Sunday Sporty Chic

WEARING: ASSEMBLY NEW YORK BLACK BELT COAT |
EXPRESS STRIPED ONE ELEVEN LONG SLEEVE RIBBED TEE | 
FOREVER 21 BLACK PENCIL SKIRT | LOUIS VUITTON BROWN MUSETTE TANGO BAG | 
AE CHAMBRAY WESTERN SHIRT | NIKE REVOLUTION 3 RUNNING SHOES IN BLACK

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The hills are alive with the sound(s) of black on black, a little chambray and some Louis! Isn't this scenic backdrop straight up from something Julie Andrews starred in?! I'm still daydreaming over the New York Botanical Garden's views - it was out of this world and the perfect day trip. After spending the day enjoying the 'Orchidelirium' exhibition (and simultaneously walking over 5 miles in the process), the hubby and I ended the day outside where the light was absolutely gorgeous and with one last stroll through the gardens, we opted for some photos.

I'm big on black and black. Tell me one New Yorker who isn't! Pairing up my new favorite coat from Assembly New York with a black mattelassé pencil skirt from Forever 21 gives length and slenderness. And I call this coat my "confidence" coat. Whenever I wear it, I feel like the ultimate girl boss! Every woman should have a piece like this in her closet. I like to think of them as your lucky charms because wherever you'll go, you'll exude self-confidence, and then, of course, embodying total and complete empowerment. Girls, we run this motha (yeah!)

I knew we'd be doing a lot of walking, so I went with my day-to-day Nike kicks. They're the ultimate comfort and pretty much go with everything I have. Adding to the sporty chic vibe and to give texture & contrast, I chose a striped ribbed tee from Express and layered that with a Western chambray shirt from American Eagle. Final touches include a classic Louis Vuitton bag, accessorized with my most recent and favorite jewelry thanks to Rockbox. The Mother of Pearl necklace in ivory is from Kendra Scott, the marble triangle stud earrings are from SLATE and the Lixa ring is from Moon & Lola. Sign-up with my code suzannespiegoskixoxo to get your first month free of unlimited designer jewelry from Rocksbox! You'll love it! I'm obsessed, it's like having your very own personal jewelry stylist! 😊❤️

Coming up in the next couple of days will be part 2 of my trip to the NYBG, focusing more on the desert section of the exhibition. STAY TUNED...

Photos by Gilles Decamps

Love & xx's,

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Rose Gold Essentials

I have always held a deep infatuation with rose gold. Most of my jewelry consists of this alloy. How a piece of jewelry can accentuate femininity and delicacy as a statement to the piece itself, or solidifying an outfit as a whole, is something I appreciate within the jewelry world. And my choice of jewelry carry sentimental or spiritual value. Let me show you some of my all-time and most recent favorite accessories I've been wearing daily.

My most recent obsession is The Kavi Bracelet from Chandrah. It's 18k Rose Gold plated beads and 8mm Howlite beads. Rose gold is an all purpose healer: stabilizes, purifies and balances. Howlite is a stone of awareness. It can prepare the user or wearer to receive wisdom and attunement from the Higher Self and the Dive. It is a wonder stone for calming upset states of mind and emotion. Howlite decreases an overly critical state of mind, selfishness, stress, and anxiety, bringing calm and relaxation.

The Hexagon Tip Bangle Bracelet from EXPRESS (in pink) goes really well with the Kavi Bracelet. I love how each bracelet complement each other, one piece a bit more bold, and the other a little more dainty in it's shape and weight. I'm not even that big into pink, but even just a touch of the not-so-bright pinks being added into an entire ensemble, brings an essence of 100% pure woman to it without being too girly.

The rings are my engagement ring and wedding band. My engagement ring is a solitaire diamond from Tiffany & Co. and my husband and I picked our wedding rings from Zales. My wedding band is also rose gold and I especially chose this yet again because it doesn't look as serious as platinum or white gold. It looks authentic, but is still sophisticated with a touch of romanticism. My kind of 'I do' to me! <3

What are some of your latest favorite jewelry trends? How about those all-time faves? Any specific stone or gem you just can't get enough of? I'd love to see or hear your choices when it comes to what's in your jewelry collection!

Have a great rest of your Thursday! Come back tomorrow for one of my savory recipes... here's two clues. It's one of my own recipes my parents taught me and it's Italian-based. Stay tuned for yummy deliciousness all over the blog tomorrow! :)

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

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Monday: Coffee & Treats

WEARING: EXPRESS STRIPED ONE ELEVEN LONG SLEEVE RIBBED TEE | 

AE ARTIST CROP DENIM JEANS| RAY-BAN CLUBMASTER | VAGABOND OXFORD SHOES

Hey ya'll!

