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Filed under: Anne et Valentin, CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, Francis Klein, RES/REI

Customer of The Week!

Written by on January 5th 2015

3 Cheers for James, Our Customer of Week…and his Francis Klein Salto frames!!!

 

JAMES_L

FK SALTO

Francis Klein Salto. A sophisticated frame for a sophisticated guy.

James followed his wife into Eye Spy last summer, when they flew into town from Chapel Hill, North Carolina…since Brooke needed her annual glasses fix from Eye Spy:-) This was James’ *first* pair of specs, and he walked out looking like a rock star. Brooke tried to out-do him and get two pairs, but that’s another story…

We had to make James our Customer of the Week, as he just stopped by to get an adjustment on his glasses….and we finally got to take his photo in his new specs:-)

James was back in-town in order to attend  Eve of the Eve, an annual  black-tie event to raise money for HighSight, later that evening. HighSight is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide academic and social support to Chicago high school students, and James is on the board, so he had to look his best. Lucky for him, the Specs Wrangler was able work her magic and tame those frames in no time!  The event was a success, and James even sent a picture from the evening.

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James is rocking his tux and glasses like a boss!

Even though this is James’ first pair of glasses, he is already in love with wearing cool colorful frames….so, he is already thinking about his next two pairs!! Which one would you choose??

We can’t wait to see which he frames he will be sporting with his tux next year!

 

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Filed under: Anne et Valentin, CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, Theo, Unique Frame Lines

What’s that you say? Two Customers of the Week?

Written by on December 31st 2014

Yes!  Mark & Jill and their fantastic technicolor frames are here for Customer of the Week!

Mark & Jill

Mark in his Theo’s and Jill in her limited edition Anne Et Valentin sunnies.

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Mark's Theo & Clip

Customized CustomEyes Sun Clip!

Mark, a die-hard Anne Et Valentin fan, was convinced to try something a little different this go around – he is a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to fantastic frames, as he has been a customer for over 10 years!

And oh boy! He was happy when he put on his new green Theo Aramis frames with custom-made sun clips by CustomEyes. As you can imagine, Jill couldn’t let Mark be the only one in the family getting new eyewear!! She chose an Anne et Valentin limited-edition sunglass to protect her eyes….and look great, of course!!

Mark and Jill are a great match. They both have a creative eye and an adventurous spirit!  Just ask them about their recent cycling trip through Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.  We want to see some pictures!

 

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Filed under: EVENTS!, NEWS!, Niloca

Let’s Dance…with Niloca!

Written by on December 26th 2014

You know how some things just go together…peanut butter and jelly, picnics and sunny days…David Bowie and Niloca! …or is that just me?

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The first time I laid eyes on these babies, I was wowed! The colors, shapes, and even textures that the talented Colin Redmond and his team use in their designs are fit for a queen…or maybe a space alien king!

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I can’t think of anything better than getting dressed up in a pair of Niloca specs and spending the day dancing through the wonderful world of that crazy music making genius at the David Bowie retrospective at the Museum of Contempoary Design in Chicago. The show features over 400 objects from a 5 decade career including handwritten lyrics, set designs and COSTUMES!

you said what?!?

you said what?!?

Niloca hasn’t been around for 5 decades yet, but with their fun and playful designs, I am willing to bet that  they will be.

space aged in the best of ways

You will have to hurry if you want to go visit Bowie’s world…the last day of the show is January 4th, and you should definitely go, even if you don’t have a pair of wacky specs to wear (but you know where to come if you want some!) The MCA will have special Extended David Bowie is a Holiday Hours  for the last week of the show, so you really don’t have an excuse for missing it.

You know you want to.

You know you want to.

 

 

 

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Filed under: Anne et Valentin, CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!

A VERY Special Edition of Customer of the Week!

Written by on December 22nd 2014

Put your hands together, my friends, and help me welcome the one…the only…HOT DOUG!!!!

Hot Doug is so suave (you thought I was going to say hot!) in his new Anne Et Valentine Fame frame.

