As most of you know, Ped takes great care in selecting what we carry. We look for lines that offer beautiful, exquisitely made items that are also ethically produced using environmentally sound practices. The former is what dazzles the eye, but the latter is what truly matters(!) even though it often goes unnoticed. Which is why we are SO EXCITED that our Seattle-based friend, Jamie Joseph, is getting props for her eco-responsible approach to jewelry in an upcoming issue of Time magazine!

Written by Christine Lennon, “The New Gold Standard” focuses on a handful of environmentally aware jewelers who use reclaimed gold in their creations. Here is the excerpt profiling our gal Jamie:

Seattle-based designer Jamie Joseph was similarly committed to environmental issues, quietly letting her principles guide her long before eco-awareness made it to the Bergdorf Goodman crowd that’s now devoted to her work. And judging by her politics and her environmental commitment, she fits right in with the celebrities who wear Jamie Joseph on the red carpet, including Cameron Diaz and Naomi Watts. She drives a biodiesal car, uses compact fluorescent bulbs and cloth towels in the historic warehouse from which she runs her business and has been using reclaimed gold for close to a decade.

“It’s great that the whole green thing is in vogue now, but we’ve been thinking this way up here for a long time,” she says. “My husband, who’s also my business partner, has a degree in environmental science. I saw a documentary about mining years ago, and I was really disturbed. But I said, Well this is my passion—how am I going to address this? I started investigating. And there were vendors that I found where I could buy all-recycled gold.”

Joseph also makes an effort to buy “conflict-free” gemstones—those that aren’t sold to fund wars or mined by exploited workers in unethical ways—from reliable dealers and often uses less rare, large-scale stones like rose quartz and chalcedony with tiny accents of diamonds. “We work with small owner-operated vendors that have similar beliefs and try to build a community around that,” she says. “The whole gemstone industry, it’s a little like the used-car business. You’ve got to know and trust your vendors. We make a point at least once a year of meeting face to face with people. Before I buy a stone from someone, I have to have an interview first. I want to make sure they’re not out raping the land.”

The article also features this beautiful image of one of Jamie’s necklaces (it’s the one on the left):

© Anita Calero, Time

Isn’t that necklace drop-dead gorgeous? It’s available by special order from Ped! Just let us know, and we’ll ask the incomparable Ms. Joseph to create one for you.

In the meantime, here are a few other Jamie Joseph lovelies currently available at Ped:
 

We love how the tiny gold-set diamond in this Oval Drusy Ring complements the fairy-dust sparkle of the larger stone.

These Mint Quartz Earrings are so fresh and green that wearing them is like wearing springtime!

One of the things we like best about Jamie Joseph is the way she turns to nature for design inspiration, as in the wonderful gold oak leaf she uses in combination with the aquamarine stone in this beautiful necklace.

And there is plenty more gorgeousness where those came from! Isn’t it nice to know Jamie Joseph really walks the talk in caring for the world? Ped hearts Jamie Joseph!

We were wowed last month by Michelle Obama’s unfaltering style and grace throughout the long day of inaugural festivities. The fact that she was on her feet in heels for hours got us thinking about her tired tootsies and what kind of shoes might make her White House life a lot more comfortable! In our first set of proposals, we nominated several Cydwoq Vintage styles as winning candidates for Ms. O’s (and your) wardrobe. Now, we’re back with Round 2, this time turning to Chie Mihara, with a dash of Coclico and Trippen(!), as possibilities for keeping the First Lady well-heeled.

First up, the Chie Mihara Frieda:

With spring just around the corner, this sling-back could well be Ms. Obama’s perfect shoe. Its palette is dignified enough for welcoming heads of state, and yet its design has uncommon zing, thanks to the faux ostrich leather and the way Chie has overlapped the leather petals. The heel is not too high–but even if it were taller, those who’ve worn Chie Mihara know that her shoes achieve the nigh impossible: heels that are comfortable enough to stand in all day.

Next up, the Chie Mihara Enko:

We know Michelle O. is not afraid of spicing up her outfits with color, and since we think she looks especially great in green, why not the Enko?  This t-strap is so fresh and sophisticated—a lot like the First Lady herself. Again, the heel is perfectly manageable for touring facilities or walking to and from Air Force 1.

Another fabulous walk-all-day shoe ideal for springtime in D.C. is Trippen’s new 40s.

Standing on Trippen’s deliciously comfortable x-shaped wedge, the 40s’ interwoven design is simple yet ingenious. And the cobalt blue color is luscious. With its riveted ankle strap, this peep-toe offers a bit of European flair, which would win Ms. Obama style points when she meets French President Nicolas Sarkowzy or German Chancellor Andrea Merkel.

Since we’ve heard the President likes to keep his Friday nights free for “date night” with his wife, we think Coclico’s Chiba would be an ideal choice for Ms. O. when out on the town with Mr. O:

I ask you, have you ever seen a prettier sandal? It’s absolutely perfect for an evening stroll along the canal beneath the cherry blossoms (which we’re sure the Obamas will do since it’s the best part of spring in the Capital).

