How we love our Parisian friend, Sophie Digard! She has crocheted her way into many a Ped fan’s heart with eye-popping and intricate scarves, necklaces, bags, and other treasures. You may be familiar with her woolen wonders (which can be worn year round), but every spring, Sophie whips up dazzling linen versions of favorite styles along with some new surprises—all of them lightweight and delectable! We just got in our latest shipment from France, and everyone at Ped HQ can’t stop oohing and aahing (each item out of the box makes us swoon all over again). Just take a gander—they’re sure to make you smile!

I ask you, who doesn’t love flowers in spring and summer? (If there is someone, we hope they cheer up soon!) Sophie has concocted the sweetest three-blossom brooches that will always stay fresh:

I especially like how the crocheted flowers are complemented by the little striped linen fabric bloom. So pretty.

And then there’s the Supernova scarf (Laura’s favorite):

The mosaic-like combination of colors and openwork—the flowers’ centers are left airy—is absolutely stunning! Make sure you use the “zoom” feature at the Ped site to get a true sense of how astronomically beautiful the Supernova is.

Bringing it back down to earth, Sophie has created a necklace called Le Monde (“the world”):

Like all of Sophie’s necklaces, the individual elements are movable, allowing you to cluster the spheres however you like along the linen cord. Each soft bead is a work of art unto itself (again, Ped’s “zoom” is your best friend in getting to know the beauty of this strand of baubles).

Finally, I am smitten with the old-school charm of Sophie’s Vintage Tote:

This light, summery bag’s aesthetic is delightfully retro. It represents everything we like about Sophie Digard: eye-popping artistry, a lovely palette, and a one-of-a-kind collectibility. 

If a springtime trip to Paris isn’t in your cards, then wearing a Sophie Digard item is a close second–effortlessly chic and able to turn every head on the boulevard.

Although most of Ped’s shoes are comfortable worn barefoot, it’s fun to spice things up (or warm things up) with a great pair of socks! And for our money, the cutest and most comfortable socks in the world(!) are designed by a Japanese mother and daughter team, Emiko and Junko, the geniuses behind Antipast. What a sense of whimsy they bring to their work! The latest craze on the catwalk is the sock-with-sandal look, so it’s the perfect time to add a little ‘zazz to your summer footwear with Antipast’s dazzling designs. We just got in our latest shipment, and here are a few of the new treats from our wonderful friends in Japan:

Everybody at Ped HQ bursts into a smile whenever we send out a pair of these Mod Flower socks. They are like a sunny day for your feet! I especially like how the profusion of flowers on the foot moves into stripes heading up your ankle to a little ruffle at the top. (If you like a longer sock, we also have these in an over-the-knee version—super sweet with a short skirt!)

These soft charmers are simply too cute! Beneath a flower-filled sky, a be-ribboned cat chases a little fish up sparkly stairs that rise as they go around your foot. Want to start a conversation with someone who’s caught your eye? Just flash these Cat Street socks, and he or she will be putty in your palm!

Nothing goes with summer more than a seaside vacation! Why not send your feet on one in these ocean-inspired Mermaid Knee-His? Swimming with starfish, undersea plants, and other creatures, they are endlessly entertaining and softer than sand. Prefer an ankle sock? Lucky you–Ped has these  Mermaids in trouser-length, too.

So, pull on a pair of Antipast and go knock their socks off!

Did you know that every week Ped offers a little something special to those who are wise to our ways? Look at the upper right corner of this page. See “be sweet to your feet” up there? Mouse over it. Ta da! Like magic, it changes to “sweet treat“! “But what does that mean?” you may wonder. Well, when you click it, you are suddenly transported to a special Ped item that’s 20% off when you enter the code “SWEET TREAT” in the box on the last page of checkout. How cool is that? The treat changes every seven days or so (admittedly, some weeks we’re a little slow on the uptake). Perhaps that pair of Chies you’ve been drooling over or that cool Cydwoq bag that has your name practically emblazoned on it will suddenly be 20% off! So, don’t forget to check what the treat is every time you visit the Ped site. You never know—it just might be your lucky day!

