Casual Sexy Black Summer Outfit

August 11, 2019

WEARING: BLACK CAMI TOP | BLACK SKIRT | BLACK SANDALS | LEOPARD BAG

Happy Sunday! I’ve been quite the busy bee, running around, working and then some to get ready for fall, which is why you’ve seen less content on the blog this week. Plus it is summer after all, and it’s been really nice to have some downtime and actually relax. So in today’s post I’m sharing a very casual, but sexy outfit that is just perfect for the weekend. And each piece from this look is super affordable and comfy. Continue reading to see more of this black summer outfit!

When I think of a sexy summer top that can be worn during the day but also at the night, the first thing to come to mind is this lace cami top. It’s light, breezy and just the right amount of sexy without going overboard. Subtle is sexy. And this cami top is a definite keeper for fall, imagine the layering ideas one can do! This top is also only $10!! I styled the top with a high-slit black skirt. Again, keeping it pretty simple.

My favorite part of this look are the accessories. These studded sandals are so me! Summer sandals don't get hotter than this. The Mila in black faux leather features gold studded detail and a chunky sole to rival all chunky soles. They’d look amazing with biker shorts, shirt dresses and an all-black look as such. How would you wear these kind of sandals? The leopard bag I’m carrying is no longer in stock, but I’ve link a very similar one from Aldo that’s also super great :) Wishing you a great rest of the weekend. I’ll be enjoying it with the boys and a good book. xo

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Summer Neon Power Suit

July 15, 2019

WEARING: NEON POWER SUIT | NEON SUMMER SUEDE SANDALS | GOLD SNAKE EMBOSSED CROSSBODY | GOLD HOOP EARRINGS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY EGO AND PIPER & SKYE, BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Starting Monday strong in a neon power suit: Summer Style Edition! I always like a pop of color to start my week - it’s all-around positive vibes with a definite side of eye-catching ability. But what I love most about this look is how comfortable and confident I feel in it! You can wear it down with chunky ‘dad’ sneakers or style them up with high-inched stilettos. Whatever floats your boat in terms of style, a pant suit can bring a lot of variety to your closet. You won’t believe it but this power suit is now on sale at only $15! Continue to see full visual story along with where to shop this look.

What’s cool about matching sets is its versatility. Like this pantsuit - I can wear the blazer by itself (styled with a green dress in this post here) or the pants vice versa. The blazer looks great with dresses, jeans, shorts, and skirts - and the pants look great with a white tee or different colored blazer such as black or white. My favorite is with the two together, as it makes quite the statement… don’t you think? How would you like to style this pantsuit?

Being that it’s summer, I chose to wear sandals with the power suit to give it a more laidback yet still chic vibe. Very L.A. ‘workdrobe’, ha ha! I could have kept the outfit completely monochrome and styled it with a neon handbag but I thought a different color would make it even better. Which is why I went with this gold snaked embossed crossbody by Piper & Skye. The brand inspires elegance in every day life - so I styled it in two different ways while still being completely practical for everyday. One way was the belt bag style and the other is crossbody. You can also carry the bag as a boxy clutch.

The neon faux suede flat sandals are from Ego Shoes. Slip on and pair with cropped frayed hem jeans for daytime or slip into a floaty maxi dress for vacay vibes. I styled my hair in a pretty sleek braided ponytail to give the look a stronger feel to it. The chunky big hoop earrings are great when the hair is worn up, such as this kind of look. I think the gold accents pair nicely with the neon color, what do you think? Thanks for stopping by and checking out this outfit! Leave your comments/thoughts down below - links available throughout this post. x

uk---_mollykrenz_---green-tie-front-blazer-and-wide-leg-trouser-suit-and-bodega-white.jpg

