i'm scared

One of my best friends gave this book to me for my birthday two months ago. My first reaction was, "yay! A book!" When I opened it, I was like, "oh yay, I can write in it!" And then I started reading more about it... and I got even more excited. I love testing new limits for myself! I tried to start this book the same week I got it. But when I turned to a couple of pages, I got scared because the things that it asked me to do seemed more like dares. And because the majority of my day takes place at work where it's fast paced, somewhat stressful environment, and with a few difficult people, I wasn't comfortable trying new things with myself! So then I put it away.. for like two months. Until today..

IMG_4587_1070.jpg
IMG_4590_720.jpg

I popped open a bottle of Pinot Noir and I wrote on the very first page, yay! And it isn't the page pictured above, it was.. the name page. But I also wrote on the second page too! And thank god it was easy.. I just had to list what scared me.. I still have a lot of lines to go, which means a I gotta dig deeper than spiders, dirty bathrooms, and aggressive religious people. I'll try and do one page a day... try! I think this'll be a character building experience for me :). I wonder what that'll attract! Woot woot, let's do this!

xx ss

wednesday

Who does happy hour on a Wednesday with their favorite girlfriends? ...I do. Even though it seriously costed my energy { << does that makes sense? Is the grammar right for that? Lol..} for the rest of the week, I wouldn't have changed a thing. Every time we're together it's just all laughs and stories. It's just those moments that make life not so serious. We all work in the fashion industry and struggle to integrate reality and creativity to our work load every day..  And how we all met was from working together at the last company I was at. We've all become so very close ever since. I love these girls, they're definitely my other halves. Without them, I wouldn't be the happy girl I am today.

bottega-louie_1070x600.jpg

xx ss

in my bag

When I discovered the Japanese bookstore in Little Tokyo I couldn't help but buy myself the cute little Japanese art supplies they had there! And even though I really don't need them, I bought myself two cute mini notebooks with lined pages and a hard brush tip blue pen. I don't know what it is with me in buying notebooks.. especially when I haven't even finished one or two that I already have. But anyways to save myself the guilt of buying the larger notebooks, I resorted to the cute itty bitty ones! They were so much cuter anyway! {And cheaper!} My other little goodies displayed from my little magic bag are little pocket totems I recently bought from the place where I take my six-sensory classes at. As much as I want to splurge and talk about how much I love this place and what it's all about, I'm going to keep it a little secret for now.. to save the weirdness and scaring people away, lol. Anyways, so what I have here is a witch's broomstick pen - another thing I don't really need, but I thought it would be so cool to have! And then I have my crystal quartz wand, my seeing eyes {one blue and one brown}, my seeing eye spell bottle, and my spirit animal, the gato carved out of onyx.

IMG_4549_1070x600.jpg

So these are the little things I've been carrying around with me and bringing to work every day. And they've all been very useful.. except the broomstick. I might have to stash that away at home because it's so delicate..


xx ss

muse: emma

In last week's fashion blogger study, my pick of the week goes to Emma from A Beautiful Mess. I'm such a big fan of her and her sister's blog. They are ultimate blogger queens! They combine DIY fashion, crafts, and cook yummy goodies all on their blog. They're extremely creative.. and that's what I love about them. They are definitely role models of mine.  I love their fashion mixology concept. They take 8 pieces of clothing and create 8 different looks. I mean, I don't know about you, but since I've started working, I've been finding it kinda hard to pick out my wardrobe every day and every week. And I find myself repeating my outfits... ughh I hate that! But then again, I did just get complimented today and was told I dress well.. :) I guess I'm looking for a way to make my style a little more interesting.. and different than yesterdays look! Anyway, last week I drew up quick sketches of mini muses dedicated to Emma in my little notebook! I usually do most of my sketches at my desk at work during my lunch break. I know some people hate having lunch at their desks, but if I'm there sketching, then I zone out completely :).

emmaredvelvet_1070.jpg
emma-red-velvet-minis_10701.jpg

xx ss

new layout in the works

For stephaniesurtida.com's 2-year birthday I'm doing a little make-over for my website! As you can see, my site is currently under construction, in case you're visiting for the first time or just checking back! :) Lots of updates and fun stuff going on. It's taking a little longer than usual to complete this because I am pretty booked these days with the current freelance position. But I'm still dancing around, yoga-ing, making mini videos, and sketching most of all! I need my playtime.. So check back by the end of this week! :) I'll be playing around with this site a lot!

