Double-Breasted Jacket with Smocked Blouse

January 21, 2019

WEARING: DOUBLE BREASTED JACKET | SMOCKED BLOUSE | GREEN BAG | JEANS | SNAKE PRINT BOOTIES

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY H&M AND SIENNA JONES BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Happy MLK day and happy Monday! Today in New York, is the coldest day of the year with a high of 15. Fahrenheit. So you can imagine my escapism to spring, in my outfit! It’s actually every blogger’s nightmare, shooting outside this time of the year. It’s not as easy as it looks to be cheery while literally freezing your ass off. No one wants to see your runny, red nose/flushed RED face! There’s only so much photoshop can do. And no, I don’t want to spend my life editing away goosebumps from my legs/arms. So I’ve been taking advantage of shooting more indoors, in places that I love, places people recommend and/or both! Since my husband and I rarely have time for each other, it’s a great quick outing while on ‘set’ creating content for a brand. Especially when it involves food! Ha ha! Plus in terms of content, I think it mixes things up with the usual street style photos. Continue reading to hear more about the location of this shoot along with details of this mixed up look that may not sound like a great idea initially, but when done right can be done well.

My favorite neighborhood hangout for working lunches/meetings is here in today’s post. The location is at La Pecora Bianca. It is a stylish and bright all-day dining restaurant featuring market-driven Italian cuisine - I mean… how can you go wrong? ;) Kidding aside, I always get the spaghetti, but their oatmeal is quite delicious for breakfast. I love the ambience as much as the food and it’s five minutes walking distance from home. Don’t you just love it when you find a place as such? Now onto today’s outfit…

Running around town from lunch meetings, to shoots, to showroom appointments, and more, I need a cross body bag that’s big enough to hold all my essentials, but without it getting too hefty and ‘boxy’ for me. I’m a petite frame so that can happen pretty easily. But the new Sienna Jones City Bag, is just perfect for an everyday bag. Crafted in first grade leather, it features a spacious interior, with a pocket for your smartphone and two zip compartments. Pure casual elegance. They also come in grey, black, red and brown. Designed and created in Covent Garden, London.

I had no intention of putting together a double-breasted jacket with a smocked blouse. Like I had mentioned in the beginning of the post, it doesn’t really seem to sound right together, but voila! I think it can work! I either had the blouse tucked into my jeans or I had the jacket buttoned up. I also think it helps that the colors are in a very similar blue palette so it doesn’t clash with each other too much where it’s distracting. Just like the floral print in the blouse doesn’t clash with the snake print boots. The subtly of the floral is enough to be able to wear the two together… what do you think?

Other accessories included in this look are an Anne Klein diamond-accent green ceramic watch, silver hoop earrings, and an embossed Gucci belt. All in all, I’d say this outfit is definitely spring-ready! What about you? What are you looking forward to after winter? And how do you keep spring fever at bay during the colder season? Wishing you guys a warm and happy week! As always, direct links are at the beginning and end of the post, with more details in between. Have a question? Drop those comments down below! x.

LOVE & XX’S,

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5 Reasons Why You Should Take a Social Media Break

January 14, 2019

WEARING: MINT GREEN CARDIGAN | WIDE LEG JEANS | WHITE ANKLE BOOTS | BLACK & WHITE BAG

When I first was building MaQ + Suz, which I still am, times have changed in the past three years. And even though I have remained consistent throughout this time, it has come to my realization now more than ever that as a creative person, it is vital to my well-being to un-plug from the social media world. I’m constantly on it for work, and lately the daily cycle of cranking out content has felt like it’s never-ending and yes, everyone can burn out! When everything is all about instant-gratification these days, I still think it’s completely acceptable to take a detox/break from something that isn’t always necessarily beneficial to you. As much as I love to share my life on social media, I also can really appreciate when to say no to certain things when it comes to what I do for a living. So in today’s post I’m sharing 5 reasons why you should take a social media break from time to time. Continue reading for more.

1. IT HELPS YOU SET BOUNDARIES

For many of us, social media can feel like an anxiety-fueled space, and it’s up to us to decide when to say enough is enough and not let any form of negativity into our personal space. Even on an everyday basis, I try and restrict myself to about 2 hours of social media postings and scrolling. But by setting a daily routine like a time limit of my time on my phone and taking mini-breaks even this way can be the healthiest boundary you set for yourself , which is the ultimate form of self-care. This weekend, I forbade myself from posting on social media, no matter how guilty I felt not doing so. I am exhausted, sick (migraine all day Sunday) and in need of recuperating from my job where there are literally no days off. And you know what? It led to learning other reasons why this is great to do every so often. (or as much as you like… you are your own boss, no?)

