As daylight dwindles and the mercury sinks lower, the sock drawer once again opens. Yawn.

Wake up! If you think putting on socks is as exciting as watching paint dry, you clearly need to sass up how you warm your toes! Pulling on the woolies can be wonderful with a little help from Emiko and Junko, the Japanese mother-daughter team behind Antipast!

This season’s shipment of Antipast goodies just arrived at the Ped warehouse, and every whimsical pair puts the “fun” in “functional” and brings out the “win” in “winter”! Take a look:

When the days go grey, what we really crave is color and lots of it! Antipast to the rescue:

We are mad for all things striped, so these Gradation socks are just the ticket! We think their architectural pattern is reminiscent of the window-paned walls of Mies van der Rohe’s buildings. (Like knee-highs? You’re in luck!)

Stripes are terrific, but we also love dots. Put the two together, and you’ve got a party down below! Behold Antipast’s cute-as-can-be Candy Knee Highs:

How fun are these? Imagine how jazzy these sweethearts would look with short-ish skirts and mary janes or ankle boots! (Prefer trouser-length socks? You can still have your stripes and dots!)

Stripes also add a dash of fun to Antipast’s Cokrico socks:

We love wearing florals in winter because it reminds us of spring. The bouquets on the Cokrico are like a garden party for your ankles! (Want even more flowers? Pull on the knee high version!)

Need something a little more subdued (though never boring)? How about Antipast’s Pearl Shower Knee Highs?

Strands of pearls cascade from a central medallion, draping across a geometric diamond pattern. The toes, heels, and top band provide a pop of brilliant color. (You can also go luxe with a trouser-length sock.)

Another “quiet” Antipast lovely is the Diamond Flower sock:

So pretty! Stylized clusters of flowers drift like colorful snowflakes across a subdued diamond-patterned background. (Yes, we have knee highs in this pattern, too!)

Sometimes it’s kind of a shame shoes and boots inevitably cover up Antipast’s artistry. Case in point: this season’s beautiful Peace Bird socks:

Yes, the spectacular peacocks spreading their colorful tail feathers are the stars of the show, but the chevron stripes and windowpane pattern over the foot are stunning! (It can be your little art secret!)

We’ve saved the most eye-popping Antipast sock for the finale (and it’s our favorite): the New World Knee High!

Colorful camouflage? Look closer! These knee highs are alive with fantastic landscapes, rolling with woodland hills and pastures dotted with grazing cows. Stuck in a boring meeting? Just look down at your legs for a pick-me-up! (We also have trouser-length New Worlds!)

Who knew keeping your tootsies toasty could be so much fun? Just think how many people’s days you’ll brighten simply by wearing your Antipast out and about!

(Any of Antipast’s knee highs would look fantastic topping off this week’s Sweet Treat, Cydwoq’s Pilot Boot! You have until Tuesday to take 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” at the top of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Pilot, where you’ll find the magic code to enter at checkout.)

Last spring when I returned from the shoe shows in Paris and Milan, I told you this fall and winter would be colorful! Now, as promised, we’re off and running with the hued shoes! First up, RED!

In our previous post, celebrating Trippen, we showed you the spectacular Corset boot. But it’s just one of the red temptations from Trippen this season. For instance, who can resist the Wicked?

We are totally taken with the way Trippen has subtly stitched the  buttery leather to create folds that cascade down the front of this bootie! Stunning—yet comfortable and light, thanks to the “cups” rubber sole.

Trippen takes the same shade of red to new heights with the knockout Mexico boot:

Everyone at Ped HQ is in love with this “Rubin Red,” which reminds us of cayenne peppers. Spicy and delicious! Plus, the extra-long laces offer a wealth of ways to style the Mexico!

Trippen uses a slightly darker shade of red leather to create the smashing new Captain:

Take a closer look at the buckle on this great low boot—the strap extends right out of the leather that forms the shaft! Clever! And the Red Wine color makes us thirsty!

As long as we’re on the topic of wine-red leathers, the burgundy shade of Cydwoq’s Seek is intoxicating!

Deep and delicious, this darkest of dark reds makes the sexy Seek even more seductive! Pair this with your fave little black dress, and take your pick of the hearts beating faster at the sight of you!

And if going glam is your game, then consider buckling up Chie Mihara’s Quesquece:

Holy cannoli, this curvy t-strap gives new meaning to the term “red hot”! The combination of the deep red patent leather trim with the crimson suede is dazzling!

Of course, menswear-inspired styles are also au courant. Perhaps the red version of the Fiorentini + Baker Eliza might be your cup of tea:

Heaven help us, we LOVE this shoe! The Eliza is truly the oxford to end all oxfords, and a ruddy color just enhances its rugged beauty!

Which brings us to our rosy finale, another Fiorentini + Baker favorite looking lovely in red, the timeless Eli ankle boot:

As beautiful as a sugar maple tree in fall, this luscious red looker will rev up your style! Motors all over the world will run a little hotter after seeing you out and about in the Eli!

And that’s not all the red at Ped—lots more spicy styles are ready to set your heart on fire over at Ped’s main site. So get the lead out and put the red on!

Stay tuned, Ped fans, next we do blue!

(By the way, this week’s Sweet Treat is the Vialis Greta. It may not be red-hued, but it’s definitely red hot! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Greta with the discount code that will bring 20% off at check0ut!)

A few years ago we added Argila to the Ped family, and Ped fans welcomed the Spanish line with open arms and delighted feet!

Now Pep Monjo, Argila’s founder and resident design genius, has created an eponymous line of footwear, with his signature right on the bottom of every sole! Exquisitely crafted in Monjo’s hometown of Menorca, each pair is timeless, yet the designs walk the cutting edge of European style. Take a look, and prepare to fall in love!

One of Pep Monjo’s many talents is his ability to spice up vintage-inspired styles with just the right details. Exhibit A: the Edith Boot.

At first glance, these look like a treasured pair of boots discovered at an estate sale, but the fold-down collar in back and the exaggerated tongue in front give the Edith decidedly modern flair! (Go only halfway with the laces to get the latest European look!)

For some Ped fans, it’s “black or bust”! If you’re among the noir lovers, Pep Monjo’s got your number with the Sybil Boot:

Much more interesting than the average motorcycle boot, Monjo’s version features crisscrossed straps and a seam over the toe—small details that make for a huge impact! And needless to say, the leather is luscious and the comfort divine!

Last but far from least, check out Pep Monjo’s Levigne Boot, which is, quite simply, boot perfection! (Think of it as the Nadia Comaneci of boots!)

Niether over-designed nor under-designed, the Lavigne is just right! Pep Monjo has granted the wish of so many gals who want one boot that will go everywhere and go with everything!

What a trio of beauties, each made to last a lifetime! If you’ve been craving a fantastic pair of boots for fall, Pep Monjo’s have your name (and his) on them!

Speaking of boots, we’ve harvested a bounty for Ped! Stay tuned because every day or so during the next week, we’ll be showcasing different heights and styles here on the blog to help you find the perfect pair.

(For instance, Coclico’s Kita might be right up your alley—in which case, lucky you because it’s this week’s Sweet Treat! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Kita, where you’ll find a magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)

Ped fans, let’s all take a minute to appreciate that fate brought together Italian interior designer Gianpaolo Fiorentini and British shoe virtuoso Deborah Baker! Their combined genius created the powerhouse that is Fiorentini + Baker, everybody’s favorite bootmaker!

And with good reason—F+B uses old-school Italian cobbling techniques to turn leathers and suedes of the highest quality into timeless styles with a modern sensibility. Fiorentini + Baker pays close attention to every detail of every design, and does it ever show! Better still, F+B’s meticulously crafted boots feel as wonderful as they look and last a lifetime.

This fall Ped adds three new styles to our expanding F+B family, and we’re offering several longtime favorites in fresh colors! Bella, bella, bella!

We humbly suggest you consider F+B’s new Pansy your new BBF (Best Boot Friend):

So simple in its design yet so breathtaking in its impact, this gorgeous suede number looks smashing with any length skirt, and it’s just as fab with jeans! The Bordeaux wine shade of the suede is delicious, but we also carry the Pansy in a rich brown—utterly beautiful!

