1. Any advice for a girl who wants to start their own fashion blog?
Just be true to yourself, and go with what you love. I created my blog for creative liberation…to inspire and be inspired every single day. I love seeing a girl’s blog that is so unique, and shows so much of the girl’s personality. People who can turn what they love…into something beautiful and positive, whether it be a photo or work of art, make blogging such a fantastic world.
2. Which bloggers inspire your own style?
My sister, Dylana Suarez of Color Me Nana is actually my main inspiration. She is the one who inspired me to even begin a blog in the first place! We always love the same pieces and have very similar aesthetic. We’re both very rock n’roll, yet classic, with a touch of California cool and quirkiness. She really has the best eye I know. I love her!
3. Who are your favorite fashion bloggers? Which blogs do you recommend following on Bloglovin?
To instantly be inspired, I go to Studded Hearts every morning. The editorials and photography always inspire. Other bloggers I love are Zanita, Amlul, Le Blog de Betty, as well as Cali Vintage. I love visiting a blog from every part of the world. It’s fascinating!
4. You’re a big fan of vintage, what has been your favorite purchase?
"DKNY"
Most of my favorite pieces are things that I scored either at a Santa Monica estate sale in LA, or at Village Style here in NYC. My favorite piece right now may be my green “Debbie” wool baseball jacket. It’s just such a great fit, and I love throwing it over everything. Somehow it just completes every look I have.
5. Do you have an all time favorite blog post of yours you’d like to share? Why was this your favorite blog post?
It’s hard to choose. Snowflakes On My Sweater was a good one. I was in the middle of shooting for my latest DKNY Fragrances campaign, and it started snowing! It was so so beautiful! The photographer snapped these images in between takes and sent them to me. They really captured that cold afternoon perfectly.
It was hard to decide between that post and Modern Vice x Cloak & Dagger Factory Party 2012. These were polaroids from my boyfriend’s huge Modern Vice shoe factory party. We presented all our latest shoe designs, along with my first NYC musical performance!
6. What is your secret style weapon?
A hat. I can be wearing something just so so simple, and I’ll throw a hat on, and instantly feel so good! I love an amazing vintage hat or slouchy beanie.
7. Since you started blogging what has been some memorable experiences?
With my blog and work, I have been able to travel to so many different corners of the world I’ve only dreamt of. From Barbados, to Morocco, to London and Paris, to Israel, and Copenhagen. I am so thankful. I have thousands of photos that I know I’ll just freak out over when I’m an old woman, looking back at this time.
8. What’s one item you’re saving up to buy?
I’m really saving up to buy a new Martin guitar. I’m always staring, and asking questions to my musician friends about their Martins. I am dying for a new one! One I can keep for the rest of my life.
"In London"
9. How did you come up with the name for your blog?
My friends would say I was so “model off duty” when I was in high school, because I was the only girl during the school [who] would have to take off and go to shoots. The “model off duty” style is very effortless, thrown together, and messy. ”Natalie Off Duty” just came to me one day in my bedroom, the day I made my first post, and it stuck.
10. Tell us something your blog followers would be surprised to know about you?
Nobody really knows my ethnic background. I’m half Chinese and 1/4 Spanish, and 1/4 Mexican. My friends would come over and think I was adopted when they saw my parents.
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