Eye Spy with My Little Eye

CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!

Our Customer of the Week this week is LINUS LEE!

Linus has been a *great* customer at Eye Spy for several years now; he has great taste and we loved helping him choose a new look! Linus found this SUPER COOL Anne et Valentin frame. It's so modern and cool, it's a great contrast to the retro Lafon t frame that he used to wear!

Top That! Top That! Now why would you ever wanna go and try to top that?!

Congratulations, Linus! You're our CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!

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Labels: Anne et Valentin, customer of the week, designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, funky, lafont, optical

CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!

Ahh, so many weeks we've chosen one or more lovely customers to spotlight here.... we've just been reminiscing and we've decided that, this week, we're going to say THANK YOU to all of our previous choices for CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!

These lovely faces show how great it is to take a chance on a RED frame or a BLUE frame! They represent the whimsical side of Anne et Valentin frames, the fantastic structure of ic! berlin frames, and the intriguing angles of Theo frames. These faces are what make Francis Klein glasses sparkle, they are what make Frost frames come alive and they show why Lafont is a good and reliable friend when it comes to quality eyewear. These customers have helped us welcome Grotesque and Claire Goldsmith to Eye Spy, they've modeled our eyewear in advertisements on postcards, in magazines, and even on El platforms!

Everybody wants to be a cool kid, cool kid.

We love our customers, each and every one, but right now, here's to the Eye Spy friends who have found themselves in our CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK spotlight! Cheers!

Yes we did! It's time for Eye Spy's January Sale!!!! Whoo!!!

We have frames at 25% off, 50% off, and 75% off the original price! AND, we have a ton of Anne et Valentin frames and IC! Berlin frames that we received especially for the sale at 40% to 50% off their original prices...unbelievable.

We do this because we love you so much.

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Labels: Anne et Valentin, Claire Goldsmith, customer of the week, durable eyewear, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, Francis Klein, Frost, funky glasses, Grotesque, IC Berlin, lafont, optical, Theo

Giving Thanks

Here at Eye Spy, we have a lot to be thankful for: awesome eyeglasses that surround us all day long, a funky and colorful work environment, and Dinkel's right across the street!

But, today, what we are most thankful for are the awesome awesome customers--you are all so much fun to have around!

You make our hearts go ZING!

What we are second most thankful for are the new frames that have been arriving all week!

First, the Theo invasion:

Theo's classic metal style that we all know and looooove.

And new Theo plastics! Absence does make the heart grow fonder!
It's been a while since Theo has made plastic frames and, yow, are we happy they're back!

Then, we received the Lafont frames for our Trunk Show this weekend! The frames will only be here for the weekend, so if you want to see hundreds of Lafonts in dozens of colors, put on you hat and gloves and come over to Eye Spy! (Pssst...The Lafont trunk show will be on Saturday, November 28, from 11-5pm.)

ooooooh. ahhhhhh.

Look at all the kids frames we'll have in the store this weekend!
(This is maybe one fifth of the kids frames we'll have for the trunk show!!!)

So much to love.....

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Labels: check it out, designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, funky glasses, lafont, optical, sunglasses, Theo, whimsical

CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!

This week, we found the CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK in our own office! KARLA PARISER is our bookkeeper and a great friend. She has an amazing wardrobe of glasses including Francis Klein and Anne et Valentin, but maybe our favorite frame of all is this LAFONT frame...in leopard!!!

We heart Karla! She's one of the most stylin' ladies around!

The LAFONT Trunk Show is here! Every Saturday in November we have hosted trunk shows. We are ending the our month-long celebration of new styles with a Lafont trunk show on November 28. We will have the full collection including new styles you've never seen before...for one day only!!! For once, you'll be looking forward to November in Chicago!

Labels: check it out, customer of the week, designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, funky glasses, lafont, optical, trunk show

CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!

Our CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK this week will be joining the Eye Spy family real soon, well, kind of... MATTHEW SIEFFERT is engaged to the lovely Miss Alex Blunt, a longtime customer of Eye Spy!

