(Motel Rock trench coat and daisy skirt, Eleven Paris tee, Cole Haan sandals, Chloe handbag, Accessorize necklace, Jenny Bird serpent cuff, Giles & Brother gold cuff, Karen London gold ring, Ax + Apple silver ring)

Being back home in NYC means not having to live out of a suitcase…and endlessly mixing and matching for our extremely unexpected weather changes. I literally came back to go straight back to work, straight back to fittings, and honestly, I was just so happy for a night back with my crazy NYC girls. I threw on a fresh diasy printed maxi skirt, a tee from my new French favorite, Eleven Paris, a denim trench, and some of the cutest and most PURPLE sandals I own and headed to Chrystie Street Park, our meeting spot. I could feel people staring at my feet. It’s not often you see something so bright on a deary New York evening. With no energy and still feeling jet-lagged, I had my messy hair in a loose bun. I look back, and LOVE this look. I’ll wear it again no doubt. It’s like my 90’s self, just new and refreshed! Ending our night with wine on the roof, I finally felt at home.

It’s Sunday, and though I want to curl into bed, there’s so much to catch up on, that I’m wide awake in my living room, planning the week’s adventures.

Follow my INSTAGRAM (natalieoffduty) to see what’s new on ON OR OFF DUTY.

(Lovers & Friends varsity jacket and “MERCI” tee, Wildfox Couture denim jeans, Karen London gold cuff, The 2 Bandits silver cuffs (similar), Vintage Chanel backpack, Rudy + Ed sneakers)

A completely destroyed denim jean is the best thing ever for traveling. And especially in LA…home to denim. Here I’m caught on the steps of my backyard. Just where I’d always sit with my friends and have late-night girltalk, planning what we’d do with our lives…it’s where we grew up. Those brick steps. Far enough down that the parents couldn’t see us from the 3rd floor of our house. Pulled together with a varsity jacket and super short tee, I really do feel like I went back to that time. Of high school football and games and just being young, wild, and completely free…you know, before real life happens. But I have to admit, life all grown up is the best thing ever. AND I officially have a varsity jacket collection similar to my Dad’s vintage closet thanks to my gal pals at Lovers & Friends! MERCI BEACOUP. 

(Reformation romper, Vintage hat, Vanessa Mooney choker and bracelet, Ax + Apple/ Karen London rings, JEWELMINT earrings, Chloe handbag, RAEN sunglasses, “Natalie + Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice” “CHLOE” boots)

I am already back in NYC, and though I feel completely drained and jet-lagged, I’m still keeping my head up, going through some of my favorite images from California. My favorite days are always right along the Pacific coast…the smell of the sea water filling up the car as we drive down Malibu Road. And this day was amazing. The Revolve Clothing beach house just happened to be the best way to get all of us LA chicks together in one place over the weekend. I finally met the blonde bombshell, Vanessa Mooney…you know, that amazing woman that makes all those rad jewels I’m always wearing? Yep, this little choker is my life. To meet her for real is so strange! It’s like I already knew her! I even brought my Mom and Dad along for the ride…yep, they love coming with me to parties and meeting all my friends. They are the cutest people you’ll ever meet and I got teary just leaving our LA home yesterday. We’re so, so close and get even closer as I grow up. The Malibu home was a dream and just what I needed this summer…I even found Caroline lying in the tub overlooking the ocean, before taking our mojitos out to frolic in the sand. As you can see, my boots are COVERED in sand. I definitely forgot my sandals that time around.

(H&M embellished pants from 2013 Fall Runway, Goodnight Macaroon tank, Worth & Worth  hat, Vanessa Mooney star cuff (similar), The 2 Bandits layered cuffs (similar), Modern Vice “Bond” boots, Ax + Apple rings)

Can you believe it’s my last day in Cali?! I’m just about to board my flight right on back to NYC for work, and though I’m excited, I’m going to miss my sunlit LA porch…the white veranda wrapping around our entire house. Here, I’m featuring a super special piece. What just arrived as a surprise gift from the H&M Fall 2013 collection, and straight off the Paris runway…these gorgeous embellished pants. All available in stores September 5th! I’m wearing mine with all my California favorites. Rock n’ roll jewels, grey hat, and the tiniest little beige crop top. I love dancing in these bad boys! 

Right now, I’m GIVING AWAY a gorgeous pair of these embellished pants in a size 6 to one USA reader! They’ve got loads of leg-room and enough glitter to keep you going through the night.

To win the H&M Fall 2013 Collection pants simply:

1. Comment below with a valid email address and sign up to the H&M newletter

2. Keep undated with everything and winners on my Instagram and Twitter

3. Follow me on BLOGLOVIN’

Good luck babes!