Around this time every year, we start thinking about how things feel. We’re layering up to keep the cold out, and it starts to matter whether things are scratchy or soft, coarse or silky. Our fingers crave something nice to touch—and nothing’s nicer than reaching down and finding the satisfaction of suede on our feet!

Suede has the added benefit of making its colors really pop! Want to know the remedy for an overcast day? Hued suede shoes for dancing down the street! Allow us to show you what we mean:

When it comes to beautiful suede designs, Accessoire is in a league of its own! Say hello to the head-turning Ulrich:

How yummy is this shoe? The design is innovative and chic, and the cassis color is, in a word, intoxicating!

If you’re looking for a neutral, perhaps you’d like to slip on Accessoire’s Ueda:

Versatility gets a flash of French flair in this super-soft number, which easily shifts from a day in the office to a night on the town! (Mocha too low key? Then check out the Ueda in brilliant red!)

Work schmork—this time of year, it’s all about the after-five parties! Accessoire once again has just the thing with the Vram:

If you’re hoping to tie a certain someone around your little finger, this knot-embellished suede hottie is a good place to start! Holy moly—don’t be surprised if the sprinkler system kicks on when you walk in the door!

Fiorentini + Baker is also famous for having a way with suede! One of our favorite ankle boots this season is F+B’s Pansy (which we just got back in stock):

Simple yet devastatingly sexy! And because it’s made by F+B’s master craftsmen, every detail is meticulously rendered! Get ready for a lot of boot envy! (We also have the Pansy in luscious brown!)

Looking for a suede bootie that’s a little less “lady”? Let your inner cowgirl out to play in Fiorentini + Baker’s Enola:

Sassy city! Crafted in F+B’s go-with-everything grey ice suede, this little honey is flirty and kickass all at once. (Its brown version will also let you lasso hearts!)

Suede also plays well with matte leather in creative combos, as demonstrated by Cydwoq’s Regiment boot:

Pairing the zigzag-patterned suede shaft with the mocha leather body is a scheme I dreamed up and Rafi & co. executed! Hope you love this lace-up as much as I do!

Another terrific suede and leather ankle boot comes from Argila! Behold the oxford-styled Lauren:

From the wooden wedge to the perforated design over the toe to the pinked edges, this boot’s details are all pitch perfect!

Want even more funk and an even higher heel? Chie Mihara is happy to oblige with her fantastic Tamaia:

Plum suede, gold dots, and luxe black leather—what a tasty treat that will have everyone wishing they were in your shoes! It’s the heel deal!

Even more deliciously tactile suede designs are waiting at Ped’s main site. Let yourself be swayed by suede—your feet and fingertips will thank you!

(Speaking of tactile delights, this week’s Sweet Treat takes the cake: Cydwoq’s flirty Victim! Turn every head at every holiday party! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Victim, where you’ll find the magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)

Well, we took a little hiatus from our exploration of the spectrum, but we’re diving back into color today! You probably won’t be surprised to learn I saved my favorite color for last: GREEN! Ped fans know how much I adore all things verdant, and this season I’m in heaven—so many shades of green, all lovely! Let’s take a tour, shall we?

Since ankle boots are de rigueur these days, let’s start with Trippen’s splendid Pillow:

The forest green color of the vegetable-tanned and washed leather is so refreshing—you can practically smell pine needles when you look at it! Artsy without being over-the-top, the Pillow is definitely a German treat for your feet!

Another great Trippen low boot, the Fountain, shows off our favorite leather trend: colorful exposed seams!

Something about this lace-up boot makes us thing of grasshoppers—maybe it’s the deep green body complemented by the light green laces and exposed seams? Whatever the reason, the Fountain makes us smile! And its comfort is sure to make you smile, too! (Want the Fountain in blue? Your wish is granted!)

Taking things down to shoe level, green adds zing to several kick-around flats, like the Cydwoq Downhill:

If you’re looking for a shoe to walk from here to there and back again, season after season, put the Downhill at the top of your list! The roomy toe box and excellent arch support make it a friend you’ll want to wear every day! And the more you wear it, the better it gets!

Another fantastic shoe to leave by the door (since it’s the one you’ll lace up day in and day out) is Cydwoq’s Mud Doctor:

The combo of the natural leather laces with the delectable sage green leather is yummy in every way! Cydwoq’s Mud Doctor is just what the doctor ordered! (FYI, we also offer this foot tonic in chocolate brown.)

Trippen takes the lace-up shoe and gives it a twist, putting the lacing in back! We love it! The Trippen Oven is cooking with style gas:

Not only is the Oven delightful to look at, it’s also delightful to wear, thanks to Trippen’s ultra-lightweight “Penna” rubber sole. Tie up the back of this organic green cutie, and dart around town like a forest sprite!

