“V is for Victory”!

That’s how we feel whenever we begin importing from Europe. The paperwork, restrictions, tariffs and waiting are a giant shoe-gauntlet that we try to dance through. So whenever we succeed with a shipment, and drag it over the doorstep, we’re dancing in our (pretty!) shoes!

As you may recall, all you loyal Pedsters, we’ve had a little trouble in the past being victorious with Vialis. But no more! Vialis is back, and in they’re rare shape! We opened the boxes and were treated to a breath of fresh spring air with each new style. Take a look for yourself and see why “V is for Victory” Vialis!

Ped fans, I recently returned from my biannual pilgrimage to New York, Paris, and Milan to attend the shoe shows and catch up with old friends! It’s always a blast to combine shopping for Ped with sightseeing and people-watching—I learn so much from simply walking around these fashion-rich cities!

While I was in New York, my dear friend Kimmy became the most beautiful 50-year-old on the planet! It was fantastic to be able to celebrate with her and several of our longtime friends (including Nicole, who worked for Ped back in its Seattle days).

A collage of the big fun we had at  Kimmy’s birthday party!

Then I was off to Paris!

At the Parisian shoe show, the emphasis was on oiled and brushed leathers, and the big colors were red, grey, navy, forest, and mocha. Metallics were also still running strong, so you can expect a lot of sparkle next fall and winter! As for styles, the must-haves were ankle boots yet again, but they’ve become both sexier and more practical. One of my favorite trends was unusual color combinations—the Chie Mihara designs, in particular, really packed a punch, so get ready!

Of course, we can never get enough of Cydwoq:

So much beauty to look forward to! (By the way, the lovely gal with Rafi and me up top is Margaret, the proprietor of Traipse, a fantastic shoe store in Chicago.)

After hours, it was fun to talk shop over dinner with friends in the biz!

People I’m always happy to see: (l-r) Rafi from Cydwoq, Claudia from Trippen, Louise and Hailey from Gravity Pope, and Michael from Trippen.

After my brief sojourn in France, I flew to Italy for the Milan Micam show, which is one of the biggest shoe shows in Italy.

Booth after beautiful booth of shoes at the Milan Micam show!

While in Milan, Ped’s Fiorentini + Baker representative, Eliza, invited me to her home for a meal! One word: DELICIOUS!

This was just the beginning of our dinner. How come the tomatoes and burrata are so amazing in Italy?

After working two weeks straight without a day off, I finally took some time for myself. Milan is a wonderful place to roam around!

Various sights from my day of Milan meandering.

Then it was back on the plane to fly to home sweet home, Ped HQ!

In addition to lining up gorgeous new styles from all your Ped favorites, I discovered a wonderful new sock line while in Europe! Plus, look for the return of Vialis next fall! Such whirlwind traveling is exhausting, but I love finding things that I know will thrill you Ped fans. So stay tuned, there’s a lot to look forward to in the coming months!

So far, Summer 2013 has been a doozy, Ped fans! Chilly days! Sweltering days! Stormy days!

But here’s one forecast guaranteed to make you smile: sunshine and blue skies at the Ped Summer Sale! Those gorgeous sandals you’ve had your eye on since March? Chances are they now have an even prettier price!

Below is just a sample of the bargains currently bursting into bloom at Ped:

One of our favorite sandals this season is Accessoire’s Alabama because it’s vintage-girly and unlike anything else strolling down the street:

Everything about this comfortable sweetheart—from the combo of coral suede and printed leather to its air of 1940s Hollywood—is unusual and beautiful. Lovely at $358, it’s stunning at $179!

Another shoe that charms with a variety of leathers is the Chie Mihara Isias oxford:

The Isias is also available in a rosy version, but we’re fond of the mix pictured because a good metallic shines especially brightly in the summertime! Sparkling at $388, the Isias dazzles at $299!

If you fancy an all-metallic oxford, Fiorentini + Baker has your number with the Gip:

The Italian attention to detail is spectacular! lFor instance, the pinked edge of the tongue sends the Gip into the stratosphere of style! Fun at $458, it’s a party for your feet at $358!

