NYC. 

You will notice my home decor tastes differ from coast to coast. In my NYC loft, I crave a super clean palette. Everything structured, white, and modern. I like this really simple contrast against my chaotic NYC life. My bedroom is a place of zen! And I don’t like much to distract me when I’m sleeping. A blank slate before bed really helps me unwind. Here in both my NYC and LA homes, you’ll find some really special Rove Concepts pieces that will last me a lifetime. 

In NYC, I wanted something extra simple that went with crisp white sheets and lifted off the ground so I can really take in the my views of the river and Manhattan from the window. The Rove Concepts “Ayda” bed was the perfect fit. I went with it in a King size. I like hopping into a spacious bed that immediately makes me feel like I’m living the suite life in a hotel. I travel so much and sleep is just so important to me. My bed has to be extremely comfortable and roomy, with that fresh hotel feeling.  Complete with the Rove Concepts “Margot” nightstands, it’s a dream. These nightstands are a perfect pair with the Ayda bed. Large enough to hold all of my bedside necessities like my journals and face and body creams. It’s part of my nightly ritual to flick on the lights and just write from bed, complete with a chai tea. 

LA.

In Los Angeles, I like to play with the all the sunlight, giving this brand new space, a lived-in feel. Mixing vintage, second-hand finds like this grandiose lamp against the Rove Concepts “Asher” dresser. Finding this shape in a mid-century modern dresser is hard to come by! Luckily, Rove Concepts has a variety of tall, slim sizes that work well in closet/bedroom spaces. This piece is simple, so well made, and just a stunner. I love the sleek wood with Rove’s iconic brushed copper handles which you’ll find in both my NYC and LA home styles. 

The post NYC AND LA // MY HOME DECOR WITH ROVE CONCEPTS first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

I really hope each and everyone one of you were able to kick your feet up this long Memorial Day weekend. I just got back from Mexico City, and luckily for the holiday, I was able to catch up on sleep, and have a full movie day back home in NYC. I recommend you guys catch a glimpse of The Florida Project, and if you’re a 90’s Harrison Ford enthusiast, The Fugitive. I remember these long holiday weekends as ones to go out and dance the night away, but more and more, I’m finding these holidays to be ones to really relax, unwind, and stay in. Because I’m always on the go or living on an airplane, I really value the little downtime I actually get at home. The most wild parts of me come out in what I wear. Take this incredible Nanushka animal-print blouse and pant for example. Twin-sets have lately become my grab n’ go. I think I’ve already worn this set multiple ways, mixing and matching it with the newness in my own closet, or worn simply on it’s own. Easy, easy, easy. The most wonderful thing about Nanushka is their ability to completely elevate chic, vintage classics. I snagged this set at their new pop-up at Platform in Culver City. There’s always a part of my heart back in Los Angeles. There are times I really miss it. Like today…I would give anything to be under this clear, blue sky.

Nanushka top and pant

Sigerson Morrison sandals

Dannijo earrings

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I just spent over a month in Los Angeles and I couldn’t be happier. When NYC gets cold, I just hop on a plane home to the west coast to take the load off. It’s my time to disconnect, and it’s certainly a luxury. After what felt like the craziest and most exciting work year, I needed a few weeks away from it all…to be in the simplicity of my family’s home and in the company of the people I love most. I had a real off-duty moment where I wore no makeup and lived in baseball caps and jeans. That’s just what you do in LA. But when it’s time to go out and have some fun, trust in me to throw on some color and my luxurious accessories. It’s in my blood. As an Angeleno, I’m not afraid to be bold and wear every color of the rainbow. Luckily, this sunny city is my home away from home. Think a December in rose-tinted sunglasses, drive-thrus, and tee-shirts.

I soaked in the sun and spent some real quality time with my parents. They’re a lot more like my best friends. We can do anything together, talk about anything, and most importantly, laugh at just about anything. The boyfriends even flew out out for a little California Christmas…the Suarez Sisters way. We showed them where we were born in Santa Monica, just off Montana Avenue. We took them to In-N-Out for the very first time. Mom made her famous curry chicken at home (it’s so good you want to lick your plate clean). We stopped at just about every single mall in Los Angeles County because that’s just what you do in LA…become a mall rat. We even teamed up with Maserati…making long hours on the highway a lot more chic. It’s always hard for me to say goodbye to my LA home and get on that plane back to NYC smack dab in the middle of 5 degree weather. But it’s when I land and go back to my Dumbo abode that I realize, I feel more alive than ever. LA will always be there for me when I need it most.

