So hip. I didn’t really see that dance-off coming, but it was a pleasant surprise.
Tag Archives: Warby Parker
Seattle Welcomes Warby Parker Class Trip
Earlier this week, Veronica and I attended the Warby Parker celebration here in Seattle, but unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of all the sliders we ate! Here they are above along with other quality photographs from the event here.
Be sure to visit the Warby Parker bus while it is here in Seattle until July 7th. The bus is operating Wednesday-Sunday 11AM-7PM on 2nd and Pine.
Warby Parker Class Trip: Seattle
It isn’t often that Veronica and I get to make the trip over to the lovely Seattle neighborhood of Ballard, but when we do, it is quite the treat. After work this evening, we attended the Warby Parker Class Trip event and happily welcomed the New York brand to our city. At Hilliard’s Brewery, we accidentally missed the music (La Luz – our apologizes) but nommed on some delicious sliders from the Curb Jumper food truck. I’m not exactly sure what that second slider was made out of – probably pulled pork and Asian slaw – but it was the best thing I’ve eaten all week. The event was packed with all of Seattle’s favorite hipsters – everyone dressed so much better than us – and lots of pretty frames of course! The bus was incredible. We wished we had one ourselves.
Warby Parker will be in Seattle until July 7th parking their bus for everyone to come visit and exploring our pretty city. Follow their journey here.
Tonight:
We’re attending a party tonight!
Follow our Twitter and Instagram for updates from Veronica and I!
The Future of Retail
photo cred | Mashable
SoHo is stepping up their retail game and if other retailers and shops don’t jump on the bandwagon soon, they may fall behind with the times. Mashable published this article on how several stores are implementing digital features into shopping and evolving the experience for customers. At Warby Parker, customers can utilize the store’s photo booth to snap photographs of themselves in different styles of frames for which they can share with friends looks that they like via email or print them out like a true photo booth strip.
These are the retail stores of the future: hyper-efficient, digitally enhanced showrooms that serve as physical storefronts for online retail operations.
For more details on how the shopping experience is changing, click here for the full article.
Warby Parker Class Trip: Seattle
photo cred | inqmind
Good morning readers! I’ve got the day off work today so I’ve planned a day of adventures for myself in Seattle. However, before we get to that and you following these adventures on Instagram and Twitter, I’m kicking off my day as a full-time blogger. One of my favorite brands, Warby Parker, has been traveling across to country to various cities since the fall and in the last leg of their tour, they are finally making their way to Seattle! Next week, the Warby Parker Class Trip and their glorious bus will be headed to the Emerald City and will be open to the public. They will be here for a couple of weeks checking out the sights and indulging in the culture so be sure to follow of their adventures here on their blog and check out all the other places they’ve been!
Warby Parker x Man Of Steel
Warby Parker introduced a new capsule collection today inspired by the new film, “Man of Steel” out in theaters June 14. I typically love my black Warby Parker frames and any kind of black frame for that matter, but that pop of blue has me intrigued! Both Percey and Chamberlain are available for men and women. For more details, visit the website here.
Recent College Grads Equipped With Advice
I noticed a slight trend today of articles posted on LinkedIn and all of them had to do with advice recent grads should take. Now in my last post, I discussed that advice should not always be taken in at once. For one, it’s too much information. Two, it’s not always applicable, but it will be when the “timing is right.” I can’t even begin to tell you how much I hate saying that last part and how much it has been said to me in the last few months, but in this moment right now, nothing seemed more fitting.
Whether it was a trend on LinkedIn or the fact that my talk is coming up and I am trying to solidify my material, every article I read today on this subject was beneficial. I wish that I had this advice when I came out of college. Would I have taken it as seriously? Probably not. That’s the problem that my professor who’s class I am speaking to posed to me as a problem. Even though I would have this advice to give to these students, they may not see the value because they haven’t had the year of working experience that I have just had. Regardless, I do hope that my advice will spark something – a change, an opinion, or inspiration.
