The Dog Days of summer are here, and as much as we love dogs at Ped, it’s so hot that all we can think about is spending a day at the beach, cooling off in the waves and relaxing in the sea breeze. Happily, Ped has quite a few things to make the sand-and-surf experience that much more pleasurable. (And stylish!)

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!

Dayna may be off having high tea in Singapore and riding elephants in Thailand, but Ped’s blog must go on! Laura, here, standing in for our fearless leader and bringing you great news: the latest shipment of Mia Zia loveliness has just arrived at Ped! Inspired by all things Moroccan, Mia Zia  is renowned for its way with tassels, stripes, and wonderfully woven textiles. Everything the company produces treasures is a delight to see and touch!

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?

Ped fans, I am SO EXCITED!!! Tomorrow I jet off with my mom, sister, and niece for a two-week vacation in Southeast Asia! Do you know I have never taken 14 consecutive days off in my life??? After leaving San Francisco, we’ll visit Hong Kong, Singapore, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Bangkok. My mom (technically my step-mother, but I love her with all my heart) grew up in Shanghai, and she still has friends and family throughout Asia. For instance, in Singapore we’re staying with her nephew, who is the head of Hasbro Toys! We four gals have so many fun things planned: riding elephants, visiting temples in Chiang Mai, kayaking, and just chilling on the white sand beaches in Phuket. I promise to take lots of pictures and tell you all about it once I return!

So, you may be wondering what Ped things I plan to take on my big adventure? Well, here are few items that will definitely go on the trip:

1) Cydwoq’s Mint bag:

Not only is this bag beautiful, but it’s also large enough to hold everything I want to have on hand for the long flight: a couple books, a magazine or two, a sweater because I always get chilly on the plane, toiletries for freshening up, and a change of clothes, just in case my checked bag takes a vacation without me (please, no). Also, the Mint will make a great shopping companion when I hit the streets to hunt for souvenirs.

2) Jutta Neumann’s Kim sandal:

When you’re going to spend a lot of time walking in hot weather, you can’t beat this easy slide for comfort and versatility. Jutta’s craftsmanship is legendary—her all-leather sandals are molded so they feel custom-made for your feet. And the Kim’s design—so minimal and chic—looks fantastic with literally everything! 

3) Jamie Joseph’s Sea Coral Necklace:

I don’t know about you, but I hate fussing with jewelry when I travel—but that doesn’t mean I want to go without. So, I’m planning to put on (and never take off) this Jamie Joseph necklace. I love how the tiny diamonds sparkle from within the crevices of the oxidized silver “coral”! And it’s a necklace I don’t have to think about—I’ll wear it sightseeing, swimming in the ocean, out to dinner (have I mentioned the great food we’re going to eat?), and everywhere else! 

I hope the next two weeks bring you as much fun as I’m about to have! I’ll miss Terry, Lulu, and Ella, but just think—soon I’ll be here:

Courtesy of J.W. Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa

On Seinfeld, when Jerry said, “Hello, Newman,” he was usually gritting his teeth over running into his arch nemesis. Not us! When we say, “Hello, Neumann!” (pronounced “noy-man”) we’re jumping for joy because it means we’ve gotten in  another shipment from our New York friend, leather designer Jutta Neumann.

Originally from Germany, Jutta creates sandals and bags that truly(!!!) offer unparalleled beauty and craftsmanship. She hand selects her leathers and dyes them the most gorgeous, saturated colors before meticulously cutting and constructing her items using traditional methods. A hallmark of her sandals are their molded arches and tiny cobblers’ nails that, though barely visible, are evidence of Jutta’s dedication to her craft. Everything she makes is wonderful from the outset but improves with age and use, lasting for years and years and years. We also adore her clean-lined and elegant aesthetic—every detail is intelligently considered and contributes to the overall design. (Plus, we love her arched cat logo!)

See for yourself! Jutta’s classic Kim sandal represents the best qualities of the J.N. approach and has won fans the world over.

This ultra-comfortable design offers an ideal combination of minimalism and sophistication. This year, Ped has added bone and kelly green to our always-popular black and brown options.

Another Jutta Neumann sandal that’s won our hearts is Roger! 

This little lovely is perfect for Ped-sters who like the security of a back strap. A veritable lesson in good design, Roger is three well-planned straps on a mission of comfort and style.

Jutta’s bags are also the epitome of form and function. Case in point: the Oslo.

The proportions are perfect, and the lime green color is beyond juicy! Plus, although you can barely glimpse it under one strap in the pic, the lining is a fabulous violet suede (check out “views” at the Ped site)!!! Too cool!

And since we’re on the subject of purple, take a look at Jutta’s lovely Adana bag:

With this feminine-but-not-fussy bag on your shoulder, you’ll be like a walking urban beautification project! (Any city you visit should thank you.)

So, go ahead and say it with us, “Hello, Neumann!”

Here at Ped HQ in Berkeley, Ca., we receive wonderful things from all over the world—Fiorentini + Baker boots from Italy, Trippen shoes from Germany, Antipast socks from Japan, and Cydwoq footwear and bags from down the California coast in Burbank (just to name a few). But after their brief sojourn here at Ped, we send these lovelies on their global way to points far and wide. It’s always fun for us to discover what countries are particularly fond of what lines.

For instance, in Australia and New Zealand—where autumn is currently on its way to winter—Ped fans can’t get enough of Fiorentini + Baker boots.

Meanwhile, all things Cydwoq are popular in France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Our Canadian friends love Jamie Joseph’s sparkle.

And in Japan, our customers are wild about Parisian Sophie Digard’s designs!

No matter where you are, Ped is ready to travel the world to bring you international style!