My Jewelry with Wolf 1834

April 9, 2018

WEARING: VINCE CAMUTO MEN'S SHIRT | VICTORIA'S SECRET RED LACE SET | 
BO FACTOR BUGGY BABOUCHE SLIPPERS | WOLF 1834 CAROLINE JEWELRY BOX | 
WOLF 1834 CAROLINE TRAVEL CASE | WEST ELM FAUX FUR OMBRE THROW | 
WELDER MOODY WATCH | PERSOL EYEGLASSES

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY WOLF 1834, BO FACTOR AND WELDER WATCH.

Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was well spent with loved ones recuperating for the upcoming week. Sometimes there's just nothing better than lounging around and relaxing because after all we are human and we do need that break in between the non-stop on-the-go routine. Especially after a rough week that literally feels like it kicked your ass, you need to reset and reboot. Just a quick thank you to those who do take the time to read and look at my work - your support means the world to me and keeps me going; wanting to do better and share more. So thank you once again. ❤️

One thing that's been on my never-ending list of things to do is organizing my closet along with my jewelry for the spring season. Since moving I've barely had any time to clean up anything, so this weekend I really made the effort to do that! And it is my belief that whenever anyone feels down in the dumps, one of most therapeutic things you can do for yourself is making space and de-cluttering your life. In today's post, I'm sharing with you guys my jewelry (not all of it because I have A LOT), but more especially, my newfound love for WOLF, a company that has been crafting jewelry boxes since 1834! (Plus additional items you'll definitely want to learn more about.) Continue reading for more, as well as my new favorite pair of slippers and gold mesh watch!

The Caroline is a signature WOLF jewelry case, defined by its distinctive quilted exterior and classic shape. Includes quilted black leather, anti-tarnish LusterLoc™ allows the fabric lining the inside of your jewelry cases to absorb the hostile gases known to cause tarnishing. Under typical storage conditions, LusterLoc™ may prevent tarnishing for up to 35 years. LusterLoc™ lining, gold finished lock, glass mirror, 3 compartments and travel case with 4 compartments and 6 ring rolls. I received the small jewelry box along with the travel case (perfect for my wanderlust addicts) and found that I can pack a LOT in just these two compartments! WOLF has been a European icon since 1834. The luxury leather-goods company designs the world's most exquisite jewelry cases, watch winders and boxes. Still family led, WOLF prides itself on the undying pursuit of perfection, luxury, and style. Use my code, 'SUZANNE15' for 15% off your purchase at WOLF!

One new piece to add to my collection is the WELDER Moody Stainless Steel Mesh Dual Time Rose Gold-Tone Watch. Photochromic glass appears to change color according to the angle of the light and the color of your outfit; crown and pushers are placed at the left side as the signature of WELDER Watches, 38mm stainless steel, rose gold-tone case with mineral dial window, stainless steel mesh band with hook buckle closure; unisex watch for men and women, dual time quartz movement with date function, and more. It's also water resistant to 50 meters; in general, suitable for short periods of recreational swimming, but not diving or snorkeling. I would say the two colors I've been seeing firsthand from this particular watch are green and red. Isn't it gorgeous?!

Lastly are my new favorite slippers from Bo Factor! These PTYLO Babouches are so chic, I simply love the red velour and detailed embroidered bumblebees! Being partly Korean, I still hold certain traditions even as an adult and still can't wear shoes in the house! EVER! So these slippers are perfect for the home, but because they are so freaking stylish and I'm dying to wear them with an outfit, I think you'll be seeing these out and about on the town painting it 'red'... so to speak ;) Check out Bo Factor for a variety of styles - there's more minimal ones along with flashier too, such as a sequined pair... oh, la la! Side note: catching up on last week's NYT's (style section yasss) and The Photography Show (AIPAD). What do you guys think of my new items? Would love to hear from you, don't forget to drop your them in the comments section down below. You can also shop items/products from this shoot at the beginning and end of the blog post, cheers!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

ADD TO FAVORITES Vince Camuto Men's Slim Fit Blue Dress Shirt, Cerulean

Welder Moody Stainless Steel Mesh Dual Time Rose Gold-Tone Watch with Date 38mm

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

I Put a Spell on You

May 12, 2016

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

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?!

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

Source: http://www.suzannespiegoski.com/maq-and-su...