Here are the articles and posts that I read today:
- “Why 30 Is Not The New 20“. – A TED talk by Dr. Meg Jay. (Thanks Toby!)
- Three Rules For Every Graduate To Remember…Welcome to the Blooper Reel by Warby Parker’s Neil Blumenthal
- “What Successful People Aren’t Telling You” by Fortune Magazine’s Sr. Editor at Large Adam Lashinsky
- Richard Branson’s take on “education” in his guest post.
- And… what happens when you finally DO land a job post grad by Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff
5 Reasons Why I Love The Mariners Bearded Cap
photo cred | Mariners
1. First off, the beaded cap on kids will be the most endearing thing you’eve ever seen. Just imagine what it looks like to see a 4-year old girl instantly transform into a bearded man. That’s some circus stuff right there.
2. The knitted bearded cap is so warm! I’ve worn it for a total of 6 minutes now and have already had to take it off for fear of becoming too hot in it.
3. It’s so Seattle. Beards. Cap. Mariners. A creation like this is something that would only come from this city.
4. You can instantly hipster-fy your bearded cap by adding a pair of hipster glasses to it. I chose Warby Parker.
5. There is nothing better than going to a Mariners game and seeing a bunch of goofy looking people in a sea of bearded caps! Instant bonding moment.
Bonus Reason: You might be able to sip your beer through the mouth hole…but we haven’t tried this move yet.
Meet: Molly Young
photo cred | Into the Gloss
For the past several years, I have been following a blogger who goes by the name of Molly Young (AKA Magic Molly) – Molly is an extremely talented writer who freelances for GQ and New York Magazine, but on top of that she’s also an employee working for one of my favorite brands – Warby Parker – over in New York. Over the last few years, I have followed her writing, but also pieces in which she has been featured in by others who are just as intrigued with Molly as I am. She’s a gorgeous 20-something who has a way with her words, but is also just witty as hell. Enjoy!
Q: What does a day in the life of Molly Young look like?
Molly: Wake up early. Get an issue of the New York Times, walk to the office, and make myself breakfast. Usually peanut butter on crackers and a monstrous cup of coffee. Then work-work-work. Everyone works long hours, so I break it up by going for walks throughout the day. After work, I’ll go get a drink with a friend, walk home, read a book, do some writing, attempt a crossword puzzle, fall asleep. That’s a typical weekday. I have a very PG-rated schedule.
Q: Can you tell us about a piece that you are working on right now and who it is for?
Molly: I’m writing a piece about corporate culture for the New York Times.
Q: How long have you been writing and when and how did you develop a passion for it?
Molly: I started writing as soon as I started reading. It was the only way to solve a problem that I kept encountering, which was the problem of reading a good book and then having it end. I hated when good books ended! So I started writing sequels. It seemed like a rational way to address the issue. I had no concept of authorship—the stories I read seemed like common property, so I was happy to pick up their plots where the authors left off.
Q: As a freelancer you probably accept stories to write and throw out your own pitches. How do you become inspired with a pitch?
Molly: The process of creating a pitch goes like this: 1) Identify something that interests me; 2) Figure out if it is relevant to other people. That’s all. If an idea passes both tests, I go into research mode.
Q: You work at one of my favorite brands – Warby Parker in NYC – what is your role and what are your favorite things about working there?
Molly: I work on content and creative strategy for Warby Parker. There are a million things to love about the company, but I’ll pick a few: the people who work here are smart and kind, the products are beautiful, and for every pair of glasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need.
photo cred | Molly’s Instagram
Q: What are your favorite pair of glasses that you own from them?
Molly: I wear the Zagg in Tennessee Whiskey, because they make me feel like a cartoon scientist. My work ethic seems to improve when I wear them. (Not joking.)
Q: Molly, I heard that you were a San Francisco native! I’ve become fond over the city in the last year, can you let us in on some of your favorite spots?
