Fall Fashion Trend Alert: Socks and Sandals

October 12, 2016

H&M CAMEL CARDIGAN W BELT | BCBG MAX AZRIA STRIPED BLACK/GREY DRESS
SHOE DAZZLE FAUX LEATHER PANTS | FAR FETCH MUSTARD YELLOW SOCKS 
ZARA CORK + LEATHER WEDGES | ALDO CROSSETT CROSS BODY

Happy Hump Day! Today I'm sharing a new fall look. This past month I've been so taken aback by every single fashion week, most especially with Miu Miu's new collection in Paris. Starting with NYFW (see my post about my experiences here) I was swirled with emotion from the 80's and raver culture-inspired Marc Jacobs show, and also JW Anderson's textures and Mulberry's stripes & colors in London. Let's not forget Maison Margiela's weirdness and Gucci's decadent & intricate vibes along with the risqué YSL show. Can you tell I'm kind of into fashion & style? Ha ha!

So this outfit's theme is circulated around my many fashion week inspos, but more specifically, the idea of breaking the rules and making it new. Case in point: Socks and sandals. I bet a lot of girls (and boys) find this pair together a big no-no. However, sometimes something so wrong can be surprisingly, so right! At first I thought the styling of the platforms with the socks would prove to be too gimmicky/too much, but I think with the rest of the outfit it gives it a pop of vibrancy and strangeness. Style should not be taken so seriously all the time. Style is about having fun, trying something different one normally wouldn't try - taking risks. Taking chances. This is exactly how I felt about Miu Miu's latest show. Don't even get me started on their shoe collection!

Mustard yellow has been quite a prominent color for fall fashion and I combined colors I found to work with such a distinct color. Rust/copper, camel/beige tones with black and grey; a touch of pink and blue. And for the finish, I went for a vampy lip. I used YSL, but can't remember the name of the color. Ask and I'll check for ya! :) I've been carrying this tribal beauty bag from Aldo around with me everywhere. From our summer vacation to the Cape up until now, I simply adore its versatility as well. Transitional pieces are always good to have in your closet, as I'm not the type of girl to wear something once and that's it.

The belt is actually part of the cardigan, but instead of keeping it together, I separated them to give the BCBG Max Azria dress some shape as it's a maternity dress! No, I'm not pregnant. But I'm obsessed with oversized clothing at the moment, and speaking of transitional pieces, I know I'll have a reason to wear this dress again in the future. Fun fact about this maternity dress: It was the dress I wore to my hubby and I's first official date to a swanky Korean restaurant in Soho. Sadly, the place has closed since then but I remember eating next to Famke Janssen and how crazy I was about my man before he even started courting me. (*Omg, how old do I sound?!)

Stay tuned for new upcoming stories on the blog! This month we'll be doing a pet photography piece, as many of you have been asking me how I get those amazing shots of MaQ! There will also be a love story about where and how my husband proposed to me, AND a very special feature interview with an acclaimed photographer releasing a new book in the beginning of November. And of course, continued styled looks and recipes. Can't wait to share everything with you guys, as always! Catch y'all soon. :)

LOVE & XX'S,

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5 Tips on Dog Walking Etiquette in a Big City

July 7, 2016

WEARING: ANIMAL HEARTED 'I ❤️ MY GERMAN SHEPHERD TANK TOP | 
FOREVER 21 CUFFED DENIM SHORTS | LASSO RUDDER LEASH

Happy Thursday, everyone! I'm delighted about the short work week! We are looking forward to the weekend, where we spend most of our time outside walking MaQ and having fun. But, having a massive German Shepherd in a city such as New York, does have its setbacks and challenges. But I'm all for being resourceful, so with that, today I'm sharing with you my 5 tips on dog walking etiquette in a big city, like the New York metropolitan area!

1. KNOW YOUR DOG

Knowing your dog's strengths and flaws along with what and who your dog's likes and dislikes are, will bring more awareness when you're out and about. They also say dogs are mirror images to their owners, so be mindful of who you are. If you're an anxious person, you're pet will more than likely be as well. This is also the time to put away the phones! Stop scrolling and pay attention to your surroundings and your dog. But don't forget to enjoy your time together and the little moments that really matter the most.