2. GET YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING

Whenever I really start to feel burnt out, I will go off the grid for a couple of days. I also have a tendency to do this when I’m suffering from writer’s block. This doesn’t bring forth my creativity per se, but you’d be amazed how great you’d feel after a full weekend of rest and just doing things you love to do, like read a book, go to the museum, have a phone call with a friend, taking a long walk with my dog, these mini-breaks not only take my mind off and recharge my batteries, it is then when these types of activities help influence my creativity. Sometimes freeing the mind and not trying to think so hard about the next amazing photo shoot actually will bring the next amazing photo shoot. Trust in the retreat your mind and body absolutely need to take every now and then.

3. RECLAIM YOUR TIME

You know you can’t buy back time, but you can reclaim it. With Apple iOS 12's “Screen Time” feature, you can track your social media usage. I'm currently using this tool and discovered that I could have likely read Murakami’s new novel in the time I spent scrolling Instagram last week. YIKES. Which in turn gives you more time for other things in your life aside from social media. Because I guarantee this is not the most important part of life by any means... it doesn’t define you as a person. Life is short. Spend it wisely.

4. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE

Others’ comments or who has viewed your Insta-stories, or what’s currently trending… Yet another distraction when it comes to social media. It all leads to nowhere. I always remind myself why I started the blog in the first place. And I think the immense desire to someone’s “15 minutes of fame” is more and more outweighing the desire to create quality content and/or visual story-telling. So when whatever I see online all starts to become white noise and very little is inspiring me, it’s time to take a breather from the overly saturated social media world. When I de-tach myself from it temporarily, it always brings me back to where I started and why. Which is really important if you want to continue visualizing the big picture, too. Remember why you started.

5. RECONNECT AND COME BACK STRONGER

This kind of coincides with number 2 in this post. But this is more about our inner work. As I just said, social media is not the definition to life, nevertheless, it doesn’t define you. It’s a brand, a label, a front to what really is reality. Because in the world of advertising, not everything is ever the complete truth. And the same goes with what I do. Every photo is staged. Choreographed with makeup, hair, clothes, location, a lens, etc to end the final result with a quality image and a story behind it. It’s simply never just a snap. So when it comes to comparing yourself to others, for example, be clear about your goals and do the self-work IRL to come out confident; it will help curb the anxiety that the Instagram comparison game creates. Focusing on other parts of your life aside from social media/work isn’t just a simple “distraction” from the other not so glamorous side to what I do, it’s always a resetter. It helps me regroup and reconnect with loved ones and yes, myself. Sometimes a little self-care goes a long way, and if you’re feeling a bit unsure about what you’re doing online, it’s time to take a step back and regroup, reset and reconnect. And in the long run, you will always come back stronger. Remember this too… social media isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

LOVE & XX’S,

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What I Learned from 2018

January 1, 2019

WEARING: PAISLEY JACKET | BLUE JEANS | CREAM FUZZY SWEATER

STAY ON THE TRAIN, THE SCENERY WILL CHANGE.

Life is a continuation of sorts - uphill battles, downfalls, and all the in between. And sometimes even in life’s most ordinary cycles, it seems nothing will ever change, improve, progress to your liking. Even if it is at a snail’s pace because yes, amazing things take time to cultivate I still struggle with the idea of remaining patient while continuing to be diligent in whatever I’m trying to accomplish. I truly sometimes think that no matter how hard I may try at something, it’s never going to be ‘good enough’ and that perhaps I will never grow. But after this year, I couldn’t be farther from the truth. Learning my strengths in the face of adversity definitely have shown that through discipline, perseverance and yes, a little bit of stubbornness will take you places. But you have to stay on the train.

YOU CANNOT CHANGE PEOPLE, ONLY YOUR REACTION.

And if you can’t change your reaction, then change your environment. For example, when you have to repeatedly tell a friend what they’re doing wrong (we’re talking moral values and such). If at some point they’re not getting it, it’s not your issue it’s theirs. Distance yourself from people who suck the living life out of you. There are all sorts of leechers out there and no one deserves to be taken advantage of. This goes for money, emotional manipulation and then some. Another example, I did a test shoot with a model a while back and was trying to take a street style shot with the person in the middle of the street with the Empire State building in the background. But no matter how I reacted in directing this person to be ‘in the middle of the street’, I shit you not, they did not understand. At some point I had to literally pin the person at the very center of the street and said, “Don’t move”, “stand still”… and YES they moved. So I eventually changed my environment because I knew it wasn’t working. Hahaha! :)

