End of the Year:

Lots of new frames and brand came into the sunglass scene. I must say that I've noticed a lot of hard-rimmed plastics being the "trend" in 2009. It was the year of the wayfarer design that made a big splash as well. However, while Ray-Ban will always evolve their classic Wayfarer design, (this year they had different color tones and old-school frogskins) Retro Super Frames made the biggest impression. Their Black Flat top frame was the frame that made the biggest impression in 2009. Happy New Year!!!

Check out the frame and their website:

retrosuperfuture

Color Changing Contacts for Diabetics.

Contact lenses that act as a glucose monitoring system for diabetics aren't exactly a new idea, but it looks like a group of researchers from the University of Western Ontario might be a bit closer to making them a reality, as they've now received a $200,000+ grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to further develop the technology. The secret to their contacts are some "extremely small" nanoparticles that are embedded in the hydrogel lenses which, like some similar systems (such as those pictured at right), react to the glucose molecules in tears and cause a chemical reaction that changes the color of the lenses -- thereby informing the wearer when their blood sugar is too low or too high. What's more, the reseachers say the same basic idea could also have a wide range of other applications beyond glucose monitoring -- for instance, being used in food packaging to indicate if the food is spoiled or contaminated.

(via engadget.com)

Neck Face+ Brigada

Neck Face and Brigada link up in the release of the following “Pazzo by Reynolds” Sunglasses. The Brigada brand was originally kick-started back in 2005 with three well-known skaters at the helm, Andrew Reynolds, Jim Greco and Erik Ellington. The Neck Face designed sunglasses feature his signature black and orange colorway. Little ornaments are incorporated into the frame including a stud and logo while the box features the artwork of Neckface. Available via Beams.

(Via Hypebeast)

Stanley Donwood + Oakley Jupiter

Oakley’s latest artist series sources the United Kingdom’s Stanley Donwood to instill his creativity on a pair of Jupiter sunglasses. Known as one of Britain’s notable contemporary artists, his influence and visibility has extended across many parts of Europe and Tokyo. The sunglasses feature an abstract motif that includes both a cloth case and hard case. The Stanley Donwood x Oakley Jupiter is available now atOakley with a retail price of $225 USD.

(via hypebeast.com)

Donwood's most publicized work was the album art for Radiohead's Hail to the Thief cover.

Stussy + Nitro Microphone sunglasses

Stussy and Nitro Mic have worked together to create a wayfarer style sunglass that will be released soon. It's pretty simple and has a rounder bottom of the lens. The black frame works well with the dark lens tint as well. Release is soon. Frame was found from (highsnobiety)

Ray Ban's Ultra Wayfarer

Hypebeast just posted their finding of Ray Ban's Ultra Wayfarer which has 18k gold engravings and a special polarizing layer on the lenses. It's available for about $360 from 80s purple. Hopefully Santa will drop this down the chimney...

SUPER FRAMES: Leather?

If I had a vote on the newest sunglass trend, it would be for SUPER. Their original flat top black can't stay on shelves and now they just released the flat top black in leather. It's Italian leather with the Zeiss lens as well. Hope Santa brings this to me for x-mas.

GQ webisode- Get Framed

Great tips for those who are looking for new frames.

Moscot

Moscot has just introduced their "Yukel" frame and is available in Japan at the moment. The hard plastic on the top of the frame is stylized circa 1960s. With tortoise and black available, these are limited and you can get them from this Japanese store. Hope you can read Japanese...

Oakley's Carbon Fiber sunglasses

Got $4,300 laying around? Of course, who doesn't in this economy? With that state of mind, Oakley just released their top of the line, Oakley C-Six. The whole frame is made from carbon fiber and the lenses are said to be the lightest Oakley has ever produced.

Here's the link if you want more info on it. C-Six

Ray Ban on "Black Friday/Cyber Monday"?

