#eyestyleOOTD, Eye Style, Uncategorized

Shielding Yourself From The Elements

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The resurgence of shield style sunglasses is coming on strong. Full disclosure, when I saw shield sunglasses start to sneak into eyewear collections I was not initially prepared to re-accept the trend. It was a popular style nearly a decade ago when I started in the optical in and my first association is more Real Housewives of OC than fashion eyecessory must have. 

What is a shield sunglass? Simply put a pair of sunglasses that has a single lens forming the entire frame front. One fused lens piece made of plastic or polycarbonate that creates the frame shape and overall design of the sunglasses. 

There is always a pair of glasses that changes my mind and opens me up to adopting a new style into my collection. When it comes to embracing shield sunglasses it was the introduction to the limited edition capsule collection between Andy Wolf and PinqPonq that made me see shield sunglasses differently. 

But isn’t that why collaboration is so wonderful?!

Innovations we haven’t seen before are born when two brands come together to influence one another, conceiving something that represents them both, while creating something new. Andy Wolf and PinqPonq came together on their shared values of unique product design, high quality standards and a responsibility for the people and the environment in production. Thus the limited edition Andy Wolf and PinqPonq capsule collection was designed.

PinqPonq, is a German brand known for intelligently designed bags and accessories. PinqPonq distills the design of their bags into the cleanest function based fashion. Innovative in the utilitarian insides, simplistic outsides and 100% certified sustainable fabrication. The collaboration between Andy Wolf and PinqPonq has resulted in a first for Andy Wolf, a sportier aesthetic in two shapes of shield style sunglasses. 

Both the PINQ and PONQ sunglasses have a curved, single Zeiss lens that forms the entire frame front. It appears to be floating, mounted on an invisible metal base, connected to the back of the lens. A dark, solid “Polished Black” or lightly, flash mirrored and gradient brown “Tonal Khaki” lens creates the overall frame shape. 

Each style of sunglasses are colour co-ordinated and carried by PinqPonq bag. “BOKS” is a bag with purpose; a fanny pack consisting of three components: one bag for the glasses, one for personal belongings and a matching belt. They can be worn together or individually.  

When these designers fuse together the identity of each brand, the result is special pieces that integrate flawlessly into a modern urban wardrobe. A unisex sunglass that adapts from the ski slop to the streets, offering an unappologetic futuristic frame style. 

*Optician Option; I can’t help but fear the disappointment an avid eyeglasses wearer will feel when they find out that making a pair of shield sunglasses in a prescription simply isn’t an option (in 99% of cases). So you will definitely have to pop in your contacts to truly enjoy this eyestyle

#eyestyleOOTD, Eye Style

Tortoiseshell & Turquoise

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There are some things that fit together so perfectly. 

It could be an unexpected pairing that just works, like kettle corn, salty and sweet or one thing that you cannot think of without the other, fall and pumpkin spice.

When I started working as an Optician nearly a decade ago, tortoiseshell frames with pops of turquoise were a popular color combination. Something that could have very well been a trend “du moment”, has instead withstood the test of time. Tortoiseshell and shades of turquoise, aqua and teal are a perfect pairing and an enduring color combination that is ever present and on trend season after season in eyewear.  The rich, neutral pattern of tortoise has depth and dimension, while the addition of teal or turquoise adds a colorful pop and visual interest.

Somethings also fit together perfectly in the physical sense. These cats eye frames by LAMARCA are a stunning example of that. A manufacturing marvel, the crisp lines between the different acetates in the Fusioni 68 are created by treating the frame like a puzzle.

The LAMARCA “Fusioni” frame collection is made using a complex and timely process.  Each piece of acetate is precisely pieced and bonded together with extreme care. Once the pieces have set the frame is shaped into the final product.  

My eye was immediately caught by this striking, large cats eye. The angular lines of this frame are perfectly offset with the soft swoop of the bridge, giving the frame a dramatic lift to enhance facial features. 

The “Fusioni 68” is comprised of four different types of acetate.

