3 Ways to Wear Tie Dye

July 22, 2019

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

When it comes to elegance and ultimate sophistication in fashion, tie-dye is probably not the type of clothing you’d first consider. The term “tie-dye” first appeared in the United States during the 1960's. Hippies, who were protesting the Vietnam War and promoting peace and love, began wearing clothing with vibrant colors and psychedelic designs. If you wore tie dye you stood for something! And in today’s post, I’m standing up to show you tie-dye can be very chic and stylish. I’m sharing 3 ways to wear the comeback trend; as a top, as a bottom and as a dress! Continue reading to see full visual story.

The first look is all about sporty and feminine pieces together. I love the juxtaposition behind contrasting styles and this is a combination I often go for. The tiered, lace, pleated skirt is actually a dress, but given that I wanted the yellow tie-dye shirt to stand out, I didn’t want to cover up the piece with the dress. So I styled it by tucked the top part of the dress underneath, and resulting in creating a skirt. To pair the feminine details of the skirt, I accessorized with a pearl hair clip and cute orange and white abstract clutch, designed by a friend of mine. To contrast with the pretty details, I went for a pair of chunky trainers to go in the mix.

WEARING: BLACK BELTED BLAZER | TIE DYE JOGGERS | BLACK SANDALS | BLACK BUCKET HAT

Needless to say, getting dressed for work during the summer is not the easiest thing to do. You want to wear something that's going to keep you cool during your commute, warm in your freezing office, plus take you from your desk to al fresco drinks—all while sticking to an office dress code. This black belted blazer has clean cut lines and perfectly tailored shoulders and lapels. It is in a slightly stretchy fabric, giving you a full range of motion and a comfortable fit. This perfect piece will fulfill both the oversized boyfriend blazer trend and the tailored belted blazer trend. Can be worn without the belt as a classic blazer or with the detachable belt for a more trendy look this season. To give it a more boho style, I wore tie-die joggers and a bucket hat. I think this outfit would be best on Casual Friday. And the tie-dye joggers are so cozy, it’ll be like wearing pj’s at the office. :)

WEARING: TIE DYE DRESS | SUMMER TOTE | ROPE SANDALS

The final and third look is a casual weekend outfit. Something that can easily be worn to the beach, the farmer’s market, brunch, and city strolls. I fell in love with the blue color of this tie-dye dress. And apparently many others as well, since it is already sold out! But if you click through the link, there is a way to be notified once the dress is restocked. I styled the dress with neutral toned accessories such as a large tote and rope sandals. Handcrafted in Peru, the Braided Frida Shopper is the perfect accessory for chic summer outings. This easy to carry and relaxed style is handwoven by indigenous female artisans and shaped with an open top that reveals a spacious compartment. Intricate weaving and long twisted braids further elevate this must-have, versatile accessory that comes in a chic olive shade, a lively mustard hue, a soft pink, an ice blue and a classic beige.

LOVE & XX’S,

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5 Ways to Style A White Shirt Dress

June 24, 2019

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY STYLEWE AND THESIS CRISIS BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Happy Monday, everyone! How was your weekend? Over a month ago I had styled an indigo shirt dress to which many of you went crazy over the dress. The blue color is a shade I wouldn’t wear everyday, but white I definitely can! So, today on the blog, I’m sharing 5 different ways to style a white shirt dress for the summer season. I’ve switched it up from casual to more dressy, but these looks can definitely be carried throughout the rest of the season. There is also a video I’ve posted on my Instagram channel showcasing the five looks. Check it out here. Continue reading to see full visual story and also to find direct links to each piece from every individual look.

WEARING: WHITE SHIRT DRESS | MELON BAG | BEIGE PEARL HEELS

The first way is to wear the white shirt dress by itself. No belts, no jackets, nada. Just solo. This type of dress would also work great as a beach cover-up aside from wearing it in the city during a hot summer day. Since wearing white alone keeps the look pretty plain, I thought it would be best to style the dress with bold, luxury statement pieces to bring the outfit to life. I paired it with my new favorite bag from Thesis Crisis and these luxurious slingbacks from YUUL YIE. I also wore a pair of resin hoop earrings, to balance with the accessories.

