Natalie Jones: Founder and Director at Caro, Somerset.
Tell us a bit about yourself...
I'm Natalie, I own Caro, a life and home brand based in Bruton, Somerset. We have a shop, B&B and events space as well as our own chocolate bar range. I moved here 5 years ago to be with my now husband - 6 years of London to Somerset at weekends was enough so I decided to move from the city to the country. I haven't looked back. I always thought of myself as a city girl but I guess things change.
What inspires you?
Seeing a feeling or sentiment translated in a visual way totally inspires me. When elements such as colour, texture, typography, the environment, smell or taste come together in a way that encompasses something which touches people, is truly magical. And people who say what they think really inspires me. You don't have to be intimidating or cruel to say what you think. And you can still be open to other people's opinions. But you need to have total self belief which I admire.
What makes you happy?
Those moments when conversation, people and food meet in an organic way. The Mediterranean way of living. The times I'm not feeling guilty about either not focusing on my son or not focusing on my work. When you're on holiday and you've been in the sun all day, you've just had a shower and you can feel the healthy rise of melatonin in your skin, and you take the first sip of crisp white wine before dinner. Coming back from a rainy walk, changing your wet clothes and feeling the cosiness of home. Suddenly remembering that my husband is my husband.
Who is your style icon and why?
I don't have one to be honest. I hate that I'm saying this but I don't. I wish I did. I 've always found Julianne Moore's style amazing, She doesn't shout about her outfits but she's just effortlessly cool. I love the colour of her hair and her make-up. The roles that she plays contributes to her chicness too. She's just super isn't she....
What are you listening to and reading at the moment?
I'm reading Natalie Ginzburg, The Little Virtues at the moment. It's a beautiful collection of short essays written about her experience living between England and Italy throughout and after the second world war. She has a way of writing about the familiar, in a poignant way. I'm listening to a variety of podcasts from the High Low to Courier Weekly and thinking about starting our podcast later in the year.
What do you like about SIDELINE?
I love the Sideline fabrics - the weight and texture makes each piece a joy to wear. I also love the little details whether it's a stitch in a different colour, a pocket at an unusual angle or billowing sleeve. I always love seeing which colours Ellen has decided to use each season too. Sideline is a great mix of femininity and workwear.
Natalie wears our current season Kitty Jumpsuit available online and at Caro