As many of you know, in 2006 Ped relocated its headquarters from Seattle, Wa. to sunny Santa Barbara, Ca. We only stayed in SB two years, but while there we met some amazing people with whom we’ll be friends for life. Howard Schiffer and his family are among our favorites! Howard is the founder and president of Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit organization that strives to ensure young children around the world receive proper nutrition in order to grow and thrive.

So, it broke our hearts to learn the Schiffers’ home of 15 years burned to the ground on May 5 in the fires that devastated Santa Barbara.

A fireman surveys what remains of the Schiffers' incinerated house.

What a horrible thing to happen to anyone, but especially to Howard, whose heart is so big and kind! Perhaps Ped could do at least a little something to make the situation better. Here is Howard’s tale:

On Saturday, May 9th, four days after the fire, I was in Macy’s to get a couple of shirts for work. I remember passing the belt display and looking down at my pants. It dawned on me that I had only one belt. I started laughing because I suddenly realized that I had four polo shirts, one handkerchief, two pairs of jeans, four pairs of socks, four pairs of underwear, one pair of sneakers, and one pair of flip flops to my name.

I was just coming to terms with all that we had lost. Even so, the contrast with the refugees I had been with in Kenya only eight days before as part of my work with Vitamin Angels was still daunting. As I explained to the LA Times the day after the fire, there was no comparison between our situations. The refugees had been driven from their homes in January 2008 during tribal conflicts and were still living in 8′ x 12′ tarp-tents in a refugee camp, with little food or security, and foul, overflowing pits as communal bathrooms. They watch as their neighbors and friends succumb to malaria, AIDS and TB every week.

Our family may be homeless, too, but we have an incredible community of friends and family here to support us. It is a great reminder of all we have to be thankful for and gives us a renewed commitment to the important work Vitamin Angels does.

When Ped contacted us with an offer of free shoes, it was a dream come true. Not only would I instantly double the size of my shoe collection (literally) but I would get to wear the coolest shoes in the world as we begin to rebuild our lives. They are so beautiful. I have never had green shoes before. Thank you so much, Ped!

Howard Schiffer looking handsome in his new Cydwoqs! (We love the green, too, Howard!)

Although we couldn’t undo the fire, at least we were able to give our benevolent friend some stylish and reliable shoes to wear as he goes about the world doing good! Walk on, Howard!

To learn more about Vitamin Angels’ important work, visit http://www.vitaminangels.org/.

Update 06/01/10: Here’s a great photo of Howard rocking his Cydwoqs in Hemispheres magazine.

It’s mid-July, and the mercury is soaring (at least in the Northern Hemisphere—perhaps Ped’s Aussie and Kiwi fans are bundling up in sweaters as we’re skipping around in skimpy sundresses). Wherever you are, we’re out to make the season a little sweeter by adding a little sugar to our sale prices. There’s plenty of summer left to enjoy Ped’s airy heels and strappy sandals, but as much as we love them, we need to send these beauties out into the world in order to make room for the chic fall styles that have started to arrive at Ped HQ.

Here are a few treats that just got a little more tempting! Why resist?

If you’ve never experienced the comfort and vintage-inspired ‘zazz of Chie Mihara, the Rula wedge is the perfect place to start. Nice enough for office wear without sacrificing an iota of style, the Rula features the loveliest cut-and-stitch work up front (click “zoom” at the Ped site to check out the intricate craftsmanship). Well worth it’s original price of $358, it WOWS at $199!

Another Spanish beauty is Argila’s Harper, which is a favorite here at Ped Central. The color is so fresh, and the leather is simply luscious. No longer $364, it’s as welcome as a clear blue sky at $199.

Speaking of color that sings, nothing hits the high note like Coclico’s knockout Chiba heel. The grass green suede makes us sigh “Aahhhhh!,” and so does the comfort of this easy-to-wear sandal. Lovely at $292, it’s even more gorgeous at $169.

So add some sizzle to the sidewalk by slipping on a pair of smokin’ hot sandals at the coolest prices of the season!

A Ped customer, who prefers simply to be known as “Trippen Girl,” wrote us about how her Trippen Fence added some flash to the recent Look3, Festival of the Photograph in Charlottesville, Va.

The lights go down in the theater. I’ve been waiting for this moment for months. I am at the LOOK3 Photography Festival in Charlottesville, Virginia to see one of my favorite artists speak about his work and career. Martin Parr–Magnum photographer, curator, collector extraordinaire, Englishman–takes the stage. Cameras bristle a few feet from the stage’s edge to capture his entry. I have positioned myself close to the front of the theater and sit rapt, trying to ignore the paparazzi endlessly snapping away, photographing greatness. We all settle in for two magnificent hours of an overview of Mr. Parr’s career. A stunning parade of images is writ large on the screen. Time flies as we listen to his incisive thoughts on the art and practice of photography. The audience is in love.

Martin Parr, "The Melbourne Cup, Australia." 2008, pigment print, 40 x 60 inches, courtesy Janet Borden, Inc.

But what’s this? My mind, I confess, wanders ever so slightly midway through the proceedings. In the reflected glow of the huge screen in the darkened auditorium, a sight arrests my eye. It’s my left foot. And on that foot is a Trippen Fence boot. I have dressed myself carefully on this important day, and there was never any question about what would adorn my feet. A boot that brooks no challenge. A boot that, had I designed it, would allow me to die feeling content with my life’s oeuvre…

I attempt to return my focus to the screen, but not before a curious moment. One of the crouched photographers has turned from her supposed focal point. She has rotated 180 degrees. Her lens preys upon me…no, hang on…not upon me exactly. But, rather…upon my left foot! She’s doing her job. Photographing greatness.

