New Year Vibe

December 18, 2017

WEARING: NEW VIBE JERSEY DRESS | VENDULA LONDON ROUND FILM BOX CROSSBODY BAG | EGO METALLIC BOOTS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY NEW VIBE & VENDULA LONDON.

Happy Monday, everyone! Are you ready for the Holidays yet? I can't believe Christmas is in a week! This year has completely flown by... I'm still not done with my holiday shopping yet! But I must confess, I've always been a last minute shopper. I'm also not the biggest fan of this season for a number of reasons, so in today's post, I'm sharing a holiday look that's not your usual glittery gold, silver, red or green colors, but a color more outside the box: Navy Blue! I've been completely obsessed with this color all year, and I just can't get enough of it! I even have some gorgeous navy blue satin sock boots coming in and I'm so geeked up on styling them. Last week's fashion post featured sustainable wear by NEW ViBE, you can check that outfit here, where there are hints of reds to inspire you for a more 'passionate' look for the holidays. The jersey dress in today's post is also made by the same brand. Come take a look at how I styled this dress for a more holiday-inspired look!

You can wear the navy blue jersey dress in a number of ways just like the dress with the red lace, I think it would look adorable with some sparkly tights, should you want to layer it up a little more for those colder temps. Since we chose to shoot indoors, I opted out with the pantyhose and went bare :) I brought in accents of gold from the Gucci belt, rose gold metallic boots, and hoop earrings. The final touch is this amazing yet unusual bag from Vendula London. They make some really unique bag, like this round film box crossbody bag with gold chain. The love the subtle added detail of the negative strip on the strap as well. Very cute and super chic. Go check out more of their bags here!

I'd definitely say this look is not suitable for a black-tie event, but you could definitely wing this for many different kinds of holiday parties, from a friends' get-together to an office party, it's a really great dress to wear for these occasions as well as after. I'd totally layer this with a good pair of jeans and boots with a touch of street style flair with a Vetements belt or a chunky statement earring, well into the winter months. To see more by NEW ViBE, be sure to follow them on Instagram to get on the waitlist for their newest collection. Have a wonderful week! I'll be back soon. xoxo

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Vendula London Round Film Box Crossbody Bag

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Proceed to the Sign

December 11, 2017

WEARING: NEW VIBE INC. VERSATILE PLISSE DRESS/TUNIC/SHAWL/SCARF | KLASSE 14 MISS VOLARE CORAL 36MM WATCH | ROSEGAL BLACK JEANS | DRESS LILY POINTED TOE HEEL BOOTS

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY NEW VIBE INC. & KLASSE 14.

Last month at Foundermade here in New York City I had met a unique startup brand, one I instantly connected with. NEW ViBE offers a collection of high-quality versatile items that are perfectly tailored to a modern lifestyle. The foundation of the label is to bring new functionalities to the contemporary wardrobe that provide the most comfort and sophistication. The major influences come from textile and technological innovations, visual and performing arts, architecture, music, and travel. NEW ViBE is a line of smart wearables that transform and adapt to 21-st century human addiction - multitasking. And this black plisse dress/tunic/shawl/scarf is one of the many designs I fell in love with! Come see how I styled this as a dress layered up for winter and also as a tunic with some jeans.

One of the first things that stood out to me about NEW ViBE was definitely the material. this dress is made of pleated satin black crepe and imported from France. The details of the dress, too, was an eyecatcher. The side lacing detail comes in two colors: Red and black. I mixed and matched, keeping the bottom with black lace and the top red. Criss-cross lace-anything is definitely trending and also brings a little bit of edge to a more minimal look. I kept things edgy with these black, red-soled boots, tousled hair and vampy dramatic makeup.

Not only is the material top-quality, it is also extremely sustainable and versatile. The dress can also be worn as a tunic, shawl, and scarf. NEW ViBE offers wearable hybrids, multi-category items, called TACTSTyLES that by simple closure manipulation can transform into a different performance item, depending on the occasion. Their pieces can be worn inside out, upside down and back to front. In the second look, scroll down to the last three photos to see more of a casual look, I wore black jeans and changed the dress into a tunic. This gorgeous Volare red watch is from Klasse14. I love the unique color and indentation of the face. Use my promo code, 'suzannespiegoski' to get 12% OFF your purchase from Klasse14!

