Shark Attack!

October 6, 2015

WEARING: ANIMAL HEARTED 'PAWS' TANK TOP | TOP PAW™ PET HALLOWEEN SHARK COSTUME

Duh nuh. Duh nuh. Duh nuh duh nuh...

I love Halloween, and what I love even more is dressing MaQ up in all sorts of absurdities. Last year we were Cowboy & Indian. I have several ideas for this year, but have yet to make a final decision. To get into the Halloween spirit, I decided to play around with a tank top I got from Animal Hearted with the word 'PAWS' on it, a hilarious reference to the movie, 'Jaws'.

I am actually terrified of sharks, finding them to be one of mankind's most primitive and powerful creatures on Earth, I'm like that African American woman who made a video that went viral about the growing concerns of shark attacks. "When you go to the beach, go to the beach. Not the ocean! That's home to the sharks." Don't get me wrong, I love the ocean. I love to boogie board. I love the taste of salt. BUT, I'm now more aware of it. So instead, we played with sharks on dry land (and with one land shark in particular)... !

Look at my baby shark! Isn't this the cutest shark dog costume?! We found this one at PetSmart when we went looking for something that would go with my 'PAWS' tank top. Here we are together, having the grandest time. Photo shoots are never a dull moment with this guy. ::: Heart Literally Melting :::

What I love about Animal Hearted is their apparel and gifts save animals! 25% of proceeds from every order go directly to help animals in need. What a win-win for everyone! I love this clothing company! Check them out at www.animalhearted.com for all their adorable products!

I have to say it's a kinda hard finding dog outfits for a XXL dog like MaQ who is about 100lbs! Even somewhere like here in NYC, the majority of doggy costumes are intended for smaller sized ones. But dang it! My pooch likes to play dress-up just as much as his mommy! ;)

Yup. You heard it here first. Sharkies playing against other sharkies. Only in different forms. LOL! MaQ is always such a trooper with these kind of shoots. I think he just loves spending time with me just as much as I love spending time with him! Or maybe he does, in fact, enjoy being ridiculed... tee-hee!

Whoops! The costume came undone while playing. I love adding candid shots with portrait shots to make it more engaging. They're like behind the scene shots, where you can see what's going on during a shoot. With us, they're always so much fun and a pleasure to do!

Clearly, we never have an entertaining time. This fella makes me smile every single day and just for that, I'm grateful for every day spent with him. You betcha #iflmdog! ♡♡♡

Looking for a dog photographer? Or need some pet portraits done? How about a fun Halloween shoot like this one? Please go to my Contact page for further details on how to reach me!

Are you a dog costume company that carries much larger sizes for dogs like MaQ? We NEED to link up! Want to suggest your ideas on what our Halloween costumes should be this year? We would LOVE to hear from you! Like, share and/or comment below.

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

SHOP THE LOOK

On maQ's Head

September 15, 2015

I do all sorts of activities with my German Shepherd, maQ. As you know, he is a major part of my life and of course, obviously plays a big part in our blog, maQ + suz. We are both active, love the outdoors and have a soft spot for late morning snoozing and indulging in snack attacks together. We love to play. His plush toys are his ultimate favorite besides balls. Before I introduce him to any new toy, dog, or person, he is asked to do something in return for the interaction. For example, if we're meeting someone new, he is always told to sit first before the interaction begins. With his plush toys, I will not only have him sit, but will work on impulse control and have him balance it on his head. Check it out! Say Pineapple!

Look at that smile! I swear he'd do anything I'd ask him to! Ha! What a derp! He's not always all smiles though, you can see for yourself! Ha ha ha! I'd like to think it's because he's in full concentration mode but I know it's because sometimes he's just not feeling it.

Like this weird, green, frog/octopus hybrid toy, even in his most, 'REALLY, mom? Again?!' expressive face, he's so cute! I always reward him with tons of treats during any kind of photo shoot. I break down his favorites into tiny pieces so that way he doesn't eat entire boxes of treats everyday! That way, we make any experience a positive one and in the process a fun one as well!

