As my long-time readers know, I’m a big proponent of fighting the frump!
When we take care of our appearance, we feel more confident. And that comes out in the way we treat others and we treat ourselves.
I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 16. My vision’s not that bad–when I’m at home I don’t wear anything at all–but I need glasses when I’m driving or when I’m in church and I actually want to make out the expressions on people’s faces. I turned to contacts early on, because I felt I looked better with them. But contacts are a pain. And they’re expensive.
And the worst thing is this: Now that I’m in my 40s, if I have my contacts in, I can’t read a thing. I need to put reading glasses on too. Without contacts I’m fine on my computer or when I’m knitting or reading; with contacts I need the glasses. And when I’m out at restaurants I can’t actually see my food.
So I’ve decided that I need to start wearing glasses more, because then I can take them off when I need to see something up close. I started wearing my old faithfuls for about a year, that I’ve had for maybe 7 years, and then the lenses popped out. So I rummaged around in a drawer and I found some silver rimmed glasses that I bought when Katie was a baby (my prescription really hasn’t changed much). And I’ve been wearing those for the last few months. Who cares if they’re 17 years old?
The only thing is that they’re seriously unfashionable. So I decided it was time to start feeling better about glasses!
Pearle Vision is a one-stop shop–you can call or book an appointment online, and then you just choose your eyewear after that. I booked online, and then they sent me a text to remind me of my appointment and even set it up in my Google calendar and sent me a map of how to get there (though my hometown only has one mall. It wasn’t that hard!). Considering I’ve forgotten doctor’s appointments before, it was actually super nice and automated.
I went in and the staff was very friendly and we joked around quite a bit. They tested my field of vision and my pressures (I’ve got a serious family history of glaucoma, so I have to get my pressures checked every year).
And then the optometrist did my eye exam.
The doctor was super thorough, and I was really impressed. I’ve gone to some other optometrists in my hometown, and they haven’t done as much testing, and they didn’t pick up my slight astigmatism (someone out of town picked it up a while ago, too). He picked up everything. And he talked to me at length about my concerns about my high pressures, and even told me what my daughters should be doing at their ages based on our family history.
Then I headed over to check out glasses. The optician helped me first try some ones that were AWFUL. (I think she liked picking those out for me!) You know–the kind that would look really good if you had a certain personality and you were 70. They just weren’t me!
Round glasses are in. But not on MY face.
And my mom would love these purple ones–but to me they look like a grandma.
So then we turned to ones that would look good. First she showed me a pair in my comfort zone–the total metal frames.
Not bad, but too much like what I’ve been wearing for 20 years. I always chose them because I wanted them to be invisible.
Then we went to more modern frames. A little dark–but I thought they were actually interesting:
These had a purple hue that I liked, but I was afraid they wouldn’t go with everything:
After texting a pic of these to both of my daughters for their approval, this is what I chose:
Totally different from what I’ve always worn!
One thing I learned was to ask the optician for advice. She works with the glasses everyday, so she knows what looks good on people. She made me try on stuff I NEVER would have chosen, and that’s what I ended up going with! It’s kind of like how I just let my hairdresser do whatever she wants. (I think that’s why I’m one of her favourite clients!)
So we did the paperwork, and I came out with new glasses and renewed confidence that my pressures are still in the normal range (even if they’re on the extreme high of normal).
The whole thing took about 40 minutes, and that was with some serious chatting with everyone who worked there (they were all super friendly.) And Pearle Vision is great at direct billing your insurance if you have it, too. My exam was so thorough, and he explained the problem of high pressures to me better than any other doctor I’ve ever seen. So I’ll definitely go back! You can find Pearle Vision on Facebook and YouTube, too.
Tell us: Do you wear eyeglasses? How do you care for your eyes? Comment below for your chance to win a $100 Visa gift card.
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Sheila Wray Gregoire has been married for 25 years and happily married for 20! She loves traveling around North America with her hubby in their RV, giving her signature "Girl Talk" about sex and marriage. And she's written 8 books. About sex and marriage. See a theme here? Plus she knits. Even in line at the grocery store.
I’m basically blind without my glasses and have been for ages, but I switched to contacts a few years ago because I felt less separated from people with them. With glasses it always feels like there’s a barrier between me and other people, especially when I’m having face-to-face conversations and maintaining eye contact etc. My eyes do get itchy after a long day, so I either take the contacts out when I’m home or use eyedrops, but I like feeling closer to people and not having to continually wipe smudges off my lenses!
I remember you in glasses, Alice! 🙂 I like my contacts better, too, but I think I’ll wear these more often than I used to wear glasses!
