respect! A fearless woman. A woman who isn't afraid to show her true vibrant colors to our black and white world. I love her style, her personality, and especially her doll-inspired make-up ;]
xx ss
meet my fourth.
Added a new doll to my three. She's similar to her cousins but also very different. Oh! And I finally finished my to-go design sketchbook...
xx,
ss
1 free illustration
If you've seen my crazy promo on Instagram, here are my first victims! I mean, takers! Muahahaha.. So I decided to do something crazy, something illustrators wouldn't normally do. I'm allowing my followers a chance for them to be illustrated by moi for the rest of November, for free. I'm allowing only one look so that I don't go crazy with all the requests that will pile up! The reason why I'm doing this is because I only have a few pages left in my to-go design sketchbook, so I'm celebrating. And I decided to fill the rest of my book up with illustrations of my followers. I've also been contacted a few times by fashion bloggers requesting to be illustrated but they just didn't want to pay the amount I was charging. So, as a special one-time offer only, I won't charge for this month! Even though I didn't realize until after I posted the promo that e-mail requests will pile up like crazy for the next few weeks {oops lol}. It'll definitely keep me busy. But, then again I see this as an opportunity to connect with others annnd especially use this as practice for me.
So check it out! And take advantage of this offer! Don't wait up! :)
e-mail me: stephanie.surtida@gmail.com
xx,
ss
vintage, vintage!
Adored Vintage. I recently worked on a project that involved illustrating vintage dresses, and man - working on those sketches all day made me fall in love with them! I never had that much appreciation about vintage pieces before, but now with a new perspective, everything about it is just so pretty & romantic. I found Adored Vintage on IG and started following them and have been loving every new post of their line. They have such a precious looking site, and they're based in Long Beach! I gotta go visit one day..
I decided to practice with the new colored calligraphy pens I bought that I've become obsessed with.
xx,
ss
Revamping My Dolls
I've been hiding out at home like a hermit doing a ton of illustrating over the past three weeks. If you follow my IG, then you've seen the madness. And because of that I've been hit up a few times this week regarding more collaborations, which is so great! I thought I was going a bit crazy being a lot a bit anti-social.. but I'm practicing my passion which definitely leads to something greater! I just lahhhhhv it! Gotta keep going!
Skaist-Taylor = my favorite designers.
xx,
ss
Thom Browne
Happy Pumpkin Day! I didn't prepare a costume this year because I used up all my efforts {and budget} from Burning Man, lol. These past two weeks I've been sketching like crazy trying to revamp my dolls. So far I've developed 3 looks that I decided to keep all throughout my illustrations for future projects. I'm obsessed with em.. I'll do a post showing the mess I've made in my sketchbook. I'm actually almost finished with my sketchbook! This'll be the first finished sketchbook I've ever done! Lol, don't ever count on me to do a book one day... well, actually... ;) *NEWS*
My Etsy shop has been launched this week! I've selected six of my favorite and most popular illustrations. Check it out!
So to honor Halloween, I decided to sketch an awesome and inspiring line by Thom Browne. His look is perfect for my dolls! arrghhh I can't handle it! I love his taste!!
anyways, i'm still waiting on my chunky sweater...
You trick-or-treaters have a safe & sweet one!
xx,
ss
quiet time.
These past few days have been a battle of trying to get my mind to shut the #*%^ up and to relax. It's a daily progress. But whenever I do reach some level of peace throughout my day, it's the best feeling. I'm slowly getting back into some new illustration ideas which I'm excited for. Can't wait to show em!
xx,
SS
Look Pretty
don't we girls wish that every day? just to sit outside maybe with a friend and watch the day go by, eat a block of cheese, a bag of chips, tacos, some fettuccine alfredo, and mango icecream {listing my favorites}, & NOT worry about breaking out or a tummy ache? that's the kinda day i want today. i've been having a battle with dairy for the past few months. i was hoping to be immune to it by now but i still breakout like a teenager even after i treat myself a small baby bite. ugh... whatever, my friends still love me even when my face is gross, lol. i've learned that love actually feeds on imperfections. happy friday!
