Women are passionate about fashion!

Posted on February 15, 2012 by corinnem

I just got off the phone with one of my dear customers, Nadine.  She called because she desperately wanted to buy one of our eyeglass chains but didn’t know where to purchase it….so Nadine did what any committed shopper would do, she googled our company and called us!  Ironically, I was the only person in the office, so I answered the phone!

But I want to share this story with you because it tells you something about how persistent someone will be when he or she want something.  Many people don’t realize how important these precious accessories are to our customers, but once you use them, you know how important these little things are!

Nadine’s story is so fabulous, I have to share it!  She was in Bloomingdales and saw a salesperson with a great eyeglass chain.  The salesperson didn’t recall where she bought the chain or who designed it (she didn’t know about our little CMC logo tag!).  Anyway, she offered to call Nadine as soon as she remembered where she bought it.  (Bloomingdales, this woman is great on customer service!).  Two weeks went by and she finally remembered and called the customer back.  She directed her to our website to buy the chains…….but there was a glitch on our website and it said we don’t sell chains any more. (Note: this is so not true!)

So this brilliant, determined passionate woman called our New York showroom.  We were her last resort and she wanted to know why we didn’t sell the chains anymore.  Fortunately, I was working late (I often do!) and we spoke on the phone.  She is so excited to buy these chains and told me how her friends love the chains so much they often travel with several of them.

We can look at technology and say how impersonal it is.  But you can also see the beauty of technology that allowed this woman to reach me!  We had the nicest conversation and her persistence has inspired me to write this new blog!

The moral is when you want something, go for it!   Also, I love to hear from my customers.  To the average customer, a brand may seem big and impersonal, but I am a real person who cares passionately about my customers and our products.  Keep in touch!

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How Not to Look Old: Charla Krupp

Posted on February 1, 2012 by corinnem

On Tuesday, I opened my email to see very sad news. My dear friend, Charla Krupp, had passed away due to breast cancer.  Charla was a very special woman with great style, wit and sense of humor.  Charla was an author, a fashion correspondent on television, and an editor at Glamour magazine.

My special relationship with Charla started when she worked on the Today Show as a fashion correspondent.  As she was nearing 40 she was very interested in reading glasses having recently begun to need them herself. She understood my design philosophy and the need for reading glasses to be sexy, fashionable and fun.  We talked about Katie Couric since Katie had already started wearing my reading glasses.  Charla immediately called Katie and made sure to pick up a few extra pairs for her.  Charla understood the concept of a wardrobe of reading glasses. We agreed that we have hundreds of pairs of shoes, handbags and such for different outfits– why wouldn’t we want a variety of reading glasses as well?

A few years later, Charla called to tell me about her new idea for a book.  She wanted to share her secrets on how to look younger.  When you met her for the first time, you knew she had lots of ideas to look and feel young.  Her book, How Not to Look Old was on the New York Times bestseller list for 15 weeks. I was as excited as she was!   In one chapter, Charla talked about eyewear and how the wrong eyewear could age a person.  She selected my reading glass collection as the best in the industry for keeping a woman looking young.  She demonstrated how I design glasses that actually give your face an instant lift!

This book made an impact on women.  At a personal appearance in Bloomingdales months later, a woman came up to me with Charla’s book. She had read it cover to cover and was implementing every one of Charla’s tips. She lost weight and was wearing sexy jeans, had whitened her teeth, and colored her hair.   She came to Bloomingdales looking for help to select the right glasses for her. Her original style was plain rimless glasses that made her look matronly.  I immediately selected a few new colorful reading glasses and she improved her appearance immediately!  She bought our glasses and took them to an optician to put her prescription in them – so cool!

I am so sorry that this world lost a great woman like Charla.  I feel compelled to share her story with you.  If you have not bought her books, How Not to Look Old or How to Never Look Fat Again, do so.  They are a gift to you from Charla. She wrote them with a sense of humor but also with an ability to understand and support women into being their best!  I will miss you my friend.

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New Year with Magical Results and No Resolutions

Posted on January 4, 2012 by corinnem

Happy 2012! As many people are making their New Year resolutions, I myself will not be making one. I have found that in order to lead a successful and satisfying life, you need to be honest with yourself and keep your word. Many people will set out in the new year to lose a specific amount of weight or exercise a specific number of times a week. However, I believe one should focus on making realistic goals about living a healthy lifestyle and stick to it.  The key to being successful is to be present in your life and handle whatever you set out to accomplish.

I used to say I needed to exercise more.  But about 3 years ago, instead of just making a statement, I actually set a certain time of the day when I would exercise and made a commitment to myself to keep that appointment!  I realized the best time to exercise for me was early in the morning.  I wasn’t a morning person, but I started getting up at 6AM and walking 2.5 miles in the park.  I have continued to stick to it and it has been great for my body and soul!

I also used to say that when I lose weight, I will treat myself by buying nice clothes.  Instead, I bought nice new clothes for the weight I was at.  Then I looked at what I was eating, modified my diet, and focused on sticking to it.  Since then, I have taken nearly 30 lbs off.  I continue to modify my diet and exercise so that I feel well inside and out. I also started doing yoga about 2 years ago.  Yoga is great to keep your body fit and conditioned so that you look and feel younger.

Regarding fashion, do you have clothes that you wear on so-called “fat” days?  These clothes are usually too big and fall very loosely around your body.  You may think that these are good clothes to keep around for that type of day.  Well, I have a new way of thinking – get rid of those old clothes!  You should wear clothes that make you feel good and look great!  You don’t need that old ripped sweatshirt, or those saggy pants!  Get rid of them and keep only your best clothes.  You may find that no matter how you feel, when you put on nice clothes, you will shine!

While you are at it, get rid of those old glasses and buy something more colorful and fun!  A new accessory is a great way to re-vamp your look in 2012 and you will be amazed at how much you can change your look with fresh, new glasses!

For this New Year, I suggest that you visit the website of my dear friends Ariel and Shya Kane.  Their blog is at www.transformationalmoments.com.  I have known them for 7 years and have attended their workshops regularly.   By listening to their radio shows, reading their books and attending their workshops, my life has become much happier and richer.   Please follow their blog and see if your life transforms too!

Happy New Year to all of you!

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