Tag Archives: bold color

Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, Francis Klein, Unique Frame Lines

Customer of the Week! Jen and her new Francis Klein Glasses!

Written by on January 18th 2016

Jump for joy for Jen, our new Customer of the Week!

JENNIFER_VOUDRIE (2)

Jen came into the store a couple years ago for her first pair of Eye Spy specs and chose a beautiful classic tortoise Caroline Abram cat-eye frame that was neutral and easy to wear with anything. She wore them for 2 years, loving them every minute but needed to update her prescription. This time around she decided she wanted something a little more fun, something with a little more punch so she came back to Eye Spy and Sara, our Design Maven, knew just what would make her heart sing. Together they created her very own personalized pair of Francis Klein frames.

Francis Klein frames are a favorite of so many people for a reason. They are very customizable – with hundreds of combinations of shapes, colors and decor options to choose from. The result? Dream Glasses!!!!

FK_macaron_custom

We think Jen wins the frame game…these are the perfect shape and hot pink is a most amazing color with her complexion and her hair!

This process could be overwhelming for some, but Sara made it easy. They started by selecting a shape.  Jen has a rounded face and high cheeks, so cat-eye frames are a natural fit.  The angles balance her face and the uplifted shape make her look even happier than she already is. The color choices were probably the hardest part but there was something about that hot pink that just felt right for the front.  They balanced this out with a soft jade green on the temples. Finally they looked at the decor choices and decided on one that features hand-painted flowers with glittery Swarovski crystal centers.  So sweet!

pretty-in-pink-67

Pretty sure she needs to wear these at Pretty in Pink when it is in the theaters on Valentine’s day!

 

Lets get to know Jennifer!!!

1. What do you do for a living? I make hand-crafted herbal tinctures and essential oils at an integrative health clinic. You can call me a potion master (Oh…WE WILL!)

potion
2. How many glasses do you have? 2 with my current prescription, but altogether, about 15
3. What is your astrological sign? Scorpio, of course
4. What is your beverage of choice? This week it’s the Moscow Mule.
5 What is your secret talent? I play the French Horn (38 years) and the Mandolin (3 years)
6. How long have you been wearing glasses? 34 years
7. What is your guilty pleasure song? Mr. Blue Sky, but This Corrosion runs a very close second.
8. What is your favorite place on earth? Any place that has trees or water as far as they eye can see, which is pretty far with my awesome glasses!

JENNIFER_VOUDRIE

Jen’s new frame is as unique as she is and we can’t wait to see her again. If you are feeling a little bit envious, you should come in and ask about designing your own custom frame. We’ll make sure the process is fun and easy and that you get a frame that is perfect for you.

Continue Reading >

Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, Theo

Green Cat-Eye Glasses for our Customer of the Week!

Written by on January 13th 2016

New Year, New Unique Glasses!

Get ready to do the wave (yes people still do that!) in celebration of Karen, our Customer of the Week! Karen’s new specs are winners and so is she!!!

Karen in her colorful green Theo eyeglasses frames

New Glasses, Oh JOY!!!

It is a new year and we are happy to ring it in with a face you may recognize.  Karen has been a customer for ten years and is now a two time Customer of the Week winner! (Last time she got a particularly cool pair of  Gentle Monster frames.)

eye spy optical glasses, gentle monster frames

Karen is one smart cookie. She is a a businesswoman – she is the Founder and Executive Director at the Chicago Mosaic School, a teacher  – check out all the amazing classes over at CMS – you need a new hobby right?!? – and an amazing mosaic artist who has shown internationally in Italy, Japan and France (just to name just a few.)

chicago mosaic art by Karen Ami

Onward, 2015

Don’t let her impressive resume intimidate you…she is full of sass and you will probably find yourself laughing your face off if you spend any time with her.

Anne et Valentin and Theo eyeglasses frames. Custom colorful handmade

Karen has a love for funky eyeglasses and with the help of her trusted friend and optician, Patsy the Spex Wrangler, she always manages to leave Eye Spy Optical with a frame that fits her personality to a T.

green cat-eye glasses

 

This gorgeous Theo Mille+12 is the newest addition to her eyewear collection. We think they are a perfect pair for her frame wardrobe. Theo makes bold and chunky acetate glasses that make a statement.  The Mille+12’s structured cat-eye shape is modern and has all the right angles – and the color of this frame is to die for!

