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

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOKS

Zaful Army Green Wool Blend Masculine Coat

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To All the Ladies with Style and Grace

March 8, 2017

WEARING: CADIEUX SS 17 JACKET | UNIQLO HEAT TECH TURTLENECK |
SHOE DAZZLE FAUX LEATHER LEGGINGS | ANGELINA SHOETIQUE OTK BOOTS | 
BOOHOO MOCK CROC CLUTCH BAG | SHOPTIQUES ROSE EARRINGS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CADIEUX.

Happy International Women's Day! I could say the usual, such as how all women are beautiful, special and worthy of everything, etc.; but I'm not the usual kind. *WARNING* This post is not anger filled but brutally honest. Don't like what you read or see? Get outta my way. BYE.

There's a ferocious new trend-demic where women, but more so cliché-like cliques, that are parading around their 'love & support' for ALL women. Now, don't get me wrong. There are a ton of bad-ass ladies that are really about community and the idea of everyone getting their fair share of the pie with unity and togetherness, but then there are always the typical two-faced bitches (particularly in the blogger world) that are not only complete hypocrites, but also liars and manipulators and have no other motive than to cause drama because of their unhappiness and insecurities. Maybe they're not as terrible as it sounds because hey, I get it. We're all human. I'm flawed and complicated, and not in a light-hearted funny kind of way. But I'm in no way intentionally mean-spirited.

My closest girlfriends, which have been in my life for decades, can be counted on one hand. Why? LOYALTY. TIL THE END DAWG. We have been through so much shit in life I don't even know where to begin. I'm not talking about childish high-school breakups or fights with the folks, I'm talking about life & death situations. Loss, heartache, violence – our trials & tribulations were sometimes extreme and I really wouldn't have made it out alive if it weren't for my babes. And we didn't become friends because of race, social class, and other ridiculously atrocious reasons why some girls 'clique-ify' their way through life. It's the same type of girl who can't STAND being alone and always has to have a guy around. Seriously?

I don't need a pile of so-called friends to waste time shooting the shit with over coffee anymore. It's so mundane and it makes me nauseous just thinking about it. On the same note, it is crucial to network and to connect in New York City and also the world. It's not just about how hard you work to get towards that 'pie' but rather, who you know and what you can do for each other. Now is having coffee with any kind of friend, close/non-close a crime? Of course the fuck not. Yes, I continue to make new friends and they're all truly AMAZING but again life is so short and there will be very few people in the world that will deeply matter to you. And you to them. I'm not here today to engage in any kind of battle but I see what I see and I have the right to express what I want to freely. Dammit, I hate being a writer sometimes...

It's unnerving to continuously meet other bloggers who are not in this game for the right reasons. Sure, everyone has the right to go after whatever they want. I remember having a conversation with a 'part-time' blogger, and even though she wasn't doing it full-time, she thought anyone can become a blogger. That's like saying anyone can become a writer, a photographer and so on and so forth. BULLSHIT. It takes so much hard work, PASSION, dedication and discipline. It is by far the most challenging work I've ever had and I wouldn' have it any other way. And yes we 'all have to start somewhere'. You pay your dues, you learn & grow (I PRAY), and you work hard and be kind to people. BUUUUUUUTTTTT, that doesn't give anyone the right to make you feel uncomfortable about yourself. PERIOD. The second anyone, not just a woman, wants to treat you this way: DISENGAGE. Don't even give them the reaction that they're just dying to wait on. Pathetic. Let them get even more pissed because of your lack of care or effort on the situation.

To all my bad bitches, I LOVE YOU. I cherish our friendships and you all mean to me more than you'll ever know. Thank you for continuously inspiring me, supporting me, laughing with me and enjoying the good times with before they all fade away. To my loving followers, I may not have time to reply back to every single comment on social media every day, but I SEE you and I can never thank you enough for your encouragement and love to continue what I'm doing. Today is for you, ladies. Keep it real. Always. NOW, to all y'all weak-ass wannabes, I don't have the time playing checkers when I'm mastering my strategies at chess. Boom. Signing off. One Love.

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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Cadieux – Say Yes To This Dress

March 6, 2017

WEARING: CADIEUX PARIS DRESS | VVA IVY CALF GREEN POUCH HANDBAG

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY CADIEUX PARIS & VVA HANDBAGS.

Happy Monday loves! I've come down with a cold. I felt it coming on this weekend and I tried to fight it but unfortunately, the lil' bugger has gotten comfy and wants to stay a while longer. Nothing major but it has me sluggish, don't you hate that feeling when everything seems to take forever - as if you're moving in slow motion all day? My sinuses are killing me, but I continue to work because there's no other way to get it done. As many of you know I am the creative director, stylist, hair and makeup artist, and editor when it comes to all our fashion shoots here on MaQ + Suz. Every outfit post is carefully thought through and in the recent months, I've become extremely passionate again with fashion & style.

FUN FACT: When I was a little girl, around the age of 6 or 7 years old, I was completely obsessed with my mother's Korean fashion magazines. She didn't read the U.S. versions as Korean was her first language and anyone that knew my mother can attest to her eclectic style. She had very good taste and knew the difference between high quality and the rest of the bullshit that's put out there. I even used to be amazed at her estimation skills when we used to watch 'The Price is Right' together. She was peculiarly accurate and knew what everything cost. I really miss shopping with her where strangers used to constantly hit on her, even asking if we were sisters (which she LOVED since that meant she still looked like a teenager... thanks to those Korean genes, though, really! Ha ha!) We'd always make a pit stop to Mrs. Fields for their soft chocolate chip cookies afterward. It was one of our shopping rituals like all of us girls share with each other...

