Stars and Stripes

February 21, 2019

WEARING: STRIPED MAXI SWEATER DRESS | TRIANGLE CLUTCH | BLACK SOCK BOOTS | STARS HAIR CLIP

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GEEGEEBAE BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Happy Thursday, everyone! I’ve been back from London a couple of days ago, and it’s been nonstop work straight off the plane again, with a little sickness (respiratory infection of sorts w/ a ‘fun’ raspy voice) and complete exhaustion. But still trudging through and getting it done because that’s the way it is around here! Today’s post is dedicated to the teasing springlike weather, and as many of you I’m sure, just like myself, are itching to take those heavy winter coats off! But with transitional weather right now, it’s still not quite time for that, so our wardrobe needs something in between. How about a gorgeous striped maxi sweater dress? Continue reading to learn more about how I styled this particular piece, where to shop and more of what’s to come on M + S!

Who says you can’t wear your stars and stripes before the Fourth of July? And it doesn’t have to be in red, white and blue either. I love mixing prints, in which case, this is more about mixing materials and textures, but still falls in the category lines of it. I’ve been growing my bangs out since I grew tired of the maintenance it took with them. So with the latest hair trend, everything clips, barrettes, etc; I took the liberty in styling my hair with a single hair piece, amongst them the stars. I wore the stars hair clip the opposite way to have the dangling star on my upper face, to give it a ‘Rainbow Brite’ kind of vibe with the candy-colored striped maxi sweater dress.

The striped maxi sweater dress features an off-the-shoulder long bishop sleeves with ribbed cuffs, ribbed fold-over neckline, and double patch pockets. It’s the perfect dress for pre-spring. On warmer days you can wear it by itself (with perhaps some thermo wear underneath) and on those chillier days, top it with a trench or warmer oversized coat and you’ll look stylish both ways! I think it would pair nice with a powder blue or a khaki color, what kind of coat would you wear with this dress?

To elongate my height with the long maxi dress, I opted for black sock boots with a high heel. Other accessories with this look is the green triangle clutch and pink lippie. I’m not much of a pink girl, but it’s the most frequent color I’ve been wearing on my lips the past six months! I’ve been using Lime Crime’s lip liners and they’re absolutely the best I’ve ever tried in the business. They’re even smudge-proof, which is always a plus for someone like me who’s running around town and doesn’t like to touch up my makeup that much during the day. Because with good makeup, you won’t need to do much touch-ups!

I hope you guys enjoyed this outfit today! Still to come on the blog later this week, my recap of NYFW shows, LFW shows and LFW outfits. Not the mention my February beauty favorites which there are a ton this month (alas, the life behind a beauty product junkie ha ha!) We are also stirring the pot for more interesting content for this year, but these will take a lot of time so please be patient! I will announce more news as it comes sooner into the limelight. If you’re an avid reader of M + S, we’d love to hear from you! What would you like to see more of this year? Anything we’re not covering that you think we should? Drop those suggestions/comments down in the section below! See you guys soon. :)

LOVE & XX’S,

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Calico Print Matching Set

May 14, 2018

WEARING: SHEIN CALICO PRINT MATCHING SET | ZAFUL TRIANGLE CLUTCH | 
URBAN OUTFITTERS BLACK MULE

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY SHEIN.

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. Sadly, my mother is no longer with us so this time period always has mixed emotions for me. I don't want to get too far into it as I've dedicated entire posts to her in the past (here and here) but nobody wants a Debbie Downer all the time. Which is why I didn't do one this year. It's hard for me because sometimes I want to share my story, but then there are other times where I feel those times that I did have with my mother are sacred, and not meant to be shared with just anyone. I'm extremely private and guarded - which is something I still struggle with that coincides with what I do in my career. I am supposed to be a public figure, be open to sharing everything about me to the public eye, but I never have nor will be that person. I think one day I will definitely share more, but it's just how I'm built. And I don't want the pity - all the 'I feel sorry for you' looks and those that don't know what to say when you tell them that not one but both of your parents are gone. It sucks. But I'll tell you this. As a creative person, such heartache and pain have brought me closer to the artistic notions in a very complicated world. And I'm grateful.

It's as if it opened my eyes to something bigger, more profound than anything before. You see - I don't create to get rich, or make friends, or for self-validating purposes. The only reason I have when it comes to creating my work is because I feel compelled to. Without it and if someone were to tell me right now that I no longer could write or take any more photographs for the rest of my days, I'll tell ya what... I'd be seeing you. It's that important to me. Not that I'm a Caravaggio by any means, but that same insanity, that same feeling of release I get other artists may feel when creating their work? That's everything to me. It's the only way I know how to gather every little detail out of life and to put it into one entity and feeling whole afterward. Do any of you feel like that?

