It’s that time, Ped fans—our Spring Special is GO! Take 20% off any and all full-price goods by entering code “SPRING ZING” at checkout! The code expires at midnight PST on Friday, May 17, so you have four days to collect some spring treasure! On your marks, get set, shop! Most of all, have fun!

Clockwise from the top: Chie Mahara Sandia, Cydwoq Link, Accessoire Bonheur, Argila Delilah, Fiorentini + Baker Pilly, Chie Mihara Obara, Trippen Todi, Cliff Dweller Runner, Fiorentini + Baker Dina, Cydwoq Elect, Fiorentini + Baker Eliza Oxford, Vialis Zarita, Accessoire Bahia, and Cliff Dweller Mary.

Ped fans of a certain age may remember a trend from younger days involving wood-soled sandals with a single stiff leather strap over the toe, made by a company which shall go nameless, but which rhymes with “Proctor Skoles.” Everyone gushed about how “comfortable” these heel-slapping sandals were, even though our feet were often crying for mercy.

Fortunately, times have changed! Yes, wood soles are back, but they’re a world away from the semi-torturous sandals of the past. The 21st century versions truly are wonderful to wear! These new woods are not only gorgeous, but they also provide sturdy support while remaining delightfully cool on sweltering days!

Below are just a few ways to look good in wood this summer.

Argila turned our heads with their wooden wedges because of the leather border rimming the bottom—such a stunning detail that makes all the difference! Exhibit A: the Argila Clarisa:

So delicious that just pasting the pic into this post makes us practically drool on the keyboard! The natural wood is gorgeous in contrast with the chocolate brown and caramel-colored leather!

Vialis also has fun doing unusual things with leather in several of their wood-soled styles, like the Suzannah:

Isn’t it cool how the Suzanna‘s vertical strap at the ankle travels all the way under the sole? Plus, the navy blue leather is so of the moment!

Vialis also manages to make wood-soled styles simmer with sexiness, as evidenced by the knockout Quinta:

The Quinta is perfect for fans of all things black! Its leather-wrapped heel, dark wooden sole, and beautifully woven leather upper offer maximal impact with effortless ease!

Another sandal clog with eye-opening artistic leatherwork is the Trippen Fiocco:

The angular front of this stunner consists of two intersecting loops—ingenious! We also love how the sexy ankle strap originates on the inside of the natural wood sole. So innovative! And then there’s the fact that it’s RED! (Love, love, love red sandals!)

Trippen sands and contours its soles to allow your skin to enjoy the tactile quality of the wood! Another spectacular Trippen sandal is the Lift:

Satiny smooth wood below and buttery soft elk leather above—it doesn’t get more sensational than the Lift! Plus, you can cinch or loosen the central thong to create the ruched effect you want.

If even a low heel is too much for you, Trippen brings the wood down to the ground with the Swing:

We’re wild about Trippen’s twice-dyed leathers, and this season they’ve started matching the rubber on the outsole to the underside of the leather. Too much fun! Plus, the rivets anchoring the leather to the wood are different colors!

Finally, we sing the praises of a perennial wood-soled favorite—the Cydwoq Revolt—which is one of the first designs Rafi offered at Cydwoq!

Classics become classics for good reasons—timeless style and endless comfort! We especially like how the Revolt’s top strap is anchored to the heel on the inside, holding your foot securely on the contoured wooden sole. (In addition to the brown version shown, we also offer the Revolt in twice-dyed black with a yellow edge.)

There are more clog sandals for your pleasure over at Ped’s main site, so go explore! Just like a picnic in the woods is a summer treat, these woods are a picnic for your feet! Wood is good for the sole!

(Psst, the Sweet Treat this week is Cydwoq’s boss Postage Bag, which would look fab with any of the sandals pictured above! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Postage Bag with the magic code that will bring 20% off when entered at checkout! Zing!)

Remember how post-before-last we told you Ari Balouzian, founder of the new Cliff Dweller line, is also an accomplished composer and musician? Well, feast your eyes and ears on “Kenmere Ave,” a new short documenting the care Cydwoq takes handcrafting each and every pair of shoes, which features a beautiful soundtrack by Ari:

Now you know why Cydwoq shoes seem to positively radiate good energy—so many loving hands have contributed to their production!

As Ped fans know, summer days are always sunnier with a pair of Cydwoq sandals on your feet! We’ve brought back lots of favorite styles this season (e.g. the Tomcat, the Thong, and the Naked), but we also have new designs that sizzle and pop! Here are a few to make your toes tingle:

A good black sandal is like money in the bank—it definitely compounds interest! One of the best is Cydwoq’s Train:

The design is gladiator-esque but without the clunk, and the stand-alone toe ring absolutely makes this Train‘s whistle blow! Woot woot!

