Sure, it’s still icy outside for many of you, but, Ped fans, before you know it, spring is going to bust out all over! But that doesn’t mean you have to relegate your boots to the back of the closet. Heck no! Boots, especially those of the ankle-height and mid-calf variety, are perfect for skipping from one season into the next.

With that in mind, here are a few nominees for what to wear when the buds are on the trees but it’s still too brisk to expose the toes.

Cydwoq’s Pi Bootie is the perfect way to celebrate that last little bit of slush disappearing from the sidewalk!

The sexy way the leather wraps around the back of this boot is enough to make the temperature rise! And the Pi looks superlative with bare legs and a swingy skirt!

Another great heeled boot (that’s perhaps a little less “lady”) is Cydwoq’s Artemis:

We love the retro feel of the buttoned closure combined with the modern square toe and hand-cut wooden heel. (And see what we mean about how terrific an ankle boot looks with a breezy skirt?)

Maybe you’d rather keep your heels on the ground, in which case Cydwoq’s Sparta might be just the thing for moving into spring.

We went wild for this boot when we first saw it as a men’s style, so we begged Rafi and Ari to make a version for women. Ta da! We love how the washed grey leather is distinctive but still go-with-everything versatile.

(By the way, the Sparta just happens to be this week’s “sweet treat”! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to reach the Sparta with the magic code that’s worth 20% off at checkout!)

If you want something that rises a little higher on the leg, check out the Sparta’s taller sibling, the Iota.

This gorgeous lace-up is made of “aging” black leather and will get a brownish patina with wear. It’s one of our all-time favorite boots! Ped fans clearly agree since no sooner do we get a new shipment in than it flies right back out. If we don’t currently have your size, just send us an e-mail, and we’ll put your name on the wait list for the Iota!

Of course,  you may prefer a buckled motorcycle boot to a lace-up. If so, look no further than Fiorentini + Baker’s Eli!

Such a great boot! You’ll never want to it off—and, good news, you won’t have to because the Eli looks as good with skirts as it does with jeans!

But if spring fever makes you want to rock out, Fiorentini + Baker’s Paula is the way to go!

With a ruched front and a zipper up the back, the Paula is another hot number we can’t seem to keep in the Ped house! If you’d like to be on the wait list for our next shipment of this kickass ankle boot, drop us a line!

Trippen’s Royal Bootie is another transitional style with a rock ‘n’ roll edge!

The spat-like upper wrapped by a buckle strap around the ankle ensures this boot will be the most cutting-edge thing on the street!

So let the sunshine in as the trees leaf out, but keep yourself well-booted while winter breezes into spring!

The Tale of the Sole that won our hearts this past month came to us via Michele K., the appreciative friend of the winner, longtime Ped customer, Jenny P. It’s such a sweet story, so we’ll turn it over to Michelle:

I want to tell a tale about my really dear friend, Jenny.  Jenny and I met online; we’ve actually never met in real life. I’m in New Jersey, and she is in Portland, Oregon, but we talk everyday through e-mail or on the phone.  She has been so kind in sharing some of her Ped shoes with me—we send shoes and jewelry back and forth across the country! She has let me try and even given me her Trippen Fence and Skylla boots. I’ve also had the pleasure of trying out her Fiorentini and Baker boots, such as the Eternity and Emma, so I could figure out my size.

The generous and lovely Jenny P in her Fiorentini + Baker Emma boots.

She even sent me her Jamie Joseph Chrysoprase Teardrop Locket to wear for Thanksgiving!  (I told her not to, but she sent it anyway.) She is so generous and just an awesome person, who puts the care of her husband and children before herself.  She never says, “I can’t do this,” or “It’s hard for me”— she just does. I strive to be like her and embody the outstanding qualities she has.

Jenny P's feet looking sassy in one of her latest Ped purchases, the Cydwoq Vintage Micron. (Perhaps they'll soon visit Michelle?)

