We are relishing every single moment here on the island of St. Barths. I’m hoping the time slows down just a bit as I’m not ready to go back to mud season in Telluride! For this vacation (our spring break) I decided to bring several books to read. I rarely have time to read at home with everything else going on. This quiet respite is more than welcomed after a very busy winter season!
One of my most treasured moments so far this year (which I will remember for a lifetime!) was meeting @lindseyvonn at @gorsuch during the FIS Alpine World Cup 2023 games in Aspen. I’ve never followed her career too closely, but I was eager to read her story. Lindsey‘s memoir book RISE is an amazing insiders peek at her life’s journey. Having suffered from depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember, it’s always interesting to read someone else’s story of how they’ve found ways to successfully manage mental challenges. Seeking the right help & opening up about mental health is the best way to begin the road to recovery. Lindsey outlines her path in such a comfortable, honest way. I hope anyone who suffers these issues can seek solace in her words.
As someone obsessed with skiing, learning the details of her ski career is fascinating to me. Throughout Lindsey’s career she suffered many injuries that could have stopped he in her tracks, but she persevered. The accounts of her accidents are vivid & scary. Reading about her crashes & how she triumphantly got through them are encouraging for those healing from all kinds of wounds.
I’ve also had a few knee surgeries as a result of my favorite sport….it sucks so bad to get hurt but what we learn in recovery sets us up in ways we could never imagine for greater things in life.
Lindsey is an inspiration for all women. She has always stood up for herself and continues to make positive impacts every day. I love her snarkiness when people piss her off….I react in very similar ways that she describes when people get in my way! Her astute business sense is very empowering. She’s a go-getter on & off the slopes.
Another beautiful thing about LV that I greatly identify with is her love for her rescued doggies. My 4 coonhound pups are also from rescues @secondchancehumanesociety & @carolinacoonhoundrescue As you likely know they are the loves of my life!! I couldn’t imagine my world without them. Her bond with her dogs has gotten her through so much in life. My fur babies are my full time job when at home, we all dote on each other so much. The love we all share is unconditional all around.
When I got back from Aspen I had my new book on a high shelf. Somehow a few of my @powder.hounds.telluride pulled it down & tore it apart. (Oh can they be devils!!) To say I was pissed is an understatement. I picked up the pieces & saved the page Lindsey signed for me. I quickly purchased another copy to make sure it would make it on this trip to St. Barths with me. Her signature is now taped into my new book….and it has way more character then it did the first go around 🐶💪🏼💗🐶🇫🇷🐶🥂🐶
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and it’s time to get that special someone the best gift ever. If you are buying yourself a present (happens all the time around here!) then have fun indulging yourself in these fun pieces. I’m obsessed with the cherry red knit-sleeve Moncler puffy jacket, it makes a statement both & off the ski slopes. Wear it with the Evil Eye Beanie and heads will turn at all après ski gatherings! The Mer Rose Atelier hand painted vintage leather bag is très chic as well, everyone will want it but only you can have it as it’s one-of-a-kind. Happy shopping & Happy Valentine’s Day! xo
The Colorado Rocky Mountains are an ethereal snow globe this time of the year. Big storms yield lots of fluffy powder that glisten like diamonds when the high-altitude sun hits it. Snow junkies would all agree that there’s no better way to enjoy the snow then to play in it! The moment the flakes fly I call The Little Nell to book our favorite winter vacation in Aspen, Colorado.
Every year my partner Sean & I make the trek from Telluride to Aspen for a very memorable romantic winter getaway. The 4 1/2 hour drive is absolutely gorgeous as we weave through the McClure Pass topping out at 8770 feet of glorious alpine views. Tall snowy pines lead the way as we traverse along the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway in western Colorado, it’s like being in Narnia!
The Little Nell
Arrival in Aspen at last! From the moment we pull up to The Little Nell we sink into the carefree luxury lifestyle. We bid farewell to my Jeep & toast to the beginning of our long awaited holiday with a glass of chilled bubbly at check-in. Together we vow to savor every precious moment & experience that comes our way. The Nell always surprises us with its offerings, the creative team is genius at adding to the seasonal repertoire of events, experiences and menus.