Looking for an everyday shoe that’s more understated? Consider the streamlined beauty of the Cliff Dweller Norma:

When a shoe is cut to perfection, it doesn’t need bells and whistles to get whistles! Gorgeous at $238, the Norma‘s a knockout at $189! (It also comes in blue.)

If you like a run-around flat but long for a zing of color, say hello to the Vialis Pilar!

Simple yet saucy, the Pilar will instantly become your favorite! The only question is whether to pick cherry red suede (pictured) or curry mustard suede? Zesty at $212, the Pilar‘s spice is even nicer at $169!

Cydwoq has some particularly lovely flats this season, too, such as the airy Cover:

The holy grail of shoes, the Cover effortlessly goes from running errands Saturday afternoon out to a cocktail party in the evening! A find at $304, it’s a treasure at $239!

Of course, summer isn’t summer until your toes come out to play in a great pair of sandals! One of the best ever is the Cydwoq Copy:

Practical meets sexy in this fantastic sandal, which is also available in black. Bonus: its heel design makes the Copy an ideal traveling companion! Juicy at $216, it’s even more delicious at $169!

What’s that? You prefer a slide? Then perhaps the Cydwoq Hurricane has your name on it:

When you slip on this strap-happy and comfortable sandal, you’ll think, “This is the life!” (And you’ll be right!) Wonderful at $224, the Hurricane is a total pleasure at $179!

Even more fresh and breezy deals are waiting for you at Ped’s main site! Pick something pretty and let the sunshine in!

Ped fans, we know how it is. You fall in love with a pair of rockin’ shoes, sandals, or boots, but then you resist their siren call because you can’t envision what you’d wear them with—and who wants to spend money on something that’s lovely yet languishes in the closet?

Don’t despair, we’re here to help! Below, you’ll find ideas for how to wear several of our bolder designs this season. With luck, these outfits will jump-start your own creativity, and before you know it your imagination will be off and running with ways your sole desire would work with your wardrobe.

Not surprisingly, one of the most whimsical styles this season comes from Chie Mihara! Her Ingra is the essence of  “summer,” but its color palette may seem challenging at first glance. It’s actually more adaptable than you might think. Here’s one way we’d love to wear it:

This easy-going dress from Cotélac falls just above the knee, with a hint of a drop waist and a dash of 1920s pizazz, which works perfectly with the Ingra’s oxford sensibility. We’ve added Sophie Digard’s Etoiles necklace for added flapper-esque flair. Nothing here matches per se, but it all “goes” in a wonderful way! Sunday brunch, anyone?

Another Chie Mihara shoe that we adore is the Obara, with its mix of textures and colors. Don’t underestimate its versatility:

The lovely Accessoire Babeth is perfect for a night on the town, but it plays equally well as a casual day shoe:

We love the look of a wedge platform with cropped trousers—it’s the ideal antidote to frumpiness! We’re also all for mixing patterns! Combining Epice’s striped Montauk Scarf with the abstract floral of the Cotélac top creates a visual party that will have people smiling everywhere you go.

As every Ped fan knows, we advocate boots all year long, but we realize some people think boots and sundresses look a bit jeune. But they don’t have to, as illustrated by this use of Fiorentini + Baker’s Nicky Boot:

This is how to go retro-mod while still looking sexy and modern! The clean and bold lines of Cydwoq’s Bright Bag work beautifully with the dress and booties—three easy pieces for day-tripping in the city of your choice!

If your penchant for vintage runs to an earlier era, check out this idea for showing off the Vialis Zarita:

Red will always turn heads, especially when you look like a 1940s Hollywood starlet! (By the way, read this study of just how persuasive wearing red can be.) Just for fun, we’ve pushed the red envelope with Jamie Joseph’s knockout Round Carnelian Ring!

See? When you open your mind to the possibilities, every pair of Ped shoes becomes infinitely wearable! (Otherwise, we wouldn’t carry it.) The whole idea is to have fun with what you wear! Go forth and be bold with your soles!