Fall Fashion Trend Alert: Socks and Sandals

October 12, 2016

H&M CAMEL CARDIGAN W BELT | BCBG MAX AZRIA STRIPED BLACK/GREY DRESS
SHOE DAZZLE FAUX LEATHER PANTS | FAR FETCH MUSTARD YELLOW SOCKS 
ZARA CORK + LEATHER WEDGES | ALDO CROSSETT CROSS BODY

Happy Hump Day! Today I'm sharing a new fall look. This past month I've been so taken aback by every single fashion week, most especially with Miu Miu's new collection in Paris. Starting with NYFW (see my post about my experiences here) I was swirled with emotion from the 80's and raver culture-inspired Marc Jacobs show, and also JW Anderson's textures and Mulberry's stripes & colors in London. Let's not forget Maison Margiela's weirdness and Gucci's decadent & intricate vibes along with the risqué YSL show. Can you tell I'm kind of into fashion & style? Ha ha!

So this outfit's theme is circulated around my many fashion week inspos, but more specifically, the idea of breaking the rules and making it new. Case in point: Socks and sandals. I bet a lot of girls (and boys) find this pair together a big no-no. However, sometimes something so wrong can be surprisingly, so right! At first I thought the styling of the platforms with the socks would prove to be too gimmicky/too much, but I think with the rest of the outfit it gives it a pop of vibrancy and strangeness. Style should not be taken so seriously all the time. Style is about having fun, trying something different one normally wouldn't try - taking risks. Taking chances. This is exactly how I felt about Miu Miu's latest show. Don't even get me started on their shoe collection!

Mustard yellow has been quite a prominent color for fall fashion and I combined colors I found to work with such a distinct color. Rust/copper, camel/beige tones with black and grey; a touch of pink and blue. And for the finish, I went for a vampy lip. I used YSL, but can't remember the name of the color. Ask and I'll check for ya! :) I've been carrying this tribal beauty bag from Aldo around with me everywhere. From our summer vacation to the Cape up until now, I simply adore its versatility as well. Transitional pieces are always good to have in your closet, as I'm not the type of girl to wear something once and that's it.

The belt is actually part of the cardigan, but instead of keeping it together, I separated them to give the BCBG Max Azria dress some shape as it's a maternity dress! No, I'm not pregnant. But I'm obsessed with oversized clothing at the moment, and speaking of transitional pieces, I know I'll have a reason to wear this dress again in the future. Fun fact about this maternity dress: It was the dress I wore to my hubby and I's first official date to a swanky Korean restaurant in Soho. Sadly, the place has closed since then but I remember eating next to Famke Janssen and how crazy I was about my man before he even started courting me. (*Omg, how old do I sound?!)

Stay tuned for new upcoming stories on the blog! This month we'll be doing a pet photography piece, as many of you have been asking me how I get those amazing shots of MaQ! There will also be a love story about where and how my husband proposed to me, AND a very special feature interview with an acclaimed photographer releasing a new book in the beginning of November. And of course, continued styled looks and recipes. Can't wait to share everything with you guys, as always! Catch y'all soon. :)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

How to Update the Back to Front Shirt Trend

October 3, 2016

WEARING: STEVEN LAND WHITE MEN'S TUX SHIRT | EXPRESS BLACK FLARE EDITOR PANT | 
DRESS LILY FRESH BLUE CROSSBODY BAG | BCBG PARIS BROWN SUEDE HEELED SANDALS | 
VAJZE ARTA RING | WEARVERONIKA NOEL CHOKER | UO BROWN WESTERN BELT

Happy Monday! How was everyone's weekend? We had a low key and cozy one for a change. For once I was able to unwind and just relax! And catch up on some much-needed sleep. And have brunch with an old gal pal. And editing, of course. ;) MaQ turned 4 on Saturday and because of the rain, we postponed his birthday plans until hopefully sometime next weekend. YES. My dog has birthday plans every year! I don't care what anyone thinks. He's only going to have so many birthdays, and I'm determined to making each one count! I was kind of bummed not being able to do what we initially had planned, but to be quite honest, I needed to recover from working non-stop since NYFW. After going weeks without a break, it's important to breathe and reboot. As much as I love going out, meeting new people and socializing, I also enjoy my alone time. It's where I gather my thoughts and inspirations, and try to creatively put together different points of view, whether from fashion or travel, or food, I want you to see my world from own personal style & taste.

