Minimalistic Monday

I don't know about everyone else but today has been a drag! Not in a negative way... but more so in (what seems to be) the extra weight I've been carrying from yesterday's food. I blame it on the Super Bowl! 😜 And it's Monday. And it's cold. I miss carefree, warm summer days, man!

Minimalistic Monday Vibes, Self-Portrait,

February 2016, New York City, New York. © Suzanne Spiegoski

Today's post is more on my personal style. To me, your style is a reflection of who you are and what you feel. An important part of expression. Now if you just don't care because you're one of those people who's 'got better things to do', well... dressing like you don't care will not only make you look like you don't care about yourself (which isn't very appealing), but most likely you'll eventually resonate with that type of feeling. And who wants to feel like that?

Now, I've never been a girly-girl. I'm rough around the edges but keep my style minimal. A great inspiration derived from that kind of look is of course, Kate Moss, tell me a girl who doesn't idolize her is some aspect (because she's the bomb.com) I love to mix different trends and looks with just a little bit of rock -n- roll/rebelliousness. I'm definitely not the type of gal to always follow the rules, in fact, I like to break them. Challenge me at something you think I can't do and I'll make it a point just to prove you wrong. Because no one's got the right to tell you what you can and cannot do, whether in fashion or in life! When it comes to sheer will-power, I'm far from simple-minded. 

Bejeweled. 🌟

Since I was born in Cali but call New York City home, I have a tendency to mix East Coast and West Coast looks. I'd say my style is edgy yet sporty with a touch of the free-spirited bohemian, but I also spent most of my childhood in Detroit and I think that's where that's where the brazenness originates from. I'm that classy girl who cusses a little, okay (LIE), maybe more than a little! 🤐 Ha ha ha!

But if we're strong enough to let it in, we're strong enough to let it go. © Suzanne Spiegoski

Adorned with jewels. 💍💕

Jewelry has always been a passion of mine. I adore earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, toe rings, anklets, etc; you name it I love it! I think they're the perfect addition to any outfit. These embellishments, both bold or minimal, can enhance any style. Jewelry can also be a personal statement, like monograms, names, birth stones - even Angelina Jolie's tattoos that include all the latitude- longitude coordinates of where she met her husband, Brad, and their children's places of birth is so meaningful and in a way, archaic. Obviously tattoos are not adorned jewels but in my opinion, they're just as beautiful and significant. I've always wanted a few (!) but I've never been courageous enough to go for it. Plus, I want to be 200% sure about the artwork before I permanently ink that onto my skin! Are you yay or nay when it comes to tattoos?

Look who came by to join in a couple of the shots? I call MaQ my 'Velcro Dog' because no matter where I am, he's right next to me. German shepherds are extraordinarily loyal. I love him so much! (Not apparent at all, clearly.) Lol! I guess my boy is not much of a fan for Monday's either! I love these shots of us because even though he's not giving the camera his pearly whites, he still looks so incredibly handsome! Every day when I wake up and see that face I am so unbelievably grateful. He definitely makes the start to any week that much more tolerable. Be thankful for each day, keep things simple and style away! Might as well enjoy life while you're still around. Catch y'all next time! ❤️

Love & xx's,

Diana Broussard Interview

Last month I had the honor of interviewing Diana Broussard for Prestige International Magazine! Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, but with Cajun-French (both from Louisianan and Parisian) roots, Diana grew up in Dallas, Texas. The youngest in her family of four children, Diana Broussard had initially planned to attend Julliard to become a flute soloist, however, her dreams drastically changed when her father had a bad stroke when she was 16. Growing up she always sewn her own clothes and read Vogue, and also always been surrounded by the technology world being her father was a physicist, had immediately committed to her new ambition in becoming a designer.

Holding a B.S. in textile chemistry from LSU with further education at FIT, Diana has become one of the most successful New York designers specializing in accessories. She's worked for luxury goods companies such as Gucci, Dior, Calvin Klein, Armani, Carolina Herrera, and JP Tods - her experience is impressive. From one idea she does many things, with her exquisite jewelry to her impeccably chic shoe line, each concept is clear and her work speaks for itself. Luxury at its finest, it is also yet personal, taken with great care, and is full of heart.

I went to her boutique here in New York City, to get to know her and of course, to see her collection. I picked out a few of my favorites (ahem, gentlemen... your lady friend would love any of Diana's pieces!), keeping the theme green with Christmas Spirit! 

