And I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has purchased from my shop or has been so supportive along the way. Having been open for only a year and a half, it honestly means so much to me.

As a thank you, please feel free to use coupon code 200FS during checkout, to receive free shipping on all purchases from now til 12am Monday (5/20). (For both domestic and international orders)

Thank you!

Asha

http://NightlyAllure.com

Thinking of adding a few new accessories to my shop http://NightlyAllure.com, but I wanted to ask your opinion first.

• Sleep mask
• More Shoulder Epaulettes
• Sexy Gloves (fingers/fingerless)
• All of the above

Out of those listed, what would you like to see me make. And should I hold a giveaway for one of those items?

I got in around 3 am and as soon as I walked through the door, I had so much energy for no reason. I guess I was excited to just be off of the damn bus! lol

But in the midst of my excitement, I was also a little worried. Some of you know that I’ve been working on losing weight and getting healthier. And I’ve done great so far. But I was so scared that I would go to Maine, taste that good cooking and find half of those pounds back.

That kind of happened to me back in October and I’ve been dreading it ever since. So, I crept into the room where the scale is kept, and I stepped on it while mentally preparing myself.

Internal monologue “Look hun, it’s not that bad. Whatever it says, you can work it off. You’ve done it before! You got this girl!….But, just in case, be prepared to see at least ten pounds added. Just saying.”

Looked down ready for the tears…

And the scale said I only put three pounds on! I walked out of the room like I won a gold medal. Three pounds, pssh i’ll burn that off tomorrow as I breathe.

Now I’m more determined then ever to hit my goal, but the most important thing is that i’ve learned how to control myself. Those last few pounds are going to be a cinch!

…Tumblr, you need to take a girl on a few dates, before you get to flash me that kind of stuff O_O

Let’s just say…I wasn’t ready.

I think I have a moment to sit back and reflect. If truth be told, late Nov -Feb were very hectic months for me. Major gift giving seasons. And as my first year in business, I was terrified and excited all at once.

Sleep was like a precious memory that you could never get enough of, always trying to recapture it. While spending time with friends/family became something to feel guilty about. Kind of like a little voice yelling ‘What are you doing out of the office, get back in there now! You have SO much to do!’

It didn’t help that as an artist who hand makes each and every piece, I also worry over every single parcel sent out. I don’t feel at ease until I know that they’ve arrived at their destinations safe and sound.

I wish I could say I was exaggerating, when I tell you that I had nightmares of missing deadlines. Or dreams where I was literally going through the exact motions of creating an outfit or accessory. Countless dreams where anything that could go wrong, did go wrong. And more times then not, I woke up even more tired then when I laid down. It was hard.

But… somehow… I survived. 

Somehow without my meaning to or even noticing, I still found time for loved ones. I still continued to work on myself (lost 38lbs, 42 more to go!) through healthy life style changes. Still thanked the Divine for sending so many blessings my way. And those orders that I fretted over were still sent out, lovingly on time.

It’s scary being your own boss, especially around the holiday seasons, because you know that everything falls on your shoulders. Everything. But the satisfaction I get when hearing from someone who received one of my pieces…that one moment makes all of the stress disappear and I feel newly excited all over again.

Asha