I took a dream vacation last month. Not to some tropical hideaway surrounded by crystal clear waters. Not to a romantic European capital overflowing with crumbling palaces and fine wine. No, I went on a shopping vacation. To Korea.
Shopping in Myeongdong, an old part of town revitalized with everything from nouveau Korean street food (french fry-covered corndog and french fries on a stick, anyone?) to cutting edge indie boutiques to Seoul's flagship Uniqlo store. Photo from flickriver.com.
For me, Seoul is the place to go to shop. Tokyo – too expensive. Singapore – too western. Hong Kong – too inconsistent. While Seoul may not be the bargain it used to be, the quality of goods and quantity of goods make it a shopper’s dream. So when my husband told me he was going on a once-in-a-lifetime Pebble Beach weekend with the boys, I took that as my cue to plan a once-in-a-lifetime-solely-to-shop-without-the-hubby trip with my mom.
The other day I was on my computer minding my own business when Jerome walked by and asked if I was OK. I said yes, but then asked why. “You look sad.” Hmm. I have been known to make failed attempts to conceal my feelings, but in that instance I was being honest. I was quite happy.
Later, I asked Jerome if he noticed anything different about me. “You’re not wearing your glasses.” Yup. I was in day three of my contact lens training.
Year ago I wore contacts, but you get your first corneal ulcer and suddenly putting a piece of plastic over your eyeball sounds less appealing. From then on I was a glasses girl. A four-eyes and proud of it.
Former ER writer Shannon Goss, in all her bespectacled glory.
But now with an upcoming wedding, it got me thinking about contacts again. After all, it might be nice to have wedding photos where my face isn’t covered by a pair of black-rimmed glasses. And if I’ve learned anything from seeing pictures of my dad in his glasses circa 1978, it’s that styles change. And while the same could be said for my dress, the glasses I think look great now might (that is, will) look ridiculous in years to come. I recently came across my first pair of glasses, purchased when I was in college and can I just say? Wow. Both big and round. Of course, at the time I believed them to be awesome.
Thus, the contact lens training. Never mind that it took me almost five minutes to put them in, it’s more about getting my eyes used to the lenses. And, as it turns out, also about getting Jerome used to seeing my face without glasses because this is what happened: Once he realized I wasn’t wearing my glasses, it clicked. He thought I was upset earlier because I didn’t have my glasses on and the only time I don’t wear them is when … I’m crying. And let’s be honest, nine times out of 10, those are not tears of joy.
So the training is as much for Jerome as it is for me because if not, he will spend our entire wedding thinking I’m quite sad.And while tears will be shed, they will be of the happy variety and from the eyes of an overjoyed girl who just wanted to look a little less nerdy on her wedding day.
When the blackboard started looking more grey than clear white chalk on black when I was in junior high, I knew it was time for glasses. But I refused. Glasses equaled uncool. And in junior high, nothing was worse than uncool.
That sentiment remained with me through college, when I would climb Bruin Walk daily, my eyes to the ground in case I passed someone I knew but didn’t say hi because, well, I couldn’t see them.
Fast forward to today. Today, glasses are my best friend. Though ironically, I don’t wear them today because I need to. (I wear contacts.) Check out model Hyoni Kang in hers for Harper’s Bazaar Korea.
Hyoni Kang in Harper's Bazaar Korea, January 2010 issue.
Bib necklaces? Sigh. Chandelier earrings? So 2003. Statement bag? You and everyone’s mother.
There’s just something I like about being able to hide behind a pair of chunky, nerdy tortoiseshell glasses. It’s another way to accessorize and it adds just enough geek appeal to any outfit. (I won’t even talk about the beauty-slash-self-esteem benefits. Suffice it to say, glasses are to skin issues what a fedora used to be to a bad hair day — they forgive a multitude of epidermal sins.)
Zilzie Wear "Johnny" glasses. Two pairs up for grabs!
Another thing about glasses? You could be wearing the sexiest outfit, but you don a pair of glasses and instantly you’ve got geek cred.
Zilzie Wear "Valedictorian" glasses -- we've got two pairs of these to give away!
Wanna try out your own pair of faux glasses? We’ve got four pairs to give away from Zilzie Wear — they’ve got the cutest glasses around and so wallet-friendly too — so tell me why you wanna try out your own pair of faux glasses. An anti-aging secret? For some hipster cred? Or just wanna look smarter? Talk to me!
You’ve got till September 15, 11:59 pm. You must have a U.S. address to win. Good luck!
