Teva Forever.

// Samsoe Samsoe top and pant. Vintage belt. Teva midform universal sandals // 

I have been working and shooting Teva campaigns around the world for many years now. It’s my go-to adventure sandal, and a brand with that’s environmentally responsible. So I am so excited to be partnering up with them to announce the launch of Teva Forever, the new Teva recycling initiative. It’s super simple. Turn in your ready-to-retire Teva sandals and flip flops to be recycled into something brand new like athletic fields, playgrounds, outdoor tracks, and other purposeful things. Visit Teva.com, print out a shipping label, put your Teva sandals in a scrap box, and put them in the mail. My Teva sandals have been with me for years. Through festival seasons, beaches around the world, and right here on the streets of NYC. I like to see that they can be transformed and renewed, bringing the life and joy to others that they brought to me. I am saying goodbye to this pair so that they can be recycled and reborn! 

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Teva Original Universal sandal.

Nothing excites me more than an all-American summer on the east coast with my Teva family. The moment I slip these babies on, it’s like I’m a kid again. Strapped into freedom year after year, on adventures around the globe. The tour never ends, and I never want it to end. This season, the Teva Outpost stopped over at FireFly Festival just a few hours away in Dover, Delaware. Shooting for such an iconic and timeless brand is a dream, and I look forward to it every season! What I love about the visiting the Teva Outpost is the community that it always brings together. People from all over the world with a simple love of sun, open fields, and a lot of music. There’s happiness flowing around and that’s what I love the most. Besides the Teva originals that I know so well, I have officially become a huge fan of the Teva “Hurricane Drift” sandal. So light and water-proof that it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing anything. I paired my Teva sandals with destroyed denim and silky florals. I seriously don’t know what I would do without these on my feet all weekend long. And how can I not mention the music? My top two shows of the weekend? Tyler, the Creator and Lykke Li. These beats will always remind me of friendship, blue skies, and the sweet feeling of a brand new pair of Teva sandals on my feet. 

Teva Hurricane Drift sandal.

Teva Flatform Universal Maressa sandal. 

Shop all of my sandals now on Teva. 

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on him and her: Teva sandals

Strapping into freedom is the best feeling in the world and shooting for such an iconic brand like Teva time and time again, brings me so much joy. With each project, we’re out and about, taking on a new adventure, and simply creating. That’s what I love to do most in my Teva sandals: discover and create.  This time, the team and I packed up and headed to Chicago for Pitchfork Music Festival to celebrate the Teva Outpost bus and surround ourselves with like-minded individuals who have an appreciation for travel, music, fashion, freedom, and the great outdoors. We also packed up the boys! We rarely get to travel for work with the men in our life, but they were ready and excited to explore all of Chicago and really break in their must-have Teva sandals. Pitchfork is a festival for discovery. It’s super indie and right in the middle of the amazing city. As with any festival, I wore pops of color like hot pink, red, yellow, and blue. At Pitchfork, you won’t find the typical bohemian festival style. I saw a lot more cool jeans and laidback tees. I’m happy I ditched the fringe for some classic boyish blazers to tuck myself under during a light storm. My Teva Original sandals work well on a muddy, rainy day while my Flatforms sandals much preferred dancing in the sun. It’s amazing how Teva elevates and re-invents their classic sandals with new straps, buckles, and most durable and comfortable water-proof materials. Groundbreaking to say the least. They work in every situation and they go with everything and anything in my closet. I slip them on each day before hitting the festival and go “ahhh.” They just feel that good on.

on me: Teva Indio Jewell Flatform Sandal 

on him: Teva Men’s Terra-Float 2 Universal Sandal 

on him: Teva Men’s Original Universal Premier Sandal

on her: Teva Women’s Terra-Float 2 Knit Universal Sandal 

on me: Teva Original Universal sandal 

on him: Teva Terra-Float 2 Knit Universal sandal 

on me: Teva Women’s Indio Whip Sandal 

on him: Teva Men’s Original Universal Sandal 

shop all on Teva

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Nicaragua is such a special country. It’s a spot that always makes me feel so much closer to the earth. The country fully embraces the simplest parts of life. That includes eating a nourishing meal grown on their very own farmland, along with a simple smile everywhere you go. It inspires me to do the same. I spent a full week at Aqua Wellness Resort in Nicaragua for my annual tropical getaway with my two favorite ladies: my sister Dylana and our best friend Kiara. We have all been in need of a little sun and salt water after a snowy winter and thought, why not get away to Nicaragua…take epic images of this beautiful country and thoroughly enjoy a week by the bay?! In the past, we’ve travelled far and wide to places like Whistler in Canada, Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica, and Tulum in Mexico. Every single time, we pack a suitcase of our favorite Teva sandals. Teva sandals are every adventure monkey’s staple. And not just in the summertime…I am talking year round. I even wear them at the airport with socks because why travel with anything else? A top Teva sandal favorite of mine is the new Terra-Float 2 Knit Universal sandal. It has a woven, quick-drying knit with FloatLite technology, meaning it’s ultralight and durable. They feel incredible on the soles of my feet and really mold to them.