Matthew and Alex came in to the store last winter and tried on some awesome frames. Matthew kept these LAFONT frames in the back of his mind and as the wedding day got closer and closer, he found it was time to update his look before the big day!

It's true that Alex has great taste in more than glasses!

Congratulations, Matthew, on being our CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK and on your upcoming (just around the corner) wedding!

So many frames to choose from! Mark your calendar! The November Trunk Shows are just around the corner! Every Saturday in November we'll be hosting a trunk show from several of our lines including Theo (November 7), Anne et Valentin (November 14), IC! Berlin (November 21), Francis Klein (November 21), Lafont (November 28). They're going to bring the full collections including new styles you've never seen before!!! For once, you'll be looking forward to November in Chicago!

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Labels: Anne et Valentin, customer of the week, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, Francis Klein, IC Berlin, lafont, optical, Theo, trunk show

The Specs Therapist is Back!!!

Hey Eye Spy friends!

Specs Therapist (Mary Hamilton) here. I've been away from Eye Spy for the last two weeks for a cross-country literary tour (The Dollar Store Tour) sponsored by Chicago's own Featherproof Books. We went to 11 cities in 14 days and I can tell you that everywhere I went I saw Spectacular Specs! I saw Lafonts in New Orleans and I spotted a pair of bright green Theos in Baltimore among many other bright and funky frames.

Rockin' blue specs in Nashville!

The trip was great, but I missed Eye Spy! The first thing I did was take a walk around the store and coo over all of the new frames that arrived while I was away, I can't wait to see them on all of you!

It's good to be back.

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Labels: designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, lafont, Mary, optical, Theo, whimsical

Fashion, full circle!!!

We recently read this article about round sunglasses. At Eye Spy, we've long been in love with round sunglasses. From Anne et Valentin to Lafont, our lines have been the pacemaker to the heartbeat of eyewear fashion. That's right. We are one step ahead of the eyewear trends, ready with the product so when you say to yourself, "I think I want some round sunglasses" you can just pop on by Eye Spy and you'll be sure to know that we've got you covered. Round sunglasses?

Done.

Round metal frames?

Done.

Round plastic frames?

Done.

Round *and* Rimless *and* blue frames on a fuchsia background with a touch of late afternoon sunlight??

Done and done and done.

It's because we love you, baby.

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Labels: Anne et Valentin, designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, funky, IC Berlin, lafont, Lunettes, optical, plastic frames, Round sunglasses, sunglasses, Theo, vintage eyewear, whimsical

CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!

This week our CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK is and Independence Day Special with TWO, that's right, TWO CUSTOMERS OF THE WEEK!

Catherine Webb and Sara Murphy came in to look at glasses together and each found an adorable frame to suit their energetic personalities! Catherine found a classic Francis Klein frame with rhinestones and a detail on the temples (sides) of the frame that is simply to. die. for.

**Meanwhile**

Sara was browsing the sunglasses and found a Lafont frame that fit her PERFECTLY! What a lucky day!

Two hot to handle.

Congratulations Sara and Catherine! You look awesome in your Francis Klein and Lafont frames!!!

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Labels: customer of the week, designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, Francis Klein, funky, lafont, plastic frames, rhinestones, temples, vintage eyewear, whimsical

Who's the big winner? You are!!!

Congrats to our Eye Spy/Time Out Chicago contest winner, FRED LOCHER!

Fred won a free pair of eyeglasses care of Eye Spy Optical! It was a lot of fun choosing a frame for Fred, he was digging the classic look of the Anne et Valentin sunglasses, which are vintage inspired, but have a definite modern quality to their use of angles and color.

Fred settled on a blue Anne et Valentin sunglass frame:

What a lucky guy!

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Labels: Anne et Valentin, Eye Spy, fashion eyewear, lafont, plastic frames, sunglasses

Classics made easy -- how-to.....

Have fond memories of this? :

It's Winnie Cooper!!!

Come on in to Eye Spy and try this:

Francis Klein!!!

Like the look of this? :

If you can't be a famous directer, you can at least look like one!

