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!

We love our reliable favorites here at Ped, but every now and then it’s fun to spice things up by trying a few new things. Last spring we introduced 49 Square Miles bags and Argila shoes to Ped’s lineup, and this fall we’re seasoning the season with a few more fresh designers we hope will make you smile.

First up, the ultra-cool, wood-soled footwer of Swedish Hasbeens. Yes, they’re clogs, but they’re so much more! Inspired by the love-the-earth style of the 1970s, Swedish Hasbeens crafts their shoes from sustainably forested wood and chrome-free, vegetable-tanned leathers. You can feel good about your shoes without sacrificing a scintilla of style. Here, see what we mean:

How rocking are these apple green Jodphurs? We are officially in love—as are several well-known celebrities, like Sarah Jessica Parker, who has been snapped wearing Swedish Hasbeens’ Peep Toe on the set of the next Sex and the City movie. It’s definitely a cutie:

And just in time for when the mercury plunges, Rain + Jack arm warmers have arrived. We’ve known Helen Sharp and Si Doi, the creative hands and minds behind Rain + Jack, since the days when Ped was a brick-and-mortar store in Seattle, so we’re delighted to carry their luxe, Australian lambswool, fingerless gloves. Even better, Rain + Jack custom knits Ped’s arm warmers in our favorite color combos. For instance, chocolate and tiffany blue:

And you Ped fans know how much I love all things green:

Another new addition to Ped’s family is Pepita, a whimsical jewelry line out of Milan, Italy created by Sveva Camarati, who learned to appreciate beautifully crafted miscellany in her grandmother’s atelier. Sveva’s fabulous way of combining antique baubles and fabric beads has already proven popular with you Ped fans! Her dazzling creations barely make it out of the box before they whiz out the Ped warehouse door on their way to new homes. If you haven’t had a chance to drool over Pepita yet, here are a couple of our favorite pieces:

This Florinda necklace is where it all began for me. I saw it while traveling, tried it on, and never looked back. It’s unlike anything else, with flowers formed from clusters of tiny hand-sewn fabric spheres, interspersed with antique brass beads.

Another Pepita eye-opener is the Angela bracelet:

We think all these newcomers fit right in at the Ped party. (They certainly know how to start a conversation!) And we have still more ways to wow on the way–including a new shoe line! So, stay tuned.

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, everyone at Ped HQ shares nostalgia for that back-to-school excitement that used to fill us with a mix of nerves, sadness that summer was over, and elation at seeing our friends again. Those of you who are who involved in education—whether you’re a grad student, prof, or administrator—still get the thrill of the fall transition, while the rest of us simply live vicariously. To help recreate that zesty, anything-could-happen-this-year feeling, we’ve put together a cool-for-school list that also works outside the ivory tower. Take notes!

1) Book bag.

Let’s face it, 49 Square Miles’ Bookworm Slim Tote is in a class of its own. It’s roomy enough to accommodate files, notebooks, and even a small laptop, but it’s not so large that you’ll end up with a back problem from hauling too much across campus or to the office (allow us be your guidance counselor on this one). And the color! If you’re feeling sleepy in your seminar, just look at this beauty for a wake-up call.

2) Go-with-everything shoes.

When you need a shoe that you can wear day in and day out, whether you’re dolled up in a cute skirt or going casual in your sweetheart’s jeans, look no further than the Cydwoq Dance. This super easy flat is schooled in style, yet it’s comfortable enough to race through a mad dash when you’re running late for class or a meeting (and a bit of rubber on the leather sole will keep you on your feet).

3) BGOC (Big Gal on Campus) Boots.

Of course, your classmates and/or colleagues admire your smarts, but it doesn’t hurt to let them ooh and aaah over your style, too. Brains and beauty, yeah, that’s right, you’ve got it ALL going on—a point you can make clearly by skipping from class to meetings to lunch in Cydwoq’s Native Boots. These knockout lace-ups are at once classic and modern and will just get better the more you wear them. Turn those heads!