They work amazing for girls like us, who live for the outdoors. The beach, the mountains, festivals, wherever. We go anywhere we can hike, swim, run, and fully disconnect from our crazy and hectic city lives. The less wifi the better. We’re constantly moving whether it be morning stretches at yoga or late nights for a little paddle board mediation session. Days were spent eating dragon fruit bowls and photographing the colorful streets of neighboring towns like San Juan del Sur, while nights were spent in our plunge pool, peacefully listening to the monkeys howling beside our tree house. My favorite parts of the day were waking up and falling asleep to the soft sound of the crashing waves in our bay. I have never felt so present and so in tune with Mother Nature and my body before. It’s amazing what friendship and a little Vitamin D can do for one’s spirit. With Teva, I can fully be as the hashtag states, able to #StrapIntoFreedom. Freedom to hop over rocky beaches, freedom to hike the trails to the bustling town of Playa Gigante on a Saturday afternoon, and freedom to simply get lost in a beautiful new place on my own two feet. My Teva sandal tan is the best tan I’ve had yet. Every time I look down I’m reminded of all the beauty in the world these feet have been able to walk through.

Teva Original Universal

on Dylana: Teva Hurricane XLT infinity sandal

Teva Hurricane XLT Infinity Hiking Sandal

Teva Terra-Float 2 Knit Universal Sandal 

Teva Original Universal Sandal 

The post THE BEST GIRL GROUP TAKES ON NICARAGUA first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Bonnaroo 2017 accomplished! I have never had so much fun camping at a music festival in my entire life. It’s complete freedom: waking up to the hot sun with a good cup of coffee, and hearing the headliners string their guitars during rehearsal at 9am. Bonnaroo is super laidback -filled with friendly locals and amazing music. In between shows this year, Dylana and I got to hang out in the sun with our Teva crew at the Teva Outpost…a beautifully curated and decked out bus filled with essential items for life on the road and camping on The Farm. You could shop any Teva sandal imaginable with the works: sunglasses, water bottles, face wipes, bandanas, patches and more. Oh, and not to mention, the bus featured fantastic air conditioning to escape the Tennessee heat.

I’m so excited to be a part of the Teva #StrapintoFreedom campaign because whenever I throw on my Teva sandals, I feel just that: strapping myself into freedom to go wherever I want to go. Free to wander. Free to run. Free to hike. Free to dance my feet off. Bonnaroo is totally a place to be whoever you want to be. To get a little wild. To live in a tent. To go with the flow. It’s a place to make new friends. To sit in the grass. To get a little dirty. Maybe it’s the Southern charm, but everyone we met was extremely warm and welcoming. Tennessee, I miss you already.

Bonnaroo is the ultimate playground. It’s like walking into a super wonky storybook for 4 full days straight. I have to say I met a lot of sweet and eccentric people. It’s literally a tie-dye dream where only Woodstock could come close in comparison. It’s a place to join the Silent Disco and dance with people you’ve never met before. It’s a place where it’s okay to go up to someone and simply ask where they’re from and make conversation.

The Teva Outpost represented everything I love about music festivals. The camaraderie and positivity were contagious. There were so many smiles that I couldn’t stop smiling myself. But most of all, I have never seen so many Teva sandals in one place at one time. The amazing thing is most of my fellow ROO’s already own their own favorite pair of Teva sandals and came to the Outpost to grab another pair or just to hang out and get the festival campground coordinates engraved into their sandal soles at the custom engraving station by Laser Monkey. My memories are always linked to a good pair of shoes and the custom engraved sandals are the perfect Roo souvenir. My Teva sandals never let me down, but rather continue to excite me for what adventure life throws my way. I’m ready and literally strapped into freedom.

Teva “original universal” sandal 

Teva “flatform universal” sandal

Teva “alp” sandal

Teva “original universal premier” sandal

Teva “flatform” sandal

Teva “universal premier leather” sandal

Shop all Teva sandals here.

