Turquoise, Wool, and Leather – Introducing LuvIt!

January 23, 2017

WEARING: GENUINE PEOPLE HIGH SLIT WOOL SHIRT SWEATER |
DRESS LILY LEATHER BIKER JACKET | MOST WANTED USA TIFFANY SATCHEL 
+ MATCHING TURQUOISE BELT | STEVE MADDEN NOBLE STONE PEEP TOE SHOE BOOT | 
FALKE RIBBED WOOL SOCKS |

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY LUVIT! & MOST WANTED USA GENUINE LEATHER. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

In this day and age of technology, we rely on our phones for almost everything. From texting to social media, to video games and even shopping, I too can say I've been using my iPhone for these reasons, specifically many of my fashion needs aside from work-related ones. Apps are a terrific way to not only avoid hectic crowds and waiting in long lines at stores, but to also find great deals and to get what you're looking for efficiently and effectively. Ever see an outfit post on Instagram by one of your favorite bloggers and immediately want whatever it is they're wearing? Exactly. And what if I told you I discovered an app that pays you to shop?

LuvIt is the app that "luvs" you back. When you set up a style profile, you can automatically sign up using your Instagram and/or Facebook, letting you discover trends your friends are shopping for. The ability to create collections, which are folders filled with items you're "luving" at the moment, gives you full control over your feed. I "luv" that you can follow brands and people for specific categories so that you only see products on your feed that are truly relevant. Basically, less white noise. You can also find new brands each week, in addition to the 70+ that LuvIt already has available to shop from. Similar to other social media apps, you can like/heart (or "luv") products from the brands and friends you follow. The best part? Each time you make a purchase, you earn money back. Yes. You read correctly. And whenever someone else shops something you've "luved", you also make money. How cool is that?!

My most recent purchase through LuvIt was this gorgeous wool shirt sweater from Genuine People, and the whole process down from the ordering to the shipping, to the packaging and quality of the dress was stellar. The wool's dark charcoal nearly-black color complements with one of spring's hottest trending colors: Turquoise. Most Wanted USA is a handcrafted leather handbag and accessory line based in NYC for everyday wear and I absolutely adore this brand. The stunning, matching turquoise accessories – first with the Tiffany satchel in genuine suede and second the western leather belt are wonderful transitional accessory pieces for winter into spring. I believe a pop of color can lively up any kind of look, even mixing colors within different seasons like in this outfit. Being a fan of the socks and sandals trend, I couldn't help but style the wool dress with wool socks. Sometimes matchy-matchy does work!

The LuvIt app is available for download in the Apple store, and you can follow my collections/profile at @suzanne.spiegoski! Check it out and see which current and upcoming trends are happening right now! Believe me, you'll be having fun in no time... happy shopping! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Genuine People High Slit Wool Shirt Sweater

Most Wanted USA Tiffany Satchel – Turquoise

Steve Madden Noble Stone Peep Toe Shoe Boot

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Engagement Shoot – Hilja & Tom

January 21, 2017

TOM & HILJA – PORTRAITS BY SUZANNE SPIEGOSKI

I've known Hilja for nearly 25 years. We met as young kids at a track meet both competing in the chin-up/pull-up category. But it wasn't until six months later where we crossed paths once more - this time at a skating rink and became inseparable. Growing up together she has always been like a sister to me and is one of my closest and dearest friends. So, when she told me was coming to New York with her fiancé, Tom, I wanted to do an engagement shoot as their wedding present.

While growing up in Detroit like myself, Hilja met Tom while in grade school. But a romance didn't brew until way later when they reconnected as adults. I'm a firm believer in all the twists & turns that life will lead you to, like moments such as this, where sometimes you don't even know what's been under your nose the entire time. Love ain't easy and I think one has to go through a lot in order to know who and what they want. And with these two, I haven't seen such a happy couple in so many years.