WEARING: WHITE SHIRT DRESS | RED BAG | WHITE LACE-UP SANDALS | BERMUDA SHORTS JEANS | PEARL HAIR CLIP

The second way I styled the white shirt dress is a variated criss-cross top. It’s a little sassy and a little business-y, which makes it a perfect look for an afternoon filled with meetings even through the evening should you have other events to attend to. I like that I feel like a boss even though it’s a more casual vibe. The bermuda short jean is super trendy this summer. If you want a more serious type of look, you can style this shirt dress and jeans with a sleek black blazer. Other accessories in this look are my favorite red Furla bag, white tie-up sandals from Linzi and pearl hair clips from Atelier des Femmes.

WEARING: MUSTARD YELLOW BLAZER | WHITE SHIRT DRESS | YELLOW BAG | WIDE LEG JEANS | RUBY PATENT SLINGBACKS

The third look is all about my favorite summer color at the moment: Yellow! Inspiration from this look? Lakers girl! I’m a die-hard fan and also kept my California roots to this outfit. Casual, slightly boho, chic and fun. Very L.A. kind of gal. The yellow blazer is from Akira and the bag is from Forzieri, the brand: Le Parmentier Paris. You can get your Peyote bag from Forzieri. Use the code name: SUZANNE15 for 15% OFF on Le Parmentier bags collection at forzieri.com valid until July 4th. The white shirt dress is styled in a very similar way like look 2 except instead of the tie being criss-crossed to the back, I took it to the front and did a simple tie around. I also unbuttoned a few more buttons located in the back which opened the dress a bit more to show off the wide leg jeans. Other accessories include bold statement hoop earrings and vintage Calvin Klein ruby patent slingbacks.

Another great way to style a white shirt dress is by making it into a cardigan/kimono/beach wrap. In look #4, I went with an all-white look. Perfect for a beach day, picnic, or an all-white party (just hold the marinara sauce away from me LOL) this casual look is a recent fave and will definitely be a repeat offender this summer. The trick to an all-white look is wearing different shades of white. This will help to not have you look washed-up and creates more dimension to a simple look. That and play on textures and materials, such as this headband scarf from Atelier des Femmes and these chunky sole buckle detail sandals in white from Ego Shoes.

WEARING: WHITE SHIRT DRESS | POLKA DOT HAIR SCRUNCHIE SCARF | BLACK MERMAID SKIRT | BLACK MARY JANES | GOLD STATEMENT EARRINGS

Last but not least is the most dressy of looks. I got the inspiration from sonatas in classical music as they are one of my favorites in this genre. Chopin, specifically. So I wanted to style the white shirt dress in a more refined, polished up look. First thoughts that came to mind was black and white, gold accents, and a bold vampy lip. I chose to tuck in the front of the dress shirt - you’ll need a skirt that has breathing room like this black mermaid one I’m wearing that’s perfect for date night. The back of the shirt dress has a simple but chic bow tie that I feel works wonderfully with the polka dot hair scrunchie scarf and gold statement earrings. The black mary janes seal the look with its gold accents and sleek fit. Another favorite look. What were some of your favorite outfits from this post? I’d love to hear from you - leave your thoughts in the comment section down below!

LOVE & XX’S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Indigo Shirt Dress

May 6, 2019

WEARING: INDIGO SHIRT DRESS | BLACK BELT | WOVEN NET BAG | BLACK SANDALS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY JUST FASHION NOW BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

A shirtdress is a style of women's dress that borrows details from a man's shirt. These can include a collar, a button front, or cuffed sleeves. Often, these dresses are made up in crisp fabrics including cotton or silk, much like a men's dress shirt would be. As they are typically cut without a seam at the waist, these dresses often have a looser fit, usually relying on a belt to define the waist. Button fronts and a forgiving fit make this a flattering look for most body types. And a favorite during summer time. Easy, breezy and so comfortable it’s a great piece to have in a woman’s closet. Continue reading to see more of this gorgeous indigo shirt dress along with how I styled it with black, summery accessories.

One of my favorite bags to carry around during the warmer seasons are mesh market bags. Simple but oh-so-chic market bag inspired by the traditional French net grocery bag, these kind of bags can be filled with beautiful things and simple but elegant ingredients - flowers, beach essentials, leafy greens, wedges of fancy cheese, and loaves of bread. French market bags are not actually made in the round but rather in a large square that is then gathered quite closely on the two sides where the handles go and a little less on the other two sides to form the sack shape. This allows for optimum expansion of the bag. Don’t you think the granny smith apples complement with the deep blue indigo of the shirt dress? Plus, I think the mixture of blues is also nice for the spring/summer season.

I wanted a moodier color palette when I styled this dress which is why I went with black accessories. Funny… we did this shoot while MaQ was undergoing many tests and we had no idea what could potentially be wrong with him. I’ve had this black belt for years and the reason why I still wear it to this day is the elastic fabric that really shape a loosely-fitted dress like this one. To keep with the black, I chose a pair of black sandals. These pair in particular a very comfortable to walk in. They’re only $35 and come in tan and white colors aside from black.

This shirtdress comes in a variety of colors such as yellow, ivory, black, green, pink, orange and more. They’re currently on sale at $20 per pop. I love this one in today’s post so much, I’m considering getting more colors. I can style a shirtdress so many different ways, with sneakers, espadrilles, different types of belts, and even unbuttoned as a kimono/cardigan piece. How would you have styled this indigo shirtdress for the summer season?

You can get this complete look at a little over $60. I think all of these pieces are quite versatile and you can definitely wear them more than once, and in different seasons. Thanks for stopping by on the site today! We’re getting back to our regularly scheduled programming (after MaQ) so stay tuned for a lot of new content coming to the blog soon! Wishing you a great Monday and week!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Never Too Late to Apologize

August 2, 2017

WEARING: MAD-STYLE LAYERABLE JERSEY TANK SHIRT | HUSH PUPPIES MARIA TOTE |
MAD-STYLE OCTAGON WATCH | MAD-STYLE NAIL BRACELET | HUSH PUPPIES MAZIN CAYTO BOOTIE | 
80S PURPLE FALA ROUND FRAMED SUNGLASSES

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MAD-STYLE.

It's never too late to apologize. And it's never too late to forgive. Trust me, I wouldn't have survived through half the things I've been through without forgiveness, and yes, owning up to when I've done wrong. But sometimes saying sorry can be quite difficult for people, myself included... especially if it's something I really effed up on. Though I am a firm believer in growing a pair and when it comes down to it, being really brave. Just do it, because if it's someone you care about, you got to be willing to be the one to jump first. And put yourself in the other person's shoes: Would you want it to be this way with you? I know it's easier said than done but if whatever the issue is is still on your mind, I think you got to look into it. In today's post, I'm talking about the do's and don'ts when it comes to apologizing.

Don't apologize for someone else's feelings! There's nothing that irks me more when I hear, "I'm sorry you're mad; I'm sorry you feel this way; etc;) This is not a form of an apology and is just condescending. What could be a better approach? Apologizing for your own actions and attitude. For example, "I'm sorry I was rude," is an apology that takes ownership. Be specific about what you did wrong. Saying, "I'm sorry for whatever made you upset," just isn't going to cut it. Even if you do make your claim, don't slide in an excuse with it.

"I'm sorry I was rude but I was irritated," means you're not really sorry. You feel justified for the way you acted and you expect to be excused from your behavior! One way to remember this is that when you say, "I'm sorry, but..." you're really just a sorry butt. That's like meeting halfway except it's only a quarter ways, maybe even less. That doesn't make any sense, right?! And this isn't going to have anyone want to forgive you. However, asking for forgiveness when you apologize is a humble request that can rebuild a relationship. But don't expect someone to forgive you right away, depending on the situation, it can take time. Just be grateful when you do receive it, I always am! Lastly, don't expect a reciprocal apology either. You have to own your part of it and move on. If you do get through the brutal, "I'm sorry, will you forgive me?" it's best to make the next step and ask if there's anything one can do to make it right/better, etc;.