The post ON TOUR IN THE TEVA OUTPOST BUS | BONNAROO 2017 first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

As you guys may already know, I’ll be back at Bonnaroo with my Teva family. They’ve really taught me what life on the road is all about. The nitty gritty of driving through the country, how to live out of a suitcase, and most importantly, how to camp. My Teva crew knows how to take things to the next level when it comes to having a fun, adventurous community of people with a love for wandering. It’s traveling by foot that really inspires me. In the winter, I pair my Teva sandals with socks, while in the summer, they accompany me through walks through the jungle and on the beach. Here are some looks to get you inspired for these upcoming hot summer nights on the campground.

It certainly is my favorite time of year when all you need to wear are bralettes, denim shorts, and teeny coverups. No matter how much I love my designer handbags and couture dresses when I’m back in Manhattan, there’s a large part of my style that’s always been back with the basics. When I’m surrounded by nature, I live in cottons. I meditate more. I do more yoga. I drink more smoothies and fresh vegetables. I never go to the airport without a bag of mandarin oranges. Suddenly my skin starts to glow thanks to all that Vitamin D from the sun. It’s so necessary to get out there, and smell the earth’s soil. So stop and smell the flowers this weekend, wild thang.

One Teaspoon bralette

One Teaspoon denim shorts

Teva sneakers

Vitamin A swimsuit

Teva sandals

Vix Swim  dress

Donni Charm neck scarf

Cluse watch

Shashi NYC earrings

The post WANDER ON WILD THANG first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

I’ve only heard amazing things of Tulum’s dreamy, white sandy beaches and eco-chic resorts. It was just what this New Yorker needed after what feels like a long, never-ending winter. Mexico’s hot sun, mouth-watering salsa, and pops of cerveza were calling my name! Plus, I’ve been dying to brush up on my Spanish.  Every year, my sister Dylana and I plan a girls trip to bring together some of our favorite babes from around the world. We love anywhere with a bit of culture, lots of sun, and of course, somewhere picture perfect. Tulum was the place. We hopped on a plane straight for Cancun, before making the 2 hour drive to our off-the-beaten path beach. For trips like these, I’m always on my feet. I count on Teva to keep me covered and ready for just about anything. I packed 5 pairs. You know a girl needs her options! I love how they go with every single look, whether it be a bikini or a perfect sun dress. My Teva obsession began years ago…on the campgrounds at hot, hot Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee. Which then lead us out to the jungles and hot springs of beautiful Costa Rica. And of course, we ended up even taking  our Teva sandals back to NYC for fashion week, with a play on sock’s and sandal’s, one of my favorite trends. Let’s just say, no crazy adventure with my girls ever seems complete without them now.

For our first night in Tulum, we decided to “glamp.” Glamping Hub really got me into it. It allowed us to really feel the heartbeat of the town. We slept in beautiful huts under the stars at Joy Tulum. We caught up on life by our pool, giggling like little girls late into the night (it’s been a year since we’ve all seen each other), and woke to the sound of the birds chirping. I’m so excited to tell you a few spots we’ve visited during our stay. A friend recommended we walk to Burrito Amor for breakfast, a hip joint just by our campground.The amazing thing about this spot, and Mexico in general, is their love for colorful fruit and delicious spices and chilis. A breakfast burrito was exactly what I was craving after a long day of traveling. With our bellies full, we grabbed our camera equipment and set off for the cenotes…beautiful warm, bodies of water surrounded by trees and exotic birds. They’re fantastic places to swim. They’re so calm, you can float for hours. I never took my Teva sandals off, even when jumping off the highest ledge into the cenote. I always swim in them. They protect my feet and somehow make me feel safe.

Our next few days were in front and behind our cameras. We were ready for early mornings shootings on the water, and spent our next few nights in a beautiful apartment by the long stretch of white sandy beach. Lazy afternoons were spent at The Beach Hotel for lunch, a luxurious hotel with a super secluded and remote beach just steps from the bar. You can wander just far enough that not even a soul was in sight. Nights were spent at the Papaya Playa Project, a stunning seaside resort with loud jams to dance to, surrounded by the dark crushing waves and acres of  preserved lush and trees. This is a super romantic date night spot, that’s also a ton of fun.

With amazing food and culture, comes a very diverse crowd. People from all over the world have settled in Tulum to bring vibrancy and diversity to the city. Here are a few more of my lunch and dinner recommendations. Dinner at Hartwood is a total must. Go for the beet salad, plantains, and white fish. So fresh and beautifully presented. This chic spot was started by a New Yorker, so expect a super cool and unique menu every single night. We found another more casual spot, Tunich Tulum, that’s great for lunch. Also started from an expat from Australia, it’s spin on a classic Mexican dish is both comforting and inspiring. But even with all of these amazing, innovative food choices, sometimes all we really wanted to was an authentic Mexican classic plate of rice, beans, and a few good tacos. It’s the type of food I grew up eating, and I was craving it hard. That, of course, you can find anywhere off the side roads in Playa del Carmen…the town where the locals live by Tulum. When our driver picked us up at the airport, all I wanted were tacos. He took us to a tiny hole-in-the-wall on the side of the road. Simple pollo tacos with cilantro and onions, and served with delicious salsa in tiny plastic bags. Classic, and easy.

