It's An LA Thing: My Developing Love For Glamorous Designer Shades & A Ray-Ban Sunglasses Giveaway

I think I have said this before, but before Los Angeles I never really gave much thought to sunglasses, aside from having a cheap pair from Topshop or Accessorize (or even free with Tatler, they were some of the best frames I ever had) to keep the sun out of my eyes, having different styles to suit different outfits and situations never really bothered me. I never gave them much credence as an accessory, and while I could understand people dropping a ludicrous amount of money on a pair shoes or a designer handbag, I thought people who spent money on designer frames (I'm talking sunglasses not glasses glasses here, I adore my mothers Dior reading frames) were just that little bit crazy. Now however, I think because I now live in a city where it is bright and sunny most of the time, and you can get suitable beach weather in January, I have changed my tune.

White Miu Miu Sunglasses c/o SmartBuyGlasses: C$142.95

Again, I think is has something to do with living in Los Angeles now, that some of my last few brand collaborations have included my reviewing designer sunglasses. First it was a pair from Alexander McQueen, and now Canadian glasses retailer SmartBuyGlasses have been kind enough to send me this beautiful pair of white Miu Miu shades. (I'm not trying to boast that I get cool free designer stuff, by any means, I'm just ticking the legal full disclosure boxes here, and trying to make the point that I would not have forked out for these glasses myself. The amount of time I spend in front of my glowing computer screen working on this blog, it does not surprise me that my eyes might need shielding from the Californian sun!) Now, as I have said, maybe it is an LA thing and I'm turning into one of those Beverly Hills girls you see on E! (god forbid!) but after owning a pair of designer sunglasses pairs, and I've worn them in a climate that is not as rainy as England, I think I understand the investment. Even more importantly  I think I might actually consider spending my own money on a pair of designer frames sometime in the future. Take these Miu Miu's for example. Pretty, white and shopping in Beverly Hills wearing them for the first time made me feel ultra glamorous. I love that they are round but they don't make you feel too deco; and they are also very subtle in design.

Kudos to Miu Miu for the glasses coming in this simply beautiful pink Miu Miu box, monogrammed cleaning cloth and this simply incredible velvet glasses box that has taken pride of place in my handbag, but I need to give a shout out to SmartBuyGlasses Canada for including a free lens cleaning kit complete with cloth, spray and a repair screwdriver with every glasses order. Not only will it help me keep my Miu Miu's in mint condition, but it will help me take care of some of my other shades that did not come as well packaged. 

So it is all very well SmartBuyGlasses sending me a new pair of sunglasses, but they have offered a pair of these pretty awesome (if it were not for my Miu Miu's I'd be more than a little bit jealous) Ray-ban Clubmasters for me to giveaway to one of my lucky readers! The competition will run through until March 14th, and as always will run via Rafflecopter. To be in with a chance of winning, like SmartBuyGlasses Canada and Rachel Phipps on Facebook, follow SmartBuyGlasses Canada and Rachel Phipps on Twitter, and Tweet @sbg_ca what your favourite pair of sunglasses are - good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway