Baby Blue Spring Outfit

April 8, 2019

WEARING: BABY BLUE SET | WHITE TUNIC | BLUE BAG | BLUE SHOES

Happy Monday! Spring has sprung! The cherry blossoms are blossoming and the weather is finally sticking to warmer temps. Easter Sunday is right around the corner, in a couple of weeks to be exact, and for those that are celebrating, how do you like to wear your Sunday’s best? And even if you’re not celebrating, this is an outfit for spring! All about baby blue and a bit of princess/folk vibes (what can I say, I’m a bit too excited for GoT - Game of Thrones) continue reading to get more info on where to shop this springy look on top of seeing the complete shoot! Wishing you all a wonderful week!

The baby blue crop top and wide leg trouser is essential for your summer wardrobe. Featuring a blue crepe material, a bandeau neckline and a tie front detail. However, since I layered it for spring, I opted to tie the front detail in the back to create a stronger silhouette with the white. I love palazzo/wide leg pants for the spring/summer season as they can easily look like a dress depending on movement and how you’re positioned. It gives it a lovely flowing quality with the color alone, as it’s one of my favorite pastel colors of all time. Style this set with some sandals for a cute summer look!

The Aria Toe Strap Heel Mule In Light Blue Faux Leather is perfect for the season. I kept it monochrome and chose the same colored accessories in today’s post, such as the sandals as well as my handbag. Aside from the tunic not being in the same color family, my hair accessories were also not baby blue. I went with silver, as I found this to complement with the pastel well. Gold would may have been too much.

The white top is not even a top or a blouse! It’s actually a tunic dress from last summer, but the material is paper thin, so I was easily able to layer it together perfectly. Early spring weather tends to be tricky - one day it’s above temperature and the next freezing (even though it looks so beautiful outside), so I tend to layer a ton before it really starts to warm up. How do you like the layering technique? I’ve linked the most similar tunic from the same brand as the one I’m wearing is from last season and is no longer available online.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope your week is off to a great start and that you’ve been enjoying the spring season as much as I have! Stay tuned for more spring outfits, but I’ll be doing a couple of posts where I’ll be styling a piece in several different ways. Can’t wait to share! Feel free to drop me a line down in the comment section below. Direct links to the pieces from this look, as always in all of my outfit posts, are listed at the beginning and end of the post, with links within the text as well. :) Have a good one!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Babushka Chic

March 27, 2019

The word, ‘babushka’, has its origins in Russian and means, ‘grandmother’. It also makes reference to the manner in which ladies in Russian, use this type of scarf, covering the head and knotting it under the chin. The last reference was taken to name the famous, ‘Lady Babushka’ who was suspect of recording the Kennedy assassination while wearing this garment. A trend that has come and gone, from Audrey Hepburn to the film, ‘Thelma & Louise’, to the Queen of England and even A.S.A.P Rocky, the rapper, has kept this style alive, even breaking boundaries which is something I definitely enjoy doing. And I really wanted to style this in a great setting instead of the usual street style photos we sometimes take. So continue reading to see the complete shoot along with where to shop the pieces in this look today!

I love a good rib-knit dress in a cotton blend. This one is great for spring. Small stand-up collar, short sleeves, and slits at sides, it’s movable and very comfortable. Since the the weather is not quite springlike here in New York yet, I layered the dress with a faux fur coat with contrasted cuffs to bring out a more Russian-feel to the look. I even wore sheer nude tights to also keep with the overall mood of this outfit. I also mixed with the stripe print with an animal one, as snake print anything is super hot in trends at the moment. Don’t worry, they’ll still be around this coming fall/winter as well.

These snake print booties are awfully comfortable too! Super sleek pointed ankle boots featuring exposed zip and sock style fit, you would think 4.5” in terms of heel height would be too much on the feet, but they’re so well-fitted, like a glove, makes it easy to walk around in. I wouldn’t say this if you’re on your feet all day, but for an afternoon or evening will do just fine. I like my shoes to be practical.

So I’ve mixed in animal print with stripes. You’d think I’d stop there, right? Nah. I love playing up on the beauty of print and patterns. There’s something about pushing boundaries like I mentioned earlier in today’s post, I find that when you do, in terms of fashion & style, you can really find out if these rule-breakers work or not. I wore a blue and white floral scarf around my head, a standard must in a babushka chic outfit. :) This scarf in the post is not intended to be a headscarf and is no longer in stock so I linked a very similar one that can definitely be intended for a headscarf/headwrap.

