My glasses from The Real Real and me: a love affair

I'm never shopping at Warby Parker again, my jelly flats finally arrived, and I'm addicted to Love Island.

I first got glasses around two years ago.

I realized during the later half of college that not being able to see the board wasn’t just because I opted for seats in the back most of the time, but because I actually couldn’t see all that well.

Since I was balling on a budget, I logged onto Warby Parker and bought a pair of oversized, thick black frames. They were meant to be just for when I needed them, i.e. during class, driving at night, movies, or other events with a stage. Within the past year, I noticed that this has deteriorated into an all-the-time thing and that I needed to get contacts.

While I typically opt for those (considering the hefty investment they are—who knew?), recently, I’ve been chasing my everyday pair of office siren, Gisele in The Devil Wears Prada-esque glasses. Something nicer than the cheap acetate that’s broken more times than I can count from my friends at WP.

The blueprint.

I’m not sure what possessed me to look on The Real Real, but I figured that it may be worth my while to look considering I already spend approximately one hour a day on their site, religiously. They’re also always running a sale—whether they admit it or not—and since I was going to have to pay to put my prescription into these anyway, I didn’t want to break the bank despite my longing for something a bit more luxury.

Lo and behold: a robust, vast assortment of designer eyeglasses in every shape, color, and size you could possibly ever want, gone to die at TRR.

Those pink Fendi micro frames—get real! Pun intended!

New designer glasses run you up around $400 at your local Lenscrafters, and I don’t even want to tell you the prices my local optometrist was dishing. I saw a lot of excellent-condition pairs from brands like Oliver Peoples, Tom Ford, Burberry, and more on this page, making this endeavor much cheaper, and more fun because it’s like you’re vintage shopping, but they do all of the heavy work for you.

I ended up getting a slim cat-eye tortoise option from Prada:

Don’t you love it when you see SOLD, but you’re the one who bought it…

Not pictured: my supportive coworkers.

It took about two weeks (over the Fourth weekend, to their defense) to get my prescription put in, which ran me up about an additional $100, making them still nearly half the price of a new pair. If I were crafty, I would’ve gone to a place in Chinatown that would do it for a lot less, but I couldn’t bother searching for it. They came complete with the original box and case, both in perfect condition, and I’ve already received many (not all forced) compliments on them. Win, win, win.

Here are a few more pairs I would’ve gotten that you should get:

The hot pink little Fendi’s from the screenshot above ($165)

Thick framed micro square-eyed frames from Prada (on sale for $103.50)

Gold-rimmed Miu Miu goggles (on sale for $130.50)

Mega discounted Dolce’s ($45—come on!)

Tom Ford Aviators (on sale for $132)

Also…who says you need a prescription? I was one of those kids who popped out the 3D lenses of the movie theatre glasses and wore them to school. Live your life. You get to skip the optometrist step—lucky you.

---

The Ancient Greek jelly flats I mentioned in the past two blog posts finally arrived, and haven’t left my feet since Monday. I broke them out to go on a soft serve run at Ray’s on Avenue A after work, wore them to work yesterday, and have them safely packed for my vacation to Chicago this weekend.

It looks like I’m barefoot but I’m NOT—it’s the jelly’s (if you squint).

They’re truly fantastic. I’m glad I got the nude so that I can pretend to be an Olsen twin, but if I didn’t get nude, I definitely would’ve gotten violet or pink. I highly suggest them, they’re comfortable enough for me to wear them all day and are especially breathable for this never-ending heatwave. I wore them yesterday with a skirt, but I’m excited to style them with a mini dress for going out, cargo’s for the office or a casual dinner, micro shorts, and a bikini for the pool. For a seemingly trendy shoe, I’m confident in their versatility.

---

Besides prepping for my eminent move (two weeks from the day this goes live) of a whopping four blocks from where I currently live, I’ve been reading the latest Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy biography—more on that next week—by Elizabeth Beller, and binging Love Island USA. Thankfully I had some friends committed to my cause who caught me up to speed without having to watch all 25 episodes prior.

Love Island always ends up being more than just a reality show for me. I discussed this two summers ago:

---

---

And it still rings true today.

[THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT]

Watching all of these Instagrammably-hot people every day besides hump day reveals fascinating truths about the human dating experience, particularly in your 20s. Although Daniela from Orlando or JaNa from Hawaii and I have literally nothing in common besides being girls in our twenties in this country, there are so many situations on the show that I find myself relating to. While I am not on a televised social experiment in Fiji, I am in the love trenches of New York City.

Even from thousands of miles away on a game show, they face relational issues we all have. The harsh reality of liking someone more than they like you, having to set someone free because you truly care for them, betrayal, distractions. Islanders—they’re just like us.

I haven’t watched anything besides reality T.V. (Owning Manhattan, Real Housewives of New Jersey, Love Island) in about a week, other than the occasional episodes of Girls when I need some background noise, so I may be suffering from a mild case of brain rot. However, I do think I’m making some sense.

In such a short time, these people have become like my dear friends. My coworkers and friends and I talk about them like we personally know them, we’ve grown real feelings of love and hate. But this happens each and every summer with Love Island, doesn’t it? We spend every day with these people. Sometimes it’s the highlight of my day, finally settling into bed and getting to watch them like my little Sims. If I had control of them, they’d be acting a lot differently, but I digress.

Here are my hot takes on Love Island USA Season 6:

1. I cannot stand Kaylor and Aaron. I simply am not interested in their story any longer. A lounge chair with four rose petals on it may have gotten her back, but it won’t convince me

2. The producers are hyping up Rob and Leah too much for us when there isn’t actually anything there

3. Serena and Kordell will work great in the real world, more than anyone else

4. Nicole can break Kenny’s heart (and might)

5. Miguel and Leah are a dark horse and could be in it to win it

Getting involved in Love Island always seems a lot more daunting than it actually is. All it took was one episode and I was hooked once again. I’ll miss it once it’s gone, but will always remember the lessons of love it’s taught me…or maybe I shouldn’t.