The Perfect Back-to-School Backpack

August 20, 2018

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY PARKLAND & SUGARHIGH.

Happy Monday! Enjoying the last weeks of summer before September kicks into full gear. And you know what that means, kids... time to go back to school! Many of you will be needing school supplies before heading to class, and I've got the perfect back-to-school backpack for you this year! These backpacks are made out of 100% recycled water bottles. So on top of picking out a new backpack for the school year, you'll also be helping out the environment as well. How cool is that?! Continue reading to get more info on where to find these backpacks - including details from this beachy outfit!

Parkland is the name. They make bags from bottles. There are backpacks, duffles, and totes. And more. All made with 100% recycled water bottles, they come in a variety of colors and prints. I went with one with aquatic-like colors. Perhaps I'm not quite ready to let go of summer, haha! The Meadow Backpack offers versatility for work, school or travel. With enough room for your 15” laptop and your day's essentials, you'll be ready to seek out your next adventure. They even carry mini backpacks for the little ones and even adorable lunch boxes, should you be looking for a new one.

I just loved this beachy tee when I saw it. Even though "staying salty" isn't something I go running around promoting, but I love wordplay and this shirt is perfect for a day at sea! I styled it with a rich blue paisley bandana and short shorts from Forever 21. I thought the blue accents worked well with the pastels of the backpack, and the white of the shirt ties it all together. (No pun intended.) The turquoise belt is from Most Wanted USA and my sunnies are from the streets of SoHo. Literally picked them up at a flea market for $20!

You can check out the one from this shoot HERE and to see more of their collection, go HERE.

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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Boho Rambo Suz

June 15, 2018

WEARING: L23 TEE | JOHNNY WAS ARMY GREEN JOGGER PANTS | GUCCI SLIDES | 
AMSCAN GREEN BANDANA | PAUL'S BOUTIQUE LONDON BAG |

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY JOHNNY WAS AND PAUL'S BOUTIQUE LONDON.

Thank God it's Friday! Not that I live for the weekends, but the past couple of weeks have been jammed pack with work and though we work every day, we do make time to unwind and recuperate and not work as much as we do during the week. One of the highlights from my week was having lunch with RoC® Skincare and Good Housekeeping Magazine - a magazine featuring articles about women's interests, product testing by The Good Housekeeping Institute, recipes, diet, and health, as well as literary articles. We took a tour of their offices in the Hearst Building (fashion goals!) where we got to know more about the skincare line, see their tester stations at first glance and also had lunch in their private dining room where all the First Lady's have dined! I felt so honored to have been invited and learned so much about the testing process from beauty products, electronics, house appliances and more. You can see it all on my Highlights on Instagram!

Today's post is a mixed play on boho chic and the famous movie character, Rambo. Random fun fact: Sylvester Stallone was the first male actor I saw nude on screen! Ha ha! I'm really into styling different pieces from different eras and 'genres' if you will because rules are meant to be broken and challenged. So I took some military-inspired styles such as the bandana along with the dark army green color. The standard black tee is probably the most comfortable black tee I own and is from L23 - a fashion label based in Kazakhstan. And these jogger pants are from Johnny Was. I had shopped these pants at a new store opening here in NYC and when I had stumbled upon them, they were the last pair and in my size! I took it as a sign and brought them home with me. They are currently sold out (what are the odds!) but I found them in navy blue here.

Logan is a structured mini bag from Paul's Boutique London with twin handles and a detachable cross-body strap. It comes in this edgy dark teal and dusty pink star design, and features a top zip closure with further compartments inside. The front of the bag has the Paul's Boutique logo embossed on the front and a luggage tag attached to the handle. I've been carrying with me everywhere and have been getting loads of compliments on it! It's only $109.00 +tax but the quality and style make for a really great deal! They also have it in light pink, silver and a variety of other colors.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like the mixing of military and boho chic? What would you like to see more of in terms of content on MaQ + Suz? Fashion? Beauty? More lifestyle like recipes? I miss cooking, but honestly, don't have the time! Travel? Leave your thoughts down in the comment box. Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend and a Happy Father's Day for all those celebrating this Sunday, x!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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Modern 50's Housewife

April 6, 2018

WEARING: CHICWISH DENIM PENCIL SKIRT | FOREVER 21 BLOUSE | NA-KD LEATHER JACKET | 
ODETTE & ODILE WHITE SUNNIES | NINE WEST LOAFERS | STEVE MADDEN TIGHTS | 
PAUL'S BOUTIQUE LONDON MIKA SHOULDER BAG | UO BLACK BANDANA

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY CHICWISH & PAUL'S BOUTIQUE LONDON.

