(Harlyn blouse, Vintage coat, Hudson “Nico” Jeans, Vintage Chanel bag, “Natalie + Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice” JETT JODPHURS)

 I’m jumping a bit forward here, skipping a few moments through Christmas, to my last day in LA. I love when Dylana is the photographer. Always she takes all of my favorite snaps. I really wish she would pursue photography more…this babe knows her stuff! Anyways, this was a very special day. Dressed like a woolly mammoth thanks to my newest American Rag xmas present, we hopped in my car, and drove to the one place I always go to escape, the top of Pacific Palisades, to Will Rogers Park. We go, we run through the green grass, and hike breathlessly to the top like kids, just to get that view of the Pacific. I’ve been coming here since the day I was born. No joke, I was looking through our baby photos, and there we were. My dad, being an LA native, always knew the best places to take us. The 4 of us together can do just about anything together, and have fun, whether it’s peaceful or crazy. I already miss my mum and pops!! Can you believe my holiday’s nearly over already and I’m back in NYC? I had a shoot just 2 days after Christmas, and yep, I’m back to work here on the east coast. Looks like I’ll be having a real city New Year’s Eve! I’m excited for what’s to come this next year. I thought this year couldn’t top the last, and it did…2013, you’re bound to be incredible. 

(Worth and Worth custom hat, A.P.C. coat, vintage turtleneck, Element “Melody” skirt, Vanessa Mooney necklace, Marie Turnor bag, “Natalie + Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice” JETT JODPHURS)

San Francisco bay, I miss you already. Your winding streets, steep slopes, and pastel town homes. I always knew you liked to rain. I flew from LA to San Francisco, and had a good 2 days in the bay! Just before our Rand+Statler x Modern Vice event on Hayes Street, I shot their next lookbook down at Fisherman’s Wharf…decked in Helmet Lang, Wang, and A.P.C. paired with our MV Benni and JETT boots. Talk about a killer combo! I can’t wait to see the film results to our shoot. After a whole day of work, the boy and I hid under our umbrellas, making our way from the top of Alamo Square, down to the gritty Haight Ashbury. It was extremely cold, and we couldn’t really escape the rain. I opted for a cropped turtleneck and skirt. The hat’s just an early Xmas present…custom, NYC made, and a little too perfect.

I think the last time Jordan was in San Fran, he had dreadlocks down to his bum! For memorie’s sake, we sat on Jerry Garcia’s porch, honoring the rock n’ roll legends, before going on a thrift binge. I finally squeezed in some Christmas shopping. I cannot wait to show you what I picked up down in the Haight, where hippies reside, and bell bottoms are the norm. For now, I cannot wait to collapse on my pillow to dream of my next visit. Waking up at 4am for a flight is exhausting! Looks like it’s finally bedtime.

Continue to follow my west coast adventures on Instagram (natalieoffduty)

(Lauren Moffatt top, Ebk Eyewear vintage sunnies, Vintage jacket, Sienna Ray bag, Vintage Polo Ralph Lauren//Cloak & Dagger shorts, “Natalie + Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice” VINTAGE JETT boots)

I am back in California and honestly it felt so so good to drive down from my home in LA down to Huntington Beach, like I always did, with the Stones and Doors blasting. Dad, you taught me well. With some old school stripes and a bright green varsity jacket, I was ready for a day out in complete LA style…picking up in-n-out, before cruising down the coast. I only just realized today that “Debbie” was imprinted on my sleeve. This special little thing became mine in an east village thrift shop and I can’t take the darn thing off. Debbie must have been one cool cat back in the day. I love how this one piece can bring back so many memories of high school. The football games, the climbing over fences. I’m suddenly nostalgic. This happens every time I visit home! Anyways, I made a plan to hit up all my west coast hot spots today, including a visit to the family over at the Volcom headquarters, to pick up gifts for all of the boys in the house! I’ve missed surf city like no other. 

After just one day here, soaking in some SoCal rays, I do have to get packed up tonight for an early flight to San Francisco!! I’m managing to get all my work thrown in just before Christmas. I have to admit, I do need some sleep before tomorrow’s shoot and our huge Modern Vice shoe event at Rand + Statler. The Golden Gate bridge is calling my name. I’ll be back soon LA!

Follow my west coast adventures on Instagram (natalieoffduty)

(Muubaa leather jacket, Junim LA tie-dye dress, Vintage plaid shirt, Sienna Ray bag, “Natalie + Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice” JETT JODPHUR boot)

This week is bound to be crazy. I’ve been packing for California, and squeezing in some last-minute work just before I take off to my first stop, LA, this afternoon! Though the boyfriend and I both got horrible fevers over the weekend, we did get well just in time for our shoot at the Modern Vice factory for our Zink Magazine special, which I’m super stoked about! It’s the first time we’ve had a shoot together, and at the factory! Now, I’m just throwing all my things into one giant suitcase in hopes of making my flight! I’ll be back home in LA, driving in my lil’ Prius, catching up with all my west coast pals, before hitting the beautiful bay of San Francisco! I can’t wait to meet everyone at our Rand + Statler event! For now, I’ll be dipped in color with this Muubbaa icy leather jacket and Junim flowing maxi dress. The light mix in colors remind me of California. I can’t wait to ride bikes by the beach, and sit in the sun. 

So stay updated on all my west coast adventures on Instagram (natalieoffduty)!