Now this is one party dress! The way it moves when you dance! Here I am literally running in heels to the ZOEasis party at Coachella, where I was working with Amazon… you may have seen some of my latest work with the Echo Look?! It’s the best product to help me decide on what party dress to shimmy on before a night on. Anyways, I loved the way the sun was falling over the open road outside of The Parker Hotel. Such magic. This weekend I’ll be in Miami for the Paraiso Festival and I think this amazing Rachel Zoe silver beauty might be something I pack for something special out on South Beach. For some reason, this 1920’s flapper dress reminds me of my favorite cities for nightlife: Vegas, Palm Springs, and Miami to name a few. It shines best under the disco ball. Now this is over-the-top but in the best way possible.

Rachel Zoe dress

Salvatore Ferragamo heels

The post THE FRINGE DRESS IN PALM SPRINGS first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Coachella is my way of kicking off spring. The heat. The sun. I absolutely love the energy and togetherness that Coachella brings each year to Palm Springs. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to extend my work trip to Los Angeles. More pool time please! I counted with Dylana and this is our 8th Coachella in a row since 2011. Not much has changed, yet I still manage to make each year feel like it’s brand new again. Early mornings are spent by the pool. Afternoons are spent at brunch or a hotel day party. Nights are spent hopping between shows. Palm Springs has it’s busiest weekend of all time, bringing in bands from all over the world. This time? Revolve Festival, Coachella, and Neon Carnival all in a single night. I’ve seen many of the bands over and over again around the US at different festivals that I’m beginning to know the lyrics by heart. Borns, Haim, and Migos to name a few. Boy was I party pooped!  And it’s all happening again right now, this weekend for Coachella weekend two.

Right on for those who can do all that fun in the sun two weekends in a row. I’m taking a breather instead! But since many of us are still in festival mode or planning to hit up Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza later this year, here’s a round up of some festival looks to get you prepared. BB Dakota partnered up with Dylana and I this season, and I swear I saw girls wearing the latest collection at every single event I went to out in Palm Springs. We also hosted their pre-festival bash at their LA headquarters. It was a pretty special night. So many amazing ladies came out to support and shopped the line. This denim overall dress and BB Dakota top/skirt combination were the it looks this festival season. These easy pieces are perfect for festival season because it’s hot, you’re on your feet, and you just want something easy and light to dance in. It’s awesome to see how many babes were sporting BB Dakota! I couldn’t help but take photos! I took my favorite BB Dakota go-tos and gave it my own twist with a little layering. Festival season is all about the freedom to wear and do whatever you want. Glitter? Why not. Denim? Necessary.

Shop my  BB Dakota looks below.

The post MY 8TH COACHELLA ACCOMPLISHED | BB DAKOTA first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Philadelphia to NYC to LA to Cayman Islands to London. Phew! The thought of packing is already making me sweat. But with all of the work, May 2017 is already looking like it’s going to be legendary. I can’t help but have a big giant smile wherever I go.

With every escape and every adventure comes a dress to remember. For some reason, this Yigal Azrouel off-shoulder dress stands out to me. It’s one of those pieces you don’t forget about. You remember exactly what you did that day. It’s both casual and elegant at the same time. Two adjectives to describe most of my wardrobe. I love things in their simplest, most elegant state. A dress with open shoulders and a super diva pair of sunglasses. Can you believe this was my Neon Carnival look?! If I’m celebrating, I go all out. Even if the dance floor is a bit too sweaty n’ sticky for one of your most glamorous summer dresses.

Yigal Azrouel dress

Marc Jacobs sunglasses

Marc Jacobs camera bag 

Zadig et Voltaire boots

The post CASUAL / ELEGANT! first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

This was my Coachella sling bag by Marc Jacobs. It converts to a hobo, crossbody, and backpack. How cool is that?! I like it best slung as a crossbody over my waist. Besides this incredible purple, it also comes in a stunning canary yellow.

Marc Jacobs Ready-to-Wear right now is like a burst of rainbow. I spotted this striped shirt dress and knew I had to have it. Super simple. Very 90’s. Extra cool. Made for disco-ing out in the desert with the Marc Jacobs “Twist” sunglasses. He knows retro. He has mastered quirky, unexpected combinations that just work. Always super fun with loads of personality. That’s why I’m always gravitating towards them. Sure this look is perfect for any festival, but I can already see myself rocking it in Manhattan with a great pair of Converse sneakers and trench coat. You know I like anything that easily converts to city chic. I’ve certainly had way too much fun in the sun…it’s about time I catch up on those never-ending emails.

Marc Jacobs sling handbag

Marc Jacobs dress

Marc Jacobs “twist” sunglasses

AGL sandals 

The post YEP, IT’S A MARC JACOBS first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

I’ve worn these silver leather pants with everything. They’re a new item from my Sandro Paris family and I fell in love with them their Mick Jagger-ness instantly. At Coachella, I let them do all the talking with just a cropped blouse and my reliable Nike Cortez sneakers. I even wear them under dresses for a little unexpected pop of shiny metal.