For instance, this week the “sweet treat” is Jutta Neumann’s minimal but oh-so-luscious Monica bag. Handcrafted in Jutta’s NYC studio, this envelope-like beauty is light but easily holds everything you need, leaving your hands free. Definitely sweet, at 20% off, it’s quite a treat! 

We love the vibrant colors! Whether you choose turquoise, black, or red, the Monica will make your day each and every day! So, click through “be sweet to your feet” and treat yourself to 20% off! And come back next week for a different “sweet treat.”

Is everyone out there as happy as I am about spring? When the trees leaf out and the grass turns green, all I want to do is leave my dark clothes in the closet and wear something light and breezy. That goes for my shoes and accessories, too. White, cream, and light metallics are so summery and fresh. (And for those of you who insist on not wearing white until after Easter, well, gals, it’s this Sunday, so you’re almost there…) Think bridal showers. Think afternoon tea parties on the verandah. Think dining al fresco with your sweetheart. Even if you usually wear all black all the time, why not surprise your friends and colleagues by doing the reverse? It’s fun to shake things up! Here are a few of Ped’s favorite ways to lighten the mood:

No, you’re not dreaming—Ped now offers Fiorentini + Baker’s Eternity boot in white (well, blanco in Italian)!!! Don’t you love how it exudes retro flair, calling to mind 1960s go-go boots, and yet is still so modern and badass? Think how cute this style would look with a light cotton dress or skirt! CUTE!

But if you prefer something more traditionally lady-like, Chie Mihara has your number:

Feminine without a hint of prissiness, Chie’s Levante t-strap sandal has such a sweet vintage air with its cream-colored woven leather. I especially like how the toe straps resemble flower petals folding in toward the center. Plus, the lift up front makes this heel a comfortable pleasure to wear.

For an edgier, artier sandal, consider the bronze version of Cydwoq’s fabulous Elect:

:

The silvery edges of the faux-crocodile leather take the Elect’s gladiator-esque style into the stratosphere. Wear this number to a gallery opening, and we guarantee all eyes won’t only be on the art!

Maybe what you really need, though, is a new bag to take you through the warm-weather months. Look no further than 49 Square Miles Winans Hobo:

If you haven’t touched a 49 Square Miles bag, you are in for a treat! The leather of this carry-all is as creamy and delicious as its color! Also, although you can’t fully see the shoulder strap in the photo above, it loops through the bag and intertwines like a lovely vine (check “views” at the Ped site to see what I mean).

Speaking of vines, how breathtaking is Jamie Joseph’s Cultured Pearl on a Vine ring?

As lovely as a full moon on a spring night, this ring combines the smooth opulence of a pearl set in 14k gold with an organic vine of sterling silver. It’s the perfect treat for celebrating the return of warm weather!

Ped has THE most interesting customers! From artists to teachers to world travelers, our fans take their Ped goods on some amazing adventures. It’s always the highlight of our day at Ped HQ when we get to hear about who did what where wearing what. So, don’t hold back–share your “Tale of the Sole”!!! To make it worth your while to put fingers to keyboard and upload a few photos, each month we’ll pick one entertaining tale to post on the blog, and that storyteller will get a $100 Ped gift certificate! That’s right–$100 in Ped credit to whoever makes us smile the most with her sole-ful tale!

Maybe you were carrying your Cydwoq Bright Bag when you stumbled onto a Hindi movie set while visiting the Taj Mahal in India. Perhaps your true love surprised you with Jamie Joseph’s Oval Drusy Ring on your anniversary. Or maybe a reluctant editor oohed and aahed over your Chie Mihara Frederica heels and offered you the book contract after all (but we think it’s because you felt super confident and persuasive in your Chies). Whatever your story, we want to see and hear all about it! (And extra points if you tell your tale from the perspective of your shoes or bag or other Ped treasure.) So, send your “Tale of the Sole,” ideally with pictures, to yourfriends@pedshoes.com, and maybe we’ll send you a sweet $100 Ped gift certificate in return.

Laura's worn-everywhere Cydwoq Plant shoes take a breather in the garden.