Sure, it’s still icy outside for many of you, but, Ped fans, before you know it, spring is going to bust out all over! But that doesn’t mean you have to relegate your boots to the back of the closet. Heck no! Boots, especially those of the ankle-height and mid-calf variety, are perfect for skipping from one season into the next.

With that in mind, here are a few nominees for what to wear when the buds are on the trees but it’s still too brisk to expose the toes.

Cydwoq’s Pi Bootie is the perfect way to celebrate that last little bit of slush disappearing from the sidewalk!

The sexy way the leather wraps around the back of this boot is enough to make the temperature rise! And the Pi looks superlative with bare legs and a swingy skirt!

Another great heeled boot (that’s perhaps a little less “lady”) is Cydwoq’s Artemis:

We love the retro feel of the buttoned closure combined with the modern square toe and hand-cut wooden heel. (And see what we mean about how terrific an ankle boot looks with a breezy skirt?)

Maybe you’d rather keep your heels on the ground, in which case Cydwoq’s Sparta might be just the thing for moving into spring.

We went wild for this boot when we first saw it as a men’s style, so we begged Rafi and Ari to make a version for women. Ta da! We love how the washed grey leather is distinctive but still go-with-everything versatile.

(By the way, the Sparta just happens to be this week’s “sweet treat”! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to reach the Sparta with the magic code that’s worth 20% off at checkout!)

If you want something that rises a little higher on the leg, check out the Sparta’s taller sibling, the Iota.

This gorgeous lace-up is made of “aging” black leather and will get a brownish patina with wear. It’s one of our all-time favorite boots! Ped fans clearly agree since no sooner do we get a new shipment in than it flies right back out. If we don’t currently have your size, just send us an e-mail, and we’ll put your name on the wait list for the Iota!

Of course,  you may prefer a buckled motorcycle boot to a lace-up. If so, look no further than Fiorentini + Baker’s Eli!

Such a great boot! You’ll never want to it off—and, good news, you won’t have to because the Eli looks as good with skirts as it does with jeans!

But if spring fever makes you want to rock out, Fiorentini + Baker’s Paula is the way to go!

With a ruched front and a zipper up the back, the Paula is another hot number we can’t seem to keep in the Ped house! If you’d like to be on the wait list for our next shipment of this kickass ankle boot, drop us a line!

Trippen’s Royal Bootie is another transitional style with a rock ‘n’ roll edge!

The spat-like upper wrapped by a buckle strap around the ankle ensures this boot will be the most cutting-edge thing on the street!

So let the sunshine in as the trees leaf out, but keep yourself well-booted while winter breezes into spring!

Everyone knows how crazy we are for all things Cydwoq! But, honestly, Rafi and Ari—the father and son team responsible for Cydwoq’s ultra-cool designs—have really outdone themselves for 2011. A smorgasbord of new warm-weather styles just arrived in the Ped warehouse, and Cydwoq has served up something for everyone from strappy heels for the girly girls to run-around-town flats for the tomboys at heart.

Here’s a taste to whet your appetite and encourage you to think spring (or, if you’re lucky, mid-winter vacation)!

One area where Cydwoq excels is in creating practical walking shoes that still turn every head with their unusual style! Case in point, the new Sabates:

Too cool!!! But cutting edge funkiness is not the end of the story because these artistic shoes are also easy to wear. Simply slide your foot into the welcoming interior—no buckles, zippers, or even elastic to fiddle with!

Another great runabout style is Cydwoq’s Penalty, which is our pick for the first thing to pack if you’re heading somewhere warm.

You can cruise through sightseeing, shopping, and sipping a cocktail at the end of the day, looking terrific whatever the venue. And thanks to Cydwoq’s famous construction, you may be tired, but your feet will be blister-free and ready to go again tomorrow.

But maybe you’re looking for a wearable heel to go to the office (without sacrificing any snazz). Then breathe in the Vapour!

Everyone at Ped is smitten with the Vapour’s off-center t-strap. Plus the red color is simply delicious. (I ask you who doesn’t love a red shoe?)

And if you enjoy a sassy buckle-and-heel combo, then Cydwoq’s new Possession has your name on it!

Just like A.S. Byatt’s novel of the same name, this beautiful heel embodies both a 19th century romanticism and an utterly modern attitude. For lovers of the steampunk aesthetic, the Possession is a retro-futuristic dream come true!

Another thing we admire about Cydwoq is how their designs often bring artsy and organic together into a harmonious whole.

The new Buds sandal is earthy and urban all at once. We love the way rivets connect the leather leaves, but we confess this sandal had us at green (our favorite)!

For sheer impact, though, we recommend lacing up Cydwoq’s new Expo!

Kapow! This sandal’s rustic yet clean-lined design takes the gladiator sandal a step ahead, out of the arena and onto the runway! Super chic—imagine how terrific the Expo will look with a floaty summer dress! A perfect exercise in contrasts!

The above bevy of beauties is just a glimpse of the panorama of Cydwoq styles awaiting you at Ped’s main site! You’ll love the view—but Cydwoq’s hand-crafted comfort is what will win your heart!

(Have you seen this week’s “sweet treat”? It’s Trippen’s over-the-knee Nox Boot! Whether you pull it high or cuff it and scrunch, the Nox is the perfect tall, dark, and lovely boot you’ve been hoping to find. Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to be transported to the Nox, where you’ll find the magic code that will bring a cool 20% off  when entered in the box at checkout!)

