Gingham and Tassels

WEARING: SHEIN TASSEL TIED OPEN BACK TIERED GINGHAM DRESS | 
LOUISE & ELEANOR SQUIGGLE BAG | ZARA CORK & LEATHER WEDGES 

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SHEIN.

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Happy Monday! I don't know about you fellow East Coasters, but I'm so over winter! How is it still snowing on April 2nd?! The last time I saw abnormal snowing was nearly 14 years ago when I was in Ukraine and it was snowing in the middle of April! We were baffled, but today's forecast is only leaving me exasperated. I just want warmer and sunnier weather, which won't be happening this week. But April showers bring May flowers! And before you know it, we'll be complaining about how hot it is outside. So without further ado, I'm bringing summer into spring to potentially jumpstart warmer temps! Continue reading to see the perfect dress for spring and summer. It is quite adorable for a vacation outfit as well. 

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How adorable is this dress?! A multicolor vacation round neck half sleeve shift dress has a backless short ruffle fringe, orange tassels and a gingham print with no stretch. I love the high waist and flounce sleeves, as it brings shape to this type of dress. It's similar to a babydoll dress. I think this would be perfect on the beach or anywhere with a lovely resort. I also believe this dress would look amazing at Coachella! The highlight of this dress? It's on SALE! 25% OFF and ONLY $16! 

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SHOP THE BAG

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I kept my makeup clean and fresh with only a little added sparkle to my lipgloss. If you haven't checked out my latest beauty faves, I've featured the new lipgloss line from Urban Decay and it's so legit! The shade I'm wearing is called 'Nooner'. My go-to eyeliner as of late is the gel ones by Bobbi Brown. They don't smudge and are easy to apply. Highlighter is also Bobbi Brown, using Bronze Glow SS16. Nail polish by Essie, called, 'At the Helm', which matches perfectly with the orange tassels and wedges. 

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SHOP THE WEDGES

LOVE & XX'S,

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

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. 

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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!

LOVE & XX'S,

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Cali Boho Retro Vibes

WEARING: ALICE & TRIXIE KYRA TOP | PARIS BLUES SOULMATE JEANS | 
MOST WANTED USA TIFFANY SATCHEL | ZARA CORK & LEATHER WEDGES |
VINTAGE BLACK SATIN RIBBON

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY ALICE & TRIXIE

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I'M GOING, GOING, BACK, BACK, TO CALI, CALI

(GOIN' BACK TO CALI) 

Happy Thursday! Today's post is a complete head-to-toe West Coast retro outfit! I'm always trying to show a variety of different looks because tell me a girl who doesn't like to play dress up but also remaining true to my style while doing so. As mentioned before, I love to mix and match old and new pieces, like these bell bottom jeans from Paris Blues date back to my college days! (and YES I still can fit into my skinny jeans while eating whatever my heart desires.) When I re-discovered these jeans while moving, I knew I had to style them very bohemian chic with a little Cali flair, given the fact that I was born there! How perfect do they go with my new 'Kyra' top from Alice & Trixie. Let me tell you more about this amazing designing team that's based here in New York City! 

Founded in 1997 by Angela Taylor George, Alice & Trixie is a collection of dresses, tops, and bottoms featuring exclusive and proprietary prints, all designed and produced in New York City. Alice & Trixie is feminine, classically hip and most importantly, unforgettable. Alice & Trixie is a celebration of Angela’s obsession for exploring vintage stores and global marketplaces, her appreciation for style icons of the past, and her passion for art. Angela believes that when a woman is wearing something that she loves, she radiates. She designs for the woman that is feminine, chic, sexy, and most of all, confident. 

I think the 'Kyra' top really resonates with the designer's collection and interests when it comes to fashion and style. If you guys are looking for something a little different, but still bohemian, fun and cool, you have to check out Alice & Trixie! Use my discount code, 'SUZANNE20' to receive 20% off your purchase! There's something for everyone and I don't advocate designers I do not believe in. I'm in love with their entire collection, it's making me miss my roots so much. What do you guys think, is a Cali trip in order for Suz? Should I venture out to Hawaii while on the West Coast? I do have family friends on the Big Island... (I know, I know, you're probably asking me wth am I waiting for?!)