New Vibe Inc. Versatile plisse dress / tunic / shawl / scarf - NV1046

I love discovering new and innovative brands such as NEW ViBE and what they stand for. The modern day woman is not just one thing anymore; she's many. And with garments designed to function on a number of levels to meet the demands of the new world, it's not just making changes but it's the sign of the times. So if you haven't checked this new startup yet, now's the time to proceed to it. :) Thoughts/comments always welcome at the end of each post! Wishing you all a great new week.

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

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Sunning in the Hamptons

July 21, 2017

WEARING: GWEN SALAKAIA DRESS | ARTESANO HAT | GUCCI BELT | 
TEDDY ONDO ELLA BAG | PUMA SNEAKERS | LELET NY BUTTERFLY NECKLACE

PHOTOS BY: LAYERS OF CHIC // STYLED BY: SUZANNE SPIEGOSKI

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY GWEN SALAKAIA, ARTESANO & LELET NY.

Happy Friday, everyone! I'll be cranking out major content this upcoming week as I've been away the past week traveling for work and trying to find the time to post can be tough! I sure do miss the Hamptons after last weekend's soirée, especially the people, good weather, food and all-around positive vibes! Not to mention that glorious pool! I figure if I'm going to reminisce down memory lane, it better be fitting to the Hamps. When I spotted this Gwen Salakaia yellow floral print sundress, I knew it had to be styled out there! And what better sunny day to shoot this gorgeous dress in? Come check out how I brought this look together, keeping it posh yet me, a little spunky and sporty at the same time. Today's post will show you why the feminine dress and sneaker combo is so effective and trendy chic!

I love how airy and light the Gwen Salakaia dress feels. It's the perfect summer dress for so many different occasions. I don't feel like it's just a sundress because I'd be comfortable wearing this to a wedding with cute heels (obviously to a less fancy one) or even to an event, brunch or some kind of bridal and/or baby shower. Its vibrant yellow color puts such a smile on my face and has been my favorite summer color trend, so much so, I think I'll be carrying this color into fall. Can you tell I'm a fan of transition and versatility on top of being currently infatuated with yellow? ;)

A couple of weeks ago during New York Men's Fashion Week, I had the pleasure of attending the debut show of talent Gabonese fashion designer, Teddy Ondo Ella, whose contemporary lines fused with proud African heritage were all the rage. They gifted the attendees with such a chic summer crossbody bag made of straw that I had to feature it in a look! How cute is the seashell button detail? I'm utterly obsessed with this designer and am looking forward to seeing more of his future work. To complement with the straw material, I wore an Artesano Porto Panama hat, the detail on the trim was very similar to the bag and looked pretty fantastic together. Artesano hats are handmade in Ecuador but the brand is based in Miami. If you're at Miami Swim Week be sure to check these high-quality hats!

To finish off the look, I paired the look with these chic Puma 'Clyde' 4th of July sneakers. I just love the crisp red and blue stripes on the side, it gives any outfit a cool laid back but stylish look. I also mixed in this great headband from New York-based jewelry designer, LELET NY, but instead of using it as a headband, I styled it as a necklace. I thought it looked so sweet against the floral print of the dress, what do you guys think? I love this jewelry line, so check them out too! Lastly, I cinched my waist with my favorite Gucci belt, I think I wear this accessory the most among the hundreds of accessory pieces in my closet! What can you do when Gucci knows what's good? Ha ha! Hope you're all enjoying the summer, have a lovely weekend!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Gwen Salakaia Yellow Floral Print Sundress

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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!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Potrol Faux Leather Neon Yellow Holster Purse

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Paint It Black

June 2, 2017

WEARING: TOBI TRENDY BLACK MIDI DRESS | ROSEGAL SILVER BEAD HOOPS | 
STEVE MADDEN LUXE BLACK OPEN TOE PUMPS

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY TOBI.

BEFORE I TOUCH DIRT, I'LL KILL YOU ALL WIT' KINDNESS... I KILL YA, MY NATURAL PERSONA'S MUCH WORSE.

