Valentine's Day Rebel

February 6, 2017

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY MAUMERO NEW YORK SHOES, DRESS LILY & CLOSET ACCESS.

I may not be the biggest fan of Valentine's Day. There are many reasons; one – my mother's birthday is the day before and I always feel a tad guilty celebrating love with her not around (for those who don't know, both of my parents are unfortunately deceased) and two, I've always found it to be such a bologna-Hallmark holiday. It's overrated and you shouldn't need a day to show someone you love them. What will I be doing this year? Strutting around with my girlfriends and hopping from one fashion show to the next. Let's not forget the events and after parties... it's going to be a killer week here in New York! Let's link up while you're in town for NYFW!

Also, what's a girl to wear rebelling against Cupid's favorite day of the year? How about saucy mixed with a laid-back rocker chic vibe? Not going to lie... my nips froze to all hell while shooting this in 32-degree weather (Fahrenheit y'all) but with my trusty and most worn Assembly New York coat, it actually wasn't that bad. (I may or may not have done a bunch of jumping jacks in hopes of staying warm ha ha!) Even though I got cold fast I love how the embroidered bodysuit has a built-in choker. Don't you think it polishes the look all together? To keep it semi-casual, I styled this look with my favorite J Brand skinny black jeans and Urban Outfitters's Maribel Western belt. I know a lot of you girls have a similar one in black but a pop of brown, especially if your brown hair is on the lighter side, can complement well with each other.

And lastly, let's not forget about the details! Firstly, my fringe bangs are in need of a trim (yay hair cut & color on Tuesday) so I did a half-up-half-down top knot/messy bun hairstyle to be able to pull the bangs back. And with a darker lip, I could totally get away with being Eric Northman's girl, no? ;) The maroon mini saddle bag from Closet Access is not only chic but definitely affordable. Aren't the stitching and sides of the purse so well-designed?! I've really been into the color maroon. Normally I'd say it's a fall color, but I feel like darker colors are transitioning from the winter into the spring period this year. Like these gorgeous suede and leather bound laced-up ankle boots from Maumero Shoes in New York. Sometimes, depending on the light, the boots will appear more blue-grey than gray. I love its versatility as you can pair these with leather leggings or a dress, from day to night I know I'll be wearing these 3" boots often. ❤︎

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Dress Lily Sleeveless Embroidered Sheer Bodysuit

Assembly New York Standard Black Belt Coat

Maumero New York Shoes Hannah Ankle Boots

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Carlina Springbok VVA Handbags

February 2, 2017

WEARING: VVA CARLINA YELLOW LEATHER HANDBAG

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY VVA HANDBAGS BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Functional versatility is the driving force behind VVA Handbags. Made in Britain, the collection evokes both versatility and elegance, and are individually produced and crafted by hand, using the finest British and Italian leathers. Each VVA bag can be carried and styled in several ways. The new arrivals, like this Carlina Yellow Leather Handbag, which I'm totally obsessed with its uniqueness and vibrant color!

The Carlina shoulder bag is a handbag with attitude - a showstopper, in your face statement handbag that will certainly catch the eyes of many! What makes this bag ultra-special to me is the leather is Springbok (South African antelope) which has beautiful markings and a rich "punk" effect on the front and is paired with Italian black leather on the back, along with the handles and interior trimming. It even has a signature pink interior!

Designed to be your go-to handbag the roomy interior provides space for your technology, magazines, work documents, and other daily essentials. There's an additional inner handbag in Springbok attached with press studs making it easy to remove and can be used as a separate shoulder or clutch bag. Hand finished with silver nickel details, VVA Handbags are standout investment pieces to your wardrobe. I definitely can say my new bag will come in handy during NYFW! I'm getting excited for next week, how about you guys?

PHOTOS © // GILLES DECAMPS | CREATIVE DIRECTOR // SUZANNE SPIEGOSKI

LOVE & XX'S,

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Crop Top and Trench with a Side of Maroon

January 27, 2017

WEARING: SHOPFW RIB KNIT STRAPPY CROP TOP | 
MICHAEL KORS BLACK TRENCH | BDG HIGH-WAISTED JEANS | 
JILL-E DESIGNS SMART TABLET PURSE BERRY | HUNTER LACE-UP RAIN BOOTS | 
ESPERE DIAMOND PAVE WAVE RING

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY SHOPFW, JILL-E DESIGNS & ESPERE JEWELRY.

