Rhapsody in Blue - Happy 1 Year Blogiversary

August 9, 2016

WEARING: FOREVER 21 BLUE DRESS | H&M SCARF | ADIDAS ORIGINALS STAN SMITH

photos by Gilles Decamps / videography by Gilles Decamps & Suzanne Spiegoski / edit by Suzanne Spiegoski

Happy 1 Year Blogiversary to MaQ + Suz! What an incredible year it's been, I had to celebrate! Check out my 'Rhapsody in Blue' video for the occasion! Thank you so much for your constant love & support, I couldn't have done this without you guys! Cheers!

Exactly one year ago today, I created and launched my lifestyle blog, MaQ + Suz! I've come a long way throughout this crazy embarkment of a journey. To learn is to grow and I'm so lucky to be able to do what I love in the process. Never did I imagine I could roll all my passions into one whole and have that actually be plausible. It's kind of like New York in that way. It doesn't make any sense as to how it works, but it does. In every way possible.

There were some highs and lows; challenging at times, yes - but I've always enjoyed biting off more than I can chew. I'm a true believer in the power of intention. If you set your mind to something, you can make anything happen. You just really have to believe in it, more importantly, you must believe in yourself. I've worked very hard to get to where I am today and I couldn't have kept on going without you guys! Your daily words of encouragement remind me why I do what I do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your constant love and support. I'm left completely inspired and incredibly humbled by all the experiences, friendships, and lessons from this year. I've truly made some wonderful, empowering connections - both new and old.

And it's all because I decided to take a leap of faith. I never wanted an ordinary life or even a glamorous one, and I most certainly have never played it safe. I'm living the life I've always imagined, open and free. This year was also highlighted on stepping out of comfort zones. Without MaQ + Suz, I would not be where I am right now, both professionally and personally, and for that, I'm eternally grateful. It's been one wild ride and I can't wait to see what year two will bring!

In light of this occasion, I'll be doing a 1-Year Blogiversary Giveaway on my Instagram! Keep your eyes peeled in the next coming days! I can't wait to share! Lastly, I've got some upcoming stories I'm so excited to share with you! MaQ + Suz will be posting another interview feature with a New York actress and dear friend [photos too (by moi) ;)] and an overdue recipe I'm dying to show you! Coming soon, so stay tuned! Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch our Blogiversary - celebration video! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

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Cape Cod Travel Diary

July 14, 2016

Lobster all day, every day - Cape style.

Head of the Meadow Beach - Cape Cod National Seashore

photos + videography by Gilles Decamps & Suzanne Spiegoski

I'm so excited to finally be able to share with you my Cape Cod travel diary! My husband and I just recently celebrated our 10-year dating anniversary and really wanted to go somewhere where MaQ would also have a great time. He is our baby, and after our little scare, we definitely didn't want to leave him behind. Initially planning to go to the Keys for our romantic getaway, we quickly realized that given the weather during this time of year on top of being away from MaQ, was not the best of ideas. Enter Plan B. Since we wanted to explore someplace we both have never been, my husband thought the Cape was a perfect location. Approximately a six-hour drive from New York (that's with very little traffic), it was worth every single second.

With miles and miles of beaches to discover, the views by the ocean are breath-taking and some of the most beautiful, peaceful beaches I have ever seen. It's no wonder the JFK's vacationed there. Ultimately chic yet casual, the magical Cape will help you unwind, leaving all your worries behind. Some of our favorite beaches we visited were the Head of the Meadow Beach, the Beachcomber in Wellfleet, but my most absolute fave? Marconi Beach. I know, I know. You say Macaroni, but I say Marconi! ;) The sand dune cliffs barrel up over 12 feet as you zigzag down a wooden staircase to the most incredible beach. It reminded me very much of Santa Monica. Total Cali vibes, yet we were on the East Coast.

We also checked out PTown, or Provincetown, which is on the very tip of Cape Cod. Provincetown is a unique blend of old-fashioned fishing village and hip arts community. Its narrow streets are lined up with quaint old homes filled with shops and galleries. We took a day trip where we enjoyed lunch at Pepe's Wharf, downing of course, all the fresh delicious lobster we could get our hands on. The best part was our chance encounter with another German shepherd, named Maggie. The owner's son was the sweetest little boy with a passion for photographing dogs. We spent the remainder of the day together, playing in the marina with an afternoon nap soaking up the sun. You can see some of the action in our video down below. All in all, this serendipity was far too coincidental. I mean, come on, what are the odds of running into another German shepherd like that? It was just meant to be.

