maQ-o'-lantern

Are you ready for Halloween? We are! With less than ten days to go, I wanted to get into the 'Trick or Treat' spirit and do something I used to do as a kid with my mom especially, who was the ultimate master at this; carving pumpkins. And I'm not talking about the typical easy-faced jack-o'-lanterns, we did everything from spiders to Frankenstein, to mummies and skeletons. The more difficult sketches were left for my mom, who happily accepted the challenge. (And I wonder where I get my competitive nature from...)

I always wanted to carve a German shepherd onto a pumpkin, but since I never had a dog as a child (I know, such a shame), I never got the right opportunity or time to do one! Being a city girl, I've never carved pumpkins since being in NYC! But now with MaQ, of course I had to make one, just for him! Ladies and gentlemen (and furriends), I present you, the maQ-o'-lantern! :)

Yes, I did this carving all by myself! The most difficult and time-consuming part was the etching, which are the parts that are not cut all the way through, just the skin peeled. I think the funniest part of the whole experience was waddling down the streets of New York with an 18-pound pumpkin! I couldn't stop giggling at myself after I had left the market! Let's just say I got my workout in this morning! ;)

What a pair! MaQ has never had an up close & personal meet up with a pumpkin of this size. He, at first, considered it to be just a big toy for him, (maybe a giant ball perhaps?) but once he got that enormous black snout of his on it, he went crazy! I think he smelled all the gunk and goo and pumpkin seeds inside and got really excited. At some point he started clawing at it but I had to have him stop since I didn't want him scratching the poor thing! He seemed a bit confused watching me scoop out all of the pumpkin's guts, as if he was watching mommy murder his newfound friend... LOL!

Here's a close-up shot of the sketch. I found mine online and just printed it and used it. Should you want to make one of your beloved pooch, there are tons of sketches you can find on the internet just by googling what you're looking for. It's really easy. The actually carving part? Not so much. Be ready to have time and LOTS of patience.

Here are a few outtakes from our shoot! We've got a variety of fun, serious, and oh so model-y! I love the first one where by chance I got him looking like he's saying, "Boo!" but rather just an in between shot where he was just licking his chops. It's too cute though, right? I had to share it with you guys! Below you can find MaQ doing what he does best: modeling. 🎃

Kill them with your smile, dude! I think he started getting more comfy with his pumpkin towards the end of the shoot. I'm still surprised by his initial reaction toward the pumpkin! Do any of you have a dog that wasn't a huge fan of something at first but grew to love it? Most GSDS hate vacuum cleaners, brooms, or golf clubs (I know a sheppy who DESPISES them), but a pumpkin?! I have the silliest fur baby!

I'm glad I introduced him to yet one more thing in life to experience, because that's what life should be all about! And I really do think he started to feel on that pumpkin because when I started putting down the studio, I caught him licking the crap out of it! Someone is in love...! Ha ha ha!

We can't wait to show you our Halloween costume! My hubby is even partaking in the fun! So excited to share! Stay tuned, it'll be up on Halloween Day, naturally. Hope y'all had a great Hump Day!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

Autumn Playlist

Well... (take a deep breath) the past few days have been Hell. I've been fighting an awful respiratory infection of some kind (thanks to the temperature drop) and, after nearly ten years of living in New York City, I officially got pick-pocketed this weekend! Just when I thought something like that could never happen to me, alas, it did. Hence, the reason behind my unintentional absence. Bullocks.

Long story short, I'm okay and all is good. Just annoying. And petty. To the person who stole from me, all I gotta say is Karma is a B!TCH and I know she will arrive at your front door when you think you got away with it scots free! Grrrrr! Who wants to send me a pint (yeah, right- let's make it 3 buckets) of Moosetracks ice cream? :-/

But I refuse to take it going down without a fight! I'm a Spiegoski, dammit! Music never fails to cheer me up, get me pumped up and ready to take on the world. One problem at a time. And no matter how bad things might get, music and the power of lyrics always re-center me, bringing me back to my good ole' self, remembering who I am, where I come from, and what I stand for. And that hope is never a bad thing... as Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption once said, "Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies." I like to think of music that way. ♥

And how could this face not cheer you up? A couple of licks and 100lbs of pure love trying to sit on me will always get the job done. MaQ wanted to listen in on my current Autumn Playlist and get the full scoop of what's new in the industry. Ha ha ha! Check out the list below.

