Weekend Ready with Embroidered Florals and Bell Sleeves

WEARING: PERIDOT BOUTIQUE EMBROIDERED BELL SLEEVE TOP | BDG JEANS | 
MATT BERNSON MEZZA | ALLES FRINGE BUCKET BAG | 
KOHL'S SILVER TONE BEAD CHANDELIER EARRINGS

HAIR CUT + HAIR STYLIST: TAYLOR FROM FOURTEEN JAY & AVEDA.

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THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY PERIDOT BOUTIQUE. 

Hey, guys! Thank goodness it's almost Friday! I've had a rough and busy week. The summer heat in New York is legit, NOT cool at all and I've always been super sensitive when it comes to change in temperature. The humidity is not just poofing my hair into catastrophe but also my mind as if it's clogged up - literally feels hard to breathe! And imagine running around and being cooped up in subway cars or venues with no A/C, the struggle can be real! Aside from that and some family stuff, I made it through the week still with a smile on my face. A few reasons... One, I'm in love with this new black embroidered floral bell sleeve top I received from Peridot Boutique. (I talked more about the boutique in my last outfit post, read here). Two, I'll be taking off tomorrow to the Hamptons for work (and a little play) and three, though life can be tough sometimes, I'm just beyond thankful for all the opportunities and connections I've made in the last couple of years since launching my blog,  MaQ + Suz. I've been enjoying the fruits of my labor and I have so much work coming up it makes me really excited about the future. 

I sometimes have difficulty in cranking out three regular blog posts per week, even posting on Instagram every day now, not because of lack of discipline but rather a lack of a team. I'm a one-woman show. I'm doing it all with my own hands, aside from having my main photographer, I don't have anyone else helping me out. I try to keep my blog posts running consistently every week all the while managing other social media channels, answering hundreds of emails daily, editing photos and video, running around the city to meeting and events, and trying to maintain some sort of social life simultaneously. It can be hectic. And because of my schedule becoming crazier and busier than ever, I'm heavily considering hiring an intern and/or assistant. But I've mentioned this before; I'm nervous to work with someone I don't know that well, let alone trust, so I'm not really sure how to start. Any fellow bloggers have any advice on assistants and what your first experiences were like? 

Let's get to today's look! I'm a sucker for anything bell sleeves, especially during the summer. Call it the hippie in me, but I'm a such a fan of boho style during the summer season. And this top is absolutely gorgeous with the embroidered florals with subtle lace detail on the shoulders. This Peridot Boutique top is also super light and comfy for even warmer days, very breathable and so cute at the same time! I styled it with a pair of BDG jeans I've had for a while (also super duper comfy) with my favorite Spring/Summer 17 flats from Matt Bernson. The adaptable suede straps on the shoe give it extra chicness to any look. 

My fringe bucket bag is from Alles Bags and my earrings are from college! I think I picked them up at a Kohl's store, so since I can't link you the exact ones I'm wearing I've linked a very similar pair for you to shop should you want to style an outfit with chandelier earrings. They're great droplet earrings to polish up any kind of look. My eyeshadow from Naked Cosmetics and I went for a deep coral shade since I've never done an eye look as such. What do you guys think of the richness in the hue? I really love it, because you can use it from summer to fall. Perfect for many different types of skin tones too! Well, everyone, I need to finish up some errands and meetings for the day and then I need to get ready for this weekend! I'm so excited for my weekend getaway, stay tuned to my Insta Stories... You won't want to miss out on all the action! It's going to be so much fun! Catch ya'll soon! :) 

LOVE & XX'S,

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Keep on Moving Forward

WEARING: TOBI OFF THE SHOULDER BLACK DRESS | ZARA BALLERINAS WITH STRAPS | 
LOUISE & ELEANOR SQUIGGLE BAG | H&M EVIL EYE/ITALIAN HORN NECKLACE

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THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY TOBI AND LOUISE & ELEANOR. 

 

"THE TRUTH IS UNLESS YOU LET GO, UNLESS YOU FORGIVE YOURSELF UNLESS YOU FORGIVE THE SITUATION UNLESS YOU REALIZE THAT THE SITUATION IS OVER, YOU CANNOT MOVE FORWARD."