Not entering the contest, just commenting… I like wearing glasses and always did. I went with bold frames since I can remember. First teal, then I had a black, then black with cool geometric white stripes on the sides that were only visible from a certain angle and now a brownish with a purple hue. They look a lot like the one you showed. I always enjoyed trying on some crazy options too just for fun.
I’ve just never done the trendy thing until now! I think I wanted the glasses to be invisible. But I got a new haircut last week, too, and now my youngest daughter says I look “instagram worthy”
I used to wear glasses for distance. At the moment I don’t need them, but the optometrist says reading glasses are in my future as my vision continues to shift.
Three of my kids wear glasses. One we knew had a problem, but we had no idea how bad the other two’s vision was until we got them tested.
Please, please, if you have kids – get their eyes checked! Kids are resilient. They find ways to function and compensate. Until you get them checked, you have no way to know for sure they can actually see out of both eyes! (One of my kids is almost legally blind in one eye without his glasses – he was managing on one eye with no depth perception!)
Okay, I have a story about that. So when Rebecca was about 9 she stopped singing in church. She used to sing all the time, but then she was starting to hit puberty and getting moody and she stopped.
I gave her a lot of grief about that. About how she shouldn’t be shy to sing to God. And she kept saying, “but the words are too bright!” I had no idea what she meant.
One Sunday I’m up at the front leading worship, and I look down at my daughter and she’s squinting like crazy. And I finally realize–oh, my goodness. She can’t see the words! When a song came that she knew she sang her little heart out. And I felt like the worst mom in the world. And I marched her down to the eye doctor and got her glasses!
Adorable!!!!
I am just waiting till April when the vision coverage kicks in! I am completely blind without them and have been forever, but I haven’t gone in about 5 years! $100 would cover my copay!
Yay! That would be great.
You look adorable and very trendy in those glasses! It seems like more young women are opting for the glasses over contacts.
Thanks, Donna!
My glasses are 3.5 years old. I still like them but they’ve been worn so much they’re starting to feel like they could break at any time. I haven’t had an exam since I bought these either. It’s so easy to not take care of yourself when you have young kids. Thanks for the reminder to take care of ourselves!
I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 8 and have had many different styles. Some not so good and some that were stylish. Now being a mom of little ones I wear contacts during the day and my glasses at night. My son loves pulling them off my face 🙂
Oh, I remember those days! I stopped wearing earrings for about 4 years because the girls were always pulling at them!
I’ve never had to wear glasses which I’m thankful for because I can’t stand for anyone or anything to get near my eyes. I wouldn’t be able to put contacts in to save my life!! I haven’t had my eyes checked in years. Probably should, but as I mentioned, I have this eye-phobia. Haha! When I was in 4th grade, I remember wanting glasses so badly!
I personally don’t wear glasses. I haven’t been to the optometrist in… I won’t even admit how long. However, I take my kids every year because my husband wears glasses (and has since grade 4). I want to make sure my kids don’t have any struggles with their vision. So far so good. 0/4 need glasses. I hope, for their sake, that they have my good vision.
I prefer contacts; I’ve worn glasses since I was about 12.
Anyhow after 40, I discovered I needed reading glasses; so right now I wear progressive contacts as I hate switching glasses for distance and then reading; this is what I do when I’m at home.
I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 1 and a half years old. Its pretty disappointing to still see people hAve such an aversion to glasses. Contacts are bad for your eyes, corneal abrasion anyone?, and glasses can be sooooo cute and trendy now! Glasses are NOT grumpy.
I just got my first pair of glasses this past fall, at 31 years old! I had to pick them out of the kids section to get ones that fit my face hahaha!
I started wearing glasses when I was 12, and started with contacts at 21. I love the freedom of contacts, babies can’t pull those off my face, but the budget seldom allows for them.
I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 4 yrs old; I’m now 52! From about age 26 through my 30’s I switched to contact lenses; however, I have an excellent eye doctor who told me I was damaging my eyes with the contacts (hereditary issues) and between him and his staff they helped me choose some modern glasses frames. Since then, I’ve gotten new frames about every 4 yrs and am loving the modern trends. I also wear hearing aids so when the eye doctor assistants are helping me with frames, they have to make sure the frames we go with work with my high bridge, and with my hearing aids that go around my ears. Oh and my glasses are now bifocals! At least they look nice!!
I’ve been wearing glasses for a few years now. Like you, I just wanted them to be as invisible as possible on my face. But the last time, I had someone insist I try on the darker, more trendy glasses. I didn’t like them at first, but now I love them. You look good – good choice!
