Top Resort Looks for 2012

Planning a trip for 2012? Here’s some great looks for the season!

When you are gearing up to take that much-needed vacation, it’s always fun to take a break from your traditional wardrobe. Playing with a new look while away can be an adventure. Just think of all the new styles you can try with the freedom of being yourself? Look and feel great in some of these fabulous finds for 2012!

Here’s some dashing looks from the Christian Dior Resort 2012 collection:

Photos courtesy of hapersbazaar.com

Below are a few other marvelous fashions from various designers:

From left: Alexander Mcqueen, Valentino, Salvatore Ferragamo and Versace photos courtesy of harpersbazar.com

Don’t forget your sunglasses, of course! Any one of these Lady TAG Heuer styles would look perfect with the above outfits and currently at 25% off, you'll have some extra spending money while protecting your eyes on your trip!

 Lady TAG Heuer sunglasses from sunglasses avantgarde.com

Pack your bags and feel fantastic wherever you decide to go!

Have any styles that you would like to share? Let us know!

Bon voyage!

~Charlene Marie

Pair This with That: Sunglasses

There are some gift ideas out there that can complement each other; let us show you how.

Ever wonder what to get for the person who has everything? You’re not the only one! Just when you feel that there is nothing more that you could possibly get, think about what you can do to enhance or make use of what that special someone already has. For instance, if your recipient has a swanky, new coffee maker, why not get them some gourmet coffee to brighten their morning? Below are some great gift ideas to pair or add on to products that may get a lot of use:

Pairing items with sunglasses or eyewear:

Do you know someone who likes fashion? Pair a chic scarf with a designer pair of TAG Heuer sunglasses!

Fabulous Crinkle Scarf photo courtesy of affordablescarves.com

If you have a nautical pal that likes to keep his or her eyewear in shipshape, couple sunglasses with a waterproof case!

Waterproof Glasses Case photo courtest of thewaterproofstore.com

For the outdoor enthusiast, try a bottle of sunblock or a can of bug repellant with a durable pair of sunglasses.

TAG Heuer 6006 27° Model

Delve into your recipient’s interests and see what he or she enjoys.  A practical, yet personalized gift can go a long way!

Have any questions or comments on today’s blog? Let us know!

Happy shopping!

~Charlene Marie

The History Behind Daylight Saving Time

Does one hour make that much of a difference?

The rays of sun are getting weaker and colder air is slowly trickling in. You notice the days are shortening and the once sunny drive on your way home is becoming dimmer and darker. Then, every year on that one faithful day, the clocks turn back and your ride home now pitch black. As you grumble to yourself in the dark the whole way home, you think to yourself, what is the point of this Daylight Saving Time ordeal?  Since we just experienced “fall back,” Sunglasses Avant Garde is here to give you a little history behind the clock-changing madness.

The idea of Day Light Saving Time was first brought forward by Benjamin Franklin in an essay form called “An Economical Project.” Franklin wrote the essay while in Paris in 1784 and it wasn’t until over a century later that his idea was taken seriously.

In 1907, William Willett of London wrote a pamphlet called “Waste of Daylight” proposing to advance the clocks 20 minutes during each of the four Sundays in April and to retract the minutes during the four Sundays in September. Willett’s persistence led to a bill that was drafted and presented to Parliament in 1909. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until after Willett’s death that the bill was approved.

In 1916, Britain passed a daylight saving act that was put into play on May 21, 1916. Although there was some public confusion and concern about the process, the time change went as planned and the United States followed suit not long after.  

During World War I, the U.S. government established Daylight Saving Time in order to save energy for war production. Up until 1966, individual states and communities could choose to take part of Daylight Savings Time at their own discretion. After Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, the majority of U.S. citizens no longer had a choice about changing their clocks.

Not long ago in 2007, Daylight Saving Time was extended by four weeks. This was based on the possibility of saving 10,000 barrels of oil per day due to the reduction of energy used by companies during daylight hours.  

Believe it or not, there are a few U.S. territories that are exempt from this rule. Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the parts of Arizona do not follow the time change.

Do you live in a time-change exempt area?

Finding it too bright in the morning during this Day Light Savings transition? Put on a fabulous pair of TAG Heuer sunglasses and filter out the sun’s glare.