Stop by the store at take a gander at this:

Lafont Reedition frames!!!

Love the classic cool of this?:

Marianne Faithful = Cool Defined.

Get your hands on these:

Oliver Goldsmith!!!

Before they're gone!

......don't forget!.......

Stop by Saturday, June 13th for our Sunglass Trunk Show featuring the frames of Persol, Maui Jim, and IC!Berlin! We'll have a party going from 11-5! Get your Dad a snazzy new pair of UV Blockin' specs for Father's day!!!

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Labels: designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, Francis Klein, lafont, Lunettes, oliver goldsmith, optical, plastic frames, rhinestones, sunglasses, vintage eyewear

Well, Hello, Remarkable!!!

Oh my!

I just stumbled upon what may be one of the happiest places on the Internet!

A blog devoted to ***vintage eyewear***

Two teenagers modeling "Boy Watcher" glasses, California, 1965.

Click here to check out Note de l'Hotel, my new 2nd favorite blog (after this one, of course).

Vintage shapes are very much "in" right now and it's fun to look at all of these styles. But buying actual vintage frames creates the risk of breakage when putting prescription lenses in the frame.

That's why I'm so very delighted to have lines like Francis Klein and Lafont bringing back the vintage shapes. And who would I be to forget my lovely Theo, they've been taking inspiration from these vintage geek shapes and re-making them with titanium in bright colors!

Oh joy joy joy, it's such a lovely day to look at AWESOME GLASSES!

Stop by Saturday, June 13th for our Father's Day Party featuring the frames of Maui Jim and IC!Berlin! We'll have a party going from 11-5!

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Labels: designer eyewear, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, Francis Klein, lafont, Lunettes, optical, plastic frames, vintage eyewear

CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK

It's a family affair this week with our CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!

Susan Ponteri came into the store after her daughter, Allison Dunn Burque referred her to us. Susan chose a *gorgeous* pair of Lafonts that make her blue eyes SHINE!

It's no wonder she trusted her daughter's spectacle advice, check out the frame Allison chose:

It's not only good looks and brains that run in this family, it's snazzy specs too!

and don't forget to:

Stop by Saturday, June 13th for our Father's Day Party featuring the frames of Maui Jim and IC!Berlin! We'll have a party going from 11-5!

Labels: check it out, customer of the week, designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, lafont, Lunettes, optical, plastic frames

CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!

Wow, it was a tough choice this week! Everyone had big smiles not only because of their awesome new specs! But also because (even though it's been cold and windy) the sun came out this week!

After a difficult deliberation process and many long hours in the judges room, we have decided upon a CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK! So, congratulations to JOHN PARKER!

John chose a classic frame by Lafont. It is part of their reedition series of frames. Classic shapes made modern with improved materials and manufacturing.

Don't they make his blue eyes BLUE?!

Congratulations, John!

And a reminder--for the whole month of April, Eye Spy is celebrating a GREEN SCENE. If you ride your bike or the CTA to Eye Spy, you get 10% off a pair of Rx specs. If you donate an old pair of glasses, you receive $25 off a new pair of Rx frames! So come on by and celebrate a greener earth with Eye Spy!

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Labels: check it out, Chicago Reader, designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, Hoya, lafont, Lunettes, optical

CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK

This week our CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK is JOANN KILLACKEY!!! Joann has been a great customer for the last two years. When she came in to pick up her * new * Lafont glasses, her daughters were with her. When we looked at the pictures in choosing our customer of the week, we just could not resist this family:

Thanks for being such a great customer JoAnn!

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Labels: check it out, designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, lafont, Lunettes, optical, plastic frames

THANK YOU! CHICAGO READER BEST OF 2009!!!

Eye Spy Optical has been named the BEST EYEWEAR SHOP in the Chicago Reader's "Best of 2009" issue!!!!

THANK YOU for your votes!

Our fearless leader and owner assisting two lovely customers

Murphy still takes a nap in the store every now and then.