Molly: Yes! I’ll tell you my favorite way to spend an afternoon. Start at Green Apple Books on Clement Street for used books (be sure to explore the cramped, dusty sections upstairs—especially the Sociology section, which is filled with crazy shit.) Next, walk a few blocks down the street to Good Luck Dim Sum, at 736 Clement Street. Ask for one order of har gau (shrimp dumplings). Then, reverse your course and proceed to Toy Boat Dessert Cafe, at 401 Clement Street. Get an espresso and some ice cream, read your books, and stare at all the freaky Pee-Wee Herman toys on display. If you have any energy left, walk to Goodwill at 820 Clement and find a pair of cool orange platform shoes for $2.
Q: Everyone has always advised me that when you move to a completely new place for the first time, life can be a little bit rough. Did you have any struggles when you left the west coast for the east?
Molly: Of course. I was constantly lonely. It helps to sit yourself down and say, “Self, you’re going to feel low for a while and it will take time to adjust. But don’t worry, it’s normal and it’s temporary.”
Q: When I first came across your blog a few years back, you went by Magic Molly. How did that nickname come about?
Molly: I started teaching myself rudimentary HTML in grade school, and my first website was designed for my family’s viewing pleasure. I called it “Magic Molly” because that’s the first thing that occurred to my 6th-grade mind. Now I’m stuck with it. Ha! But I have to admit, it pleases me to have this remnant of my 12-year-old self trailing me around. She was a weird kid.
Q: I’ve read several articles in which you’ve been called an “It girl.” When you hear that, what do you think?
Molly: It reminds me of the IT department of my office, so I reflexively read it as “Information Technology girl”, which is way cooler than what it actually means.
photo cred | Your Pal Mal
Q: Quick! What was your favorite article to write ever?
Molly: For a piece called “Leading Mannequins” in GQ, I flew out to Los Angeles and immersed myself in the world of Hollywood fashion stylists for a week. It was like being an alien. I love exploring pockets of the economy and figuring out how they work.
Q: Is there ever an interview that you’ve done that you wish you could have had a do-over on?
Molly: I did a Longform podcast recently and couldn’t bear to listen to more than two minutes of my voice. The podcast appeared in my iTunes, I started listening, and instantly did a full-body cringe: that’s what I sound like? Oh god….
Q: Since you’re a blogger yourself, do you have any other favorite blogs? If so, what are they?
Molly: The blogs I read are mostly aggregators of longform pieces—sites like Byliner or Longform. I’ve also been been combing through Dwight Garner’s pieces for the New York Times and admiring how energetic and precise his writing is.
Q: Molly, this year on Yow Yow! we are focusing on the life of a 20-something and being a recent post grad transitioning out of college. What advice do you have for young adults our age and moving into the adult world?
Molly: Find a company or a publication that you love and do whatever it takes to get in the door. It doesn’t matter where you start. Working at a place (and with people) you respect will bring out the best in you.
Also, avoid journalism school. Here’s why.
Q: At your age, many would consider you an incredibly accomplished writer. What is next for you? Are there any future endeavors that you would like to pursue outside of writing?
Molly: I’d love to continue pouring my heart and head into Warby Parker. We want to prove that businesses can be clean, lean, smart, and responsible. I spend every day working to show that companies can do good in the world—and of course, when I get the chance, I love writing the occasional article too!
Check out Molly’s blog here and follow her on Twitter @magicmolly
Warby Parker’s New Flagship
This weekend, my favorites – Warby Parker – will be unveiling their new stunning flagship located on 121 Greene Street between Houston and Prince.
Inspired by classic libraries, the space is lined with books (and rolling library ladders), brimming with glasses, and full of surprises. Duck into the photo booth to take a picture, and gaze up at the city sky through the building’s original skylight. Looking for inspiration? A selection of books from small presses is available for flipping–through or adding to your personal collection.
An in-store optometrist will be on hand to perform eye exams seven days a week. Appointments can be made here. Exams are only $50, and visitors can track their appointments on the appointment board, designed after the train arrival and departure boards at Grand Central Station.