Well... I got summoned for jury duty. I already postponed once during last NYFW (trust me, we had a moment of panic in terms of work and then some but it all worked out lol) so I can't postpone again to take a vacation. And I'm shooting my first cover for a new fashion magazine next week so it's a matter of getting my ducks in a row and organizing and finding the time to put it all in my already insane schedule. Can there be more than 24 hours in a day, please? I'm off to finish some more work before attending 4 events for work tonight (eeeek!) Wish me luck and catch ya'll soon. 

LOVE & XX'S,

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Keep on Moving Forward

WEARING: TOBI OFF THE SHOULDER BLACK DRESS | ZARA BALLERINAS WITH STRAPS | 
LOUISE & ELEANOR SQUIGGLE BAG | H&M EVIL EYE/ITALIAN HORN NECKLACE

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY TOBI AND LOUISE & ELEANOR

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"THE TRUTH IS UNLESS YOU LET GO, UNLESS YOU FORGIVE YOURSELF UNLESS YOU FORGIVE THE SITUATION UNLESS YOU REALIZE THAT THE SITUATION IS OVER, YOU CANNOT MOVE FORWARD."

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Moving sucks. You know it, I know it, we all know it. Hence, for my lack of social media posts and overall online activity as of late. I just packed up all my stuff and relocated to Union Square from the East Village, and even though the geographical change ain't too shabby, the process of any move can sometimes be overwhelming, let alone stressful. It can even trigger memories you've stashed so far in the back of your mind from many, many years ago. And because you guys have been so supportive of me opening up more on the blog lately, today's post won't be on how-to-move, or explaining the move, because who cares, really? Instead, I wanted to share with you more on my relationship with my father and my first-time experience moving... across the country.

I was originally born in the Los Angeles area but my time there was brief. As mentioned in previous posts, my parents fought like it was their full-time job. What made matters worse was the way they fought over me. Where to start? It all began with my father's tan Toyota truck. It wasn't anything special. It wasn't even brand new. But he and I rode in that thing everywhere. Anywhere he'd go, I'd follow. You know the arm rests that are located in between the two seats? I would sit right on top of the one nearest to my dad, just so I could literally be as close to him as possible. 

During one summer afternoon when I was around 4 or 5 years old, my parents were fighting again when my father asked if I'd like to go for a ride in the truck. Little did I know it would be the longest road trip of my life. He had tricked me into thinking it was a quick trip to the grocery store. For three days straight, he drove from California to Michigan. All I really remember was the miles upon miles of the empty desert and spilling a glass of orange juice from McDonald's on one of the seats of the truck. I remember that accident quite vividly as I had never seen him get that upset before. I believe that was the first time I really started to see his true colors. It took me until my teenage years to finally realize how abusive my father really had been. 

No, I was never physically abused. I once got hit a few times with a leather belt (let's just say I REALLY screwed up) but the kind of abuse I had endured was verbal; emotionally and mentally. It has taken me all my life to recover from this. I'm still working on it. I hate him for the damage he's caused. Not just on me, but on my mother, my brother, my estranged family... I almost want to say it's irreparable, but I also want to say I'm living proof that you can get through it. It can be pretty difficult, but with time, patience and the support from good friends, all wounds eventually heal. But just like a scab, you pick at it too long, it'll never have the time to repair itself back up.

Do I have issues with men & relationships now because of my father-daughter relationship growing up? Yes. I didn't have a father who was showing me right and wrong when it came to treating women. He not only verbally abused my mother but physically as well. And we're not talking some minor altercation where he's slapped her once or twice. (Which is STILL never f&%king okay!) We're talking throwing bows, even my mother chasing after him with knives and then some. All the while both of them screaming at me to call the police. I was just a kid and the idea of snitching on either of my parents, whom I both loved very much, was something I definitely didn't want to do. It was never about protecting them, but using me against each other. And therefore bringing guilt and shame into the situation. If I didn't call the cops, my mother would tell me I was a coward for not protecting her. If I did call the cops, which I did a few times, my father would tell me I betrayed him.  