And Other Stories ATELIER dress

Monnier Frères handbag

By Far boots

The post DECEMBER IN LOS ANGELES first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

I am so excited that & Other Stories has just launched their LA collection, all of which are designed in their beautiful LA Atelier. I loved being a part of the launch campaign shoot. So far I’ve visited 2 of their 3 ateliers: Paris and Los Angeles. Next one on the list? Stockholm. Each uniquely stunning and each true to their city’s DNA. The brand as a whole takes inspiration from all over the world, and that is what draws it to me the most. Remember our Paris fall campaign shoot?! Well, Los Angeles is just as dreamy and of course. It’s also my home, so that made the whole experience even more magical.

Sunshine, Venice beach, and light layers. As an LA native, I know how much us California girls crave casually cool, laid back style. The collection was full of graphic tees, a slight military touch, denim (of course), and every California girl’s go-to print: leopard. There was a vintage, retro inspiration combined with a romantic twist. I love this new bit of attitude woven into every piece. We shot in all of my favorite corners off Abbot Kinney in Venice. The streets I grew up with. I’m super inspired by the colors of Venice. The bold pink doors. The crisp white beach homes and rows of cactus. California sure is a dream. Stay tuned for part 2 of our shoot!

& Other Stories:

jacket

dress

“blue monday” graphic tee

sandals 

& Other Stories:

leopard blazer

leopard dress

heels

handbag 

Shop the & Other Stories LA Collection now on www.stories.com

The post & OTHER STORIES LA COLLECTION LAUNCH | PART 1 first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Home. Los Angeles, California. July 22, 2016.

Will I be in town,

when hell swallows Beverly Hills,

Will you be around,

when I come to my senses and I confess that I love you still. – Swimm “Beverly Hells”

Just a girl, her hoop earrings, and a swipe of fresh mocha lipstick. It’s that 110 degree flush.

// Bite Beauty “Molasses” lipstick, Sabrina SL hoop earrings, Aikido swimsuit, AGL Shoes sandals //

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In LA, I honestly wore this hat almost everyday. This past year, I’ve sort of sworn off wearing a hat. I felt it was overdone. Every blogger was wearing them, and I didn’t want to be that girl with “the hat.” But then I received the Stetson x Tasya van ree black hat on my doorstep, and I fell in love once again with the classic black hat. Whenever I’m on the West Coast, I rarely do my hair. I just put on some lip balm, fluff my bangs, and add a hat. And it’s that incognito feeling that I love. Don’t want to make eye contact? Yep, you got your hat. Super sunny breakfast on your back porch? You’ve got your hat. I’ll be hanging this one up in my new NYC abode soon. I’m excited to be taking it out for many more adventures. This one has already been around the globe with me.

Look 1: // Stetson x Tasyvanree hat, St. Roche blouse, J Brand jeans, M. Gemi flats //

Look 2: // For Love & Lemons knit dress, Amuse Society coat, Luisaviaroma boots, Marie Turnor bucket bag //

The post THE TOP HAT first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Visiting 87 year old Aunt Sally’s home in East LA is always a fun, and calming afternoon. We always end up drinking a ton of coffee, and talking about everything. But most especially, the past. It’s like going back in time, to when life was a lot more simpler. A lot slower. She was much like a mother figure to my father. He was born in that same little house in el barrio. Hard to imagine him being born in that tiny house, let alone having a dresser cabinet pulled out  as his actual crib. Being the blonde baby he was with a head of curls, and big blue eyes (yes, my Latino side of my family were born with the iciest blue eyes ever)…he really stood out, and almost got kidnapped right on that very front yard where Dylana is sitting. Luckily, our grandma called in “Adrian! Adrian!” and grabbed him before the kidnappers got back in their van and sped off. A lot has happened in that house. Aunt Sally still lives there, her Christmas decorations seem to be up all year long, but that’s the charm. And she speaks of my Dad as a baby as a child of her own, and how our uncle was the most handsome actor in the area. The way she looks at my uncle’s photo on the wall makes my heart melt. We love you Aunt Sally.

// For Love and Lemons sweater, Amuse Society jacket, Sabrina SL choker //

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The post EN EL BARRIO first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

…from some sandy beach.

