Well Lovely Ped Folks, I am not sure if this qualifies as a tale, but its making has certainly been epic for me. I am pregnant with our first kiddo, due June 22nd. The first six months were no trouble in the style department, but boy howdy, when I hit the third trimester things got pretty boring in the sartorial department.

I have been pretty determined not to buy clothes that I know I’ll only need for three months, so the same handful of shirts it has been. And one might think that I could do a little spring sprucing with some of the fabulous shoes you’ve been getting in, but nope! I am one of those gals whose feet have gotten a wee bit bigger, so I knew that anything that fit now would not fit later.

What’s a girl to do for a little spring fashion under such circumstances? Buy the handbag of her dreams, that’s what! Last month’s sweet treat hooked me up with this gorgeous teal Cydwoq bag. I have been on The Bag hunt for, sheesh, years now, and it’s over. It’s the perfect size, wears delightfully over the shoulder or across the chest, the color is gorgeous, and the leather is super supple. It joins my ever growing collection of Cydwoq shoes, which have all aged and worn beautifully—I’m sure this bag will do the same!

Thanks for hooking a pregnant gal up just about when she lost her patience.

Heather and her Cydwoq Flap Bag---how to do nine months in style!

What a smile! Since she was due June 22, we hope congratulations are in order by now! Such a lucky baby to have such a beautiful mother!

See what we mean? Isn’t your day just a little brighter now? Thanks, Heather! For sharing her story, we’re delighted to send Heather $100 in Ped credit! (As a no-doubt exhausted new mom, she could probably use a little treat.)

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!

(Did you notice Heather found her bag through the “Sweet Treat”? In case you don’t know, every week Ped chooses an item to offer at 20% off—and you never know what we’ll pick! So, when you visit Ped be sure to click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any page to discover the current “sweet treat” and receive the code for 20% at checkout. Sweet!)

Here at Ped, we have quite a thing for blue. We love how it’s simultaneously dreamy, peaceful, and uplifting. (Not to mention romantic—there’s a reason why brides carry “something blue.”) Shades like turquoise add a jolt of color! Others, such as grey-blues, are nearly neutral and quietly add style.

Here’s a juicy sample of the many hues of blue at Ped.

Cydwoq sandals are de rigueur for the summer because they’re artistic and supremely comfortable. This season we decided to offer Cydwoq’s Hook in blue:

I bought this sandal myself in brown  a couple seasons ago, but this new blue version has turned my head. If you’re looking for the perfect companion to take on vacation, the Hook makes an ideal sight-seeing friend!

Another favorite shoe that we’ve refreshed in blue is Chie Mihara’s Vaive:

A cluster of violet-blue rosettes blooming on a heeled lace-up oxford—yes, please!!! The Vaive is the way to take your style to work!

Maybe you want something that’s airier than an oxford but not quite as breezy as a sandal? Then drink in the lovely blueness of Cydwoq’s new Border:

This wooden-heeled beauty is sophisticated enough for serious occasions, but it still let’s you celebrate that it’s summer outside! You’ll be as pretty as a bluebell!

If there’s one thing on which all Ped fans agree, it’s the fabulousness of Fiorentini + Baker boots. Meet Eden, the latest member of the Ped F+B family:

This boot’s a slice of blue paradise! Imagine how great it would look with a white prairie skirt and camisole on a hot summer day! Although the Eden danced out of the Ped warehouse as soon as it arrived, we have more on the way. Let us know if you’d like to be notified when the next shipment of Eden lands.

But there’s more blue than just shoes at Ped. Drink in the beauty of the linen Seville scarf that just arrived from Sophie Digard in Paris:

A lacy wonder, this scarf’s sky-blue background makes all the other colors sing so harmoniously! As with every Sophie design, we suggest you zoom, zoom, zoom at the Ped site to appreciate the intricate artistry of the work.

One way to keep a blue sky with you, no matter what the weather, is to slip a Jamie Joseph ring on your finger. Then you can just look at your hand for a little pick-me-up. One of our favorites is her Rainbow Moonstone ring:

The stone’s depth and luminosity are so spellbinding!

Finally, opening your wallet becomes a much less stressful experience when it’s made of wonderful blue leather:

“Yvs Klein Blue” is our new favorite color for 49 Square Miles’ Clingy Wallet!

