It’s no secret that at Ped we are big fans of wearing boots year-round. I’ve mentioned before how much I love the look of a breezy summer dress paired with boots. The only drawback is on days that are scorchers, your tootsies may feel, how shall we say, a smidge claustrophobic.

So, you can imagine how much I smiled when I discovered a number of our favorite designers created sandal-boot hybrids this season! What a great idea! The edgy look of a boot with the breathability of a sandal—what could be cooler, in every sense of the word? Below are just a few of the many variations.

No sooner did the Trippen Stream arrive in the warehouse, than it flew out the door! Fear not, though, because we just received our second shipment!

When you step out the door in this German head-turner, you are guaranteed to be the hippest thing on the street! Even better, you’ll be über-comfortable because the Stream features Trippen’s famous t-shaped wedge!

But if you prefer a flat with a closed toe, Trippen’s Omen may just have your name on it:

The style is cutting-edge, but the easy-to-wear grey color let’s you pair it with almost anything. For instance, how terrific would these look with a floaty, yellow cotton dress?

If you want to get even funkier, check out Argila’s Elizabetta:

Ped fans have snapped up this sexy-tough-grrl style, but we have more on the way from Spain, so let us know if you’d like to be on the list!

You say you’d like something that’s a little more sandal and a little less boot?  See what you think of Argila’s Jolene:

The airy leatherwork is amazingly intricate on this lace-up ankle “boot.” Also, the olive green color reminds me of Italian gardens. Gorgeous!

Perhaps the award for Most Balanced Blending of Ankle Boot and Sandal, though, goes to Giraudon’s Riley:

Oh my, this wooden-soled sandal (it’s really a sandal-boot-clog) is something else! The gold lining, the ankle lacing, the tiny square cutouts—there’s so much to love about this beauty! When you slip on the Riley, everyone’s going to want your shoes!

And  there are even more sandal-boots to consider at the Ped site. What a great way to amp up your style and flash a little summer skin!

Speaking of summer skin, have you checked out Ped’s “Sweet Treat” this week? It’s Fiorentini + Baker’s fabulous Tessa Sandal!

Not a sandal boot exactly, but a buckle-tastic, open-air cousin of F+B’s Eternity Boot! (It also comes in black.)

Unfamiliar with Ped’s “Sweet Treat”? Here’s how it works: Just click “be sweet to your feet” up there in the upper right corner of this page (or any Ped page), and you’re instantly transported to the treat of the week, where a magic code entered on the last page of checkout gives you 20% off! Just like that! Fun, eh?

The “Sweet Treat” changes every week. You never know when your favorite thing—you know the one you’ve had your eye on?—may suddenly be 20% off! So, be sure to click “be sweet to your feet” on every Ped visit to see what treat awaits.

February may be the shortest month, but given the wintry storms currently pummeling many Ped fans, it may feel like the longest. Thank goodness, there’s a sweet something in the middle to make February worth it: Valentine’s Day!!! What could be better than a day dedicated to showing your sweetheart how much you love her? It’s the perfect time to express your affection for any woman who really matters in your life! (Remember how you used to give candies and cards to your friends, your teachers, your sisters, and your mom?)

So let your love light shine by putting a sparkle in your favorite gal’s eye with a sparkly something from Ped!

It may be chilly outside, but these gorgeous Jamie Joseph Indian Ruby earrings are guaranteed to warm things up wherever you are:

The color is so juicy, like a ripe pomegranate! And the faceting catches the light in the loveliest way.

Maybe the woman you have in mind agrees with Marilyn Monroe  that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Then assure her you, too, qualify as a BFF with this understated but stunning Jamie Joseph silver circle necklace that twinkles with three gold-set diamonds:

Jamie has a way of making the simplest designs worthy of “Wow!”

As long as we’re doing song references, maybe you should take Beyonce’s advice if you want to keep your sweetheart from joining all the single ladies—i.e. if you like it, you should put a ring on it! Now, it doesn’t have to be that kind of ring; we’re pretty sure this Jamie Joseph Onyx ring will keep her by your side:

Featured in Vogue, this design is the epitome of chic! We love how the tiny diamond adds a little extra dazzle. Going out to dinner on Valentine’s Day? Imagine how terrific this ring will look with your darling’s little black dress.

