Our 'Remarkable women' series finds us chatting with Natalie Lue, Self help author and Relationship blogger. Add to that Dirty laugher, BS seeker, Michael Jackson dance expert and Mojito lover and you've got a pretty comprehensive picture. Married with two beautiful munchkins Saria and Nia, Nat lives in SE London with her children and her wonderfully patient husband, Emmon.
Nat and I first met at a family barbecue. We bonded over a shared love of the Twittersphere when it was in its fairly fledgling state. The next day when I checked @BaggageReclaim I was overwhelmed by her massive follower count (when I believed these things mattered immensely).
*Embarrassing confession time - I honestly thought that Nat wrote about how to claim your luggage back at airports. I was far too intimidated and felt far too stupid to ask. Then I visited Nat's blog. People: Do NOT be fooled by her diminutive stature and innocent appearance. When it comes to calling out relationship BS this woman is FIERCE.
Butter wouldn't melt...
In Nat's words:
"I bought this cardigan in New York at Anthropologie five and a half years ago. I kept looking at it and had bought it several times in my head before I handed my card over. I thought to myself 'Am I crazy for wanting a yellow cardigan?'."
"I've worn it to death since and stretched it out. I love the fact that its a bright mustard yellow. It makes me feel happy. And it goes surprisingly well with a lot of items in my wardrobe. It's my 'Writer' cardigan. As soon as I put it on I'm 'Nat'."
Wrapped in comfort.
"My husband thinks I have an unhealthy interest in cardigans. He's tried, unsuccessfully I might add, to ban me from buying them. (Oh, how we laughed) He rolls his eyes when I come home with a new one. I easily have at least ten cardigans. They're all long and/or chunky with unusual knits. They're intertwined with my personality as I'm known for wearing cardigans. People often ask me where I get them from. My youngest, Nia, loves them and usually says they're 'nice'."
Unusual shape…slightly stretched.
"I'm self-employed with no set 'office' wear. You can lose your way with what to wear when you've no set work/home hours. I do have a signature look when I'm doing events and talks . I favour brightly coloured items mixed with slightly preppy. Over the years I'm gradually developed my own look. I don't really buy things because they're 'in fashion'. I wear the clothes that I like. Things that I will wear over and over again. I'm at a stage where my kids like what I wear and ask me for it when they're older!"
Open weave lurrrrve.
"I have never 'blended in' on the school run. I now like my quirky style but I had to re-find or redefine it after having kids. I'm slim but, like most women, I have a 'tummy'. I used to be able to wear anything. I had to figure out who I was/ I embrace who I am as a mother, my changing body and enjoying what I feel like wearing. This cardigan is a constant pick-me-up."
Do you have a favourite garment that is an instant 'pick-me-up'?
Are you comforted when you wear an old well-worn item? What is it?
Tell us in the comments below.
Next time on the blog: Read about an shy photographer with a surprisingly rebellious side!