i've got my eye on you: world sight day.

tomorrow is one of the few days - or maybe the only day - that it's ok to #beshady. and no, i don't mean sketchy. i'm talking about wearing your shades all day long...even indoors and rocking those sunglasses at night...and finally no one can make fun of you for it.

this is because oct. 10 is world sight day. toms, the worldwide "one for one" brand that also happens to be based in los angeles, is spearheading the initiative to raise awareness for visual impairment and blindness worldwide. originally known for its cool and comfy shoes and generous giving, the brand made its way into eyewear and helps get eye care to those in need for every pair purchased. here's this year's world sight day promo from the toms youtube channel:

to support the cause, share the tweetable eye charts, download a diy toolkit, sport a #beshady tee and sign up for updates online in exchange for a "shady strap" (also known as croakies for all you fishermen and frat guys).

to support the brand behind it, pick up a pair of these good-looking limited edition wsd pheonix shades with gold mirror lenses and blue tips for only $55. 

i think i'll be making a stop back into toms' venice retail shop this week to make my purchase. that's the excuse i'll be using anyway, although i really don't need one to visit the amazingly perfect store/coffee bar/reading lounge/yoga garden again and get another cup of the best chai latte i've ever tasted. 

if you participate (and you should), share your photos with us on the blog's facebook page. don't forget to tag #beshady!

throwback thursday: duck bill bikini.

since florida's spiny lobster season kicked off this week, it's only fitting that today's #tbt - or as we dubbed with last week's launch on facebook, #mff - is a blast from the past from one of my family's many weekend trips to the florida keys.

as you can see here, i was certainly a bronze beach baby. i practically grew up on my dad's boat, and in addition to being able to water ski, snorkel and fish better than i can now, i apparently also had better style.

first of all, i wore bikinis, which was a little edgy for kids back then...and yes, those are duck bills with faces on the top of this one. i remember it was a christmas gift from my mom's cousin. only in the palm beaches would that work! i kind of want the adult version of this now, except i think people may not be as amused by it as when i wore it as a child.

besides the swimsuit, i also apparently had super cool oversized reflective wayfarers (which were probably actually my dad's) and mini pink and navy thong sandals. ahhh those were the days.

channeling cyndi lauper.

i've gone a little awol on the blog lately, thanks to training for my triathlon, working, doing the family thing, and making excuses, apparently. the real reason is i just haven't really felt inspired for some reason and decided to take a short break. what finally spurred me to get motivated today? the 80s, of course!

a friend is throwing a birthday party for her sister-in-law tonight, which includes everyone getting decked out in their finest neon, tulle, leather, lace and leggings (wait...is this the 80s, or 2012? sounds the same) for pre-drinks and dinner before heading to muvico to catch tom cruise belt it out in rock of ages. and if it's 80s, i'm all about it, as you can see from my past experiences...or just a peek into my closet for that matter...

this first photo is from my 21st birthday when i lived in tallahassee. it's fsu tradition for girls to throw a "waltz," which really just means picking a theme for everyone to dress in before hitting every bar along tennessee street. most girls picked a theme they'd look hot in - barbie and g.i. joe, kentucky derby, playboy bunny, etc. - but not me. i went with 80s prom and rocked a hideous hot pink, off-the-shoulder puffy bridesmaid dress from goodwill; lace fingerless gloves; a cassette tape charm necklace; big strands of pearls; crimped hair and bright blue and pink makeup, hence the ridiculous face i'm making above. only some of my friends were amused by my choice of theme, including my high school girls here, casey and ali, who played along in their cyndi lauper-inspired tutus and side ponies.

i went with something a little classier (or as classy as you can get in tight neon clothing) about two years ago at a friend's house party. shockingly, i already owned all of these items like the leather vest, purple converse and purple houndstooth wayfarers, which you've probably seen in past posts. what i really love about this pic is mark's 80s volleyball player look...complete with socks and sandals.

and let's not forget aly's legwarmers...

want to know what we'll be wearing around cityplace tonight? follow on instagram or check back over the weekend for a new post. 

preview: my husband has some sweet vintage gnr shirts i've been begging to wear for a year now and i finally got approval on one, and my friend julie found a pretty little neon green accessory studded in rhinestones to tie it up with :)

i wear my sunglasses at night

friday night the prêt-à-porter girls & friends headed out on the street to do some of the latest "product testing." we picked up some of this season's hottest sunglasses - wayfarers - to get the public's feeling on the shades made cool by audrey hepburn in the 60s, again by tom cruise in the 80s, and most recently by edward cullen. in reality, here's what our night of "product testing" at rum bar actually looked like...

rather than purchasing the brand that made this style famous, we picked up these pairs for only $5.50 each from forever 21...because not everyone has the funds to spend $125 on ray-bans that will probably go out of style by the end of the year. forever 21 had plenty of colors to choose from, but the two i liked best - both shown below - were a white pair with green cracking designs, and a pair in purple houndstooth.


a lot of my friends joined in the fun, but there were also a few others i met along the way to answer the important questions in life, like: "would you wear these, and if so, with what outfit?"

1. brian said "i'd wear them with my birthday suit;" & nelly's answer was "everywhere."

2. the fab bartender casey said she'd wear them with "jeans and a t-shirt, of course!"

3. ashley (with isaiah) said, "i'm not usually a white person, but i'd wear them as beach glasses or driving glasses"

4. the bachelorettes: maid of honor christine said, "i'd wear them with this dress!" & bride lisa said she'd wear them with a bathing suit, as much as i tried to convince her to wear them with her wedding dress!

5. julie said, "maybe with a glamorous gown or a nightgown..." & lizzy said she'd wear them with "either a with bathing suit or out for nightlife"

6. probably the only time the auburn student will ever be caught in houndstooth, sammy would wear them "with comfy jeans and a v-neck;" & lacey said, "with skinny jeans and a v-neck or tank top"

7. when asked if he'd wear them, dru's answer was "hell no," but his gf said she'd wear them with everyday clothes

8. megan said, "i'd wear them with anything purple - it is the color of the season!" & bryn said she'd wear them with boat shoes

i wore mine with a gray tank tucked into a hot pink mini. so, tell me...would you wear these? and, if yes, then how so?

also, don't forget to check out the full photo shoot on facebook, and let me know if you think of any fun products to try out next, or if there's a place filled with fabulous fashionalities we should head to next!