Semi translucent turquoise, with a geometric pattern and soft sparkle

A rich, dense, creamy acetate

Deep mahogany spots of tortoise pattern in a base of turquoise

Brown, amber with the occasional speckle of teal in the tortoiseshell of the temples

Combined together, all without being the least bit busy or overwhelming on the face of the wearer.

As fall beckons a wardrobe shift into neutral hues and darker colors, the “Fusioni 68”  frame compliments the pallet, adding a pop of color, while matching the earthy tones through the tortoiseshell.  The buttons on this trench coat, also tortoiseshell, inspired the choice of eyewear for my #eyestyleOOTD. With the creamy, khaki color of this classic trench coat, not too heavy in weight, a timeless wardrobe staple, created the perfect canvas for my glasses to take focus and resist the early fall chill in the air.   

Trench coat by H&M Sold Out (Similar Styles from: Mango & London Fog )

Leopard Boots by ASOS

#eyestyleOOTD, Eye Style

Mirroring Last Summer

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Summertime always means I get to bring out my favorite denim shorts, sandals and sundresses. While I always find myself adding new sunglasses in preparation for the sunny season (any excuse right?!) for the second summer in a row I have had a staple pair of sunglasses in my eyeglass wardrobe, always in heavy rotation. These sunglasses have so many visual layers to them and are such a fabulous classic shape, that I have no doubt I will still be wearing next year as well. 

Round sunglasses are a must have eyeglass shape. I know I’ve said it before, but I have a saying “you have to kiss a lot of frogs”, meaning you have to be ready to try on lots of different round frames to find the one that suits you best. Yet when you find the perfect pair, you’ll be convinced! Round sunglasses are never a bad investment, while the shape might make a bigger splash some seasons more than others, it’s a frame design that never goes out of style.

The VENDOME by Etnia Barcelona is a pretty round shape made in metal with adjustable nosepads. Clean and simple, with a bridge design set a little lower than the average round frame, which is good because it prevents the illusion of the “saggy face” that some high bridge round frames cause.

The visual layers of this frame come from all the different colors and textures that it holds. At first you might only notice the flamingo pink mirrored lenses, but the actual frame deserves a closer look. The overall physique of the sunglasses is finished in brushed gold, a soft shade that has a rosy hue. Visible only on the temples, bridge and interior of the frame because the lens surround is painted in a soft shade of baby blue. I think it’s an unexpected color match with the vivid pink of the lenses, but one that is very pleasing.

Full disclosure, I am a girly girl and I simply could not resist these pink sunglasses. The mirrored lenses is what makes these frames impossible to ignore and so magnificent. Wearing these sunglasses you will see flawlessly through Barberini mineral crystal glass lenses, the Rolls Royce of glass sun lenses. These ones are even photochromatic, so they go from a tinted lens to a darker tint in bright sun. From the outside looking in these sunglasses are so eye catching. The unique color of Flamingo pink on the mirror coating is one that is unique to Etnia Barcelona. It’s a bright, iridescent and playful color that matches well with bright colors or neutrals. 

To put together a perfect summer #eyestyleOOTD I decided to let the bold pink mirror of the sunglasses shine and wore them with a chambray denim jumpsuit by Forever21. The light denim was a perfect match to the light blue color of the lens surround.  I kept the sunglasses the focal point by keeping my accessories in pallet of natural tones with lots of texture to balance the plain chambray of the jumpsuit. Playing off the round shape of the glasses I picked a round, rope finished purse by Zara.

The mirrored sunglass trend shows no sign of slowing down and if you don’t have a pair or two (or three or four) in your collection your missing out on a great eyestyle.

Girl Boss

Finding My Balance

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I have always prided myself on being very organized. Keeping my house in order, both literally and metaphorically. But as life gets busier and my list of commitments gets longer, it’s the self care that is usually the first to fall by the wayside.

This year I made a pledge to myself to make time to focus on strength. Being stronger physically, but also mentally when evaluating what serves me best. But as the year reached the halfway point, I felt my commitment was also waning.

“I’m too busy” was too often slipping from my lips.

