I’m not much of a shopper. Most of my clothes come from secondhand stores, I don’t wear makeup, and I’ve had the same black bathing suit for the last five years even though I live at a beach destination. I do have one shopping vice – sunglasses. I love them. I wear them everywhere I go and I own dozens of pairs in various colors, shapes, and sizes. I have great vision but my eyes are sensitive to the light. I like to think of sunglasses as the best way to keep my perfect vision. I’ll even splurge on an expensive pair if I find ones that call my name. When the PR gal from Hammock & Palms reached out to me to review a pair of their sunglasses, I was elated. They are the solution to many of my sunglasses problems and they’ve found a permanent spot in my travel bag and my everyday life.

My eyes are so sensitive to the light that I usually wear sunglasses everywhere, including in the ocean and the pool. Swimming in the ocean with the sun reflecting off of the sea is the worst time for my eyes. Hammock and Palms glasses are UV 400, TAC polarized and made with 7 layer composite. The first layer is a polarizing layer, which is the core of the lens. It provides more than 99% of the polarizing effect, removing the vast majority of the glare you experience while enjoying the outdoors. The second and third layers are for bonding, and also serve to increase the lenses’ resistance to harsh environments. The fourth and fifth layers are the UV-absorbing layers. Over 99% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays are absorbed by the fourth and fifth layers. The sixth and seventh layers are the shock-absorption layers. They increase the lenses’ overall impact resistance and toughness. These layers also assist in preventing scratches, effectively extending the life of polarized lenses. Wearing glasses in the water so often taught me a cool trick for underwater shots as well. I love to get photos swimming and playing under water, but they always turn out with squinty, red eyes. So… I wear my sunglasses under water and avoid the squinty look. Even if I close my eyes, you can’t tell because the glasses hide them. I get odd looks when I head out into the ocean with my glasses on but I’d rather a few weird glances than strained eyes and difficulty seeing.

One of the coolest features of Hammock and Palms glasses is that they float. Yep, you read correctly. I don’t have to worry about getting hit with waves and loosing my glasses again. If they fall off, I’m going to find them. Athena knocks them off my my face and into the water; that’s ok! She wants to put them on to play in the water; that’s ok too. I know they aren’t going anywhere. Actually, I needed two pairs because Athena is so in love with my new sunglasses that she wants to have them on as much as I do.

Although Athena likes to have glasses on too, she doesn’t have the same appreciation for them as I do. When she gets her little hands on them, she can do big damage. I can’t count how many broke arms (sunglasses that is) that are in our van. With an active lifestyle and an even more active toddler, I need durable glasses. Every pair of sunnies comes with a Hammock & Palms bamboo case and soft bag to protect your glasses. All Hammock & Palms sunglasses also carry a lifetime warranty against defects due to manufacturing and a limited lifetime warranty is included for repairs/replacement due to normal wear and tear.

Hammock & Palms have tons of choices; I like the beachy look. Shades of blue and green are my first choice. While I prefer one tone, the Blue Hawaiian pair are an awesome slice of tropical paradise. I may need to get another pair as back-up. I think my Key Lime-a-Rita pair have already found a new owner. Weather I’m in Mauritius, like all the above photos, or at home in southern California, Hammock & Palms are the prefect match for me… and Athena.