Free your toes, and the rest will follow! Okay, so that’s not quite how the song goes, but it’s still good advice! After all, it’s sandal season!

We love spending sunny days almost barefoot in a great pair of run-around flats! This year many of them offer a little extra something in the way of metallics, ranging from subtle shimmers to out-and-out, razzle-dazzle shines. Here are a few ways to make your tootsies sparkle.

Fact: Cydwoq makes THE BEST sandals! As evidence, we present Exhibit A: Cydwoq’s Form:

Ped fans know about my fondness for all things green, but Cydwoq takes it to the next level by adding a little metallic shimmer! Oh my! The Form‘s straps wow with their artistic cut. And how about that sweet circular buckle? So much to love!

Another sandal that benefits from a pearly polish is the Cydwoq Naked:

Blue is the color of the moment, and it looks especially beautiful glimmering like a moonlit sky. Looking for something more neutral? We also have the Naked in pewter.

For those of you who appreciate a slide, Cydwoq also gives the pearl treatment to the Samba:

Simple and pretty, just the way we like it, with the warm burnish of a well-worn penny!

Another understated way to add some metal to your mettle is with Cydwoq’s wonderful Thong:

There are two reasons why this classic Cydwoq design remains popular year after year: 1) its incomparable comfort and 2) its ever-modern style! The silver sparkle makes the Thong shine in a sea of black sandals.

Maybe you’re someone who likes to amp up the dazzle, in which case, Cydwoq’s Tomcat will put a twinkle in your eye (as it did in mine):

The antiqued silver and gold leather is stunning, and yet for being so eye-catching, these sandals are go-everywhere wearable! I wore mine all over Barcelona, for instance—here’s proof:

My Tomcats look pretty sassy on this Gaudi-esque bench!

But let’s get a little shinier, shall we? Everyone at Ped HQ is over the moon for Cydwoq’s new Admit:

Such a great sandal! The leather looks like it was worked in a silversmith’s shop! Gorgeous in every way!

Finally, for all-out gleam, the Trippen Careless takes the prize:

Sure, the Careless is shiny and bold, but its leather is also unbelievably soft! This sandal feels so good against your skin and under your sole, and it provides fantastic support for walking wherever the map takes you!

Slip on any of these breezy sandals, and  your feet will instantly be as dazzling as the sun on a cloudless summer day! Let your toes out to shine!

(Psst, have you oohed and aahed over this week’s Sweet Treat? It’s worthy—Vialias’ saucy Sara! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to arrive at the Sara with the magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)

Whenever June gets close, we still get that giddy feeling we had when we were kids and counting down the days to summer vacation. (Here’s what’s running through our heads!) Whether your ideal holiday is hanging out in a Montana mountain cabin, shopping on the Champs-Élysées, or lounging on a Balinese beach, one thing is certain: the key to a happy getaway is comfortable shoes, good for walking all day or kicking back with a cocktail! So without further ado, here are a few of Ped’s ideal traveling companions.

One of the most charming styles this season is also one of the most practical: Accessoire’s Suisse!

Airy! Chic! But with added protection for your toes! This sandal easily transitions from day to night when you only want to pack one pair. We like black for travel because it goes with everything, but if you prefer a jolt of color, the Suisse is also available in summery green.

Another great sandal for meandering through bazaars or taking a stroll down the boardwalk is the Cydwoq Cobra.

As Vicky E. told us in her “Tale of the Sole,” Cydwoq sandals are great for ambling around ancient ruins, yet they’re stylish enough for  evening drinks al fresco! We especially like the Cobra because its enclosed heel doesn’t impede the ability to just slip it on and go!

Lots of people prefer an enclosed toe for catching trains, planes, and rickshaws. With Cydwoq’s Rocket, you can have a full shoe and breeziness, too!

We love the tab and tiny window over the toe. Plus the color is so much fun! Other travelers will definitely want to know where you got your fantastic shoes!

A Cydwoq style just made for the life of leisure is the Orient:

Effortlessly chic! And isn’t that what we all want to be on vacation? The Orient’s knit leather is so cool, both literally and figuratively! (It also comes in black, although sizing is limited since that color flew out the Ped warehouse door.)

Trippen is another company whose shoes are designed for walking, walking, and more walking. One of the best travel sandals this season is the Sensual:

You simply have to feel the leather of this great flat to believe how deliciously supple it is! The design holds your foot securely through a long day of sightseeing, but it instantly becomes elegant when you slip on a LBD for a night on the town.

Looking for more of a moc for your days away? Consider Trippen’s Chip:

The asymmetrical design adds flair, and the slits on the toe box add ventilation! Perfect for moseying from here to there and back again on a hot day!

If you like the idea of a full shoe, but you want to stay light on your feet as you travel, then Trippen’s Cream is calling your name!

Ultra soft and ultra comfortable, this simple shoe is constructed on Trippen’s “cups” sole, which will keep you nimble no matter how many miles you log. The pistachio color and double laces will have you smiling the whole way.

There are lots more travel-worthy options over at Ped’s main site! No matter what your destination, a new pair of comfortable shoes or sandals is just the ticket to get your trip off on the right foot!

