I was literally toasting on the black sand beaches of Maui this summer. The darker the sand, the hotter it actually gets. Within only 10 minutes, I could feel the tip of my nose and shoulders immediately turning pink. For some reason this particular beach wouldn’t show up on our GPS. With just a little wooden sign saying “beach,” we followed it down a tiny road leading to an absolutely perfect little black sand cove. The most off-the-beaten path you can get. What I remember most is the breeze, and chasing my hat down the beach everywhere I turned. But it was also it’s intense color palette that left me smitten.

There’s something simply stunning about shooting at summertime. Being in my most natural state. My hair being an absolute mess. The magical textures of the smooth sand and the ripples of the water. The shadows from the harsh sunlight of the day across your face, you can’t help but squint. There’s no hiding any flaws. Super simple triangle bikinis combined with the exact opposite, a heavy statement earring. That’s my way of getting done-up…throw on earrings and I suddenly feel amazing. There’s an easy elegance to this natural state that keeps me island hopping all year round. I find easy elegance with confidence.

You know when you hit a point where you’re like I’m beginning to know myself, and I love myself for all that it is. I think I’m finally having that moment. Acceptance of all that makes me different. We all grow up with the struggles and confusion…the idea that to be perfect, that you have to look like everyone else to be liked, and that to succeed, you have to be like everyone else. But in reality, there are no rules. Once I put myself first, began to love my imperfections, and push everything else aside for just one second, I suddenly felt in control of my own being….my own future. And for me, that means traveling the world, living a life well lived. You feel empowered to go anywhere, to do anything. When you have that moment…when you have that confidence and strength to break through your shell…the rest is history.

Theory x Onia swimsuit (founnd something similar here and here)

Lack of Color hat

Luiny earrings

The post BARE ON THE BLACK SAND first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

The Lavender Farm in Maui was perched high up on the hill in the middle of the island. On a morning so foggy, you could only see clouds rolling out into the ocean below. Peaceful. I couldn’t wait to awake my senses as scent and fragrances are some of my favorite things to discover. My powder room has a whole shelf dedicated to perfumes from around the world, lavender being something I love to lather on my body before bed. It’s a scent that just makes me melt. Lucky for us, the lavender fields were in bloom….they smelled so fresh and delicate. I wanted to pluck the whole garden and take it home with me! It’s a soft, feminine, yet so powerful scent. One to pluck and stick in a book to dry up to keep forever.

Besides rows and rows of fresh lavender, there was so much to stop and look at. Pathways leading to gardens buzzing with bumble bees, a row of chicken coops, and pockets of flowers I’ve never heard of or seen before. I felt like Anne of Green Gables…looking for secret gardens and making friends with the exotic birds. I put on my favorite and most elegant white trousers topped off with a classic white cotton blouse. During my stay in Maui, I stuck with light and airy fabrics, and of course, every traveller’s must-have: a good hat. I’ve travelled the world with this hat. It’s crinkled edges, and burnt color will always remind me of summer 2017. It’s gotten stuck in wind tunnels, washed ashore on the black sand beaches, and flew off my head about 10 times whenever I get close to the ocean. Even when I’m running after my hat inside the fields, it actually takes me to magical places….with something new to discover every which way I turn.

Lack of Color hat

Banana Republic blouse

Elizabeth & James pants

Zeus + Dione sandals

The post UP ON THE LAVENDER FARM first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

My second Miami Swim Week is officially accomplished. I flew from London to NYC to Miami this week, and I have 2 nights to get the most of swim week! Last time I went was about 2 years ago. I walked in a runway show…flooding back memories to my days at 15 and 16 years old, when all I did was runway work in both NY and LA! But as an editor, I love getting to plop down front row and just enjoy the show. So many vibrant colors. Amazing music. So many healthy, and athletic bodies. It was more like a place to celebrate what makes women so beautiful, in all our shapes and sizes. And it’s swim week…it’s mean to be complete fun! South Beach. Sun. The Raleigh. The Gale. We got some scattered showers but still, the scorching hot, hot, Miami heat was coming in strong. Swim week is the epitome of both work and pleasure.

Cuban designer, Luli Fama, always hosts one of most dramatic, must-see shows of the week. I heard it is always the life of the party…so I made sure to not to miss it. We were welcomed with a saxophone player and two super dapper Cuban dancers, twisting and turning on the floor….shaking to the beat. The more the crowd could move and groove to the music, the better. The thing about Cuban culture is that it’s so full of life, and rich in bright, beautiful colors. You can never have too much color. Head wraps and prints ranging from leopard to florals…or maybe both, all in one bikini. For me, I normally like to go super simple. Nudes, whites, black bikinis.  I found this 3 piece bikini in a naked, nude tone with a fun play of textures. This beach get-up is a total mix of Cuba meets Miami meets Hawaii…where I was shot here, catching the sunset and mosquitos out on Ka’anapali Beach in Maui. Swimwear has never felt more on top of it’s game until now…and there are no rules.

