Pick your own farms are a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors while collecting and harvesting your own delicious and healthy foods. It’s a great activity to do alone or with a crowd! During these unprecedented times, nutrition and boosting our immune systems is vital to lead a healthy and happy life. Here in Rhode Island, we have many cities which boast wonderful and hardworking farmers. Why not enjoy those delicious fruits and foods that much more while supporting local and independent farmers in your state?!
 
Some of our favorite places to pick your own include:

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3. Love the sound of waterfalls? Well, surprisingly there are some truly beautiful falls here in Rhode Island! Take a “Rhode” trip (pun intended, ha) to see some of the best ones for photo ops and a day outside in the warm sun! Our suggestions: Harrisville Falls in Burrillville, Ponagansett Falls in Scituate, The Falls at Slater Mill in Pawtucket, and Shannock Horseshoe Falls in Richmond. Splish Splash! 

5. How about some wine in a dreamy farm setting? At the historic Andrew Brown homestead in Chepachet sits the beautiful Mulberry vineyards and venue. Check the web site for Covid-19 safety and hours: https://www.mulberryvineyards.com
​ It is definitely worth the trip. Occasionally you can even catch live music during the tastings.
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We understand that these challenging new times have changed our sense of normal, but we still need to have fun and find a sense of balance in our own lives. The above activities are perfect for spring, but be sure to always call for hours, restrictions and current safety practices before embarking on your fun trip for the day, 

Also, don’t forget to take your sunglasses. A day out in the sun requires eye protection. We can help if you’re looking for that fashionable edge to compliment your spring wardrobe! Call 401-521-6789 to speak with one of our frame stylists or visit us at 1277 Hartford Ave., Johnston, RI, you can also visit our web site www.OPTXrhodeisland.com

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Of course, if you find yourself outdoors during this winter season, it’s still a top priority to protect those precious eyes of yours! Oftentimes, people believe you don’t need as much eye protection during the colder months. This could not be more wrong! If anything, sometimes you may need it more! The sun’s rays are highly reflective off of snow and even ice, causing them to penetrate deeper into our eyes. Be sure to wear polarized and UV protected eyewear during your day trips! OPTX eyewear cares about your health and we’re dedicated to helping you choose the best options for your eyewear and eyecare. Contact us at (401)-521-6789 with any questions or concerns, or to book an appointment. 

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2. Less Electronics and Social Media Presence – Electronics and smart devices can be found all around us these days. From the shop you order your coffee from, your nightstand, all around your home and work place. The information overload that we receive on a daily basis can be quite exhausting to process. Never mind the daily social media posts that you see. Social media can definitely burden our mindsets with thoughts of how we should look, how we should feel, what we should like or what’s trendy. Taking time to disconnect and live more in the moment can bring you far more peace than you’d imagine. Start by giving yourself 30 minutes before bed of no-phone or no-television time. Gradually increase time off each day or night and you’ll begin to notice that eventually, you don’t reach for your electronics every waking second that you have free.

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5. Tea Time – Sometimes a cup of your favorite warm tea is all you need to wind down after a long day. This is definitely an activity that many of us take for granted, yet it is so simple and soothing. There is something about smelling and sipping fresh warm tea that brings a feeling of ease and relaxation over us. Drinking warm liquids throughout the day helps our lymphatic systems as well, so if you’re a tea lover you’re one step ahead. Be sure to limit caffeine throughout the day so that you can have a restful night’s sleep though! Grab your cutest mug, put on some cozy lounge wear and enjoy that warm cup of tea for at least 5 minutes in your day.
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8. Exercise – One of the most important, if not THE most important self-care technique and method is to simple get more exercise. Movement is amazing for our bodies in practically every way possible. From detoxing effects, to weight loss, mood boosting and better sleep, exercise may even be your only answer. Exercise can in turn to a new hobby as well if you decide you love it! It should also be noted that you do not have to sweat yourself into a mess each time you work out. A simple walk, jog, yoga, meditation or stretching can also count as exercise. The beauty of moving our bodies is that it also stimulates and moves our mind. The benefits to exercise are endless. If you’re truly looking to invest in yourself and your health, exercise will be one of your top answers. Take your dogs for a walk, go for a swim, take the stairs instead of using the elevator, pop by the gym a few times a week or download a free workout e-book from online! The possibilities here are truly endless. 

