When I discovered Coclico a few years ago, I knew immediately it was a match made in Ped heaven. Named for coquelicots—the poppies that bloom all across the Brittany countryside—Coclico is the brainchild of French-born Sandra Canselier, who founded the NYC-based company in 2000. Since then, she’s teamed up with famed shoe designer Lisa Nading (Ped’s Laura still sighs about a pair of purple Lisa Nading slingbacks her dog chewed up when he was a puppy), and the two now produce the most beautiful designs, crafted using environmentally aware practices, that make style-loving gals sigh with desire.

Per Ped’s stringent standards, though, Coclico shoes don’t just look like a million bucks; they feel fantastic, too. This season Coclico has really outdone itself in making our hearts beat faster with each new arrival at the Ped warehouse. See for yourself:

When you need a tall boot that’s sophisticated enough for work but hot enough to wear on a date, look no further than Coclico’s Ether:

The light grey leather is luscious and looks terrific with everything from a suit to a mini skirt. Plus, the streamlined design is so lean and lovely! (Your gams will look gorgeous.)

But for those of you who like to go even more feminine, especially if the girliness is spiced with a little vintage-inspired glamour, Coclico’s Pebon peep-toe is singing a siren song to you.

Wow. Just wow. Need I say more? I didn’t think so. Wow.

Then again, maybe girly isn’t your thing. You like to steam up the streets with a bit more of a badass attitude. No problem—just pull on Coclico’s Telesto boot and head out the door with your bad self.

Again, Coclico has thought out every detail for maximal impact. Plus, the steel grey suede looks fabulous with everything in your closet, guaranteed.

But if you really want to turn up the heat to the max, well, the most direct way to do that is with Coclico’s Ndakinna ankle boot.

Oo la la!!! It just doesn’t get much edgier or sexier than this wood-soled number! The way the toe peeps out from beneath the overlay of pebbled leather is so saucy, and the tie at the back is like pouring gasoline on the flames! HOT!

Is it any wonder that everyone at Ped Central goes crazy for Coclico? Come on, join our party!

Although most of Ped’s shoes are comfortable worn barefoot, it’s fun to spice things up (or warm things up) with a great pair of socks! And for our money, the cutest and most comfortable socks in the world(!) are designed by a Japanese mother and daughter team, Emiko and Junko, the geniuses behind Antipast. What a sense of whimsy they bring to their work! The latest craze on the catwalk is the sock-with-sandal look, so it’s the perfect time to add a little ‘zazz to your summer footwear with Antipast’s dazzling designs. We just got in our latest shipment, and here are a few of the new treats from our wonderful friends in Japan:

Everybody at Ped HQ bursts into a smile whenever we send out a pair of these Mod Flower socks. They are like a sunny day for your feet! I especially like how the profusion of flowers on the foot moves into stripes heading up your ankle to a little ruffle at the top. (If you like a longer sock, we also have these in an over-the-knee version—super sweet with a short skirt!)

These soft charmers are simply too cute! Beneath a flower-filled sky, a be-ribboned cat chases a little fish up sparkly stairs that rise as they go around your foot. Want to start a conversation with someone who’s caught your eye? Just flash these Cat Street socks, and he or she will be putty in your palm!

Nothing goes with summer more than a seaside vacation! Why not send your feet on one in these ocean-inspired Mermaid Knee-His? Swimming with starfish, undersea plants, and other creatures, they are endlessly entertaining and softer than sand. Prefer an ankle sock? Lucky you–Ped has these  Mermaids in trouser-length, too.

So, pull on a pair of Antipast and go knock their socks off!

Hey, Ped fans, do you use Twitter? Well, now Ped does, too! So, if you want to be the first to know when we receive new styles or put something particularly wonderful on sale, follow us at http://twitter.com/PedShoes. 

Speaking of wonderful, last week we opened a box from Spain and found one of our all-time favorite Chie Mihara styles: the Jane!

Ay caramba, this beauty is so many good things all at once—retro, glam, practical, sexy, and demure. Not to mention comfortable. (And, needless to say, we love a red shoe!)

It also got us thinking about all the variations on the classic Mary Jane that Ped carries, each with its own personality and charm. So, meet a few of the girls:

The Trippen Tidy from Germany walks around town with an edgy and sophisticated European flair.

Cushioned by a cross-shaped wedge, she’s equally comfortable being all-business or going casual. This Mary Jane speaks in an unforgettable accent that we at Ped HQ could listen to all day.

Then there’s her sweet Portuguese cousin from Giraudon:

The lacing on the cross-strap is what makes this shoe so charming. And the Giraudon Mary Jane is the best companion when you need to run a gajillion errands. She’s also fun to hang out with over Sunday brunch at a cafe. 

Meanwhile, Cydwoq’s Carry is a Mary Jane with the heart of an artist:

The way the positive space of the leather appliqué on the toe echoes the negative space of the cutout formed by the strap is a treat for the eyes! Lovingly designed and handcrafted in California, this gal is a head-turner but so relaxed about it all! The Carry’s beauty, just like the other Mary Janes’, is more than just superficial—her construction and sole make her beautiful inside and out.

Finally, we love a Mary Jane with a flair for color, like the Chie Mihara Bas:

That’s some serious sass! But this stunner is surprisingly versatile and adds ‘zazz to almost any dressy outfit on any occasion.

Mary Jane, you truly are every woman’s best friend!

I am so excited!! Today the Philadelphia edition of Daily Candy sang the praises of Antipast socks and listed Pedshoes.com as the go-to source online for our favorite Japanese socks and scarves. It’s so nice to see Antipast getting a little love—they really do make the most wonderful socks in the most whimsical patterns. When I put on a pair of Antipast, it’s as if the sun shines a little brighter! Here are some of my favorites from what we’re carrying this season:

How cute are those little jester hat tops? Okay, if you like those, then you’ll go wild for these:

We’ve got these poppy-rific socks in both trouser-length and over-the-knee styles. Let’s face it, a fun, short skirt, Antipast over-the-knee socks, and a pair of Trippen or Cydwoq shoes, and you’ll be turning heads all over town!!

Thanks, Daily Candy, for the shout-out, and thanks, Antipast, for making such fantastic socks!