Whatever Lola Wants

July 31, 2017

WEARING: ZAFUL BACKLESS HIGH CUT SWIMSUIT | YEAH BUNNY HEART DENIM SHORTS | 
WHO WHAT WEAR™ WOMEN'S LIGHT WASH DENIM JACKET 
IZIPIZI SUN WHITE WITH BLUE MIRROR LENSES | GUCCI BELT | PUMA SNEAKERS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ZAFUL, YEAH BUNNY & WHO WHAT WEAR™.

Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets... right? We live in a time where everything is immediate. Anything can be delivered to you within a drop of a hat. There's Seamless, Ubers, and more to service your everyday needs. And we also live in a time where women are supposed to be as powerful as ever, yet still to some, an overly confident woman can come across as too 'aggressive'. What da fuq? Since when did it become frowned upon for a gal to call it like it is and go after what she wants? Yes, there are boundaries when it comes to everything. Example? Sex. Other women more so than others, from lifestyle preference to insecurities, don't do relationships and definitely keep it casual. Nothing wrong in that so long as you're playing with protection and not losing your dignity over 'some guy (and/or girl).' If the rules are clear, don't try to manipulate either. Respect the boundaries. But in today's post, whether when it comes to sex, relationships, work, and other parts of our lives as women in this day and age, how should one behave when it comes to our self-assertive ways? Meeker and less confident, or steadfast assertive not giving a %&*^ what anyone thinks? Do you think there's something political in self-confidence nowadays?Continue on to read more about what is considered too confident and why perhaps, it's not the best way to shine in today's new digital world.

Even with limits and understanding the rules to the 'game', casual sex can still rub off the wrong way, men especially. I find that some men are intimidated by a strong, self-assured woman. Of course, no one wants a girl who's too cocky all the time either, so where do you draw the middle line? How can a woman have sex without being in a relationship and without being judged by others, men specifically? Why even now, after so much change, does society still consider a woman to be a slut if she enjoys sex, where if a man does and is older and successful, is considered to be an eligible bachelor? I say screw the rules and what society thinks! Just don't go running around boasting about the fact that you like sleeping around... there's a way to class that ish up!

So is there such a thing as silent confidence? You betcha. It's how you carry yourself, the way you walk, talk... everything that comes down to your energy is going to project itself. Even what you order in a restaurant. Be that femme fatale. You just don't have to go and 'show and tell' everyone everything. Regardless if it's enjoying sex or anything else. To me, it's always best to never lay all your cards out up front as well. Like a striptease, if you will... that way you'll leave them wanting more, whatever it may be. I guess what I'm trying to say is there's an understated kind of way to exude confidence. And you can totally do it without any kind of verbal communication. I find nothing sexier in a man, knowing what he's got and has the goods to back it up... without any bragging rights. Telling everyone how great you think you are or your work is, is just not a good look. So the next time you set your eyes on something, either that being a person or a job, always let your intentions be known, but keep it cool.

Have to give a few mentions to this cool look as well. These limited edition Izipizi sun white crystal blue mirror lenses are my new favorite summer shades! Polarized sunglasses are trending hard right now and these are right up that alley. My mustard yellow one piece is from Zaful and what I dig about one piece swimsuits is styling it with a pair of bottoms like these adorable heart-patched denim shorts by Yeah Bunny. And how chic is this Who What Wear™ denim jacket?! I love the ruffled trim and also the customized stitching of our blog, MaQ + Suz, that I had done at an event. Don't forget to shop directly down below, click the photo which will take you straight away to the piece you're looking at. And I'd love to hear your thoughts on this post so please feel free to comment down below as well! Wishing you guys a great week!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Who What Wear Women's Light Wash Denim Jacket

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

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

Casual LBD with a Side of Watermelon and Violet

July 7, 2017

WEARING: MAD-STYLE LAYERABLE JERSEY TANK SHIRT | 
MAD-STYLE WATERMELON CROSSBODY BAG | 
MAD-STYLE 7 TASSEL DRAPING NECKLACE | MAD-STYLE IGGY SUNGLASSES | 
MAD-STYLE NAYA EARRINGS | UO BLACK PATTI LOW HEEL MULE

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY MAD-STYLE.

Happy Friday! It has felt good being back at it when it comes to working, but raise your hands if you're loving this short work week though. Keeping it super casual before my next weekend getaway, I wanted to share my favorite kind of summer dress to wear: long, black and comfy. I have an assortment of these types of dresses: from maxi's to mid's, they also range from spaghetti-strapped to off the shoulder. But my new recent favorite black dress is a clothing brand I've been collaborating with from this past year called, Mad-Style. And guess what? Even the jewelry, both the earrings and necklace, the round sunglasses and crossbody bag are from there too! What I love about this brand is not just the quality of their products but also the affordability. I like to be able to mix all sorts of different pieces together, no matter their label, big or small.

The layerable jersey tank shirt is my go-to kind of summer dress. I'm able to move around in it while I run around the city but it's also fine for middle-of-the-day meetings or end of the day events/cocktails/dinner. You could layer it up with a cute cardi or duster jacket on those cooler nights, or accentuate your waist with a statement belt or layer it with a blouse, even with ruffled and/or bell sleeves, it'd work very nicely when transitioning between the seasons and the weather is temperamental. Let's move on to the accessories... :)

The watermelon crossbody bag is also from Mad-Style. I've also shown this bag from a previous post with an off the shoulder striped beach maxi dress and sneakers, but in this outfit, even though I wanted to keep it pretty chill, I wanted to contrast colors with the black all the while maintaining subtle femininity in the style. So to go with the bag, I wore a cute yet dainty pink tassel necklace with gold hoop earrings with a tiny dangle. I love when jewelry keeps a piece minimal and soft, like in this case with the hard black.

And how cool are these round sunglasses also from Mad-Style? I'm obsessed with the side of the frames, and how that extra black chunk really shapes the glasses together overall. Plus, the gold trim makes me feel like a total badass when wearing them, so one can't complain. Other little details worth mentioning when it came to styling this piece together, the Essie 'Sunday Funday' coral pink nails and my new favorite liquid matte lipstick, 'L.U.V' by Urban Decay / Kat von D. How gorgeous and different than the usual color when it comes to lips? I love the violet tone and the little pop it gives along with the pinks and reds. If you are adoring the Mad-Style pieces as much as I am, use my promo code, 'maqandsuz' to get 20% OFF your purchase from Mad-Style! They also carry a variety of accessories such as jewelry, clothes and even dog apparel! Wishing you all a great weekend, excited for the upcoming week... it's going to be a productive, fun one! Stay tuned...

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

MAD-STYLE LAYERING JERSEY TANK SHIRT BLACK

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

How to Rock the 80s Look: Dress Like Your Art Teacher

July 5, 2017

WEARING: ZARA WHITE CROPPED TOP WITH PLEAT DETAIL | 
NATIVE YOUTH ORGANIC DISPLACEMENT WIDE LEG PANTS | HUSH PUPPIES MARIA TOTE | 
ZARA CORK & LEATHER WEDGES | H&M WOODEN BANGLES | H&M WOODEN BEAD NECKLACE

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY NATIVE YOUTH & HUSH PUPPIES.

Hey, hey, hey! How was everyone's long holiday weekend? (To those who apply.) Do anything fun? Or did you, like me, keep it low key? One of my favorite things to do while staying in the city during a holiday is taking advantage of all the hot & trendy restaurants I wouldn't normally be able to get into when everyone's in town. I love less-congested nights of catching up with friends over dinner. I've had a lot of Asian cuisines and soft serve over the past couple of days and my belly couldn't be more content. And that non-rushed feeling is completely refreshing from the hustle and bustle that comes from living in a place like NYC. When I feel more relaxed, I have a tendency to dress in a more bohemian/feminine way. The style is a bit more flirty and playful rather than my normal all-black, edgy, typical New Yorker look. In today's post, I'll be sharing with you one a few of my favorite current trends: wide leg pants, any print that's abstract in some way, and oversized anything.

Can wepul-eaaaassse talk about these pants to start?! The minute I laid my eyes on this gorgeous and unique print from Native Youth, I knew I had to have them. Normally, I am pretty cautious wearing wide leg because, one, I'm petite and if not fitted properly, it can immediately look bulky and awkward. And two, we're in the middle of summer and they're not the norm for pants that are in season. However, when made with a thin fabric such as linen or viscose rayon like this wide leg trousers, they are perfect for a city stroll or a walk on the beach. They're even cute for date night, in my opinion!

Given my small frame, these kind of pants aren't the typical go-to's for petite women like me. So how should a gal style wide leg pants if they're within this category? The first main rule is not to oversize the entire outfit. The pants are the statement piece so I'd recommend the top be well-fitted in one way or another. Like this cropped top with pleated detail by Zara, I styled it by tucking most of the shirt in the front since the pants also have pleat detailing in the front, and too much of anything can kill the entire outfit.

To finish accessorizing, I paired the pants with cork & leather wedges from Zara to bring me added height. I'm also at the moment really into any jewelry with wood material and felt these wooden bangles and bead necklace were the perfect pieces to style into this 1980s-inspired art teacher look. These pieces I'm wearing in this post are currently unavailable but I've linked similar ones down below in the shop section. And lastly, this adorable 'Maria' tote bag from Hush Puppies is my new favorite summer tote bag! It's great for everyday use and to carry around your essentials (I even brought it with me to jury duty where it had easily stashed my laptop, plugs, cords and all with more room to fit a thin jacket and bottle of water!) I think this tote would also be well suited at the beach as well! What do you guys think of this boho outfit? Wishing you a great (short) week!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Zara White Cropped Top with Pleated Detail

Native Youth Organic Displacement Wide Leg Pants

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Favorite Place to Shoot Pool in New York City

July 3, 2017

WEARING: FOREVER 21 WHITE SHIRT | VAGABOND HONEY JAKARTA DENIM PANTS | 
POTROL FAUX LEATHER NEON YELLOW HOLSTER PURSE | GUCCI BELT | 
STEVE MADDEN BLACK ANKLE BOOTS

HAIR & MAKEUP BY: BEAUTY DIRECTOR VALERIE STAR OF CARAVAN NYC.

This post is sponsored by ForRent.com but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Well, ya got trouble, my friend, right here,
I say, trouble right here in River City.
Why sure I'm a billiard player,
Certainly mighty proud I say
I'm always mighty proud to say it.
I consider that the hours I spend
With a cue in my hand are golden.

–

Though I have called the East Village, home, for the past ten and a half years, (have been living in New York City for over 11) my new stomping grounds are now Union Square. This section's unmatched diversity brings together poets, professionals, protesters, and everyone in between. Anchored by its central plaza, Union Square extends into surrounding streets filled with a mix of corporate giants and neighborhood staples. Farmer’s markets and street performers add to Union Square’s cultural significance and popular appeal. A place where I can shake off the stress and get away from the day, Amsterdam Billiards is one of my favorite hangouts in New York City, and one of the many new perks of living in Union Square. In today's post, I'll be sharing with you guys reasons why Union Square is a great section in the city to live in along with why this is my favorite pool parlor in the entire city.

Now I'm not exactly, 'the Black Widow', but I've had my fair share in shooting pool. I've been playing since I was a kid, my uncle used to have a pool table in his 'man cave' and I think that's where the interest initially sparked. For whatever reason, I find the game relaxing and enjoyable with friends. And my favorite billiard to shoot pool in in New York City is this place in Union Square, Amsterdam Billiards. It's got 25 billiards tables plus Ping-Pong, darts, foosball, full bar & food but what stands out to me are the memories of this place with the people I love. My husband, my friends - we've had some good laughs and games in this joint. So now that it's the long holiday weekend and I'm staying in town, I thought it'd be nice to go back and play on top of sharing a place I hold dear to my heart. New York has a way of doing that to you.

Another favorite place in my new neighborhood would definitely be The Strand, a landmark bookshop that carries new, used & rare books that literally stretches for 18 miles. I stop in there at least a couple of times of week, whether it's searching in the half-off bins outside or checking out the photography section for inspiration and research, it is a really amazing book store. Union Square also has two great music venues, Webster Hall and Irving Plaza. I also enjoy the Greenmarket for its fresh flowers and herbs. When I have the time, I love to pick out fish or meat to cook and experiment a new recipe with, especially during the summer alongside some squash and corn.

Other stores I don't live without are Adorama for all my camera/photography needs, New York Costumes for props, Sephora for makeup and skincare, and Food Emporium for groceries. When going out to eat around the neighborhood, I love L'Express for French, Barn Joo for Korean, Blue Water Grill for seafood and Maison Kayser for pastries. Recent new pasta discovery in Union Square? Vapiano, where their basil pesto with pine nuts and parmesan is TO. DIE. FOR. The famous Coffeeshop is where I have a lot of my meetings midday. It's a cool people-watching place while dining al fresco. And the staff's not too bad-looking either... ;)

Living somewhere like New York City is competitive let alone expensive, but with its amazing food, entertainment, culture, beautiful sights and so much to do, the highlights sort of outweigh all of the chaos that goes on in a city such as the one I love. It's definitely not the easiest place to live, but if you keep your eye on the ball, you can set out to do a lot more than you think. What are some of your favorite sections in New York City? If you could live in any one of them, which one would you like to live in? If you're considering moving to and living in New York City, check out ForRent.Com, an apartment rental listing service where potential renters can search for professionally managed apartments. Got questions about living here? I'd love to answer! Leave them in the comments down below or you can find me on one of my social media channels! Have a wonderful start to your week and Happy Fourth of July!