As of late, it seems I’ve brought out the inner art student in my wardrobe. Berets here. Stockings there. Scarves wrapped tightly around my neck. All of my travel go-to’s that I simply wear over and over again but just in different ways. But no, I was not headed to the library, but rather hopped in my car and headed down the coast. Seal Beach. Huntington. The cliffs and coves of Laguna. Places where the sunsets never cease to turn the sky a purple haze. There was an artist just standing and painting the scene, and it was perfect. Moments where you don’t have to think, just look and pause for a second. With the new year, my schedule and travels have been non-stop. I just landed back from the gorgeous Florence, Italy…and already scheduled to attend Sundance Film Festival (yes, SO excited). There really is no point in unpacking the ol’ duffel bag now is there.

// Diesel wolf jacket, White + Warren scarf, Amanda Uprichard dress, Miista boots, Marie Turnor handbag, DKNY tights //

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I am indeed Los Angeles born and bred. I’ll drive an hour to Alhambra from the West Side just for a good bowl of pho. I’ll listen to my old high school cd’s on repeat in my little blue Prius. I’ll go through the drive through at Taco Bell just for that midnight bean and cheese (and take crazy videos). Yes, I’ll park where I shouldn’t park, and I just may go over the speed limit every once in a while. I’ll sit on the keyboard all day long in the music room, and plug in my microphone, belting as if I’m performing for hundreds of thousands of people…just like I did when I was little. I’ll go through my college books that haven’t been touched in years in my bedroom, and read the those novels with the notes in it over and over again. I’ll make any excuse to meet in Santa Monica because I love that city by the sea so darn much. I’ll do anything to get the perfect photo, to capture the most perfect moment. I’ll still wake up at 6am to go to a good Beverly Hills Estate Sale just to get first dibs on the designer coat before the next girl gets it. I’ll forever slip out my Valley “as if” accent. I’ll still consider everything “epic”, “sick”, and “rad”. I’ll always find a way to make fun of a situation.

But most of all, I’ll always have my Los Angeles friends and family. We could be sitting in my dining room table (friends, mom, dad, and the whole crew), and talk about absolutely anything and everything. I love my kooky characters. Like the city itself, it’s like you never left. That time didn’t change a thing. That I haven’t really been on the east coast for already 5 years. That I’m about to call myself a true New Yorker…for real. Your true friends will always remember you purely as you. As “Natalie”, or littler” (little sister), and love you just because they do…and always will no matter what happens. Your real friends and loved ones love you as you are. As you be and let you be. So it’s important to be you. Be genuine and real. Being in touch with your roots always keeps you in check. Don’t let go of those people who are always there for you, and don’t ever change. I haven’t, and you shouldn’t either. LA has those people, moments, and memories I’ll always hold on to. Just like the Pacific Ocean. Constantly changing, the waves in and out, but it’ll always be there to welcome you home. Los Angeles, I love you.

// Jocelyn coat, Louis Vuitton blouse, Frame Denim jeans, vintage Michael Kors belt, Opening Ceremony boots //

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This parking lot is all too familiar. Chinatown. Where I’ve stopped for some of the most amazing chicken chow fun and dumplings since I was born. It’s fun revisiting one of your old stomping grounds. So many memories. We decided to relive it and hop in our car back in Los Angeles and take out our adorable Great Aunt Sally for a late lunch. Her icy blue eyes showing wisdom and age over our steamy bowls of soups. She’s constantly reminding my sister and I that life goes by too fast. Do what you love now, everything’s going to be okay, and look out for the GOOD BOYS (why of course Great Aunt Sally!) There’s nothing a comforting cup of jasmine tea, egg noodle soup, and a good chat can’t fix. It was the most perfect simple day. And I kept things classic. Disheveled hair under my favorite black hat, pants so wide that I can move and jump and dance however I feel, and a crisp, clean blazer. I don’t even remember the last time I wore a blazer, but believe me, you feel super smart in one. That with a great tote and ballet flat. But go for your most slept-in tee, and a tug at your drawstring to loosen things up. Till next time parking lot.

// Worth & Worth hat, Growze LA blazer, C/Christ LA tee and wideleg pant, custom Dooney & Bourke tote bag, London Sole ballet flats //

The post LE PARKING LOT first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.