From Tulum, we spent a few nights in Mayakoba, just an hour away to stay at the stunning Fairmont Mayakoba resort. I traded in my sandy leather hat and dusty overall shorts for bold red dresses and luxurious printed kaftans. My Teva sandals love to be styled every which way. Up or down. It’s amazing having a beach shoe to dance in and still hike in the next morning. Mayakoba has absolutely stunning beaches as well. It’s the perfect place to really decompress at the end of a long, adventure trip with a few much-needed moments by the pool. I’m still missing the hustle and bustle of the people and spirit in Tulum. Until next time will our sandy sandals wait.

Lunch at The Beach Hotel, Tulum

Breakfast at Burrito Amor.

The post THE SPIRIT OF TULUM, MEXICO | TEVA first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

My adventure monkeys and I have been planning an epic getaway to surf, sunbathe, and explore. Costa Rica seemed like the perfect place. There’s something so special about those empty beaches and lush, humid jungles. Plus, I love any excuse to wear a bikini along with one of the best travel shoes around, Teva. Through the years, I’ve collected so many pairs. Each have their own tale. Trails from the ocean, the cobblestone city streets, roadtrips through the South, and the California desert. They’re ideal at home for hot summers in the city, but of course they’re even better when traveling in the most exotic of beaches. I traveled with my two favorites, Kiara Schwartz and Dylana (duh)…with a little help from our photographer/videographer pal, Mike Bish. We love the outdoors and we’re not afraid to get a little grimy. We live for that adrenaline rush. We all live in different cities…LA, Vancouver, and NYC, so the pura vida lifestyle of Costa Rica made for a rejuvenating and memorable reunion.

We began our trip at Peninsula Papagayo, the exclusive beach just by the Four Seasons where we stayed for the first half of our trip. I totally recommend visiting this Four Seasons. But, seriously. It’s unlike any other of the resorts complete with gigantic infinity pools overlooking the water, one of the best spas (yes, we got a killer massage and the plunge pool is like WOAH), and crystal clear waters. It’s so removed from the rest of Costa Rica which makes it feel like you’re far away from everything else in the world. Our villa was out of a little fairytale. Though we did spend a lot of time by the pool and diggin’ into the classic Costa Rican dishes, most of our days began at 6am and ended being in bed straight after dinner. The wonderful thing about tropical destinations is just being about to go with the flow. Waking up early to the sounds of the birds and monkeys, and falling asleep with the buzz coming from whatever is up in the trees. It’s a lot like sleeping a low hum. Every day was spent on our feet. We were always covered in sand or sweating out butts off in a pair of denim shorts. Bug spray and endless amounts of sunscreen are necessary when hiking…taking an 11 series zip-lining tour…climbing down rocks to get as close to the waterfall as possible. All strapped into our Tevas. What would you do without them on a trip like this? I really don’t know. But my feet thanked me that’s for sure.

From Peninsula Papagayo, we went straight for La Fortunado, famous for it’s gorgeous jungle. We were ready to get down and dirty for a more rustic adventure out in nature, looking for snakes and exotic animals. We hopped in a van for a late 3 hour ride catching the most beautiful sunset. It was red like fire. Talk about pulling off the side of the road and taking a breather, and really just soaking in how beautiful and magical Central America really is. The next half of our journey awaits. Stay tuned.

featuring:

TEVA original sandals, slides, and flatforms

-Suboo black swimsuit, Gentle Fawn cover-up, Frankie’s yellow swimsuit, Wildfox green swimsuit, Vitamin A brown swimsuit, SINGLE silk kimono, Aerie red one-piece.

