Proceed to the Sign

December 11, 2017

WEARING: NEW VIBE INC. VERSATILE PLISSE DRESS/TUNIC/SHAWL/SCARF | KLASSE 14 MISS VOLARE CORAL 36MM WATCH | ROSEGAL BLACK JEANS | DRESS LILY POINTED TOE HEEL BOOTS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY NEW VIBE INC. & KLASSE 14.

Last month at Foundermade here in New York City I had met a unique startup brand, one I instantly connected with. NEW ViBE offers a collection of high-quality versatile items that are perfectly tailored to a modern lifestyle. The foundation of the label is to bring new functionalities to the contemporary wardrobe that provide the most comfort and sophistication. The major influences come from textile and technological innovations, visual and performing arts, architecture, music, and travel. NEW ViBE is a line of smart wearables that transform and adapt to 21-st century human addiction - multitasking. And this black plisse dress/tunic/shawl/scarf is one of the many designs I fell in love with! Come see how I styled this as a dress layered up for winter and also as a tunic with some jeans.

One of the first things that stood out to me about NEW ViBE was definitely the material. this dress is made of pleated satin black crepe and imported from France. The details of the dress, too, was an eyecatcher. The side lacing detail comes in two colors: Red and black. I mixed and matched, keeping the bottom with black lace and the top red. Criss-cross lace-anything is definitely trending and also brings a little bit of edge to a more minimal look. I kept things edgy with these black, red-soled boots, tousled hair and vampy dramatic makeup.

Not only is the material top-quality, it is also extremely sustainable and versatile. The dress can also be worn as a tunic, shawl, and scarf. NEW ViBE offers wearable hybrids, multi-category items, called TACTSTyLES that by simple closure manipulation can transform into a different performance item, depending on the occasion. Their pieces can be worn inside out, upside down and back to front. In the second look, scroll down to the last three photos to see more of a casual look, I wore black jeans and changed the dress into a tunic. This gorgeous Volare red watch is from Klasse14. I love the unique color and indentation of the face. Use my promo code, 'suzannespiegoski' to get 12% OFF your purchase from Klasse14!

New Vibe Inc. Versatile plisse dress / tunic / shawl / scarf - NV1046

I love discovering new and innovative brands such as NEW ViBE and what they stand for. The modern day woman is not just one thing anymore; she's many. And with garments designed to function on a number of levels to meet the demands of the new world, it's not just making changes but it's the sign of the times. So if you haven't checked this new startup yet, now's the time to proceed to it. :) Thoughts/comments always welcome at the end of each post! Wishing you all a great new week.

LOVE & XX'S,

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Sour Punch Bites Movie Night

November 30, 2017

This post is sponsored by Sour Punch® Bites®, but all opinions are my own.

As much as I love the hustle and bustle of the craziness around my schedule in the next month, where attending events are more frequent, many deadlines are needed to be done and being social around the holidays is a given, there's nothing homier and as cozy than staying in with my pup and doing one of my favorite things: A movie night. Especially when it's super cold outside and my itty bitty toes are snuggled under my fur baby's warm body and I've got some tasty movie night snacks and great films surrounding me, it's not that hard to give in and stay at home. In today's post, I'm sharing a few of my favorite treats along with some of my all-time favorite films (both holiday and non-holiday) that I love to watch around this time of the year. And it's not your typical Home Alone/It's a Wonderful Life kind of movie list, let's say it's definitely more action-packed. Continue reading to see how we enjoying staying in for a movie night at home!

Ever since I was a kid, I've always been a fan of sweet and sour candy. Most particular when it comes to watching films, both at the theater or at home, it's definitely something I've got to have in my snack arsenal. And with Sour Punch® Bites® Assorted Flavors from Walmart it doesn't get any better than this. It comes in three flavors: Strawberry, green apple, and blue raspberry. I know it may seem kind of strange, but I love having something sweet to go with something salty, like popcorn for a satisfying movie night. With a resealable bag, you can also take these candies with you on the go! What's your go-to box of candy you like to get with your popcorn? Like the sweet and sour like me? Or more of a chocolatey kind?

Now, onto some of my favorite films. First, I'm kind of a movie buff, and there's too many to list, but I've done my best and slimmed it down to a top 5 favorites to watch around this time of year. Number 1: Any James Bond film will do, but if you really want to make a girl happy just toss in one with Pierce Brosnan. Ever since I was 12, I found him to be a total fox! A very dreamy Mr. Bond. :) Number 2: The Thomas Crown Affair - both films, 1968 and 1999. A definite cat-and-mouse kind of film, and smart, sexy scenes from both that'll keep your heart pounding.

Number 3: This one is for all the love saps (like myself) in the world. It's all about love and its complications. And how no, you can't always get what you want. But sometimes you might find, you get what you need. (Ha Ha, no not a RS fan at all.) This film is Love Actually. I just love it. And it is Christmas-ey for those who love holiday-themed movies. Number 4: Any film by Wong Kar-Wai. My favorite is 2046. It's probably one of my all-time favorite films, EVER, so if you haven't seen it and you are a fan of love and beautiful writing, don't miss out on this one. And lastly for Number 5: Bad Santa. It's not exactly a cheerful family film, but it's a dark comedy and downright hilarious. What are some of your favorite films around this time of the year on top of your favorite movie-time snacks? We'd love to hear from our readers so please don't forget to comment down below!

