(Tailor & Stylist sweater (free shipping/10% off with code: Natalie10), Goldsign high wasisted “virtual” jeans, Urban coat, M. Hulot handbag, The 2 Bandits jewelry, Warby Parker “everett” sunglasses, Lucky Brand hat, Swedish Habeens “heart” sandals)

I was just heading back to the city from our upstate New York getaway, and honestly, I wanted nothing more than to curl up in the backseat of our car, munch on the chocolate we picked up in New Paltz, and catch some sleep in a good denim jean and striped sweater…my two go-to’s for any travel destination. There are some mornings that I just want to be as simple as ever. No fringe, no crazy layers (all things I’m extremely, extremely fond of.) I always think “ok, a striped sweater, and I can be done with it.” I realized all I had was an old tattered striped sweater I picked up at a Paris thrift shop late last year. I wore it to the bone, as I do with any striped top. I still refuse to throw it away. Luckily, I’m beginning to stock up. This Tailor & Stylist classic is one to always throw in the ol’ suitcase! A super cute shop started by a tailor and his stylist wife. Talk about adorable. I’m all for cute designer couples. Paired with the best little leopard hat known to man, my older sister’s coat (yes, I refuse to give it back), and a girly clog sandal, it’s another look my friends call 80’s Berlin. I love the simple things to bring us into Spring! Happy Monday!

Nicole Miller Summer ’13 shot by Lauren Teslia in Barbados

And it’s finally here! My Nicole Miller Summer ’13 campaign, shot in Barbados!! Shooting on location is like a dream…especially when you get to shoot in the warm tropics of Barbados right smack in the middle of the NYC winter. And everything was so full of color, brightening and warming my heart. The green lush, the bright blue waters, the collection. I fell in love with the beautfiul form-fitted dresses, hugging in all the right places. Perfect to pick flowers in. I could easily blend in with the palm trees…the bold leaves taken from this gorgeous place were planted directly on my dress like a work of art. Then there’s the little beach cover-ups and lightweight rompers. I fell in love. This was one adventurer’s dream shoot. In between takes, we’d take breaks on the back patio of The Monkey house (yes, there were monkeys at our house!) or end the day taking dips in the pool during sunset. I could lie back and stare up at the sky all day. Barbados is such a beautiful island… quiet, and just so full of relaxation. I could spend hours in the go-carts just trying to get a monkey to come to me…or by the water, digging my toes into the sand. And I finally got to swim with the giant sea turtles. Talk about liberating. Arriving on the island from the airport, beer in hand, music blasting, it’s a trip I’ll always remember! Everything from discovering old boats in the sand, to peeking into old, brightly colored desolate buildings. This island is so full of colors so rich, and everyone’s on a slower, calmer pace. Our campaign shoot just being a postcard of a place I’ll never forget. 

(True Religion leather jacket, Vintage tee, American Apparel sunflower shorts, original Hunter Boots, Jenny Bird “netted bucket” bag, Vanessa Mooney necklaces and ring)

See those crazy clouds hovering behind me…yep, a thunderstorm was underway! My friends and I were huddled on the roof, all dressed like some crazy British rock girl band, and we felt like we were high in in the dark deep clouds. We panicked as it started raining just above the neighbor’s roof, until seconds later, we were soaked once it made it’s way to us. I don’t think there’s been a girl running in wellies so fast! And it’s actually quite fun to see the storm making it’s way across the city. Fun, but quite dangerous. We luckily found shelter in the stairwell…with rain drops hard as rocks knocking on the ceiling. We were literally squeuling inside like little girls. The windows in the apartment were open, wetting the lit candles on the ledge. Shutting everything from the outdoor world, the only thing we could do was watch the Flood Warnings from our phones, and turn on the TV. We were antsy and with no patience to wait it out, we were outside walking in the rain 10 minutes later. There’s always that excitement with the NYC rain. You never really know what you’re going to get. Thank goodness for these navy blue wellies..I love them on hot rainy afternoons with nothing but some short, shorts, and a band tee. I brought the sunflowers out this day, you know, only to give the dreary East Village some life. Someone’s gotta do it.