An Alexander in London

February 27, 2018

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK BLUE BOMBER JACKET |  ODETTE &ODILE TWIGGY WHITE 
SUN SHADES | FOREVER 21 HOT PINK RIBBED SWEATER-KNIT CROP TOP |
EGO SKYE KITTEN HEEL SOCK BOOT | GENUINE PEOPLE BELL BOTTOM CROP JEANS | GUCCI BELT | 
MEDUSA MINI BLUE CLUTCH/CROSSBODY

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY SAKU NEW YORK.

When it comes to working with photographers, I'm quite selective. There's really only been one person aside from myself that photographs street style for me, and that is my husband, but when I had to travel to London and he had to stay behind, I needed to find someone reliable and with quality (which my standards can be very high... eek!) but when a new friend of mine from this year recommended someone she had worked with, I took a look at her Instagram and was immediately open to her style and vibe. But like any first encounters, they can be a bit awkward, even nerve-wracking to some, but Elena and I had commonalities such as a passion for photography, both Eastern European, and same headstrong go-getting kind of attitude. We broke the ice quickly.

But when the time came to shoot, her camera suddenly was not turning on. At first, we (I know a thing or two about cameras) both thought it was just the battery/sensor that had a small dust or something on it and we tried to clean it. Nothing. We took out the memory card and restarted the camera again, and tried many other crazy things one photographer will try to get the camera to work (this is definitely part of the problem in the digital world, yeah?) again, but to our dismay, nothing was happening. We finally ended up at a camera repair shop about a five-minute walk in central London.

When we arrived, Elena saw a man with a Canon body similar to hers, and immediately wanted to test his battery on her body. He was happy to do so, but it still didn't solve the problem. Her camera was still not turning on. A technician in the shop finally assesses her body and battery and can confirm that there is something wrong with the body. She was disappointed as everything was fine that morning (as I know me, myself, a photographer will check to make sure everything is working before even leaving the house!) and on top of working with me, she had 3 more clients that day. She tapped away into her phone before the man with the Canon, named Alexander, popped in once more.

Overhearing she had to work for fashion week that day, Alexander, 'Alex', straight up offers his camera to her, with no expectations. At first, Elena refuses, even at some point offering money herself to borrow his camera. He says no and then asks for one thing in return. If she ever needed an assistant and just had the time to give him a few tips, and he was not a professional photographer, that would be the next best thing. I honestly have to say that meeting Alex and his friend Amelia the way that I did was something you don't have happen to you every day. What are the odds we'd all be in the same camera repair store in the heart of London on some random weekday in the middle of the afternoon and for this to occur? It's as if as just when I start to think that the world is just crazy and that's that, an angel descends down to earth and I mean... wow. I am still so touched by one person's kindness. All thanks to an Alexander in London, my first shoot was a success!

Photos by: Elena Gola

LOVE & XX'S,

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NYFW AW 18 Outfits

February 26, 2018

DAY 1

WEARING: MKT STUDIO RED LEATHER JACKET | VIP SHOP PLAID WIDE LEG PANTS | CHLOE BAG
H&M TURTLENECK | GUCCI BELT | ACCRUE KANDINSKY SUNGLASSES | FOREVER 21 BURGUNDY BOOTS

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DAY 2

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK BURGUNDY FOX FUR COAT | CHLOE BAG | LEVI'S JEANS | 
FOREVER 21 BURGUNDY BOOTS | ACCRUE BONNIE SUNGLASSES

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DAY 3

WEARING: NA-KD FASHION LEATHER JACKET | SAKU NEW YORK LACE TRIMMED SLEEVE KNIT TOP | 
SAKU NEW YORK WIDE LEG PANTS | CHLOE BAG

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DAY 4

ROSEGAL DOUBLE BREASTED PLAID TRENCH COAT | THACKER NYC BOYFRIEND SHIRT | 
VAGABOND HONEY JAKARTA DENIM PANTS | STELLA MCCARTNEY OVERSIZED GLASSES | 
BRAHMIN MELBOURNE CROSSBODY | KOIO CAPRI BIANCO SNEAKERS

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DAY 5

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK COLOR BLOCK LONG WOOL IVORY COAT | WHO WHAT WEAR™ SWEATER | 
GENUINE PEOPLE BELL BOTTOM CROP JEANS | EGO METALLIC BOOTS | 
MAD-STYLE PEARL MULTI RING CHOKER | ACCRUE BONNIE SUNGLASSES | 
DRESS LILY FRESH BLUE CROSSBODY BAG

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DAY 6

WEARING: MKT STUDIO JUMPSUIT | ZAFUL STRIPED JACKET | ASSEMBLY NEW YORK BLACK COAT | 
ALLES BAGS FRINGE BUCKET | EGO BOOTS | DIOR GLASSES | FOREVER 21 BELT

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Trend Alert: Iridescent Oil Slick Handbags

February 5, 2018

WEARING: ROMWE PURPLE DROP SHOULDER TEXTURED SWEATER | 
HUGO BOSS EASY IRON LIGHT PINK COTTON DRESS SHIRT | ROMWE DOUBLE BREASTED 
LONGLINE COAT | LEVI'S JEANS | THACKER NYC SAGE TOTE | FOREVER 21 BURGUNDY FAUX 
LEATHER ANKLE BOOTS | ODETTE + ODILE GIGI BLACK BLUE SUNGLASSES | 
MELROSO WIRE CHOKER WITH DANGLING OPAL

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ROMWE, THACKER NYC & MELROSO.

