Call Me Greta

NARS has done it once again! Last week on my OOTD post, I mentioned one of their lipsticks from the new Audacious Lipstick line I was wearing. I didn't put on as much on as I did today, given the pink hue is very rich, but for fun, I thought why not try putting it fully on instead of dabbing it on my lips like some little chicken. Live a little! Brighten up those lips for Fall! Am I right?!

Creamy, dramatic depth, and long-lasting, I had full coverage with one stroke! Super smooth and hydrating to my lips, I found this pigmentation to work fairly well with my complexion as well. I think I'm in love (swoon)!

The color is called Greta and has now become the name to my alter-ego lol! All kidding aside, do you think I could ever look like a Greta? When I think of a Greta, I think of a voluptuous Swedish blonde bombshell. Writers are weird. Nah, I wouldn't change my imagination for anything! Who do you picture in your mind when you think of the name, Greta?

I've been strangely told many times I look like a Samantha! I told 'em Sam might work, but I actually love my name. My father chose my name, but my closest friends call me Suz. My brother is the one who originated this nickname! It's crazy, but my mother wanted to name me either, Jennifer or Diana, but I'm glad my Dad came through with a more 'unique' name and how my mother loved it just as much when presented with the idea. ♥

I don't know about you, but I always love to hear the story behind a person's name. I like to know this part of their history because it somehow brings more character in a person, rather than just knowing a face. I like to think of it as kind of like a tiny piece of intimacy left behind, but not too much for it to be way too personal. To me, names are truly beautiful and should carry some sort of special message or meaning behind them.

What do you all think about Greta? Both the lipstick and the name? What's in a name to you?

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

SHOP THE LIPSTICK

First Street Graffiti

This week's graffiti is at the First Street Green Art Park, filled with lots of new and colorful street murals. I wanted to first start with a photo of all the many faces of MaQ, in reference to the Global Freedom Exchange Mural behind him. This mural was created last week by 24 female activists from around the world. It was led by artist and activist Panmela Castro. The women had been on a two week mentoring program advocating the stop and prevention to all human trafficking where they met with government officials to "discuss best practices with NGO leaders, provide donors with knowledge about funding needs and the best mechanisms for support, and learn about collaborative approaches to working with local law enforcement." (firststreetgreenartpark.org) During this graffiti workshop, the group discussed the issue of trafficking and then picked up spray cans to express their conversation through the mural. Just like my pooch, there are 4 different faces and I only took a photo with one of the faces to demonstrate this symbolism, as the message is clear: Hope. Change. Love. Justice. And that one voice mantra. We all have it, and we all should be allowed to use it when we feel necessary. And with that one voice, this is where we can get the change, the hope, the love, and the justice we all humanly deserve.

Look at my fur baby! I love this shot of him because not only does he look handsome (of course, he always does), but because his head stands for the letter, 'L', in 'LOVE', becoming a part of the mural. What a lover boy. I never get sick of photographing him. I mean, can you blame me? ;)

A little farther down into this area, we stumbled upon this amazing peacock! This art piece is by D. Gale. partnered with the Centre Fuge Public Art Project. I don't think I have ever seen a graffiti peacock since I've been in New York. This one is so spectacular, you have to see it for yourself! Don't they both look so fly?

The last piece is an Hiss Art mural that's just weird and authentic. Kitty cat, kitty cat, where are you? Clearly, MaQ loves 'em. Ha ha! This was on the end of a gray trailer, where the peacock is also displayed around the side, and this trailer is used as a temporary office for workers on the Houston Restoration Project and the 2nd Avenue subway line. The trailer always exhibits new murals, but since we've haven't been around here as of late, and that we've never blogged this section before, what better day than today? :)

Hope you had fun stopping by! Guess who's got a birthday coming up?! My boy is going to be 3 years old on Thursday and I can't believe it! Where does the time go? When you're having too much fun, I guess. Stay tuned for more adventures coming up soon!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

Korean Mung Bean Pancakes

One of the things I miss most is my Korean mother's home-cooked meals. She's the one who gets all the credit for my cooking skills, drilling me, at a very early age, that no good man would marry a woman who couldn't cook for him and his family! Though I can make her special dishes, it still just doesn't taste the same like when she used to make it. I sure do miss being in the kitchen with her, listening to her gossip about whatever new talk of the town there was while simultaneously teaching me how to cook.

I've been wanting to expand my horizons when it comes to trying new foods to work with in my kitchen. Since I've been feeling pretty nostalgic about my mom's food, I wanted to do a recipe this week that's not only Korean, but something I've never tried making before! The challenge? Mung beans. My mom used to make Korean pajeon pancakes, but this has a flour, egg and potato base unlike the Korean mung bean pancakes. The mung beans are soaked in water for several hours before grinding it up into a batter.

