Hot to Adopt

September 18, 2016

By now, I'm sure you know my husband and I own a German Shepherd dog named MaQ. What a lot of you don't know is we are also cat people! One of our dearest friends has two adorable kitties that he rescued (Owawa & Tiger) and we consider them to be like family. (Even though the 'kids' - as in MaQ and the cats fight every so often ha ha!) Did you know that millions of cats enter shelters each year, yet less than half get adopted? Which is why, regardless what animal-preferred person you are, the first step one should always take is to adopt! It's #hot2adopt 😊

Fresh Step is on a mission to help every shelter cat find a forever home. I recently attended Fresh Step's Hot to Adopt Feline Fashion Lounge and Adoption Even hosted by Katie Cassidy during New York Fashion Week, where felines and fashion came together to help raise adoption awareness and have fun at the same time doing so. They had a 'cat-ified' fashion sketch artist, 'cattoos' like paw prints, whiskers and more, a feline adoption lounge where you could hang out and play with the oh so cute kittens, and even pedicabs to help you get around, with a black canopy to cover you from the hot sun or run. It was a meowing time!

And check out the adorable limited edition Hot to Adopt T-shirt I was given at the event! They even had their gorgeous models strut down the runway wearing them, with their furry pals in tow of course. 😻 A portion of the proceeds from these designed T-shirts will benefit shelter cats across the country. You can get one from freshstep.com or enter your chance to win one in their ongoing contest.

Fresh Step is calling all feline fashionistas (and gents) to step out wearing their love of cats in celebration of "Feline Fashion Fridays". Cat owners can show their love of cats by posting a picture of themselves with their cat in feline fashion finery to Fresh Step's Instagram using #freshstepcontest each Friday through October for a chance to win free Fresh Step litter, a $250 VISA Gift Card and your very own #hot2adopt T-shirt. Follow @freshstep on Instagram to get started. See official rules here.

I love Fresh Step because they have a long history of supporting shelters (as do I) nationwide. Let's keep increasing adoptions and saving lives. Join the mission to help every shelter cat find a furrever home by wearing your love of cats T-shirt. To learn more and help make it #hot2adopt visit freshstep.com.

Stay tuned for my next post on more of my NYFW adventures!

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Firelight Camps Travel Diary

September 15, 2016

Candle by Shop Evil Queen, Adventure Awaits.

Sunflower Graffiti Ithaca Downtown New York Portrait

When I attended an event at the W Hotel in Midtown this summer, I was introduced to the world of 'glamping'. That is, glamorous camping. Or rather, my kind of camping. ;) I knew I had to experience this before the weather got too cold. That's why I brought my husband and our pooch, MaQ, to Firelight Camps right before the start to New York Fashion Week, for a lil' R&R before our chaotic schedules ensued.

Located in Upstate New York, schools such as Cornell University and Ithaca College are nearby, yet the campgrounds transport you to the middle of nowhere. With 18 safari tents made up with high thread count linens, they are warmly lit with battery-powered lanterns and covered with mesh screenings to help keep the bugs out. The furniture is impeccable. With hardwood floors and either a king-size bed or two full-sized beds, each tent also comes with its own deck and writing desk (My DREAM). Out on the balcony there's two rocking chairs that over look a lush and leafy oasis. Imagine how the foliage will transition - oh the views! Did I mention the tents come with wi-fi? #alwaysworking But come nighttime, you can see the stars and hear the crickets while you fall asleep. Super cozy.

The main tent lobby has daily complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary happy hour tasting of Finger Lakes craft beverages (the rosé is 👌), a cozy mini-lounge where there are campfires daily both in the morning and evening (hello smores), a Bocce ball court and other onsite games like cool boardgames such as Sorry! and more. There's even yoga! You have immediate access to the Buttermilk Falls hiking trails but we instead wanted to see one of the tallest waterfalls on the east coast, the Taughannock Falls! What was really wild was the drought. It looked as if someone shut the water off! There was no waterfall, but it was totally fun running with MaQ where there should be water running through.

Ten minutes away from Firelight Camps is the downtown scene with bars, restaurants, bookstores and cute antique shops. You can even catch a film at the Ithaca Commons. The food's delicious! One night we even tried Mexican at Viva Taqueria, and were pleasantly surprised by the freshness and quality of their food. And pet-friendly. Great service too! I also had the immense pleasure of eating Jimmy John's for lunch as well, after not having their subs since college which was awhile ago. They are so unbelievably good! There are tons of wineries and cideries to visit close by, and let's not forget to mention the spa that's literally a few steps away from the campgrounds! To see a full list of things to do, click here.

