During the first week in October, I made my biannual trip to Paris for the international shoe show (and, of course, for a dose of Parisian culture, shopping, and food). I had so much fun! Although I didn’t notice any overriding new trends—just a lot more black—I do have some wonderful tips about things on tap from Cydwoq, Trippen, and Fiorentini + Baker.

At the show Cydwoq and Trippen had their booths right next to each other, which makes sense since they both appeal to customers who appreciate edgy, arty, and comfortable shoes that have an ethical and environmentally aware sensibility. Michael of Trippen bought a new espresso machine, which he set up in Cydwoq’s booth, so you can guess where everybody gathered!

The beloved new espresso maker on the left, and Cydwoq's Rafi and Trippen's Michael enjoying its output on the right.

Cydwoq has gorgeous washed leathers for spring and summer in beautiful shades of caramel, dark brown, and yellow. Trippen, meanwhile, fulfilled my constant quest for green shoes, plus I discovered great silver and steel metallics at Trippen. And, yes, the popular wedge and cups soles will be coming your way again for spring (we love them).

The Baker in Fiorentini + Baker, Deborah Baker has one of the best smiles in the business!

Meanwhile, over at Fiorentini + Baker, I fell for the relaxed tall boots and low ankle boots in suede. And get ready for the F+B triple-buckle sandal that’s coming to Ped for warm weather!

Plus, Fiorentini+ Baker is offering styles in lovely new greens and blues. Ped fans, you will swoon!

When I wasn’t working, I shopped and ate and ate and ate some more. My shoe pals and I noshed on great Lebanese food at Noura, and we made our regular pilgrimage to Fish La Boissonnerie for homemade bread and, yes, fish. And, needless to say, we all drank a lot of coffee!

The weather was beautiful the first two days, so I took time to visit the Jardin de Tuileries.

Jardin de Tuileries.

Unfortunately, it rained the rest of the time, but since I had to be inside anyway, it didn’t really matter. After all, who can complain when my walk home every evening offered this view?

We love this time of year at Ped Central! The mornings are crisp, the leaves are turning brilliant colors (Laura the orange-lover is in heaven), and the air smells so good! Although we advocate wearing tall boots anytime you like—so cute with a light summer dress!—when fall rolls around, they become de rigueur daily wear.

I always keep you Ped fans in mind when I study what boots to offer for fall and winter. Your feedback helps me so much in making selections that stay comfortable all day, offer versatility, flash the ‘zazz, and still accommodate a range of calf sizes (many Ped boots let you adjust the fit depending on whether you’re a skinny Minnie or a curvy Katie). And, of course, they’re all beautifully made and designed to last for years.

Here are a few of the full-length boots that are high on our list this season.

Okay, Ped fans, it’s no secret that the Cydwoq Game Boot is my absolute favorite:

As you can imagine, I see a lot of beautiful boots, so my powers of resistance are well fortified (otherwise, I’d be broke). But when Cydwoq’s Rafi showed me the Game, I was a goner! I simply adore it! The 1″ wooden heel is super easy to wear. The Italian leather is beyond gorgeous. The dart at the top of the shaft makes the Game extra calf-friendly! And those windows–those sexy little windows running up the back, well, oo la la, do they ever bring in the compliments!

Another favorite here at Ped HQ is Trippen’s March:

I decided to show you the rear view because the exposed seams are so fabulous the way they curve around from the front of the boot and run up the back! Plus, the March features Trippens’ t-shaped wedge sole, which has a legion of fans devoted to its comfort. And the color? Well, see for yourself—pretty as a Maple leaf or a glass of cabernet.

Another Trippen boot with backside interest is the Medea:

Crafted from buttery buffalo leather (you have to touch it to believe how sinfully soft it is), this beauty offers flirty lacing up the back that’s not only sexy but also functional. Notice that it extends below the fullest part of the calf, meaning you can adjust it to fit your individual leg. Once you’ve got everything just right, then you can leave it be, thanks to the Medea’s full inside zipper that lets you get in and out of this boot in a breeze.

But don’t just take our word for it. Ped customer S.N. recently wrote from Seattle,

“I’m in love with my Medea boots.  They are so cool and soft and overall awesome.  I also really appreciate that they can be expanded in case my calves do the same.”

Giraudon’s versatile Miranda boot also has a great system for fitting a range of calves:

Featuring classic riding-boot good looks, the Miranda’s secret is an elastic panel on the inside of the calf and another hidden under the boot loop on the outside. Neither interferes with the clean lines of this brown stunner but both love your leg like no tomorrow.

Those are just a tasty sampling of the feast of tall boots spread out at the Ped site. (Hello, did someone say Fiorentini + Baker? Mmmmm. Our delicious reorder is due in shortly–e-mail us if you’d like to be notified when it arrives!) So kick up your heels as you kick up the leaves and enjoy!

