//Posted in partnership with the ACUVUE® Brand which also covered my eye exam. All views are my own.
2017 has been a wild ride and the past summer and fall have been particularly busy and full on. From project managing the renovation of our beach house to two whirlwind trips back across the Atlantic to England for friends’ weddings, as well as running the business and having to have an emergency surgery, it all left me feeling absolutely exhausted. I was ready to escape for a weekend with my heart mate and do all the things I love to do to recharge: spend some quiet time reading, walking, riding and exploring a new-to-me place for inspiration in my own time. So, I headed to Hudson, NY for some much needed downtime.
Over the summer I was approached by ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses to try their new 30-day daily wear contact lenses. I’d been wanting to introduce contact lenses into my eye care routine for a year or so (before I was wearing glasses for driving and at the theatre etc.) as my husband has worn and been an advocate for contact lenses since we met eleven years ago. However, I’d still heard stories of people complaining about discomfort while wearing contact lenses and how they were annoying to put in and take out. So, I kept putting off exploring the possibility of wearing them. Now was the time for me to actually give them a go and see how I got on wearing lenses, but there was a twist…!
I was set up with an optometrist to get an eye exam, who also fitted me for contact lenses without me knowing the brand of lenses. I had one month with the first brand of contact lenses, but felt such a difference in comfort when I switched to the second set of lenses in month two, which I discovered were the ACUVUE® VITA ® Brand Contact Lenses
Both brands were 30-day wear lenses but the difference was so noticeable between them. The first brand left my eyes feeling dry and itchy by the end of the day, especially by the third week of the month. In fact, in the fourth week they were so uncomfortable I couldn’t wear them at all.
The experience wearing the new ACUVUE® VITA® Contact Lenses couldn’t have been more different. Thanks to their innovative HydraMax™ Technology they stayed comfortable throughout the entire month. Comparing my experience with the other lenses that I’d tried the month previous made the fact that the ACUVUE® VITA® lenses were just as comfortable to wear on day thirty as they were on day one, all the more impressive. The fact they were so reliable made the transition into wearing contact lens super easy. I don’t write this lightly but they truly transformed my eye care routine and are so much less obtrusive than wearing glasses for day-to-day activities. They were so comfortable to wear that I didn’t even feel like I wanted to take them out when relaxing at home, and they became part of my must-haves for travel.
I arrived in Hudson quite late so after a quick dinner and a long soak in the tub I headed to bed. Then, after spending the next morning relaxing in my hotel room reading and listening to music I popped downstairs to browse the newspaper and catch up with some of my favorite blogs. There’s something about a change of scenery and routine that does wonders for re-centering my body, both physically and emotionally. Even if I’m doing similar activities to what I do at home, I still notice the positive shift in my body.
I was in my element color hunting in Hudson.
After a slow morning at the hotel, I headed out color hunting. Hudson was full of the cutest little houses and had stacks of #MakeYouSmileStyle doors for me to capture. I loved that wearing the ACUVUE® VITA® contact lenses meant I had the benefit of clear vision while taking photos. When I used to wear glasses I had to take them off when taking photos as they prevented me from putting my eye right up against the viewfinder.
Golden hour is one of my favorite times of day, so I took a long ride though the town and surrounding country roads. The light was just incredible! I made a mental note to head back upstate soon. Do you wear contact lenses? I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether they transformed your eye care routine too.
// Styling by Will Taylor | Photography by Jean-Laurent Gaudy
Important Information for contact lens wearers: ACUVUE® VITA® Brand Contact Lenses are only available by prescription for vision correction as a daily wear lens with one-month recommended replacement. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional and ask for a Patient Instruction Guide, call 1-800-843-2020 or visit www.acuvue.com.
ACUVUE® and ACUVUE® VITA® are trademarks of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
©Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2016
101 Comments
Lovely photos Will, I’m glad you loved the Acuvue contact lenses so much – funnily enough, Acuvue are the brand of contacts that I wear, too! Ha ha! Also, Hudson looks like such a pretty place! I loved this post!
I hope you have a great Monday,
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.com
@Michael – Thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed the post! Love that you wear ACUVUE contacts as well! Happy Monday! 🙂
I was actually just talking to my boyfriend about potentially trying out contacts in the New Year! The world can be funny like that!! I guess this is the sign I needed to do it. Thanks Will!
@Justin – That’s serendipity right there! Go for it!
Hudson is the cutest and so are you! 😉
@Mags – Staaaaaaph!
I’m not surpised you are exhausted; what a year you’ve had. Glad you found some time to relax and thanks for sharing your contact lens experience with us. I still haven’t made the switch from glasses but maybe one day. Have a great week.
@Christina – Yes, it felt so good to relax for a few days. I was the same, I wanted to try them out for years and I’m so glad I did. Could be a great thing to try in the New Year? 🙂
The Stay Home Club jumper is so cute!!!! I personally love wearing glasses but I had debated wearing contact lenses before but I’ve always been so scared of putting anything in my eyes to be honest.
-Didier
http://www.didieryhc.com
@Didier – Awwww thanks! It’s sooo cozy! I was the same way but it honestly is completely painless and it’s a lot less physically obtrusive than glasses.
I have worn contacts since I was 13, maybe 14 🤔 I’ll be 50 in January so I honestly don’t remember! But suffice to say they were and have been a game changer. I was teased mercilessly about my glasses as a child and contacts saved me during my teen years. So glad that glasses are “cool” now for kids growing up in this day and age. In fact, I enjoy wearing them again though still mainly stick with the contacts! Love the Hudson doors, BTW!
@Deb – Sorry to hear you were teased about glasses as a child but I’m pleased contacts came to the rescue! 🙂
Absolutely love that blue door! And would adore one of those watches 😝 @itsjagerbitch
I love ACUVUE! I’ve been wearing them for years, since I’m too scared to get LASIK, haha. 🤓 @juangarcia
I have a vision of -13 so it’s very hard to find a contact lenses for me 😬 also couldn’t find a courage to wear them – the idea that something will be in my eyes…
Love your posts so much 🤗
IG: gukushka
I’ve spent so many years trying to find the perfect contact, and I think I finally set in a daily brand that fits my sensitive eye needs, but either way, I’m always looking for a more comfortable contact experience. I loved hearing your journey and seeing parts of your year in summary. I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from how you live life and incorporate positivity and color not only in your style but in who you are. Thanks for great photos and even greater conversations. While we’ve never met, I feel, in a way, like were friends.
—@Jonahronah
Hi Will!
Always love opening my Instagram and going directly to your stories! Always so informative and thought provoking. I love how much quality imagery you use as well, keep up the good work! You have a loyal following here and I’m so happy to be a part of your journey! Cheers! @dapperondemand
It’s about time(x) I left a comment on one of your posts! (See what I did there?)
I’ve always been on the fence about contacts, but have come to the realization that I’m just too lazy to deal with them haha. Plus I’ve grown to like the look of glasses on my face; I almost feel naked without them on 🤓
Insta: @brunchandbutts
Love this post, Will! Keep it up! @mikemcgue
@richie37
Hello, I am definitely looking forward on trying these acuvue vita contacts. I am a new follower and I want to congratulate on the great posts you create. Very inspirational!
Love your content so much!
Everything you do makes me smile 😊. Unfortunately I have ommetaphobia…but reading this post makes me want to give contacts a try. 🤞
The crisp warmth in all these photos is so good. What a great body of work to look back on one day 🙂- @bashbeard
Yes, glasses can be a pain! Especially for yoga! You mentioned at the theater as well. I’d like to extend an invitation for you and your husband to be my guest at Pride and Prejudice at the Cherry Lane theater. We just opened and tickets are almost sold out, but I can get you in! Thanks for the great posts and photos! Always a joy to see what you are up to. IG @shanedhudson
I wore contacts for the longest time until I got LASIK earlier this year! Best wedding present to myself 🙂
The watches in your instastory are gorgeous! My IG handle is @amybnis
Love your blog! Such an inspiration! Somebody i def look up to!
IG @cjciavatta
Loved the blog post – as with most things you post. Gotta give those Acuvue a try for sure!
@dvanvalk12
Love this Will, honestly mate so glad I have people like you to help inspire & motive me to keep on pushing! Side note, I love my contacts! Acuvue contacts just keep getting better too!
IG: @dcvanterpool
Love your blog. Keep up the great work!
@foodisgr8_ 👏🏼
Hi Will! I love your blog and IG! Your make you smile style always puts a smile on my face. 🙂 @ky.gm
I love following you on social media, reading your books and blog, and aspiring to be like you when I grow up ☺️ ❤️ ✨
IG: fbur182490
You’re a huge inspiration Will! I love all your work! Best regards, @migb22
Always love your posts and photos! And that “Stay Home Club” sweater is amaze 😍
@joeykirkpatrick
I want a proper front door just so I can paint it one of those fab colours! Damn NYC living! Great post as always. @geradams
Hey Will! I’ve been following you for about a year and seriously love your blog and insta posts! You are an inspiration and I love your sense of style!
