Category Archives: Style

I am indeed Los Angeles born and bred. I’ll drive an hour to Alhambra from the West Side just for a good bowl of pho. I’ll listen to my old high school cd’s on repeat in my little blue Prius. I’ll go through the drive through at Taco Bell just for that midnight bean and cheese (and take crazy videos). Yes, I’ll park where I shouldn’t park, and I just may go over the speed limit every once in a while. I’ll sit on the keyboard all day long in the music room, and plug in my microphone, belting as if I’m performing for hundreds of thousands of people…just like I did when I was little. I’ll go through my college books that haven’t been touched in years in my bedroom, and read the those novels with the notes in it over and over again. I’ll make any excuse to meet in Santa Monica because I love that city by the sea so darn much. I’ll do anything to get the perfect photo, to capture the most perfect moment. I’ll still wake up at 6am to go to a good Beverly Hills Estate Sale just to get first dibs on the designer coat before the next girl gets it. I’ll forever slip out my Valley “as if” accent. I’ll still consider everything “epic”, “sick”, and “rad”. I’ll always find a way to make fun of a situation.

But most of all, I’ll always have my Los Angeles friends and family. We could be sitting in my dining room table (friends, mom, dad, and the whole crew), and talk about absolutely anything and everything. I love my kooky characters. Like the city itself, it’s like you never left. That time didn’t change a thing. That I haven’t really been on the east coast for already 5 years. That I’m about to call myself a true New Yorker…for real. Your true friends will always remember you purely as you. As “Natalie”, or littler” (little sister), and love you just because they do…and always will no matter what happens. Your real friends and loved ones love you as you are. As you be and let you be. So it’s important to be you. Be genuine and real. Being in touch with your roots always keeps you in check. Don’t let go of those people who are always there for you, and don’t ever change. I haven’t, and you shouldn’t either. LA has those people, moments, and memories I’ll always hold on to. Just like the Pacific Ocean. Constantly changing, the waves in and out, but it’ll always be there to welcome you home. Los Angeles, I love you.

// Jocelyn coat, Louis Vuitton blouse, Frame Denim jeans, vintage Michael Kors belt, Opening Ceremony boots //

TAGS: home, los angeles, streetstyle

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

35 Comments

INSADONG PHOTO DIARY

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Style, Travel

Insadong, the super old town in Seoul, was spectacular. The vibrant colors on the walls and tiny wooden traditional homes. Endless rows of tea houses, and little food stands selling local sweets and fried donuts. I wanted to taste everything. I refused to put my camera down. Early that morning, we were busy filming the REEF music/travel film where I belted a song over my keyboard (which you can still view here). 2016 is going to be amazing once again as the REEF Girls ambassador. We have a lot of travels already lined up, and a lot more music involved so get ready! Work always feels like fun when you’re just creating constantly and doing what you love. With the people you love. After a day of capturing Insadong with Team Suarez, we watched the sunset over Bukhansan National Park. We had a moment of zen at the temple followed by a quiet walk up and down the steps through park. The leaves so vibrant and the air crisp and peaceful, it was bittersweet to leave South Korea. I can’t wait for another across-the-world trip.

// REEF rover sneakers //

TAGS: insadong, Korea, Seoul, Seoul Fashion Week, South Korea

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

26 Comments

MOMENTS OF SEOUL SEARCHING

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Style, Travel

With so much work, followed by a very relaxing much-needed holiday break (I think I’ve had one too many beach days spent reading the newspaper front to back), I realized that wow, there are so many more stories from my travels that I haven’t had a chance to get up here yet. Like SEOUL…searching, and with my two best babes, Dylana and Ashley. Our fashion week adventures in Seoul, South Korea were a definite highlight of 2015. Being in Asia is just such a ride. From the 14 hour flight to the 14 hour flight home. So long, but so worth it. Who would have thought we were only 1 hour away from Tokyo?! That’s on my 2016 must-see destinations.

Anyways here a few of my favorite SEOUL moments:

-At Seoul Fashion Week, we were greeted by so many adorable kid streetstyle stars clad in beanies, mini denim jackets, and of course, their very stylish mothers. Yes, a toddler grabbed my cell phone to take a selfie of us. So cute.

-The rows and rows of cheeky Korean skincare stores around DDP. I was this close to purchasing the panda face masks. Yep, they sell sheet masks that legit make you look like one giant panda. They’d have been perfect for those funny Snapchats to send to pals. I didn’t have too much time to shop thought their 5 story high malls were brilliant. I went straight for the skincare.

-The berets. They were everywhere that my friends and I stocked up on a few good ones to take back to the States. Get a beret and maybe a cool pair of faux fur sneakers. Weirder the better.

–Insadong: The oldest part of Seoul, with beautiful traditional wood homes, and little Mom and Pop boutiques. A close walk to Gyongbukgong Palace. You can also discover a lot of local, traditional art here!

-The karaoke. Koreans LOVE to party. And they’re fantastic at it. You’ve been warned that your host will certainly have a few bottles of soju lying around, and whiskey on the rocks in your hands at all times. Cheers accordingly before blasting out the Britney Spears tunes. I don’t think we went a day without listening to Gangnam Style.

-The FOOD. My daily fuel was the classic beef bulgogi. So good, and definitely hits the spot when you’re on the constant go. For nights with our crew, we went for classic Korean BBQ….be prepared to have your clothes smell of kimchi and spices on the way home. But our breakfasts were more insane. We always began our days with one (or two) bowls of pho at The Shilla. Pho for breakfast. Crazy, but the best thing ever made. Also a proven hangover cure (thank me later). I’ve never experienced such a killer breakfast buffet, but The Shilla, was one of my favorite 5 star hotels I’ve had the pleasure of staying at. It was hard picking between the eggs and chicken chow mein versus a classic French baguette. Decisions, decisions.

Speaking of which, the new year has brought in a ton of decision making for me! 2016 means moving into my NEW HOME in NYC (more on that soon!), traveling the world (next stop is Florence, Italia next week), and a ton of killer creative, “think outside the box” projects. I’ve never felt more me in a really long time. A girl has got to know what she wants before she gets it. Let’s crush it this year babes!! We can do it!

// Vintage silk top and suede skirt, Gucci bamboo tote, Puma x Rihanna sneakers, Sabrina SL leather choker //

TAGS: Korea, Seoul, Seoul Fashion Week, travel

Sunday, January 3, 2016

30 Comments

90’S NYC SPORT

Monday, December 28, 2015

Style

The best thing about the 90’s was the sportswear. 90’s Tommy Hilfiger in New York City to be exact. Baggy basketball shorts. Bandeau bras. And lip gloss. Fresh off the runway, this sporty set brings back what Tommy is all about. All-American youth. Rebels without a cause. Destroying the streets of NYC one Lower East Side party at a time. Reds, whites, and blues. Some of my favorite NYC 90’s babes? The too-cool-for-school Chloe Sevigny. The always smiling young and innocent Kate Moss. Liv Tyler with her cigarette and Chuck Taylors in Times Square. Christy Turlington making even a tracksuit look glamourous. Though I love a good flash-back look, I’m still keeping up with our crazy digital age, with the new MIRA fitness bracelet that I recently discovered. Synced to my app, it keeps track of your activities…steps, distance, and elevation. So when I’m kicking your butt at boxing, you know what’s up.

// Tommy Hilfiger bra and shorts, MIRA fitness bracelet //