, is Accessoire’s Euro-chic Ulrich:

Here at Ped HQ, we just can’t get enough of that luscious cassis color! Plus, the tie in back is so distinctive! Fabulous at $358, the Ulrich is off the charts at $179!

As long as we’re on the topic of gorgeous suede shoes, take a gander at the Chie Mihara Pasion:

We heart this heart-embellished t-strap! Because it’s from Chie Mihara, you know it will baby your soles with comfort! Lovable at $358, it’s simply irresistible at $179! (Anybody else suddenly have Robert Palmer singing in their heads?)

At least six more weeks of winter awaits (we’re making the prediction ahead of Punxsutawney Phil), so every Ped fan could use a great new pair of boots! Our suggestion? The Cydwoq’s Bend!

Crafted from Cydwoq’s a-maz-ing double-dyed leather, we love the way the red underside of the black outer reveals itself in the top flaps and along the seam that runs down the front and snakes over the toe! Sizzling at $458, the Bend is burning down the house at $229!

Maybe a saucy little ankle boot is more up your alley? If so, one of the best this season is Cydwoq’s Artisan:

The mod look of this heeled bootie is smashing! We’re wild about the ultra-cool and subtle plaid pattern of the textured leather beneath the brown leather overlay! And you can’t beat a zipper up the back for sexiness! A looker at $368, it’s a head-turner at $184!

If you’re looking for a bootie that’s less femme and more rock ‘n’ roll, consider the Trippen Brace:

The steel leather is fantastic, and the industrial embossing of the cut straps around the ankle is cooler than cool! (In fact, it’s ice cold, a la OutKast’s “Hey Ya!”.) Rocking at $318, it blows the roof off at $159! (Shake it like a Polaroid picture!)

Finally, we know many Ped fans wait with bated breath for us to put anything Fiorentini + Baker on sale! Well, rejoice because the “Bordeaux Wine” and “Blue Moon” versions of F+B’s Emmy Boot temporarily have a sliced price that’s oh-so nice (act fast because only a few sizes remain)!

Fantastic Italian construction is always in style! Boots to love for a lifetime! Worth every penny at $518, they’re the bargain of the century at $399!

As always, these are just a taste of the delicious deals awaiting you in Ped’s sale section! What a way to give your puppies a little extra woof during these icy three-dog nights!

(One more special to tempt you: the Sweet Treat this week is Cydwoq’s stupendous Regiment Boot, which is much more interesting than the rank-and-file boots out there! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to be whisked to the Regiment with the magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)

Ped fans, we have a confession: we feel a little conflicted this time of year. On the one hand, we love the lights, the parties, the month-long festive feeling, and especially the chance to give those we love something nice! On the other hand, it’s a conundrum to find just the right thing for each woman on our list, ranging from our elderly aunt to our teenaged niece. Good thing all we need to do is look in our backyard—a.k.a. the Ped warehouse—to find treats that any gal any age will treasure!

If you, too, need a few ideas, check out the following suggestions, which are sure to brighten anyone’s holidays. (Best of all—no size knowledge is needed to produce smiles!)

As every woman knows (and every guy should, too), a gorgeous and functional bag is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Practicality and style make beautiful music together in Fiorentini + Baker’s Sylver Bag:

Since I love all things green, you can imagine how my heart raced when I ran across this bag in Europe! Perfect for Ped! The Sylver has twin exterior pockets, plus its spacious interior boasts another zipped pocket! And the leather is so soft. (It also comes in a grey and brown leather combo, in case that’s more to your giftee’s taste!)

Another sure-to-please bag is Accessoire’s Seine Tote:

We absolutely love this carry-all, which is the first bag we’ve offered from Accessoire. The deep red color has beautiful blue undertones! We also like having the option of wearing the Seine as a shoulder bag or carrying it as a hand-held tote.

If your designated recipient wants something a bit smaller and a little funkier, Cydwoq’s Postage Bag might be just the thing:

Constructed using rivets instead of stitching (talk about durable!), the Postage Bag features Rafi and Ari’s latest twice-dyed leathers, neutral on one side and zingy on the other! In addition to the above caramel-and-red combo, Ped also offers a brown-and-orange combo and a super-saturated all-red version! Cydwoq always puts the “fun” in functional!

Another gift sure to warm a woman’s heart is a scarf to warm her neck! Epice makes the most beautifully loomed woolens that not only feel soft and cozy but also wow with style. The Jubilee Scarf is a perfect example:

We’re always dazzled by Epice’s wonderful and often unexpected color combinations! Who else would think to mix pale pink, olive, leaf green, bright orange, and deep blue stripes in the same scarf, creating a design with beautifully balanced panache? Gorgeous! In addition to the Coral Reef combo pictured, the Jubilee also comes in two other equally eye-opening color schemes, Autumn Leaf and Pilot Blue.

In winter, flowers always brighten up grey days. Why not give your gal a wearable garden via the Epice Fleurs d’Hiver scarf?

This nosegays and bouquets strewn across this scarf, which is wide enough to wear as a shawl, have such a lovely vintage sensibility! We love the freshness of the slate version pictured here, but this toasty scarf also comes in a silver version that features more muted blooms.

Our favorite Parisian virtuoso of crochet, Sophie Digard, also designs scarves guaranteed to delight. Who wouldn’t love receiving her magnificent Petits Carres Scarf?

Hundreds upon hundreds of tiny squares come together to form a wearable mosaic of woolen artistry! Truly a masterpiece, this wonderful scarf comes in several color compositions—the Winter palette pictured here, as well as Desert, Bonheur, and Joyeux—all stunning!

Jewelry is another way to express your affection for your favorite females. It doesn’t have to be bling-y or suggestive of romance—it can just be fun, like Sophie Digard’s Velvet Pop Necklace!

The colorful baubles on this necklace not only move along the cord, allowing your gal to cluster them in various ways, but they also spin to reveal a different color combo of velvets on each side. Ped’s Laura has this necklace, and every time she wears it, she’s deluged with compliments and questions about where she got it! Truly a show stopper!

If you do want to go for the sparkle, though, Jamie Joseph is your best gift-giving friend! JJ’s Smooth Indian Ruby Earrings are sure to make your special someone sigh with joy:

Aren’t those stones to die for? Jamie personally selects every gem she uses in her simple yet devastatingly lovely designs!

Determined to dazzle? A time-proven way is with a gift of gold and diamonds! Jamie Joseph’s 14kt Gold Organic Circle Necklace is simple, elegant, and drop-dead gorgeous!

The very embodiment of good taste, without a hint of stuffiness, this sweet necklace will remind her of you every time she wears it!

Lots more possible presents, each guaranteed to please, await your browsing pleasure at Ped’s main site!

We like to think anything you pick will make your recipient’s heart sing, but if you’re still nervous about making a good choice, why not invite her to make a “wish list” via the green button just under the “add to shopping bag” gold button on every Ped item’s page? Another alternative is to have her email you her heart’s desire via the “Share” button under the right corner of her chosen item’s picture. At Ped, we make it easy to please! Happy stress-free holiday shopping!

(By the way, you’ve got another day and a half to take advantage of this week’s tempting Sweet Treat: Chie Mihara’s sparkle-plenty Exito Oxford! Brighten up your holiday by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page. You’ll be delivered to the Exito with the magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)