Taken from the article from HYPEBEAST: (Good luck for those looking to grab a pair)

New York-based artist Maya Hayuk has created a small collection of 150 Ray-Ban Wayfarers for the Sunglass Hut as part of a larger cause to support Luxottica’s OneSight charity. Coming in at a price no more than the retail $140 USD for a pair of in-line Wayfarers, the hand-painted selection spans five different colors with a release set for the Sunglass Hut SoHo, New York store on Black Friday, November 27th and a further roll-out on Cyber Monday, November 30th. Each store will get 50 pairs will the remaining allottemnt will be made available on the Sunglass Hut website.

New Line from: Barton Perreira

The new frames from Barton Perreira. The Stirling and Suspect are for men and the women have the New Romantic and Temptress to look at.

People of Walmart: Alabama

People of Walmart finally posted up a picture of a submission from Alabama. That's right, Alabama. Although I can't tell which store it is, the picture above may be enough not to go further in on an investigation. It's been about 2 months for PoW to post something from the "Heart of Dixie", and I'm glad they did.

Update...

Last week was very busy. We had the Magic City Classic, Hex in the City, and numerous Halloween parties. Here is a compiled list of things that happened this week. I'm caught up so next week will be a little more consistent. Enjoy!

SEASAME STREET TURNED 40 THIS WEEK!


Julian Casablancas' album came out and he's already doing cool covers. He's going to do one of this Christmas song from an old SNL show:

SNL Christmas Song

And lastly, the original "The Office" is from U.K. Lots of people don't know this, but it was created a few years before the American version. Luckily for us, Adultswim as picked it up and will be airing the show on Friday nights. If you can't wait that long, here's a link for 2 of the episodes: http://video.adultswim.com/the-office/index.html

Have a good weekend!

11th Dimension

Lil Wayne is never tired...

Even though Weezy is going to jail for a year, it won't stop him from making mixtapes and tracks with musicians from the entire musical spectrum....including Weezer:

Weezer feat. Lil Wayne- "Can't stop partying"



He also has a new mixtape with probably the best lyrics to his date. Best rapper alive? It's getting closer to being a true statment.

Tired of Vampires...

So it was one thing to have the "Blade" movie turn into a franchise. It was another thing to see Alan Ball's post "Six Feet Under" show, "True Blood", to garner success. I understand the whole Twilight series. But now the vampire fad has gone too far with Stephen King writing his first comic book within a vampire universe.

I just hope the vampires stay away from college football, J Clydes, and my car.

Article from thedailybeast.com

Only in Alabama:

His wife's boyfriend? Really?

Humor:

Stuff White People Like is a very funny website. I myself am guilty of about 46% of the list.

Enjoy: Stuffwhitepeoplelike

FUN!

Been a LONG week. Kings of Leon last night, NAACP fashion show and gala this weekend. Here's a video that is really cool. Have a good weekend.

We're bombing the moon!

Tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM, NASA plans to bomb a part of the moon to conduct further studies on the moon's surface to find signs of water. Will you be up early to watch it?

Here is the link of the NASA page to watch tomorrow: Watch live

Here is the article from National Geographic.

Birmingham is ranked #42 out of 55 smartest cities!!!

Take that Mississippi! Just kidding. Glad we made the list of the smartest cities in the U.S.

Here's the whole list and slideshow courtesy of the daily beast

Vampire Weekend fans...

here is a link for a free download to vampire weekend's new single.

enjoy:

http://www.vampireweekend.com/

Lewis Lethers + Effector Eyewear

Go this from Hypebeast:

Previously working alongside of of the most renown names in Japanese fashion, English company Lewis Leathers

collaborates this time with Japanese eyewear brand Effector on a set of sunglasses and eyeglass frames. Three different styles can be seen, each featuring black plastic finishes, which have become a staple in the contemporary

fashion scene. Stay tuned for further information as it arrives.

And the Nobel Prize goes too....

These three scientists have discovered key information on how cells age. Even though it's not the fountain of youth, it's a step in the right direction.

