Lilac is the New Neutral

April 10, 2019

WEARING: LILAC TRENCH | SILK BLOUSE | JEANS | TWO-TONE SANDALS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY NATURALIZER BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

If there’s one color during spring that I can never say no to, it’s the beautiful lilac shade. It’s light and strong, pure and elegant, but playful and intriguing. This color has really been making a scene, especially since last spring season in ‘18 - so much so, that’s it’s become an acceptable color for all seasons. There are several color schemes/combinations to work with lilac, and in today’s post, I’m keeping it very casual with a pop of extra color in the footwear. Continue reading to see and find where you can shop these pieces online!

#TodayWeWill share our stories - to remember and enjoy, as we should every day. 💜🌸✨ My mother always had difficulty finding a shoe brand that carried her size (she was a US 4.5!) I too, have trouble, like mother, like daughter, when it comes to footwear; we’re both very petite. Naturalizer was one of the first shoe brands that my mother loved and wore, since they were one of the first brands to have her size. Now, here I am following her footsteps in comfort & style. These two-toned ankle strap sandals are only $90 and come in a variety of colors! I think my 엄마 would’ve chose white or a lovely shade of pink for spring.

This stretch silk charmeuse blouse features a hand drawn artisanal floral print for feminine style and charm. Side slits allow for flexible movement throughout your day. That’s why I love wearing it with a pair of trousers, or in this case, a pair of jeans. I’m such a denim-loving gal, literally cannot live without jeans! I loosely tucked in the silk blouse to give it a more casual vibe with the trench. Unfortunately the lilac trench I have on is sold out in the US and Japan, so I’ve linked very similar lilac trench coats above, in the beginning of this post.

The jeans I have on are also sold out, but I’ve linked a very similar pair from the same brand. They’re the perfect boyfriend jeans. I really love any style when it comes to jeans, but a frayed or distressed hem really gets me going, I always think it brings a bit more edge to a casual look. What do you think? This look could be styled with a skirt or trousers as well. I’d probably go with black to keep is less busy since the blouse is great on its own with no other prints.

Stay tuned for Friday’s post where I’ll be styling an iconic accessory in five different ways. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, so it is a special kind of post. I hope you’ll enjoy it along with today’s post! As always, shop at the top, middle and end of each outfit post with direct links, with the exception of the trench today as I have said the one I’m wearing is sold out. Thanks for stopping by, I’ll see you guys soon!

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

A Midwestern Victorian

March 25, 2018

WEARING: SHEIN EYELET EMBROIDERED RUFFLE BLOUSE | DL1961 HEPBURN JEANS |
EGO BOOTS | GUCCI BELT | ANA LUISA EARRINGS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SHEIN, DL1961 & URBAN DECAY COSMETICS.

My Midwest DNA has been infected with a Victorian flair. Today's post focuses on fusing the two together and where the inspiration is behind the look. A lot of you ask me what's my take on my personal style and here's my answer: Midwestern Rock n Roll mixed with European Chic. Since my visit to London, there has definitely been more of a British style within my looks. I've also included my new favorite makeup pieces from Urban Decay Cosmetics, incorporating an overall coral tone for an updated, fresh spring look. Continue reading to learn more about the products along with where you can get this white eyelet embroidered ruffle top for only $20!

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SHOP THE FLAT LAY

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in 'Demolition' 
80s purple fala round framed sunglasses 
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in 'Alkaline'
Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat 
Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in 'Backtalk' 
Louis Vuitton Poche Toilette 15 Monogram Pouch

SHOP THE TOP

The Eyelet Embroidered Ruffle And Bell Cuff Blouse is from SHEIN and is only $20! It's the perfect addition to your spring closet. Its crisp details will turn many heads! And what makes this blouse so fantastic along with it being purely chic? Comfort level 100. It's very wearable and makes me feel uber fashionable with it on. I also tucked it inside my jeans to give the blouse a more fitted, clean look. Hurry now and shop here before it is sold out!

SHOP THE JEANS

The blouse would also go well with a maxi skirt/dress but I styled it with a pair of wide leg jeans by DL1961, a New York City-based premium denim brand specializing in high-performance, sustainably manufactured denim that always offers a perfect fit. Katharine Hepburn's brazen style is reinterpreted with these aptly named wide legs. Its ultra high rise is fitted through the waist and butt, widening onwards from the thigh. Soft yet sturdy in 100% cotton, Slate is an old-school indigo wash with a heavily ravaged hem.

Accessories included in this look are Ana Luisa earrings (limited edition only, which makes them all the more special and unique), my favorite Gucci belt, and a pair of rose gold metallic boots from Ego. I also pulled my hair back into a ponytail because of the statement top. A little styling tip from me, to keep a 'busier' piece like this blouse well-balanced and not over the top, slick the hair back to focus attention on the shirt rather than the face. Earrings can sometimes be too much, especially with the hair down in a look as such.

What do you guys think of this mixed styled look? To clarify (for some), I grew up in the Midwest, in that it's something in my blood, not just a taste in a style I tend to gravitate towards to naturally... and as to what city? Motown baby! Fun fact: The Oldies is probably one of my favorite genres of music, on top of Rock and the Blues. I've always like to hear about where others are from because you can then have a better grasp to their personal style and taste. It's in all of us, and I think it's such a wonderfully cultural thing.

As to what I did this weekend? Aside from the usual brunch and my birthday (please no, I love you all but I'm really not into mine... hence the quietness about it.) I actually did a fun video shoot with a pretty well-known K Beauty brand on Saturday and am excited to share it with you soon! Stay tuned, lots of spring content coming your way including my monthly roundup of beauty favorites and other current trends in fashion & style. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

How I Went from Criminal Justice to Fashion

September 6, 2017

WEARING: AVANZARA-B HOUSE OF KIMBERLY TEAL BLOUSE | GENUINE PEOPLE JEANS | 
THE KOOPLES JACKET | GUCCI BELT | 
BRAHMIN ANDESITE GABRIELLA MELBOURNE BAG | EGO METALLIC BOOTS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY EGO.

Happy NYFW! Let the fashion commence! Who is as excited as I am to see all of the SS18 collections for the upcoming season?! Since today is our first day of New York Fashion Week, I wanted to share with you guys a little more about my journey. What led me to here? Well, the title of this post sure must have caught your eye. Yes, you read correctly. I once almost became a cop instead of any of pursuit for a career. Instead of Detective Spiegoski, I'm Fashionista Spiegoski! So, how did I start from where I began and ended up here where I am today? Continue reading to find out more why I took such a leap of faith and why I am so, so, so grateful for my crazy (but intuitive) decisions.

Once upon a time, I grew up in an environment that was rough, both in and outside the home. Because of my surroundings as well as life experiences, I initially chose a path in law enforcement, even receiving a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. I even traveled to distant lands to learn more about the cultural diversity as well as the different types of government and policing procedures. My '5-Year Plan' was to get my degree, move to NYC and join the New York City Police Department, and quickly climbing the ranks from Sargeant to Detective. Specifically? Homicide. But once I moved to the city of my dreams (I had wanted to live here basically my whole life), I didn't know a single soul. I came here with $300 bucks in my pocket, 3 full suitcases, with a place to share in Spanish Harlem. My first apartment in New York was literally a closet. Okay... walk-in closet: Enough to fit a full bed, dresser, mirror and a clothing rack. I didn't need much else.

Because I didn't know anyone yet, I became lonely rather fast. With that, I began writing again, something that's been in my life since I was very little (my father taught me how to read and write at the age of 4) and I always found solitude in the power of my voice and the freedom to express my thoughts and feelings through words. And while doing so, my gut switched a flip. I no longer had the desire I once had in the career I chose. I felt lost. Confused. Young. Undiscovered. I gave it a good hard look before changing my mind, but I'm tellin' ya, even to this day, I can't tell you how thankful I am that I took that jump and decided to explore my options a bit further. From this, I've given back, teaching figure skating and working with kids for nearly a decade, wrote and published a novel, have had my photographs published around the world, and learned so much about myself in the process.

I just surpassed my 2-year anniversary of my blog, MaQ + Suz. Since then, I've only attended 2 seasons of NYFW [this week being my 3rd season (!)] and am starting to receive invites to other fashion shows globally. Now, for those of you wondering... have I always been a die-hard fashionista? Not exactly... but it's always been with me, so to speak. When I was very young, I used to illustrate what campaigns I saw from the Korean fashion magazines my mother had. I'd flip through them, find inspiration and would recreate my own version, with even the prices of each piece of clothing! From there, I became more interested in the world of fashion while in college (where I started to read Vogue religiously) but that fizzled once I decided to do something else in my life. It's funny now looking back because even at the age of 6-7 I was already studying fashion when I was creating collages of them on my bedroom walls.

I believe within a person's life, one will change many times over. Hopefully for the better. As you grow older and discover more about yourself, you will find out what you want, what you don't want, and who you really are. Part of the evolution of the path to self-discovery. And here I am now, a writer and photographer working full-time in the creative field and I couldn't be happier with my choice. Is it hard work? You bet your ass it is and I'm completely dedicated to it. Here's to making life's grand decisions and to fashion & style. Shoutout to this vintage teal blouse that belonged to my mother, the label says 'Avanzara–b House of Kimberly' but I can't find the brand on the internet. It's from the 80's back in Cali... and to these favorite new rose gold metallic boots from Ego, I feel like Wonder Woman strutting around in these. Hope to see all you other fabulous selves strutting around town as well this week! Happy Happy Fashion Week! :)