@chasedaybell
Reading you is such an inspiration! Keep it up 😉
@el_landry
I love you.
@luisabravo88
It’s been almost 20 years since my first pair of contacts (oh, my 😱) and I’ve tried quite a few brands. Accuvue is the one I’m currently using and they are great! Glad you found the right one for you – having issues with your contacts just sucks. 😅 @luthiesen
Great advice ! Thank you -@MaxOrlandi
Stunning photos. So neat to learn where you draw your color inspirations from!
@notbinder
I’ve never tried ACUVUE, but multiple-day contacts freak me out. I know they can be safe, but dailies make me feel 100x more comfortable, both sanity-wise & physically. I have daily contacts from HUBBLE. I think you’d appreciate their branding and style. They’re also the cheapest daily contacts I’ve ever had the pleasure of buying. They also don’t leave my eyes dry like most dailies do. 10/10 would highly recommend.
Love the photos for this post as well. You have an eye for that color hunting! @KeatonJadwin
Book marking this post so I can save those door colors for future inspiration. 😍🙌🏼 @caitlinelliottt
Love it! Can’t wait for the final big reveal of the beach house! @princestagrammer
Loving your posts really much, and I think having a great contact lenses are crucial for me during the long-day working and studying, especially comfortable and hydrated. @doaneyip
I don’t need contact lenses, yet, but my vision has begun to really suffer and I can see needing them sooner than later. Keeping this in mind.
Also LOVE the women’s Timex watch in the IG Story that led me here. Totally swooned over that. <3 – @KirstenAlana
I have been needing new glasses and never thought of myself as responsible enough for contacts. I think I’ll look into more in the New Year. Great blog post and always a fan if you IG.
IG: nickalgarcia
I have heard so many contacts horror stories so it is nice to hear a better one! @michelleannwilk
Hey ! I am Honey Islam @beelicious_honey on IG!
Just found your Instagram recently and really enjoy your posts.
@brianthong (not a fake account, that’s actually my last name lol)
I actually just switched to Acuvue 30day contacts myself 2 months ago, with some hesitation over the comfort towards the end of the month. No regrets! Prefer not to wear glasses since I have a very active job, and I can’t believe the superior difference over my last brand of contacts.
Absolutely love Hudson, and the photos you captured there are beautiful! Did you drive on up there? Taking the train is just as scenic.
@bry.town
Love the Stay Home Club sweater! Where is it from? Yay! I’m glad you made the switch to daily contacts! They make going about daily life easier! I may check with my eye doctor about Acuvue VITA, seems so much comfortable! Great post 👌🏽 @luckimeer
Honestly, getting the proper contact lense brand is so vital. I’ve worn lenses for over a decade and there’s truly nothing more hainous than having to spend all day with you eyes burning because of bad contacts.
p.s. those Timex watches are to die for. IG luisdeburguete
Switching things up can really make a positive difference on your routine! You’re so right. Thabks for always having such a positive outlook on things! @austinryanstapp
Thanks* 🙂
Amigo, please give me that watch! 😉 Hahaha! IG @robertojaen
We all need a little down time now and again. My favorite is getting lost in a book as well. It’s amazing how time slows down and when reading a good book. I guess one would need a watch not to lose track 😏 handle- whatyoutalkingaboutwillis
Beautiful post as always! Love the blog.
@Walt.Jonas
I always love your color finds – those doors are amazing! 💕 And thanks for the opportunity to win your watch giveaway! IG: @michaelaraej
I truly desire to win the women’s times watch. It would actually be such a special gift. I had been living an incredible life of travel w/ the most incredible career. And suddenly became ill. My life flipped over entirely in the span of 24 hours. I’m climbing out of a battle w/ Lyme Disease and my money goes entirely to healing. So to be gifted such a classic & elegant Timex watch would be a delight!!!! I will wear it daily & it will serve as a symbol to return to a time or adventure & whimsy. My IG handle is @snapshotsofwellness.
I’ve been following you for a few months on IG and think you have awesome style – personal and home. My IG is @thebrettcrisp
I truly desire to win the women’s timex watch. It would actually be such a special gift. I had been living an incredible life of travel w/ the most incredible career. And suddenly became ill. My life flipped over entirely in the span of 24 hours. I’m climbing out of a battle w/ Lyme Disease and my money goes entirely to healing. So to be gifted such a classic & elegant Timex watch would be a delight!!!! I will wear it daily & it will serve as a symbol to return to a time of health, adventure & whimsy. My IG handle is @snapshotsofwellness.