Oh, and by the way, you can get this week’s Sweet Treat—Cydwoq’s Flap Bag—in teal, which is the loveliest blue green!

Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of this page (or any Ped page) to be whisked to the Flap, where a magic code awaits to enable you to knock 20% off the price at checkout.

So, head over to the Ped site to find your favorite blue to help you keep the blues at bay. Only blue skies for Ped fans!

This picture was taken on the far south coast of New South Wales at a place called Narooma at the beginning of November. This is the time for the annual migration of whales to the Great Southern Ocean. I’d gone on a boat trip to see the whales. Not far out of the town of Narooma, the sea turned very rough with a huge southerly storm—hence the life jacket! It was very rough, but the scarf kept me lovely and secure. Unfortunately, the conditions got so rough so quickly we had to return to Narooma without seeing any whales. You can’t see it, but I tucked my Cydwoq Sling bag under my life jacket because I wanted to protect the bag from the rain, which was quite heavy.

Wow! What an adventure, although we’re sorry the weather kept Rebecca from seeing any whales. We know they would have appreciated her high style on the high seas! (Whales are very intelligent.) As thanks for letting us fantasize about a summertime sail off the coast of Australia—especially since it’s wintertime in the U.S.—we’re sending Rebecca $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!

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!

This past weekend, our friend Kimmy took the train from NYC to Charlottesville, Va. to see Thievery Corporation and to spend a little time with Ped pals Amy and Laura. She went with Laura to an art opening at the University of Virginia on Friday evening and convinced camera-shy LP to let her snap a pic (yes, that’s a lovely parking garage in the  background—but we like how the yellow square on the sidewalk looks  with Laura’s outfit, so  we decided not to crop).

How fun that Laura’s out and about in Fiorentini + Baker  Eternity boots and Cydwoq’s Flap Bag, both from Ped!

When Kimmy returned to New York, she posted a new Ped-i-licious profile photo on her Facebook page:

How cute is she with her Jutta Neumann Monica bag and Fiorentini + Baker Eli boots? (And she tells us the hand on her hip is sporting a little Jamie Joseph bling.)

We get such a kick out of seeing Ped items in action! If you show us yours with an explanation of what adventure you had while wearing Ped (it can be anything from a trip to the grocery store to the time you stood next to Viggo Mortensen on an elevator), you’ll be in the running for $100 in Ped credit. Come on, don’t be shy, tell us your “Tale of the Sole.” ]]> /blog/index.php/cydwoq/gals-we-know-spreading-the-ped-love/1233/feed/ 0 /blog/index.php/chie-mihara/color-my-world/1195/ /blog/index.php/chie-mihara/color-my-world/1195/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:48:39 +0000 laura /blog/?p=1195 As Ped fans know, I have a serious thing for green. Nevertheless, when fall rolls around and the green world of summer transforms into a sea of orange, red, purple, and ochre, my heart sings! To celebrate, here’s a tempting array of Ped treasures to put you in the spirit of autumn.

Who doesn’t love the Fiorentini + Baker Emma boot? Well, now we’ve got your favorite in drop-dead gorgeous red:

People in Berkeley will tell you that I practically live in my black Emma’s, and Ped’s Laura has them in caramel. But this red edition may be the prettiest of them all! Combine old-school Italian craftsmanship with red leather and sexy lacing in the back, and you’ve got an unbeatable boot!

I love green, but the color that has Laura’s heart is orange. So, you’ll understand why this Jamie Joseph ring is on her personal wish list:

The stone is orange chalcedony—thought to encourage happiness and a positive attitude—and it’s beautifully set in 14kt gold mounted on a sterling silver band. Why not put a little fire on your finger?

Everyone at Ped Central burst out with oohs and aahs when 49 Square Miles’ fall bags arrived because those SF girls have added “loganberry” to their leather colors. It makes us think of maple leaves and chrysanthemums:

This Starlet Top Zip is a new style for Ped, too. I fell in love with it because not only does the bag embody the best of 49 Square Miles—supple leather, hammered brass hardware, and fantastic detailing—but its two straps also let you choose between wearing it as a short over-the-shoulder or handheld bag and slinging it  across your body courier-style.

