// Aje dress. Reike Nen shoes //

Finally had a reason to dress up with friends thanks to the New York Botanical Garden Spring Gala. And with the very best team, Veuve Clicquot, whom I’ve missed so much! There was an abundance of champagne, daffodils, and music. I put on the poofiest dress I own and some dancing shoes, because we certainly have a lot to celebrate!

The post THE New York BOTANICAL GARDEN SPRING GALA WITH VEUVE CLICQUOT first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

// Miu Miu sunglasses, Perfect Moment jacket and ski suit, UGG boots, Acne Studios beanie // 

Take an inside look inside my Veuve Clicquot #ClicqoutintheSnow campaign! We shot this in dreamy Aspen, Colorado. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite locations to shoot at. I live for the blues skies, the powder white snow, and of course, a good glass of Veuve Clicquot. This is me, après-ski. The town is extra festive this time of year, and I’m soaking in every bit of it’s cheerful energy. I’ll be back next week and I can hardly wait. Recharging with the fresh mountain air is what winter in Aspen is all about. 

The post VEUVE CLICQUOT IN THE SNOW first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Close your eyes. Dream up your most perfect fall day. To me, it’s a flannel shirt. It’s the smell of the s’mores cooking in the backyard and meat pie baking in the oven. It’s a giant wooden log cabin. It’s the view of nothing but gorgeous trees turned burnt orange, brown, and yellow. It’s the feeling a drizzle coming down on the window pane and the soft sounds of the guitar strumming in the distance. It’s a glass of Veuve Clicquot Rich served with slices of either apples or fresh tomatoes. Mont-Tremblant in Quebec is what you would only see in movies. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen during the fall. So picturesque. So unreal. The air just feels really, really good against your face, even snuggled up in a giant coat. I quickly became obsessed with this little ski town.

I went both behind the lens and in front of the lens this season with Veuve Clicquot. Photographing for such an iconic French champagne house like Veuve Clicquot always feels special. One sip and suddenly my travels with the team flash through my mind: Paris, Reims, London, Maui, Los Angeles, and now Canada. It makes me smile. The memories I have with this champagne will last forever. This experience, in both Montreal and Mont-Tremblant, felt so authentic for Veuve Clicquot Rich. Tis’ the season for Clicquology: the art of preparing drinks with Veuve Clicquot. Veuve Clicquot Rich was especially made for this mixology. It allows me to find new ways to drink champagne. This season I’m gravitating towards pears, apples, tomatoes, pomegranate, and hibiscus tea to experiment in my drinks. I like mine at brunch, served with a plate of squash salad, chicken pot pie, and side of mashed potatoes.

Bellies full, we ventured down to the lake, looking up at our cabin. Today was just as good, if not better than Thanksgiving. And trust me, I have so much to be thankful for this year. All you could see is the party inside and the smoke from the fireplace blowing in the wind. I’ve never seen anything so perfect.

Equipment blazer and pant

GAP turtleneck

Cutler & Gross sunglasses

The post FALL IN MONT-TREMBLANT WITH VEUVE CLICQUOT 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.

Elegant dresses. Endless glasses of champagne. Polo. The Vueve Clicquot 10th Annual Polo Classic was a total dream, just like it is every single year. NYC had a beautiful burst of sunshine through the clouds as I squinted looking into the sky on the ferry to Liberty State Park. I couldn’t help but smile the whole time. Veuve Clicquot Polo is an afternoon to put your best foot forward and dress to the nines. The more decadent, the better. I love kicking off summer with Veuve Clicquot. They embody everything I love about summer: ros, luxury, and really good company. And like at any polo match, I dressed the part. Who makes this absolutely stunning number? Fendi, of course.

This Fendi dress screamed “polo” the moment I saw it. Because the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is always full of fresh flowers, I wanted something that would easily float with a whimsical air throughout the party. Veuve Clicquot never ceases to amaze me with their aesthetic and eye for throwing a really darn good party…and a stunning one at that. So I went with something that easily could have been out of a fairy tale book because all I wanted to do was dance amongst the grassy fields to the DJ’s stellar playlist. Can you say Alice in Wonderland? This Fendi look straight off of the runway really just moved with the wind, and in all the right ways. I love how Fendi went full force with ribbons for spring. It’s romantic. It’s elegant. It’s fun and youthful. Ribbons reminds me of my childhood. Weaving them into my hair and tying them round my ankles. This long sleeved dress is anything but simple. Just look at all the little details! It’s like wearing a piece of art. An embellished, fitted sheer sleeve…an open back, dripping in ribbons…a full skirt that billows out from high up above my waistline. It’s a fit I’ve never worn before. It could easily be something out of a whole different time period. A Victorian-esque heels and metallic green bag gave this feminine piece some edge.