-Jewelry by Sabrina SL and Phyllis + Rosie

-Maria Castelli backpack 

The post PURA VIDA | COSTA RICA IN TEVA first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

NEW ORLEANS, LA: 

It’s been a while since I’ve taken a proper road trip. And a trip through the South has forever been on my bucket list! So me and my 3 babes: Dylana, Stephanie, and Raych had one destination on our mind. And that is: BONNAROO. We threw our Teva sandals in our travel bags and planned to hit 3 major must-see cities: New Orleans, LA, Birmingham, AL, and Nashville, TN! All before the craziness of Bonnaroo! Once we got off the plane, we couldn’t keep ourselves calm. Anticipating our adventures on the road, who we were going to meet, what we were going to do. And most importantly, what we were going to wear! The heat in the South was like a wave that shocked our bodies. But legs covered in mosquito bites wouldn’t stop us! We got in our car, checked into the Omni Hotel in the French Quarter, threw on our jumpsuits and Teva Flatform sandals (my new favorite style) and hit in the streets in search of coffee and beignets. New Orleans is charming and beautiful. The candy colored rows of shops in the French Quarter were picture perfect. But my friend, a local from the Garden District brought us to ByWater. It’s a little mini-Brooklyn just outside the French Quarter. We ended our one night in New Orleans with unlimited wine, cheese, Po Boys, and jazz. Lots of jazz. The music in New Orleans is insane, and it never stops. Not in the streets. Nor in the bars. The energy is inspiring. There’s true soul in New Orleans. One of the best places to go dancing. The only rough thing about being on the road is falling in love with a city, and having to leave merely 24 hours later. After one more morning of beignets, the Southern warm rain was falling, so we packed our bags and slipped on a fresh pair of Teva sandals to our next destination: Birmingham, Alabama.

// TEVA flatforms //

BIRMINGHAM, AL:

I was blown away by Birmingham’s luscious green trees and beautiful open roads. We spent the night curled in a cozy bar as the rain came to a stop, sleepy from our first long day on the road. There’s one thing I love about the South and that is the beautiful lakes. We spent the next morning under the hot sun at Oak Mountain State Park. All I felt like wearing was my one piece swimsuit, a great pair of Teva sandals, and giant sunhat. Dipping ourselves into the warm lake felt refreshing and exhilarating. I could have sat there all day. But we had places to go, and a tight timeframe! Bonnaroo is waiting! Singing “Sweet Home Alabama” we gathered our things before hitting up Saw’s BBQ for some classic chicken sandwiches and mac n’ cheese. Southern food really is something else. Let’s just say our bellies were pleasantly fully our entire trip! When traveling, I always indulge.

Bonnaroo was only a few more days away. And I was savoring every single moment in our hotel beds, knowing that tent life was going to be INSANE at the festival. We packed up, and hit the road late that evening to NASHVILLE. I’ve always dreamed of Nasvhille. The heavy accents, the Country music. The booze. Still in our bathing suits and soaked Teva sandals from the lake, we hit the road. We arrived in Nashville just before dark, and hit Broadway. The main street full of bars, neon lights, and people. Lots of people. Who knew we’d be just passing through Nashville during the Country Music Awards? Broadway street was pure insanity. We ended our night sipping IPA’s at Wanna B’s karaoke lounge. Raych and I hit the stage to Nicky Minaj’s “Super Bass,” Extremely breaking up the endless country tunes sung one after another. Walking back to our hotel with nothing but smiles and dreaming of our pillows. One. More. Day. On. The Road.

// TEVA originals sandals //

NASHVILLE, TN to BONNAROO:

BONNAROOOOOOOOOOO! I can still hear the crowds from the weekend screaming “BonnaROOOOO!” over and over on the campgrounds. At this point, I was already onto my 5th pair of Teva sandals. Each worn to the bone, and with love of course from all of our days on the road. 3 cities down, now 4 full days of Bonnarooo to go! We pulled up and unloaded next to our tent. VIP camping definitely felt like a luxury with showers, bathrooms, and amazing charging stations. BUT, a small tent with 4 fashion ladies looked more like an explosion than VIP. Pink Teva sandals over here. Flatform sandals over there. Where’s my pair? But we had no time to waste. We threw on whatever we could get our hands on first, and made our way to the festival. Of every festival I’ve been to, Bonnaroo felt the most authentic. Hippies all over the campground, and never in my entire life have I seen so many Teva sandals. It felt like Bonnaroo was Teva City! Especially when you entered The Grind: the Teva coffee shop over at Pod 7 in the middle of the campground. Where you could listen to surprise gigs and DIY your sandals. For me, it was a lot like a resting spot. This wooden building the only place to shade yourself from the burning Tennessee sun. But everything about Bonnaroo felt real. The people. The campground. Everyone is there for the music. No matter how dirty you may get. No matter how cold your tent gets at night, you still want to get up and dance to Billy Joel, and run around with your top off (!) Every day, my skin got more and more tan, but my energy was still up. I survived legit camping (even if it was VIP) and I had the time of my life. Exploring new places, hearing new music, and meeting new people. It was the absolute dream road trip. I can’t wait to take my Teva sandals on another wild adventure again soon.

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