We’re hearing from many Ped fans that spring is teasing them this year! Just when they think it’s all green grass and tulips, along comes another snowstorm to bury the tender buds in the garden (and their sunny moods).
Ped understands, which is why we’ve put all our Karin Wagner jewelry on sale—so you can have flowers in your life that will never wilt! Hand felted in Switzerland, Karin’s wool pins, rings, and vines bloom with unique style that is always fresh.
Even if your jonquils are suffering from frostbite, you can still get a dose of yellow-flower joy with Karin Wagner’s Daffodil Ring:
Like a sunny day for your hand, this ring was pretty at $98, but it’s even lovelier at $79.
We love the sheer drama of it! Plus, the diamond cutouts on the petals are so unusual (not to mention a true handmade labor of love). Terrific at $178, it’s an even bigger wow at $139!
If you like rings but prefer to make a quieter statement, Karin’s Anemone Ring talks a little more softly.
Tempting at $48, it’s even more inviting at $38.
Perhaps you prefer the versatility of pins—after all, the placement is up to you! We love Karin Wagner’s Rose Brooch for just that reason!
Pin it anywhere and instantly become a femme fatale! Stunning at $124, it’s truly stellar at $98.
The ways to wear Karin Wagner’s works of art are endless. Why not use a pin as a barrette, as we’ve done with the Clochette Brooch?
We guarantee you’ll have the prettiest hair wherever you go! Wonderful at $104, this little bouquet is even better at $79.
Speaking of versatile, Karin Wagner’s vine necklaces offer lots of options—drape one around your neck, entwine it in your tresses, or perhaps wind it around the strap of your handbag!
What could be fresher any day of the year than this Daisy Necklace? Worth smiling over at $164, it’s even more cheerful at $129.
What a show stopper! This necklace is so pretty you’ll want to keep it out as art even when you’re not wearing it. Smashing at $182, it’s irresistible at $139!
(Speaking of sweet, Ped’s sweet treat this week will make you want to eat dessert before dinner! It’s Fiorentini + Baker’s fabulous Mike Boot!!!! Click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to land at the Mike Boot with the magic discount code that will bring 20% off at checkout! DELICIOUS! And style nutritious!) Tweet
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!)
Ped fans, we hear it all the time: “I love those shoes, but I’m not sure what I’d wear them with…” We understand—the last thing you want is to buy a knockout pair of shoes only to have them languish in the closet! But chances are even the most offbeat color or bold design is easier to wear than you think. Here are a few ideas for how to make things work.
Everyone at Ped HQ has fallen for Chie Mihara’s Hito! Don’t fear the yellow platform sandal—it’s a great way to make an outfit POP! Ped fan Ruby Esperita, who came up with all these outfits, also adds the 49 Square Miles Reed Hobo and the Pepita Eleanora necklace to make a look that’s chic yet fun for a summer afternoon in the city.
Maybe you’re a little more laid back, in which case you probably think metallics are too dressy. Think again:
Accessoires’s cuter-than-cute Iseult sandal may have a metallic sheen, but that doesn’t mean it can’t go casual! We’re crazy about this outfit’s mix of colorful patterns (the top has a subtle stripe) that gets extra sass from Sophie Digard’s Three Flower Brooch and Mia Zia’s Willow Scarf.
On the other hand, you may prefer your style more muted. Even so, you can still wear a sandal boot and have it look smashing:
Argila’s Jolene works perfectly with the quiet sophistication of this outfit, ideal for strolling along the Left Bank in Paris or just meeting your friends for brunch on Sunday. Karin Wagner’s Edelweiss Brooch adds a little something without going overboard, and 49 Square Miles Levine Crossbody bag is a beautiful way to keep your goods at hand.
All these outfits were created at Polyvore.com, which offers a wonderful way to try out items together when you’re shopping online. It’s also just plain fun! So, if you fall in love with a shoe, don’t resist; in the words of Tim Gunn, you can “make it work.”
(By the way, we’re pretty sure you could make lots of things work with this week’s “sweet treat,” Cordani’s Erin. Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the top right corner of any Ped page to get 20% off this fresh espadrille platform!)
When winter’s greys finally turn to green, our thoughts turn to sandals! Nothing’s more delicious than wriggling your bare toes in new grass, but pavement, hot sand, and the aisles at the grocery store require you to put a little something beneath your soles. It doesn’t have to be much, though, and it can feel almost as good as dancing barefoot across the lawn.
