Ped fans, you know how it goes: you’re window shopping on the Internet when you run across a shoe or a bag that makes your heart beat faster. You think, “Oooh, I LOVE that!”  Then you quickly rein yourself in with the follow-up question, “But what would I wear it with?

We know certain styles and colors may seem daunting. Chances are, though, they’re easier to wear than you think! To help you see the possibilities and spur your imagination, we offer a few visual prods below.

All the gals at Ped HQ are committed to ease—the less fuss in getting ourselves out the door, the better. With that in mind, each of the following five ready-to-go outfits consist of only four elements.

Here Vialis’s Claudette peep-toe clog offers an ideal complement to the the textural interest of the drape-y top and skirt. Add the Cydwoq Cedar Bag in turmeric, and all the colors become richer! Easy and elegant.

Maybe you want to incorporate a mod Mad Men-esque look into your wardrobe?

It’s all about geometry and balance! We love the chunky-heeled Coclico Vidal paired with this fun shift dress! Square everything up with Fiorentini + Baker’s sleek Milano Shopper and Jamie Joseph’s Smoky Quartz Ring. (Did we mention every Ped item in this look is on sale?)

If you have a penchant for black and your aesthetic trends toward urban sophistication, why not give it an artistic edge?

Riveting (literally)! Cydwoq’s versatile Bright Bag and Trippen’s fantastic Agave sandal boot anchor the dazzling patterns of the skirt and jacket. Sure, it’s “a lot of look,” as Tim Gunn would say, but it’s a lot of look we like!

What’s that? You say you simply want something comfortable to dash from class to lunch and then off to run errands? No problem!

Easy as pie and just as tasty! Fiorentini + Baker’s Ding Clog‘s fringe echos the movement of the striped skirt, and the Dean Towner Bag makes an ideal everyday satchel.

Maybe you’d like to amp up the femininity for a garden party or date night? If so, florals and jewel tones are your best friends!

Although not exact matches (that would look twee), Dean’s green suede Thimble Bag, Jamie Joseph’s Orange Chalcedony Ring, and Accessoire’s Sagan in the prettiest shade of dahlia all work with the dress’s colorful palette!

And to demonstrate the versatility of these styles, imagine how terrific  F+B’s Ding Clog from outfit #4 would look with the shift dress in the second outfit, or how beautiful outfit #1’s Vialis Claudette would be with the skirt in outfit #4. Feel like creating edgy contrast? Then envision pairing the Trippen Agave from outfit #3 with either outfit #1 or #5! Fun and unexpected!

A great way to figure out how a tempting shoe or bag might work with your wardrobe is to play around—like we did—at Polyvore!

(Speaking of tempting bags, this week’s Sweet Treat is Cydwoq’s Flap Bag! Get Flap happy for 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, which will take you to the Flap Bag with a magic code to enter at checkout.)

School’s out. The grass is green. Fireflies light up the evening. There’s so much to enjoy in June! So we thought we’d do our part to fuel the June love by kicking off the Ped Summer Sale!

Had your eye on a sweet temptation? Chances are its price just got nicer! Behold a sample of the sunny bargains:

Accessoire has such a colorful way with suede! We especially love how they tie everything up with a bow on the vintage-inspired Sagan:

Beautiful at $328, it’s even lovelier at $262!

Speaking of vintage looks, you can rock the retro in an ultra-modern way by buckling up Coclico’s Valencia:

Patchwork leather? Sculpted wooden heel? Far out! Swinging at $358, it’s even more righteous at $286!

If you prefer to keep your heels on the ground, one of the best flats this season is the Cydwoq Malba:

Talk about an ankle of interest! Delicious at $246, it’s even tastier at $196!

Another sassy ankle-strap design from Cydwoq (with a little more “lady” to it) is the Volcano:

The textured leather is fantastic—what a way to express artistic style in any situation! Hot lava at $298, the Volcano is positively explosive at $238!

Taking things a little higher, a neutral that’s sexy as all get-out is Fiorentini + Baker’s Nene:

Here’s a guarantee: all eyes will be on you in this suede knockout! Glamorous at $498, the Nene‘s star quality shines even brighter at $398!

Looking for something more everyday and more go-everywhere? Consider the Vialis Claris:

So much more than your average clog, this streamlined Spanish beauty will work with everything in your wardrobe. Fab at $198, it’s even more of a treasure at $158!

As dessert to this smorgasbord of sale delights, behold one of our favorites of the season: Fiorentini + Baker’s luscious Floss!

