February may be the shortest month, but given the wintry storms currently pummeling many Ped fans, it may feel like the longest. Thank goodness, there’s a sweet something in the middle to make February worth it: Valentine’s Day!!! What could be better than a day dedicated to showing your sweetheart how much you love her? It’s the perfect time to express your affection for any woman who really matters in your life! (Remember how you used to give candies and cards to your friends, your teachers, your sisters, and your mom?)

So let your love light shine by putting a sparkle in your favorite gal’s eye with a sparkly something from Ped!

It may be chilly outside, but these gorgeous Jamie Joseph Indian Ruby earrings are guaranteed to warm things up wherever you are:

The color is so juicy, like a ripe pomegranate! And the faceting catches the light in the loveliest way.

Maybe the woman you have in mind agrees with Marilyn Monroe  that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Then assure her you, too, qualify as a BFF with this understated but stunning Jamie Joseph silver circle necklace that twinkles with three gold-set diamonds:

Jamie has a way of making the simplest designs worthy of “Wow!”

As long as we’re doing song references, maybe you should take Beyonce’s advice if you want to keep your sweetheart from joining all the single ladies—i.e. if you like it, you should put a ring on it! Now, it doesn’t have to be that kind of ring; we’re pretty sure this Jamie Joseph Onyx ring will keep her by your side:

Featured in Vogue, this design is the epitome of chic! We love how the tiny diamond adds a little extra dazzle. Going out to dinner on Valentine’s Day? Imagine how terrific this ring will look with your darling’s little black dress.

“Hmmm,” you may be thinking, “I want to give her jewelry but maybe something more low-key.” How about this Green Onyx and Apatite bracelet from Debbie Fisher?

It’s pretty and fresh without being over-the-top.

The again, maybe the object of your affection is a free spirit whose taste is more whimsical, in which case look no farther than Pepita:

This Eleonora necklace, with its hand-sewn fabric beads blooming from within brass petals, is sure to appeal to her love of one-of-a-kind treasures! A unique beauty deserves something uniquely beautiful!

And if your sweetheart could use a little dose of spring about now, Sophie Digard has just the thing to remind her warmer weather is right around the corner:

Sophie’s cheerful Three Flower Brooch (you can also opt for a single-bloom pin) will brighten up any winter coat or sweater.

Of course, it’s the thought that counts, but a beautiful gift that makes your favorite gal feel more beautiful is a wonderful way to show how much you care! (And if you need to drop a hint or two, remember you can mark anything at Ped as a “favorite” and then share that list with the one who loves you best.)

Happy Valentine’s Day in advance! May love fill every Ped fan’s life!

Don’t panic. We’ve all been there! You want to get something really lovely and stylish for that special gal who makes you smile—girlfriend, daughter, wife, BFF, mom, mentor who got you where you are today—but you’re just not sure what size she wears. No problem! Although we love the footwear here at Ped, we also have lots of gorgeous things that require no knowledge of numbers. So, let us offer a few ideas for what we think would make wonderful tokens of your affection.

If you really want to delight someone, you can’t go wrong with a scarf from Sophie Digard, our favorite Parisian textile artist.

Whatever design you select, the work is guaranteed to be dazzling (use the “zoom” feature at the Ped site to appreciate the intricacy of Sophie’s artistry).

Maybe you’re enamored of Mademoiselle Digard but want to give something slightly smaller. Why not one of her wonderful brooches?

So pretty and what a lovely reminder that spring is not too far away!

But, then again, maybe the razzle-dazzle is exactly what you want, in which case, look no further than Jamie Joseph:

Everyone here at Ped HQ—including Terry—adores this Halo Diamond Pendant. What makes it so special is each of the organically shaped silver ovals moves independently, and the diamonds, well, they’re diamonds—need we say more?

If the woman you admire prefers adorning her lobes, we’re also especially fond of these Indian ruby earrings:

They are simply designed yet absolutely drop-dead gorgeous! Jamie’s hand-selected stones are truly out of this world!

Admittedly, jewelry is a rather intimate gift, so if you’re looking for something lovely but a little less emotionally charged, the 49 Square Miles Clingy Wallet may be just the thing:

Practical and luxurious! (Plus, the leather is so soft.)

Speaking of practical, any woman who has a chilly commute or who has to walk across campus when the mercury plunges will thank you profusely for a pair of Rain + Jack wooly arm warmers:

The colors alone will warm her heart.

We’ve also heard toasty toes are the key to winter smiles! Unlike shoes, socks are pretty much one-size-fits-all, and Antipast makes the socks everyone wants because they’re just so darn cute (and warm):

Any chilly day is going to be a lot more fun with pom-poms!

See? No need to worry about measurements or numbers! Everything above is guaranteed to brighten the holidays for your favorite gal!

And if you see something that sings, “my heart’s desire,”  to you—yes, you!— as you browse around Ped’s site, just click the green box that says, “add to favorites.” Then you can e-mail your wish to the people who’d like to make you happy this holiday season!

I’ve written before about how much I admire our Seattle-based jeweler friend, Jamie Joseph, and her husband, Jeremy. What a team they make—she designs the pieces, and he cuts the gemstones! At Ped, we love the clean aesthetic of their handmade jewelry, but we also prize their ethics. Jamie only buys stones from dealers she knows are socially and environmentally responsible, and she repurposes gold without sacrificing her sky-high standards. Each Jamie Joseph piece celebrates nature and showcases the individual beauty of each stone.

