I Put a Spell on You

WEARING: CALVIN KLEIN MODERN COTTON LOGO BRALETTE & BIKINI |
NORDSTROM RACK TRIM FIT COTTON DRESS SHIRT 

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Hey, everyone! Happy Friday Eve (Thank goodness, if you've had anything like the week I've had!) With New York City's weather this past week being extremely uncooperative, I wasn't able to shoot outdoors in the rain. So, instead, we shot indoors and did a very different take on our weekly editorial videos! Yay! I wanted to do something with much more mood, a little bit of film noir, but a little bit of glamour/boudoir. And the result? A bedroom shoot, with what I normally wear on a casual Sunday at home.

Since I'm a lover of film & movies, I've been wanting to expand the tone and feeling of our videos. Just to give a better all-around theme and to make them cohesive. I like to think of this video this week as a rainy day kind of concept shoot, incorporating sexuality and desire. But not in an over-the-top sensual way. Let me know what you guys think! I love, love, LOVE hearing from our readers, still need to catch up on replying to each and every one of you! (Don't think I've forgotten about ya!) 

When it came to adding music to the shoot, I had trouble picking out a song this time! In case you didn't already know, I do ALL of the edits for every shoot, video and photos included. Anyway, I went with Nina Simone's, "I Put a Spell on You" because it's romantic yet quite emotional. How can you not love, Nina Simone, anyhow?!

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

Since it's been raining nonstop this week here in New York City (today was the first sunny day in what felt like weeks), we did a rainy day editorial series and shot indoors! I'm expanding more into moods and tones, and not just fashion. Trying to capture more feeling and sensibility.

To shop the look, please continue below.

Music:

+ARTIST: Nina Simone

+SONG: I Put a Spell on You

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Gochujang Potato Pierogies

Monday's back with a vengeance and the weekend went by rather too quickly. My latest posts have been focused on Mother's Day and of course, my own Ma. As a last, final tribute to the woman who created me, and in reflection to celebrating life and mothers this week, I had to end it with some time spent in the kitchen, cooking... naturally. But what did I end up making?

I, for the longest time, have been wanting to create and (DUH) share with you guys this recipe I've been working on for a while now! In honor of my parent's heritages, (I'm Korean and Polish, with a slight chance of a little Ukrainian in there), I wanted to create a Korean fusion-inspired dish that not only reflects me but more so, both of my parents. So, I did a twist on the traditional pierogi and made the filling Korean-flavor based!

Gochujang Potato Pierogies

Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients:

Filling:

Photos and recipe by © Suzanne Spiegoski

5 medium potatoes
½ of an onion, chopped
1 clove garlic
4-5 TB gochujang (depending on spice preference)
1 TB brown sugar
1 TB honey
1 TB rice wine
3 TB soy sauce
1 TB sesame oil
1 tsp ginger, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Dough:

3 cups whole purpose flour
½ cup warm milk
½ to ¾ cup of warm water (depending on how much your flour soaks)
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
A pinch of salt

Toppings:

2 green onion, chopped
sesame seeds
½ cup of sour cream
kimchi
2 tsp sriracha sauce
2 tablespoon of vegetable oil for frying

Up close & personal.

Directions:

For the filling:

1. Place potatoes, half of an onion, and garlic in a pot, cover with water and cook until tender
2. Once cooked, drain and use a hand blender or potato masher, so the potato mixture doesn't have lumps
3. Add gochujang, brown sugar, honey, rice wine, soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger. Add salt & pepper, mix well. Should have a nice pinkish red color.

For the dough:

1. Pour the flour into large bowl
2. Add a pinch of salt
3. Make a little hole in a middle and start adding milk and butter
4. Add a little water at the time and work the dough until you can form a ball about 10-15 minutes
5. Once done, cover and rest for about 25 minutes
6. Roll the dough until thin (like pasta) and using either cookie cutter or large wine glass cut the circles (use wax paper to avoid a sticky, messy, clean-up!)
7. Place 1 teaspoon of filling in the middle of the circle
   Wet one-half of the circle with water (use brush or fingers) and then seal together
8. Use vegetable oil to fry pierogi on each side until golden brown

For the toppings:

1. Add onions and sesame seeds on top with pierogies and serve with sour cream (kimchi, sriracha sauce, & black pepper mixed in)
2. Enjoy immediately

The filling inside is mostly potato, but it's the spices that give the normal pierogi an extra punch of flavor. Consisted of gochujang (Korean red pepper paste), soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, rice wine, honey and sesame oil, these vibrant and authentic spices are sure to put a twist on any good old fashioned Polish dumpling!