“Hmmm,” you may be thinking, “I want to give her jewelry but maybe something more low-key.” How about this Green Onyx and Apatite bracelet from Debbie Fisher?

It’s pretty and fresh without being over-the-top.

The again, maybe the object of your affection is a free spirit whose taste is more whimsical, in which case look no farther than Pepita:

This Eleonora necklace, with its hand-sewn fabric beads blooming from within brass petals, is sure to appeal to her love of one-of-a-kind treasures! A unique beauty deserves something uniquely beautiful!

And if your sweetheart could use a little dose of spring about now, Sophie Digard has just the thing to remind her warmer weather is right around the corner:

Sophie’s cheerful Three Flower Brooch (you can also opt for a single-bloom pin) will brighten up any winter coat or sweater.

Of course, it’s the thought that counts, but a beautiful gift that makes your favorite gal feel more beautiful is a wonderful way to show how much you care! (And if you need to drop a hint or two, remember you can mark anything at Ped as a “favorite” and then share that list with the one who loves you best.)

Happy Valentine’s Day in advance! May love fill every Ped fan’s life!

We love a good Christmas story, and the one Shana from San Francisco sent us made our day. So, without further ado, Shana’s tale in her own words:

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. On Christmas Eve I opened the door and welcomed the delivery of my Christmas gift to myself: a pair of red Fiorentini + Baker Emma boots. With a huge smile, I quickly wrapped them and placed them under the tree. This Christmas was bound to be special. It was both the first one my 2-year-old somewhat understood and the first one ever for my 8-month-old. Sure enough, when it was time to open the box, it was my 2-year-old who squealed in delight and exclaimed, “The reindeer left Mama boots like Santa!” Red quickly became her favorite color.

Shana in her F+B Emma boots with her red-loving daughter.

We gradually made our way to celebrate the day with a host of family and friends, where the picture-taking phrase of the day became “don’t forget the boots.” No picture was complete without them.

Beautiful Shana in her beautiful boots with her even more beautiful children!

Heart warm, belly full, eyelids heavy, I reluctantly removed my “Santa” boots, climbed in bed and said “good night” to a beautiful Christmas Day. Thanks, Ped, for making this holiday season even more memorable.

You are welcome, Shana! Everyone at Ped is delighted those F+B boots helped make your holidays happy! Your tale—and pictures!— certainly made us happy! As thanks, a $100 Ped gift certificate is coming your way to get your new year off to a good start!

Do you have a Tale of the Sole? Tell us—and show us (we LOVE pictures!!!)—what happened to you while wearing a Ped item, and you, too, might be the recipient of $100 in Ped credit. Each month we pick the most sole-ful tale to share on the blog. So, let us know what in the world you’ve been doing in your Ped!

I’ve written before about how much I admire our Seattle-based jeweler friend, Jamie Joseph, and her husband, Jeremy. What a team they make—she designs the pieces, and he cuts the gemstones! At Ped, we love the clean aesthetic of their handmade jewelry, but we also prize their ethics. Jamie only buys stones from dealers she knows are socially and environmentally responsible, and she repurposes gold without sacrificing her sky-high standards. Each Jamie Joseph piece celebrates nature and showcases the individual beauty of each stone.

But don’t just take our word for it—see for yourself! Here are a few pieces from our latest Jamie Joseph shipment:

Isn’t this Jamie Joseph Rainbow Moonstone ring mesmerizing? I love how there seems to be motion within the stone. Dreamy!

Another new favorite is this stunning Indian Ruby ring. Although the stone is opaque, it still seems to have an inner light. Plus the facets make it twinkle and shine!

One thing we love about Jamie is her sense of composition and balance, beautifully reflected in this Orange Chalcedony Charm necklace. The reticulated gold coin, faceted teardrop stone, and pearl bead harmonize in such a lovely way. This piece also offers the advantage of an adjustable cord, allowing you to create the perfect length for whatever neckline you’re wearing.

When it comes to Jamie Joseph’s designs, it’s not only diamonds that are a girl’s best friend—it’s all JJ’s lovely gems. As the song goes, “square-cut or pear-shaped, these rocks don’t lose their shape!” Rock on, sisters!