Tag Archives: chicago

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

Customer of the Week! BOGO Edition!

Written by on May 31st 2016

We have a Two-For-One Special on Customer of the Week in Aisle 4!

Seth and his lovely wife Minglei wandered into Eye Spy a few weeks ago to select some new frames and we were completely charmed. We knew they just HAD to be featured as our Customers of the Week! Put your hands in the air and wiggle those jazz hands for Seth and Minglei!

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Minglei needed a couple of frames – one for her distance vision and one for her reading. She loves cat-eye frames, so she got a beautiful tortoise Francis Klein Aries frame that really shows off her eyes and is a beautiful shape on her. We love the sexy secretary look of her Res/Rei Giulia frame – perfect for reading!

 

ARIES A85 529 Res Rei S.r.l

 

Seth picked out one of Anne et Valentin’s newer frames, On The Wave in a shade of green that perfectly complements his eyes.

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Let’s Get to Know Minglei and Seth! 

Ladies first…Minglei:

  1. What do you do for a living? I work for a charitable foundation. I also manage Chicago Art Deco Society’s Facebook page.
  1. How many glasses do you have? Three
  1. What is your astrological sign? LibraLibra2
  1. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would that food be? Noodle soups!Eat, Dough, Soup, Kazakh, Plate, Food, Liquid, Noodles
  1. What is your beverage of choice? Just water
  1. Do you have a hobby? Tell me about it! I study fashion and architecture, and I love to read mystery novels.
  1. What is your secret talent? I can do some ballet.
  1. How long have you been wearing glasses? About 20 years.
  1. Would you rather: tap or swim for a whole day? Tap!
  1. What is your guilty pleasure song? “Beat It” by Michael Jackson
  1. What is your favorite place on earth? Chicago
  1. What is your favorite moment? The first warm day after my first winter in Chicago.

You can find some of Minglei’s posts for the Chicago Art Deco Society on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/chicagodeco/

art deco flapper

 

And now Seth!

  1. What do you do for a living? I’m a health care policy expert working in the big data space.
  2. How many glasses do you have? Two pairs.
  3. What is your astrological sign? Tiger 2015-tiger
  4. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would that food be? Chinese noodle soup
  5. What is your beverage of choice? Dark Matter coffee dark matter
  6. Do you have a hobby? I’m active in community service as a director of Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR), a downtown neighborhood association serving the residents and businesses of Streeterville since 1975.
  7. What is your secret talent? I am a certificated pilot, but I usually just take the bus.
  8. How long have you been wearing glasses? Ever since all overhead projectors started going out of focus at the same time – I wonder why?
  9. Would you rather: tap or swim for a whole day? Prefer something lazier
  10. What is your guilty pleasure song? “Fat” by “Weird Al” Yankovic.
  11. What is your favorite place on earth? Downtown Chicago (when ambulance sirens aren’t blaring too loud)
  12. What is your favorite moment? The first time I stepped on a brand new, totally clean L car

Check out all of the latest and greatest going on in Streeterville at soarchicago.org :) 

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Filed under: EVENTS!, HEALTH!, Non-Profit of the Month, Theo

NPO of the Month: Peterson Garden Project!

Written by on May 27th 2016

Each month we donate a portion of sales at one of our events to a local non-profit organization that we admire. This month we are working with Peterson Garden Project and will be donating 3% of our sales from the Theo Trunk Show on June 4th! 

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In 2010, LaManda Joy started her first organic community garden in a vacant lot on Peterson Ave – a lot that in the 1940’s had been one of the many Victory Gardens that flourished throughout Chicago at the time. Since then, Peterson Garden Project has flourished and there are now community gardens all over Chicago, but what is even more important to LaManda is that her organization has taught hundreds of new gardeners how to grow nutritious food in their own neighborhoods.

Peterson Garden Project’s mission is to recruit, educate and inspire a new generation of gardeners who want to gain control of their food supply, grow their own produce organically, and make urban gardening the norm-not the exception. 

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 “Learning together in the garden, and kitchen, does much more than put fresh, nutritious food on the table. It helps build stronger communities, connect us to cultural heritage, improve public health and create a more sustainable, resilient city.”

Peterson Garden Project isn’t just about gardening:

  • Their community cooking school that offers classes and workshops about variety of ethnic cuisines and food cultures which draws upon the diverse backgrounds of the project’s membership. Check out their calendar for upcoming classes like Demystifying Masala: The Secret to Indian Spice Blends on June 2.
  • Grow2Give is their volunteer-run program that provides local food pantries and other organizations with donated produce grown in the gardens.
  • Senior/Senior, Kids in the Kitchen and Fresh Fridays are free programs geared at educating kids and seniors alike about nutrition and the joys of cooking.

