Lifestyle

2022 Highlights & Happy New Year!

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.

Marla Meridith in Aspen, Colorado with boyfriend Sean Wells
Our favorite Colorado getaway Aspen, Colorado! The perfect place to kick off the ski season.
It’s always fun to wear all the wintery favorites in Aspen. This fun hat is from Performance Ski.

February

My son & I hit up excellent powder skiing in Crested Butte, we were there for his ski competition.
The first trip of many in 2022 to Texas…
We stayed at the Gage Hotel in Marathon, TX. and went to the most gorgeous wedding ever!

 

This sweet, colorful tequila donkey was a sweet part of the wedding festivities.

March

My new company Mer Rose Atelier was invited to pop-up at the grand opening of Love Shack Fancy Houston.

Meeting the fabulous Rebecca Hessel Cohen at the launch of Love Shack Fancy Houston was a pink lovers dream!
The Mer Rose Atelier collection fit in perfectly at the Love Shack Fancy Houston launch.
Dressing in pretty pastels is a very comfortable place for me!

April

After the ski season closed it was time to party in our favorite sunny spot, St. Barths!

 

Enjoying cocktails at Le Sereno Hotel in St. Barths
Every view is a great view in beautiful St. Barths!

May

I literally went back to my roots…going back to being a brunette feels way more fun!

June

I felt such great JOY watching my daughter graduate from high school surrounded by her loving family.

Spring in Telluride, CO. makes my hounds sing…the hills are alive!

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.

My son and I took a few Italian cooking classes & learned how to make fresh pasta & some other classic dishes.

A Portofino highlight was the Dior Beach Club!

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.

Gustavia our sweet rescue Bluetick Coonhound.

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.

After long hikes, relaxing time at the Madeline Hotel pool was such a treat.

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.

Marla Meridith at the 49th Telluride Film Festival 2022

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.

Mer Rose Atelier hand painted ceramics by artist Marla Meridith
The Mer Rose Atelier one-of-a-kind, hand painted china collection.

 

My Mer Rose Atelier pop-up at Gina Bowhill’s tent at Blue Hills in Round Top, Texas

November

The magical nighttime sky at my Snow Queen Ranch just outside of Telluride, CO.
A busy month painting Mer Rose Atelier Christmas ornaments  for the Telluride Arts Holiday Bazaar.
We enjoyed an easy going Thanksgiving at home. Sean & I prepared simple & delicious recipes.

December

2022 wrapped with the onset of the ski season & lots of time spent in the great outdoors!

Marla Meridith wearing Dior at Hotel Madeline Telluride pool with Mountain View
Apres Ski at the Hotel Madeline pool in Telluride, Colorado. Can you tell how much I love this Dior caftan?!
Mer Rose Atelier collection by Marla Meridith at the annual Telluride Holiday Arts Bazaar.
Sean & I taking in the fresh mountain air on Colorado Ave. in Telluride, Colorado

 

~ Marla Meridith

Dinner

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!

Click HERE for recipe details.

~ Marla Meridith

Fashion

Winter Blues Holiday Gift List

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

~ Marla Meridith

Fashion

Must Haves: Pretty Winter Pinks

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.

 

 

~ Marla Meridith

Lifestyle

Telluride Film Festival 2022

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!

Marla Meridith at the 49th Telluride Film Festival 2022

Telluride Film Festival Screenings I Saw

The U.S. and the Holocaust 

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.

The Wonder

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.

Sr-Film-Robert-Downey-Jr at the 49th Telluride Film Festival
Robert Downey Jr.’s Film Sr. Premiers at the 49th Telluride Film Festival

Sr.

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.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover

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.

Women Talking

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.

Limited theatrical release December 2nd, 2022

Goodnight Oppy

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.

If These Walls Could Sing

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.

Bones and All

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:

  • Empire of Light
  • Broker
  • Close
  • TAR

 

~ Marla Meridith

It’s a Dog’s Life

Meet Gustavia! Our Sweet Bluetick Coonhound Puppy

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.

Marla Meridith's rescue Coonhounds in Telluride, Colorado
Gustavia the baby Bluetick Coonhound first night with Marla staying at the beautiful Charleston Place Hotel.

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.

Jud Wiebe Trail with Bo, Moose and Indy in Telluride, Colorado

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.

Marla Meridith's rescue Coonhounds in Telluride, Colorado
Marla Meridith and Gustavia the Bluetick Coonhound road tripping from Charleston, SC to Telluride, CO.

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.

Marla Meridith's rescue Coonhounds in Telluride, Colorado
Bo Meridith, the most majestic American English Coonhound there ever was. He’s the King of cuddles!

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.

Three spotty dogs, coonhounds and a pointer curled up in bed.
Bed is always the favorite spot in the house!

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

Marla Meridith's rescue Coonhounds in Telluride, Colorado
Sweet Bo and Indy the elder love to cuddle.

~ Marla Meridith

Dinner

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.

Click HERE for recipe details.

Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Brown Butter & Summer Veggies recipe

~ Marla Meridith

Fashion

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. 
  1. Pretty Floral Pool Floaty Is a pool party in your future? Bring this float & enjoy all the fun in the sun.
  2. Red Patent Leather Sandals These shoes make a big impact with dresses, skirts & denim.
  3. Floral Cotton Mini Dress Love the print and details on this dress.
  4. Red Monogram Tote Bag (also comes in blue!)
  5. 22K Goldplated Enameled Cuff Bracelet Such a great piece that can be dressed up or down.
  6. Pretty Headband This beauty will make any outfit cuter.
  7. Leather Sneakers (they come in two colors: blue & red)
  8. Hair Bow This pretty bow matches this skirt but is great on it’s own too!
  9. White Embroidered Midi Dress This classic dress will be a favorite for years to come.
  10. Mer Rose Atelier one-of-a-kind, up cycled, hand painted purse
  11. Blue Claw Clip The easy way out of a super hot day at the beach.
  12. American Flag Plate Collection This collection is fabulous and I’ve seen it sold year after year. Buy it all at once or add pieces as you go.
  13. Red Knot Crop Top A simple, yet oh so fabulous design.
  14. Ruffle Tiered Denim Miniskirt The tiers make this mini extra special!
  15. Valentino Silk Twilly Wear on your wrist, tied to your purse or as a hat band.
  16. Canvas Packable Wide Brim Hat Protect your skin while looking fashionable. When the sun goes down fold & pack this hat and tuck in your tote.
  17. Reversible Glitter Belt A glitter side and a red side make this belt an easy choice.
  18. Red Lipstick This confidence building hue is statement worthy.
  19. Blue Quartz Heart Ring This cabochon is sure to get compliments!
  20. Diorxtrem Mask Sunglasses These awesome sunnies come with two interchangeable lenses.

~ Marla Meridith

Dinner

20 Minute Acini de Pepe with Broccoli & Shrimp

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.

Click HERE for the recipe.

Craving more? Check out these quick & delicious recipes too!

 

~ Marla Meridith

Fashion

Happy Mother’s Day & Mer Rose Atelier Flash Sale

Happy Mother’s Day beauties! I hope you are all having a wonderful day no matter how you choose to celebrate. Around here I’m enjoying lots of relaxation & time with family & my four doggies. For those of you who have become acquainted with my Mer Rose Atelier brand of one-of-a-kind, hand painted accessories & those who have not…I invite you to check it out! For a very limited time I’m offering a 50% discount on select pieces. It’s time to treat yourself, mom, your grad or that special someone to a purse they will cherish forever! Looking to transform a custom piece? Reach out to me here & we can start the conversation. I look forward to working with you.

 

~ Marla Meridith

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Fashion

The MM Edit: Pretty Floral Summer Dresses

As the temps warm up it’s time to think about pretty, flowy, feminine summer dresses. The prints & colors this year are absolutely gorgeous! Embroidery, eyelet, smocking and embellished details make pieces extra special. Say goodbye to the idea of “throwaway” dresses. Investing in favorites is a better idea for your budget & the key to a diverse wardrobe.
Camilla silk floral print mini dress

CAMILLA

This minidress is garden party perfect. Soft and flowy silk add softness to this caftan inspired beauty.

Must have floral summer dresses on MarlaMeridith.com

byTiMo

A boho-chic minidress is so pretty with a square neck, puff sleeves, and a smocked waistband.


Must have floral summer dresses chosen by Marla Meridith

AMUR

I absolutely LOVE the retro vibe of this scallop trimmed floral midi dress. The print is gorgeous & there are self-tie spaghetti straps which are great for mini adjustments.

Must have floral summer dresses chosen by Marla Meridith

MISA Los Angeles

This floral ruffle minidress has a flattering smocked waist and pretty balloon sleeves. Wear with heels or your favorite Golden Goose.

Must have pretty floral summer dresses chosen by Marla Meridith

HEMANT AND NANDITA

Mixed floral patterns and a plunging neckline make this minidress the perfect piece for all kinds of summer soirées.

Pattie Wrap Mini Dress by Zimmermann

ZIMMERMANN

This wrap minidress in 100% cotton has so many beautiful colors in it which makes accessorizing very fun! The cut of Zimmermann dresses is always spot on & flattering.

Must have pretty floral summer dresses chosen by Marla Meridith

TANYA TAYLOR

This bright Kelly green minidress is very striking! Layered ruffle sleeves add an extra hit of style.Must have pretty floral summer dresses chosen by Marla Meridith

LOVE SHACK FANCY 

As soon as I saw this print I fell in love with it & had to have this minidress. Eyelet adds such pretty dimension to this flirty summer dress.

 

~ Marla Meridith

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Appetizers

Greek Barley Salad

 

This time of the year salads are the go-to meals for a lot of us. The weather is warmer and we crave lighter foods with no loss of flavor. I cannot have enough amazing salad recipes and this Greek Barley Salad is a nice diversion from standard salads. Grain based salads are not only delicious, but they keep energy levels sustained for a good long time as well. If you enjoy Greek salads, then I’m certain you will love this recipe.

When it comes to making your Greek salad the best ever, I always recommend that you choose the best ingredients you can find, for me that means sheep or goat feta and the best kalamata olives I can find.

Click HERE for recipe details.

 

This Vegetarian Greek Barley Salad recipe is the perfect addition to any spring and summer meal planning and entertaining. MarlaMeridith.com

 

~ Marla Meridith