If you’re like me, Ped fans, when the days grow short and the temperature dips, my spirit sometimes needs an extra boost. And if that thing that recharges my emotional battery staves off the chill outside, too, then all the better!

Fortunately, we thought ahead here at Ped HQ to make sure we’d have some extra-special treasures arriving in the warehouse to brighten your grey, wintry days. (Of course, they’re still fun when the sun’s out!) Behold a small sampling of delightful new things just in from Antipast, Epice, and Sophie Digard!

The mother and daughter team, Emiko and Junko, who are the design geniuses behind Japan’s Antipast, know a thing or two about keeping things fun while keeping things cozy. Their socks are always the cutest, softest, and toastiest! Case in point, the new Fun Fan Socks:

The winter blues don’t stand a chance when you’re wearing flowery fans on your ankles! We love these trouser-length sweeties, but we also have a knee-high version!

Speaking of knee highs, our favorite tall sock from Antipast this season is the Airship Knee High:

Need to take a break from daily grind?  Just look down at your legs and let your mind float away on a hot-air balloon!

Of course, Antipast’s loveliness extends beyond just socks. They also make scarves, arm warmers, and gloves.

How beautiful are these Rose Gloves? Everybody at Ped HQ practically fainted when we took them out of the box—they’re just the thing to pretty up a slushy day!

Another way to bring colorful flowers into wintry weather is with a beautiful scarf from Paris’s own Sophie Digard.

We’re especially crazy about this new Freesia Scarf. Like a soft bed of blossoms, this scarf will make you feel wonderful every time you wind it around your neck.

If you prefer something more abstract, check out Sophie’s eye-opening Biscuit Pop Scarf:

What an amazing amount of labor goes into this wearable work of art! You’re guaranteed to turn every head on the street!

We also just received Sophie’s ever-popular Flower Petal Necklace in rich autumn colors that will look spectacular with your LBD at holiday parties!

A mix of velvet and crochet, this necklace simply could not be any prettier! And did you know that the two sides of each flower are different and allow you to spin and slide them on their cord to create endless variations? So fun!

Maybe you’re looking for something that can work both as a scarf and as a shawl, in which case, Epice has an expanse of luxury with your name on it!

Everyone at Ped loves stripes, stripes, and more stripes, so this finely loomed wool Morocco Scarf has us swooning!

And if you want to up the luxe ante, nothing does that like cashmere! Epice’s wool and cashmere Chevron Scarf is like a soft and cozy piece of heaven!

Wrap this beauty around your shoulders and just say, “Aaaahhhh!” You might even start to wish it was winter all the time.

These things are just a few of the wonders in the treasure trove that awaits you at Ped’s main site! On a cold and dark day, a little indulgence can go a long way.

(And speaking of wonderful indulgences, don’t forget to check out this week’s “sweet treat” because it’s especially delicious: Chie Mihara’s Jupi! Get the sexy schoolgirl look for 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” at the top of any Ped page, which will whisk you to the Jupi and the magic code for you to enter at checkout! Yum!)

Hello, Ped fans! Sorry to leave the blog untended for so long, but I have the best possible excuse: I was shoe shopping for you in Milan and Paris! And, wow, is there a lot to look forward to next spring! Not only will Ped have the latest from your favorite designers, but we’re bringing back NDC from Belgium and adding Vic Matie sandals from Italy.

I began my style hunt in Milan, where the shoe show had an ultra-hip, retro-70s aesthetic.

So fun to look for shoes at the Micam show in Milan!

Of course, I ran into several of Ped’s treasured designers. It’s always a treat to see Chie Mihara!

Chie Mihara has such a great spirit—you just have to smile with her!

And here’s the lovely Ellen Verbeek, one of the latest additions to the Ped family. (If you haven’t checked out her gorgeous wood-soled boots yet, you really must!)

Ellen Verbeek is as beautiful as her designs!

After Milan, it was off to Paris for another shoe show (tis the season).