One of the reasons for their visit to New York was for Tom's birthday and part of his gift was a trip to Madison Square Garden to watch his favorite college basketball team, Duke, play. And being that they are both from the Motor City, I wanted to embody their laid-back but gritty attitude. So the first part of the shoot, I took them to Alphabet City and shot in an empty basketball court. This was an easy-breezy moment before the second part of the photo shoot.

I was adamant in shooting part of their engagement series on Top of the Rock during their visit here in New York around the holidays. But on that particular day, there was so much fog there was literally zero visibility. The staff even forewarned us – suggesting we exchange our tickets to another day. My stubborn streak never ceases to shine through and because it was the last day of their visit, I pushed for it anyway.

"Maybe we'll get lucky," I thought.

Going up I had anxiety. You can't control Mother Nature and I was concerned we may be going up but with no NYC skyline. However, when shooting you got to go with the flow. As we started to warm up for our shoot and ease into our environment, the clouds parted and a beautiful incandescent light emerged from above. Much like the weather, you cannot control love and all that comes with it. A definite blessing from the universe. What a day. Are you a believer in spiritual energies as such?

Hilja and Tom will be married In Michigan come this fall. I feel so honored to be a part of her wedding and for our friendship. Life has thrown us many curveballs (even really bad airballs if you will) but we have been there for each other through the thick and thin. Seeing her full of life and joy brings me much happiness. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for all of us! To many more years of love & laughter, adventures and more. I love you guys!

P.S. Want to see more lovey-dovey couple photos? Click here.

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

How to Wear Pink and Not Look Too Girly

January 12, 2017

WEARING: ZAFUL LEOPARD COAT | ASTR THE LABEL DAKOTA TOP |
BROOKS BROTHERS FRENCH CUFF MEN'S DRESS SHIRT | FOREVER 21 RED JEANS |
DRESS LILY BLUE CROSSBODY BAG | STEVE MADDEN BLACK BOOTS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY ZAFUL & ASTR THE LABEL.

Happy Friday Eve! A lot of you have been asking about the engagement shoot that's STILL not up. Why? For any photographer, I'm sure you can understand my pain. Ever shoot something so great and meaningful but then when you go back to it for editing, it's an absolute nightmare?! Especially when you're in a bit of a funk? I just can't seem to get the photos to be 'good enough' with my own eye. Call it what you will, but I'm a total perfectionist and am pretty hard on myself let alone with others. Fair? Nah. But it's how I'm built. It's who I am. I promise the photos are coming soon! If you want to see other lovey-dovey couple photo shoots in the meantime, please go here.

What's the one color you're not the biggest fan of? Mine is pink. Any pink. Dusty pinks, blush pinks, neon pinks, anything with the word pink I usually stray from. But with my newfound openness and passion for fashion & style, it's good to challenge oneself even when it comes to certain aesthetics or tastes you're not that into. So when ASTR The Label sent me over their gorgeous Dakota top in pink rather than white, I decided to improvise and take the task at hand. Because when it comes to styling, whatever it may be, sometimes you just gotta make it work, even if it's a piece you're unsure of. Sometimes uncertainty brings out the best outfits!

So how to wear a pink anything without looking too girly? Here are a few tips. Less is more. Layer it up. It's winter out there, folks. (Well, for most of us.) Give contrast. Play with other colors. Bring a touch of masculinity to the already feminine color. Check out this look for example. I paired the Dakota top with a French cut Brooks Brothers shirt from the hubby's closet (I love his style and some of my favorite looks have pieces from his wardrobe in it), and to give an extra punch to the neutral lighter colors I wore red skinny jeans with my favorite Steve Madden black ankle boots. The boots are sleek and chic, polishing up any outfit.