Our large king room is large, comfy, quiet & very well appointed. A chilled bottle of Prosecco & a Charcuterie board await us on the desk….assuring us that work is to be set aside for a few days. We flip the switch on the fireplace, and nibble on a few of our favorite snacks. The Nell provides complimentary (re-stocked daily) gourmet snacks, each sealed in a lovely glass jar. My favorites are the Rosemary Crackers & Chocolate Covered Cranberries, there are however eight sweet & savory snacks to indulge in throughout the stay. After another toast on our balcony we enjoy a wonderful dinner at Ajax Tavern. Also located in the hotel, we opt for comfy slippers instead of boots. Check out my Instagram post to see the cocktails & dishes we greatly enjoyed at Ajax Tavern.
Returning to our room after the most delicious dinner…something very special sits on my nightstand. A box of four Ladurée French macarons that I immediately dive into. I share most things with Sean…but not these! If you crave more of these sweets, simply head just around the corner to the ASPENX Café located in the heart of the Gondola Plaza where you can delight in a rainbow of these Parisian treats.
Over the past few years it’s been a treat to see The Wine Bar lounge become a hopping spot for both hotel guests and long time locals. It’s a comfy space to people watch & listen to vinyl spinning DJ’s while enjoying flavors from The Nell’s award-winning wine program. Exclusive for hotel guests are the twice weekly Complimentary Wine Tastings offered from 3:30pm-4pm in The Wine Bar. There are also longer special event tastings with sommeliers from around the world. There’s so much going on inside the hotel it’s hard to go anywhere else, especially when the temps are super frosty outside.
The Little Nell is Aspen’s ONLY ski-in / ski-out property. This makes the entire ski experience so easy to navigate. The slope side ski concierge team make transferring your gear around seamless, they also offer overnight waxes. Before you click into those skis, be sure to reserve a breakfast table located in the hotel at Element 47 restaurant. You can choose the very well appointed brunch (we did!) or from the exceptional à la carte menu offerings. Not to be missed are The Nell’s famous homemade pop-tarts, the house cured smoked salmon, Nell Wagyu Enchiladas & the Lemon Soufflé Pancakes. Not to worry, you’ll burn those extra calories off skiing! I always enjoy their healthy freshly pressed juices with breakfast to jumpstart the day.
The Little Nell is so well known for their world-class culinary & wine experiences, get tempted to book some here.
The Aspen Experience
Everything you’ve likely heard about Aspen is true. It’s glam mixed with the great outdoors, abounding culture & super cool locals. We love the 5-star lifestyle mixed with world class skiing, après-ing, shopping, fine dining and the arts. Aspen has it all and then some. Through the years I’ve traveled extensively around the Alps and I’ve learned so much from alpine based cultures in Switzerland, Italy and France. Somehow Aspen has managed to capture this worldly vibe right here in Colorado.
In 2021 ASPENX was launched as a retail & experience brand by the Aspen Skiing Company. This has been a very exciting addition to the companies portfolio. The 5-star offerings add so much to the overall Aspen experience. From the unique fashion collaborations (the ASPENX x Prada collab can be found in the concept store) to the on- and off-mountain food & wine experiences ASPENX can make any Aspen vacation even more memorable. Their helpful team can design bespoke experiences that are unmatched anywhere else.
Where the beach meets the mountains….the ultimate on-mountain “beach” party can be found on the top of Aspen Mountain, located just steps away from the Silver Queen gondola. Red & white striped cabanas are perched in the snow overlooking the Highland Bowl and the Elk Range. This collaboration with photographer Gray Malin was launched last year and is back this winter (January 27 – April 16, 2023) ready to greet guests with cocktails,champagne, and an exciting rotation of DJ’s. It’s the most Instagram worthy snowy beach party at 11,200 feet!
For the coolest ski-in / ski-out lunch experience, the ASPENX Buckhorn Cabin 3-course Elevated Lunch from 12-2pm is a must. Invite all your best friends (up to 22 guests) or make new ones while toasting with the finest Champagnes & curated wines. Sean & I were so excited to ski to this al fresco gourmet gathering. We were greeted with a Veuve Cliquot toast and plentiful fondue and charcuterie. After catching up with friends, we sat down to the sun drenched lunch, starting with a gorgeous Truffle Risotto and a Creamy Leek Soup. The main course was the most expertly prepared Grilled Wild Salmon and Wagyu Steak with Herbed Potatoes. An assortment of homemade pastries (I fell in love with the little S’mores cookies) rounded it all out.
