the yoga situation

Om.. I've been obsessed with stretching ever since I was a kid. And I love seeing the different transformations I could play with in my body. In my early teens, I discovered yoga in my dance classes where it was incorporated into our routines. And for the first time I was introduced to the deeper part of yoga.. I'm talking about the odd zen behavior and state that you needed to get into in order to feel that "oneness" with yourself they say. Which I get, because I have a different way of tuning into that, but it just never really worked with me to use with yoga. And to be honest, I didn't like it all too much.. it reminded me of church, lol. But I did enjoy the challenging stretches and poses that definitely put my flexibility to test! And I still do...! And with all the dance classes I've taken over the years, yoga has stuck with me since.

Nowadays I still take dance classes, mainly ballet and bellydance, and Bollywood sometimes. But I don't take any yoga classes. I like do my yoga at home. The atmosphere in a yoga classroom just never really.. resonated with me. So I teach myself, which is doable by the way! :) I remember there was a girl who recommended I should do teacher training and register as a yoga teacher. I was like... ommm, no. Not for me! Lol. And, that's expensivo, so no thanks. Also another reason why I don't take yoga classes, they cost more than my dance classes!

But I still love yoga. And lately I've been focused on toning my stick arms. And I'm so enjoying the process!

I used to be able to do handstands all the time {and walk on my hands!!} when I was a kid.. I'm currently re-teaching myself again.

xx ss

time & energy

My sketch for today. She is one of my favorite style bloggers, Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere. I want to meet her one day. She is such an inspiration and all the goodies she cooks makes me drool... and I love her style. Another week flies by! Another great one too! Since having this new job I've been pretty impressed with the atmosphere of the company and its professionalism. You must be wondering why I'm saying that lol, but in case you didn't know, the fashion industry is crazy. It is actually like what you see on Project Runway.. and I think it's sooo stupid. It's why I decided to take a year long break. I was around crazy people every day and it ate up my energy even though I had the tools and knowledge to block negative people. I was just falling apart. And there wasn't enough of me to intend for this type of prevention. I was a robot with no heart. But now that I'm back I've been enjoying the design team I'm working with. This week I experienced my first company meeting among 500 co-workers which took place at the Beverly Hilton which was pretty impressive. That whole event might as well have been a company holiday party because it was just so fancy! I loved it. There was a runway show for the new direction of the brand which looked pretty cool. I can't wait to own some!

I had a fancy coffee and I don't like coffee.

I had a couple of minutes to spare in the morning after I made myself some green tea. I think this'll be a new routine. :) I've been illustrating Blair from Atlantic-Pacific. I love her style and the way she poses. She's perfect for practicing.

I've been so tired this entire week but I made an effort to attend my second six-sensory class. It's pretty intense and my teacher says it's going to be like boot camp now moving forward. I'm excited.

Great moments this week. My energy is low right now because I haven't had much sleep since I've been trying to adjust to my new sleeping schedule. Sleeping in is one thing I do miss. I'll admit that I did have my moments during the week where I was unsure why I was working again, but every time that happened I pulled out my sketchbook and sketched away or opened one of my happy books that my amazing friends got me for my birthday to remind myself not to over think things, and just keep practicing what I love doing. And I would also find things to make me laugh until I cried. And on the weekends I'm playing with some yoga moves. Playing is important. Ask Albert Einstein.

xx ss

And lastly, I'm so happy for my mom. I love her and my sisters so much and after dealing with 3 years of trying to piece ourselves back together after her devastating split up with my dad, the divorce is now finalized. I'm so grateful. She made it without losing her mind because she had me and my sisters and my aunt to balance her out. No pills, medication, and all that stupid shit. She's a fuckin fighter. I love her.

Thanks mama for your continued and loving support <3

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...

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...

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!

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!

Yogashmoga iPhone Covers

Hey all you yogi freaks! My yoga illustrations are now on sale as iPhone covers!

They are available for purchase in: iPhone 5 iPhone (4S, 4) iPhone (3GS 3G) iPod Touch Samsung Galaxy S4

{Read about the inspiration on this illustration below here!}

"Yoga shmoga is a term I like to use whenever ego gets in the way of a challenging pose."

I've always had a relationship with yoga, since I was like 12 years old. But I never understood the whole spiritual take on it, let alone meditation. So throughout my teens and up until my early 20s, yoga has just been a habit of stretching obsessively. Nowadays, there are yoga instructors galore who actually teach about the body, mind, and soul connection together with yoga. I follow just a few on IG who really stand out to me and whom I admire the most. I'm learning about yoga all over again in a different perspective, and not just doing the poses.

Although it's hard because I'm still trying to get into the spiritual aspect of yoga and be open to the method - I think it's just not my way of meditating. "Yoga shmoga" is a term I like to use whenever ego gets in the way of a challenging pose. And I also use this word because anyone can do it!

You can check out more iPhone covers or skins and purchase them here! The old one {right} pictured above is what I had been using, and now it's all beat up and a bit cracked and the top.. it was time for a change! I may hold a little raffle for the two yoga illustration covers, so stay tuned!

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

6 Things

1. Tiago Cafe. This is such a nifty little cafe my boyfriend and I like to go to for brunch<3. What I love about it is that it's walking distance from home! This place is pretty health conscious too which I don't mind.. their food's pretty yummy. They had bacon on the menu today.. it was delicious!

2. Yoga shmoga. A photo attempt not realizing Kobe - my little monkey bear chihuahua was right behind me the whole time! Lol.. Lately I've just been obsessed with stretching again now that I've been more active in dancing and yoga.. I especially love stretching out my back and my legs. I can't go through a day without it! It's definitely my stress relief..

3. Meat-lover! This is especially d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s after getting off a 3-day spiritual cleanse. I used to do 7 days before, but then I would end up looking frail thin and malnutritioned :(. The vegan lifestyle is tough! It's a good process for my mind and body, but then I gotta get back to my meat and eating normally again! I don't think anyone should analyze the food they eat too closely.. sometimes eating too healthy can get you very sick..

4. The Magic Castle. I always have a fun night with the boyfriend at this magical place! I love this castle so much.. While we were waiting in line for the main act, we met an amazing up and coming magician from China who is studying English in LA. He performed mind blowing, up close and personal, unbelievable card tricks for us! We were lucky to be his practice audience.. :) He humbly entertained us, and he turned out to be one of my favorite shows of the night! He's gonna make it big one day :]

5. Poem Store. Saw this girl at the Yamashiro Farmer's Market. Her vintage look caught my eye.. I really like her style! I thought it was cute that she typed up poems right off of her vintage typewriter as a service. She made a poem for me and my boyfriend :)

6. Positivity! I like these creative little knick knacks! These would've been perfect for displaying at my desk at my last job!  For those of you who don't know, that last job was draining the energy out of me and the girls every single day because of the drama one co-worker would consistently start with everyone every week. I did my best to hold on and block her out, and even kept as many positive pieces and reminders on my desk, especially Mister Junior Grumpy Gills! This bowl of positive words definitely would've assisted me and the girls then :)

xx,

SS