Protecting Your Eyes From the Sun
Summer is in full swing and just about everyone is sporting sunscreen out under the hot sun. It’s good to take care of your skin and to protect it from the sun’s harmful rays. But what about taking care of your eyes? While sunscreen seems to be at the top of people’s minds, protecting their eyes from the sun seems to slip between the cracks.
The most damaging part of the sun’s rays come from high-energy photons. These photons can damage the uppermost part of your eyes (the cornea, conjunctiva and crystalline lens). UVA rays are also harmful to the retina. Forgetting to protect your eyes can cause long-term damage and lead to serious eye disorders.
So what can you do to adequately protect yourself from eye damage?
- It’s important to wear quality sunglasses that are certified and safe to wear under the sun’s harmful rays. A good way to ensure that you are buying safe sunglasses is to buy your sunglasses from official optical stores. Brands that specialize in optical lenses are up on the most current safety standards and tend to produce quality lenses that will protect your eyes from the sun.
- Avoid purchasing sunglasses at supermarkets and street stalls. These sunglasses are not made with safety in mind and will not protect you from harmful UVA rays. These sunglasses tend to be designed with fashion only in mind. Find sunglasses for yourself that are fashionable AND safe. You can have both!
- When buying a pair of sunglasses, focus on the quality of the lenses, then on price, aesthetics and brand. Many people forget to focus on the quality. Keep your eyes safe and make quality and certification a priority!
If you’re making an honest effort to protect your skin, then why aren’t you making the same effort to protect your eyes as well? Protecting your eyes from the sun’s rays with a pair of quality sunglasses must become as much of a habit as using sun block on your skin. Paying close attention to the quality of the lenses on a pair of sunglasses is important in making sure that the sunglasses are protecting you.
Look Out! Velvet Eyewear is on Looklet!
We are super excited to announce that Velvet Eyewear is now being featured on Looklet.com! Check it out!
Ever wonder if a particular cardigan would go well with a certain dress? Or if you can layer that one shirt properly underneath your favorite vest? Or how about if a pair of sunglasses will match your entire look the way you want? Did you know you can answer all of these questions and more using Looklet.com?
Looklet.com is a virtual website where the user gets the opportunity to style a model with a variety of clothing, shoes and accessories. The site lets you layer clothing, pile on accessories and to see if what you have dreamt up in your head actually executes well on a model. Watch out! It’s addictive!
This virtual application is a wonderful way to dream up a world out outfits to try on. And Looklet will be adding a new pair of Velvet Eyewear shades to its database on a daily basis. So keep an eye out for more Velvet Eyewear on Looklet.com!
Celebrate the First Day of Summer With a Discount!
Today marks the first day of Summer 2011! You may have noticed that the weather has been warmer, the sun is out much later into the evening and all of your co-workers are disappearing right and left to take their summer vacations. It’s official. Summer is in full gear!
With a few months of solid sunshine ahead, every chic-shopper is on the move to find the perfect pair of sunglasses for fun in the summer sun. What are you looking for in a pair of summer sunglasses? Are you looking for frames in a funky color or frames in basic black? Are you looking for a pair of aviators or a pair of classic, rectangular-framed sunglasses? No matter what you’re looking for this season, you’re sure to find a pair that you’ll love at Velvet Eyewear!
In honor of the first day of summer, we would like to invite you to take advantage of an exclusive discount code valid through the end of the month. Take advantage of this offer TODAY so you can get those perfect summer shades that you’ve been looking for!
We invite you to use the code SUMMER2011 for 15 PERCENT off of any purchase on our site (valid through the end of June 2011). After you use the code, be sure to leave us a comment on our blog, Facebook or Twitter account and let us know which pair of shades you chose for the summer season!
Style Watch: Classic Aviators With Summer Whites
Sunglasses are an important accessory when creating fun outfits to wear on a warm summer vacation, at a neighborhood barbeque, or at the beach. Right now, we love the mixture we are seeing lately of all-white summer outfits paired with some classic aviator frames. The overall look produced ends up being clean and simple with a classic edge.