After this two hour feast we clicked into our skis & cruised down 3,000 vertical feet back to The Nell for après at The Wine Bar. If skiing back down the mountain isn’t your thing, booking the later Elevated Dining Après Lunch & Private Snowcat down is a great option as well.
Check out the ASPENX website for more info on their premium rentals, luxury ski fashion & seasonal experiences.
ASPENX Laps with a Legend
Feel like honing your skills with an Olympian? ASPENX can curate that experience too. This weekend, during the X Games (Jan 27-29) there’s a Shaun White snowboard experience for 6 lucky guests. During the FIS World Cup events (March 3-5) the one & only epic ski racer Lindsey Vonn will be skiing, cocktailing and watching the races from the VIP tent with 6 very lucky skiers.
FIS Ski World Cup
Aspen Snowmass is gearing up to host the FIS Ski World CupAmerica’s Downhill™ course on Aspen Mountain March 3-5th, 2023. The entire town is so excited for the return of this world renowned event to Aspen. Supercharged, exciting experiences will be going on in conjunction with the men’s super G and downhill races. I’ve been to this event in St. Moritz, but never stateside. With all the local buzz I couldn’t resist buying a VIP slope side ticket to take in all the fun. Stay tuned for more fun times in this Aspen winter playground.
Another 365 days have passed and what a year it’s been! I’m so grateful to you, my loyal MM subscribers & readers. Together we have taken a trip around the sun exploring new places, imbibing in delicious food & drink, shopping for the coolest fashions and sharing life’s greatest moments. Without all of you there would be no MarlaMeridith.com and with you, life is way more fulfilling. It’s always my great passion to share special moments with you. Your love and support always means so much to me. Cheers my friends to a brilliant year & I very much look forward to embracing 2023 with you by my side! XO
Here’s a few 2022 highlights by the month in pictures…
January
Beginning 2022 we racked up ski days in Telluride & Aspen.
February
March
My new company Mer Rose Atelier was invited to pop-up at the grand opening of Love Shack Fancy Houston.
April
After the ski season closed it was time to party in our favorite sunny spot, St. Barths!
May
June
I felt such great JOY watching my daughter graduate from high school surrounded by her loving family.
July
July 4th we spent in Aspen & I took a wonderful week long painting workshop at my fave Anderson Ranch
August
To celebrate my daughters graduation and our love of travel I took my kids on an epic Italian road trip. We covered 2000 miles (I drove) from Venice to Sicily and many stops in between.
September
We welcomed a new puppy into our home! Now we have four rescue hounds and life is off the hook busy. Gustavia is a sweet boy and adds so much fun to our canine filled world. I drove a few thousand miles to pick up this sweetie at the Carolina Coonhound Rescue in Charleston, SC.
I was invited to a weeklong wellness staycation with Reset Telluride. This invigorating week taught me so much about self introspection, relaxation, health & wellness. We hiked everyday and enjoyed fall in the mountains while dining on delicious vegan cuisine in the company of wonderful, empowering women.
Fall in Telluride is always so beautiful! The months begins with Telluride Film Festival, a wonderful creative escape & the best way to see as many premiers & upcoming films as possible.
October
After several months of art prep, October was a very busy month that had me mostly in Texas (again!) My Mer Rose Atelier collection popped up for 2 weeks in Gina Bowhill’s tent at Blue Hills. It was a wild few weeks & I learned a whole lot! This event was also the debut of my Mer Rose hand painted china collection. It was so well received that I have a new kiln being delivered in January 2023.
November
December
2022 wrapped with the onset of the ski season & lots of time spent in the great outdoors!
3-Ingredient One Pot Barley with Mixed Veggies & Pesto
Impossibly easy. That’s what most of us crave after the Thanksgiving craze is over. Ski season has officially started here in Telluride, CO. between work, getting a few runs in & life’s daily chores time in the kitchen is short & sweet. No matter what’s going on, we still need healthy, delicious, filling meals on the table. My kids are teens now so dinner times are all over the place. The family is coming and going but the fridge needs to be stocked with grab & go food. This 3- Ingredient One Pot Barley with Mixed Veggies & Pesto is a life saver! It feeds a family of four and likely you will end up with leftovers too!