2. LEAD THE WAY

When it comes to leadership, you want to do this as soon as possible with your dog. As the Alpha pack leader, you must always be the first to enter or exit out of any passageway, may that be a door, elevator, etc. Not only does this demonstrate who is the leader, but this is also demonstrates self-control. Having your dog sprint outside can cause many behavioral issues such as over-excitement, anxiety and other bad manners. Not everyone, dogs included, like to see a ginormous wolf-like hound bursting out of a door first. When it comes to your daily walks, which is approximately 1.5 - 2 hours a day with MaQ in the city, you also lead the way. Remember, you're walking the dog not the other way around. Training your dog to hell is very important and an essential tool for you on your walks. Forging isn't as bad - this is when your dog is walking slightly past your feet. It's actually a great preventative for dogs who ten to go looking for scraps on the streets of a bigger city. This way, you have a better chance of catching them before they consume it. Overall, leading on walks puts you, in your dog's mind, as the pack leader. This makes them much more trainable because they will be aiming to please you non-stop, and they will also be more obedient - making walks a pleasure rather than a nightmare.

3. ALWAYS ASK FIRST

Regardless how much you love dogs, and trust me on this, as I'm a total dog lover myself, you should always ask permission if you'd like to approach someone's pet. The same should go with your dog meeting other dogs. You can never know, at first glance, if a dog is friendly, aggressive or even a service dog of some kind, especially on some of those harnesses that clearly label, 'DO NOT PET', some still may miss it while overdosing on cuteness overload. :)

4. KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH AT ALL TIMES

Walking the streets of New York, I can tell you I've had my fair share of experiences when it comes to seeing many owners walk their dogs unleashed! This frightens people, especially with certain larger breeds that people are opted to be more scared of. In a city like ours, it is best to keep your dog on a leash as a protector from all the street and people traffic. Of course, dog parks and other places like this are an exception. But being out in public with hundreds of people walking around all the time, it's just better for everybody.

5. PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG

Lastly... ever see that Sex & the City episode when Carrie steps in a knee-deep pile of poo-poo while in Paris? Yeah, no one wants that! I too have had my fair share with these encounters and if it's not too much to ask (literally takes 30 seconds of your life), please pick up after your dog!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to check out the full video for this post on our YouTube channel! Got some questions after reading this article? Leave them down below in the comment box! Hope you all have a great rest of the week!

Sponsored post in collaboration with LASSO & Animal Hearted.

photos + videography by Gilles Decamps | director, editing, & styling by Suzanne Spiegoski

Greetings from the Big Apple! A {NEW VIDEO} is now up on our channel! We're sharing 5 Tips on Dog Walking Etiquette in a big city, such as the New York metropolitan area!

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

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A Sunday at Reynard

June 15, 2016

This past Sunday, I ventured off to Williamsburg to meet up with some other New York City bloggers. About ten of us went for brunch at Reynard, in the lovely Wythe Hotel, where it was once a factory but now converted into a sleek industrial-feel 70-room haven. I love this area in Brooklyn for it's bohemian and trendy vibe, with constant brush strokes of street art and graffiti, it is a place for artists to be seen and to live. And Williamsburg does have some pretty dope food, especially if you're a mad foodie like me, it's a great location to venture off to and find a hidden gem.

From L to R: Chelsea as of Late, Liz Avenue, Pretty Proper Quaint, & Maria on Point.

We devoured sunny side up eggs with lentils, pureed peas with sesame and cheesy omelettes with crispy fries, on top of some sweet pastries. To wash it down, we had a few bottles of rosé from Provence. Afterward, we opted for a photo shoot outside in their cute garden patio.