I tweeted too & tagged you in my tweet… https://twitter.com/MamaCre8s/status/711951127512813569
My vision changed with every pregnancy. Glasses have been a big piece in fighting frump. This last time i picked out some chunkier frames than I normally would have. I know some people don’t like to feel hidden behind their glasses but I feel this works to my favor. I am VERY fair skinned and I have completely blonde eye lashes, so every time I leave the house will no mascara on, I get at least one person asking, “Are you okay? You look so tired!” (Thanks, guys.) But with my chunkier frames it is harder to see the difference between makeup and no makeup. I like to wear the makeup, but with three young girls, I don’t often have the time or reason, frankly. (My husband seems to be an exception for the frump thing. He honestly doesn’t notice makeup or that kind of thing. I’ve experimented, and it’s true, lol.) So I fight the frump for me, with cute but comfy clothes and cute glasses. I have to put these things on regardless, so they might as well be cute!
I had my first thorough eye check up this year and while my eyes aren’t too bad I could use a very low prescription and I find myself squinting at things!! Just haven’t worked it into the budget yet so the $100 would be awesome for that!
I’ve worn glasses for almost 25 years now. One thing I’m working on is wearing sunglasses! It is important to protect not only my kids’ eyes when they are outside, but mine too.
I love my contacts! I only wear my glasses first thing in the morning, right before bed, and occasionally when my allergies are driving me up the wall. I like contacts because they don’t fog up, and they don’t get rain drops on them like glasses do.
I tend to have a problem with glasses, especially sunglasses, being too big for me because of my narrow face. So when I chose my current pair of glasses about a year ago, I ended up going with a frame from the youth section! The nice thing about that is they were so much cheaper, because they have package deals for “kids” like me! hehe
I started wearing glasses when I was 8. My first time fainting was while trying on glasses. I vividly remember everything suddenly going black, and next thing I was looking up at my mom’s fuzzy face above me and a circle of concerned opticians!
Yep always have had something. Just an thought on contacts/glasses. If your prescription doesn’t change much from year to year (most people’s don’t) and you have insurance alternate getting contacts and glasses. We can usually only afford one and if I get contacts one year I can make them last by not wearing them all the time and get new glasses the next. Usually it takes 2-4 years for my prescription to change enough for me to need to upgrade.
I wear glasses. I care for them by using actual cleaner whenever possible to clean my glasses.
https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/712032132693147650
Great choice! You are not alone! Having to upgrade my glasses (AND go to bi-focals cuz I need ’em) after years of contact lenses was surprisingly challenging! I too had my daughter be last word and now I LOVE my glasses!God cares about even our little details! HE IS SO GOOD! Enjoy your new look,Terri
I need glassed or contacts to drive. I usually opt for my contacts. I like not having to worry about smudges on the lenses and they are more comfortable. I wouldn’t mind glasses in one sense, but I wear behind the ear hearing aids. That means there isn’t a lot of room for glasses back there, and when I try to wear them it is really uncomfortable. I’m not sure what I would do it I had to wear glasses all the time.
Yes, I wear glasses for long distance. When I am on vacation or a long day out, I actually wear one contact for long distance, and the other eye is naked for up close. Works just fine. But glasses are for driving and running errands. The most recent pair I got, I tried on several at costco, found the style I liked, then went through http://www.zennioptical.com to find something similar. For nothing too fancy, I got them out the door WITH shipping for $16. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. They are even fashionable, for a 52 year old, that is. They must not have looked too bad… as my hubby didn’t even notice I had a pair of glasses on, when I tried to get him to notice… that is ANOTHER story! 🙂
I wear glasses everyday though I have done the contacts before. Had to stop wearing them due to severe dry eyes. I love the trendy look, problem because it’s as trendy as I get!!
I wear both glasses and contacts. I care for my eyes by getting regular checkups.
I do, or I’m supposed to, when reading or typing (like… right now… oops!!)
I also like to get in my yearly appointment and checkup!!
I just went to the eye doctor. I’ve been using glasses for reading for thirteen years. I need them more now though. I, like you, ordered the pair my daughter (15) approved of!
I just got glasses a few months ago for the first time (I’m 25). I went to bar a lunettes (Montreal) and the staff were fantastic! I wanted glasses that were classy and not too bold. They have some really unique glasses, and I tried some I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. I ended up with a pair I love and I get compliments on them frequently. I think it’s important to get glasses you love — it’s a part of your overall look that doesn’t change often, and like the rest of your attire, communicates something about you.
I sure do! I get my eyes checked every year or two.
I only wear reading glasses at the moment. I care for my eyes by eating right, getting the proper amount of sleep and wearing sunglasses year round when I am outside.