It feels so right to me. Right now I’m leaning towards pieces that feel a bit more daring lately. The “same old, same old,” well they are feeling OLD to me. haha. I’m always looking outwards for new inspiration. Colors. People. Travels.  I’m back in NYC and though I’m super swamped with countless shoots and events every single night, I stock up on these statement pieces that get me through all the hectic happenings. They’re my go-to’s. Because who wants to look like anybody else? Go bold instead.

Sandro Paris blouse

Sandro Paris silver pants

Nike shoes

Luiny earrings

The post A TOUCH OF SHINY METAL first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

This season I went to Coachella sans kimono and crochet crop tops. I wanted to steer clear of the typical festival fashion. Instead of leaning towards fast fashion that you can only wear for just that weekend, invest in some statement denim pieces that will take you through Coachella and beyond. That’s why I went with 7 For All Mankind in my festival packing. Their new denim collection consists of jumpsuits (yep, it hugs perfect at the waist), mid-rise shorts in classic washes, and super comfortable low-rise flares. Denim is easy, and you can accessorize each piece to make it your own. The new 7FAM collection has a 70’s twist that I loved. One day I went with an adorable off-shoulder jumpsuit. The next, a bodysuit and black denim shorts. For my last day on Coachella grounds, I sported a full-on light blue denim crop top and matching flare pant. Edgy and unexpected with a pop of red. Less is more, believe it or not. Even at Coachella. But that’s the beauty of festival season…just do you, even if it’s against the norm, and listen to some good music.

And I can finally say this: my 6th Coachella in a row is officially accomplished! It certainly came and went far too fast. Each year gets better and better. You begin to know what to pack. (I always go with sunscreen, gum, and face wipes). You pick out the right shoes for a day of dancing on your feet. You remember to pack that straw hat and pair of sunglasses because of those countless hours under the hot sun. You realize that “yes, you need a car” especially if you want to event hop and not rely on your huge party crew. Planning and executing is suddenly soooo much easier. Each Coachella reminiscent of the last, with an unexpected new twist. I saw some of my favorite bands this year: Father John Misty, Future, and Lady Gaga. I did manage to squeeze in some time to spin under the flashing lights at the Sahara Tent. So many rice bowls consumed in VIP…so much ice cream…and even more memories. The festival may be super hectic but it’s the time on the road that I love most. Sitting at the wheel. That’s the beauty of being out in the desert. You forget the time. You don’t have your normal routine. It’s just you, the open road, and some good tunes.

7 For All Mankind jumpsuit

The 2 Bandits earrings

7 For All Mankind black denim shorts

Novella Royale bodysuit

Rebecca Minkoff scarf

Elizabeth & James earrings

Marimekko rings

7 For All Mankind denim bustier

7 For All Mankind flare jeans

Sandro Paris blazer

Ray-Ban sunglasses

The 2 Bandits earrings

The post HOW TO DO DENIM AT COACHELLA – 7 FOR ALL MANKIND first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Team Suarez has so far survived SXSW in Austin, Texas and we just tackled Coachella in Indio, California with our Reef Girls crew. Where to next? Can you say…BONNAROOOOOOO! This one may be the craziest festival of the bunch. There’s a lot more body paint, hoola hoops, and some of the best music all in one sweaty field. Yes, our hashtag is #justpassingthrough but there have been times when we were literally #justpassingOUT. I love Tennessee. The accents. Those Southern dishes. Walking around with a beer belly. I just remember the whole camping experience at Bonnaroo last year and boy, did I learn a lot about the best festival survival tips.

Tip #1: Don’t sleep in your car.

Unless there are BUGS in your tent. I’d just seen the midnight show of Billy Joel and headed back to our tent to find a gigantic spider right by the head of my pillow. Screaming, I grabbed my blanket and sweared the whole way to our SUV. Yes, I was the girl in the driver’s seat only to wake up with a really bad neck cramp. The next nights I sucked it up and slept on my cot with my wet towel as a blanket. At least I was laying flat.

Tip #2: Do take a shower.

Babywiping is acceptable for day 1. But after that, nobody wants to come near you.

Tip #3: Do sleep in.

You don’t want to go hard in the morning, and realize by 2pm that you’ve fallen asleep in the middle of the grass only to be woken up with a bad face burn. Oh, and you just got stomped on by a bunch of topless teenagers in booty shorts.

Tip #4: Pack snacks and always have a bottle of water on you.

Healthy snacks! Like grapes, nuts, and Cliff bars. Eating the festival’s pizza or Chinese noodles daily combined with your beer belly is not cute when wearing your tiny high waisted shorts. Plus, you’ll for sure be hungry at 2am when all the food stands are closed and you’re stuck crying to your friend for food.

Tip #5: Dry shampoo and deodorant are key.

They’re easy. You won’t look like a total bum. And you can still wave your arms up and dance like a long haired hippie to Florence and the Machine.

Tip #6: Bring a jacket.

Because if someone breaks into your tent and steals all of your things, you’ll have your jacket as a blanket to sleep with that night. Trust me, it can get freezing at night.

Tip #7: Dance.