I'm all about empowering other women and cannot STAND 'mean girls'. I know I've discussed this before in a past pose (click here) but for me, especially now that I've taken on an additional career path in the blogging world, it is so refreshing to meet other like-minded women who can not only relate with me as to what it takes to do what we do, but to also share in our tastes and style in everything from food to clothes, music and just plain having fun together, I truly enjoy connecting with other talented bloggers! We're not each other's competition, because we're all freaking awesome and being you is YOUR POWER. EMBRACE that shit. So with that in mind, I wanted to showcase a couple of bloggers and share with my readers a little bit more about them. Continue reading further to check out some featured bloggers from this fabulous group! (Of course, I had to get a group picture of us!) Keep scrolling! :)

Featured Bloggers

Albanian beauty, Selma Air, is the creator of LASELMASTYLE, a New York City personal style blog focusing on the many variations of fashion, in particular, dressing for an occasion or on a feeling/emotion. Recently dabbling in fashion on a budget, Selma's created Project Re-Design, a monthly collaboration with another blogger, where each woman purchases the same piece of clothing/accessory re-designs them to their own individual taste. To see more of Selma's great style, check out her blog here!

Ecuadorian NYC fashion blogger, Maria Jose Abad runs Maria on Point, a personal style and fashion blog that provides styling ideas and shopping information for petite women. Maria on Point also shares recommendations and answers for those who are seeking to look stylish on any budget. Maria understands the peculiarities behind finding the right size and fit for petite women and shares details about these key elements on her blog. She is also an on-air style advisor on Univision and Telemundo, and works full-time in public relations. To see more of Maria's cute, petite looks, check out her blog here!

From L to R: MaQ + Suz, ElleD., Maria on Point, Pretty Proper Quaint, Adrianna Naomi, Selma Ali, Areta Style Secrets, Chelsea as of Late, Runway in LA.

I love all of our different sense of styles, even for a Sunday brunch like this! I'm not much of a girly girl, so I put on my Stan Smith's with a comfy black slit maxi skirt and a Lakers tank top. In case you don't already know, I'm a die hard fan and STILL am even though Kobe's out. Ha ha! I was born in Cali, so I definitely got some of that West Coast vibe in my style.

There's so many exciting posts coming up on the blog, I can hardly contain myself! I will be featuring an interview with a close, personal friend who is also a highly-respected chef. We're from the same city, so I'm very thrilled to be sharing a story on her! I'll also be doing my first travel diary at the end of this month. My hubby and I are getting away to celebrate our 10-year dating anniversary! Whoa! And, I also am working on an upcoming partnered sponsorship with an amazing pet brand, and MaQ will definitely be our star of the story! Stay tuned, all coming soon - and more! You didn't think I'd forget to stop cooking, did ya? ;) Have a wonderful Hump Day! You got this, we're halfway to the weekend!

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Simplicity with Chopin

June 10, 2016

WEARING: FOREVER 21 HIGH-SLIT MAXI SKIRT |

FOREVER 21 CREAM OFF-THE-SHOULDER PEASANT TOP |

MICHAEL KORS SANDALS

Happy Friday! Today's post is focusing on a new outfit look, (think Chanel meets affordability 🙊) but with attention also on my deep love for Classical music. Lately, I've been feeling inspired to do a black and white film 'look', but I wanted to evoke feelings of playfulness, intensity and the art of simplicity, which to me, is the key to sophistication, and remaining effortlessly chic.

I've been listening to Classical music since I was a young teenager. The reason being was because of my training as a competitive figure skater, where a lot of time was spent on researching and choosing the perfect piece of music to go with the perfect skating dress and choreography. I was immediately drawn to Vivaldi, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Beethoven. But my interest really peaked while in college, where I spent many of those first lonely freshman nights studying while listening to 'my men'. That is, until I actually made some friends! The only person I knew was my cousin and she was on the other side of campus. (And Michigan State's campus is one of the hugest in the country.) Freshmen stuck out like sore thumbs with their stationary parked bikes in the middle of the sidewalk with their faces immersed in the map of the campus. Trust me, I was definitely one of them, ha ha!

When I wrote my first novel, most, well to it's near entirety, music was filled in the background with Classical music. If not that, lots of original soundtracks. Dark. Soundtracks. Why do I love Classical music? It transports me to places I've never been. Eras, even. It sometimes uplifts me, fills me with intense anticipation of the unknown, melancholy, nostalgia, and even sometimes great sadness. But each time, regardless of the mood or set tone, I am never left without feeling fulfilled in some way. It gives me life! How many times has music saved your life?