Throwback 2015

December 31, 2015

Happy New Year's Eve! Another year has come and gone, and as always, seems to go by way too fast. 2015 was not exactly what I had thought it was going to be but I am grateful for this year and for new beginnings. Life's full of twists and turns, bumps and bruises - I live, I learn. I'm a fighter. And I know that with a positive mind with positive vibes, this will always bring for a positive life. No one ever gets to have it all, at least not all at once, so with that in mind, I wanted to look back on 2015 to see where I've been and where I'm headed.

The Fisherman's Lily: A Novel by Suzanne Spiegoski

Winter 2015

The beginning to last year kicked off with a bang! Several years after working on finishing my first work of fiction, my dreams of getting traditionally published finally came true. It was a very exciting time, and to see the fruits of my labor come to life was one for the books. I've always wanted to write a novel and I'm so proud of my accomplishment. A lesson for the dreamers - you can do whatever you set up your mind to do.

I will be writing a full blog post next month, marking my 1 year anniversary since debuting my novel, The Fisherman's Lily. There I will tell you the full story behind how everything came together, from the first creative steps to publication, and all the sacrifices it took to make this happen, I can't wait to share with you guys! Want to read my book beforehand? It's available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, both in digital and paperback.

Spring 2015

The rest of the winter and beginning of spring were very difficult times. I had to learn one of the toughest lessons in life, that no matter how you might feel about only wanting the best for those around you; that even if you put their happiness before your own, never ever expect the same in return. Sadly, people can be extremely jealous and spiteful with a mission in life to make you as miserable as they are. Not your problem. The only person responsible for you is ... YOU! If you're not happy, how can trying to make someone else happy give you happiness? It's the same as if trying to love someone when you don't even love yourself. Not going to happen. You can try, but the end result will always be the same. You won't be happy until you decide this is the most important part of you. It's one thing to be a generous, kind and open-hearted person, but it's quite another to be taken advantage of, knowingly of your most genuine intentions. Bottom line? Do more of what makes you happy, dammit!

So after working as a figure skating coach for nearly ten years, I decided to completely walk away from it. (!) I know it seems pretty brash right? Wait. I loved the sport with everything I had and in return, it did not love me back. I never sought out to become an Olympic coach but only went back to the world of figure skating when I wanted to give something back from my pastimes as a skater. I adore children and at the time, I thought, "What better way than to do something like this and truly enjoy it simultaneously?" Sounded like a dream job, right? Not quite. I've always first and foremost have been an artist, someone in the creative field, and for me that was my writing and photography. But at some point, my focus was only on being a coach. I had little to no time for anything else. I managed to write a novel while coaching, but because of my limited time it took me over four years to complete. Upon finishing the book, my heart began to tug at it's strings, as if trying to tell me something wasn't exactly quite right. Like I had found all the missing pieces to a puzzle, except for the very last one I couldn't never seemingly find. And the lack of support amongst peers and colleagues was palpable, most of them acting disappointed that I'd ever want to do anything else with my life besides skating. It was time to go. It was an extremely tough choice to make but now looking back on my decision, it was one of the best choices I've ever made. My state of well-being literally depended on it! So, now what?

Summer 2015

I really stepped out of my comfort zone when I chose to leave the skating world, but it was for the ultimate sacrifice. Now I have more time to do what I truly want to be doing, and for me, that was always in the arts. So, when one my of best friends suggested the idea of doing a boudoir photoshoot, I jumped at the opportunity! Agnes, or, 'Agi' is ridiculously talented and I was so honored to work with someone I hold so dear to my heart. Being photographed buck-naked out in the middle of the wilderness? Talk about being out of your comfort zone! I was really nervous about the whole process even though we're so close. Being a photographer, it is a real uphill battle to be the one in front of the camera. And because of my insecurities and lack of self-esteem, I didn't think she'd be able to bring that saucy lil' minx out of me, but...

I never felt more beautiful and if you look at more of the photos here, you'll really be able to grasp the sensibility in each of them. It clearly demonstrates a deep friendship filled with so much love and care. Thank you Agi, from the bottom of my heart, for such meaningful photos and for an even more meaningful friendship. I love you. x.

With my confidence in tow, I slowly but surely started working on my second novel. Unfortunately, the creative juices haven't been flowing as easily as I had hoped. To be fair, a sequel, or even a second novel is always more challenging than the first one. Without the first one, you'd have little room to grow and strive. I think the first one is to learn, more so than anything else. But as a writer, I believe there's a reason why one might get stuck on a particular project. Either your heart's not really in it or there's some sort of technical drawback that prevents you from continuing on your writing path.