Take a look at my chosen pieces below. Provided links will take you directly to her online store! To read my full interview with Diana, please click here. Pages 58-61.

MONKEY CURVED WITH CRYSTAL RING: GOLD & EMERALD

NATE NECKLACE: BOTTLE GREEN

EAMES SAFARI with LION and MONKEY: DARK GREEN VELVET

Aren't her pieces just darling? I'm in love with all her accessories! Such an amazingly talented designer! To see more from Diana's collection, please go here.

All photos, including the portrait of Diana are by me. And don't forget to go and check out my full interview with Diana here! Pages 58-61. :)

Love & xx's,

Remembrance of Trinkets Past

Firstly, I want to thank my readers from the bottom of my heart for your love and support these past few days. Times like these are proven difficult, but because of your acknowledgement and acts of care, it makes the pain endurable. It may never fully go away, but knowing I have people who have my back: please know I will always have yours. Thank you. I am grateful. Always grateful. Just thank you. 

I get out of bed every morning because I want to get up and talk with each and every one of you; to share with you all my life experiences, whether day-to-day or in reflection of the past or future - it's the good, the bad, and yeah, the ugly. What I love about social media, is its power to provide knowledge amidst helping/contributing to the world we live in and to the people who are in it. It should be an efficient tool, not a weapon to manufacture or destroy us.

Here's something I discovered I'd like to share with you today. An amazing company called, CaseApp, allows you to design your own phone case! You can use someone's previously created design or you can custom make one yourself! It can include typography, a collage of some sort... let your imagination run wild! I've been loving the marble trend but I wanted to create something with a little more spunk, basically including a bit more of my style into it.

Since green is my ultimate favorite color besides black, I chose a combination of the two! And voila! Doesn't it look so chic? I think it's perfect for the holiday season! Great for Christmas stuffers/ smaller gift ideas. Want to make your custom iPhone case? Don't have an iPhone? Not to worry, they carry other phone types too! Why not use my promotional code for a 20% discount?! Just enter SPIEGOSKI20 before you checkout. Click HERE to get started! :)

But before you go there's more to these photos than just a phone case. Every year during the month of November, in honor of my mother, I get statice flowers. Statice is also known as a herb and is sometimes called "sea lavender". According to Teleflora, "Its botanical name is derived from the Greek word "limonium," meaning meadow, referring to the plants original habitat and likely why this versatile flower is also called marsh-rosemary." Having a deeper appreciation for flowers and more particularly, in the language of flowers, statice symbolizes remembrance.

I discovered these flowers nearly ten years ago at a girlfriend's apartment, who also displayed them out in the open, in memory of someone she lost when she was only a little girl: her father. Since then, statice has kind of stuck with me. The flower itself is dried up and feels like confetti, yet they're so incredibly beautiful to me. With my mother's profound love for flowers and gardening, I always am reminded of her when I see these and many other kinds of flowers. I can't help but carry some in the house this time of year. I can't help but always have some kind of plant life in the house now. 💜

Every piece of jewelry except the Twin Tiger Bangle belonged to my mother. My father had gifted her with these (and plenty more) throughout their years together. Birthdays, Valentine's Days, Christmases and Anniversaries, they actually eloped in Vegas on Christmas Eve - so Rock -n- Roll by the way guys! These were passed down to me after her passing, some I can barely ever wear to this day because they are far too precious to me. I'll wear the Movado watch for a special occasion of some kind, like when I got engaged. (Oh the irony!) Everything comes in full circle, doesn't it? I believe those heart earrings were a Valentine's Day gift.

The sapphire ring is encrusted with diamonds at the top edge of gold band. This was a Christmas gift to my mother and I received this as a Christmas gift after she passed. My father had given this ring to the two women he loved most in life. I always found this incredibly touching. I still carry, in my memento of mementos, the hand-written letter he wrote when he gave me this ring.

I think the memory of someone is always possible when it comes to jewelry, trinkets, flowers, etc. These tokens of remembrance are significant, and they don't have to be someone. It can be something else, perhaps a place or a first time experience. I have a girlfriend who after becoming quite successful, bought herself a Rolex just because she could. Why? It's not the materialism that comes with the territory, but meaning behind it. In her eyes, time is money. It was now a constant reminder of her sense of urgency. Life is short, so you better damn well make the most of it. 

