Laura in Santa Barbara, CA, wrote us this month with her “Tale of the Sole,” but, as she notes, “It’s a sad one, I’m sorry to say.” Here’s her tragic story:

Remember those Argila Alana’s that I got, oh, only a few weeks ago?

Well, silly me, I brought them to New York City on my last trip. But I also brought bronchitis. On the day we decamped from the On the Ave Hotel where we were billeted, I was feeling particularly low. And it was early, so I was jet-lagged. In any event, I remember wrapping the precious things up and THOUGHT they made it into our larger suitcase. But, alas, they did not.

When I discovered this, I immediately called the hotel, but several days had passed, and naturally, they were never turned in. 

So some chambermaid is sashaying around NYC in my stunning sandals.

Honestly, this is the only thing that made me cry in the last month, when Santa Barbara nearly burned to the ground, we got a flat tire while evacuating, and Tai got a foxtail up his nose. It was the SHOES that pushed me over the edge!

But it ends happily because I just ordered those darling Chie Mihara Frederica’s! Not that I can afford them, but I just don’t care—my wound needs to be salved.

We’re sure those Frederica’s have Laura back on the upswing. And we hope winning a $100 Ped Gift Certificate for sending the best Tale of the Sole in May will also make her feel a smidge better about losing her lovely Argila sandals.

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. Here’s hoping June’s story is less of a tear-jerker. So, let us know what in the world you’ve been doing in your Ped!

Here in the U.S., today is Memorial Day, a holiday that honors war veterans (somber), but which also adds an extra day to the weekend (happy)! What a perfect time to hit the road—or the air or the tracks—for a refreshing getaway! Here at Ped HQ, we know just how rejuvenating a three-day break can be, and we like to practice what we preach! You don’t need much for a spur-of-the-moment mini vacation: just a great hold-all, versatile shoes, and something to keep you warm in case the temperature drops. To meet those needs, Ped’s road-tripping experts offer these recommendations:

1) 49 Square Miles spacious and luscious Kerouac Satchel:

The size is ideal; it holds everything you need—a change of clothes, a good book, and a scarf—but it keeps you from overpacking. And we simply can’t say enough about 49 Square Miles’ leather, which is the very definition of “supple.” Exquisitely crafted, the Kerouac will let you wander through a lifetime of long weekends!

2) Cydwoq’s versatile Elect sandal in bronze:

Oo-la-la, how we love this sandal! With its gladiator-esque styling and metallic faux crocodile leather, this flat is so modern. But because it’s handmade by Cydwoq, it’s like an old friend on your feet—comfortable enough to run around in 24 hours a day. Plus, the bronze color magically transforms from afternoon-casual to after-dark-dressy with the change of an outfit.

3) A cosy Sophie Digard scarf:

Behold Sophie’s lovely wool Edelweiss scarf, which is light enough for warm-weather wear. But Ped’s favorite Parisian textile artist also offers other choices, depending on how prone you are to feeling chilly. Those who start to shiver as soon as the sun sets may want to wrap up in a woolen beauty. But if you’re a gal who simply gets a few goosebumps, Sophie’s lighter linen fare may be all you need. Whichever you choose, you’ll look drop-dead gorgeous!

So hit the road in style and enjoy a few fun days away!

On Seinfeld, when Jerry said, “Hello, Newman,” he was usually gritting his teeth over running into his arch nemesis. Not us! When we say, “Hello, Neumann!” (pronounced “noy-man”) we’re jumping for joy because it means we’ve gotten in  another shipment from our New York friend, leather designer Jutta Neumann.

Originally from Germany, Jutta creates sandals and bags that truly(!!!) offer unparalleled beauty and craftsmanship. She hand selects her leathers and dyes them the most gorgeous, saturated colors before meticulously cutting and constructing her items using traditional methods. A hallmark of her sandals are their molded arches and tiny cobblers’ nails that, though barely visible, are evidence of Jutta’s dedication to her craft. Everything she makes is wonderful from the outset but improves with age and use, lasting for years and years and years. We also adore her clean-lined and elegant aesthetic—every detail is intelligently considered and contributes to the overall design. (Plus, we love her arched cat logo!)

See for yourself! Jutta’s classic Kim sandal represents the best qualities of the J.N. approach and has won fans the world over.

This ultra-comfortable design offers an ideal combination of minimalism and sophistication. This year, Ped has added bone and kelly green to our always-popular black and brown options.

Another Jutta Neumann sandal that’s won our hearts is Roger! 

This little lovely is perfect for Ped-sters who like the security of a back strap. A veritable lesson in good design, Roger is three well-planned straps on a mission of comfort and style.

Jutta’s bags are also the epitome of form and function. Case in point: the Oslo.

The proportions are perfect, and the lime green color is beyond juicy! Plus, although you can barely glimpse it under one strap in the pic, the lining is a fabulous violet suede (check out “views” at the Ped site)!!! Too cool!

And since we’re on the subject of purple, take a look at Jutta’s lovely Adana bag:

With this feminine-but-not-fussy bag on your shoulder, you’ll be like a walking urban beautification project! (Any city you visit should thank you.)

So, go ahead and say it with us, “Hello, Neumann!”

In past posts, I’ve encouraged Ped fans to use the site’s “Zoom” feature to take a closer look at the finer points of Ped’s treasures. Sure, there’s a lot of info packed into the descriptions, but nothing quite matches seeing the additional views and examining the exquisite details for yourself. For instance, take a gander at the mind-boggling number of beautiful yarns Sophie Digard uses to crochet her Mini Flower Scarf:

And check out the precise cutwork and topstitching that enhance the design of 49 Square Miles’ Kerouac Satchel:

Finally, take a look at the hand-painted leather treatment that makes the Cydwoq Vintage Feel sandal so unique:

At Ped, it’s often the little things that take our shoes, bags, and other treasures to the next level. So dig into the details!

Yes, it’s been toooooo long since I’ve posted a bit of Ped goodness here. But now that spring is springing, I feel fresh and ready to gambol about in the warm weather–in new shoes, of course! Here at Ped, we LOVE everything green. So, behold three of our favorite ways to show off the color that comes with spring.

First up, Chie Mihara’s seriously juicy Vespa. I ask you, could this shoe be any more glamorous? Besides the gorgeous color, I particularly love the slight curve to the heel.

But maybe you just want a run-around-town sandal that can take you from the dog park to the farmer’s market to the hammock on your porch for a little siesta. In that case, Cydwoq’s Fence is your perfect companion. I know we say it in every description, but the great thing about Cydwoq is every shoe molds to your foot and truly gets better the more you wear it.

Finally, if you’re feeling extra sassy (and you should be–why not? It’s spring already!), then Trippen has just the shoe to match your mood: the Donna. Ankle straps are going to be big this spring and summer, and Trippen gives them quite the European twist!

Step out in any of these shoes, and people are going to ooh and aah over your footwear. And a few might just be “green” with envy (quit groaning–spring makes me punchy!).