Admittedly, what follows is not exactly a “tale,” but we felt so happy after reading Frances Hersey’s note that she immediately became our October favorite. We really do think of you Ped fans as our friends—people who are unique and interesting—so it makes our day to find out that affection is mutual. Plus, we love the photo Frances sent, which had everyone at Ped Central smiling. (We do love a cute pooch!) So, without further ado, here’s what Frances wrote that made us blush and feel warm all over:

Oh, my gosh!! I am in love with the shoes and boots that you sent to me. I love them so much, and they are both so special and beautiful. I have the Chie Mihara’s on today, and they are just to die for.

This morning as I was getting ready for work I had the Fiorentini + Baker Emma Boot on, and I could live in those boots. They are incredible, and I truly think they are a work or art.  (Thank you also for the kind note that you sent—it made my day.) I really appreciate you remembering that I wanted to try the boots. They are even more incredible in person. I must have looked at them online a thousand times, and now I have them. I am in heaven.

Thank you for wonderful you and for your wonderful online store. Everything you sell is special and beautiful, and I am so appreciative and grateful that I found you. I also love my scarves and wear them almost everyday. Thank you for helping me look stylish and for being so great to work with. I am so thrilled with my new shoes and boots. Thank you, Dayna.

Frances and her sweet dog, Ruth, looking gorgeous in Sophie Digard scarves and Chie Mihara heels.

You are welcome, Frances!!! Doesn’t she look fantastic? She’s radiant! We like to think wearing Ped will do that for a gal. For being such a sweetheart and sending us such a great picture and lovely note, Frances gets $100 in Ped credit!

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!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so it’s the perfect time to sing a big THANK YOU! to the wonderful blogs that have given Ped attention in the past few months. It’s always a thrill to discover others share our appreciation for beautiful things. Here are just a few of the people and sites that have said kind words about Ped recently:

• The wide-ranging and wonderful blog, Grace’s Birdcage, found our Chie Mihara’s lust-worthy.
• Designer and jeweler Katy at Grayling, who loves all things inspiring and well-designed, gave a shout-out to some of our best black shoes and boots (think Argila, think Trippen, think Fiorentini + Baker).
• Christina Williams, who writes the blog you can call me chris, found inspiration in Ped’s Chie Mihara Nerrine, as did the wonderfully fashion-conscious gal at Golden Means.
• And how much do we LOVE Michelle Taylor at Blue Moss? Time and again, she surprises us by picking our personal favorites to share with her design-conscious fans. (Plus, she has a wonderful way with repurposing old baubles into dazzling new jewelry, so drop by her Etsy shop and take a look.)
• We hold Mrs. French at Bliss in the same high esteem. Not only does she write a fantastic blog, showing us eye-opening items and places that make our hearts sing, but she also takes the loveliest pictures. Love these arty, blogging gals!
• After our wonderful Coclico Ndakinna turned up on notcouture.com (a daily must-visit), it wound up featured here, here, here, here, and here. Thanks to all!!!

Hello, lover.

• Our lovely Chie Mihara Saura found itself featured on both Pretty Neat Designs and Rock My Socks.
• We’re always thrilled when fashion-savvy Nanashi at If-I-Owned-A-Boutique finds something to like at Ped, as she did with Giraudon’s Nelle.
• Blueheart hearted our lovely Antipast socks.
• Lex S. at Lexography gave some love to the Cydwoq Deck Boot.
• Paint it. Black. appreciated our Fiorentini + Baker Emma boot.
• A couple of online magazines also gave Ped boots special attention: 1) the all-things-eco-conscious White Apricot, and 2) the fine-life-loving I Heart Luxe.
• Finally, although we can’t read these blogs, we are so happy to share the global language of style: mamma damen, Lilla Kvinna Oola-Laa!, and Got Outfit.

If we missed the kiss you threw Ped’s way, we apologize, but please know everyone here at Ped HQ appreciates you from the bottom of our collective heart. We are truly grateful to have such wonderful friends! If we could, we’d give each of you a rose! Happy Thanksgiving!

At Ped, we have a long history of loving the traditional oxford. You can’t beat a classic lace-up that never goes out of style! So, we’re amused but also delighted that this season oxfords are THE shoes to have—the sexy schoolgirl look is definitely in! (Should we thank Gossip Girl?) The wonderful thing about the trend, though, is that after it’s come and gone, the timeless oxford will still be as sophisticated as ever.

So study up on all the different oxfords we have at Ped—no matter which you pick, you’ll end up on the honor roll, graduating summa cum style! Below are several of our favorite lace-ups this season.

For gals who love a heel, Chie Mihara will have you looking both demure and too hot to handle in the Cibeles:

We are crazy about the way Chie’s paired a 3″ chunky wooden heel with a clean-lined oxford in black leather. Classic marries funky, and the result is one gorgeous shoe! Sass it out, sisters!

Another heeled oxford from our gal Chie is the eye-popping Ganz:

Ms. Mihara always works magic with the way she cuts and combines leathers. The teal and grey appliques are so unexpected and pretty with the taupe body and lilac laces!

Speaking of working magic with leather, Cydwoq knows exactly how to cast a spell:

Every time we look at the Recess oxford, all we can say is, “Wow.” The combination of the brown floral-embossed body of the shoe with the black antiqued leather where the laces come together is visually stunning. And the perfectly placed wooden heel—well, that’s just bonus. Oxford goes arty!

For you Ped fans who love a flat, Cydwoq has your oxford number:

This Plot Oxford is such a practical shoe, but that doesn’t mean it’s not edgy and fun. Who says an oxford has to lace up the middle?

Clearly, Cydwoq’s Rafi has enjoyed taking the traditional oxford into modern territory because here’s another winning design he delivered to Ped this season:

Don’t you love the Set‘s minimalism? Just the basics, ma’am! And who couldn’t use a go-to black oxford, especially one that looks so terrific with patterned socks and striped tights (think about it)?

Here’s a Ped haiku in honor of our affection for the oxford:

Laced-up and bow-tied

Oxford, you are a classic

Forever stylish

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!