A super hot trend this winter are leopard coats. Mine is faux-fur (even though I love real fur, sorry not sorry). I think this Zaful coat complements really well with the light baby pink of the shirt. Makes it less feminine and more rocker chic; a bit racy. I like intensity. Can you tell? To counter-balance the play with color-blocking, I kept it cool with my fresh blue crossbody bag. Ain't she a beaut? Shop the look down below or just follow the links for similar pieces! Have a great weekend. :)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Brooks Brothers French Cuff Men's Dress Shirt

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L'Oréal Extraordinary Clay Haircare

January 9, 2017

EXTRAORDINARY CLAY, SELF-PORTRAIT SERIES, JANUARY 7TH, 2017.

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY L'ORÉAL HAIR & INFLUENSTER.

When you think of washing your hair, clay is probably not the first ingredient that comes to mind. But thanks to L'Oréal #ExtraordinaryClay, a hair care trio that includes a 30% clay hair mask, this treatment has become a popular trend. So I was delighted to try these products, especially on my newly-do mane.

You first begin with the pre-shampoo mask, which is what is in this self-portrait series. Please note this treatment is meant for your entire head of hair, from root to end. But because I felt like thinking outside the box creatively within the self-portraits the mask is only shown on the top of my head, though I did do a full treatment after the photos. I'm thinking of doing a lot more work on self-portraiture this year, what do you guys think? Would you like to see more of these photos? Back to the lecture at hand (lol), what does the clay mask do? It rids of oils from the roots and moisturizes the ends, even purifying the scalp.

After shampoo & conditioner, my hair felt ultra-fresh and lightweight. And what's also amazing about the products is it absorbs enough scalp sebum where you won't even need to be using dry shampoo a couple days later, even with bangs! Even a few days later, my hair was still bouncy as ever. This trio line is the real deal. Find more L'Oréal Extraordinary Clay hair care info here. You can also shop the products down below. Happy Monday! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE PRODUCTS

L'Oréal Extraordinary Clay Pre-Shampoo Mask

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How to Style a Pajama Top and Look Chic

January 5, 2017

WEARING: VICTORIA'S SECRET BLACK SATIN PAJAMA BLOUSE | 
FOREVER 21 DENIM SKINNY JEANS | SAGA FURS SILVER FOX COAT | 
LOUISE & ELEANOR APPLE GREEN LULU CLUTCH | NINA RICCI BLACK SANDALS | 
METAL MINGLE OTHER HALF NECKLACE

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY LOUISE & ELEANOR AND METAL MINGLE.

I've got to say I've been enjoying the heck out of the freshly cut fringe bangs I got done for the new year! When I asked for Penelope Cruz bangs circa Vanilla Sky, with a little sass but light and romantic, I was more than thrilled with the results! Thanks to Fourteen Jay Salon down in TriBeCa, my new do has been my latest favorite accessory. :)

Talking about recent obsessions, I know this trend has been around for awhile now, but I couldn't help but put my own twist on styling a pajama top! I have this Victoria's Secret black satin pajama blouse that I sleep in constantly, but who says you can't stay cozy and chic at the same time? My advice is to keep it casual but playful. Since it's freezing in New York, I've busted out my vintage Saga Furs silver fox coat that I've had for several years. These cute Nina Ricci sandals have also been around for ages, but I love its low heel and minimal feel to any look! With keeping the play on casual, I wore Forever 21 dark denim skinny jeans and added pops of color and twinkles of metal to style the outfit with a touch of luxury. Plus, it complements with the fur coat well.

You guys need to check out Louise & Eleanor! They are an amazing California-based designer handbags line carrying totes, clutches, and more. I'm so in love with the new apple green clutch I got from them, you should see all the other ones they have too! And let's not forget to mention this amazing necklace from a small shop based in Brooklyn, called Metal Mingle Jewelry. They create adaptable mixed metal jewelry with sleek and geometric designs. Absolutely adorable, chic pieces, I was so happy to receive one of their eclectic necklaces! Alright... enough chit-chat about this look! I need to get back to maaaaaad editing... and meetings... and events. Engagement post coming live on Monday so stay tuned! Can't wait to share the love. ❤️