The days are rarely frigid here in the Bay Area, but I know winter has been running roughshod over many of you Ped fans! I see photos of mounds of snow in the Midwest and on the East Coast and hear about day after day of icy temperatures everywhere. Brrrrr!!! When you’re simply trying to stay warm, style often gets relegated to the backseat.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! Ped has lots of ways to keep cozy that also let you turn up the style temperature! (After all, your admirers count on you to lift their chilly spirits!)

Our mothers always told us, “Put a hat on!” They were wise because there’s no cuter way to combat the cold than with a Karin Wagner flower-embellished cap:

Our beloved Swiss mistress of textile art first hand-knits a cap of 100% soft wool and then pretties it up with her one-of-a-kind, hand-felted blossoms.

Now that your head is covered, let’s go to the other extreme and make sure your toes are toasty.

These striped tights from Antipast aren’t just snazzy (which they definitely are), they’re also 71% wool to keep your whole lower half warm when it’s cold!

One of the most practical fashion trends to come along has been arm warmers, which keep your wrists and palms snug while leaving your fingers free. We especially love the ones from Rain + Jack:

Rain + Jack combines the softest Australian lambswool with the most wonderful colors to warm your heart as well as your hands!

And, of course, you need a scarf! The winter wind will just have to blow down someone’s else’s neck when you wrap up in one of Sophie Digard’s woolen wonders:

We just got in this Wildflower Scarf and is it ever GORGEOUS!!! Each little velvet-centered flower is unique. With this wool beauty twined around your neck, you’ll be the envy of everyone who sees you!

But perhaps you live somewhere more temperate and only need a little something to stave off the chill. Sophie’s still your go-to gal because our Parisian queen of crochet also makes lighter linen scarves, like this Pastille Pop stunner:

Winter won’t last forever, but as long as it’s here, pull on your Ped and look and feel wonderful! Don’t let the ice keep you from feeling nice!

Don’t panic. We’ve all been there! You want to get something really lovely and stylish for that special gal who makes you smile—girlfriend, daughter, wife, BFF, mom, mentor who got you where you are today—but you’re just not sure what size she wears. No problem! Although we love the footwear here at Ped, we also have lots of gorgeous things that require no knowledge of numbers. So, let us offer a few ideas for what we think would make wonderful tokens of your affection.

If you really want to delight someone, you can’t go wrong with a scarf from Sophie Digard, our favorite Parisian textile artist.

Whatever design you select, the work is guaranteed to be dazzling (use the “zoom” feature at the Ped site to appreciate the intricacy of Sophie’s artistry).

Maybe you’re enamored of Mademoiselle Digard but want to give something slightly smaller. Why not one of her wonderful brooches?

So pretty and what a lovely reminder that spring is not too far away!

But, then again, maybe the razzle-dazzle is exactly what you want, in which case, look no further than Jamie Joseph:

Everyone here at Ped HQ—including Terry—adores this Halo Diamond Pendant. What makes it so special is each of the organically shaped silver ovals moves independently, and the diamonds, well, they’re diamonds—need we say more?

If the woman you admire prefers adorning her lobes, we’re also especially fond of these Indian ruby earrings:

They are simply designed yet absolutely drop-dead gorgeous! Jamie’s hand-selected stones are truly out of this world!

Admittedly, jewelry is a rather intimate gift, so if you’re looking for something lovely but a little less emotionally charged, the 49 Square Miles Clingy Wallet may be just the thing:

Practical and luxurious! (Plus, the leather is so soft.)

Speaking of practical, any woman who has a chilly commute or who has to walk across campus when the mercury plunges will thank you profusely for a pair of Rain + Jack wooly arm warmers:

The colors alone will warm her heart.

We’ve also heard toasty toes are the key to winter smiles! Unlike shoes, socks are pretty much one-size-fits-all, and Antipast makes the socks everyone wants because they’re just so darn cute (and warm):

Any chilly day is going to be a lot more fun with pom-poms!