Maybe you’re thinking, “Fine, fine, all green and beautiful, yes, but give me something girly!” Chie Mihara knows just what you want! Drink in the loveliness of the Ilaria:

Feminine and fun without being prissy, the Ilaria is a vision in green suede! We especially like the way the taupe twill ribbon at the ankle adds contrast in texture as well as color! When you step out in this beauty, everyone will be green with envy!

Winter days may be grey, but you’ll do the world a world of good by being seen in green!

Before we go, here’s a tip for our Facebook friends (and if you haven’t yet “liked” us, please do). You may have found yourself frustrated that Facebook isn’t showing you all of Ped’s posts. Well, Facebook has a new way to ensure you hear what’s what with Ped! On the Ped page, hold you mouse over the checked “Liked” button up on the right under Lulu’s picture. When the drop-down menu appears, check “Get Notifications.” Now you’ll always be in the Ped know!

As daylight dwindles and the mercury sinks lower, the sock drawer once again opens. Yawn.

Wake up! If you think putting on socks is as exciting as watching paint dry, you clearly need to sass up how you warm your toes! Pulling on the woolies can be wonderful with a little help from Emiko and Junko, the Japanese mother-daughter team behind Antipast!

This season’s shipment of Antipast goodies just arrived at the Ped warehouse, and every whimsical pair puts the “fun” in “functional” and brings out the “win” in “winter”! Take a look:

When the days go grey, what we really crave is color and lots of it! Antipast to the rescue:

We are mad for all things striped, so these Gradation socks are just the ticket! We think their architectural pattern is reminiscent of the window-paned walls of Mies van der Rohe’s buildings. (Like knee-highs? You’re in luck!)

Stripes are terrific, but we also love dots. Put the two together, and you’ve got a party down below! Behold Antipast’s cute-as-can-be Candy Knee Highs:

How fun are these? Imagine how jazzy these sweethearts would look with short-ish skirts and mary janes or ankle boots! (Prefer trouser-length socks? You can still have your stripes and dots!)

Stripes also add a dash of fun to Antipast’s Cokrico socks:

We love wearing florals in winter because it reminds us of spring. The bouquets on the Cokrico are like a garden party for your ankles! (Want even more flowers? Pull on the knee high version!)

Need something a little more subdued (though never boring)? How about Antipast’s Pearl Shower Knee Highs?

Strands of pearls cascade from a central medallion, draping across a geometric diamond pattern. The toes, heels, and top band provide a pop of brilliant color. (You can also go luxe with a trouser-length sock.)

Another “quiet” Antipast lovely is the Diamond Flower sock:

So pretty! Stylized clusters of flowers drift like colorful snowflakes across a subdued diamond-patterned background. (Yes, we have knee highs in this pattern, too!)

Sometimes it’s kind of a shame shoes and boots inevitably cover up Antipast’s artistry. Case in point: this season’s beautiful Peace Bird socks:

Yes, the spectacular peacocks spreading their colorful tail feathers are the stars of the show, but the chevron stripes and windowpane pattern over the foot are stunning! (It can be your little art secret!)

We’ve saved the most eye-popping Antipast sock for the finale (and it’s our favorite): the New World Knee High!

Colorful camouflage? Look closer! These knee highs are alive with fantastic landscapes, rolling with woodland hills and pastures dotted with grazing cows. Stuck in a boring meeting? Just look down at your legs for a pick-me-up! (We also have trouser-length New Worlds!)

Who knew keeping your tootsies toasty could be so much fun? Just think how many people’s days you’ll brighten simply by wearing your Antipast out and about!

(Any of Antipast’s knee highs would look fantastic topping off this week’s Sweet Treat, Cydwoq’s Pilot Boot! You have until Tuesday to take 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” at the top of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Pilot, where you’ll find the magic code to enter at checkout.)

Ped fans, sorry to leave you hanging! We meant to give you another color infusion much sooner, but this, that, and the other thing kept us from it. Nevertheless, it’s never too late to sing the BLUES! Definitely one of the “it” colors, blue comes in myriad shades this fall. Let’s explore, shall we?

If anyone knows a thing or two about color, it’s Chie Mihara! Check out her blue-licious Zuli heeled oxford:

The platform may be ’70s retro, but the styling is utterly modern. The Zuli‘s combination of matte black leather (love the perforated edges!!!) and cobalt blue suede is mesmerizing!

Need something a little more conservative (but not too) for the office? Cydwoq’s Trasmit is just the semi-rebellious ticket:

How cool is this lake-blue pump? Sure, it’s “lady” enough to wear with jacket and skirt, but that faux croc toe let’s everyone know you’re ready to take a bite out of them with your style!

If you like that particular shade of blue but want something casual, consider lacing up the Cydwoq Display:

Cydwoq remakes the oxford in a new way, with angled edges and a squared-off toe! And the lake-blue leather once again looks luscious!

Cydwoq takes blue into boot territory with the terrific Statue:

The way the design shows off the natural edge along the exposed seams, in contrast with the Statue‘s inky blue leather, is stunning! What a rock star—this low boot will have people asking for your autograph!

Natural-edged seams also amp up  the charm of Trippen’s California bootie:

The tumbled leather of this back-laced lovely is sooooo soft, and the petrol hue is a muted teal blue. Fun, funky, and comfortable—Trippen does it again! Swing that fringe!

Another blue boot that will be your true-blue friend forever is Fiorentini + Baker’s Emmy:

As many of you have discovered, the quality of Fiorentini + Baker’s craftsmanship make their boots worth every penny! We particularly love how the Emmy‘s tough-girl design looks in this romantic Blue Moon color—as pretty as a night sky!

But maybe buckles, laces, and zippers are not what you have in mind; all you want is an easy slip-on in a cool color. Behold the Vialis Kate!

A clog unlike any other you’ll encounter—the leather-lined wool felt will bring the house down with its rich petrol color! But the Kate‘s beauty is more than skin deep; it also feels oh-so comfortable on, with a curved sole designed to roll with the motion of your stride!

Our last blue indulgence doesn’t quite follow the rules, but it’s just so cool we can’t resist including it! Take a gander at Trippen’s Treasure:

This brown boot gets its high-voltage “wow’ from its electric-blue edges! The exposed seams open and close to flow over the boot in wavy rivulets! Beyond gorgeous! When you want to wear a show stopper, your fortune lies in the Treasure!

So many blue-tastic choices—luckily, every option is a winner! Who knew having the blues could be so much fun?

(By the way, you have until Tuesday to snag this week’s blue-edged Sweet Treat: the Trippen Wind Boot! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Wind with the magic discount code that will bring a sweet 20% off at checkout!)

Last spring when I returned from the shoe shows in Paris and Milan, I told you this fall and winter would be colorful! Now, as promised, we’re off and running with the hued shoes! First up, RED!

In our previous post, celebrating Trippen, we showed you the spectacular Corset boot. But it’s just one of the red temptations from Trippen this season. For instance, who can resist the Wicked?

We are totally taken with the way Trippen has subtly stitched the  buttery leather to create folds that cascade down the front of this bootie! Stunning—yet comfortable and light, thanks to the “cups” rubber sole.

Trippen takes the same shade of red to new heights with the knockout Mexico boot:

Everyone at Ped HQ is in love with this “Rubin Red,” which reminds us of cayenne peppers. Spicy and delicious! Plus, the extra-long laces offer a wealth of ways to style the Mexico!

Trippen uses a slightly darker shade of red leather to create the smashing new Captain:

Take a closer look at the buckle on this great low boot—the strap extends right out of the leather that forms the shaft! Clever! And the Red Wine color makes us thirsty!

As long as we’re on the topic of wine-red leathers, the burgundy shade of Cydwoq’s Seek is intoxicating!

Deep and delicious, this darkest of dark reds makes the sexy Seek even more seductive! Pair this with your fave little black dress, and take your pick of the hearts beating faster at the sight of you!

And if going glam is your game, then consider buckling up Chie Mihara’s Quesquece:

Holy cannoli, this curvy t-strap gives new meaning to the term “red hot”! The combination of the deep red patent leather trim with the crimson suede is dazzling!

Of course, menswear-inspired styles are also au courant. Perhaps the red version of the Fiorentini + Baker Eliza might be your cup of tea:

Heaven help us, we LOVE this shoe! The Eliza is truly the oxford to end all oxfords, and a ruddy color just enhances its rugged beauty!

Which brings us to our rosy finale, another Fiorentini + Baker favorite looking lovely in red, the timeless Eli ankle boot:

As beautiful as a sugar maple tree in fall, this luscious red looker will rev up your style! Motors all over the world will run a little hotter after seeing you out and about in the Eli!

And that’s not all the red at Ped—lots more spicy styles are ready to set your heart on fire over at Ped’s main site. So get the lead out and put the red on!

Stay tuned, Ped fans, next we do blue!

(By the way, this week’s Sweet Treat is the Vialis Greta. It may not be red-hued, but it’s definitely red hot! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Greta with the discount code that will bring 20% off at check0ut!)