Ginger Pelz

Before I left for Austin for SXSW Interactive, I announced I was creating a best-frames-at-south-by challenge. The #sxframeoff. While in Austin, I spotted some amazing spec appeal but also encountered a few unforeseen roadblocks in completing my challenge of finding the best glasses at SXSWi. These included:

• Getting past the fast-paced, go-go-go factor (nearly impossible to stop someone while they’re rushing from panel to panel)
• The problem of not being able to interrupt a group conversation in order to tell someone they have great frames
• Spotting someone with great glasses… on the escalator going the opposite direction from you
• The fact that I don’t yet have an iPhone with a flash on its camera – this inhibited my ability to take photos at night at the parties… one of the biggest challenges.

All that being said, I do think I found some great specs at SXSW. Below are my favorites:

@camh – His frames are Warby Parker

@ruffian

@fimoculous

@ericnakagawa – He orders his frames from Japan… love that.

@ashleykdwilson and @letsgoalltothe

Side view of @letsallgotothe‘s frames

Thanks to everyone who let me take their photos for the #sxframeoff. Until next year…

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To those that know me, it’s no secret I love glasses. Not only do I adore them for myself, I appreciate a good set of frames when I see them.

I recently ordered a new set of glasses from Warby Parker. If you don’t know much about them, the concept is amazing. They offer vintage-style frames, with prescription lenses (polycarb! and anti-reflective coating!) for $95. Besides being drop dead adorable, the best part is that for every pair they sell, they donate a pair to someone in need. That’s right – go do some good and order a pair NOW. (Disclaimer: No, I don’t receive any sort of compensation from Warby Parker from my endless evangelizing of their glasses. Although, perhaps I should.)

Here are my Zaggs that I’m obsessed with:

Okay, okay, enough about me. Why this post?

Well, I’m heading back to Austin again this year for SXSW Interactive (better known as South By Southwest) and I came up with an idea for a unique challenge.

My new glasses and general obsession with great frames has inspired me to challenge all SXSWi participants to a frame-off. Not a face-off, but a frame-off.

Throughout the week, I’ll be finding the best glasses at South By and posting them here on my blog (and Twitter and Instagram). I’ll be tweeting with the hashtag #sxframeoff, so make sure you follow along!

Think you’ve got the best glasses at SXSWi? Find me in Austin.

BRING IT ON and I’ll see you there!

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