New addition for you bargain hunters June 28, 2008

I love the sales racks. The hunt is part of what makes shopping fun. So, in addition to the latest, gorgeous, styles we have coming in, there is the clearance table. You will find Major brand names like Oliver Peoples for 60% off. And some of the legendary handmade european eyewear for 40%-50% off.

We are also expecting in more great eyewear and sunglasses from Salt Optics. Salt Optics handmade eyewear is very comfortable to wear. Think your favorite pair of jeans or sweater kind of comfort. But with classic styling and uncompromissing optics, you can wear these glasses anywear and turn heads.

Alice Russell and Bittersweet “Drama” June 16, 2008

Another name to watch (or should I say hear?) is Alice Russell. She is described as “Music that tugs at the emotions and raises hairs on the back of the neck. You really can’t fake what Miss. Russell’s got!” this is very true. I can’t say it any better than her web site. -

“Alice Russell has gained an enviable reputation as one of the hottest singers in the UK right now. Her tracks with the Quantic and Quantic Soul Orchestra projects helped elevate her profile further. Alice’s lavishly soulful voice is both timeless and up to the minute modern. Live or on record, she always performs with her trademark self assurance and sass. Her style is a predominantly bluesy, soul lament but encompasses everything from funk to gospel to jazz and beyond. Her performances captivate the audience and command its attention.”

I say, she is rather good.

Check her out here:

Alice Russell’s official web site (no audio as yet)

Youtube live performance

Hurry On

For those of you who haven’t heard of Bittersweet by name, you have probably heard them either on tv or in random places as that catchy, playful, “didn’t-I-hear-this-in-a-Sean Connery-flick” kind of music. Anyway, they are out with their new album entitled “Drama” on the quango label. I am sure you can buy it at your local music store (or online. Granted you are reading this blog…)

ic!berlin update. June 16, 2008

most of the ic!berlin frames that we ordered came in today. so hurry in to check them out. we have some new sunglasses as well as reissued favourites, like dorian, in both stainless and plastic versions!

great news for people who have drooled over the ic!berlin frames but found them to be either too big or too small for your head. the new frames that just arrived have been designed with a variety of head sizes and shapes in mind. so, if you are looking for sunglasses or prescription eyewear we will be sure to find various options for you that will fit.

by the way. no, i have not forgotten how to use the shift key. as ic!berlin officianados already know, ic!berlin never uses capital letters. why? maybe it is in keeping with their design philosophy. you know. no screws or solder points or any other superfluous stuff. really, i do not know. but it does make typing faster.

New eyewear June 13, 2008

We just received some new frames from William Morris of London and Izumi.

Shiny Sheet Metal Fanatics Unite! Matt from ic!berlin was here last Tuesday. We put in an order for some more of ic!berlin’s great frames. Tried to contact all interested parties who wanted ot see the line in all its glory. If you missed out, please stop by we will be getting in a lot more, and we can order in anything you are intested in.

sound and shadows and photography May 13, 2008

Sound and Shadows is the title of Scott Witte’s new album. Who, you say, is Scott Witte? A very talented multistring (think 6 to 12) acoustic guitar player. His new album is in happy rotation at this point.  This is not like flamenco in that it gets you up and wanting to dance. Nor, is it a laid back lazy summer sort of a soundtrack. The title really says it well, it flies you to the worlds you see in your mind’s eye (or occasionally in the Pacific Northwest). Take a listen over @ his site and go out and purchase it for your own listening pleasure http://scottwitteguitar.com/

In addition to the regular help that we offer in choosing new eyewear, we now have a digital camera. This way you can try on multiple pairs of eyewear and see how you look. Then, we can even email the pictures to friends, family and any other personal stylists in your entourage.

New arrivals…Kliik, Face a Face, Prodesign…music April 21, 2008

Just in time for the warmer weather that is spring (tongue placed firmly in cheek), we have new frames from Kliik of Denmark and Face a Face of Paris. Lush colours abound.

For those of you (and you know who you are) who ‘can’t decide on a pair of frames because your favourite color is red but you know that brown is more practical for you…’

We have the Gail Spence ProDesign frames with interchangeable temples. Titanium fronts and colourful, patterned and solid temples.