Behold a few of Ped’s light and airy treasures.
Hands down, one of the prettiest sandals this season is Coclico’s Victorae:
This sweetheart is so simple—the easiest of t-straps—yet it opens eyes with its vine of leaves running up the center. With a .5″ wedge, it’s not quite flat, but it’s as comfortable as a walk in the park.
When it comes to designing flats that keep feet happy, nobody compares to Cydwoq’s Rafi Balouzian. The man knows just what we like! Case in point, Cydwoq’s Attract:
Cut from a single piece of leather, the upper incorporates an ankle strap, which is so of-the-moment! We also love how the soft yellow color is unusual yet muted enough to go with almost everything in your closet.
Sandals don’t get more minimal than this perfectly designed little number! When you can’t go barefoot, the Bare is the next best thing! (And how fun is that sassy red leather?)
When it comes to color, though, everyone knows I lean toward green. So, I swooned when I discovered Cordani’s Sarah:
The pistachio leather is so fresh I could almost bite it! But then my feet would be deprived of this flat’s supreme comfort. With a full rubber sole, the Sarah is perfect for navigating all kinds of terrain.
Another great travel sandal that offers a fresh variation on the gladiator look is Cydwoq’s Mandarine:
Also available in black, this is the one sandal you won’t want to take off because it looks great with everything! (Your other sandals will be jealous as they gather dust.)
Want your gladiator to have a funkier edge? There’s a flat for that! It’s Cydwoq’s Elect:
Super cute. Super cool. Super comfortable. Cydwoq does it again!
And, believe it or not, there are even more fantastic flat sandals at the Ped site just waiting to help your feet breathe easy!
(Psst, don’t forget this week’s Sweet Treat is Cydwoq’s Flap Bag. Get 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner on any Ped page.)
We Ped-sters tend to resist trends, but I admit we’ve fallen hard for the latest “in”: platform sandals! Wedges and sky-high heels have dominated the runway for several years, but now they’ve received a jolt of retro power via the addition of platforms á la the 1970s (and before that, the 1940s). This vintage kick has more going for it than just being cute; it makes adding a few inches of height oh so comfortable. With a 1.5″ platform up front, a 4″ heel suddenly becomes a cinch to wear because the pitch is only 2.5″. No pain, all gain!
We went a little crazy with the platforms this season, but we think you’ll agree each one is something special. Here are just a few to whet your appetite for height.
There’s no better way to welcome warm weather than with a big pop of color! So, say, “Good day!” to Chie Mihara’s Hito:
You’ll be walking sunshine in this curry suede number! Make that tall walking sunshine because the wedge is a sassy 4″—but figure in the 1.25″ platform, and the pitch is an easily manageable 2.75″. You’ll have your head in the clouds from all the compliments swirling around you!
Another platform that seems like summer incarnate is Cordani’s Erin:
Who doesn’t love an espadrille? The combination of the braided raffia on the platform and the pistachio green suede is so fresh!
These shoes may look substantial, but all of them are light on your feet. Case in point, Coclico’s cork-soled Metalmark:
We love the modern, urban edge the straps and rivets bring to this sole that’s reminiscent of disco days.
Speaking of 1970s vibes updated for the 21st century, check out Chie Mihara’s Riana:
The laser-cut circles that form the straps on this chunky-heeled platform really come to life once this beauty is on your foot. The 3″ heel—which would be fine even without the platform—is super easy with the 1″ lift up front.
But if you’re a little more ambitious about enhancing your height and setting fire to the streets, then look no further than Chie’s Voy:
Ay, caramaba! This knockout is so hot it just might give the sidewalk blisters (but never your tootsies)! You’ll be a modern-day disco inferno walking on the Voy’s 4.5″ heel, but the 1.25″ platform in front will keep your stride cool and confident.
Head over to Ped’s main site for even more ways to stand tall while staying comfortable. We’re sure you’ll find a platform to believe in!
Have you had a memorable experience while wearing something from Ped? We want to hear about it (and see it, too, if you have pics)! Send your tales to yourfriends@pedshoes.com. Once a month, we'll pick a story that made us smile, post it here on the blog, and send that entertaining Ped fan a $100 Ped gift certificate!
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