The Dog Days of summer are here, and as much as we love dogs at Ped, it’s so hot that all we can think about is spending a day at the beach, cooling off in the waves and relaxing in the sea breeze. Happily, Ped has quite a few things to make the sand-and-surf experience that much more pleasurable. (And stylish!)

Seaside tip of the day: Don’t leave home without 49 Square Miles’ Carryall Tote:

Four words: Best. Beach. Bag. EVER!!!!! Everyone at Ped HQ is crazy about this sturdy canvas bag because it’s spacious enough to hold a beach towel, paperback, snack, sunscreen, binoculars, frisbee, water bottle, and whatever else you need to make your day in the sun fun. And despite being a workhorse of a bag, it’s so dang cute! The leather appliques are whimsical, and the colors sing of warm weather. We love. We love.

Another great way to haul your beachwear and wares from your house to that umbrella in the sand is Mia Zia’s Parisian Market Tote.

Beautifully woven out of natural raffia, this bag is casual yet undeniably chic. Traditional Moroccan construction means it’s sturdy enough to take on whatever rough-and-tumble adventures you care to carry it on, looking sassy all the while with its colorful tassels.

Another must-have beach accessory is a pair of kick-on, kick-off sandals. Cydwoq’s Lizard is just the ticket!

There’s not much to them, but what there is packs a serious style punch! The ultimate in Zen-like simplicity, these beauties will keep you from burning your tootsies’ tender soles as you skip across the blazing sand.

Finally, every day is sunnier with the beach-inspired dazzle of Jamie Joseph’s Starfish Necklace.

The perfect way to add sparkle to your beachwear—whether you’re baring it in a bikini or keeping covered in a kaftan—this necklace is so sweet with its gold-set diamond twinkling like a star within the silver starfish. And what a way to maintain your beach frame of mind the rest of the year!

So, stretch out on the sand and, with Ped’s help, beach all you can beach!

Laura in Santa Barbara, CA, wrote us this month with her “Tale of the Sole,” but, as she notes, “It’s a sad one, I’m sorry to say.” Here’s her tragic story:

Remember those Argila Alana’s that I got, oh, only a few weeks ago?

Well, silly me, I brought them to New York City on my last trip. But I also brought bronchitis. On the day we decamped from the On the Ave Hotel where we were billeted, I was feeling particularly low. And it was early, so I was jet-lagged. In any event, I remember wrapping the precious things up and THOUGHT they made it into our larger suitcase. But, alas, they did not.

When I discovered this, I immediately called the hotel, but several days had passed, and naturally, they were never turned in. 

So some chambermaid is sashaying around NYC in my stunning sandals.

Honestly, this is the only thing that made me cry in the last month, when Santa Barbara nearly burned to the ground, we got a flat tire while evacuating, and Tai got a foxtail up his nose. It was the SHOES that pushed me over the edge!

But it ends happily because I just ordered those darling Chie Mihara Frederica’s! Not that I can afford them, but I just don’t care—my wound needs to be salved.

We’re sure those Frederica’s have Laura back on the upswing. And we hope winning a $100 Ped Gift Certificate for sending the best Tale of the Sole in May will also make her feel a smidge better about losing her lovely Argila sandals.

Do you have a Tale of the Sole? Tell us—and show us (we LOVE pictures!!!)—what happened to you while wearing a Ped item, and you, too, might be the recipient of $100 in Ped credit. Each month we pick the most sole-ful tale to share on the blog. Here’s hoping June’s story is less of a tear-jerker. So, let us know what in the world you’ve been doing in your Ped!

It’s that time of year when young women everywhere, diplomas in hand, take off their caps and gowns and think, “Uh-oh, now I have to get a job!” Maybe you’ve witnessed that look of optimism mixed with fear on the face of your daughter, niece, or little sister. Why not give her a boost of style as she starts pounding the pavement? We all know how feeling confident can give a job applicant an extra edge during an interview. So, help her look and feel the part with a graduation gift that reminds her she has your support every step of the way!

Nothing beats a great pair of shoes when on the job hunt, and no one designs better go-all-day heels than Chie Mihara.

We love Chie’s Frederica because it’s perfectly professional while still allowing its wearer to express her individual style. (It’s guaranteed to make a gal memorable!) Plus, as interesting as the color combo is, the sum still works as a neutral that goes with countless outfits.