Coming up this week on the blog, a new play on my editorial/fashion series! Since it's been raining nonstop this week here in New York City, we did a more moody-themed shoot and also shot indoors! Basically, I'm expanding more into moods and tones, and not just fashion. Trying to capture more feeling. I'm also looking into creating my next Soju cocktail! Stay tuned! I can't wait to upload! You can check out my latest cocktail here, which was also featured on foodgawker! Happy Monday, beautiful people! Let's get it! 😊🙌

LOVE & XX'S

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

How to Create a Bouquet - How to Arrange Flowers

Yesterday's post was all about me and my mother's style intertwined together. As a two-part story, today I'm writing about the perfect gift idea for Mother's Day. And more specifically, how to create a bouquet and how to arrange flowers while doing so! You see, my mother had the green thumb of the family. Growing up as a kid, I had little to no interest in flowers or gardening. I wondered why my mother loved spending so much time in hers.

But now as an adult, I've become more like my mother and have a huge passion for floral work and design. Anything involving plant life, I'm down for. If my mother was still here, my gift to her would be just the two of us creating bouquets and arranging flowers together. She taught me a lot about flowers and so in today's story I'll be giving you a few pointers on how-to's when it comes to DIY!

1. Add two kinds of greenery
2. Fill vase with cold water
3. Grind 2 aspirin pills to easily dissolve in water (did you know that putting in 2 aspirins in any bouquet will keep your flowers alive longer?) Go ahead and sprinkle that magic in!
4. Measure flowers, trim to desired height and place in vase
5. Remove leaves from stems so they aren't in water
6. Fill in empty spots
7. And voila!

You can also check out my YouTube video down below for a full tutorial on how to create a bouquet! Thank you so much, Starbright Floral Design, for your gorgeous, intoxicating flowers! I used white and pink lilies, some Holland tulips, eucalyptus, and purple snap dragons. Want to create your own? Use my discount code 'MaQSuz' to get $10 off your purchase from Starbright!

Please don't forget to subscribe to our blog and YouTube channel!

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

Mother's Day is fastly approaching us and I'm collaborating with Starbright Floral Design for the perfect gift idea to give to all of the momma's of the world; your mother, your baby mama (or mom-to-be). How about instead of ordering bouquets or quickly grabbing them from the market this year, you hand pick and arrange an assorted floral bouquet yourself?! It's thoughtful and straight from the heart - and such a great activity spent with any mother!

Check out my DIY video tutorial, showing how easy (and fun) it is to be working with flowers, including my own bouquet I arranged myself! Want to design your own? Use my discount code 'MaQSuz' to get $10 OFF of your purchase from Starbright Floral Design!

LOVE & XX'S

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Like Mother, Like Daughter

WEARING: H&M OFF-THE-SHOULDER DRESS |
DKNY DENIM JACKET | GG BOSS OLIVE GREEN FRINGE HANDBAG | 
VIA SPIGA KAMALA ANKLE BOOTS | KENDRA SCOTT CARLA EARRINGS 

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What I would give to spend Mother's Day with my Ma. But I refuse to be sad because my mother would not want me to be this way. She made it clear to live life fully and to make time to enjoy it. Life is endured with its ebbs and flows but also remember that it's short. It goes fast. So, for this week's look, I'm dedicating it to my Ma, Sun-Hui, a.k.a. Sunny.

