5 Ways to Style A Classic White Crossbody Bag

August 14, 2019

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DELAGE AND CECILIA NEW YORK BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Enjoying the last few weeks of summer before fall. One color I love to wear during the warmer months is white, especially accessories as they look crisp, clean and oh, so chic… it’s quite another story when the first set of leaves begin to fall. But you’ll be seeing a lot more of white this season! Which is why in today’s post, I’m sharing 5 ways to style a classic white crossbody bag. The twist? I’m styling both summer and fall outfits - even transitional weather appropriate because let’s face it, that’s also always a challenge, with only one purse and in one color. White. So continue reading to see full visual story along with where to shop each look!

WEARING: RED ORANGE BLAZER | RED ORANGE SHORTS | NUDE MULES | WHITE BAG | STATEMENT EARRINGS

First look screams Indian Summer. It’s hot one minute and cool the next, one needs a good transitional piece! And imagine the multiple ways of styling either the shorts or blazer separately. To keep the look with minimal style, I wore nude mules with a low heel that would give me just enough length and statement earrings to make the short suit more luxurious. Instead of a loud, noisy bag, I styled it with the white crossbody that definitely polishes this look overall.

WEARING: BLACK MEN’S JACKET | BLACK WAIST PANTS | BLACK + ALABASTER SANDALS | WHITE BAG | SILVER EARRINGS

This is probably my most favorite look out of the five. It’s bold, sexy and fiercely intense which is definitely one style I can embody :) A recent trend that will be booming during the transitional period between summer and fall is ‘sailoring’. A technique in tailoring, it’s when one uses the lace or straps from shoes to hem long pants. I’m wearing a gorgeous pair from Cecilia New York. Classic black and white, lucite straps, and wire wrap around to fit any ankle to give a flattering look. In this case, a fun twist on hemming. I also styled an oversized men’s blazer but tying the front two slits together to give a tiny cinch to the boxy fit. And tell me a black and white outfit that isn’t chic?!

WEARING: WHITE BLAZER | BLACK BRA | WIDE LEG JEANS | SNEAKERS | WHITE BAG

Another black and white look, but with a twist. The perfect white blazer, but invert layering. It’s a classic look with different variations of style. I’d typically pair these wide leg jeans with the blazer and some dainty shoes but in this look I went for a more rough, tomboy edge pairing it with sneakers, pulled hair and pearl details to keep a bit of feminine style in the mix as well. I wanted to show that this crossbody bag can also work for more hard, non-delicate looks. How did I do? ;)

WEARING: GREEN DRESS | WHITE CHELSEA BOOTS | WHITE BAG

I’ve styled this dress before during the wintertime (!!) you can check it out here but I wanted to wear this again during the warmer season to show you it can be worn all year round. That, and the fact that this white crossbody bag goes very well with bold print dresses such as this one. I love how the small white dots from the dress goes so well with the white accessories. I think this look is stylish but understated, can be worn on so many different occasions.

Last but not least, a totally 90s-inspired look! I’d say this outfit is a mix of ‘Clueless’ and Prada references. This newspaper print tee I’ve worn during New York Fashion Week (see here) and it definitely reminds me of that Dior dress Carrie wore in Sex & the City. And I can’t seem to get enough of bucket hats and combat boots lately. They’re my ultimate favorite combo. I styled this look with a sleek ribbed skirt to keep it slightly sexy but not over the top. Definitely could wear this any day of the week and I wouldn’t be mad about it at all. Which look is your favorite look from today’s post?

LOVE & XX’S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

You've Got to Feel to Heal

July 9, 2018

WEARING: VIPSHOP SHIRT DRESS | MAUI JIM SUNGLASSES | BRAHMIN BAG | GUCCI SLIDES | 
BING BANG NYC RING | BING BANG NYC INITIAL STUDS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY VIPSHOP.COM, MAUI JIM & BING BANG NYC.

You've got to feel to heal.

Life is tough, but so are you. Most of you come to my blog for style inspiration, whether it's in the realm of fashion, beauty, lifestyle... I aim to make each element beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. Maybe some of you come to see my boy, MaQ, as he is just as much a part of my blog as I am and he is truly the mascot of my business. But what I rarely discuss on here is my personal life and all the experiences that led me to here. Since I've had a lot of new readers on here as well as on other social media platforms, I thought today would be a great time to sort of -reintroduce myself. Hey, I'm Suz. I've lost both of my parents in my 20s. I'm completely estranged from the rest of the family, including my brother. Today marks exactly 6 years since my father unexpectedly passed away. Grab some tissues, this isn't going to be an easy read. Listen quietly or talk to me... I'm open either way.

My father, Caz, died from a massive coronary in 2012. The irony? The day he died was the day he finally was hired for a job after struggling for years trying to find work. The morning his sister drove him to the interview he had said he felt like he was finally at peace and one with God. He literally collapsed in the hallway after shaking hands with the woman who just hired him. When my brother called to tell me the news that our father had passed, I thought it was a sick joke. Truly in a state of shock, I was numb until getting on the plane the next day with my fiancé at the time (now husband). I sobbed the entire flight home, knowing I would have no time to shed any tears while handling my family affairs once we landed. My family was unsupportive and cruel. Since my father died, not one member of my family has even called to check in on me. I'm dead to them, therefore, they are dead to me. One of his sisters refused to come to the funeral because she "already said goodbye to him" from a falling out they had. What about everyone else that needed love and support? Forget them too, right? It was as if everyone couldn't wait to just put him in the ground and be done with it. My father's side of the family has never been the best at communication (I plead the fifth) but everyone's true colors were shown after my father's death. It was like being hit with a Double-Whammy.