Just when summer was starting and the pull of the sunshine was calling me outdoors, I realized my schedule was about to be busier than ever. 

Running and independent optical shop I have to be present. Sometimes in life there is just a perfect storm of less staff, more commitments, to do’s and due dates. 

I was feeling underwater, It was definitely a time were it was appropriate to say “I’m too busy”, my work schedule was ruling my world.

It forced me to think, How can I gain control and stop feeling powerless?

Surprisingly enough that control came from adding something else to my to do list. ME.

First before anything else. I can’t be my best self unless I am taking care of myself. Funny that it seems so simple, but the impact, however cliche  this sounds, was life changing.
With the encouragement of a good friend I decided to join her at Barre fitness. Every morning, before I gave my time or energy to anyone or anything else, I gave it to myself.

It proved to be exactly what I needed to find my balance.

Balance with a side of butt kicking! 

Barre is hard. Your muscles (some I didn’t know existed) are screaming and shaking. While I pushed to have my body get stronger, the affirmation from the Instructors would strengthen me mentally, something I wasn’t expecting.

“You have given yourself this time, because you are worth it” simple words I never believed from myself. It became so much more than a workout class, strength in sweat with a group of ladies all working as hard as I was.

This week marks my 9th of being a Barre believer! 5 days a week starting my day by focusing on myself and discovering that it really is the least selfish thing to do!

Eye Style, Eyeglass Education

Picking the Perfect Summer EyeStyle

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How to pick the perfect pair of summer sunglasses

Summer is here and there is no better excuse to buy a new pair of sunglasses. Purchasing a new pair of sunglasses can be really exciting. With so many different EyeStyles to choose from, focusing on the overall look and frame style usually dominates the decision. Even though my passion is EyeStyle and I believe that everyone requires an eyeglass wardrobe to suit many different outfits and situations, I am still an Optician at heart and in practice so I can’t ignore the import features that your sunglasses need to have in order to properly protect your eyes. 

So whether you’re headed to the mall (cringe) or your local independent eye care professional (gold star) to find your signature summer EyeStyle, these are the things you need to know. 

A visit to your optometrist or ophthalmologist is your first step to a superior pair of sunglasses. It could be just the reason to have that eye exam you’ve been putting off. Your vision through any new pair of sunglasses is only as precise as your prescription. Making a pair of sunglasses using an outdated prescription can lead to unclear vision or discomfort in your new sunglasses. If your eye doctor determines you don’t require a corrective prescription, you’ll simply need what is called “plano” or non prescription sunglasses. 

While choosing a new frame is typically the most time consuming element of getting new sunglasses, discussing what activities you are doing in your sunglasses is just as important.  Will you be driving, lounging on the beach, golfing, fishing, or engaging in more active sports? 

One pair of sunglasses isn’t going to be perfect for every activity but it’s  important to have a conversation with your optician about all the activities you plan to do in your sunglasses. That way your eyecare professional can best match the lens style, color, and frame style to match your needs.  

Eyewear is the first thing most people will notice about you, and it says a lot about who you are. EyeStyle is a way to express your personality and show off your personal style. Are you sporty or an artist? Do you like a vintage vibes or a futuristic feel? Beyond just the aesthetic you want to portray, it is also important to consider your lifestyle. If your more you active and like spending your days hiking, paddle boarding or biking you need a sportier more resilient frame. If your looking to lounge by the pool or spend sunny days on a patio sipping rose, a larger more glamorous frame that offers maximum coverage is chic and practical in protecting the delicate skin around your eyes from wrinkles. 

Coco & Breezy “AMAZONIAN” in assorted colors

Sunglass frames should be larger than clear glasses, one of the rare times I will condone your eyewear coming up to or over the brow line or eyebrows and extending closer to your cheeks. This will ensure both overhead light and light reflected off the ground will be blocked. 

While there are suggestions for the best pairing of sunglass shape and face shape, there are no steadfast “rules” (sometimes breaking rules is fun). But you can consider these guidelines, as long as you still have fun and try on things outside your comfort zone.


