Natalie Steen, the creative powerhouse behind the The Nat Note, has turned her late-night shopping habit into a must-read newsletter that blends bold style with nostalgia and sophistication. From funky fashion finds to heirloom-inspired pieces, Natalie’s eye for detail and her signature collages have made her a go-to for women looking to inject personality into their wardrobe and home.

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I am a creative consultant and the creator of The Nat Note, a weekly, fashion-focused newsletter that delivers ready-to-shop style suggestions for women, kids & the home in signature collages - the "Notes." The curated shopping edits are a reflection of my personal style, which I like to describe as funky, nostalgic, and sophisticated (but not too formal!). I am a Cuban-American born and raised in Miami, now living in Houston, Texas with my husband and our three children.

Natalie wears the Bianca Bow Top and the Antonella Pant

You’re always on the hunt for unique styles and cool new brands to share in The Nat Note. Can you tell us how it all started? What first inspired you to turn your late-night shopping habit into a newsletter?

The Nat Note started in 2017 – I was a few months into my corporate law job and found myself awake and waiting for emails at strange hours, with not much else to do but online shop. I was sending a lot of “you should buy this” messages to family and friends, and eventually channeled this late-night, deep-diving, compulsive-shopping energy into what it is now: a newsletter to share the products and brands that catch my eye each week. Eventually, this side-project evolved into its own kind of vocation. No longer was it “a creative outlet that’s just for fun” - it became what it is today: a comprehensive shopping guide sent in the form of an email newsletter to loyal subscribers. 

When did you realize that The Nat Note was growing into something bigger than a creative outlet? Was there a moment that made you think, "This could be something special"?

I genuinely love all aspects of working on The Nat Note - from discovering new products to connecting with emerging brands and the entrepreneurs behind them, to creating a visual mood board that I get to share with others. I get a high each week when I’ve completed a Note and wake up on Mondays excited to share what I’ve found and created. I want to be the email in my audience’s inbox they actually look forward to receiving on Monday morning – because it brings them some joy, inspiration, or just an escape from the other emails that await.

With the holidays over, what do you find yourself wanting to wear this month? Which elements from Mestiza’s Resort Collection speak to you?

After all the festive dressing of the holidays, I’m looking forward to swapping sequins for softer details. I love the cool ivories, dreamy botanicals, and fresh silhouettes in the Resort Collection.

What are some characteristics of clothes that are add-to-cart worthy? 

The litmus test is whether it checks my box. The more enjoyable part of working on The Nat Note is finding those items that make me think to myself, “oh, yes!” - if it makes my heart sing, it’s going in.

You’ve got such a talent for mixing bold prints and colors. What’s your secret to making it all work together in a way that feels cohesive but still fun?

When it comes to mixing & matching pieces on The Nat Note and dressing myself, I'm drawn to bold and colorful - the working limitation being that I want it to be aesthetically pleasing. Things don’t have to (and shouldn’t) match perfectly - but I think they should coexist in harmony.

You’ve built a signature style that’s so distinctly “you.” What advice would you give to someone trying to develop their own unique aesthetic?

Don’t be like the rest of them, darling. While travel, Instagram and magazines are treasure troves for inspiration and have undoubtedly influenced my personal style, I think to make it your “own” it shouldn’t merely be a copy/paste job. Hone in on and recreate the styles and details that speak to you - but give it your own spin.

What do you love most about the Mestiza brand?

I’ve always found it a challenge to describe my aesthetic, but I am certain that it is guided by an urge to share things that tell the story of who I am and where I’ve been. Many of the pieces I wear and add to my wardrobe as well as the items I acquire and display around my house are oftentimes rooted in their own kind of history - whether because they are heirlooms or vintage or commissioned or meant to represent something beyond their surfaces. I love that the Mestiza brand is inspired by the vintage garments worn by the designers’ grandmothers and that they similarly seek to create heirloom-quality pieces – pieces that tell a story.

How does wearing Mestiza make you feel?

Nostalgic (in the best way). Alessandra and Louisa made the dress I wore to my small, family-only wedding ceremony back in 2016. To be wearing the brand again 8+ years later is a testament to them!