As many of you know, in 2006 Ped relocated its headquarters from Seattle, Wa. to sunny Santa Barbara, Ca. We only stayed in SB two years, but while there we met some amazing people with whom we’ll be friends for life. Howard Schiffer and his family are among our favorites! Howard is the founder and president of Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit organization that strives to ensure young children around the world receive proper nutrition in order to grow and thrive.

So, it broke our hearts to learn the Schiffers’ home of 15 years burned to the ground on May 5 in the fires that devastated Santa Barbara.

A fireman surveys what remains of the Schiffers' incinerated house.

What a horrible thing to happen to anyone, but especially to Howard, whose heart is so big and kind! Perhaps Ped could do at least a little something to make the situation better. Here is Howard’s tale:

On Saturday, May 9th, four days after the fire, I was in Macy’s to get a couple of shirts for work. I remember passing the belt display and looking down at my pants. It dawned on me that I had only one belt. I started laughing because I suddenly realized that I had four polo shirts, one handkerchief, two pairs of jeans, four pairs of socks, four pairs of underwear, one pair of sneakers, and one pair of flip flops to my name.

I was just coming to terms with all that we had lost. Even so, the contrast with the refugees I had been with in Kenya only eight days before as part of my work with Vitamin Angels was still daunting. As I explained to the LA Times the day after the fire, there was no comparison between our situations. The refugees had been driven from their homes in January 2008 during tribal conflicts and were still living in 8′ x 12′ tarp-tents in a refugee camp, with little food or security, and foul, overflowing pits as communal bathrooms. They watch as their neighbors and friends succumb to malaria, AIDS and TB every week.

Our family may be homeless, too, but we have an incredible community of friends and family here to support us. It is a great reminder of all we have to be thankful for and gives us a renewed commitment to the important work Vitamin Angels does.

When Ped contacted us with an offer of free shoes, it was a dream come true. Not only would I instantly double the size of my shoe collection (literally) but I would get to wear the coolest shoes in the world as we begin to rebuild our lives. They are so beautiful. I have never had green shoes before. Thank you so much, Ped!

Howard Schiffer looking handsome in his new Cydwoqs! (We love the green, too, Howard!)

Although we couldn’t undo the fire, at least we were able to give our benevolent friend some stylish and reliable shoes to wear as he goes about the world doing good! Walk on, Howard!

To learn more about Vitamin Angels’ important work, visit http://www.vitaminangels.org/.

Update 06/01/10: Here’s a great photo of Howard rocking his Cydwoqs in Hemispheres magazine.

Although I was sad to leave Chiang Mai and my sweetheart of an elephant, Boonpuk, it was time to hit Thailand’s famous beaches. So off we went to Phuket!

* We stayed at the JW Marriott Resort, which was simply amazing! The grounds are blow-your-mind gorgeous! The resort is located right on the ocean and has three pools, several restaurants, and an amazing spa with outdoor rooms. We shared a two-bedroom unit with a kitchen, so we could cook meals at “home.”. Unfortunately, the ocean is too rough for swimming, so we spent many hours at the pool.

The resort's grounds were stunning! My feet lounging by the pool, and Keri collecting shells on the beach.

* The hotel was pretty isolated, so we took a taxi one day to Patong Beach, which is the closest one where you can swim in the ocean. The beach guys will set you up with chairs and umbrellas for about $3, and you can also rent boogie boards, windsurfing boards, etc. While I was enjoying the ocean breeze, I indulged in a 45-minute foot massage with fresh, cold aloe. It was dreamy and only $7.

The view from my chair at Patong Beach, a guy giving his dog a ride by scooter (love it!), and my cooling aloe foot massage. Aahhhhhh.

* Just by luck, we happened to go down a little street and came across an incredible ceramic shop called Siam Ceramic Handmade. It was filled with beautiful hand-painted ceramics, and I bought a few coffee mugs to bring home as souvenirs. We spent about a hour there with the family that owned it. They shared their photos and stories about the tsunami. Wow! (And not a good wow.) They lost three stores in eight minutes when the tsunami struck! The amount of destruction, death, and cleanup they endured is beyond comprehension.

The family showed us photos of the store after the tsunami. The store as it is today, and Keri, Kara, and me with the lovely family who owns the business.

* Fantasea Show—One night we went out for dinner and a show. The performance was absolutely beautiful and featured elephants, tigers, lots of dancers, incredible costumes, music, and gorgeous set design. If you want to go to a traditional Thai dinner show, this is the one! It’s great for both kids and adults!

Finally, you can take the girl away from Ped, but you can’t take Ped away from the girl:

These beautiful handmade bags, of course, caught my eye, and my sweet beach feet in my sweet Cydwoq sandals.

Tomorrow, our final destination: Bangkok!

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

Here in the U.S., today is Memorial Day, a holiday that honors war veterans (somber), but which also adds an extra day to the weekend (happy)! What a perfect time to hit the road—or the air or the tracks—for a refreshing getaway! Here at Ped HQ, we know just how rejuvenating a three-day break can be, and we like to practice what we preach! You don’t need much for a spur-of-the-moment mini vacation: just a great hold-all, versatile shoes, and something to keep you warm in case the temperature drops. To meet those needs, Ped’s road-tripping experts offer these recommendations:

1) 49 Square Miles spacious and luscious Kerouac Satchel:

The size is ideal; it holds everything you need—a change of clothes, a good book, and a scarf—but it keeps you from overpacking. And we simply can’t say enough about 49 Square Miles’ leather, which is the very definition of “supple.” Exquisitely crafted, the Kerouac will let you wander through a lifetime of long weekends!

2) Cydwoq’s versatile Elect sandal in bronze:

Oo-la-la, how we love this sandal! With its gladiator-esque styling and metallic faux crocodile leather, this flat is so modern. But because it’s handmade by Cydwoq, it’s like an old friend on your feet—comfortable enough to run around in 24 hours a day. Plus, the bronze color magically transforms from afternoon-casual to after-dark-dressy with the change of an outfit.

3) A cosy Sophie Digard scarf:

Behold Sophie’s lovely wool Edelweiss scarf, which is light enough for warm-weather wear. But Ped’s favorite Parisian textile artist also offers other choices, depending on how prone you are to feeling chilly. Those who start to shiver as soon as the sun sets may want to wrap up in a woolen beauty. But if you’re a gal who simply gets a few goosebumps, Sophie’s lighter linen fare may be all you need. Whichever you choose, you’ll look drop-dead gorgeous!

So hit the road in style and enjoy a few fun days away!

Here at Ped HQ in Berkeley, Ca., we receive wonderful things from all over the world—Fiorentini + Baker boots from Italy, Trippen shoes from Germany, Antipast socks from Japan, and Cydwoq footwear and bags from down the California coast in Burbank (just to name a few). But after their brief sojourn here at Ped, we send these lovelies on their global way to points far and wide. It’s always fun for us to discover what countries are particularly fond of what lines.

For instance, in Australia and New Zealand—where autumn is currently on its way to winter—Ped fans can’t get enough of Fiorentini + Baker boots.

Meanwhile, all things Cydwoq are popular in France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Our Canadian friends love Jamie Joseph’s sparkle.

And in Japan, our customers are wild about Parisian Sophie Digard’s designs!

No matter where you are, Ped is ready to travel the world to bring you international style!