These Korean mung bean pancakes, nokdujeon (녹두전) aka nokdu bindaetteok (녹두 빈대떡), are rather addicting and relatively easy to make. I would strongly recommend buying the already-peeled mung beans at the store. That was my big mistake. I got the ones that were unpeeled, and had to do the hard, manual labor myself. Talk about torture! Ha ha! Let's just say the peeling alone took me an extra hour (or two...)! But the results were totally worth it.

These savory pancakes are soft and nutty. I used carrots and scallions for my veggies. They give an extra crunch, bring texture to the pancake. I'll warn you now though, they're rather addicting!

Korean Mung Bean Pancakes

Ingredients

For the Pancakes:

• ½ cup peeled and split mung beans, soaked in warm water for at least two hours
• 1 cup water
• 1 Tablespoon doenjang or brown miso
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ½ cup brown rice flour
• 1 cup of chopped chives (scallions and leeks are good, too)
• 1 cup of shredded carrot
• a couple Tablespoons oil for pan-frying (any neutral-flavored oil, I used sunflower)

For the Dipping Sauce:

• 3 Tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ¾ teaspoon sugar
• ¾ teaspoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) or ½ teaspoon common red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Rinse your split mung beans and soak for a few hours to tenderize.
2. Drain the beans and put in a blender or food processor with the water, doenjang or miso, and sugar and blend until the beans are broken up into little bits (It doesn't have to be perfectly smooth). Then add the brown rice flour and blend again just to combine. Pour the thick, yet slightly runny, mixture into a bowl and set aside.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat for about a minute then add 2 teaspoons oil to the pan. Using your fingers, put a mound of chives into the pan for each pancake. Top the chives with another pinch of carrots. Finally, using a tablespoon, put 1 Tablespoon of the pancake batter onto the chive and carrot mounds. Swirl the pan gently to redistribute the oil and cook the pancakes until the edges look browned and crisp. Take a peek under one to see how far along they are. When sufficiently brown, flip the pancakes and cook on the other side until browned. After they are done, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Repeat the process until you are done with the batter, replenishing the oil in the pan as needed.
4. Make the dipping sauce by mixing all the ingredients together. Done! Serve with the pancakes while they are still hot.

Notes

-This recipe makes about 20 mini pancakes if you use one Tablespoon of batter for each one.

-Do yourself a favor and buy the peeled, split mung beans rather than unpeeled. It will save you the step of peeling them. Find mung beans in any Korean or Indian market.

-Add anything you want to these pancakes. You can try chopped kimchi, perilla leaves, mushrooms, and peppers. All are delicious.

-This recipe makes thin, but dense pancakes. If you prefer a lacier and thinner version, add another ¼ cup of water to the recipe.

Special thanks to Lands and Flavors for the recipe! I was so happy to come across it on Pinterest when looking to try something new! I know I'll be using this one a lot more often. :)

The dipping sauce to go with it is simply delicious! It's got my three favorite components: it's spicy, a tad sweet and is loaded with sesame!

We hope you try this recipe and share this amazing dish! Come on and try something new! Enjoy!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

My Favorite Model

I love how my pup, maQ, helps me practice my photography skills and creativity. He sits, he stands, he turns, he lays down, etc. He is so patient and is always happy to make me happy. He aims to please.

Since I normally post all my photos of maQ on his Instagram account, I thought it'd be nice to share some more recent portraits of my boy on the blog! Autumn in New York brings the most sensational light and I've been using maQ as an inspirational muse! I love these (Canon) portraits of him, they just scream happiness. Don't get me wrong, I adore the graffiti posts and all his goofy cuddly candid shots; I even love the ones I take from my iPhone, but it's nice for a change to pick up a real camera and get some honest photographs of my beloved pet.

Look at him on the go! He even helps me hone in on those action shots!

BAM! Look at the muscle tone on him! Macho man... isn't he in great shape?!

My favorite time of day to shoot is during the golden hour. This takes place right after sunrise or before sunset, the first and last hour of sunlight in the day. This daylight gives photos a redder and softer touch, making any photo extra beautiful and extra spectacular. Isn't my fella so incredibly gorgeous? What soulful eyes! It's undeniable! I have such a majestic creature. :)

I cannot wait to spend my favorite season with you! Thanks boy, for being you and for letting me be me with you! We are such a pair. Everyday I am so grateful to have been blessed with such a wonderful, sweet-loving dog. Just thank you. Thank you, love.

Here's my goofball starting off his Friday right! Time to dirty up the mouth and get down on some serious action! Play! Play! Play! And then, more play! Ha ha!

Until next time, have a nice weekend!

Love & xx's,

maQ + suz

Weekly Graffiti Art

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