A perennial question we hear at Ped is, “Do you have cowboy boots?” Thanks to Fiorentini + Baker’s new Enola, we can finally answer, “Yes, ma’am!”

The classic ranch style has undergone an Italian makeover to turn it into an urban knockout! The flirty Enola is crafted from the supplest suede to give it a sexy slouch! Here’s a happy conundrum: How to choose between the grey ice (pictured) and dark brown versions?

Looking for something with a little attitude? Let your inner rocker chick out to play in Fiorentini + Baker’s new Celia:

The brass studs arcing across the buckle strap drive home the Celia‘s take-no-prisoners approach to style! What a kickass way to become the talk of the town!

Now that you’ve met our three new boot beauties, say hello to several old friends in new colors!

Look how lovely the double-buckled Emmy is in Bordeaux wine:

Of course, we also have the Emmy in black, blue moon, anthracite (Laura’s fave!), and sand (which is currently on sale—act fast!).

We’ve also added a luscious grey suede version of F+B’s ever-popular Eternity boot:

Don’t worry, purists, we still have the Eternity in black and brown, too.

Speaking of black, we’re introducing a black edition of Fiorentini + Baker’s Edel (the tallest boot we carry):

We also carry the Edel in dark brown, the version that won everyone’s heart!

And there are several more new F+B color ways awaiting your discovery at Ped’s main site! If you’ve yet to experience Fiorentini + Baker’s Italian charms, why not take the plunge? We guarantee you’ll instantly become a card-carrying member of the F+B fan club!

. . . or at least for next fall and winter! Ped fans, in March I again jumped across the pond to visit the European shoe shows in Milan and Paris. These are the trips where I place orders for next season’s goods, trying on and closely examining all the styles to make sure they’re up to Ped’s high standards for comfort and quality.

For Ped to carry a line, it has to persuade me of four things: 1) it’s made with an eye to social and environmental ethics; 2) the company prioritizes outstanding craftsmanship using the very best materials; 3) the designs are comfortable and easy to wear; and 4) the goods must have style for miles!!!

I work hard on these trips! But I also have a lot of fun! I love soaking up European culture and observing new trends. Come along for a vicarious ride!

When I landed in Milan, spring was in full swing, even though it was early March. The colors were so beautiful!

A Milanese flower vendor's stall on the way to the Fiorentini + Baker showroom! Gorgeous!

Flowers weren’t the only colorful spectacle—check out this dazzling display for Louis Vuitton:

What a creative use of arrows!

Fabulous shoes were everywhere! Even in the gourmet food section of La Rinascente!

Have your shoes and eat them, too! Chocolate shoes for 40 Euros.

Granted, not everyone in Milan was there for shoes. I saw these McDonald’s chefs on a photo shoot at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (a must-visit indoor shopping arcade).

Pretty sure their meals weren't as happy as the ones I ate in Milan!

Speaking of food, on my day off I walked for five hours straight, visiting the famous Corso Como, and rewarded myself with gelato!

Pear and guava gelato! YUM!

Whenever I’m in Milan I make sure to light a candle for my much-missed father at Il Duomo.

Candles in Il Duomo.

Then it was off to Paris, where my morning “commute” is about as stress-free as it gets.

The beautiful Seine was glass-like on my walk to work.

At the show, Cydwoq had so many beautiful styles I had a difficult time choosing. I think you’ll be pleased, though!

A booth of swoon-worthy Cydwoq shoes and boots!

Wondering what looks are popular for next fall and winter? Well, the love affair with oxfords and menswear-influenced styles continues. Plus, booties are still big (the kind you wear on your feet!), worn unlaced and unbuckled in a casual European way. Vintage looks, as well as polka dots and stripes, are also on trend.

The big story, though, is a renewed emphasis on COLOR! Ruby red, mustard yellow, leaf green, royal blue—every saturated hue imaginable! I don’t want to give too much away, but here’s a little taste of what you have to look forward to!

After a long day, I had a delicious Lebanese dinner with Cydwoq’s Rafi and Trippen’s Michael. This was our view as we walked home:

Oooooh, sparkly!

Ped fans, I love my job!