Festival Season Essentials with Babbleboxx

May 14, 2019

FESTIVAL SEASON ESSENTIALS: SAMSONITE GO CLEAR BACKPACK | SIMPLE MOBILE ELECTRONICS | G SHOCK x CASIO WATCH | ZENNI OPTICAL SUNGLASSES | MANE CLUB HAIR MASKS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY BABBLEBOXX BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Music festival season is here! With the annual jumpstart at Coachella, there’s so many other festivals one can attend throughout the year such as Governor’s Ball, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, Electric Forest (dying to go to this one) and more. I’ve cut back on the festival scene mainly because of age (hard to walk 8-10 miles a day on messed-up figure skating knees lol) plus I don’t even know half of the artists/musicians out there anymore but I still try to go to at least one festival a year, if not at least a concert or two. Which is why I’m thrilled to have partnered with Babbleboxx to introduce to you my music festival checklist, including a few things that I’ll always pack with me! Continue reading to learn more about my must-have festival essentials.

GO CLEAR BACKPACK

Keep your personal belongings in the clear with the durable, BPA-free backpack. Thoughtfully designed, this event friendly backpack from Samsonite offers a large main compartment, and an easy access front zipper pocket for smaller personal items. These types of backpacks are great when it comes to passing through security for certain events and game days, making it easier for everyone. Plus, these types of clear bags of any kind are totally trending right now, so you’ll also look super cool on top of quicker clearance.

GO-TO ELECTRONICS

I’m always in need of a good portable charger. Especially when at a special event and not wanting to run out of battery before the main act! And while being out at nighttime, I also love to use a selfie ring light. Thanks to SIMPLE Mobile, the selfie ring light is so easy to use. Simply attach to your phone and snap the perfect festival selfies to share on social media. SIMPLE Mobile also carry phones and great plans such as their 30-Day Plans offer unlimited talk & text, plus generous amounts of high- speed data on a lightning-fast 4G LTE† network starting at $25, all with no contract and no mystery fees or overage charges. SIMPLE Mobile keeps music fans connected all festival season long with affordable, no-contract plans that offer unlimited talk, text and truly unlimited high-speed data, and amazing deals on the latest, must-have smartphones. Check them out at www.SIMPLEmobile.com

SPORTS WATCH

A new addition to the Metallic Face Collection, this Baby-G S Series timepiece brings function and fun together with metallic details and G-Shock technology. A stylish, matte finish, this watch is designed with a 45.9mm navy resin case with a rose gold-toned dial. Other features of this timepieces include analog and digital dial displays, shock resistance, magnetic resistance, auto LED light with afterglow, world time, 5 daily alarms with 1 snooze, stopwatch, countdown timer and is water resistant to 200 meters. It’s definitely efficient and very fashionable at the same time. G Shock x Casio also comes in a variety of other colors.

COOL PAIR OF SUNNIES

Hide those beautiful eyes behind the scorching sun. These large square sunglasses are made with high-quality acetate that is hand-polished to a glossy finish. This frame is available in brown (shown with polarized gray tint) and green (shown with polarized gray tint). Not only are they very retro, they’re big enough to cover those dark circles from the morning after and to keep up with all that’s going down in the heat, all the while protecting my eyes. Zenni Optical has a bunch of different stylish sunnies to go with so many festival looks. Check out the collection here: https://www.zennioptical.com/festival-sunglasses

HAIR CARE GALORE

When it comes to my hair during the warmer months, and especially being outdoors all day at events like festivals, I’m always looking for anti-frizz and repair/strengthening products to tame the mane. I have naturally wavy hair thanks to my Polish roots, so when I discovered these hair masks from the Indie beauty brand, Mane Club, here in NYC, I had to share their products!

MANE CLUB – Expert Procrastinator 5-in-1 Deep Conditioner Mask Combat frizz today, do everything else tomorrow. Hey babe, we all deserve a lazy day. Just relax and we’ll do the work for you Scent: Sugared Dreams Junk Free Formula

MANE CLUB – Cha Ching 5-in-1 Deep Conditioner Mask Get moisture rich strands and feel like a million bucks. Hey babe, you’ve got expensive taste but don’t worry – this conditioning mask does it all and won’t break the bank. You’re welcome Scent: Berry Rich Junk Free Formula

MANE CLUB – Babe Alert 5-in-1 Conditioner Mask You look good. Wanna glow out? Hey babe, you deserve the best of the best. So, we made this conditioning mask that does it all just for you. Scent: Flirty Florals Junk Free Formula

MANE CLUB – Cry Baby 5-in-1 Deep Conditioner Mask When your deep conditioner says repairing but you’re still broken on the inside. Hey babe, turn that frown upside down. Wash your worries away and treat yourself to this conditioning mask that does it all. Scent: Crushed Fruits Junk Free Formula

