The Sweet Treat goes classic this week with a Ped all-time favorite: the Trippen Vivienne! To buckle up this beauty for 20% off, simply click “be sweet to your feet” at the bottom of the box on the left of most Ped pages. When you land at the Vivienne with the “Sweet Treat” designation, simply pick your color and size, pop it into your bag, and voila, the discount is automatically applied when you check out!

Sunny fun for summer days (and the rest of the year, too)!

For many Ped fans, summer means one thing: sandals, sandals, and more sandals! But we realize that’s not the case for all of you. For instance, the forecast for the next week at Ped HQ is calling for temps in the high 60s and low 70s. And at Lake Tahoe, where we spend many weekends, the mercury often dips down into the 30s at night! A wee bit frosty for bare toes!

Also, some of you prefer to wear shoes no matter what the weather! So although we waxed rhapsodic about sandals recently, today we’re going to sing the praises of summer shoes! Let’s walk through a few:

Just because your toes are relaxing inside doesn’t mean you can’t give them an air-conditioned ride, as demonstrated by the Trippen Chill:

This black-and-white charmer has our name all over it, with its twice-dyed leather, exposed seams, and dotty cutouts! The Chill is the perfect way to chill.

The Cydwoq Speed also makes good use of exposed seams and breezy cutouts, but whereas the Chill features circlets and swooping curves, the Speed wows with squares and angles:

Quintessentially Cydwoq! The Speed offers great arch support, and its all-leather construction just gets more comfy the more you wear it! And the curry color? De-li-cious!

As long as we’re talking about exposed seams and fun colors, let’s turn the conversation to the Trippen Poppy:

Super comfortable and super sassy! The Poppy takes exposed seams one step further, opening them out to form the petals of a stylized flower on the toe! Plus, the plum leather, with its orchid underside, is the definition of juicy! (Did you know “Radiant Orchid” is the Pantone color of 2014? The Poppy is au courant!)

As Ped fans know, anything green is high on my list, so Trippen’s Mountains tops my shoe loves this season:

The jagged edges of the design are inspired by the lovely ridge line of mountaintops. And the lacing crisscrossing “the valley” keeps everything airy and open during warm weather!

Another stunning Trippen color this season is the cherry red edition of the Vivienne:

The Vivienne is a perennial Ped favorite, and with good reason—it’s as easy to wear as it is fun to see! We especially like how the ankle straps crisscross and slide through a loop in back before closing with an adjustable rivet on the side. (We also have the Vivienne in a spicy mustard!)

The new Cydwoq Poster also features a cute-as-can-be ankle strap:

This is Laura’s favorite (and she wears it a lot) because of the riveted snub nose and the printed leather that combines Italian newsprint with graffiti-like elements in reddish pink, blue-grey, and black. Gotta keep it funky, she says!

And when it comes to fun and funky, one design is in a class of its own this season: the unique Cydwoq Converge:

Okay, we know we’re cheating a little bit since the fantastic Converge does let your big toe peek out a circular hole, but the design is really more shoe than sandal! (Or is it? So hard to say!) Although it defies categorization, the Converge is a winning look that’s completely fun to wear! Oh, the conversations you’ll start!

These are just a few ways to go if you don’t want to disclose your toes—more await your discovery at Ped’s main site! Don’t be shy—show off your shoes this summer!

(Psst, in case you didn’t see the post below, the Sweet Treat this week is the Cydwoq Sight, which is mostly shoe, although it does feature a charming peep toe! Click “be sweet to your feet” at the bottom of the box on the left of most Ped pages to be whisked to the Sight with the “Sweet Treat” designation. Then choose your color and size, and add it to your bag to receive an automatic 20% off at checkout!)

So far, Summer 2013 has been a doozy, Ped fans! Chilly days! Sweltering days! Stormy days!

But here’s one forecast guaranteed to make you smile: sunshine and blue skies at the Ped Summer Sale! Those gorgeous sandals you’ve had your eye on since March? Chances are they now have an even prettier price!

Below is just a sample of the bargains currently bursting into bloom at Ped:

One of our favorite sandals this season is Accessoire’s Alabama because it’s vintage-girly and unlike anything else strolling down the street:

Everything about this comfortable sweetheart—from the combo of coral suede and printed leather to its air of 1940s Hollywood—is unusual and beautiful. Lovely at $358, it’s stunning at $179!

Another shoe that charms with a variety of leathers is the Chie Mihara Isias oxford:

The Isias is also available in a rosy version, but we’re fond of the mix pictured because a good metallic shines especially brightly in the summertime! Sparkling at $388, the Isias dazzles at $299!

