November 18th, 2009
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so it’s the perfect time to sing a big THANK YOU! to the wonderful blogs that have given Ped attention in the past few months. It’s always a thrill to discover others share our appreciation for beautiful things. Here are just a few of the people and sites that have said kind words about Ped recently:
- The wide-ranging and wonderful blog, Grace’s Birdcage, found our Chie Mihara’s lust-worthy.
- Designer and jeweler Katy at Grayling, who loves all things inspiring and well-designed, gave a shout-out to some of our best black shoes and boots (think Argila, think Trippen, think Fiorentini + Baker).
- Christina Williams, who writes the blog you can call me chris, found inspiration in Ped’s Chie Mihara Nerrine, as did the wonderfully fashion-conscious gal at Golden Means.
- And how much do we LOVE Michelle Taylor at Blue Moss? Time and again, she surprises us by picking our personal favorites to share with her design-conscious fans. (Plus, she has a wonderful way with repurposing old baubles into dazzling new jewelry, so drop by her Etsy shop and take a look.)
- We hold Mrs. French at Bliss in the same high esteem. Not only does she write a fantastic blog, showing us eye-opening items and places that make our hearts sing, but she also takes the loveliest pictures. Love these arty, blogging gals!
- After our wonderful Coclico Ndakinna turned up on notcouture.com (a daily must-visit), it wound up featured here, here, here, here, and here. Thanks to all!!!

Hello, lover.
If we missed the kiss you threw Ped’s way, we apologize, but please know everyone here at Ped HQ appreciates you from the bottom of our collective heart. We are truly grateful to have such wonderful friends! If we could, we’d give each of you a rose! Happy Thanksgiving!

Tags: Antipast, appreciation, Argila, blog, boots, Chie Mihara, Coclico, Cydwoq, Fiorentini + Baker, Giraudon, shoe, shoes, thanks, Trippen
Posted in Antipast, Argila, boots, Chie Mihara, Coclico, Cydwoq, Fiorentini + Baker, Giraudon, Ped appreciation, socks, Trippen | 1 Comment »
November 11th, 2009
At Ped, we have a long history of loving the traditional oxford. You can’t beat a classic lace-up that never goes out of style! So, we’re amused but also delighted that this season oxfords are THE shoes to have—the sexy schoolgirl look is definitely in! (Should we thank Gossip Girl?) The wonderful thing about the trend, though, is that after it’s come and gone, the timeless oxford will still be as sophisticated as ever.
So study up on all the different oxfords we have at Ped—no matter which you pick, you’ll end up on the honor roll, graduating summa cum style! Below are several of our favorite lace-ups this season.
For gals who love a heel, Chie Mihara will have you looking both demure and too hot to handle in the Cibeles:

We are crazy about the way Chie’s paired a 3″ chunky wooden heel with a clean-lined oxford in black leather. Classic marries funky, and the result is one gorgeous shoe! Sass it out, sisters!
Another heeled oxford from our gal Chie is the eye-popping Ganz:

Ms. Mihara always works magic with the way she cuts and combines leathers. The teal and grey appliques are so unexpected and pretty with the taupe body and lilac laces!
Speaking of working magic with leather, Cydwoq knows exactly how to cast a spell:

Every time we look at the Recess oxford, all we can say is, “Wow.” The combination of the brown floral-embossed body of the shoe with the black antiqued leather where the laces come together is visually stunning. And the perfectly placed wooden heel—well, that’s just bonus. Oxford goes arty!
For you Ped fans who love a flat, Cydwoq has your oxford number:

This Plot Oxford is such a practical shoe, but that doesn’t mean it’s not edgy and fun. Who says an oxford has to lace up the middle?
Clearly, Cydwoq’s Rafi has enjoyed taking the traditional oxford into modern territory because here’s another winning design he delivered to Ped this season:

Don’t you love the Set‘s minimalism? Just the basics, ma’am! And who couldn’t use a go-to black oxford, especially one that looks so terrific with patterned socks and striped tights (think about it)?
Here’s a Ped haiku in honor of our affection for the oxford:
Laced-up and bow-tied
Oxford, you are a classic
Forever stylish
Tags: Argila, black, brown, Chie Mihara, Cydwoq, Cydwoq Vintage, flat, heel, leather, oxford, shoes, wood heel
Posted in Argila, Chie Mihara, Cydwoq, fall, shoes | Comments Off on Become an oxford scholar!
November 5th, 2009
I’ve written before about how much I admire our Seattle-based jeweler friend, Jamie Joseph, and her husband, Jeremy. What a team they make—she designs the pieces, and he cuts the gemstones! At Ped, we love the clean aesthetic of their handmade jewelry, but we also prize their ethics. Jamie only buys stones from dealers she knows are socially and environmentally responsible, and she repurposes gold without sacrificing her sky-high standards. Each Jamie Joseph piece celebrates nature and showcases the individual beauty of each stone.
But don’t just take our word for it—see for yourself! Here are a few pieces from our latest Jamie Joseph shipment:

Isn’t this Jamie Joseph Rainbow Moonstone ring mesmerizing? I love how there seems to be motion within the stone. Dreamy!

Another new favorite is this stunning Indian Ruby ring. Although the stone is opaque, it still seems to have an inner light. Plus the facets make it twinkle and shine!