Embrace your sweaty surroundings and let your freak flag fly.

Tip #8: Take a lot of photos so your friends get really jealous.

Even though half the time you’re crying in your tent wishing the band would stop playing at 4 am while you’re trying to sleep and you’re calling Mom to pick you up.

The beauty of festival season is getting a really bad sun burn, mosquito bites, and still trying to look fly for your Instagram pics. Happy Festival surviving everyone. See you at Bonnaroo.

– CAMP tee, Intermix leather shorts, Liebeskind backpack 

– Roe + May white mini dress, Perverse red sunglasses 

– Haute Hippie fringed leather skirt 

– Reef sandals 

The post HOW TO SURVIVE A FESTIVAL WHEN ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS PASS OUT first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

I have survived my 5th Coachella! What a weekend! No crazy festival is never complete without my Reef squad from Southern California. They always say “How long are you staying in NYC? You know you’re still a California girl at heart!” It’s true. My heart still beats for the west coast. That tan you get on your left arm from sitting in the car. The gnarly beach waves the moment you step out of the salt water. But most of all, it is the ability to wear sandals every day of the year that always brings me back home. By now, you know all about my love for the Reef Rover. The Rover sandal. The new Rover fringed sneaker. There’s just something about the Rover that never gets old to me. It’s that I can go dancing, I can walk miles, hike, and walk through water in them because they are so comfortable. It’s that Swellular Technology, man. Your feet will thank you! They mold to you the moment you put them on. I leave them by my doorstep because they’re the first thing I gravitate to when running out the door.

Plus, I love dressing them up. They’re simple so I can go wild with the rest of my ensemble. Leave it to me to take my favorite surf sandal and pair them with a flashy gold spaghetti strap dress. Its the New York City in me too…I like to add a dash of glam. Or I’ll pair them with leather shorts by the pool. Climb rocks in them in my bikini. I wasn’t given the nickname “punk” in grade school for no reason. I’ve always been one who took the adventurous route and have fun along the way. There’s never a reason not to laugh and live in the moment. For this festival, we had a really awesome group. Professional rock climbers were in our house from The North Face and of course our Reef pro surfers: the awesome Mike Lay from Cornwall, England and Victoria Vergara from Biarritz, France. You may say we were a pretty random bunch, but that’s what made our Coachella weekend extra memorable. We all come together because we have many things in common. We all seek adventure, travel for a living, and like to bring that little extra excitement to whatever we put our minds to. I think that’s what I love about my Reef family. Living life a little bit on the edge and not being afraid to get down and dirty. Sometimes you don’t need the pretty festival dress. Just your bikini, my Rovers, and a good bottle of sunscreen.

Favorite gigs at Coachella?

Sia: For sounding amazing (even though incognito as always with her bangs) and for putting on a memorable, heart stopping performance featuring my favorite actors and dancers.

Guns n’ Roses: Even sitting in a chair due to an accident, the man can sing.

Ice Cube: Because the movie Straight Outta Compton was by far one of my favorite movies this past year!

// Reef Rover Hi sandal //

// Reef Rover low sneakers //

// Reef Day Catch sandals //

shop all shoes at Reef.com

also featuring: Haute Hippie gold and black sheer dress, Ax + Apple necklace, Halston metallic bag, Lack of Colour hat, LoveShackFancy top, Intermix leather shorts, Roe + May floral dress, and Solid & Striped bikini top + bottom + one-piece 

// photographed by Dylana Suarez //

The post CANNONBALL INTO COACHELLA | REEF first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Most of my favorite snaps are on the go, and without wi-fi. As the days got hotter and hotter on the festival grounds, the less clothes I felt like wearing. Hello swim suits as tops, and extremely short shorts. I mixed my quirkiest prints with my favorite and most perfect denim from American Eagle Outfitters. AE had everything I needed to mix and match with during my desert weekend. Aerie’s swim pieces made for some unexpected layering. Straight from the pool to the festival grounds.

// Aerie bikini top, American Eagle floral bikini top and bottom + denim shorts + denim overalls //

The post CANDID FESTIVAL MOMENTS first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

I officially own the Reef “rover” sneaker in every colorway. I survived Coachella with a daily switch-a-roo. Dancing my butt off in the desert heat. My black Rovers a classic, so I’ve worn them to perfection, but I love an unexpected pop of blue. But seriously, I cannot stress how comfortable they are. I have a little secret: I don’t even have to wear socks with them. They’re made for surfers, desert wanders, city hoppers, and everyone in between. In the coolest of places, and the hottest…aka PALM SPRINGS. Coachella this year felt a bit different from the rest. Less stressful, more time by the pool, and a lot less hectic getting to and from the festival. So long as I got to hear the sultry tones of alt-j, and Jack White’s “Ick Thump,” I was good to go. There may have been one point where I was asleep on the field, my head on my sister’s lap, waiting for the headliner, and just totally okay with it. Here’s to living the nomad life.

// Reef rover sneakers, River Island dress, American Eagle shorts, O’neill x Anna Sui kimono, Liebeskind handbag //

The post JUST PASSING THROUGH | REEF first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.