Finally, for those kick-back weekends at Camp David, Michelle Obama can’t go wrong with Chie Mihara’s Moisson:

The First Lady is famous for her love of J. Crew separates, and we think this lace-up flat would look fab with her casual wear. After all, a sandal that’s cute and comfortable always gets everybody’s vote!

The holiday season is over. There’s snow everywhere. Which can only mean one thing: bring on the sunshine and sandals!!

My husband left Tuesday for a little tropical vay-kay in Costa Rica. Sigh. Here at Ped Central, we can’t help it—we do feel a smidgeon of envy. We all have the urge to abandon our sweaters and boots and slip into something a little more airy. Fortunately, Cydwoq just delivered the first of Ped’s sandals, so our warm-weather dreams are just a little more tangible. Rafi has really outdone himself this year with the new designs. Here are a few to tantalize you (and if you’re lucky enough to be jetting to Bali or Barbados, we’ve clearly got you covered… or uncovered, to be more exact…).

This cutie is called the Copy. I love how minimal the design is, and yet your heel feels so secure resting within the nubuck back (the rivets look great from behind, by the way). Plus, the tie at the ankle adds a little sizzle.

Another style that we’re wild about is the Hurricane:

This sandal just slips on—no muss, no fuss—but the way Rafi has cut the leather straps gives it a wallop of visual impact.

And speaking of visual impact, check out the Elect!!!

Now that is what you call a head-turner! It’s edgy and fashion-forward, but because it’s Cydwoq, it’s guaranteed to be comfortable. And the icing on the cake is that it’s green (my fave)!

So, while the hub enjoys the tropical breezes of Costa Rica, we at least have sandals to remind us that winter won’t last forever.

At Ped, we enjoy it when a secret surprise or an unexpected discovery–as long as it’s good–livens up our day, and we’ve been thinking about how to pass that experience on to Ped fans. One day, while brainstorming, we came up with the “sweet treat”! Look up to the left. See “be sweet to your feet”? Mouse over it, and it will change to “sweet treat”! Click it, and you’ll be whisked to an item that’s instantly 20% off when you enter “sweet treat” at checkout (the box is on the last page). The special will change weekly, and the only way to reach it is by clicking through “sweet treat,” which is to say if you navigate to the shoe (or scarf or bag) the normal way, you’ll miss its treat-ness! Fun, eh? And if there’s something you’d love to see become a “sweet treat,” just let us know by e-mail.

We also know many Ped heads are addicted to Orla Kiely, so we thought we’d celebrate the holidays early by offering 20% off all our Orla stock (yes, the sale items, too!) when you enter “Orla@Ped” at checkout. Pretty cool!

There are a couple Orla Kiely items I want to make sure you know about because they are extra special! First, this Small Stem Tote is just too cute in person. It seems quite perfunctory (and it is practical!) until you start carrying it, at which point it simply starts looking great! At the photo shoot, all of us were gushing about how the tote was really much, much cuter than we’d thought when we first got in the Orla Kiely stock. It’s now our favorite!

Another bag that deserves a second look is Orla’s gorgeous Handstitched Leather Sling. Not only is the tangerine color to die for (our orange-loving friend Laura is head over heels for this bag), but the leather stitch work is so unusual. This sling will definitely brighten up the grey, wintry days ahead, but it will also look juicy once its warm again!

Here at Ped, we hope all your treats during the upcoming holiday season are very sweet! We definitely give thanks for you!

As Ped’s summer sale continues (stock is getting low, so jump on it while you can), we’re getting in big boxes of what we love best: BOOTS!!! Ankle boots, in particular, are smokin’ hot this year, but there are also a lot of gorgeous tall and mid-calf boots ready to style up the pavement. Every day, a few new designs arrive, and I find myself wondering how to decide which to buy for myself. It is the best boot year ever! Here are just a few of my new BFFs–Boot Friends Forever (if I posted all the ones I love, though, I’d be here all day).

For sheer sizzle, Coclico is definitely cooking with gas. Last year, they brought us the stellar Mick (which we happily ordered again this season for any of you who missed it). This year, we’re swooning over the tall Obama:

and the ankle-height Ophelia:

We’ve also got a new line, NDC, a Belgian company that uses the loveliest leather to handcraft their footwear. Check out the gorgeous green Emily (you know us– we so love green…):

The Caitlin is another NDC style that’s captured Ped’s heart because it looks both badass and sophisticated all at once (kind of like the way I feel most days). And the suede is something else:

And, finally, I give you two Cydwoq Vintage styles because Rafi is really outdoing himself this season with the new heeled styles. This tall Pine Boot is a wonder of beautifully pieced-together leather (click through to Ped’s site and go to “Views” to see just what I mean–or just click “Views” there to the left or here– see how easy I made that for you?). I love that its neutral combination of grey and bronze goes with everything:

And, last but not least (and not even last since I haven’t gotten to Ped’s amazing collection of Fiorentini + Baker boots or our Trippen selection), it’s back to green for me with this sweet Solid Bootie, which is so, so sexy.

Normally, I don’t look forward to cold weather, but this year there are  not enough chilly days ahead to wear all the boots I want to put on my feet! The great thing about Ped’s boots, though is they’ll all look and feel just as good when they come out of the closet next year! Timeless quality–Ped’s committed to it.