As many Ped fans know, lots of celebrities get their pictures snapped wearing Fiorentini + Baker boots. Sarah Jackson, however, had a different kind of celebrity moment while spicing up Boulder, Colorado’s fashion scene with her strappy Eternity boots. Here’s her tale:

Although I’ve lived in many glamorous places—Barcelona, New York City, San Francisco, Perth (Australia), and the wilds of Montana—I now live in Boulder, Colorado, where fashion doesn’t extend much past yoga pants, fleece jackets, and clogs. I decided when I moved here that I was not going to leave glamour behind. So I was thrilled when I FINALLY got a pair of Fiorentini & Baker Eternity boots, thanks to my dear mother-in-law, who bought them to celebrate my signing a book contract (yippee)!

With some sizing help from Ped, I received a perfect-fitting pair of boots, put them on, and practically refused to take them off. I bought a pair of cute woolen knickers to show them off to full advantage, and I was wearing this knickers + Eternity ensemble one day when I picked up my son from preschool. One of his classmates stopped in her tracks, staring at my boots. Then her mom appeared, equally agog. “I LOVE those boots!” the mom exclaimed. “You look like…” She was racking her brain. “Amelia Earhart!” her daughter shouted. “Yes!” her mom agreed. It turned out they had just been reading a library book about Amelia Earhart. I felt like a celebrity!

Sarah looking glamorous in her Fiorentini + Baker Eternity boots.

Now whenever I wear the Eternity boots, the preschool kids ask me about them: “What kind of boots are those?” “Why do they have so many straps?” And of course, “Who was Amelia Earhart?” Not only do I enjoy the conversations, but the whole experience has also reinforced my belief that true glamour is appreciated, no matter where one lives.

Thank you, Ped, for making my Amelia Earhart moment possible. I’m going to wear these babies ‘til they fall to pieces… or simply, like Amelia, disappear.

Given how durable Fiorentini + Baker’s workmanship is, the disappearing seems more likely than the boots’ falling to pieces! For making us smile the most in August, a Ped gift certificate for $100 is winging its way to Sarah for her wonderful story of adding a little pizzazz to the streets of Boulder.

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!

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!

Ped fans, have you ever wondered what the makers of our lovely lines have to say about the shoes they create? Well, you’re in luck because both Chie Mihara and Cydwoq’s Rafi Balouzian have taken the time to make videos discussing their footwear philosophies and aesthetic approaches. Once you watch these charming artists talk about their passion for designing shoes, you’ll understand why Chies and Cydwoqs are worth their weight in gold!

First up, our gal in Spain, Chie Mihara:

Got that? “You don’t have to suffer to be beautiful.” That’s Ped’s motto, too!

Now, for a few words from Cydwoq’s handsome and wise Rafi Balouzian:

No wonder Cydwoqs are so comfortable—they’re designed by a man who loves to walk and who also loves women’s feet!

It’s so fun to get the inside scoop! And isn’t it nice to know that both Chie and Rafi wear what they make? Truly, handmade shoes with heart!

My, oh my, here at Ped, we are up to our ankles in ankle boots—and we are loving every minute of it! Although booties have been “in” for a couple years, this year’s crop is especially beautiful. We love the impact of short boots worn with skirts, but what’s really great is they’re equally easy to wear with pants (not always the case with a tall boot, much as we love the knee-high look). Ped has scads of great ankle boots from which to choose, but here are a few fresh ones that have us oohing and aahing.

Wow, wow, wow—when you’re ready to hit the streets and take no prisoners, Cydwoq’s new Future is the boot to wear. Tough and sexy all at once, this boot has us over the moon with the exposed violet edges of the black Italian leather. Leave it to Cydwoq’s Rafi to make a buckle boot this special!

Lordy, just looking at the Cydwoq Vintage Seek makes me break into a sweat! As I said to Laura the other day, “SEXOLA!” The cut-outs and combination of textured leathers are trumped only by the sizzling back zipper running up this bootie’s heel!

Speaking of back zippers, we love how the zipper running up the rear of Fiorentini + Baker’s Ella allows you to unzip this mid-calf boot halfway and fold down the top to make a cuffed ankle boot. Now that’s versatility since both looks are smoking with F+B’s inimitable Italian style!

For sheer cuteness and comfort, no bootie surpasses Trippen’s new Tie. You have to wear this ankle-height beauty to fully appreciate how soft and supple the elk leather is—truly a treat for the feet! And Trippen’s “cups” rubber sole keeps your steps light as you dash all over town.

If you’re a gal who’s determined not to get back in black no matter what the fashion pundits say, or if you simply want to add a bit of color to your wardrobe, check out Giraudon’s knockout Nelle! We adore the chic and curvaceous cut of the leather and the way the Nelle subtly echoes a cowgirl boot. Plus, the cognac color is to die for!

So, pick your passion—any of these ankle boots will have every eye on you this fall!

At Ped, we’re always on the lookout for those rare designers who adhere to socially and environmentally responsible practices while making beautifully crafted items with scads of style. So, we went right over the moon when we discovered Argila, a wonderful shoe line featuring beautiful leathers and meticulous workmanship produced in designer Pep Monjo’s hometown of Menorca, Spain! We first introduced Argila to the Ped lineup last spring, and now we’re back with round two for fall. Let us just gush for a minute because these shoes and boots are truly something special!

Argila’s Maya is the holy grail of women’s shoes—a comfortable heel that’s conservative enough for the office but still lets you express your individuality (because who wants to be a corporate cog?). The leather is such a rich smoky grey, and it goes with absolutely everything. The t-strap is a classic style, but the details set this beauty apart, from the perforated leather at the front and back to the suede-wrapped heel to the circular buckle at the ankle. We can’t stop sighing.

Maybe your career let’s you be a little more badass—or maybe you like to shed your work clothes and get your ya-yas out after hours! If so, look no further than the Argila Katrine. This rockin’ ankle boot will make everyone around you catch their breath—it’s that stunning! We love the way the black leather suggests just a hint of bondage with the way it crisscrosses the taupe boot.

Speaking of beautifully cut leather, Argila’s Sadie is a veritable work of art with the way its chocolate leather radiates at an angle across the toe box and arches over the heel. It’s got a vintage feel but is thoroughly modern (check out the beautiful line of the heel). The schoolgirl look was never sexier!

Finally, Argila’s Josephine boot is perhaps our favorite black short boot of the season (although, admittedly, there are a lot of other beautiful ones at Ped). Again, it’s Argila’s attention to detail that sends this knockout over the top. We are especially smitten with the lace-less brass rivets running up the front of the boot—so very cool!

Such smoldering styles coming out of Spain! Argila es muy caliente!

Ped fans, don’t forget there are just two days left in Ped’s Bag Sale. Tote one of our Cydwoq, 49 Square Miles, or Jutta Neumann lovelies away while you can because they’re back to full price after August 19!