Friday Fashionista :: { Boho + Gold }

hello arm party

Happy Friday my loves! I was thinking about what to feature on Friday Fashionista today and instantly "Boho + Gold" popped into my head. Ah, isn't there something about this look that just feels so summery and beachy and fun? So when I was uploading these pics I also noticed a little pic I took of myself in Central Park the other day, so I thought, hey it looks a bit Boho-ish so I popped it in too! ;) Enjoy this little taste of summer! xoxo

this is the 'i-am-so-relaxed-and-chilled-out-i'm-on-vacation' look

relaxed and comfy

fun in the sun :)

sparkly beachy fun

ripped demin + crochet

want this jacket

cute summer lunch outfit

okay this is silver but i had to put it in ;)

stunning alessandra. ah that bag

fedora, turquoise, gold + peasant top = gorgeous

lace + ray bans + chucky boots = so fun

jingling pretties

hair candy

omg to die for

this hat is so cute

Well m' dears have the best weekend ahead.. make sure you do something you love and why not try one of these outfits just for fun!

Love you!

Nat xo

Start small :)

Do you ever feel overwhelmed "trying" to be inspired and creative? Yesterday afternoon, after a productive morning of writing, I was ready for another book writing session.  So I sat there ready to go. Nothing. I sat there with my hands on the keyboard..."Okay creativity... hellooooo... you can come anytime now..."  Then I stopped. I realised I was trying to be "supernaturally creative" but in my own strength. Ha ha, Nat I don't really think that's how it works. Flowers don't strive to be beautiful, they just grow in their own beauty.

Anyway at that moment I decided to just take the pressure off myself and start small. Rather than focusing on writing a whole section, I thought I'd just go somewhere beautiful, chill out and make a few notes. As soon as I did that the Lord reminded me of a cute cafe on the Upper West Side called Cafe Lalo. So I grabbed my laptop, put on some lipgloss (and the new boots I may have recently bought he he) and headed out the door. This is where I went!

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Do you do this too? Put pressure on yourself and then don't know where to start?! Ah it's so silly isn't it! Well, I want to remove any pressure for us "be creative"... and just release us to be ourselves, cos that's what the world needs :) Let's start small and see just what happens! Here are few ways we can start small in stirring up creativity:

1. Take the pressure off. It's amazing what ideas we think of when we're not 'thinking'.

2. Don't try and plan a whole project. Start by listing a few ideas.

3. Do something fun. Inspiration often comes when we're relaxed and having a good time.

4. Go somewhere beautiful and treat yourself. 

5. Hang out with a friend and chat about things you love.

6. Ask God to stir new creativity. I love this scripture below... How amazing is it that he is always waiting to tell us something new. :)

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So remember, when you start to feel the pressure it's time to strip it back. :) 
Just relax and have a beautiful day being YOU!

Love Nat xo

Flourish no matter what :)

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. 

It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. 

It has no worries in a year of drought, and never fails to bear fruit. :)

Jeremiah 17:7-8

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Hi friends, just a little encouragement for your week. Whatever you are doing, wherever you are going (even if you have no idea where your path might be leading and it's a little bit scary!)... let's choose to trust him this week. He is cheering us on in all that we do and his promise is that when we trust him we flourish no matter what.

Lots of love to you from NYC ;)

Nat xox

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Love from NYC :: One at a time.

This morning walking back from the gym I noticed a lovely elderly man standing on the street corner with a stick, as he was hard of seeing. Instantly I my heart was moved with compassion. As the "walk" sign flashed, he stood there waiting. Waiting for help, waiting for a sound, I'm not sure. As I looked at people walking across the street and past him I felt shocked and saddened. I pulled my earplugs out, took my sunglasses off and walked over to him, asking him if he needed some help crossing the street. He replied that he did and he put his arm out for me to link arms with him. As we walked across the street, arm in arm, I asked his name. "My name's Arnold" he said smiling. I introduced myself and he said "Natalie, it's a pleasure knowing you." What a beautiful thing to say. :) 

I'm tearing up a little bit writing this actually, wishing I had have prayed for him. But me feeling guilty about not doing enough is not God's heart. It's not about that. It's about me just loving people with God's love and stepping out when I see real opportunities to show them this love. And that's what I did. 

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Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful,

and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Sometimes we make it overcomplicated just helping people don't we? Sometimes we get overwhelmed with the need. I know I do! Let me tell you New York is an amazing city but it's devastating seeing so many people in need. I'm constantly thinking, "oh my gosh how can I help everyone?!" I can't help everyone, but I can help one. One at a time. One today, one tomorrow. Lord I pray you would release your love and your healing power over Arnold and over every person reading these words. :) 

So let's take the pressure off and just love person one at a time. Jesus did that. He always went after the one, and he still does today. Let's ignore guilt and let love lead the way. Cos love always wins. Always!

