Insadong, the super old town in Seoul, was spectacular. The vibrant colors on the walls and tiny wooden traditional homes. Endless rows of tea houses, and little food stands selling local sweets and fried donuts. I wanted to taste everything. I refused to put my camera down. Early that morning, we were busy filming the REEF music/travel film where I belted a song over my keyboard (which you can still view here). 2016 is going to be amazing once again as the REEF Girls ambassador. We have a lot of travels already lined up, and a lot more music involved so get ready! Work always feels like fun when you’re just creating constantly and doing what you love. With the people you love. After a day of capturing Insadong with Team Suarez, we watched the sunset over Bukhansan National Park. We had a moment of zen at the temple followed by a quiet walk up and down the steps through park. The leaves so vibrant and the air crisp and peaceful, it was bittersweet to leave South Korea. I can’t wait for another across-the-world trip.

// REEF rover sneakers //

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With so much work, followed by a very relaxing much-needed holiday break (I think I’ve had one too many beach days spent reading the newspaper front to back), I realized that wow, there are so many more stories from my travels that I haven’t had a chance to get up here yet. Like SEOUL…searching, and with my two best babes, Dylana and Ashley. Our fashion week adventures in Seoul, South Korea were a definite highlight of 2015. Being in Asia is just such a ride. From the 14 hour flight to the 14 hour flight home. So long, but so worth it. Who would have thought we were only 1 hour away from Tokyo?! That’s on my 2016 must-see destinations.

Anyways here a few of my favorite SEOUL moments: 

-At Seoul Fashion Week, we were greeted by so many adorable kid streetstyle stars clad in beanies, mini denim jackets, and of course, their very stylish mothers. Yes, a toddler grabbed my cell phone to take a selfie of us. So cute.

-The rows and rows of cheeky Korean skincare stores around DDP. I was this close to purchasing the panda face masks. Yep, they sell sheet masks that legit make you look like one giant panda. They’d have been perfect for those funny Snapchats to send to pals. I didn’t have too much time to shop thought their 5 story high malls were brilliant. I went straight for the skincare.

-The berets. They were everywhere that my friends and I stocked up on a few good ones to take back to the States. Get a beret and maybe a cool pair of faux fur sneakers. Weirder the better.

–Insadong: The oldest part of Seoul, with beautiful traditional wood homes, and little Mom and Pop boutiques. A close walk to Gyongbukgong Palace. You can also discover a lot of local, traditional art here!

-The karaoke. Koreans LOVE to party. And they’re fantastic at it. You’ve been warned that your host will certainly have a few bottles of soju lying around, and whiskey on the rocks in your hands at all times. Cheers accordingly before blasting out the Britney Spears tunes. I don’t think we went a day without listening to Gangnam Style.

-The FOOD. My daily fuel was the classic beef bulgogi. So good, and definitely hits the spot when you’re on the constant go. For nights with our crew, we went for classic Korean BBQ….be prepared to have your clothes smell of kimchi and spices on the way home. But our breakfasts were more insane. We always began our days with one (or two) bowls of pho at The Shilla. Pho for breakfast. Crazy, but the best thing ever made. Also a proven hangover cure (thank me later). I’ve never experienced such a killer breakfast buffet, but The Shilla, was one of my favorite 5 star hotels I’ve had the pleasure of staying at. It was hard picking between the eggs and chicken chow mein versus a classic French baguette. Decisions, decisions.

Speaking of which, the new year has brought in a ton of decision making for me! 2016 means moving into my NEW HOME in NYC (more on that soon!), traveling the world (next stop is Florence, Italia next week), and a ton of killer creative, “think outside the box” projects. I’ve never felt more me in a really long time. A girl has got to know what she wants before she gets it. Let’s crush it this year babes!! We can do it!