Have any questions or comments about this blog? Let us know by the box below!

~Charlene Marie

Insightful and Entertaining Facts About Eyewear

TAG Heuer Squadra Series sunglasses

Have you ever wondered about what others think about your choice in eyewear? Sunglasses Avant Garde now has some closure for you.

You’re at your local eyewear shop and you’ve spent 3 hours of your day trying to pick out the perfect frames for your face. Just when you thought you’ve hit the jackpot in the eyewear department, you see another pair of adorable spectacles staring back at you as you head towards the register. Just as you snatch them off of the shelf to give them a try, you think to yourself if all of the effort is worth it. In your mind you feel it is, but will others like your choice too? Sunglasses Avant Garde has uncovered some fun facts about sunglasses and eyewear.

Just about everywhere you look, someone is sporting some sort of style over his or her eyes. It kind of makes you wonder about how many people actually do wear eyewear in the United States? Here are the raw facts:

• There are 174.2 million eyewear users in the United States for vision correction alone.
• 35.8 % of Americans own and use two or more pairs of glasses.
• 195.8 million US residents don non-prescription sunglasses and 53.1 % use two or more pairs of sunglasses.
• 25.6 Americans utilize non-prescription reading glasses.

Who has an eye for fashion? Check out these facts about how people feel about utilizing eyewear to make a stylish statement:

• 44% of US residents feel eyeglasses are a fashion accessory; however, in 2005, only 29% shared the same belief.
• 73% of Americans feel that eyeglasses reflect a person’s persona.
• 55% of US residents notice a person’s spectacles when they first meet them.

Who’s looking at you?

• 87% of US residents do not agree with the statement: “Guys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses.”
• 92% of men and 84% of women do not agree with the quoted statement above.

The look is in the eyes of the beholder. US residents feel as though:

•  59% of eyeglass wearers appear intelligent
•  34% look fashionable
•  30% seem sophisticated
• 10% look nerdy.  

What are your thoughts about eyewear? We’d love to know! Share your comments or questions anytime with us!

Have a great day!

~ Charlene Marie

Source: Complete eyewear survey is a courtesy of eyecessorize.com.

Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas: Fun Shaped Sunglasses

Uh-oh, it’s Halloween and you are still not too sure about what to wear. Don’t panic, we at Sunglasses Avant Garde have conjured up a few fun looks for you. Of course we had to go with the sunglasses-theme, but just look at all these fun shapes!

Image source: All images are from chinawholesaletown.com

Now add a funky wig to the equation and you’ve got yourself a fun little costume! Here are some great styles at a reasonable price!

Image source: All images are from acewigs.com

Wear a mismatched outfit and go as a clown or don a pair of shimmering pants and be a rock star! The possibilities are endless!

What do you want to be?

When the night is over, you can always pop your trusty TAG Heuer eyewear on and leave in style!

Do you have any questions or comments on today’s blog? Let us know!

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

~Charlene Marie



Glancing with the Stars

Why do stars wear sunglasses?  Is it because they are so bright?

When the stars come out to play, they often emerge while hiding their eyes from the world. They may squeeze by you like a regular Joe or Jane on a crowded street with their eyes shaded or look like they’ve just stepped out of a photo shoot with their perfect hair and fabulous outfits all while hiding behind their matching, designer, shades.  So what are the newest eyewear fashions of today’s stars? Sunglasses Avant Garde is here to show you the latest scoop by our Glancing with the Stars collage.

Image source, clockwise from Left: people.com, accesshollywood.com, posh24.com, stylebistro.com and zimbio.com. 

Why do you think stars such as Tom Cruise, Kate Holmes, Kim Kardashian, Chris Brown, Nicole Richie, Charlie Sheen and Kris Humphries wear sunglasses?  Is it to…?

·         Avoid eye contact

·         Protect their eyes

·         Go incognito

·         See better

·         Look stylish or cool

Tell us what you think!

Here’s an actual quote from Jay Leno, who views shaded lenses a little differently.

“It's fun when you're driving, and people wave at you, and you wave back. I think you either like people or you don't. I mean, I don't want to put on sunglasses. That's why I'm in show business.”(Source: www.woopiedo.com)

Have you spotted any great photos of stars with shades? Send them our way and they may be featured on our next Glancing with the Stars collage!