If you see Karen out and about ask her for her secret to winning COTW twice and find out where she is headed next. We guarantee you will love her as much as we do!

Continue Reading >

Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, EVENTS!, KIDS!, Swissflex

Our Best & Final Customer Of The Week for 2015! Kids Glasses!

Written by on December 28th 2015

We saved the best for last…Welcome Noa and her new purple eyeglasses to the prestigious Customer of the Week Club!

NOA

Noa came in for an eye exam with our fabulous eye doctor one Saturday morning and was HAPPY to find out that she needed prescription glasses.

Gail and Ari in their custom, colorful, handmade eye glasses.

Ari in his slick Theo Mille +23 frame and Gail in her gorgeous Anne et Valentin Modern Love frame.

Both of her bespectacled parents have excellent taste in eyewear, so she was brimming with excitement at picking out a fun pair for herself.  As it turns out, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…she also has an eye for eyewear and found a pair that put a smile on her face.

 

kids eyeglasses

With a little help from Clara, the Optical Oracle, she tried on a handful of frames for kids and decided to select a lovely lavender Swiss Flex Kids frame in a simple rounded rectangular shape. Noa knew exactly what she did and didn’t like and once she put on that purple frame, she wouldn’t have changed her mind if you had offered her a box of the world’s softest kittens and snuggliest puppies.

We think Swiss Flex frames are a great choice for kids like Noa because they are available in a big variety of bright colors (you know how we love bright colors!), and a bunch of easy to wear shapes & sizes that will fit most children. The temples were custom fit so they curve perfectly around her ears and won’t budge no matter how much running around she is doing – which is a lot!

kids glasses frames

Noa and her dad Ari bringing the sass in their excellent Eye Spy Optical eye wear.

And the best part about Noa’s new spectacular specs…she can now see clearly! It is easy to forget what it felt like to get prescription glasses for the first time, but seeing the world go from a blur to crystal clear thanks to a pair of glasses is always a joy to witness!

Noa and her fam are now a walking endorsement for Eye Spy Optical…who doesn’t love that?!?

 

Continue Reading >

Filed under: Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Pleasure Chest!

Written by on December 13th 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.

Sarah Sloane, Manager at Pleasure Chest

Sarah is wearing a rockin’ pair of Theo Cinquante+6 in a the most amazing blue-green teal color that really brings out her eyes.  Structured cat-eyes are the perfect eye wear choice for women who are tired of boring rectangles, but don’t really feel like themselves in a dramatic cat-eye.

PLEASURE CHEST_SARA

Sarah is the marvelous manager at the Pleasure Chest – a boutique erotic store that opened it’s first store in the West Village, NYC in 1971, the height of the sexual revolution.  It set itself apart from the rest of the erotic stores out there with a welcoming and classy atmosphere, it was definitely not your usual seedy “XXX” sex shop with covered windows and creepy sales people.  They quickly grew and expanded in gay neighborhoods in Chicago and LA.

PleasureChest3

************************************************************************************

Fun Facts About Sarah:

How long have you been in business? 7 years

Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Sarah Michelle Geller

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Red-Tail Hawk

Are you right or left handed? Right handed

What color are your eyes? Blue

Where did you grow up? Lake Villa, IL 

What hood do you live in now? Logan Square

 ***********************************************************************************

As the manager, Sarah and her staff help people explore their sexuality and relationships in a healthy way. Their store is welcoming and beautifully decorated – often called the “Saks 5th Ave” of erotic stores, putting even new customers at ease. “They create a powerful experience and trust where individuals can be successful in finding out what works in their lives. All of the staff employed at The Pleasure Chest is trained to be sensitive to the needs of our guests, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.”

Pleasure Chest * 3436 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago IL 60657 * 773-525-7151

Continue Reading >

Filed under: Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Sugar Fix Dental Loft!

Written by on December 13th 2015

In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.

Jessica Emery, Owner and Dentist at Sugar Fix Dental Loft

Jessica is wearing a fab pair of Anne et Valentin Fanzine frames.  The bright yellow metal and marbled grey really pop on her and are both professional and fun – like Jessica!