4) Chilly days scarf.

Fall weather is unpredictable. Warm days turn chilly and vice versa. Let the mercury rise and fall—when you’ve got a soft and cozy wool scarf from Sophie Digard, you’re all set for whatever the day brings. Hand-crocheted and Parisian chic, a Sophie scarf is the way to look beautiful and stay toasty! We especially love her Check Square design (although it’s so hard to choose—tomorrow we may have a new favorite)!

With these items in your wardrobe, you’ll be a walking lesson in style!

Here in the U.S., today is Memorial Day, a holiday that honors war veterans (somber), but which also adds an extra day to the weekend (happy)! What a perfect time to hit the road—or the air or the tracks—for a refreshing getaway! Here at Ped HQ, we know just how rejuvenating a three-day break can be, and we like to practice what we preach! You don’t need much for a spur-of-the-moment mini vacation: just a great hold-all, versatile shoes, and something to keep you warm in case the temperature drops. To meet those needs, Ped’s road-tripping experts offer these recommendations:

1) 49 Square Miles spacious and luscious Kerouac Satchel:

The size is ideal; it holds everything you need—a change of clothes, a good book, and a scarf—but it keeps you from overpacking. And we simply can’t say enough about 49 Square Miles’ leather, which is the very definition of “supple.” Exquisitely crafted, the Kerouac will let you wander through a lifetime of long weekends!

2) Cydwoq’s versatile Elect sandal in bronze:

Oo-la-la, how we love this sandal! With its gladiator-esque styling and metallic faux crocodile leather, this flat is so modern. But because it’s handmade by Cydwoq, it’s like an old friend on your feet—comfortable enough to run around in 24 hours a day. Plus, the bronze color magically transforms from afternoon-casual to after-dark-dressy with the change of an outfit.

3) A cosy Sophie Digard scarf:

Behold Sophie’s lovely wool Edelweiss scarf, which is light enough for warm-weather wear. But Ped’s favorite Parisian textile artist also offers other choices, depending on how prone you are to feeling chilly. Those who start to shiver as soon as the sun sets may want to wrap up in a woolen beauty. But if you’re a gal who simply gets a few goosebumps, Sophie’s lighter linen fare may be all you need. Whichever you choose, you’ll look drop-dead gorgeous!

So hit the road in style and enjoy a few fun days away!

WOW—has 2008 whizzed by or what? It’s hard to believe we’re already smack in the middle of the Holidays. And if you’re like me (in this case, let’s hope you’re not), you still have scads of gifts left to get for the ones you love. Fortunately, I’ve purposefully made Ped a treasure trove for when time is short and the list is long. Here are a few of my recommendations for how to spread don’t-have-to-think-about-it holiday cheer. I’ve kept in mind that you may not know sizes, so these are picks that require no additional information, yet are guaranteed to generate smiles!

Whether the lucky recipient is your mother, daughter, sweetheart, or best friend since you were 4, she’s going to get stars in her eyes when you give her stars to wear around her neck. Here at Ped, we are gaga over this Sophie Digard necklace. The coolest thing is the wee stars move, so they can be re-arranged with every wearing!

Another way to warm your favorite gal’s heart is by giving her a way to stay toasty on cold winter days. This Antipast shawl, soft as a little lamb, is so understated and elegant. 

If you’re a woman, you’re well aware of what I’m about to say, but if you’re a guy, listen up: A new bag is always a welcome gift!!! I saw an amazingly stylish woman carrying this Cydwoq Telegram Bag at the Paris shoe shows this fall. Its lines are classic, yet it looks utterly modern.

Finally, if you really want to make someone’s holidays happy, you can’t go wrong with Jamie Joseph’s absolutely drop-dead gorgeous Indian ruby droplet earrings. In a word: STUNNING! If the recipient is your sweetheart, these are definitely going to bring you a smooch!

Here’s hoping your holidays are wonderful from beginning to end! Ped toasts you with cup of eggnog!