73 Questions

August 13, 2018

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SUGARHIGH & SUNGLASS WAREHOUSE.

Happy Monday! It's a rainy morning here in New York and after compiling and sorting through all the questions from this past week on Instagram, I've decided to do more regular posts answering your questions through my blog rather than social media. Reason being is for the sole purpose of having enough space to answer everything. You only get so many characters on your captions on IG! I was initially selecting and answering 10-theme questions every Sunday on my Instagram, but after some consideration, I think it'll be much more effective on here. So without further ado, let's jump into some questions! This week's theme is inspired by Vogue's 73 Questions, where I went through them myself and did one for you! Since there were a ton of similar questions within this questionnaire from you guys, I thought it was a perfect way to start the new week and also getting the chance to know me better! So come along and take a quick read! Fun and easy :)

1. What’s your favorite movie? Fried Green Tomatoes
2. Favorite movie in the past five years? The Shape of Water
3. Favorite Hitchcock film? Psycho
4. A book you plan on reading? Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
5. A book that you read in school that positively shaped you? Lord of the Flies by William Goulding
6. Favorite TV show that’s currently on? Sharp Objects
7. On a scale of one to ten how excited are you about life right now? 8
8. iPhone or Android? iPhone
9. Twitter or Instagram? Instagram
10. Who should EVERYONE be following right now? Jamie Beck from @annestreetstudio

11. What’s your favorite food? Korean
12. Least favorite food? Tripe. I. Just. Can't.
13. What do you love on your pizza? Green pepper, mushroom, onion & black olives. My fav combo.
14. Favorite drink? Cherry Coke
15. Favorite dessert? Chocolate cake
16. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? Dark
17. Coffee or tea? Coffee
18. Lace or latex? Latex
19. What’s your favorite band? The Rolling Stones
20. Favorite solo artist? Al Green

21. Favorite song? Rich Girl by Hall & Oates or Sign My Name by Terence Trent D'Arby, or Tom Petty's, American Girl. Hard to choose just one!!!
22. If you could sing a duet with anyone, who would it be? Ha ha, Eminem!
23. If you could master one instrument, what would it be? Piano.
24. If you had a tattoo, where would it be? On my spine.
25. To be or not to be? To be.
26. Dogs or cats? Dogs.
27. Bird-watching or whale-watching? Bird-watching, but much rather prefer people watching.
28. Best gift you’ve ever received? My beautiful German shepherd, MaQ.
29. Best gift you’ve ever given? A sterling silver card holder from Tiffany.
30. Last gift you gave a friend? Lotion

31. What’s your favorite board game? Monopoly
32. What’s your favorite country to visit? Ukraine.
33. What’s the last country you visited? UK.
34. What country do you wish to visit? South Korea.
35. What’s your favorite color? Toss up between black and green.
36. Least favorite color? Pink.
37. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds.
38. Heels or flats? Heels.
39. Pilates or yoga? Neither? HAHA! If I had to pick then yoga.
40. Jogging or swimming? Swimming.

41. Best way to de-stress? Read a book.
42. If you had one superpower, what would it be? Telepathy
43. What’s the weirdest word in the English language? Oeuvre.
44. What’s your favorite flower? White lily.
45. When was the last time you cried? Last week.
46. Do you like your handwriting? Sometimes.
47. Do you bake? Yes.
48. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My impatience.
49. What is your most favorite thing about yourself? My relentlessness.
50. Who do you miss most? My parents.

51. What are you listening to right now? Uptown Funk.
52. Favorite smell? Bergamot.
53. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My husband.
54. Who was the last person you sent a text to? My girlfriend.
55. A sport you wish you could play? Polo, but I can't ride horses to save my life!
56. Hair color? Originally jet black, now I'm almost blonde.
57. Eye color? Dark brown.
58. Scary film or happy endings? Scary film.
59. Favorite season? Fall.
60. Three people alive or dead that you would like to have dinner with? Lisa Ling, Michelle Kwan, and Frida Kahlo.

