The Perfect Back-to-School Backpack

August 20, 2018

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY PARKLAND & SUGARHIGH.

Happy Monday! Enjoying the last weeks of summer before September kicks into full gear. And you know what that means, kids... time to go back to school! Many of you will be needing school supplies before heading to class, and I've got the perfect back-to-school backpack for you this year! These backpacks are made out of 100% recycled water bottles. So on top of picking out a new backpack for the school year, you'll also be helping out the environment as well. How cool is that?! Continue reading to get more info on where to find these backpacks - including details from this beachy outfit!

Parkland is the name. They make bags from bottles. There are backpacks, duffles, and totes. And more. All made with 100% recycled water bottles, they come in a variety of colors and prints. I went with one with aquatic-like colors. Perhaps I'm not quite ready to let go of summer, haha! The Meadow Backpack offers versatility for work, school or travel. With enough room for your 15” laptop and your day's essentials, you'll be ready to seek out your next adventure. They even carry mini backpacks for the little ones and even adorable lunch boxes, should you be looking for a new one.

I just loved this beachy tee when I saw it. Even though "staying salty" isn't something I go running around promoting, but I love wordplay and this shirt is perfect for a day at sea! I styled it with a rich blue paisley bandana and short shorts from Forever 21. I thought the blue accents worked well with the pastels of the backpack, and the white of the shirt ties it all together. (No pun intended.) The turquoise belt is from Most Wanted USA and my sunnies are from the streets of SoHo. Literally picked them up at a flea market for $20!

You can check out the one from this shoot HERE and to see more of their collection, go HERE.

LOVE & XX'S,

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Rainbow Brite

July 2, 2018

WEARING: ACNE CORAL BLOUSE | WHO WHAT WEAR COLLECTION STRIPED PLEATED SKIRT | 
EGO FRANKIE HEELS | LITTLE E NYC KC BEAUTIFUL DAY BLUE BAG | NEUBAU DANI SUNGLASSES | 
BING BANG NYC AALTO ASSYMETRIC EARRINGS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY WHO WHAT WEAR COLLECTION, EGO SHOES, & NEUBAU.

Us New Yorkers are enduring a major heat wave, where temps rose past 100°F. I'm not one to embrace such hot days like these, where the humidity and scorching heat literally makes me sick. I get headaches and feel completely lethargic, no matter how hydrated I am! Plus I'll have little to no appetite and trouble focusing from feeling "hazy" from the weather. Any tips/suggestions on how to feel more energized during the dog days of summer? Even though the weather has me feeling a bit bleh, I won't let that get in the way of my style and mood! In today's outfit post, I am all about color! I just recently celebrated my 12-yr dating anniversary with the hubs where we went to our favorite restaurant in all of NYC for dinner. After all that we have been through, I think it's only a miracle we're still together. And we've been through it all. I know a lot of you are asking more about me and my husband so I'm thinking of doing a post dedicating that for you guys, as well as a better chance getting to know us! To say I'm happy is an understatement. Continue reading to learn more about this vibrant summery outfit that totally goes with my current mood and where to shop the look!

In case you missed this Instagram post, I was wearing a dress from one of my favorite places in the entire world. Target. Yes, folks. You can look stylish while shopping at "Tar-jeh"! And can you believe this rainbow-striped pleated skirt in this post today is only $30?! It has a matching long-sleeved top if you want to match with the bottom, but I opted with warm orange tones like coral and neon orange. I have had this shirt for years and adore the details of the buttons in the front. It definitely brings something to this look.

These shoes are my favorite at the moment. I don't wear many pairs of heels because one I'm too old to be running around the city in heels all day long and two, like every woman who has certain insecurities about herself, my feet are definitely not my most favorite feature on my body. But after putting these heels on, I felt like a million bucks! They're sexy, edgy, colorful and only $40. What more could you want in a shoe for summer?

