You Ask, I Answer

Earlier this month I dug into the analytics of the blog, and shared the top posts from every category…Decor, Style, Travel, Tips & Tricks, and Personal Highlights. Even your Top 10 Favorite Buys (a few of which were fairly surprising!).

My Amazon Fashion Finds was the overwhelming new series favorite, but my Q&A series, You Ask, I Answer, wasn’t far behind! If you can call two posts a series. #badblogger

But it was obvious you like it, and I’m nothing if not a people-pleaser, so let’s bring it back!! Plus, I love getting to share more with y’all, and can’t think of a better way than answering your specific questions and requests.

So I put the call out on my Instagram Story, and 100s of questions came flooding in! I guess my analytics were correct…y’all are nosy! Just kidding…I love it!! Let’s dive right in to the most popular questions from this round!

Q. What does Mr. SP do for a living?

Funny enough, this was probably the top 3 most-asked question! It must be because these questions came from people who watch our Instagram Stories, and often see him playing piano and being all-around ridiculous silly. (He has his own video highlight, look for Piano Man.)

Mr. SP was a professional musician when we started dating 25 years ago (long hair and all!), and toured the country for the first 10 years of our relationship. It was fun, and hard, and exciting, and lonely…all rolled into one. We definitely had some growing pains when he stopped touring, as we adjusted to daily life together! (We just celebrated 20 years of marriage!)

Now he’s a therapist (LPC), specializing in chemical dependancy. He was the clinical director of a group practice, but two years ago he transitioned to more of a private practice arrangement. Now he sets his own schedule and is able to take time-off when he needs it! (Like to help me with photoshoots!) Life is never dull with Mr. SP, that’s for sure! (Read my love note to him here, and more about how we met here.)

Celebrating 20 Years in Kauai

Q. What is your go-to athleisure-wear brand?

I have two athleisure styles…one is true workout wear, and the other is a step up from pajamas that I wear in public. For actual working out, I’m really only particular about my leggings and my shoes (I rarely work out in shorts).

My hands-down favorite brand of workout leggings is Zella (specifically the cropped ones)…they breathe, stay put, launder well, and aren’t overly-constricting. I also rarely buy any color other than solid black! I recently added these affordable leggings, and so far have been really happy. I hear great things about Athleta, Fabletics, and Lululemon too, so I might try a comparison.

As for workout sneakers, I’m a Nike girl, and love the lightweight Free Run style. (My current pair is 25% off here!) I get most of my workout tops here and love this sports bra. On days I work out, I typically throw this jacket or this pullover on with my leggings, and wear the ‘outfit’ all day.

Pullover (love this look-for-less, too) | Leggings | Sneakers

But if I’m not working out or ‘dressed,’ then you’ll always find me in joggers! More specifically, these joggers. I’ll pair them with a soft pullover, or jazz them up slightly with a tee and jean jacket.

One new addition to my wardrobe that I’m completely obsessed with are these sneakers!! I have literally never experienced a more comfortable shoe. Ever. (And that includes slippers, UGGs, sandals, sneakers, etc.) The brand is new to me, but their fanbase is passionate, so obviously I’m late to the game. There’s no way I could adequately describe them, they are just that good.

Fit Tip: I’m an XS in the jacket and joggers, and went up to the next whole size in the sneakers.

Jean Jacket | Striped Tee | Jogger | Sneaker

Q. Did you go to college, and if so, where?

I’m a graduate of Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, Texas. #GoFrogs I majored in Advertising/Public Relations and minored in English. Interestingly enough, those skills come in pretty handy in my unexpected line of work now!

Q. Has your son decided where he’s going to college?

I got so many questions about the teen! It warms my heart that so many of you are interested in our family, too. At this point, he’s been accepted to several schools, but still waiting to hear from his Number 1 choice. Either way, he’s got it narrowed down to 2-3 colleges.

Also, if you’re about to start the college application journey, I can’t recommend One Up College Consulting enough. Deidre kept him on track every step of the way, fine-tuned his essays and short answers, and played the bad guy when necessary. I got to be the proud spectator, and our relationship remained peaceful!!

Winter Outdoor Style

Q. Is there a place you and Mr. SP want to visit, but haven’t yet?

Ooooh, great question!! You know travel is our passion, and where we put our time, energy, and money. Some people like new cars, handbags, big houses, etc, but I’ll choose a trip and experiences any day! Especially now that our kids are older and we can create those memories together.

There are SO MANY places I still want to go, both in the United States and abroad. I’d love to spend several weeks in the Provence and Normandy regions, cruise the Greek Isles, see more of Southern Italy, explore Costa Rica, and glamour-camp in Africa (just to name a few!). Cuba would be amazing to experience before too much changes, too.

