Natasha K London: From Pakistan To Thriving Streets Of London

October 18, 2019

Natasha is a lifestyle blogger based in London.

On top of blogging, she is also a freelance writer and social media manager. Natasha loves traveling, writing, reading and getting lost on the streets of London. Being a mother is another key aspect of her life.

We interviewed Natasha about starting her career, work-life balance and tips for anyone looking to achieve a similar lifestyle.

Where is home?

The beautiful area of London is my home.

Has fashion/lifestyle blogging always been your career plan?

No, it was never my career plan. I just happened to stumble upon blogging. I studied to become a scientist but the recession of 2008 took me to work in Finance where I spent 6 years working as a credit manager. When I had a baby I faced maternity discrimination so I decided to become a makeup artist. After setting up my website I started writing beauty related articles that caught the attention of brands. Since then I have just been blogging and freelancing. But yes, fashion & beauty are something I’ve always loved.

How much has your style changed since you started blogging?

I don’t think it has changed a lot fashion-wise. My style has always been modest and I’ve kind of stuck to it. What’s changed is the colours. I wear more nudes and whites now because they look lovely on Instagram and my blog. I think blogging sometimes makes you spend more money on clothes because you don’t want to repeat clothes. When I’m travelling I buy new clothes, which is not too bad because I only travel once or twice a year.

The Fox Magazine is all about inspiration, what/who inspires you the most?

There is some aspect or another about every person that inspires me. There’s a handful of people in my life right now. My father is a retired pediatrician and getting up from a small village in Pakistan and becoming someone so great inspires me. My mother is very resilient and brave. My siblings have an amazing sense of humor, although we don’t get along all the time. My husband is also a doctor and is not a typical husband, he lets me do what I like and we give each other a lot of space. Last but not least, my two sons, they are the loves of my life.

Other than them, public personalities like Imran Khan and Abdul Sattar Eidhi are my biggest inspiration because they left their own comfortable lives to serve humanity.

And bloggers inspire me every day. We’re all struggling against social media and Google algorithms, being each other’s support systems.

Do you have any tips or tricks for achieving an aesthetically awesome Instagram page? Any social media tips?

I’ve recently started using VSCO App to edit my photos. Filter A4 and slightly increasing the exposure gives a lovely look to my photos. Other than that, the built-in editor on Instagram is also good. Just brighten up your photos a bit, decrease the saturation and warmth and you’ll have a nice looking photo. Take your photos in natural daylight, that’s the key. Use the same techniques in all your photos so they look uniform. That’s what people love.

Where do you find the most inspiration? Celebrity culture, or what’s trending?

It’s definitely not celebrity culture because celebrities these days are all over the place and would do anything for fame. Yes, I always follow trends but I also see what looks nice on me. I wouldn’t wear something just because it’s in fashion.

Where have you traveled that is a place you can always go and feel or be happy?

Traveling to the northern areas of Pakistan is always where I feel happy, but its hard to go there now because I live in London.

3 years ago I went to Istanbul and although we went at the wrong time season-wise, it was such a magical place. The warmth of its people and the hospitality is something I will never forget. The sound of the call for prayers in the mosques gave me a very spiritual feeling. And it’s so full of history. Turks have ruled over a large part of the world so there’s a lot of history to see there. And I really miss Turkish breakfast which is Mediterranean, it’s very healthy and delicious. I would love to go again.

Having said that, the British countryside also makes me very happy. Walking in nature, smelling the earth and reading the history of that particular place is something I love doing.

What is one of the worst travel experiences that you have encountered?

I won’t say that it was worst but I was in Rome this July. It was extremely hot so again we chose a bad time to travel but even the food was not nice there. I love Italian food but maybe the taste in the UK has been enhanced so much that authentic Italian food just didn’t appeal to me. The cheese didn’t taste nice, neither did the pasta dishes. And we tried all kinds of restaurants from the cheapest to the most expensive. I think the food was the only downside of Rome for me. Other than that there were muggers were everywhere so I couldn’t always take my phone, digital hygrometer, and camera out to document my trip. Also, some landmarks were not worth queuing up and spending money on like the Colosseum. Although its magical from outside, from inside, there’s really nothing to see.

But we got stuck in the rain one evening and totally loved it. It was so hot that the rain just made everything beautiful. I would love to go to Rome again but in a cooler time of the year and maybe get a self-catering apartment so I can cook myself.

How do you determine where you travel and do you research the places you visit before you immerse yourself in that place?

Easy access is what matters to me. I think Europe is much more easily accessible from where I live. I don’t do much research which is why I get some unpleasant surprises when we go somewhere. But that’s going to change. The next stop is ‘New York’ but maybe next year.

What are some of the travel necessities that everyone should have?

If it’s a short-haul flight, then maybe some food items. Usually, short-haul flights don’t serve food. You have to purchase it which can be expensive. If it’s a long haul flight, then extra clothes. A packet of wet facial wipes, a moisturizer, an eye pencil, a lipstick, just to freshen up when needed. A magazine or a book. A travel pillow. All the necessary apps to make things quicker like the airline you’re traveling with, the boarding pass and everything is then in one place. A phone charger and a power bank. Yep, that’s all.

Do you think the role of a travel blogger will change or evolve as technology expands?

I think no matter how much the technology changes or expands, the role of a travel blogger will never change. The words may change. e.g. before it was ‘traveler’ now its ‘blogger or wanderluster’ etc, but the role will never change. Travelling will always need mouths to spread the word. The technology will only make things better, hopefully. So the role may evolve but not change.

What travel tips do you have to offer our readers?

Don’t wear clothes and shoes that are not comfortable. Give your body some TLC. Don’t waste money on shopping and browsing markets and malls (unless they’re historic) instead walk around the city. Take nice photos. Don’t waste time to make Instagram stories all the time. Breathe and enjoy the city’s sights and sounds. Don’t waste money on expensive food. Save your money for your next trip. It’s totally worth it!