But something my mother taught me about passion and art is that once you find what you're looking for, pursue it with all your might, but in turn, be more focused on the journey and not about reaching the destination. You need to ignore what everyone else is doing and achieving. There will always be someone prettier, richer, working with better brands than you. Your life is about breaking your own limits and outgrowing yourself to live your best life. You are not in competition with anyone else. Plan to outdo your past, not people. Which can sometimes be difficult when you're competitive and extremely hard on yourself. Remember this, however - we are all going through shit. Big and/or small, what's important is to be kind, and to be aware. Even And to always try your best to bring forth something new and fresh. Make a little bit of difference, even if it's just for yourself. Or even better, for someone else.

Which is why I'm gearing more towards creative direction, photography & styling rather than just being a blogger who shoots pretty pics of brunch, outfits and "stuff". (Even though this floral set is only $15 and you should totally check it out! ;)) There's so much more to life than that and I find limiting myself to one box doesn't inspire me or challenge me. I'm currently working on my second book, and though my first book was fiction (crime thriller), I'm pursuing a different genre. Not much to say at the moment, as I've learned, it's better to SHOW rather than to TELL. Wishing you all a kick ass week filled with goals, adventures and love.

LOVE & XX'S,

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Transitioning into Spring

March 7, 2018

WEARING: MAKE ME CHIC FLORAL MAXI DRESS | ALEXIA ADMOR TUXEDO SPLIT SLEEVE DRESS |
 THACKER NYC BOYFRIEND SHIRT NINE WEST HENRA PUMPS | ZAFUL TASSEL EARRINGS | 
VENDULA LONDON BOOKS SHAPED BAG | ASOS WHITE FISHNET SOCKS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MAKE ME CHIC, ALEXIA ADMOR & NINE WEST.

If you know my style you know how much I'm into the layering game. It's a form of art that may look effortlessly chic to do, but alas, it's not as easy as it seems. And so in today's post, with the dreary thundersnow (yes it was literally snowing and thundering simultaneously this morning in New York) and my longing for the upcoming season, I'm sharing a fairly simple but elegant look that is definitely spring-wear, but can be simply transitioned and mixed in with fall/winter pieces too! This look has a touch of librarian morphed with simple romanticism in a modern-day vintage-y feel. Continue reading to learn more about where these pieces are from and also how I came to style this outfit.

The Alexia & Admor navy blue double-breasted tuxedo split sleeve dress is quite versatile. You can wear it alone as a dress all buttoned up which I chose not to do in this look, which I styled it as a blazer/jacket. I think the split sleeves gives the piece an edgy modern quality to it and the rich blue colors is super trending right now. So much so I think it's a great transitional piece to mix in with spring clothes. For example, like this floral maxi dress.

The Make Me Chic rose-print maxi dress is short sleeved, but given the stubborn weather, I opted for a little more layering with my favorite white boyfriend shirt from Thacker NYC. I wear it often, both in layered looks or just bumming around the house. It's that comfy and chic looking at the same time! The floral dress has great movement and the material is fair. It can be styled in other ways such as with a leather jacket, a thin duster/trench, and even with jeans. The Vendula London Books-Shaped bag is unfortunately sold out, but please check out their site for other amazing vintage-style bags!

I tucked my hair and pulled it back into a low updo so the earrings would have a bigger focus on my face, framing it more. These Zaful tassel earrings have been a part of my accessories since this summer and I still wear them all the time. The black Nine West Henra pumps are great for any look either dressing up or dressing down, it can polish up any outfit. And yet, they're comfortable to walk around in. (Dies a little inside with so much joy.) What do you guys think of the paired ASOS white fishnet socks? I even tried them with a pair of Puma and jeans this past weekend and I think they definitely put a twist on the traditional black fishnet, for sure.

LOVE & XX'S,

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NYFW AW 18 Outfits

February 26, 2018

DAY 1

WEARING: MKT STUDIO RED LEATHER JACKET | VIP SHOP PLAID WIDE LEG PANTS | CHLOE BAG
H&M TURTLENECK | GUCCI BELT | ACCRUE KANDINSKY SUNGLASSES | FOREVER 21 BURGUNDY BOOTS

SHOP THE LOOK

DAY 2

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK BURGUNDY FOX FUR COAT | CHLOE BAG | LEVI'S JEANS | 
FOREVER 21 BURGUNDY BOOTS | ACCRUE BONNIE SUNGLASSES

SHOP THE LOOK

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DAY 3

WEARING: NA-KD FASHION LEATHER JACKET | SAKU NEW YORK LACE TRIMMED SLEEVE KNIT TOP | 
SAKU NEW YORK WIDE LEG PANTS | CHLOE BAG

