Kahoy Kollections

(All pictures by me.)

(Ralph Santos of Kahoy Kollections)

As mentioned in my previous post, I am all about frames right now. I work on the computer all day and night (both jobs require me to be on the computer. Designers will know what I am talking about.) It has affected one of my eyes slightly. Although my eyesight has allowed me to be able to have the option of not wearing glasses (it's not that bad,) I am realizing the seeing makes me work and perform smoother.

And I am so glad that there are so many affordable options for me now.

Meet my friend Ralph Santos. He is an entrepreneur and one of his businesses is Kahoy Kollections, a collection of "Bamboo Sunglasses, Handmade Wooden Glass Frames, and Awesome Wood-Textured Glass Frames."

These frames are super light and stylish! They are comfortable on and it doesn't feel like I have them on. I love the natural texture. Some are pressed wood and some are wood grain resin. 

I did some research and there is one other company in competition to Kahoy. Kahoy's prices are pretty competitive. The other company charges around $200 for frames. Kahoy starts and $89.99! 

(I'm wearing Branch in Plum... with a peak of SistarGirl Doorknocker earrings.)

For that price, adding about $50-$60 dollars with prescription lenses, you STILL save than when you go to the optometrist boutiques!

Check out Ralph's quick segment on a Japanese TV show:

Alongside with Kahoy Kollections, and artist and designer named Yolanda Jo sells besides Ralph at the Melrose Trading Post, every 1st and 3rd Sundays. I didn't take Yolanda's pic but this is her adooooorable pup, Haley, wearing feathers and a bow necklace. Yolanda sells original canvases, earrings, rings and bows. More on her stuff later when I take more pics.

Here is me with one of her feather earrings!

I truly love the Melrose Trading Post! There are so many great finds and GREAT prices! It's better to buy from these business owners straight from them. The prices are even better than what they have online!

Infinity scarves for $12 each or 2 for $20

Cute novelty HK necklace for $10

Fun Vader rings

Anatomical doberman baseball shirt for $20

And as you hang out around Melrose, walk around and notice the great street art. You don't need a gallery to check out this collection!

Warby Parkers

 

(Emporio Armani glasses)

Don’t get me wrong. I love the fact that my job gives me benefits and they are pretty decent. Not having health insurance while a full-time artist was a downside to being self employed. But now I have the benefits, the eye care is not that entirely great. First off, glasses have always been way too expensive for my fickle taste. Granted, I get some coverage but $500 glasses end up being around $320 and that is still a lot of money.

Because of that, I’d have to pick the “safest” design and it ends up being boring, especially since my styles change daily.

And as much as I love these duo-tone Emporio Armanis, it cuts my vision sight in half.

It took me about a year to mosey myself over to Warby Parkers. I knew about them last year but completely forgot about it until a friend at work reminded me about them and bought a couple of pairs.

 

$95- designer frames and lenses.

 

$95!!!

 

 

That is more than half the price of the Ray Bans I wanted to get at LensCrafters. (With the discount, it was $320 before insurance.)

 

 

I took advantage of the Try-on offer; 5 frames, 5 days, free shipping.

 

(From top to bottom: Crosby, Roosevelt and the Thatcher)

 

I'm pretty sure you will see all the fashionista bloggers looking all cute in their frames. I will not bore you with another selfie photoshoot. (Besides, I'd feel silly doing that.) But the concept of being able to be at home and at your leisure, try on the frames before buying.)

 

I've done two rounds, which I am glad I did because frames that I thought would look good on me ended up being okay.

 

What I am loving about the selection is that there is SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. Which means, they cover all shapes of faces.

 

 

My first purchase was the slate blue Holt.

 

A week later, I decided to get the Thatcher in Revolver Black.

 

So now I went from one frams to now owning two of different styles and I still didn't pay the price as I would get if I went to the optometrist. I am ENAMORED with my new frames that I can see myself buying two more frames before the end of the year.

 

 

As if it weren't cool enough that they send you the frames to try on at home (there are two showcases in LA but being so busy, I don't have time to get there,) they have a WARBY PARKER CLASS TRIP school bus that also equals to a pop-up shop!

