It’s that time of year again—for the next few weeks yours truly will be heading to Las Vegas for the World Shoe Association trade show and then jetting to France and Italy for more Ped shopping. I love hunting for new lines to bring to Ped, but ferreting out those hard-to-come-by items that combine ethical production, superior quality, and unusual style can be exhausting! People who know me can attest to my stamina (just call me “Sporty Spice”!), but I would be lost without comfortable shoes and boots capable of going round-the-clock, carrying me from one trip to the next.

So, meet two of my all-time favorite traveling companions:

There’s a lot of love out there for Fiorentini + Baker’s Eternity Boot (hello, celebrities). And with good reason! Not only is this boot fantastic looking (a little bit of badass in a stylish package), but it also is the pinnacle of comfort. Its construction is hardy enough to withstand hours of walking anywhere you care to take it—convention halls, Manhattan streets, or Parisian boulevards. I particularly love this boot in brown because the color is so versatile. When I don’t have time to think about what to wear, I always buckle up the Eternity boot, knowing I’ll look—and feel—great!

Another excellent style capable of going the distance is Cydwoq’s Seat Bootie:

My favorite thing about this cutie is how light it is! I don’t know about you, but at the end of a long day my feet often feel like they’ve been dipped in lead. But not in the Seat! These boots keep a spring in my step even after hours of traipsing from Point A to Point Z. Because they lace up, they easily adjust if, heaven forbid, your ankles start to swell. And let’s not forget the style factor—these ankle boots look edgy and chic with almost any on-the-road outfit. If you like to show off your tights, you’ll love the tongue-less construction that lets you flash your favorite hosiery for the world to enjoy. (And it doesn’t hurt that the Seat is currently on sale!)

So, I’m off, Ped fans. I’ll continue to blog a bit from the road. And before you know it, I’ll be back with the promise of good things to make you Ped heads smile!

Hey, Ped fans, do you use Twitter? Well, now Ped does, too! So, if you want to be the first to know when we receive new styles or put something particularly wonderful on sale, follow us at http://twitter.com/PedShoes. 

Speaking of wonderful, last week we opened a box from Spain and found one of our all-time favorite Chie Mihara styles: the Jane!

Ay caramba, this beauty is so many good things all at once—retro, glam, practical, sexy, and demure. Not to mention comfortable. (And, needless to say, we love a red shoe!)

It also got us thinking about all the variations on the classic Mary Jane that Ped carries, each with its own personality and charm. So, meet a few of the girls:

The Trippen Tidy from Germany walks around town with an edgy and sophisticated European flair.

Cushioned by a cross-shaped wedge, she’s equally comfortable being all-business or going casual. This Mary Jane speaks in an unforgettable accent that we at Ped HQ could listen to all day.

Then there’s her sweet Portuguese cousin from Giraudon:

The lacing on the cross-strap is what makes this shoe so charming. And the Giraudon Mary Jane is the best companion when you need to run a gajillion errands. She’s also fun to hang out with over Sunday brunch at a cafe. 

Meanwhile, Cydwoq’s Carry is a Mary Jane with the heart of an artist:

The way the positive space of the leather appliqué on the toe echoes the negative space of the cutout formed by the strap is a treat for the eyes! Lovingly designed and handcrafted in California, this gal is a head-turner but so relaxed about it all! The Carry’s beauty, just like the other Mary Janes’, is more than just superficial—her construction and sole make her beautiful inside and out.

Finally, we love a Mary Jane with a flair for color, like the Chie Mihara Bas:

That’s some serious sass! But this stunner is surprisingly versatile and adds ‘zazz to almost any dressy outfit on any occasion.

Mary Jane, you truly are every woman’s best friend!

The holiday season is over. There’s snow everywhere. Which can only mean one thing: bring on the sunshine and sandals!!

My husband left Tuesday for a little tropical vay-kay in Costa Rica. Sigh. Here at Ped Central, we can’t help it—we do feel a smidgeon of envy. We all have the urge to abandon our sweaters and boots and slip into something a little more airy. Fortunately, Cydwoq just delivered the first of Ped’s sandals, so our warm-weather dreams are just a little more tangible. Rafi has really outdone himself this year with the new designs. Here are a few to tantalize you (and if you’re lucky enough to be jetting to Bali or Barbados, we’ve clearly got you covered… or uncovered, to be more exact…).