xx,
SS
Workin Hard
Since I haven't been working full-time in the industry, my body has re-adjusted itself again to wake up on its own at 6am every day excited to get to {my} work, which is illustrating. When I used to work full-time in the industry, I was usually awake before the 6am alarm on my phone would go off because I hated waking up to it.. and I always had anxiety going into work. I don't use an alarm anymore, now I listen to my body. I'm excited every morning to wake up, make my bed, read a book, and get an early start on building my portfolio. It's literally what I do every day. I've learned a couple things about myself.. I hate watching tv or listening to music, it just throws me in a funk while sketching. I love sitting in quiet and listening to the sound of nature. I think I'll build a workspace outside.. I get the most inspiration when everything is quiet. It's the best feeling. At this point I feel like I'm thriving in life. Yea, I'm not making as much money as I used to, yea the living situation still isn't great, and personal life problems aren't that serious these days. But, I feel whole lot better, healthier, and happier than I was a few months ago.! :) So from being dedicated to my passion and work, I was given an opportunity to do a collaboration with Nasty Gal. I've always had them in the back of my head since the beginning of this year, I just didn't know why exactly. Then my head popped off when I was contacted by the editorial team of Nasty Gal to do this collaboration with the brand featuring my illustrations. All I thought was this would be my break. My chance to make something out of my passion. Finally...
So, I've been working hard on this project. I've been putting all my life force into this in the past few days! I can't wait to see the final results and what comes out of this. Man.. if you've been following me on my Instagram, I've been up to several things here and there too. I've been working on building my Etsy shop, My Book of Dolls {pictured above}, trying to complete my list of summer adventures, a sudden Disneyland getaway... phew! It's all great, all exciting, I wouldn't have it any other way!! I love life and its surprises!
stay tuned for my big feature in Nasty Gal! <3 <3 <3
xx,
SS
Burning Man Illustrations Revealed
Costumes packed - DONE & DONE!
I am so relieved this huge part was out of the way. It was actually more work for me to lay out each outfit on my bed and put them all together according to all the illustrations I drew for myself. To be honest, none of the outfits are exactly what I sketched. Okay, maybe two, but everything else has been changed, altered, simplified, and whatnot. I wore each outfit to see if it worked or not and switched out pieces here and there. That's the beauty of fashion - nothing ever goes as planned!
I sketched this in my to-go design sketchbook to lay out other ideas and accessories to wear for the playa.
I especially wanted the tribal chic necklace by Nao which I ordered last week! I've never seen anything like it and I definitely want to buy more from her! ...I hope I get it in time to use for BM!
Below are all the outfit sketches I did from my little Fashionary Neon Light Mini sketchbook {it's so handy...!} I had to do a lot of improvising for each look. I had a lot of DIY involved and a ton of arts & crafts days while making these costumes. If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably already seen what I've been up to...!
{but sadly, not included in my final costume...!} :(
*switched out the top in this outfit! this will be a yoga look!
In the end, I managed to have a total of 11 outfits bagged and labeled. I was advised to separate them in large ziplock bags for easy access on the playa and to keep the alkaline sand off of them. I'm super excited {and relieved}. Can't wait for this experience!
xx,
SS
Muse: Pearypie
pearypie
A colorful and popular make-up artist from Thailand whom I follow on Instagram. I love staring at her photos because I'm constantly studying her make-up techniques {even though I hardly wear any make-up anymore, lol}. It's pretty flawless along with her photogenic face. Her personal style reminds me a little bit of Betty's, but she takes it to a whole other level. It's very spontaneous and colorful. Her face is simple and sweet, much how I like to illustrate the faces of my girls. I actually drew her face out with a pen the entire time! No pencil and no eraser.. I was pretty impressed with myself :)
Follow her Instagram!
Like her Facebook!
xx,
SS
Burning Man - DIY Day
I've done a ton of illustrating lately for costumes to wear for Burning Man all last week. And as much as I love to sketch, I had to stop and actually get to making the pieces.. which means, a DIY DAY!
I made a little intimate reversible piece out of a 3XL muumuu {i think it was 3XL?} I bought for $1 at JetRag in Hollywood! {NOTE: I did this without any pattern paper, without measuring, no tracing, proper cutting or correct sewing construction!} I'll remind you, I am a designer and I know how this works, but I didn't want to put so much effort into this piece and care so much about execution because I know this piece will not be usable again! {kinda like Forever21 lol}.
So I just literally pinned and cut around the shape of a sample I was wearing and - VOILA!