Love seeing your travel posts! My partner and I have a young 2 year old so we are so anxious to get back to traveling as he gets older. In the mean time we can live vicariously through you!
Insta— @austinjohnson12
Hi, Will!
Love following your IG stories and blog. It is so nice to see a blogger who is open, honest, and engaging. Keep being you and inspiring others!
Patrick
@danger_willrobinson
I’m graduating from college at the beginning of December. I’m curious on what are some crucial things to look for in my first apartment in Seattle, Washington?
IG: @coltondunham
Had an awful experience with contacts, but excited to give this a try! Thanks for sharing! @asadh1
hi will! thank you for sharing your ideas, reflections, and colors.
sincerely,
edric @edriczeng
Love all of these photos! Sounds like you’ve had quite the year. Hoping next year will be just as eventful
@b_tang_
Your work ethic is enviable, I am so happy to have stumbled upon your Instagram page. I look forward to many more years engaging with your content. Keep up the good work, you are a true inspiration.
Sincerely
Fernando
@nancrd
Here’s a recent follower of yours. Love the way you coordinate your pictures, specially the ones involving interiors. I’m looking forward to purchase your book to get to explore more your ideas. Thank you for sharing’em. Cheers.
Jacob @jacobgamaliel
I’m originally from India and currently residing in Boston. I recently started following you and especially love your sense of style as well as how you work colour into your outfits. I know you’re known more for your travels and colour hunting escapades, but just so you know there are a bunch of things you are admired for that you don’t know, because you do bem so effortlessly. Thanks for bringing amazing hues and content to my feed, everyday!
Ig: @varshannaik
Love following your thoughts and life, Will! Seriously love your sense of style and outlook on life. If I evet need contacts. I’ll definitely look into this brand!
Forgot to put my IG handle! @drawdrewdrawing81
Love to give watches as holiday gifts. There’s something that’s just so classic about them. IG: brandon_wiles
Am I here for the Timex watch insta giveaway? Yes! But I’m also here to say 1) Will you’re one of only a few people I know who can actually pull off both the glasses and non-glasses look and have both naturally complement your face, 2) your story is beyond inspiring, and the things that you do and post continue to put a smile on my face daily, and 3) come hang out in dc with me sometime?
Instagram: @terpswag
Thankfully I have been blessed with good eyesight! Always a pleasure catching up! IG @mrryananthony
PS: that CK overcoat arrived and is a sweet dream!
Love your blog so much for inspiration all things lifestyle. Funny enough (my favorite color is blue and if you saw my apt you’d knowit too! Happy thanksgiving! @jacksullivan11
I’ve always wondered who clicks the photos in which you are the muse 🙂 Amazing feed btw. A nice break from the daily madness.
@shreyasanand
@Shreyas – Thank you! Appreciate you following along! I actually take almost all the pictures that I appear in myself using either a remote clicker or the live view app on my iPhone that controls my camera! The handful of pictures that I’m in that I don’t take I always credit the photographer! 🙂
Thank you so much for being a positive light on social media & the internet!!! I love the brand you’ve created for yourself. You’re an inspiration! Insta: @carissagould
Just got hard contacts as my prescription is really poor. But I have lots of friends that I’ll be happy to recommend them too since you love the product! @positively_rachael
Your content is always inspiring! Thank you for taking the time to share the things that are important to you.
thetamasovich
As always your blog posts always brighten up my day (and night as I am currently sipping my famously secret bourbon cocktail..shhh). I am so happy that we keep in contact on instagram, @thethomaskirk, and always have your post notifications on since they’re all amazing! Looking forward to see where the future takes us as designers!
P.S. In LOVE with the black watch! Such a classy and elegant piece
Thomas Kirk
@thethomaskirk
HI, Will! Thanks for reccomending the Baxter Clay Style Spray from your previous post—I love it! Will definitely check out these ACUVE contact lens as I’m also in the neighborhood of getting new contacts. Have a good one!
IG—@voranikhoonsrivong
Love seeing your posts, but more so your passion for great design and how that makes you happy and those who are lucky enough to utilize those spaces! Keep up the great work!
