Here’s something that makes everyone at Ped HQ smile: boxes of new Chie MIhara styles arriving on our doorstep from Spain! We have such a good time admiring each design as we unpack Chie’s latest! After all, Chie Mihara exemplifies everything we love at Ped: a unique design sense, meticulous craftsmanship, and comfort without compromise.

Let us tantalize you with a taste of what Chie’s whipped up for the upcoming warm weather!

We know it’s still winter where many of you live, so we’ll start with a number you can wear right now—and keep wearing right through spring and summer: Chie’s Lorensa.

Honestly, this heeled oxford is in a class by itself! As usual, Chie gets the details just right, from the parallel lines of sinuous topstitching to the perforated leather that lets your tootsies breathe when the weather heats up.

Another new design that features beautiful topstitching and leatherwork is the Fideua:

The woven leather over the toe, contrasting stitching, and lacing are rather unusual ingredients to combine, but what a tasty dish they make! Plus, we love the navy blue color!

Chie is always so good with selecting the perfect hues! Our favorite style for sheer cheerfulness is the sunny-day Yoisho:

What a great shade of yellow, and it works so well with the 1970s’ retro vibe of this sandal. Buckling up the Yoisho will give you both a physical and an emotional boost!

Speaking of buckles, we decided to bring back the smoking-hot Bankok, one of the sexiest styles Chie’s ever designed:

The Bankok is the very definition of “knockout”! When you strap on this badass beauty, you may want to carry a pocket fan to revive the people who can’t take the heat of your sizzling sauciness!

But maybe you prefer to go more girly with your flirtatious style. If so, join us in sighing over Chie’s Osmo:

In a word: DEVASTATING! It simply doesn’t get any more glamorous than this rosette-embellished, red suede t-strap! In the Rojo, you’re guaranteed to set hearts afire!

Some gals can pull off the Osmo on a daily basis, but if you want something a little more subdued for everyday wear, check out the Chie Mihara Oyko:

We love the richness of the whiskey-colored suede combined with the rich brown leather—so sophisticated. This gorgeous sandal is perfect for going from day wear to date wear!

Delicious, eh? And there are even more Chie Mihara styles to feast upon at Ped’s main site. But before you click over, watch this video to learn a little more about  Chie’s philosophy and design process. We promise it will make you even happier to have her shoes on your feet!

(By the way, the “sweet treat” this week is Trippen’s fringed and fun Country Bootie. Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to reach the Country with the magic discount code that instantly takes 20% off at checkout!)

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.)

As I mentioned in my last post, my favorite new look—so hot in Europe right now—is oxfords worn without socks and paired with either cropped pants or skirts! Simultaneously chic and casual! Of course, for lots of you the temperature is dropping, so you can always add funky tights or cozy socks to keep your ankles warm. The key ingredient is the oxford!

Happily, Ped’s designers have come up with endless variations on the classic menswear lace-up! Whether you like yours heeled or flat, embellished or plain, Ped is sure to have an oxford that’s right up your alley. Here are a few of our favorites this season.

The newest oxford in the Ped warehouse is Accessoire’s cutting-edge and comfortable Martial Oxford:

We love everything about this shoe from the inky blue color of the super-soft suede to the easy-going wedge sole (all the height and none of the hurt) to the subtle seaming over the toe and heel! The French always know how to turn a head.

Another especially arty oxford is Couple Of’s Shelly Oxford:

Now this is how to do black without getting boring! Couple Of excels at meticulously constructing a shoe with just the right details to take it out of the ordinary and into funky town! Cutting the outsole so it arcs over the toe and dips down behind the stacked-leather heel is pure design genius!

Of course, if you’re looking for a flat, no-nonsense oxford, there are still ways of doing that with style and flair. Presented for your approval, Fiorentini + Baker’s Eliza Oxford:

Although its design is straightforward, there’s something about this F+B classic that takes our breath away. Plus, we just received a shipment in our new favorite Rabbit Grey color (and it also comes in luscious Marine Blue).