If you fancy an all-metallic oxford, Fiorentini + Baker has your number with the Gip:

The Italian attention to detail is spectacular! lFor instance, the pinked edge of the tongue sends the Gip into the stratosphere of style! Fun at $458, it’s a party for your feet at $358!

Looking for an everyday shoe that’s more understated? Consider the streamlined beauty of the Cliff Dweller Norma:

When a shoe is cut to perfection, it doesn’t need bells and whistles to get whistles! Gorgeous at $238, the Norma‘s a knockout at $189! (It also comes in blue.)

If you like a run-around flat but long for a zing of color, say hello to the Vialis Pilar!

Simple yet saucy, the Pilar will instantly become your favorite! The only question is whether to pick cherry red suede (pictured) or curry mustard suede? Zesty at $212, the Pilar‘s spice is even nicer at $169!

Cydwoq has some particularly lovely flats this season, too, such as the airy Cover:

The holy grail of shoes, the Cover effortlessly goes from running errands Saturday afternoon out to a cocktail party in the evening! A find at $304, it’s a treasure at $239!

Of course, summer isn’t summer until your toes come out to play in a great pair of sandals! One of the best ever is the Cydwoq Copy:

Practical meets sexy in this fantastic sandal, which is also available in black. Bonus: its heel design makes the Copy an ideal traveling companion! Juicy at $216, it’s even more delicious at $169!

What’s that? You prefer a slide? Then perhaps the Cydwoq Hurricane has your name on it:

When you slip on this strap-happy and comfortable sandal, you’ll think, “This is the life!” (And you’ll be right!) Wonderful at $224, the Hurricane is a total pleasure at $179!

Even more fresh and breezy deals are waiting for you at Ped’s main site! Pick something pretty and let the sunshine in!

Ped fans, suede is everywhere this season! It looks fantastic and feels sumptuously soft, but how much do you really know about suede?

Here’s a quick lesson. The word “suede” comes from the French “gants de suede,” meaning “gloves of Sweden,” a term first used in the mid-19th century. Tanners create suede by sanding the underside of leather to yield a soft nap. Ever wondered what the difference between suede and nubuck is? Well, nubuck results from sanding the exterior of a hide. Both suede and nubuck feel wonderful, but nubuck is less supple and a little more rough-and-tumble.

We adore suede not only for its tactile quality, but also for how it enriches color! This spring and summer, Ped has suede styles galore in glorious shades perfect for soaking up the sun. Take a look!

Accessoire is a virtuoso when it comes to color-saturated suede—it’s what they do best! Bask in the beauty of the Accessoire Bahia:

Accessoire calls this color “papaya,” and it certainly is juicy! What an easy way to make a sundress even sunnier!

One of Accessoire’s many charms is their ability to give their designs an aura of vintage romance, as they do with the Alabama:

This lovely sandal looks like something Lana Turner would have worn in 1940s Hollywood. Glam meets chic in Accessoire’s combination of butterfly-printed leather and coral-pink suede!

Another feminine sandal in a beautiful shade of suede is Chie Mihara’s Gipsy:

Could that cobalt blue be any more luminous? We also love the way Chie contrasts the airy straps up front with the enclosed heel in back. Now that’s a phat flat!

Looking for something less girly? Another down-to-earth sandal made in suede is Pep Monjo’s Angelina:

The grey suede complements the urban edge of this style, and since grey is a neutral, it works with all your favorite warm-weather clothes.

Fiorentini + Baker takes suede higher and in a retro direction with its 1970s-inspired Dina sandal:

Holy hotness! The burgundy suede straps make a bold statement, while the cork sole adds inches in a light and comfortable way! (FYI, we also have the Dina in mustard leather.)

This fantastic sole also adds ‘zazz to F+B’s Ding clog, back at Ped by popular demand:

Suede that swings! The fringe has our hearts, but the teal color is what really sends us over the moon! (But if you prefer black, we’ve got your back.)

Wishing for a lace-up shoe? This season we’re offering Fiorentini + Baker’s beloved Eliza oxford in several shades of suede, including sienna:

In a word: YUM! This suede shoe exemplifies why Italian shoes are prized; it’s so well made and comfortable it will be your best friend for years. Be sure to check out the teal and verde versions, too!

Vialis’ sweet suede lace-up mixes the best of a sneaker with the lightness of a dance shoe. Behold the wonderful Pepita:

Simple and easy to wear, the Pepita is made for dashing around town followed by kicking back on the porch! The midnight blue color is so pretty, but you can also opt for the Pepita in spicy mustard.