Other areas we scoped out were the Highland Light, a lighthouse on the Cape Cod National Seashore in North Truro. It is the oldest and tallest lighthouse on the Cape, with exceptional views at their observatory deck. We even did an editorial shoot here, check out the photos. We also got to a chance to see the Wellfleet Harbor where there was a low tide during our visit with oyster shacks and shucking stations galore - a completely different type of scenery near the shore. We enjoy exploring many different parts of a place we visit, that way you get an all-around sense of where you are, all the while really being able to take a look around and absorb it all in.

We managed to do all of this in less than three days! I definitely want to go back to embark on more adventures, as I know there is still so much more to see! Thanks for having us Cape Cod, we we will be coming back for sure! Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to check out our travel video below on our YouTube channel!

LOVE & XX'S,

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The Fisherman's Lily 1 Year Anniversary

January 26, 2016

"DO NOT BITE AT THE BAIT OF PLEASURE, TILL YOU KNOW THERE IS NO HOOK BENEATH IT." - THOMAS JEFFERSON

The Fisherman's Lily: A Novel By Suzanne Spiegoski

The beginning of last year was the start to a very humbling experience. One year ago to this date, after spending over four years writing my first novel, my debut crime-thriller novel, The Fisherman's Lily was published by TouchPoint Press. Some of you may have heard about it, or may have also read it (which I very much so kindly thank you from the bottom of my heart!), but what some of you may not know is the origination of the story. Where it comes from. What made me finally want to put my metaphorical pen down to paper. And with today being my one year anniversary, I wanted to fill my readers with more details about the story behind the written story.

So where on Earth did I get this idea from? Well, it all starts back when I was just a teenager. While in high school I took a creative writing class. The teacher read a short story of mine and afterward insisted that I “should be a writer.” I’ve been writing ever since. I initially wrote several more short stories before taking an immediate interest in poetry. Percy Bysshe Shelley and William Butler Yeats were like long-lost friends to me during my teenage angst. When a few of my poems were published while in high school and in college, that sparked a deeper passion to perhaps take my writing a bit more seriously.

I began working on a memoir for several years before putting it on the back burner because I felt like I had a lot more to accomplish before completing an enormous project of that kind of magnitude. That and it's deeply personal to write about. That's when a lightbulb went off in my head. Why not take a stab (ha, ha I'm #punny) at fiction? And more in particular: crime fiction. How come? Not long ago, and initially wanting a career within law enforcement, I took it upon myself to receive a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. After obtaining my degree, I moved to New York City to continue pursuing my career as a police officer. But two weeks before entering the police academy, I felt I wasn't being true to my heart. For whatever reason, even with good intentions, it didn't feel right. I also wanted to fall in love, get married and have children, but I wasn't going to share my life with someone if I was in that kind of profession. I would've chosen to only be married to the job. Something was still pulling at my heart's strings. That's when I started ferociously writing every night, just to get the ick out of me and what was going on in my life. It didn't take long before I realized I wanted to change careers to pursue my ambitions as a writer, and very quickly was inspired to write about what almost could have been. And the best part? Writing fiction of course!

So, what is my book about? Lily Dietz, is an attractive New York homicide detective who doesn’t take crap from anyone. Her career is hindered by her psychological and physical frailties. Apart from being a borderline alcoholic she is close to being a full-blown manic depressive. With her partner John Fremont, Lily becomes engrossed in the hunt to catch a killer who favors Asian-American women – a category she herself falls into. As the race to unmask the murderer gathers pace, Lily must prevent herself from turning from hunter into prey.

The Fisherman's Lily is like an onion. It has many layers. I would describe the novel to be a mixture of police procedural, detective fiction, thriller/suspense and a family saga. It is dark crime and I would not say it is for everyone (it can get quite gruesome) but other parts of the novel discuss the complexity of our emotions and the human condition, such as feelings of anger, guilt, redemption, sadness … love. And how it all correlates within the relationships we have with others and ourselves.

Book Trailer for The Fisherman's Lily by Suzanne Spiegoski

Here's a fun random fact about my book: I'm a proud German Shepherd owner and in general, a dog lover. I love the breed so much I felt compelled to create a dog character in the book, Cuffs, Lily's beloved K-9 working-line GSD. He is her shadow, her confidant and best friend. It wasn't until after completing The Fisherman's Lily when my real-life dog, MaQ, came into our lives. Now he is my personal cheerleader, muse and hero. ♥

With my muse, MaQ, my German shepherd dog. © Gilles Decamps — With my muse, MaQ, my German shepherd dog. **© Gilles Decamps**

GIVEAWAY ALERT! Are you into crime fiction? Like the thrill of the chase? Perhaps you're a natural-born bookworm who's looking for something a little different from your usual reading? In honor of this special day I'm doing a book giveaway to one lucky reader! To enter your chance of winning a free, signed paperback copy of The Fisherman's Lily go on my Instagram page (@suzannespiegoski) and just follow the rules. :)

Enter your chance to win a free signed copy of The Fisherman's Lily on Instagram NOW! — Enter your chance to win a free signed copy of *The Fisherman's Lily* on **Instagram** NOW!

Got questions about my book or my writing? Leave comments below! I love interacting with new readers and other like-minded blogs, and of course, I can't leave out the familiar faces! Thank you so much for your continued love and support. I am forever grateful for you!

Thanks for stopping by and reading more about my life and my work. Don't forget to go on Instagram and enter your chance to win a free copy of The Fisherman's Lily!

Have a great rest of your Tuesday! The Fisherman's Lily is available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble, in kindle and paperback.

Follow The Fisherman's Lily on Facebook!

Love & xx's,

Source: http://www.suzannespiegoski.com/thefisherm...

10 Years in New York City - Part 2

January 11, 2016

Friday's post was about the lessons I've learned from living in New York City from the past decade. Today I'm sharing with you what I did on my 10-year anniversary! First, I wanted to walk the Brooklyn Bridge with my favorite boys and take in the scenic view of my city (and to take some photos of course). It was pretty cold that day but I always find find this bridge especially to be so awe-inspiring. Talk about a landmark! Plus MaQ has never visited the Brooklyn Bridge before! I knew now was a good time as any, and it was such a treat for everyone. I really enjoy sharing as many experiences as I can with MaQ in the city of New York, he is after all a NYC dog!

MaQ & the Brooklyn Bridge. Doesn't he look majestic AF? :)

Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York, January 2016.

It's only about a 40 minute walk from the Brooklyn bridge to our apartment in the East Village so we walked our way back up. That's what makes commuting with a large German Shepherd rather difficult. He can't just take the subway or hop a ride on a bus. Same situation with restaurants (unless there's outdoor seating available if the weather permi). But walking through the streets of New York is also one of my favorite things to do with my furry man. I just love watching the world go by and he loves greeting them. On our walk up we made a couple pit stops to check out some graffiti and street art, something I've been documenting though the years with MaQ. As you can see in the photo below with Danielle Mastrion's incredible portrait, he is a natural born model. I also really love the first photo of this post because some of things I cherish most in life are apparent in it. Art, love, life, even rock music. New York, you are just supremely awesome. I can't believe how lucky I am to live here every day!

My husband surprised me for lunch at Cipriani Downtown. It's one of my favorite restaurants in New York. It's a more casual version of Harry Cipriani, and Downtown offers a slightly less formal menu than its uptown predecessor. Beautifully designed, the restaurant offers outdoor dining when the weather is agreeable, serving lunch and dinner in a party-like atmosphere. Not to mention the hip artwork and gorgeous people surrounding you as you dine. We shared the tuna tartar while downing their well-known Bellinis, a famous staple of Cip's. They're are the absolute best. For our main course, I had their scampi asparagus risotto and the hubby went for some delicious gnocchi. Like I've mentioned before, I'm a foodie and unfortunately foodie addicts like myself will sometimes forget to take photos of all our food that's to be enjoyed. Oops. :X All I have to tell you is it was damn good.

Cheers to the best Bellinis in the world!

Cipriani's Tuna Tartar. One word. Amazing.

