// Rococo Sand bodysuit and skirt //

This matching bodysuit and skirt gives me all the 70’s disco, Saturday Night Fever, feels. I was just thinking about nights on the dance floor, and how much I miss it all. This easy going set makes me want to transport somewhere balmy and warm. Mexico maybe? 

The post 70’S SWIRLS first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

I am excited to take you down St. Maarten memory lane. It was such an incredible getaway. Just my boyfriend, a 35mm lens, a car, and a whole island to explore in one week. We stayed along Cupecoy Beach…and I rank it by far the best beach on the island. Imagine crystal clear, calm and steady, turquoise water. Gorgeous white butterflies, fluttering their wings everywhere you turn. St. Maarten is part French and part Dutch. We stayed on the beaches of the Dutch side, where we indulged in fresh seafood and hours of swimming under the hot Caribbean sun. I tried snails for the first time..and liked it. Can you believe it? There’s an elegance to the island which I really love. The beaches. The hotels. The restaurants. I can’t wait to show you more. You get a real European summer feel with just a 3.5 hour flight away from NYC.

Here you’ll find this little cove, with it’s stunning white staircase, just steps from my boyfriend’s family home. I called it cliff beach. I’d look at it everyday. The rocks gave off a faded pink/orangish glow depending on the time of day. It felt untouched. So raw. Porto Cupecoy will always stick with me…everything from the food in Grand Case to the majestic winding roads. For our easy days hopping from the ocean into the pool, I kept my wardrobe extra simple, like a classic black triangle bikini, adorned with really decadent jewelry and head scarves. It’s a tiny touch of glamour I gravitate to. May all summers be as romantic, simple, and beautiful as this one has been.

Anine Bing bikini

Zadig et Voltaire silk scarf

Luiny earrings

The post FRENCH/DUTCH | ST MAARTEN first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

What is everyone doing this 4th of July? Looks like I’ll be in St. Maarten shortly after a full week in Hawaii. Can you say sunshine?! Work has been non-stop for me back home in NYC so while I’m away on “holiday,” it always takes me a second to adjust to a slower pace. I’m the girl that is always “go, go, go.” Can’t stop. Won’t stop. NYC does that to you. But in the summer, I’m always by the water…ready for my morning swims in the ocean, indulging in acai bowls, and sitting in the sun. I’ve got a million things on my calendar pre-travels that the last thing I want to worry about is packing. The amazing thing is I already know what to pack…and that is Donni Charm. Scarves that double as tops, skirts, and wraps.

Ever taken a wrap and put it on as a tube top? Used your neck scarf tied around your head? Made your blanket into a skirt? During my latest trip to Grand Cayman, I literally only had to pack a few bikinis and 3 items. A wrap scarf, a neck scarf, and top. All of which I tied around my body in so many different ways. My skirt could easily been a tube dress once night falls. My kimono can be worn with my favorite skirt at the bar. That’s the amazing thing about dressing for “resort.” Give me some cotton. Give me some linen. And I’ll get creative on how to wear them. Voila.

Donni Charm scarf

Vitamin A bikini

Donni Charm top and scarf

Vix Swim one piece swimsuit

Luiny earrings

Lack of Color hat

Kore Swim one-piece

Zeus + Dione one-piece swimsuit

Zeus + Dione sandals

The post Creative Ways to Wear a Beach Cover Up | Swim Edit first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

A little quick hello on my busy Wednesday before rushing out the door. NYC, can you please bring out the sun?! I’m taking you back to much brighter days with a perfect retro beach look that’s super easy to recreate. My trip to the Cayman Islands consisted of numerous neck scarves (by Donni Charm of course), one-piece swimsuits, and decadent earrings. When you’re out on a gorgeous island, why not add a little Old Hollywood glam to your beach look?! It’s rare I have a day to just sit by the water with my phone on silent, so I let myself indulge and play diva.

As for my beach style, I pull loads of inspiration from French beauties Brigette Bardot and Jane Birkin. Lately, I’ve been a lot more Mick Jagger meet Jackie O. when I’m traveling for work… always a little party dress dress and my smartest boy blazer. It’s so necessary to trade in all the fashion for a day at the beach… pulling inspiration from that effortlessly French feminine look never goes out of style, but adding in my own little quirks. Statement sunglasses. Easy sandals. Airy pants that work on the plane as well as at the pool. All that’s really missing here is a straw bag and my beau. As I stare out my window at the gloomy Manhattan skyline and patiently wait for summer, all I can think about is this pink and booking my next getaway.

For Love & Lemons one-piece swimsuit

Mother Denim pants

Luiny earrings

Donni Charm scarf

Elizabeth & James sunglasses

Zeus + Dione sandals 

The post FLAMINGO PINK | RETRO BEACH LOOK first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

This gigantic straw hat has been to many beaches with us. From lazy mornings in Miami to here at dusk in Costa Rica. It’s been this close to getting washed away into the ocean that I’m surprised it’s still here in my closet back in New York awaiting it’s next sandy adventure. Here we are just minutes from losing the sun at the beautiful Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo. The beach so quiet all you could hear was the buzzing from the trees and the crashing of the waves. Pure paradise. New York City felt extremely far away. Suddenly you smell of sunscreen, the ocean, and bug spray. A comforting combination. It’s nice having these photos to soak back in this little moment. When all you need is a beer and your best friend’s shoulder to lean on.

// Aerie swimsuit, Hatattack sunhat, Phyllis + Rosie jewelry //

The post PENINSULA PAPAGAYO first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Leather and bell sleeves. Just what you need for winters at the beach. Next to s’mores and a bonfire. I’m currently planning my next tropical getaway. Maybe it’ll be Thailand, Bali, and Malaysia again this coming summer. Where I can eat curry with my bare hands on a banana leaf, and get massages on the beach. Or a last minute weekend flight to Miami. Forever disco dancing until the break of dawn, mojito in hand. Whatever it is, my body’s craving surf, sun, and spices. The closest thing we get here in the city is a steam room/ sauna session. SIGH. Until next time…

// Chaser Brand sweater, Free People seamless turtleneck, The Kooples leather miniskirt //

The post FISH NET first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.