Hot Doug is so suave (you thought I was going to say hot!) in his new Anne Et Valentine Fame frame.

Hot Doug is well known ’round these parts for serving up delicious salty encased meats (hot dogs!) for the past 13 years at the Chi-town institution, Hot Doug’s.

You can't get the dogs, but you CAN get a T-Shirt!

You can’t get the dogs anymore, but you CAN still get a T-Shirt!!!

He closed up shop in October, but you can still outfit your friends and family for your Hot Doug’s fan club at his website.

Don’t worry, he isn’t going to retire and disappear (though he may decide to take a long nap) and will be pursuing other exciting opportunities soon – maybe a charity, something that gives back to Chicago…we think he should persue an acting career!

Chi-Town Showdown: George Wendt-Jitsu vs Hot Doug-Fu from Wolf Point Media on Vimeo.

Whatever he decides, Doug is ready to for his next adventure in his cool new green and black Anne Et Valentin Fame frames.

Doug's career in cased-meats might be over, but Fame will help him get through his days!

Doug’s career in encased-meats might be over, but Fame will help him get through his days!

Known as a friendly guy, Doug made friends with people all over the country (a few weeks ago he ran into a guy who recognized him when he was on an RV trip down south!)  He even gave our Queen of Specs a free veggie dog one day when she took  her princesses out for a bite and forgot her wallet. Awwe!

So, my friends, if you see Hot Doug around, say hi and make sure you compliment him on his new specs. And, as Doug said when he left Eye Spy the other day, Happy Cholidays!

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Filed under: Anni Shades, CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, RES/REI

Customer of the Week…

Written by on December 16th 2014

It is that time again…Help me welcome our newest Customer Of the Week, Dave Rentauskas!

Give Dave a round of applause everyone!

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We didn’t choose Dave for our Customer of the Week just because he has great taste and picked up 2 amazing pairs of glasses.

Stylish RES/REI with custom sun-clips from CustomEyes!

Stylish RES/REI Calvino with custom sun-clips from CustomEyes!

All kinds of handmade wonderful...Anni Shades Glimpse.

All kinds of handmade wonderful…Anni Shades Glimpse.

We also recently had the pleasure of working with him on our Shop Local. Shop Lincoln photoshoot, where he took photos of local business owners wearing Eye Spy Optical specs.

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Shop Local. Shop Lincoln. Luke from Dinkle’s Bakery

Jessica from Sugar Fix

Jessica from Sugar Fix

Dave’s photos are even better than we could have hoped and we are definitely looking forward to working with him again in the future. If you want to see all of the Shop Local. Shop Lincoln Portraits, keep an eye on our Facebook page – we will be posting them all month!

You can find out what Dave is up to by checking out his website, Facebook, or Instagram….and check out this great self-portrait from a Black Friday shoot!!Rentauskas_dave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed under: Anne et Valentin, FASHION!, Mykita, RES/REI

Customize Your Specs!

Written by on December 8th 2014

If you have spent some time hanging out here at Eye Spy, you may have heard one of us mention a genius named Arnold from CustomEyes once or twice (probably more than that…we really really love him).  He is the man behind our custom painted sun clips and frames.

This frame and custom clip are cool as a cucumber.

This frame and custom clip are cool as a cucumber.

That is right…let that sink in a bit.  CUSTOM…PAINTED…FRAMES and SUN CLIPS!

You want a green Theo frame painted pink? Easy Peasy!

You want a sun clip to match your ombre purple Caroline Abram glasses with a green flash mirror? Get those tissues out ’cause you are going to cry Tears of Joy!

Have you had dreams of little hearts and stars all over your blue Mykitas AND a clip with teddy bears on it…well, I am not sure if he is a miracle worker…but we could ask!

Aren't these just dreamy?

Aren’t these just dreamy?

If you have a metal frame that needs to be jazzed up a bit, or you have odd-shaped specs that needs a clip, HE IS THE MAN!

Anne Et Valentin Flora before...

Anne Et Valentin Flora before…

Put down that white-out and step away from the glasses!!!! Arnold will make that frame black and white for you…trust us.

Flora is Black, White and HOT all over!

Now Flora is Black, White and HOT all over!

Love what you see? Then what are you waiting for? Get in here and get one of these little works of art on your face!

 

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Filed under: AWARDS!, NEWS!

Who made the BEST OF CHICAGOIST?!?

Written by on December 1st 2014

WE DID!!!

We’d like to thank The Academy….Oops! Wrong award show dream come true! But seriously, everyone here at Eye Spy Optical want to extend a GIAGANTIC THANK YOU to the folks over at Chicagoist for including us in their 7 Best Eyeglasses Shops in Chicago list!!!

Like your cool aunt's living room...only better!

Like your cool aunt’s living room…only better!

It is so fun to work with such great frames and customers who really appreciate how a funky pair of specs can brighten their day!

 

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Filed under: EVENTS!, NEWS!

*SHOP LOCAL * SHOP LINCOLN*

Written by on November 19th 2014

… with Eye Spy & our neighbors during the holiday season!!

Make purchases at locally-owned shops on Lincoln Ave., get entered in a gift raffle…and we donate to a non-profit for each participant:-) It’s easy…read below to see how to participate!

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*Pick up a punch card at participating stores from 3200-3600 N Lincoln.
*Shop at 6 or more stores & get your card punched with each purchase.
*Select shops will be giving out samples & discounts.
*Bring the card back to Eye Spy to enter the gift raffle & we will donate $3 to a non-profit organization for each card entered!
*Check out the facebook page for special sneak peaks and updates!

Participating Businesses:

Bad Wolf Coffee * Black Hearts Hair House * Building Blocks * Chicago Music Exchange * Dinkel’s Bakery * Eye Spy Optical * Frasca * New England Seafood Company Fish Market * Paulina Meat Market * The Pleasure Chest * Sam & Willy’s * Sin Qua Non Salon-Lakeview * Sugar Fix

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Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, Italee, KIDS!

New Customer Of the Week…Andrew!!!

Written by on November 17th 2014

Say hi to Andrew, our newest customer of the week!

Andrew is the 4th person in his family to wear glasses and he couldn’t be happier. This 6 year old was so excited to get his first pair of specs that he did a little shimmy when he finally got to put them on!

ANDREW (2)

He chose a pair of Italee 2.5 frames in his favorite color, blue, and he LOVES the way he looks with them on…just look at that smile!

Andrew is fast as a cheetah and a champion at tag so he can’t wait to get out of the classroom for recess everyday. He also loves to play chess with his dad and competes in tournaments with kids of all ages…he beat a 3rd grader yesterday!

2.5 Italee

 

2.5’s are perfect for a kid like Andrew. They are light weight and comfortable so he can wear them all day,  and they won’t fall off when he is playing since they have cable temples that curl around his ears.

Watch out world…Andrew is coming for you…and now he can see!

 

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Filed under: Caroline Abram, CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, EVENTS!

Customer Of The Week!!!

Written by on November 9th 2014

Introducing our lovely Customer of the Week…Silvana and her adorable pup Penny!

Oh that face!

Oh that face!

When Silvana and Penny walked in to the shop it was love at first site… for everyone!  We were enamored with puppy  snuggles and she fell in LOVE with an absolutely gorgeous teal pair of Liliane glasses by Caroline Abram.  

Silvana and Penny spend their days at the Chicago Mosaic School and are pros at taking  care of business in style!!! So stop by for a class or workshop and make sure to say hi for us!

CA Liliane

 

Caroline Abram is known for effortless and wearable style and all of her frame shapes come in a rainbow of colors.

SQUEAL!!!!

SQUEAL!!!!

Don’t forget that this Saturday (November 15) is our Caroline Abram Trunk Show. Stop by, see the new collection and fall in love!

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