Get ready for a fun fall, Ped fans! On my European buying trip last spring, I found several new lines to add to the Ped family, all absolutely beautiful! The first to arrive in the warehouse: Couple Of!

Based in Tel Aviv, Israel, Couple Of is the creative collaboration of designers Shelly and Elon, who are not only work partners but also life partners (given Terry’s and my relationship, I love that). They decided to call their company “Couple Of” as a play on the term “one-off,” which indicates a unique work of uncommon beauty.

Unique and uncommonly beautiful? Couple Of’s shoes definitely are! Using exquisite leathers, Shelly and Elon attend to every detail of their shoe designs, committed to crafting thoroughly wearable works of art. Their styles have an eye-opening irreverence that never goes too far—just enough to have every eye on the street glued to your feet with envy!

See for yourself! Here’s the Couple Of shoe that first caught my attention:

Where did I see it? On Shelly’s feet when I walked into Couple Of’s booth at the shoe show! Aptly called the Shelly Oxford, it blew my mind (and as someone who sees a lot of shoes, that’s no easy feat)! Couple Of has taken a beautifully made, classic lace-up and cut around the natural leather outsole to create an arc over the toe and a slight dip behind the heel. SO COOL!!!! I was sold!

Did you also notice the red insole? Couple Of has a particular way with red! Often their designs have a carmine lining, but now and then they take it outside, as with the stunning Lily Slip On:

We adore a red heel, but this one goes above and beyond with its perfectly placed three-dimensional petals! So flirty!

Another great thing about Couple Of is how they pay attention not only to giving the toe some sass but also the heel! In their shoes, you give your fans something to look at coming and going. Case in point: The Ava Oxford.

How cool is the minutely folded leather on the toe? Well, it also accents the 2.25″ heel! Such unusual detailing is what sets this brown lace-up apart from every other oxford on the street!

For another example of how Couple Of makes the most of well-edited accents, get an eyeful of the Derbi Oxford:

Couple Of has created a wonderful interpretation of the traditional menswear oxford and punched it up by adding a simple strap over the toe—stitched at the center for added interest—and a slightly flared heel piece (notice how those upward lines at the heel reflect the downward lines at the base of the toe strap). Suddenly, this shoe is something to talk about! Plus, the Derbi’s red lining flashes at the edges in the most eye-catching way.

Couple Of has also put their unique stamp on the ankle boot/shootie trend that’s all the rage this season:

The Hannah Shootie is ultra-modern and über-sexy. We love how the masculine black straps cinch in the super-soft feminine taupe leather! As usual, Couple Of’s clean design aesthetic is the key to this knockout toe-bearing and heel-flashing style.

Ped is the first U.S. boutique to carry Couple Of’s fabulous designs, so when you slip on any of these comfortable stunners, you’re guaranteed to be a one-off in your style!

(Psst, if you haven’t checked it out, the “sweet treat” this week is Chie Mihara’s gorgeous Rocosa heeled sandal. You still have a couple days left to snag it at 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper corner of any Ped page to reach the magic discount code.)

Do you belong to the church of Chie Mihara? Because for anyone who has suffered through long hours in high heels, discovering Chie Mihara is like finding religion! This Spanish designer preaches (and practices) the gospel that beautiful and feminine shoes can also be comfortable!

Born in Brazil to Japanese parents, Chie Mihara studied fashion design in Japan and New York City before establishing her company in Spain. Her multicultural background comes into play whenever she designs a shoe: Brazil’s celebration of the feminine, Japan’s penchant for innovative design, the get-it-done practicality of NYC, and Spain’s appreciation of craftsmanship. Her vintage-inspired styles, embellished with playful details, all feature a footbed Chie designed specifically to accommodate a woman’s foot. And once you’ve walked a mile in her heels, you’ll never again be satisfied with anything less.

Our first shipment of Chie Mihara’s fall styles just arrived, and in a word: WOW! Witness for yourself:

Oxfords are all the rage right now, and Chie gives hers a feminine twist:

A blue leather lace-up with three rows of ruffles? Be still our shoe-loving hearts! The Chie Mihara Loti has us under its spell!

But maybe you’re a member of Team Mary Jane rather than Team Oxford (not that you have to choose):

Fact of life: You can never have too many red shoes! And when you find one as pretty as Chie’s red suede Nilon, why resist temptation? We guarantee you”ll have no regrets—only shoe-wearing joy!

You say what you really want is a gorgeous ankle boot? Chie, again, answers your prayers:

It’s as if Ms. Mihara has magically melded a Victorian lace-up with a riding boot and thrown in a little extra ‘zazz to create the Narista!

For those who like to amp up the volume both in terms of height and unabashed femininity, prepare to say oo-la-la:

Altogether now, “OOH-LA-LA!” The Vasca is the height of old-school Hollywood glamour!

We love that ocean blue leather, but some days we want to step into the world with bang-pow-razzle-dazzle-wow:

Hello, Veranito! This fringy, ruffled, fuchsia peep-toe is Chie’s gift to femme fetales everywhere! Go forth and be fabulous!

And there are five more equally amazing, new Chie styles at the main Ped site. So cast those misery-making, ankle-aching stilettos into the back of the closet, and shout, “Hallelujah!” because Chie Mihara’s heels are nothing short of heaven!

(And, just fyi, this week’s “Sweet Treat” is Trippen’s über edgy Stream sandal boot. Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of this page or any Ped page, and you’ll land at the Stream with the magic code to give you 20% off at checkout.)

Ped fans, did you hear about the discovery of the oldest known leather shoe? Archaeologists found it in an Armenian cave, and scientific testing has determined the lace-up bootie dates to 3653–3627 B.C. (holy cow!) and was worn by woman on her approximately size 7 right foot. Although its mate is missing,  there is no doubt a prehistoric fashionista wore this shoe because the sole bears the imprint of her big toe and shows evidence of having been repaired several times.

By Associated Press/Deptarment of Archaeology University College Cork. Provided by the Department of Archaeology University College Cork, Cork Ireland, this photo shows a well preserved and complete shoe that was recovered at the base of a Chalcolithic pit in the cave in Armenia.

This Armenian discovery is astonishing, but it doesn’t altogether surprise us. After all, Cydwoq founder, Rafi Balouzian, comes from a long line of Armenian shoemakers. In the early 1900s, Rafi’s grandfather was a renowned master shoemaker in Armenia, and Rafi’s  father also went into the business, establishing a factory that manufactured shoe parts.

After moving to the United States, Rafi himself went into fashion design, but left it briefly to pursue post-graduate degrees in interior architecture and environ- mental design. But the man is a walker, and, eventually, he walked right back into his  family’s shoe-making tradition, founding Cydwoq in 1996.

So, what do Cydwoq’s cutting-edge styles of today have in common with that Armenian shoe from 5600 years ago? More than you might think: Cydwoq’s handmade construction is all-leather, using carefully selected  hides that are vegetable-dyed and put together using water-based glues. And like the ancient shoe, all Cydwoq sandals, shoes, and boots conform to your foot over time for a custom fit. If you manage to walk through the sole or have any other problem, Rafi and his Cydwoq colleagues will happily make the necessary repairs.

Here are three of our latest Cydwoq additions, which showcase the long-long-long-long-long-established Armenian commitment to comfort, and durability, plus Rafi’s modern-day dedication to style.

Every time we look at Cydwoq’s gorgeous new Pi Bootie, we go a little weak in the knees. Fortunately, if we were wearing this beauty, we’d manage to stay on our feet because Rafi has placed the heel in just the right spot for maximum stability and comfort. Truly, the Pi is one for the ages—good design is timeless!

Another new style that’s captured our hearts is the Cydwoq Gamma:

What a great flat! Classic but utterly modern! Buckle up for a lifetime of easy walking.

Finally, here’s the Cydwoq Orient, which I think bears a slight resemblance to its long-lost ancestor:

Knit leather—could anything be cooler, both literally and figuratively? So fun to wear, this treasure will make you the talk of the town!

In The New York Times story about the discovery of the ancient shoe, Armenian doctoral student, Diana Zardaryan, who pulled the shoe out from its grass-lined storage spot, is quoted as saying, “To find a shoe has always been my dream.” We know just how she feels! Thank you, Rafi, for making our modern-day dreams come true.

(Incidentally, the “sweet treat” this week is another fantastic Cydwoq style: the Gaudi heeled sandal. You still have a few more days to click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper corner of any Ped page to reach the magic code that will give you a cool 20% discount on this summer stunner.)

Here at Ped, we get so excited about the wonderful things we carry. Everyday we ooh and aah and swoon and gush over the goods in the Ped warehouse, which is why we love it when others appreciate what we appreciate!

It’s been a while since we expressed our gratitude, but we are truly grateful for all the shout-outs to Ped across the Web! Here are several of the wonderful people and sites that have featured Ped treasures recently:

• We adore Michelle Taylor of Blue Moss! It’s not just because she’s admired our Argila Elsie and Chie Mihara Hito, among other things; it’s also because every day she introduces us to beautiful sites, places, and ideas. What an eye for design! She also creates the coolest jewelry from re-purposed vintage baubles for her Blue Moss Etsy shop.
• Katrina Rodabaugh, an amazing artist and poet, mentioned how much she loves our Pepita jewelry on her terrific blog, Made by Katrina.
• The unknown author of the blog Goodness Aggregated made us smile with a post that featured our Fiorentini + Baker Eli boot and Jutta Neumann Kim sandal.
• The mysterious writer and photographer who maintains I Spuddle thrilled us when she coveted our Cydwoq Traction.
• The woman who loves lovely things at Crush Party gushed about so many of our pretty boots! Color us thrilled!
• Jessica at Ring o Blog took a shine to our Jamie Joseph Aqua Chalcedony ring (one of our favorites)!
• Becki Singer, who puts together the hilariously named blog, Shopping is My Cardio, fell for our gorgeous Fiorentini + Baker Eden boots. She’s in good company!

We also say merci, gracias, danke, and thank you in so many languages to the numerous overseas blogs that have highlighted Ped items, among them How to Make a Baby Elephant Float (how great is that name?), du fond du coeur, and Nata Velvska @ ShoeShoe.

If you’ve featured something from Ped and we’ve somehow overlooked your site, please know we still appreciate you! (Let us know who you are, so we can pay attention!) We love being part of the party!

So, to everyone out there who’s noticed us, a huge THANK YOU from everyone at Ped HQ!

Many Ped fans are about to enter that confusing season when it’s warm enough to shed the wooly socks and tights but not quite warm enough to bust out the sandals. We know you love your winter boots, but we’re pretty sure your tootsies have the foot equivalent of cabin fever and would appreciate a breath of fresh air and some time in the sun. So, when the snow melts and you’re ready to bare some but not all, here are a few ways to make your toes happy.

Let’s start with an appropriately named cutie from Cydwoq: the Warm!

Made from the prettiest berry-colored newbuck, this laid-back flat practically sings, “Spring!” No muss, no fuss, just a great skip-around-town shoe that looks fantastic with warm-weather skirts and walking shorts.

Another charmer in the color category is Trippen’s Light:

Purple Mary Janes!!! Is there a more fun way to put the drab days of winter behind you? Nope, we didn’t think so! What’s nice about the Light is not only is it wonderful worn barefoot, thanks to a cork insole that molds to your foot, but it’s also terrific with tights on those not-yet-summer days when the mercury dips.

Need something a little dressier for the office or perhaps a cocktail party? Then slip your foot into Cydwoq’s Town:

We love how this vintage-inspired shoe is just conservative enough without losing its sauce! The leather is gorgeous, and the heel is a Gaudi-inspired work of art (be sure to check out the additional views at the Ped site to appreciate the etched design).

But maybe you want a shoe with a true bohemian edge. The coolest women at the Paris shoe show were all wearing Trippen’s Omen:

Leave it to our favorite Germans to create a style that echoes a boot but is more open to the elements. The color is a beautiful grey that leans toward lavender, and the riveted strap around the ankle pulls it all together!

Another cutting-edge contender is Cydwoq’s Alter:

The washed leather (our new favorite!) of this shoe-sandal hybrid is the most luscious shade of olive green, with exposed edges the color of budding leaves. So urban and arty, it’s the perfect way to take your feet out and about as the seasons change.

We’ve barely skimmed the surface of what’s new at Ped to help you make the transition from winter to spring and on into summer. Click over to the main Ped site to get an eyeful of even more options for what to wear as the weather warms up!