Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister … (Sing it!) Okay, we admit we’re feeling a little slap-happy here at Ped. Chalk it up to spring fever and the fact that we’re dizzy from all the beautiful things arriving in the warehouse!

No sooner did I get back from Paris than Paris came to me in the form of Accessoire, yet another line I first discovered during Ped’s days as a brick-and-mortar store in Seattle. Designer Avril Gau began her career with Robert Clergerie and then spent seven years overseeing the shoe collections at Chanel. That’s quite a pedigree! These days she designs for Accessoire, creating sophisticated yet comfortable shoes that meet the demands of modern women. Accessoire styles wow with an unmistakable French flair; the shoes are never over-designed yet they command attention and admiration—effortlessly chic! But why take my word for it when you can see for yourself?

Platform wedges are all the rage this season, but Accessoire gives its Izard a distinctive French twist by replacing the buckle with a soft tie. The caramel brown color of the suede is Luscious with a capital “L”!

Ped fans know how much I love green, so you can imagine how my heart raced when I saw Accessoire’s amazing, metallic, cactus-green Iseult! Iridescent and interesting without being over-the-top, these buttery soft sandals are to. die. for.

Sure, jewel-embellished sandals have been “in” for a few years, but unlike the gaudy ones flooding the market, Accessoire’s Julien is sparkly but still tasteful. It’s got just the right amount of bling to be fun without being obnoxious. And the grey color is ultra-versatile!

Oo-la-la—I saved Laura’s favorite, the Island, for last! She’s been walking around in a dreamy daze ever since these came out of the box. I can’t blame her because this platform wedge is something special with its aura of old-school glamour. The color of the suede is so juicy, and the rosette is the perfect detail! Parisian style to the max!

So slip on a pair of Accessoire beauties, and let your feet speak with an unmistakable French accent!

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

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.

My, oh my, here at Ped, we are up to our ankles in ankle boots—and we are loving every minute of it! Although booties have been “in” for a couple years, this year’s crop is especially beautiful. We love the impact of short boots worn with skirts, but what’s really great is they’re equally easy to wear with pants (not always the case with a tall boot, much as we love the knee-high look). Ped has scads of great ankle boots from which to choose, but here are a few fresh ones that have us oohing and aahing.

Wow, wow, wow—when you’re ready to hit the streets and take no prisoners, Cydwoq’s new Future is the boot to wear. Tough and sexy all at once, this boot has us over the moon with the exposed violet edges of the black Italian leather. Leave it to Cydwoq’s Rafi to make a buckle boot this special!

Lordy, just looking at the Cydwoq Vintage Seek makes me break into a sweat! As I said to Laura the other day, “SEXOLA!” The cut-outs and combination of textured leathers are trumped only by the sizzling back zipper running up this bootie’s heel!

Speaking of back zippers, we love how the zipper running up the rear of Fiorentini + Baker’s Ella allows you to unzip this mid-calf boot halfway and fold down the top to make a cuffed ankle boot. Now that’s versatility since both looks are smoking with F+B’s inimitable Italian style!

For sheer cuteness and comfort, no bootie surpasses Trippen’s new Tie. You have to wear this ankle-height beauty to fully appreciate how soft and supple the elk leather is—truly a treat for the feet! And Trippen’s “cups” rubber sole keeps your steps light as you dash all over town.

If you’re a gal who’s determined not to get back in black no matter what the fashion pundits say, or if you simply want to add a bit of color to your wardrobe, check out Giraudon’s knockout Nelle! We adore the chic and curvaceous cut of the leather and the way the Nelle subtly echoes a cowgirl boot. Plus, the cognac color is to die for!

So, pick your passion—any of these ankle boots will have every eye on you this fall!

Ped fans, happy spring and have I got good news for you!! As I mentioned in my last post, Ped is extremely selective about the lines we carry. Whatever we bring you not only has to offer stellar style and comfort, it also has to meet Ped’s high standards for craftsmanship, ethical production, and environmental awareness. No easy feat! So, we are over the moon to add TWO new lines to Ped’s inner circle! Both are spectacular!

Pep Monjo, founder of Argila, studied design in Italy and collaborated with some of Europe’s most innovative footwear designers before returning to his hometown of Menorca, Spain, to found his own company. Made from the most beautiful handpicked leathers (you can practically feel the quality just by looking at the pictures), all of Argila’s shoes are crafted right in Menorca! And are they ever gorgeous!

I could live in Argila’s Ella sandal this spring and summer. There’s nothing better than a practical sandal that goes with everything in your closet and yet still shines with unique personality. 

Those of you who need or simply like a dressier look are also in luck. 

Argila’s Alana T-strap sizzles with clean-lined simplicity! Although it can pass for conservative, this heeled beauty will turn every head in the room! And the leather is cut and stitched just so (use the “zoom” at the site to see what I mean). 

Joining Argila in the Ped line-up are bags from San Francisco’s 49 Square Miles. Named for the area the city occupies, 49 Square Miles designs bags that capture the spirit of SF’s people and culture. So, you know they’re colorful and cutting-edge! Plus, they’re handcrafted from the most deliciously touchable leather you can imagine. I mean, really—everyone at Ped HQ is swooning over how these bags feel!

This Bookworm Slim Tote is flat-out irresistible! Between the color and the details (I am especially smitten by those organic brass rings) and the fact that it can hold everything you could possibly need, what’s not to love?

Then there’s the Crossbody Sling:

Could anything be fresher for spring than this grab-it-and-go bag with its eye-catching color and top-stitching? At Ped, we love it when function comes with big ol’ jolt of ‘zazz!

So, hop on over to the site and have a drool over both Argila and 49 Square Miles. They are worthy!