As Ped fans know, I have a serious thing for green. Nevertheless, when fall rolls around and the green world of summer transforms into a sea of orange, red, purple, and ochre, my heart sings! To celebrate, here’s a tempting array of Ped treasures to put you in the spirit of autumn.

Who doesn’t love the Fiorentini + Baker Emma boot? Well, now we’ve got your favorite in drop-dead gorgeous red:

People in Berkeley will tell you that I practically live in my black Emma’s, and Ped’s Laura has them in caramel. But this red edition may be the prettiest of them all! Combine old-school Italian craftsmanship with red leather and sexy lacing in the back, and you’ve got an unbeatable boot!

I love green, but the color that has Laura’s heart is orange. So, you’ll understand why this Jamie Joseph ring is on her personal wish list:

The stone is orange chalcedony—thought to encourage happiness and a positive attitude—and it’s beautifully set in 14kt gold mounted on a sterling silver band. Why not put a little fire on your finger?

Everyone at Ped Central burst out with oohs and aahs when 49 Square Miles’ fall bags arrived because those SF girls have added “loganberry” to their leather colors. It makes us think of maple leaves and chrysanthemums:

This Starlet Top Zip is a new style for Ped, too. I fell in love with it because not only does the bag embody the best of 49 Square Miles—supple leather, hammered brass hardware, and fantastic detailing—but its two straps also let you choose between wearing it as a short over-the-shoulder or handheld bag and slinging it  across your body courier-style.

Another beautiful new bag in a rich fall color is Cydwoq’s Oak in “Alma brick”:

Cydwoq’s Rafi took his cue for this design from bowling ball bags. We love the clean-lined shape, and, needless, to say the leather is luscious!

But autumn is not without its greens (yay!)—they just tend to be more of the olive and moss variety, as embodied in the Cydwoq Vote:

This is one of those shoes that once you put it on you won’t want to take it off. It’s practical and comfortable yet unlike any other kick-around shoe you’re likely to find.

Maybe, though, you want a shoe that doesn’t just shine with one fall color. You want one that dazzles with a combination of autumnal hues. Chie Mihara has your number:

Ped just added the Gretchen to our Chie lineup, and it’s instantly become one of our favorites! The tan top-stitching and bow are just so pretty with the deep blue suede toe and cocoa suede heel.

Friends, you don’t have to turn your back on black—just spice it up with some seasonal color! You’ll look as fresh as a crisp fall day.

It’s mid-July, and the mercury is soaring (at least in the Northern Hemisphere—perhaps Ped’s Aussie and Kiwi fans are bundling up in sweaters as we’re skipping around in skimpy sundresses). Wherever you are, we’re out to make the season a little sweeter by adding a little sugar to our sale prices. There’s plenty of summer left to enjoy Ped’s airy heels and strappy sandals, but as much as we love them, we need to send these beauties out into the world in order to make room for the chic fall styles that have started to arrive at Ped HQ.

Here are a few treats that just got a little more tempting! Why resist?

If you’ve never experienced the comfort and vintage-inspired ‘zazz of Chie Mihara, the Rula wedge is the perfect place to start. Nice enough for office wear without sacrificing an iota of style, the Rula features the loveliest cut-and-stitch work up front (click “zoom” at the Ped site to check out the intricate craftsmanship). Well worth it’s original price of $358, it WOWS at $199!

Another Spanish beauty is Argila’s Harper, which is a favorite here at Ped Central. The color is so fresh, and the leather is simply luscious. No longer $364, it’s as welcome as a clear blue sky at $199.

Speaking of color that sings, nothing hits the high note like Coclico’s knockout Chiba heel. The grass green suede makes us sigh “Aahhhhh!,” and so does the comfort of this easy-to-wear sandal. Lovely at $292, it’s even more gorgeous at $169.

So add some sizzle to the sidewalk by slipping on a pair of smokin’ hot sandals at the coolest prices of the season!

On Seinfeld, when Jerry said, “Hello, Newman,” he was usually gritting his teeth over running into his arch nemesis. Not us! When we say, “Hello, Neumann!” (pronounced “noy-man”) we’re jumping for joy because it means we’ve gotten in  another shipment from our New York friend, leather designer Jutta Neumann.

Originally from Germany, Jutta creates sandals and bags that truly(!!!) offer unparalleled beauty and craftsmanship. She hand selects her leathers and dyes them the most gorgeous, saturated colors before meticulously cutting and constructing her items using traditional methods. A hallmark of her sandals are their molded arches and tiny cobblers’ nails that, though barely visible, are evidence of Jutta’s dedication to her craft. Everything she makes is wonderful from the outset but improves with age and use, lasting for years and years and years. We also adore her clean-lined and elegant aesthetic—every detail is intelligently considered and contributes to the overall design. (Plus, we love her arched cat logo!)

See for yourself! Jutta’s classic Kim sandal represents the best qualities of the J.N. approach and has won fans the world over.

This ultra-comfortable design offers an ideal combination of minimalism and sophistication. This year, Ped has added bone and kelly green to our always-popular black and brown options.

Another Jutta Neumann sandal that’s won our hearts is Roger! 

This little lovely is perfect for Ped-sters who like the security of a back strap. A veritable lesson in good design, Roger is three well-planned straps on a mission of comfort and style.

Jutta’s bags are also the epitome of form and function. Case in point: the Oslo.

The proportions are perfect, and the lime green color is beyond juicy! Plus, although you can barely glimpse it under one strap in the pic, the lining is a fabulous violet suede (check out “views” at the Ped site)!!! Too cool!