I lost my mother in 2005. It's still hard to believe it's been over 13 years since being without her. What was different about my mother's passing was being there until the very end. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer and battled it for nine months. I took care of her while holding down a job at the airport, finishing up school to graduate on time, and then some (nearly died twice while she was sick.) I am forever grateful that I was able to say goodbye to her. When people wonder what's worse: Losing a loved one suddenly or watching them slowly deteriorate... after experiencing both, the worst is the unexpected. There's so much I wanted to say to my father before he died and because we were estranged for three years before he passed, I'm eternally haunted from all the things left unsaid and what could have been. Is it normal to think that there's something else I could have done to prevent such a heartbreaking loss? Yes, but that's part of grieving.

How long does the grieving process take? I'm going to have to say, sadly, for the rest of your life. Is it easy for me every day? Fuck no. Some days are so awful, I have trouble getting out of bed. But then I hear my parents, and they'd be damned if I lived an unhappy, unfulfilled life. They wouldn't want that for me. And even though I try my hardest to live a full, rich life, I can't help but feel such sadness at times, knowing I can't share any of my accomplishments or mistakes with them. And in turn, I feel this incredible pressure to honor them - to prove to my parents that I wasn't born in vain and that it was all worth something. That I'm made of both of them, and that's a gift within itself. Do I feel lost half the time? Yep. Do I have moments of profound anger? Rage? You betcha. I feel like I've been robbed. Not one, but both parents? And no family to back me up? Why? I may never know, but I know this. I love them with everything I have and the content I create isn't just for the world to see, but it is more so especially for them. I hope they are proud of what I have done (so far) but I always have the sinking feeling that it'll never be enough, that I just will never be good enough. That's a horrible burden to carry. But I carry it. With pride.

So how do I bounce back on God-awful days as such? I FIGHT. It'll take every single ounce of energy within me. I try to believe that my experiences happened for a reason, and perhaps since I was strong enough to survive it, I do feel responsible to share it with you guys. To tell my story is a privilege. I hope this short but emotional post brings you something. Whether I may inspire you, and/or make you feel less alone, or even just getting to know me a little more and have a better understanding of me: Using my blog and art has helped me tremendously through the healing process. Those of us who have lost our parents are forever changed and we will never forget. I do believe that if you’re dedicated to wanting to live a brighter, lighter life, doing the work, finding the tools, and feeling the feelings will help you move forward. It has helped me. But it's a long, unwinding road. You’ve got to feel to heal.

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Rainbow Brite

July 2, 2018

WEARING: ACNE CORAL BLOUSE | WHO WHAT WEAR COLLECTION STRIPED PLEATED SKIRT | 
EGO FRANKIE HEELS | LITTLE E NYC KC BEAUTIFUL DAY BLUE BAG | NEUBAU DANI SUNGLASSES | 
BING BANG NYC AALTO ASSYMETRIC EARRINGS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY WHO WHAT WEAR COLLECTION, EGO SHOES, & NEUBAU.

Us New Yorkers are enduring a major heat wave, where temps rose past 100°F. I'm not one to embrace such hot days like these, where the humidity and scorching heat literally makes me sick. I get headaches and feel completely lethargic, no matter how hydrated I am! Plus I'll have little to no appetite and trouble focusing from feeling "hazy" from the weather. Any tips/suggestions on how to feel more energized during the dog days of summer? Even though the weather has me feeling a bit bleh, I won't let that get in the way of my style and mood! In today's outfit post, I am all about color! I just recently celebrated my 12-yr dating anniversary with the hubs where we went to our favorite restaurant in all of NYC for dinner. After all that we have been through, I think it's only a miracle we're still together. And we've been through it all. I know a lot of you are asking more about me and my husband so I'm thinking of doing a post dedicating that for you guys, as well as a better chance getting to know us! To say I'm happy is an understatement. Continue reading to learn more about this vibrant summery outfit that totally goes with my current mood and where to shop the look!

In case you missed this Instagram post, I was wearing a dress from one of my favorite places in the entire world. Target. Yes, folks. You can look stylish while shopping at "Tar-jeh"! And can you believe this rainbow-striped pleated skirt in this post today is only $30?! It has a matching long-sleeved top if you want to match with the bottom, but I opted with warm orange tones like coral and neon orange. I have had this shirt for years and adore the details of the buttons in the front. It definitely brings something to this look.

These shoes are my favorite at the moment. I don't wear many pairs of heels because one I'm too old to be running around the city in heels all day long and two, like every woman who has certain insecurities about herself, my feet are definitely not my most favorite feature on my body. But after putting these heels on, I felt like a million bucks! They're sexy, edgy, colorful and only $40. What more could you want in a shoe for summer?

Other accessories include this blue ostrich bag, orange tortoise sunnies and these asymmetric earrings by one of my favorite jewelry brands here in New York City. What do you guys think of this "Rainbow Brite" summery look? Don't forget to shop the look at the beginning or the end of this post. Got questions? Just want to say hi? Drop me a line or leave a message down in the comment section below. Wishing you a short and happy week :)