Here's the NPR article about it: Research on Aging Cells...

Eye Spy: 2010 Oliver Peoples Spring preview

Oliver Peoples has released a preview of their 2010 Spring line. The new Spring line features Elijah Woods and Shirley Manson as their models. Thumbs up on the preview.

Check it out.

MIT researchers tout about retinal implant

Thanks to engadget for the article:

While it's still a bit early in development, and has yet to actually be implanted in anyone, this new retinal implant certainly seems to have the researchers at MIT excited, who say that tests with blind patients could begin within the next three years. The basic idea behind it was apparently inspired by the cochlear implants that have proven successful in restoring people's hearing, although in this case the implant works by electrically stimulating damaged nerve cells that would ordinarily send visual signals from the retina to the brain. According to the researchers, however, the system would only work on folks that have lost their sight due due retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration, and it wouldn't restore complete sight, but could let them see enough to find their way through a room or walk down a sidewalk (which is certainly no small feat). They'll also have to wear a special set of glasses (or visor, if you prefer), which will not only wirelessly send images to the implant, but keep it powered wirelessly through a set of coils.

Facebook at...work?

This may be the dream job for some people out there, because I know it would be mine. Facebook has posted up pictures of their California work space. Check out the pictures of their office. Wonder what they did with the cubicles? Ha

Facebook office

nice pictures for a rainy day

GQ contributer writer in fashion has its own blog called the Sartorialist. He pretty much goes around the city and captures public people with high sense of fashion and styles.

Check it out: The Sartorialist

fall lines....The Hundreds

West coast company, The Hundreds, just gave a closer preview into their "eyeware" collection coming out soon. The majority of the frames are wayfarer styles with different colored frames and lenses. Check out the previews and pick your favorite...

The Hundreds

fall lines....SUPER

SUPER's new fall/winter 09/10 line has a preview off of hypebeast's website. There has to be a way to get these into AL. Any ideas? Might just have to order them online and show them off around town...

Hypebeast

Oakley Frogskins

Commonwealth and Oakley have teamed up to create 150 pair of camo framed frogskin sunglasses. They will only be available at the Commonwealth stores in VA and DC. However, they did say that on Sept their online store would hold a certain amount. Get those refresh clicks ready for their website on Monday.

cmonwealth.com

New SUPER Spring Collection

SUPER has released a preview of their Spring 2010 line of their SUPER retro frames. I'm starting to realize that these are some what popular. Their signature frame, flat black, was sold out 7 days online and in stores when there were restocked on Aug 17th. Crazy. Go online and check them out, and please ask for theses at Schaeffer Eye Center. The more people ask, the better the chances of them being sold in AL. It's a long shot, but it's worth the shot.

Spring 2010

Eye Spy: People of Walmart

The server for the booming website is being fixed because they experienced a 700% increase this past week. For now, if you haven't seen it, you're missing out.

www.peopleofwalmart.com

It's exactly what you think it is and more.

Nike

Once again, Nike, makes some of the best sports commercials. It's amazing how slowing things down makes everything look 45% better. Dave Chappelle was right all along.

Best Friday in August

A lot of thing have happened this week...

Apple has released it's new leopard upgrade, Snow Leopard, today and lots of upgrades and better efficiency. Plus, it's not that bad of a price. $29.

http://www.apple.com/

Found out that President Obama wears Ray Bans.

Christian Lander, author of Stuff White People Like, spoke to UAB and we had drink at Speakeasy afterwards.

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/

Kids Got the Disco is tonight

And to top off this week...Red Bull Soapbox Derby will be in Atlanta Saturday. http://redbullsoapboxusa.com/Atlanta-2009/default.aspx

GQ's 25 "lame" colleges

Ran across this gq article and just wanted to see your thoughts....

http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_10779

Jay-Z's "Run this town" video

New Jay-Z video for "Run This Town." His Blueprint 3 album is gaining a lot of hype and buzz. He even has one of the 2 producers from Empire of the Sun. Can't seem to see the sunglasses, but Rihanna's frames are much like Kanye's ones about 2 years ago.