Like my new phone case from CaseApp, I will now always have the memory of my first time designing my own cover to my iPhone! My meaning behind it? To me green is a peaceful color. Serenity, Light, Earth. And black is well, black. Dark. The opposite of every other color. It's my own version of yin and yang. ☯

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

Rose Gold Essentials

I have always held a deep infatuation with rose gold. Most of my jewelry consists of this alloy. How a piece of jewelry can accentuate femininity and delicacy as a statement to the piece itself, or solidifying an outfit as a whole, is something I appreciate within the jewelry world. And my choice of jewelry carry sentimental or spiritual value. Let me show you some of my all-time and most recent favorite accessories I've been wearing daily.

My most recent obsession is The Kavi Bracelet from Chandrah. It's 18k Rose Gold plated beads and 8mm Howlite beads. Rose gold is an all purpose healer: stabilizes, purifies and balances. Howlite is a stone of awareness. It can prepare the user or wearer to receive wisdom and attunement from the Higher Self and the Dive. It is a wonder stone for calming upset states of mind and emotion. Howlite decreases an overly critical state of mind, selfishness, stress, and anxiety, bringing calm and relaxation.

The Hexagon Tip Bangle Bracelet from EXPRESS (in pink) goes really well with the Kavi Bracelet. I love how each bracelet complement each other, one piece a bit more bold, and the other a little more dainty in it's shape and weight. I'm not even that big into pink, but even just a touch of the not-so-bright pinks being added into an entire ensemble, brings an essence of 100% pure woman to it without being too girly.

The rings are my engagement ring and wedding band. My engagement ring is a solitaire diamond from Tiffany & Co. and my husband and I picked our wedding rings from Zales. My wedding band is also rose gold and I especially chose this yet again because it doesn't look as serious as platinum or white gold. It looks authentic, but is still sophisticated with a touch of romanticism. My kind of 'I do' to me! <3

What are some of your latest favorite jewelry trends? How about those all-time faves? Any specific stone or gem you just can't get enough of? I'd love to see or hear your choices when it comes to what's in your jewelry collection!

Have a great rest of your Thursday! Come back tomorrow for one of my savory recipes... here's two clues. It's one of my own recipes my parents taught me and it's Italian-based. Stay tuned for yummy deliciousness all over the blog tomorrow! :)

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

SHOP THE LOOK

Unakite Necklace Giveaway!

Happy Monday! I'm starting this week off with another jewelry giveaway! This month I've teamed up with an Etsy store called Breezy Please run by the amazingly talented Shannon Boyce. Located in Las Vegas, Shannon creates wire wrapped necklaces with chakra stones and other unique pieces like pendents and even earrings.

Ain't she a beaut?! Let me tell you a little more about this precious stone, unakite.

Unakite, also called epidote, comes from the Greek epidosis, which means- growing together. It is a combination of red jasper and green epidote solidly bound, originally first discovered in the Unakas Mountains in North Carolina. From the combo, we get the meaning of what comes together, belongs together.

This is a highly Spiritual stone. It will bring though serenity and optimisim in regards to the future and will also aid your spiritual growth. This is a great stone to use during the difficult times the world is currently going through. Unakite has a protective element within its make-up and will help you to release negative energies and addictions that may be holding you back.

Unakite Jasper is a stone that encourages visionary abilities by opening your psychic vision. It works through the third eye chakra and aids you to visualize what you desire in your life. It also has a powerful vibration within the heart and thymus chakras, also known as the higher heart chakra. The higher heart chakra encompasses love and compassion, as well as love of self.

So how do you enter to win this necklace for FREE? All you have to do is go to the end of this post, like the article, then comment about what you are digging most about this necklace! There are also a couple of extra freebies which are loaded in nothing but positive vibes- I'm including a Quartz piece cell phone charm, which fits into the headphone port on any phone or device AND there is also a little bit of white desert sage and a small quartz point, bad energy be gone!

Now, there is also one other way you can enter! If you have an Instagram account, please go to my IG profile (@suzannespiegoski) and do these 3 simple steps:

1. Like the photo of the necklace. 

2. Follow me @suzannespiegoski and @callmebreezy42

3. Tag 2 friends in the comment section.

The winner will be contacted directly this Friday, 11-6. 👏 Good luck guys! 😘

Got questions? I aim to answer them :) and happily so! Please feel free to fire away down in the comment box or contact me here. You can also catch me on Twitter and Google+ which I'm frequently on.

Have a great week everyone! Stay tuned for upcoming graffiti trending in nyc and a fun, new Korean-infused recipe! Oooooooh..... :)

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz