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 //
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 //
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 //
INSTAGRAM @natalieoffduty | FACEBOOK | follow on BLOGLOVIN | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | PINTEREST | TUMBLR
…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 //
INSTAGRAM @natalieoffduty | FACEBOOK | follow on BLOGLOVIN | TWITTER | YOUTUBE | PINTEREST | TUMBLR
28 Comments