Off to the Races

April 24, 2017

WEARING: ECHTEGO LACE DRESS | GUESS CARRIE BLACK SATIN PUMPS | 
BOOHOO MOCK CROC CLUTCH BAG

Do you guys remember the 'elevator' shoot from a few weeks ago? (Post link here.) If not, let me jog your memory. It was an editorial shoot with a navy blue dress by a great Korean designer, Sungmin Shim, for Echtego. I discovered her from a new showroom, Dreams On Air (DoA) here in New York City and was immediately attracted toward her style and collection. I love her designs so much, today's post is focusing on another beautiful piece from her 'Sentimental Vengeance' collection. And I will be telling you why I had to style this statement dress, not only because of it's aesthetic-gorgeousness.

I love when an object, whether a piece of clothing, a photograph, or a musical instrument can bubble certain memories/feelings toward the surface. It might be nostalgia or melancholy, perhaps both, with a tinge of hope, joy or fear (eek), but what I find so wonderful is its (objects) power to evoke sentiments we wouldn't have otherwise. And when I saw this black and white lace dress, it immediately drew me to my passion for Classical music. (Check out this dedicated post solely on that here!) You guys know I live for opera, but my first love when it comes to music is the Classical stuff. It's been in my life since my figure skating days, but something about the way it made me feel as I listened to it brought my attention to study it and learn from it. Nowadays, it's one of my main choices in music to listen to while writing. It keeps me centered and relaxed. Plus I just really love it. I just find it so incredible how an instrument can make you feel things you wouldn't feel from anywhere else, or with anyone else. Do I have any Classical music lovers out there?!

I used to go to the opera and the philharmonic like it was my religion, but I honestly haven't had the time to do so in a few years. Plus, I don't know many people (my age) that are as into it as I am. And that's perfectly fine, but damn I miss the hell out of it! And how lovely would this dress be for a night out for something like that? But I also think this dress also works well for the office or even attending a wedding! The tiny striped trim on the sides gives the lace dress a little bit more of a chill factor, as in easy and cool to wear. But I would really want to wear to this while doing something more on the fancier side. I feel confident and sexy in this number, so why not do something a bit more fun than just hitting the office in it? Have a great week, guys! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

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Mixing Prints

April 17, 2017

WEARING: RAILS ROCSI LIPSTICK PRINT SHIRT | REBECCA TAYLOR PHLOX FLORAL PANT | 
GUCCI BELT | CHLOÉ MEDIUM HUDSON BAG | EVALINE WHITE TIGHTS | 
MADDEN GIRL MORGHAN PEWTER

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY OLIVE & BETTE'S.

Happy Monday! How was everyone's Easter (to those who celebrate this holiday) weekend? We kept it pretty low key, and I even did some reading. The past week kicked my ass and I've been exhausted! I have to say it was the first weekend in a really long time, where I wasn't as active on social media. Sure I did a couple of Instagram posts like I usually do but I wasn't engaging as much as I do. It was kind of nice to just step away from constantly being on the phone and to do something else for a change. Yesterday, I laid in bed and read Keats for a few hours because I simply miss the beauty in reading poetry. Reading's hot, if you didn't know by now...

Aside from a relaxing past couple of days, today's post is about the wonderful play of mixing prints when it comes to fashion. Number one tip or Rule of thumb? Always try to mix two different prints together. I'm not a big fan of matching prints such as a pantsuit or even two-piece set of some kind. For example, I played with the ever 'groundbreaking' floral (Laughter cue in for The Devil Wears Prada reference ha ha ha!) print with a pair of pants from Rebecca Taylor. And instead of going with a matching top, I went for a more casual but flirty shirt from Rails, which has an adorable lipstick print! And the material is so soft, I could wear this shirt everyday with anything! Both pieces are from Olive & Bette's, an amazing boutique in Soho (there are other locations in the city) that carries other designers such as AG Jeans, Iro Paris, Yumi Kim, and more! I simply love their friendly staff too! If you're here in New York girls, you HAVE to check them out next time you're downtown.