Eye Spy has been a part of Lincoln Avenue for more than 10 years! In that time we've been named by NEW CITY as the "Best Place to Get Eyewear" and we've been named the store with the "Best Designer Eyewear." And now, we can add the CHICAGO READER "Best of 2009" to our list of accolades. Gosh, Chicago, you're making us blush!

At Eye Spy we try to give you the best customer service possible. We love our frames and we want to share their special and unique features with you when you're choosing your new specs. It's about a whole lot more than liking a color.

When you walk into Eye Spy, we want you to feel like you're visiting a friend's house--a friend's house with awesome glasses everywhere!!!

It's about what shape fits your face. It's about what color will make your eyes shine! It's about the little details that are handcrafted onto each frame whether it be hand painted etching or frame designs inspired by Andy Warhol.

Our expert advice is only rivaled by that doled out on "What Not to Wear" (but, honestly, they've got nothing on us)

We also give you the best lenses on the market. We are always right on top of the latest technologies, making them available to you and increasing our own knowledge of what lenses and products will help you see clearly!

We always have time to explain the intricacies of lens options and coatings.

So, thank you thank you thank you, for supporting us and voting us as the BEST EYEWEAR SHOP IN CHICAGO!!! If there was a poll, we'd definitely vote you as the BEST CUSTOMERS ON EARTH!

Admiring her new panther frames, great choice!!!

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Labels: Alissa, Anne et Valentin, Chicago Reader, designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, Francis Klein, Hoya, Julbo, Kaenon, lafont, Lunettes, optical, Ray Ban, sunglasses, Theo

TWO, eye said, TWO CUSTOMERS OF THE WEEK

oops! We took a little nap and forgot to choose a CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK last week, so today, we're naming TWO, that's right, TWO CUSTOMERS OF THE WEEK!

First, congratulation to MARY DURKIN

Mary chose a delightful RED frame by THEO. The color and the shape make her brown eyes look so big and pretty! Great choice, Mary!

Our second CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK is our neighbor, SANDY DINKEL. Sandy isn't used to wearing her glasses all the time, so she chose a light and subtly sparkley frame to make her feel and look comfortable and fun at the same time.

HOORAY to our CUSTOMERS OF THE WEEK!

Labels: designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, funky, Hoya, lafont, Lunettes, optical, plastic frames, Theo, whimsical

CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to JODY SCHNEIDELMAN, our CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!

Jody normally sports a really fantastic and architectural pair of Theos. When she stopped by the store last month, we chose a frame that was a little more subtle, but still really fun and expressive of Jody's amazing personality. Lookin' good, Jody!

Jody's friend, Heidi, brought her into the store to look at our funky eye wear. If you have a friend you think would dig our frames, send them in to the store! With your referral, your friend receives $25 off their purchase* of a complete pair of glasses (frame and lenses) and you receive $25 your next purchase* of a complete pair of glasses at Eye Spy! It's like really lovely optical fashion karma.

*one discount per purchase

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Labels: check it out, designer eyewear, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, fashion eyewear, lafont, Lunettes, optical, plastic frames, whimsical

I am soooo into BLUE

Oh dear, it's not even Valentine's Day yet and I am so head over heels in LOVE!

No bouquet is complete without a pair of Theos.

I looked around me the other day and found myself surrounded by beautiful BLUE frames!

Ambushed by beauty.

All shapes and sizes!

You can show me a round any time!

With rhinestones!

Without rhinestones!

Hello? Is it me you're looking for?...YES!

Plastic!

Titanium!
Stainless steel!

Go ahead and grant me three wishes, but I swear to gosh, my dreams have come true and they are BLUE!

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Labels: Anne et Valentin, check it out, Eye Spy, eyeglasses, Frost, funky, lafont, Mary, optical, plastic frames, Ray Ban, sunglasses, Theo

Hooray! It's January sale time!

Ahh, the new year. Time to make resolutions.

I resolve to do sit-ups every day.

I resolve to learn a new language.

I resolve to buy an awesome new pair of glasses for 25% off, 50% off, 75% off, or for $75!!!!