MANE CLUB – Bad Attitude 5-in-1 Deep Conditioner Mask Sorry, I can’t hear you over the volume of my hair. Hey babe, we’ll help keep your attitude and your hair in check with this conditioning mask that does it all. Scent: Sweet & Spicy Junk Free Formula

MANE CLUB – Wild Thang 5-in-1 Deep Conditioner Mask Break hearts, not strands. Hey babe, no regrets. Do your thang and keep your hair looking 100 with this conditioning mask that does it all. Scent: Coco-nuts Junk Free Formula

LOVE & XX’S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Red Monochrome Outfit

March 11, 2019

WEARING: LONG RED TEDDY COAT | RED PANTS | RED BOOTS | RED HANDBAG | SUNNIES

Happy Monday, guys! I don’t know about you, but I am so ready for spring! Which is why I can proudly say this will be the last ‘wintry’ post of the season! Decided to spice things up and bring you a full red monochrome look, where I’m literally decked out in nothing but the bold color aside from my sunglasses. I loved styling this so much, I’m considering doing another monochrome look for spring. Would you guys like to see that soon? In the meantime, check out this look to get your heart pumping with spring fever! I can feel it in the air, the warmer season is just around the corner! So say one last goodbye to the teddy coat trend. :)

I definitely took this cozy teddy with me across the pond during London Fashion Week as it was still pretty chilly. Thankfully wore it on the most rainy day where I was also quite sick. (See the look HERE - where I resemble V8 juice LOL) Don’t you love pieces from your closet that feel like a blanket? Ultimate comfort! The Karen Red Teddy Borg Longline Coat features teddy borg material, longline design, long sleeves, collar and button up detailing. It’s quite versatile in terms of styling. Easily could be paired with jeans and a t-shirt, or a LBD, and more! If you live in colder areas in the states, I highly recommend this coat as you can wear it a lot more before putting it away until the fall season. Most teddy coats are of neutral/beige tones, so I love having a more vibrant-colored one. The coat definitely stands out amongst a crowd!

To go with the red teddy coat, I styled it with the Maya - a large shoulder bag in a red design with a lightening bolt press stud. It has a chain strap and front flap to secure valuables. Their Paul's Boutique logo is embossed on the front. What I love most about this bag in particular is it’s size. It has so much space you can fit a laptop, phone, battery charger, notebooks, and more! It’s perfect for every day. Other accessories include red Chelsea boots from Teleport Shoes and my favorite Korean sunglass brand, Accrue.

Last but not least are a pair of red skinny jeans. Even wide leg trousers would go well with this look, so long as it is still red ;) What do you guys think of this red monochrome outfit? Would you have styled it in a different way? Perhaps with some red sunnies? Love hearing your feedback - drop those comments down in the section below! (End of post) Have a wonderful week and I’ll catch you all back on here very soon! xx

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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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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FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Pastel Winter Outfit

December 4, 2018

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I hope your week is off to a good start! Winter days = lot of cold, dreary ones, much like the New York weather as of late. Which is why I’m kicking it off in today’s post with lots of pastels! One of my favorite trends for the upcoming winter season - this color palette is most suitable for spring, but hey, rules are boring and are made to be broken. So in today’s post I’m sharing a pastel winter look, with lots of cheer. And a lot of oversized accessories, because you know how your girl does it when it comes to styling! See it all go down now, continue to read and see more!

The LIE Collection blue grey double-breasted overcoat is a personal fav from their latest A/W collection. Want to know a teeny secret to a good quality coat? Sit on it for a while, and if it doesn’t wrinkle and the cut falls back to its original place: You found yourself a keeper. Such as this light blue wool coat, it’s the perfect grey undertone to mix with other brighter pastel colors such as green. The buttons and color-blocking belt also add a luxurious touch, even though I find this such a sophisticated winter coat. Let’s move along to the accessories of this look which are minty fresh!

This oversized green bucket bag is from Sometime by Asian Designers. This particular bag is very practical and great to carry around for your everyday essentials. They have a variety of designs and colors, are quite affordable, and the quality is pretty good too! What I love most about this bag, aside from its size is the personalization on it. They put my first name on the bag, which is always such a nice attention to detail. Who else is a fan of having your name or monogram on literally everything?

My sunglasses are vintage and were picked up at a flea market in SoHo from this past summer. I have no idea what brand or label they’re from. They were $20 bucks and the person who spotted them first was my husband! This kind of mint green shade or ‘aqua seafoam’ green is one of my favorite colors and even though it’s fitting for spring/summer, I think it’s also great for the winter season.

My t-shirt is vintage. I’ve had it since I was a teenager! No idea where I got it from, but it’s Fruit Gushers (strawberry flavored lol) and thought the colors fit with the coat and accessories well. Plus it’s quite cute, no? Lastly my boots are from Public Desire. Regarding most pieces from this post, I’ve linked similar styles and different prices points like the sunglasses, bag, boots and coat. How do you feel about this look? Leave your thoughts down in the comment section! Wishing you a great rest of the week.

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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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.