By the way you may have noticed the addition of music to our blog. I hope to add more selections for your listening/introduction-to-some-great-stuff pleasure. For now, some things that I could not put on the play list, that might put you in a more ‘bring on the summer’ sort of a mood:

Artist:        +       Album         +  song

Rosey - The Luckiest Girl - [just about anything, or whole album] (jazz)

Koop - Koop Islands - [just about anything, or whole album] (listen and enjoy)

Feist - Open Season -  Tout doucement, Inside + Out (good natured chill)

Feist - Let it Die - [just about anything, or whole album] (the originals)

Tristan Prettyman - Hello [just about anything, or whole album](light refreshment)

Thisish - Thisish Vol.1 - As the arrow falls, 2mg strut, Marshall scores (007 ish, commentary ish, downtempo ish, x -ish…)

Gabin - Gabin  - Into my soul (its a lot of fun)

Duffy - Rockferry - [just about anything, or whole album] (Motown sound)

Django Reinhardt - Djangology Remastered -[just about anything, or whole album](classic acoustic guitar and violin swing)

Rahsaan Patterson - Wines and Spirits - stop breaking my heart (R&B)

The Brand New Heavies - Get used to it - right on

So even if the weather is not cooperating, between new specs for seeing and music for soothing, your outlook will be more colourful.

Weather April 21, 2008

Usually I say that I am happy with the slightly ADD weather patterns of Whatcom county. It keeps life from being too…boring?

However, within 30 minutes seeing hail, snow, sunshine and rain can be a little disconcerting. Disconcerting along the lines of being bathed in bright golden sunshine with blue skies overhead AND snow. At the same time. No, not flower petals being dislodged from the flowering cherry tree… actual snow. If I were at the top of Mt Baker or standing on a movie set next to a snow making machine or some other logical place for this type of phenomenon to occur, ok, fine. But downtown Bellingham? In the middle of April?

Creepy.

At any rate, I hope that all is well in your corner of the world.

The next post will be about the usual doings at Spyglass.

never has a truer ad been made March 3, 2008

Here is an ad campaign for OOgmerk Opticians in Belgium.

The text says ,”get the respect you deserve.”

New Toki frames have arrived February 19, 2008

Attention all you vintage enthusiasts. We have just received a shipment of Toki frames. Toki is a line of eyewear handmade in Japan using distinctive high tech engineering. These may be one the most comfortable frames you will every own. The 5 handcrafted acetate frames we received, have titanium core under a very retro exterior.

To celebrate their anniversary Toki reproduced a pair of frames that they designed in 1933. I think they put it best when they say, “In 1933, Masunaga Optical created optical frames in honor of the Emperor of Japan. The frames, into which ancient craftsman have put their souls, are now reborn with a modern essence and with the most advanced technology.”

We have 3 of the all titanium reproduction frames.

Can’t find exactly what you want? December 29, 2007

So here is the scenario. You have been hunting around for the “perfect set of specs”. You have the shape burned into your brain from months of obsessing and daydreaming. You know the colour you want. But everything you try on is like a scene from Goldilocks and the three bears. ‘Too small, too big, too thick, too narrow, wrong color, …’

Or, perhaps you found the perfect set of eyewear. Those vintage plastic frames have been your favourite. A signature style that has worked well for you. And, alas, it has been discontinued. Can’t find it anywhere.

Well there is an option that is available. Custom or Bespoke eyewear (depending on whether you are British or not). Comparable to having a suit custom made for you, this service involves working with a designer, picking out colours and then waiting 6 to 8 weeks, after the final draft has been approved, for your very own perfect eyewear.

This option may not be able to work for every person. Sometimes there are proprietary colours that manufacturers use that can not be reproduced. Or, you may not have the patience, and prefer the hunt. However, this option can give you a sense of satisfaction knowing that you have just what you have always wanted.

For those of you interested in delving into this option there are some basics. You can stop in for an appointment with the design consultant. If you are simply wanting a reproduction of an existing frame, with or without size or colour modifications, bring it with you. We can even work with a broken frame. But remember, this sample frame will have to be sent in for the duration of the process. So, if this is your only pair of glasses, you will need a back up pair to use. On the other hand if you want something done from the ground up, a good idea is to have photos or other examples of what you have in mind. A good starting point would be noting, shapes and why you like them. Save clippings from magazines and bring them with you, just as you would to a salon appointment. Also, if you have colours that you particularly like bring those to the appointment as well. These can be a good starting point. Suggestions will be made based on your facial features, prescription and colouring. Measurements will be taken and a mock up will be made so that you can get an idea of the finished eyewear.

Once the frames are completed, they are sent off to have your lenses put in the frame. Depending on the prescription and frame construction this may add an additional few days to a few weeks to the overall time. All this time, you say. But considering the fact that you have already spent the past two and a half years hunting, a few months is not that much.

Instant gratification, this is not. It would be more a sustained gratification.