A More Than Adequate Hybrid

I’m always searching for the perfect pair of sunglasses—big and stylish, but not too Paris Hilton-ish, and sporty—but not like I’m getting on my bike to do a century ride. More of an everyday pair of sunglasses that serve both functions. A combination of both sporty and posh spice, if you will.

For most of the summer, I’ve been wearing a pair of sunglasses that I found at Ann Taylor. In Vegas, I might add. Very Jackie O. They serve their purpose, and I always thought they looked pretty good, too. However, some of my friends and family have called them Paris Hilton-ish—who I despise—and now I cannot get that mental imagery out of my head. I still wear them, of course, but I'm simply just not as thrilled with them as I once was. And really, I need to be thrilled.

This is why I was so excited to see a new pair of sunglasses recently that seemed to me the perfect crossbreed. I first saw Karen’s sister, Kate, sporting the Smith Audrey Sunglasses during our long week at Green Lake. Immediately, I knew I had to have them. They're a little more Audrey, a little less Paris. According to Backcountry.com, they “give you that classic Breakfast at Tiffany's look, but with optics technology that'll make your eyes say, ‘ahhh.’ We guarantee Ms. Hepburn didn't have this kind of visual clarity back in the '60s.” Well obviously that sold me, and I ordered them as a birthday present for myself. And as Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) says in my favorite movie (Serendipity), “I usually appreciate my own thoughtfulness.” Ahhh.

I very much love my new shades and sport them all the time. I decided to order the glasses in the melon stripe with the brown lenses. They run at about $80. This is a little expensive for sunglasses, I realize, but I like to think of it as an investment in my retinas. From what I understand, protecting the retinas is very important, indeed.