Round face shapes are best complimented by a square frame shape. Oblong or oval faces are best suited by more rectangular shapes, while angular or square face shapes are best suited in something with softer edges such as round or oval or cat-eye. 

  • Garrett Leight “MILDRED” in Gold

Don’t overlook the color options for sunglasses too. Colored frames can highlight and brighten skin tone and eye color. Once you have narrowed down your frame options, I recommend going with whichever frame offers an optimal fit and comfort without sacrificing your personal EyeStyle.

While often an afterthought, lenses are by far the most important part of a pair of sunglasses, and there are many options available. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but I’m here to help! Apologies if I get a little technical here, but read on, you will finish better equipped to choose the sunglasses best suited to your needs. 

Article One “POPLAR” and “MARL” Sun in assorted colors

Tinted or Polarized Lenses?
Tinted lenses are lenses that are dipped into tint and the color is absorbed into the plastic material of the lenses. Tinted lenses can be customized to suit your needs in a rainbow of colors and can be tinted in your choice of saturation, from 10% to 90%. Often times wearers want the darkest sunglass lenses they can get, but it is very important to consider that when wearing a 90% tint only 10% of light is reaching your eyes, making it very difficult to see in anything other than direct bright sunlight. The most common and safest tint for a range of activities is 85%.  Tinted lenses can also be done in a gradient tint or what is often referred to as a fashion tint. This type of tint is darkest at the top of the lens and becomes lighter towards the bottom of the lens. It can be helpful for wearers that have a hard time reading in sunglasses, as the tint is lightest in the area you read through. 

Polarized sunglasses offer premium protection from UV light and provide you with crisper, more vivid color perception. Polarized lenses reduce glare by blocking light that would typically enter your eyes after reflecting off a surface. They are uniquely created with a thin coating over the surface of the lens, and provide the best visual performance and clarity during outdoor activities. In particular, they allow you to see through the surface of water, which is especially beneficial for fishing or water sports. 

Article One “CARR” in Light Gold

Both tinted and polarized lenses can be treated with mirror coatings. These coatings come in a dozen different colors and they actually help to reflect light off the surface of the lens. Not to mention, they add to the overall EyeStyle of your sunglasses. 

Something you probably haven’t considered but should never skip is on sunglass lenses is a back surface anti-reflective coating. It ensures the highest level of UVA and UVB (and in some cases blue light protection) and blocks glare and reflection from both light entering from the front or reflecting off the back surface of the lens to prevent light from flashing into the wearers eyes.

Article One ” MARION” in Jade Marble

Now that you’ve found your perfect sunglasses, whether they be off the shelf or custom made with your prescription it’s important before you leave the store to have your new sunglasses adjusted to perfectly fit your face. Very rarely do you put on a pair of sunglasses and have them sit perfectly straight and tight enough to not have to push them up your nose every 5 seconds (trust me I see you). Much like a custom suit or dress, a few minor alterations are typically necessary to ensure your sunglasses are fitting you perfectly. This is why you are wise to skip the online eyeglass shopping or buying them from the clothing store at the mall, because you’ll miss out on this essential step. 

Now you are well informed and ready to find your perfect pair of sunglasses for the sunshine season. 

If your curious about the top sunglasses frame trends for 2019 be sure to click the -follow- link and you’ll get my OpticianAboutTown summer sunglasses style post in your inbox!

Another Adventure-Travel, Eye Style

Upper East Side Luxury EyeStyle

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When I think of the upper east side of New York I think classy and expensive living. Beautiful brownstone townhouses with elaborately carved staircases, lining streets adjacent to Central Park. Richness and high brow standards of style and living. On a sunny spring afternoon I took a stroll along the streets that flank Central Park West and it proved the perfect backdrop to showcase the opulence of the Spring/Summer Derek Lam sunglasses by Modo Eyewear.