First, I got to get something off my chest. I read a quote the other day. It said, "I have a bad habit of searching for beauty in beasts and forever in temporary people." Sure, nothing lasts forever. But dammit, I'm a die hard romanticist and just absolutely LOVE falling in love with people. Why can't it be forever always? Because most people you'll come across in your life aren't meant to be with you permanently. Meaning, the majority of people you know will not be there for you when you hit rock bottom and are at the end of your pitiful rope. Sadly but truly, from one human to the next, people are bound to disappoint you, and even worse, hurt you. (Grrrr face.)

Have you ever had such a connection with someone, one from the inner depths of your soul; one that was so strong, as if you knew them from a past life? Can be a lover or a friend. It's a rarity to come by these days and I've only experienced it a few times. But something always goes awry - you're just a passing distraction to one's amusement, or the timing isn't right, or somebody never follows through. Perhaps one grew easily tired of the other or it's just a fleeting moment/chance encounter. People drift apart and can change. I believe you meet everyone for a reason, though, and yes, it's all for the better because you LIVE and LEARN. My best relationships were all happy accidents.

Having a conversation over drinks with a new girlfriend this past week we discussed how important it was to us to have meaningful relationships in our lives. And no, not everything in life has to be deep and intense because you can't take life so seriously. It's true, you'll never get out of it alive. And not everyone you meet is going to shake you to your core (so to speak), but like many of you, I'm sure may feel, I miss my friends. Always. Old and new. What a fool to be bothered with such nonsense, right? Hardly. I'm a highly sensitive, emotional creature. And yeah, it does suck knowing that not everyone wants you to be happy. And yes, (yikes) many are there to either use you, abuse you... (Annie Lennox rolling through ha ha!) Most likely, though, 99% of the time it's because they're unhappy. I don't expect to be lifelong friends with everyone I meet, but to the special ones I've made especially this past year, I'm beyond grateful for you. Without you, I wouldn't have grown the way that I have, and this means more to me than you'll ever know. So, apologies for the semi-LONG rant (HEY, I'm first & foremost a writer so...) but thank you for continuing to inspire me and for always making me want more than 24 hours in a day.

Onward to what's going on in this look today! I'm showing you guys what I normally wear on a typical rainy day here in NYC, but given the mild temps and the fact that my abs got a serious workout at a boxing fitness studio the other day, (yes, I took my first boxing class!) I wasn't as shy to show some skin. :) This crop top from ShopFW is rib knit fabric and has a self-tie strappy midriff which gives an ultra-sexy feel to it. And it's really comfy! I styled the top with my usual rain boots from Hunter and Michael Kors black trench coat. Along with my most worn, and quite possibly, favorite pair of high-waisted skinny jeans to date, is the super cool and tech-savvy smart tablet purse by Jill-E Designs. It's great berry/maroon color is only the icing on the cake. Inside is a Joey Energy charger where you're able to charge your phone, tablet/laptop, etc. on-the-go! It even has a longer strap to make it a crossbody. I know this will come in handy come fashion week! And last but not least is the gorgeous ring by Espere Jewelry. It's such a statement piece and I love its shape and design. Perfect to sparkle up any gloomy, rainy day!

LOVE & XX'S,

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Michael Kors Black Cotton Trench Coat Ladies

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Turquoise, Wool, and Leather – Introducing LuvIt!

January 23, 2017

WEARING: GENUINE PEOPLE HIGH SLIT WOOL SHIRT SWEATER |
DRESS LILY LEATHER BIKER JACKET | MOST WANTED USA TIFFANY SATCHEL 
+ MATCHING TURQUOISE BELT | STEVE MADDEN NOBLE STONE PEEP TOE SHOE BOOT | 
FALKE RIBBED WOOL SOCKS |

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY LUVIT! & MOST WANTED USA GENUINE LEATHER. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

In this day and age of technology, we rely on our phones for almost everything. From texting to social media, to video games and even shopping, I too can say I've been using my iPhone for these reasons, specifically many of my fashion needs aside from work-related ones. Apps are a terrific way to not only avoid hectic crowds and waiting in long lines at stores, but to also find great deals and to get what you're looking for efficiently and effectively. Ever see an outfit post on Instagram by one of your favorite bloggers and immediately want whatever it is they're wearing? Exactly. And what if I told you I discovered an app that pays you to shop?

