(BCBGeneration surf top and bikini bottom, DANNIJO choker (similar) and cuff, Quay sunglasses, The 2 Bandits arrow cuff (similar), Ax + Apple earrings)

There is seriously so much I love right now about the classic surf top. It’s a bit tomboy, but in this adorable floral print…it’s got a feminine, RETRO touch. With festival season, I’m trying to find as much time as possible by the pool. I’m still counting my bikinis, attempting to book a beach getaway for each pair. So far I’ve got Montauk on my list! This two-piece will surely look better with a surfboard and a tan. Here, I was shot in Palm Springs with all my galpals, at Coachella (where else?!) just before the festival madness. Nothing beats breakfast by the pool and the smell of chlorine on a sunny Saturday morning. 

NYC is finally warming up. Today felt like summer, and after my meetings, I sat in Central Park on the grass in nothing but a denim romper, and let the sun bronze my shoulders. I can officially smell HOT summer in the city. The sweat, the sunscreen. Time to get bikini ready my friends.

  INSTAGRAM (natalieoffduty)

You get this funny tingling feeling when you wake up on the Sunset Strip, to the perfect glowing sunrise. I put on my glasses, and headed towards the window. The tiny houses perched on the hills. The sun so hard in your face you have to squint. Hollywood is well, Hollywood. I know it all too well. I grew up in LA. Everyone wants to make it. The Sunset Strip is known for it’s glitz and glamour, studios, and movie sets. The parties, the rock n’ roll. I was just in LA for a shoot, and checked right in at the Sunset Tower Hotel. I was so jetlagged that I woke up at 5am tossing and turning, wishing it was my calltime already so that I could hop in the car and go to work. Instead, I waited till the sunrise, did some stretching, and started to unpack. 

I have a brand new travel bag. The GUCCI bamboo tote.

It’s seriously my life. And it’s GORGEOUS beyond belief. Your friends will just want to hold it and stoke it all day if you let them. 

Then, there are the heels. Carlos Pazolini platforms.

I’m very much a boots girl, but these are SO beautiful that I love them just set on my drawers to look at. 

Oh, and did I mention the bougainvillea. I stop and take a photo everytime I spot a beautiful lush corner off Melrose Boulevard. 

LA, I still love you.

//Bits & Bobs cuff//

  INSTAGRAM (natalieoffduty)

(VOGUE Germany Jan ’14// CHANEL Dallas runway looks// For Love & Lemons S/S ’14//The 2 Bandits lookbook)

Here’s a mas-hup of what’s been bottled up inside my head. The Chanel DALLAS runway show literally got me craving cactus, Texas, and a WHOOOLE lot of fringe. The artics are a’ coming to NYC this week and now I’ve got some seriously new ideas on how to stay warm….the native way! Oh, and nothing can beat a little glitter and shine. Talk about some seroiusly silver cheeckbones. But yes, I’m getting back into my heavy necklaces and fringed handbags, and oversize printed knits in reds, blacks, and whites. Maybe you’ll even see a feather sticking in my hat. That…or taking a trip to Guatemala. The latest S/S ’13 For Love & Lemons lookbook has me wishing of lightweight sexy dresses, metal arm bands, and a good tan. You know, just au natural…drifting away in a field of horses. Is it too early to wish for another city getaway?

(TOPSHOP x Nordstrom bomber jacket, fuzzy sweater, pleated skirt, buckle heel shoes (similar), and headband)

I had the best time hosting the TOPSHOP at NORDSTROM launch event at their Paramus, NJ Nordstrom store location. So many cotton candied colored coats, and perfectly cropped fuzzy knit sweaters. Everything I’ve only dreamt of for fall. What’s super amazing, is how TOPSHOP has made it’s way to the States bigger than ever…and in Nordstrom stores. Growing up, all I wanted was some real UK lovin’ and now we can get it just about anywhere here! Before the event, I went through the whole section (it’s huge!) and styled up the new collection on display. Mixing shine with loads of grunge. A metallic fit n’ flare dress with a slouchy black beanie. A perfect retro lace dress with a shearling moto jacket. And one of my favorites….a shiny black vinyl miniskirt, sparkly tank, and Russian fur hat (the next piece on my wish list.) For the night, I went with this amazing baby blue bomber jacket, the super soft lime yellow sweater, pleated skirt, and perfect buckled heels. It was Halloween weekend, so I had to throw on the little bunny eared velvet headband. It’s so so good. Thank you Nordstrom Grand State Plaza for having me for the evening. I grew up being a total mall rat…us Los Angeles girls have crawled mall sincwe birth! Dying to go back to the other Nordstrom stores and take a peek at the killer TOPSHOP selection. 

