Category Archives: Travel

WELCOME TO MY CRIB

firenze-natalie-suarez-6

Well, my dream crib. It was a chilly morning at Villa Cora, and I wanted nothing more than to sit on that balcony with a cup of hot tea. There’s something about a pink house I just adore. Faded from the Italian sun with a lush courtyard to boot. When I wasn’t slipping into my favorite cocktail dresses for our nights out with the Luisaviaroma team, you’d find me in this pair of kickass jeans. So high waisted they go far beyond my belly button, with a zipper and hook that reminds me of the Limited Too flares I sported back in elementary school (except those had a leopard stripe down the side. Yikes). Jane Birkin is the reason any girl has flattering jeans nowadays.

firenze-natalie-suarez-3firenze-natalie-suarez-4firenze-natalie-suarez-9firenze-natalie-suarez-1firenze-natalie-suarez-8firenze-natalie-suarez-2

// See by Chloe top, Finders Keepers jeans, For Love & Lemons knit cardigan, Vintage belt, Opening Ceremony boots //

THE WORLD IS MINE

florence-italy-natalie-suarez-11

Sometimes when my friends and I get so caught up with life and work, we like to joke “wouldn’t life be so much easier if we just got up, went to the country, and worked at the local supermarket?” But then we just laugh, and realize “no, never.” It’s that rush of being in a city. That drive. The feeling of constantly hustling. Making connections. Always learning something new…whether it be setting up the cable in my loft, or learning to be a better friend/sister/or daughter. The feeling of being able to get up and go travel. To explore a new city. To meet new people. To be strong enough to cut out the bad ones. That rush of excitement, of being constantly on your toes. Never knowing what will hit you the moment you leave your front door. First you’re battling the beast of the subway, the rush at the airport, but once you get into your little haven…your final destination…your home, your corner in your favorite cafe, you feel so much better. All the craziness and stress you felt before instantly fades away. You forget anything that’s been bothering you before. Traveling is a healer. Coming home is a healer. My favorite quote is “the road is better than the inn.” Sometimes it’s the challenges, crazy times, and stories that happen along the way to your final destination that make you smile and feel grateful. That’s a bit of how I’ve been feeling lately. Especially with my new home in DUMBO. When I’m here, it’s like all negative feeling fades away. It’s my refugee, my safe zone, my creative place, and my happy place. Nobody knows where I am. But it is still the journey of getting here that makes me smile. The people that got me to sitting here, writing this blog post, looking out over to see the twinkles of the Williamsburg Bridge. I can count on my two hands the important people in my life. And I like that. Simplicity.

I still don’t know how many planes I’ve been on. How many cities I’ve been to. How many shoot locations I’ve been on. How many taxis I’ve hailed. How many cars I’ve hopped in. But when I sit back, I realize I wouldn’t have life any other way right now. Free of any ties. Free to be me. It’s nice doing whatever the hell you want, and realize…THE WORLD IS MINE. And the rest falls into place. Just cherish all the wackiness that comes in between. I just want everyone reading this today to feel that.

“THE WORLD IS MINE.”

For a few days, Florence was mine. And it was refreshing. It’s one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to. There’s a calmness to it, and it was just like a movie set. I dream of Firenze because I’ve never seen a city like it.

florence-italy-natalie-suarez-3florence-italy-natalie-suarez-18florence-italy-natalie-suarez-7florence-italy-natalie-suarez-17florence-italy-natalie-suarez-15florence-italy-natalie-suarez-8florence-italy-natalie-suarez-23florence-italy-natalie-suarez-`florence-italy-natalie-suarez-5florence-italy-natalie-suarez-10florence-italy-natalie-suarez-19florence-italy-natalie-suarez-9florence-italy-natalie-suarez-13florence-italy-natalie-suarez-21florence-italy-natalie-suarez-16florence-italy-natalie-suarez-26florence-italy-natalie-suarez-20// Miu Miu sunglasses, Minkpink top, Cameo skirt, Muuba shearling coat, Opening Ceremony boots, Marie Turnor handbag //

VILLA CORA | Florence

florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-2

The Hotel Villa Cora is indeed one of my favorite places to stay in Florence, Italy. My bright yellow room was quirky, bold, and so incredibly chic! There was so much character. I never wanted to hop out of that gigantic bed. Even my bathroom and tub was a beautiful hue of mustard yellow! Now I just want everything in this happy, eclectic shade. Our stay felt a lot like a movie. It easily could make for a Wes Anderson film set. Everything was symmetrical. Everything came in pairs. The lamps, the end tables, the chairs. Everything centered and perfectly placed. It’s funny how I notice my surroundings. I picture everything as a photograph. But I guess that’s a good thing when it comes to my field of work. Plush pillows. Luxe curtains. Morning breakfasts overlooking the steaming outdoor pool lined with Roman statues. This is one place where you will feel just like a queen. The best thing about traveling is enjoying the hotel. Then comes the food. Then comes the fashion. Florence made me want to cuddle up in a beret, scarf, and my hotel slippers. Dylana filmed this little short story at the lovely, Hotel Villa Cora. And what a pleasant stay it was.

See more of my little films on my Youtube.

florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-5florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-6florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-3florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-4florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-9florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-7florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-16florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-18florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-15florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-13florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-19florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-10florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-8florence-villa-cora-natalie-off-duty-20// Ganni silk tank, Ax + Apple necklaces and bracelets, Love Haus underwear //

INSTAGRAM @natalieoffduty | FACEBOOK |  follow on BLOGLOVIN | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | PINTEREST | TUMBLR

THE TOP HAT

los-angeles-natalie-suarez-5

In LA, I honestly wore this hat almost everyday. This past year, I’ve sort of sworn off wearing a hat. I felt it was overdone. Every blogger was wearing them, and I didn’t want to be that girl with “the hat.” But then I received the Stetson x Tasya van ree black hat on my doorstep, and I fell in love once again with the classic black hat. Whenever I’m on the West Coast, I rarely do my hair. I just put on some lip balm, fluff my bangs, and add a hat. And it’s that incognito feeling that I love. Don’t want to make eye contact? Yep, you got your hat. Super sunny breakfast on your back porch? You’ve got your hat. I’ll be hanging this one up in my new NYC abode soon. I’m excited to be taking it out for many more adventures. This one has already been around the globe with me.

los-angeles-natalie-suarez-8los-angeles-natalie-suarez-6los-angeles-natalie-suarez-13los-angeles-natalie-suarez-11los-angeles-natalie-suarez-10los-angeles-natalie-suarez-12los-angeles-natalie-suarez-9los-angeles-natalie-suarez-14Look 1: // Stetson x Tasyvanree hat, St. Roche blouse, J Brand jeans, M. Gemi flats //

Look 2: // For Love & Lemons knit dress, Amuse Society coat, Luisaviaroma boots, Marie Turnor bucket bag //