61. Hugs or kisses? Kisses.
62. Rolling Stones or the Beatles? RS
63. Where were you born? California.
64. What is the farthest you have been from home? Ukraine.
65. Sweet or savory? Savory.
66. Lipstick or lip gloss? Lipstick.
67. What book have you read again and again? Anything by Murakami and Bukowski.
68. Favorite bedtime story? The Princess Bride.
69. What would be the title of your autobiography? Sorry, can't fully answer this as it conflicts with what I'm currently working on! And NO, it's not an autobiography, but definitely within that realm.
70. Favorite sound? Rain.
71. Favorite animal? German shepherds, or dogs in general.
72. Who is your girl crush? Natalie Imbruglia.
73. Last photograph you took? An art mural.

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Orange You Glad You Stood up for Yourself?

August 2, 2018

WEARING: LA DOUBLEJ FLORAL PRINT RUFFLE DRESS | FLOWER EYEWEAR SUNNIES | 
SOUTH MOON UNDER STRAW POM CLUTCH | MARC FISHER ESPADRILLES | SMALL THINGS EARRINGS

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

“YOU’VE GOT ENEMIES? GOOD, THAT MEANS YOU ACTUALLY STOOD UP FOR SOMETHING.”

— EMINEM

Now before we get to anything, first's things first: I'm in no way supporting anyone to go around and make enemies or to become someone's enemy, in that it's the best option/solution for oneself, but rather, how important it is to stand up for yourself (without feeling like a jerk). A quote is only a quote, in that the one above is only to set the tone of today's post (Plus, I love my boy and I'm also from Detroit so whatever.) I'm no one's doormat, and you shouldn't be anyone's as well. This goes for jobs and relationships! Continue reading to learn why it's really good (and perfectly okay) for you to say NO and why standing your ground will always win over being a pushover/people pleaser/someone who's scared shitless of saying no.

In my line of work, I know a lot of you consider bloggers don't really 'work'. I get it. You see it like this: We take pics and get free stuff every day and basically get paid to promote brands and travel the world. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal! But guess what? There's so much more that goes into it. We don't just take pics. We spend countless hours in scouting locations, searching inspo from magazines, art, and more in order to come up with the perfectly styled photo-op. We take everything into consideration. I don't just aimlessly wander the streets of New York to stumble on some random backdrop in the regular outfit I'm in for the day and voila. Hell, most days I look like a chic bum in a casual tee and jeans while searching for the above mentioned for the next shoot. Or I'm behind a computer working like a madwoman. And then comes the shoot. I do my hair and makeup, we travel to the location; the shoot alone normally takes almost up to an hour. Post-production is about another two depending on the difficulty level of the edits. And then cross-promotion on social media. The whole process takes TIME and EFFORT and YES, hard work. We do this every day, not to mention meetings, endless emails, events, errands of everyday life and even more like prop shopping, dog walking, etc;! Phew!

So what irks me to no end? When a brand or agency who doesn't appreciate this and micro-manages you and/or takes advantage of you. Most bloggers are too afraid or are unwilling to disclose their horrific experiences (and let me tell you, we have ALL had them.) If you're going to tell me it's been nothing but smooth-sailing for you, then trust me, you're full of it. Because like anything else in life you take the good and the bad. But, once the line is crossed and you disrespect me or my work, I will most certainly call you out on it and stick up for myself. And you should too! Short but karma-induced blogger story: Cute blogger girl gets offered free boozy adult popsicles as the new brand ambassador. Brand ships product only to not have it delivered due to her not being home but at work. Instead of just shipping it to her office, they berated her for not being home to be able to receive the package. Cute blogger girl responds diplomatically but also assertively while also saying no to the collab after the mistreatment. She furthermore let other bloggers/influencers know about the brand and her experience with them. No this did not happen to me, but to a friend of mine. Moral of the story? Don't mistreat or take advantage of bloggers. You'd be surprised how more and more of us are so done with the bullshit and are done playing nice. Screw you at some point! Especially after having wonderful experiences with brands and agencies who do take care of you, fairly and with honesty. Don't stick around with those that do not respect you!

Because life's too short. Even in relationships. Yes, relationships are complicated. But if at any point someone just keeps making you feel more and more like BLEGH (and it's all usually for their own benefit: i.e; ego boost, someone to pass the time with, misery loves company, etc.) Walk away. Even ghost if they're that awful. If that's what they deserve. Why be nice anymore to anyone who doesn't treat you with the same respect for your time and effort?! Like I said, whether it's a personal or business relationship, both should be positive and beneficial to all parties involved. Everyone should be happy. So for me standing up for yourself is an act of self-love. Coming from a rough background, I've been doing it since I was a kid and it sometimes can rub off on others as being aggressive/combative but hey - I'm not Mary Poppins or in court so I will speak to you honestly and reactively when disrespected in any kind of manner. Today I had a pr girl interrupt and talk over me while I was asking for content specifics. And when I told her not to interrupt me she said she didn't appreciate my combative behavior. Mind you I had repeatedly asked for specifics beforehand. And for days. I have zero tolerance for any kind of disrespectful behavior. And in this way, the other person will definitely know what you are trying to communicate rather than using "qualifiers" in your speech - words that minimize the strength of your message by apologizing or minimizing what you have to say. Now there's no need for name-calling or taking hits below the belt. But don't say you're sorry if you're uncomfortable about something, just say that you're uncomfortable! Just be frank and get to your point.

Everyone can have their bad day(s). This Mercury in retrograde has me wonky beyond comprehension but this doesn't excuse anyone's behavior or mistakes. So the next time you're unsure about working with a particular brand/agency, trust your gut because it's always right! And remember what's more important? Selling out to some $$$-contracted job where you're not treated fairly or your SELF-RESPECT? And YES, no woman or man is too fine or too amazing to make this an exception. Take pride in how you treat others as well as yourself because it will, in turn, affect the way that person treats someone else too. Spread love, but when necessary, never ever be afraid to stand up for yourself! Shop this La Doublej orange floral print ruffle dress here or in the shop section down below.

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

When Menswear Meets Boho Gypsy

May 2, 2018

WEARING: TOPMAN PINSTRIPE MEN'S JACKET | THACKER NYC WHITE BLOUSE | 
SAKU NEW YORK BLUE LACE PANTS | PATRICIA GREEN ESPADRILLES

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SAKU NEW YORK AND PATRICIA GREEN.

Happy Hump Day, guys! Now that the weather is finally glorious, I'm sharing one of my new favorite pair of trousers on the blog. Today's outfit post is all about these cobalt blue lace-trim from Saku New York. I have known the designer, Lissa, for a few years now and I just can't get enough of her work! There are Korean traits within her designs, as this is her background, but she brings a twist in her collections by bringing feminine pieces and combining them with more sporty, athleisure type of styles. It's a beautiful mix, one I'm completely in love with, and these pants are the epitome of cool, boho-gypsy vibes. Continue reading to see how I styled these pants with an oversized men's blazer, a pair of fun, navy blue espadrilles and more.

Side slits accentuate the relaxed fit of these wide-leg pants. The color is electric, and the lace trim on the side slit brings the perfect amount of feminine to the piece. There are also hidden side pockets, my fave with a snap closure and zip fly. I styled them with my trusty Gucci belt to go with the suede navy blue in my shoes. Now as far as comfort goes, these cobalt blue pants are superb. And I love the airy breeze you get as well from the side slits, these are perfect for this time of year but I feel like you could wear these during the fall and winter season too with some tights and extra layering. These pants also come in black and retail at $425.

One of my favorite ways to style an outfit is to bring a piece from my husband's wardrobe into it. I tend to wear men's shirts/jackets in general since I've apparently caught the same Olsen twin syndrome of wanting everything oversized and exaggerated. Some might believe it's not a flattering look for a petite woman, but I think that if it's done in the right way and there's a good amount of balance between the pieces, then it can be done and is quite a complemented look for someone who's as tiny as me. The pinstripe jacket I'm wearing is the same jacket my husband wore when we had gotten married! I picked it specifically for its dark navy blue color, as I like to mix the colors within its same palette to bring a little variation to the outfit. It also works in interior design too!

Now, these navy blue suede espadrilles by Patricia Green are super cute and really easy to walk in. I'm usually a little iffy about wedges as I don't find them the easiest pair of shoes to walk in. But these Rockstar (love the name btw) espadrilles are amazing and I love the cool edge it has with the studs. They'd look great with a floral maxi dress, jeans/capri pants, skirts and more. I think it'd look fabulous with everything! This style is available in whole sizes only and tends to run small. If you normally order a 1/2 size it is recommended that you order the next full size up. For example, if you normally purchase a size 6 1/2 we recommend purchasing a size 7. They also come in black as well. I hope you guys liked this outfit as much as I do! Drop me a line in the comment section down below and as always, feel free to shop the look at the start or end of this post. Have a great sunny Wednesday, everyone! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

SHOP MAQ + SUZ

Cream and Blush Pinks

April 23, 2018

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK CREAM LACE SET | MARC FISHER ALIDA ESPADRILLE WEDGE | 
TEDDY ONDO ELLA BAG

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SAKU NEW YORK AND MARC FISHER.

I think it's safe to say that spring has finally sprung here in New York City. After what seemed to be one of the longest winters to date, I enjoyed the simple things this weekend, like sitting on a park bench with my husband and eating a Mediterranean breakfast while soaking up the warmth of the sun. I also did a photo shoot where I was behind the camera for a change. I get a ton of questions as to why I don't shoot more and it's because I just don't have the time. But every once in a while, it feels good to get back at it. I am a photographer - but the word is pretty iffy in my opinion, as no one should call themselves that unless they're pursuing it full-time. Stay tuned for the photos, I'm excited to share! In the meantime, today's post is bringing a bit more feminine pieces to my closet. I feel it's good to step out of your comfort go-to style (which for me is all rock n roll with a lil' edge) plus mixing and matching later in the future is always a favorite of mine when it comes to styling different kinds of clothing. Continue reading to see why cream and blush pinks work perfectly together and how one can also add feminine pieces to their closet and still look like themselves, even if they're more of a tomboy like myself!

As many of you may know, one of my dear friends, Lissa Koo, is behind the fashion brand, SAKU New York. The motif for SAKU is both the chic New York sense and the easy, breezy West Coast atmosphere. While being a unique, never-seen-before style, SAKU offers clothes that are ready-to-wear and easily approachable for anyone. Pursuing both sportiness and femininity simultaneously, SAKU showcases silhouette apparel that greatly emphasizes woman’s beauty along with comfortable fabrics that allow easy movement. This set really hugs in all the right places while showcasing a feminine-trimmed lace and dreamy creamy palette. It's also super comfortable and perfect for the city girl always on the go. Though this wouldn't look half-bad out in the country in some Western cowboy boots, no? And what's great about this set is you can interchange between them. Wear the top alone with a sold pair of jeans or just the skirt with a different top, like a black crop-top, stripes, and/or more! The choices are endless and I love to have items like this in my wardrobe to put them in a constant rotation. Definitely not that girl that only wears the damn thing just once!

Layers of artfully-braided jute wrap around the signature platform wedge of an eye-catching ankle-strap sandal in buttery soft suede. The Marc Fisher Alida Espadrille will have you feeling like you're walking on a cloud, these are by far the most comfortable wedges I've ever owned! I also chose the blush pink color as it matched with my skin tone quite well, and in this case, can help elongate your legs (Hey, shorties!) You can wear them with anything too: Jeans, a dress, skirts and more. They are approx. $150 but the quality and comfort, on top, are worth the price. I think you'll be seeing a lot from this pair for the summer season, you can find a variety of other colors here, ranging from blues to yellows, pinks and more. Which color would you choose?

I always like to switch around my outfits' palette, just like my obsession with the curation of my Instagram grid, where I'm constantly transitioning between different tones in the color scheme. And in today's look, I went for cream with blush pink. These light, playful colors work perfectly together and definitely maintains with the feminine parts of this look. They are colors are never usually in my closet, but for some reason this year in particular, I'm more and more into colors I've never really been interested in, such as pink or white. I think it has something to do with growing up, maturing, and being more comfortable in your own skin as well. What are some colors that aren't normally hanging up in your closet? And are you willing to step outside the box a tad, like I have? Why or why not? Have a great week, and don't forget to drop your comment down below!