Shop TOPSHOP x NORDSTROM here!

(H&M x Minju Kim coat, Stylestalker black dress, Karen London necklace, H&M hat, Pedro Garcia heels, MILLY clutch)

I’m all about that iridescent glow for night. These are one pair heels that I’m totally A-OK with any night of the week. A slim heel, pointed toe, and slim ankle. I love this sleek beauty with some dainty white socks, and of course, this new yellow beauty that just entered my closet: the H&M x Minju Kim cacoon coat. Another sick collaboration I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of. The speckled yellow, turqoise blue, and blush pink. A combination worth lusting over. It’s so big, I could curl up into a ball inside it. With killer detail down the back, you feel like you can conquer the world in this coat. Like a really chic samourai in training! Oh, minus that henna tattoo you see peering out! The metallic MILLY clutch, straight off the runway, is just one other piece to really spruce up the LITTLE BLACK DRESS. Now this is how we do when you’ve got to layer up on a chilly NYC night!

And a side note// Tomorrow evening, October 25th, I’ll be out in New Jersey (and for the very first time!) to host the TOPSHOP launch event at NORDSTROM (Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ)! Super exciting, as the UK label just bleeds COOL. I’m excited to get dressed up for the evening and work with styling the collections in-store. See you there east coast babettes!

What: TOPSHOP x NORDSTROM launch event

Where: Nordstrom (Garden State Plaza) Paramus, NJ

When: 6pm

(Paul & Joe wool coat and pleated miniskirt (similar), Shop CAMP sweater, Cleobella handbag, Stolen Girlfriends Club sunglasses, Modern Vice “Carly” Boots)

This look reminds me of my first day of school. The jitterbugs. The extra heavy backpack filled with super clean notebooks, stencils, and fresh markers. How do I miss that “shopping for school” excitement?! That perfect uniform for every single day. Though I was that total tomboy at school. The denim on denim and high ponytail ensemble my best friend, I slowly got into skirts, letting my hair down, and being a girl. This pink plaid beauty and perfectly cut navy blue winter coat is so charming, I’d wear them forever. And I love them paired with something so different. A casual CAMP, sweater. You know, from when summer camp was totally cool and all you and your pals looked forward to at the beginning of June. Thank you SHOP CAMP for takin’ me back to that time. So there you have it. Why I’m missing getting dressed for those old school days. And why I’m now pulling out my extra thick stockings to gear up for winter.

(10th Tribe tee, Rebecca Taylor leather/denim moto jacket (similar), AG JEANS high waisted jeans, Cleobella handbag, Kamryn Dame gold cuffs, Ax + Apple spike ring, Vans Girls sunglasses, Vanessa Mooney rings, “Natalie + Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice” STUDDED JETT boots)

There are those mornings where I accidentally snooze my alarm, and literally have about 10 minutes to get dressed. That’s when I go to my all time favorite look. The white & black combo. The very female JAMES DEAN version of my style. Retro sunglasses, the perfect crew tee-shirt (but with some added dots), a white leather moto jacket, and some killer pair of high waisted super-skinny skinny jeans. My true OFF DUTY days. But when i’m in the dusty Modern Vice shoe factory, I’m trying super hard not to get my clothes dirty, and stay put in the design lab. Our STUDDED JETT still remains a personal favorite next to our simpler styles. We’ve been working hard…but it’s a rewarding feeling, getting to see our creations in our all-time favorite retailers. This week, my parents will be joining in on all the fun. I’m so so excited to see them two, they’re so darn cute! Can’t wait to take them with me on gigs, and a big photoshoot coming up next week. For 8 years already, they’ve been following me for work, always waiting on set. It’s exciting they can now join me in NYC for just a few days!