Accessories from this look are definitely Asian inspired. I've been heavily embracing my Korean background as of late, and because of it I've also begun to dig deep into the cultures (and sub-cultures) of Asian fashion. This year I've been all about the socks and sandals trend. Many would never dare to go for this look (which is all good) but I love how much fun it brings to an outfit! If I wore only sandals or a higher heel with this look, it'd completely change the overall style of it. But with white tights, a few sprouting cherry blossoms in the background, and big Korean hair, I definitely think brings a more daring approach to an already 'busy' look. I'm not saying it'll work every time, but in some instances, it can really elevate or heighten an overall style. Also, my hair is a tad blonder... and I'm loving the slow but big transformation! Color done by the one and only David Adams from Fourteen Jay. I styled my own hair for this post and did it up a little differently, you guys like? Have a killer week! Catch with y'all soon. :)

LOVE & XX'S,

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STUART WEITZMAN METALLIC GLADIATOR SANDALS

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MaQ's New Fave – Nature's Recipe Grain Free Salmon Dog Food

April 11, 2017

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Nature’s Recipe®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Some of you may have read up on MaQ, my German Shepherd dog's diet a while back. For many years it's strictly been raw red meat (sometimes chicken or salmon), sushi rice, cooked green beans with a dollop of cottage cheese and olive oil. And glucosamine pills to keep those hips in check.(Whoa.) While I haven't fed him purely kibble food since he was a puppy, the vet has recommended putting a little bit of it into MaQ's meals. What is the reasoning behind this? There are just some ingredients dogs cannot get in other food categories like in dog food. Which is why lately, I've been giving my fur baby Nature's Recipe Grain Free Salmon Dog Food, a healthy & nutritious easy-to-digest dry food MaQ has become completely addicted to! Look how adoringly patient he is waiting to eat his breakfast! Awe!

It's no surprise that salmon is healthy. And while it's the number-one ingredient in Nature's Recipe grain free easy to digest salmon, sweet potato & Pumpkin recipe, it's also part of an all-star lineup including nutrient-dense carbohydrate sources to help your dog stay on the move. Sweet potatoes and pumpkin round out this mix, giving your dog a nutritious, easy-to-digest food that doesn't get in the way of all that delicious salmon. The best part? It is new at Walmart, it has no corn or wheat, no artificial flavors or preservatives, and no poultry-by-poultry meal. Which is why for many years I didn't feel confident including dry dog food into his diet. German Shepherds are prone to extremely sensitive digestive systems and I'm always a little weary giving him something new since it throws his tummy off.

But with Nature's Recipe's real chicken or fish being the #1 ingredients in their dry recipes, made with premium protein sources and fiber to help support digestion, energy and satisfy natural cravings for every stage of a dog's life, it is the perfect form of dry kibble for MaQ. And he goes absolutely nuts over the smell of the kibble alone! You should have seen his face when I first introduced the bag, I thought his eyeballs were going to pop right out he was so excited! In today's post, I mixed the kibble in with raw salmon, (like a total grizzly bear, he is a savage when it comes to this specific fish) shredded carrots with lettuce, white rice, and olive oil. We even feed him handheld treats out of the kibble as an in-between snack! It's his grandpa's (YES, he has a grandpa!) favorite way to give him a treat. Can you tell he's lovingly spoiled?! :)

If you're a pet owner, I strongly recommend Nature's Recipe Dog (and cat) Food for your beloved babies. They have a variety of other flavors besides salmon such as chicken, lamb and more! There is also a line of wet dog food too if that's your pooches' thing! The best part, is you can find Nature's Recipe at your local Walmart. This makes the switch to kibble easy and convenient. For more info on this amazing dog food line, click here!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE PRODUCT

WALMART NATURE'S RECIPE GRAIN FREE SALMON DOG FOOD

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Fiercely Feminine

April 6, 2017

WEARING: MEDEA MARIS ORGANZA TRENCH | LUX. DUSTY PINK DRESS | 
LOUISE & ELEANOR RUNYON CLUTCH | MANOLO BLAHNIK PATENT NUDE PUMP | 
KENDRA SCOTT ALEX EARRINGS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MEDEA MARIS AND LOUISE & ELEANOR.