Until then, keep those eyes looking beautiful and for a great new style, try a sleek pair of TAG Heuer sunglasses!

~Charlene Marie

Myths about Polarized Lenses

To be or not to be polarized, that is the question.

If you’re in the market for new shades or glasses, there are different options that can be utilized for the purpose of better vision. One of the newest trends is selecting polarized prescription glasses or sunglasses lenses. Is polarization really necessary? To answer that, we have unveiled a few myths about polarization below.

What are polarized lenses anyway?

Polarized lenses contain special technology that reduces the glare from shiny materials such as water and metal. These lenses are used to lessen eye strain and help keep vision clearer.

Now that we cleared that up (no pun intended), here are the answers to today’s myths.

Myth: Lenses that are polarized block glares entirely.

No. Due to the technicalities of physical environment and the light that is emitted, not all glares are blocked from every angle. However, polarized lenses will decrease glare dramatically.

Myth: Since most polarized lenses are pricy, they must be worth getting.

Although polarized lenses are commonly higher in price, it does not mean they mean they will protect eyes from UV-A and UV-B rays.

Myth: Boaters will see through the water better with polarized lenses.

Yes, polarized lenses will help a boater see things more clearly. Just watch out for rocks! Polarized lenses have a darkening effect and sometimes rocks can be harder to see.

Myth: Wearing polarized lenses while looking at an LCD display will improve your view.

No, definitely not! Some images will even be invisible if one views an LCD screen display through polarized lenses.

Myth: The thicker your lenses are, the better the polarized view will be.

This is not true. Although polarized lenses come in different thickness, the filter is still the same.

Myth: Polarized lenses are an excellent choice for people who are sensitive to light.

Yes, absolutely. Polarized lenses will help people who suffer from photosensitivity.

Myth: Polarized glasses help one see better while driving.

This myth is true, but since our planet is constantly moving, polarized lenses will not block out all angles of the sun’s rays.

Myth: Snow skiers should wear polarized lenses on the slopes.

Polarized lenses will certainly help with the glare from the snow; however the darkening effect from a polarized lens can make it harder to see details.

Myth: People who wear bifocals cannot obtain polarized lenses.

This is true; however, there are other options. Just consult with your eye care professional.

Bam! Your myths about polarization are busted!  

By the way, Sunglasses Avant Garde offers a great selection of TAG Heuer polarized lenses. Come see for yourself!

 TAG Heuer Speedway Series 0204 191

Have any comments about today’s blog? Give us a shout!

~Charlene Marie

Information source: Lifescript.com

Friday’s History Lesson: Sunglasses

TAG Heuer 5011 101 Curves series

All things must emerge from somewhere. Some things ideas spread like wildfire, while other concepts die out quick like a party on a Monday night. One invention that seems like it’s here to stay is sunglasses. Shades are mostly used to keep one’s eyes safe from the sun, while others use them for style or even to protect one’s identity. So just where did these spectacular, shaded spectacles transpire?  

Long ago, in ancient times, polished gems as well as panes of smoky quartzes were used as eyewear. According to health.learninginfo.org, the Roman emperor Nero was delighted by viewing gladiator fights through polished gemstones. During the twelfth century, Chinese judges wore smoky quartz glasses in order to mask their facial expressions while questioning witnesses.

Shaded lenses did not have any further ado in the spotlight until around the eighteenth century when James Ayscough experimented with tints. Ayscough believed that green or blue tinted glasses could correct certain vision issues. It wasn’t until years later when sunglasses took a popular turn.  

In 1929, Sam Foster introduced an eyewear design that protected eyes from the sun. Foster sold his sunglasses in Atlantic City, New Jersey along the beaches. Eventually his sunglasses were sold at an Atlantic City Woolworth.

When sunglasses became polarized by Edward H. Land in 1936, wearing them started to become a trend. Famous musicians and movie stars were seen sporting shades with their outfits. Not only were sunglasses a way to protect against the sun’s harmful rays, they became glamorous and stylish.

Since ancient times, sunglasses have certainly come a long way! Today, sunglasses can be seen almost everywhere. They are made for all different face shapes and sizes and consist of a wide variety of style and colors. Even the lens tints vary!

Can you imagine a world without sunglasses? I know I sure couldn’t!

Do you have any questions or comments about this post? Feel free to share!

~ Charlene Marie

Useful Tip Friday: Incorporating Sunglasses with your Halloween Costume

It’s that time of year again to bring out those creepy decorations and add bags of candy to your shopping list. It’s also a good time to start  thinking about what type of costume you are going to conjure up for you or your children. Since sunglasses are our specialty, we’ve found a few funky costume ideas, if you’re looking for some creative ways to hide your eyes this Halloween!

Check out these fantastic looks below!

1. Be a little cop or a big cop!

Image source: policecostumes.com

        2. Get out those 'blue suede shoes' and go as Elvis!

Image source: halloween-costume-ideas.us

Even your dog can go as "The King!"



Image source: ourhaunt.com

     3. 'Like totally' go as a 80s chic!

Image source: 123discountcostumes.com

     4. Go as a little greaser!

Image source: costumes.net

     5. Or a Pink Lady!  

Image source: costumeshop.us.com

     6. 'Bee' the buzz of the party!

Image source: wholesalehalloweencostumes.com

     7. Create a scare as a mad scientist!

Image source: adulthalloweencostumes4u.com

     8. Detect what is at the scene!

     Image source: babble.com

     9. Or be a Matrix queen.   

Image source: vampirefreaks.com

     10. For just a simply fun look, grab an oversized pair of shades!

Image source: costumersnetwork.com

In most cases, you can certainly substitute the shades shown with a sleek pair of TAG Heuer sunglasses!

Have any other ideas? We'd love to hear them! Have fun searching for that perfect costume!

~ Charlene Marie

Inspired by Beauty: Sunglasses

Photo by: Charlene Marie

Beauty can be just about anywhere you look. It can be a beautiful flower, a gorgeous dress or simply a lovely day outside. Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the concept of it is typically enjoyed by a general consensus.  Since it is Inspiration Wednesday, today’s blog is inspired by beauty.  

In the essence of beauty, one typically tries to look their personal best.  While going through the course of the day, the sun can be a factor. Instead of squinting, feel beautiful while blocking out the rays with a stylish pair of sunglasses.

Photo source: celebrityfashion.onsugar.com

Squinting:

Squinting or narrowing your eyes to see better, doesn’t do wonders for your looks or your skin. Years of contracting the muscles around your eyes can lead to permanent wrinkles also known as crow’s feet. Under-eye cream can help with these lines, but prevention is typically the best medicine. Shield your eyes from harmful rays and help maintain smooth skin around your eyes with a pair of sunglasses.

Photo source: medizen.co.uk

Style:

Have a plain ensemble that needs a little zing? Add flair and beauty to any outfit with a pair of shades. You can even wear them as an accessory! Robert Verdi always seems to have a different pair on his head!

Photo source: runningwithheels.com

Here are a few great pairs of TAG Heuer sunglasses that can rock any wardrobe!

TAG Heuer 5101 104 Zenith Model

Lady TAG Heuer 9100 204

TAG Heuer Speedway 0204 991

To retain beauty longer and for a snazzy addition to any outfit, don’t forget those sunglasses!

Have any comments or suggestions? Feel free to let us know below!

~Charlene Marie

Get the Look Monday: Sunglasses Gone Country

Image source: youngsnowgirds.com

Yeehaw! If you’re looking to go a little country, you’ve come to the right place. It’s a country-styled theme for this week’s Get the Look Monday segment. If you like the look and feel of the West, keep reading, for style at its best!

Whether you’re on or off the ranch, you can get these sleek looks from TAG Heuer anytime of day. Here are some great styles for guys and gals with a Western flair!

Image source: baskinswesternwear.net

Check out this cowboy-savvy style for men!

Image source: dreamtime.com

Your eyes can have a similar look with the TAG Heuer 0231-601 Speedway model. Saddle-up, boys and don’t forget those sunglasses!

TAG Heuer Speedway Model 0231 601

Jessica Simpson sports a chic cowgirl look in her Western-style get-up.

Image Source: collegelifestyles.org

Mimic Jessica’s eyes with Lady TAG Heuer 9100-103!

Lady TAG Heuer 9100-103

Have any country-themed ideas or looks of your own that you want to share? Feel free to leave us a comment!

~Charlene Marie