Your friends at Ped wish you and your loved ones joy and peace through the Holidays and into the New Year!!!!!! CELEBRATE!

(And just in case you missed it, through December 25, use code “Twinkle 10” at checkout to receive 20% off any full-price item.)

One of the best things about this time of year is the chance to get together with friends at holiday parties! It’s so fun to see everyone at their sparkly best! And, of course, it’s the perfect excuse to dress up.  (We live for the chance to amp up the razzle-dazzle!)

So if you’re looking for some extra ‘zazz to take your favorite little black dress to the next level, Ped has just the thing!

Here to help is Seattle-based jeweler Jamie Joseph, who has “how to dazzle” down to a science!  The hand-selected gems she uses are truly special, and her minimal designs show these spectacular stones off to their best advantage (and yours). Drink in the loveliness of Jamie’s latest cocktail rings, which just arrived at Ped HQ:

Every time we look at this Blood Tiger’s Eye ring, our hearts skip a beat because the stone is so unusual. The rose-cut faceting pulls in the light, amplifying the filament-like streaks that run through the gem. This ring is a guaranteed show stopper!

Another new JJ design that has us swooning is her Dark Drusy ring, which gets extra sparkle from a gold-encircled diamond set in the stone.

A drusy is commonly called a geode, which, as you may know, has a crystalline interior. We think the diamond floating on the sugary background looks like a full moon shining in a star-filled night sky. Go for high drama by slipping this unusual ring on your finger! No one will be able to resist you!

If you really want to pull out all the stops, though, there’s no better way than with Jamie Joseph’s Square Rock Crystal Ring.

You’ll be as glamorous as an old-school Hollywood movie star when you wear this sparkler! Want to flirt with someone across the room? Simply flash this ring with a wave and soon you’ll feel a tap on your shoulder or maybe even an arm around your waist!

You say rings aren’t your thing? Don’t worry, we have other ways for you to turn every head at the party! Look no further than the whimsical creations of Pepita!

What a fabulous necklace! Beautiful circlets of sanded glass cascade down from an antiqued brass chain to create an eye-opening sensation! Not only does Pepita’s Fabiana necklace look gorgeous, but it also makes a lovely sound when you wear it! If you prefer something brighter than these earthy hues, it also comes in a lovely combination of blues and greens!

Another wow-worthy piece is Pepita’s Fortuna necklace:

Crafted from a combination of coral, red, and burgundy silk, entwined through a brass chain in one section, this necklace looks so festive for the holiday season! Imagine how it would enliven a dark party dress!

But if you wish to be the belle of the ball (and why not?), then Pepita’s Mumbay necklace is a must-have for making your mark:

WOW! A necklace like no other, this knockout features lightweight copper beads hand-sewn to a printed piece of Italian fabric. You will feel like an Indian princess when you tie the Mumbay’s grosgrain ribbon around your neck. (And everyone will bow down to your royal style!)

Whether you slide a Jamie Joseph sparkler on your finger or deck your neck with a one-of-a-kind Pepita necklace, you’ll be the spiciest thing at your holiday parties since mulled wine and eggnog!

(And just fyi, you’ve got one more day to enjoy Ped’s current “sweet treat,” Cydwoq’s oh-so-chic Kappa Boot! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, and you’ll arrive at the Kappa the magic discount code that will take a a cool 20% off when you enter it in the designated box at checkout!)

No sooner did I finish writing about all the beautiful booties in the Ped warehouse than a shipment from Trippen arrived! Inside? Even more hip low boots to make your autumn bootie-licious! Of course, Berlin-based Trippen brings unmistakable Euro funk to their designs! Not only do Trippen’s shoes and boots look and feel fantastic, they’re also the product of a socially responsible company that’s committed to sound environmental practices and paying employees a living wage!

But let’s get on with the latest! Here’s a sampling of what those German design geniuses have bestowed upon us this season:

A new low boot that really packs a “wow” is Trippen’s Taurus!

Trippen artfully places a structural coil on each side of the ankle, so they resemble the horns of a prize bull! Ped’s Laura has been counting the days, waiting to get this badass boot in-house.  Now she (and you!) can wear it out and about—so fab with jeans or a knee-length skirt!

Who can resist a red boot? Not us!

Between the wrap-around strap, the exposed seaming, and the lightweight “penna” rubber sole, we don’t know what we like best about the wild Mild Boot. Each of the parts is fantastic, but the sum is out of this world!

Another great boot, with added versatility, is Trippen’s Bomb:

What’s cool about this super-comfortable number is it comes with both brown and black removable straps, so you can pick and choose—or go without—depending on your mood. Plus, the leather is so soft you can scrunch it down, wear it pulled up, or fold it over.

You know with me, there will be green on the scene. For this season, it’s Trippen’s Posh:

This cute boot, with its lacing around leather buttons, stands on Trippen’s ultra-comfortable t-shaped wedge. We love. We love.

In fact, we found the Posh’s button detailing so charming, we fell headlong for the Button:

The blue of this shootie is deliciously saturated and juicy! Plus, we love how simple and wearable it is, built on Trippen’s super-light “cups” rubber sole!

Ah, Trippen, you always make our hearts beat a little faster! So fun AND functional! And, as always, there’s even more Trippen goodness to savor at Ped’s main site!