Other accessories featured in today’s look are a luxe burgundy crossbody bag and gold statement earrings. I hope you enjoyed this more stylized editorial shoot! I am working on doing more of this kind of content, but it takes more time, therefore, a longer waiting period. What did you like the most about this babushka chic look? The headscarf? Coat? Perhaps, you’re wanting to see a trend/concept on MaQ + Suz that you haven’t seen and would like to? Drop your messages down in the comment section below!

LOVE & XX’S,

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5 Ways to be a Fashion Rule Breaker

November 2, 2018

Happy Friday, you guys! Today’s look definitely reflects my overall style in fashion - rebellious, maximalist, chicness if you will, but today’s post also discusses the ways to do it. One of the key rules in fashion, in my opinion, is taking risks and trying something new. I think when we do this, it helps us hone in on what our style is, and though it is constantly evolving, there are always a few keen elements that resonate within one self. I tend to break the rules, in general. And just like it has in life, I have made some mistakes and I’ve also had some successes by now following the usual norm/rules. Continue reading to see more of this strong masculine outfit and the top five ways to be a fashion rule breaker.

1. DO YOU – AND ONLY YOU

It’s easy to scroll through Instagram and be ‘influenced’ by an outsider. A complete stranger. But I think what really helps is focusing on what styles you truly love. What makes you feel really good, confident, empowered. Anything positive. Because I too have had my fair share of uncomfortable outfits for the sake of some trend or vibe I was trying to go for, if it’s not me I know right away. But the way to be is to have the desire to impress yourself rather than for anyone else. Don’t develop your style based on other peoples’ opinions of yourself.

2. EMBRACE CHANGE.

When I was going through a lot of personal stuff a couple years back, I went to the hair salon and got bangs. At first, it took some getting used to but now, I can’t imagine my hair any other way than the way it is. For those that are not in the know - I have jet black hair and took nearly a year to get to the color I have now. I had really originally wanted platinum blonde hair but my hair colorist was so honest and trustworthy in the fact that that kind of drastic color would utterly fry my hair. So instead of walking around with damaged locks of frizz, we reached to this kind of color. And I find it unique and never had a hair color like this that I love so much. So it just goes to show, embrace change. Take a chance. Worth the risk. If not, it’ll grow back lolol.

3. IT TAKES TIME

Rome was not built in a day. And neither will your style. It’ll take years of trial and error to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. This comes with taking chances, but it takes time to build up confidence in knowing what your style is. So be patient, have fun with clothes, and don’t take it too seriously. Fashion after all is a form of playing dress up, is it not? So don’t be shy in expressing yourself to the world!

4. DON’T KNOCK IT TILL YOU TRY IT

In order to figure out what works for you, it’s not a bad idea to step outside your comfort zone when it comes to your style. Maybe try a style you may not usually wear, just to see how you feel and look in it. I tend to mix/clash between what I’m confident in, and other styles I may not normally do and put them together to see the result. Sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised and other times it’s, “What’re thinking?!” Haha! So don’t be shy in experimenting.

5. STUDY FROM THE PROS

Not, not your favorite influencer with a million followers. We’re talking legendary icons in fashion like Coco Chanel, Diana Vreeland, Grace Coddington, Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele and others. These are those one can learn from. It’s like anything else, the more knowledge you have in something, the better off you are in it. So this definitely applies to the world of style, in all aspects - not only fashion.

What do you guys think of this masculine power suit look? I deliberately mixed three different patterns of plaid and to be quite honest, I love it so much! I styled it with a crisp white blouse and burgundy accessories like my handbag and boots. The added contrast is my navy blue silk handkerchief that always makes me feel European for some reason. I think this outfit is an absolute fashion rule breaker, how about you?

LOVE & XX’S,

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How to Wear Winter White

October 22, 2018

WEARING: CHICWISH TWEED COAT | AOS JEANS | PUBLIC DESIRE BOOTS | CHLOE BAG

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHICWISH & PUBLIC DESIRE.

