Ped fans, let’s all take a minute to appreciate that fate brought together Italian interior designer Gianpaolo Fiorentini and British shoe virtuoso Deborah Baker! Their combined genius created the powerhouse that is Fiorentini + Baker, everybody’s favorite bootmaker!

And with good reason—F+B uses old-school Italian cobbling techniques to turn leathers and suedes of the highest quality into timeless styles with a modern sensibility. Fiorentini + Baker pays close attention to every detail of every design, and does it ever show! Better still, F+B’s meticulously crafted boots feel as wonderful as they look and last a lifetime.

This fall Ped adds three new styles to our expanding F+B family, and we’re offering several longtime favorites in fresh colors! Bella, bella, bella!

We humbly suggest you consider F+B’s new Pansy your new BBF (Best Boot Friend):

So simple in its design yet so breathtaking in its impact, this gorgeous suede number looks smashing with any length skirt, and it’s just as fab with jeans! The Bordeaux wine shade of the suede is delicious, but we also carry the Pansy in a rich brown—utterly beautiful!

A perennial question we hear at Ped is, “Do you have cowboy boots?” Thanks to Fiorentini + Baker’s new Enola, we can finally answer, “Yes, ma’am!”

The classic ranch style has undergone an Italian makeover to turn it into an urban knockout! The flirty Enola is crafted from the supplest suede to give it a sexy slouch! Here’s a happy conundrum: How to choose between the grey ice (pictured) and dark brown versions?

Looking for something with a little attitude? Let your inner rocker chick out to play in Fiorentini + Baker’s new Celia:

The brass studs arcing across the buckle strap drive home the Celia‘s take-no-prisoners approach to style! What a kickass way to become the talk of the town!

Now that you’ve met our three new boot beauties, say hello to several old friends in new colors!

Look how lovely the double-buckled Emmy is in Bordeaux wine:

Of course, we also have the Emmy in black, blue moon, anthracite (Laura’s fave!), and sand (which is currently on sale—act fast!).

We’ve also added a luscious grey suede version of F+B’s ever-popular Eternity boot:

Don’t worry, purists, we still have the Eternity in black and brown, too.

Speaking of black, we’re introducing a black edition of Fiorentini + Baker’s Edel (the tallest boot we carry):

We also carry the Edel in dark brown, the version that won everyone’s heart!

And there are several more new F+B color ways awaiting your discovery at Ped’s main site! If you’ve yet to experience Fiorentini + Baker’s Italian charms, why not take the plunge? We guarantee you’ll instantly become a card-carrying member of the F+B fan club!

There must be something in the water in Spain because, holy paella, are those Iberian peninsula designers ever serving up serious style! No sooner had we collected ourselves from swooning over Chie Mihara’s fall designs than the latest Vialis shipment  arrived at Ped HQ, making our knees go weak all over again.

Vialis is famous for its stellar clog construction, but their old-school Spanish craftsmen also create wonderful shoes and boots. We’ve brought the best of Vialis to Ped for your fall pleasure! So drink in the Spanish goodness!

Let’s start with a classic closed-back clog! For sheer beauty and versatility, the Vialis Adele is the queen bee:

The rich whiskey color of the suede is intoxicating (okay, we couldn’t resist..). Unlike other clogs, Vialis’ wood-soled wonders are anything but frumpy, with a seam at the front of the toe providing a streamlined silhouette.

Craving a little more hot sauce? Perhaps the spicy Vialis Hannah is more up your alley:

A little higher cut on the foot and a fantastic back strap that loops through a brass grommet to close with an adjustable rivet—it just takes a few well thought-out details to give a clog a shot of va-va-va-voom!

If you heart clogs, but heels aren’t you deal, then consider Vailis’ color-saturated Kate:

Pretty as a peacock! The stunning wool felt outer is lined with buttery leather, and of course, the comfort is heavenly. (It’s by Vialis, after all!)

Speaking of comfort, you know we’re always on the quest for a good walking shoe, and Vialis has given us just the thing with the Sadie:

Clog meets shoe, and shoe meets clog in one glorious and funky find! The curved contour of the sole is designed to rock with rolling motion of your stride.

Looking for a more traditional oxford? Vialis has crafted one of the best in the Oliver:

What an exquisite interpretation of the classic—no bells, no whistles, just class and sass! We’re wild about this burnished honey-hued version, but the Oliver also comes in a beautiful marine blue.

Want to go laceless? The Vialis Katrina is lean, clean style machine:

Sleek and minimal, the Katrina is a vision in supple black leather. However, this heeled bootie beauty hides a flirtatious secret—a racy red leather lining that occasionally flashes at the front opening. Talk about urban chic!