Supple green leather in a retro-licious style crafted by those Italian masters at F+B—GORGEOUS! Every head will turn! Worth every penny at $398, it’s a green dream at $298!

More wonderful styles at fresh prices are flying out the door at Ped’s main site. So snag a deal to keep your sunny side up all summer long!

(And don’t forget about this week’s oh-so pretty Sweet Treat: the Cydwoq Climax! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Climax with the magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout! )

Free your toes, and the rest will follow! Okay, so that’s not quite how the song goes, but it’s still good advice! After all, it’s sandal season!

We love spending sunny days almost barefoot in a great pair of run-around flats! This year many of them offer a little extra something in the way of metallics, ranging from subtle shimmers to out-and-out, razzle-dazzle shines. Here are a few ways to make your tootsies sparkle.

Fact: Cydwoq makes THE BEST sandals! As evidence, we present Exhibit A: Cydwoq’s Form:

Ped fans know about my fondness for all things green, but Cydwoq takes it to the next level by adding a little metallic shimmer! Oh my! The Form‘s straps wow with their artistic cut. And how about that sweet circular buckle? So much to love!

Another sandal that benefits from a pearly polish is the Cydwoq Naked:

Blue is the color of the moment, and it looks especially beautiful glimmering like a moonlit sky. Looking for something more neutral? We also have the Naked in pewter.

For those of you who appreciate a slide, Cydwoq also gives the pearl treatment to the Samba:

Simple and pretty, just the way we like it, with the warm burnish of a well-worn penny!

Another understated way to add some metal to your mettle is with Cydwoq’s wonderful Thong:

There are two reasons why this classic Cydwoq design remains popular year after year: 1) its incomparable comfort and 2) its ever-modern style! The silver sparkle makes the Thong shine in a sea of black sandals.

Maybe you’re someone who likes to amp up the dazzle, in which case, Cydwoq’s Tomcat will put a twinkle in your eye (as it did in mine):

The antiqued silver and gold leather is stunning, and yet for being so eye-catching, these sandals are go-everywhere wearable! I wore mine all over Barcelona, for instance—here’s proof:

My Tomcats look pretty sassy on this Gaudi-esque bench!

But let’s get a little shinier, shall we? Everyone at Ped HQ is over the moon for Cydwoq’s new Admit:

Such a great sandal! The leather looks like it was worked in a silversmith’s shop! Gorgeous in every way!

Finally, for all-out gleam, the Trippen Careless takes the prize:

Sure, the Careless is shiny and bold, but its leather is also unbelievably soft! This sandal feels so good against your skin and under your sole, and it provides fantastic support for walking wherever the map takes you!

Slip on any of these breezy sandals, and  your feet will instantly be as dazzling as the sun on a cloudless summer day! Let your toes out to shine!

(Psst, have you oohed and aahed over this week’s Sweet Treat? It’s worthy—Vialias’ saucy Sara! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to arrive at the Sara with the magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)

Whenever June gets close, we still get that giddy feeling we had when we were kids and counting down the days to summer vacation. (Here’s what’s running through our heads!) Whether your ideal holiday is hanging out in a Montana mountain cabin, shopping on the Champs-Élysées, or lounging on a Balinese beach, one thing is certain: the key to a happy getaway is comfortable shoes, good for walking all day or kicking back with a cocktail! So without further ado, here are a few of Ped’s ideal traveling companions.

One of the most charming styles this season is also one of the most practical: Accessoire’s Suisse!

Airy! Chic! But with added protection for your toes! This sandal easily transitions from day to night when you only want to pack one pair. We like black for travel because it goes with everything, but if you prefer a jolt of color, the Suisse is also available in summery green.

Another great sandal for meandering through bazaars or taking a stroll down the boardwalk is the Cydwoq Cobra.

As Vicky E. told us in her “Tale of the Sole,” Cydwoq sandals are great for ambling around ancient ruins, yet they’re stylish enough for  evening drinks al fresco! We especially like the Cobra because its enclosed heel doesn’t impede the ability to just slip it on and go!

Lots of people prefer an enclosed toe for catching trains, planes, and rickshaws. With Cydwoq’s Rocket, you can have a full shoe and breeziness, too!

We love the tab and tiny window over the toe. Plus the color is so much fun! Other travelers will definitely want to know where you got your fantastic shoes!

A Cydwoq style just made for the life of leisure is the Orient:

Effortlessly chic! And isn’t that what we all want to be on vacation? The Orient’s knit leather is so cool, both literally and figuratively! (It also comes in black, although sizing is limited since that color flew out the Ped warehouse door.)