Have you ever had a dinner where the food is really great, the ambiance is dope but the company in which you keep perhaps maybe not as much so? Sure not every outing I've ever been on has gone swell. But sometimes, the people I have to converse with (not saying many but there are a few...) makes me want to scratch my eyes out. And there are all kinds of factors to set in as well. First, do you have something interesting to talk about other than Instagram algorithms or how vapid the world has become, you included? Or are we going to go around the exact typical merry-go-round of shooting the breeze? Am I one not to give a younger person a chance to talk to simply because they don't fall into the same age category as me? Hell, no! In fact, I've gotten very close to a much younger gal who is like my kid sister. She is half my age, but wise beyond her years. Age is yet again nothing but a number. To me, it's all about emotional maturity. I have no trouble relating with an 80-year-old just as much as with a 17-year-old; so long as you're not a complete baboon with nothing to offer me except wasted time. No, I'm not saying no one has anything to offer because we all do. But what really counts is what you do with it and your time while you're here. And nothing irks me more than wasted time. Because you'll never get it back. Tell me a story, share with me your ideas, beliefs, and passions. Secondly, do you know that saying, where it goes something along the lines of being kind to everyone you meet because you never know what kind of battle they're fighting? Seems fair, right? Trust me as I live and breathe it, there are a lot of people who are not kind at all. And if you cross me or do something that's not in the 'kindness' category to me or someone I love? You're going to see the Detroit-side in me that most people never see. And it ain't a pretty sight.

I grew up right smack dab in the middle of Detroit. No, not Bloomfield Hills or Birmingham, not even Troy or Livonia. And my childhood was quite difficult. My parents fought like cats & dogs, and the I grew up always either being afraid or anxious. My father was concerned for me while raising me in Detroit. For one, I'm Asian (where there was literally a total of three Asian families within our entire community) and being petite, my physical attributes had a tendency to put me in vulnerable positions. I was bullied and ostracized until I left for college. And so, even at a very young age, my father taught me how to fight, both physically and mentally. A boxer in his early -teens, he may have instilled too much fight in me. Some of my closest friends have confessed to me that I can come across intimidating, carrying a full-blown "don't f*&k with me" attitude, even up to the point of looking like Lucy Liu's RBF. Which hey, this I won't take as a bad thing... ;)

Which I guess can be one of the reasons why people may find it hard to approach me, but I promise you this - I do not bite... HARD. Ha ha ha! All kidding aside, I'm not going to say I'm the easiest person in the world to deal with. So what is this Detroit thing I speak of? Well, it's amongst a number of things - pride, frankness, and grit. It's all about fighting for what you want in life and standing up for yourself and being fearless with the power of your own voice. I know where I come from and I know who I am, and once people do get to know me, I'd like to think they don't see me as half-bad. What gets me into trouble though is my curiosity and the disappointments people bring because I'm so hard on everyone, including myself. During the dinner I mentioned, in the beginning of this post, I had brought up the question to several bloggers/influences (whatever the heck we're labeled these days LOL) on why they had begun their Instagram in the first place since this is where most of us began as we fine-tuned our blogs simultaneously. The answers were shocking. One stressed validation, another money, and the typical answer - to connect with others. Okay, two of the three I can slightly understand. I too, use Instagram as a platform to connect and make a living, but my sole reason is to attempt to make an impact on other's lives with my creativity and words. I want nothing more than to get you to think and feel; to be inspired. To let you know you're not alone, that others are fighting just as hard as you are and that we're in this together. We will carry on because there is no other way. Because we have to.

Perhaps I don't relate to those who come from money and never had to work a day in their whole life, even though they sleazily act as if they do (eyes rolling, you ain't fooling anyone sweetheart!) don't tell me you earned everything on your own when we both know mommy and daddy still take care of you and your bills. I've been working since I was 12 years old and everything I have achieved so far in my life was honest hard-work. I give my blood, sweat, and tears when it comes to my creative outlets. I also do it for no one but myself. Seeking validation on a social media platform is NOT work, I REPEAT, NOT WORK! And stop complaining about your engagement rate not being high enough when you're not willing to put in the time and effort of displaying high-quality content, remaining consistent while maintaining some sort of discipline in this cut-throat, competitive industry. Sure an iPhone shot suffices from time to time, but if you're really trying to grow and aspire to be more than just basic #sorrynotsorry then I strongly suggest thinking outside the box, but especially reconsidering your strategy when it comes to quality over quantity. People will get sick and tired of just seeing you and your 'outfits'. Give me something MORE, dammit! Mic drop, I'm out.