YOU CATCH MORE FLIES WITH HONEY THAN VINEGAR

Unfortunately, life doesn’t always turn out they way you thought it was going to turn out. And it’s easier to be spiteful, bitter and even down right vindictive over life’s unfairness. Sadly, I even saw this in my father near the end of his life. The first time I took a trip to New York, I came back so excited to share my experiences and all the photos I took. My mother found it exciting, even courageous, to want to venture out into the world. My father couldn’t barely stand to look at the photos, only to say one thing, that he hated New York and when I asked him if he had ever even visited the city and said no, he had no reasons other than negative ones to behave this way. I, too, can sometimes get angry at what life has thrown at me, like how I lost both of my parent before the age of 30 and yes I ask all the time, “why couldn’t You just have left me at least one?!” Or why I don’t have a single family member to even call when I’m feeling down. You just have to look at it this way, in that things don’t just happen. There’s a reason and rhyme to everything, and with a more positive, I guess sweeter, perspective, you’ll be sure to find your way. If I stayed bitter over my losses in life, I never would have found my way to my husband, my dog, MaQ, or even this blog that I consider to be my baby! And yes, in the caption’s saying - it is always better to be nice rather than rude too.

ALWAYS STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

I challenge myself on a daily basis in this living mantra. Especially when life’s daily routines become a bit too routine and nothing exciting is really going on. This year I took my very first solo international trip to London for work (loving it so much I did it again six months later). And even though for most people, it’s not a big deal, for me, someone who does suffer from anxiety, had a lot of nerves about it. But I took a leap of faith, and just went! Best decision ever, as it has really helped me grow personally and professionally. Not ready for something like that? Start small. Go to an event or party, be more social if not already - or start a new hobby you know that’ll make you a little nervous… maybe archery? That would make ME nervous! Ha ha! I think sometimes being impulsive is a good thing, because it pushes you to your limits (NO shopaholics do not apply LMAO) and you discover that you’re capable of so much more than you could even imagine.

EMBRACE YOU!

Yes, I still have trouble in loving my whole entire self. We all have flaws, insecurities, weaknesses, vices, etc; but you know what is truly amazing? No one is you and that is your power! How incredible is that… you’re one of a kind and unlike anyone else on this planet?! No one else can be you - you are loved and amazing just the way you are. I think too with age, you accept yourself more and more because you know that’s the way it’s going to be. So you might as well love your eccentricities, quirks and all - inside and out! I’m starting to more and more share this side of me on the blog and I think you guys too, really dig it! So yes, I always think the topic of self-love is a self-realization in growth for every year of my life.

I don’t want to go on and on about what I learned from this past year where I start to sound cheesy or too lecture-y. So, I’m going to leave it off with see you soon, wishing you all the best in the New Year, and yes, sending you Love & Light with all my heart. MaQ + Suz would not exist without its readers and we are extremely grateful for each and every one of you! So thank you as always, for the continued love and support of our brand, as we truly work very hard every single day to try and bring you the best styled creative images in the world of fashion, beauty, lifestyle and more.

Side note: ha ha! The paisley blazer from this post is by Saku New York, the cream fuzzy sweater is from H&M and the jeans are Levi’s. Hope you guys enjoyed our very first post on MaQ + Suz for 2019! What are some of the lessons you have learned from this past year? Don’t forget to drop them down in the comment section below! We would love to hear yours! Happy New Year, Happy 2019 and many, many blessings.

LOVE & XX’S,

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Chocolate Browns and Mustard Yellow

January 26, 2018

WEARING: s a k u NEW YORK TAILORED WOOL LONG VEST | H&M TURTLENECK SWEATER |
VVA CARLINA YELLOW LEATHER HANDBAG | 
GENUINE PEOPLE HIGH SLIT WOOL SHIRT SWEATER | EXPRESS PANTS | 
NINE WEST HADDRIANA POINTY TOE PUMPS | LINEA PELLE STUD AND GROMMET CHOKER | 
H&M TRIBAL SPIKE DROP EARRINGS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BE s a k u NEW YORK & NINE WEST.

Phew! I don't know about you but I've had one of those weeks where it all went awry. Every single thing felt off as if the cosmic stars weren't aligned the way it should be. My website even went down, and though it was only for a couple of hours, you can imagine the stress that came along with it. But the true lesson, when faced with any adversity, is to adapt and overcome. These kind of moments, I believe, are testaments to our perseverance. And in the end, if you stick with it, things do tend to work itself out. I wanted to get this post up earlier in the week, but there is only so much one person can accomplish on their own. Everything nowadays is so fast-paced, the art of taking one's time seems to be non-existent. When did quantity become greater over quality? It is all about creativity and I think that sometimes in order to achieve a really good content, you do need to slow down and work your magic. It's like when film used to be the only medium for photographers. They didn't post-produce something in a day (YES I have done that SO many times) and time was on their side. It's like a first kiss. The longer you wait for it, I think the more you'll savor and linger in it. Rather than something instant. You appreciate it more, no? Continue reading to find out why I'm posting less on the blog and why less is always more.