The Paris show's aesthetic was streamlined and modern.

I managed to get three of Ped’s favorites in one shot! Check it out:

Cydwoq's Rafi Balouzian, Chie Mihara, and Trippen's Michael Oehler—what a design-tastic trio!

You may be wondering what trends I discovered. Well, next spring is going to be very colorful; I ordered shoes in red, yellow, grey, teal, navy, caramel, along with lots of metallics, which continue to sizzle. Look for studded detailing on bags and shoes. Also, wedge heels—both wood and cork—are all the rage. And Chie’s line for Spring 2011 features lots of contrast stitching and mixes of suede and leather.

Perhaps my favorite trend is oxfords worn with skirts or cropped pants and no socks! Love that! Two looks I don’t care for, though, are thick socks with heels and nylons worn with peep-toe wedges. Ugh!

I became a little obsessed with photographing the wide range of shoes the buyers and sellers were wearing at the show. Here’s a sampler of what the shoe pros were sporting in Paris:

Honestly, two of the best parts of the day were walking to and from work because my route let me stroll through the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries, which looked particularly spectacular blooming with fall flowers.

Aahhh, I love Paris in the autumn!

(By the way, in case you haven’t discovered it yet, this week’s “sweet treat” is Ellen Verbeek’s knockout Camille Boot! Get 20% off this Belgian stunner by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the top right corner of any Ped page, which will instantly take you to the Camille and the sought-after discount code!)

Via our shoes and accessories, Ped has traveled to lots of exotic destinations and participated in all kinds of exciting events, but none more glamorous than the Cannes Film Festival! We recently tagged along to the international see-and-be-seen scene with terrific longtime Ped customer, Seattle-based Emily Glassman, who is the head of Marketing and PR for the Internet Movie Database (imdb), the go-to online source for all movie-related information.

In mid-May she wrote, “I love you/your shoes/your site SOOO much. Thanks for making it so easy and fun to shop,” and then she added, “I’m headed to the Cannes Film Fest tomorrow and am delighted to be bringing four pairs of Ped shoes with me!!” Now there’s a Tale of the Sole!!! We excitedly asked Emily to send us a few photos of Ped’s visit to Cannes via her feet, and she obliged.

Emily's Cydwoq Heli sandals look right at home among the yachts on the French Riviera.

If you, too, want to get the canny Cannes Cydwoq look, alas, we don’t have the Heli this year… BUT we do have Cydwoq’s Naked sandal, which is a close—and cute!— approximation (ankle strap and all)!

Emily also looked chic in her Chie Mihara Rocosa heeled sandals!

Emily rocking the boyfriend jeans with her Chie Mihara R0cosa.

Whatever she’s directing, we’re on board with it, given how gorgeous she looks in her Chie’s! When she sent us this photo, she wrote, “Dayna: more Cannes happiness in my glorious AND comfortable Ped shoes. If only I had worn nothing else all week long.”

After reading and seeing (and dreaming) about Emily’s strolling among the rich and famous and fabulously talented in her Ped shoes, our smiles couldn’t be any wider. So, for making our month by taking Ped along to hobnob with the film glitterati in France, we are delighted to give Emily $100 in Ped credit!

Do you have a Tale of the Sole? Tell us—and show us (we LOVE pictures!!!)—what happened to you while wearing a Ped item, and you, too, might be the recipient of $100 in Ped credit. Each month we pick the most sole-ful tale to share on the blog. So, let us know what in the world you’ve been doing in your Ped!

(Incidentally, another shoe with movie-star quality is Cordani’s Tia sandal, which just happens to be this week’s “Sweet Treat.” Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page—including this one—and get 20% off this super-sexy heeled style!)

Hey, Ped fans, I just got back from my twice-yearly trip to Paris, where I scouted out all kinds of wonderful things for you to enjoy in Fall 2010. Let’s just say you have a lot to look forward to!