LOVE & XX'S,

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Satin, Leather, Denim and Springbok

October 31, 2017

WEARING: SATIN ROSES SILK DRESS WITH DENIM SLEEVES & COLLAR | 
NA-KD FASHION WORN OUT LEATHER JACKET | GENUINE PEOPLE BELL BOTTOM CROP JEANS | VVA 
CARLINA YELLOW CROSSBODY BAG | GUESS CARRIE BLACK SATIN PUMPS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SATIN ROSES CLOTHING.

Happy Tuesday and Happy Halloween, everyone! Today's post is dedicated to the art of layering. With fall in full swing, one of my favorite ways to continue wearing spring/summer pieces is by incorporating them into my autumn wardrobe. A great example is this featured piece on the blog today, a white satin dress with denim sleeves and collar. Normally this would be perfect to wear during the warmer seasons, but from the moment I laid eyes on this Satin Roses piece, I wanted to show you how you can style a dress like this from your closet and straight into your fall collection. It's easy as 1-2-3!

Satin Roses was launched in 2016 by designer Amanda Kamhawy. After finishing her education in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Kamhawy began to focus on her own line that she had been envisioning since the age of seven. Inspired by something that women of all sizes can wear and feel great in came Satin Roses. In her quest to always give back, 10% of proceeds benefit will go to charity. Based in New York City, I had met Amanda last month at her preview collection held at the W in Union Square. I was immediately struck by the materials and shapes being used in her designs. Mesh, lace, faux-leather, satin, and more, it's very trendy but also has a decadent, luxurious quality and timeless staple to the collection.

I love the details of the white denim from this mostly-satin white dress. The blush-pink buttons down the front complement with the feminine touch of overall satin. To stay with the material, I paired the dress with black satin heels from Guess. But instead of wearing the dress by itself or with tights, I love layering these type of slip dress with a pair of jeans. These bell-bottom crop jeans by Genuine People is perfect for someone like me who is petite and short. The jeans help elongate my legs and with the heels, it definitely gives me the height I need!

To keep warm, I wore a long-sleeved bodysuit inside the satin dress and wore a leather jacket as outerwear. And then, to give a final balance and finished look, I wore this springbok bag tightly as a crossbody. It's a definite trend, which you will see much more in the next year. What do you guys think of this edgy, feminine fall look? Want to see more of Satin Roses Clothing and the collections? Go here to check it out!

LOVE & XX'S,

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Satin Roses Clothing Silk Dress with Denim Sleeves & Collar

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Green Oasis in a Concrete Jungle

October 27, 2017

WEARING: s a k u NEW YORK FLOREAL EMBROIDERED SLIP DRESS |
UNIQLO HEAT TECH TURTLENECK | MAD-STYLE ROCK & ROLL CROSS BODY BAG | 
MAUMERO HANNAH ANKLE BOOTS | LAST CALL PEACOCK EARRINGS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY s a k u New York.

The motif behind Korean designer, Lissa Koo's work is both the chic New York sense and the easy, breezy West Coast atmosphere. While being a unique, never-seen-before style, saku New York offers clothes that are ready-to-wear and easily approachable for anyone. Pursuing both sportiness and femininity simultaneously, saku New York showcases silhouette apparel that greatly emphasizes women’s beauty along with comfortable fabrics that allow easy movement. The last of the three features with s a k u New York from the past week, a garden feel in the concrete jungle, this floral embroidered dress on the blog today is just that: there's a lot going on with lots to attend to but I still feel beautiful and yes, feminine. (Shocker in my "style vocabulary" ha ha ha!) Continue reading to see how I deal with feeling and looking positively radiant even if what's going on around me is completely chaotic and never-ending (or so it seems...)

Like a garden, what doesn't grow will die. And like in a garden, there will be setbacks: stubborn plants/flowers that will require higher maintenance, furry rodents trying to steal and ruin your crop, and yes, even those dry spells and perhaps even worse, when it rains... it really pours time period(s). Time and effort are an automatic given, and just in self-care, no matter how crazy your life can get, it is so important to give that time and effort to yourself. Sure, I love to see my friends and colleagues but I love my alone time just as much. In fact, I need it. Otherwise, I'd probably lose my mind. I got to have that in order to sort things out in my head and trust me, there's a lot going on up there at the moment. And I've always believed in that if you really want to grow, you've got to figure it out on your own and really, and I mean, really know what you want. Don't be compromising of that.

You also have to keep your eye on the prize. But just like that garden, that will get messy and hard to upkeep from time to time, you have to be able to see the bigger picture. Because like everything else in life, and yep, even when it comes to taking care of yourself, it's never an easy ride. It's more like an upside down topsy-turvy rollercoaster if you ask me. But, no matter how awful or how hopeless the ride seems to get, remember you can get off that ride at any time. But if you're not a quitter like myself, just hold on to that "Holy, shit!" handle and brace yourself until the ride ends. Because it eventually will. I can whatever metaphor all day long, but you know after any storm comes the rainbow right? I know, but it's true. Hang in there, my friend!