Hey, Ped fans, we are thrilled to let you know the brand new guide, CRAVE: San Francisco Bay Area, has selected Ped as one of the 100 businesses it showcases. Touted as “The Urban Girl’s Manifesto,” CRAVE is a guide to women-owned businesses that women love. San Francisco is their fifth compendium, joining previous guides to Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, and Austin (Chicago is up next). I am so excited to be among the 100 Bay Area women the Crave editors decided to profile! It is such an honor. Ped’s ink and images are on pages 150-151:

Page 150, found on the left side of the page spread.

Page 151, found on the right side of the page spread.

How cool! And we are in such good company! Browsing through the book, I’ve found so many other women I’d love to get to know and businesses I hope to frequent.

SPECIAL GIVEAWAY: I will happily send a copy of CRAVE: San Francisco Bay Area to each of the first 30 Ped fans to request one! Just click here to send me a message with your contact info!

If you miss the giveaway but would still like to order a copy of CRAVE: San Francisco Bay Area, click over to Amazon (plus it’s available at many of the businesses listed in the book).

Being craved has made our day!

At the beginning of September, Ped’s Chief Canine Officer, Lulu, took my husband and me on a trip to Charlottesville, Va., to celebrate our beloved friend Amy’s 40th birthday. The owner and genius behind Rock, Paper, Scissors and Scarpa, Amy became my bud years ago, thanks to shoes, when we originally met at trade shows!

Know who else lives in C’ville, Ped fans? Ped’s creative associate, Laura! Plus, our friend Kimmy made the trip down from New York City. It was quite an eventful weekend! If you’ve never been to Charlottesville, you really should visit—it’s a beautiful town, bursting with history and overflowing with great shops and restaurants.

The first day, we had lunch at Hamiltons’ before shopping on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall. When I stopped into Eloise (on nearby Water St.), who did I run into but my childhood friend from California, Jason!!! I had no idea he lived in Charlottesville. What a great surprise!

Reunited and we feel so good--Jason and I ham it up for the camera on the left, and Kim, the hub, and lovely Lulu relax at Hamiltons' on the right.

That evening we met Laura at MAS, a fantastic tapas restaurant in C’ville’s Belmont neighborhood. Our waiter entertained us by aerating the wine.

The MAS waiter has us spellbound with his wine pouring technique.

The next day, Amy arranged for us to have a special tour of Thomas Jefferson’s famous home, Monticello (we got to go upstairs!), and then we spent the rest of the afternoon helping Amy prepare for her big birthday bash!

Kim and Amy pretend they're spinning and scratching. (We left it to the professionals that night.)

Then it was time for the big party, where everybody had a blast!

The dance floor is jumping!

As usual, we Ped-sters had as much fun as anyone!

My husband, me, and Laura (who looks a little disheveled from all her dancing), happy to be at the party!

The next day was devoted to clean-up and recovery, although we did take time to shop for amazing pottery at The Barn Swallow. Then we all met for our final dinner in Charlottesville at TEN, which serves up fabulous sushi on the Downtown Mall.

After our whirlwind trip, it was back to Ped HQ in Berkeley. But we left a little bit of our hearts in Virginia, which truly is for lovers!

Stay tuned—you never know where Lulu will take us next.

When I discovered Coclico a few years ago, I knew immediately it was a match made in Ped heaven. Named for coquelicots—the poppies that bloom all across the Brittany countryside—Coclico is the brainchild of French-born Sandra Canselier, who founded the NYC-based company in 2000. Since then, she’s teamed up with famed shoe designer Lisa Nading (Ped’s Laura still sighs about a pair of purple Lisa Nading slingbacks her dog chewed up when he was a puppy), and the two now produce the most beautiful designs, crafted using environmentally aware practices, that make style-loving gals sigh with desire.

Per Ped’s stringent standards, though, Coclico shoes don’t just look like a million bucks; they feel fantastic, too. This season Coclico has really outdone itself in making our hearts beat faster with each new arrival at the Ped warehouse. See for yourself:

When you need a tall boot that’s sophisticated enough for work but hot enough to wear on a date, look no further than Coclico’s Ether:

The light grey leather is luscious and looks terrific with everything from a suit to a mini skirt. Plus, the streamlined design is so lean and lovely! (Your gams will look gorgeous.)

But for those of you who like to go even more feminine, especially if the girliness is spiced with a little vintage-inspired glamour, Coclico’s Pebon peep-toe is singing a siren song to you.

Wow. Just wow. Need I say more? I didn’t think so. Wow.

Then again, maybe girly isn’t your thing. You like to steam up the streets with a bit more of a badass attitude. No problem—just pull on Coclico’s Telesto boot and head out the door with your bad self.

Again, Coclico has thought out every detail for maximal impact. Plus, the steel grey suede looks fabulous with everything in your closet, guaranteed.

But if you really want to turn up the heat to the max, well, the most direct way to do that is with Coclico’s Ndakinna ankle boot.

Oo la la!!! It just doesn’t get much edgier or sexier than this wood-soled number! The way the toe peeps out from beneath the overlay of pebbled leather is so saucy, and the tie at the back is like pouring gasoline on the flames! HOT!

Is it any wonder that everyone at Ped Central goes crazy for Coclico? Come on, join our party!