Other accessories include this blue ostrich bag, orange tortoise sunnies and these asymmetric earrings by one of my favorite jewelry brands here in New York City. What do you guys think of this "Rainbow Brite" summery look? Don't forget to shop the look at the beginning or the end of this post. Got questions? Just want to say hi? Drop me a line or leave a message down in the comment section below. Wishing you a short and happy week :)

LOVE & XX'S,

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Swoon Reads

June 30, 2018

Thank you to Swoon Reads for kindly sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.

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Rujuta Sheth Kaftan

Artesano Cristi Straw Bag

TKEES Jo Suede Georgia

Extraordinary books are better when they're shared. Swoon Reads distributes the most recent and most noteworthy young adult and new adult novels suggested by readers like myself. From brave legends to outsider undertakings, to romance—if we're digging it, they'll distribute it. Swoon Reads is dedicated to the undiscovered and are constantly seeking out the very best in bright, new bookish talent. Being a writer myself, there's nothing better than a publisher who takes the time in finding new talent, so you can imagine my support on this as well. To learn more about Swoon Reads and what I'm currently reading, proceed with this post!

You have the ability to get books distributed! Through a shared, participatory way to deal with distributing, Swoon Reads gives readers access to an industry that is frequently kept "in secret." From submitting unique original copies to voting on which cover makes it onto the completed books, Swoon Reads includes the network in each progression of the distributing procedure. Through Swoon Reads' online stage and application, book sweethearts have the chance to manufacture and draw in with an online network of kindred book readers and writers. Writers present their unique, unpublished compositions to the Swoon Reads people group. At that point, readers who join on the web or download the application can rate, remark, and offer their top choices. Swoon Reads utilizes that input to help choose what to distribute. The best part is it's all totally free. I discovered this is an awesome method to give new scholars a possibility for presentation and furthermore to get input as well as finding new talent. What do you guys think of this concept? You can ever vote on covers for books that are coming out here!

Most of you know I'm a complete bookworm and I've read thousands of books. I enjoy reading complex work such as Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and others but during those hot summer months, I like nothing more than something simple and 'flowy' to read. Like a young adult novel (YES I still read them from time to time!) or a romance novel that just whisks you away, these are the kinds of books I like to read at the beach and on vacation. For example, like the book, I'm currently reading is an utterly relatable contemporary novel about loving yourself and forging your own path. Here's the synopsis: Savannah is dreading being home alone with her overbearing mother after her big sister—and best friend—goes off to college. But if she can just get through senior year, she'll be able to escape to college, too. What she doesn't count on is that her mother's obsession with weight has only grown deeper since her appearance on an extreme weight-loss show, and now Savvy's mom is pressuring her even harder to be constantly mindful of what she eats. Between her mom's diet-helicoptering, missing her sister, and worrying about her collegiate future, Savvy has enough to worry about. And then she meets George, the cute new kid at school who has insecurities of his own. As Savvy and George grow closer, they help each other discover how to live in the moment and enjoy the here and now before it disappears. To Be Honest is another sharp, witty novel from Maggie Ann Martin, about a spunky heroine who is dealing with very real issues—body image, parental pressure, loneliness, first love, and finding your way—with heart and humor.

So get excited for all the benefits that Swoon Reads offers as a community-focused, participatory publishing company — including starting conversations among like-minded book lovers, unlimited access to free original manuscripts, and the opportunity to make your opinion count toward something tangible! If you'd like to learn more about Swoon Reads, please go to www.swoonreads.com or click here! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

LOVE & XX'S,

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Pooltime with Ramona

June 20, 2018

WEARING: VICTORIA'S SECRET BIKINI | AMSCAN MUSTARD YELLOW BANDANA | 
EGO RAINA SANDALS | BAN.DO GRAPEFRUIT COOLER BAG

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY RAMONA.

It's wine... but cooler. What is pink, keeps you hydrated and happy? Meet Ramona, the lovechild of a mimosa and an Aperol Spritz. If you're a fan of Aperol Spritzing and something more citrusy like grapefruit, then this is the drink for you. Ramona is a ruby grapefruit wine spritz made with organic Zibibbo grapes grown in Western Sicily. Bright, aromatic, and refreshing, it doesn't need a glass, a bottle opener, or an occasion to drink it. Continue reading to see me chilling in my very own pool on my rooftop (I'm super ballin' haha!) and to learn more about this great new summer drink you all need to know about!

