The holiday season is over. There’s snow everywhere. Which can only mean one thing: bring on the sunshine and sandals!!

Terry left Tuesday for a little tropical vay-kay (and since it’s his birthday, the rest of us at Ped HQ are trying not to be tooo jealous). As he headed out the door, he asked me to pass this message on to you:

“Every year, in the height of winter, I get the itch to take my shoes off and go barefoot for a week.  So, about 8 years ago, some friends and I started going on a windsurfing trip to Lake Arenal in Costa Rica’s northern mountains.

windsurfing in lake arenal

It’s a spring-fed lake where the air temperature is usually around 90 degrees and the water is 75 and incredibly clean and clear.  We sail all day—until our fingers are raw and our arms can barely hold a camera—and then sleep in simple row houses with a common front porch. 

I’ll miss Miss Lulu (and her big sis Ella), but I know they’ll approve and be waiting with wags when the wind wanes…

See you soon,

Terry @ Ped”

Sigh. Okay, the rest of us at Ped Central can’t help it—we do feel a smidgeon of envy. We all have the urge to abandon our sweaters and boots and slip into something a little more airy. Fortunately, Cydwoq just delivered the first of Ped’s sandals, so our warm-weather dreams are just a little more tangible. Rafi has really outdone himself this year with the new designs. Here are a few to tantalize you (and if you’re lucky enough to be jetting to Bali or Barbados, we’ve clearly got you covered… or uncovered, to be more exact…).

This cutie is called the Copy. I love how minimal the design is, and yet your heel feels so secure resting within the nubuck back (the rivets look great from behind, by the way). Plus, the tie at the ankle adds a little sizzle.

Another style that we’re wild about is the Hurricane:

This sandal just slips on—no muss, no fuss—but the way Rafi has cut the leather straps gives it a wallop of visual impact.

And speaking of visual impact, check out the Elect!!!

Now that is what you call a head-turner! It’s edgy and fashion-forward, but because it’s Cydwoq, it’s guaranteed to be comfortable. And the icing on the cake is that it’s green (my fave)!

So, while Terry enjoys the tropical breezes of Costa Rica, we at least have sandals to remind us that winter won’t last forever.

As lots of you know, Terry threw me a fantastic surprise party for my 40th birthday two years ago. Well, one good bash deserves another, so since it’s Terry’s turn to dive into his 40s, I decided to surprise him with a whirlwind trip to Seattle this past weekend for a party at our favorite restaurant, Tavolata (which I’ve gushed about before). Little did I realize how much of a surprise it would be for me, too! I knew our friends Ellen and Becky (standing behind me in the picture on the right) would be at the party, but I was shocked that our sweet pals Kim and Amy flew in all the way from New York and Virginia (they’re on the left there, enjoying their coup du jour)!

It was a great beginning to a great party! Terry wound up feeling quite festive:

But we all survived and made it to breakfast, happy and intact:

We Ped heads sure know how to have a good time! Wish you all could have been there.

Here at Ped HQ, we’re smitten with the new First Lady! Not only is Michelle Obama accomplished and brilliant, but she’s also got miles of style! We admit we reveled in every minute of the January 20th inauguration, admiring her chartreuse dress during the day (as you probably know, I love green) and her white gown at night.

That said, we were all a little worried about how well her feet were holding up. Ms. Obama was standing practically all day! Whenever they showed close-ups of her during the parade, I thought I detected a well-masked hint of “oh-do-my-feet-ever-ache” underlying her smile. Nothing against the Jimmy Choos she wore, but, let’s face it, most heels are instruments of torture after a few hours!

Which is why Ped humbly suggests the First Lady consider Cydwoq Vintage and/or Chie Mihara for her White House footwear wardrobe. Both lines offer super chic, cutting-edge yet sophisticated designs, perfect for the types of state functions Ms. Obama must attend. But, amazingly, both remain comfortable even after hours of standing and making diplomatic chitchat.

So, if you run into the lovely Ms. O, perhaps you could steer her to our list of recommendations, which we’re offering in two parts. We’ll start with a few Cydwoq Vintage beauties, and in a few weeks, we’ll suggest a few Chie Mihara styles.

First up, the new Cydwoq Vintage Osmosis:

(No, that’s not what you think–our little Corgi friend, Cooper, accidentally knocked over her water bowl in her excitement to see us.) How gorgeous are these??? When Ped’s Laura saw them, she almost fainted! We think Michelle Obama would rock these, and their 2″ heel—placed precisely where it’s most comfortable by Rafi, Cydwoq’s genius in residence—would give her just enough lift. Considering she’s a statuesque 5′11″, we’re guessing she likes to keep her heels fairly low. 

Or how about the ultra chic Palm?

It is the epitome of understated sophistication! Plus, its neutral color palette would allow Ms. Obama to pair it with so many outfits (and if she’s bored at a luncheon, she could just look down at her feet for some entertainment). We’re pretty sure it would become a favorite!

Another goes-with-anything option is Cydwoq’s Wing:

Can’t you just envision Michelle in this embossed faux croc and bronze number? We can!

Finally, we’ve noticed Ms. Obama appreciates a zing of color, but we also know she probably needs a pair of fall-back black pumps. Which is why we think the Canvas has “Michelle Obama” written all over it:

That little red edge just makes this shoe! 

Looking ladylike was never such a treat for the feet! After all, it’s not whether the shoe is too big or too small,* it’s whether it works for you.

(*actually, it kind of is, but I couldn’t resist the line…)

Ped fans, I am sad to report our beloved Lulu, Ped’s Chief Canine Officer, had to have emergency back surgery this past weekend. Fortunately, she’s had the best possible veterinary care and was operated on by an extraordinarily skilled surgeon at U.C. Davis (to whom we are so, so grateful). Happily, a full recovery is expected, albeit after two months of crate confinement (poor Princess Lulu Parmesan). Lulu will, however, still approve the emails and run the show around here at Ped from her crate!

Lulu in her usual command post.

Ped’s Chief Canine Officer and her adoring human minions, Dayna and Terry.

Okay, so perhaps the twice-a-week blogging resolution was a bit ambitious, but I’m determined to move in that direction. The Holidays, however, left everyone at Ped HQ wanting to take a holiday! Fun times but quite exhausting. And since summer sandals are starting to arrive (stay tuned), we’re way over winter already and more in the mood for the beach. Out with cold-weather wares (no matter how gorgeous), and in with things better suited for green grass and flowers (and dining al fresco). So, with that in mind–ta da!–our annual winter sale is on, sisters! As always, those with larger or especially wee feet are more likely to strike gold (isn’t wearing super stylin’ shoes  the best revenge for all your brother’s teasing about the “boats” at the end of your legs?), but even size 38 gals will find things to love.

For instance, mid-season we re-ordered the gorgeous Chie Mihara Bas:

Which means we have quite a range of sizes on hand of this versatile and sexy Mary Jane, but we’ve taken a bit off the top of its price (an attractive trim).

Or consider Cydwoq’s cool Rugged Boot, one of our favorites of the fall season:

Granted, the rivets take a bit of time to do up, but what great impact this boot packs! Plus, it’s flat and comfortable without sacrificing its edge. And we’ve just smacked down the price by 25% !

If you prefer a more classic look, though, guess what? Fortune smiles upon you! As many of you know, we almost never put Fiorentini + Baker on sale, but being in the mood for spring cleaning–albeit, a little early–we thought, “Why not?” So, here’s your chance to buy the F+B Noon Boot without breaking the bank (and eating ramen for a month):

And there are plenty more delicious deals where those come from!