SpecsPost

Since my flagging up back in October of last year of my much loved opticians and what a pleasure it is to find an independent retailer offering such a great service, I've learn't this week that having reached the point at which he wishes to takes things easier Charles is retiring *cue panic*.

Unfortunately for me this means a search for an alternative supplier of my spectacles has become imperative. I mentioned at the turn of the New Year a potential find in SpecsPost and so I set about digging a little deeper.

Singlehandedly (or so I think) dispelling the bank account rupturing trial of getting a pair of prescription glasses, you can read more about the company on their website.

You can actually get a pair of frames for under £20, and not a drab couple of hollowed out blocks sitting on the bridge of your hooter either.

Glasses are something tricky to order especially if you're buying without trying on first so make sure you've got the measurement of the bridge of your nose. The size of the frames is personal preference.

I've been wanting a pair of round frames for a long while but they don't suit everyone so I decided I need to furnish my face with a bit of hair first to get an authentic 'fisherman' look. I settled on the 'Lyte' and within a few days they were dropped through the lettterbox. I've got to say the service was spot-on and if you're on a budget I doubt you could find a second hand pair of frames in a charity shop and get lenses fitted for that price.

I can't really comment on what any of these photo's are meant to be but this is what happens when I get the other side of the lens awkward gormless gawps?

Oh and thanks to MeatMission for having such a great photobooth!

London: Brick Lane

Still my favourite place in London by a country mile!

In Praise of Albam

This Christmas as apposed to so many before it I had someone else to consider which begged the question what to get? But more importantly what do I want?

Having not been on holiday in quite a while and desperately needing some Vitamin D we decided to forego any frivolous spunking up the wall and set a £20 limit to the our spends, which is a stark reminder of what little you can get for that princely sum nowadays.

Cometh the hour, cometh the (wo)man and as you would expect the amount of consideration and planning that had gone in to the process was immense. Not too long ago my belle had been offered an opportunity with a British company birthed and based in her home town, fortunately for me she declined and chose to make her way to London to look for employment, however her admiration for the company has lingered on.

Is this dragging on a bit? Shall I just get on with it and show you? Enough said...

It's a purse!
Yes, a purse, but a very cleverly crafted object and something I so desperately needed without even realising it!

I've carried it with me since the moment I received it and as you can see being brushed and scratched against my keys and zips has already begun to age the leather. As this grows and becomes supple and more tarnished it will be cherished even more and I suddenly feel very belied of my ability to buy for someone else, which up until this Christmas I had thought quite well of.

The most interesting detail is that the purse has been made in Bethnal Green, E2 moments from where I have grown up, and so a fairly simple looking thing is also representation of something more. A tough leather with subtle simple finishing made a short walk from my home by a company born in Nottingham.

Without this sounding to much like an ode to someone, this is a fantastic gift and if you like the look of this Albam have a great range of accessories from key fobs to patchwork quilts and combs to rucksacks (think of all the things you'd want to procure for a hunting lodge).

Now I can say, 'I'm a man, with a purse!' and not feel like a big girl.

Texture: Sky Blue

Oxford Shirt - Button Down Collar, Silk Tie - Pin Dot & Wool Jacket - Prince of Wales

Preview: SpecsPost

Having imparted my knowledge of a hidden gem in London back in the early days of the blog, I was left thinking that there wasn't much wider appeal to readers who live worldwide or nationwide even for that matter.

So where does the discerning glasses wearer go when they need something to that effect, glasses that are not the average boring oblong *yawn* frames we see so much of, and not the huge price tag of 'high street' designer frames.

Well, after a staunch search on the wondrous web I came across a service that may well be able to satisfy this requirement from the comfort of my very own bed! 'How?!?!' I hear you cry. All will be revealed shortly and I have a review to follow too, look out for the post soon!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, ya filthy animal!

After a nice Christmas break and very little activity over the holiday period I wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2013.

In the short while that I have been curating this blog the response has been fantastic and it continues to grow at a rate greater than I could have imagined back in September.

This year I hope to expand the coverage of the blog and the content and your continued support is much appreciated.

Thank you all for visiting and for all the comments and feedback, I'm looking forward to a busy year.

S.T.Y.L.E.