This cutie is called the Copy. I love how minimal the design is, and yet your heel feels so secure resting within the nubuck back (the rivets look great from behind, by the way). Plus, the tie at the ankle adds a little sizzle.

Another style that we’re wild about is the Hurricane:

This sandal just slips on—no muss, no fuss—but the way Rafi has cut the leather straps gives it a wallop of visual impact.

And speaking of visual impact, check out the Elect!!!

Now that is what you call a head-turner! It’s edgy and fashion-forward, but because it’s Cydwoq, it’s guaranteed to be comfortable. And the icing on the cake is that it’s green (my fave)!

So, while the hub enjoys the tropical breezes of Costa Rica, we at least have sandals to remind us that winter won’t last forever.

Here at Ped HQ, we’re smitten with the new First Lady! Not only is Michelle Obama accomplished and brilliant, but she’s also got miles of style! We admit we reveled in every minute of the January 20th inauguration, admiring her chartreuse dress during the day (as you probably know, I love green) and her white gown at night.

That said, we were all a little worried about how well her feet were holding up. Ms. Obama was standing practically all day! Whenever they showed close-ups of her during the parade, I thought I detected a well-masked hint of “oh-do-my-feet-ever-ache” underlying her smile. Nothing against the Jimmy Choos she wore, but, let’s face it, most heels are instruments of torture after a few hours!

Which is why Ped humbly suggests the First Lady consider Cydwoq Vintage and/or Chie Mihara for her White House footwear wardrobe. Both lines offer super chic, cutting-edge yet sophisticated designs, perfect for the types of state functions Ms. Obama must attend. But, amazingly, both remain comfortable even after hours of standing and making diplomatic chitchat.

So, if you run into the lovely Ms. O, perhaps you could steer her to our list of recommendations, which we’re offering in two parts. We’ll start with a few Cydwoq Vintage beauties, and in a few weeks, we’ll suggest a few Chie Mihara styles.

First up, the new Cydwoq Vintage Osmosis:

(No, that’s not what you think–our little Corgi friend, Cooper, accidentally knocked over her water bowl in her excitement to see us.) How gorgeous are these??? When Ped’s Laura saw them, she almost fainted! We think Michelle Obama would rock these, and their 2″ heel—placed precisely where it’s most comfortable by Rafi, Cydwoq’s genius in residence—would give her just enough lift. Considering she’s a statuesque 5’11”, we’re guessing she likes to keep her heels fairly low. 

Or how about the ultra chic Palm?

It is the epitome of understated sophistication! Plus, its neutral color palette would allow Ms. Obama to pair it with so many outfits (and if she’s bored at a luncheon, she could just look down at her feet for some entertainment). We’re pretty sure it would become a favorite!

Another goes-with-anything option is Cydwoq’s Wing:

Can’t you just envision Michelle in this embossed faux croc and bronze number? We can!

Finally, we’ve noticed Ms. Obama appreciates a zing of color, but we also know she probably needs a pair of fall-back black pumps. Which is why we think the Canvas has “Michelle Obama” written all over it:

That little red edge just makes this shoe! 

Looking ladylike was never such a treat for the feet! After all, it’s not whether the shoe is too big or too small,* it’s whether it works for you.

(*actually, it kind of is, but I couldn’t resist the line…)

Ped fans, I am sad to report our beloved Lulu, Ped’s Chief Canine Officer, had to have emergency back surgery this past weekend. Fortunately, she’s had the best possible veterinary care and was operated on by an extraordinarily skilled surgeon at U.C. Davis (to whom we are so, so grateful). Happily, a full recovery is expected, albeit after two months of crate confinement (poor Princess Lulu Parmesan). Lulu will, however, still approve the emails and run the show around here at Ped from her crate!

Lulu in her usual command post.

Ped’s Chief Canine Officer and her adoring human minions, Dayna and Terry.