I started wearing glasses around 6 or 7, then stopped wearing them around middle school because I was embarrassed. I eventually got into a rhythm of just wearing them for reading or tv,until 2 years ago my vision actually improved! I quit wearing them completely, until a few months ago when I noticed that I was getting a lot of headaches when reading. It took me a while to find my old glasses, and they are NOT pretty! Wearing them again is helping, but I definitely need to get my eyes checked out and get a new pair!
I had a similar with Pearl Vision last fall. Excellent service and the optometrist encouraged me to get my three kids eyes checked as well. I took advantage of their 2 for 1 deal and got prescription sunglasses that I LOVE. So nice to be able to see properly in the bright sun and know that I am taking care of my eyes and looking good (not frumpy) while I do it.????
I needed glasses when I was 7 and could only afford the cheap ugly ones. When I got married, hubby treated me to laser eye surgery, and it has been such a blessing! I have been glasses-free for 14 years. I will probably need glasses again in the future, but they have come a long way with trendy frames in the last decade and a half, so I don’t worry about looking frumpy in them anymore.
Yes! I’m pretty much blind without them.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
Yes I wear eyeglasses and they are OLD and very out of date! I need to follow your lead here and get them updated.
I wear glasses for distance only; I care for my eyes by reducing eye strain whenever I can.
I wear glasses as I’m near sighted. I should care more for my eyes by wearing them more than for just driving. I haven’t gotten use to wearing them all the time.
I don`t wear glasses,,but my hubby do, He gets checkups every few years to care for his eyes
I’ve worn glasses since the third grade! I switched to contacts when I was 16 and loved them, but developed dry eye in my 30s. Reluctantly, I went back to glasses. I have felt frumpy ever since. I am due for new glasses (it’s been six years!) and hope that when I get them I can get a style that makes me feel attractive. Loved your post!
I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 4 and I currently change my frames at least every 2 years, the prescription changes alot because I’m getting up there in age and I find I have to keep changing the prescription. I could really use a new pair of glasses, thanks for the chance to win
I have worn glasses since I was a child, as I’m near sighted. I go back and forth between glasses and contacts, but just recently bought a new pair I love, so I find I wear them more then the contacts now. I take care of my eyes, by eating properly, trying not to stare at my phone or computer for too long, and I try and remember to remove my glasses when reading or on the computer so my eyes dont become dependent on the prescription for things close up. Thank you for the giveaway!
twitter link https://twitter.com/heatherwesley/status/714642699345924096
I’m legally blind, so I DO wear glasses! For a long time, they didn’t help. Then I found a great eye doctor and my glasses work so much better! I see an eye doctor once a year and try to keep my eyes away from bright lights 🙂
Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/714668552071024642
I have been wearing reading glasses for about 5 years now. Too much computer work and age I guess. Every two years I get an eye exam and change my glasses as needed. I take care of my glasses, in the case and not perched on the top of my head.
I do wear glasses but just for reading and at night time.. when it’s dark out I find myself really relying on them.
https://twitter.com/sherrykinnear/status/714955643304730624
I do wear glasses – for distance and make sure I get them checked out every two years.
Yes, I wear eyeglasses. I Visit an eye care practitioner regularly.
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/715231664792801281
I do wear glasses, and I get my eyes checked every so often.
I like the pair you chose, and the “purple hue” one. They’re cute.
Tweeted too. https://twitter.com/Nicolthepickle/status/715291013611294720
I don’t wear glasses and I usually wear sunglasses to protect me eyes.
https://twitter.com/mommysweetiepie/status/715296481670901760
I do wear eyeglasses, mostly on weekends and evenings. I prefer contact lens during the day though. To care for my eyes, I make sure to have them check every year just to make sure they are healthy and my glasses and contacts still fits me.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/715801035688841217
amy [at] utry [dot] it
I really like the purple ones!
I have worn glasses since I was 10 and I take care of my eyes by getting them checked regularly.
I need glasses for distance. I wouldn’t want to wear them all the time though.
my tweet https://twitter.com/wghutton/status/716821749539557376
when I was in junior high I had glasses and hated them I purposely broken them so I wouldnt have to wear them as I knew my parents could not afford to replace them, now I wish I never went so long without them, need them for reading and year by year my eyes are getting worse, if we has such stylist frames back then I am sure wearing them would not have been so embarrassing
I currently do not wear glasses but I am experiencing some trouble with my eyes at night so need to make an appointment to see the optometrist.
https://twitter.com/Pamalot28/status/716959251462287360
I currently don’t wear glasses, but I have not had my eyes checked – ever ! I think it’s time as I have hard time reading small print. What a great post ! Thank you so much for the chance
I wear glasses…and I protect my eyes by giving them a rest from screens…and I use safety glasses as needed.