What makes a lady? As you know by now, my style doesn't reflect prim and posh (not that I don't love it but it's just not me) but rather more of an edgier kind of look. I may be physically petite and carry a delicate body frame, but my attitude and energy have been described the opposite of my tiny self. I'm known to be intense, bold, and even intimidating, but it's always confessed after getting to know me. I can understand - my facial features are strong thanks to those Korean and Eastern European roots. But it's also a Detroit thing (where I'm originally from), we don't back down and we're not afraid to speak out. Call it fearlessness - to me, it's more of an adversity kind of thing. I've been through a lot and perhaps that tends to bleed out, no matter how I might try to conceal it.

Those who do personally know me can attest to my warmth and silliness as well. I don't think anyone would say, "Awe, Suz is such a lady," as in extremely Bourgeoisie, but I've never been one to not carry class. Am I always going to walk away from whatever situation and have this mentality of, 'it's best to leave it alone/not my business/etc;? Nope. I'm not afraid to use my voice, and to me, in this day and generation, what makes a lady is a woman who is fiercely strong, independent, and uses her mind to make an impact on anything she sets out to. And all the while maintaining her femininity, hard and soft together... refined.

Today's ladylike outfit is one I would wear to a girlfriend's baby shower or Sunday church. Which in this case, is a rare occasion. Ha ha! What I love about this Medea Maris white organza trench (many of you on Instagram mistook it as a dress in yesterday's post, which could be worn as one anyhow) is its versatility. You can style it more casually with an awesome pair of distressed denim jeans or leather leggings. But its genteel-like quality can also be styled very feminine chic. For example, I wore a dusty pink dress which is a hot-hot-hot spring trend color and with a pair of Manolo Blahnik patent nude pumps. To polish up the entire look, I accessorized with an embroided clutch by Louise & Eleanor and Kendra Scott Alex earrings. I hope you enjoyed today's post! Regardless how your style is, a lady carries it with her always. Same goes for the gents, am I right, ladies? :)

LOVE & XX'S,

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Urban Decay Cosmetics

April 4, 2017

URBAN DECAY COSMETICS: VICE LIPSTICKS IN NUDE & NO-TELL MOTEL | 
24/7 GLIDE-ON LIP LINERS IN DISOBEDIENT & PHONE CALL | 
EYESHADOWS IN TEASE, CHASE, RIFF, SCORPIO, EXTRAGALATIC & BORDELLO

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY URBAN DECAY COSMETICS.

If you think all eyeshadows are the same, then you clearly haven't tried Urban Decay. These eyeshadows have a soft, amazingly velvety texture and deliver rich, decadent color and long lasting, crease free wear. The best part? With an insane range of shades in every texture imaginable, there's something for everyone. Every velvety shade of Eyeshadow features Urban Decay's Pigment Infusion System™, a vehicle for color that holds tightly to pigment and gives the formula its glide. The proprietary blend of ingredients allows the color to weave itself through the Eyeshadow formula. What does all that mean? Insane color payout. Color that stays on your lids. Sparkle that doesn't fall. And velvety, suede-like smoothness and blendability. This amazing technology works for every shade and finish. Ever had trouble blending a black or purple shade? How about a matte? Not with Urban Decay. Every shade glides on, blends easily and stays put.

Get primed and ready for action. The long lasting, waterproof liners from Urban Decay glides on smoothly to prime and define for long lasting lip color and clean lines. Smooch. Pout. Smack. Nibble. Lick. 24/7 stays put through everything (yes, everything) you do. When you use this liner to fill in your lips completely, it primes them for lipstick or gloss, grabbing on to color to help it last. Part of the 24/7 family, Urban Decay's long-lasting, waterproof formula glides on smoothly, stays creamy and defines your lips with gorgeous color. And unlike a lot of waterproof pencils, 24/7 never feels dry or cakey. Moisturizing vitamin E, jojoba oil, and cottonseed oil nourish your lips every time you reapply. And shade-matched barrels make it easy to find the exact color you need! Favorite two colors are Disobedient (bright pink) and Phone Call (red).

Vice Lipstick comes in a massive lineup of addictive shades and indulgent finishes - Urban Decay's biggest lineup yet! Vice has it all: Bold brights. Dark, sexy shades. Super-versatile neutrals. With so much variety it'll make your head spin, there's something for everyone - from new shades to cult favorites you thought you'd never see again. Right now I'm currently indulging my lips with No-Tell Motel, a vibrant cherry red color, and Nude, a nude color with a subtle pink tint. Stay tuned for an upcoming outfit post that will be featuring makeup from Urban Decay!