Derek Cardigan Fluoro Frames

I love presents. Who doesn't, right? But presents are super awesome to me, because my family doesn't exchange gifts anymore and hasn't for years. I basically become a four year old on their birthday whenever I am at the receiving end of an unexpected surprise. So when I got a pair of surprise frames from Coastal as part of their Style Ambassador program, I was ecstatic.

The frames are matte, purple, yet kind of clear. Super modern and fresh, and perfect for summer. Like all of my other Coastal frames, they are also super comfortable! 

Although I have worn them with bright colors and neutrals, I adore how they look with my new favorite cream romper from Forever 21 (still sold out online). Aren't they fun?

A huge thank you to my friend Tammy for taking these photos, and a huge congratulations to her on her new job. Yay! 

More Love for Derek Cardigan and Coastal!

I am a huge fan of glasses and anybody who knows me or reads my blog knows that coastal.com is one of my favorite things! If you really know me, you also know that Derek Cardigan is my boy. My DC frames are on trend, affordable and versatile. What could be better?

When coastal.com named me one of their Style Ambassadors (fun!) and asked me to review a pair of designer frames, I briefly hesitated over a pair of Balenciaga cateyes before ordering the pair I've had my eye on for a while - Derek Cardigan's 7008 frames in Ice. Clear frames. Plus DC? How genius! They go with literally everything, are really comfortable and give off a fresh and modern vibe. Also, I ventured away from my round frame and cateye comfort zone to try a more rectangular shape. Here is how I wore them:

Jacket: Gap navy boucle with black leather trim ($32.99, reduced from $88), this season

Pants: Gap window pane ($7.18, reduced from $54.50), this season

Shoes: thrifted, $5

Necklace: Stella & Dot Estate Bib, sold out (available on eBay)

Earrings: diamond studs, gift to myself

Rings and cuff: Silpada

The Accidental Fitted Coat

Two weeks ago, I went away for a long weekend of rest and relaxation with my best girls. I spent one night at my parent's house, and in true me form, left one very important item at their house when I left - my dress coat. Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal, except on Wednesday, I accepted an invitation to a gala for Friday night...Friday as in two days after Wednesday. Gala equates dress coat. Shit! This called for an accidental purchase (falls outside of planned budget). 

Not one to shy away from a challenge, I spent my lunch break on Thursday at the local mall trying to find the nicest, cheapest dress coat. I tried on several between Forever 21 and H&M, where I settled on a gorgeous sale item. Their Fitted Coat (what they actually call it online) is a gorgeous dark blue with gathers at the front and back that highlight your waist. There is also a surprisingly non-offensive pleather belt included. The jacket normally retails for $79.95 but I snagged it for $34.95 (thanks to a winter sale). 

For the price, the coat is lined, tailored quite well and completes any look (according to my constant wearing of it/highly scientific research)! Definitely wish they had this in other colors. Love how happy I am with this accidental purchase! The rest of today's outfit details: 

Bag: Vintage Coach, $30 (online yard sale)

Glasses: Derek Cardigan 7012 in black-fade, this season ($9.95, code FIRSTPAIRFREE, coastal.com)

BON JOUR Fingerless mittens: Forever 21, this season ($5.80)

So...what did I wear to the gala? In 2003, I bought a BCBG layered tulle gown to wear to a fundraiser that I had helped organize. My date stood me up and married a lunch lady (not that night, but eventually - not that anything is wrong with lunch ladies, just stating facts). I have zero pictures of myself from 2003 in the dress (never keep evidence of tears shed over a guy), but happily have some photos of me putting the same $400 dress to use 10 years later! 

Tom Ford Cat Eyes for Less

Months and months ago, I began lusting after Tom Ford's ridiculously exaggerated cat eye frames. They are totally overpriced for my budget and completely over the top. In other words...they screamed my name and I decided they needed to be mine. I bookmarked them on my computer. I would read blogger reviews and dream that I'd wake up and there would miraculously be $360 extra in my checking account for them. Just when I would think my obsession for these frames had died down, somebody I follow would post a blog about their Tom Ford frames and reignite the insanity.

So, why didn't I just buy them? At the heart of my budget is the fact that I am a realist. There would never be an extra $360 in my bank account, and if a miracle like that did occur, I am too disciplined and would wisely pay bills and not blow the money on glasses (especially given the fact that I have three other perfectly good sets of eyes on my nightstand-and two older sets in my car). Early in my discovery of the enigma that is Derek Cardigan (seriously, DC, can we be best friends?), I found his 7006 frames for a cool $88. They are, without a doubt, the best Tom Ford ripoffs. The lenses aren't as big, but they are obviously an exaggerated cat eye. I hemmed and hawed. And bought two other Derek Cardigan glasses in the meantime. Finally, I caved and bought them during one of Coastal.com's sales. Why not?

Do you like how I tried to emulate the model's creepy dead eyes?

I still love the Tom Ford version (really, really love them, in fact). More than my love for Tom is the fact that I didn't break the bank on these AND they are everything I was hoping they'd be - fun, quirky and different! I ordered the brown/tortoise option, and instantly regretted not ordering the black pair. I was especially pleased to find the 7006 frames I received looked very black when looking directly at me, but from the side are obviously the brown/tortoise pair. The best of both worlds. They were meant to be mine!

Hello, Coastal.com!

I have been toying with the idea of getting new glasses ever since I got my new Gucci frames last spring. Why would I want new glasses when my frames were only a year old? Because even though my Gucci's are great, they are blue, which is limiting (matching is key to a point). Plus, I am a huge nerd, so the fact that nerdy glasses are a thing makes me want about five pair to mix and match with. I also didn't want to spend Gucci glasses money on trendy nerd frames. Enter coastal.com. I am sure you have seen their ads somewhere - likely on Facebook. Perhaps you saw a friend claim a deal from them, "like" their page or boast about a free set of glasses (and you assume their account has been hacked). No. Coastal.com is all that and more. You only need your prescription to order and will have to pay for shipping, but your first pair (frames and lenses) is indeed free. How easy is that? They don't even ask to see your prescription! Not all of their frames are eligible for the first pair free offer, but many are. Very quickly, I fell in love with a brand named Derek Cardigan. My selection method was extremely scientific. I found a pair of frames I liked, then I searched for them on real people on Instagram. Sounds crazy, but it worked great. For my free pair, I selected the 7012 black fade.

I was so thrilled with them (and received so many compliments on them), that I ordered a second pair (7012 Derek Cardigan in tortoiseshell) at 30% off.

They frequently run sales (and good ones at that, 2/$95 for complete frames and you can submit your receipt for insurance). Coastal.com (and other optical sites like Warby Parker) believe that glasses should be an interchangeable accessory, and not something you should sink a wad of cash into every few years. My kind of thinking. May I also note they ship quickly and have impeccable customer service. Basically, Coastal.com is a brilliant company. I've recommended them to numerous people already (they sell prescription sunglasses as well) and carry regular designers (in case you're too cool for my boy, Derek). My face is much happier with three sets of glasses to now choose from, and I have become a full on junkie and can't wait to buy another pair!