We’re hearing from many Ped fans that spring is teasing them this year! Just when they think it’s all green grass and tulips, along comes another snowstorm to bury the tender buds in the garden (and their sunny moods).

Ped understands, which is why we’ve put all our Karin Wagner jewelry on sale—so you can have flowers in your life that will never wilt! Hand felted in Switzerland, Karin’s wool pins, rings, and vines bloom with unique style that is always fresh.

Even if your jonquils are suffering from frostbite, you can still get a dose of yellow-flower joy with Karin Wagner’s Daffodil Ring:

Like a sunny day for your hand, this ring was pretty at $98, but it’s even lovelier at $79.

Karin’s Lilia Ring also sings, “Spring!” in a big, beautiful way!

We love the sheer drama of it! Plus, the diamond cutouts on the petals are so unusual (not to mention a true handmade labor of love). Terrific at $178, it’s an even bigger wow at $139!

If you like rings but prefer to make a quieter statement, Karin’s Anemone Ring talks a little more softly.

Tempting at $48, it’s even more inviting at $38.

Perhaps you prefer the versatility of pins—after all, the placement is up to you! We love Karin Wagner’s Rose Brooch for just that reason!

Pin it anywhere and instantly become a femme fatale! Stunning at $124, it’s truly stellar at $98.

The ways to wear Karin Wagner’s works of art are endless. Why not use a pin as a barrette, as we’ve done with the Clochette Brooch?

We guarantee you’ll have the prettiest hair wherever you go! Wonderful at $104, this little bouquet is even better at $79.

Speaking of versatile, Karin Wagner’s vine necklaces offer lots of options—drape one around your neck, entwine it in your tresses, or perhaps wind it around the strap of your handbag!

What could be fresher any day of the year than this Daisy Necklace? Worth smiling over at $164, it’s even more cheerful at $129.

One of our all-time favorite pieces here at Ped HQ is Karin Wagner’s Magnolia Vine:

What a show stopper! This necklace is so pretty you’ll want to keep it out as art even when you’re not wearing it. Smashing at $182, it’s irresistible at $139!

And there are more wonderful Karin Wagner pieces blooming at sweet prices at Ped’s main site! Go ahead—pick the flowers!

(Speaking of sweet, Ped’s sweet treat this week will make you want to eat dessert before dinner! It’s Fiorentini + Baker’s fabulous Mike Boot!!!! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Mike Boot with the magic discount code that will bring 20% off at checkout! DELICIOUS! And style nutritious!)
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Everyone at Ped HQ is glad the days are finally growing longer here in the northern hemisphere, but it will still be a while before green leaves deck the bare-limbed trees. Which is why we love anything and everything floral this time of year! A few blossoms here and there remind us that, no matter how gray the wintry day, spring is not too far off.

So, even when there’s snow, here are a few ways to still have your garden grow.

Swiss textile artist Karin Wagner understands the power of the flower, and her hand-felted accessories are guaranteed to make you (and everyone around you) smile!

What could be more welcome than Karin’s cheerful Daffodil Ring on an icy day? Having a yellow flower blooming on your hand is just the tonic for the mid-winter blues!

If  rings are not your thing, you can always pin a bold flower, like this Edelweiss Brooch, to your winter coat:

What a way to start a conversation! Get ready to hear the following over and over: “I love your pin! Can I ask where you got it?”

Sophie Digard, that Parisian queen of crochet, has also created a wonderful sprig of flowers to enliven your woolen sweaters:

We love Sophie’s whimsy in including a striped linen blossom in her Three Flower Brooch.

Several of Sophie Digard’s cozy scarves are also abloom with flowers!

The tufted velvet centers of the one-of-a-kind blossoms strewn across this smokey lavender wool Wildflower Scarf are so charming. (This beauty is also available in a sassafras green linen version).

Another wonderful floral scarf is Epice’s Lake Como Scarf:

The orange border on this finely loomed wool wonder gives it such zest, plus the Lake Como Scarf is wide enough that you can wear it as a shawl—a garden for your shoulders!

Or you could let Antipast’s flower-decked socks sprout on your legs!

These over-the-knee Source of the Earth cuties would look terrific with a short skirt and a pair of oxfords or ankle boots! They’re guaranteed to put a springy spring in your step!

Of course, when I think of fun flowers, my mind always turns to Pepita’s Florinda necklace:

My love affair with Pepita’s fantastic jewelry began with this necklace. As soon as I tried it on, it had to be mine! I still smile every time I wear it (which is often)!

So, don’t let winter’s barren landscape get you down—plant your own garden of style and let the sunshine in!

(And, hey, if you’re chilly, have you checked out this week’s “sweet treat”? It’s Epice’s sinfully soft Chevron Scarf loomed from cashmere and wool! Mmmmm! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Chevron Scarf with the magic code that will bring you a 20% discount when entered in the box at checkout. De-lish!)

It’s such a heady time of year with all the wonderful things in bloom! The lilacs, irises, and peonies may have come and gone (or if you’re a little farther north, maybe they’re still around), but gorgeous day lilies and sweet honeysuckle are hot on their heels, with black-eyed susans and other posies still to come. At Ped, we adore flowers—and we like to wear them whenever we can!

The undisputed queen of lovely blossoms that never fade is Swiss fiber artist Karin Wagner. We recently received a new shipment of her hand-felted wonders.

We are particularly crazy about her floral rings, like this attention-grabbing Lilia beauty:

The way Karin has cut tiny diamonds out of the crimson petals is so unusual! Wear this ring and watch as conversations spring up all around you!

Many of Ms. Wagner’s blooms are versatile. Who says you have to wear a brooch pinned to your clothing? This Clochette cluster, for example, makes a fabulous barrette:

And, attention, summer brides, a wonderful alternative to wearing fresh flowers in your hair is to entwine Karin Wagner’s Daisy necklace in your up ‘do on the big day:

You’ll have a sweet memento that will never wilt (hopefully, like your love). Plus, you can wear this vine of buds, leaves, and blossoms in a myriad of ways.

Another knockout flower necklace comes from Sophie Digard:

We love how each blossom has a different color scheme on each side—you can spin them and move them along the cord to create a new variation every time you wear it.

Sophie also works floral magic in her scarves and bags. For instance, how chic is this Geranium Handbag?

Drop-dead gorgeous with a nostalgic air of romance, this bag’s crocheted blossoms must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. Each one is unique and contributes to the garden-like impact of this sweet bag.

At Ped, we even like to wear flowers on our feet!

The Accessoire Island wedge, with its pretty rosette on the toe, is one of our favorite styles this season (and Ped’s Laura reports it’s a treat to wear—cushy and comfortable)!

There are even more petaled pretties to make you smile blooming at the Ped site. After all, there is nothing like the power of a simple flower to remind us that, despite wretched oil spills and ugly intolerance, the world offers so much beauty.

Ped fans, we hear it all the time: “I love those shoes, but I’m not sure what I’d wear them with…” We understand—the last thing you want is to buy a knockout pair of shoes only to have them languish in the closet! But chances are even the most offbeat color or bold design is easier to wear than you think. Here are a few ideas for how to make things work.

On the other hand, you may prefer your style more muted. Even so, you can still wear a sandal boot and have it look smashing:

All these outfits were created at Polyvore.com, which offers a wonderful way to try out items together when you’re shopping online. It’s also just plain fun! So, if you fall in love with a shoe, don’t resist; in the words of Tim Gunn, you can “make it work.”

(By the way, we’re pretty sure you could make lots of things work with this week’s “sweet treat,” Cordani’s Erin. Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the top right corner of any Ped page to get 20% off this fresh espadrille platform!)

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!