Last night we went to the show here in Gympie. I decided to take my camera because I just knew all the lights and colours would be WAY too great to miss. And they were! I decided to share some photos here because once again I’m not that motivated to write anything. Meh. Long weekends will do that to a person. As for the photos, I compressed them so I could add heaps. Sorry if it still takes you a million years to load. Enjoy!

the end.

Goooood morning you gorgeous things!  It’s a bit of a late start here this morning. It’s show day here in Gympie and I slept in. I snuggle myself around my ridiculously gorgeous Hubby and enjoyed the slow start to the morning. I woke up with an idea of what I would wear today. I’d been looking at this dress for a while wishing it was still warm enough to wear it. Wishing it wasn’t too short for the office.

Then it hit me!

I’ll winter it up. Layer it over a shirt and some tights. Matching OF COURSE because that’s the way I roll. Add my boots and stripe blazer and I’m ready to take on the day. I felt good. It’s a cute outfit I think. So I made Hubby take some photos before he left this morning. I have my ways. Insert inappropriate eyebrow wiggle here. Meet my garage door everyone.

So here I am blogging my outfit before I leave the house because it just feels like this day could run away with me. Get busy having fun, eating Dagwood Dogs and living life. I don’t mind, that’s the point, right? I couldn’t wait to share, even if my eyes haven’t woken up and I needed sunglasses to head into the ridiculously sunny day.

I’m here now eating my oats and sipping my tea while I type. Life’s good.

Even if my toes ARE freezing through socks and Queensland is trying to freeze me to death.

Stop laughing. No. Stop! Come on. Haha.

Taking it Easy Top – Harlow Australia {gifted}
Dress – ASOS Curve
Tights – Autograph {2011 – gifted}
Boots – Autograph {2011′ish}

{disclosure}

Is it cold where you are?

It’s a tough game this running thing. I’ve become quite dependent on my brother to not only keep me accountable but to push me onwards. I’ve been scared to be really truthful about it. Scared I won’t do it, scared I’ll let myself down, scared of actually injuring myself and scared that maybe I’m just making excuses so I can quit. Yesterday’s run it had been 4 days since my last run. I’ve completed week 3 now but the 3 minute run intervals had felt like such a big jump up. I was doubting myself.

It’s in your head, he said.

You’re psych’ing yourself out, he said.

Just imagine the end, he said.

He, being my brother, was right.

My inner voice, the jerk one, kept repeating that line from the Simpsons. The fat, German child chases the bus and shouts as he drops behind, ‘I can’t run, I’m full of chocolate..!’. This is what I hear in my head. After a weekend with a few too many indulgences I was sure I would be back to square one. The voice taunted me. Comically at least, but no less intimidating  I felt like this would be my hardest run yet. I was nervous every time the run counter went to start. I would grumble and sigh dreading the ding of the bell and the prim and proper voice declaring… Run!

But as I ran, I found that my legs were just as strong. My breathing was just as deep. I was impressed with myself. The progress I’ve made. I didn’t need my brother to remind me to breathe once. Progress, trust me. I ran and soon I was done. Week 3, done and dusted and absolutely nailed. I’d managed the 3kms in 25 minutes and was happy with that. My brother knocks out over 7km in a similar timeframe. But for once in my life I don’t feel like I need to go faster or be better I’m just myself.

Isn’t that amazing? After all this time all it took to quiet my competitive mind for a moment was to run. To shut out the noise, focus off in the distance and put one foot in front of the other. Run. Powerful, strong, controlled and brave. Just run. I got a hint of this last time I completed the C25K. I struggled through with the mental game. This time feels different. No one to beat. Just quiet for once in my noisy life. Quiet. I just have to lace up my shoes and get started. The voice disappears then.

Run, just run.

Well this post has been a little while coming. I’ve been looking for a suitable pair of boyfriend jeans for a while now. A month or so ago ASOS went nuts and was all of a sudden covered in them. Then I had to choose whether I wanted ripped ones, dark ones or lighter washed looking ones. Tough call. I ended up choosing the new indigo wash cuffed ones.

It’s nice to have some relaxed fit jeans, even though my heart will always belong to the skinnies, I like it. I can’t wait to cuff them up even further and show off a peek of ankle with some pointy flats. Hubby said they sort of reminded him of the whole baggy jeans thing from when we were kids. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’ve been harbouring a desire to be Lauryn Hill in Sister Act 2 all this time! Picture that final concert hall scene. I never did have the midriff for that orange top though…

Ahh who am I kidding, as a teenager I wouldn’t have known it if it I did!