// Vintage silk top and suede skirt, Gucci bamboo tote, Puma x Rihanna sneakers, Sabrina SL leather choker //

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Korea was an incredible experience. The colorful town of Itaewan in Seoul, South Korea inspired this video. It was our very last day in Korea. I had been living in my Reef “Rover” sneakers, as I always do when I’m traveling. Because I love to explore. They’re made for hiking, running, sitting front row at Seoul Fashion Week, and still then wearing out to the local bar with my favorite pair of jeans. I wore the grey suede Rover sneaker nearly everyday. They go with just about everything.

With my job, I’m always traveling. And on the last day of every single trip, I get a bit emotional, which in turn inspires me to write music. It’s that in-between feeling. The feeling of sadness knowing that the excitement of your travels are soon to come to an end, yet a craving for what is to come next. I keep a little leather journal in my bag to write down melodies that go through my head. Which eventually turns into a sort of free style writing. Soon after, the notes come to me naturally when I’m on my keyboard. Like this song, which I recorded once I got back home in NYC after a good long week away from home in Seoul.

This song, Heavy, is a little bittersweet song about constantly being on the go. As a Reef ambassador, we’re always #JustPassingThrough. We’re always moving. Whether it be digging our feet in the sand of an untouched island, or discovering the culture and food in a foreign country. Though it’s exciting and exhilarating, traveling can be a bit emotional. Missing home and familiar faces. Getting lost in your own head when you are walking down new streets alone. That heaviness in your heart when something new takes your breath away from you. I went to Bukhansan National Park on my last day in Korea to see the beautiful fall leaves, and feel the crisp air. With this trip, I pushed myself a little harder to discover more unknown places. I came across this stunning temple. It was quiet and all I wanted to do was close my eyes. It’s nearing the holidays and the new year. A time that I’m always reflecting, and thinking of what I want to do next. Where do I want to go? This song is a little bit of a moody, breathy note to end this beautiful, fortunate year. Though when I’m traveling, I wonder if this will be the last time I see this beautiful place…I remember that when I’m just passing through, I’m still savoring every single moment. Every single breath. #JustPassingThrough is just part of the journey. Leaving your mark. The ability to be unforgettable wherever you go. There’s so much more that comes with it. Recognizing your roots and where you belong. But also recognizing all the different places you can go to or someday belong to, as well.

“Heavy” song written by me.

Videography by Dylana Suarez.

Featuring Reef “rover” sneakers.

Download my song “Heavy” on Soundcloud.

The post REEF film + song | #JustPassingThrough Korea in my own tune first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Korean fashion definitely has that French influence. Funny that I already had this vintage beret packed. But it wasn’t long until I realized I needed another for my hat collection and made a quick stop at a hat shop to find that perfect souvenier.

After an early morning of shows at Seoul Fashion Week, we were on a mission to discover a taste of Korea’s history. We headed to Gyeongbokgun Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces of the “Five Grand Palaces.” It’s crazy that this beauty was built Joseon dynasty…back in the 14th century! Talk about taking a step back in time. I fell in love with it’s pastel pink walls, and exotic Korean designs painted on it’s roofs. With all 7,700 rooms, it’s pretty unreal. We were greeted by the palace guards, in traditional outfits. They stood so still…I was almost positive they were mannequins until I stepped right up close and saw a blink. They were real. Marching through the entrance of the palace after a ring of the bell. Swinging their swords. The rich blues and reds and teals of their traditional dress shimmering under the sun. Tourists from all over the world couldn’t put down their cell phones and selfie sticks. It was amazing capturing a moment filled with so much history and color.

As the sun started to set, we walked alongside the side of the palace to the back streets of Insadong, an older part of Seoul filled with Korea’s charming traditional homes. The streets were lined with adorable little shops, art, and of course food. It was exactly the place to pick up some fun gifts for your pals back home. Ashley picking up a cheeky pair of furry toes sneakers, as Dylana and I prowled the streets up and down for the perfect bowl of bulgogi (a not so simple, simple bowl of rice topped with perfectly grilled thin beef). I still salivate thinking of it. With so much time for our feets, it was about time us explorers just needed that cold Cass beer to knock us out in preps for a new day in this foreign land.

// Topshop turtleneck, AGAIN silk dress, Gucci bamboo tote, Vintage beret, Luiny rings//

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