I’ve yet to fully see Big Sur, and Glacier National Park and Yosemite are top of my National Park list. I really want to take Little Miss to NYC, check-out more Hawaiian islands, and driving coast-to-coast in a family camper has always been a bucket list trip for me. My ultimate dream trip would be a cruise around the world!

Sidenote: You can find all our Trip Reports here.

Snapshots from London

Q. Love your haircut…how would I describe it to my stylist? Would you do a hair tutorial?

Thank you so much! I’m not sure of the technical name, but it’s an angled lob (long bob), with long layers. Probably best to just take pics to your stylist! I think it’s a style that works for most hair textures, since the curls and layers are so forgiving. I prefer having a little bang on my face, so I always do a long, side-swept bang (plus, I have a wicked cowlick).

As for styling tutorials…I have How to Curl Your Hair and Make it Last and How to Get Beachy Waves (my current style). In other hair-related posts, you might like my review of the Dyson Super Sonic Dryer, too. I’d love to add more…anything in particular you want to see?

Pullover | White Jeans | 5 Minute Makeup Routine

Q. Do you have any affordable dress ideas for weddings this Summer?

Oh fun, I love Summer weddings! The Spring and Summer collections are just barely rolling out now, but my go-to dress for everything from weddings to cocktail parties comes in a slew of colors, and is perfect year-round. I’ve yet to find a better dress for the money than this one (more colors here)! (Size up one)

Lace Midi Dress (more colors here) — ON SALE!

Q. What socks do you wear with booties and Converse?

I’m kind of particular when it comes to my socks, and actually have a few different styles I swear by!

• For low profile shoes like Converse and some flats: These no-show socks stay put and don’t slide under your heel!
• For low ankle booties: These lightweight, low ankle socks are thin and breathable.
• For workout shoes and sneakers: These fit great and dry quickly

Q. What is the paint color of your bedroom?

Sherwin Williams ‘Iron Ore’, cut to 50%. I’ve loved it every single day for the past four years! You’d think painting your room practically-black would make it dark and gloomy, but it’s bright, and dramatic, and soothing.

Pink Chairs | Drapes | Duvet | Lumbar Pillow | Plaid Pillow

Duvet | Lumbar Pillow | Plaid Pillow | Shams | Lamp (HomeGoods) | Dog Bed | Mirror

Q. If I buy through your link, but also click Ebates or another coupon site, do you still get credit?

You are too sweet to ask! This blog is of course my happy place and creative outlet, and connecting with and inspiring women are my main goals. But obviously it’s also a business (with a lot of expenses!), and earning revenue is essential to the life and longevity of Hi Sugarplum.

Plus, the more it earns, the more I can pour back in to it…in the form of more and better content. That said, when you click on an item I share, and make a purchase, I earn a small commission. Your computer links your click back to me, and credits me to the sale.

But the way the system works, it’s ‘last click gets the credit.’ So for instance, if you add your favorites from my post to your Nordstrom cart, then click around from another blog, or EBates, or any other site that takes you back to Nordstrom, that last click gets all the credit. Even if you never added another item to your cart. Bummer, right?

Same is true if you’re shopping within Instagram or Facebook…the link will open within the social media window, but disconnect the moment you close that window. So credit for the sale is only given if you complete your checkout before closing out. Super bummer, right?

And finally, if you’re shopping via a store’s direct app, like Amazon or Nordstrom, no credit is given to anyone! This one really stinks! The best way to shop from a blogger is always on your desktop or laptop. It’s a lot of techy-talk, so I hope it makes sense!

It’s a lot to think about, I know, so don’t worry too much about it. If you find something you love from me, and you’re able to shop directly from one of my links, I really appreciate it! But I’m also really happy you found something that makes you feel good and confident. This is one of those questions that could be an entire post!

Q. What perfume do you wear?

After stalking and obsessing over this scent for ages, I finally put it on my Christmas Wish List last year, and it makes me so absurdly happy! Seriously, I can’t stop smelling myself, and want to hose my whole house in it! It’s unisex, so Mr. SP (and even the teen!) wear it sometimes.

Q. What hostess gift ideas do you have for showers, etc? Under $50, please.

Oh yes, this is a great question! I should do a full Faves Under $50 on this one. Until then, I love giving this sweet initial necklace to just about everyone. Plus, who doesn’t love a little Kate Spade?

 

I’m just barely getting started with these, but feel free to leave any burning questions you have in the comments and I’ll try to include some in the next round. Some questions actually need an entire blog post to answer, so I’m adding those to my calendar to address more in-depth! #inquiringminds

Find more You Ask, I Answer posts here and here.