SUGAR FIX_JESSICA

Jessica is the Dentist extraordinaire at Sugar Fix Dental Loft. She grew up with a Dentist mother and had a curiosity about dentistry that led to enrollment in dental hygiene school.  This led her to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine where she graduated and then working alongside her mother in Boston.  When Jessica came to Chicago, she fell in LOVE with the city and decided to make her dream come true by opening her own practice – the amazing space that is now Sugar Fix Dental Loft.

Sugarfix

************************************************************************************

Fun Facts About Jessica:

How long have you been in business? 9 years

Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Jake Ryan

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Chameleon, so I can so up the sun on the beach

Are you right or left handed? Right handed

What color are your eyes? Hazel

Where did you grow up? Sutton, MA

What hood do you live in now? Evanston

 ***********************************************************************************

What sets Jessica’s practice apart from other dental offices is her true passion for smiles and her dedication to her patients.  As a mother of three, she cares for her patients like members of her own family. She treats only one patient at a time which allows her to focus fully on care an comfort of each client that walks through her door.

Sugar Fix Dental Loft * 3346 N Paulina St. Chicago Il 60657 *  773-883-1818

Sugarfix6

 

Continue Reading >

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

Customer Of The Week

Written by on November 27th 2015

Help welcome 0ur new Customer of the Week – Colleen!!!

COLLEEN_W

Colleen has been buying her glasses from Eye Spy since 2011 and has collected a diverse wardrobe of frames to adorn her face.

Colleen’s newest eyeglasses frame is a gorgeous Anne et Valentin Griffin frame in a beautiful turquoise and chocolate brown.  This frame is so great on her – it frames her eyes perfectly and the matte color is so rich and pretty.  The turquoise really makes her eyes pop and the brown brings some warmth to her complexion. AV GRIFFIN

Take a look at some of her other gorgeous glasses:

MODERN LOVE_M1412 - Google Chrome_2015-11-27_12-03-20

Anne et Valentin Modern Love

JULES by THEO eyewear - Google Chrome_2015-11-27_12-05-35

Theo Sixteen

Anne Et Valentin Fanzine

Anne et Valentin Fanzine

It is clear that Colleen likes to mix it up, switching between acetate and metal frames depending on her mood and her outfit for the day.  She also has a great selection of colors!  We think her newest frame brings a nice modern feeling to her collection.

 

Continue Reading >

Filed under: NEWS!, Sabine Be., Unique Frame Lines

There’s A New Line We’d Like You To Meet!

Written by on November 13th 2015

We have some new frames to entice and delight you from a wonderful new (to us) designer. Let me introduce you to our newest collection of french eyeglasses, Sabine Be! But first, some background…

The Queen of Specs had been seeing photos of Sabine Be for a over a year….so, when she made her wishlist for the buying show in Paris, Sabine Be was at the top of the list! The Queen likes to carry independent, small, colorful lines that are designed by opticians. In addition, independent optical designers are so nice to work with…and the quality & workmanship is amazing.  Our appointment with Sabine Be was secured for the last day of the buying show. Each day that the Queen passed by the Sabine Be booth, she started drooling and the Specs Wrangler had to pull the Queen away!! Finally, the day arrived! And the clouds parted…..

sabinebecats

Are you in LOVE yet?  Everyone here at Eye Spy Optical have a bit of a crush, especially on this sassy little cat ear number.

Sabine grew up with a love of design, fashion and eyewear – both parents were involved in the optical world.  She knew she would grow up to be a designer of some sort.  So after years of work as an optician, Sabine started her own line of unique and colorful frames.

You may not know this but opticians make THE BEST eyewear designers. They pay attention to the little things –  what will fit well, what will look good, what will feel comfortable in a frame.  Sabine Be is comfortable and fun to wear.  She uses beautiful colors and pairs them with fun and easy to wear shapes.

sabinebe2

 

They are also beautifully made – Sabine has her frames made by hand at a small, well-known eyewear factory in France.  Detail and quality have served as her guides she has been recognized by the eyewear design world for her talents, she was recently nominated for the prestegious Grand Prix Silmo d’Or 2015 in Paris.

sabinebe_silmo

We have a great selection of Sabine Be’s women’s and men’s frames as well as some fantastic accessories. Consider yourself warned…you may squeal with delight when you see them. :)

Continue Reading >

Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, Francis Klein

Customer Of The Week!

