Can You Help Me Pick out New Glasses?

I was looking through my oldest son's baby book when I came across a picture of myself painting the nursery. In the photo I was wearing the same glasses I have now.

My son turns 11 next month.

Looks like I'm long overdue for some new glasses.

Some of you may be thinking, Wait, I didn't know you wear glasses! Yep. But mostly just on the weekend mornings when I haven't made it out of my pjs or if I'm sick (...or hungover). But nonetheless, I really need to be a little more in style.

Problem is, anytime I try on a few pairs at my eye check-up appointment at the local big box eye chain, I never see anything I like. They all remind me of middle-aged, office worker glasses. I'm not going down that road.

So I tried Warby Parker. I picked five styles online that I liked and they sent them to me to try on with free shipping both ways and no obligation to buy. That's right, I said free! And best of all, if I find a pair I want, it only costs $95 for both the frames and my prescription.

So of course I had to give it a try. The styles are what I would call "geek chic" and I've been admiring similar styles on people I see around town. Way out of my normal look, but since I usually just wear my glasses at home, I think I can have a little fun with this style.

I ordered five pairs, and a couple of days later, they arrived. They came with clear lenses so I could try them on and wear them around. Here's the four that I liked:

style: Baxter Ti color: Whiskey Tortoise

style: Sims color: Striped Sassafras

style: Theo color: Blue Marblewood

style: Welty color: Whiskey Tortoise

 Here they all are again, next to each other.

So, what do you think? Which one should I get? Which one should I not get? Can I pull this style off? Post a comment in the box below to have your say!

Other posts you may be interested in: My First Stitch Fix, Stitch Fix - June

The 10-Minute Mantel Makeover

Have you ever wondered how some mantels can look so amazing? How some achieve that perfect tableau of interest, balance, and beauty? My mantels have always looked rather sparse and amateurish. What's a DIY gal to do?

Pinterest! A quick search on "mantel decor" gave me a plethora of options. This pin from the Home Stories A to Z blog shows an impressive collection of mantelscapes.

homestoriesatoz.com

That is some serious talent there. The best part is, she also gives some pointers on how to design your own, using words like "symmetry" and "visual triangle" (so you know she knows a thing or two about design, right?).

And I found this pin from teal & lime:

tealandlime.com

And then I thought, I can do that! But I had to pick up the kids in 10 minutes. So I quickly and eagerly scurried around the house collecting an "anchor piece," candles, photos, and knick-knacks to put the Visual Triangle theory to test.

So here is the pitiful before photo:

 And the after:

I started with my anchor piece, a mirror that hasn't found a home since moving from our other house. I then dutifully put one large object on the right of the anchor, a wire starfish that I stole from a nearby shelf. Next, I put a small grouping of items on the left, two candlesticks (with, oops, mismatched candles). Last, I filled in and "layered" with smaller items: photos, shells, and my wooden pineapple.
 
Okay, I know it's not "a-mazing" but I was working with what I had and I think it's not half-bad for a first stab. I'm obviously going to have to make a trip to Home Goods to replace and fill in the small items and get better candles, but at least it's an improvement for now.

I can't wait to use the same principles for the upcoming holidays!