We had the best glamping experience one could ever imagine. I'm a city girl but also love the country life and love to go hiking with the boys during our downtime. I don't get to enjoy nature very often so when I do, I like to soak up every minute of it! Whenever I escape the city I'm always left rejuvenated, uplifted and inspired. Ready to go at it, all over again! To read more on Firelight Camps, go to www.firelightcamps.com

Special thanks to Emma for making this trip possible! Xo.

Our most recent travel experience, glamping at Firelight Camps in Ithaca, NY! Special thanks to Emma for making this trip possible. We never camped this luxuriously before! www.firelightcamps.com

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

A Day at Fox & Jane

September 12, 2016

Happy Monday, everyone! NYFW has been crazy busy with lots of running around to shows, events, parties and let's not forget to mention working! Thank goodness to the one and only, Fox & Jane, the only hair salon in New York City that cuts and colors my hair. I've been with them for years and cannot express the amazing talent and team they have! With the new season approaching us this month and the fact that my hair has gotten too long to wear up, (I have *serious* thick hair so ponytails were no longer a possibility due to major headaches - yes, your hair can literally weigh you down.), I was long overdue for a cut & color. Just look at the top of my hair and how flat it looked because of the length! Don't get me wrong. I love having long hair, but it's a healthy change - both for me and my hair. :)

Whenever I go in to get my hair done, I get it cut just past my collarbones. Not too long and not too short, and with layers. I also have been continuously doing balayage highlights, the goal in mind is to get lighter and lighter, but naturally and healthily. Asian hair is extremely stubborn, and in my case, my natural hair is jet black and wants to stay that way! It has taken many sessions to today's results. And I'm not at all the high-maintenance type, especially when it comes to my hair so I try to stay away from major drastic changes.

Which is why I only work with one stylist, my girl Lataye! She not only fully understands my hair type, but she also knows what works for me in terms of personal style and everyday care. I'd rather be doing a lot more with my time than just standing in front of a mirror maintaining my hair all day long. And balayage highlights is perfect for low maintenance - yet it looks seamless and refined at the same time. Lataye's work speaks for itself! And I just love her - she's the sweetest!

I find Fox & Jane's technique and all-around vibes to be top-notch. And when I find a good thing, I stick with it! You know what I mean? Loyal until the end. If you're in the city and are looking to try a new salon, I 100% recommend Fox & Jane. There are multiple locations in Manhattan; East Village, Lower East Side & Upper West Side. There's also one in Brooklyn, San Diego & more recently, Colorado Springs! Give them a try ladies (and gents) - you won't regret it! Take a look down below at the time lapse video I created from my last visit. And be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for new videos every week.

I'm off to get more work done and wrap up the rest of the fashion week. Stay tuned for several stories coming up on the blog! I'll be sharing my travel diary from our glamping trip Upstate (it was incredible // check out my Instagram for some teaser shots), plus my experiences & favorites from NYFW and lots of upcoming fall fashion editorials. And an interview or two. Phew! All coming soon! Stay tuned...

photos + videography by: Suzanne Spiegoski

Happy Monday! This week's video is a time lapse one from my most recent visit to Fox & Jane Hair Salon in the Upper West Side in New York City.

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Chilled Avocado Salad

September 4, 2016

Long holiday weekends call for easy-does-it recipes. And poolside! I'm sharing one of my oldest recipes: a chilled avocado salad. It is simple, fresh and healthy. Delicious. And the best part? AVOCADO. There's really nothing to it. Let me show you how you can make your own!

Start by whisking olive oil, rice wine vinegar, salt, oregano and cumin together in a large bowl. Add chopped avocado, then toss gently to coat. I always use a silicone spatula to prevent mushing the avocado. You don't want it to look all squished together, as it looks messy. Not as appealing to eat, let alone serve.

Chilled Avocado Salad

recipe + photos by © Suzanne Spiegoski — recipe + photos by © Suzanne Spiegoski

Serves 6

Ingredients:
1/4 c. olive oil
2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. cumin
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into bite-size pieces
1 c. cooked brown or white rice
1/2 c. canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 large Roma tomato, seeded and diced
1 green onion, sliced

Directions:

Whisk oil, vinegar, salt, oregano, and cumin in large bowl. Add avocado; toss gently to coat.
Add rice, black beans, tomato and green onion; toss gently to mix. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Enjoy with tortilla chips. :)

Add in cooked rice, brown or white, but in this recipe I used white (non-sticky), canned black beans, tomato and green onion. Toss again to mix, season with s & p, then refrigerate for an hour before serving. I normally serve it with yellow corn chips, but any kind of tortilla chips will do just fine.

