Green is Good

(Rachel Zoe sweater, Minkpink dress (similar), Stance Socks (similar), Vanessa Mooney "romeo's dagger" necklace, Warby Parker "everett" sunglasses, "Natalie + Dylana Suarez x Modern Vice" JETT MESSENGER bag and SUMMER JETT shoe)

If I also could just have my own greenhouse, I totally would. I'm obsessed. The smell, the humidity...all the little elements of the Earth pull me in everytime. I could spend all day just photographing flowers. Crouching down, capturing those vibrant colors, and just getting so up close and personal, inspecting each vein of a leave, as crazy as it is! In Upstate New York there's so much of Mother Nature...so much green, so much mountain, so much rock. It's a lot for an LA native to discover beyond the concrete NYC streets. Two days up in the mountains felt like eternity. I spent my last afternoon snuggled up in an extra large cable knit sweater, squinting in the sun, behind rectangular lenses, tugging at my mini dress in hopes of nobody seeing up my skirt and catching a glimpse of my knickers! But we were in the middle of nowhere, with nobody around...I guess it didn't really matter! My yellow JETTS happened to match the sun, slowly becoming more and more broken in as I walked through the rubble.  I wish to go back to that one moment...all of us just lying on the grass by an empty house, and a yard full of lonely benches. Only the sounds of birds chirping and the hikers below could wake us. It's nearly Memorial Day weekend and I am beyond excited. A group of my pals and I are heading up to Montauk and the Hamptons for some surf and sun! Just 2 more days suriviving the last minute fittings and work in the city, before I can get my surf on!

 

Pink Trees

(Tailor & Stylist sweater (free shipping/10% off with code: Natalie10), Goldsign high wasisted "virtual" jeans, Urban coat, M. Hulot handbag, The 2 Bandits jewelry, Warby Parker "everett" sunglasses, Lucky Brand hat, Swedish Habeens "heart" sandals)

I was just heading back to the city from our upstate New York getaway, and honestly, I wanted nothing more than to curl up in the backseat of our car, munch on the chocolate we picked up in New Paltz, and catch some sleep in a good denim jean and striped sweater...my two go-to's for any travel destination. There are some mornings that I just want to be as simple as ever. No fringe, no crazy layers (all things I'm extremely, extremely fond of.) I always think "ok, a striped sweater, and I can be done with it." I realized all I had was an old tattered striped sweater I picked up at a Paris thrift shop late last year. I wore it to the bone, as I do with any striped top. I still refuse to throw it away. Luckily, I'm beginning to stock up. This Tailor & Stylist classic is one to always throw in the ol' suitcase! A super cute shop started by a tailor and his stylist wife. Talk about adorable. I'm all for cute designer couples. Paired with the best little leopard hat known to man, my older sister's coat (yes, I refuse to give it back), and a girly clog sandal, it's another look my friends call 80's Berlin. I love the simple things to bring us into Spring! Happy Monday!

 

LOLITA NOLITA

(AGAIN lace dress, Cheap Monday sweater (similar here), Modern Vice "rebel yell" denim jacket, HUNTER boots (original), Jenny Bird netted handbag, The 2 Bandits cuffs, Ax + Apple spike ring, Karen London jewerly, Vanessa Mooney necklace)

Did I ever mention that Nolita has been my life lately? Walking it's quaint streets calm my mind after a long day's work. It's always where I meet my friends. It's where I grab my boyfriend's hand and lead him to whenever we leave the apartment. I never really realized how much I love this little nook of Manhattan. There's still that grunge, authentic NYC edge to it. The restaurants and shops are teeny tiny but hold the most beautiful treasures. I feel lucky to live only steps away. These were snapped in Nolita with my sister and boyfriend. We were walking the streets long before most of lower Manhattan was even awake. I'm always the one up early, brewing the coffee, opening the windows, and begging everyone to get up. I'm restless in a really weird way. I like to sleep, but I love starting my days early. This morning we were headed to Cafe Habana. It being the first time going to this Cuban corner joint, I was happily skipping over puddles from the last night's rain. The morning dew felt refreshing in the empty streets as I made my way down Elizabeth in nothing but wellies, and what may be one of my favorite little lace dresses. One step up from lingerie, it daringly flaunted a little beige slip. I love bare legs, rain boots, and something a bit unexpected on the top. I always ask my boyfriend before I leave the house, "is this just too weird?" Luckily, he's always on my side and normally likes what I've thrown on. But really, weekends are when I don't have to get dressed for anyone. Just myself.

 

Nicole Miller Summer 2013 Campaign// BARBADOS

Nicole Miller Summer '13 shot by Lauren Teslia in Barbados

And it's finally here! My Nicole Miller Summer '13 campaign, shot in Barbados!! Shooting on location is like a dream...especially when you get to shoot in the warm tropics of Barbados right smack in the middle of the NYC winter. And everything was so full of color, brightening and warming my heart. The green lush, the bright blue waters, the collection. I fell in love with the beautfiul form-fitted dresses, hugging in all the right places. Perfect to pick flowers in. I could easily blend in with the palm trees...the bold leaves taken from this gorgeous place were planted directly on my dress like a work of art. Then there's the little beach cover-ups and lightweight rompers. I fell in love. This was one adventurer's dream shoot. In between takes, we'd take breaks on the back patio of The Monkey house (yes, there were monkeys at our house!) or end the day taking dips in the pool during sunset. I could lie back and stare up at the sky all day. Barbados is such a beautiful island... quiet, and just so full of relaxation. I could spend hours in the go-carts just trying to get a monkey to come to me...or by the water, digging my toes into the sand. And I finally got to swim with the giant sea turtles. Talk about liberating. Arriving on the island from the airport, beer in hand, music blasting, it's a trip I'll always remember! Everything from discovering old boats in the sand, to peeking into old, brightly colored desolate buildings. This island is so full of colors so rich, and everyone's on a slower, calmer pace. Our campaign shoot just being a postcard of a place I'll never forget. 

 

INVITE! Benson event at Treasure & Bond this Thursday, 6-9pm!

YOU'RE INVITED! I'm so excited to be hosting the BENSON event this Thursday, from 6-9pm, at Treasure and Bond with Grungy Gentleman! 

Music by Jon Jon Battles!! It'll be a fun night of super cute clothes for the girls and the guys, BOOZE, and of course, super rad tunes!!

Take a peek at their latest collection at http://www.mrmrsbenson.com/ and rsvp to the email below!

WHAT: Benson party at Treasure & Bond, hosted by "Natalie Off Duty" and "Grungy Gentleman"

WHEN: this Thursday, the 16th (6-9pm)

WHERE: Treasure & Bond, 350 West Broadway (between Grand & Broome Street)

RSVP HERE: benson@factorypr.com 

See you there babes! Feel free to bring friends and family! Excited to meet you all tomorrow! xx

 

Sunflower Showers

(True Religion leather jacket, Vintage tee, American Apparel sunflower shorts, original Hunter Boots, Jenny Bird "netted bucket" bag, Vanessa Mooney necklaces and ring)

See those crazy clouds hovering behind me...yep, a thunderstorm was underway! My friends and I were huddled on the roof, all dressed like some crazy British rock girl band, and we felt like we were high in in the dark deep clouds. We panicked as it started raining just above the neighbor's roof, until seconds later, we were soaked once it made it's way to us. I don't think there's been a girl running in wellies so fast! And it's actually quite fun to see the storm making it's way across the city. Fun, but quite dangerous. We luckily found shelter in the stairwell...with rain drops hard as rocks knocking on the ceiling. We were literally squeuling inside like little girls. The windows in the apartment were open, wetting the lit candles on the ledge. Shutting everything from the outdoor world, the only thing we could do was watch the Flood Warnings from our phones, and turn on the TV. We were antsy and with no patience to wait it out, we were outside walking in the rain 10 minutes later. There's always that excitement with the NYC rain. You never really know what you're going to get. Thank goodness for these navy blue wellies..I love them on hot rainy afternoons with nothing but some short, shorts, and a band tee. I brought the sunflowers out this day, you know, only to give the dreary East Village some life. Someone's gotta do it.