When choosing a pair of aviator sunglasses, make sure you choose a good pair with a gold frame and either gold or brown fade lenses – like our Preacher lenses that feature our signature twisted bridge. These sunglasses have an overall light and comfortable feeling paired with an extremely fresh look.
When choosing your outfit, go for a simple, white look with clean lines – preferably in a white dress or a white shorts/white blouse combination. Avoid frills, complicated fabrics or anything that is ill-fitted and too tight. Because this outfit relies on unique, eye-catching accessories, you’ll definitely want to make sure that your white dress, or white outfit combination, is simple and uncomplicated. The cleaner your outfit looks; the better your accessories will pop.
Sarah Jessica Parker brought this classic look back about a year ago when she was on the Sex and the City 2 film set in 2010. This outfit made such a smash that it ended up being used on many of the film’s promotional posters. Notice that Parker has paired her all-white outfit with gold, sparkly heels; gold aviator sunglasses; a gold clutch; and a chunky, metallic necklace. This outfit is clearly all about the accessories.
Like Parker, make sure you stick to gold and brown tones when choosing the accessories for your outfit. These colors will compliment your white outfit quite well and will even compliment your sun-kissed, summer tan!
Shopping in Manhattan. The Italian Way!
You’re invited to take part in a month-long Italian shopping extravaganza in Manhattan – starting TOMORROW! Take advantage of this major shopping month and you’ll have the opportunity to see the best-of-the-best Italian craftsmanship and design that the City of New York has to offer!
SHOP ITALY NYC is organizing and sponsoring a month-long series of shopping events, restaurant experiences and promotions all revolving around Italian style and culture. Each Wednesday and Thursday, shoppers are invited to come and experience some of the finest Italian stores and retailers in Manhattan. More than 35 retailers, specializing in fashion, accessories, and home décor, will be hosting in-store events and offering special deals, promotions and activities to shoppers who visit their stores. There are even a few Italian restaurants who will be participating in the mix!
You’ll find the information you need to participate below:
June 15th – July 7th
Between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week
June 15 & 16 – Meatpacking District
June 22, 23, 29 & 30 – Madison Avenue
July 6 & 7 – SoHo
We hope you take advantage of this amazing opportunity to shop and dine in style at some of the greatest Italian establishments in the city. You won’t want to miss it!
For more information and helpful maps: http://www.fashionitalianstyle.com/?p=270
Get Out Your Sidewalk Chalk!
It’s that time of year when summer weather approaches, everyone starts spending more time outside and the smell of barbeque is in the air. Communities around the country gather outside for block parties, festivals, parades and more to spend some time in the summer sun and to share time with their neighbors.
One of New York’s biggest block parties, hands down, is the Museum Mile festival where nine of the country’s most beautiful and interesting museums, all located on Fifth Avenue, open their doors to the public for FREE. This is an incredible, annual opportunity for New Yorkers and visitors to share in one of the city’s largest cultural and visual celebrations.
Over 50,000 New Yorkers and visitors are expected to attend the festival, located on 23 car-free (traffic-free!) blocks, while enjoying live bands, entertainment, activities for children and, of course, FREE admission to some of the finest art galleries in the world.
For those of you in New York next week, here are a few details:
The 33rd Annual Museum Mile Festival
Tuesday, June 14th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
5th Avenue between 82nd and 105th
And don’t forget to bring your sidewalk chalk! Festival goers are encouraged to express their talents and to make their artistic mark on the streets! Will YOU be there next week?
For more information: http://www.museummilefestival.org/
Don’t Forget to Submit Your Masterpiece!
Submit Your Masterpiece!
Ladies and gentlemen, the month of June is here! You know what that means? You have until JUNE 30TH to submit your beautiful masterpiece to Velvet Eyewear’s Fashion’s Night Out! We are looking for imaginative creations that showcase your artistic abilities.
