These Booties Are Made For Walking

WEARING: STEVEN MADDEN NOBLE STONE PEEP TOE SHOE BOOT | ESSIE NAIL POLISH

NAIL COLOR: NO MORE FILM

You keep saying, you got something for me...

TGIF! I'm really looking forward to the long holiday weekend. Even more so, I'm ready to break these pretty ladies in! Since last year, I've been really wanting a pair of peep-toe booties but something more on the neutral side; something I can wear day and night, keeping my style versatile. These chic Steve Madden booties are amazing! I got them from ASOS :)

Though I may be short, I'm not the type of girl who likes to run around in 5'' heels. I love how these are lower heels and are actually extremely comfortable!

For nail polish, I picked a darker blue hue to accentuate the soft colored shoes. It's Essie and the color is 'No More Film'. One of my favorite colors I use for Fall and Winter seasons. And can I just talk about the slingback part of the shoe? So much fun!

Wishing you all a lovely and restful Labor Day weekend! Until next time...

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

SHOP THE LOOK

Celebrating 2,500+ Followers!

That's right! You've heard it here first folks- my German Shepherd, maQ has over 2,500 followers on Instagram! Never seen his feed? We got tons of portraits, goofy bloopers & videos, and all those heart-warming, fuzzy and glorious moments for any dog lover! You can check us out @maq_life over on IG!

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This deserves a celebration! Seriously though, I can't thank each and every one of you enough for all your love and support. It is so amazing getting to know some of you. I've even met a few of our fellow Instagram followers in person and am so delighted in the idea of making new friends via social media. We literally have friends from all around the globe! From South Africa to Australia, to NJ and Cali, we have sheppy friends everywhere we go! In honor of our followers, I wanted to make something special for my fur baby.

maQ is a life-size wolf and horks down dog biscuits like it's his job. Since I spend so much money on trying a variety of dog treats, and not knowing what ingredients are really going into my poochie's delicate belly, after awhile I figured why not make my own? I can make them by the bulk and for way less than the prices at any retail store. Plus, I know exactly what kind of ingredients I'm using and they're truly healthy for maQ! You know what really made my day? These cookie cutters from Sur La Table. I went down to Soho in search of a dog bone-shaped cutter along with something a little more unique and creative. Lo and behold they had GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG cookie cutters! I literally gasped while in the store when I discovered them! I I searched deep in every nook and cranny before finding it. Luckily, I got the last one! It was totally satisfying, ha ha! No surprise they're popular... check out how freaking adorable they are! I wish I could send these cookies to all my furriends! I did get a chance to share a few with some of maQ's doggy buddies and they too loved the heck outta em'!

Since I've never made dog treats before, I'm using a recipe from http://damndelicious.net/2015/01/07/homemade-peanut-butter-dog-treats/ This was a huge success, to say at the very least! Thank you for sharing this with us!

Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

The easiest homemade dog treats ever - simply mix, roll and cut. Easy peasy, and so much healthier than store-bought!

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups whole wheat flour, or more, as needed

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat pumpkin puree, peanut butter and eggs on medium-high until well combined, about 1-2 minutes. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups flour at low speed, beating just until incorporated. Add an additional 1/4 cup flour at a time just until the dough is no longer sticky.
• Working on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough 3-4 times until it comes together. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out desired shapes and place onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Place into oven and bake until the edges are golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.*
• Let cool completely.

Notes

*Baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the treats. Serving size will also vary depending on the desired shapes and cookie cutters used.

Adapted from use real butter

maQ clearly enjoying his treat! :)

Please like, share and comment below! If you've got a snazzy dog treat recipe, we'd love to hear from you!

Wishing you all a lovely Thursday, friends!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

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

s u n d a y v i b e s

WEARING: ADIDAS ORIGINALS | GG BOSS SUEDE & LEATHER
MINI FRINGE CROSS BODY BAG | RAY-BAN CLUBMASTERS 

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There's nothing better than strolling through my East Village neighborhood, here in NYC, with my German Shepherd, my sidekick, my best pal- my one and only McQueen. Or for some of you, 'MaQ' (pronounced mack).

I wanted to start blogging again and what better way than to share our daily adventures and the things we love along the way? We do everything together, including checking out the wondrous street art + graffiti the city has to offer. Today we're behind Hisham A. Bharoocha's mural- a mixture of yellow and purple tones. The piece reminds me of L.A., where I was born. I've been missing the West Coast! I'm scratching the urge to head back and visit. What you think, my LaLa girls? 😉

We hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend. Stay tuned for more, starting tomorrow!

P.S. (nerd alert)- Who's excited to watch the season finale of True Detective tonight? We've got 90 minutes of what I hope to be nonstop, spectacular television writing! Can't wait to discuss and hear your thoughts about the show!

LOVE & XX'S

FOLLOW MAQ + SUZ

Old School Poetry

As an adolescent I had used poetry to express my teenage angst but, as I got older I have and still have continued using poetry as a medium of writing. I consider poetry one of my fundamental blocks of learning and discovering my passion for writing. Poetry has allowed me to explore and discover new genres. I am currently in the works of finishing of my first novel, that being of the crime/thriller writing style.

I Have Been Sometimes True to Nothing was one of the first books I had my work published in. Here is the poem from the book:

Locked Corners

Bright necks decided on purple after patches of a skinny grip

Tire marks in lavender of innocence

The dark echoes befriend you in the cold corner,

Waiting feels war to the blind floor-

For he hides beneath your feet - somewhat a comfort.

Rough palms collide and time becomes wasteful days

Realize the anguish in your own truth

a squared room is the only reason your mind moves,

and hands dryer than your mouth.

It must be the blocked wall screaming,

You're wanted as much as the weeps carried on.

Who wants to blame the lost illusions you're facing?

Hands run off onto the wall with permanent scars.

I'm sure it's missed especially in the afternoon,

Where you sip your soup and wrap a hot towel around your head.

That's what it must be, what else is there to live by?

Hoping for it, no... there is no such way!

Forgiveness is where I throw your dreams

with my dirty basket of clothes.