Here is a preview of my Burning Man sketches in both my mini Fashionary Neon Light sketchbook and my To-go sketchbook.. I'll post all of them soon! My new Fashionary Neon Light sketchbook was so handy while I was shopping for accessories in Santee Alley last week! Love that little book.. :)
So my dog Kobe {baloney} thinks he can just plop himself anywhere.. especially after I just layed out all my costumes on the floor.. RUDE.
..expect lots of Bohemian looks! I'm adding a little twist because I think the "boho" look is expected.. because it's so trendy. So stay tuned for my illustration ideas for Burning Man! I have less than a month to prepare!!! EXXXXCITEDDD.
P.S.
After I kicked him out, he went to the far left and plopped himself on one of my dresses... ughhh.
xx,
SS
My Book of Dolls
I'm trying to come up with a fun little paper book filled with my illustrations to print and sell! The idea sparked in my head two weeks ago and thought it would be a fun and addicting project to work on by the end of summer! I've started a couple of sketches below and decided to include some I've already done in my to-go design sketchbook.
I haven't decided if I wanted to add any words in them.. maybe a small description? Hm.. in all honesty every description for each illustration would have a story like this: "This girl I was inspired to sketch is the model so-and-so. As soon as I started to ink her in, I got a crick in my hand and my pen went that way and gave her a dark upper lip. Then when I started coloring with my awesome markers, it bled outside of the black lines into another color creating a nasty blob which ruined her hair. So I made her hair bigger to cover the blob. Oops and I gave her four fingers..." Hmm.. Maybe people like honesty? I don't know, we'll see!
This is going to be awesome-o once I'm done.. I'm excited, can't wait!
xx,
SS
More Practice...
When Mother Nature calls I get easily irritable like all normal girls do, and my anxiety increases, my appetite decreases, and I just literally want to be left alone or cry over my past. Laaaaame.. But this week, I've been glued to my to-go sketchbook. I just can't put it down.. Maybe it's because I just purchased a new set of ShinHan Art markers last week? Well, yea, could be.. Or I felt the need to increase my practice in my illustrations, and actually work on my goal in trying to use up every single page in my to-go sketchbook! I've never finished a full sketchbook before. When I finish this one, I'll probably make a book out of it and sell it! I can dream...
Anyways, I have a lot of fuel inside of me and I've just been pinning ideas and inspirations on my Pinterest all day, literally. I hardly ate, but still had my Suja Glow drink in the morning {i need my morning greens!} and just had coconut water throughout my day ending with a yummy Kombucha drink which gave me a nice buzz {working on an empty stomach!}. I'm currently not craving a thing, which is very normal for me. However, my body is tired and my eyes are dead. I guess this girl I drew pretty much reflects what I feel, and what I look like right now. It makes sense, right? I like it anyway :)
xx,
SS
Crotch Shorts - tips on wearing em
..they keep getting shorter and shorter. do girls really like this?
This is definitely the way a girl's shorts nowadays look like - with ass cheeks hanging out for the whole world to see. And well, these are the hot shorts of today. And it's not for every girl out there.. I do own a few pairs of the crotch length shorts, not only in denim, but in pleather and in wovens. And I like to wear them occassionally, but I'm just gonna say it, they can get extremely uncomfortable in so many ways that I hate wearing them! Am I the only girl who thinks this?! {Wedgies...} So I've put together a list of helpful tips to consider based on my personal experience and from what I've seen girls do and go through when walking the streets in these itty bitty minis..
1. keep it toned.
that goes for your butt, thighs, and stomach. you cannot rely on those eaten up shorts to help conceal your bodily flaws. everything is pretty much going to hang out and jiggle. and, no point in trying to pull those shorts down every time you feel a bit insecure! and.. they ride up there. those are the consequences of wearing these shorts..
2. self tan yourself.
since you're exposing your whole leg, you might want to make sure your skin is even all over. it's not so attractive to be able to see how pale your booty is compared to your legs.
3. wear a size bigger {if possible}.
mainly for ease and comfortability, unless you're planning on eating very little throughout your day. otherwise, those shorts will hug and suffocate your gut and your crotch, therefore causing skin spillage in a lot of areas..
4. it's okay to wear flats instead of heels.
mainly because your legs are already going to look longer with the majority of them {along with your ass} being exposed. so no need to wear heels to appear taller. and, it's already uncomfortable enough to be wearing those shorts, so don't give yourself an even harder time trying to wear them with heels on.
5.wear the right underwear!
i'm still having a lot of trouble with this. i swear i've tried every panty, thong, and boyshort out there, but i still suffer from the same stupid wedgies! it's very irritable and i find myself always having to run to some place private so that i can "adjust" myself.
5a. ^ that being said, don't pick in public even if you think you are safe. people are already staring at your ass. don't give them more of a reason not to look away. just walk it off..
The crotch length shorts have become an 'acceptable' look in our society {idk why}. Hopefully this small list will help a girl out there in need of advice {and will continue to serve as a small reminder for me}. Just remember, these are shorts that look like they are riding way high up your crotch so that your behind can hang loosely. Wear them with caution. This list is to help keep the look a tad bit clean and comfortable to wear if you like your ass exposed all the time or if you like wearing denim underwear. Lol ;)
xx,
SS
Practice is Progress
I woke up in the middle of the night around 3am for the second time this week. I woke up to the sound of my phone hitting the floor after I smacked it out of my bed while sleeping. When I woke up, I realized how hot it was. And then, I couldn't sleep. Poops.. So then I just started browsing for inspirational pictures to illustrate. I decided at around 3am that I wanted to revamp my illustrations. A friend of mine texted me using that word, and that hit somewhere. It was key, revamp. Then I got myself excited which made it even harder to go back to sleep. So I decided that at whatever time I'd wake up, I'll pull out my little design journal and get right to working on it. I just had so much energy to get started and couldn't wait until the sun came up. I stayed up until the sunrise, then fell asleep at 6, woke up at 8 and went to work.
And this is what I came up with.. I grabbed an old Vogue magazine - and I hardly look at magazines anymore, but I had this one lying around and found a few easy model pictures to start off with. I'm pretty happy about it, just as I am with all my other illustrations. This was a good warm-up practice to start off with I think. I'm on my way to making it better though! :)
xx,
SS
Summer Surprises
CRAZY FUN TIMES...
I'm putting together a summary of my past week in my little design journal starting with: a surprise date night from the boyfriend at a Cyndi Lauper concert following a long Las Vegas birthday weekend with the boyfriend, his little sister, and her bf with friends.. along with fun-filled adventures. I'll just list the epic trip: First class round trip, rounds of Bloody Mary's {my faaaave}, free pool club admission at Hard Rock, sunbathing, getting lost, massive Italian birthday dinner, Encore pool club w/ Lil Jon, more Bloody Mary's, massive dinner #2, hanging on the set of Ninja Warrior, pool & sunbathing, walking the strip for as long as we could {it was HOT and dry out}, and last but not least - Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil surprise!
Page 1 - Cyndi Lauper!
Page 2 - Las Vegas!
I like to count my blessings every day to keep my energy high and consistent, but today I was looking at how unbelievably amazing my life overall has been since the beginning of this year. Things are definitely going the right way, finally! I have an incredible boyfriend who is just all about making me happy and loving me uncontrollably.. until I choke! And what makes me so grateful about us is that we've already gone on several fun and memorable trips together this year and each time always brought us closer. I'm so happy to share that with someone special.. It was something I've always wanted! And what's crazy is that if you saw how I was last summer, omg, total opposite! {no joke!} I was slaving away my entire summer with a full-time job that I was so bored of, would come home tired every day and go straight to bed hoping to get a text or a phone call for the week but instead would end up crying almost every night. I never went out with friends, never left town, and didn't visit the beach OR pool ONCE that entire summer! And now I'm going almost every weekend! My social life was a fail, and I was hardly ever inspired. I just wanted all that to change someday. And now, I'm doing all the things I never thought I'd be doing and it's only making me a happier gal! It's just insaaaaaane how the universe will surprise you in a matter of time! {i'm a huge believer in that sh*t}
These days I'm even more inspired to sketch and focus on my well-being, my work, hobbies, and trying new things as well. I've even had more time and energy to take my dance classes and focus on yogashmoga at home. It's where I've felt most content in a long time and also where I feel myself growing towards reaching my goals in life.