Taking the ankle boot a little higher—as well as saucier and bossier—the Vialis Lulu is at the top of our must-have list this season:

We adore everything about this pull-on bootie, from its perfect proportions to its distressed yet luxe leather to its circular brass buckles! It’s a motorcycle boot whose style engine is on overdrive!

Are you feeling as woozy with love as we are? Well, there’s even more Vialis to make your heart race over at Ped’s main site. So give your feet a Spanish lesson—in Vialis, you’ll always be fluent in style!

(You probably know Ped’s on Twitter and Facebook. But did you know we’re also on Pinterest and Google +? We like to socialize, so come join us!)

As much as we love summer at Ped HQ, it’s always a treat when the fall styles begin to arrive at the warehouse! It seems like an eon has passed since the orders were placed, so opening the boxes leads to a whole new round of oohing and aahing.

And no one gets more oohs and aahs than that Spanish apple of our eye, Chie Mihara, who has truly outdone herself for autumn! Her whimsical and feminine creations, so meticulously detailed, make us sigh over and over again! Given what a scorcher this summer has been, it’s lovely to imagine brisk fall days and what we might wear with this shoe or that! Try it yourself with this taste of Chie Mihara’s fall feast!

It’s so hard to choose what to show you from the 15 new Chie styles now in the Ped house—every single one is GORGEOUS! But let’s begin with Ms. Mihara’s new Vedet:

Mary Jane to the MAX! Who knew such a sweet classic could look so sophisticated and seductive? The mix of the brown mock croc leather with a textured black toe, heel, and cross strap is genius! Sexy schoolgirl, indeed!

For those of you who prefer a lower heel and a slightly quieter voice, Chie Mihara offers several options, one of the prettiest being the Gual:

The heel is more down-to-earth and the mink grey suede is a softer approach than the Vedet, but don’t be fooled—the Gual has plenty of stylish gas in its tank! Patent leather dots strewn over the toe and gold-infused black leather trim give this versatile neutral a flirty edge!

To be honest, though, we most heart the designs in which Chie goes all out! Exhibit A: the Exito!

Look at that leather!!!(!!!!!!) We simply can’t stop smiling at how stunning it is—a textured and marbled combo of bronze, gold, and silver that dazzles and shines in this modern heeled oxford!

Let’s pump of the volume further—or at least the height! Presented for your approval (and drool), Chie Mihara’s Zanzubar:

Paying homage to the platform shoes of the 1970s, Chie Mihara has created a heeled oxford like no other! The chevron pattern created from braided black, white, and burgundy leather is out of this world!

Another retro-rocking style is Chie’s new Uja:

Holy cow! We love the “red pepper” faux croc leather of this peep-toe hot tamale! The heel is a take-no-prisoners 3.75″, but the Uja‘s pitch is an easy-peasy 2.75″ —that’s the function supporting the fun of the 1″ platform under the toe.

Maybe you enjoy vintage-inspired designs but prefer the flair of the Big Band era. If so, you’ll adore the Chie Mihara Pam:

What a bombshell—the ankle strap and flower blossoming on the toe are so dreamy in red suede! And the khaki grosgrain piping adds just a charming drop of contrast!

But the shoe you might just lose sleep over until you make it your own is Chie’s stunning Insomnia:

Romance is alive and thriving in this rhinestone-bedecked jewel of a shoe! Perfect for dancing the night away, this plum suede beauty will instantly make you the belle of the ball!

Are you starry-eyed imagininghow you’d look and what marvelous adventures you’d have in Chie Mihara’s latest designs? Well, the above stunners are just the beginning of the all the Chie Mihara gorgeousness awaiting you at Ped’s main site! Why resist? Go ahead and fall for fall!

(By the way, this week’s Sweet Treat is Trippen’s Aloe, a style that’s ideal for making the transition from summer to autumn! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to reach the Aloe, where you’ll find a magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)

. . . or at least for next fall and winter! Ped fans, in March I again jumped across the pond to visit the European shoe shows in Milan and Paris. These are the trips where I place orders for next season’s goods, trying on and closely examining all the styles to make sure they’re up to Ped’s high standards for comfort and quality.

For Ped to carry a line, it has to persuade me of four things: 1) it’s made with an eye to social and environmental ethics; 2) the company prioritizes outstanding craftsmanship using the very best materials; 3) the designs are comfortable and easy to wear; and 4) the goods must have style for miles!!!

I work hard on these trips! But I also have a lot of fun! I love soaking up European culture and observing new trends. Come along for a vicarious ride!