Also I never thought i needed glasses, but i find myself squinting even at restaurant menus, maybe I should actually look into contacts as well. Then again, i walked into a Warby Parker store yesterday and absolutely loved what I saw. So maybe I’ll just end up getting new glasses and contacts! @trevor_wass
Hey! I thoroughly enjoy seienrg your posts and following your career on Instagram! Most recently you had a clip on your story in partnership with tide – where are your shorts from!? The length is great and look comfy! Thanks for sharing your journey with us all 🙂 @_jo_briones
Relatable post since I wear the Acuvue brand for my eye contacts. Very comfortable! @_bernie1
Color hunting in Hudson could probably be its own blog! 🤗 I, too, breakaway for downtime on the weekends. When I lived in the city I would visit my friends in Hudson Valley and there was always a constant need to share the vibrancy of color through photos. One of my favorite things is door ornaments and door embellishments, whether utilitarian or decorative. There was something about the evening lighting and the vibrancy on otherwise historic-looking architecture. I’ve since moved from NY to New Mexico for work and I find similar experiences in Old Town Albuquerque and pretty much anywhere in Santa Fe.
I enjoy your blog and IG immensely! Cheers.
@byron_cpks
Hudson is great! Next time be sure to check out Source Adage, a premium fragrance specializing in incredible ambient fragrances (candles, room sprays, etc); the store is wonderfully designed too (everything is unisex, but definitely a masculine touch to it)! Also, the Hudson Food Studio is vietnamese fusion that will make your taste buds sing! Keep up the great posts, especially with those adorable doors…I have a thing for them too 🤤🙃
IG: _evanbernard_
What a great article.
I always find it interesting when people talk about their eye-wear. My ex would have to do the same as you (and a great deal of people) where he would have to wear his glasses to the theater or while driving or using the computer for extended periods of time while drafting (he’s an interior designer). One of his main reasons for not ever wearing lenses was the fact that they do dry out and get to be so uncomfortable that he’d rather just put on his glasses.
It’s so good to know that there’s a brand out there that has such a high recommendation that I can pass along. Beautiful photos, like the ones you consistently take, are hard to take through a lense of a lense so I’ll definitely pass this information on to other friends in the arts (and life) who wear contacts.
On the note of your photos, I absolutely love the color scheme of your projects and home as well as the card that you take into the beautiful airBnBs that you select. I’ve been following you since maybe late Spring and love keeping up with your stories and photos! Keep up the beautiful work and never stop smiling!
My name on Instagram is @leonheartedboy.
You do a great job of not letting the business get to you too much. At least from the outside perspective. I try my hardest to stay thankful and present in the daily moments. I think you do an amazing job of that. Thanks for sharing you and your gifts and blessings.
@lukasehlke
Got my first pair of glasses this year and love wearing them! Except for when reading a book in bed on my side, as they get pushed around all funky!
@nikelleiscool
Love the color #makeyousmilestyle color hunting photos! Those doors are so fun!!
Creatively,
@trent_morrison
Such a huge fan of your blog and instagram! Loved the womens watch in your insta-story! I just moved to NYC and have been interviewing a ton and could use a beautiful piece of arm candy like that to add to my professional wardrobe & accessories collection! Please pick me, @megeprince !!!
Loving the mid-century style! I also highly recommend LASIK; I recently just had the procedure and it is absolutely life changing! Thanks for the beauty ❤️
@amberleebe
I’ve been wearing my Warby Parker’s for a few years now, been thinking about going back to contacts! Also been thinking about starting to wear a watch again, but I’ve been keeping my eye out for a cool vintage one, maybe should give Times a try! @typikyl
Love your blog posts, they’re all neat and bright, so Scandinavian, maybe you were a Viking in your past life :p
Have been using contacts since I was 12 years old, 25 now, long time has passed but I can’t really wait until I can get my eyes lasered, everyone says after laser it’s like viewing the world in HD, can’t live much longer without knowing what that feels like 🙂
@oleandres on insta 😄
Beautiful pictures as usual
IG: schweppity
I love that you are doing giveaways. I’m a big fan of your work, and seeing you are willing to share with others, speaks highly of you. Looking forward to keep on reading your feed.
Xoxo
@hectorrochas
In an age of sponsored posts, you always manage to create content that is not only beautiful to look and enjoyable to read, it’s incredibly on brand. So keep that up.
Also I just learned so much about contact lenses and I don’t ever wear them!
Keep up the good work!
xJ
@studiojake
I wear Acuvue contacts and have for years – love them!
The Timex watches on stories are gorgeous. 💕💕
@mishamonet on Instagram
Hi Will,
Glad you’ve found so much success with your ACUVUE contacts! After wearing contacts for over a decade, I recently decided to discontinue using contacts, as my eyes felt extremely tired at the end of a long day. Daily contacts were always a bit out of my price range, so I’ll definitely look into the VITA lenses – fingers crossed I’ll love them just as much!
Thankful for your blog & IG,
Christian | @cnadames
P.S. Love that maple leaf shirt – where’d ya get it?
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