What do you guys think is the best ways when it comes to apologizing to someone? And how important do you think it is when it comes to the effects of that relationship, regardless of what kind? Before I check out for the day, I want to give a shout out to Mad-Style for the gorgeous cream-colored jersey dress, nail bracelet, and octagon watch! If you are adoring the Mad-Style pieces as much as I am, use my promo code, 'maqandsuz' to get 20% OFF your purchase from Mad-Style! They also carry a variety of accessories such as jewelry, clothes and even dog apparel! You can also shop this look down below. Don't forget to leave a comment on your thoughts from this post! Follow me on Instagram too! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

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How to Rock the 80s Look: Dress Like Your Art Teacher

July 5, 2017

WEARING: ZARA WHITE CROPPED TOP WITH PLEAT DETAIL | 
NATIVE YOUTH ORGANIC DISPLACEMENT WIDE LEG PANTS | HUSH PUPPIES MARIA TOTE | 
ZARA CORK & LEATHER WEDGES | H&M WOODEN BANGLES | H&M WOODEN BEAD NECKLACE

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY NATIVE YOUTH & HUSH PUPPIES.

Hey, hey, hey! How was everyone's long holiday weekend? (To those who apply.) Do anything fun? Or did you, like me, keep it low key? One of my favorite things to do while staying in the city during a holiday is taking advantage of all the hot & trendy restaurants I wouldn't normally be able to get into when everyone's in town. I love less-congested nights of catching up with friends over dinner. I've had a lot of Asian cuisines and soft serve over the past couple of days and my belly couldn't be more content. And that non-rushed feeling is completely refreshing from the hustle and bustle that comes from living in a place like NYC. When I feel more relaxed, I have a tendency to dress in a more bohemian/feminine way. The style is a bit more flirty and playful rather than my normal all-black, edgy, typical New Yorker look. In today's post, I'll be sharing with you one a few of my favorite current trends: wide leg pants, any print that's abstract in some way, and oversized anything.

Can wepul-eaaaassse talk about these pants to start?! The minute I laid my eyes on this gorgeous and unique print from Native Youth, I knew I had to have them. Normally, I am pretty cautious wearing wide leg because, one, I'm petite and if not fitted properly, it can immediately look bulky and awkward. And two, we're in the middle of summer and they're not the norm for pants that are in season. However, when made with a thin fabric such as linen or viscose rayon like this wide leg trousers, they are perfect for a city stroll or a walk on the beach. They're even cute for date night, in my opinion!

Given my small frame, these kind of pants aren't the typical go-to's for petite women like me. So how should a gal style wide leg pants if they're within this category? The first main rule is not to oversize the entire outfit. The pants are the statement piece so I'd recommend the top be well-fitted in one way or another. Like this cropped top with pleated detail by Zara, I styled it by tucking most of the shirt in the front since the pants also have pleat detailing in the front, and too much of anything can kill the entire outfit.

To finish accessorizing, I paired the pants with cork & leather wedges from Zara to bring me added height. I'm also at the moment really into any jewelry with wood material and felt these wooden bangles and bead necklace were the perfect pieces to style into this 1980s-inspired art teacher look. These pieces I'm wearing in this post are currently unavailable but I've linked similar ones down below in the shop section. And lastly, this adorable 'Maria' tote bag from Hush Puppies is my new favorite summer tote bag! It's great for everyday use and to carry around your essentials (I even brought it with me to jury duty where it had easily stashed my laptop, plugs, cords and all with more room to fit a thin jacket and bottle of water!) I think this tote would also be well suited at the beach as well! What do you guys think of this boho outfit? Wishing you a great (short) week!