You say like the simplicity, but you also appreciate a heel? Then Coclico’s got your number with the Bathan Oxford:

Between the fabulous chunky wooden heel, the sinuous curves and topstitching of the design, and the grey anthracite suede, there is just so much to like about this shoe! Just think of how many outfits it would enhance! (And, psst, it’s just about to become this week’s “sweet treat,” starting tomorrow, October 19! Be sure to click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to get to the Bathan with the magic discount code that will enable you to get 20% off at checkout.)

Another great heeled number is Argila’s rocking Lucie Oxford:

The caramel color is so rich! But this beauty also comes in black for you noir fans! Such a wonderful way to turn up the heat with the sexy schoolgirl look!

Although we think all of the above offer a feminine twist on the menswear look, we know some of you Ped fans like things a little frillier. As always, Chie Mihara is the BFF of girly girls around the world. With her Loti, you can have your oxford and ruffles, too!

And, needless to say, the royal blue leather is to die for!

The “o” in oxford has zero to do with being old-fashioned and everything to do with being on the cutting edge (au courant, if you will)! So, lace up and step out!

Get ready for a fun fall, Ped fans! On my European buying trip last spring, I found several new lines to add to the Ped family, all absolutely beautiful! The first to arrive in the warehouse: Couple Of!

Based in Tel Aviv, Israel, Couple Of is the creative collaboration of designers Shelly and Elon, who are not only work partners but also life partners (given Terry’s and my relationship, I love that). They decided to call their company “Couple Of” as a play on the term “one-off,” which indicates a unique work of uncommon beauty.

Unique and uncommonly beautiful? Couple Of’s shoes definitely are! Using exquisite leathers, Shelly and Elon attend to every detail of their shoe designs, committed to crafting thoroughly wearable works of art. Their styles have an eye-opening irreverence that never goes too far—just enough to have every eye on the street glued to your feet with envy!

See for yourself! Here’s the Couple Of shoe that first caught my attention:

Where did I see it? On Shelly’s feet when I walked into Couple Of’s booth at the shoe show! Aptly called the Shelly Oxford, it blew my mind (and as someone who sees a lot of shoes, that’s no easy feat)! Couple Of has taken a beautifully made, classic lace-up and cut around the natural leather outsole to create an arc over the toe and a slight dip behind the heel. SO COOL!!!! I was sold!

Did you also notice the red insole? Couple Of has a particular way with red! Often their designs have a carmine lining, but now and then they take it outside, as with the stunning Lily Slip On:

We adore a red heel, but this one goes above and beyond with its perfectly placed three-dimensional petals! So flirty!

Another great thing about Couple Of is how they pay attention not only to giving the toe some sass but also the heel! In their shoes, you give your fans something to look at coming and going. Case in point: The Ava Oxford.

How cool is the minutely folded leather on the toe? Well, it also accents the 2.25″ heel! Such unusual detailing is what sets this brown lace-up apart from every other oxford on the street!

For another example of how Couple Of makes the most of well-edited accents, get an eyeful of the Derbi Oxford:

Couple Of has created a wonderful interpretation of the traditional menswear oxford and punched it up by adding a simple strap over the toe—stitched at the center for added interest—and a slightly flared heel piece (notice how those upward lines at the heel reflect the downward lines at the base of the toe strap). Suddenly, this shoe is something to talk about! Plus, the Derbi’s red lining flashes at the edges in the most eye-catching way.

Couple Of has also put their unique stamp on the ankle boot/shootie trend that’s all the rage this season:

The Hannah Shootie is ultra-modern and über-sexy. We love how the masculine black straps cinch in the super-soft feminine taupe leather! As usual, Couple Of’s clean design aesthetic is the key to this knockout toe-bearing and heel-flashing style.

Ped is the first U.S. boutique to carry Couple Of’s fabulous designs, so when you slip on any of these comfortable stunners, you’re guaranteed to be a one-off in your style!

(Psst, if you haven’t checked it out, the “sweet treat” this week is Chie Mihara’s gorgeous Rocosa heeled sandal. You still have a couple days left to snag it at 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper corner of any Ped page to reach the magic discount code.)