I looked up to my mom's personal style. So much so, and with the help of all those Korean fashion magazines, I started my own fashion magazine where I'd draw the models in a notebook and then label everything that they were wearing including the price on the side. I was just a kid when I did this but my parents found it to be so neat they had kept it through the years, but I lost it in a fire from my childhood home later on in my late teens. (Sounds brutal I know but it's not like the house completely burnt down or something worse like losing someone I love) But long story, I'm so happy to be where I am right now, here doing what I'm doing.. it just feels right.

When I saw this dress by Cadieux at the Manhattan Edité showroom, it immediately reminded me first, of course, Parisian flair, but secondly, my mother. I'm not sure why since it wasn't something either of us would wear on the regular, perhaps to a special occasion, yes, but for whatever reason ever since I spotted this beauty I've been thinking a lot about my mother. It's tough, even as a grown-ass woman, to not have your mother with you. (She passed away in 2005.) I can never describe how much I miss both of my parents, but my 'umma' has been on my mind. Instantly I wanted to style this dress just for her.

I do a lot of things in honor of my parents. Maybe it's because I'm still trying to prove something. Maybe I'm still trying to make them proud of me. But I don't care what the reason is. They drive me to be the crazy bad ass girl I know that I am (and not bad as in bad but bad as in good) and are a huge inspiration in my life. I inherited my mother's fiery passion and would be damned to burn that one out. I'm even starting to consider learning Korean because it's something my mother really wanted me to learn but as a youngster, I refused. I wish she didn't give me that decision but it's never too late, am I right?!

PHOTOS BY: GILLES DECAMPS

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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Karoline Lang – The Prettiest Periwinkle Trench Coat

March 2, 2017

WEARING: KAROLINE LANG TRENCH COAT WITH DOUBLE COLLAR | 
HALOGEN V NECK NAVY BLUE SWEATER | NINE WEST PLAID PANTS | BANDOLINO KITTEN HEELS | 
DRESS LILY FRESH BLUE CROSSBODY BAG | DIOR SUNGLASSES

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY KAROLINE LANG.

Happy Thursday, loves! I'm so excited to share with you my new spring trench coat by Karoline Lang! Reasons I love this trench coat so much: One, the double collar is so chic and brings added texture along with layers for days not so spring-y. Two, the color is phenomenal. One of my all-time favorite blue hues, periwinkle is such a lovely subdued color. It's definitely trending this coming spring season. Three, it fit me like a glove!

I love discovering designers, especially one with clothes that complement my petite frame. I styled the trench coat with Nine West plaid pants as I loved how each pattern from the pants and also the double collar of the coat suited each other. Another fabulous and comfy trend for spring – a low heel. The lower the better. Don't get me wrong, I have a few sky-high pairs of what some might call heels (:::giggles:::) but being comfortable results in feeling confident, thus looking and feeling great. Plus, I'm a walker, no not the zombie-type, but city dweller. It's my form of relaxation these days, and I Iove nothing more than taking a stroll with MaQ to clear my head. The sights and sounds of the city always bring me inspiration and comfort. I love my home.

Other accessories in this look include a pair of Dior sunglasses and a Chloé-wannabe bag from Dress Lily. You can, as always, shop the pieces within the links in the written post or at the end of each blog post. Thanks for stopping by! This has felt like the longest week ever but tomorrow is finally Friday! Hang in there and I'll catch you all soon!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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Mrs. Heisenberg

February 28, 2017

WEARING: FOREVER 21 DENIM DISTRESSED JACKET | FOREVER 21 GRAPHIC TOP | 
YOSHOP V NECK TANK TAP W A LINE SKIRT | STELLA MCCARTNEY OVERSIZED AVIATOR GLASSES | 
PAUL SMITH WATERMELON SOCKS | GIGI NEW YORK CARLO FILE FOLDER | ADIDAS NEO CLOUDFOAM

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY YOSHOP.

When I think of Mrs. Walter White, or Skyler, from Breaking Bad, she wasn't exactly at first, or if ever, a complete and total badass. But the latest trend, oversized aviator glasses – has always reminded me of Mr. Heisenberg (aside from his famous hat and whitey tighties.) So when I finally got myself a pair of the retro glasses, I wanted to maintain Mr. White's style but also keeping it contemporary with L.A. street & hip-hop vibes. And with a feminine twist!

I've been really digging this v neck tank top with an a-line skirt by Yoshop. The suede material and green color is a cool transitional piece as you can layer it up or keep it as is for when the temps start to rise. Since we're pre-spring and are still having some chilly days, I styled the two piece with some layered tops from Forever 21. The 'Out of Service' graphic top screams L.A. street style and the oversized orange denim distressed jacket is killer! Fun little accident while picking up this vibrant jacket: I had no intention of doing so but this is denim jacket is for men! Happenstance as such, since I'm a huge fan of anything oversized.

South of my ankles are the new Adidas Neo Cloudfoam High Top Sneakers, my new favorite kicks. You can wear them with just about anything, two-piece included! I love the little details such as the lace-ups as well as the subtle rose-gold logos. It adds a nice touch to the completely white shoe. And they are super comfy! I accessorized with an adorable pair of Paul Smith watermelon socks to balance the green and orange outfit. Lastly, the Carlo File Folder in British Tan embossed in python leather by Gigi New York is my idea of a handbag for this look. Because Mrs. Heisenberg isn't going shopping, she's taking care of business.