How fun! I’ve been a fan of Warby’s since last year when I bought my first pair, but I’ve been meaning to purchase myself a second as well. What a beautiful looking store! Readers in New York, if you’ve got a chance to stop by, please do and let us and @warbyparker know what you think.
[Source]
Harry’s
photo cred | Fashionista
I don’t know too much about the way a man grooms himself, but what I do know is that I love and support Warby Parker and anything created by their founders is sure to be a win. Harry’s is the new grooming line created by Warby Parker founder Jeff Rain and Andy Katz-Mayfield. The main focus of the line is essentially shaving and the bits and pieces that go along with it.
There are two razors on offer—the utilitarian Truman, $10, and the luxe Winston, $20—as well as an $8 shaving cream. (The difference between the razors? One is an aluminum mix, the other is pure aluminum.) The look is mid-century inspired without being retro—the sleek handle on the Truman razor comes in four colors: grayish blue, burnt orange, olive green or white.
This is stuff that I know nothing about, but guys I’m sure you do and I hope you can get excited about it.
[Source]
Onboarding – And Why It’s So Important
Having been in a human resources environment for nearly the last year and working within the industry, I’ve gotten a taste for just how crucial the onboarding process is for new employees. While I was in college, I took one HR class (the only one that was offered and required) and after finishing that course, I still didn’t have a clear idea of what HR did. In fact, maybe it’s because their responsibilities span beyond the norm of just making sure employees are taken care of. We forget that under the HR umbrella comes payroll, benefits, recruiting, employee relations, and if not one of the most important components – the very first day.
This morning I read an article on the Times called “Getting New Employees Off To A Good Start” detailing how many companies these days are re-structuring the onboarding process in order to get their new members ramped up quickly and feeling like a part of the team. Too often, I have witnessed people on the first day kind of flailing and not having that structure the first day or first week being left to fend for themselves. It’s refreshing to see that companies are considering this a higher priority. So which of my favorite companies are paving the way? None other than Warby Parker, Birchbox, Thrillist, and a couple others!
Some Men Like Valentine’s Day
Like many little girls growing up, I always believed that Valentine’s Day was for the ladies! It was the one day that girls would acquire something sparkly, nibble into some chocolates, or even receive a bouquet of flowers. (This doesn’t happen in real life) For some reason, no one ever told me that guys were getting something out of it too. Of course, as I grew up I knew better. I knew that if I were to ever celebrate Valentine’s Day that it wouldn’t be all about me and that I would treat the relationship as being mutual. It still bothers me to this day to watch reality television shows in which girls expect to be treated like princesses at all times. I’m looking at you Heidi Montag.
I’m pretty proud of myself that I can still believe that chivalry isn’t dead, but also that girls can split meals, ask a guy out on a date first, or even WHOA treat their guys out to a date sometimes. It’s what keeps things exciting, right?
The point of this is that Valentine’s Day is a celebration for both you AND your significant other so enjoy it and girls – allow yourself to do something nice for your guy (not just on V-day) but other days too.
Blog Posts Roundup 1/15/13
1. Men’s Fashion…it’s something to be afraid of. Vern discovered this last week and it was just too ridiculous NOT to post. [Yahoo]
2. A little Japanese girl named Rino loves to eat the food that her mother makes her from all over the world. I can’t believe I spent this much time watching her eat, but it’s so cute. So worth it. Cuteness starts at 2:15. [Source]
3. It’s here! Check out Warby Parker’s annual report. It’s quite pretty. [Source]
4. OkCupid has launched a new dating app called Crazy Blind Date that will supposedly change dating for our generation. [Source]
5. I love spices. In fact, it’s always been a dream of mine to own a spice rack. I feel like you’re not a real adult unless you have one and actually use it. I have no idea what these spices taste like, but I found this post on [Cool Material] and I think any spice with this clever name has to be good. Or maybe it isn’t.