I chose where to have dinner. On my very first night in New York, ten years ago, I went out partying like a mad woman until the wee hours of the morning before finally stopping at a 24-hr open Korean restaurant in K-Town. It was a blast. But fast forward ten years later, I wanted Korean again, but I wanted something a bit more upscale. We're talking a big celebration, y'all! I wanted the ultimate dining experience with a fantastic view. Enter: Gaonnuri. A penthouse-level joint (39th floor) in K-Town, this stylish Korean eatery offers panoramic views & tabletop BBQ. The meat was top quality; the service, impeccable. And the views were out of this world. I really want to try their Black Forest Cake on Fire dessert, but I was far too stuffed my first time around. A true gem I discovered in the heart of Koreatown and because of my sweet tooth (and hungry fatty-status), I will definitely be coming back soon! Very soon. :)

Empire State Building lit up in red and green.

With all these celebrations I'm left feeling remindful of what's important. Sure I have a tendency to get caught up in my work, but that shouldn't be a reason not to enjoy the little things. For example, I haven't been to a New York museum in a few years (YIKES), I itch a blog post coming up on this very soon... stay tuned! Thanks for stopping by and we wish you a great start to your week! :)

Love & xx's

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

Empire State of Mind. Brooklyn Bridge, NYC, January 2016. © Gilles Decamps — Empire State of Mind. Brooklyn Bridge, NYC, January 2016. © Gilles Decamps

10 Years in New York City - Part 1

January 8, 2016

Woah, it's official! This week marks my ten year anniversary living in New York City! I'm incredibly proud to finally be able to call myself a real New Yorker! In the past decade, I've changed careers twice, wrote my first novel, found MaQ, the German Shepherd dog I've always wanted since I was a child, and married the man of my dreams. Phew! But it's true what they say, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." One helluva ride, I've been doing a lot of reflecting over the past decade of my life and how far I've come. It's been a very humbling experience and New York has helped me grow in ways I didn't even know were possible. So, here are 10 things I've learned on my journey as a New Yorker.

1. YOU BETTER WORK!

RuPAUL, you are preaching to the choir! Living in NYC is ridiculously expensive and everyone out here wants their fair-shared bite out of the Big Apple. But in order to party hard, you better work even harder. And I mean you better work like you've never worked in your entire life! I've been working since the age of 12 and nothing ever came easy for me. For many years, I've held down 2 to 3 jobs at once all the while working on other projects like my novel or whipping up some new recipes or coming up with a new photographic series. I've worked my butt off to get to where I am today. And that kind of work ethic is vital to be able to live here. It's not even an option.

2. LOVE WHAT YOU DO.

Words are my life and have always been my gateway to outward expression and my release from the trials and tribulations of life. I had dabbled in creative writing such as short stories and some poetry during my adolescence, even getting a few of my poems published while in college. So, I started writing again after transplanting myself from the Motor City to the island of Manhattan. It was like a lightning bolt had struck me, straight to the core. Immediately I knew I wanted to take my writing more seriously. This could be my way of helping and contributing to society and most importantly, do something I love doing, no matter how long it was going to take to work my way towards becoming an established writer. Here if you want it bad enough you'll do it for free, but my firm belief is never work for money and/or success. Your work should feel significant and meaningful to you. Work for a cause, not for applause. The money will follow. Hard work pays off, for real though!

3. CAN'T READ MY POKER FACE.

Ever hear how New Yorkers aren't the smiling type? It's true. Sort of. We're honest folks, pretty blunt actually in it's truest and rawest form. New Yorkers are not about letting people know too much of their business because most people don't care, they're just curious. Nosey. Nobody's got time for that! They want to see you do good (perhaps), but never better than them - something I will never understand. I'm everyone's cheerleader! Why would you want someone to lose rather than win? Because it's an extremely competitive town and after a few years even, being in the Concrete Jungle, I think a person is only bound to build that "don't mess with me" type of NYC mentality. Plus it wards off the cacklers, trollers, fakes and haters of the world while keeping yourself in check!

4. THE FOOD HERE IS UNLIKE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.

I may be tiny and petite, but I can eat like a horse. I LOVE FOOD. But my upbringing, in terms of food experience, wasn't very eclectic. I grew up mostly on Korean and American food. As a kid, The Olive Garden and Red Lobster were considered one of the 'nicer' restaurants. But living in NYC where the culinary melting pot is literally right outside your apartment, is one of my greatest pleasures living here. Never have I eaten better or with more wonder and joy than I have in the past ten years. NYC really does have every type of ethnic cuisine you can imagine and I've learned so much about cooking and food in general. Okay, now I need to stop talking about this. My stomach's growling. ;-) But seriously, you haven't had food until you've been to New York!

