It’s such a heady time of year with all the wonderful things in bloom! The lilacs, irises, and peonies may have come and gone (or if you’re a little farther north, maybe they’re still around), but gorgeous day lilies and sweet honeysuckle are hot on their heels, with black-eyed susans and other posies still to come. At Ped, we adore flowers—and we like to wear them whenever we can!

The undisputed queen of lovely blossoms that never fade is Swiss fiber artist Karin Wagner. We recently received a new shipment of her hand-felted wonders.

We are particularly crazy about her floral rings, like this attention-grabbing Lilia beauty:

The way Karin has cut tiny diamonds out of the crimson petals is so unusual! Wear this ring and watch as conversations spring up all around you!

Many of Ms. Wagner’s blooms are versatile. Who says you have to wear a brooch pinned to your clothing? This Clochette cluster, for example, makes a fabulous barrette:

And, attention, summer brides, a wonderful alternative to wearing fresh flowers in your hair is to entwine Karin Wagner’s Daisy necklace in your up ‘do on the big day:

You’ll have a sweet memento that will never wilt (hopefully, like your love). Plus, you can wear this vine of buds, leaves, and blossoms in a myriad of ways.

Another knockout flower necklace comes from Sophie Digard:

We love how each blossom has a different color scheme on each side—you can spin them and move them along the cord to create a new variation every time you wear it.

Sophie also works floral magic in her scarves and bags. For instance, how chic is this Geranium Handbag?

Drop-dead gorgeous with a nostalgic air of romance, this bag’s crocheted blossoms must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. Each one is unique and contributes to the garden-like impact of this sweet bag.

At Ped, we even like to wear flowers on our feet!

The Accessoire Island wedge, with its pretty rosette on the toe, is one of our favorite styles this season (and Ped’s Laura reports it’s a treat to wear—cushy and comfortable)!

There are even more petaled pretties to make you smile blooming at the Ped site. After all, there is nothing like the power of a simple flower to remind us that, despite wretched oil spills and ugly intolerance, the world offers so much beauty.

When winter’s greys finally turn to green, our thoughts turn to sandals! Nothing’s more delicious than wriggling your bare toes in new grass, but pavement, hot sand, and the aisles at the grocery store require you to put a little something beneath your soles. It doesn’t have to be much, though, and it can feel almost as good as dancing barefoot across the lawn.

Behold a few of Ped’s light and airy treasures.

Hands down, one of the prettiest sandals this season is Coclico’s Victorae:

This sweetheart is so simple—the easiest of t-straps—yet it opens eyes with its vine of leaves running up the center. With a .5″ wedge, it’s not quite flat, but it’s as comfortable as a walk in the park.

When it comes to designing flats that keep feet happy, nobody compares to Cydwoq’s Rafi Balouzian. The man knows just what we like! Case in point, Cydwoq’s Attract:

Cut from a single piece of leather, the upper incorporates an ankle strap, which is so of-the-moment! We also love how the soft yellow color is unusual yet muted enough to go with almost everything in your closet.

Another favorite from Cydwoq is the Bare:

Sandals don’t get more minimal than this perfectly designed little number! When you can’t go barefoot, the Bare is the next best thing! (And how fun is that sassy red leather?)

When it comes to color, though, everyone knows I lean toward green. So, I swooned when I discovered Cordani’s Sarah:

The pistachio leather is so fresh I could almost bite it! But then my feet would be deprived of this flat’s supreme comfort. With a full rubber sole, the Sarah is perfect for navigating all kinds of terrain.

Another great travel sandal that offers a fresh variation on the gladiator look is  Cydwoq’s Mandarine:

Also available in black, this is the one sandal you won’t want to take off because it looks great with everything! (Your other sandals will  be jealous as they gather dust.)

Want your gladiator to have a funkier edge? There’s a flat for that! It’s Cydwoq’s Elect:

Super cute. Super cool. Super comfortable. Cydwoq does it again!

And, believe it or not, there are even more fantastic flat sandals at the Ped site just waiting to help your feet breathe easy!

(Psst, don’t forget this week’s Sweet Treat is Cydwoq’s Flap Bag. Get 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner on any Ped page.)

We Ped-sters tend to resist trends, but I admit we’ve fallen hard for the latest “in”: platform sandals! Wedges and sky-high heels have dominated the runway for several years, but now they’ve received a jolt of retro power via the addition of platforms á la the 1970s (and before that, the 1940s). This vintage kick has more going for it than just being cute; it makes adding a few inches of height oh so comfortable. With a 1.5″ platform up front, a 4″ heel suddenly becomes a cinch to wear because the pitch is only 2.5″. No pain, all gain!

We went a little crazy with the platforms this season, but we think you’ll agree each one is something special. Here are just a few to whet your appetite for height.

There’s no better way to welcome warm weather than with a big pop of color! So, say, “Good day!” to Chie Mihara’s Hito:

You’ll be walking sunshine in this curry suede number! Make that tall walking sunshine because the wedge is a sassy 4″—but figure in the 1.25″ platform, and the pitch is an easily manageable 2.75″. You’ll have your head in the clouds from all the compliments swirling around you!