It's just crazy to think where I was last year..and how far I've come to be here now, feeling free. This is definitely a good year. And for those who don't agree and is experiencing the exact opposite, all I gotta say I stop, and start doing what feels right to you and I bet you'll end up getting what you want sooner or later. :)
xx,
SS
Burning Man Meeting
Attended my first meeting with friends for probably the biggest event for all of us this summer, Burning Man. Wow wow wow so much to plan in advance...! I mean, I've never been to major events like these, I haven't even done Coachella or EDC lol {what's that like?}. Apparently this is really taking it to the next level because I'll be spending a week in the middle of the desert living like a hippie.. literally! There's no hotels, no shops, convenience stores, roads, - just sand, people, music, and art. Oh, and you gotta educate yourself on Survival 101 because there's nothing and nowhere to spend your money on for supplies. Crazy, huh? So that's why we had this major meeting.
So of course it's a bit scary, but what an experience that would be! To be stripped from all of your connection to the world {no cellphones, minimal connection} and be stranded in the desert for days only to change your perspective on life and learn to be in the moment. It's a spiritual experience I think. Which is why I'm going :)
So I've jotted down a couple of notes that I thought were important. Just so you know, I had a much bigger list than this - 4 pages long! I just wanted to list the essentials, things I need to work towards.. especially COSTUMES! Weeee the best part! I was so excited after our meeting that I had to start sketching out some ideas and themes right away.
Thankfully I have costumes saved from my Bollywood and Bellydance classes that I can reuse again :) I've already started shopping for fun pieces to wear like my Triangl bathing suit and coin bras! Oh, another thing I've had to keep in mind was to bring anything and wear anything you don't mind getting f*cked up from the desert sand.. the sand texture is so fine that it will get into everything and anything you have.. so I gotta go light and cheap!
What I'm also looking forward to is all the art, activities, and theme camps to participate in! Apparently everyone there all dress up wildly and beyond which is so exciting for me because I'm going to document, photograph, and sketch everything that inspires me :)
"I'll be spending a week in the middle of the desert living like a hippie.. literally! There's no hotels, no shops, convenience stores, roads, - just sand, people, music, and art."
I've never looked forward to anything this big in forever. I know this experience is going to be epic. Here's to summer fun!
xx,
SS
With Heels
"The further you distance yourself from your expectations, the more exhilarating your life will become." {Madisyn Taylor}
Another day, another audition. I felt so confident I had this one, but! No.. {poops}. This was the second time I was instructed to arrive wearing 'a nice black outfit with heels'. I ended up wearing the same tiny fitted body conscious thing I did in my last audition. I was kinda bummed because I was expecting to see a lot of inspiration from what the other models were wearing to sketch out or photograph while we all waited to be judged and observed. Only very few caught my eye :( I didn't take pictures but I have a photographic memory of the two I liked. I was glad to see one of the girls I know get picked! ..wish it was me though! Until next time! The girl on the far right is me ;) xx, SS
Be the Best Version of You
These illustrations were inspired by Wendy, a woman who blogs about her healthy lifestyle and everything she loves. It's very inspirational! Woke up feeling grrrrreeeeaaaat today! I'm in the middle of another detox and last night I went to bed irritated and knew I had to turn that all around this morning.. and it worked :) People I love around me are constantly trying to get me to break out of my shell, and to just go for something - find a solid career to set me up for the rest of my life. It's great and all that I have their support, and in the right time, things will fall into place. So far, it's been fun!
I think I'm decided on not going back to corporate jobs any time soon. The fashion world can be.. greedy and ruthless. This article I read pretty much solidified my decision. I'm definitely in the process of figuring out my options and going for them, but my insecurities at the moment hold me back because I always think - like everyone else that, "I'm not good enough". I can dance, but I'm no professional. I can do yoga, but I'm not a pro. I can model... (psh yea right! Sometimes..) I can draw and illustrate, but I'm not a fine artist like the others! So, just things.. things I wish I was better at.
And even though I know this, I have to keep reminding myself to stop comparing myself to others because then I would just lose my whole purpose. And then whatever I'd be doing wouldn't be any fun anymore.. I'm happy at what I've done and accomplished and I'm pretty proud of myself. I'm excited to move forward, try new things, and most importantly -stay motivated. Being the best doesn't prove anything (ya know!), it's being the best you can be. And that sorta thing takes commitment, love, dedication, discipline, and patience. And people will notice, and will want the same thing too. It's also a plus when you have supportive loving people around you who believe in the same things as you do too :)
xx,
SS