5. OOEY GOOEY ROMANCE AT IT'S FINEST

When I think of all the sights and sounds of the city, I am filled with so many memories (good and bad, and just downright ugly) of my past relationships. New York City is a great place to be single, but I think it's an even better place to fall in love. Two different types of people with two different types of perspectives, equals countless hours of exploring the city. Different parts of the city. Sure it's great to do some solo-adventuring, but it's the best when shared with someone you deeply love. Some of my favorite memories are nestled in this gorgeous town with the love of my life. My husband and I met in the East Village, he proposed at the Metropolitan Opera and we married in Central Park at Strawberry Fields, right on top of the John Lennon, 'Imagine' memorial. For me, the city brings out your romantic side, at full speed! Unforgettable moments. For reals.

6. NOTHING GOES AS PLANNED.

My dad used to say, "If you want to make God laugh, just tell Him your plans." My five year plan after college was to join the police force. (I know, what?! I'll tell y'all about it another time.) Obviously I changed my mind, ha ha! I'm very thankful for all the experiences that I've gained from the different jobs I've had through the years. I'm constantly evolving as a person, and I think all that personal growth from work has helped mold me into who I am today. When I stopped trying to plan my life down to every single detail, the better life has become. Not to say that you should be some irresponsible hot mess, but unplanned events, both positive or negative, can lead to wonderful things. Don't try so hard because life really does have a funny way of working things out. Letting go can be very powerful. Everything will fall into place whether you like it or not!

7. DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU HOW TO LIVE HERE.

Life in NYC is not at all like the way the TV and big screen depict it. It's the fashion capital of the world, but not everyone is running around like Carrie Bradshaw. People dress the way they want to dress. New Yorkers do what they want to do and they do what they got to do too. This place can eat you alive, so never try to live by someone else's way. Be authentic and be true to yourself, through thick and thin, because the city life can get pretty stressful. Sometimes too much it seems. But don't give up. Be real to yourself. If you are, no matter what difficulties life wants to throw your way, you'll be able to figure it out. Look at how much pressure goes into making a diamond! That's the beauty of New York, you never know what can happen!

8. STAY CONNECTED BUT WATCH YOUR BACK.

It's all about who you know in this town but if that means having to force yourself in dealing with highly toxic people, walk away. You don't have to sacrifice your dignity or integrity for anyone or anything. That's far too important, to me at least, and life's too short. Work with those you can grow and learn from. If they're not bringing anything to the table and it's just negative, time to move on. You deserve better. It's tough being appreciated here, because the city of New York doesn't owe you anything. It's nothing personal and no one's perfect after all, but this shouldn't make you have to short-list what you feel is fair or right for yourself. Networking and staying connected is an imperative tool in New York, but that doesn't mean there's no snakes in the grass.

9. MAKE TIME AND SPACE FOR YOURSELF.

I will forever be a city girl at heart. The idea of living in the middle of nowhere with not much to do is a little nerve-wrecking to me. In my opinion that's too much space! But sometimes the city feels like there's not enough space. Trust me, you know what I'm talking about if you've ever squeezed into a subway car train during rush hour like sardines in a can! There is no sense of personal space in the city. So it's good to take a retreat every once in a while. I always feel rejuvenated and revived after spending some quiet time with nature and being outdoors. It does the body and soul good. :)

10. LIVING IN NYC VS. BEING IN NYC

Ambition means more in this town than talent, but that shouldn't deter you from having some kind of social life. Don't just work, play! There's a million and one things to do in NYC and one of the biggest perks living here is being able to do them. I've been to the Brooklyn Bridge many many times, but I particularly wanted to walk it with my boys on my ten year anniversary living here. It is such an epic landmark and was quite the New York moment to have. Make the most of this city because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

My city, my town. New York City Forever, baby!

Well, New York - I made it. And on my own terms. Feeling pretty groovy and happy to be alive. Keep banging. I will always love you. (But not without my whips and chains, you naughty city you! I need to straighten you out from time to time!) :P

Cheers to the greatest city in the world! Stay tuned for Part 2 of my NYC anniversary extravaganza! ♥