Category Archives: General

On a Shop Crawl through London

(Vintage dress, GAP denim jacket, Dr. Martens boots, Rebecca Minkoff bag)
Hello from London! After just one day in the city, I’ve already fallen deeply in love with it. Our hotel reminds me of an old British castle, and I honestly don’t want to get out of bed. Dylana and I spent our first day on one crazy shop crawl through London. And not to just any stores…we went to a bunch of hidden underground spots that I never would have found! LN-CC, House of Liza, Beyond Retro. Thank goodness for my pals at Shopikon for taking us on a day’s tour to so many amazing spots. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without them…Shopikon’s become my travel go-to guide. I’m really getting back into vintage and so picked up a few new pieces along the way. By the way, my British friends were so right about London style. It’s very grungy, dark, and gloomy… everyday I feel like wearing more black along with my chunky Docs. I love how the style here is always slightly punk..the girls never look perfect and the boys are pure rock n’ roll. We ended our night over in Dalston, at a real British pub…with the Stones blasting at the bar, and electro playing in the back. Let’s just say it was the perfect start to one incredible trip. Here’s to day 2!

Follow my adventures through the UK on Instagram!

Follow Natalieoffduty on Twitter
Follow Natalie Off Duty

NYFW: Calm to Crazy

To keep sane during NYFW, I like to start my mornings calm and slow. Breakfasts at my favorite little spot, MUD in the east village, before actually hitting the fashion craze over at Lincoln Center. I honestly felt like I was trekking through the city all week in nothing but dresses, Docs, and a backpack. I went from waving goodbye to Dylana in the Free People pedicab, to dancing to Cyndi Lauper at Betsey Johnson’s colorful 70th birthday bash, all before closing the season at the sleek, sexy show over at Vivienne Tam. You come to a point where you just don’t want to think about what you’re going to wear each day during fashion week. Well, I guess I never did to begin with. But I have to admit, this Cheap Monday dress is pure genius. It’s dressy, but not dressy. It’s basically a tee material, and that makes me love it all the more. 
Now that NYFW has slowly come to a close, much of my fall wardrobe is in a suitcase, headed to London and Paris! This entire summer was all work, so it’s time for Dylana and I’s next European adventure! Can’t wait to give you updates while I’m in the UK! Pip pip!
Follow Natalieoffduty on Twitter
Follow Natalie Off Duty

Twisting and Turning through NYFW

Is it weird to say I feel like a complete pilgrim in this little vintage dress? I picked up this baby in the east village and fell even deeper in love with it this NYFW. The full pleated skirt makes me want to twist and turn…the sleeves remind me of a circus..and I just can’t get enough of it. I stayed in this printed number from morning to night…jumping from breakfast to shows. By the time dinner rolls around, I’m a bit a mess, with giant hair and worn-in boots. Anyways, between all the shows, there’s always one a day I love in particular. This time? Rebecca Minkoff. Live tunes, wavey do’s, and some beautiful bold prints really make me long for a holiday next spring somewhere beach-y. Now we’ve got just one more day to embrace all the NYFW madness. Sad it’s almost over?
Follow Natalieoffduty on Twitter
Follow Natalie Off Duty

Between Shows

(Stylestalker dress, Levi’s shirt, Thrifted backpack, Dr. Marten’s boots)
In the midst of New York fashion week, I haven’t really sat down once! There are just too many people I know that are in town…my Cali girls, my NYC girls, my Europe girls, and everyone else in between! So far, it’s been one giant weekend of never-ending meet-ups…oh and meals. We broke the world record of sitting for a 5 hour dinner! See? Things happen when you’re surrounded by people you haven’t seen in about a year! And like I’ve said before, I never really planned anything to wear for fashion week. My rule: taking pieces I love and tweaking it a bit. I love this leather Stylestalker dress. I wore it during FNO to host Swarovski, and again yesterday. With different shirts underneath each time, it feels brand spankin’ new. Just a few more days of NYFW craziness, then I’m off to London for some Brit fun. September, you rock. 
Follow Natalieoffduty on Twitter
Follow Natalie Off Duty