(Speaking of shoes that feel wonderful, Trippen’s Aloe is this week’s stellar Sweet Treat! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Aloe with the magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout. Get the wedge edge!)

Ped fans, it’s time for our bi-annual flash discount!!! Through this Friday, May 11, just enter “MAYDAY” at checkout and receive 20% off all full-price goods!

Something catch your eye on the Ped color wheel? Here’s how to reach it (clockwise from F+B’s fabulous green shoe at the top): Fiorentini + Baker Eliza Oxford, Argila Allie, Fiorentini + Baker Ding Clog, Coclico Yoni, Trippen Bora, Vialis Claudette, and Cydwoq Cobra.

Have fun shopping for ways to sashay through May (and June and July and August…) ! Remember, the discount code is pffft after Friday, May 11.

Have you noticed? For the past few years, designers have been showing sandals with socks on the runway. We admit, at first, we thought it was a little weird, but the look has grown on us. The spirit is retro, fun, and funky! However, it all comes down to pairing the right sock with the right sandal.

A great place to start is with Antipast’s picnic of summer socks, which we just unpacked at the Ped warehouse! Whether you wear these Japanese treats with closed-toe shoes or walk the cutting edge by synching them with heeled sandals, Antipast’s socks are guaranteed to bring smiles wherever you go!

An argyle sock defines “classic,” but, of course, Antipast’s Emiko and Junko give it a unique spin, mixing up the colors by adding a contrasting border at the top:

Feeling bold? Why not take the Antipast Cross Diamond Sock in blue in a decidedly un-classic direction by wearing it with the Vialis Arabelle? Dynamite!

Want to wear a flirty skirt with a taller sock? We’re crazy about Antipast’s Monet Knee High!

If you really want to make an impression (sorry, we couldn’t resist), imagine pairing the blue version with Fiorentini + Baker’s Floss slingback peep toe:

Antipast has so much fun playing with whimsical patterns, and this season, one of the juiciest jazzes up the  Citrus Socks:

Combine this sweet sock in black with Accessoire’s Tamba, though, and it takes a turn towards vintage chic:

As every Ped fan knows we have a thing for striped socks! So of course, we’re over the moon for Antipast’s Railroad Over The Knee:

Want to make sure everyone remembers you (and leave people with their jaws on the ground)? Then consider taking the sexy-schoolgirl look to the extreme by pairing the Railroad in red with the Argila Allie.

Like the idea but prefer to scale it back a notch? Go for the Railroad in trouser length.

We realize these looks aren’t for everyone, but if you have the arty verve to put them into action, they’re sure to turn heads! And let’s face it, just thinking about the possibilities makes getting dressed much more fun! There are plenty more Antipast styles to spark your imagination over at the main Ped site! So get psyched about socks!

(By the way, the Sweet treat this week is really, really, really sweet: Fiorentini + Baker’s Emma Boot! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Emma with the code that will bring a sugary 20% off at checkout! Mmmmmm, now that’s tasty!)

Ped fans, it’s no secret, we love C O L O R !!!! Granted, a neutral go-to shoe has its place in every woman’s closet, but slipping on a sandal, oxford, or boot in a knock-’em-dead hue is a sure-fire way to lift your spirits!

So we present a Ped ode to Roy G. Biv, patron saint of all things colorful!

R is for red, revved up and ready to go, all of which describe the new Cydwoq Indies!

R is also for riveting, which describes this boot both figuratively and literally since the construction is all rivets—not one stitch!

O is for orange (Laura’s favorite!), so juicy in Fiorentini + Baker’s Elgin Boot:

Although F +B calls this shade “Indian Red,” it’s a lovely and soft orange reminiscent of canyons at sunset. The perfect boot to wear with a floaty summer dress!

Y is for yellow, one of the “it” colors this season. Yellow always makes us smile, and Cydwoq’s Submit makes us smile even wider!

A great everyday sandal, the Submit is one to leave by the door (especially if that door is at a beach house)! Slip it on and off you go!

G is for green (Dayna’s favorite!) and all things good and growing. G is also for Germany, the birthplace of Trippen’s Fountain:

Let your cutting-edge style bust out like leaves in spring when you lace up this boot! Steal the scene with your green!

B is for blue, which exudes mystery and romance in a heel like Accessoire’s Safari:

What a way to make an entrance! Old Hollywood glamour is alive and sizzling in the Safari!

I is for indigo, the inky rich hue that’s almost black but not quite and much more interesting. Exhibit A (or should we say I): the Trippen Aloe.

See what we mean? What a delicious color for a tasty style that easily transitions from spring to summer to fall!

V is for violet, a color that always inspires oohs and aahs! How lovely it looks on Accessoire’s Sagan:

Tres chic! Buckle up this girly wedge, and feel the love as the compliments cascade over you!

All hail Roy G. Biv! And when you wear any of the above beauties, your feet will feel as good as the gold in the pot at the end of the rainbow!

(Psst, have you checked out this week’s Sweet Treat? It’s Coclico’s knockout Klucia! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to arrive at the Klucia with the magic code that brings 20% off at checkout! Set off sparks and break some hearts!)