I have always thought of eyewear as a piece of jewelry, Derek Lam has further proven with his latest collection that you deserve eyewear made only from the finest materials. He is known in the fashion world for creating luxury products with modern sensibility, with calculated design simplicity and thoughtful detailing. In his spring/summer 2019 collection of eyewear, Derek Lam has created “A reinvention of American codes”. Classic round eyewear silhouettes from the 1970’s, exaggerated, over sized and round. The ultimate luxury indulgence,  18K gold frames outfitted with coordinated gradient sun colored lenses.

The focus is on luxury materials. The 18K gold collection is artfully designed to be the frame that you will have in your collection for decades. Like a simple gold bracelet that you can wear with anything, in any mood, any decade, at any age. And if 18K gold isn’t lux enough, Derek Lam has accented the frames in the collection with leather wrapped temples and some with fully leather wrapped eyewire rims. These frames are thoughtfully designed in styles that are unisex and transcend age and EyeStyle.

The SALMA embraces a bold 70’s round shape with a mid-line metal frame design. Clean lines around the frame front and a minimal temple design is accented only by a genuine leather wrap accent. The sunglasses have tone-light gradient lenses, sheer enough to wear indoors. And what is more glamorous than being too posh to take your sunglasses off inside.

Girl Boss

The Boss is in

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My favorite room in my house is my lady room, my home office that I have designed and decorated to be my creative space. It’s where I come to write my blogs, and it is now getting much more use as it is the office of the Optical & Fashion Editor of Optik Magazine.

It has been a labour of love to get this room just the way I envisioned it. Now I can sit back and look at my handy work, very proud that I painted the room myself (twice, the first colour was all wrong) and refinished an old sideboard to match the rest of the furniture.

The first sparks of inspiration for the room design came from black and gold foil print I found at HomeGoods, after that it seemed that I could rarely get out of a HomeGoods, Marshals or TJ Maxx without a picture with glasses or eyes.

Etsy is another great place that I was able to find prints and pictures for the gallery wall. I really like that Etsy is a marketplace for independent artists and vendors. Many print shops customize quotes, giving you the opportunity to have the words that give you the most motivation printed in stylish fonts.

I decided on a neutral pallet to create a serene and relaxing vibe. The walls are soft blush pink, nearly white with a watercolor wash of color. All the furniture is white, except for my office chair. Another great find from HomeGoods, the fushia and gold office chair is the focal point of the room. It’s as close as I will ever get to a throne and it’s hard not to feel empowered when you sit in this chair.

What I love most about this room is each item is a reflection of me. Most of the items displayed on the desk and shelves are gifts from family and friends, each memento holding a special significance to me.

There is definitely a theme to my lady room. If I had to explain it in one work I would say empowering. The word BOSS is visible throughout. This definitely lead to my mantra life.

In most houses the office is the afterthought the room that is function far more than fashion. I am happy I have found the ideal balance between the two in my lady room. It’s part office, part optical boutique, part closet and a whole lot of me! And with this tour you will get to know me a little better.

Eye Style

Classic Cats Eye for Christmas

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The holidays are a time of year where I often find myself seeking the warm embrace of nostalgia. When December hits I am all about Christmas traditions and the spirit of classic things that I love to experience year after year. I always look forward to taking out the Christmas decorations and trimming the tree.  It seems to inspires everything from what I bake (shortbread cookies from my nana’s recipe) to how I dress (a red dress with a bow, yes please!). This year that feeling crept into my EyeStyle, leading me to seek a classic black cats eye frame that was a perfect compliment to all the fashions of the season.

Surprising as it is, I did not have a black plastic cats eye frame in my collection!

If I had a signature frame shape it would surely be it. I love a cats eye for it’s feminine, uplifting and sexy shape. I have it in many colors and materials, but I had overlooked it in a traditional, glossy black acetate.

The Andy Wolf 5060 caught my eye and I could no longer go without this classic shape and color combination in my eyeglass wardrobe. Handcrafted, in a traditional and timeless silhouette. A pair of glasses that I will no doubt wear frequently and have in my collection for years to come.

Now I meet ladies everyday that are dead set against a cats eye frame,  and if you have this thought then this is the frame to change your mind. It is not too “wingy”, it actually has a slightly straighter browline, but the bridge dip and thoughtful edge angle give lift and defines the wearers cheekbone (and who wouldn’t want to enhance their cheekbones).

