Slowing down (for just a second)

It's been about a month now since I've been promoted, and it's a big reason why my online presence has been dwindling. It's awesome and terrifying and stressful all at the same time. Awesome because I'm making a ton more money, and now I'm well on my way towards having a career rather than just a job. Terrifying because I've never had a position in management before and I always feel like I'm going to screw something up horribly. A lot of responsibility falls on my shoulders now. Stressful because I work six days a week, averaging 50 hours a week. Already I've learned so much. Some things, I wish I didn't have to learn. I've realized just how superficial retail can be, and it drains me some days. Work has been taking up a majority of my waking hours. But once I take a moment and stop thinking about it, and start modeling or making something, it re-energizes and breathes new life into me. So I definitely need to make time for myself where I can forget about work and just create.

I shot with Jim Nicholson again yesterday. I had been putting off shooting for a while, trying to spend my spare time with my husband and my family. But I had finally gotten two days off in a row so I went for it! And it actually took my mind off of everything. I've got one shot I'll share, and I'll post more photos once he processes them and forwards them to me... I think it was one of my better shoots.

You may have noticed a new addition to my look - I now have a labret piercing. It's a look that I've loved for a long time, and on a whim I had it done one day last week before I went to work. I've never even had my ears done, so as my first piercing it was a pretty horrifying experience for me! But I had it done at Deep Roots Tattoo, and the piercer, Colleen, was wonderful. She was very quick, had lots of advice, and put me at ease instantly. I plan on going to her for any other piercings I may want done in the future, and I recommend her to anyone looking for a piercer in Kitsap County. It seems to be healing very well. I've only had it for a week but I was able to shoot with it and it didn't look red at all. It's such a new experience for me but so far I love it!

That was one of my splurges in the past two weeks - I also got the Black Milk Clothing mermaid leggings and the cheshire cat leggings. I LOVE THEM. My co-workers think I'm crazy for spending $80 on a pair of leggings but I'm too distracted by the shiny-ness on my legs that I don't care what anyone says! I'm so excited for payday... because this is next on my list!

Anyways... just wanted to catch up a bit with you guys and let you know where life's been taking me. Still don't know where exactly I'm headed but feel free to join me on my adventures and let me know what you think.

xoxo,
Sugar

Summer

We've had an abnormally warm springtime season for my area, so it's got me SUPER stoked for summer! I'm already shopping for shorts, sandals, and tank tops... that usually doesn't happen around here til June. But hey, any excuse to shop is a good excuse to me! I've never been much of a fan of Vans or of snapback hats, but two finds last week changed my mind. First I spotted (hehe, get it) this leopard print trucker at Pacsun. It was so girly I had to have it. And it has actually served a good purpose - it keeps my poor little pale face safe from getting sunburned! I wore it to the beach last week and I kind of fell in love with it.

Secondly, these pretty mint green Vans were too pretty to pass up. These are my very first Vans! My seconds ones will be the leopard print to match my new hat.

Anyway, speaking of shoes... I got promoted on Saturday to the assistant manager of my store. Although that means a huge time sacrifice, I am so excited for the opportunity to move up while working in a fashion-based job that I love! Not everybody dreams of a career in retail but I love it and I'm excited to see how I grow in the company I work for. As a little added perk, I'll be making more money too... so I'll be doing a lot of shopping in my free time. :P And of course blogging. I really want to get back into DIY projects when I get the chance too... I was given a sewing machine and I wanna see what I can crank out. In my opinion, the best looks are the ones you come up with yourself! And there's a certain pride in being able to say "I made this" instead of "oh, I got it at..." So expect to see some crafty creations coming up in the near future as well!

Absence . . .

It's been over a month since my last blog post, and I've sorely missed writing! I do apologize to anyone who follows my posts, but it is a bit hard to get the chance to write now that I no longer have a computer of my own. My husband and I recently moved (again!!!) and money's been tight, so a computer is a bit further down on our list of priorities. But! I just got promoted so hopefully the money issue won't last too much longer.

As most of you know, I work at a shoe store. Since my work at See's Candies has ended, I work full-time at this shoe store. I got promoted as well and also get commissioned pay, so that is a nice perk. I love just having one full time job rather than multiple part-times... makes life a lot less complicated!

Since I've had to be a bit more watchful of the money I'm spending (and since I have a raging clothing/shoe obsession) I've been shopping the clearance racks at my favorite places that I usually shop. I've discovered that I'm broke at the perfect time of year, because all the winter stuff and leftover stock from last year has been marked down ridiculously low. I found these cute Charlotte Ronson silk floral pants for five dollars, Betsey Johnson heels for ten bucks, and the glitzy gold Buffalo Jeans skirt below for only four bucks! And it was originally $45.

I've also come across a few makeup steals as well - a lot of Kat Von D cosmetics are now on clearance at Sephora, and some Charlotte Ronson stuff as well. I've never tried Charlotte Ronson cosmetics before, but on a whim I picked up a liquid eyeshadow (something I've never tried either! Two birds, one stone) in a metallic pink colour called Sky. It's so pretty and easier to blend than I expected. I also tried a Kat Von D "Painted Love" lipstick in Lolita, a matte dusty rose. It was only eight bucks on clearance, so I had to try it! I always use Kat's Tattoo Liner as my liquid eyeliner, and now her lipsticks are a new favorite as well.

My favorite wardrobe acquirement this month though was Black Milk Clothing's unicorn leggings! I am wearing them as I speak. Super comfy and cute for chill Saturdays like today. I got them as a birthday gift and I love them to death. My next BM purchase is gonna have to be the mermaid legs for sure. (I'm a mermaid at heart!)

I'll make it a point to try to write more often. I miss it!

Also, I've taken a hiatus from modeling for a bit... not sure how long. My heart just isn't in it right now. But I'm sure inspiration will strike again. Meanwhile, feel free to comment if you guys have any ideas or themes and concepts you think would be cool!

By the way, here are a couple of the photos that were taken at the beach shoot I was talking about in my last post. Styled by me, photographed by Mike Bay, and the entire outfit can be found at Forever 21!

I lied

Okay, maybe I can't stay away from blogging until after Christmas.

Yesterday I scored an original copy of Nirvana's 1991 Nevermind album. I have a huge crush on Kurt Cobain... oh and the music is alright too. ;P I've always loved the whole Northwest grunge music/fashion scene, but I have a special affinity to it since Seattle is my home. I love that the nu grunge look is taking over the streets everywhere else as well. Speaking of fashion... another outfit of the day for you guys to hype on Lookbook, please and thank you. ♥

It snowed last night, big feathery puffs around 2 AM. But when I got up in the morning it was gone. Sad! I guess that is a hidden blessing though, because I couldn't have gotten to work if it stayed. I live at the bottom of a hill and when the streets are icy and full of snow, my neighbors and I get stuck!

On another note, I finished all my Christmas shopping. And since I've been pretty good this month with my spending, I gave myself a little present too. I reaaaaally wanted Jeffrey Campbell litas, but I decided to settle for these cute platforms by Shi. Same look, less dinero. Cute, right? I'm kind of bummed because I got them right before they went on sale, but if you guys want to take advantage of the sale you can find them here and here!