My outfit I styled (including hair and makeup), is in reflection toward what I'd actually wear this coming Sunday. If I could be with her, we'd definitely start Mother's Day with brunch! New York City style! And this casual chic look is not only something I'd be wearing, but it is also a twist on her style, which was fresh, light, and always feminine. But she was also cheeky. I remember her having a tank top with the words, 'slippery when wet' on the front. I admired her fashion sense and even when I was little, she'd dress me up in girly outfits and hair do's. But that all changed around the age of 6-7, when I started to develop my own individuality. I didn't want her to pick out my outfits anymore because I felt they were no longer my style! I knew it'd hurt her feelings, and when I had told her she did take it badly. I just wasn't a girly-girl and dresses were not really my thing. My favorite piece of clothing as a kid? Colored sweatpants! 😝

Fast forward some decades later and yes, now I like dresses (from time to time). No, I still don't prefer sweatpants, though pajamas are a close runner up especially when working from home. Ha, ha! I'm definitely a t-shirt and jeans kind of gal. Add in some sneakers and I'm good to go. But, lately, I, myself, have been feeling more feminine. Like a flower, in the process of blooming. I can't wait to share with you a brand new story in the next coming days! It has a lot to do with flowers and I've got the perfect gift idea for Mother's Day! A definite must-do if I were to spend Sunday with my Ma. Stay tuned.

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

Mother's Day is this Sunday! My fourth 'Suz's Look' video is a play-up on what'd I'd be wearing if my Ma was still here and if I was lucky enough to spend the day with her. A twist on her style, if you will.

To shop the look, please continue below.

Music:

+ARTIST: Flume

+SONG: Never Be Like You Ft. Kai

LOVE & XX'S

SHOP THE LOOK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Fried Green Tomatoes

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm so delighted to finally share a recipe it took nearly 20 years in the making! Ever since I was a little girl and saw, 'Fried Green Tomatoes', the movie (the book is entirely something else!), I've been obsessed with the idea of trying to make them. I've tried several variations of this Southern comfort food dish, but never in a Korean-fusion way! So, of course, I had to create my own version!

The first secret to the perfect fried green tomato? Bacon drippings. You know all the grease you get after cooking bacon in the pan/oven? Save that for this recipe! I'm serious! You can even freeze it in the freezer should you want to use it in the distant future. I put mine in a Mason jar and it's seriously what gives the tomatoes it's ultimate flavor. Second? Cornmeal. And yellow. It gives a better color than white cornmeal, in my opinion.

Photos + recipe by © Suzanne Spiegoski

Fried Green Tomatoes

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

1 medium green tomatoes (per person)

Batter:
3/4 c all-purpose flour
1/4 c yellow cornmeal
3/4 c buttermilk
salt & pepper
enough bacon drippings to fill 2" deep in a skillet /pan

Sauce:
2 TB coconut oil
1/4 c all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c milk
1/2 c buttermilk
1 TB ranch dressing
salt & pepper

Directions:
Slice tomatoes about 1/4 inch thick, season with salt and pepper and set aside. Combine batter then coat tomatoes on both sides. In a large skillet, heat enough bacon drippings to coat the bottom of the pan and fry tomatoes until lightly browned on both sides. (2-3 min per side) If oil sizzles or pops before you put the tomatoes in, it's too hot! Transfer to a colander or wire cooling rack to drain. To keep the tomatoes from getting soggy before they're served, the best way is to stand them up like wheels in a serving dish instead of stacking them. To make the sauce, add coconut oil in a saucepan until melted over medium heat. Whisk in flour, then milk & buttermilk until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Garnish with fresh dill, cucumber carrot kimchi & red pepper flakes. Serve immediately and enjoy! (You'll think you died and gone to heaven!)

They came out crisp and golden, a wonderful juxtaposition to the tart and juicy tomato. Added components to the dish were fresh dill, cucumber carrot kimchi, and red pepper flakes. I chose these ingredients because I felt it overall completed the entire dish. The combination of flavors was explosive to my palette! You got the acidity from the tomato (By the way, do you consider it to be a vegetable or a fruit?), the slight smoky bacon flavor, the refreshing balance from the dill, and the spiciness from the kimchi and flakes.

Lastly, the buttermilk sauce is creamy and tangy. The final finishing touch. I've been working on my style and plating, what do y'all think? How do you make fried green tomatoes? Perhaps next time, you'll give this recipe a try? It's great as an appetizer or for lunch. Or if you're just very, very, hungry. 😉 Until next time, feel free to comment down below and subscribe (to the right, in the side bar). Have a nice weekend!

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