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

5 WAYS TO WEAR YOUR HERMÈS SCARF

April 12, 2019

Happy Friday! For my birthday this year, my husband gifted me an accessory I’ve been wanting for quite sometime: An Hermès carre scarf. Timeless, classic, utter perfection. The story behind the scarf: Artist Pierre Marie pays tribute to the "Les Amoureux de Paris" scarf, designed by Maurice Tranchant in the 1950s, on which several famous couples silhouette against a map of the City of Light. A marriage proposal on the Right Bank, a couple dancing on the Left Bank, love is alive on both sides of the Seine in Paris, the most romantic of cities. A jogging couple head for the Tuileries Garden, two cyclists embrace near the Madeleine church, a pair of skateboarders meet up in the Quai de la Gare quarter. The new interpretation is illustrated by contemporary lovers, straight out of everyday life. It holds such a beautiful message on top of such a beautiful piece. And what I love most about this scarf is its versatile abilities when it comes to styling. The possibilities are endless. Which is why in today’s post, I’m really excited to be sharing 5 different ways to wear your Hermès scarf! I could have worn it in so many other ways with this particular piece, but I chose to go with styles that I’d wear often, are practical and chic. Continue reading to see how you can achieve the looks along with where to get this beautiful scarf!

Screen Shot 2019-01-15 at 7.57.13 PM.png

THE CLASSIC HEADSCARF

Head scarves can be dressy and classic - think Princess Grace of Monaco or Audrey Hepburn - or sporty and casual... and an excellent solution to 'bad hair' days! I tied it in the front under my chin here but you can also try crossing the ends of the scarf under your chin, then take them round to the back (or side) of your neck and tie them. Pair it with some sunnies for the French Riviera look!

THE HEAD WRAP

A street smart update on the classic headscarf. I actually refer this the pirate/painter way as these are the types of people wearing the scarf as such, lol. Fold your scarf into a triangle and drape it over your head with the long edge of the triangle across your forehead. Take the two ends back across the sides of your head and tie at the back in a square knot.

THE BELT WRAP

Tie the silk scarf around your waist, swap ends to the opposite hand, then tie at the back to secure. It instantly adds a pop of color and pattern and is an unexpected detail that can totally make a basic outfit look so much more polished and stylish. Wrap it through your belt loops and knot it in front, or wrap it around your waist to carve out your shape in a billowy dress or top. So easy, so chic.

THE PONYTAIL WRAP

A glamorous way to accessorize a simple ponytail. A ponytail is not just a ponytail when accented with a beautiful scarf! This style can employ either an along-the-length folded oblong scarf or a square scarf in a bias-band fold.Fold your scarf on the bias, then wrap it twice around your ponytail, finishing with a square knot. For a very dressy look for evening, tie the ends in a big bow!

STANDARD SCARF WRAP

I could have shown the Lady Lavallière - silk ties for the butterfly effect. (Looks like a huge bow) but I could not see myself wearing it this way as every day use. So I went with the standard scarf wrap, except I kept the triangle end unfolded to create a little more flair to something that is quite traditional. What do you think? You can also styles scarves around handbags, wrists, tops and so much more.

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Le-J Jewelry

January 2, 2019

WEARING: GOLD PEARL HOOP EARRINGS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LE – J JEWELRY BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Don’t you love it after a nice holiday break, we come back to work thinking it’s a Monday, but it’s actually a Wednesday? Makes getting through that first week a little easier. Second post on the blog kicking into the new year is all about a newly discovered jewelry brand - where I had met the founder at a press preview for a cashmere line. I love how New York always has a tendency to bring so many people together. :) Read more about this great jewelry collection (more releases coming very soon!) along with a fun earring editorial shoot by clicking the button right below!

Founded in 2017 by designer & CEO Choco XU, Le-J is a luxury accessories brand. Fusing an innovative design aesthetic with the rich heritage of Italian craftsmanship. In 2018, Choco designed to bring this brand into New York, establishing Le-J’s influence on the luxury jewelry space. Le-J collaborates with multi-generational Asian artisan families allowing a fusion of traditional processes and quality materials, with innovative design ideas defining new Modern Luxury. I was fortunate enough to cross paths with Choco at a press preview for a clothing brand, but as soon as I took a look at her jewelry designs, I was immediately drawn to the aesthetic and craftsmanship of the pieces.

I have a pair of assymetric star drop earrings that I styled last month in a velvety holiday look (link HERE) along with these amazing gold hoop earrings with pearls perched ever so delicately – a classic look. I find these earrings perfect for someone who’s style is modern minimal chic. For some reason when I looked at these earrings I instantly thought of Robin Hood, but a female version. I definitely tend to feel more inspired/creative when working with quality people and quality pieces. It’s a no-brainer. How would you style these earrings? There’s a million and one ways, which is why they’re so perfect for everyday style, day-to-night looks and more.