Another platform that seems like summer incarnate is Cordani’s Erin:

Who doesn’t love an espadrille? The combination of the braided raffia on the platform and the pistachio green suede is so fresh!

These shoes may look substantial, but all of them are light on your feet. Case in point,  Coclico’s cork-soled Metalmark:

We love the modern, urban edge the straps and rivets bring to this sole that’s reminiscent of disco days.

Speaking of 1970s vibes updated for the 21st century, check out Chie Mihara’s Riana:

The laser-cut circles that form the straps on this chunky-heeled platform really come to life once this beauty is on your foot. The 3″ heel—which would be fine even without the platform—is super easy with the 1″ lift up front.

But if you’re a little more ambitious about enhancing your height and setting fire to the streets, then look no further than Chie’s Voy:

Ay, caramaba! This knockout is so hot it just might give the sidewalk blisters (but never your tootsies)! You’ll be a modern-day disco inferno walking on the Voy’s 4.5″ heel, but the 1.25″ platform in front will keep your stride cool and confident.

Head over to Ped’s main site for even more ways to stand tall while staying comfortable. We’re sure you’ll find a platform to believe in!

Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister … (Sing it!) Okay, we admit we’re feeling a little slap-happy here at Ped. Chalk it up to spring fever and the fact that we’re dizzy from all the beautiful things arriving in the warehouse!

No sooner did I get back from Paris than Paris came to me in the form of Accessoire, yet another line I first discovered during Ped’s days as a brick-and-mortar store in Seattle. Designer Avril Gau began her career with Robert Clergerie and then spent seven years overseeing the shoe collections at Chanel. That’s quite a pedigree! These days she designs for Accessoire, creating sophisticated yet comfortable shoes that meet the demands of modern women. Accessoire styles wow with an unmistakable French flair; the shoes are never over-designed yet they command attention and admiration—effortlessly chic! But why take my word for it when you can see for yourself?

Platform wedges are all the rage this season, but Accessoire gives its Izard a distinctive French twist by replacing the buckle with a soft tie. The caramel brown color of the suede is Luscious with a capital “L”!

Ped fans know how much I love green, so you can imagine how my heart raced when I saw Accessoire’s amazing, metallic, cactus-green Iseult! Iridescent and interesting without being over-the-top, these buttery soft sandals are to. die. for.

Sure, jewel-embellished sandals have been “in” for a few years, but unlike the gaudy ones flooding the market, Accessoire’s Julien is sparkly but still tasteful. It’s got just the right amount of bling to be fun without being obnoxious. And the grey color is ultra-versatile!

Oo-la-la—I saved Laura’s favorite, the Island, for last! She’s been walking around in a dreamy daze ever since these came out of the box. I can’t blame her because this platform wedge is something special with its aura of old-school glamour. The color of the suede is so juicy, and the rosette is the perfect detail! Parisian style to the max!

So slip on a pair of Accessoire beauties, and let your feet speak with an unmistakable French accent!

When I discovered Coclico a few years ago, I knew immediately it was a match made in Ped heaven. Named for coquelicots—the poppies that bloom all across the Brittany countryside—Coclico is the brainchild of French-born Sandra Canselier, who founded the NYC-based company in 2000. Since then, she’s teamed up with famed shoe designer Lisa Nading (Ped’s Laura still sighs about a pair of purple Lisa Nading slingbacks her dog chewed up when he was a puppy), and the two now produce the most beautiful designs, crafted using environmentally aware practices, that make style-loving gals sigh with desire.

Per Ped’s stringent standards, though, Coclico shoes don’t just look like a million bucks; they feel fantastic, too. This season Coclico has really outdone itself in making our hearts beat faster with each new arrival at the Ped warehouse. See for yourself:

When you need a tall boot that’s sophisticated enough for work but hot enough to wear on a date, look no further than Coclico’s Ether:

The light grey leather is luscious and looks terrific with everything from a suit to a mini skirt. Plus, the streamlined design is so lean and lovely! (Your gams will look gorgeous.)

But for those of you who like to go even more feminine, especially if the girliness is spiced with a little vintage-inspired glamour, Coclico’s Pebon peep-toe is singing a siren song to you.

Wow. Just wow. Need I say more? I didn’t think so. Wow.

Then again, maybe girly isn’t your thing. You like to steam up the streets with a bit more of a badass attitude. No problem—just pull on Coclico’s Telesto boot and head out the door with your bad self.

Again, Coclico has thought out every detail for maximal impact. Plus, the steel grey suede looks fabulous with everything in your closet, guaranteed.

But if you really want to turn up the heat to the max, well, the most direct way to do that is with Coclico’s Ndakinna ankle boot.

Oo la la!!! It just doesn’t get much edgier or sexier than this wood-soled number! The way the toe peeps out from beneath the overlay of pebbled leather is so saucy, and the tie at the back is like pouring gasoline on the flames! HOT!

Is it any wonder that everyone at Ped Central goes crazy for Coclico? Come on, join our party!