Fendi dress

Fendi “kan” handbag

Fendi booties

Club Monaco earrings

The post FENDI AT THE VEUVE CLICQUOT POLO CLASSIC 10 first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

I was in Reims, France with the lovely Veuve Clicquot team to learn every little thing about champagne and learn about their latest creation, CLICQUOT RICH. We began our trip at the exclusive Hotel Du Marc. It’s a luxurious house turned private estate owned by the Veuve Clicquot family, and only used to host parties and invited guests. Talk about one very special experience. 

But let’s start from the beginning. “Veuve” means widow in French and it was Madame Clicquot who took over the family champagne business when her husband died unexpectedly, leaving her widowed at a young age. The company then became called Veuve Clicquot and we believe it was their daughter Clementine who was the inspiration for the iconic yellow seen on the label. Madame Clicquot had some major girl power. Back in the day, women weren’t ones running businesses, but Madame Clicquot is what I like to call a GIRL BOSS. She wanted to continue the family business, perfect the production of her wine, and build the luxurious Veuve Clicquot brand.

Now let me take you back to Hotel Du Marc. This extremely chic hotel has a brilliant library, a dining room unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and a stunning lavender staircase, inspired by the rich hues of the grapes used in each wine. On the second floor are rooms that each represent a different country. I fell in love with the seafoam green walls of the guest bedroom representing France, and the extra large pink kimono draping along the wall of the Japanese room. Each part of this hotel was breathtaking. It was only a short drive from the Veuve Clicquot cellars… where the wine is made, left to age for years, before being distributed and enjoyed all around the world.

I am so excited to introduce you to Veuve Clicquot Rich. Rich is inspired by mixology, and that’s why we call it CLICQUOLOGY. Clicquot Rich is a bit more sweet due to its higher concentration of sugar. It’s meant for drinking in a large wine glass, served over ice, and accompanied with fresh ingredients including pineapple, celery, tea, pepper, cucumber, or grapefruit. For me, I personally love adding in the green and red bell peppers. The spice gives it all a little kick! It’s delicious and refreshing. It’s totally my summer rooftop drink. My friends are going to be obsessed. And it’s nice going to champagne for a change, over a wine or a classic cocktail. I love this new, innovative take on mixology and champagne.

CLICQUOLOGY took a while to perfect. Finding the right amount of sweetness. Finding the right fruits and veggies that complement the champagne well. But it was worth the wait!

Here is a little insight on what goes into producing champagne. This process takes 4 years!

1. The grapes are harvested by hand in September in the vineyards of Reims, France.

2. Gentle press to a juice, then it becomes base wine and goes through fermentation.

3. It’s blended and bottled in February to sit for 3 years.

4. The second fermentation. Yeast and sugar are added and natural carbon dioxide.

5. Open the bottle, remove the years, and add alcohol.

6. Last step is dosage. This determines if you are making something sweet or dry, or something really potent, like a dessert wine. The Clicquot Rich is in between. It’s not a vintage. It’s a bit more sweet and made to be mixed with fruits or vegetables to enhance the champagne’s flavor.

So now you know a bit about champagne, straight from the city of Reims! See you at the NYC polo match this weekend.

// Finders Keepers top, Milly pants, AGAIN Collection fringed dress, Jocelyn fur coat, Dear Frances mules, Ax + Apple jewelry, Dannijo earrings //

The post VEUVE CLICQUOT – CLICQUOLOGY first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

I was just in Miami for one beautiful beach weekend with the Veuve Clicquot team for an afternoon downtown at their annual Veuve Clicquot Rio Carnaval! To this day, I dream of the real Rio. Tanned bums, brown oiled skin, and the tiniest bikinis known to man. What’s better than that? But we did get a little taste of that colorful, sexy, “dance on the beach” and strut-your-stuff Brazilian way. We’re talking samba dancers, feather headdresses, conga lines, and of course, the endless flow of chilled champagne. Veuve Clicquot just launched what be my new favorite champagne: Rich. Best mixed with ice, peppers, and a little mint. Light and refreshing.

I traded in my mix-matched bikinis for this off-shoulder number and my favorite striped scarf. There’s something about the way it hugs my waist that I fell for. After fashion month, this was just the weekend Team Suarez and I needed. Sunshine, the sound of the waves crashing, and just a carry-on luggage. It was my first stay at The Edition hotel, and we couldn’t have asked for better accommodation. It felt like a few days to detox and unwind. I will never know how Miami manages to party all night long, and still make it to yoga on the beach at 7am. Those are some serious goals right there. Anyways, after a few classes of champagne, go to the The Edition steam room and get that hour and a half Thai massage. You deserve it baby.

Miami, I miss your wild adventures already.

// Rebecca Taylor dress, Donni Charm scarf, SJP sandals, Strathberry bag //

The post VEUVE CLICQUOT RIO CARNAVAL first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.