"Trippen Girl" wears her Fence well at Look3, Festival of the Photograph!

We love it! Thanks, TG! A Ped gift certificate for $100 is winging its way to you for making us smile the most in June!

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!

After a few relaxing days of sand and sun in Phuket, we were ready for more sightseeing! So off we went to Bangkok, where we had so much fun (as usual)! Here are the highlights (remember, two asterisks indicate a “must-do”):

** We hired a terrific guide who grew up in Bangkok. He goes by Jerry, although his Thai name is name Sivawong Therdthounthai. (If you’d like to use his services, you can contact him at siva0079@hotmail.com). He took us all around Bangkok—to the local farmers market, out to lunch, on the water taxi, and to the local shopping mall, where we browsed through traditional handmade crafts. We used the public “sky train” (like S.F.’s BART) to go everywhere. Jerry was absolutely great and knew how to get to many places in a short amount of time. I highly recommend him as a guide! He was a Buddhist monk for two years and has a terrific personality.

The view from our 18th floor hotel room, vendors and craftspeople on the street, and Keri, Kara, and Angela on the sky train with the ever-patient and accommodating Jerry (he's carrying Kara's backpack!).

** On our second day in Bangkok, Jerry took us to the best Floating Market in the area. It was about an hour south of the city. There were lots of vendors selling crafts and local fruits. We tried the fried bananas and mini coconut pancakes—yum! Word to the wise: if you go to this Floating Market, go early because it gets very crowded!

The Floating Market, and the woman who made us delicious coconut pancakes!

* Wood Carving Factory — The craftspeople here carve intricate elephants, bears, trees and landscapes for furniture and wall hangings. The work is unbelievably detailed.

Elephants outside the woodcarving factory, and a worker executing the incredibly detailed carving.

** Fishing Village — Jerry took us to a fishing village near Bangkok, where we went out on a local fisherman’s boat. He showed us his cockel farm during low tide. Then we went out to the oyster farms in the deeper waters. On the way back, we rode through the mud flats on the boat—it was so fun but very dirty!

Here I am with Jerry and our fishing village driver, Reid. A fisherman hard at work harvesting oysters.

** Monkeys! Next our boat driver, Reid, and Jerry took us to feed wild monkeys. We arrived at an inlet, turned off the boat’s motor, and then Reid did a monkey call. Wow! Dozens of monkeys appeared! Big ones, babies, you name it. They swam out to the boat, where we threw hundreds of bananas to them. They were SO happy, and it was a really fun experience! You will laugh the entire time!

Reid called the monkeys. and I cracked up the whole time because the monkeys were so entertaining as they enjoyed their banana snacks.

** The State Tower Sky Bar — We went here on our last night. The Sky Bar is on the 63^rd floor of the State Tower and overlooks ALL of Bangkok. The views are absolutely spectacular! But be sure just to have a drink because the food is outrageously expensive!

What a fantastic two weeks, and how fun to share the experience with my mom, sister, and niece. We four gals took Southeast Asia by storm and had a complete blast doing it!!! Now I want to go back…

Although I was sad to leave Chiang Mai and my sweetheart of an elephant, Boonpuk, it was time to hit Thailand’s famous beaches. So off we went to Phuket!

* We stayed at the JW Marriott Resort, which was simply amazing! The grounds are blow-your-mind gorgeous! The resort is located right on the ocean and has three pools, several restaurants, and an amazing spa with outdoor rooms. We shared a two-bedroom unit with a kitchen, so we could cook meals at “home.”. Unfortunately, the ocean is too rough for swimming, so we spent many hours at the pool.

The resort's grounds were stunning! My feet lounging by the pool, and Keri collecting shells on the beach.

* The hotel was pretty isolated, so we took a taxi one day to Patong Beach, which is the closest one where you can swim in the ocean. The beach guys will set you up with chairs and umbrellas for about $3, and you can also rent boogie boards, windsurfing boards, etc. While I was enjoying the ocean breeze, I indulged in a 45-minute foot massage with fresh, cold aloe. It was dreamy and only $7.

The view from my chair at Patong Beach, a guy giving his dog a ride by scooter (love it!), and my cooling aloe foot massage. Aahhhhhh.

* Just by luck, we happened to go down a little street and came across an incredible ceramic shop called Siam Ceramic Handmade. It was filled with beautiful hand-painted ceramics, and I bought a few coffee mugs to bring home as souvenirs. We spent about a hour there with the family that owned it. They shared their photos and stories about the tsunami. Wow! (And not a good wow.) They lost three stores in eight minutes when the tsunami struck! The amount of destruction, death, and cleanup they endured is beyond comprehension.

The family showed us photos of the store after the tsunami. The store as it is today, and Keri, Kara, and me with the lovely family who owns the business.

* Fantasea Show—One night we went out for dinner and a show. The performance was absolutely beautiful and featured elephants, tigers, lots of dancers, incredible costumes, music, and gorgeous set design. If you want to go to a traditional Thai dinner show, this is the one! It’s great for both kids and adults!

Finally, you can take the girl away from Ped, but you can’t take Ped away from the girl:

These beautiful handmade bags, of course, caught my eye, and my sweet beach feet in my sweet Cydwoq sandals.

Tomorrow, our final destination: Bangkok!