The Euro Institute!

They say to do what you're passionate about and thus far, that's what Sugar & Swank has been about. But the business has been missing one key component about which I'm extremely passionate: The Spa.

When I drive into the Bellevue Galleria parking lot and inhale a refreshing whiff of calming aromatherapy oils accidentally emanating from the Gene Juarez spa I instantly relax - even if I'm just going to grab a bite to eat at The Tap House or hitting a movie at the theater upstairs. I relax because the smell is comforting. I relax because the smell means peace. I relax because I just absolutely love the spa.

Ask my son and he'll tell you that when all else fails, get Mommy a spa gift certificate. But not just any spa. I want a spa with unique treatments that nourish the skin and body. Treatments I can't get anywhere else such as the banana leaf facial I got at Esperanza's spa in Cabo. I want a spa that prides itself on customer service and actually delivers. I want a spa with luxurious decor that I can enjoy while snuggled in my fluffy robe. The thing is, I haven't yet found that perfect spa so I plan to train hard until I can open one on my own.

The first step is to study at the Euro Institute, Seattle's premiere Esthetician academy and I'm excited to announce that I was accepted to their program. I'll officially start there on November 26th and will need to complete 700 hours of intense training before graduating sometime in May or June.

No worries, Sugar & Swank will operate after 4 pm on weekdays and on the weekends so keep booking those appointments.

Please email me with any great spa experiences and suggestions you have so I can open the most fabulous spa in town!

Finally, Be Sugar & Swank and find your passion and go after your dreams!

An Epiphany!

I've been very commited these past few months to getting my body in order. I always want to weigh less, but as I've gotten older it has gone beyond that. I have begun to understand that thin or fat, the bottom line is being healthy. Not that I've given up the hope of being thin, but after fighting some days of not feeling so good, I appreciate the fact that feeling good is a lot better than looking good.

I currently have the most fantastic specialists fighting to support Team Jen's Body Watch.

Sally Reed - Hypnotherapist - 206/719-6660
Matthew Davies - Endocrinologist - 206/386/9522
Lisa Porad - Acupuncturist - 206/295/2166
Jennifer Adler - Nutritionist - 206/595/0376
Karen Coshow - Naturopath - 206/523/9000

I'm eating well, I'm on the right medications, I'm exercising. So when the weight doesn't come off and I appear to have more of a donut top rather than a muffin top when I wear jeans, it is hard not to get discouraged.

Lisa, the Acupuncturist, explained that some bodies just aren't meant to be thin and that no matter how many of the "right things" you do, your body might just balance out at a certain weight. I like that idea. It makes me feel less like I'm failing at this whole thing.

After swimming laps the other day I stopped by the grocery store to buy a steak to cook for lunch and the words of a stranger helped relieve me even more of my body burdens.

"That steak looks good," said the man in line in front of me.

"Yeah," I replied. "I'm hoping to borrow some of the cow's blood to boost my energy."

"Well, it looks as though you're taking good care of your body."

"I'm trying!" I told him.

"Good for you. You know, we are made in God's image so we have to appreciate, love and care for our body because it is divine."

While I am a spiritual and religious person, I do not generally share my religious thoughts and beliefs with strangers. What's more, I do not particularly like it when strangers share theirs with me. However, in this instance it was somehow soothing and made sense. I won't go into my version of God here in this blog, but suffice it to say that I do believe in a higher power that loves me, no matter how I look. And maybe my path in this life is to experience what it is like to live in a body like mine. What a nice perspective! Come on, things could be way worse!

By the way, I am excited to say that I received blood test results yesterday from Dr. Davies who reported the results "are something that others would be jealous of!" I was thrilled to see hard evidence that my efforts are paying off because big or small, I want to live a long, long time.

I never thought I'd say this but . . .

. . . as an adult, I take Halloween for granted.



I didn't it for granted as a child. In fact, I have so many memories of enjoying Halloween as a youngster. A big party at the Morgan's house with all of my close family friends. Cider, soup and lots and lots of treats. Trick-or-treating in the cold and rain with our dads while our moms stayed dry and warm at home. Heading up to Melissa's room upon our return to unload our loot and make trades for our favorites.

Now, however, Halloween is stressful. Yesterday, for example, as the Room Parent for my son's class, I was in charge of the classroom Halloween party. The other parents were amazingly helpful and we pulled off a party that certainly pleased the kids. After cleaning up I ran home to get ready for the annual Halloween party I hold at my house. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to host. The Morgans come, as a salute to the Halloweens we shared so long ago, as do so many other wonderful family friends. It is fantastic to see all the kids running around together in their costumes and how happy they are when they come back to the house with buckets full of candy. It is especially wonderful to see my son trading candy with the kids of the kids I used to trade with.

Yet Halloween means I wind up hosting a party, usually on a weeknight, after a long day of work. The set up, the clean up. It all takes energy.

But a repairman who came by to fix my oven today altered my views of Halloween, and so many other things, with just a few words and now my days of whining about the effort and taking Halloween for granted are officially over.

As this repairman walked into my house he commented on the basket of leftover candy by the front door. "Oh candy!" he said.