Hey, everyone! I'm sorry I've been MIA on the blog this week. Sometimes life takes a toll and you just gotta deal with it. After a week from hell with both work and personal struggles, I have come to the notion that when it rains, it freaking pours. I decided to not over-do it and to take it a bit more easy this week, hence only posting twice on MaQ + Suz. Luckily it's been a rather slower week and I didn't have as many deadlines as I normally do, so I guess there's the silver lining in that. In today's post, I'm digging into more about the recent struggles I face as someone who is in the creative field, and why I'm a bit concerned about where it is all headed. It's like this outfit - everyone being modernized, 'updated', renovated, etc; and yet in terms of politics, sociological aspects and more, we're still living back in the damn 50's. Even in this digital world. Continue reading for more on what I'm talking about along with where to shop this 'Modern 50's Housewife' look.

A couple of weeks ago I filmed a campaign with Innisfree, the #1 beauty brand in Korea and now available in the U.S., talking about beauty care, our environment, this upcoming earth day and just a couple things #IGiveASheet about - click here to watch more. Reasons I bring this up, (aside from shameless promoting) is because I am grateful for all the opportunities that I've been given. I have never imagined I'd even get this far in my career. I work hard, am professional, and just want what everyone else wants: To be happy and to be able to do what I love, which is to create. But the constant changes in the digital world is making my head spin on top of other things going on in my life. I'm tired of hearing about how everything is changing for the better and that the new economy is the only way for this better change. I have friends moving along in life having babies, job promotions, glorious vacations, and I'm still slaving away day-and-night just to catch one little break. I'm willing to sacrifice life choices over my love for what I do. I don't need the money or fame - it's about the acknowledgment of someone's time and effort in their work along with their character. The reason I create is to inspire you - to make you think, feel, and change your mind and heart about many things.

Whenever I get into a creative rut, I always go back to the same question. "Why did you start in the first place?" The answer, which to my dismay from several other bloggers within the community answering as such: Money, power, and/or fame has never been mine. Would it be nice to live more comfortably and not stress out every day about finances and such? Absolutely. But it makes things more difficult when more and more brands/companies aren't willing to fairly compensate you for your time, energy and work. Even global brands (which yes, they have the budget) will come back and say they don't and the only compensation they can offer is in exchange for products. (The new exchange in commerce.) I even had one collab offer this week where the brand wanted me to travel and pay out of my own pocket (on top of the collab being non-paid.) We're talking over 3 hours of commuting, not a subway ride away. I graciously turned it down. Now don't get me wrong. I'm thankful for every opportunity I receive, but when it comes down to real-life... it certainly won't pay all the bills. I can only sell so much product and for a fraction of the original price. Or a brand will want a test-run to 'see how things go' before moving forward. This is understandable. You want to know what you're getting yourself into and if you're going to be a match. But it should be about working towards something and not instantly getting what you want and then bowing out.

Should brands/companies be paying for numbers of followers, likes, etc; or for the quality of the work? I'd say both, but I'm more of a believer in quality over quantity. For example, which is often the case, every concept creatively is refurbished, recycled, yadda yadda yadda, so nothing is ever really fresh and new anymore. (In the grand scheme of things.) A company may feel that because of this, it's more important to gravitate towards the numbers because that's where the consumers are at. Wrong. A micro-blogger can reach specific demographics other big names cannot. But... if it's content they've seen before (and they have half a brain and actually read a book once or twice in their life) you won't get a bite and they'll just keep scrolling. NOW, I'm certainly not saying I've never been inspired by past photo shoots, art and such, but I have never tried to replicate anyone's work. To me, it's downright insulting and really shows your lack of creativity. Be original. Think outside the box. We should be trying to break through barriers, not stay confined in them. And then when you fall into a creative funk, knowing that you're not satisfied with the quality of your work (yes, I'm extremely hard on myself and therefore nothing is ever good enough), it makes the struggle all the more challenging. Some days I think all of this is rubbish and then the next I think I'm actually doing something meaningful in the content that I work so tirelessly for.

I took some time to think about what I wanted to write today because I was self-conscious at first. I thought, what if a brand or company reads this and then thinks of me differently? I need to stop caring about what other people think because quite frankly they don't! And second, why would I want to work with someone who after reading this post, and because of it judging me in a bad light? Same goes for colleagues, friends, and then some. I don't want to be working with anyone like that, let alone be associated with them. We all deserve to be collaborating with those that not only appreciate your efforts but also wants to build something together because you both believe in something, whether it's a concept or personal growth or both, it should be with love and positivity and support. Not ways of jumping through hoops in hopes of climbing up that ladder a bit faster than others. Why can't we remember that it's not the destination in life, but the journey? Name a legend or icon that became instantly famous and remained that way. NONE. They worked for years before a big break. And the blogging world is incredibly tough. It's competitive, cut-throat and downright stressful with all the job 'descriptions' of what we do that comes with. I write, produce, edit, shoot, film, meet and greet, brand, travel, forget to eat, sleep, and take care of myself, all the while trying to maintain some sort of balance in my personal life as well. It's easy to say you want to grow authentically, but with the surmounting pressures in the industry, the difficulty to act is not the same.