I started off the trip by spending a rainy day in Milan visiting Fiorentini + Baker and hunting for cool, new shoe designers. As usual F+B wowed me with their fabulous boots—get ready for an over-the-knee knockout(!!!) and a chunky-heeled ankle boot coming your way in autumn! I am smitten with F+B’s blue and green leathers, plus there’s a beautiful new grey called “rabbit.” Are you wondering if I discovered any new designers to add to Ped’s lineup? YES, I did! I don’t want to name names just yet, but I found three—one from Israel, one from Belgium, and one from Barcelona, Spain—who all create unusual and beautifully made designs! I can’t wait for you to see them!

It may have been rainy at the Duomo di Milano, but Amy's smile was still sunny!

My shoe friend Amy from Virginia was also in Milan, so we battled the rain and went out for a “light” dinner. Let me tell you, going “light” in Italy is impossible—we feasted on bruschetta, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, and ravioli in cream sauce. Yum!

Then it was off to Paris for five days! While there, I picked out new Antipast items, which you will love, and swooned over Sophie Digard’s latest designs. Cross your fingers because I’m hoping she’ll make us some arm warmers for chilly days next fall! Karin Wagner took the train from Switzerland to deliver her latest wonders to me in person! How sweet was that?

Sophie Digard (center) flanked by her lovely staff amid her gorgeous scarves!

As usual, Rafi from Cydwoq and I went to our favorite Lebanese restaurant to talk shop. I also drank coffee and discussed new styles for Ped with Trippen’s Michael and Claudia. And we had a Seattle Ped reunion when I ran into former Ped employees, Nealy and Nicole! The days were so full that I didn’t have any time to sightsee or shop this go-round, but I did enjoy my morning walks through the Jardin des Tuileries on the way to work (although, brrr, it was brisk—26 degrees)!

Children sailing boats in the Jardin des Tuileries. What a wonderful walk to work!

I came back happy and satisfied from a very productive trip! Although I’m in no hurry to rush through spring and summer, wow, is Ped ever ready to dazzle you in Fall 2010! You’re going to smile, I promise!

During the first week in October, I made my biannual trip to Paris for the international shoe show (and, of course, for a dose of Parisian culture, shopping, and food). I had so much fun! Although I didn’t notice any overriding new trends—just a lot more black—I do have some wonderful tips about things on tap from Cydwoq, Trippen, and Fiorentini + Baker.

At the show Cydwoq and Trippen had their booths right next to each other, which makes sense since they both appeal to customers who appreciate edgy, arty, and comfortable shoes that have an ethical and environmentally aware sensibility. Michael of Trippen bought a new espresso machine, which he set up in Cydwoq’s booth, so you can guess where everybody gathered!

The beloved new espresso maker on the left, and Cydwoq's Rafi and Trippen's Michael enjoying its output on the right.

Cydwoq has gorgeous washed leathers for spring and summer in beautiful shades of caramel, dark brown, and yellow. Trippen, meanwhile, fulfilled my constant quest for green shoes, plus I discovered great silver and steel metallics at Trippen. And, yes, the popular wedge and cups soles will be coming your way again for spring (we love them).

The Baker in Fiorentini + Baker, Deborah Baker has one of the best smiles in the business!

Meanwhile, over at Fiorentini + Baker, I fell for the relaxed tall boots and low ankle boots in suede. And get ready for the F+B triple-buckle sandal that’s coming to Ped for warm weather!

Plus, Fiorentini+ Baker is offering styles in lovely new greens and blues. Ped fans, you will swoon!

When I wasn’t working, I shopped and ate and ate and ate some more. My shoe pals and I noshed on great Lebanese food at Noura, and we made our regular pilgrimage to Fish La Boissonnerie for homemade bread and, yes, fish. And, needless to say, we all drank a lot of coffee!

The weather was beautiful the first two days, so I took time to visit the Jardin de Tuileries.

Jardin de Tuileries.

Unfortunately, it rained the rest of the time, but since I had to be inside anyway, it didn’t really matter. After all, who can complain when my walk home every evening offered this view?