A few years back I tried starting a food blog (sort of) where I would post a new recipe each week. With my coaching job along with trying to complete a book, I could barely keep it consistent after only doing it for a couple of months. But then during this summer, a lightbulb went off in my head. For so long, I wondered why I wasn't able to put together all my strengths and skills in one format, and then bam! MaQ + Suz popped into my mind and screamed, "DUH!" I had always wanted to incorporate my 'tools of the trade' into one concept, and it just felt so right and so good. I launched my lifestyle blog in August and since then it has taken off!

Since it's launch 5 months ago, I've worked with over 20 brands ranging from jewelry to skincare products, to food & drink collaborations to dog-related events. MaQ + Suz is living up to it's statement, sharing our everyday lives with you, and I couldn't be happier doing it! Not only do I consider it to be the newest chapter in my life, but the most challenging workload I've ever taken on. And it feels absolutely fantastic to truly be able to do what I love for a living. It wasn't easy, but anything worth having takes non-stop hard work. That "can't stop, won't stop" mentality runs in the Spiegoski blood.

Fall 2015

The highlight of the Autumn season was the season itself. Any chance I can get I'll bring MaQ with me to take in the scenery and of course to gulp down some of that crisp, fresh air. The older I get, the more I appreciate nature and it's special rejuvenating, healing powers. The best part in life is not the destination, but the journey. I don't care how much money is to be made, or how much travelling I'll get crossed off my to-do/bucket list, because all of it wouldn't even matter if I didn't have my health and spirit. And it'd be meaningless without the ones I love and cherish in my life. My husband and MaQ show me on a daily basis the greatest lesson in life, and that is to love and be loved in return. Without love, without hope, without positivity, it'd all be irrelevant.

Life shouldn't always be a plan. You never know what you're going to expect but that's the best part of the journey. Remember to work hard, hope for the best (but don't be a fool and forget to prepare for the worst) and stay true to the ones you love most in life because without them, it'd be awfully lonely and the idea of making memories less and less important.

Me & MaQ in Harriman State Park, November 2015.

Cheers to the last blog post of 2015! I'm looking forward to what the new year may bring, and all the more excited to continue in sharing with you in what's to come. Life will bring disappointments and heartache, but it's all a matter of perspective. We are all blessed. Have a great night, be safe out there and take care!

Love & xx's,

Wednesday: Boudoir Sneak Peek

August 12, 2015

WEARING: NOTHING BUT TULLE. LOTS OF TULLE.

Happy Hump Day! We've made it halfway, phew! This week has been going supremely well! Blogging again has put a new pep in my step. I can't wait to get up the next day just to share with you all another piece of me! It has been a lot of fun and I'm so happy doing it! Today's blog post is talking about boudoir!

When I graduated from college I was approached by a photographer to do a boudoir shoot, unfortunately to my dismay, it was NOT a very good experience. It made swear off these types of shoots because the photographer made me uncomfortable. I felt exposed. A few months ago, I took a mini-retreat up to Sherman, Connecticut and stayed at my dear friend Agnes's magical tree house for some much-needed R & R. Agnes is a wonderful, talented NYC photographer and a close, personal friend. She had been asking to work on a shoot together for the longest time and when she presented me with the opportunity, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and to get jiggy with it! I'm a firm believer in whatever you are in fear of, face it and then you will conquer it. And I did just that!

I felt the overall experience was empowering, uplifting and joyful. She made me feel 100% woman and completely confident and secure, which is not at all how I feel about myself. I actually couldn't believe how carefree I felt throughout the entire shoot! Below are few sneak peek shots from our shoot. Kudos to you, my lady! You made me feel like an enchanting fairy! I cannot wait to see the other shots! Thank you for your friendship, love, and support through the years. I hold a very special place in my heart for my favorite Hungarian photographer! If you'd like to see more of Agnes's work, feel free to check out her website, Yellow Brick Collective.

Now, I'm not saying boudoir is a risk to take or that it's for everyone, but it should be light, fun, engaging and most of all, trusting. If you don't feel right about it, trust your gut! Don't do it if you think you'll be more a deer in headlights than anything else. I'm so grateful to be able to have done this with such a close friend, it just made it that much more meaningful and personal!

Enjoy the rest of your day, my beautiful peeps! Take care of each other and yourselves.