Today's going to be a hot one here in New York City! But first, coffee! I decided to take an early morning stroll for my caffeine pick-me-up and treats with the pooch. maQ loves to go anywhere with me, and since I was craving for biscotti, off to Little Italy we went!

I love heading down there because there's always so much graffiti art to check out. Right now, there's the #100gatesproject going on. Check it out, it's everywhere- especially in the Lower East Side section. Today we ran into Indie184's work in 'full force' and Harif Guzman's Haculla faces. Of course, we stopped for photos. :)

I can't even remember the last time I had a cappuccino! I'm mostly drink coffee at home with some sugar and creamer, but today I was really wanted something different. And since I don't have an espresso machine to make one, it was even more reason to get out and get some goodies!

We stopped at Cafe Roma, on the corner of Mott and Broome St, and sat outside and people-watched. Of course there are always the tourists near that area, taking photos non-stop and always looking up. And then there's those who are off to work, to hustle and grind. So many bicyclists. maQ loves to watch but mostly loves the attention he receives while chillin' on the sidewalk. Not everyone adores him though. Some are afraid, even petrified enough to cross the street, just to avoid my 'big bad wolf.' Even when encouraging some he is more than friendly, they still don't want to take that risk. Understandable. And I'm always respectful of this. He is a definite breed ambassador, and has changed the minds of some people he's met. They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and maQ's can definitely make you think twice about dogs. I mean, really, he's just a big ole pussycat! He's the best with children, super gentle and extremely affectionate. <3

I really enjoyed their chocolate biscotti. Sometimes biscotti can be bland or also be too almondy, but this was so delish! Might I add, the little dash of cinnamon on my cappuccino was like the icing on the cake! Everything was so good. Up until I could literally feel the air thickening- the humidity was setting in, so it was time to head back home!

Lastly, I leave you with my Monday Suzism.

“We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories. ”

— Jonathan Gottschall

Keep it cool, kiddies. Back to the writing. We hope you have a wonderful week!

Love & xx's,

maq + suz

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Stripy Wednesday

WEARING: EXPRESS DENIM VEST | GOLD MOVADO WATCH | RAY-BAN CLUBMASTERS
FOREVER 21 BLACK PENCIL SKIRT |ALDO BLACK STUDDED ANKLE BOOTS | 

First and foremost, I have to mention (to my horror) what I woke up to today. You see, I have a ritual. Every morning, I have a cup of coffee while watching CNN. I like to know what's going on in the world. Well, it's a sad day in TV news. I woke up and saw the breaking news of photographer, Adam Ward, and reporter, Alison Parker, from the WDBJ7 TV station in Virgina, shot killed while reporting a story at a water park All of this happened while filming live. So awful. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone at the station as well as their families and loved ones through this difficult time. I don't need to go into how terrible this is, because who needs to read the obvious? I will state this though: We're with you #WDBJ. Keep broadcasting. Keep filming. Keep writing.

In light of this dark news, here is something to cheer you up and make your day a little more colorful. Perhaps, brighter. Or more stripy :)

Want to hear a pretty dope name? At least to me it is. Chamberlin Newsome. She's a street artist // graffiti extraordinaire! A graffiti art lover myself, maQ and I had to get down to the Lower East Side and check out her most recent work! And of course, get in some shots of this gorgeous piece! I see inspirations of Modernism, Abstract, Expressionism, Color Field Painting -- Chamberlin's art utilizes color, repetition, and linear form; and this #makeyougodream piece is pure wall porn! Two thumbs up, Chamberlin!

Check out the photos below. Photo credit goes out to my awesome hubby, Gilles Decamps. :)

We hope everyone has an awesome Hump Day! Remember, the only thing to fear, is fear itself.

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

Wednesday: My Kind of Naked Dress

WEARING: FOREVER 21 CONTEMPORARY HALTER NUDE DRESS | EXPRESS BRACELET

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Good morning! Can you believe we're nearing the end of August?! This entire summer I've been wearing this dress from Forever 21. It's been constant. I love how the color accentuates my tanned skin and the highlights in my hair. And the detail in the back with the zipper is super fun and clean. I like to mix things up in my closet, but 'less is more' is key to me. I like the basics. And like any true New Yorker, I f*%k)@! LOVE BLACK. But only so much. I can get tired of it from time to time, so I mix in some white, grey, and nude tones like this halter dress. Of course I can't forget my obsession for denim, suede and (duh) leather.

I know I won't be able to wear this dress for that much longer, so I decided to do a mini self-portrait session with it before the season changes! I'm kind of looking forward to it, but don't tell anyone. Shh! ;)

LOVE & XX'S,

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