Weekend Ready with Embroidered Florals and Bell Sleeves

July 13, 2017

WEARING: PERIDOT BOUTIQUE EMBROIDERED BELL SLEEVE TOP | BDG JEANS | 
MATT BERNSON MEZZA | ALLES FRINGE BUCKET BAG | 
KOHL'S SILVER TONE BEAD CHANDELIER EARRINGS

HAIR CUT + HAIR STYLIST: TAYLOR FROM FOURTEEN JAY & AVEDA.

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY PERIDOT BOUTIQUE.

Hey, guys! Thank goodness it's almost Friday! I've had a rough and busy week. The summer heat in New York is legit, NOT cool at all and I've always been super sensitive when it comes to change in temperature. The humidity is not just poofing my hair into catastrophe but also my mind as if it's clogged up - literally feels hard to breathe! And imagine running around and being cooped up in subway cars or venues with no A/C, the struggle can be real! Aside from that and some family stuff, I made it through the week still with a smile on my face. A few reasons... One, I'm in love with this new black embroidered floral bell sleeve top I received from Peridot Boutique. (I talked more about the boutique in my last outfit post, read here). Two, I'll be taking off tomorrow to the Hamptons for work (and a little play) and three, though life can be tough sometimes, I'm just beyond thankful for all the opportunities and connections I've made in the last couple of years since launching my blog, MaQ + Suz. I've been enjoying the fruits of my labor and I have so much work coming up it makes me really excited about the future.

I sometimes have difficulty in cranking out three regular blog posts per week, even posting on Instagram every day now, not because of lack of discipline but rather a lack of a team. I'm a one-woman show. I'm doing it all with my own hands, aside from having my main photographer, I don't have anyone else helping me out. I try to keep my blog posts running consistently every week all the while managing other social media channels, answering hundreds of emails daily, editing photos and video, running around the city to meeting and events, and trying to maintain some sort of social life simultaneously. It can be hectic. And because of my schedule becoming crazier and busier than ever, I'm heavily considering hiring an intern and/or assistant. But I've mentioned this before; I'm nervous to work with someone I don't know that well, let alone trust, so I'm not really sure how to start. Any fellow bloggers have any advice on assistants and what your first experiences were like?

Let's get to today's look! I'm a sucker for anything bell sleeves, especially during the summer. Call it the hippie in me, but I'm a such a fan of boho style during the summer season. And this top is absolutely gorgeous with the embroidered florals with subtle lace detail on the shoulders. This Peridot Boutique top is also super light and comfy for even warmer days, very breathable and so cute at the same time! I styled it with a pair of BDG jeans I've had for a while (also super duper comfy) with my favorite Spring/Summer 17 flats from Matt Bernson. The adaptable suede straps on the shoe give it extra chicness to any look.

My fringe bucket bag is from Alles Bags and my earrings are from college! I think I picked them up at a Kohl's store, so since I can't link you the exact ones I'm wearing I've linked a very similar pair for you to shop should you want to style an outfit with chandelier earrings. They're great droplet earrings to polish up any kind of look. My eyeshadow from Naked Cosmetics and I went for a deep coral shade since I've never done an eye look as such. What do you guys think of the richness in the hue? I really love it, because you can use it from summer to fall. Perfect for many different types of skin tones too! Well, everyone, I need to finish up some errands and meetings for the day and then I need to get ready for this weekend! I'm so excited for my weekend getaway, stay tuned to my Insta Stories... You won't want to miss out on all the action! It's going to be so much fun! Catch ya'll soon! :)

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

PERIDOT BOUTQUE EMBROIDERED BELL SLEEVES TOP

KOHL'S SILVER TONE BEAD CHANDELIER EARRINGS

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Plaid at No. 22

May 24, 2017

WEARING: VIP ME BLACK PLAID LONG SLEEVE SHIRT W/ WIDE LEG PANTS | 
MATT BERNSON MEZZA | ZAFUL TRIANGLE CLUTCH

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY VIPme.

My mind has been stuck on Manchester.

What kind of world are we living in where our children can't even go to a concert without being safe anymore? Imagine - 13... 14... 15 years old and running for your life thinking it's the end. And yet we have people wasting their energy complaining on Instagram for having their photos (not even their photos actually) being reported and therefore taken down because of it. How about instead of posting tits and va-jay-jays that are solely for attention-seeking, we rather post content that either tells a story or tells a story within a story? Why does everything have to be instantly gratifying nowadays? Don't get me wrong. Everyone is allowed to do whatever the heck they want, and I'm not here to preach what one should or should not do... but can't we give this bullshit a rest? People are dying out there and you want to talk about why it's okay to post nudity because we're all naked in the end or whatever cockamamy excuse you want to use to call it a way of expressing art? Now, have I ever done a self-portrait of my booty? You bet your ass I did, but the difference is I didn't do it for anyone but myself. And I certainly didn't post it or someone else's work to grab any kind of reaction.

Sure, everything is redone/copied/heavily inspired by someone else's work today, even sometimes making the fashion world quite an ugly one. Not everyone that's talented is kind or even decent for that matter. But what I appreciate is the story-telling that is ongoing, that leaves me with the desire to do the same. No, I may not have the power or finances to help with what is going on in the world at the moment, but my power to share the content I create, I believe, does help and inspire others to do more and be more.

Like this British-inspired, two-piece made of plaid and leather by VIPme. After the Manchester attacks, I wasn't sure what deemed appropriate in terms of my next blog post, given the crazy times we're living in is much of what I've been thinking about the past couple of days. But as I was editing this shoot, I played around with the tones much more than I usually do. I think it has a lot to do with mood and your environment. And I'm more and more in tune with what can be told through a photograph, so for me, this is my teeny-tiny little tribute towards our current events. Plus, I've always had a soft spot for UK fashion.

Summer is coming but before the hot days are here to stay, you can mix this two piece with so many other styles. I accessorized with an old pair of gold hoop earrings and Matt Bernson flats. The triangle clutch from Zaful is from last Fall but is still a favorite in my handbag roundup. I love the linen feel of the two-piece, and really dig the black leather statement pockets in the front of the top.

The bottoms have pockets too and I love that you can not only wear them together but also separately. The pants would look chic with a white tee and blazer and the top would look great with black jeans or even a cute white denim skirt. I love when pieces hold a ton of versatility and can be worn all year round, especially in places with all four seasons like here in New York. What do you guys think of this two-piece? How would you have styled it?

And lastly, I've recently been getting a lot of food content requests, with questions of when I will be getting back into video content as well. I'm happy to report that after a tiny hiatus (because video editing is my worst nightmare and least favorite thing to do in the world LOL) but also because I haven't found a story I really wanted to create for it, I have finally got something in store for you! It'll be out in the next couple of weeks, but it's something really special to me and I hope it'll blow you away! Stay tuned because I can't wait to just even share the behind the scenes!

Lots of changes happening right now and I'm excited, nervous and a bit overwhelmed at the moment, but I know me and I'll be just fine. At the end of the day, we have no one to answer to but ourselves. So be true to you and to others. Stop being full of crap, be nice, and go out there and get ish done! I know it sounds easier said than done, but remember that people love you and care about you, that includes me! Spreading nothing but Love + Light, forever and always. Until next time, take care of yourself and take care of others. Smooches. xx

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Vip Me Black Plaid Long Sleeve Shirt With Wide Leg Pants

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

To Speak or Not to Speak

May 5, 2017

WEARING: TBA DUSTER JACKET | RHODA WONG ASSYMETRICAL TOP 
ONEBUYE BLACK WORK STRIPES WIDE LEG PANT | THE LUXELLE SILVER PLATED CLUTCH 
FLOWER EYEWEAR CASEY AVIATORS | GUCCI BELT | MATT BERNSON MEZZA | THE 5TH BROADWAY WATCH

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY RHODA WONG, THE LUXELLE & THE 5TH WATCHES.

Yes, I'm a writer. But like my father, I have a tendency to bottle up my feelings. I have a really tough time trusting people. The only family I've got left is my brother and getting to know people can sometimes be exhausting, not to say that no one is interesting or beautiful but I have had many life experiences that few people will ever have to go through. I've been through it all, really. It can be difficult to relate to others on a personal or emotional level. And though I know I'm really fucking strong, I'm still vulnerable because I'm human. Sometimes the pressure cracks and like propane, I explode. But my new career as a content creator has given me the power to share my story and along the way, has helped me connect and be inspired by others. Just extremely incredible, talented people.

These life experiences have also taught me when to speak or not to speak. When I was younger, I was wilder and more naive. I had no problem telling it like it was, shamelessly giving a big F-U to your face while at it. But when you grow up, you (hopefully) mature emotionally and realize there are times and places for speaking up and when it's just best to remain silent. Even though I still can have a 'flare-up' here and there, even perhaps losing my temper, I've really learned to always be the bigger person, but hurt me or someone I love, I will verbally slaughter you before the real damage is even done.

And call it Korean pride, but I was also raised to never express your personal problems to anyone under any circumstances. It was a big fat no-no to my mother and she had that drilled into my head by the time I was in elementary school. Of course, this might explain my difficulty in also sharing certain parts of my life with others, but with what I do now, I feel like I'm slowly but surely making my way through sharing my emotions perhaps not always verbally, but through visual storytelling... the creative input... this means more to me than anything else right now. Thanks for tuning in this Friday! I hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little better. Got questions? Thoughts from this post? Comment down below or drop me a message! Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

OneBuye Black Work Stripes Wide Leg Pant

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

City Ballerina

April 28, 2017

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK BLACK PLEATED SKIRT LINKED W/ SWEATSHIRT | 
RHODA WONG DUSTY ROSE SLEEVELESS TRANCH | MATT BERNSON MEZZA |
VVA IVY CALF GREEN POUCH HANDBAG

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SAKU NEW YORK, RHODA WONG, & MATT BERNSON.

Friday calls for a mixup on ballet-like trends and a bit more feminine chicness! Today's post features two designers from my most recent post (check it out here - major Parisian feels) who are both extremely talented in their own rights. The pleated skirt linked sweatshirt by saku New York is a great staple piece to have in your closet. The adaptability of this piece is incredible, as I can see this being worn all-year round. It's a great combo for layering or just by itself. The vest (comes separately) scalloped collar and lace work are just gorgeous! I layered it with an insanely beautiful dusty rose sleeveless trench by Rhoda Wong, with intricate pocket and collar details. What really caught my eye was what's within the pocket, a handkerchief holder! Like chivalry, it is a rarity - a dying breed if you will...

These Matt Bernson ballerina flats are my latest shoe obsession. You can wear these flats with or without the lace-up straps, whether tying them further up the legs to bring a gladiator/ballet-like feel to a look or even just around the ankles for a more definitive structured look, these versatile flats will be all the crazy this spring/summer season. And you bet I will layer these beauts with some sort of socks/tights come this fall! If you're looking to invest in a really good pair of flats, I really recommend these comfy and chic pair!

What's everyone up to this weekend? I will be working on more content for you guys - coming up on Monday will be a new cocktail recipe with one of my favorite liquors I've been drinking a lot of this year :) I can't wait to show you this spring-y, yummy and refreshing drink! Next week will also feature more sporty athleisure wear, but think more high-fashion, folks! And much more exciting projects in the works, it just keeps getting busier and busier! #forevergrateful