Category Archives: Travel

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

Monday, April 4, 2016

32 Comments

THE FINAL JOLT

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Style, Travel

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.

// Wool and the Gang beanie, Acler coat and pants, Stylestalker sweater, Charlotte Simone scarf, VANS leather sneakers, Kenneth Cole backpack //

TAGS: fresh, spring, starts

Saturday, April 2, 2016

18 Comments

#JUSTPASSINGTHROUGH SXSW | REEF GIRLS

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Style, Travel

Our Reef crew just survived a wild week at SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas! Howdy cowboys! They didn’t lie when they say everything is bigger and better in Texas. It’s true. The beers. The burgers. The music. Everything is over the top eat-till-you-drop bbq and dance-till-you-can’t-feel-your-feet loud. I live for that chaotic energy. The streets in Austin become crowded with street performers and food trucks. Just trying to find a seat on the benches may take a minute. The city loves its food and live music.

But for every Reef adventure, we always go by the spirit of #justpassingthrough. It was awesome getting to meet pro-surfer Evan Geiselman for this shoot. He’s always got a smile on his face. Even though we’re both so different (he’s always on the plane to the next most beautiful exotic beach), we’re also a bit similar. We’re both always looking for adventure. Always finding the next best thing (I discovered a ton of new bands I now love). Always finding the next trail to hike. Always on our feet. Always moving. Always traveling. Even if for me, it means fashion weeks and photoshoots, I still always go back to that California native lifestyle I’ve only known…those moments out playing in the sun. That’s when the Reef Rover sneakers come into play. I’m obsessed with this season’s updated sneaker. They are so light that you can fit a few pairs in your suitcase. And they are so comfortable you can run in them, dance in them, and even jump in the creek before putting them on again right after. Made for the beach, the desert, and that long walk on the side of the mountain.

For SXSW, you could find me pairing my Rovers with a full-on denim jumpsuit and bandana. Or the REEF “day catch” sandals with a fringed leather skirt and tube top. Dressing for the summer is my favorite. Now all I need is that tan and perfect playlist.

What I’m listening to now:

-“Baby I can Hell” by Deap Vally

-“Hundred Miles” by YALL

-“Gold Gun Girls” by Metric

-“Bloodstream” by Transviolet

-“Hypnotic” by Zella Day

// Reef Rover Low Top sneakers //

// Reef Day Catch sandal //

// Reef Rover Low Prints sneaker //

// Reef Rover Hi sandal //

See more on Reef.com

TAGS: #JustPassingThrough, REEF, Reef Girls, SXSW, travel

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

24 Comments

THE LOW V

Monday, March 21, 2016

Style, Travel

Yep, it’s all about that super low V. Only us girls with the small boobs can rock it like no other without getting looked at like we’re asking for it. And who said bras are in anymore? It is true that flat chested girls can get away with some crazy getups. Every designer and their mom made this top, but it’s all about how you style it that makes it your own. I paired mine with my favorite vintage belt and extra large sunglasses. A bit Jackie O mixed with Jane Birkin mixed with some California lovin’ squeezed on top.

I’m still in my hotel in Austin, Texas at the moment, just getting off the phone with my best friend who ended our call with “Let’s go anywhere. I don’t care where. I’ll even do Miami.” You have no idea how hard I wish I was laying on that beach. I just finished the super wild SXSW circuit with my Reef family, shooting some killer stories in the BBQ-filled land of Austin, where everything truly is bigger, badder, and better. Iif you really want to laugh your ass off, go check out my Snapchat (NatalieOffDuty). We’ve gone knee deep into the Greenbelt creek, went from rap to country to rock gigs, and stayed up way past our bedtimes. Believe me, spending a few days with a team of surfers immediately gets you pounding beers and saying “gnarly” before you can wrap your head around what you’re doing. But we couldn’t have asked for a better time. Team Suarez has indeed been eating and adventuring their way through many cities this year, wearing loads of wild outfits, with a ton more stories to tell. Tomorrow I’m back in NYC. Man, I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed. Then, we’re off to London for the weekend. Fish and chips anyone?