5 Ways to Wear Rock N Roll Boots

August 21, 2019

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY A.S. 98 BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Happy Wednesday! How is everyone’s week going so far? Last time on the blog, we shared 5 ways to style a classic white crossbody bag, with tons of transitional weather-appropriate outfits, but now that fall is quickly approaching us, today’s post is all about one of my favorite accessories during my ultimate favorite season: Fall boots. But what’s the catch? You know your girl’s style is all about the rock n roll (and if you’re new to the site, Welcome! and now you know lol) so I’m sharing 5 ways to wear rock n roll boots for fall. These looks work for back-to-school, a leisurely relaxing Sunday, boss lady moves, and even music festivals. Continue reading to see full visual story along with where to shop each look!

WEARING: PURPLE SWEATER | POLKA DOT SKIRT | PURPLE MOCASSIN BOOTS

Nothing like a pair of studded colorful boots to get the maximalism in me going. Featuring a wrapping front panel, burnished leather, silver hardware, and scalloped trip, these moccasin inspired rock boots pack a strong statement. So I styled it to the extreme with a vibrant purple chunky knit sweater that’s perfect for fall, along with a polka-dot frill hem knit skirt in black. I think the textures and patterns work well together, along with the colors.

WEARING: BOHO DENIM DRESS | OVER THE KNEE BOOTS

Festival season isn’t quite over yet! Why not party in something fun and breathable? This denim maxi dress I’ve had for a while, but doesn’t it go well with the over the knee boots? I love how these boots were made without feeling restrictive or formal. The casual silhouette features a studded cuff and an exposed zipper that can be worn either zipped or open for an even more relaxed look (and added room at the knee). Also would work well in transitional weather with the denim and leather.

WEARING: WHITE BLOUSE | BLUE JEANS | RED ANKLE BOOTS | CLUBMASTER OPTICS

Now what if it’s the weekend and you’re not about making a huge entrance in some extra AF outfit? What if it’s just a jeans and t-shirt kind of day, but you still want a little chicness to go with your look? These red ankle boots are a subtle yet elegant pair with an upper supported by a solid stacked heel, making it a superb complement to both skirts and jeans. I love the small heel to add height, given that I am petite. Always adds length to my legs which can never be of any harm! ;)

WEARING: DARK NAVY TRENCH DRESS | WESTERN ANKLE BOOTS

Every woman needs a western bootie in her collection, and I think this pair has the perfect silhouette for everyday wear. Featuring dainty studs, comfortable elastic panels, and a capped toe, it works very well with stronger, power-looks such as this amazing trench dress. You could easily swap this boot with the tall ones from the second look and each outfit would still look great! The versatility in this boot is probably one of my favorites qualities behind this collection. This look is definitely great to wear for a meeting or even a trip down to the horse barn!

WEARING: DARK BROWN POWER SUIT | BLACK BRA | COMBAT BOOTS

I’m such a combat boot kinda girl! This is probably my favorite outfit out of the five. It screams confidence. The bold silver hardware gives this boot real edge, and you get a peek from every angle; heel piping, rivets, exposed zipper, and a studded tongue. I kept the laces loose and untied to give it a rougher look to the entire outfit. What do you guys think? Which one is your favorite outfit? And which one was your favorite rock n roll boot? Drop those comments down in the section below!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Black & Yellow Winter Layering

January 16, 2019

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY W. CASHMERE, CHICWISH & DELAGE BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Last week’s post focused on a winter outfit which included a pleated skirt. There is also a pleated skirt in today’s post, but completely styled differently and with a change in color palette. The first pleated skirt look (take a look at the post here) was with blue, white and black stripes where today’s skirt is black, mustard yellow and plaid. And a shift from feminine edge to a more masculine one. Plus, I’ve got the coziest cashmere hat I’ve been wearing all winter long and wanted to share the piece because I love it so much! Continue reading to see and learn more about this winter look, where the layering game is in full effect and I’m geared up for the extra colder days.

I’m obsessed with this cozy chic longline coat boasting a snuggly black faux fur design. The coat is glam enough to layer over your dresses yet can bring extra edge to your casual looks. With a fluffy faux fur finish, side pockets, and a turn-down collar, it’s the ultimate go-to black coat in my closet at the moment. And can you blame me? You can get one for $80 HERE. I love this brand - I literally have so many pieces from them and yes, you can bet it, the pleated midi skirt is also from the same label as the coat is from.

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I love the trendy yet professional feel to the skirt. It is snug at the waist, but the material is of great quality and it did not arrive to me frumpy by any means. The pleats have stayed in their place. There’s literally only one more left online, so check out the site now before the skirt goes quick! This skirt is retailed at $45 which is a great deal for this type of skirt. I styled it this time with my favorite pair of winter boots this season, these black combat boots with yellow lacing but I think you can definitely style it more elegantly or even with sneakers depending on your style. In my case, I went for a grandma punk style ha ha!

To complete the touches of yellow from the shoe laces and skirt, I layered with a mustard yellow blazer which has ruched sleeves (can be seen here and here) and a heat tech shirt underneath from Uniqlo which are life savers during the winter time. Accessories include a designed with state-of-the-art seamless technology, this stylish hat is produced with a unique machine that all but eliminates seams for a beautifully finished appearance from every angle with no visible lines. 100% premium cashmere having a unique feeling of comfort, versatility, and flexibility all the while maintaining sustainability. Warm cashmere beanie hats are a must from W. Cashmere. My chic sunglasses are from ACCRUE and this gorgeous handbag is from Delage. A classic piece, the Freda Collection is a tribute to an ambassador of Delage, Joséphine Baker, who’s real given name was Freda. A silhouette with a timeless beauty for a demanding, determined and diverse woman. The Delage’s red (the brand’s famous color) which is present in the lining of the bag, discreetly expresses the strength of feelings and the attachment to life. I don’t know about you, but for me it’s all about these subtle details, in fashion and in life. What are your thoughts about this black & yellow winter layering outfit?

LOVE & XX’S,

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How to Wear a Maxi Skirt If You Are a Petite or a Short Woman

December 17, 2018

WEARING: MOOD SWEATER | PINK MAXI SKIRT | RED CROSSBODY | BLACK COMBAT BOOTS

Stepping up my game in the styling department this Monday! You know, us, petite girls, need a little more recognition in the fashion world because it’s not easy styling when it comes to being short. Especially when it comes to bottoms: Pants, skirts - you name it, normally anything will need some adjustments. But what if you can’t take it in to the tailor every time? Pinching a few pennies? Why not, “Make it work” as Tim Gunn says? And if you’re a true stylist, you can adapt to anything and yes, indeed, make it work! You know I’m not much of a pink girl, but many of my readers really like it when I wear this color. So on one count, I’m challenging myself to style one skirt in two completely different ways, and two, for the love of my followers. Here you go! Continue reading to see the complete shoot!

When I thought about how to style this skirt, given the fact that the pink maxi skirt (as cute as it may be), it was far too long for me. So what’s a petite gal to do? HIDE THAT ISH. And since it’s winter, I paired it with a loosely fitted black cashmere sweater with #MOOD written on it in a plush red. To accentuate with the top, I accessorized with my new favorite bag that’s got a gorgeous oxblood color with an adjustable gold chain. You can see how I wore it both ways. Even my lipstick and nails are similar to the shades or red, but not exact. And this was intentional. I think it brings more of the pink out in terms of its statement, and it’s quite a ruffly skirt! I may not be a girly girl, but I sure do feel quite the lady when wearing it.

My new favorite black winter boots have yellow laces and a rough edgy feel to them. I’d say they’re combat boots and the platform always makes me feel like I can kick ass when wearing them. Ha ha! I’d say this look has a definite punk feminine chic vibe to it. You know me for my edginess & rebelliousness when it comes to my personal style, I really had fun putting together this first look. But wait… there’s the other look. How did I style the pink maxi skirt this time? Definitely has an overall different vibe to it as well!

WEARING: PINK MAXI SKIRT | BLACK BELT | BLACK HEELS | STAR BAG

One of my favorite ways to style a maxi skirt is to wear it as a dress! As a petite and short woman (I’m only 5’3’’) who is always looking for ways to save a few bucks, and also doesn’t always have time to wait in between alterations at the tailor’s, it never hurts to find creative ways to style yourself! And this second look is more for an evening affair. Playful, elegant and still with a little bit of edge, this pink maxi skirt, now dress, is a showstopper. I styled the piece with the darkest color known to man to give contrast to the feminine shade I don’t normally wear, if not ever. I love pink and black together!

The look was definitely inspired by Carrie Bradshaw’s Oscar de la Renta dress from the show, Sex & the City, where her Russian boyfriend gifts it to her right before whisking her away to the ballet. I wanted the same type of feeling when it came to the second look. More whimsical. A touch of elegance. And a look you’ve never seen me do. And just like Carrie, I have a thing for accessories. This unique 100% leather based ball bag with Swarovski crystal stones, silver studs, glow in the dark stars and hand painted detailing is pretty insane when it comes to its details and I thought it was quite the bag to carry with this look!

I wore black strappy heels to give more of an elongated look as well as keeping with the color scheme. And when it came to styling this pink maxi skirt into a dress, I knew I need to cinch the waist with a belt, to give some shape to the long dress. I just used black satin ribbon, the same one I wore on my wedding day, and snugly tied it in the back. A statement belt, like the one I’ve linked would be just as great, but to style this as a dress it definitely need something to hold the waist in. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my duo-styled post! I truly enjoyed doing this, so let me know if you’d like to see more styling challenges like this one! Until next time… :)

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LOVE & XX’S,

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treStiQue Makeup Sticks

May 19, 2018

WEARING: NICOLE FRANK FRUZSINA TOP | CHICWISH DENIM SKIRT | 
STREET LEVEL HOLOGRAM CROSSBODY | TELEPORT SHOES ECLIPSE BOOTS | 
FOREVER 21 FISHNET CREW SOCKS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY TRESTIQUE, TELEPORT SHOES AND NICOLE FRANK.