Love you guys, Nat xo

All Images by Nat Box unless otherwise stated

Love from NYC :: Stay in your lane.

Well hello my lovelies sending you a hug from NYC! How is your week going? Well I'm about to put the kettle on and have a cuppa... wanna join me?! Imagine if we could do that! Oh my gosh it would be very fun :) So I have been in this fabulous city for about a week and a half now and boy is everyone right when they say it's the city of dreams! Woh woh woh yes sirree! I seriously think if you took all the power from the speed people walk in this city and put it together we could power an entire country! Here are a just a few of them chilling in Bryant Park today...

And here's the jazz pianist playing fabulous music.

Of course NYC a city full of inspiration, dreams, ambition, which is why I wanted to come here... everyone literally believes that anything is possible. But another thing I have felt whilst I am here is to really focus on "staying in my lane", and not getting caught up with trying to run someone else's race.

Inspiration comes from everywhere, but at times I find the line between inspiration and comparison is quite fine. Do you ever find that? I mean, we spend SO much of our lives online these days, there is so much information out there, but when I have crossed that line I get a little check in my spirit. No matter where I am or what I am doing, the moment I begin to feel my joy being robbed I know something is up. If I suddenly feel insecure, intimidated, fearful or I start judging myself to see whether what I am doing is good enough... I have to stop right there and step away.

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I don't know about you, but sometimes it happens when I don't even realise it! Then all of a sudden I feel totally terrible and I am knee deep in "oh my gosh this person is doing that, I need to do this and this and this?!" Um, NO. No you don't. All you need to do is focus on being the amazing, creative, inspiring and fabulous person God created you to be. There is no one on earth like you. There is no one on earth like me. And if you try and be me and I try and be you, then we are both going to fail miserably! But, if we stay in our lane and focus on what we do best, then we are going to flourish and we are going to fly baby :)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. 

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You are amazing. Of all the people walking on this planet there is not a single one like you. Just look at us! I mean, as I write these words I am thinking of you guys reading this blog. Each of you are incredible, with your own amazing gifts and abilities, and today you are going to go out into this world and release your creativity and amazing-ness!! (Not sure if that is actually a word!) Anyway, the world needs what you have to give... so get out there and run!

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So, what do you say? Wanna join me and stay in our own lanes and be amazing? 

Love Nat xoxo

(PS... Here are a few of this week's highlights)

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 :: THIS WEEK IN NEW YORK CITY ::

Soho. How I love you.

 9/11 Tribute.

 Dreaming of shopping at Bergdorfs. I will go in there for lunch very soon though!

58th and Fifth.

 One of my fave views of The Plaza... and the ice rink getting ready for winter!

 Fun exploring the brand new POLO Ralph Lauren flagship store. 711 Fifth Ave.

 Very bright and colourful!

 Subway selfie (sporting my new RL shirt). 79th St subway.

 Love this view of Grand Central and Chrysler at 42nd and Park.

 Sunday arvo at Bryant Park. 42nd and Sixth.

 Radio City Music Hall on Sixth Ave.

 Tea and dessert at Sarabeth's on 59th with my lovely friend Brittany.

My street.

 Pretty posies in Nolita. Prince St.

Bryant Park as the sun is setting. Beautiful.

Have a lovely day!

N xx

Images - All by Natalie Box unless otherwise listed.

Friday Fashionista :: NYFW // Street Style

Hello my lovelies!! HALLELUJAH... Friday Fashionista is back! And today I am excited to share with you some fab inspiration from New York Fashion Week :) This city has been buzzing all week, so here's a little sneak peek into what's been going on here in NYC.

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The following images are via Womenswear Daily. 

Ah, so fun right?! Which was your favourite? I can't choose, I do love number 1 though... very fun! And to think, this is just a teeny tiny selection of the pictures circulating the world at the moment! These photographers sure are working hard hey. Well my friends, have a beautiful weekend, what do you have planned? I'm going to check out some new brunch places I think, then maybe grab a coffee with some new friends I met this week. 

Well it was fun bringing you this little NYFW highlight reel... stay tuned for an exciting Part II of "Friday Fashionista :: NYFW // From the Runway" next Friday. Have a wonderful weekend everyone :)

Love Nat xoxo

Images -  Those not listed sourced from harpersbazaar.com