These Le – J earrings are only $65, but I rounded up similar pieces for everyone to pick and choose to their liking, since I know how picky I can be with my jewelry! I hope your week is going as chic as these earrings and will continue to sparkle all throughout the week and into the new year. Tomorrow I will be getting my hair done… and I’m going to go a little different! So stay tuned for a change, nothing too drastic but yeah, I think it’s great to keep evolving as a constant. Just like my work, I’m hoping to bring you fresher, bigger, better content in 2019! So here goes!!!

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

How to Deal When the Holidays Aren't Exactly Happy

December 10, 2018

I don’t know about you, but the holidays can be a very bittersweet time for me. It’s not the most wonderful time of the year, I am not jolly and I normally am counting down the days until it’s January 2nd. I skip a lot of holiday events and parties because I’m never in the mood to socialize. Why? Am I the grinch? Nah. This time of year we remember people we’ve lost, especially the older we get. Both my parents are deceased, so this time period always brings up a lot of memories and mixed emotions. I’m grateful for the family I have made for myself, given the fact that my own estrangement from the rest of my family is not a choice I have made, but more so one that they have made, but since my parents have been gone, it just hasn’t been the same. There’s nothing like the season’s festive messages of peace, love, and togetherness to really make us contemplate our existence, our relationships, and what really matters to us. Hence, the Holiday blues do tend to creep in on me. But instead of passing through and keeping quiet, I decided to write to those that are in the same boat as me. Because you’re not alone. So here are my 5 tips on how to deal when the holidays aren’t exactly happy.

1. TAKE CARE OF YOU

With all the added pressures the holidays bring, one activity I’m not much a fan of is holiday gatherings. So I tend to skip out on a lot of them. Not because I’m a no-show kind of person, but more importantly, I have to take care of me. So if that means I don’t feel like going to someone’s shindig - I just won’t. Life’s too short to spend all your free time at parties anyway. Plus I always feel guilty. Celebrating anything relating to family is difficult for me. And with a hubby and a dog I cherish so dearly, I quite frankly really enjoy just spending time with them around this time of the year. For those that actually care for me will understand and for the ones who don’t, who cares, honestly.

2. ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR GIVING

Whenever I’m feeling down I always make an extra effort to think of others before myself. Because as much as my problems are as big in my head, to the next person, who know what they’re facing as well. So a tiny act of kindness, whether it’s helping an elderly person walk across the street or giving away clothes to Goodwill, there’s always something to be done to help others. I always like to believe that whatever energy you project and also be whatever is paying it forward to the next person. So perhaps if my act of kindness inspires the next person to do the same, my work is done. Well… so to speak. :)

3. TREAT YOURSELF

Hey, they don’t call it retail therapy for nothing! If all else fails, you can always splurge on yourself too. Eyeing that new piece of jewelry that just can’t seem to get off your mind? Don’t regret the things you didn’t buy! Big or small, getting a gift for yourself is an act of self-care/self-love. Kind of goes along with the first, in that taking care of yourself and that it doesn’t hurt to buy something for yourself every once in a while. Money doesn’t buy happiness, though!

4. FOCUS ON THE GLASS BEING HALF-FULL

It’s quite easy to fall into the trap of missing what you don’t have in your life. We are all going through something, and no one’s life is 100% perfectly complete all the time. So when you start to get into a funk, I always try to think of what’s going right in my life rather than what’s going wrong. I think of the people and things I’m grateful for and I have learned to appreciate the smaller things in life. It’s all in the mindset and the way our perspective is in that given time. If you change the way you look at things, things you look at change.

5. LAUGH, AS THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

Laughter is the best medicine. Whenever I travel for work and am alone in my hotel room working, I always have Friends of Big Bang Theory on in the background. The white noise makes the room feel less empty and I can always count on a few chuckles to be had afterward. Watch movies, listen to music that make you feel good and will inspire you. Whatever makes you smile, hold on to that just a while longer, because before you know it, the holidays will be over just as quickly as they began!

If you’re in the same boat as me and are not a huge fan of the holidays for perhaps similar reasons like myself - YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I’d say try and make the most of it but it’s okay to not be feeling it as well. If you have any other great suggestion on how to get out of the holiday funky blues, feel free to relay your tips down in the comment section below. I love hearing from you guys, especially on more personal posts as such. Hope you enjoyed, until next time… take care of yourself and others. Love always.