Oakley Frogskin's "Bacon"...?

DQM has created the most "unique" frogskin look to date. They have used a bacon like them for the frame. The sunglasses will be limited to 50 and only at the DQM location.

The Hundreds

One of my favorite clothing stores, The Hundreds, have just posted a preview of their take on sunglasses. I'm really starting to think that shades will become the new sneaker craze... We'll see. The Hundreds are most known for their Bomb logo and targets a skating demographic. However, in the recent year, they've hit the main stream...hard. This frame above will definitely be on my Christmas wish list.

Thanks to hypebeast for the article.

LIberty & Co. teams with SUPER sunglasses

A brand that has made interesting in-roads as of late thanks to collaborations on a street level including footwear with Nike Sportswear, Britain’s Liberty & co and their well-known floral patterns and prints make the jump to eyewear form. Seen in three different patterns, the eyewear is available exclusively at the Liberty & Co. flagship store.

Here's the link from Hypebeast. Liberty + SUPER

The FRAY - Heartless from IE HAGY on Vimeo.

Nice cover of Kanye's "heartless"

Flat top frames

Flat top frames are starting to make a staple in the sunglass world. Seems as though it's the new style for frames. With that being said, Common Projects and Moscot New York, took the classic wayfarer look and added a matte black finish for the frame. Other features are the glossy tonal detailing and the minimalistic branding. They are going for about $350. Oh and they are very limited in supply. Good luck getting these.

Kings of Leon at BJCC

Red Mtn Entertainment announced this morning approximately 7:15 AM that Kings of Leon would be performing Oct. 15th. Tickets go on sale Aug. 22nd at 10 AM via ticketmaster. Not a fan of ticketmaster, but a fan of KOL. Hope to see everyone there.

Thanks to al.com

G.I. Joe

G.I. Joe's star, Sienna Miller is featuring Oakley's new nanowire polarized sunglass.

Talk about having things made in America, too bad Sienna isn't. ha

Blogging from Lollapalooza starting Thursday. Wonder who else will be there and the amount of hipster sunglasses. I wonder if Urban Outfitters will have a shortage on neon-framed sunglasses?

Ha

Oliver Peoples

Eye Spy: DeLorean

So there is a company helps people restore DeLoreans. the average price for one of these 80's icons is about $30,000. I would do it if I had the money, but in the mean time here is the link to browse around.

DeLorean

Eye Spy: Cazal in Japan...?!?!?

Wow, so I am pleased to say that Cazal is going into the Japanese street wear. Not too bad. They are combining with the popular Japan street wear company TI$A to introduce the above frames called the 951.

Here's the link...

Here's the quote from Hypebeast.com:

Vintage eyewear purveyors Cazal offer a new pair of their popular 951 sunglasses in collaboration format, working up a slick colorway alongside avant garde Japanese streetwear label TI$A. Aside from the new colorway, the shades are paired with a special TI$A belt for added security and style. Retailing for (Approx. $714 USD)

Eye Spy: Paintmyalbum.net

Ran across a really cool idea if people have a lot of spare time. There are a few guys that take classic album covers and translate them into Microsoft Paint. The picture above is of a classic Beatles cover. Comment below if you can figure out the album title.

Anyways, it's a cool idea and not a bad thing to try to do if there was a rainy day. Just saying.

Paintmyalbum.net

Eye Music

Avett Bros. will be in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 20th, Sunday at 8:00 PM.

Tickets are $25 and here is the link.

Avett Bros.

Damien Hirst at the Tour de France!

A few posts back, I referenced artist Damien Hirst as designing a bike for Nike and Lance Armstrong. The unveiling came through yesterday with this Trek butterfly design.