I'd rather authentically grow at a slower pace instead of sneakily participating in what are now, 'hidden giveaways', where bloggers are doing these giveaways under the radar where no one can see them (in secret groups and such) where they used to blatantly put loop giveaways into their feeds to instantly gain more followers because of the contest of winning free items (you know, a MacBook, an iPhone, etc; my eyes are rolling and are in pain at the same time just typing this) -what a crock of SH*T. (Don't even get me started on buying followers, likes and comments {and more}) That's why you see 'influencers' going from 20k to 40-50k overnight. It has nothing to do with the content they produce. It's all about the free goodies they're presenting to the world. And what's sadder? They lose nearly all of them once the giveaway is over. Oh, did I mention that in order to participate in the giveaway you have to BUY your way in? And I'm talking two to five hundred dollars, all for a few thousand instant followers. See my point here? And this is only one of the many scary examples as to why I'm frustrated with the business I'm in. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for giving back and have conducted some giveaways here and there, but then I remember what my main goal is for MaQ + Suz and it's certainly not giving away free crap just to gain a bigger audience. Also... if you call yourself an 'influencer', you're probably not an influencer at all. #sorrynotsorry

My message is simple. I only work with those that believe and appreciate my work. Otherwise, I walk. Life's too short and if it's a gig that you think will compromise with your brand, just don't do it. I consider my blog my first-born child (aside from the furbaby MaQ), so whatever I feed/nourish it, that'll be the outcome as well. So take care of your baby. Take care of it every with all your might. And hold value into what you present to the world, whether it's yourself or your work, what you project will also be what the universe throws back to you. I hope you found some insight from this post and can relate to my struggles. We all go through it and even though it is my job to make everything look aesthetically beautiful, life is not this way and I believe interjecting real thoughts & reflections keeps my work honest and true. Leave your thoughts on this post down in the comment section below! I always love hearing from you guys! Thanks for the extra love lately, too. You're all too kind! Have a wonderful weekend. Catch up again soon.

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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To Know You Is to Love You

June 17, 2017

WEARING: VIP ME BLUE VINTAGE EMBROIDERY BELTED MAXI DENIM DRESS | 
BLACK BANDANA PAISLEY

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY VIP ME.

I'VE GOT THE BLUES...

I lost him. Suddenly and unexpectedly. When my brother made the call, I thought at first he was playing a cruel joke on me. Then the shock factor waved in. I cried the entire plane ride home. After I handled my affairs though that's when I nearly lost it. My heart was broken. Hell, it still is. His death led to my estrangement from my family. They all turned their back on me. Some even betrayed me. I'm haunted by words left unsaid. And the pain still to this day is sometimes too unbearable to take. I miss his wistful smile and the sounds from his guitar. I miss our long talks in the car when we'd drive 'up North' to visit those we loved. I miss seeking his advice and him letting me cry on his shoulder until I soaked the entire damn shirt. I miss my father.

I have my mother's spirit, but I have his soul. I love what he loved. Music, books, cars, boxing... German Shepherd dogs. When he was a kid my father had taken in a female German Shepherd that was abandoned and had named her Lady. But he lost her too soon when she was hit by a car and died in his arms. He was so crushed he wore her chain collar around his neck afterward, even leading some of the kids at school poking fun at him for wearing it and resulting in a fight. She was his everything. I respect this breed for the same reasons my father did; loyal, dedicated, courageous, intelligent and loving. They are the ideal family dog. Even at an early age, I begged my parents to have one, but my mother refused. Opposite reasons for what my father wanted, she had lost her Keeshond while living in California, and I think it hurt her so badly, she didn't even want to risk having me or my brother go through the same thing. Now as a grown-ass woman, I have to say, that getting my German Shepherd dog, MaQ, was one of the best things I have ever done in my life.

One of our favorite films we loved to watch was 1979's boxing movie, The Champ. Even to this day, I still get all choked up when watching any boxing film. There is so much heart in the sport. I know some might not care for the violence, but that's not what it's about. In the boxing ring of life, it's not how hard you can hit, but rather how many times you can get hit and keep moving forward. That's what I see in a good fighter, in any sport for that matter. Someone who is full of adversity and still has the will to persevere. Whether in the ring or out of it, no one likes a quitter. And when anyone gives up, I guarantee you they don't feel good about it.