Happy Monday, guys! How was everyone's weekend? I spent the past couple of days preparing for the next couple of weeks. It's going to be a busy rest of the month when it comes to working. I will not only be attending NYFW this season but also LFW! All my London babes, get at me with your recommendations/suggestions on where to eat, drink, etc.! I'll be in town for a few days so if you'll also be around I'd love to meet up! I'm not going to deny that I'm super-duper excited, but also a little nervous. It's just jitters, I just can't wait to experience it all and just travel more! On another high note, I was also featured on Nine West's Instagram page yesterday with their Yemetra pumps! I don't know if you remember me explaining to you guys about how much I've always wanted to work with them, and I just can't believe it literally happened! I'm just so thrilled, stay tuned for later this week as I'll be attending their 40th Year Anniversary Party during fashion week! Now onto today's post: I'm discussing the latest trend that will be all over the place this spring season; iridescent oil-slick ANYTHING, but more so especially in this look, a tote bag! Continue reading to see how I styled it with other trending colors while keeping it casual.

Named for the LA blogger, style guru Anne Sage, the Sage tote is super chic and versatile to take on the goes-everywhere-with-everything tote. Roomy enough to fit your favorite flats (a girl needs shoe options!) as well as your daily haul, current reads, and a laptop. (Perfect for travel.) A large exterior slip pocket and interior slip and zip pockets keep your sunnies, keys, and phone within easy reach when you're on the go. Wear this brilliant beauty on the shoulder or crossbody by the adjustable leather strap, or simply carry in-hand with their signature ring handles or on its own folded like an extra large pouch/clutch. Made out of Italian leather, it's perfect for the secret type A who likes to keep it casual.

I styled the tote with similar colors from the iridescent oil slick. This purple drop shoulder textured sweater is super cozy and is a great trending color for spring. Trust me, when I tell you this, guys – lavender and other similar shades in this family will be popping up everything this season. I guess you can say I like to get a head start on things... lol. Keeping the look cool and casual, I wore my favorite Levi's (yes, I wear these jeans almost every other day, that's how much I love the comfort of them!) with a simple but chic double-breasted longline navy blue coat. The actual coat is sold out! But I linked a bunch of similar ones at different prices for you guys to shop here!

To keep the purple and blue scheme, I wore the Gigi Black Blue shades from Odette + Odile and my favorite burgundy boots from Forever 21. Lastly, is this gorgeous choker from Melroso.com 18 karat gold vermeil with an opal prong set charm, I've always found good luck in opal when wearing them so this year and from now on, I think it's time I start wearing a whole lot more! There's a really cute opal ring too here that would go perfect with the choker, but this piece was so incredible on its own, I just wanted to show it by itself. I love how elegant this choker would look with any outfit! What kind of gemstones do you like? I'm also into Aquamine and sapphire, but opal has always been my favorite. Don't forget to drop your comments below and shop directly any of the pieces there too! Have a great week. Be back on Wednesday with a really cool look collaborating with a Parisian brand! Here's a hint: Melrose Place :)

ROMWE Purple Drop Shoulder Textured Sweater

Thacker New York - Sage Tote Iridescent Oilslick

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Color Block Me in Ivory, Please!

February 2, 2018

WEARING: SAKU New York HIGH NECK WOVEN IVORY DRESS | 
SAKU New York COLOR BLOCK LONG WOOL IVORY COAT | ODETTE &ODILE TWIGGY WHITE 
SUN SHADES | NINE WEST YEMETRA POINTY TOE PUMPS | DRESS LILY CROSSBODY BAG

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SAKU New York, ODETTE & ODILE & SALON ICON NYC.

Happy Friday! Today's post is the last feature with SAKU New York. If you haven't been on MaQ + Suz in a minute, check back on two other coats I've styled from the same designer. The first one was a long brown wool vest and the second was a green wool coat. I'm very happy to share the third look which is a color block ivory coat! And I think it's my favorite out of the three, but it's hard to choose as all coats are top-quality and excellent tailoring. But today's outfit is probably my fav because it is a little "extra". I'm also featuring an ivory dress by SAKU New York too, which is super sexy and comfy to wear. Continue reading to see how I put this look together and how you can style a color block look in ivory too!