Moving sucks. You know it, I know it, we all know it. Hence, for my lack of social media posts and overall online activity as of late. I just packed up all my stuff and relocated to Union Square from the East Village, and even though the geographical change ain't too shabby, the process of any move can sometimes be overwhelming, let alone stressful. It can even trigger memories you've stashed so far in the back of your mind from many, many years ago. And because you guys have been so supportive of me opening up more on the blog lately, today's post won't be on how-to-move, or explaining the move, because who cares, really? Instead, I wanted to share with you more on my relationship with my father and my first-time experience moving... across the country.

I was originally born in the Los Angeles area but my time there was brief. As mentioned in previous posts, my parents fought like it was their full-time job. What made matters worse was the way they fought over me. Where to start? It all began with my father's tan Toyota truck. It wasn't anything special. It wasn't even brand new. But he and I rode in that thing everywhere. Anywhere he'd go, I'd follow. You know the arm rests that are located in between the two seats? I would sit right on top of the one nearest to my dad, just so I could literally be as close to him as possible. 

During one summer afternoon when I was around 4 or 5 years old, my parents were fighting again when my father asked if I'd like to go for a ride in the truck. Little did I know it would be the longest road trip of my life. He had tricked me into thinking it was a quick trip to the grocery store. For three days straight, he drove from California to Michigan. All I really remember was the miles upon miles of the empty desert and spilling a glass of orange juice from McDonald's on one of the seats of the truck. I remember that accident quite vividly as I had never seen him get that upset before. I believe that was the first time I really started to see his true colors. It took me until my teenage years to finally realize how abusive my father really had been. 

No, I was never physically abused. I once got hit a few times with a leather belt (let's just say I REALLY screwed up) but the kind of abuse I had endured was verbal; emotionally and mentally. It has taken me all my life to recover from this. I'm still working on it. I hate him for the damage he's caused. Not just on me, but on my mother, my brother, my estranged family... I almost want to say it's irreparable, but I also want to say I'm living proof that you can get through it. It can be pretty difficult, but with time, patience and the support from good friends, all wounds eventually heal. But just like a scab, you pick at it too long, it'll never have the time to repair itself back up.

Do I have issues with men & relationships now because of my father-daughter relationship growing up? Yes. I didn't have a father who was showing me right and wrong when it came to treating women. He not only verbally abused my mother but physically as well. And we're not talking some minor altercation where he's slapped her once or twice. (Which is STILL never f&%king okay!) We're talking throwing bows, even my mother chasing after him with knives and then some. All the while both of them screaming at me to call the police. I was just a kid and the idea of snitching on either of my parents, whom I both loved very much, was something I definitely didn't want to do. It was never about protecting them, but using me against each other. And therefore bringing guilt and shame into the situation. If I didn't call the cops, my mother would tell me I was a coward for not protecting her. If I did call the cops, which I did a few times, my father would tell me I betrayed him.  

I felt like a rag doll being pulled from both ends through most of my childhood. And no matter what I did, I just couldn't manage (or so it seems) to ever be completely accepted by both of my parents. They were constantly competing for my love (i.e; "Do you know what your mother did? She couldn't love you like I love you if she could just leave you like that..." - "Did you know what your father did to me? Even my very own sisters told me not to marry such a monster...") Talk about toxic! I never knew what was completely true or somewhat fabricated. 

But why stay together for over 25 years if it was all bad and nothing good? Well, I wouldn't say that either. My brother and I had the best birthday's, Christmas's, and every other holiday of every month because of my mother. She organized everything while my dad was the 'breadwinner' of the family. And even though we never had much, she made the best with what she had. And I truly miss those special occasions where she'd surround us with her warm, pure heart, making everything seem like it was going to be alright. And even though my father was far from perfect, he did manage to be present in my life, unlike some other father's I know. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is, despite all the pain and heartache that can go on in any kind of relationship, know that it can't be all bad, and it can't be all good. And when it's like that, it's even harder to walk away from the toxicity, no matter how much you may love that person. I didn't become estranged from my father until my late 20s when I finally said enough was enough when he began to emotionally blackmail me with suicide threats for over three weeks straight. I stood my ground and told him I wasn't going to take any more of his abuse and that if he wanted me in his life, he'd have to get his life in order and be more present in his kid's lives. Unfortunately, we never got around to that. 

The irony is the day he passed away was the day he finally was getting his life back on track. He has just left a job interview where he was hired on the spot, where while on his way out of the building, walking down the hallway, he suffered a massive coronary and died immediately after. I will always long to speak to him one last time, to reunite and tell him that even though he's caused so much hurt in my life, I still to this day will and always will love him. No matter what. Because love is about forgiving others and also, forgiving yourself. I still beat myself up for estranging myself from him because I know it hurt both of us too, but I had to do what was best for me at that given time. And I think he too, knew this deep down. So, don't burn every bridge you come across (even though some are meant to be burnt) because forgiving others is almost as powerful as empowering others or yourself. Without forgiveness, there is no compassion. No love. I don't mean to preach, but I've been thinking a lot about the best way to move forward, and to me, I think it all starts with the art of forgiveness. 

LOVE & XX'S,

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Plaid at No. 22

WEARING: VIP ME BLACK PLAID LONG SLEEVE SHIRT W/ WIDE LEG PANTS | 
MATT BERNSON MEZZA | ZAFUL TRIANGLE CLUTCH

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THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY VIPme. 

 

My mind has been stuck on Manchester.

What kind of world are we living in where our children can't even go to a concert without being safe anymore? Imagine - 13... 14... 15 years old and running for your life thinking it's the end. And yet we have people wasting their energy complaining on Instagram for having their photos (not even their photos actually) being reported and therefore taken down because of it. How about instead of posting tits and va-jay-jays that are solely for attention-seeking, we rather post content that either tells a story or tells a story within a story? Why does everything have to be instantly gratifying nowadays? Don't get me wrong. Everyone is allowed to do whatever the heck they want, and I'm not here to preach what one should or should not do... but can't we give this bullshit a rest? People are dying out there and you want to talk about why it's okay to post nudity because we're all naked in the end or whatever cockamamy excuse you want to use to call it a way of expressing art? Now, have I ever done a self-portrait of my booty? You bet your ass I did, but the difference is I didn't do it for anyone but myself. And I certainly didn't post it or someone else's work to grab any kind of reaction. 

Sure, everything is redone/copied/heavily inspired by someone else's work today, even sometimes making the fashion world quite an ugly one. Not everyone that's talented is kind or even decent for that matter. But what I appreciate is the story-telling that is ongoing, that leaves me with the desire to do the same. No, I may not have the power or finances to help with what is going on in the world at the moment, but my power to share the content I create, I believe, does help and inspire others to do more and be more. 

Like this British-inspired, two-piece made of plaid and leather by VIPme. After the Manchester attacks, I wasn't sure what deemed appropriate in terms of my next blog post, given the crazy times we're living in is much of what I've been thinking about the past couple of days. But as I was editing this shoot, I played around with the tones much more than I usually do. I think it has a lot to do with mood and your environment. And I'm more and more in tune with what can be told through a photograph, so for me, this is my teeny-tiny little tribute towards our current events. Plus, I've always had a soft spot for UK fashion. 

Summer is coming but before the hot days are here to stay, you can mix this two piece with so many other styles. I accessorized with an old pair of gold hoop earrings and Matt Bernson flats. The triangle clutch from Zaful is from last Fall but is still a favorite in my handbag roundup. I love the linen feel of the two-piece, and really dig the black leather statement pockets in the front of the top. 

The bottoms have pockets too and I love that you can not only wear them together but also separately. The pants would look chic with a white tee and blazer and the top would look great with black jeans or even a cute white denim skirt. I love when pieces hold a ton of versatility and can be worn all year round, especially in places with all four seasons like here in New York. What do you guys think of this two-piece? How would you have styled it?