Ramona is an organic, all-natural, gluten-free and vegan wine spritz. And I do enjoy a little something citrusy during the hot summer months, not too much of a drinking those super sweet fruity cocktails, and this wine spritz is legit - so refreshing and tasty! I even took full advantage of my favorite summertime hangout spot, my rooftop with a kiddie pool shaped as an elephant. Yep, you read that correctly, lol. We just got through our first heat wave this summer here in New York, so it was perfect timing to unwind with drinks and a pool all to myself! You can safely guess I received a few tan lines from this super fun shoot!

The brand was also sweet enough to send me a summer kit, including of course their drinks that I love (seriously though, low in alcohol and the best fizzy drink out there right now), a pair of really cute pink sunnies, straws, sweet and sour grapefruit candy, this adorable fruit bag from ban.do that is also a cooler, and this mini-inflatable drink holder shaped as a grapefruit. My bikini is from Victoria's Secret (I linked a similar one for $19.99 from Target here) and I kept my hair tied back with a mustard yellow bandana. Who else loves to tie scarves, ribbons, bandanas into their hair? I think it's a great summer accessory. The kiddie pool is from H2OGO!™ and you can bet I'll be using this bad boy again - especially on those hot sweltering days here in the city!

LOVE & XX'S,

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Aqua Seafoam Chanel and Yellow Florals

June 4, 2018

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK YELLOW FLORAL PRINT DRESS | CHANEL BAG | 
KOIO SNEAKERS | VINTAGE SUNNIES

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

Us girls have heard of a few stores that offer a discount for a previously used luxury handbag. But not many matches up to top trends and top quality other than Rebag. Besides becoming a destination to find this season’s It bag for less than the retail price, Rebag has streamlined the process of buying and selling gently loved luxury handbags by simplifying the peer-to-peer sale process. Plus, for those in New York, the brand also recently opened a concept store so customers can experience the site in an IRL setting. (Aside from their app, which is awesome btw). Continue reading to see how I styled this beautiful aqua seafoam Chanel handbag with a vibrant yellow floral print dress, oozing retro 70s vibes with both European and Californian flair.

You know when you put on a dress and it just hugs you in all the right places; feeling so comfortable yet stylish at the same time? This long sleeved floral print dress with a deep yellow hue is it for me. I never ever want to take it off Seriously though, I love when you come across a designer that makes clothes that fit so well on you. Being a petite woman, it is hard sometimes to find pieces that fit right then and there without having to tailor them! But never in the case of Saku New York. This dress could be styled in so many ways, but I'm such a big time sneaker gal.

The yellow color inspired me to style the dress with aqua-colored accessories. Something just as rich in color but with a contrast that would complement well with each other. And colors that bring out the mood of summer. Well, to me at least. I find this outfit to be an inspiration between the Amalfi Coast of Italy and the West Coast of California. The aqua color reminds me of the sea, the shades of the ocean along with the yellow being the bright warm sun. I'd link these sunglasses in the post but they're one of a kind and I bought them on the streets of SoHo in one of the markets for $20. You know, one of those happy finds. How would you have styled this aqua seafoam Chanel bag?

If you have bags you don't use anymore, Rebag is a company that actually sells your bags for you. Perhaps you have a Michael Kors, Kate Spade or Coach bag you don't wear anymore, but you know it is in great condition. You can take some pictures of the item, submit it to Rebag, they'll give you a quote, let you ship the item to them for free and then pay you within 2-3 business days. As someone who normally sells things on Poshmark (that almost seem to never sell), it is amazing to know that there are companies that just pay you upfront for the item and sell it on your behalf. If you are interested in trying Rebag, use my discount code: SUZANNE for 5% off your purchase.