Another essential for a graduate-turned-job-seeker is a good bag, and 49 Square Miles Winans Hobo is just the ticket.

Less stern that a briefcase, this wonderfully supple leather bag, nevertheless, has the capacity to hold everything a woman needs in a day. For instance, the Winans easily accommodates file folders containing C.V.’s and work samples, so those documents don’t come out rumpled and dog-eared when handed to a prospective boss.

Sometimes the only thing needed to take a gal from feeling so-so to feeling like a million bucks is slipping on the perfect pair of earrings.

These drop-dead gorgeous Jamie Joseph “Nest” pearl earrings are sure to make your favorite graduate smile, not to mention they are the epitome of versatility—dressy enough for networking but casual enough for hanging out on the weekend. Plus, a nest is a lovely way to remind your gal she can always come home even after she’s out flying on her own wings.

Maybe you’re the graduate and want to drop a few hints? If so, why not create a “favorites” file at Ped or take advantage of Ped’s “share with a friend” feature? Both will allow you to give a nudge to those who may feel flummoxed when it comes to getting you the right gift (hello, Dad).

Of course, if push comes to shove and you just can’t decide what to give, one thing is always welcomed by women everywhere: a Ped gift certificate! No matter what you choose, something from Ped is sure to help your sweet graduate get ahead!

Here at Ped HQ in Berkeley, Ca., we receive wonderful things from all over the world—Fiorentini + Baker boots from Italy, Trippen shoes from Germany, Antipast socks from Japan, and Cydwoq footwear and bags from down the California coast in Burbank (just to name a few). But after their brief sojourn here at Ped, we send these lovelies on their global way to points far and wide. It’s always fun for us to discover what countries are particularly fond of what lines.

For instance, in Australia and New Zealand—where autumn is currently on its way to winter—Ped fans can’t get enough of Fiorentini + Baker boots.

Meanwhile, all things Cydwoq are popular in France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Our Canadian friends love Jamie Joseph’s sparkle.

And in Japan, our customers are wild about Parisian Sophie Digard’s designs!

No matter where you are, Ped is ready to travel the world to bring you international style!

Usually, the idea of “Blue Monday” doesn’t bring a smile, but at Ped Central we intend to change that, at least for today. After all, not all blues are bruised and stormy—consider sky blue, robin’s egg blue, and Caribbean blue, all so beautiful. Even darker hues like sapphire and cobalt are dreamy and romantic like a midnight rendezvous! At Ped, we’ve definitely got the blues, but they’re not making us sad. Here are a few reasons why:

When I saw the Cydwoq Vintage Ionic, I couldn’t resist making it my very own:

This Zen-like slide is the loveliest slate blue. More interesting than either grey or navy, the shade works as a neutral that’s easy to wear with absolutely everything. And although it’s a simple summer sandal, the hand-sculpted wooden heel and the design’s clean lines give the Ionic an air of sophistication that lets it go dressy.

Another of my favorite blue sandals this season is Coclico’s deep sea blue Reef:

The jewel tone of the soft suede straps makes me sigh—so unusual and lovely. This little sapphire number is the ideal sandal to take on vacation since you can wear it sightseeing all day, but it’s nice enough to wear out to dinner at night, too.

And speaking of shoes that are ideal for spending long days on your feet, how pretty is Trippen’s 40s?

Honestly, we can’t emphasize enough how comfortable Trippen’s cross-shaped wedge is. And this particular blue is so rich and seductive! Add in the peep-toe and ankle strap, and you’re all set to make ’em sweat.

Of course, nothing beats a t-strap for sex appeal! And Ped just happens to have a spectacular one in—you guessed it—blue:

Between the strappy design and the juicy color, we can’t decide what we like best about Giraudon’s Odette. Fortunately, we don’t have to choose—we can simply love it all!

Even when you’re facing a long haul with a lot to carry, a good blue can make the world a little brighter. Case in point, 49 Square Miles’ hold-everything Bookworm Slim Tote in turquoise blue:

Everything pops with this blue beauty that features the softest leather complemented by lime green topstitching and hammered brass rings.

Are you feeling blue yet? If so, we hope you’re smiling!