LuvIt is the app that "luvs" you back. When you set up a style profile, you can automatically sign up using your Instagram and/or Facebook, letting you discover trends your friends are shopping for. The ability to create collections, which are folders filled with items you're "luving" at the moment, gives you full control over your feed. I "luv" that you can follow brands and people for specific categories so that you only see products on your feed that are truly relevant. Basically, less white noise. You can also find new brands each week, in addition to the 70+ that LuvIt already has available to shop from. Similar to other social media apps, you can like/heart (or "luv") products from the brands and friends you follow. The best part? Each time you make a purchase, you earn money back. Yes. You read correctly. And whenever someone else shops something you've "luved", you also make money. How cool is that?!

My most recent purchase through LuvIt was this gorgeous wool shirt sweater from Genuine People, and the whole process down from the ordering to the shipping, to the packaging and quality of the dress was stellar. The wool's dark charcoal nearly-black color complements with one of spring's hottest trending colors: Turquoise. Most Wanted USA is a handcrafted leather handbag and accessory line based in NYC for everyday wear and I absolutely adore this brand. The stunning, matching turquoise accessories – first with the Tiffany satchel in genuine suede and second the western leather belt are wonderful transitional accessory pieces for winter into spring. I believe a pop of color can lively up any kind of look, even mixing colors within different seasons like in this outfit. Being a fan of the socks and sandals trend, I couldn't help but style the wool dress with wool socks. Sometimes matchy-matchy does work!

The LuvIt app is available for download in the Apple store, and you can follow my collections/profile at @suzanne.spiegoski! Check it out and see which current and upcoming trends are happening right now! Believe me, you'll be having fun in no time... happy shopping! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Genuine People High Slit Wool Shirt Sweater

Most Wanted USA Tiffany Satchel – Turquoise

Steve Madden Noble Stone Peep Toe Shoe Boot

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Why Should Boys Have All the Fun?

December 21, 2016

WEARING: OUSHANG FRILL SLEEVE H-LINE PEARL SWEATER | 
ONEBUYE BLACK WORK STRIPES WIDE LEG PANT | OLIVER BILOU TAYLOR BAG | 
CALVIN KLEIN STRAPPY SANDALS | DANIEL WELLINGTON WATCH

This post is sponsored by Stylewe, Oliver Bilou & Daniel Wellington.

Most of you know I'm not much of a girly-girl. I don't wear pink, I rarely wear dresses and am as far from prissy as a woman could get! Why should boys have all the fun when it comes to wearing the pants in everything? Since when can't a gal wear her big girl pants and be taken seriously without the sole form of sex appeal? Fashion is all about the art of expressing yourself through style and trends. And lately, I'm feeling LIKE. A. BOSS. Girls run the world and this mixed play on masculine with feminine into this look is exactly my mood as of late. Instead of the regular blasé sequin holiday dress getup for your next Christmas party/event, why not roll through looking like one of Helmut Newton's tough, fierce and empowered (slightly masculine) female subjects?

The wide-leg striped pant fit me like a glove. I feel like a total bad ass when running around the city in them! Like Superwoman! With its tough masculine quality, I paired these trousers with a gorgeous, soft h-line pearl sweater. And since it's way too cold to be wearing strappy sandals bare, I added in some black tights to help finish the overall black outfit. Additional accessories are the Oliver Bilou Taylor bag and my new favorite Daniel Wellington watch. Aren't they both so wonderful? Sleek, minimal and chic. Love!

Stay tuned for one more post this week! On Friday, I'll be posting a new self-portrait series. Things might get a little saucy up in here! You've been warned! ;) Happy Hump Day, guys...