Very cool how Nike is reaching out into the art community.

via: hypebeast

Solar "Sunflowers"

Toyota is "growing" some awareness with their 3rd generation Prius by providing free solar powered wifi and charge stations for the general public. The picture above is in Boston and will "sprout" around all major U.S. markets for the next 30-45 days. Hope those were enough corny flower related tie-ins.

via:engadget

Kid Cudi- "Make Her Say" ft. Kanye West and Common

Kid Cudi |MTV Music

Really good song. Wonder why it took them this long to make the video. My new goal this week is to find what Cudi and West are wearing in terms of sunglasses.

My guess....Supers.

Urban Meyer in AL...??

It turns out that not even a monsoon can stop the Florida Gators. Coach Urban Meyer was reported to have given a speech in Hunstville earlier this afternoon. I wonder if any of the local radio stations will spin something to get people talking. I'm hinting at the what Mr. Finebaum wrote about Meyer going to Notre Dame. Guess you CAN make lemonade out of apples...

Here's the article, hopefully it won't take a life of its own:

Meyer doubts Utah could survive SEC grind

Loree Rodkin sale

Just a head's up to those that enjoy high-end jewelry and fashion: (Thanks Lyndsey)

Modern with Medieval touches, Loree Rodkin's jewelry has been worn
everyone from Madonna to Michelle Obama. From platinum gold earrings
and necklaces to yellow gold bracelets, each piece in this collection
is hand-engraved by a team of seasoned artisans.

* Begins Thursday, July 16, 12:00 pm EST
* Ends Saturday, July 18, 12:00 am EST

Visit the sale:
http://www.gilt.com/s/loreejuly?tlp=1%3Dtype%253Dreminder%2526version_id%253D5740%2526key%253Demail_click%2526login_key%253D9990465awxutmnyvhumwkmebbpwxtnwfhdaojiak

Eye Spy: Maison Martin Margiela Visor Sunglasses

Came across these visor sunglasses from Martin Margiela. It has the body of an aviator, but using one whole lens. Thoughts??? I think this is what Cyclops would wear from X-Men.

via: Hypebeast

Eye Spy: Calvin Klein flash drives

These glasses are very multifunctional. Calvin Klein is introducing these glasses sometime in October. The nifty thing about these $200 shades, is that the frame leg can be used as a 4GB flash drive.

thanks to engadget for the article.

Eye spy: Legos in Birmingham!!!

One of the many reasons to check out al.com. They posted an article in regards to a Lego store opening at the Galleria in late July.

Here's the link if you want to read more:

http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2009/07/legos_to_open_first_alabama_st.html

Eye Spy: Meanwhile... At the Hall of Justice Exhibition

Ran into this online. San Diego's giant comic book convention, Comic-Con, has asked artists to artistically change the image of a lot of super heros and villains. The exhibition is in San Diego. Check it out if you're in the area. It's being put together by Subtext.

Ray Ban's 2009 Summer Line

Even though summer is half way through, Ray Ban introduced their 2009 summer line of frames. The colors give the frames a youthful look, but they are sticking with their normal frame build. Hopefully we'll see some around Birmingham.

via: Hypebeast

Damien Hirst at the Tour de France....?

Turns out that this year's Tour de France has some art within the competition. Nike has worked with a few of the best and newest artists today to contribute to Lance Armstrong's return. They unveiling will take place during Stage 8 of the race. The design above is from Damien Hirst. His work is world renowned and simply amazing. Bravo for Nike expanding into the art realm.

Frames from Down Under...mate

George Gorrow of Australian brand Ksubi shows off their glasses wall in one of their creative shops. Check out a few more of the collection via theselby.com

New Eyeglasses

Just ordered these ophthalmic frames. Had to get some new ones because my normal ones are a bit warped. They are the Sheldrake model from Oliver Peoples.

Eye Spy: Beams + Oakley

Oakley seems to be pushing their popular frogskin style to the fullest. They have teamed up with Beams to create the Frogskin frames for ophthalmic use instead of just sunglasses. It's a really great investment for active wearers.