Written by on November 13th 2015

It is your favorite time of the week…yes, time to annouce our Customer Of The Week –  LaTonya!!!!

CALDWELLLATONYA2

 

LaTonya is like many women who come to Eye Spy. She has had a prescription for a while, she even has glasses, but she doesn’t really like to wear them. Over the last year she has noticed that she is straining her eyes and when she got her last eye exam, her doctor told her that she needs to wear her glasses all the time. This is NOT what LaTonya wanted to hear, but she decided that if she found some glasses that she LOVES she will wear them. She even decided that for her, it makes the most sense to get a couple of frames so that she can switch it up depending on her style.

With the help of our Design Mave, Sara, she decided on a pair – a gorgeous deep blue Wing frame by Francis Klein.

 

We know this isn't her exact frame...but Francis Klein frames are super customizable. You can choose your color, your decor style and your crystals!

We know this isn’t her exact frame…but Francis Klein frames are super customizable. You can choose your color, your decor style and your crystals!

We LOVE the way Wing fits LaTonya and how the color and pattern look with her complexion!  Wing has just the right amount of fun and funky and will go with almost everything in her wardrobe.

LaTonya looks fab in her new frame and now she will also be able to see! Win win!

 

Continue Reading >

Filed under: Anne et Valentin, EVENTS!, Mykita, SpexWax, Theo

November Trunk Shows!

Written by on October 28th 2015

2015 Nov Trunk Show Card_outline - Copy

Y’all it’s that magical time of year again! Trunk Show month at Eye Spy! It’s every Saturday all month long! We’ve got all of our favorite lines scheduled to make an appearance! Check out the line up below!

Anne et Valentin  on November 7th 
Anne et Valentin single handedly manages to give you just the right amount of color and grace in each of their lovely frames! And while their creations are original, colorful and lively, they are, above all, objects that combine ergonomics, technical requirements, and respect for those who wear them.KROMA_1555 -

Spex Wax on November 14th 
Spex Wax is the ultimate upcycle: art for your face! Rescuing unplayable records, recrafting them with love and artistry that is the very core of Spex Wax. Come and choose from one of their brilliant styles. If for some reason you can’t manage to find your dream pair, you can have one designed for you! Each pair is totally swoon worthy, but don’t take my word for it, come and see for yourself.Spexwax (@spexwax) • Instagram photos and videos - Google Chrome_2015-10-24_17-26-01

THEO on November 21st 
Theo eyewear is a little bit like magic in the way that their frames are designed. If you are looking for metal or acetate they have got you covered in the smartest, dreamiest way possible. Their pairing of color and shape is on point. Don’t believe me? Come in and see every perfect pair in each incredible color. We will have booze and snacks to make your Saturday that much better.theo new

Mykita on November 28th  
Mykita has been ruling the the screwless hinge game since 2003! Laser cutting and the hand bending of each frame are just the start of Mykita’s effortless perfection. Clean lines and graceful shapes are where Mykita is at. Oh, and did we mention that they are dang near impossible to break?!MYKITA - FLORENTINE - Google Chrome_2015-10-24_17-25-14

Continue Reading >

Filed under: Anne et Valentin, Caroline Abram, CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, KIDS!

Sweet Customer Of The Week

Written by on October 27th 2015

Our customer of the week this week is another pint-sized person…say yay yay for Mary Morris!!!

MARY_MORRIS_V

She came in for her very first eye exam and was so so so excited to hear that she needed glasses. She has an eye for style and was very sure about what she liked and didn’t like when she tried on frames.  Anne et Valentin just came out with a new line of eyewear for children earlier this year, so Mary Morris had a lot of cheerful frames to choose from. Anne et Valentine’s glasses come a bunch of fun candy colors, some of the shapes are new and some are mini versions of their existing frames.  Mary Morris tried on a few and quickly decided on a pretty pair of Mia frames in red and blue.

AV_MIA_1475

Mary Morris wanted to add a little something fun to her glasses and picked out a little Bijounette accessory by Caroline Abram that is shaped like a slice of cake to dangel off her new specs.  If you feel like you want a little goodie for your frames you should come by and see our other treat charms.

IMG_2672

We think she is just the cutest and that her glasses are a perfect fit for her personality (she dressed up to match her glasses when she came in to pick them up – seriously, we can’t get enough of this kid!)

 

 

Continue Reading >