Optionally you can also add in a little tabasco sauce for added spiciness. But sometimes it's nice to keep a dish fresh and true to its recipe. Every time I serve this at a dinner party, it's gone lickety-split. People love this appetizer, and rightfully so! What's not to enjoy?! ;)

Check out the step-by-step YouTube video down below! And be sure to subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on style, food & cooking, beauty tutorials and more! I've been passionate in my adventures in videography and love sharing not just my experiences, but the learning curve that has come with it. What's been your latest passion? Or what have you learned recently that's taken you on a new journey?

Thanks for stopping by! We love reading your comments, questions & feedback! Be sure to comment down below and to share! We hope you enjoy the long holiday weekend! We'll be traveling for the next few days and can't wait to show you where! It's another place I've never been AND I'll also be experiencing something I've never done before either! It's going to be amazing!!! So excited! Stay tuned...

videography + photography, styling + editing

by: Suzanne Spiegoski

Happy Labor Day Weekend! I whipped up a chilled avocado salad to enjoy during the long holiday weekend! Subscribe for new videos every week http://bit.ly/21XFK0K

Cheers! xo.

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

HerStyler — Carrie Bradshaw Curls

August 22, 2016

Happy Monday! Roughly a year ago, I posted a story about my Inner Katie, a SATC (Sex & the City) reference many will know. Simple, straight-haired girls vs.; wild, curly-haired girls. I'm definitely the latter. Ha ha! Even though I'm half-Asian, my Polish roots are literally in my hair! All joking aside, it's true. Short story: I originally had jet-black straight hair up until around the age of 7 or 8. That's when my hair decided to have a life of its own and went wavy. Ever since then, my hair's texture has been this way. Not that I'm complaining. I'm lucky I'm able to work in different hairstyles. And when, like many other girls, discovered Carrie Bradshaw's fashion sense and her famous, wild curls, I had to give this look a try!

As much as I adore this hairstyle, it has always taken me up to at least an hour to do. But not anymore. That's why I've partnered with HerStyler, a wonderful hairline of products, both in haircare and essential tools such as flat irons, curling irons, curling wands and more to give you a simple and easy hair tutorial on how to get 'Mrs. Big's' seamless ringlets! And in less than 20 minutes! I'm really excited to be able to do this look more often now, especially with New York Fashion Week upon us. :)

I started with HerStyler's Argan Oil Complete Hair Care Set, first washing with the shampoo which was rich in lather and soft to the touch. My hair afterward felt ultra clean and weightless. I then applied the intensely nourishing hair mask which repairs and prevents further breakage due to over-processed, dry and damaged hair. Hello, summer heat! The Argan Oil and Panthenol replenish even the most processed hair, resulting in thicker, shinier, and healthier-looking hair. After towel-drying my hair, I applied what is a godsend to any hair fanatic. The Argan Oil Hair Serum is anything but basic. Containing Provitamin E, this serum brings instant shine to any hairstyle. It instantly removes any frizz and wiry, unmanageable hair, by surely controlling, smoothing and shining! Perfect for these kinds of curls. :)

After completely air-drying my hair (I never blow dry unless I have a blowout // *secret alert!), I used HerStyler's Colorful Grande Curler [curling wand 25" (base) 18" (end)] to achieve glamorous-looking curls. Start by dividing hair into two sections, leaving the bottom half down. To begin curling, I grab not too thin and not too thick strands of hair. (Between 1-1.5" in width) Always curl away from the face. I received a heat-protective glove included with the hair tools because it is that searing hot! Be careful as you can easily burn yourself. Like I mentioned before, other curling irons in the past used to have me spend too much time to get this hairdo, but with HerStyler's curling wand, I was able to finish it in twenty minutes! My hair is extra thick, so many hair products in the past would not suffice. Trust me when I tell you this, HerStyler is the way to go, for any hair type! Works wonders while helping you achieve healthier hair while having the liberty to create whatever hairstyle you want! Just check out the results for yourself, like my Before & After pictures above.

To watch the full hair tutorial, check out my YouTube video I made down below! And if you are interested in trying HerStyler, I've got an awesome discount code for you to use at your purchase! Go to www.herstyler.com and get 50% off your order using my code, 'Suz50'. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed my tutorial on how to get Carrie's hair style! Stay tuned for more upcoming posts, like an end of the summer refreshment you won't want to miss! I'll be introducing my first 'food styling' video with it! I'm so excited and can't wait to share with you guys! Have a great week everyone! Until next time...

Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.

videography, director, editing, styling, hair + makeup by Suzanne Spiegoski

My First Hair Tutorial - C-C-C-Curly Hi, everyone! Today's video is my very first hair tutorial focusing on getting Carrie Bradshaw's 'Inner Katie' look. Check down below for links to products. I hope you enjoy this hair tutorial! A good hair day is a good day. Period.