There's that smile again! Doesn't this last picture give you all the hippy vibes? ;) And I have to admit, that's a pretty good tongue for a Tongue Out Tuesday! We hope he puts a smile on your face, like most people he comes across with, unless they think they're lunch meat, in which case, they flee rather quickly...

For more of maQ and I, you can find us on Instagram and Twitter!

We hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

LET'S CONNECT!

Fall Fashion with maQ!

September 14, 2015

Fall is around the corner and I can’t wait for my favorite season! I love getting cozy in sweaters and scarfs, reading by the fire (or an electric one/space heater if you’re missing the whole chimney factor), downing chai lattes and getting anything pumpkin spiced flavored down into my mouth. Stat! With Fashion Week going on, it's got me feeling more inspired and extra stylish! I'm always trying to keep my style simple yet sophisticated. My philosophy when it comes to fashion? Less is more!

I love what I'm seeing with the current color trends. This season I’m seeing lots of richness in brown and purple tones. Think burgundy, maroon, cranberry, merlot, mahogany- sweet, earthy, but mysterious colors. A mixture of blues, yellows, nude and pink colors are also very prominent. Lots of soft blush colors. Today, I paired up my pink scarf with my blush-colored undertones in my makeup. It's probably my favorite tone during the Fall. It's feminine and fresh!

These Aldo heels are probably one of the few pairs of high heels that don't put me in immense pain and make me swear off of 'em for good! (Well, at least temporarily... women!) I love the nude color. It pairs up with pretty much anything and in any season too.

Awe! Seriously, though... isn't maQ the most adorable German Shepherd dog you could ever possibly meet?! I think it's pretty obvious how much I love him. He is such a model. I swear when I photograph him, he is more than eager to pose for me. maQ, America's Next Top 'Dog' Model! Ha ha! What a ham. He makes me happy every single day. I couldn't have asked for a better pooch.<3

I think maQ is more stylish than me! And he's got nothing but a collar on! ;)

We hope you all have a great start to your week!
Until next time...

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

Wild Child!

September 9, 2015

I live for words. But sometimes, being a writer, it's hard to find the right ones. In the exact correct place. In a particular moment. Sometimes, it's other mediums, like music, photography, and other art forms that help express those inner primal emotions.

When the words don't come, I go out and live my life. But even then, sometimes life wants to hand you the shittiest of lemons in the shittiest of circumstances, and even though I could produce an interesting concoction of what would maybe qualify as lemonade, I'd rather sing my heart out first. I always feel so much better after a sesh alone, therapeutic even. At least to me it is. I can kick it to any melody, but just like my father, the blues and more especially, rock n roll is in my soul.

I find self-portraiture to be a journey of not only exploring and discovering many different characteristics in a person, but also the best way to get the creative juices flowing and hopefully for someone to get better at their work. Since I've never done a photo shoot such as one which includes my *obvious* talent for singing, I wanted to share with you my many different expressions of moods and emotions. All I can say is it was a blast!

I re-created a playlist I had going on during this self-portrait session. Though it's mostly rock n roll, I've got some alternative, post-punk and blues in there too. Check it out below!

Songs You Can Belt Out to:

The Doors - Break On Through (To The Other Side)
Nirvana - Come As You Are
Guns N' Roses - Paradise City
The Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want
The Clash - Should I Stay Or Should I Go
Supertramp - Goodbye Stranger
The Animals - It's My Life
Nirvana - All Apologies
Cream - Sunshine Of Your Love
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Little Wing
Pearl Jam - Better Man
Elton John - Rocketman
Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
The Rolling Stones - Dead Flowers
The Black Keys - Tighten Up
Warren Zevon - Keep Me In Your Heart

What are some of your favorite rock n roll songs? A favorite band? Comment and share below!

Have a great day! :)

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

LET'S CONNECT!

Monday: Coffee & Treats

August 31, 2015

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!