Natalie's Menu
The Menu invites Chic, Conscious Consumers to share their go to products & passions because what’s more curated than a menu? From skincare to soundtracks, here’s what’s on their plate…
Napkin Notes from your Home Chef, Phia
Allow me to introduce you to our latest Guest Chef Natalie Santini…..
Natalie is a 25-year-old Gen-Z beauty and lifestyle influencer, content creator, entrepreneur, and social media & marketing specialist. To put it simply she’s a risk-taker who embraces new experiences and someone who approaches everything with authenticity.
And now I serve you Natalie’s Menu…
What is your favorite restaurant?
Pine Restaurant in the Bronx I love some fresh Italian food. the menu always has something new to try. My favorite is the Penne Alla Vodka. Nonna’s Polpettine which is meatballs with marinara, whipped ricotta, and garlic bread crostini, and the vegetable medley with garlic consommé. it’s addictive you always want more on your plate.
Describe yourself in 3 words: determined, creative, resilient
Describe yourself or what you do using references from movies, characters, TV shows, or songs.
“If Emma Chamberlain sat in Mark Cuban’s seat on Shark Tank.”
Describe your “digital diet”
My digital diet is really important to me. Even though I spend a lot of time on my phone for work and creativity, I love stepping away from it. When I feel mentally drained or notice that I’m consuming more than creating, I take a break, put my phone down, go for a walk, explore somewhere new, enjoy nature, or engage with people around me. It’s a reminder that life still exists in the real world. I consciously separate social media from the real world. Social media is exciting it has its own language, trends, and my favorite creators, but the real world is always there and sacred. Going on a digital diet helps me enjoy what I like on my own time and remember not everything has to be shared.
If you had to choose your “big three” based on your favorite media, brands or products what would your Sun,Moon and Rising be?
Sun: Spotify – There’s always something new to discover, from music to podcasts, and I bring that same energy in my personality different sides and vibes depending on the moment or who I'm interacting with. It'll always change the more you know me.
Moon: Pinterest it's not fast-moving like other social medias.It allows you to slow down, reflect, and absorb content that resonates emotionally or lets you dream. I'm a very emotional, feel deeply, everything has meaning kind of person. So just like everything you save or curate on Pinterest its like my emotions it all has meaning and a reason behind why I like it or why I feel it. I also dream a lot about my dream life where I want to go, the person I want to be, outfits, everything.
Rising: Rhode – Creative, innovative, modern. I present myself as someone who’s ahead of the curve, stylish, and always exploring new ideas.
Let’s start with Aperitivo:
What makes you feel chic?
What makes me feel chic is my fashion sense and the way I capture everything visually. I’m very visual so it helps I’m a content creator who captures through photos, poses, or videos, I always aim for a look that’s sophisticated and eye-catching. A great outfit makes me feel confident and connected to the woman I aspire to be it’s a way of stepping closer to that version of myself. I love a NYC 80s style with suits, structure, pinstripes, pencil skirts. Tones like navy, brown, and grey. Very business-woman–esque.
What are your 2 favorite perfumes?
Prada Beauty ‘Virtual Flower’ and Maison Margiela REPLICA ‘Afternoon Delights’
What’s your drink of choice?
Pinot Grigio, nice and cold
What is a free beauty tip you live by?
Prepping your skin before makeup is a game-changer. Your makeup goes on smoothly, looks even, and never appears dry or cakey.
Moving on to Starters:
What are your favorite shower products? face, cleansers, body wash, scrubs etc.
The Fresh Soy Face Cleanser is hands down the best cleanser I’ve tried it leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed. For the body, I reach for Dove Hydration Boost for Dry Skin you barely need lotion afterward. I’m obsessed with the Junoco Body Serum it’s from a smaller brand, but the quality is incredible, and I’m already on my second bottle because it smells so luxurious. For anyone with strawberry skin, Remedy Skincare for body bumps lotion works wonders, and I love finishing with the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Body Badalada Lotion for lightweight hydration and that staple Cheirosa 62 scent.