 Stay tuned, and follow my INSTAGRAM (natalieoffduty) for more FUN FUN!

HALLOWEEN// WILLY WONKA by natalieoffduty

WILLY WONKA:

–Marni blouse
-Valentino trousers
-Emporio Armani velvet coat
-CHA CHA’S House of Ill Repute custom top hat
-Karen Walker sunglasses
-Gucci men’s bowtie (similar)

Okay, is it weird that I’ve had Willy Wonka on my mind lately? Probably because I’m always seen around the city in my velvet duster of a coat, and button-down. He’s one person I maayyy just be for Halloween. For me, it’s super easy to re-create…and still roll out of bed to work in the next day. A gorgeous Marni printed blouse, high waisted beige trouser, and the raddest of all top hats! I’m obsessed with this burgundy hat…so scrunched and distressed in all the right places. The bowtie can be anything…I opted for this Gucci men’s bowite. Talk about CHIC.

BECAUSE THE NIGHT// PATTI SMITH by natalieoffduty 

PATTI SMITH:

-The Row turtleneck
-Stella McCartney blouse
-Gitman Brothers skinny tie (similar tie by YSL)
-Barbour olive jacket
-Marni wool pants
-Vanessa Mooney cross necklace
-Givenchy black liner
-MAKE UP FOR EVER black cream eyeshadow

And now, my rock n’ roll lover, Patti Smith. Now, I don’t think I should be her for Halloween only because I’d look far too much like myself. A shaggy blunt bang, that perfectly loose, slightly unbuttoned blouse and skinny tie. She’s all about the men’s tailored pieces and that’s what I love about her. The classic turtleneck, wool trouser, and nothing else…just some black smudged around her eyes, and a little cross necklace for everyday wear. BECAUSE THE NIGHT.

This week, there are too many Halloween parties to handle. I think I’ll be needing about 4 costumes. This morning, I’ll be scouring Williamsburg for some sick pieces! This year, I want to go all out.

SHOP all of these sets and my latest inspirations now on my POLYVORE!

 INSTAGRAM (natalieoffduty)

(Hudson Jeans moto jeans, Never Fully Dressed blouse, “Natalie + Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice” JETT BOOTS, Wildfox Couture sunglasses, BOERA knuckle ring, Jenny Bird serpent cuff, Vanessa Mooney choker (similar)

There’s nothing better than a super sheer blouse with giant bell sleeves that makes you feel like you can just fly away. I’m in love with all things Never Fully Dressed. The whites, creams, and laces I’ve only dreamt of. Here, I took my angel wings, and paired them a sick pair Hudson MOTO jeans. Now we’re talkin’ Hell’s Angels! My father was in love with them. He’d have his own leather jackets and biking pants tucked in the back of my parent’s closet, in case he ever wanted to get a motorcycle hehe. We’d watch when they drove by our car in packs down the 405. Just wondering where they were going. I love the contrast between a lightweight feather of a top and thick, heavy-duty denim. And look-ey here!! The classic JETT is back and better than ever! Many styles coming soon to all of our favorite stores…Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Anthropologie. Wait till you see what we have coming next!

Till then, it’s nearly Friday. Currently planning a weekend getaway before another super long week of work. Maybe we’ll kick it upstate, HELL ON WHEELS style.

(Eleven Paris tee, Jessica Faulkner pleated skirt, Ralph Lauren trenchcoat, Kenneth Cole handbag, Hunter Boots wellies, The 2 Bandits accessories)

So the pleated miniskirt is too darn cute to resist. I’ve been channeling CHER from Clueless all weekend, and I can’t seem to stop pairing these babies with a good high boot or over-the-knee socks. I’ve got the pleated mini in pink, black…and this one, beige and checkered to perfection, just happens to be one of my favorites. I love it with a basic oversize tank, bare legs, and a tan trench. I had on my wellies to protect me from the black clouds rolling above…sure to bring a super heavy rain over the city. I was nearly running on home in hopes of staying dry. But not quick enough. I got caught in the storm down Bowery, soaking in my perfectly pleated mini squeling. AS. IF.