DIY Bright Sunglasses

When I was in high school, I worked as a leader for my city’s day camp.  It was one heck of a job: eight weeks of hikes and cookouts and archery and songs and the world’s best coworkers.  We made lanyards and had a Western Week and took Friday off to hit the local lakes for some swimming.  I loved it so much- I figure if I ever get in the position where I have two months off in the summer I’m totally going back.  

Every Thursday after work, the families of the campers headed up to meet us at camp.  Armed with blankets and picnics, we all ate before assembling for a campfire of songs and skits.  (My favorite might have been the group of 3rd graders we wrangled into singing Huey Lewis’s ‘Naturally,’ complete with a lead singer and back-up dancer wadda-boomers.)  After camp, we all split up and the leaders drove home together.  And that’s when it happened, one summer night in 1997.  My coworker said, shortly after the solstice: “Welp, that’s it.  We lose a minute of light a night from here on out.”

I’ve never forgotten it because while it’s true, really, doesn’t it just remind you to pause and appreciate every moment of summer?  To revel in the daylight and the sunshine and keep a little day camp spirit alive?  That’s why we’re making a quick DIY project today: an upgrade for your sunglasses.  Jazz ’em up with bright color and wear them all summer long!

In the spirit of day camp, we’re keeping our materials uber simple:

– a bottle of nail polish in your desired bright shade
– an inexpensive pair of sunglasses
– masking tape

(I know what you might be thinking.  You might be thinking “couldn’t you use a glossy acrylic craft paint?” And you’d be right!  You totally could.  However, I prefer nail polish for two reasons.  First, I’m way more likely to have a bright and fun shade of nail polish just sitting around the house begging to be used.  And second, I find that nail polish is formulated to dry without the streaks and irregularities you sometimes get with acrylic paint.  But if that’s what you’ve got?  Go with it!)

First, use a bit of scrap paper and the masking tape to protect the lenses and front part of the frame.

Apply the polish in a thick coat to each arm.  

Depending on how opaque your shade is, you may need to apply more than one coat.  Make sure that you let each coat dry for at least 20 minutes before applying the next coat.  Also- use a lot of polish, but spread it!  You don’t want it to be so gloppy that the polish runs and creates funny looking drips.

Once you’re done, let the final product dry for at least an hour or two (depending on how many coats you applied). 

 I let mine dry overnight to make sure that they were really dry and the polish could hold up to a little jostling and use.

Then, put together a bag for the beach or park!  Toss in your favorite book and some snacks.  Izze sent me some tasty cans of their sparkling juices, so I loaded up on those to include in the bag. (I especially love the sparkling apple!  Mmmmm).  

And don’t forget your new sunglasses!

(That’s my new meyer lemon tree in the background there.  Haven’t killed it yet!)

Do you have a favorite Izze flavor?

My day camp leaders would be totally proud of me.  I’m thinking I need to pick up some googly eyes and popsicle sticks for my next craft.  😉

 

Big thanks to Izze for sponsoring this post!