For their first outing I paired the jeans with a new jumper and necklace that cost me $35 total from Mix Apparel and boots I picked up second-hand. The boots are virtually brand new and a sort of weird fit, long and narrow. But I’m dedicated to making them work because they’re just so beautiful. Thin socks are the order of the day and thanks to the supple suede, I’m sure they’ll give. I’ll keep you posted.

Jumper – Mix Apparel
Necklace – Mix Apparel
Boyfriend Jeans – ASOS Curve
Boots – Tess by Barefoot Tess

What’s your favourite style of jeans?

Well hello out there Sugers. Nice day for it. So curiosity got the better of you, did it? you had to pop over and find out how this all happened? How the heck did Suger start? How did the ‘e’ end up in there? Some of you will have heard this one, especially those who have been around for a while. But here goes. And seriously, I could be handing over any marketing credibility I ever had with this one. Sorry folks who endorsed me on Linked In, it was ALL a lie. Haha.

One night in 2009 I decided to start a blog. I’d opened one months before and hadn’t blogged a single thing. It wouldn’t work though. I wanted a NEW one. So I started the Blogger naming your blog tango. I entered name after name after name. Nothing was available. In fact, this is how I originally found the blog Sunny Side Up. Darn! I really wanted that one. I wanted something positive. Something that would be flexible as I undoubtedly would change my mind what I wrote about and something that wasn’t already taken!

Mostly something that wasn’t already taken.

Then, at the end of my rope I typed in Suger Coat It. And hey presto it was free. HOLY COW! How did that happen. Excellent. So I started writing my blog. My original profile photo didn’t even have my face in it. I think I was considering anonymity for a minute there. It took almost a month before the first person asked me why Suger with an E? I realised quickly that this was not how sugar was spent but it was too late.

I liked it.

No one else had it.

It still got the point across.

And it was unique.

So I kept it. Never once shying away from the question of why. In fact it’s become my calling card. Dani nicknamed me Suger and it caught on. Google suger and you’ll find me. I’m all over that. In fact my first nasty comment on the blog referred to the spelling of the word pointing out my other repeated and horrible spelling and grammar mistakes. Stab me in the heart why don’t you? Go right for my Achilles heel! Interesting fact, I almost didn’t blog because spelling and grammar have just never made any sense to me.

But I did. Blog, that is. And I’m glad. Because no amount of spelling mistakes, or grammatical errors will keep me from doing this thing that it turns out that I love. Neither will mean comments, bossy comments, a little too personal comments or all the praise and validation in the world. I will not be swayed. The good times are too good to give up. The chance to have my say is too intoxicating to let go. I’ve found my groove and I’m going with it. I’m a blogger at heart.

I’m Suger with an E. This I Suger Coat It. And that’s my story.

What is yours bloggers?

Here’s Lara’s story. This post was inspired by her.

I’ve never really been interested in leather as far as clothing goes. Handbags, yes. Shoes, certainly. But skirts, pants and jackets, naaaah not really. I blame that episode of Friends when Ross wears leather pants and sweats up a storm in them, takes them off and can’t get them back on. It created a bit of a phobia for me. I’ve steered clear of leather pants, skirts even, just in case. I’m sure you understand.

I have however been looking for a decent black leather jacket but I can’t decide on a style yet {Bomber or more Blazer looking} so I keep looking. But no matter how cool leather is this season I just can’t do it. Maybe I just haven’t found the right piece. But seriously ALL I see is Ross in that darn bathroom hopping around… Awkward.

Soooooo, a nice alternative for the leather-phobes amongst us doesn’t have to be pleather. This cute skirt sent to me by Harlow Australia gives the look without the possibility of ending up going home covered in lotion and baby powder without your pants on… If you know what I mean {Ross!}.

The material is stretchy and comfortable to wear. Mine gave a little swish when I walked. The upside/downside is that Hubby wouldn’t quit touching my ass. Embarrassing really. But he’s right, of course, the feel of the skirt is really silky and supple. And I think it goes wonderfully with this chunky knit and some heels. I can also see me wearing it with my black knee-high riding boots when it gets colder. Mmmm snuggly.

Jumper – Valley Girl
Wet & Wild Scuba Skirt – Harlow Australia {gifted}
Shoes – Emerson for BigW

{disclosure}

 Leather {even leather look}, it’s just a little bit sexy, right?