Luli Fama crochet long sleeve top

Luli Fama crochet bikini top and bikini bottom 

Adornmonde earrings

The post THE ULTIMATE 3 PIECE SWIMSUIT first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

By now, you have probably noticed my travel go-to look is a messy low bun, wide leg pants, and bold earrings. It’s always elegant, and it just works perfectly in this balmy weather. This summer was jam packed with trips to extraordinarily beautiful places, but Maui certainly stood out to me. Maybe it was because Mom and Dad got to join us on the island after our work trip. Dylana and I can barely remember a past family vacation. When you travel as much as we do, our normal vacation consists of going back to our Los Angeles home for Christmas to avoid the NYC snow. It was as easy as that. Fly to LA, sit on the front porch, and just soak in the winter sun, avoiding East Coast winters at all cost. This family trip was a lot different. It was super exciting to hop on the plane and once again, travel with our parents as adults. They seem a lot more like my best friends than anything else.

All I can remember from past family vacations are road trips. We’re Californians…we love to get in the car and drive. The West Coast really does have amazing things to explore from the mountains, to desert, to the sea. Vegas. Lake Tahoe. Reno. San Francisco. Big Sur. San Diego. Santa Barbara. We’ve done it all. We pack our car with snacks and good books, and hit the road. There would always be someone snoring in the car. But with every road trip, it’s never really felt far from home as a kid. On the other side of the spectrum, we had our long vacations. I’m talking about 5-week family trips and 24 hours by plane, to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia…a place I revisited back in October that also feels close to home since it holds so much of my Chinese culture and family history. But yes, as a child, Hawaii met us somewhere in the middle. Far, yet not-too-far away. Beach. Paradise. Resorts. Swimming. Hiking. Exploring. With family, it doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing. The important thing is just being together. And now, I value that time so much more as an adult. You suddenly miss having family time while you’re caught up in your own world. I think now, more than ever, I’m closer to my parents. How funny is that? Now, Hawaiian luau’s and lei’s will always remind me of a classic American family holiday.

Amuse Society bikini top and bottom

Alice & Olivia kimono

Milly pants

Zeus & Dione sandals

Elizabeth & James earrings

Elizabeth & James sunglasses

The post A TRUE AMERICAN HOLIDAY | MAUI first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Now isn’t this the most stunning landscape you’ve ever seen? The sky so blue…the ocean behind me. It’s where the birds nest in Maui’s summer and also the pathway to the most beautiful of rocky cliffs. I certainly went off the beaten path a little during my stay, and got blown away in blue.

We walked carefully through this back trail though untouched, open land. I was stunned by the island’s beauty. With nothing obstructing our views of the water, the wind from the ocean feel extra intense. I just let my hair just fly and let nature do a little talking. Can you say freedom? Maui is a place to wear barely any makeup. A place to let your hair down. It’s a place to wear easy breezy cotton that you can move in. The air feels balmy so more you let your skin breath and go with the flow, the better. We eventually ran into teenagers tanning on the rocks and jumping into the ocean from the highest of cliffs. Clearly, we found a spot for the locals. I grabbed myself a bottle of champagne and sat and watched the sunset. I’ve never felt so far away from the city in my entire life.

Banana Republic one-shoulder top

Banana Republic pants

Donald J. Pliner sandals

Elizabeth & James sunglasses

The post BREEZY IN BLUE first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

I hopped on a plane for yet another amazing Veuve Clicquot #CliquotDestinations trip: Maui. I’ve had this adventure booked for a while, and so when it was finally time to make that 12 hour flight, I was ready. The team and I stayed at the super luxurious Montage Kapalua Bay, in celebration of the new Champagne Hale at Cliff House with Veuve Clicquot. The Cliff House has been a must-see spot and destination on the island, and with the new Veuve Clicquot pop-up, you can experience a variety of champagne and delicious bites, overlooking what may be one of the most beautiful views and sunsets in Maui.

Beside sipping on countless glasses of champagne, my stay at the Montage meant waking up at 6am and going to bed before 10pm, right after dinner. I had my morning yoga, acai bowls, and lots of time in the water. I was constantly moving, like I always am, but at my own pace. It’s funny how my schedule did a major flip flop. In NYC, I stay up so much later, my body fighting for an extra 30 minutes of sleep. Island time really does a body good. I was fully recharged each and every day, always looking forward to a dip in the hot tub before a lively evening with friends at the Champagne Hale…the perfect place to put your feet up and unwind after what can be hours by the beach.You have absolutely everything there for you on the property. Ocean-view pools, hot tubs, and delicious fresh food. You don’t need to leave, just indulge in the gorgeous views and fresh air. Just a 10 minute walk from the Cliff House, you can actually climb to the side of the cliffs and jump into the clear blue water if you’re daring enough. It’s addictive. You just want to climb back up and give it another go. I paired everything with a bikini these past few weeks. Traveling to the tropics makes packing so much easier. Headscarves. Wide-leg trousers. Gigantic earrings. Slide-on sandals. Oh, and let’s not forget my lei, the most delicious smelling flowers ever. For now, I’ve got my champagne stocked up in my wine fridge back in NYC…each glass will always remind me of these Hawaiian nights.

outfit 1:

Zadig et Voltaire scarf

Kore Swim bikini

Elizabeth & James pants

Cult Gaia bag

outfit 2:

Zimmermann headscarf

Mikoh swimsuit 

outfit 3:

Mikoh one-piece

Elizabeth & James pants

Zeus & Dione sandals

outfit 4:

Zimmermann floral dress

By Far sandals

The post MAUI: VEUVE CLICQUOT DESTINATIONS first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.