SPECS OPTICAL » uptown

“Lovin’ my new Specs!”

Specs Optical — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:32:58 +0000

This makes us so happy here at Specs Optical. We recently received an email with a snapshot of Ben Glaros and the accompanying line: “Lovin’ my new specs!” Ben Glaros is John’s guitar teacher (read: the hardest working man in his industry) and a local singer/songwriter. When not performing, he can be found at Twin Town Guitar mentoring budding guitarists and songwriters. Here’s a shot of Ben sportin’ his red and tortoise Francis Klein Basyl:

Specs Optical would like to invite you to send in a pic, or drop by the shop for a quick photo, and then tell us about your Specs. We’d love to tell the world a little about you. You can also directly post a picture of yourself in your specs with a few words on the Specs Optical Facebook page.

Gift Certificates – 2011 Holiday Season

Specs Optical — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:30:24 +0000

Deck the halls with boughs of…Gift Certificates!

Hmmmm….

Fa La La La La…La La…La…Gift Certificate!

No?

Grandma got run over by a…Gift Certificate?

Ok. I got it. One more try…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Gift Certificates!

We can’t believe the end of the year, and thus, the holiday season is upon us already either. But, here we are. Whether you are thinking ahead or a last minute shopper, a Specs Optical gift certificate is an easy choice for any eyewear (this includes non-prescription sunglasses) lover!

Specs Optical gift certificates are available year-round, in any $ denomination, NEVER expire, and can be used in conjunction with Flex Spending (aka. HSA or Cafeteria Plan) dollars. Really…could it be any more convenient?

Stop by, call, or contact us via email any time to put together a Specs Optical gift certificate for anyone & everyone!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

RetroSpecs Museum Pieces – August 16th, 2011

Specs Optical — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 21:20:33 +0000

RetroSpecs & Co. represents and celebrates the “Golden Age” of eyewear manufacturing. Their collection of “real deal” vintage eyewear has been lovingly restored with precision and meticulously archived. They are categorized into one of five archives: Early Modern, Vintage, Specialty, Buffalo Horn Inlay, and MUSEUM. RetroSpecs pieces from each of these categories have been available at Specs Optical for many years, except MUSEUM….until now!

What does it mean for a piece to be classified as “Museum”? It means there are five or fewer known to exist worldwide. These extremely special and rare frames are only made available for viewing or for purchase on special occasions. One happens to be coming up.

Adam Cowfer of RetroSpecs & Co. will be at SPECS OPTICAL on Tuesday, August 16th 2011, from 11am – 7pm. He will be showing 20 to 30 of these museum caliber pieces, as well as 15 to 20 rares acetates (plastic frames) circa 1950-60s, previously unseen at Specs Optical.

New Rapp is in @ Specs Optical

Specs Optical — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:23:10 +0000

In 1983, Mel Rapp of Toronto, Canada began creating his unique vision of eyewear. His collection, known as rapp, has evolved quite a bit since then, but he has kept intact the concept of “old-fashioned work ethics and modern technology.” While in New York this year at the Vision Expo, we learned that Mel and his team of 5 hand-craft (truly handmade, not just a claim), assemble, and finish each piece. They complete maybe ten pieces per day. This is unheard of in the industry. The result, however, is art. These are very limited shape and color combinations, some of which we only ever see once. Truly unique! Here are some of the new pieces that just arrived. Click on any of them for full view.

rapp Jason

rapp Perri

rapp Gwen

…and there are many more to see and try on. Stop by Specs Optical before they are all gone!

Follow Specs Optical on Facebook and Twitter

Specs Optical — Wed, 04 May 2011 20:58:59 +0000

Thank you so much for checking out our blog. For more frequent updates, event notifications, and pics of hot new frames (from around the world), please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Special Story about LaLoops at Specs Optical

Specs Optical — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 16:29:30 +0000

Often when we are selecting the latest new frames and accessories to show in our shop, it is not only the obvious quality and beauty of the pieces, but the stories of their origin, conception, and inspiration, that ultimately convinces us that they are THE ONES. On our latest trip to the New York Vision Expo, Elizabeth Faraut, creator of LaLoop, was particularly excited to tell us about the her newest pieces.