But don’t just take our word for it—see for yourself! Here are a few pieces from our latest Jamie Joseph shipment:

Isn’t this Jamie Joseph Rainbow Moonstone ring mesmerizing? I love how there seems to be motion within the stone. Dreamy!

Another new favorite is this stunning Indian Ruby ring. Although the stone is opaque, it still seems to have an inner light. Plus the facets make it twinkle and shine!

One thing we love about Jamie is her sense of composition and balance, beautifully reflected in this Orange Chalcedony Charm necklace. The reticulated gold coin, faceted teardrop stone, and pearl bead harmonize in such a lovely way. This piece also offers the advantage of an adjustable cord, allowing you to create the perfect length for whatever neckline you’re wearing.

When it comes to Jamie Joseph’s designs, it’s not only diamonds that are a girl’s best friend—it’s all JJ’s lovely gems. As the song goes, “square-cut or pear-shaped, these rocks don’t lose their shape!” Rock on, sisters!

As Ped fans know, I have a serious thing for green. Nevertheless, when fall rolls around and the green world of summer transforms into a sea of orange, red, purple, and ochre, my heart sings! To celebrate, here’s a tempting array of Ped treasures to put you in the spirit of autumn.

Who doesn’t love the Fiorentini + Baker Emma boot? Well, now we’ve got your favorite in drop-dead gorgeous red:

People in Berkeley will tell you that I practically live in my black Emma’s, and Ped’s Laura has them in caramel. But this red edition may be the prettiest of them all! Combine old-school Italian craftsmanship with red leather and sexy lacing in the back, and you’ve got an unbeatable boot!

I love green, but the color that has Laura’s heart is orange. So, you’ll understand why this Jamie Joseph ring is on her personal wish list:

The stone is orange chalcedony—thought to encourage happiness and a positive attitude—and it’s beautifully set in 14kt gold mounted on a sterling silver band. Why not put a little fire on your finger?

Everyone at Ped Central burst out with oohs and aahs when 49 Square Miles’ fall bags arrived because those SF girls have added “loganberry” to their leather colors. It makes us think of maple leaves and chrysanthemums:

This Starlet Top Zip is a new style for Ped, too. I fell in love with it because not only does the bag embody the best of 49 Square Miles—supple leather, hammered brass hardware, and fantastic detailing—but its two straps also let you choose between wearing it as a short over-the-shoulder or handheld bag and slinging it  across your body courier-style.

Another beautiful new bag in a rich fall color is Cydwoq’s Oak in “Alma brick”:

Cydwoq’s Rafi took his cue for this design from bowling ball bags. We love the clean-lined shape, and, needless, to say the leather is luscious!

But autumn is not without its greens (yay!)—they just tend to be more of the olive and moss variety, as embodied in the Cydwoq Vote:

This is one of those shoes that once you put it on you won’t want to take it off. It’s practical and comfortable yet unlike any other kick-around shoe you’re likely to find.

Maybe, though, you want a shoe that doesn’t just shine with one fall color. You want one that dazzles with a combination of autumnal hues. Chie Mihara has your number:

Ped just added the Gretchen to our Chie lineup, and it’s instantly become one of our favorites! The tan top-stitching and bow are just so pretty with the deep blue suede toe and cocoa suede heel.

Friends, you don’t have to turn your back on black—just spice it up with some seasonal color! You’ll look as fresh as a crisp fall day.

In July, artist Anna Divinsky made our day by recounting how she wore her Trippen Schneckes to the opening of her Pittsburgh art exhibition, “Nests,” which featured work that grew out of her experiences as a Ukrainian immigrant. Here’s her lovely, sole-ful tale:

Last month I wore my brand new Trippen Silver Schneckes to the opening of “Nests,” my art exhibition at the American Jewish Museum, which is part of Pittsburgh’s Jewish Community Center. The show examines the impact of immigration and migration on people’s lives and imagination. Being an immigrant who came to the States 16 years ago with my family from Ukraine, this was a great opportunity to share my experiences with the public and also to learn from their own stories and memories. The exhibit showcases my work and also the work of different age groups, such as local senior citizens, elementary school kids, and college students, each with their own perception of what immigration means to them. Images of nests, birds, eggs, and dollhouses were used as symbols for home, community, and family. This exhibit was intended to bring the Pittsburgh community together, reminding everyone of their own family roots and the nests they have built or will one day re-build with their families.

“Nests," exhibition by Anna Divinsky at the American Jewish Museum, Jewish Community Center, Pittsburgh, 2009. Right: Paintings on silk of nests and nest installation. Left: Installation close-up, Re-Collection 1993-2009, hand painted and heat-set silk.

As a young girl growing up in Ukraine, I had a very modest shoe selection. Wearing the Trippen Silver Schneckes was not only a fashion statement, but also a symbol of what I have accomplished living in the US. They were a huge hit at the opening, and their sculptural swirls were likened to some of the nest images. I could say that I was wearing my own little symbols of home. Thank you, Ped Shoes!

Anna looking lovely in her Trippen Schneckes. Below Right: Close-up of Trippen Schneckes. Bottom Left: Detail of a painting on silk depicting a nest. (See swirls in both?)

Wow, Anna, we are absolutely thrilled to have attended your opening via the Trippen Schneckes! What a wonderful show—congratulations! For making us smile the most in July, a Ped gift certificate for $100 is winging its way to you.

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!