My Jewelry with Wolf 1834

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 1834BO 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!

Babouche slippers in bed

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! 

A girl in bed.

LOVE & XX'S, 

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Modern 50's Housewife

WEARING: CHICWISH DENIM PENCIL SKIRT | FOREVER 21 BLOUSE | NA-KD LEATHER JACKET | 
ODETTE & ODILE WHITE SUNNIES | NINE WEST LOAFERS | STEVE MADDEN TIGHTS | 
PAUL'S BOUTIQUE LONDON MIKA SHOULDER BAG | UO BLACK BANDANA 

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY CHICWISH & PAUL'S BOUTIQUE LONDON

New York City Street Style

Hey, everyone! I'm sorry I've been MIA on the blog this week. Sometimes life takes a toll and you just gotta deal with it. After a week from hell with both work and personal struggles, I have come to the notion that when it rains, it freaking pours. I decided to not over-do it and to take it a bit more easy this week, hence only posting twice on MaQ + Suz. Luckily it's been a rather slower week and I didn't have as many deadlines as I normally do, so I guess there's the silver lining in that. In today's post, I'm digging into more about the recent struggles I face as someone who is in the creative field, and why I'm a bit concerned about where it is all headed. It's like this outfit - everyone being modernized, 'updated', renovated, etc; and yet in terms of politics, sociological aspects and more, we're still living back in the damn 50's. Even in this digital world. Continue reading for more on what I'm talking about along with where to shop this 'Modern 50's Housewife' look. 

A couple of weeks ago I filmed a campaign with Innisfree, the #1 beauty brand in Korea and now available in the U.S., talking about beauty care, our environment, this upcoming earth day and just a couple things #IGiveASheet about - click here to watch more. Reasons I bring this up, (aside from shameless promoting) is because I am grateful for all the opportunities that I've been given. I have never imagined I'd even get this far in my career. I work hard, am professional, and just want what everyone else wants: To be happy and to be able to do what I love, which is to create. But the constant changes in the digital world is making my head spin on top of other things going on in my life. I'm tired of hearing about how everything is changing for the better and that the new economy is the only way for this better change. I have friends moving along in life having babies, job promotions, glorious vacations, and I'm still slaving away day-and-night just to catch one little break. I'm willing to sacrifice life choices over my love for what I do. I don't need the money or fame - it's about the acknowledgment of someone's time and effort in their work along with their character. The reason I create is to inspire you - to make you think, feel, and change your mind and heart about many things. 

Whenever I get into a creative rut, I always go back to the same question. "Why did you start in the first place?" The answer, which to my dismay from several other bloggers within the community answering as such: Money, power, and/or fame has never been mine. Would it be nice to live more comfortably and not stress out every day about finances and such? Absolutely. But it makes things more difficult when more and more brands/companies aren't willing to fairly compensate you for your time, energy and work. Even global brands (which yes, they have the budget) will come back and say they don't and the only compensation they can offer is in exchange for products. (The new exchange in commerce.) I even had one collab offer this week where the brand wanted me to travel and pay out of my own pocket (on top of the collab being non-paid.) We're talking over 3 hours of commuting, not a subway ride away. I graciously turned it down. Now don't get me wrong. I'm thankful for every opportunity I receive, but when it comes down to real-life... it certainly won't pay all the bills. I can only sell so much product and for a fraction of the original price. Or a brand will want a test-run to 'see how things go' before moving forward. This is understandable. You want to know what you're getting yourself into and if you're going to be a match. But it should be about working towards something and not instantly getting what you want and then bowing out. 

Should brands/companies be paying for numbers of followers, likes, etc; or for the quality of the work? I'd say both, but I'm more of a believer in quality over quantity. For example, which is often the case, every concept creatively is refurbished, recycled, yadda yadda yadda, so nothing is ever really fresh and new anymore. (In the grand scheme of things.) A company may feel that because of this, it's more important to gravitate towards the numbers because that's where the consumers are at. Wrong. A micro-blogger can reach specific demographics other big names cannot. But... if it's content they've seen before (and they have half a brain and actually read a book once or twice in their life) you won't get a bite and they'll just keep scrolling. NOW, I'm certainly not saying I've never been inspired by past photo shoots, art and such, but I have never tried to replicate anyone's work. To me, it's downright insulting and really shows your lack of creativity. Be original. Think outside the box. We should be trying to break through barriers, not stay confined in them. And then when you fall into a creative funk, knowing that you're not satisfied with the quality of your work (yes, I'm extremely hard on myself and therefore nothing is ever good enough), it makes the struggle all the more challenging. Some days I think all of this is rubbish and then the next I think I'm actually doing something meaningful in the content that I work so tirelessly for. 

I took some time to think about what I wanted to write today because I was self-conscious at first. I thought, what if a brand or company reads this and then thinks of me differently? I need to stop caring about what other people think because quite frankly they don't! And second, why would I want to work with someone who after reading this post, and because of it judging me in a bad light? Same goes for colleagues, friends, and then some. I don't want to be working with anyone like that, let alone be associated with them. We all deserve to be collaborating with those that not only appreciate your efforts but also wants to build something together because you both believe in something, whether it's a concept or personal growth or both, it should be with love and positivity and support. Not ways of jumping through hoops in hopes of climbing up that ladder a bit faster than others. Why can't we remember that it's not the destination in life, but the journey? Name a legend or icon that became instantly famous and remained that way. NONE. They worked for years before a big break. And the blogging world is incredibly tough. It's competitive, cut-throat and downright stressful with all the job 'descriptions' of what we do that comes with. I write, produce, edit, shoot, film, meet and greet, brand, travel, forget to eat, sleep, and take care of myself, all the while trying to maintain some sort of balance in my personal life as well. It's easy to say you want to grow authentically, but with the surmounting pressures in the industry, the difficulty to act is not the same. 

New York City Fashion Street Style 

I'd rather authentically grow at a slower pace instead of sneakily participating in what are now, 'hidden giveaways', where bloggers are doing these giveaways under the radar where no one can see them (in secret groups and such) where they used to blatantly put loop giveaways into their feeds to instantly gain more followers because of the contest of winning free items (you know, a MacBook, an iPhone, etc; my eyes are rolling and are in pain at the same time just typing this) -what a crock of SH*T. (Don't even get me started on buying followers, likes and comments {and more}) That's why you see 'influencers' going from 20k to 40-50k overnight. It has nothing to do with the content they produce. It's all about the free goodies they're presenting to the world. And what's sadder? They lose nearly all of them once the giveaway is over. Oh, did I mention that in order to participate in the giveaway you have to BUY your way in? And I'm talking two to five hundred dollars, all for a few thousand instant followers. See my point here? And this is only one of the many scary examples as to why I'm frustrated with the business I'm in. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for giving back and have conducted some giveaways here and there, but then I remember what my main goal is for MaQ + Suz and it's certainly not giving away free crap just to gain a bigger audience. Also... if you call yourself an 'influencer', you're probably not an influencer at all. #sorrynotsorry  

My message is simple. I only work with those that believe and appreciate my work. Otherwise, I walk. Life's too short and if it's a gig that you think will compromise with your brand, just don't do it. I consider my blog my first-born child (aside from the furbaby MaQ), so whatever I feed/nourish it, that'll be the outcome as well. So take care of your baby. Take care of it every with all your might. And hold value into what you present to the world, whether it's yourself or your work, what you project will also be what the universe throws back to you. I hope you found some insight from this post and can relate to my struggles. We all go through it and even though it is my job to make everything look aesthetically beautiful, life is not this way and I believe interjecting real thoughts & reflections keeps my work honest and true. Leave your thoughts on this post down in the comment section below! I always love hearing from you guys! Thanks for the extra love lately, too. You're all too kind! Have a wonderful weekend. Catch up again soon.

LOVE & XX'S,

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Gingham and Tassels

WEARING: SHEIN TASSEL TIED OPEN BACK TIERED GINGHAM DRESS | 
LOUISE & ELEANOR SQUIGGLE BAG | ZARA CORK & LEATHER WEDGES 

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SHEIN.

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Happy Monday! I don't know about you fellow East Coasters, but I'm so over winter! How is it still snowing on April 2nd?! The last time I saw abnormal snowing was nearly 14 years ago when I was in Ukraine and it was snowing in the middle of April! We were baffled, but today's forecast is only leaving me exasperated. I just want warmer and sunnier weather, which won't be happening this week. But April showers bring May flowers! And before you know it, we'll be complaining about how hot it is outside. So without further ado, I'm bringing summer into spring to potentially jumpstart warmer temps! Continue reading to see the perfect dress for spring and summer. It is quite adorable for a vacation outfit as well. 

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How adorable is this dress?! A multicolor vacation round neck half sleeve shift dress has a backless short ruffle fringe, orange tassels and a gingham print with no stretch. I love the high waist and flounce sleeves, as it brings shape to this type of dress. It's similar to a babydoll dress. I think this would be perfect on the beach or anywhere with a lovely resort. I also believe this dress would look amazing at Coachella! The highlight of this dress? It's on SALE! 25% OFF and ONLY $16! 

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I kept my makeup clean and fresh with only a little added sparkle to my lipgloss. If you haven't checked out my latest beauty faves, I've featured the new lipgloss line from Urban Decay and it's so legit! The shade I'm wearing is called 'Nooner'. My go-to eyeliner as of late is the gel ones by Bobbi Brown. They don't smudge and are easy to apply. Highlighter is also Bobbi Brown, using Bronze Glow SS16. Nail polish by Essie, called, 'At the Helm', which matches perfectly with the orange tassels and wedges. 

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LOVE & XX'S,

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