Transitioning into Spring

March 7, 2018

WEARING: MAKE ME CHIC FLORAL MAXI DRESS | ALEXIA ADMOR TUXEDO SPLIT SLEEVE DRESS |
 THACKER NYC BOYFRIEND SHIRT NINE WEST HENRA PUMPS | ZAFUL TASSEL EARRINGS | 
VENDULA LONDON BOOKS SHAPED BAG | ASOS WHITE FISHNET SOCKS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MAKE ME CHIC, ALEXIA ADMOR & NINE WEST.

If you know my style you know how much I'm into the layering game. It's a form of art that may look effortlessly chic to do, but alas, it's not as easy as it seems. And so in today's post, with the dreary thundersnow (yes it was literally snowing and thundering simultaneously this morning in New York) and my longing for the upcoming season, I'm sharing a fairly simple but elegant look that is definitely spring-wear, but can be simply transitioned and mixed in with fall/winter pieces too! This look has a touch of librarian morphed with simple romanticism in a modern-day vintage-y feel. Continue reading to learn more about where these pieces are from and also how I came to style this outfit.

The Alexia & Admor navy blue double-breasted tuxedo split sleeve dress is quite versatile. You can wear it alone as a dress all buttoned up which I chose not to do in this look, which I styled it as a blazer/jacket. I think the split sleeves gives the piece an edgy modern quality to it and the rich blue colors is super trending right now. So much so I think it's a great transitional piece to mix in with spring clothes. For example, like this floral maxi dress.

The Make Me Chic rose-print maxi dress is short sleeved, but given the stubborn weather, I opted for a little more layering with my favorite white boyfriend shirt from Thacker NYC. I wear it often, both in layered looks or just bumming around the house. It's that comfy and chic looking at the same time! The floral dress has great movement and the material is fair. It can be styled in other ways such as with a leather jacket, a thin duster/trench, and even with jeans. The Vendula London Books-Shaped bag is unfortunately sold out, but please check out their site for other amazing vintage-style bags!

I tucked my hair and pulled it back into a low updo so the earrings would have a bigger focus on my face, framing it more. These Zaful tassel earrings have been a part of my accessories since this summer and I still wear them all the time. The black Nine West Henra pumps are great for any look either dressing up or dressing down, it can polish up any outfit. And yet, they're comfortable to walk around in. (Dies a little inside with so much joy.) What do you guys think of the paired ASOS white fishnet socks? I even tried them with a pair of Puma and jeans this past weekend and I think they definitely put a twist on the traditional black fishnet, for sure.

LOVE & XX'S,

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The Fisherman's Lily 1 Year Anniversary

January 26, 2016

"DO NOT BITE AT THE BAIT OF PLEASURE, TILL YOU KNOW THERE IS NO HOOK BENEATH IT." - THOMAS JEFFERSON

The Fisherman's Lily: A Novel By Suzanne Spiegoski

The beginning of last year was the start to a very humbling experience. One year ago to this date, after spending over four years writing my first novel, my debut crime-thriller novel, The Fisherman's Lily was published by TouchPoint Press. Some of you may have heard about it, or may have also read it (which I very much so kindly thank you from the bottom of my heart!), but what some of you may not know is the origination of the story. Where it comes from. What made me finally want to put my metaphorical pen down to paper. And with today being my one year anniversary, I wanted to fill my readers with more details about the story behind the written story.

So where on Earth did I get this idea from? Well, it all starts back when I was just a teenager. While in high school I took a creative writing class. The teacher read a short story of mine and afterward insisted that I “should be a writer.” I’ve been writing ever since. I initially wrote several more short stories before taking an immediate interest in poetry. Percy Bysshe Shelley and William Butler Yeats were like long-lost friends to me during my teenage angst. When a few of my poems were published while in high school and in college, that sparked a deeper passion to perhaps take my writing a bit more seriously.

I began working on a memoir for several years before putting it on the back burner because I felt like I had a lot more to accomplish before completing an enormous project of that kind of magnitude. That and it's deeply personal to write about. That's when a lightbulb went off in my head. Why not take a stab (ha, ha I'm #punny) at fiction? And more in particular: crime fiction. How come? Not long ago, and initially wanting a career within law enforcement, I took it upon myself to receive a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. After obtaining my degree, I moved to New York City to continue pursuing my career as a police officer. But two weeks before entering the police academy, I felt I wasn't being true to my heart. For whatever reason, even with good intentions, it didn't feel right. I also wanted to fall in love, get married and have children, but I wasn't going to share my life with someone if I was in that kind of profession. I would've chosen to only be married to the job. Something was still pulling at my heart's strings. That's when I started ferociously writing every night, just to get the ick out of me and what was going on in my life. It didn't take long before I realized I wanted to change careers to pursue my ambitions as a writer, and very quickly was inspired to write about what almost could have been. And the best part? Writing fiction of course!

So, what is my book about? Lily Dietz, is an attractive New York homicide detective who doesn’t take crap from anyone. Her career is hindered by her psychological and physical frailties. Apart from being a borderline alcoholic she is close to being a full-blown manic depressive. With her partner John Fremont, Lily becomes engrossed in the hunt to catch a killer who favors Asian-American women – a category she herself falls into. As the race to unmask the murderer gathers pace, Lily must prevent herself from turning from hunter into prey.

The Fisherman's Lily is like an onion. It has many layers. I would describe the novel to be a mixture of police procedural, detective fiction, thriller/suspense and a family saga. It is dark crime and I would not say it is for everyone (it can get quite gruesome) but other parts of the novel discuss the complexity of our emotions and the human condition, such as feelings of anger, guilt, redemption, sadness … love. And how it all correlates within the relationships we have with others and ourselves.

Book Trailer for The Fisherman's Lily by Suzanne Spiegoski

Here's a fun random fact about my book: I'm a proud German Shepherd owner and in general, a dog lover. I love the breed so much I felt compelled to create a dog character in the book, Cuffs, Lily's beloved K-9 working-line GSD. He is her shadow, her confidant and best friend. It wasn't until after completing The Fisherman's Lily when my real-life dog, MaQ, came into our lives. Now he is my personal cheerleader, muse and hero. ♥

With my muse, MaQ, my German shepherd dog. © Gilles Decamps — With my muse, MaQ, my German shepherd dog. **© Gilles Decamps**

GIVEAWAY ALERT! Are you into crime fiction? Like the thrill of the chase? Perhaps you're a natural-born bookworm who's looking for something a little different from your usual reading? In honor of this special day I'm doing a book giveaway to one lucky reader! To enter your chance of winning a free, signed paperback copy of The Fisherman's Lily go on my Instagram page (@suzannespiegoski) and just follow the rules. :)

Enter your chance to win a free signed copy of The Fisherman's Lily on Instagram NOW! — Enter your chance to win a free signed copy of *The Fisherman's Lily* on **Instagram** NOW!

Got questions about my book or my writing? Leave comments below! I love interacting with new readers and other like-minded blogs, and of course, I can't leave out the familiar faces! Thank you so much for your continued love and support. I am forever grateful for you!

Thanks for stopping by and reading more about my life and my work. Don't forget to go on Instagram and enter your chance to win a free copy of The Fisherman's Lily!

Have a great rest of your Tuesday! The Fisherman's Lily is available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble, in kindle and paperback.