Submit your masterpiece and you’ll be submitted for a chance to win a $250 Velvet Eyewear gift card, a cash award of $1000 and entry into our Fashion’s Night Out event!
This is your chance to submit your work and become nationally recognized for your impressive artistic talents. We will select at least 30 artists to exhibit their own work of art which will be exhibited and sold on September 8th, 2011 during our Fashion’s Night Out benefit to support New York City’s prestigious Society of Illustrators, “Materials for the Artsâ€Â, and “Friends of Materials for the Artsâ€Â.
We are looking for:
- Submissions that showcase YOUR artistic abilities
- Someone who has a passion for the arts
- Someone between the ages of 16 and 21 years old
If you meet the above criteria, then make sure that you submit your masterpiece NOW!
This could be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get your name and your work of art out there in the world!
Access Your Inner John Lennon
Everyone knows that rock-legend John Lennon’s glasses are easily one of the most popular pair of glasses in the history of the world. Pairs of Lennon’s round-framed glasses and sunglasses are even sold in auctions for thousands and thousands of dollars. Rock enthusiasts and lovers of The Beatles are more than willing to fork out hard cash to take home a pair of spectacles that symbolize an entire era of music.
It’s pretty fair to say that if you ask someone to name an iconic pair of glasses; they’ll probably mention John Lennon and his world-famous “granny†glasses. To this day, eyewear with similar round frames is still worn by hipsters and fashion icons– namely Lady Gaga, Ozzy Osbourne and Johnny Depp. It’s safe to say that this style of frame is easily one of the most popular and iconic looks in the world.
The good news? Now you can own your own pair of sunglasses that channel your inner John Lennon!
Velvet Eyewear’s ROSE sunglasses are the perfect round-framed sunglasses to help you access your inner 1960s flower-child. These slightly oversized round frames are calm, cool and collected. And they are the modern-day, feminine version of Lennon’s iconic frames.
The ROSE sunglasses come in two colors; one with a silver frame and grey-blue lenses and the other with a gold frame and brown-rose lenses. Each pair is carefully created and hand-finished in Italy
Lennon is definitely known for popularizing this iconic style of round-framed glasses. Incorporate a pair into your summer wardrobe today!
Perfect Summer Shades for Your Super Short Hair!
From time to time you’ll see us blogging about various frames that compliment different face shapes, different hairstyles and different hair and skin coloring. We believe that there is a perfect pair of summer shades out there for everyone. It just takes a little research to find the best style and color to match your look. So, make sure you check back often for new and improved information about finding the best shades for your face. Today, we’re going to look at sunglasses that compliment super short hair for all of you rocker chicks with that super edgy, pixie hair cut.
Ladies with short, edgy hairstyles can typically get away with sporting much bolder frames in bright and interesting colors. Have you ever noticed how women with super short hair almost wear their hair like it’s an accessory? We’ve noticed that ladies out there with short hair tend to dye their hair more frequently – and typically get more daring with different, trendy colors. So, if you have a pixie haircut, or any edgy, short-haired cut, get yourself a pair of sunglasses using the same daring attitude you use when you get your hair done.
Look for frames with more courageous attributes. Be brave and go for geometrically interesting frames in bright colors. Ladies with short, trendy haircuts can get away with just about any bright color or interesting shape. Look for hot pinks, yellows, blues, greens and other attention-grabbing colors when choosing a pair of shades for the summer sun.
Our JAMI sunglasses are the perfect fit for all of you shoppers out there with short, rocker hairstyles. These sunglasses sport an incredibly interesting, octagon-shaped frame and come in an eye-catching yellow-brown crystal color. They’re fun. They’re edgy. They’re sexy. And they’re just perfect for all of you ladies out there with short hair.
So, there you have it! If you have short, edgy hair, the ultimate goal is to go bold. Go daring. Go bright. Find the perfect pair of shades that are unique and interesting – just like your hair! But most of all, make sure you have FUN when you’re looking for the perfect shades this summer. You’ll look hot no matter what!