bdaycake_1070x600.jpg

xx ss


my birthday week

Wow this week was definitely full of surprises. One of them being that I decided to jump back into the fashion industry and work full-time {temporarily} to keep up a steady paycheck because honestly, getting illustration commission work has been difficult! But don't worry, I'm still keeping up with it! It's my passion, so it stays. I started my first full week and I love the work place already and the energy there. In my last job I dealt with so much high school drama that it drained the life out of me. It's a relief to know that not all companies are like what I went through in this crazy industry. On my third day of work I decided to bring in a pop of nature, a stack my of favorite reads, and my sketchbook to my new desk setting to create a zen environment. :)

dior-fw141.jpg
desk_630.jpg

I celebrated my birthday this week too. The day before my actual birthday was actually when I celebrated it because I finally admitted to myself I was 25, lol. I never could comfortably admit my age now because I'm starting to feel that the years are passing by too quickly :(  And people always thought I was older than my actual age because of my personality.. I just have an old soul, and I feel like I'm growing closer to that age! So on the day before my birthday I embraced being 25 and reflected on all my moments from my past year and saw how much I loved what I created and learned. 25 was my favorite number that day. Not to mention the date was 2/25 too. :) And to my surprise at the end of the day when I went to my car after leaving work, I realized that the parking space number I parked in was #25! That instantly pinged to me because it was a definite sign that I was on the right path :)

25-parking_630.jpg

It always rains on my birthday. I think I should stop saying that. That way I can stop bringing that to me lol. But it did, but lightly which made me happy. These past two days mother nature literally had diarrhea. I've never seen the streets flooded so bad. My car was like swimming in the rain. Anyway, I'm happy that I didn't have that crazy weather on my birthday! I would've cried lol. So I got to go out with one of my best friends and my older sister for din din and enjoy a yummy cake :)

26th-birthday-cake_630.jpg

I've also started my next series of six-sensory classes this week which was amaziiiiing!! So excited to be doing this and continuing my path of being spirited :)

green-man-store_630.jpg

I loved my week. It was a mixture of ups and downs and happy surprises. I loved it so much. It definitely tired me out, but that makes me happy because I just have a lot to do! My days just flew by this week.. which scared me a little because I missed a few days of sketching when I wanted to sketch. And when I tried, I was too tired to function. So for next week and the month ahead I plan on doing 10 sketches per day to keep my practice up, attending my six-sensory class every week and practicing every day, dance class once a week, and yoga every other night! Ahhh, I'm excited. Happy Weekend everybody!

xx ss

working hard & hardly working

So far I've been getting the best of both worlds :) And when I have my down time I go looking for sweets or a latte to snack and sip on along with some good company. That's what my month's been like so far. I love this month. I loved last month too. I've just been surrounded by good people and good energy. And when there was people present that I didn't want to encounter, the situation was miraculously avoided. Yay! I'm also becoming way more flexible from doing home yoga which I'm über excite about. My back is bending more and more every day where my head can almost touch my butt lol. I feel like a contortionist now. Maybe I'll share a mini video on instagram one day...

salambhasana1.jpg

My best friend Alyssa pointed out how I've been hanging out at Urth Caffe too often now. I'm just not tired of it yet, lol! I think once I get through all the designs in my latte I'll take a break. And plus the place is just so relaxing...

urth-caffe-bear_630.jpg

I had an interview today for a freelance position :) So yes, getting back into the fashion industry again but only for a few months. I'm trying to make as much as I can while I'm doing custom illustrations. Gotta make that dough!

true-religion_630.jpg

Oh my gosh and it's London Fashion Week too? Ugh, I'm behind.. but I did find a designer whose collection I looooved!

AHH! And it's exactly a week before my birthday! *GASP* 30yr old peeps are right when they say your 20s go by like that!

natasha-zinko.jpg

Bundle Up!

Even though the California sun shines on us like it's still summer and ends our days with pretty pink sunsets, the cold that settles in at night sucks. And certain areas of my face dry up so bad that it peels.. And it hurts :( This weather is confusing me. Anyways.. February.. I can only say that a lot has happened already for me this year. A lot of good changes. Some highlights: I chopped off all my hair for a modeling job and ended up really loving it. :) I'm taking up more mystical classes and meeting more new people. Going to Barnes & Nobles regularly and reading outside on a bright sunny day. Seeing my friends every week! And recently paid a visit to a familiar face and his family & friends.

It's my birthday month too. Who knows what'll happen next? I definitely know what I want in life, but it doesn't always present itself to me in the way I want it to. Knowing this has taught me to pay more attention to my life around me, and also to let go; but most importantly, expect it. That said, I'm looking forward to more collaborations in the future and fun projects! And an abundance of creativity and inspiration! This year's going to be filled with so many surprises. Can't wait!!

 

xx ss