About LaLoop #578BL, in her words: “I was reading and was moved by a Nicholas Kristof piece in the New York Times. He writes about these women in Uganda who make these beautiful beads out of recycled paper. These impoverished village women often times live in huts and have many kids to take care of while their husbands are taken away to fight in civil wars that are going on. This non-profit organization called Bead For Life takes these beads and markets them, giving these impoverished Ugandan women not only a source of income, but also a job (which is not so easy to find in their situations.) I designed the LaLoop #578BL necklace using these beads married with smooth black onyx.”

About LaLoop #578T and #578J, in her words: “I met this supplier at a bead show a few months ago. He was from Afghanistan. A miner from Afghanistan. He had come to this bead show in Southern California with boxes of untreated stones. He had mined them himself. I took a look at his calloused hands and knew that he had mined them himself. I love the untreated, natural element of the turquoise and jade. I had never seen this before and wondered why there is so much gloss applied over natural stones in the marketplace.”

Anne et Valentin Style Expert @ Specs Optical

Specs Optical — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:09:31 +0000

SAVE THE DATE :

Wednesday February 23rd, 2011

12 Noon – 7pm

Gabriel Gestin, expert on all things Anne et Valentin, will be visiting Specs Optical to see you! Come meet him and let him show you all the gorgeous, brilliantly-colored eyewear that Anne et Valentin has to offer.

An opportunity to let a beautiful Frenchman enhance your specs life!

Meet Gabriel from 12 Noon – 7 PM.

As always, food and beverages will be provided.

The Magic of ic! berlin design-Demo video

Specs Optical — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:39:39 +0000

This is a pretty amazing video from ic! berlin that demonstrates just how incredibly flexible and durable their frames really are. Not that we recommend you try any of this with your own ic! berlins, but it’s good to know they are capable!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOaN-u2o6Ao

Specs Optical New Years Eve 2010

Specs Optical — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:22:49 +0000

Join all of us at Specs Optical on New Years Eve!

Friday Dec.31st 10am-5ish

Come see us on December 31st, 2010 to help us ring in the new year. We will be poppin’ champagne and servin’ up treats and coffee drinks. And, as long as you’re in, feel free to let one of us show you some of our latest and greatest new pieces from the eyewear collections you have come love as much as we do.

It will surely be hoppin’ at Specs Optical, as many are trying to use up the last of their flex spending accounts (HSA) before the year’s end….are you one of them?

Even if you are currently not in need of new specs (never happens as far as we’re concerned!), drop by and grab a flute of champagne, a coffee, and some treats and toast to the New Year with us. We will see you soon! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Specs Optical 2010 Gift Certificates

Specs Optical — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 19:15:18 +0000

Even though it’s been asked many times, many ways…how does Santa make it all around the world to all the children (and grown-up children) in the span of one special night? Well, there is only one logical, science-based answer to that…..MAGIC! (oooooh) Quite frankly, though, it really is not our problem, it’s his. So, let’s focus back on our loved ones here in a non-fantasy land called the real world.

During the holiday season, some of us give gifts of pure decadence, some of practicality, some from the heart, and others walk into the local Super America, grab a random item off a shelf and toss it in a somewhat festively-decorated box (thanx again for those gas station gloves former coworker). But many still choose the route of the gift card or, now considered to be from the old-timey days, the gift certificate. What? Paper, not plastic?

Sure thing. Here at Specs Optical, we still offer up hand written gift certificates in any denomination in a beautifully designed card and envelop. They are actually available year-round, but tis the season, right? A gift certificate is practical, a little decadent, and most importantly…not from a gas station, I mean….from the heart! Show a friend or family member that you care about the health of their eyes as well as their fashion sense with a gift certificate from Specs Optical. And, FYI, they never expire, so there’s no pressure to use it or lose it, like your flex spending dollars…HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all!