I styled my hair in three knotted ponytails, bringing them together in a sort of french-braid kind of way. My makeup is inspired by the new Chanel campaign with Kristen Stewart shot by Mario Testino. What I love is the variation to the smokey eye, with different vibes like a tomboy, being mischievous or playful, to even feeling like a glamorous star. Eyes are, after all, the window's to our soul. We are whoever we want to be. #EyeCanBe

My off-the-shoulder peasant top has subtle floral embroidery in the bell sleeves, and my high-slit black maxi skirt, are both from Forever 21. I've had these Michael Kors's gladiator sandals for a few years and love them during the summer season. Just because you're on a budget when it comes to fashion doesn't mean you can't look like like one of the runway girls! Make it your own, in reflection to your personal style and taste. There's no price to chicness! Take a look at my editorial video created for this look of the week. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE for new videos every week. Please scroll down to directly shop the look. Have a lovely weekend, everyone! :)

photos + videography by Gilles Decamps | director, editing, styling, hair + makeup by Suzanne Spiegoski

Classical music with black and white film, two of my faves put together. Here is my latest editorial video, inspired by simple chicness, knotted ponytails, and Chanel's most recently updated smokey eye makeup. To me less is always and will always be more.

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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Conceal Nothing with ClarityMD

June 7, 2016

Hey, everyone! I've discovered the best new skin care product. If you're acne-prone or even just break out from time to time (merci beaucoup, PMS), ClarityMD's new clear skin formula is all the rage! I've been using it for the past ten days and what a difference it has made to my skin. It's my favorite face wash and serum to date! What's even cooler? I'm giving away the very same ClarityMD 2-Step System box which includes 3 skin care products: 1 Full-size facial cleanser, 1 Full-size clarifying serum, and 1 Konjac exfoliating facial cleansing sponge. This set is worth $49! Let me tell you more about it.

What is ClarityMD?

ClarityMD is a new, bio-nutrient based acne-clearing revolution that clarifies skin so gently yet so dramatically. Here are a few reasons why you should choose ClarityMD today!

2 steps, twice a day. That’s it!
Works 3X FASTER than leading acne competitors
Clearer skin in just 14 days, guaranteed
Does NOT contain Benzoyl-Peroxide which means NO redness, flaking, irritation of the skin AND doesn't bleach fabrics
Paraben-Free
Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Not tested on animals
Designed for adult skin, created with key ingredients derived from NATURE like Bakuchiol and Active Chamomile Extract
Eco-friendly & doesn't contain plastic microbeads like other facial products
Developed at Stanford University by a PhD

ClarityMD brings skin clearing results you can not only see but feel. I literally could feel these products working their magic on the first day of using them! This clear skin formula neutralizes bacteria, regulates oil production, re-texturizes skin, evens out skin tone, reduces the look of pores, smoothes the look of fine lines, targets dark spots, calms redness, and won't dry out or irritate your skin.

DEEP PORE CLEANSER

First Cleanse - Containing salicyclic acid, bakuchiol, and active chamomile extract, this facial cleanser is everything a cleanser should be, but better. ClarityMD does not use microbeads in any of their products. Yay to an eco-friendly and ocean safe environment!

CLARIFYING SERUM

Then Clarify - Water-light, non-sticky but incredibly potent, this serum delivers proprietary bio-nutrients to the skin where it is needed most. It's ultra-lightweight serum glides on smoothly, targeting acne blemishes, red spots, whiteheads, blackheads and inflammatory acne with precision.

CLARIFYING KONJAC SPONGE

The Hottest New Tool in Skin Care! This 100% natural facial cleansing sponge is infused with charcoal bamboo that helps draw out impurities, dirt, and makeup from the skin. It neutralizes pH, leaving your skin gently exfoliated, perfectly cleansed and smooth as a baby's bottom.

I am running the giveaway on my Instagram account. Come and enter your chance to win today! Just 3 simple steps. The winner will be announced next Tuesday, June, 14th. Good luck and have a wonderful day! To read more on these products, please go to www.myclaritymd.com.