Hello lovelies! Are you planning your holiday wishlists & gift lists yet? I’ve been having so much fun curating my favorite gifts & I hope you love them too. I prefer to organize my ideas by color (the artist in me!) I started with a pink themed post (of course!) with the recently published Must Haves: Pretty Winter Pinks. Hopefully you find these carefully chosen pieces inspiring. I included a few selections from my Mer Rose Atelier collection. All of which I designed and hand painted. I’m offering complimentary customization with all orders. Also favored by so many are holiday themed ornaments & small gifts all available on the Mer Rose website.
I wear the Dior 5-color eyeshadow palette all the time and always get compliments, the colors can be worn very subtle or layered on for lots of drama, all up to your mood. Housewares by the fabulous Gina Bowhill add so much cheers to the holiday table & home. As far as everything else goes on the list I want it all! xo
You’ve likely figured out by now I have a wild crush on the color pink. This beautiful hue features prominently in the design of my website. It’s also the color I wear most often & it’s the color most commonly found on my paintbrush. If you’ve taken a peek at my new artful fashion endeavor Mer Rose Atelier, then you will also see that all shades of pink feature prominently in my art to wear pieces. Pink is feminine and soothing, it’s also empowering, lively and filled with passion. Wearing just a small amount or layering it in a grander scale is sure to make your day brighter. I always enjoy a diverse winter wardrobe, but you can bet something, somewhere will be pink.
Check out these favorites and be sure to tag me on Instagram @marlameridith if you feel so inspired, I would love to see how you style and enjoy these pieces.
How are we already in October?! As always the Telluride Film Festival does not disappoint, this Labor Day weekend festival marks the end of our summer season in the high country. This year the SHOW celebrated it’s 49th year and it was a great success! It was wonderful to see my mountain town come alive to celebrate everything film. The energy leading up to this festival is always astounding. Town transforms into a cinephiles dream as several venues in town (the Elementary School gym, Mountain Village Conference Center, the Town Park ice skating rink, etc) magically transform into professional movie theaters.
I wanted to share what my fest looked like, here’s my take on the ones I saw. There’s always several more screenings I want to see but limited time makes that tricky. The films were diverse & the selection very well curated. Having this level production come to Telluride is always such a treat!
Can’t say I started off the festival with a light film, but this documentary by filmmaker Ken Burns sheds light on how the United States really responded to the rise of Hitler and the war refugees. The film portrays that the U.S. withheld their intervention to the atrocities overseas during World War 2. At times, some Americans turned a blind eye and even cheered on the Nazis for their hideous behavior. The film is certainly an eye opener, showing us a deeper glimpse into this painful part of history. The screening was for Part 1 of this 3 part, 6 hour documentary that is currently available to the public on PBS.
Immediately I was drawn into the visual beauty of this film. This is Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio’s Netflix adaptation of the Emma Donoghue novel. Beautiful actress Florence Pugh takes us on a journey in the Irish Midlands circa 1862. She plays a nurse to an 11-year-old girl in good health who presumably hasn’t eaten anything for more than four months. It’s from here that Pugh and a nun keep 24 hour shifts for two weeks to watch if the starvation claim is true. The story unfolds with magical details, beautiful scenery & costumes and romance. The music is super weird and fabulous, unlike any I’ve ever heard before. I was into the film, but thought the ending was a cop out. Definitely worth seeing but I would have loved a deeper, not so much supernatural ending.
The Wonder will be released on Netflix on November 16th, 2022.
All in all this was my favorite film at the festival this year. Maybe it’s the fact that I had a wild teen crush on actor/producer Robert Downey Jr. Perhaps RDJr. attending the festival in person & chatting about the film was EPIC!! Prior to seeing Sr. I didn’t know the legacy Robert Downey Jr. hailed from. His father, Indie film director Robert Downey Sr. is a colorful, zany character with a no-filter film making style. I knew nothing about RDSr. going into the film, I left wishing I had been friends with him.
