April, 2016 - NATALIE OFF DUTY

I am seriously obsessed with putting a belt on EVERYTHING. Tops over skirts? Check. Sheer mini dresses? Check. Extra long duster coats? Check. A belt immediately makes me feel feminine and sexy. It gives me curves in places where I wish I had curves. Gives shape and life to those old tent dresses I found in the back of my closet. But my most recent discovery is Cecilie Copenhagen, a brand that got me back into the “put a belt on it” mentality. Most of their pieces come in their signature scarf print, super nubby fabrics, and yes almost everything is made to be cinched and layered. This was our last day in Austin, Texas for the SXSW music festival and boy was hot, hot, hot. We’d had just wrapped our Reef shoot and I was savoring our last moments under that bold Southern sun while scouring the endless rows of vintage shops off of South Congress Boulevard. But most of all, a girl just needs a pop of coca-cola out in the backyard, a pair of flip flops, and call it a day.

// Cecilie Copenhagen blouse and belt, Cardigan New York skirt, Ax and Apple necklace, Reef sandals //

TAGS: Austin, belt, SXSW, Texas

Adios cold winter. Hello Spring! Boy did I live in this knit beanie and extra large coat. This day may have been the coldest day this year, and though it slaps you in the face like a block of ice, it also gives my body and mind a complete jolt. Talk about wake up calls. Believe me, I’ve had plenty. That 3 a.m alarm ringing to get you to the airport because you just found out from your agent that you’ve got a shoot across the country in 24 hours. The shock you feel when you find out your ex boyfriend was a complete fraud. Waking up to the craziest and happiest dream in the middle of the night and realizing you’re living the American dream. My winter wardrobe is finally in retirement, as I just put this look in the far, far back of my closet for the next few months. With that wake up call came a fresh start. Whether it means getting rid of all your old junk, and planting seeds for your garden. Or clearing your mind and opening the windows to let in the fresh air. I’ve kind of been all over the place this year, so it’s time I finally give you a bit of a rundown. It seems that every other week I’m on a plane for a new adventure, and it’s actually a really exciting feeling. Visiting new spots on every shoot location. Working with a dream team and seeing our visions come to life. Finding a new coffee shop to love in every city you visit. In between all the madness, sometimes all I want is a back massage, mama’s cooking, a cup of tea, and a warm bed. But I can’t complain. Team Suarez has been working on a handful of dream projects. It’s only about time that I discover more in my new home of DUMBO, Brooklyn. That is, if I’m ever home. I’m still in the process of finding my coffee shop. Finding my go-to seat at the park. Making my loft a real home that I’ll keep forever. There’s too much to discover, but I guess I’ve got all the time and energy in the world.

Spring is that time of year where I plug into my headphones, listen to some rock n’ roll, and just get going. Every little negative punch along the way just motivates me to do more. So maybe negativity isn’t so bad. You have to feel the lows before you feel the highs. I feel our generation is all about independence and being your highest and happiest self. I don’t think I’ve smiled so much in a long time. I don’t think I’ve traveled the world so much in my entire life. It’s the first time I can say “man, I think I finally got my s**t together.” That last winter jolt is what we need because the best is yet to come. Don’t let anything or anyone shake you.