"Yep," I responded, eager for him to just get to work.

He continued, "I promised my kids that I'd take them out last night, but my company kept sending me calls. I didn't get home until 8:45 and it was too late. They were so sad. I felt terrible, but there was nothing I could do. I asked the dispatcher to let me go home and be with them, but there were too many calls. I won't get home until 8:45 again tonight."

How naive of me to think that everyone could celebrate Halloween. I know people struggle on Christmas, but Halloween's not about a slew of gifts sitting under a costly tree, right? It is just about collecting free candy from your neighbors. But free candy is hard to come by if you aren't old enough to trick-or-treat on your own and must rely on a hard-working parent to take you out. The thought of these kids not getting the chance to go house-to-house collecting candy as I did as a kid, as my son does now, as most of the other children in their classes did, broke my heart.

I immediately started to bag up any and all leftover candy in our house and sent it home with the repairman for his kids. And what a small gesture on my part considering how many opportunities are available for us to help others less fortunate. Meeting this ma was a good reminder about how blessed I am and how it is my duty to give back whenever I can.

Don't Be Afraid of a Sugar & Swank Makeover!

With a Sugar & Swank Makeover You Always Look Natural. You Always Look Like Yourself.

Take a look at these Before and After photos of some beautiful Sugar & Swank clients. More pictures are viewable throughout this blog, as well.








A Sugar & Swank makeover isn't about turning you into someone you're not. Conversely, when your Sugar & Swank makover is done you will look like yourself, just enhanced. Sugar & Swank listens to the client in order to understand their needs and helps them make changes to achieve their goals while still feeling comfortable in their new clothes or make-up.

October 3rd Party Was So Much Fun!

The Sugar & Swank party held on October 3rd was so much fun! Guests sipped on cocktails and munched on a variety of treats such as fresh shrimp, homemade pulled chicken sandwiches, spanakopita. Favored by all were the delectable creme puffs!

Jennifer Worick, NY Times Bestselling Author, Allure Magazine Beauty Contributor and RealSelf.com Beauty Editor spoke about beauty and gathered many beauty confessionals from agreeable party-goers which will soon be viewable on the RealSelf.com website. To learn more about Ms. Worick visit her website at www.jenniferworick.com. Her lastest book, The Prairie Girls Guide to Life is now on sale and can be purchased on Amazon.

Darcey Pickard, owner of Starjuice Aromtherapy, discussed the benefits of aromatherapy and how helpful it can be for the body. To learn more about Starjuice visit the website. www.starjuiceonline.com.

Sugar & Swank demonstrated the Galvanic Spa, the at-home facelift and facial machine, and did several makeovers with the new Fall colors such as Toast, Eggplant and Bronze Shimmer. Visit the Sugar & Swank website for more information on the Galvanic Spa and to tips on how to improve the look of your make-up. www.besugarandswank.com.

Look at These Homecoming Makeovers!

I had a great time doing Homecoming makeovers on some wonderful Mercer Island High Schoolers. Take a look! And be sure to call upon Sugar & Swank the next time you want to look especially pretty for a special event or if you just want to learn how to modernize your everyday make-up.

jennifer@besugarandswank/206-351-3213

Just a Trip to Costco

It was just a trip to Costco, but I couldn't find a thing to wear. Just a trip to Costco to pick up some basics, not even anything fancy like a grand piano or 25-piece set of Tupperware, yet I truly could not find a single thing in my closet to wear.

I didn't feel like pulling on my Fall of 07' go-to outfit of tunic, leggings and ballet slippers. My jeans felt snug. I tried on some sweatpants, but with what top? Grrr!

As my bed heaved with rejected options resting on top of other rejected options, my boyfriend, Jim, came in to chat. Just to chat.

"This has nothing to do with you," I barked, "But now is not a good time. I can't find anything to wear."

With a look of confusion, he started to back out of the room. "Are we going anywhere after Costco?" he dared to question.

"No." I responded.

"Then why . . . do you . . . does it matter what you wear?" he stammered.

His question annoyed me at first. Didn't he get it? But then I started to laugh at his response to my behavior. It wasn't that he didn't get it, he simply couldn't get it. Jim, like most men have it easy. Size "medium" always fits and always looks good. He just pulls on jeans, slips on a t'shirt and a slides into a pair of loafers or sneakers and off he goes.

He also couldn't get that it was exactly one week before I was to get a friendly monthly visit from Aunt Flo and that I never think anything looks good when she's on her way.

The thing is, it doesn't matter where you're going, we all want to look good and most importantly, feel good about ourselves when we get there. Not always easy. So when one of those, "I Don't Know What to Wear" days strikes, and it will, and most likely, without warning, Sugar & Swank suggests to:

- Nurture yourself
- Take the time you need to make the clothing (or hair, or make-up) choice that will make you feel best about yourself
- Try falling back on an old favorite you know always looks good
- Remember that you're probably wearing "Messed up Aunt Flo Wacked Out Hormone" goggles and that, in all reality, you look much better than you think.
- If all else fails, call Jennifer at a Sugar & Swank for a pep talk

Good Luck!