SHOP THE LOOK

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DAY 4

ROSEGAL DOUBLE BREASTED PLAID TRENCH COAT | THACKER NYC BOYFRIEND SHIRT | 
VAGABOND HONEY JAKARTA DENIM PANTS | STELLA MCCARTNEY OVERSIZED GLASSES | 
BRAHMIN MELBOURNE CROSSBODY | KOIO CAPRI BIANCO SNEAKERS

SHOP THE LOOK

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DAY 5

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK COLOR BLOCK LONG WOOL IVORY COAT | WHO WHAT WEAR™ SWEATER | 
GENUINE PEOPLE BELL BOTTOM CROP JEANS | EGO METALLIC BOOTS | 
MAD-STYLE PEARL MULTI RING CHOKER | ACCRUE BONNIE SUNGLASSES | 
DRESS LILY FRESH BLUE CROSSBODY BAG

SHOP THE LOOK

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DAY 6

WEARING: MKT STUDIO JUMPSUIT | ZAFUL STRIPED JACKET | ASSEMBLY NEW YORK BLACK COAT | 
ALLES BAGS FRINGE BUCKET | EGO BOOTS | DIOR GLASSES | FOREVER 21 BELT

SHOP THE LOOK

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LOVE & XX'S,

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Contemporary Power Suit

November 20, 2017

WEARING: LIANA CAMBA POWER SUIT | ZAFUL ARMY GREEN WOOL BLEND 
MASCULINE COAT | GUNAS NEW YORK RIDLEY PE BAG | KOIO CAPRI BIANCO SNEAKERS | 
HICKIES LACING SYSTEM | DANIEL WELLINGTON GOLD MESH WATCH | MAD-STYLE NAYA EARRINGS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LIANA CAMBA, KOIO & HICKIES.

Remember this past weekend's feature with Athens designer, Liana Camba? I styled one of her jackets (check it out here) and in today's post, I'm sharing a different kind of take on one of this season's biggest trends: The power suit. In a time of political unrest, designers are having no trouble expressing their support for female power through design. And what's better than feeling feminine, fun and confident as a woman? And this suit is very unique. In this look, I'll also be sharing a few more interesting brands/designers that need to be recognized. If you're anything like a sneaker fanatic or handbag freak like myself, trust me and definitely check out Monday's post! To start, let's get more into detail about this power suit.

This neutral-colored structured power suit by Liana Camba immediately caught my eye with its intricate details and fit. I was also struck by its resort-like luxurious quality that can be worn in many different ways and isn't the typical power suit. The white hook buttons and pleated back of the jacket would look great with a pair of jeans or a sleek black pencil skirt. The hem of the pants is just amazing! And even though it is quite feminine and elegant, I wanted to keep with a more tomboyish look and wore it with my new white sneakers from Koio.

Original low-top sneakers in exquisite Vitello leather and camoscio suede it has an incredibly smooth feel and is very durable. I love the minimal style along with the comfort of these new shoes. And check out a new lacing system by Hickies: After a lifetime of traditional shoelaces that untie, wear out and never fit quite right, Hickies decided to redesign how to lace-up. Easy to install and totally customizable, HICKIES® are a one-and-done lacing system — just snap them into your shoes when you get them and you’ll be ready to slip-on with a perfect fit every time. With their signature adaptive technology and modular design, these laces were made for walking, and running, and jumping, and pedaling, and...you get the picture. And the ones I received were in sponsorship with Swarovski, which give the overall look an extra touch of glam.

America's first 100% vegan handbag brand since 2009, GUNAS New York was created by designer and animal lover, Sugandh G. Agrawal, GUNAS's heart and soul screams to be the voice of animals. With an award-winning design and business background, Sugandh quit her 7-year corporate career as an Industrial designer at KitchenAid to start her own brand of cruelty-free fashion in New York. Her mission is strong and clear. "Animals are NOT meant to be a part of fashion. We can look and feel good without harming other living beings. We need to connect our selves with what goes on behind the scenes and question our actions and their impacts." What initially began as an all MADE IN NYC label, has now gone global to source and manufacture bags and shoes using artisan and small-scale ethical manufacturers from countries such as India, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil and Hong Kong. With styles ranging from totes, satchels, cross-body bags, wallets and backpacks GUNAS has a bag to suit your every mood and lifestyle need.

To help balance out the blue and neutral colors, I kept warm in an army green masculine coat by Zaful. I've had this coat for over a year but it continues to be one of my fall/winter staple coats. I also styled with accents of gold in the accessories such as my Daniel Wellington watch (Use my code, 'SUZANNESPIEGOSKI' to receive 15% off your purchase.) and Mad-Style earrings. What do you guys think of this look? Stay tuned for more content coming this month. New drink recipes, styled looks and my November beauty favorites! Don't forget to leave your comments down below and to follow me on Instagram! Happy Monday, everyone.