Summer is no time to be shy, Ped fans! Let your bold style sparkle! One step in the right direction is to zip up this week’s Sweet Treat, the Trippen Tough! Steal the show in this steely beauty for 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” at the bottom of the box on the left of most pages at Ped’s main site! When you land at the Tough with the “Sweet Treat” designation, select your size and pop it in your bag to receive the discount automatically at checkout!

Impress everyone with your metal mettle!

Everyone knows how crazy we are for all things Cydwoq! But, honestly, Rafi and Ari—the father and son team responsible for Cydwoq’s ultra-cool designs—have really outdone themselves for 2011. A smorgasbord of new warm-weather styles just arrived in the Ped warehouse, and Cydwoq has served up something for everyone from strappy heels for the girly girls to run-around-town flats for the tomboys at heart.

Here’s a taste to whet your appetite and encourage you to think spring (or, if you’re lucky, mid-winter vacation)!

One area where Cydwoq excels is in creating practical walking shoes that still turn every head with their unusual style! Case in point, the new Sabates:

Too cool!!! But cutting edge funkiness is not the end of the story because these artistic shoes are also easy to wear. Simply slide your foot into the welcoming interior—no buckles, zippers, or even elastic to fiddle with!

Another great runabout style is Cydwoq’s Penalty, which is our pick for the first thing to pack if you’re heading somewhere warm.

You can cruise through sightseeing, shopping, and sipping a cocktail at the end of the day, looking terrific whatever the venue. And thanks to Cydwoq’s famous construction, you may be tired, but your feet will be blister-free and ready to go again tomorrow.

But maybe you’re looking for a wearable heel to go to the office (without sacrificing any snazz). Then breathe in the Vapour!

Everyone at Ped is smitten with the Vapour’s off-center t-strap. Plus the red color is simply delicious. (I ask you who doesn’t love a red shoe?)

And if you enjoy a sassy buckle-and-heel combo, then Cydwoq’s new Possession has your name on it!

Just like A.S. Byatt’s novel of the same name, this beautiful heel embodies both a 19th century romanticism and an utterly modern attitude. For lovers of the steampunk aesthetic, the Possession is a retro-futuristic dream come true!

Another thing we admire about Cydwoq is how their designs often bring artsy and organic together into a harmonious whole.

The new Buds sandal is earthy and urban all at once. We love the way rivets connect the leather leaves, but we confess this sandal had us at green (our favorite)!

For sheer impact, though, we recommend lacing up Cydwoq’s new Expo!

Kapow! This sandal’s rustic yet clean-lined design takes the gladiator sandal a step ahead, out of the arena and onto the runway! Super chic—imagine how terrific the Expo will look with a floaty summer dress! A perfect exercise in contrasts!

The above bevy of beauties is just a glimpse of the panorama of Cydwoq styles awaiting you at Ped’s main site! You’ll love the view—but Cydwoq’s hand-crafted comfort is what will win your heart!

(Have you seen this week’s “sweet treat”? It’s Trippen’s over-the-knee Nox Boot! Whether you pull it high or cuff it and scrunch, the Nox is the perfect tall, dark, and lovely boot you’ve been hoping to find. Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to be transported to the Nox, where you’ll find the magic code that will bring a cool 20% off  when entered in the box at checkout!)

August’s winning Tale of the Sole is a story we’ve heard many times, but we never ever get tired of hearing it! With each retelling, the details and locations change, but the happy ending stays the same. In this version, the cast of characters includes longtime Seattle Ped customer—and all-around great gal—Liesbeth R. and Fiorentini + Baker’s Paula boot. Here is what Liesbeth wrote us:

I ordered on Monday, and the shoes were here by Wednesday. Unbelievable! The boots smelled gorgeous opening the box. Outstanding! Amazing color and perfect fit. I can’t stand it!  This is one my all-time favorite shoe moments I have had and I, like your other fans, have had many shoe moments.

Liesbeth rocking the F+B Paula against the Seattle skyline!

I’ve been a customer since you opened the Seattle store, and I believe all of my treasured purchases from Ped are still happily in my wardrobe rotation, although my other shoes might be eclipsed by these awesome F&B’s. I’ve been looking for my perfect short boots for a few years and finally found them from Ped! Seattle summers as you remember are short and sweet, but I always get over the short part because when the cool marine air returns, out come all the boots. 🙂

Liesbeth looking smashing in her Paula boots, as photographed by her 12-year-old niece, Andrea (who clearly has a career in fashion photography)!

Thank you so, so, so much for giving me some Fiorentini & Baker insanity this week. I am one happy, rockstar boot-wearing customer. Thanks for all the shoe love!

You are more than welcome, Liesbeth. The feeling is mutual! F+B’s Paula may have made Liesbeth’sweek, but her story made our whole month!  To thank her, we’re giving her $100 in Ped credit!

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!

(By the way, the “Sweet Treat” this week is Cydwoq’s wonderful Tourist! Get 20% off this easygoing sweetheart by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the top right corner of any Ped page, which will magically take you to the Tourist, where you will find the discount code! So, save a little money, lace up the Tourist, go off on an adventure, and then tell us all about it!)