Cami Over Shirt Trend

October 21, 2016

WEARING: DRESS LILY LEATHER BIKER JACKET | REFUGE GREEN SILK LACE CAMI TOP | 
FOREVER 21 WHITE T-SHIRT | BDG JEANS | PAPERCHASE BLACK SATIN CHOKER | 
MADORA BLACK CROSSBAG W/ GREY POM POM | RAY BAN EYEGLASSES | MADORA METALLIC PUMPS

This post is sponsored by Madora & Dress Lily. All opinions are my own.

Madora is a really great iPhone shopping app where you can easily shop for shoes, bags, and accessories with amazing discounts. Once I downloaded the app, I was immediately drawn to the favorites list. By taking pictures of an item you want and uploading them to the app, Madora will suggest similar items from its stock of more than 30,000 products at an affordable price. This will help the app recognize your style and will suggest other items you might like. How groovy is that?!

The app is easily accessible and fun to navigate through. I did, however, have a bit of a delay when it came to delivery, even though they offer free shipping and free returns. Not too much of a wait so I can't say it was for too long. About a week more than expected, and well worth it! I got a beautiful black cross body bag with a grey pom-pom and a stunning pair of metallic silver snakeskin pumps. I loved my pieces so much, I've partnered with Madora to do a giveaway for you guys!

GIVEAWAY

Madora has generously offered to give one of my followers a $50 gift card to shop their amazing collection. All you have to do is follow Suzanne Spiegoski on Instagram (like the corresponding picture for this post) and follow Madora. This contest will end on Sunday, October 23rd, at midnight EST. I will announce the winner sometime on Monday on my Instagram account, so be sure to keep an eye out for a direct message from me if you enter this contest. Good luck, everyone!

I hope you enjoyed hearing about my experience with Madora. You definitely should give them a try and down the app! It's easy as 1-2-3, and a whole lot of fun while shopping online. :) A couple of extra side notes: insert newly obsessed perfecto jacket by Miranda & Mocha: You can get it from here and yes, I sometimes wear eyeglasses. I'm actually required by law to wear 'em while driving. To get a similar pair of Ray-Ban's like the ones I have, go here.

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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

Green, Brown and a Hint of Chartreuse

September 27, 2016

WEARING: SILENCE & NOISE PLEATED MINI TANK DRESS | 
LORD & TAYLOR BROWN SUEDE LEATHER JACKET | NINA RICCI POUCHETTE | 
THE PEACH BOX PEARL EARRINGS | ALDO NUDE HEELS

Happy Tuesday! What did everyone think of the debate last night? I have to agree with most, Hillary definitely won the first round. Donald Trump allowed his buttons to be pushed immediately, and was his usual narcissistic self. I could barely understand half of the things he said because he was so scatterbrains. Completely unprepared, he babbled on about anything else except answering straightaway the questions he was asked. And girls, what did you think when you saw Hillary Clinton in red? The moment I saw how she was dressed for the occasion, I knew she was going to kill it! Tell me a time where you wore red and you didn't feel empowered, fierce and sassy! She was literally on fire!

The latest dress I picked up at Urban Outfitters makes me feel just how (I'm sure) Hillary felt last night. Ready to conquer anything. This emerald green pleated mini tank dress truly hugs my hips and makes me feel confident and one major #girlboss. To accessorize, I styled the dress with a favorite Lord & Taylor brown leather-suede jacket and the Nina Ricci pouchette, that gave the entire ensemble a pop of color in the already warm and cool tones of the jacket and dress. My most recent favorites earrings are from The Peach Box. These dainty and delicate pearl drop numbers are modern yet classic. Lastly, I wore Aldo nude heels to elongate my petite figure and to have the dress be the main 'attraction' of the entire look. With the color schemes, I think any other kind of colored heel would have brought too much to the outfit.

If you'd like to shop the look, scroll down to direct links of the items. Links are also available at the top of the post as well. Or go to my LiketoKnow.it page for direct access. Coming up on the blog - more recipes including the start to fun fall baking, including Halloween! And MaQ's birthday is this Saturday! He's turning 4 but to me he's still just my big baby. :) Stay tuned for a recap on our celebrations and more! Can't wait to share with you with what we'll be doing. Have a great rest of the week!

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

Inner Katie Girl // OOTD

October 29, 2015

WEARING: WET SEAL GRAY SLEEVELESS JERSEY DRESS | BERGDORF GOODMAN BLACK 

CASHMERE CARDIGAN | RALPH LAUREN RIDING BOOTS

“Hello! C-C-C-Curly!!”

— Carrie Bradshaw

If any of you gals are huge fans of SATC, you'll know what I'm referencing to. How many of you are Katie girls? We're talking about the ones with that 'wild curly hair'. When I was in college, and also when SATC was still airing on TV, I had become quite infatuated with the character, Carrie Bradshaw's Boticelli-esque, ever-flowing ringlets. (Not to mention her all-around adorableness.) And I had begun a new hair cycle.

But I stopped doing this regularly because quite frankly, I don't have the time! It takes me about an hour to complete curling my hair! Sometimes I'll straighten it because it isn't as time-consuming as it is with the curling iron but for the most part I just leave my hair all-natural. Since I haven't really done my hair like this in many years, I was really in the mood to have some big hair today! What's even better? The morning-after hair! The curls will still be intact, but looser and more bedhead. Which is my favorite because it's carefree yet rebellious. What do you think of my curls? Are you into this style?

I have a confession to make on top of secretly crushing on Ms. Bradshaw. The cardigan I'm wearing from Bergdorf's belongs to my husband! It's my favorite cashmere piece and I'll admit that I stole it! He barely ever wears it because I always do during this season! Ha ha ha! It's so soft and comfortable, plus the lil' after smell of the hubs is always a plus.

I've had this jersey dress since I first moved to New York City! That's nearly 10 years ago! I love the versatility of it. You can wear it all four seasons and playing around to mix and match the dress with different pieces is always so much fun. I love that you can even wear it off the shoulder, making it a bit more romantic and sexy.

Last but not least are the riding boots I'm wearing from Ralph Lauren. I love wearing these during the Fall. They pair perfectly with leggings, mid-skirts or dresses. Tights too! I love boots that aren't too high-heeled. I have a ton of running around to do and need something that won't kill me by the end of the day. I know some of you ladies only wear heels, and I have to say, I don't know how you do it!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed my outfit of the day along with my new C-C-C-Crazy do! ;) In case you're wondering, all photos were taken by me. Self-portrait, all the way baby!

We'll be back on Halloween, in costume! All 3 of us. Me, my boo, and my other boo, MaQ! I'm so pumped for you to see! I think it's gonna be a hit this year! Stay tuned... you're going to love it! Until then, check out my other blog posts on fashion & beauty, food recipes, photography, street art, and more!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz