New Arrivals...

Last weekend we were at Vision Expo East, the optical convention of the season hosted at New York City's Jacob Javitz convention center. It's HUGE! Every frame line to lens manufacturer to lab equipment company shows there. If it's new, it's there! For someone like me who lives and breaths optical fashion, it is an absolute paradise! We walked miles and rows of frame vendors and designers searching for the perfect fit for Eye Candy. As if the Javitz isn't big enough, there is also a loft a couple of blocks away that is super private and holds some of the most cutting edge in hand-made fashion eyewear ever. We definitely found what we were looking for! So what's hot this season you ask? Well, you are going to have to stop in Eye Candy and see for your self, but I can let you in on a couple little industry secrets. BIG and beautiful, translucent fresh colors, layers of acetate and throw-back designs are just a few. Stop in Eye Candy and see what's arriving daily!
While at the show we also saw Pittsburgh's own and most innovative lens and frame company, Eyenovate. They had a very large booth and I was lucky to get a picture with one of the company's lens professionals.
Eye Candy's hours:
Wednesday 1-6
Thursday 11-6
Friday 9-2
Saturday 11-6
We are always available by appointment! Email us to schedule an appointment.
Longer hours coming soon!

Show bound!

Twice a year every optician, lab tech, Optometrist, Opthamologist, frame buyer and any Eye Care professional that gets "super excited" about the industry heads to Vision Expo International. Myself, coming from years of traveling to find the best eye wear in the world, is so excited to be heading to New York City to find the best of the best in frames, lens' and equipment technology.

International Vision Expo East is the pre-eminent fashion and medical eye care event where eye care professionals in the Americas gather to experience the energy and international style unique to New York. The expansive show floor and comprehensive education provide the best opportunity to discover the latest trends in eye wear and advances in eye care technology and business practices. All disciplines in the ophthalmic community enjoy a welcoming and valuable networking experience which delivers professional growth and business success.

Next weekend, Monica and I will be scouring the Jacob Javits Center for the best frames and lenses to bring back to Pittsburgh. Everything from Buffalo Horn high-end to funky colors made out of the newest frame materials, to lenses that have the most advanced technology (did someone say 3-d?) to magnetic frames that are made in our very own backyard, we will find it! Have special requests? Looking for something you haven't found yet? Please let us know and if it's out there we will find it for you!

Email me at katie@eyecandypittsburgh.com and tell me what you think. Again, the show is next weekend and I am dying to find you the perfect look!

Eyewear Design Company

Marseilles France sets the scene for the birth of Eye'DC's upmarket leading-edge optical and sunglass collections, "Made in France". The three French designers put their boundless imaginations to work on creating collections starring humor, innovation and technology. With eight Silmo awards (only like, the best awards given for the best eyewear designers in the world)and sold in only 2500 up-scale optical boutiques world-wide, this avant-garde French eyewear is designed to be original and completely unique.
In my words: "I have never seen anything like it!" Eye Candy is proud to be the first optical boutique in the Pittsburgh area to be carrying this fabulous line! Eye'DC features cutting edge technology and designs that are full throttle fashion. Acetate plastics, rich in colour. Flat sheet stainless steel, flexible and strong. Even... rubber-bands! You'll have to stop in to see for yourself. Available for men and women. Be the first get your face in this truly fashionable and technologically irresistible eyewear line; Eye'DC!

Are you enjoying "safe sun"?

Did you know that millions of Americans every year suffer from UV damage eye disease? When we go outside in the summer we are concerned with our skin, lather up with sunscreen and go. Did you know in the winter UV rays can be even more damaging due to the light bouncing off of the snow? In the winter, our skin is covered up with our layers of clothing, leaving our eyes exposed to harmful UV rays. As an optician for 10 years, I can tell you that sunglasses work best when in bright sunlight. Wrapped frames, high fashion frames and polarized lenses. But, in the winter, when the sun isn't always out and we aren't spending a lot of time outside, we tend to forget about our eyes being protected. So let me introduce to you Photochromic lenses, known by the more popular house brand, Transitions. We've all seen the commercials, "right in every light". I for one would like to say that is film trickery, however, it is not. An avid Transition wearer, I can say " I love them!". How does it work? Transitions are triggered by UV rays. The more UV they are exposed to the darker they get. This easy; if you go outside, within 30 seconds they are dark. Go inside and within 1 minute they are clear. It's that easy. The best part, in the winter when it's cold, Transitions get darker in the lower temperatures. Because the function of these lenses are "temperature dependent" they get completely dark on cold sunny days. And because the lens has been on the market since the 1960's, all the cons are simply worked out. No more darkening inside, no more darkening in photo flash lights. The best part ( I think I already said that ) they are so convenient! In and out of stores. In and out of cars. They just change for you. So you don't' have to. Plus, who doesn't like the neatest technology in their lenses?!
Stop in Eye Candy and I will show you all the benefits Transition Lenses have to offer!
Wednesday 1-6 Thursday 11-6 Friday 9-2 and Saturday 11-6 always available by appointment! Email me at katie@eyecandypittsburgh.com

pour les enfants...

Who says kids can't have beautiful eyewear? At Eye Candy not only do we specialize in Men's and women's frames hand-made in Europe, but we also feature kids frames made with the strongest materials and design in mind. Lafont, hand-made in Paris, creates a superior kids line for kids 6 months old up to the trendy teeny-boppers at age 12. Made from Stainless steel for strength and acetate for rich colour, Lafont Kids are truly unique for your little one.
Lafont is an independent line from Paris, created in 1923. Lafont holds design above everything else and with over 200 colours this rich collection is sure to offer you the most beautiful eyewear that ever sat on your nose.

FLEX dollars here!

What are "Flex Dollars" you ask? Well, many employers offer Flex Spending accounts for you to use on all things medical. Including glasses!! You don't need to use it in conjunction with your insurance and you aren't limited to using it on medically necessary or "junky, boring" frames. Eye Candy will happily help you select a fine pair of glasses or sunglasses and take your Flex Spending Dollars! In most cases Flex Dollars run out at the end of the year and re-fill at the beginning of each year, so you better put your money to good use before the years end! This gives you three weeks to "use them or lose them"!
Have questions or need to schedule a private consultation? Email me at katie@eyecandypittsburgh.com and I can help you find a new look to ring in the new year!

Grand Opening Celebration...

This Saturday, December 5, as the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour is coming to an end, swing by Eye Candy located at 5126 Butler Street for our Grand Opening Celebration! What Pop City calls "easy on the eyes", Eye Candy will be celebrating our opening with light fare and champagne. Owner, Monica George Krasinsky, will be at the shop meeting, greeting and fitting customers with beautiful frames! Our open house is from 6pm-9pm. We are so excited to be apart of such an eclectic neighborhood and we hope you can join us in celebration.
Cheers!