Finally, if you’re like us and love the look of boots with summery skirts and dresses, check out the Fiorentini + Baker Emil:

At last, an “air-conditioned” boot—perfect for wearing barefoot and showing off bare legs! (Of course, it will also look great with tights and funky kneehighs when the weather cools off.)

Even more suede sweethearts are waiting for you at Ped’s main site! Discover why we’re soft on suede, especially in the summertime!

(Speaking of suede, there are two suede versions—as well as two leather versions—of this week’s super-duper tasty Sweet Treat: Fiorentini + Baker’s Emmy Boot! Did we just give you a heart attack? Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Emmy, where you’ll find the magic code that will bring a sweet 20% off at checkout!)

Ped fans, you’ve got to hand it to those Balouzians—they are one creative family! Before father Rafi founded Cydwoq and gained worldwide renown for his artistic handmade shoes, he was an architect. Following in his father’s footsteps (wearing fantastic shoes, no doubt), son Ari began designing eye-opening footwear several years ago, contributing to Cydwoq’s expanding line.

Rafi (left) and Ari (right).

Ari also continued to pursue music as a trained violinist and composer, collaborating on video productions and creating film scores. The name of his media company? Cliff Dweller. Now,  just as his father infused his architectural sensibility into Cydwoq’s designs, Ari is seeking to bring the unique aesthetic of his other creative endeavors to his shoes by launching the Cliff Dweller collection. Made by hand at the Cydwoq factory, with the same attention to materials and construction, Cliff Dweller boots, shoes, and sandals offer an edgy and modern twist on classic styles. Their inspiration comes from such eclectic sources as the city of Burbank, Dust Bowl Era work shoes, William Eggleston photographs, and films of the 1990s.

The results? See for yourself in Ped’s new Cliff Dweller selection! We are wildly, madly, head-over-heels in love them!

One thing you’ll notice right away is Ari’s interest in unusual treatments of vegetable-tanned leathers. The Cliff Dweller Runner will knock your socks off:

Are you swooning the way we are? The simplicity of this slip-on, with its elastic insets and single seam down the front, is attention-getting for its clean lines. But it’s the “Earth” leather, with shifting layers of teal, brown, and tan, that makes us sigh! (Ped also offers the Runner in “Desert Sky,” a rich brown with brushed grey strokes.)

Another kick-around shoe that has everyone at Ped HQ drooling is Cliff Dweller’s Thomas:

Ari’s interpretation of the moccasin is hip and swinging to the 9’s! It makes us think of what the Rat Pack might have worn poolside in Las Vegas. Yet for all its nostalgic charm, this easy flat is utterly modern and ideal for so many occasions. Just leave it by the door. (In addition to the luscious mustard shown, we have the Thomas in midnight blue—blue being the IT color of the season!)

Taking things in a slightly girlier direction, Cliff Dweller’s Norma is another lovely that simply slips on and looks terrific:

Taking a cue from father Rafi, who believes a woman’s arch is the sexiest part of her foot, Ari creates an open area of interest on the inside of this skimmer. Chic and lean, we love the Norma in midnight blue, but this sweetheart also comes in warm brown, both so versatile!

Requiring just an itty-bitty bit more work (adjusting a buckle), the Cliff Dweller Mary is Ari’s modern interpretation of a mary jane:

So much fun! My weakness for green is famous, and the luscious shade of this suede is fresh! I also love the rivet detailing and moccasin-like design. If green isn’t your cup of tea, you can opt for the Mary in sizzling red hot suede or cool midnight blue leather!

Finally, if you’ve been searching for the perfect travel sandal, your quest is over! The answer is Cliff Dweller’s Emma:

The Emma’s enclosed heel holds your foot securely, while the simple band up front lets your toes enjoy the breeze! The tie in front of the ankle adds sexiness, and the molded leather footbed keeps your soles happy mile after mile. The textured red leather version is spicy fun, but Ped also offers the Emma in go-with-everything chocolate brown.

What a bevy of beauties! When you put on a pair of Cliff Dwellers, your feet will feel right at home on the cutting edge!

We can’t wait to see what Ari has in store for us next fall!

Cliff Dweller founder and design genius, Ari Balouzian.

(Psst, did you see the spring-tastic Sweet Treat this week? It’s the sunny Vialis Elyse! Get a fresh 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to reach the Elyse with the magic code to enter at checkout!)