Just looking back at these photos make me sigh. I have approximately 2 hours until I have to head to the airport…yet again, for work. Traveling is indeed tiresome (I can barely open my eyes at the moment), but it is equally just as much a fuel for me. Some places just take your breath away, and it’s worth that really long walk or train ride or hours stuck on an airplane. I don’t think I’ve seen anything as beautiful as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Just a short walk from the city’s most luxurious shopping district. My Firenze diaries really don’t ever seem to end now do they? I keep rediscovering lost, unpublished moments. It was a rainy afternoon on the Ponte Vecchio, but even with the grey skies, the city was golden. Glistening with it’s raindrops. It was our last day in the city, and I felt the city was weeping with us. I didn’t want to leave this magical place. There’s something very romantic about a walk in the rain in an unknown city and disappearing into the nearest cafe. I’ll remember every street corner and every face we’ve come in contact with, but never it’s name.

// Muubaa shearling coat, Band of Gypsies top, White + Warren travel wrap, VEDA pants, Ax + Apple necklace //

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Well, my dream crib. It was a chilly morning at Villa Cora, and I wanted nothing more than to sit on that balcony with a cup of hot tea. There’s something about a pink house I just adore. Faded from the Italian sun with a lush courtyard to boot. When I wasn’t slipping into my favorite cocktail dresses for our nights out with the Luisaviaroma team, you’d find me in this pair of kickass jeans. So high waisted they go far beyond my belly button, with a zipper and hook that reminds me of the Limited Too flares I sported back in elementary school (except those had a leopard stripe down the side. Yikes). Jane Birkin is the reason any girl has flattering jeans nowadays.

// See by Chloe top, Finders Keepers jeans, For Love & Lemons knit cardigan, Vintage belt, Opening Ceremony boots //

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The Hotel Villa Cora is indeed one of my favorite places to stay in Florence, Italy. My bright yellow room was quirky, bold, and so incredibly chic! There was so much character. I never wanted to hop out of that gigantic bed. Even my bathroom and tub was a beautiful hue of mustard yellow! Now I just want everything in this happy, eclectic shade. Our stay felt a lot like a movie. It easily could make for a Wes Anderson film set. Everything was symmetrical. Everything came in pairs. The lamps, the end tables, the chairs. Everything centered and perfectly placed. It’s funny how I notice my surroundings. I picture everything as a photograph. But I guess that’s a good thing when it comes to my field of work. Plush pillows. Luxe curtains. Morning breakfasts overlooking the steaming outdoor pool lined with Roman statues. This is one place where you will feel just like a queen. The best thing about traveling is enjoying the hotel. Then comes the food. Then comes the fashion. Florence made me want to cuddle up in a beret, scarf, and my hotel slippers. Dylana filmed this little short story at the lovely, Hotel Villa Cora. And what a pleasant stay it was.

See more of my little films on my Youtube.

// Ganni silk tank, Ax + Apple necklaces and bracelets, Love Haus underwear //

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I’m excited to share our final series from our Luisaviaroma #Firenze4Ever shoot in Florence, Italia! When I saw Dylana in this beautiful metallic Missoni number, I once again bounced off her vibes. Color and vibrancy. Just like our personalities. Anything that looks like it could be a Skittles campaign, count us in! I spotted this Antonio Berardi silk twin set, and decided on dressing down our luxurious looks with some “dance till you drop” sneakers. Completely unexpected, but we convinced our stylist that it just works. From the drained jacuzzi, we had the absolute best view of Florence. The clouds peeking in just before a good rain. We had E Online Latino and the Luisviaroma team on set with us to document a little super hero hot tub action in some of our best clothes.

photographed by Sara Mautone

on Dylana:

MISSONI dress (from Luisaviaroma)

Guiseppe Zanotti sneakers

on me:

Antonio Berardi silk top and skirt

Guiseppe Zanotti sneakers

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There is something about this angelic white dress by Philosphy di Lorenzo Serafini that just makes me want to twirl…even in the kitchen. Take a look at Part 2 of our Suarez Sisters for Luisaviaroma #Firenze4Ever shoot, shot just as night began to fall over beautiful Florence, Italy. I always want any excuse to dance, and a stunning, effortless party dress is just one reason to. It has that cinched, girly gathered waist. Ruffled bell sleeves. So soft, and flowing it is clearly out of a dream! With a swipe of black eyeliner, this age-of-innocence dress felt a bit more seductive and edgy, especially with a little rock n’ roll pop in my cherry red Valentino sandals. Now let’s set the table and have a good plate of ragu pasta. Get a few records spinning, and I’ll say we’ve got ourselves a little house party in Italia.

