Looking for the Greatest Spectacles on Earth

2015 was the year of the glasses. 

I spent more time than I could have ever imagined on eyewear. Choosing, returning, adjusting. 

And I spent even more time regretting.

When I ordered new glasses during the summer, I didn’t know it was just the start of a three-ring circus that continued to the very last day of 2015, as I raced across town to have the frames adjusted before the optical store closed for New Year’s Eve.

It all started in the summer with a pair of eggplant metal frames that I chose in a hurry at my eye doctor’s office. 

I didn’t like them when they arrived and corralled my sister to help me pick a replacement pair. I tried on every frame in the store and with her approval, finally chose a much more expensive pair of Gucci frames.

I was quite confident I would love them, because well, I love designers. 

But apparently Gucci couldn't sway me because I didn’t like those glasses either. 

I'd catch a glimpse of them in the mirror and all I could see was the eighth-grade version of myself {that I had no desire to ever meet again} with clunky clownish frames looking back at me.



The store refused to exchange them again so I just chalked up my losses and moved on.

To a pair of DKNY frames at a completely different optical store {where no one knew me and probably wouldn't suspect I might be a bit glasses-obsessed}.

But the first night I wore my new glasses, I noticed they were scratched. No problem, the store said, they’d order new lenses. 

When they arrived, the technician flipped the old lenses out and when he pushed in the new ones, they fell right through. Too small.

They ordered me a whole new pair, but when they finally arrived, they didn't fit like the first ones did and I spent weeks making trips to get them adjusted. 

Too loose, too tight, I was beginning to feel like Goldilocks when nothing seemed just right.

If only I could have gazed a little longer at myself in the mirror before committing to a pair of glasses, maybe things would have turned out differently.

Then I found out about Warby Parker. 

The company that ships you five frames to try on at home for free. 

What a spectacular idea to get five days to glance, gawk and get a glimpse of yourself doing all the regular things you normally do and then send them back. 

And the return shipping's even on them, too.



Their new collection of frames taking inspiration from the bright colors of the circus, is a sight to behold.

And I just love a company that makes a difference, too. 

For every pair sold, Warby Parker distributes a pair of glasses to someone in need and they’ve already given away over a million pairs of glasses.




Sometimes only after a long quest, does a new frame of reference emerge. 

That suggests there might be more here than meets the eye.

I don't know about you, but maybe a fresh colorful vision to start the new year is all I need to see things differently.

{And of course, a new pair of glasses to bring things into focus can't hurt either.}



So I'm eager to put the glasses circus of 2015 behind me. 

And I’ve even donated the Gucci glasses to someone in need {sort of}. 

My mother's been thinking about new glasses so I’ve told her they might be perfect for her with some new lenses.

What do you say we come one, come all, with faith and hope that 2016 will be the greatest year on earth, for all of us? 

I think that might just be quite the spectacle.



I'm visiting with my friends Kelly Balarie at Purposeful Faith, Holley Gerth at Coffee for your Heart and Bonnie Gray at the Faith Barista. Join me there!