PREFACE: It really is not in my best interest to share this, although I’ve already internet spammed nearly everyone I know about this glasses collection. And you know, it’s limited edition. Given that I won’t be able to potentially order these until January, there lies the intrinsic value of keeping my mouth shut.
But, in the spirit of altruism, I will continue.
I’ve been in Hanoi for exactly three weeks. Although I am always at work, when I return in the evenings (after miraculously crossing the streets unscathed), I am still compelled to turn on my computer and putz around on the internet. For a while now, I have been wanting to order glasses from Warby Parker. I even went to the showroom in NYC, which is pretty neat. You can try on all of their glasses, while considering how you’re with your glasses-wearing brethren, and pah pah-ing all of those miserable people who made fun of you for wearing glasses when you were a child. I really felt akin to the Huxley Crystal (part of the steven alan collaboration), but I’m really indecisive, and I was leaving for Hanoi right when I decided I wanted them.
Nowadays, I think about how I will one day rejoin people that won’t persecute me for wearing my teal Moscot glasses, and longingly find myself drawn to looking at glasses online (especially at Warby Parker because the website is so aesthetically pleasing and has no offensive fonts). That’s when I noticed the Hazelwood collection! It’s a really pretty color! I immediately sent the link to my friend Kate (who has been considering both Warby Parker glasses and getting bangs), and that’s pretty much the end of the story. A long story to share how great I find the Hazelwood collection, and how I am now torn between crystal and hazelwood.
Above: Colton (in Hazelwood!) glasses, $95, Warby Parker
YES, you can buy prescription glasses online. YES, they are INEXPENSIVE. YES, they are REAL. YES, MOST of them are made for old ladies/men. But, NO, not ALL of them!
As you can see, another shopper, my stuffed animals, and I all look fabulous in our wayfarers (not Ray-Ban, but who can tell?! and with the prescription and everything they were actually less than $35). And, yes, they ARE uglypretty, and that is the beauty of them. (They are also IN: just go to St. Mark’s Place in Manhattan RIGHT NOW.) They also have a rich and exciting history of stardom (well, the Ray-Bans). (Also there is a cool chameleon video involving Ray-Bans posted on SwissMiss right now, but apparently the chameleon doesn’t really change colors like that. SAD FACE.)
Anyway, here is how to get your own awesome PRESCRIPTION (!!!) Wayfarers.
(1) Go to Glassy Eyes’ blog. He will convince you, as he convinced me, that online prescription glasses are not a farce. (The glassy eye blogger is also cool, as evidenced by his kindly response to my probably late-night email asking him where-oh-where the cool glasses were.) He will also give you the full instructions on how to get your prescription written down (yes, you do need to go to the eye doctor!) and how to fill the information in online and how get frame measurements etc. A note on frame measurements: They aren’t really important for the Wayfarers unless you have an abnormally gigantic head (you know, like Elaine in that episode of Seinfeld where the bird flies into it) because Wayfarers are so hipster and bohemian that they don’t really have to fit right. They are a lot larger than my regular glasses.
(2) Go to THIS PAGE on Opitcal 4 Less and order the glasses. You will never find these glasses if you SEARCH for them any regular way because on Optical 4 Less they are called “Freeways.” (If you don’t like the “Freeways” (or Wayfarers, as I like to call them) check out Glassy Eye and click on some of his great links. There really aren’t ONLY old lady glasses. There are also a lot of nice traditional glasses in all sorts of frame styles that I am sure I would wear if I were a normal person.)
(3) Get your glasess (and plastic case and cleaning cloth, which are included!). They apparently come ALL THE WAY! from Hong Kong. Wear them, preferabbly with a dainty, girly outfit for a perfect and semi-ironic contrast to the thick-black-rimmed-glasses geek persona eminating from your totally cool glasses.
This past week, I have been studying a good amount. BUT, I don’t want to mislead you. I am not a disciplined study bunny. My current studying pattern is to compensate for not studying more earlier (being a feces-face).
Despite my devotion to learning new words (lilliputian is my FAVORITE so far), I can’t resist flipping through fashion week pictures. I’m not obsessed with any particular brand, however, there are certain designers that I tend to like more than others (Fall 2009 gold stars: Badgley Mischka, Richard Chai, Nanette Lepore, and BELOW!). My dear friend, Angelica, and I love discussing new designs and interesting silhouettes. So, I have to be informed to facilitate healthy discussion! Okay, poor reasoning. I know, I fail at life.
1. Although some people hated the Marc by Marc Jacobs fall collection, I really enjoyed it. After reading about him in the New Yorker, Angelica and I concluded that we wanted to be his friend. I suspect that we mutually respect Marc Jacobs, because we wear a lot of layers (MOTIVES: 75% “I-GET-COLD-EASILY”, 25% “JUST-BECAUSE”). He seems to like layers, thus we like Marc Jacobs. The picture above is my favorite from the fall line, and is also the inspiration for this post’s design!
