Don’t Ride Blind! Warby Parker has your eyes covered in sun and shade.

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Many of you have heard of the eye-wear brand Warby Parker, but if you have not, I invite you to check them out. A company with a conscience, the founders began with the problem of not being able to afford quality eye glasses:

Every idea starts with a problem. Ours was simple: glasses are too expensive. We were students when one of us lost his glasses on a backpacking trip. The cost of replacing them was so high that he spent the first semester of grad school without them, squinting and complaining. (We don’t recommend this.) ….Where were the options?

It turns out there was a simple explanation. The eyewear industry is dominated by a single company that has been able to keep prices artificially high while reaping huge profits from consumers who have no other options.

We started Warby Parker to create an alternative.

By circumventing traditional channels , designing glasses in-house, and engaging with customers directly, we’re able to provide higher-quality, better-looking prescription eyewear at a fraction of the going price….Almost one billion people worldwide lack access to glasses, which means that 15% of the world’s population cannot effectively learn or work. To help address this problem, Warby Parker partners with non-profits like VisionSpring to ensure that for every pair of glasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need.”

Pretty cool, right? They have some pretty fun frames, my personal favorite is the Laurel in Tea Rose Fade at $95 (for single-vision, $295 for progressives). You can use your web cam and try them on virtually from the comfort of your home. For many styles, you can order a sample pair to be sent directly to you for a test wear. These would look adorably preppy for a schooling ride, and then stylish when reading the latest Georgina Bloomberg novel, watching the Real Housewives with friends, or simply going out for a drink and being able to actually read the cocktail menu. If they fall off and get trampled by your equine buddy (let’s hope this doesn’t happen), you won’t need sell your first born to replace them.

My style suggestion:

Laurel in Tea Rose $95
Laurel in Tea Rose $95

 

They also have may wonderful sun shade options. In fact, they just launched a new line, called “Ghostly”, which is stylish and can be worn in the ring and out. Perfect for a man or a woman; one part Tom Cruise and one part Audrey Hepburn. I don’t have a final price on the Ghostly line, but their other shades go from $95 non-prescription to $350 progressives. Not bad, considering a pair of designer shades can go up to $500 w/o a prescription.

We’re all excited for the launch of the Ghostly, although how fun would it have been to have launched them on Halloween (hmmm…maybe too cliche). Anyway, try them out and give someone who can’t afford to purchase their own, the opportunity to have clear vision. It’s all about the shades. 😉 They can be purchased at http://www.WarbyParker.com.

xo

lb

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Fall Talls

Christian Louboutin Cate Chain Riding Boots $1295
Christian Louboutin Cate Chain Riding Boots $1295

It’s fall and there’s no shortage of wonderfully equestrian inspired tall boots. I’m so happy that we can wear tall boots year after year; they are basically timeless. English or Western, these will be sure to please the pony princess or cowgirl in all of us little ladies.

No riding in these boots, purely for pretty, so keep them away from the poo pile 😉

What I love about real Western riding boots, they can be worn as fashion. It’s pretty clear that I’m wearing real riding boots when I go to the store in my dirty Ariat Challengers. I have a pair of Tony Lamas, and they look just as great with my skinny jeans out on the town as they do in the ring doing work. These riding boots (except the Tony Lamas) haven’t been approved in the saddle, but will look cool with a skirt, skinny jeans, flair jeans (the newest old trend making a comeback), and shorts (if you’re under the age of 35).

 

 

Many of these boots are rather expensive, so think of this an an investment piece. Tall riding boots are classic.  With proper treatment (care for them like you care for your riding boots) and you can wear them for years to come.

xo

lb

 

 

Backpacks for the Barn

There are some really fun new backpacks this fall for students, but what about for the rider (and those of us <cough> beyond our school years)? Riders carry bulky items like helmets, and we need our hands free to fuss with bridles, so I’ve been searching for a backpack that useful in the barn, but can be worn after riding and doesn’t make me look like I’m about to hike the Appalachian trail.

If you don’t mind a little dust on some butter soft Italian leather, it’s reasonably priced at $320. I believe I found the perfect backpack. Brand new this fall season, the Asmar Equestrian’s Firenze Backpack is gorgeous. It was specifically designed for the rider in mind, so it can hold your helmet and riding accessories, yet is so beautiful, it can go to a restaurant or to town after your hack, and I won’t look like a mutton dressed in tween’s clothing. Measuring 15″ x 11″ x 3.5″, you will have plenty of room for your wallet, keys, makeup bag and polo wraps ;). No wonder they’re my go-to equestrian brand this year.

 

 

For those of you willing to spend a little more, Prada makes a fun backpack, which is made from their Tessuto easily washable nylon.  At $920 (for the camo print), it’s pricey, but should last a long time. Measures 14″ x 14.5″ x 6″. It’s light and strong and should be able to carry most of a rider’s needs. It comes in other colors like pink and red.

Again, with the higher end, Gucci has a nice canvas backpack, however, I’m not convinced it’s perfect for a barn setting, maybe for the girl that has a full time groom and a trust fund $1200….you be the judge:

Another fun option is Tory Burch. At $195, you won’t break the bank. Her camouflage canvas logo backpack is roomy, and cute – getting a camo theme here, right?

Marc, by Marc Jacobs has a cute one that’s not as expensive at $198:

Okay, I haven’t forgotten the boys. Many backpacks are gender neutral, and men typically aren’t as picky about what they carry on their backs, but for the discerning man with a little dinero to burn, I love these:

 

 

Tory Burch’s Take on Tack

One of my favorite preppy brands, Tory Burch, has gone more ornate for fall.

Lux and detailed, obviously inspired by equestrian themes, she hit the ball out of the park. I love all these looks. From shirts to boots, any well-dressed horse lover can find something Tory to wear this season. When I saw the WWD.com runway report last February, I was excited to find these cute clothes for sale. Now, I just need to wait for a sale ;)!

My favorites from the runway show report (pictures thanks to WWD.com)

xo

lb

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