I felt like a rag doll being pulled from both ends through most of my childhood. And no matter what I did, I just couldn't manage (or so it seems) to ever be completely accepted by both of my parents. They were constantly competing for my love (i.e; "Do you know what your mother did? She couldn't love you like I love you if she could just leave you like that..." - "Did you know what your father did to me? Even my very own sisters told me not to marry such a monster...") Talk about toxic! I never knew what was completely true or somewhat fabricated. 

But why stay together for over 25 years if it was all bad and nothing good? Well, I wouldn't say that either. My brother and I had the best birthday's, Christmas's, and every other holiday of every month because of my mother. She organized everything while my dad was the 'breadwinner' of the family. And even though we never had much, she made the best with what she had. And I truly miss those special occasions where she'd surround us with her warm, pure heart, making everything seem like it was going to be alright. And even though my father was far from perfect, he did manage to be present in my life, unlike some other father's I know. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is, despite all the pain and heartache that can go on in any kind of relationship, know that it can't be all bad, and it can't be all good. And when it's like that, it's even harder to walk away from the toxicity, no matter how much you may love that person. I didn't become estranged from my father until my late 20s when I finally said enough was enough when he began to emotionally blackmail me with suicide threats for over three weeks straight. I stood my ground and told him I wasn't going to take any more of his abuse and that if he wanted me in his life, he'd have to get his life in order and be more present in his kid's lives. Unfortunately, we never got around to that. 

The irony is the day he passed away was the day he finally was getting his life back on track. He has just left a job interview where he was hired on the spot, where while on his way out of the building, walking down the hallway, he suffered a massive coronary and died immediately after. I will always long to speak to him one last time, to reunite and tell him that even though he's caused so much hurt in my life, I still to this day will and always will love him. No matter what. Because love is about forgiving others and also, forgiving yourself. I still beat myself up for estranging myself from him because I know it hurt both of us too, but I had to do what was best for me at that given time. And I think he too, knew this deep down. So, don't burn every bridge you come across (even though some are meant to be burnt) because forgiving others is almost as powerful as empowering others or yourself. Without forgiveness, there is no compassion. No love. I don't mean to preach, but I've been thinking a lot about the best way to move forward, and to me, I think it all starts with the art of forgiveness. 

LOVE & XX'S,

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How to Wear an Ankle Length Kimono Wrap

WEARING: ROSEGAL ANKLE LENGTH KIMONO WRAP | ZARA BLACK SWEATER
ROSEGAL BLACK JEANS | LITTLE E NYC KC BEAUTIFUL DAY BLUE BAG | 
UO BLACK PATTI LOW HEEL MULE | VINTAGE JADE HOOP EARRINGS 

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY ROSEGAL & LITTLE E NYC.

Happy Monday! New York City's spring has not sprung yet and we're about to embark in one last blizzard (hopefully) of the winter season. A blizzard in NYC means over a foot of snow, so I know a lot of my fellow Michiganders are scratching their heads over this ha, ha but it went from a foot to now two feet... and I had an early meeting at a showroom tomorrow that just got postponed! I bet I'm not the only one who is SICK of the cold and nasty-ass weather. 

But this won't stop me from showing you my new favorite spring piece for the upcoming season! Prints are still on-trend but those unique finds that aren't only suiting your personal taste but complement with your already-diverse wardrobe are what gets me excited to style it. I've been searching for a kimono that not only flattered my petite frame but was also not a clichΓ© type one (sorry folks, I've seen far too many that make my eyes cringe.) But when I stumbled upon this one from Rosegal, it wasn't just the print that caught my eye. The details such as the length and the velvet straps on the sleeves and waistline made my heart skip a beat.  

I styled the ankle length kimono wrap with a pair of Rosegal black jeans that have such a fun fringe on the ends. To give the rough edges a soft subtlety at the same time, I wore mules with a low heel. The black suede also make them super comfy to walk around in, I just wish it was a little warmer so I can actually start wearing them! My favorite black sweater from Zara is also a great transitional piece from winter to spring, especially on those chillier days. This blue bag by Little E NYC is made from genuine full grain leather with a beautiful faux ostrich skin texture. I love the size of the bag as it can easily fit my iPad and other work essentials while running around the city. And how chic is it for spring?! Lastly, I've linked a similar pair of my vintage jasmine hoop earrings down below.    

LOVE & XX'S,

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