This classic cats eye frame is one that I paired with some of my favorite holidays looks. I found it to match perfectly with so many EyeStyle inspired outfits. This year I decided not to match my black glasses, and now I think a bright red dress is a better holiday staple than a little black dress. This dress from Zara was easy to dress up or dress down. For work I paired it with solid opaque tights and a chunky heeled lace up boots by Steve Madden. These boots have a great tread for winter weather and they give me a nostalgic feeling with their 90’s vibes. I consider them my grown up Doc Martin boots. For holiday parties and dinners, I combined the dress and patterned tights with a classic black pump. Regardless if it was a fancy affair or just a Tuesday at work, I topped the outfit with this houndstooth coat from Forever21, for just right amount of pattern and texture. To complete the look I added a bright red lip to add the pop of color on my lips to replace the color I often get from my glasses.

As I wrap up another holiday season I look forward to all the EyeStyle and adventures that 2019 has in store for OpticianAboutTown!

Another Adventure-Travel

A Winning Combination

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Fremont Street in Old Las Vegas is like taking a step back in time and is a sharp contrast to the modern glitz and glam of the new hotels on the Vegas Strip. It seemed like the perfect place to showcase the juxtaposition between vintage inspired frame style and the new lens technology that come together to make an EyeStyle statement.

Fashion’s cyclical nature is no more prevalent than in eyewear. Classic frame shapes in new materials, colours and with slight shape modification are common. Eyewear designers are creatively interpreting historical eyestyles and finding the ideal moment to release them to a new generation, or re-introduce them to those who have worn them before.

I am not old enough to have worn this specific frame shape before, which is always exciting for me because it was a new eyestyle to add to my collection. The instant I put on this frame I was feeling funky, like I was transported to the 70’s.  I was immediately planning outfits to embrace a head to toe 70’s vibes that included high waisted bell bottoms and lots denim on denim.

Andy Wolf makes so many of my favorite frames and this one from the SOUL collection is the newest addition to my eyeglass wardrobe. The oversized rectangular frame is made in a thin shiny gold metal. It has a softly curved double bar and a simple gold metal temple with a translucent celluloid temple wrap, coordinated thoughtfully with the matching clear celluloid lens surround. The shape of this frame is such a showstopper it doesn’t need any other embellishments to draw attention.

I am a firm believer that lenses are a crucial part of EyeStyling any pair of glasses. With the spacious lens size of these frames I could not deny it would be the perfect frame for Transitions Style Mirror Lenses. Although it did take some deliberation on whether I should choose the gold or copper mirror finish, I decided on the copper to better go with my hair and skin tone. Transitions Style Mirror lenses are a new technology that allows a flash mirror finish (or coating for those in the business) to be applied to Transitions XtrActive Lenses, in either grey of brown. In my opinion brown is the best choice with the warm copper of the mirror coating and gold of the frame.

These lenses are a gamechanger in the sunwear category, or for the more fashion forward eyeglass wearer a style that can be worn indoors as well. Inside or in low light conditions they are a clear lens with a light flash mirror, so they have an iridescent, reflective appearance.

The magic happens when you expose them to sunlight, the Transitions XtrActive lens changes to a dark brown and the result is a more vivid, opaque mirror finish. One that doesn’t allow you to fully see the wearers eyes.

What’s old is new again and is revived to the fashion forefront with a modern adaptation, so even if you’re old enough to have worn the eyestyle before you can’t resist reliving the past and seeing the world through a new set of eyes!

Another Adventure-Travel, Idyllic Independence-Small Business Favorites

Pigging out in Portland

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I love experiences and memories more than things, and my husband and I were recently looking for a getaway to celebrate our anniversary. It had to be somewhere we could get to by car, because we wanted to make the most of the long weekend. We decided to go to Portland because it’s only a 6 hour drive from home and has so much to do.

It wasn’t the first time we had been to Portland, but our last trip a few years ago was so much fun that we couldn’t wait to go back. We learned a lot from our trip and for that reason I was excited to share my recommendations for a weekend in Portland; what to do, where to stay and most importantly how best to enjoy the great food and beer Portland has to offer.

The Kimpton Monaco in Downtown Portland, 506 SW Washington St, Portland, OR

In the heart of downtown, the Kimpton Monaco was the perfect central location that gave us the luxury of parking the car and spending the weekend on foot. Although I haven’t always been loyal to a hotel chain, after a previous stay at a Kimpton Monaco hotel my loyalty was forever forged. Boutique hotels with a whimsical charm, each room is artistically decorated with in a style homage to the city in which it resides. A stay at a Kimpton Monaco feels less like you’re staying in a hotel room, and more like your staying in an interior designers meticulously decorated apartment. In Portland the eco-chic styling of the Kimpton Monaco rooms pay tribute to the beauty of nature in the pacific northwest, with bird wallpaper, tree inspired lamps, an earthy color pallet and a smattering of plaid fabrics.

The building was once the distinguished Lipman Wolfe Department Store, that opened in 1912 now converted to the Kimpton Monaco Portland, it has lost none of the architectural glory. The centerpiece of the hotel being the large lobby with soaring ceilings, decorated to look like a vintage library and designed to be the heart of the social space that Kimpton Hotel’s are famous for.

Every night the lobby lounge plays host to social hour, featuring live musical and local wine and beer. If you’re lucky enough, like we were, to time our trip on the last Thursday of the month, you have the pleasure of skipping the long lines at the Portland staple VooDoo donuts and indulging in colourful and flavourful baked goodies during social hour. Beyond the beauty and comfort the Kimpton Monaco hotels I have stayed at offer, it is genuine the hospitality that brings me back each time, like the complementary nightcap before you turn in for the night and the hot cup of coffee or tea waiting for you when you wake up.

Portland is the place to go if you want to leave your diet at the door! It is a city of carb indulgence.

These are my recommendations for where to eat in Portland;

Brunch at Mothers, 212 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR

A relaxing weekend away for me is not complete without a leisurely brunch and brunch at Mothers is a must when you stay in Portland, the wait can be long, but  it’s well worth it. The aroma of fresh baked pastries and strong brewed coffee permeates the air. Even with plenty of time to choose it was still challenging to narrow down what I wanted to eat. When I travel I like to indulge in what a restaurant is famous for and the crowds of locals return each weekend for Mothers famous Biscuits & Gravy. I have admittedly never had biscuits and gravy and clearly I was missing out. The flaky fall apart biscuits came smothered with thick, seasoned gravy. It was rich without being heavy and paired perfectly with a Mother’s signature spicy bloody mary.

Lunch at Lardo, 1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR

Lardo is more than a deli, it’s a mecca for those seeking flavorful, meaty sandwiches inspired by worldly flavors. Birthed from a food cart Lardo is now a restaurant favored by locals with two locations, one downtown and one on the other side of the river. The first thing I had to order was one of the house made dill pickles from the big jar on the counter. Then after much deliberation over the mouthwatering menu, we ordered the Nashville hot fried sandwich with honey, bacon, pickles, and Dukes mayo and the Korean pork shoulder sandwich with house made kimchi, chili mayo, cilantro and lime. Lardo has a beer menu that can rival any pub, with rotating tops of seasonal local beer that are just $3.00 during happy hour!

But what forever seared Lardo in my mind and the reason I will never visit Portland without carving time to visit, was their Salt & Vinegar Chicharrones. Fresh from the fryer and still cracking, these light as air pork puffs are the best I have ever had, so much so we returned more than once on our trip to have them again.

Dinner at Grassa, 2360 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR

The casual counter service at Grassa might seem contradictory to the artisanal, hand crafted pasta that dominated the menu. I am so glad we didn’t let the industrial ambiance and long shared tables dissuade us from choosing Grassa as an intimate dinner location. The pork belly mac and cheese came highly recommended and the spaghetti “Aglio Olio” rivaled any made by my Italian grandfather. Delicious handcrafted pasta with fresh flavors and ingredients, without the high price I expected. Clearly Grassa knows they have a star product because you can now buy their fresh pasta to cook at home, perfect for those of us who aren’t lucky enough to have Grassa close to home.