What a great testimony to fantastic friend! How fun to have a deep bond reinforced by the exchange of shoes and jewelry! In appreciation of Jenny P’s generosity, we’re sending her $100 Ped gift certificate! She makes us grin from ear to ear!

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!

(By the way, the “Sweet Treat” this week is super delicious: Fiorentini + Baker’s Eliza Oxford!!!! Get 20% off this drool-worthy classic by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the top right corner of any Ped page, which will magically take you to the Eliza Oxford, where you will find the discount code! Lace it up Italian style!)

The Holidays were so much fun at Ped HQ that we were feeling a twinge of post-party blues. We asked ourselves what would lift out spirits, and the answer came like a bolt of lightning: Let the Winter Sale begin! We’ve gotten a little slap-happy with the price-cutting, but we think you’ll approve!

Here are a few favorites we’ve recently marked down:

Although Vialis is new to the Ped family, this gorgeous line from Spain has become instantly popular. The double-collared Guell Bootie shows why:

What could be better than a wooden heel on a luscious leather lace-up? You can wear the collar folded down to expose the inner suede layer or pulled up to show off the matte exterior. Versatile and chic, the Guell was delicious at $362, but it’s even sweeter at $289!

Speaking of lovely heels, we are big fans of the metallic ones Cydwoq uses for some of its Vintage styles, like the Seek:

The combination of the burgundy textured leathers makes us swoon! Add the back zipper and, well, let’s put it this way, you won’t have to “seek” admirers—they’ll be following you like drooling puppies! The Seek was sexy at $304, but it’s even hotter at $243!

Another knockout heeled number is Chie Mihara’s Vasca:

No one does retro-glam like Chie! We adore the pinked edges of the rosettes, and the deep teal color is to die for! Slip on this beauty, and you will instantly radiate the sex appeal of a 1940s Hollywood femme fatale! Lovely at $438, the Vasca is drop-dead gorgeous at $349!

Another heel with vintage appeal is Cordani’s Remy:

This grey suede mary jane is so practical—a neutral that’s equally good for going to the office or going out to dinner—but the details keep it interesting! Worth every penny at $318, it’s a steal at $199!

Couple Of’s stellar Ava Oxford is another shoe that’s fine for a board meeting but also has enough edge for an art opening:

Everyone at Ped is amazed at Couple Of’s skill at keeping designs clean and comfortable while at the same time adding just the right accents to set them apart! The folded and crinkled leather on the Ava’s toe box and heel is unlike anything we’ve seen before—so cool! Stylish at $328, it’s especially chic at $262!

Forget the heels, you say, you want a head-turning flat! Cydwoq has just the thing—the Measure Boot!

The Measure perfectly balances retro, with its spats-look and buttons, and modern, with the interesting way the dual leathers come together! And because it’s from Cydwoq, you know this bootie is as comfortable as it is stylish. Terrific at $320, it’s absolutely fabulous at $256.

What about taller boots? Yes, Ped fans, we have those on sale, too! One of the best is Ellen Verbeek’s Camille Boot:

We love the ultra-chic minimalism of this mid-calf boot that combines deliciously supple leather with a hand-sculpted wooden heel! Easy to wear on almost any occasion! Wonderful at $594, it’s unbeatable at $475!

And those are just the tip of Ped’s bargain iceberg! So click over to the main site and snag your favorites before they melt away. The prices are scorching hot and definitely worth celebrating!

(Also, fyi, this week’s “sweet treat” is especially shiny: Jamie Joseph’s White Topaz Ring! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page, and you will be instantly transported to this dazzler, where you’ll find the magical code that will bring a 20% discount at checkout.)

Ped fans, take a short break from holiday preparations or online ordering to watch this great video about our beloved Cydwoq, which we found posted at shoes.tv.