Autumn Playlist

1. Nora en Pure - Come With Me
2. X Ambassadors - Gorgeous
3. Odesza ft. Shy Girls - All We Need
4. Drake, Future - Big Rings
5. Drake, Future - Diamonds Dancing
6. Great Food Fine Ok - By My Side
7. Sigala - Easy Love
8. Hayden James - Something About You - Extended Mix
9. GRiZ, Big Wild, Talib Kweli - For the Love - Big Wild Remix
10. Little Giants - Lately (Love, Love, Love) Monsieur Adi Remix
11. Pharrell Williams - Freedom
12. Nu Shooz - I Can't Wait
13. LION BABE, Childish Gambino - Jump Hi
14. Karen Harding - Say Something - Zac Samuel Remix
15. Ella Eyre - Good Times

No, I can't sing to save my life, but it sure looks like MaQ doesn't mind hearing it! Since he was a puppy, he's really been into music. When he was only 4 months old, he heard a man play a saxophone on the streets of New York and was completely taken aback! Truly enamored with the instrument, we sat there and listened to the man play jazz, as MaQ wiggled his butt ever so slightly, getting his jam on. It's probably one of the very few times I've missed out on documenting the pup, because we were actually enjoying a moment together and (oh, the horror!) I forgot to take my phone out. It's funny because out of all the memories I've collected through the years with photographs and even video, the ones I hold deepest in my heart are the memories that are not documented.

Even so, I'm compelled to capture as many photos/videos as I can because life is precious and short. If there was one wish I could have, it would be that MaQ could live forever. Obviously this is not possible, but as a photographer, I find photographs so important and a wonderful tool to help those grieve and mourn, celebrate a new beginning, or just to reflect and remember a certain moment in time, or a feeling you projected during a photo. This is forever. This is everlasting. This is power.

Life can sometimes feel very long, but with this furry pal around, he just lights up my life when I'm feeling blue or down. I'm so grateful I've got him to help brighten up my days and to get me to smile like a little girl again. Thanks for making this less than perfect Monday somehow quite perfect! I love you to bits, Toots.

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

Fall Mini Session w/ MaQ

Looks like New York City's last 70°F+ day, up until spring reappears, might be today! The temperatures will quickly drop, especially into this weekend where it might get to only the upper 50's! Brrr! My skin is shivering just thinking about the frigid temps that are around the corner! Winter is literally coming! (Insert the pleading & whiny emoji face here please.)

Before I know it, I won't be able to rollerblade with MaQ as much (I could always be my crazy self and make a go at rollerblading this winter because why not,) and since I've been taking advantage of this really beautiful & mild weather we've been having, of course I grabbed my camera for a few morning shots of my baby boy. 

I love the Autumn season and it's everchanging leaves. MaQ wanted to show you the start to the foliage. Like this one on the right, it was once a lush green and now you can see it's transition to yellow. Being raised in the Midwest, I've always appreciated the four seasons. (As much as I b*tch about the heat during the summer and then the bitterness of winter,) I am fond of the continuing cycle. Death and rebirth, as such it is in life. We too, are constantly changing, whether we like it or not. It's in our nature. Just like weather, you cannot fight this.

That'd be like if MaQ could never play fetch with his ball again! It wouldn't matter how hard you'd try to keep him from doing this, he'd find a way to play! You can't stop from being who you truly are! And this guy is just a playful mush...

Or... not... What force to be reckoned with! That's what 100+lbs of pure muscle looks like! Check out those T-Rex arms! Ha ha ha! It's one of my many nicknames for MaQ, because he's always in the exact same mid-air position with his paws! Too funny. But seriously, don't mess with this guy! ;)

Thanks for stopping by! We hope you enjoyed this sesh with my pooch! If you're looking for a photographer to do a Fall-themed shoot, or any other inquiries, feel free to contact me! I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. To know more about what I shoot, please go to my bio page for more info. :)

Have a great Hump Day! ♡

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

Shopping Day

TGIF! Most Friday's, I'll be running around doing errands but I also try to make time to pamper MaQ. He LOVES going anywhere with me, especially to 'his' stores. He has two favorite places: Whiskers & Petco. Today we went to the Petco in Union Square, and as you can see, this fella is raring to go!

I pick up his usual treats, for continuous training, for passing time (as well as an instinctive habit) and to help reduce the buildup of tartar and plaque! Here is a list of certain particular items he (yes, he does choose) and I will normally get on a weekly basis. 

• Halloween PLAY DEAD Bone Dog Toy: OMG, we just are so excited for Halloween! We are really into the Halloween spirit this year and can't wait to show you all our annual themed costume this year! I found this to be pretty adorable, and MaQ does have a 'play dead' command! He loves plush toys and since they're not too expensive, I do have a tendency to purchase these type of toys.

Isn't it so cute? Looks like someone needs a trim! I only will clip his nails when he's tired. Otherwise, he fidgets and I become anxious in fear of hurting him. If he's more on the exhausted side, he could care less that I'm giving him a 'mani'. Ha ha ha!

Here is MaQ posing his best 'play dead' look. He looks like he's half-smiling! This was one of the earlier tricks I taught him, all I have to say is, 'bang bang!' And he'll stay in that pose until I tell him it's okay to move! Such a good boy. ♥

• Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Dog Training Treats in Savory Salmon Recipe: These are great for any dog, regardless of the breed or their size. These tiny, delicious treats are great for training. While we train, I give countless amount of treats, therefore I always use these because they're so small but oh so good. He's obsessed with these! And to be successful during training, one of the key elements should be a reinforcing treat that they really love. With this salmon recipe, I poke fun at him since he literally goes gaga over them such a grizzly bear does over a King Alaskan salmon! LOL! They're a bit pricey for the amount, but they're all about natural, healthy ingredients so I'm all for spending a little more to give MaQ the best quality.

• American Prime Cuts Ham Bone Dog Chew: This, besides bully sticks, are his favorite chews to pass time. If I'm writing, and want to go at it for more than just a few hours, I'll give him one of these to chew on and he'll go at it for hours. It's a little stinky, but I don't mind. These are perfect for larger dogs, because they are enormous! It's literally the size of a small dog!

• Large Greenies Dental Dog Treats: When people ask me how MaQ gets his gorgeous pearly whites, I always tell them it's the Greenies. They are really tasty (he loves them so much he once got into a tiff about it with one of his dog pals!) and are an excellent source of dental hygiene. Don't get me wrong, I do try to brush his teeth as much as I can but there are only 24 hours in the day to do so many things! Which is why I've been adding these in to his weekly treats, because not only does he enjoy them so much, it's why he's got some of the healtiest, whitest canine teeth! Hee-hee!

What are some of your dog's favorite treats and toys? We'd love to hear more about what your pooches go for! In the meantime, we hope you have a nice weekend!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

SHOP THE PRODUCTS

MaQ Bath

I don't wash MaQ often because being a German Shepherd, it's not very good for their skin and coats. During the summer, I'll always hose him down when we're out running around not only to keep him cool, but that fresh water cleans him right up after one of our workouts! But now that the season's have changed, I do tend to give him more baths inside. Given that my husband and I live in NYC, most of us aren't blessed with a backyard, where I could be giving him a wash and rinse there. So instead, MaQ has a little rub-a-dub-dub in the tub!

I swear by the dog shampoo line from Kiehl's. Call me a snob but I only dare to put the best products on my baby pooch. His skin is sensitive enough so I'm really selective in his shampoo. I love their Spray-N-Play Cleansing Spray, (kind of like dry shampoo) that I regularly use in between his monthly baths. It's got a lovely chamomile flower extract, always leaving MaQ fresh and as I always say, "smelling like sugar cookies." :) 

Their Cuddly-Coat Grooming Shampoo is top of the line. I've been using this shampoo since he outgrew his puppy soap. And his coat is nothing but shiny, silky and smooth. The 3 S's in my book for any shampoo! They also have a conditioning rinse but I have yet to try this one.

Like any experience with MaQ, I want it to be a positive one. And since he's not exactly a fan of taking baths (he loves any water that's not clean!), I reinforce with lots of treats and some of his favorite toys. He is absolutely bananas for his Chuck-It Balls. And he loves this new rubber crocodile I got him specifically for bath time. I know, I know. But look at this boy's balancing skills!

You got to admit, he is such a trooper with everything. I know so many dogs that would look absolutely miserable while getting washed but MaQ's demeanor is all about the good vibes. He enjoys nothing more than the happiness life brings to him every day.

♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ Splish-splash I was taking a bath!♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

Okay, okay. Can I get out of the tub now?! Awe!

How many of you have a dog who uses YOU as their personal towel to dry off on?! Ha ha ha! If it's raining, MaQ shamelessly dries his face in between my legs. He's been doing that since he was a puppy! And especially after a bath, it's almost like a "here, this is what you deserve after washing me with that foul crap momma!" LOL! Doesn't he look so silly with the black towel?

And there ya have it! Oh so fresh! And oh so clean! Outkast would be proud. ;)

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

SHOP THE LOOK