2. Of the ones I’ve seen, I like Tracy Reese’s collection the best. I admit, I am biased because a childhood friend of mine is the Assistant Designer at Tracy Reese. BUT, I still believe that despite this wee fact, I would still declare this collection as my favorite. Superbly executed, this collection features a good mix of normal subdued fall colors, and sprinkles of stunning colors (see the turquoise dress below!).
The greatest aspect is the accessories! Threaded throughout the entire show= the most GLORIOUS FASCINATORS AND GLASSES!!!! Cool points to the max!!!@#@!!!!@#@!#!
3. Sometimes I have shitty days. Angelica and I refer to these days as “cupcake days.” Some days are…”two cupcake days.” Those are the worst. Chicago is an exceptional place for a food-lover, especially someone who has a weakness for cupcakes. Recently opened, Sugar Bliss is conveniently located near work. I’m not willing to declare it the best cupcake place in Chicago, but it is definitely in the top three. Sugar Bliss cupcakes are perfect for those who love icing (they even offer icing shots!). Based on what I’ve tried, I like their Chocolate Caramel cupcakes the most.
4. When my eyes first met this image of Obama Sushi (via Boing Boing and brother-in-law), I thought about the following…
5. I know this is a slightly outdated expression of love (by exactly a month!), but I am infatuated with Animal Collective’s latest album, Merriweather Post Pavilion. Every time I listen to it, I always feel inundated with reverence for Animal Collective. This album is a little more electronic-ambient, filled with bold beats and some danceable tunes. My favorite song is “My Girls,” but lyrically, I like “Summertime Clothes” the best. Thank you, Taylor, for sharing with me your Animal Collective albums.
6. FACT! I love Shark Week. When I saw this Shark Tea Infuser on Designboom, I wanted it immediately. I would even consider trading coffee for tea (maybe), if I could use this tea infuser. My co-worker, Patrick, brought up a good point- the shark only looks cool if you use red tea. GOOD THING = I LIKE ROOIBOS.
Note: All fashion week images are from nymag.com, and the font is “LT Nutshell Library” from dafont.com!
In this second special installment of “Maria-and-Tricia-converse-with-Mrs. Grossman’s-aka-the-founder-of-the-STICKER-industry,” Creative Director Susan Eslick shares her current obsessions. Yesterday, we learned that Susan has used stickers to barter, and surprise waiters and waitresses. This made me reconsider that silly dream of, you know, being a full-time creative girl (read: struggling artist that supports herself by serving frito pies). I like stickers that much.
SUSAN ESLICK IS CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH THE FOLLOWING THINGS (a few of which I have commented on):
1. OBAMA (Have you been to www.change.gov yet? You can even apply for a job on the site! Question. How many people do you think have applied to be the family’s puppy walker?)
2. CNN (I have tepid feelings towards Wolf Blitzer, but I love Anderson Cooper.)
3. Vintage labels
4. Stickers (I LOVE MRS. GROSSMAN’S CHUBBY LINE.)
5. Mad Men (Do you remember Maria’s fabulous Dyna Moe interview?)
6. Comfortable shoes
7. Typography from the 50s
8. Bahn mi (These Vietnamese sandwiches are so great! The best one that I ever had was from Ba-Le in Oahu).
9. Saving money
10. Italian ceramics
11. Cava
12. Small chairs
13. Manchego cheese
14. Eye glasses (The above glasses are from Eyebuydirect, where Maria purchased her last pair of glasses).
15. Fabulous packaging
16. Blown glass
17. Small kids in Halloween costumes
18. My cat.
ONE MORE THING LEFT IN S&D’S GREAT MRS. GROSSMAN’S SERIES!
A contest!
My dear bunnies, you are in for a treat! Mrs. Grossman’s has put together an exclusive prize pack for one lucky S&D reader. This prize pack includes Susan Eslick’s favorite stickers! To enter, email me with the correct answer to the following question:
What was the very first Mrs. Grossman’s sticker?
You have until Sunday, 11/16. The correct responses will be numbered, and the winner will be chosen randomly using this random number generator. And please title your email entry with something…you know…cute. Like “BALLER MRS. GROSSMAN’S CONTEST.” (Not that your chances of winning will increase if you have a cooler title. I am just fishing for a giggle. Selfish, I know.)
Tricia’s Notes & Picture Credits:
The font is Adam Gorry Lights by Senitel Type, which is available here. Image of Manchego Cheese from here. Bahn mi image taken by stu_spivack.