And since we’re on the subject of purple, take a look at Jutta’s lovely Adana bag:

With this feminine-but-not-fussy bag on your shoulder, you’ll be like a walking urban beautification project! (Any city you visit should thank you.)

So, go ahead and say it with us, “Hello, Neumann!”

As most of you know, Ped takes great care in selecting what we carry. We look for lines that offer beautiful, exquisitely made items that are also ethically produced using environmentally sound practices. The former is what dazzles the eye, but the latter is what truly matters(!) even though it often goes unnoticed. Which is why we are SO EXCITED that our Seattle-based friend, Jamie Joseph, is getting props for her eco-responsible approach to jewelry in an upcoming issue of Time magazine!

Written by Christine Lennon, “The New Gold Standard” focuses on a handful of environmentally aware jewelers who use reclaimed gold in their creations. Here is the excerpt profiling our gal Jamie:

Seattle-based designer Jamie Joseph was similarly committed to environmental issues, quietly letting her principles guide her long before eco-awareness made it to the Bergdorf Goodman crowd that’s now devoted to her work. And judging by her politics and her environmental commitment, she fits right in with the celebrities who wear Jamie Joseph on the red carpet, including Cameron Diaz and Naomi Watts. She drives a biodiesal car, uses compact fluorescent bulbs and cloth towels in the historic warehouse from which she runs her business and has been using reclaimed gold for close to a decade.

“It’s great that the whole green thing is in vogue now, but we’ve been thinking this way up here for a long time,” she says. “My husband, who’s also my business partner, has a degree in environmental science. I saw a documentary about mining years ago, and I was really disturbed. But I said, Well this is my passion—how am I going to address this? I started investigating. And there were vendors that I found where I could buy all-recycled gold.”

Joseph also makes an effort to buy “conflict-free” gemstones—those that aren’t sold to fund wars or mined by exploited workers in unethical ways—from reliable dealers and often uses less rare, large-scale stones like rose quartz and chalcedony with tiny accents of diamonds. “We work with small owner-operated vendors that have similar beliefs and try to build a community around that,” she says. “The whole gemstone industry, it’s a little like the used-car business. You’ve got to know and trust your vendors. We make a point at least once a year of meeting face to face with people. Before I buy a stone from someone, I have to have an interview first. I want to make sure they’re not out raping the land.”

The article also features this beautiful image of one of Jamie’s necklaces (it’s the one on the left):

© Anita Calero, Time

Isn’t that necklace drop-dead gorgeous? It’s available by special order from Ped! Just let us know, and we’ll ask the incomparable Ms. Joseph to create one for you.

In the meantime, here are a few other Jamie Joseph lovelies currently available at Ped:
 

We love how the tiny gold-set diamond in this Oval Drusy Ring complements the fairy-dust sparkle of the larger stone.

These Mint Quartz Earrings are so fresh and green that wearing them is like wearing springtime!

One of the things we like best about Jamie Joseph is the way she turns to nature for design inspiration, as in the wonderful gold oak leaf she uses in combination with the aquamarine stone in this beautiful necklace.

And there is plenty more gorgeousness where those came from! Isn’t it nice to know Jamie Joseph really walks the talk in caring for the world? Ped hearts Jamie Joseph!

We were wowed last month by Michelle Obama’s unfaltering style and grace throughout the long day of inaugural festivities. The fact that she was on her feet in heels for hours got us thinking about her tired tootsies and what kind of shoes might make her White House life a lot more comfortable! In our first set of proposals, we nominated several Cydwoq Vintage styles as winning candidates for Ms. O’s (and your) wardrobe. Now, we’re back with Round 2, this time turning to Chie Mihara, with a dash of Coclico and Trippen(!), as possibilities for keeping the First Lady well-heeled.

First up, the Chie Mihara Frieda:

With spring just around the corner, this sling-back could well be Ms. Obama’s perfect shoe. Its palette is dignified enough for welcoming heads of state, and yet its design has uncommon zing, thanks to the faux ostrich leather and the way Chie has overlapped the leather petals. The heel is not too high–but even if it were taller, those who’ve worn Chie Mihara know that her shoes achieve the nigh impossible: heels that are comfortable enough to stand in all day.

Next up, the Chie Mihara Enko:

We know Michelle O. is not afraid of spicing up her outfits with color, and since we think she looks especially great in green, why not the Enko?  This t-strap is so fresh and sophisticated—a lot like the First Lady herself. Again, the heel is perfectly manageable for touring facilities or walking to and from Air Force 1.

Another fabulous walk-all-day shoe ideal for springtime in D.C. is Trippen’s new 40s.

Standing on Trippen’s deliciously comfortable x-shaped wedge, the 40s’ interwoven design is simple yet ingenious. And the cobalt blue color is luscious. With its riveted ankle strap, this peep-toe offers a bit of European flair, which would win Ms. Obama style points when she meets French President Nicolas Sarkowzy or German Chancellor Andrea Merkel.

Since we’ve heard the President likes to keep his Friday nights free for “date night” with his wife, we think Coclico’s Chiba would be an ideal choice for Ms. O. when out on the town with Mr. O:

I ask you, have you ever seen a prettier sandal? It’s absolutely perfect for an evening stroll along the canal beneath the cherry blossoms (which we’re sure the Obamas will do since it’s the best part of spring in the Capital).

Finally, for those kick-back weekends at Camp David, Michelle Obama can’t go wrong with Chie Mihara’s Moisson:

The First Lady is famous for her love of J. Crew separates, and we think this lace-up flat would look fab with her casual wear. After all, a sandal that’s cute and comfortable always gets everybody’s vote!