Even when it comes to styling, I never like to go over the top. It always ends up looking like someone is just trying too hard and it never really quite right. Shock value? Sure. Attention-seeking? You bet. But sometimes a subtle detail can make an entire outfit. Like in today's post, I styled my hair a little differently. I used a Linea Pelle choker that is adjustable, so I gave my neck a lot of breathing room and used it to loosely 'bob' my hair. For us girls who have long, thick hair but don't have the face/features for a short bob, this styling tip is one I love dearly! It's even fun to play a joke on your gfs - send them a quick picture and tell them you chopped your hair... the responses are hysterical. This hairstyle with the use of a choker is ideal for layered hair, but I bet it would look just as smashing on hair that is also just one length.

Remember me mentioning s a k u New York, my favorite Korean designer? I wore a couple of her pieces during fashion week and have also done several editorials. (Check here and here) Well, she's back with a whole new collection and it is amazing! Look at the long wool chocolate brown vest. The structure and cuts are beautiful along with the quality of the fabric. And thanks to the wool, it is super warm for winter and perfect for anyone who loves to participate in the layering game. I paired it up with a wool sweater dress by Genuine People and some mid-rise pants by Express.

To balance the strong masculine color of chocolate brown, I went with a mustard yellow in some of my accessories. This is probably the only time I think mustard and chocolate sound good together! Ha ha ha! The gorgeous springbok bag is from VVA by Sarah Haran and my pointy toe pumps in faux snake print are by Nine West. My tribal spike drop earrings are no longer in stock (they're over ten years old from H&M) but I linked a very similar pair in the 'Shop the Look' section at the end of this article. They're from Steve Madden and are also really affordable! Thanks for stopping by and as always, feel free to drop me a line in the comment box! Enjoy the rest of the weekend, stay tuned for a lot of upcoming content next week!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE POST

s a k u New York Tailored Long Wool Vest

Genuine People High Slit Wool Shirt Sweater

Express Womens Mid Rise Solid Barely Boot Columnist Pant Green

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Angela Roi Handbags

March 18, 2017

WEARING:

LOOK 1: ZAFUL ARMY GREEN WOOL BLEND MASCULINE COAT | FRAME DENIM VEST | 
ANGELA ROI JULES BUCKET BAG | SHOEDAZZLE FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS | 
STEVE MADDEN BLACK ANKLE BOOTS

LOOK 2: H&M OFF-THE-SHOULDER DRESS | BETSEY JOHNSON CHUBBY FAUX FUR COAT | 
UNIQLO HEATTEACH TURTLENECK | ANGELA ROI DARK GREEN MORNING CROSSBODY BAG

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY ANGELA ROI & ZAFUL.

Happy Saturday, friends! A couple of months ago I styled two outfits with Angela Roi handbags as a part of their Urban Model campaign, and I'm so thrilled to share the complete shoot with you! Angela Roi is a New York-based ethical luxury handbag brand, using premium animal-friendly materials and working closely with artisans to craft their handbags. Every sale supports mistreated animals with ASPCA. As a major animal lover, this brings me such joy knowing a brand is doing great work on top of their high-quality craftsmanship!

The first look features a modern workday lady boss vibe. The Zaful wool coat brings a good touch of masculinity to any kind of look and is perfect for the office and even a laid-back dinner with your girlfriends. I'm also obsessed with the fit and color of the coat, I've been wearing it since NYFW! I love how this casual outfit can go from day to night as well. The Angela Roi Jules Bucket Bag goes amazing with so many looks and is wonderful for those long days where you need to fit your essentials into just one bag. I think it's also super trendy for the fashionable mommies! The bag is not only stylish but efficient in size and space.

The second look is a bit more feminine with a bohemian edge. I've worn this dress in the past, (blog post here) but it was more into the season of spring. In this look, I wanted to showcase my favorite form of styling – layers, layers, and more layers. It's a great way to continue wearing seasonal pieces all year-round like slip dresses as this one. I paired it with an Uniqlo Heattech turtleneck to stay warm along with black tights and a fuzzy faux fur coat. My favorite color combination in the recent years is pink and green. How gorgeous is the Morning Crossbody bag?! They have a variety of colors too if you're into more rich, vibrant colors. Shop the two looks down below! Have a lovely weekend! :)

photos by: Arthur C. Hauser