10 Ways to Be a Badass


Normally when one thinks of a badass, one doesn’t usually come across an image of myself but more so along the lines of ‘The Terminator’, ‘Rocky’… even Lara Croft. Or perhaps a pick-up artist or someone who is all about getting ‘ripped’. My physique is petite more than anything else. But it’s what you carry on the inside that truly resonates who you are. So after my birthday weekend, I had some reflections as to where I am in life and who I really am as well. And I can assure you, I’m one hell of a badass for many reasons. So continue reading to learn more on ten ways to be more of a baddie in your life as well!

1. STOP GIVING A F**K ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF YOU!

As a trained figure skater, I was criticized on a daily basis (and then some) which became part of the norm in my childhood. Good and bad, the latter proved to toy with my insecurities for years. But what it has also taught me is discipline, perseverance and most importantly, the only competition that I’m up against is with myself. Do you really think, with the career I’m in now, that I’d have any real fighting chance if I spent my days trolling Instagram worrying about other people and what they think of me? I’d never leave the house! So throw caution to the wind in this case - once you really don’t care about what others think of you and are only worried about yourself, it is forever life changing. And yes, a complete badass in doing so!

2. TAKE ACTION IN SPITE OF FEAR

We are human after all, we all become afraid of many things throughout our life. But it’s how we manage that fear is what counts. To lead an exciting life, one must be open to new experiences. Jump with a leap of faith instead of waiting for something to happen. You just got to go for it, remember that you are uncomfortable because you are simply traveling out of your comfort zone, which is a good thing. Overcoming fears equals personal growth, and badasses are far more capable than what they ever imagined to be. Better to have tried than not try at all.

3. BE COOL TO EVERYONE

Not to say one should be a doormat, but it never hurts to be kind. We are all in this together, meaning we are all going to go down just in different ways so while we’re here we should at least try to be nice to one another. Don’t get me wrong, once a boundary has been stepped outside of its line, I won’t be as cool. But to me, a badass isn’t a ‘mean girl’ or a beyotch with an attitude, but more so someone who is diplomatic, cool, calm and collective throughout many different scenarios. Treat others how you’d like to be treated. The cooler you are to everyone else, the cooler they’re gonna be to you.

4. STAND UP

Whether it’s for yourself or someone else, do it for the right reasons. Not for an ego boost. When you see someone being taken advantage of, abused, or wronged who may not have the strength to stand up for themselves, do whatever you can to help. Don’t go getting yourself into situations you can’t handle, but if there’s any opportunity to fight some sort of injustice before you, stand up and do something about it. Rise up for yourself because if you can’t do that, you’re not going to be able to help others either. But you’ll never regret doing either or the other!

5. SAY NO

Of course, it’s important to learn when to say yes but I believe it is even more important to learn when to say no. And rather frequently. You can’t please everyone, and even if you tried (which I have in the past) you will never win over everybody. Quickly saying yes to everyone and everything will consequently have you lose your focus and dilute your power. Be selective, take time in your decisions, and definitely be down to say NO AF. Lol.

6. STOP TALKING, AND START DOING

If I have to endure one more conversation amongst ‘bloggers’ as to what I have in store for summer plans, future content ideas, etc; I’m going to die of exasperation. Less talk, more action. Like a writer, don’t tell me… but SHOW ME. One of the best ways to stay stuck in your life is to constantly talk about things and never take action. If you want to really change your life or achieve a big goal, then commit to being someone who takes big action and does something about it after rather than the other way around. It kind of coincides with #1 but it’s all about delivering what you plan on doing. GET IT DONE!

7. KEEP IT MOVING

Life will try to beat you down, others will try and take what you have, and your own mind will tell you that you’re not good enough, but… guess what? The world doesn’t revolve around you and you have to maintain at not relenting. Don’t give up. Keep plugging away at it and go after it single-mindedly. Don’t let anything get in your away. Remember why you are doing what you’re doing and don’t let go of that.

8. ADAPT

Stay on your path and trudge forward with big strides, but be flexible and adapt to the conditions of the road. If you want to make the universe laugh, just tell them your plans. Things will go awry. If you’re too rigid, life will feel like it’s against you, so sometimes you got to adapt a little and go with the flow. Be like water, not cement.

9. FOLLOW YOUR GUT

It’s there for a reason, and believe me when I say this, it knows much more than you do! ;) If someone or something feels wrong to you, or a project just doesn’t feel right…listen to what your intuition is telling you. There’s a good chance that it’s right and you should at least consider what is going on. Don’t have a knack for it, or so you think? Meditate, take long walks, do things that will open your inner compass and guide you to do what is best for you.

10. KNOW WHO YOU ARE

We all have different sides to ourselves, but more so of what we project to the outside world, and then who we are - as in… who we really are deep down inside. In my profession, it’s easy to just think I’m this or that, depending on what’s in a person’s ‘about me’ page, outfit, tweet, and then some. None of this makes a person. What’s in your heart and what actions you take definitely take hold over who you truly are as a person. And it’s all about being able to look at yourself in the mirror every morning and be very accepting with yourself. Because if you can’t even face yourself, how do you really know yourself? Be happy knowing your true self, a badass at heart all the way!

LOVE & XX’S,

 
 

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How to Wear a Maxi Skirt If You Are a Petite or a Short Woman

NYC fashion blogger

Stepping up my game in the styling department this Monday! You know, us, petite girls, need a little more recognition in the fashion world because it’s not easy styling when it comes to being short. Especially when it comes to bottoms: Pants, skirts - you name it, normally anything will need some adjustments. But what if you can’t take it in to the tailor every time? Pinching a few pennies? Why not, “Make it work” as Tim Gunn says? And if you’re a true stylist, you can adapt to anything and yes, indeed, make it work! You know I’m not much of a pink girl, but many of my readers really like it when I wear this color. So on one count, I’m challenging myself to style one skirt in two completely different ways, and two, for the love of my followers. Here you go! Continue reading to see the complete shoot!

When I thought about how to style this skirt, given the fact that the pink maxi skirt (as cute as it may be), it was far too long for me. So what’s a petite gal to do? HIDE THAT ISH. And since it’s winter, I paired it with a loosely fitted black cashmere sweater with #MOOD written on it in a plush red. To accentuate with the top, I accessorized with my new favorite bag that’s got a gorgeous oxblood color with an adjustable gold chain. You can see how I wore it both ways. Even my lipstick and nails are similar to the shades or red, but not exact. And this was intentional. I think it brings more of the pink out in terms of its statement, and it’s quite a ruffly skirt! I may not be a girly girl, but I sure do feel quite the lady when wearing it.

My new favorite black winter boots have yellow laces and a rough edgy feel to them. I’d say they’re combat boots and the platform always makes me feel like I can kick ass when wearing them. Ha ha! I’d say this look has a definite punk feminine chic vibe to it. You know me for my edginess & rebelliousness when it comes to my personal style, I really had fun putting together this first look. But wait… there’s the other look. How did I style the pink maxi skirt this time? Definitely has an overall different vibe to it as well!

One of my favorite ways to style a maxi skirt is to wear it as a dress! As a petite and short woman (I’m only 5’3’’) who is always looking for ways to save a few bucks, and also doesn’t always have time to wait in between alterations at the tailor’s, it never hurts to find creative ways to style yourself! And this second look is more for an evening affair. Playful, elegant and still with a little bit of edge, this pink maxi skirt, now dress, is a showstopper. I styled the piece with the darkest color known to man to give contrast to the feminine shade I don’t normally wear, if not ever. I love pink and black together!

The look was definitely inspired by Carrie Bradshaw’s Oscar de la Renta dress from the show, Sex & the City, where her Russian boyfriend gifts it to her right before whisking her away to the ballet. I wanted the same type of feeling when it came to the second look. More whimsical. A touch of elegance. And a look you’ve never seen me do. And just like Carrie, I have a thing for accessories. This unique 100% leather based ball bag with Swarovski crystal stones, silver studs, glow in the dark stars and hand painted detailing is pretty insane when it comes to its details and I thought it was quite the bag to carry with this look! 

I wore black strappy heels to give more of an elongated look as well as keeping with the color scheme. And when it came to styling this pink maxi skirt into a dress, I knew I need to cinch the waist with a belt, to give some shape to the long dress. I just used black satin ribbon, the same one I wore on my wedding day, and snugly tied it in the back. A statement belt, like the one I’ve linked would be just as great, but to style this as a dress it definitely need something to hold the waist in. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my duo-styled post! I truly enjoyed doing this, so let me know if you’d like to see more styling challenges like this one! Until next time… :)

LOVE & XX’S,

 
 

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The Chicest Dramatic Sequined Duster