 

 

This is located at 8201 W. 3rd Street, LA

 

This pop up shop has almost every frame possible in the collection. It was like being a kid in a candy shop being able to check out all the difference styles. I am thinking that my next purchase should be prescription sunglasses, being that my optometrist say that the sun still damages the retina of the eyes. Well, sounds good to me and the best part is, my insurance will cover some of it!

 

 

I went from being vain and not wearing glasses to being vain and owning four pairs! My next post will be about Kahoy Kollection, all wood frames and more!

 

 

 



 

 

 



Neutrals with a punch of red

Neutrals with a punch of red by alfienumeric featuring enamel jewelry

Short sleeve shirt
modcloth.com

Just Female blazer
$80 - welikefashion.com

SuperTrash skinny leg jeans
$100 - welikefashion.com

Christian Louboutin high heels
bergdorfgoodman.com

Lenox red clutch
fashion.ebay.com

Watch
ashford.com

Enamel jewelry
thelimited.com

Charlotte Russe stretch rings jewelry
charlotterusse.com

Bvlgari perfume
$93 - escentual.com

For Sumantha

For Sumantha by alfienumeric featuring hardware jewelry

Gryphon NY scoop neck top
£93 - oxygenboutique.com

D G asymmetrical jacket
$1,310 - stylebop.com

Drop crotch harem pants
$71 - coggles.com

Jessica Simpson platform stiletto heels
$90 - heels.com

3 1 Phillip Lim clutch hand bag
$425 - barneys.com

Coral jewelry
fashion.1stdibs.com

Kate Spade hardware jewelry
$248 - katespade.com

Jane Norman gold tone jewelry
€11 - janenorman.co.uk

5th Annual Divine Feline Festival
:"An Ode to Hip Hop"
A BENEFIT TO AIDE J.U.I.C.E. LOS ANGELES

Downtown Los Angeles,

Women of Music, Art, Fashion, & Community, Proudly Present
In Honor of The Female Energy...

Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

    We would like to extend our invitation and formally invite you to our one of a kind event! With our 5th Year of commitment to the arts, entrepreneurship, music, and fashion, we bring you this year's Divine Feline "An Ode to Hip Hop." 

    Inspired by the front runners and ladies who paved the way in Hip-Hop. Holding its place and staying true to roots. Dedicated to the women who  continue to survive and keep their dreams alive in a male dominated culture. 

    On October 22, 2011 at Venue SIX01, 601 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles 90023.

    This all-female cavalcade of creativity spans across the artistic spectrum and will include live performances from known rapper Lady Mecca formally of "Digable Planets." Winning a Grammy Award for best Duo in 1994. Will be honored as a trailblazer of Women in Hip-Hop and for supporting our community. Also included in the festivities is an ARTVante Garde fashion show featuring works of Aspiring Designers. The only Fashion show of its kind, themed "Elements of the Past, in the Present, for the Future B-girl." Designer/Artists take on the future of B-girl Dance Wear. Coinciding this year with L.A. Fashion Week! Let's not Forget to mention that Hip-Hop started with the DJ and we have an array of female Dj's blessing the tables with all genres of music extending our hours to 4am!! 

    Please join us and be part of this special event to honor the divine spirit and help spread love through arts and entrepreneurship. Come early to enjoy special performances, live art, raffles, exhibitions and more! Stay Late to enjoy the Dance Party! 

Love & Blessings,

Divine Feline Los Angeles

============================

Hey, folks! I'll be featuring my art at this art/fashion/music show tomorrow at the 5th Annual Divine Feline Art Benefit. The proceeds of the show will go towards supporting one of LA's beloved hip hop youth empowerment workshop programs. True hip hop DOES save lives. Keep the kids off the streets and away from violence and drugs by providing them a creative outlet and a safe nurturing space to create, build and grow.

Check out the full email  blast year. Big ups to STAR for showcasing me as the featured artist of the blast: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=lxag76hab&v=001zHmPEHN4waMomAXuDT2qsZx9joJ5ufCs_yOGRrRKXyyEvQOPnp2pQlkNmFxSDgvKqAP_f8CpKBE9bRspNZsHakvKG8ZVW9QsNaTl-HEVz2pagsiCFpFQdg%3D%3D