Another beautiful new bag in a rich fall color is Cydwoq’s Oak in “Alma brick”:

Cydwoq’s Rafi took his cue for this design from bowling ball bags. We love the clean-lined shape, and, needless, to say the leather is luscious!

But autumn is not without its greens (yay!)—they just tend to be more of the olive and moss variety, as embodied in the Cydwoq Vote:

This is one of those shoes that once you put it on you won’t want to take it off. It’s practical and comfortable yet unlike any other kick-around shoe you’re likely to find.

Maybe, though, you want a shoe that doesn’t just shine with one fall color. You want one that dazzles with a combination of autumnal hues. Chie Mihara has your number:

Ped just added the Gretchen to our Chie lineup, and it’s instantly become one of our favorites! The tan top-stitching and bow are just so pretty with the deep blue suede toe and cocoa suede heel.

Friends, you don’t have to turn your back on black—just spice it up with some seasonal color! You’ll look as fresh as a crisp fall day.

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!

From now until August 19, all of the beautiful slings, totes, and satchels from Cydwoq, 49 Square Miles, and Jutta Neumann are all 25% off!!! Here are just a few of the lovelies we’re offering at “back-to-school” prices:

When we laid eyes on the Kerouac Satchel from 49 Square Miles, it was love at first sight! It is one beautiful bag—large enough to hold everything you need but not oversized and awkward. The way the handles lace through the accordion-pleated sides is just so cool. And the leather, aahhhhh, the leather is so deliciously supple, you’ll have a hard time not touching it (but why resist?). Well worth the original price of $548, it’s a steal at $411! (But we love you, so it’s okay.)

For those of you who like a lighter bag (and who manage to leave the kitchen sink where it belongs in the kitchen), Jutta Neumann’s Oslo Bag is simplicity incarnate. It has room for the necessities you need in a day but won’t weigh you down. Plus, we love the surprise of the contrasting suede lining—see that glimpse of brilliant turquoise up there? And Jutta’s craftsmanship is unparalleled. Pretty at $318, it’s positively radiant at $199!

Maybe you really are heading back to school as a teacher, grad student, or professor, in which case Cydwoq’s Bright Bag makes a great campus companion. A Ped classic, loved by so many, the all-rivet construction—not a stitch to be seen—makes this bag an endurance queen, and its capacious interior is large enough for files, a few books, and even a small laptop. Smart at $358, it’s brilliant at $268!

Jump on over to Ped’s main site to see all the other beautiful bags waiting to tote your goods around town! But remember, to bag your favorite before the sale ends on August 19. What a way to say “see ya” to summer and “hey there” to fall!

Seaside tip of the day: Don’t leave home without 49 Square Miles’ Carryall Tote:

Four words: Best. Beach. Bag. EVER!!!!! Everyone at Ped HQ is crazy about this sturdy canvas bag because it’s spacious enough to hold a beach towel, paperback, snack, sunscreen, binoculars, frisbee, water bottle, and whatever else you need to make your day in the sun fun. And despite being a workhorse of a bag, it’s so dang cute! The leather appliques are whimsical, and the colors sing of warm weather. We love. We love.

Another great way to haul your beachwear and wares from your house to that umbrella in the sand is Mia Zia’s Parisian Market Tote.

Beautifully woven out of natural raffia, this bag is casual yet undeniably chic. Traditional Moroccan construction means it’s sturdy enough to take on whatever rough-and-tumble adventures you care to carry it on, looking sassy all the while with its colorful tassels.

Another must-have beach accessory is a pair of kick-on, kick-off sandals. Cydwoq’s Lizard is just the ticket!

There’s not much to them, but what there is packs a serious style punch! The ultimate in Zen-like simplicity, these beauties will keep you from burning your tootsies’ tender soles as you skip across the blazing sand.

Finally, every day is sunnier with the beach-inspired dazzle of Jamie Joseph’s Starfish Necklace.

The perfect way to add sparkle to your beachwear—whether you’re baring it in a bikini or keeping covered in a kaftan—this necklace is so sweet with its gold-set diamond twinkling like a star within the silver starfish. And what a way to maintain your beach frame of mind the rest of the year!

So, stretch out on the sand and, with Ped’s help, beach all you can beach!

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?