5 Must-Have Fall Jackets

November 4, 2019

If there’s one item of clothing one needs for the fall season, it’s a jacket. They come in all shapes and sizes, and since jackets/coats are somewhat of an obsession in my closet, I’m sharing five unique but trendy must-have fall jackets in today’s post. Ranging from floral to plaid to minimal style and even cozy, fuzzy ones, they’re here to stay! Continue reading to see which jackets I picked to keep you warm and stylish for the rest of the fall season.

FLORAL VELVET

This single-breasted long velvet coat with green floral pattern is a dream. When I first discovered this coat, it immediately reminded me of Monet. Literally looks like one of his paintings. And how can one resist velvet during the colder season?! Random fact: My all-time favorite material when it came to my figure skating dresses back in the day was velvet!

CHECKERED PLUM

A traditional checked print and a wide turn-down shawl collar makes this the perfect statement coat this season. I love the cut and color of this coat, especially the plum accents and tie-waist style which make it a very flattering jacket. It would look great in Aspen or in downtown NYC - so you know this coat is versatile!

FUZZY WUZZY WUZ A SHEARLING

What’s not to love about shearling? The material is fuzzy, soft and warm. All the good feels for fall. I love the fact that this piece of outerwear is not at all bulky and perfect for layering. This white shearling jacket works well with a fitted blazer or vest. A great casual but chic layering piece.

OVERSIZED AND CAMEL

Two staple features in my closet, and when combined, packs a strong statement. It doesn’t take much to be fashionable, as minimal chic as one coat can get, this is definitely one of my favorites for fall. This oversized camel coat works well with pretty much anything and I can definitely confirm this coat will be worn often for the remainder of the season.

FLANNEL CAMPFIRE STORIES

In honor of the tales told around the campfire under the great southern sky, the Campfire Stories Jacket with Topstitched Detail is truly effortless. This long jacket features an eye-catching notched collar, practical patch pockets, alluring side splits, and is fully lined. I wore this during NYFW and got many compliments on it. It is lightweight yet with beautiful details.

Which jacket was your favorite? Please leave your comments/thoughts in the comment section at the end of this post! Wishing you a great rest of your week, everyone! :)

LOVE & XX’S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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5 Ways to Wear Rock N Roll Boots

August 21, 2019

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY A.S. 98 BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Happy Wednesday! How is everyone’s week going so far? Last time on the blog, we shared 5 ways to style a classic white crossbody bag, with tons of transitional weather-appropriate outfits, but now that fall is quickly approaching us, today’s post is all about one of my favorite accessories during my ultimate favorite season: Fall boots. But what’s the catch? You know your girl’s style is all about the rock n roll (and if you’re new to the site, Welcome! and now you know lol) so I’m sharing 5 ways to wear rock n roll boots for fall. These looks work for back-to-school, a leisurely relaxing Sunday, boss lady moves, and even music festivals. Continue reading to see full visual story along with where to shop each look!

WEARING: PURPLE SWEATER | POLKA DOT SKIRT | PURPLE MOCASSIN BOOTS

Nothing like a pair of studded colorful boots to get the maximalism in me going. Featuring a wrapping front panel, burnished leather, silver hardware, and scalloped trip, these moccasin inspired rock boots pack a strong statement. So I styled it to the extreme with a vibrant purple chunky knit sweater that’s perfect for fall, along with a polka-dot frill hem knit skirt in black. I think the textures and patterns work well together, along with the colors.

WEARING: BOHO DENIM DRESS | OVER THE KNEE BOOTS

Festival season isn’t quite over yet! Why not party in something fun and breathable? This denim maxi dress I’ve had for a while, but doesn’t it go well with the over the knee boots? I love how these boots were made without feeling restrictive or formal. The casual silhouette features a studded cuff and an exposed zipper that can be worn either zipped or open for an even more relaxed look (and added room at the knee). Also would work well in transitional weather with the denim and leather.

WEARING: WHITE BLOUSE | BLUE JEANS | RED ANKLE BOOTS | CLUBMASTER OPTICS

Now what if it’s the weekend and you’re not about making a huge entrance in some extra AF outfit? What if it’s just a jeans and t-shirt kind of day, but you still want a little chicness to go with your look? These red ankle boots are a subtle yet elegant pair with an upper supported by a solid stacked heel, making it a superb complement to both skirts and jeans. I love the small heel to add height, given that I am petite. Always adds length to my legs which can never be of any harm! ;)

WEARING: DARK NAVY TRENCH DRESS | WESTERN ANKLE BOOTS

Every woman needs a western bootie in her collection, and I think this pair has the perfect silhouette for everyday wear. Featuring dainty studs, comfortable elastic panels, and a capped toe, it works very well with stronger, power-looks such as this amazing trench dress. You could easily swap this boot with the tall ones from the second look and each outfit would still look great! The versatility in this boot is probably one of my favorites qualities behind this collection. This look is definitely great to wear for a meeting or even a trip down to the horse barn!

WEARING: DARK BROWN POWER SUIT | BLACK BRA | COMBAT BOOTS

I’m such a combat boot kinda girl! This is probably my favorite outfit out of the five. It screams confidence. The bold silver hardware gives this boot real edge, and you get a peek from every angle; heel piping, rivets, exposed zipper, and a studded tongue. I kept the laces loose and untied to give it a rougher look to the entire outfit. What do you guys think? Which one is your favorite outfit? And which one was your favorite rock n roll boot? Drop those comments down in the section below!