What’s your favorite appetizer?
Chips & Red Salsa.
What’s your favorite piece of content you’ve recently consumed?
When it comes to Substack, I’ve always enjoyed supporting independent journalists. Early on, I loved reading political news, especially from Lisa Remillard’s Facts HQ she’s a breath of fresh air with fact-checking and real-time breaking news, and I’ve followed her since the quarantine days on TikTok. I also read Bari Weiss’s The Free Press and Culture fries, which is basically an intersection of politics and pop culture that’s fun and engaging. Supporting independent journalists feels so important in today’s media climate, especially since they often bring fresh voices and perspectives that legacy outlets do not. Support independent journalists! Lately, I’ve been loving more fashion and beauty Substack's reading about what everyone’s into at the moment. It’s such a different experience from how I produce my own beauty content through video. Instead, I get to scroll, vibe, and read in-depth about what’s inspiring people. Some of my favorites are From the Saie Office I love how they give a brand a life and use that as a marketing tool, Life with Mariana by Mariana Hewitt (my favorite female entrepreneur and founder of Summer Fridays) I’m forever inspired by her.
What’s your favorite song? or song lyrics?
12 to 12 by Sombr
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
“You’re a good listener” I feel happy when people know they’re being heard and understood. we all want to be.
Now for The Main Course
What are your favorite serums, body lotions etc.?
Rhode glazing milk. Lancôme Génifique serum, The 6 Peptide Skin Booster by COSRX, and the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Hydration Serum
One product you’ll repurchase over and over again?
What’s your most worn fashion piece?
My thrifted Coach Black Leather Vintage Legacy West Demi Baguette Bag.
It’s you last day on Earth, what are you eating?
Have to go classic and back to my roots with this one. Moro de Habichuelas Negras — rice and mixed black beans with chicken, iced caramel latte with almond milk, Hershey’s cookies and creme bar, and a passion fruit juice.
What’s in your bag?
Give us a fashion tip that helps you be a more chic conscious consumer.
Invest! Invest in good long quality jackets, shoes, denim that will last you years. You may have to pay more or less if you thrift and find a good quality piece. I have no many items that are shifted that have lasted years, but they’re from popular fashion brands. Quality over quantity.
What’s a perspective you’ve had that has completely changed overtime?
How to put myself first. As a 25 year old now, I never knew what that meant before. I was a people pleaser and trusted others guidance. As I got older and went through many hardships that I’m open about, it taught me a lot about honoring myself in my life, trusting that I know what’s best for me, and validating my own experiences and emotions.
What was your favorite item of clothing as a child?
My navy Abercombie & Fitch Zip Up hoodie
What is our favorite quote?
“As long as you’re moving forward, you’re moving”
And a final bite for Dessert
What are your favorite lip care products, candles - the things that act as the icing on the cake in your self care and beauty routine.
My favorite question ever. I’m obsessed with the rhode peptide lip treatment specifically in salted caramel because I LOVE CARAMEL, Laniege Glaze Craze tinted lip serum in sugar glaze, Lancôme butter glow hydrating lip balm, and DIBS beauty bronzer in Hot Cocoa.
What is your favorite dessert or midnight snack?
Apples, cinnamon, and almond butter.
What’s your favorite thing on your nightstand?
My prayer journal.
If you had to curate the guest list for the ultimate “Chic,Conscious Consumer” gathering, who are your three must-invites?
Monica Bellucci, Jasmine Tookes, and Bella Hadid!
What is a topic you wish someone would ask you about – a quirky interest or something you’re well versed in that you don’t get to talk about enough.
Sports! I’m a big sports girl
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
keep going and knocking on doors. one day the right one will open.
Take the rest to go and keep up with Natalie on her Substack and Socials!
Bon appétit, babes. 🍽️
Thanks for Consuming!!
Phia
“Each Day Gets Better”
Thank you so much for having me on Phia! Loved being apart of this Substack x