What I really miss is hearing him play in the background growing up as a child. He had his own 'man cave' down in the basement, and once he plugged in the amp to one of his electric guitars, you could hear him jamming all the way up from the second floor. (I grew up in a duplex house) As much as my mother hated it, I found it to be rather soothing in a rollercoaster type of childhood. I had always encouraged him to try and make a demo, and I know I sound biased with what I'm about to say next because I'm his daughter, but he was very talented. When he played the blues, you could feel the pain. Guitars cry too, you know. It's kind of like opera or ballet, either you get it or you don't. I believe there takes a certain type of person to play the blues well. And my father was the epitome of that.

My father has been without me for nearly five years now, and it was only last year since his death where I even had the courage to take out and look at the only guitar had left in his possession. It is a gorgeous ruby red Ovation Guitar, and I find it so fitting he chose such a color as him and I are both Aries's. Our element is fire and color is red, and our birthdays are two days apart. I'm March 24 and his, the 26th. I'm similar to him in many ways, some good, and some not so good, but I do take pride in who I am. Like my father, I can be stubborn, cocky, impatient, blunt, even sometimes slightly intimidating but I am also generous, kind, loving and true. I don't let my friends down and would give a stranger the shirt off my back if that's all I had left. And I too, can sometimes not have the guts to go after something because I fear I may not be good enough. I don't think this was entirely the case with my father, but his reason for never making a demo tape was his love for playing and not anything else.

I think if you're passionate about something like my father was with music and playing the guitar, you should continue to pursue it and not just consider it as a hobby. So in honor of Father's Day on Sunday, I wanted to share with you some bits and pieces of him, like his guitar in this post, along with his Fender picks, amp plugs, written music notes, and cassette tapes he recorded his favorite songs on plus the music he'd make himself. And a lot of my readers have been wanting to see more videos like I used to create, and given this has been a project I've had on my mind and I wanted to make it extra special, I definitely had to make one in honor of my father. I hope he would have liked it, and I hope you do too with a tiny fraction of who he was. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read and watch something that really matters to me. And to all the father's out there, Happy Father's Day to you on Sunday. I love you, dad. Wish you were here, but I know you're watching and I hope I've made you proud. Until I see you when I see you, keep on keepin' on.

Digging this denim maxi dress? It's from VIPme, you can use my code, 'Suzanne584' to get $5 OFF your purchase of any order over $50!

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: SUZANNE SPIEGOSKI

PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER: GILLES DECAMPS

PRODUCTION & STYLING: SUZANNE SPIEGOSKI

{To Know You Is to Love You} In honor of Father's Day this Sunday, I finally created an editorial video after a long hiatus - come check it out & press play! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

VIP me Blue Vintage Embroidery Belted Maxi Denim Dress

Ovation Celebrity Elite SuperShallow Acoustic Electric Ruby Red

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How to Wear a Mustard Yellow Bandana

April 14, 2017

WEARING: MAD STYLE FAUX SUEDE JACKET | VAGABOND HONEY BODYSUIT |
GENUINE PEOPLE BELL BOTTOM CROP JEANS | GUCCI BELT | AMSCAN MUSTARD YELLOW BANDANA | 
HIELEVEN MINI FLAP CLOSURE HANDBAG | CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN LEATHER LACE UP BOOTS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY MAD STYLE, HIELEVEN, AND VAGABOND HONEY.

Happy Friday! I'm sorry for the delay in my last post for this week! I've been super busy and have spent the past three days getting to know a couple of brands and learned so much on top of having so much fun! I'm so excited to share with you guys my experiences! Stay tuned for more on that soon, if you want a quick behind-the-scenes check out my Insta Stories for me! :)

Today's post is all on how to coordinate a bright accessory to bring an extra pop to a darker outfit. As a New Yorker, my go to color is black (or my latest obsession navy blue) I tend to wear these darker shades more often than more vibrant colors. But I think any accessory, it can be a bandana, a purse or a pair of shoes, can really liven up an outfit. The key is to not overdo it. One of my BIGGEST NO-NO's when it comes to styling is to NEVER match a handbag/purse with a pair of shoes! Unless it's specifically one color, such as all-black or all-white, this is the only exception to my rule.

In this look, I am wearing mostly darker colors, and I feel the bandana brings not only a little extra attention to the outfit but also an edgier vibe. And mustard yellow is currently trending like nobody's business. Come Fall, you'll be seeing it EVERYWHERE. You can style the bandana differently as well, making it into a choker like I did here or as a mini-scarf. Even wrapping one around one of the handles of your handbags makes such a cute accessory as well! What do you guys think of this casual look? I don't know about you guys, but I am ready for a nap after this crazy week! Phew! Have a wonderful Easter weekend everyone!