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/717346049787080706
I don’t wear glasses and I don’t get my vision checked often enough. I am careful to limit time in front of computers though and try to go outside a lot. I read that vision improves when you are exposed to close in objects and ones that are much farther out.
Thank you I will definitely recommend Pearle VIsion to my wife for her next pair of glasses later this year. Seems like so much selection!
tweeted https://twitter.com/RenegadeCustoms/status/717506377162301440
I do wear glasses. It has been about 7 years since I got new glasses and although my family has encourage me to go get my eyes check I just haven’t taken the time for me yet. This made me laugh cause I am definitely stuck in a frump.
https://twitter.com/njnowski/status/717733183773519872
I wore glasses for about 20 years and then I had lasik surgery…so I don’t need them anymore! Yippeeee!
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/718867032884781056
My newest pair of glasses are purple, but they are so similar to my last pair (also purple) that nobody noticed they were new! Next time it will be something different and unique.
I wear eyeglasses sometimes and contact lenses sometimes and get my eyes checked every year and half or so.
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/718933276929331200
I wear reading glasses, and make sure I always take them off when not needed. I also make sure I’m in good light if I’m going to be reading.
tweeted: https://twitter.com/tinawoo21/status/719004927259910146
No eye glasses for me, but my daughter just got her first pair at age 12 & she actually LOVES them! I’ve been great at taking my kids for eye exams, but have neglected my own eye health & haven’t been for an exam in over a decade. I need to change this & be a good role model for my children!
Tweeted, thanks! https://twitter.com/MillerKrazy/status/719245071527362561
I do wear glasses but usually to drive.
I learned at my last eye exam that eye glasses are in my near future. I like your advice about listening to the optician. Of course they will know what looks good on your face 🙂
I like the glasses you chose!
Have worn glasses for quite some time & when I go out I wear contacts. Always get yearly eye exams as their is macular degeneration in the family..so feel it is very important to keep on top of things. Very important is to wear sunglasses to keep those dangerous UV lights out of the eyes. Always tell my sons & hubby to wear safety glasses to keep their eyes safe from tools.
I have a really cute pair of glasses that I only use occasionally when my eyes get tired from too much computer use. However, being 42, I can tell it’s time to go see the eye doctor. Reading any small print is next to impossible!
tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/720698192078090240
No glasses, but it seems like I am always putting visine in my eyes! They’re always dry =(
Tweeted too! https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/721154992673939457
I’ve worn glasses since a child; I get an eye checkup every year!
I do wear glasses and have for a long time. I haven’t been to the opthalmologist in a long time, way overdue. Is it awful to admit that I’m making an appointment shortly because my frames are so outdated. Well at least it gets me there.☺
Thanks for the chance to win and the reminder.
Tweeted
https://mobile.twitter.com/carollushka/status/721460289015664642
I’m 76 years old and have been wearing glasses for about 30 years but it’s getting harder to get the right prescription and get the bifocal line in the right place. I just picked up a new pair today and they don’t feel right. I may end up having to take them back.
I work full time on a computer so good glasses are essential and my eye doctor doesn’t recommend contacts for me.
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/721552988376948736
I do not wear eyeglasses.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/721574827757342720
I’ve been wearing eyeglasses since I was a teen, without them I can’t see clearly. I take care of my eyes by taking care of my glasses
I have always worn glasses. I haven’t been for an eye exam lately so I haven’t really been taking care of my eyes.
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/721731916953690113
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I wear glasses. I actually love wearing them! I think they can be a fun style accessory! I try to go every year for check up. Am a few months overdue though.
The ones you decide to go with are so cute! They look good on you! I only use glasses for night driving- I get myself so worked up so I finally went and got something for when I drive at night. I keep my eye health great constantly by getting routine checks yearly. starla.batesATyahooDOTcom
I tweeted about this promotion! https://twitter.com/mmstarla/status/721799275043094528
I don’t currently wear glasses but I do get yearly eye check-ups.
I’ve been wearing glasses since my early 20’s. I work in front of a computer all day which has not been kind to my eye sight. Now I try to limit the amount of screen time I spend during my off hours.
Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/JubleeW/status/721859589503778816
I don’t wear glasses. Guess i am just lucky that i dont have to. I take care of my eyes by not staying too close to electronics when i am using them because of the glare.
Sheila, I love the purple frames. Maybe you can get a spare pair in a bold frame. Have a great 2018. I don’t wear glasses, but I love wearing sunglasses.