WEARING: THE AKIRA LABEL SEQUINED DUSTER | MAVI JEANS | PLT HEELS | CHANEL BAG | CHANEL NECKLACE


THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY AKIRA & VIVRELLE

It is still duster jacket season, well, it is in my fashion book. I normally see floral print, neutrals such as a lovely beige or subtle gray when it comes to these kinds of thin-material jackets but these are all more suitable for daytime wear. I’ve been looking for one as evening wear, and when I laid my eyes on this particular sequined jacket, I was quite excited to style it let alone wear it around town, to which has received many compliments already. The jacket, guys. Continue reading to learn about the different ways to style this marvel beauty, where you can get your hands on it, and lastly, a newly discovered brand where you can borrow high-end luxury accessories such as handbags and even jewelry! It’s all going down now on MaQ + Suz so check out the post!

The AKIRA Label Can’t Get Enough Dramatic Sequined Duster is made from a mesh fabrication with 3D feathered sequins, an open front, and a long flowing length. Throw this over a mini dress for a dramatic entrance, or wear it alone as a dress with a thick belt - I opted with jeans because your jean gal is not prissy. I went with a pair that had a little more detail such as these pearl studs to keep up with the extravagance of the duster jacket. I just love that no matter how you style this jacket, it’s a show stopper - definitely a statement piece. I definitely think it’s also wearable all year-round, and how fun would it be to layer this with other fabrics such as animal print, faux fur, or perhaps… more sequin?

How would you like to have access to hundreds of classic luxury accessories starting at $99/month? Members can experience an item for as long as they'd like, or swap it out monthly. If you love your accessory, you can buy it as well! This is Vivrelle. For as low as $99 per month, you can borrow this Chanel bag and Chanel necklace (& so many other amazing accessories), including some of my favorites in my personal Vivrelle closet! Use code "Suzanne Spiegoski" to get to the top of the wait list. 

As for my hair style, I’ve been pulling my bangs back with bobby pins or hair clips like these cute 90s-inspired ones because I need a trim! Just haven’t had the time with my busy schedule, so yes, sometimes you just have to make it work. Either that or try to adapt. It’s kind of having me NOT miss my bangs because let’s face it, they’re a lot of work in terms of maintenance. What do you guys think… keep banging or grow them out?

What do you guys think of this look? I definitely think it’s great for an evening where you want to paint the town red, but at the same time, keeping your style semi-casual. I’ve never been the type to style a look only from one genre/trend but more so of mixing things up. Because fashion should be fun and interesting. And stepping outside the box always can lead to something new and different. How would you have styled this sequined duster jacket? Don’t forget to shop the pieces at the beginning and end of this post! Got a question? You can drop them down in the section below (at the end of this post). Happy Monday! Wishing you all a killer good week.

LOVE & XX’S,

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The Addams Family - Halloween Style


THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY PRETTYLITTLETHING & BOBBI BROWN COSMETICS.

You guys!! I was too excited to wait and share our Halloween costumes this year! In the past, we have been the ‘James Bond’ family, ‘The X-Files’ family, and now, ‘The Addams Family’. I went as Morticia, my husband is Gomez, and our German shepherd dog, MaQ, is Cousin It, along with The Thing! Look closely you’ll spot him in the photos! Special thanks to Bobbi Brown’s, Analise Traficante for the perfect modern Morticia Addams makeup (how amazing is she?!) Continue reading where to get this Halloween look, it’s all from one brand along with where to find my girl, Analise!

First of all, how freaking cool is my husband? When I gave him the idea initially, I’d thought he’d cringe at the idea. His natural hair is salt & pepper (my silver fox as I call him) and he’s not one to ever do anything crazy with his hair, but he was all for it! He literally went out and helped out, even finding washing hair dye to get his Gomez look. I helped with the eye makeup which is simple black eyeliner and for the brows and mustache we used black mascara. As for MaQ, we got an extra long blonde wig and a boiler hat for Cousin It, along with a pair of black sunglasses.

My Morticia Addams Halloween look is all by PrettyLittleThing! I love this brand, so I was very excited to partner with them to create our annual look! The black lace dress is modern, perfect for this temperamental weather we’ve been having, but you can layer it with a black turtleneck and tights to wear out and about in colder weather. The heels are also from PLT along with the black faux fur bag. Those three items falls in about $150, but I consider it an investment because I will definitely be wearing all three pieces differently many times over. So in a way, multi-use lolol. Follow links here or at the end of this post.