See? No need to worry about measurements or numbers! Everything above is guaranteed to brighten the holidays for your favorite gal!

And if you see something that sings, “my heart’s desire,”  to you—yes, you!— as you browse around Ped’s site, just click the green box that says, “add to favorites.” Then you can e-mail your wish to the people who’d like to make you happy this holiday season!

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, everyone at Ped HQ shares nostalgia for that back-to-school excitement that used to fill us with a mix of nerves, sadness that summer was over, and elation at seeing our friends again. Those of you who are who involved in education—whether you’re a grad student, prof, or administrator—still get the thrill of the fall transition, while the rest of us simply live vicariously. To help recreate that zesty, anything-could-happen-this-year feeling, we’ve put together a cool-for-school list that also works outside the ivory tower. Take notes!

1) Book bag.

Let’s face it, 49 Square Miles’ Bookworm Slim Tote is in a class of its own. It’s roomy enough to accommodate files, notebooks, and even a small laptop, but it’s not so large that you’ll end up with a back problem from hauling too much across campus or to the office (allow us be your guidance counselor on this one). And the color! If you’re feeling sleepy in your seminar, just look at this beauty for a wake-up call.

2) Go-with-everything shoes.

When you need a shoe that you can wear day in and day out, whether you’re dolled up in a cute skirt or going casual in your sweetheart’s jeans, look no further than the Cydwoq Dance. This super easy flat is schooled in style, yet it’s comfortable enough to race through a mad dash when you’re running late for class or a meeting (and a bit of rubber on the leather sole will keep you on your feet).

3) BGOC (Big Gal on Campus) Boots.

Of course, your classmates and/or colleagues admire your smarts, but it doesn’t hurt to let them ooh and aaah over your style, too. Brains and beauty, yeah, that’s right, you’ve got it ALL going on—a point you can make clearly by skipping from class to meetings to lunch in Cydwoq’s Native Boots. These knockout lace-ups are at once classic and modern and will just get better the more you wear them. Turn those heads!

4) Chilly days scarf.

Fall weather is unpredictable. Warm days turn chilly and vice versa. Let the mercury rise and fall—when you’ve got a soft and cozy wool scarf from Sophie Digard, you’re all set for whatever the day brings. Hand-crocheted and Parisian chic, a Sophie scarf is the way to look beautiful and stay toasty! We especially love her Check Square design (although it’s so hard to choose—tomorrow we may have a new favorite)!

With these items in your wardrobe, you’ll be a walking lesson in style!

Dayna may be off having high tea in Singapore and riding elephants in Thailand, but Ped’s blog must go on! Laura, here, standing in for our fearless leader and bringing you great news: the latest shipment of Mia Zia loveliness has just arrived at Ped! Inspired by all things Moroccan, Mia Zia  is renowned for its way with tassels, stripes, and wonderfully woven textiles. Everything the company produces treasures is a delight to see and touch!

Here are a few of Mia Zia’s latest things that have everyone at Ped HQ swooning:

It’s as if Mia Zia took everything that’s good about summer and infused it into this fresh and playful Fiji scarf! The hand-printed stripes and tassels are so zesty! They make us want to kick up our heels and dance down the beach! (Maybe that’s what Dayna’s doing…)

MIa Zia’s crinkled silk scarf is luxurious and sophisticated without sacrificing its sense of fun. Silk is one of those wonderful fabrics that offers warmth in winter but remains airy and breathable in summer. Pretty as a scarf. Pretty as a shawl. Pretty as a sash wrapped around your waist!

Of all of Ped’s Mia Zia treasures, the Parisian Market basket, modeled on traditional baskets women take to bazaars throughout Morocco, may just be our favorite! This tightly woven raffia beauty is HUGE, which means it’s ideal for a day at the beach or a trip to the farmer’s market—or for catching everything you forgot to pack in your main suitcase when you’re bolting out the door to catch your plane. No matter what kind of a rush we’re in, those Mia Zia tassels never fail to make us smile!

So, why not add a little Moroccan spice to your life with Mia Zia?

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!