SAKU New York - High Neck Woven Dress Ivory

SAKU New York Color Block Long Wool Ivory Coat

I've never been too big on wearing white during the winter. It comes from my figure skating days as we never wore white because of how washed out we'd look performing on the ice. White on white doesn't work in this case. And, also in Korean culture, when someone dies you wear white to their funeral instead of black. It's to celebrate a person's life rather than mourn for one. But this year is all about change, taking risks and doing things I otherwise don't normally do, or would never do! So I threw everything out the window and started wearing a lot more white during the winter. In this case, I paired a color block ivory coat with an ivory dress. Even white heels and white shades. I love the brown and blue in the coat as it really helps balance with all the ivory. The details on this wool coat are spectacular. And the dress is snug, but it really hugs in all the right places and I feel super sensual wearing it. I love the high neck to keep warm and also the hem of the dress.

Can we talk about how chic these white sunnies are?! Definitely, glams up the look, don't you think? They're from an online accessories boutique based out of NYC, catering to multifaceted women. Providing chic and affordable handbags, sunglasses, and jewelry, you can see more at www.odette-odile.com/ I even have a cute clutch/crossbody Banksy bag, you can check it out in this post here. But ladies, if you're looking for new super-chic, affordable accessories, Odette & Odile is an e-boutique you'll be sure you'll want to check out!

Remember these white heels? From this black and white monochrome look, I'm bringing these beauties back again to show that they can be worn in many styles. From casual to more dressy, I truly love these Nine West pumps! They have a very modern shape and the chunky heels make it comfortable to wear. I think it helps polish up this look, with the browns from the coat and heel to the whites of the coat, dress, and heels, I definitely felt a bit, "Hollywood" in this ensemble.

Finally, to complete the look, I have this light blue crossbody bag from Dress Lily. Not all my bags are high-end, but this Chloé-inspired bag is not only affordable but super cute and I don't have to constantly worry about spilling something on it as I am so accident prone. Ha ha ha! And the peach nude-colored nail polish is from my January Beauty Favorites blog post! It's my all-time favorite shade, I think I will be wearing this much more often. Lastly, my hairstyle from this look is all thanks to Salon Icon NYC. They've been around for ten years and I experienced their salon for the first time this past week and WOW! Super-professional and friendly, my blowout was done by Marina (ask for her!) using products by Moroccan Oil, Oribe, & Kerastase.

LOVE & XX'S,

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SAKU New York High Neck Woven Ivory Dress

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Green with Envy

January 29, 2018

WEARING: s a k u NEW YORK LONG CLASSIC WOOL GREEN COAT | 
NATIVE YOUTH RUST HIGH NECK BLOCK JERSEY SWEATER | LEVI'S JEANS | 
ADIDAS STAN SMITH LEATHER SNEAKERS | MEDUSA GREEN FANNY PACK | 
STELLA MCCARTNEY OVERSIZED AVIATOR GLASSES

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY s a k u NEW YORK.

Happy Monday! How was everyone's weekend? Today we have round 2 out of 3 amazing coats by s a k u New York I will be sharing this coming week. I shared the first one on Friday which was a long chocolate brown vest but today it's all about the color green. The featured coat of the day really caught my eye at first glance and has so much versatility in it. And even though this could be styled on a more upscale level - I found it to be just as chic, casual. As the French say, "le détail qui tue" or, "the detail that kills." Come take a look at how I treated this look compared to the first one and the last one which will be up later this week. The last look will definitely be more 'extra' than the others, but in a good way :) Continue reading to learn more about this Korean designer, in particular, and why you will be hearing a lot more about s a k u New York in the future.

The motif for s a k u is both the chic New York sense and the easy, breezy West Coast atmosphere. While being a unique, never-seen-before style, s a k u offers clothes that are ready-to-wear and easily approachable for anyone. Pursuing both sportiness and femininity simultaneously, s a k u showcases silhouette apparel that greatly emphasizes woman’s beauty along with comfortable fabrics that allow easy movement. This green wool coat is the epitome of s a k u. I discovered this Korean designer about a year ago through the New York City showroom, Dreams on Air in SoHo. She was one of the first designers I worked with when I started to do pulls and we have become close friends since then. I think it is truly wonderful when you are around others that support your dreams and vice-versa. I'm just really grateful we met!

When it came to styling this coat, at first I thought I should do it up. But the coat speaks for itself. It is such a statement piece and I'm a huge fan of oversized coats. To continue with the sporty quality of the coat, I remained casual in Levi's jeans and Adidas Stan Smith leather sneakers. I loved to the green scheme of the coat with the Adidas, so I also wore my favorite fanny pack by Medusa, which went perfectly well with it. I have to say green is probably one of my top three favorite colors aside from black and navy blue. What are your top-three favorite colors?

One of my favorite palettes together is pink with green. They compliment each other and the two together has always made me feel super relaxed. Like Georgia O'Keefe's studio in New Mexico, there's something zen about the colors, don't you think? The rust-colored pink top by Native Youth is more of a sweater dress, but I styled it as just a top with the Levi's. I wore it as a dress to a Cosmopolitan Magazine event here. Lastly, I wore my oversized aviator glasses to keep the look trendy and sporty. I tied my hair half-way up, but with more of a ponytail. The hairstyle was inspired by Julia Robert's character in Closer, where she first meets her love interest and subject while photographing him. I've always loved it since seeing the moving, so on the not so great-hair-days I style it this way.