Shopping in College Park

Alexander C. Nnabue knows that caring for eyes is really about caring for people. After earning doctor of optometry degrees from both Imo State University in Nigeria and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Dr. Nnabue decided to found his own company to help restore patients' ocular health. What began in 1994 as a single storefront has blossomed into six Visual Eyes locations throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Today, the caring doctor leads biannual medical mission trips to Africa, including one trip that, according to a 2006 Nigeria World article, put thousands of eyeglasses and medications in the hands of those in need. Dr. Nnabue also shares his knowledge as an adjunct faculty member at Pennsylvania College of Optometry, a senior examiner with the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, and an international instructor in countries including Israel and Norway. 

At Visual Eyes, he and his fellow optometrists use advanced technology to diagnose and treat various conditions. A trained technician manufactures lenses at an in-house lab, and Dr. Nnabue specializes in orthokeratology, a vision-correcting process that eliminates the need to wear glasses, contacts, or a sign that says, "Sorry for walking into you; I forgot my contacts or glasses." The team also prides itself on showcasing the latest designer frames, including Oliver Peoples, Prada, and Robert Marc.

Professional sleep counselors facilitate peaceful slumber at more than 80 Mattress Discounters locations nationwide, where showrooms brim with mattresses from brands such as Sealy Posturepedic, Tempur-Pedic, and Space Age Foam. Unlike pet stores, Mattress Discounters encourages customers to lie on the merchandise, as sleep counselors use the Discover Your Comfort system to ask questions about sleep position and comfort level. With this information in hand, client and counselor select the right mattress for restful slumber, with each sleep surface backed by a 60-night comfort guarantee.

Unlike your special lady's cucumber-melon rain-sprinkle lotion, the Combat-Ready Balm soothes razor burn and the effects of eczema and psoriasis, removes the itchiness from bug bites and scratches, and relieves sunburned, dry, or irritated skin. The balm has even seen combat while serving the dermal needs of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Skincando products, with their no-frills packaging and intense bold labels, not only mean business, they mean war.

A well-placed splash of sparkle from Ice can transform even the dowdiest duds into formal wear while drawing the human eye to any place you want it to go. Draw attention to your slender wrists and away from your third eye with a 925 bangle studded with clear cubic zirconias ($52) or a large stone bracelet ($50). Likewise, you can show off the toned earlobes you worked so hard to achieve at boot camp with some platinum-bonded hoop earrings shining with Austrian crystal ($48). And nothing says "Hey, look, décolletage!" like a five-flower, cubic-zirconia necklace ($52). You can also get a two-tone black onyx pendant ($36) or square and round stackable rings ($32) without breaking your bling budget. The website offers only a sampling of what you'll find in-store, so be ready to browse, just like when you spent two hours at the pet store because you couldn't figure out which puppy took your wallet.

Zelaya Shoes of Bethesda is a footwear palace housed beneath a cheery pink awning. Prices at Zelaya range widely; pick up a pair of Sweet Caroline Yellow flats from Chinese Laundry for $39 or a luxurious pair of Daquelo taupe suede booties from Chie Mihara for $349. Keep your torso firmly attached to your hips with a black suede zipper-detail belt from J.J. Winters for $165.

The Denim Bar serves up frothy mugs of stylish designer denim to the mid-Atlantic's chic shoppers, with an array of men's and women's jeans and more. Gents can comfortably cover regrettable calf tattoos with a pair of Naked & Famous slim guy jeans in black selvedge ($125), while ladies can gussy up gams with Acne Hex in Prod skinny jeans ($149). Other designer brands on tap at Denim Bar include AG, Nudie Jeans Co., Citizens of Humanity, 4 Stroke, and Sugar Cane & Co. For customers desiring non-denim duds, Denim Bar also offers apparel that hasn't been mined from the earth's natural jeans deposits. Bedeck your torso in the spirit of modal jazz with a Friend or Foe John Coltrane T-shirt ($48), or coax catcalls from cumulus clouds with the Three Dots Desert Night bandeau dress ($115). An assortment of accessories rounds out the Denim Bar inventory, with socks, sunglasses, and jewelry tempting fashionistas and stylesters alike.