An ongoing trend that started during Milan Fashion Week same time last year is the back to front shirt, where all types of buttoned down shirts are worn in reverse. The back in the front and the front in the back. Even during the latest interview I did on the blog, I helped style my goddaughter, Océane, in one of her boyfriend's white shirts, where I created an off-the-shoulder look and tied the sides of the shirt around her waist. Take a look here. I love how versatile and casually chic this look brings to the ordinary mundane white blouse. And in fashion, I love playing and mixing up with trends. In this case, one of my favorite trends happening on the runway right now, especially in Paris, is oversize everything. The extra layers and volume put a great twist on already trendsetting looks, such as the back to front shirt! Which is why I picked out my husband's white tux shirt with French cuffs. The sleeves are exaggerated to my petite frame, bringing attention to the shirt. I tied a small doubt-knot in the back leaving the front of the shirt unbuttoned to show a little skin.

What I also love about this style is you can pair the shirt with jeans or a nice flared pant, which I did here in this outfit. I love that you can wear this day to night, or work it with a skirt or even a maxi dress. There's so many ways to style the plain white shirt! Let's not forget to mention my favorite pieces of jewelry at the moment, the Arta ring from Vajzë and the Noel choker from Veronika. I'm obsessed with both; the gold dagger ring dazzled with clear crystals and the emerald gorgeousness from the choker. Talk about bead work too! Brown suede heeled sandals are BCBG Paris and the fresh blue-colored crossbody bag is from Dress Lily. Western-styled belt is from Urban Outfitters. To accentuate the green and blue colors from the accessories, I wore fuchsia colored lipstick and let the wind do it's thang to my mane. (Did not at all intend to rhyme. Nope, not one bit.) ;)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

vajze-product-whitebackdrop-lowres-7 (1).jpg

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

October Beauty Favorites

October 2, 2015

TGIF! October is officially here and there are a few beauty products that are my must-haves at the moment. And one of them, you will laugh at, but it's something I love to have from time to time! Don't judge me, I fully embrace myself just the way I am!

From left to right, clockwise.

Formula X For Sephora Nail Polish in Ignite
Fresh Sugar Cherry Tinted Lip Treatment - Sunscreen SPF 15
Cartier Pasha Édition Noire Travel Rollerball Cologne
Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Lashes Mascara
L'Oreal Glam Bronze GG Cream

I actually wore this Formula X nail polish the day I married my husband. We married in the Fall almost two years ago, and ever since, I have been constantly stocking on this particular deep red for the Autumn/Winter seasons here in New York. A definite must-have! They give my nails a modern, classic look and the rich hue complements my skin complexion very well, even when my summer tan is starting to taper off. ;)

Okay, let me just say, I cannot get enough of Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment! This season is the first time I'm trying an actual color from this line, and I went with 'Cherry' to go with my red nails. It provides 6 hours of moisture, leaving you with only soft, supple lips. Most women I know can rock full red lips, but I look like a blow fish if I go the scenic bright rouge route! I am loving it's subtle tint!

Normally I'd talk about my current perfume, but my current aromatic obsession is this new cologne by Cartier I got for my hubby. It's style is authentic and elegant (just like my man) with hints of mint, rose wood, coriander, mandarin, thyme and lavender. It's a very masculine perfume, and you cannot deny the expressions of virility and pure sophistication in it's scent. Perfect sexy vibes for Fall. I'd recommend it for any man who enjoys the finer and more beautiful things in life. And... (here's the laughable part), I like to spritz it on one of my hubby's shirts and wear it around the house sometimes, especially on rainy days like today! ❤︎❤︎❤︎

I've been using Lancôme's mascara for years. I sometimes use one from Kiehl's, but for everyday usage, this doll lash effect mascara gives a wide-eye look but also with perfect volumized, extended, luscious lashes. (Without looking like some cartoon character!) And the comb is really good in those hard-to-reach corners.

And now, last but not least, my favorite current bronze cream from L'Oreal. I love how weightless it feels and the coverage is very natural, giving my skin the perfect glow. It is a very sheer cream and has a very summery, floral scent to it. I love it! It doesn't give you much coverage, but I'd like to think of it as a lighter kind of contour for your face.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed some of my monthly beauty faves! Have a wonderful, super cozy weekend!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

PS The beauty products laid out on that super snugly faux fur blanket is from one of my all-time favorite stores, West Elm. :)