The film documents Sr.’s last few months before his death from Parkinson’s. We see the pure beauty & pain of father and son reliving life’s journey in a sweet, sarcastic, honest way. The film is witty, hilarious and heart wrenching. The father son bond (Sr. cast Jr. in his films starting at the age of 5) and the history they shared in the film biz is profound and special. We get to see uncensored banter within the family and an intimate look at Jr.’s attempt to come to terms with his dad’s imminent passing. Clips from Sr.’s films are comical, totally weird, underground vignettes. Sr. directs part of this film which makes it even more endearing.
Netflix purchased the rights to the film, watch for release dates.
The lead in this film, based off the famous D.H. Lawrence novel is Emma Corrin well known for her role as Lady Diana in The Crown. The book of the same name originally published in 1928 was so explicit it was banned in the US & the UK. If you’ve read Lady Chatterly’s Lover or already know about it then the storyline won’t be shocking at all. I’m not going to tell you the plot in case you’ve not heard it before, it’s always best to be surprised by a film. The film is gorgeous, set in the British countryside. & I was absolutely smitten with Lady Chatterly’s costumes. Her dresses were all outfits I would wear, very much reminiscent of the Love Shack Fancy style…a modern take on classic silhouettes.
The film is to be released in theaters in November, and will hit Netflix in December.
When I was chatting with fellow film goers on the lines (a big part of film festivals is waiting on line chatting with strangers) this film was a highlight for many. Women Talking is based off the novel by Miriam Toews. It’s set in 2010 in a Mennonite community. Most of the scenes are set in a barn within this male dominated religious society. This is a timely film, as women’s rights are painfully being stripped away by our government. Riddled with a history of abusive men, the women secretly meet in the barn to figure out if they should flee the community while the men are away. The opinions of the group vary greatly & it’s interesting to see how they react to one another in the struggle to figure out what is best for them all. I liked the film, it’s certainly worth seeing.
This film is a ray of light in a sea of serious films. This documentary was a joy to watch & an inspiring story. I learned so much about the 2003 Mars expedition with sister rovers named Spirit and Opportunity. In the film we watch as NASA creates these two rovers that take on humanlike qualities, the sisters having very different personalities from one another. They are both very easy to fall in love with and it’s exciting to see how the scientists in NASA nurture them. The launch and landing on Mars is a big deal, but it’s what happens once the rovers land on Mars that’s astounding. A must see for fans of documentaries & totally appropriate for kids too.
Amazon Studios will release it in select theaters on Friday, November 4, and streaming on Prime Video on Wednesday, November 23.
This documentary film celebrates the history of famous Abbey Road Studios in England. It’s a musical time travel watching the variety of musicians that recorded there through its 90 year history. The Beatles are how most of us know the studio, they recorded 190 of their 210 songs there. The film also highlights several other amazing recording artists with interviews & views into their recording sessions. The studio walls hold so many stories, late night parties, romantic interludes and wild antics.
The film will premier globally on Disney+ the date has yet to be announced.
This film is not for the faint of heart. I’m giving you a swift warning ahead of time that it’s graphic, disgusting and the theme is cannibalism. I saw an evening screening which made me way more spooked to leave the theater & drive home in the dark. It’s best described as a “coming-of-age romantic horror road film” If you are into blood, guts, gore and an occasional laugh then hit this film up. As I’m into lighter, fluffier, prettier things I honestly could have left the film as soon as I finished my popcorn. If you are into horror give it a whirl, it’s getting great reviews.
Film will be in theaters November 23rd, 2022
Other films to look for, though I didn’t have the chance to see them:
If you frequent this blog space and/or my Insta, then you’ve probably noticed that I’m completely dog obsessed. Check out my pups Insta @PowderHoundsTelluride they love to show off their antics over there. We just up’ed our pup count to five canines. Moose, Bo, Pippin & Indy welcome their new brother Gustavia. “Gustav” is named after my favorite island port town & the capital of St. Barths. Gustav is such a precious boy and the greatest gift to our family.
