Is this not the most beautiful meadow you’ve ever seen? England, you’re so dreamy. Here we are at Soho Farm House… one of the most remote and secluded properties of all of Soho House out in Great Tew, Oxfordshire… about 2 hours from the city of London. Think classic barns-turned-restaurants. Romantic little cabins in the open field. A steamy indoor/outdoor pool to decompress in. Boat rides through the fog. And then one gorgeous cottage perched perfectly beside this very meadow. Now this is how a home away from home should look like…a private place to unplug and get away from it all…no social media allow #truth. As for getting dressed for a weekend in the country, simply layer and match your surroundings. Shirts under dresses. Shirts under vests. Socks and sandals. M Missoni does a killer job once again for our winter 2017 photoshoot. At this point in time, I was traveling every single week, and time was flying by like the speed of light. It’s nice to step back this holiday season, and finally get to see all the beauty we created shooting on location along with the stories and memories. We’d slip on our clogs to fetch our freshly made milk and cookies, plucked flowers in our oversize wool totes, and danced in what felt like the middle of nowhere. For now, stay warm and keep on dreaming lovebugs.

wearing M Missoni Winter 2017

Alexis Bittar earrings

White + Warren cashmere beanie

The post THE NEW COUNTRY first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

This is how I define a perfect weekend. The dreamy English countryside. Nubby fair isle sweaters. Horseback riding. Cow printed wellies. Hot toddies. Picking up fresh flowers on my bike. This is by far the chicest part of Oxfordshire, England and I’m so happy I got to spend it with M Missoni, shooting their Winter ’17 collection, pieces that will work well into 2018 and beyond. A collection that is meant to be layered with a serious mix of prints in the warmest of colors that blended seamlessly with our surroundings of open meadows and gardens. I can always spot an M Missoni print from a mile away, they’re iconic and timeless. I didn’t pack much else. As a NYC girl, I spent as much time during my day breathing in the clean country air as nights were spent in with a glass of wine and really, long hot bath in our beautiful classically English cottage. Now that is weekend perfection. Simple.

wearing all M Missoni Winter 2017

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London has convinced me that Dr. Martens are absolutely necessary…rain or shine…wherever I travel. They dress down my most classic of looks and are super practical. So needed once the grey patches of London rain come pouring down when you least expect it. Docs are so classically English that I couldn’t help but get myself multiple pairs. Best with a proper midi skirt, proper fuzzy knit, and extra proper English breakfast. Mayfair is what you would call posh and I absolutely loved my stay. I couldn’t help but peer into people’s homes, swooning over chandelier glistened hallways and exquisitely placed pottery, blossoming over windowsills. For my day off in London, it was exactly what I craved to do: meander. London is best by foot, or shall I say, a good pair of Docs.

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been out of town, always in and out of my home of NYC. It’s amazing how many planes I’ve been on this year. It seems impossible to go back and count. By the way, I haven’t worn a single proper look this month… constantly sporting a bikini as I hop from island to island. These salty travels have been completely unplanned as work always brings me to surprisingly new destinations, but like I said, I’m back in London next week! Summer for me is a combination of the sea and the city. What is better than having the best of both worlds?! And with every adventure, my wardrobe evolves. I’m truly one who fully immerses in a city’s culture and lifestyle…incorporating it into my very own. Telling my own story and creating my own vision behind my 35mm lens. That’s what makes traveling so exciting, and so meant to be shared. This time, I had to leave my Docs at home because guess what, I’m on the beaches of St. Maarten for a week. Be right back babes.

Yune Ho top

Salvatore Ferragamo skirt

Salvatore Ferragamo bag

Dr. Martens boots

The post SO CLASSICLY ENGLISH first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Can you believe I am once again going back to London this month? I have a super exciting shoot coming up that I can’t wait to tell you about. But besides that, I’m already thinking of a classic English afternoon tea…so ideal on a gloomy, rainy day in England. This time around, I want to explore spots I rarely have time to visit when I’m actually off duty. Notting Hill. Primrose Hill. Chelsea. Can you say posh? But with any trip to London, I go to Shoreditch, and not just for the absolutely brilliant Indian food, but to walk it’s adorable little streets, shop it’s eclectic selections of stores, and to simply people watch. Little did I know, I was matching the beautiful hunter green tiled walls outside the cafe…in nothing but Salvatore Ferragamo of course.

There’s nothing more English than a fitted midi dress and stunning trench coat. Especially when you’re rolling out out for your morning coffee at the gorgeous Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair and want to feel a tad bit more put-together when really, you’re just jet lagged. Salvatore Ferragamo got the fit so right in their latest Ready-to-Wear collection. Fitted waists and silhouettes in warm, rich colors topped off with puffy, oversize sleeves. I wore this trench coat with everything during our warm but rainy days in London. So light, and so easy, making it the perfect go-to piece to throw on over a jeans and tee-shirt once it started to pour. English style is effortless, sophisticated, but always eclectic. I kept things super classic during my stay and mixed and matched only a few key pieces. It’s so much easier to pack monochrome when you’re constantly on the go. Green on green with a little pop of red and gold in my shoes. Brits, do you approve?

Salvatore Ferragamo dress

Salvatore Ferragamo trench jacket

Salvatore Ferragamo handbag

AGL studded sandals

Sabrina SL ear cuff

Donni Charm neck scarf 

The post GREEN IN SALVATORE FERRAGAMO first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Now I know why my Brit friends recommended to “pack a brolly” (yes, the term means umbrella) when they heard about my London escapade with British Airways (more on that in my next post). But it’s true that London really never stops raining. Usually you’ll find me on a flight to London in late February or September for a shoot or a few days of non-stop days at London Fashion Week, bouncing from show to show. It was a really nice having this slower pace. Focusing on the city, restaurant hopping, and watching endless amounts of movies on the plane. It was Easter the morning we arrived and I have never seen London so incredibly sleepy. I was beyond jet-lagged and though I could hit snooze a few more times in my hotel bed, I did manage to stroll out in the rain in search of the nearest pub. We ended up at The George just off of Somerset House, and had a full Sunday roast complete with mashed peas, potatoes, perfectly roasted chicken along with a side of fish and chips. Never had comfort food tasted so good. There’s something about the English pub culture that I love. You’ll always find that one guy that most likely slept overnight in the pub (this is a real thing) talking to himself over a glass of wine. Or you may be inches away from a bar fight. Luckily, everyone seemed drained from a weekend of Easter raving that our pub experience was extra chill…leaving us to fill our bellies in peace.

As for my wardrobe, I’ve been traveling so much lately for work that I can pack with my eyes closed. Turtlenecks in Europe are always a good idea. As is denim, sneakers, and a good wool coat. Minimal. I’m off to Paris this evening, and I definitely decided to glam up what’s in my suitcase for it seems we may have a really star-studded weekend. Stay tuned!

// APC coat, Diesel leather jacket, Jerome Bocchio handbag, 7FAM jeans, Vans sneakers //

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