Get Involved!

Go to a tea party! Peterson Garden Project is hosting a Mad Tea Party/fundraiser on June 12 at their Vedgewater Garden. Put on your finest or zaniest tea party attire and help keep the project going!

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Get your hands dirty! There are still plots available at some of their community gardens, so sign up, attend an orientation meeting and grow some delicious organic veggies of your own.

Try on some new specs! Come to our Theo Trunk Show on June 4th and pick up a beautiful new pair of glasses – 3% our sales will be donated to Peterson Garden Project!

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Peterson Garden Project continues to grow and there are plenty of ways to get involved – take a look at their Website, Facebook and Instagram to keep up with all of the latest gardening news!

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Filed under: HEALTH!, Non-Profit of the Month

NPO of the Month: Mane in Heaven!

Written by on March 9th 2016

Each month we donate a portion of sales at one of our events to a local non-profit organization. This month we are excited to be working with Mane in Heaven.

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Mane In Heaven is a wonderful organization of volunteer workers that was founded in February 2012 by Mane in Heaven President Jodie Diegel with the mission to provide “therapeutic benefits to disabled and able-bodied children and adults through animal-assisted activity and therapy visits with miniature horses leading to improved outcomes of physical, mental and emotional well-being.”

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 Mane in Heaven ponies travel to Chicago-land area nursing homes, hospitals, retirement homes, schools and anywhere else therapy ponies might bring some joy and relief. It is no secret that therapy animals have been helping those in need for many years now, and we can’t think of another animal we’d like to meet quite as much as these adorable little beasts.

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Pet Partners, the pioneer of animal-assisted therapy believes that therapy pet visit benefits include:  Empathy, Outward Focus, Acceptance, Entertainment, Socialization, Mental Stimulation, Physical Contact, Physiological Benefits and more.

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Want to support the ponies?

Come to our March Madness Makeover Party on March 19th from 12-4pm at Eye Spy Optical and complete your makeover with a new pair of fabulous specs – we will be donating a percentage of our sales from the day! You can also take a look at their website and and like their facebook page  to keep up with their latest news, for opportunities to meet the ponies, and to find out how you can volunteer your time.

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It is undeniable…these volunteers and ponies bring smiles to many faces – I bet you are smiling right now!

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Filed under: EVENTS!, KIDS!

Book Swap, Readings and Spy Gear at Eye Spy…OH MY!

Written by on January 27th 2016

2016-Feb-book-swap_finalJoin us on February 20th for a day full of kid friendly fun!

Shake off those winter blues and get out of the house for a day at Eye Spy!

*826Chi will be in the store with a selection of spy gear from their spy shop The Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co. (formerly the Boring Store). They will also have info about their kids writing workshops for you to peruse as well as some writing samples by some of their very talented young authors to read.

*Get a jump start on your spring cleaning by bringing in books that are ideal for kids 8-18. It is cold out there and this is perfect reading weather – bring in your old books and exchange them for something new to cozy up with.

*Snacks for nibbling and some hot cocoa to wash it down and warm you up.

*Girl Scouts from will be hanging out selling those cookies you have been waiting all year to buy.

A portion of all purchases will go to 826Chi, so get those stir-crazy kids out of the house and help support a great Chicago organization!

 

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

Customer of The Week…Glasses that are Party Perfect!!!

Written by on January 26th 2016

Put your dancin’ shoes on ’cause Meghan got some new glasses AND she is our Customer of the Week!

MEGHAN_R

Meghan and her husband come in to shop for glasses about once a year and let me tell you – this lady is a complete delight! She likes to try on frames that are a little unexpected and was not finding anything that felt perfect on her last visit…that is until Patsy picked out the ever so sweet Chou frame by Francis Klein for her to try on.

Glitter, leopard print, Swarovski crystals, gold hand painting…what else could a girl want?!? Meghan has a petite face and Chou is a great fit. Her eyes really pop and the color is divine with her ginger hair.

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Chou in another pretty color – but is it as pretty as Meghan’s glasses?

These beauties came back from the lab just in time for Meghan to wear them to a work party she was throwing for Revolution Brewing, and from what we hear, she was the belle of the ball! She also told us she was planning on wearing them with a horse dress…and this is pretty much what I imagine she looked like at her party :)

Is this Meghan's horse dress? I sure hope so. :)

Is this Meghan’s horse dress? I sure hope so. :)

Let’s get to know Meghan!!!