Lastly, aside from 'me' time and seeing the bigger picture, don't forget to embrace your beauty amidst the chaos. Yes, you're probably tired, frustrated, stressed, maybe all three: but it's all about the energy you carry. Believe in the best of yourself and the other not-so-great reminders we have daily will slowly start to melt away. Every day I wake up and when I see myself in the mirror I try to reflect on the positive parts of myself rather than the negative. Instead of thinking, "My god, I look awful, I hate my nose, I wish it were smaller, instead start looking at the parts you, in fact, love about yourself. Maybe, "Wow, I never noticed how long and lush my eyelashes are," or, "That scar may be permanent, but it doesn't define who I am nor does it make me any less beautiful." In fact, I think these chaotic imperfect attributes are what makes some of the most beautiful people in the world. Think about it, you ever deeply love someone who was perfect? Yeah... my thoughts exactly.

LOVE & XX'S,

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s a k u New York Floral Embroidered Slip Dress

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The Red Scooterist

October 23, 2017

WEARING: WET SEAL RED TRENCH W/ BELT | MAD-STYLE CHARLIE BLOUSE | 
MAD-STYLE CAPRI PANTS | MAD-STYLE COLOR BLOCK LARGE TOTE | EGO NASH BACKLESS ANKLE BOOTS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY MAD-STYLE.

When it comes to shooting street style in New York City, there are a thousand and one locations to choose from. What can make it fun even after living here for almost twelve years (this coming January), are the random serendipitous moments that still occur while out and about looking for something different than the norm. Initially, with this red, black and white outfit, I wanted to shoot it in contrast to a very minimal backdrop, but when we started to work the photos didn't look right. When I don't feel something when immediately looking at the image, I move on to something else. It's a strange creative vision, and I always can put together what the final image will look like, even before post-production. After walking around I stumbled upon this beautiful red Vespa and thought it would go well with the red light trench in this look. Plus, I knew it was a setting that didn't look like the typical NYC street style background with taxis and skyscrapers, it really reminded of Italy and just knew it was going to be a great location to shoot in in tune with the outfit. So in today's post, I'm sharing my tricks of the trade on how to find amazing locations, no matter where you are in the world and how you can make it look like any setting you'd like.

1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK

No matter where you're located, be sure to do a little scouting beforehand. It's not only going to help you get inspiration from that within itself, but it'll also get you familiarized with your setting and how you want to shoot. Of course, you're not going to learn everything in one sitting so take it in stride and at least pick a few places you're interested in as the location for your photo shoot. Also, in terms of street style, be sure to also do your homework! Don't schlep together an outfit and call it style. Learn the different eras of fashion, the latest trends, and more to get a deeper knowledge of what you're working with and this will help expand your range of locations/settings as well.

2. STAY CLOSE TO HOME

Helmut Newton never really did shoots far from walking distance wherever he was. And he proved that you don't have to travel far and wide to create incredible photographs. I completely agree. Yes, it's amazing to go to places you've always dreamed about and documenting them with your own eyes, but to me, if you can create strong images near wherever you are, that says a lot over those that need exotic and far travel destinations to create "amazing" images. Because let's face it, nowadays with the quality of the iPhone, anyone that travels to somewhere like this will more than likely be able to create a decent picture. So, I feel in order to be good at location scouting, you should be able to shoot wherever, and more especially very close by.

3. DON'T BE AFRAID TO GET LOST

No matter how much content I've created, I will occasionally run out of steam and won't feel as confident about my direction in terms of street style shoots. In which case, I just don't have as much of a detailed plan and will literally take whichever direction the wind takes me. In this outfit, when I happened to run into this cute red Vespa, it was as if it were meant to happen that way. I don't mean to sound cheesy, but you'll feel the magic in the air while creating something more than just a 'snapshot'. I have to say some of my most memorable shoots ended in serendipity so seriously, don't be scared to wander off the grid.

4. CREATE A STORY

And not just any story, a real authentic one. As cute as outfit posts can be, being a writer and someone who is hungrily willing and able to read anything, I crave more than a 100-word post about some fashion blogger's look. Bring a feeling to the table. It can be any emotion you want, but to me, fashion & style has a lot to do with expression and I think it's quite important to exert how you feel, either in words, photos, outfits, whatever you're trying to evoke, it should have the person who's looking at your work feel SOMETHING. Don't be shy to talk more about how you feel about anything! You can incorporate that with looks and locations and make it of more substance this way. I mean, who doesn't love a good story, right?

If you are adoring the Mad-Style pieces as much as I am, use my promo code, 'maqandsuz' to get 20% OFF your purchase from Mad-Style! They also carry a variety of accessories such as jewelry, clothes and even dog apparel! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram & YouTube for more daily content. Wishing you all a great week!