So in the interests of sharing my favourite work outfits with you guys, here is the latest. This peplum top, stripe skirt combo gets trotted out at least once a week. I add a blazer for my chilly office {hello a brisk 19 degrees all year round, ick} and I’m all set. The classic black and white combo is perfect for my office that has a fairly corporate dress code feel that I almost always fail to meet. Even with a hot pink blazer though, this always gets the nod from my boss.

Can I take a side note minute here and explain the photos. Again at the local racetrack, I met Hubby there on his way home from work to grab a couple of photos. You can sort of tell it wasn’t going well by the look on my face. I’m sort of scrunched up and cranky looking. Sorry about that. It really can be a bit tricky to convince him {and I} that getting some photos after work, when all he really wants is dinner and a sit down, is a good idea. Grumpy all round.

Now! Where was I? Oh yes, I wanted to say that a lot of people get worried about the stripes. Stripe pencil skirts in particular. Almost every time I do a post with a stripe skirt or dress someone find the need to tell me {Pinterest is the place for this at the moment} that they don’t think fat people should wear horizontal stripes. I’m all like, what the hell people, I look GREAT. Okay, so I’m not that brash about it, but you know what. Old school rules can suck it. Rock those stripes lady. Same goes for dots and patterns and floral and shiny metallic and sequins. Meh. Do what you want.

Top – ASOS Curve
Skirt – Virtu {2012 – gifted}
Shoes – Evans

{disclosure}

What’s your big fashion rebellion?

Welcome back to the final official part in the Budget Fashionista series. Thanks for playing along, for pinning, for sharing and for letting me know how you’re going. Always the best bit, seriously. So today’s post is about how do you keep up with latest trends, colours and style when you are a Budget Fashionista? How do you continue to maintain the wardrobe you’ve created and style it season after season so you don’t end up that lady still wearing blue eye shadow in early 2001?

I’m still learning this myself, for years I’ve either skipped trends or just laid low on them. Adding a dash of colour here and there to get me through. Now this is a pretty good strategy if you aren’t too worried about it all. If classic is your style, then rock it and keep on moving. But if you wanted to on trend and up to the minute I’d start by choosing a trend or two per season tops!

Seriously, they release like 50.

So you spend more money, I’ll bet.

Choose your key trends and look at affordable ways you can work them into your wardrobe. Peplum was easy for me, a top or two and I was done. Sure later addiction kicked in and I’ve now got 5 peplum tops, a skirt and a dress. But most were bought affordably on sale or second hand over at least 6 months now. I would have loved to have dipped my toe in the digital print trend {maybe I still will?} but it took me a really long time to find anything I liked that wasn’t going to cost me the earth. So I let it go. I’m sure you get the point.

By limiting the number of trends you are trying to incorporate you allow yourself a bit of room to move within your budget. If it’s a colour you’re chasing find an item of clothing, a pair of shoes or a bag. Accessories are a great way to incorporate on trend colours without spending a fortune.

If the trend you’ve selected requires a commitment in style {multiple pieces of clothing, some shoes and accessories too} then sort out what you absolutely want and what can be left behind. Stay within your budget by using the tips in the earlier post. Perhaps like last week when we talk about reusing your items there are things in your wardrobe that if you wore them a little differently you can make them fit the new look you’re going for. Don’t think that everything has to be new. Sometime the basics are still the basics.

Something else to keep in mind is sometimes it’s possible to work with items you have in your wardrobe. Trends being what they are they come and go and come around again. This season there was LOTS of black and white on the catwalks. Easy, right? All of us have items we can fit into that. How very modern of you. Similarly floral is always in for Spring and jewel tones almost always make a comeback when it comes to Autumn/Winter.

That’s trends done, now what about maintaining your wardrobe? Well maintaining an up to date wardrobe requires regular clean outs and edits. Take out things you don’t wear anymore and sell the ones in good condition to reinvest the proceeds. Over time you’ll accumulate style and items that don’t work for you. Don’t be afraid to get rid of them. Continue to add the items on your essentials list to your wardrobe over time. Shop with that list and try not to stray from it. Chances are that if it wasn’t important enough to include on your list, then you don’t want or need it in your wardrobe. Invest in quality pieces where you can.

Just remember the rules Sugers and you’ll be fine. thanks for joining me. Next week I plan to share MY essential wardrobe list. I know some of you are REALLY keen to see that, so I’m doing my best to be through and include everything I can think of. Until then, here are this week’s challenges.