Trippen is another company whose shoes are designed for walking, walking, and more walking. One of the best travel sandals this season is the Sensual:

You simply have to feel the leather of this great flat to believe how deliciously supple it is! The design holds your foot securely through a long day of sightseeing, but it instantly becomes elegant when you slip on a LBD for a night on the town.

Looking for more of a moc for your days away? Consider Trippen’s Chip:

The asymmetrical design adds flair, and the slits on the toe box add ventilation! Perfect for moseying from here to there and back again on a hot day!

If you like the idea of a full shoe, but you want to stay light on your feet as you travel, then Trippen’s Cream is calling your name!

Ultra soft and ultra comfortable, this simple shoe is constructed on Trippen’s “cups” sole, which will keep you nimble no matter how many miles you log. The pistachio color and double laces will have you smiling the whole way.

There are lots more travel-worthy options over at Ped’s main site! No matter what your destination, a new pair of comfortable shoes or sandals is just the ticket to get your trip off on the right foot!

(Speaking of shoes that feel wonderful, Trippen’s Aloe is this week’s stellar Sweet Treat! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Aloe with the magic code that will bring 20% off at checkout. Get the wedge edge!)

I’ve written before about Ped’s high standards for any line we carry. Just to reiterate: 1) the company must have a commitment to social and environmental ethics; 2) the items must exhibit outstanding craftsmanship using the best materials; 3) the designs must be comfortable and easy to wear; and 4) the goods must be gorgeous and have style for miles!!! Which is why I’m so excited about the newest member of Ped’s family: Dean Leathergoods.

Dean was born in Los Angeles in 1999 when its founder couldn’t find a watchband that combined vintage quality with a modern sensibility. He decided to design and make what he had in mind. And we’re so glad he did because 13 years down the road, Dean is producing some of the finest leather goods we’ve ever encountered, each meticulously crafted by hand in the Dean L.A. studio. The materials are luxe. The designs are interesting and architectural. And the colors are eye-popping!

Take a look!

The quickest way to our hearts at Ped HQ is with a small bag for those times when we only need to carry a few items (e.g. cell, keys, ID, and cash). Dean’s Rivet Wallet is just the thing!

Perfect! We especially love the wrist strap that lets us slip it on and go! But that strap also detaches so the Rivet Wallet can easily slip into a larger bag, where it keeps the bibs sorted out from the bobs.

At the other end of the size spectrum is Dean’s wonderful Suede Tote:

What a gorgeous way to haul everything you need for a day on the go—books, files, even a small laptop! And the suede is so delicious to touch!

Speaking of things that you might slip into that tote, couldn’t your iPad use a classy new cover?

We love the lean elegance that characterizes Dean’s designs. Undo the twin rivets of this clean-lined case to reveal an interior with four elastic corner straps to hold your iPad securely without obscuring the screen.

That laptop case would also fit sweetly into Dean’s smashing Thimble Bag:

This knockout everyday bag takes its name from the two stainless steel thimbles that attach the shoulder strap to the bag. With Dean, hardware always marries form and function in aesthetic wedded bliss! (By the way, we also have the Thimble Bag in black leather and fuchsia suede, too.)

Looking for something a little more capacious that could work as an overnight bag? Feast your eyes on the Dean Bell Bottom Bag:

Just looking at its picture, you can practically feel how buttery the leather is! Plus, Dean realized an extra-big bag needs an extra-hearty strap made to stay on your shoulder, so they lined the Bell Bottom Bag‘s generous shoulder strap with suede to help it stay put! (We also offer this beauty in brown.)

Looker for something a little leaner? Check out the simple yet edgy Dean Zip Clutch:

A charming companion for a night on the town, the Zip Clutch opens to reveal two credit card slots and a larger slot, perfect for holding concert tickets.

When you need to carry a bit more, like a book to read on the train or plane, Dean’s Towner Bag has you covered:

Every season, Ped’s Laura falls in love with one item above and beyond all others, and this spring it’s the Towner Bag! From the long leather tab ducking under the silver bar on its front flap to its cool woven sides and double-buckled shoulder strap, the Towner is truly crush-worthy!

So bag your old bag, and start a meaningful relationship with Dean! It’s sure to last for years!

(Speaking of beautiful bags, have you checked out this week’s Sweet Treat? It’s Cydwoq’s stellar Stamp Bag! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Stamp Bag with the code that will bring a welcome 20% off at checkout! Swinging!)