Makeup was completely done by my girl, Analise. We met during NYFW where we just collaborated on a fall look solely using Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and I loved her so much I asked her to do my Halloween look as I knew it would be a bit of a challenge to get the look being that I don’t have the eyes like Morticia, but was really confident in her ability and voila! She killed it! And I love how modern it is as well as the attire. A very modern day Morticia, if you will. Want to get a makeup style/look done by Analise? Head over to the Bloomingdale’s in SoHo where she’ll be able to achieve whatever your heart desires! Follow her on Instagram for more of her everyday life here.

What do you guys think of this Halloween Addams Family look? Yes, I got my dog to hold still in a long ass wig, hat, sunglasses and all! Ha ha, how you may ask is from years of training and spending a lot of time with him. You can follow him on Instagram for more of him - he’s very photogenic which most of you know by now… ;) Until next time! xo

LOVE & XX’S,

NYC style blog

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5 Tips to Nail Your Next Meeting

WEARING: CHICWISH TWEED COAT | GUESS SWEATER | JOES JEANS | PRETTY LITTLE THING SLINGBACKS | ODETTE & ODILE MARBLE POUCH


THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHICWISH & PLT.

I've been to hundreds of meetings. Some you nail right out of the park and then there are others that don't go as well. First impressions do count-down to the very last detail and after a lot of trial and error, I wanted to share my tips on how to nail your next big meeting! Whether it's your first time meeting with a client you've been dreaming of working together or a quick pow-wow meeting with those you already work with, these essentials will not only make your life easier but the lives of others around you as well. So without further ado, let's get started with my two cents' worth of my top 5 main suggestions for landing your next gig/client.

1. BE ON TIME

Nothing irks me more than those who are regularly late. Biggest pet peeve. Sure, in a city like New York and with all the congested traffic, running 5-10 minutes late is a norm but anything longer than that is just rude and unaccountable. It tells two tale-telling signs (to me): One, you don't take the meeting very seriously if you show up that late and two, it also shows me that you are not reliable (or even worse, irresponsible). So the next best thing for everyone? Just show up a few minutes earlier. If you have to set your alarm fifteen minutes earlier than usual, do it because it'll also save you the hassle of rushing as well, where that's when everyone makes the most mistakes. 

2. DO YOUR RESEARCH


I can't tell you how many times I went into a meeting and the person did not do their homework, let alone, know anything about me and/or what I could bring to the table. Eeeek! Don't be that person. If it's more than one person meeting with you, you better research everyone in the room. We're not talking a background check, but yes, know their position and abilities before talking smack about what you can do for them. Demonstrate your preparation by asking questions about the person(s) and not so much about yourself - don't worry they will be asking about you too but don't forget the give and take rule. Listen first, speak later. 

3. BE UPFRONT

Now, this doesn't mean opening up your "Dear, Diary" and spilling the 411 on your entire life story, let alone anything super personal. What I mean is don't be afraid to answer with conviction about your skills and knowledge. It doesn't have to be a novella of an answer, but one with a couple short sentences wrapping up your talents with a nice 'bow' if you will. It also doesn't look like you're trying too hard, because who wants to listen to your lists of accomplishments (that you probably memorized off your resume) Keep it short and sweet but with purpose. 

4. BE PRESENTABLE

Both physically and mentally. Being present is key along with a first good impression by the way you dress and yes present yourself. Polish those shoes, wear that tie/dress that hugs your hips and makes you feel extra confident but remaining true to you. Obviously, don't show up looking like you're ready to perform in a risque cabaret, but dress the part. The second part is all mental. This has to do with body language, leaving your phone in your bag, to even that initial handshake. They all count. Being present in the moment during a meeting goes a long way, and shows that you're invested and committed to that meeting, and in turn, the job at hand.

5. FOLLOW UP SOONER RATHER THAN LATER

Once you've worked your angles and made your impression to the client, the next best thing is to touch-base rather quickly. Now you don't want to look overly desperate so waiting a day or two is fine, but in this day and age where we are constantly on the go, meeting with other potential clients, and then some, it's easy to forget people and things once too much time has passed. So be diligent and follow through with an email or phone call, thanking them for their time with some sort of continuing conversation regarding your meeting. 

Have any questions regarding this post? Well... then GO FOR IT! Drop me a line in the comments section down below or send me an email! We love engaging with our readers and are always down to continue the conversation. Last piece of advice? If you want something badly enough, first and foremost, you have to go for it. Be audacious. Others will know through your actions and words if you really are dedicated in achieving something, whatever it may be. Until next time...

LOVE & XX’S,

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