Weekly Graffiti Art

September 24, 2015

We're catching up on our weekly discoveries of graffiti art in New York City! And boy, do we have some goodies!

You ain't nothin' but a HOUND dog, cryin' all the time! ♪ ♫

I can't find the above artist, but I do enjoy HOUND's blatant big letters. maQ especially did. ;)

Buff Monster's obsession with the color pink, eyeballs and seemingly melted ice cream are all the rage. I never get tired seeing his work! Look at maQ owning this pyramid! His murals are always with so much confidence and radiate with happiness! Even my dog can't help but smile. :)

Next is Jack Aguirre in collaboration with The 100 Gates Project at Sticky Rice on 85 Orchard St. This man has talent! What an incredible illustration. If you don't know about The 100 Gates Project, please go check them out. It's 100 security gates all around the city painted up with beautiful graffiti art each by a different artist. I think this is really great! We are definitely keeping an eye out for more when we we're on our daily walks as of late.

Jerkface! Need I say more? I love Marvin the Martian, and this guy's work. He's always doing animated characters, like other Looney Tunes' characters, The Simpsons, Ren & Stimpy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and so many others! He almost always does his walls with a collage of the same character and this affect is clearly shown through different expressions and movements. Such dope work.

Billy The Artist is all contemporary and we love him! I do get a Keith Haring vibe in some of his work. Just gorgeous color and design. I particularly love this shot of my boy. maQ was looking a little bashful, given a small crowd quickly grew to watch this spectacle. Ha ha! Bystanders are always impressed with us and will even sometimes comment about it. It normally entails of how much control I have of maQ or how calm and mellow he is during a shot. He is a lady killer, the girls gush over him all the time! When he was a puppy, it literally took me an hour to walk around the block because people stopped me every step I took, squeaking and gawking over how cute he was! <3

Do you know of a graffiti art piece we haven't been to that you think we should check out? Comment below! We love hearing from our readers!

Happy Thursday!

Love & xx's,

maQ and suz

OOTD with Joey Ramone

September 22, 2015

WEARING: SPARKLE & FADE OLIVE GREEN SHIRT | THE SAVVY HEART 
THE EZRA NECKLACE IN WHITE ONYX | VINTAGE SUEDE & LEATHER
MINI FRINGE CROSS BODY BAG | RAY-BAN CLUBMASTER | STEVE MADDEN 
NOBLE STONE PEEP TOE SHOE BOOT |

Yesterday I blogged about a necklace giveaway contest I'm doing this week. See the necklace with my outfit of the day? This necklace made by The Savvy Heart, is run by a lovely and talented duo based out in Seattle, and not only does incredible jewelry, but also makes apothecary sprays, stationary and pottery! The Ezra Necklace is still up for grabs until Friday! All you have to do is get on Instagram and go to my account and follow the details! My user name is @suzannespiegoski :) Good luck to everyone!

Here is a close up shot showing you the spike details with the brass and onyx stone. The winner will get their choice of this necklace in black or white! And don't forget the extra goodies: a polishing cloth and a 15% promo code toward an online purchase!

And to all my dog lovers, Happy Tongue Out Tuesday! This is from one of our many outtakes - I'd normally pick a more smiley picture of my handsome fella, but this is too good. What a face! Looks like someone is getting ready for their closeup. ;)

I'm really digging this lipstick I've been wearing from NARS. The color is called Greta and it's the perfect pop of pink for the Fall! The rich pigmentation and luxurious texture looks and feels great! And it's long lasting which is always a good thing for a gal who's running around. I love me some soft lips! Ha ha!

A few of weeks ago, a Joey Ramone mural was created on Bowery St. across the street from the famous CBGB rock club, here in New York City. Of course, maQ and I had to check it out! We decided it would be fun to incorporate an OOTD with this spectacular mural.

The story behind the boxing gloves is its symbolism to The Ramone's relentless struggle before really making it big and ultimately becoming who they became to be. Solus and John (Crash) Matos, the artists behind this inspiring piece, left me in awe of their art and their message, to never stop believing in yourself and to keep going. Never give up what you want!

Thanks for stopping by to see us and Joey! We'll be back with some more graffiti soon! And remember, always kick ass! Because you're amazing! Peace.

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

Graffiti Wednesday

September 16, 2015

Today, I'm sharing with you some of our most recent graffiti art discoveries from our daily strolls around the city. We go everywhere, and when feeling extra blue, I tend to walk it off until I feel better. With my loyal companion in tow, New York City, my city, has a way of turning shitty times into a temporary escape. Whether it's forgetting about the horrible day you just had or even though you've been living in this city for nearly ten years, you can still fall into its energy and get lost in that kind of aura. This place is my home and never fails to keep me moving, both in my heart and in my feet. New York, even though you are one bad, bitch, I still love the fuck out of you. Thanks for always keeping it real.

Looks like maQ's newest #wcw is Jenna Morello's Lioness in Little Italy! Roar! ;) In all seriousness though, I believe the artist did these #forCecil, a male Southwest African lion who was killed in North Zimbabwe by a Minnesota dentist. He was 13 years old. A painting of Cecil can be found to the left of the lioness. We missed out on this shot since there were a lot of people working around it during the Little Italy festival.

This new piece at the Bowery Wall on Houston Street is by the incredibly dope artist, Futura Dos Mil. This mural is titled, "Nuance", and at first glance, is a flurry of subdued emotions. The lines and symmetry are all over the place, yet at the same time, everything is perfectly in place. How could that be?

nu·ance // n(y)o͞oˌäns// noun

a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.

It is really beautiful to see. This installation is extremely large in scale and with the play of light and shadows, it's actually quite breathtaking.

Adam Dare's 'Love is Love' is the polar opposite of Futura's piece, but just as awesome. That's what I love about art. No matter what it is, or in what style or technique, if you feel something from it, anything really, then it matters. It's important. Kind of like love, in it that if you really love someone, then this too, in fact, matters and is important. Regardless of who you are, and even more importantly, who they are. We can't help but feel what we feel.

“And in the end,
The love you take,
Is equal to the love,
You make.””

— The Beatles

Lastly, I leave you with Hektad's hearts of hearts. His work never fails to remind me that it's all about love, but just like anything else in this world, no matter how you try and do it, it won't be perfect. When it comes to matters of the heart, you have to constantly keep working on yourself and with others. It's about that joint effort to make it work. Remember the give-and-take rule, kiddies. If one person is trying and the other isn't, it'll never be enough.

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!