Isn’t Ari a doll? He’s the designer behind a lot of the latest styles coming out of Cydwoq, working alongside his dad, Rafi, as a true father-son team! Whenever we hear them talk about their philosophy and the effort they put into their shoes, it makes us so proud to carry Cydwoq! We’ve added a few new designs recently and gotten some of your favorites in new colors, so check out the freshest Cydwoq on the sidewalk:

You know by now that the oxford is the shoe of the moment, but Cydwoq’s Classic Oxford is really something special:

As Ari points out in the video, what sets Cydwoq apart is the cut and construction of the leather, as well as the internal architecture, which is so apparent in the way this oxford is put together. When I saw this design for men, I begged Rafi to adapt it for women, and he did! We love!

Another Cydwoq men’s design we cajoled Rafi into doing for women is the Sparta:

What a great lace-up bootie in beautiful washed grey leather! The Sparta’s so practical—easy to wear on all kinds of outings, and it’s sassy with skirts as well as stellar with jeans. (Bet you wish you’d had this number on when you went to pick out your tree!)

If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere unchallenged by wintry snow and ice (or if you carry your cool shoes with you to slip into after you’re out of your galoshes), you can’t beat Cydwoq’s brand new Smile Mary Jane for all-season cuteness:

Such a winner in every way, from the stylish ankle strap to the comfortable toe construction! If you have the good fortune to be going on a mid-winter vacation, this is the shoe to pack; it will take you through sightseeing during the day and out to dinner at night. Your tired feet will thank you for keeping them happy!

On the other hand, if what you really need is a good boot, you can’t go wrong with Cydwoq’s new Flood:

This Flood has everything to like: a practical mid-calf height; four adjustable buckles that require no fuss, thanks to an inside zipper; and twin exposed seams running up the back! Plus, the leather is emerald green!!! (You know how I love green…)

As for new colors, we now have the oh-so-chic Pi Bootie in antique silver (oo-la-la):

And the go-everywhere Buckle flat now comes in a to-die-for blue marble:

So whether you’re new to Cydwoq or a long-time fan, it’s a terrific time to indulge in a new pair! There’s nothing like shoes that feel good and that you feel good about wearing—which is the very essence of Cydwoq!

It seems like yesterday we were dancing through March and April, trying on all the new sandals in the Ped warehouse. Now we’re already in the second week of August? How did that happen??? We’re sad to see the long days of summer grow short, but one consolation to their coming to an end is the arrival of fall’s beautiful shoes and boots!

Want more good news? You don’t have to wait until the leaves start to turn to wear them! Ankle boots and heeled oxfords look terrific and utterly modern with flirty summer skirts!

Here’s a taste, fresh out of the boxes arriving daily at Ped HQ, to whet your appetite:

Who can resist the charms of Chie Mihara’s Vaive?

Yes, we’ve had this wonderful, rosette-embellished oxford before, but not in VIOLET!!! What a fabulous, head-turning color to take you through the rest of summer and right into fall!

Another old favorite that’s just arrived in a new color scheme is Giraudon’s Plug Loafer:

The latte-colored toe really calls attention to the wonderful perforated leather in Giraudon’s design. So cute!! We love the idea of pairing this play on men’s wear with a flouncy, girly dress!

Another colorful new style for transitioning from summer into fall is the Cydwoq Buckle:

The Italian leather in this über-modern flat is the most wonderful blend of wine and black. The zig-zag strap and square buckle also offer a refreshing break from all the lace-ups that are everywhere this season (not that we don’t adore lace-ups—we definitely do!).

We’re excited about all the new styles at Ped, but we confess one little boot has us in a particular tizzy: Cydwoq’s Iota!

We’ve loved a lot of lace-up ankle boots in the past, but, without a doubt, the Iota is our favorite engineer boot EVER! The way the leather comes together is wonderful, but what we like best is how the leather is an “aging” black, which means over time it acquires a brownish patina. So cool! In Japan, they have a special term, sabi, for the beauty that comes with time and wear!

Needless to say, there are more new designs to ooh and aah over at Ped’s main site, with still more on the way! Stay tuned, Ped fans because the sun may be setting on summer, but this fall promises to be spectacular!