Budget Fashionista Challenge:

• Identify what your choice of key trends are for the upcoming season, take some time to figure out how you can incorporate them into your existing wardrobe or style.
• Add key trend pieces to your ‘essentials list’ to keep an eye out for while you’re shopping.
• Review how you have gone since setting your budget in week one. Do a tally, go back to the drawing board if you have to or congratulate yourself if things have gone well.
• Try and wear something you own differently this week, check out my take on this in this week’s Being Brave post.
• Pat yourself on the back! We made it. Well done.

If you missed the earlier posts, here they are;

• Part 1 – What is a Budget Fashionista & starting out.
• Part 2 – What’s your Budget Fashionista Style?
• Part 3 – Budget doesn’t have to mean cheap.
• Part 4 – Reuse, Restyle, Recycle, Buy, Swap & Sell

Sponsored by Colgate Australia.

Well good evening Sugers and welcome to the event you have ALL been waiting for. Or are sick to death of by now, I’m not sure. The launch of a new slim bristle toothbrush from Colgate Australia prompted me to step out on a rather skinny branch. My video acting début. Many laughs were had all in the name of toothbrushes. And cringing, there was plenty of cringing. For some reason brushing my teeth footage for me means lots of scrunching my face up. Who knew? But first, let me tell you about these brushes!

But first, the nitty-gritty in case it gets lost in translation. Colgate has just launched to the Slim Soft toothbrushes with teeny tiny 1.0mm bristle, which is 17 times slimmer than those of any other ordinary toothbrush, to get in and about all the nooks and cranny’s in your teeth. These brushes also provide up to six times deeper reach. Great news should you like your teeth sparkly clean and have suffered from discomfort when it comes to brushing {not video making, like me}. Excellent! Who doesn’t love all of that.

So a big thank you to Colgate Australia for this opportunity to make an absolute fool of myself on the interwebs. And to you guys reading, you lot had better buy some toothbrushes, that’s all I’m saying! The things I do for you. Haha. I really wish you could have seen how it looked as an idea in my head… The reality is just not as much fun. Isn’t that always the way!

To find out more information on the brushes pop over to the website or join the conversation at the Colgate Facebook page. Colgate Slim Soft is available at Woolworths, Coles and Priceline for $3.99 and $6.99* (RRP), for a 1 pack and 2 pack respectively.

I wrote a whole post once about grammar and spelling snobs only to find that the interwebs was alive with people complaining of the lacklustre nature of bloggers these days. I decided not to publish it because who wants to be accused of lacklustre blogging. Not I said the fly. But maybe that was the wrong decision. Who knows. Instead I’m going to ramble. Old school. Because nothing works wonders for my will to write, which has been a little M.I.A. this week than the good old randomness of a ramble post. I miss the clickity clack of keys. So click clack I go.

Another day and another co-worker says “eeeewwww, oh my gawd, what are you drinking…!?” as I sip my green smoothie at the front counter at work. Today’s concoction includes a half of an avocado and it is thick and rich. It’s also a little bitter thanks to some past its best celery. It’s green too. Very, very green. But that’s not really my point here, I don’t think. It might be. It’s just I find it really amusing when people don’t try new things.

I have this thing about matching stuff. It’s a display of control I am sure. But you’ll have to ask someone who knows such things. I like things to match and line up. It’s my thing, stop laughing. So why am I telling you this? Why share some random insight into the workings of my brain? Well, my friends, because something happened, something that pushed me over the edge.

Hubby was charged with remaking the bed after the sheets had been stripped. Later that evening as I climbed into bed I noticed that not only did the pillowcases not match {eeeek} but they didn’t match the mismatched top OR bottom sheet. It was a virtual patchwork of the lone sock types of our linen. I couldn’t sleep for a while just thinking about all those colours and patterns mixing together. That’s how I knew anxiety was back.

I meet a lot of people with my job. I’ve been called everything from sweet cheeks to an f’ing c-bomb {no really, SO classy}. The other day three people called me darling, so not all that bad in the scheme of things. One though was a man who we laughed and joked with while he waited. I made him a coffee, we talked, all was fine. Later the jokes got longer and the conversation started to rub me the wrong way. The shut up woman and listen conversation with a co-worker pushed me over the edge. He reminded me of the dude that Carry Bickmore came up against last month on The Project. I really, really dislike that sort of attitude. And apparently, it can’t be hidden for long.

People. It’s a funny thing to watch them go about their day from behind a reception desk. I see the best of some people, the worst of others. Sometimes the whole gambit of humanness in one person in one day. I still rely on my core principle that people are predominately good. Whenever that changes and I start to believe for just a moment that this isn’t the case it’s time for me to take a break. Step back and bask in the wonderful that is the people I love. I highly recommend it.

And then I write.

///image credit///