photographed by Sara Mautone

My look:

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini white dress

Valentino red sandals

Dylana’s wearing:

Self-Portrait black dress

Gianvitto Rossi suede sandals

The post DANCE DANCE #FIRENZE4EVER first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

I spied something long and lean hanging on clothing rack at Luisaviaroma, amongst it’s colorful companions. Black with sheer ribbing, and ruffles along the hem and shoulder. It looked like the waist was already there in the dress, giving the shape of a woman just on it’s hanger. It seemed to just be waiting for the right person to slip into it. I grabbed it to take to the fitting room. It fit like a complete glove. Giving me curves in places I didn’t even know I had curves. Accentuating my shoulder blades dramatically in a chic and sophisticated way. It’s hem twirling with every turn, without making a sound. It’s a dress you just can’t stop smiling in. That people won’t stop looking at you in the moment you walk out that door. Alexander Mcqueen, you are a genius.

Luisaviaroma is all about luxury. Dylana and I gave our own spin on luxury designer pieces in Florence, Italy for our #Firenze4Ever sister shoot. Shot in a this beautiful loft just off Ponte Vecchio, we made ourselves at home. I never felt more comfortable lying on the floor in an out of this world Alexander Mcqueen gown. A bare shoulder is my ultimate go-to. It’s sexy and sophisticated. I completed the look with sky high Guiseppe Zanotti platforms in a bold silver. I easily teetered taller than anybody at the next party. For Dylana and I, we sometimes like to complement each other whenever we’re headed to a dinner party or gala. For this story, we went with black and white, but with a color touch of Luisaviaroma’s quirky accessories. Like with anything in our lives, we love to laugh. And finding adorable conversation pieces is what our wardrobe is made of. Now cheers to feeling like a complete princess in one of the most beautiful cities in the whole world.

Stay tuned for part 2 and 3 of our #Firenze4Ever Suarez Sister shoot.

photographed by Sara Mautone

LUISAVIAROMA:

on me:

Alexander Mcqueen gown

Guiseppe Zanotti silver heels 

Les Petits Joueurs “Love” handbag

on Dylana:

Maria Lucia Honan dress

Jimmy Choo heels

Fendi clutch  

The post WITH LOVE #FIRENZE4EVER first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Oh, Florence! How magical and beautiful you are! Dylana and I were in Italy for Luisaviaroma‘s bi-annual #Firenze4Ever weekend, and we couldn’t have asked for better hosts! With dinners at the gorgeous Palazzo Gondi, cocktails at Ex Manifattura Tabacchi, and a beyond pleasant stay at the grand, Villa Cora Hotel, every moment felt picture perfect. I was indeed living in a colorful and quirky Wes Anderson film. The pinks, the yellows, the blues, the golds. I couldn’t put down my camera. Villa Cora felt very much like it was out of a fairytale. So unreal. So grand. Every night was one to open your closet, and figure out, “Hmm, which party dress shall I throw on tonight?” Which heels will still allow me to dance till 2 in the morning? This little Marc Jacobs number was definitely a show-stealer, but wait until you see what we wore for our Luisaviaroma #SuarezSisters photoshoot shot in a gorgeous artist’s loft. We’re talking Alexander Mcqueen, Philosphy, Masion Valentino, Missoni, and Marni. All of my favorites. We were definitely dressed to the nines, and what better place than in the glamorous Italia?! In between interview sessions with editors who flew in from all over the world, you could find us in the sauna…or if you heard Justin Bieber blasting from one of the hotel rooms, it was probably us.

Stay tuned for more.

-Marc Jacobs black dress and DKNY heels

-Philsophy white dress and VALENTINO heels from LUISAVIAROMA

– Cameo Collective yellow blazer, VEDA pants, Ax and Apple necklaces

Shop my favorite party dresses at LUISAVIAROMA:

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The post FLORENCE, ITALY | ON DIGITAL #Firenze4Ever first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.