Your health is important to us, and that includes your eyes! If you’re concerned about your eye care or would like to book an appointment with one of our doctors, please call us at (401)521-6789 or visit us at www.optxrhodeisland.com. We are located at 1277 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, Rhode Island. 

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East Side Pockets - This unique spot offers amazing middle eastern cuisine with a fun counter-serve environment. They have short wait times so it’s great when your time is on a budget. This joint is also located on Thayer Street. Many have boasted of the cleanliness and the fresh ingredients. Grab a kebab wrap or some falafel and enjoy it! ​

Kleos - Kleos Restaurant focuses on traditional Greek cuisine while hosting the perfect environment to dine-in. Although it may not be as quick to get your food as some of the options listed above, it’s the perfect greek joint to pop into and grab a three-course lunch if you’ve got the time. It’s truly impeccable food and seasoning makes this a highly-rated restaurant right in downtown Providence off of Westminster Street. ​

Capes, Not Drapes → Capes are sooo big right now in the fashion world. Whether they are long, short, tied around the neck, with buttons, or over the head, these capes make a wonderful staple in your closet for fall fashion. Capes (and oven ponchos) have been making steady comebacks after a few years. Each time they do, more twists and turns are incorporated into the designs. It’s perfect for a quick outing in the city, or if you’re looking for that extra warmth and style without a bulky jacket. 

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Meow? Rawr? → Yes! Our beloved feline prints are back in action! Designers all over the world have recently started reincorporating feline prints into their designs. Prints of this nature tend to die down then come back a few years later, and we’re here for it. You’ll find plenty of leopard, tiger and cheetah type prints in many of this years fall fashion. When done in the right way, it can make your outfit one to remember. As always, be sure to stay cruelty free!

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Food, Water, and Denim → Now it’s time to get back to our beloved essentials. These include denim’s. In particular, we’ve seen tons of light-wash denim featured for this Fall 2019. Light wash denim jeans and outwear was a hit in many men’s lines. Not to say women didn’t sport their designer denim outfits either. We’ve seen a huge rise in the denim-on-denim trend as well. Men can coordinate some awesome light-wash (distressed too) denim pants with a fun fall jacket for that day/night out. We think a denim top and denim bottom on a male is super cool and trendy for the season. Don’t forget that a light wash will still show off that tan that is slowly fading from the summer months, and in all honesty, we never want those to end!

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Knitted Tops Permitted → Aaaaah, yes. Knits, knits and more knits. Knit sweaters and tops of all kinds have debuted fashion shows all around the world this year. We’ve seen plenty in the past, but the new twists are something to be seen. Not only do knitted sweaters and shirts look amazing on both men and women, they truly make your fall fashion looks super cozy and put together. Paired with some boots or fall sneakers, you really can’t go wrong. Play with colors, styles and textures and pick yourself up a few new tops for this autumn season. Knits are truly wonderful to wear in just about any occasion as they are highly versatile!

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With so many more fashion trends emerging every season, it can be hard to stay on top of what is in-style. Typically, many things never truly go out of style unless it is a new fad. If something does happen to go out of style, it usually tends to circulate and make its way back around in upcoming years. Invest in some trendy clothing and buy good quality so you can swap with years to come. Who knows, you may even be the person to bring something back into style that is considered to be outdated! 

If you’re in Rhode Island and looking to do some shopping, we highly recommend stopping by Garden City Shopping Center. It’s a beautiful, fun environment and you are not contained to one massive building. With stores like Anthropologie, Banana Republic, J.Crew and many more, you’ll find yourself strolling around with your coffee and enjoying the fresh air. For accessories and more, we highly recommend Flaunt Boutique in Greenville. Lastly, if you’re looking for some hot shoes to match your new outfit, Providence Place Mall has plenty of stores to offer!

If you’re in need of eyewear this upcoming autumn season, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are always up-to-date at OPTX Rhode Island with emerging trends and new designer lines. We love to see what designers offer for eyewear as the seasons change and what new styles are being incorporated. One of our frame stylists or opticians can help you pick eyewear that is fitted perfectly for you and your budget. Stop by our gallery or get in contact with us! We’re located at 1277 Hartford Avenue, Johnston Rhode Island. You can also reach us via telephone at (401) 521-6789. Most certainly feel free to browse through our website as well: www.optxrhodeisland.com. 

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