Monday Blues? What if I told you there was a way to polish up your winter wardrobe as easy as 1, 2, 3? Today’s discussion is the white talk. Nah, not the political kind. But fasssshuuuun. Lolol. For those that follow the ‘No white after Labor Day’ rule, don’t fret! This look will perhaps change your mind about wearing white during the colder season, but with the right palette and cool (heh heh) accessories, you won’t look washed out. For those that are accident prone like myself, I can’t help you there, except a trusty Tidy bleach pen and a lil’ prayer. That’s the risk you take when wearing white! Continue reading see more of this gorgeous winter coat that’s white, but also blue! Follow the link to shop. Hurry there’s only 5 LEFT!!!

Ready to luxe up your outerwear collection? It’s one and done with this tweed coat boasting a double-breasted button closure, front flap up pockets and elegant fringe. The added pearls on the cuffs exude that sophistication and wintry feel. This coat run at $108 - really good deal for the quality of this piece. And HURRY - there’s literally only 5 LEFT! This fall/winter coat can be styled in many ways. With a beautiful dress, midi skirt, jeans, trousers and more, it’s a rebelliously chic winter coat to have in your closet! I styled this piece with a lot of white, that being my focus color of this outfit palette.

I’ve worn these boots with a red metallic dress during NYFW (HERE) but how perfect are they for the fall/winter season?! These beauties are from Public Desire and run for only $65. I love the flared block heel and pointed toe along with the metal hardwear detailing on the sides. Edgy yet still refined. To have my legs elongate further, I blended them with the boots in tightly cropped white jeans by Articles of Society. The snug/fit of their denim is ridiculously comfortable.

To tie in with the elegance of the coat, I accessorized with this blue bag and some pearl earrings. The bag definitely helps keep with the palette of blue and white, and not blending too much white together where you’ll suddenly disappear. (or even worse, looking like Casper, the friendly ghost.) Another trick that helps when wearing white? Go with cooler tones with your makeup! It tends to “frost” things up… think ice queen. (but minus the bitchiness lolol) The combination complement with each other and in my opinion, cooler tones gives more way to the face. That way not all of someone’s attention is on your white ensemble. Questions about any makeup products used to achieve this look? Or questions about the coat? Outfit? Drop them down below in the comment box. Happy Monday!

LOVE & XX’S,

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Lavender and Polka Dot

May 31, 2018

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK LAVENDER MATCHING POLKA DOT SET | 
CHLOE HUDSON MINI SHOULDER BAG | NINE WEST JANILLY LOAFERS | 
ODETTE & ODILE WHITE SUNNIES

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SAKU NEW YORK.

Happy almost Friday, everyone! In today's post, I'm sharing two of my latest favorite trends: the wonderful color of lavender and the plentiful world of polka dots. I normally only see black or white polka dot within a print, but this one mixed with maroon and lavender is unique and super eye-catching! Throw me on a good graphic print and I'm ready! At first, I was thinking of styling this matching set in Coney Island or in a garden of cherry blossoms or magnolia. But I find the setting to be so crucial in setting the tone of an outfit and with a piece as 'busy' as this one by Saku New York, too much going on in the photograph can mislead the eye and completely change the way we see the outfit. Continue reading to see where our photo shoot was located... we've shot here once before for my ten-year New York anniversary, come check it out!

How adorable is this matching polka dot set from Saku New York? I simply am in love with anything lavender, and I found this set to be very graphic. I got several compliments while we were out and about taking photographs in it. I love how versatile it is as well, later that day after the shoot I changed into some jeans and only kept wearing the top with it to an event. I would imagine the pants to work very well with a white tee and blazer of some kind, maybe even a hot pink? How would you style these pieces separately? And look at that beautiful white trim on that top, how gorgeous is that?!

I went with a comfy pair of white loafers from Nine West and a Chloé burgundy saddle bag. I felt the colors complemented with the matching set very well and kept it from being too busy and distracting to the main piece. I wore my favorite pair of white sunnies from Odette + Odile, the cat-eye shape is so cute, right? Other features I forgot to mention from the set: the pants have an elastic waistband which makes it ultra comfy, and my favorite; pockets! The top can also be worn over the shoulder or shoulderless, which I prefer the latter.

Alright, I have to hop off here and catch up on emails. Yesterday was so busy, I had a shoot, editing for half of the day, plus three events in between everything. Today is a pampering day and will be spending most of my day at my favorite salon to have a little hair rescue session. Haha! I am in serious need of a cut + color. Stay tuned for the results on my stories later on today, I'm also heading to an event later tonight for a French makeup brand in a pretty cool location... more to come later! Wishing you a fantastic day. :)