And lastly, I've recently been getting a lot of food content requests, with questions of when I will be getting back into video content as well. I'm happy to report that after a tiny hiatus (because video editing is my worst nightmare and least favorite thing to do in the world LOL) but also because I haven't found a story I really wanted to create for it, I have finally got something in store for you! It'll be out in the next couple of weeks, but it's something really special to me and I hope it'll blow you away! Stay tuned because I can't wait to just even share the behind the scenes!

Lots of changes happening right now and I'm excited, nervous and a bit overwhelmed at the moment, but I know me and I'll be just fine. At the end of the day, we have no one to answer to but ourselves. So be true to you and to others. Stop being full of crap, be nice, and go out there and get ish done! I know it sounds easier said than done, but remember that people love you and care about you, that includes me! Spreading nothing but Love + Light, forever and always. Until next time, take care of yourself and take care of others. Smooches. xx  

LOVE & XX'S, 

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City Ballerina

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK BLACK PLEATED SKIRT LINKED W/ SWEATSHIRT | 
RHODA WONG DUSTY ROSE SLEEVELESS TRANCH | MATT BERNSON MEZZA |
VVA IVY CALF GREEN POUCH HANDBAG

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THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SAKU NEW YORK, RHODA WONG, & MATT BERNSON.

Friday calls for a mixup on ballet-like trends and a bit more feminine chicness! Today's post features two designers from my most recent post (check it out here - major Parisian feels) who are both extremely talented in their own rights. The pleated skirt linked sweatshirt by saku New York is a great staple piece to have in your closet. The adaptability of this piece is incredible, as I can see this being worn all-year round. It's a great combo for layering or just by itself. The vest (comes separately) scalloped collar and lace work are just gorgeous! I layered it with an insanely beautiful dusty rose sleeveless trench by Rhoda Wong, with intricate pocket and collar details. What really caught my eye was what's within the pocket, a handkerchief holder! Like chivalry, it is a rarity - a dying breed if you will... 

These Matt Bernson ballerina flats are my latest shoe obsession. You can wear these flats with or without the lace-up straps, whether tying them further up the legs to bring a gladiator/ballet-like feel to a look or even just around the ankles for a more definitive structured look, these versatile flats will be all the crazy this spring/summer season. And you bet I will layer these beauts with some sort of socks/tights come this fall! If you're looking to invest in a really good pair of flats, I really recommend these comfy and chic pair!

What's everyone up to this weekend? I will be working on more content for you guys - coming up on Monday will be a new cocktail recipe with one of my favorite liquors I've been drinking a lot of this year :) I can't wait to show you this spring-y, yummy and refreshing drink! Next week will also feature more sporty athleisure wear, but think more high-fashion, folks! And much more exciting projects in the works, it just keeps getting busier and busier! #forevergrateful 

LOVE & XX'S,

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The Last Day of March

WEARING: ASSEMBLY NEW YORK BLACK BELT COAT | 
ZARA WHITE CROPPED TOP WITH PLEAT DETAIL | ZARA LONG FLOWING BLACK SKIRT | 
ZARA BALLERINAS WITH STRAPS | GUCCI DIANA SATCHEL 

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Thank Goodness it's almost Friday! I've had quite a crazy week filled with technical difficulties such as code developing mishaps, learning more about the world of videography and then some! This week, along with the look of the day, I'm also sharing my first directed video for MaQ + Suz! Here you'll get a glimpse of our everyday lives with a mix of fashion and style along the way! And if you're a dog lover like myself, there's a whole lotta German Shepherd in the video! We will be posting more of videos on our YouTube Channel weekly. Click here or down below to view the entire video! I'd love to hear what you guys think! What would you like to see more of?

Today's outfit is monochrome and minimal. My kind of everyday style. My white cropped top and black flowing skirt are from Zara, as well as the ballerina flats. I love these for spring. They're definitely trending this season! My Gucci bag is from Purses for Nurses (obsessed with the bamboo handle) and my daily coat as of late is from Assembly New York.

Looking forward to this weekend! I'll be posting a new cocktail recipe then. I know I'll be having a few! Ha ha! Stay tuned! Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel and shop the look! Thanks for your continued love and support! Enjoy the rest of your day. 💕

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photos + videography by Gilles Decamps | director, styling, hair + mua by Suzanne Spiegoski

LOVE & XX'S

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