Cydwoq’s meticulously constructed (you saw for yourself!) all-leather soles offer miles of comfortable walking. The Cedar, for instance would make an ideal traveling companion:

Among its many virtues: the elastic-loop and button closure holds your foot securely; the caramel color is both rich and versatile; and the v-topped t-strap makes any foot look slender and graceful!

We know, we know—as easy as the button-and-loop is, many of you simply want to be able to slide in and go! Cydwoq’s Carbon lets you do just that in red-hot style:

The angular upper is cut from one piece of leather, with only the buckle strap added with a well-placed rivet. So cool! We like how the Carbon‘s buckle lets you cinch up the fit for extra security. Once the buckle’s set, this jazzy flat slides on easy as you please!

Another sandal that lets you adjust a buckle to customize the fit without compromising your ability to slip it on is the Cydwoq Trend:

We constantly get requests for brown sandals that require zero work but look great! Voila! Also, the enclosed heel of the Trend makes it another savvy travel choice.

Speaking of enclosed heels, Cydwoq includes one in the design of THE show-stopping flat sandal of the season, the Laser:

Ultra easy to wear, the Laser is devastatingly sexy with its ankle-strap sassiness! And the multicolored marbled leather? GORGEOUS!

Cydwoq sandals are sweet soles to have and to wear from this day forward—perhaps even ’til death do you part. They’re that well-made and timeless!

(Psst, you have just three more days to eat up one of the sweetest Sweet Treats ever: the Fiorentini + Baker’s Emmy Boot! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Emmy, where you’ll find the magic code that will bring a delicious 20% off at checkout!)

Ped fans, you’ve got to hand it to those Balouzians—they are one creative family! Before father Rafi founded Cydwoq and gained worldwide renown for his artistic handmade shoes, he was an architect. Following in his father’s footsteps (wearing fantastic shoes, no doubt), son Ari began designing eye-opening footwear several years ago, contributing to Cydwoq’s expanding line.

Rafi (left) and Ari (right).

Ari also continued to pursue music as a trained violinist and composer, collaborating on video productions and creating film scores. The name of his media company? Cliff Dweller. Now,  just as his father infused his architectural sensibility into Cydwoq’s designs, Ari is seeking to bring the unique aesthetic of his other creative endeavors to his shoes by launching the Cliff Dweller collection. Made by hand at the Cydwoq factory, with the same attention to materials and construction, Cliff Dweller boots, shoes, and sandals offer an edgy and modern twist on classic styles. Their inspiration comes from such eclectic sources as the city of Burbank, Dust Bowl Era work shoes, William Eggleston photographs, and films of the 1990s.

The results? See for yourself in Ped’s new Cliff Dweller selection! We are wildly, madly, head-over-heels in love them!

One thing you’ll notice right away is Ari’s interest in unusual treatments of vegetable-tanned leathers. The Cliff Dweller Runner will knock your socks off:

Are you swooning the way we are? The simplicity of this slip-on, with its elastic insets and single seam down the front, is attention-getting for its clean lines. But it’s the “Earth” leather, with shifting layers of teal, brown, and tan, that makes us sigh! (Ped also offers the Runner in “Desert Sky,” a rich brown with brushed grey strokes.)

Another kick-around shoe that has everyone at Ped HQ drooling is Cliff Dweller’s Thomas:

Ari’s interpretation of the moccasin is hip and swinging to the 9′s! It makes us think of what the Rat Pack might have worn poolside in Las Vegas. Yet for all its nostalgic charm, this easy flat is utterly modern and ideal for so many occasions. Just leave it by the door. (In addition to the luscious mustard shown, we have the Thomas in midnight blue—blue being the IT color of the season!)

Taking things in a slightly girlier direction, Cliff Dweller’s Norma is another lovely that simply slips on and looks terrific:

Taking a cue from father Rafi, who believes a woman’s arch is the sexiest part of her foot, Ari creates an open area of interest on the inside of this skimmer. Chic and lean, we love the Norma in midnight blue, but this sweetheart also comes in warm brown, both so versatile!

Requiring just an itty-bitty bit more work (adjusting a buckle), the Cliff Dweller Mary is Ari’s modern interpretation of a mary jane:

So much fun! My weakness for green is famous, and the luscious shade of this suede is fresh! I also love the rivet detailing and moccasin-like design. If green isn’t your cup of tea, you can opt for the Mary in sizzling red hot suede or cool midnight blue leather!