  1. What do you do for a living? Event Planner at Revolution Brewing  

    She planned the fiesta themed employee party...and even had Beer Serapes!!!

    She planned the fiesta themed employee party…and even had Beer Serapes!!!

  2. How many glasses do you have? 3
  3. What is your astrological sign? Gemini
  4. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would that food be? Pizza
  5. What is your beverage of choice? Beer (Duh, I work in a brewery.)
  6. Do you have a hobby? Tell me about it! Reading. I can drink beer while I do it, and it keeps me off my feet.
  7. What is your secret talent? I play saxophone, specifically the baritone sax (like Lisa Simpson) The_Simpsons_3G02
  8. How long have you been wearing glasses? Full time for 6 years, off & on for 20
  9. Would you rather: tap or swim for a whole day? Swim. I was a lifeguard for many years, and had my first swim lesson when I was 9 days old.
  10. What is your guilty pleasure song? I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift
  11. What is your favorite place on earth? Anywhere with a beautiful view of nature and no cell reception.
  12. What is your favorite moment? Having a beer with my husband at the end of the day

Congrats to Meghan and her new specs!!! She looks fantastic in her fabulous new frames. And if you are thinkin’ about having a party of your own, get in touch with Meghan and you may get a chance to be dazzled by her new glasses yourself!

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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!!!!

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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!

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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!)

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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.

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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!

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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…..

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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.

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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.

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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. :)

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Filed under: EVENTS!

Eye Spy with My Little Eye…A Pop-Up Shop!!!

Written by on July 3rd 2015

Iris the Airstream was cooped up all winter and is so excited to get out and show off that she has been gettin’ around town this summer (yes, it really IS summer!) as part of our Pop-Up shop.

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You may have seen her chillin’ in front of the store during our Theo Trunk show. She LOVES ice cream and gelato and sampled some local sweet treats at spots like Black Dog Gelato and Bobtail in June. She also made her way over to the Lincoln Square Farmers Market and all the way down to Modern Cooperative in Pilsen.

eye spy popup logan

Iris still has big plans for the summer. In August she’ll be poppin-up at Coyle+Herr on the 13th, Humboldt House on the 15th, Sprout Home on the 28th, and Randolph Street Market on the 30th. In September she will be at Modern Cooperative on the 11th and on the 18th you will find her visiting her friends at the Chicago Mosaic School for the the Ravenswood Art Walk.

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Stop by, say hi, get a tour and try on some spectacular frames!!!! We always have treats and drinks for visitors:-)

If you have a local, independent business, and would like Iris to visit your shop, just give us a ring or drop us a line! And don’t forget to Follow us on Facebook for an up to date list of summer pop-ups.

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Filed under: Rapp, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Sam & Willy’s!

Written by on May 5th 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.

Tom Daniels, owner of Sam & Willy’s

Tom is sporting a snazzy Dean frame by Canadian eyewear company, Rapp. They are known for their unique materials and cool shapes.

Tom is sporting a snazzy Dean frame by Canadian eyewear company, Rapp.

 Tom is the owner extraordinaire of Sam & Willy’s which is, in our opinion, the best pet shop around.   He is a long time animal lover, but when he and his lady added a dog who had some special nutritional needs to their family (they already had 2 cats), he realized that there weren’t any places where he could get what he needed for his pup.  So he did what many business owners do, and started the very business he had been looking for, a neighborhood pet store where people could get nutritious food and pet supplies, and a little advice from knowledgable staff.  He named the store after that dog, Sam, and his cat Willy.

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Fun Facts About Tom:

How long have you been in business? 12 years

Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Farrah Fawcett

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Dolphin

Are you right or left handed? Right handed

What color are your eyes? Grey

Where did you grow up? Cleveland, OH

What hood do you live in now? Lincoln Square

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Tom’s favorite part of owning Sam & Willy’s is helping people who come into his store looking for help with a particular issue that their pet is having, educating and connecting with  his customers.  He also loves being a part of the community, working with many of the local animal rescue groups.  His is not a shop where you feel like an anonymous shopper, Tom wants to work with you to make sure your pet’s needs are being met.

Sam & Willy’s will be celebrating its 12 year anniversary this Spring, so stop in, say hi and pick a treat for the furry animal in your life!

Sam & Willy’s   *  3405 N. Paulina St. Chicago Il 60657 *  773-404-0400

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