One thing we love about Jamie is her sense of composition and balance, beautifully reflected in this Orange Chalcedony Charm necklace. The reticulated gold coin, faceted teardrop stone, and pearl bead harmonize in such a lovely way. This piece also offers the advantage of an adjustable cord, allowing you to create the perfect length for whatever neckline you’re wearing.
When it comes to Jamie Joseph’s designs, it’s not only diamonds that are a girl’s best friend—it’s all JJ’s lovely gems. As the song goes, “square-cut or pear-shaped, these rocks don’t lose their shape!” Rock on, sisters!
Tags: blue, chalcedony, gems, gemstones, gold, Jamie Joseph, jewelry, jewels, moonstone, necklace, orange, rainbow, red, ring, ruby, silver, stones
Posted in Jamie Joseph, necklace, ring | Comments Off on Rock your world!
November 2nd, 2009
This past weekend, our friend Kimmy took the train from NYC to Charlottesville, Va. to see Thievery Corporation and to spend a little time with Ped pals Amy and Laura. She went with Laura to an art opening at the University of Virginia on Friday evening and convinced camera-shy LP to let her snap a pic (yes, that’s a lovely parking garage in the background—but we like how the yellow square on the sidewalk looks with Laura’s outfit, so we decided not to crop).

How fun that Laura’s out and about in Fiorentini + Baker Eternity boots and Cydwoq’s Flap Bag, both from Ped!
When Kimmy returned to New York, she posted a new Ped-i-licious profile photo on her Facebook page:
How cute is she with her Jutta Neumann Monica bag and Fiorentini + Baker Eli boots? (And she tells us the hand on her hip is sporting a little Jamie Joseph bling.)
We get such a kick out of seeing Ped items in action! If you show us yours with an explanation of what adventure you had while wearing Ped (it can be anything from a trip to the grocery store to the time you stood next to Viggo Mortensen on an elevator), you’ll be in the running for $100 in Ped credit. Come on, don’t be shy, tell us your “Tale of the Sole.”
Tags: ankle boot, bag, boot, booties, boots, Charlottesville, Cydwoq, Eli, Eternity, Fiorentini + Baker, flap, gold, handbag, Jutta Neumann, leather, New York City, purse, red, teal, yellow
Posted in boots, Cydwoq, Fiorentini + Baker, handbags, Jutta Neumann | Comments Off on Gals we know spreading the Ped love
October 26th, 2009
As Ped fans know, I have a serious thing for green. Nevertheless, when fall rolls around and the green world of summer transforms into a sea of orange, red, purple, and ochre, my heart sings! To celebrate, here’s a tempting array of Ped treasures to put you in the spirit of autumn.
Who doesn’t love the Fiorentini + Baker Emma boot? Well, now we’ve got your favorite in drop-dead gorgeous red:

People in Berkeley will tell you that I practically live in my black Emma’s, and Ped’s Laura has them in caramel. But this red edition may be the prettiest of them all! Combine old-school Italian craftsmanship with red leather and sexy lacing in the back, and you’ve got an unbeatable boot!
I love green, but the color that has Laura’s heart is orange. So, you’ll understand why this Jamie Joseph ring is on her personal wish list:

The stone is orange chalcedony—thought to encourage happiness and a positive attitude—and it’s beautifully set in 14kt gold mounted on a sterling silver band. Why not put a little fire on your finger?
Everyone at Ped Central burst out with oohs and aahs when 49 Square Miles’ fall bags arrived because those SF girls have added “loganberry” to their leather colors. It makes us think of maple leaves and chrysanthemums:

This Starlet Top Zip is a new style for Ped, too. I fell in love with it because not only does the bag embody the best of 49 Square Miles—supple leather, hammered brass hardware, and fantastic detailing—but its two straps also let you choose between wearing it as a short over-the-shoulder or handheld bag and slinging it across your body courier-style.
Another beautiful new bag in a rich fall color is Cydwoq’s Oak in “Alma brick”:

Cydwoq’s Rafi took his cue for this design from bowling ball bags. We love the clean-lined shape, and, needless, to say the leather is luscious!
But autumn is not without its greens (yay!)—they just tend to be more of the olive and moss variety, as embodied in the Cydwoq Vote:

This is one of those shoes that once you put it on you won’t want to take it off. It’s practical and comfortable yet unlike any other kick-around shoe you’re likely to find.
Maybe, though, you want a shoe that doesn’t just shine with one fall color. You want one that dazzles with a combination of autumnal hues. Chie Mihara has your number:

Ped just added the Gretchen to our Chie lineup, and it’s instantly become one of our favorites! The tan top-stitching and bow are just so pretty with the deep blue suede toe and cocoa suede heel.
Friends, you don’t have to turn your back on black—just spice it up with some seasonal color! You’ll look as fresh as a crisp fall day.
Tags: 49 Square Miles, autumn, bag, boots, brick, brown, chalcedony, Chie Mihara, Cydwoq, Eternity, fall, Fiorentini + Baker, gold, green, handbag, heel, Jamie Joseph, jewelry, leather, Oak, ochre, orange, purple, red, ring, shoes, shoulder bag, silver, Starlet, Vote
Posted in 49 Square Miles, boots, Chie Mihara, Cydwoq, fall, Fiorentini + Baker, green, handbags, Jamie Joseph, red, ring, shoes | 1 Comment »