I grew up with dogs in the home, they were always my best friends, wagging their tails supporting me through everything. In my family we had one dog at a time and I dotted on them. I always tried to be their number one, but my Dad as the main caretaker caught their attention the most. It was my goal to one day have a dog family to call my own, I wanted to be the pack leader when I grew up.
Rescue Mama
I started rescuing hounds 6 years ago and our canine family has certainly grown! The Moose (hound mix) was my first, Bo came next American English Coonhound), then Indy (German Shorthair Pointer, he came with my boyfriend Sean) then Pippin (American English Coonhound) and now sweet little Gustavia (Bluetick Coonhound) Spending my formative years on the East Coast, growing up on Long Island you didn’t really see hounds…ever. As soon as The Moose entered my life I knew I’d be a hound mama forever.
Coonhounds
The vast majority of these sweet, kind dogs are mostly born & bred by hunters in the southern states. Sadly many of these dogs end up being abandoned in the woods, let go to fend for themselves. Coonhounds typically aren’t bred as beloved pets, just for hunting accessories. Sadly, many get lost on the hunt or aren’t wanted for one reason or another . The reality is, Coonhounds make the most amazing, loving family pets. I’ve made it my job to love on as many as I possibly can and I will continue to do so. If you love cuddles then these dogs are exactly what dreams are made of. They love to curl up & press against you any chance they get.
They are very active dogs so having lots of space for them to run is very important. Coonhounds are sport dogs and they must have plenty of exercise in order to behave in the home. Coonies are very smart but also quite strong headed and stubborn. They will listen to directions if prompted with food, otherwise they might just role their hound dog eyes & disobey.
Second Chance & Carolina Coonhound Rescue
I rescued Moose and Bo from our local mountain rescue Second Chance. They were my introduction to hounds and now I’m hooked! My search for more rescue hounds had me stumble upon the Carolina Coonhound Rescue. They are located in Charleston, SC. I watch their Insta daily and seriously I want to adopt every sweet dog they post! They take such great care of the dogs and are very careful about finding them loving forever homes. I picked up Pippin from them in Charleston 2 years ago and my new baby Gustavia as well. It’s a 60 hour road trip from Telluride to get them in SC and I’m so grateful I have made the time to make the trek. Gustav is my first puppy (4 months) and it is such a treat to have this little guy as a baby. The others I rescued at 1 and two years old.
I feel so blessed to have the room, patience and excitement (lots of energy!) to have all of these pups. They offer so much more then companionship, it’s the deepest love ever! XO
Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Brown Butter & Summer Veggies
There’s nothing better then a quick & delicious meal that can be prepared at home in a pinch. Not only is this Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Brown Butter & Summer Veggies swoon worthy but it’s baked in a sheet pan which makes clean up a breeze. This recipe makes the most of store-bought gnocchi, ripe summer veggies and mouthwatering brown butter. It’s easy to fall in love with this dish over & over again. There’s no hard fast rules for the vegetables you need to use, choose what’s ripe, most flavorful and ones that add color to the dish.
The July 4th Edit (Pieces You’ll Love Year After Year!)
The easy breezy days of summer are zipping by & we’ve been enjoying every single moment of each glorious day! Life in the mountains treats us right with bluebird sunny days and green hued hills. Telluride, CO is a special place to live no matter what the season but the summer is short, sweet & precious. July 4th is always so fun & festive here with a small town parade that brings thousands of adoring guests to our tiny mountain town. It’s certainly worth a visit if you’ve never been. Dressing up in red, white & blue doesn’t need to be reserved for this holiday only. When you invest in the right pieces each one can be enjoyed year after year no matter what the occasion.
The pieces I’ve curated for this post are timeless favorites, several that can be worn/enjoyed together and each work well on their own. Happy shopping & happy summer!
This blog post & featured shop widgets contain affiliate links.
Pretty Floral Pool Floaty Is a pool party in your future? Bring this float & enjoy all the fun in the sun.
Mealtime seems to roll around quicker and quicker every day. Admittedly I used to have more time in the day to shop & prepare healthy meals for my family. I’ve been juggling several jobs at once & every minute counts. Meals I can prepare quickly but don’t lack in flavor are of the upmost importance. This 20 Minute Acini de Pepe with Broccoli & Shrimp became a quick favorite in my house. I’m certain it will be loved by you and your family as well.