Things To Do In Portland

I have always loved nail art and I have been following Finger Bang (@FingerBang) on Instagram for years. Getting my nails done at Finger Bang has always been on my bucket list, as soon as I booked our hotel my next call was to make an appointment. I wanted the most authentic Finger Bang experience, so I opted for a for a “Mystery Box Manicure” giving my nail technician free range to let her creativity shine. My only request was that she add an eyeball in the mix. The eclectic shop is clearly a reflection of the owners passion for all things Star Wars and the easy on the eyes life size cutout of Idris Elba shows the playful spirit of Finger Bang. I enjoyed great chat with Tianna, while I sipped rose and watched in awe of her steady hand and artistic skills while she created a whimsical one of a kind manicure just for me. Complete with eyes!

A trip to Portland is not complete without a brewery tour. Portland is a mecca for craft beer lovers, with over 70 breweries, a boozy weekend in Portland is somewhat inevitable. You can sign up for guided tours, but we opted to do it on our own time and did our own self guided tour. We picked a brewery to start and from there just walked around the block to find the next. We set out in the Pearl District and our self guided brewery tour took us to:

Backwoods Brewery, 231 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR

This was the first stop and a perfect way to kick things off. They have such as large selection of craft brewed beer that a flight was the best way to taste them. Even when I could choose 6 it was still a tough choice (which you can see with my messy selection card). Backwoods brewery has someone pretty cleaver naming their beers as most tie into the overall woodsy theme of the brewery. I (finally) with much deliberation picked;

1.Dreamsicle; Tastes just like a creamsicle, sweet and equally refreshing

2.Logyard IPA; Light with a hoppy kick at the end

3.River Pig; An amber lager that is clear, light and smooth

4.Into the backwoods we go; Had a mild pine flavour as is someone sprinkled in a few needles when they brewed it

5.Grifford Pincot Pilsner; Crisp, refreshing, right up my alley

6.BlueBerry Wheat; If a blueberry muffin and a beer had a baby

BackPedal Brewery, 1425 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR

Our next stop was BackPedal brewery. This smaller brewery is all about the beer, they don’t serve food, but they serve up a great selection of house crafted beers, including a selection of fruit infused beers that was right up my alley. Backpedal brewery is a great place to spend a couple hours drinking beer and playing games. They have all the classic board games on hand and large communal tables, so if your a few players short don’t fret, you can easily find new friends to play with. Backpedal brewery has the vibe of a converted garage and on a sunny day you’ll find the large bay open giving way to plenty of space to play corn-hole.

Von Ebert Brewery, 131 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR

After a few brewery stops it was delightful to find a great food menu at this brewery. Von Ebert focuses on a house made brew, American made, mostly poured directly from brite tanks, which helps keep aroma in the beer. They proudly do not have a filter, but still make very bright beers. With so many on tap to choose from another flight was they best way to experience what they had to offer. With our flight of beer we ordered the deep fried pickles, I never skip ordering them when I have the chance, and these were very good!

A weekend in Portland is not complete without some shopping, without sales tax, the price you see is the price you pay. I love visiting Portland at the very end of summer or into fall, not only for the ideal weather, but the shopping season is perfect, because you are on the cusp of a new season and wardrobe!

IMG_5817I cannot ignore the essential EyeStyles for my weekend travels. We were very lucky to have sunny skies overall in Portland, but not without a few showers on our first day. Lucky for me I was wearing Transitions Lenses all weekend, so I didn’t miss a beat in having to change glasses or get caught without sunglasses when the sun eventually came out. I took inspiration from the laid back hipster vibes of Portland and opted for two pairs of simple gold wire-rimmed frames by Andy Wolf. They proved the perfect eyecessory for a casual weekend getaway in Portland.

Do you have a favorite Portland spot I missed?