Food for Thought

Natalie has always said that healthy eating and a healthy attitude to food is a big part of true beauty.  "The foods you eat shouldn't be dictated by whether they will make you fat or thin, but by the enjoyment and goodness you can get out of each bite," she explains.

So we asked Natalie to share three of her favourite food websites to inspire, ponder and drool over!

1. Kate Quinn Davies is the very talented food photographer and keen home cook behind What Katie Ate. Her simple recipes feature seasonal produce, while her sublime photography makes her blog a feast for the eyes as well as the palate!
2. For nutritional, one-of-a-kind vegetarian recipes, make sure you visit My New Roots. This blog is about much more than mouth-watering recipes. Its manifesto is to encourage everyone to be an active participant in their health  - which is something we couldn't agree more with!
3. Michael Pollan's prescription for healthy eating is, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." His website has many brilliant articles and references that show why you should eat like this and how to do it.

Images: Kate Quinn Davies

Natalie Takes Us Behind-the-Scenes at YSL's Paris Fashion Week Show

Another of Natalie's highlights from Paris Fashion Week, was the Yves Saint Laurent show. Not only was it Hedi Slimane's debut collection for YSL, but it was also a chance to spot some of the biggest names in fashion. Here Natalie takes us behind the velvet rope for a look at who was there.

Kate Moss! Need I say more?!

Meeting Emmanuelle Alt, editor-in-chief of Paris Vogue.

Anna Dello Russo shows how to do sparkles perfectly!

Photographing the photographers!

Valerie Trierweiler, the partner of French president Francois Hollande;
co-founder of YSL, Pierre Berge; and Saint Laurent muse, Betty Catroux.

Designer Diane von Furtenberg and Grace Coddington,
Creative Director of US Vogue.

Up close with Anna Dello Russo.

A very-happy-to-be-there me!

Natalie at Chanel's Paris Fashion Week Show

Earlier this week, Natalie was wowed by Chanel at Paris Fashion week. With 13 near real-size turbines installed down the catwalk at the Grand Palais, and a formidable front row that included Anna Wintour, Kanye West and Jennifer Lopez (who was accompanied by her mini-fashionista 3 year-old daughter!) the scene was set for a collection defined by bold graphics, cropped jackets and a dose of 1960's style.

Here Natalie shares some of her personal snaps from the Chanel show...

Oh! The anticipation of entering Chanel's show at the Grand Palais.

The formidable front row. Can you spot Anna Wintour?

Thirteen turbines lined the catwalk.

Classic Chanel monochrome.

The dominant silhouette was a cropped jacket over a
streamlined shift dress.

Check out the hula-hoop beach bag and perspex hat!

At 79-years old, Chanel's veteran designer, Karl Lagerfeld, shows no
signs of slowing down. I loved what he said after the show - "Don't
take things too seriously, especially not fashion." 

Beautiful textural detail.

The final walk through.

Our Top Five Beauty in Bloom Moments

The insights Natalie shares in her book, Beauty in Bloom, for making us look and feel beautiful are timeless. Here we share five of our favourites:

1. There are no rules with makeup. It's about fun, creativity and experimentation.
2. Cherish the ritual of applying makeup. No matter how much or little time you have, relish that precious moment in your day. 
3. There are no quick fixes and expert tricks when it comes to feeling beautiful, but embracing the everyday with open arms and an open heart can make all the difference.
4. Follow your dreams, let your heart guide you and surround yourself with people you love and who inspire you.
5. Be passionate and look after yourself.

Beauty in Bloom is now available from our e-boutique.

Natalie's Fashion Night Out in Paris 2012

Still buzzing from yesterday's Fashion Night Out in Paris, Natalie Bloom shares her personal snaps from a fun night at cult store, Colette, and brief encounter with Emmanuelle Alt, Editor-in-Chief at Vogue Paris!

Ready, set, go! Fashion Night Out Paris style.

Rue Saint Honore was seriously buzzing. 

Great fishtail!

Outside Colette

Now that's a do!

Cool Spring water.!
This guy's wearing a Edible Selby tee to celebrate the new Selby
book which was launched at Colette tonight.

Hair do's going on at Colette.
That's my Paris hairdresser on the right. Seriously!

Emmanuelle Alt, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Paris, creating a scene at Colette.

Up close to Emmanuelle.

She's effortlessly cool and so lovely!

Loving those Nike's. 

Emmanuelle leaving Colette.

Au Revoir. Emmanuelle's leaving in the Vogue Mini.

The party continues at Colette. What a night!

Spring Clean Your Makeup Bag

The arrival of Spring means there's no better time than now to do a little de-cluttering, cleaning and sorting...of your makeup bag! Here are Natalie Bloom's top three tips for getting your cosmetics collection Spring ready:

• Like food, beauty products don't last forever. In fact, expired makeup can cause skin irritations or eye infections. Check the packaging of your favourite products and look for a diagram of a jar with a number on it - this indicates the number of months you can use it after opening. Bin anything you've been using for longer than you should.

• Dirty brushes can become a breeding ground for bacteria so make a habit of cleaning them at least once a week. Use a mild shampoo and then lay them flat, rather than upright, to dry. This  prevents water getting into the glue and causing the bristles to fall apart. 

• Now is the perfect time to refresh the contents of your makeup bag. Why not play with colour and try a bright Nail Polish or Super Glossy Lip hue? Or ditch your heavy foundation for naturally radiant skin and our Mineral Plus Sheer Mineral Tint? After all, this is the season to bid adieu to that beauty rut and have fun with a new look!

Illustration: By Rebecca Wetzler and from Natalie's book, Beauty in Bloom 

Natalie Bloom on Mornings

Fear not if you missed Natalie's recent interview with Rebecca Judd on Mornings, because we've got it here! So, make yourself a cup of tea and take a little time out to discover more about your favourite beauty brand and how it got started. And if that's not reason enough to watch this clip - then Bec's superbly sparkly pants certainly are!