trèStiQue is on a mission to simplify and empower the lives of REAL women of all ages. They believe makeup should be easy to use + apply. Their products enhance your natural beauty (not cover it up). With this mission in mind, they developed their Essential 8 Set to simplify your everyday makeup routine. Everything you need, nothing you don’t: 8 shade matched 2-in-1 essentials that combine high-performance formulas with tools for easy application. Their routine takes 5 minutes, weighs .05lbs and fits in a compact makeup pack. From your home to your office, to your gym or travel bag trèStiQue make touch-ups mess-free with portable makeup in both full and mini sizes for life on-the-go! I love this makeup brand so much, which is why I've got a giveaway going on my Instagram account! Continue reading to learn more about the 3 products that are being given out, how to enter, and where to shop this casual but edgy outfit!

treStiQue Color & Contour Blush Stick St. Barths Pink

1. treStiQue Tint, Moisturize & Blend Face Stick Paradise Island Beige

A two-in-one, weightless tinted moisturizer and built-in face blender. Less is more with this new two-in-one, cream-gel, tinted moisturizer. Light as air and powdery soft, this modern makeup glides onto skin to give you the perfect no-makeup, makeup look. Skin appears fresh and flawless with a naturally radiant, finish. This portable stick with sheer to medium, buildable coverage is perfect for use all-over face, or for quick touch-ups. This weightless tinted moisturizer is infused with Coconut Oil, known for its hydration properties. Its custom magnetic sealing cap keeps your makeup travel-friendly and spill-proof, while the built-in treSwitch Refill Face Blender allows for easy hands-free application on-the-go.

2. treStiQue Color & Contour Blush Stick St. Barths Pink

A lasting cream-gel blush with a built-in blender for the perfect pop of natural-looking color. This two-in-one, high-performance cream-gel blush gives your cheeks an instant pop of customizable color. Just blend it into a subtle flush or layer it on for added intensity. This cream-gel formula has a cushiony light-as-air feel, and it glides seamlessly onto cheeks, leaving skin instantly smoother and softer. It's also infused with coconut oil, and I love to use it on the eyes and lips on top of its functionality as a blush. It's probably my favorite multi-purposed item in my bag right now.

3. treStiQue Conceal, Cover & Correct Crayon Porcelain

A long-lasting creamy concealer in a portable crayon for under-eye or spot touch-ups. This two-in-one, long-lasting, creamy concealer is paired with a blender sponge for easy application. This high performance concealer crayon glides on in one swipe with smooth, fluid application and blends seamlessly into skin for buildable, medium-to-full coverage. Perfect for both under eye or spot touch ups.

SHOP THE treStiQue SET

treStiQue Tint, Moisturize & Blend Face Stick Paradise Island Beige

treStiQue Conceal, Cover & Correct Crayon Porcelain

If you are interested in winning these three selected items from trèStiQue (in your selected shade of course), all you have to do is go to my Instagram account and find the image above and follow the rules in the caption. It's super simple, I've made the rules in three easy steps: Follow me, follow trèStiQue, and like the photo. That's it! The selected winner will be chosen randomly on Monday, May 21st at the end of the day. I will DM the winner on Instagram for further information. If you have any questions about the products or the giveaway, feel free to send me a message through my blog or on my Instagram! I look forward to announcing the winner on Monday. :)

The Eclipse booties are a wardrobe essential. These silver leather lace-up booties can be paired with any looks, to complete any outfit. Made with 100% leather, they are really comfortable to walk in while looking pretty darn chic doing it! I paired it with this holographic crossbody to bring out the silvery features. Plus I love anything that is a hologram, it is such a trend right now! Definitely bringing back the 90s. Also to keep the black color of the outfit, I wore my favorite Forever 21 fishnet crew socks. They give the boot a little more of a sturdy support while running around in them (which I did the other night - two events back to back) plus an edgy touch within this look.

And just when I thought it was safe to put away what's in my autumn/winter wardrobe, New York wanted to bring back some chilly weather. Thanks to Nicole Frank, this black Fruzsina top can go from day to night with interchangeable zip-on sleeves on top of keeping you warm during those unpredictable spring rainy days. This top comes with your choice of black, leopard print or shearling sleeves (which would be perfect for the colder season). The fabric is mostly made out of nylon so it has that stretchy comfy feel to it. You can even wear it without sleeves to have that 3/4 sleeve look. It's quite the versatile piece, check more of Nicole Frank's designs at nicolefranktwe.com

What do you guys think of this look? Don't forget to enter my giveaway on my Instagram account! My handle is @suzannespiegoski and there are 3 easy steps to enter! Winner will be announced on Monday. I also have a really cute shoot coming the same day, and it's the kind of look that's just perfect for wedding season! Did you watch the Royal Wedding this morning? If so, what was your favorite part? I think mine was the impromptu kiss outside the church - just so sweet and tender. And that Givenchy dress was to die for! Also, the reception dress by Stella McCartney had me swooning along with the Jaguar E-type car of MY DREAMS! Yes, I'm a woman who LOVES cars. :) Have a lovely rest of your weekend!

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.