Finally, if you’ve been searching for the perfect travel sandal, your quest is over! The answer is Cliff Dweller’s Emma:

The Emma’s enclosed heel holds your foot securely, while the simple band up front lets your toes enjoy the breeze! The tie in front of the ankle adds sexiness, and the molded leather footbed keeps your soles happy mile after mile. The textured red leather version is spicy fun, but Ped also offers the Emma in go-with-everything chocolate brown.

What a bevy of beauties! When you put on a pair of Cliff Dwellers, your feet will feel right at home on the cutting edge!

We can’t wait to see what Ari has in store for us next fall!

Cliff Dweller founder and design genius, Ari Balouzian.

(Psst, did you see the spring-tastic Sweet Treat this week? It’s the sunny Vialis Elyse! Get a fresh 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to reach the Elyse with the magic code to enter at checkout!)

February is the shortest month of the year—at least, in rational, according-to-the-calendar logic. But, Ped fans, the truth is it feels sooooo looooonnnngggggg! Winter makes 28 short days seem endless.

Ped’s antidote? First suggestion: Start planning for warm days and green grass—what would you most like to wear once your winter coat is stashed in the back of the closet? Even better suggestion: Take a midwinter vacation to a tropical destination, where you can break out the warm-weather wear and give your sun-starved flesh a welcome dose of Vitamin D!

Either way, Ped is ready to help since fresh spring and summer goods are arriving daily at the warehouse! We’ll have new eye candy to show you throughout the month, but for now take a gander at these sunny temptations just unpacked from Cydwoq!

If you need an infusion of spring stat, the style doctors at Cydwoq have the cure for what ails you: the Link!

Doesn’t this jazzy flat instantly make the world seem sunnier? Because the Italian leather is hand-painted, each individual shoe is unique—so fun! Time to throw your toes a party!

Although we love a big dose of color, we also realize many of you prefer to keep things black. You can air out your tootsies and still keep your urban edge in Cydwoq’s Train:

Chic day in and day out, this gladiator-inspired sandal will be your constant companion in warm weather because it looks fantastic with everything! We love how the Train‘s body, with its cage-like design, is cut from one piece of leather, accented by the stand-alone toe ring.

Another example of Cydwoq’s virtuosity at cutting leather is the lean and lovely Prospect:

The perfect transitional shoe for going from spring to summer to fall, this simple flat is a breath of fresh air for feet that have under wraps all winter! If you need one shoe to do it all, the Prospect is IT—dressy when you need it to be and casual when you just want to relax. Also, two words: Travel. Shoe.

You know me, I live and die for anything green. Happily, Cydwoq has plenty to fuel my fantasies of new grass and leafy trees! A favorite among the latest arrivals is the Artery:

The aloe-colored brushed leather is so soothing, and the cobalt blue strap, which secures with a simple rivet, provides the perfect accent. In a word, yum!

Another fantastic shoe for making the seasonal jump is Cydwoq’s luscious new Cover:

This is the one that has Ped’s Laura beside herself with love! An innovative interpretation of a mary jane, the Cover turns heads with its brick-red leather, complemented by a natural-colored thong knotted over the forefoot.

Looking for a little more va-va-va-voom? Cydwoq’s red-hot-and-ready-to-rock Steam is guaranteed to steam things up:

Holy moly! This heeled beauty is so likely to set hearts on fire, it should come with a warning label! But no matter how much trouble you manage to stir up in the Steam, your feet will be cool and comfortable, thanks to Cydwoq’s superb all-leather construction.

We started this post with a knockout example of Cydwoq’s amazing hand-painted leathers, so let’s end with another—the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Boomerang:

When we took this stunner out of the box, we were speechless; all we could do was sigh with admiration as we fell hopelessly in love! It’s that beautiful!!! Yes, this sandal features a gorgeous etched resin heel and an amazing design, but it’s the leather, with its layers of green, silver, fuchsia, and ochre, that walks off with the show! (Winter, what winter?)

Just writing this post brightened up our day! At Ped, we aim to make it easy to find something wonderful—Cydwoq or otherwise—to sustain you through winter or to carry you off on a tropical adventure! (Take pics—we  love to live vicariously!)

(By the way, this week’s Sweet Treat is another wonderful transitional shoe: Trippen’s Vivienne, a perennial Ped favorite! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Vivienne with the code that will bring 20% off at checkout!)