GOOGLE GLASS

Google Glass was finally available to the general public.  For one day only, this past April 15, if you were willing to cough up the $1500 you could be the first on your block with this new wearable technology.  Prior to this they were only available to a select few in Google's Explorer program.  These people were hand selected by Google to test drive Glass and give them feedback.  Google is expected to officially launch Glass later this year.  I'm sure in time for Christmas shopping!

OK now to the important stuff, how does it look!  I have to say the first roll out looks pretty good.  Glass itself comes in 5 colors. 

They have 4 prescription frame options.

The frames are hand made in Japan and are all titanium.  The frames come stock with high quality antireflective coating on the nonprescription demo lenses.  They are not recommended for minors.  Google also doesn't recommend polarized lenses.  The current prescription range is +2.00 to -4.00.  That range is expected to expand as they release new styles.  Google is currently in talks with Ray Ban, Oakley and DVF to release their own version of Glass.  Last year DVF even used Glass to show us a special perspective of her spring show for fashion week.  She even had the models where Glass on the runway.

GREEN GLASSES

No not green colored glasses, although very cute, but green as in environmentally friendly!  We are all trying to do our part to be kinder to Mother Earth and the optometric community is no different.  We see it at every level.  From cleaner lab manufacturing habits to biodegradable frames!  I'm, of course, going to focus on the fashion aspect.  There are two incredible companies that I work with in my office that are leaders in this field.

The first is ICU.  You may know them as the vibrantly colored, over the counter, readers that are one of  Oprah's favorite things.  What you may not know is that they are a very environmentally conscious company.  All styles use frame and lens material that is fully recyclable.  Some frames are made with sustainable bamboo temples or bio based plastic.  Many frames is this line are made from excess material from the manufacturing process that would typically go in the landfill. These frames are marked with this special tag.

Here are two of my favorite styles.

The second company I want to tell you about is Prodesign.  They have an eco-friendly capsule collection that is everything!  All styles are made from biodegradable acetate material which contains cotton! Yes cotton! So not only is it environmentally gentle and sustainable, it is super light weight! This was genius of them! What I love about them the most is they are high fashion and stylish as well as environmentally conscious! Here are some of the styles so you can judge for yourself.  

Another way that we can be good to environment is buy or use vintage frames.  It's fun to go through our collection and pull out one of our beloved frames from the past and revisit that moment.  This works great as your second pair.  Your main pair can be something new and modern, while your second pair can be fun and retro!  There are also a lot of great vintage stores that have great frames for sale. 

One last way that we can be kind to the environment when it comes to eyewear is donate.  We accept donations at my office and many other offices do as well.  This is a great way to keep a frame out of the landfill AND you are providing sight to someone who otherwise would have nothing. A win/win in my book. 

INTO IT AND OVER IT THE SUNGLASS EDITION

Well spring is upon us again.  The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and we are starting to make plans for our summer vacation.  This all usually means we start thinking about new sunglasses.  Even though we should be thinking about sunglasses year round because even on over cast, cloudy winter days we are still exposed to damaging UV rays.  OK so that was my little side bar PSA.  Now to the fun stuff...FASHION!  My two top passions in life are fashion and food.  I'm totally obsessed with this new show on Food Network called the kitchen.  They do this segment at the end called Into It and Over It.  So I'm going to "borrow" the idea for this week's blog post.  By the way Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, one of the show's co-hosts, has more Tom Ford frames then I have in my office!

SPORTS SUNWEAR

I am totally over Oakley!  They have completely saturated the market and I think people are just buying them because they don't know any better.   That is about to change.  There are so many other cooler looking, better performing lines out there.  Also why would you want to look like everybody else walking down the street?  Let's have some originality people!  That leads me to what I'm into.  DRAGON!  This line was just released under parent company Marchon NYC on a larger scale but has been around for several years.  They have an action sport foundation and a hip, fresh look. They even have frames that floats!  Here are some of my favorites.

Another company that I'm into is Kaenon.  This 100% polarized line is not only the number one optical lens on the market but all of their frames come in unique fun colors.  The shapes are very fashionable too!

Danica Patrick in Kaenon 

The last sports related line I'm into is Rudy Project.  They have a definite sports look but the coolest thing about them is they offer a wide variety of custom tints.  Every rider on the Tour de France wears these.

LUXURY SUNWEAR

I am 110% over the Prada Baroque!  I loved them when they first came out but everyone and their mother seems to be wearing them.  

Prada Baroque

On the other hand I am 110% into the Jimmy Choo Flash.  Also Jimmy Choo's parent company, Safilo, who also manufactures Carrera, has melded the two together in one amazing mash-up! 

Nicole Kidman is the face for Jimmy Choo eyewear!

In addition I'm in love with the Diesel 0071.  Which your's truly is wearing in my profile picture clear.  The frame has actual Diesel denim in it!  

Kudos also goes to Valentino who's Rock Stud and camo offerings are a breathe of fresh air from this legendary fashion house.

So remember sunglasses, unlike white,  you can wear before Easter and after Labor Day!