LOVE & XX’S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Fall Staples: Unique Watch, Plaid Thermos & Chic Camel Coat

November 21, 2016

FALL STAPLES: JORD FRANKIE SERIES WOOD WATCH | 
GENIUINE THERMOS® RED HERITAGE PLAID BOTTLE | VIP ME CAMEL LAPEL LONG COAT | 
PUMA VIKKY PLATFORM SUEDE SNEAKERS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY THERMOS L.L.C., JORD WOOD WATCHES, VIP ME FASHION & BLOG LOVIN' BUT THE CONTENT AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED HERE ARE MY OWN.

The wintry chill is finally setting into the streets of Gotham and brrr! I need a warm cup of something to keep me going in the next colder months. That's why I've partnered with Genuine Thermos® Brand and created a non-dairy drink recipe to share with you guys!

Non-Dairy Chai Latte

Serves 2

Ingredients:

2 cups water

1 heaping Tbsp loose leaf black tea

1 whole anise pod

2 Tbsp whole chai spice blend - use less if ground

Cane sugar, honey or other sweetener of choice

1 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk (e.g; almond milk)

Dash of nutmeg

Directions:

Add water, tea, anise and spices to a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for another 10-15 minutes to fully steep.
Remove from heat and add non-dairy milk and sweetener of choice and stir. Warm for 2-3 minutes off the heat, and then pour over Geniuine Thermos® bottle using a fine mesh strainer.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more for sugar or maple syrup (or honey if not vegan) for sweetness, and ground cinnamon for a little extra warmth.

The Thermos® brand heritage plaid tumbler is an amazing vacuumed insulated beverage bottle. What's great about not just the design (how freaking cute is the red?!) but also its double purpose to being able to serve both hot and cold drinks. A perfect drink holder for someone like me that's always on the go! It's also a great stocking stuffer for the upcoming season. :)

Thermos® brand will be offering a limited time promotion that gives you guys the chance to enter to win Genuine Thermos® Brand products through a promotion that is hosted on the Thermos brand Facebook page. There will be a total of 10 randomly selected winners for the promotion. Thermos brand and Spong will be facilitating the shipments. Don't miss out! Click here now!

Along with my new favorite Thermos brand tumbler, there are a few other fall pieces I've been wearing nonstop that I know will transition into my winter wardrobe as well! The JORD wood watch I received is from the beautiful Frankie series in dark sandalwood and an emerald face. I was appreciative of their custom wrist measuring and the incredible green emerald face. It is such a cool, chic watch!

I'm so crazy for these unique watches I've partnered with JORD to bring you a special giveaway. Enter your name and email into the giveaway here to get a $20 gift card to any JORD watch. One lucky winner will receive a $75 gift card, but here's the score: Even if you don't win the giveaway, you still get the $20 gift card regardless, so what're waiting for?! The giveaway ends November 27th, so enter here now!

The other two fall staple pieces I've been obsessed with are the VIP ME camel lapel long coat with a belt and the cutest silver brooch. The coat fits me well and I love the back of it that flares out just a bit to bring a subtle, feminine touch. Use 'Suzanne379' to get $5 off your purchase of any order over $50! The PUMA suede Vikky platform sneakers are super comfy. I feel as if I'm walking on clouds when in them. They're truly amazing and know I'll be wearing them a lot more before the wet, snowy weather kicks in. These sneakers will be released on Dec. 15th in stores, so keep your eyes peeled for them! Also makes for another great holiday gift (or treat for yourself).

Lastly, even though I stopped working as a figure skating coach (yup, that's right – on & off for ten years) before making the change the focus more on my career as a writer and digital content creator, I still love to go skating when possible! Before I even taught skating, I was a trained figure skater. The sport has always been a big part of my life, and though I've built a love/hate relationship with it – I still miss skating from time to time and am definitely thinking about doing a get-together with bloggers for a day of skating, more chai lattes and laughter! What do you guys think? I'd love to share this with you, imagine the fun to be had!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

GENIUNE THERMOS RED HERITAGE PLAID BOTTLE

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

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,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Portraits of Samia

December 7, 2015

Last month after sifting through hundreds of photos I come across on Instagram daily, I stumbled upon a face I immediately felt drawn to. Samia is six feet of intense beauty. A sense of extreme curiosity compelled me to message her and see if she'd even be interested in collaborating together. It's not as common as you may think, (perhaps it's because I'm a tad shy when it comes to reaching out to people for the purpose of photographing someone. Or maybe it's because I took a long hiatus from photography in itself.) But I have never been the type to be as forthright as I was when I contacted her. I was pleasantly surprised when she replied back right away.

My hiatus consisted of writing my first novel as well as working as a figure skating coach, which explains the break. It's can be tough when you're passionate about multiple projects! I've been wanting to update my portfolio for some time now. I think MaQ was the one who led me back to the camera since I've been pretty keen on only photographing him besides everyday snapshots of my husband and friends. And now with the blog, it's become second nature. I love documenting our journey together and sharing it with you guys!

For me, it's not just about a photo. It's about telling a story; a conversation; a conflict. A photograph is worth a thousand words as they say, and I think what makes photography truly special, is the constant absorption we receive from each photo made. Sure it should be technically sound but the affect it has on it's viewers is what matters most to me. Photos should make you feel something. I love portraits that make me feel like I already know the person but what I love even more is how it can make me want to get to know someone I don't already know. Especially strangers. Not only are you getting to know each other but you're always learning from each other.

I'm a total people-watcher. As a writer, all you interesting folks bring such inspiration when it comes to creating characters. The art of observing is what motivates me to bring them to life. I, however, never click and tell on who and where it's originated from. :)

Scroll down for more photos of Samia! You can catch more of this beauty on her Instagram.

Interested in a photoshoot together? I'm always happy to hear from you!

Message me here or on my personal Instagram account. Happy Monday!

Love & xx's,

maQ + Suz