Dayna may be off having high tea in Singapore and riding elephants in Thailand, but Ped’s blog must go on! Laura, here, standing in for our fearless leader and bringing you great news: the latest shipment of Mia Zia loveliness has just arrived at Ped! Inspired by all things Moroccan, Mia Zia  is renowned for its way with tassels, stripes, and wonderfully woven textiles. Everything the company produces treasures is a delight to see and touch!

Here are a few of Mia Zia’s latest things that have everyone at Ped HQ swooning:

It’s as if Mia Zia took everything that’s good about summer and infused it into this fresh and playful Fiji scarf! The hand-printed stripes and tassels are so zesty! They make us want to kick up our heels and dance down the beach! (Maybe that’s what Dayna’s doing…)

MIa Zia’s crinkled silk scarf is luxurious and sophisticated without sacrificing its sense of fun. Silk is one of those wonderful fabrics that offers warmth in winter but remains airy and breathable in summer. Pretty as a scarf. Pretty as a shawl. Pretty as a sash wrapped around your waist!

Of all of Ped’s Mia Zia treasures, the Parisian Market basket, modeled on traditional baskets women take to bazaars throughout Morocco, may just be our favorite! This tightly woven raffia beauty is HUGE, which means it’s ideal for a day at the beach or a trip to the farmer’s market—or for catching everything you forgot to pack in your main suitcase when you’re bolting out the door to catch your plane. No matter what kind of a rush we’re in, those Mia Zia tassels never fail to make us smile!

So, why not add a little Moroccan spice to your life with Mia Zia?

Ped fans, I am SO EXCITED!!! Tomorrow I jet off with my mom, sister, and niece for a two-week vacation in Southeast Asia! Do you know I have never taken 14 consecutive days off in my life??? After leaving San Francisco, we’ll visit Hong Kong, Singapore, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Bangkok. My mom (technically my step-mother, but I love her with all my heart) grew up in Shanghai, and she still has friends and family throughout Asia. For instance, in Singapore we’re staying with her nephew, who is the head of Hasbro Toys! We four gals have so many fun things planned: riding elephants, visiting temples in Chiang Mai, kayaking, and just chilling on the white sand beaches in Phuket. I promise to take lots of pictures and tell you all about it once I return!

So, you may be wondering what Ped things I plan to take on my big adventure? Well, here are few items that will definitely go on the trip:

1) Cydwoq’s Mint bag:

Not only is this bag beautiful, but it’s also large enough to hold everything I want to have on hand for the long flight: a couple books, a magazine or two, a sweater because I always get chilly on the plane, toiletries for freshening up, and a change of clothes, just in case my checked bag takes a vacation without me (please, no). Also, the Mint will make a great shopping companion when I hit the streets to hunt for souvenirs.

2) Jutta Neumann’s Kim sandal:

When you’re going to spend a lot of time walking in hot weather, you can’t beat this easy slide for comfort and versatility. Jutta’s craftsmanship is legendary—her all-leather sandals are molded so they feel custom-made for your feet. And the Kim’s design—so minimal and chic—looks fantastic with literally everything! 

3) Jamie Joseph’s Sea Coral Necklace:

I don’t know about you, but I hate fussing with jewelry when I travel—but that doesn’t mean I want to go without. So, I’m planning to put on (and never take off) this Jamie Joseph necklace. I love how the tiny diamonds sparkle from within the crevices of the oxidized silver “coral”! And it’s a necklace I don’t have to think about—I’ll wear it sightseeing, swimming in the ocean, out to dinner (have I mentioned the great food we’re going to eat?), and everywhere else! 

I hope the next two weeks bring you as much fun as I’m about to have! I’ll miss Terry, Lulu, and Ella, but just think—soon I’ll be here:

Courtesy of J.W. Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa

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!

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!”

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!