When I landed in Milan, spring was in full swing, even though it was early March. The colors were so beautiful!

A Milanese flower vendor's stall on the way to the Fiorentini + Baker showroom! Gorgeous!

Flowers weren’t the only colorful spectacle—check out this dazzling display for Louis Vuitton:

What a creative use of arrows!

Fabulous shoes were everywhere! Even in the gourmet food section of La Rinascente!

Have your shoes and eat them, too! Chocolate shoes for 40 Euros.

Granted, not everyone in Milan was there for shoes. I saw these McDonald’s chefs on a photo shoot at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (a must-visit indoor shopping arcade).

Pretty sure their meals weren't as happy as the ones I ate in Milan!

Speaking of food, on my day off I walked for five hours straight, visiting the famous Corso Como, and rewarded myself with gelato!

Pear and guava gelato! YUM!

Whenever I’m in Milan I make sure to light a candle for my much-missed father at Il Duomo.

Candles in Il Duomo.

Then it was off to Paris, where my morning “commute” is about as stress-free as it gets.

The beautiful Seine was glass-like on my walk to work.

At the show, Cydwoq had so many beautiful styles I had a difficult time choosing. I think you’ll be pleased, though!

A booth of swoon-worthy Cydwoq shoes and boots!

Wondering what looks are popular for next fall and winter? Well, the love affair with oxfords and menswear-influenced styles continues. Plus, booties are still big (the kind you wear on your feet!), worn unlaced and unbuckled in a casual European way. Vintage looks, as well as polka dots and stripes, are also on trend.

The big story, though, is a renewed emphasis on COLOR! Ruby red, mustard yellow, leaf green, royal blue—every saturated hue imaginable! I don’t want to give too much away, but here’s a little taste of what you have to look forward to!

After a long day, I had a delicious Lebanese dinner with Cydwoq’s Rafi and Trippen’s Michael. This was our view as we walked home:

Oooooh, sparkly!

Ped fans, I love my job!

The air may be icy and the tree limbs bare, but daylight has once again started to stretch out, which means two things: 1) Spring is just around the corner; and 2) We need to make space in the warehouse for all the warm-weather styles about to arrive! The answer? Ped’s wonderful Winter Sale, of course!

We clean house, and you clean up! What could be better? Those boots you’ve been pining for since August now have a price to warm your spirit (and tootsies) during winter’s chilly days! Here are just a few of the temptations:

You’ve probably noticed blue is one of the IT colors this season. We’re especially fond of it in Accessoire’s Martiza:

The classic oxford gets extra oomph from a wedge heel, which also happens to be ultra comfortable! And, gals, three words: Blue. Suede. Shoes! Totally rockin’ at $328, the Martiza brings down the house at $199!

The other must-have color this year is grey, which Cydwoq crafts into a stellar low boot, aptly named the Vision:

A little vintage, with its cool button-up closure, a bit modern rocker chick, and a whole lot chic, comfortable, and go-with-everything, the Vision will wind up on your feet every day! Sweet at $342, it’s utterly delectable at $268!

Needless to say, black never goes out of style. But it certainly does get amped up in Chie Mihara’s Maison:

Oooh-la-la, what a hot heeled number—you will leave a trail of sparks in your wake wherever you walk! Saucy at $578, its sex appeal is irresistible at $289!

Another absolutely to-die-for boot is Vic Matie’s Olivia Boot:

The leather workmanship is truly stunning! (The Italians do know a thing or two about crafting fabulous footwear!) Worth every penny at $648, this masterpiece of a boot is a veritable steal at $299! (You clever art thief!)

Another one of our favorite tall boots this season is Trippen’s Nightingale:

The wine color of the supple nubuck is luscious! Plus, we’re wild about the red inside zipper! Trippen is always so good at fun and funky details! A treat at $448, it’s mana from heaven for your feet at $348!

If you’re looking for something dressier and perhaps a tad more understated, the answer is Coclico’s fabulous Beckett Mary Jane:

The perfect shoe for all occasions, the Beckett may be quiet, but it still exudes style for miles! Wonderful at $338, it’s even prettier at $268!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a spectacular sale without offering a break on everyone’s favorite, Fiorentini + Baker. Grab ’em while they last, gals, because we’ve reduced the price of the ever-popular Emmy Boot:

So tough-girl chic, this boot will become the backbone of your wardrobe! Spectacular at $528, it’s nothing short of WOW at $422. (Wow, wow, wow!)

And those are just the beginning of the bargains! So jump over to Ped’s Sale pages for some sweet pickin’s guaranteed to provide a wintry pick-me-up! (And stay tuned for the garden of spring styles about to burst  into bloom!)