Fashion & Beauty

March 7, 2021

The 10 Best Foundations for a Flawless Face

I’ve gone through many phases in my life with (and without) foundation.Used to be the ones I favored tended to be seasonal determined by where I was on the globe. In more humid areas I might crave different ones then I crave here in the high country of Colorado, where it’s significantly drier. I’m finding more and more though that my favorites work no matter what the season or location, sometimes I just need to adjust the color based on how much I’ve been in the sun.

There are always a few things to look for when you are choosing the perfect foundation. Test drive it on your face (the back of your hand is not enough) at the store before you purchase. See how it feels when you’ve been wearing it for a few hours, how the color suits your complexion ~ it can change throughout the day as your natural oils show through. Another important detail is how much coverage you are looking for, light, medium or heavier. Also, some formulas have added benefits such as antioxidants, sunscreens etc. My all time favorite right now is Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr Soft Matte Longwear Foundation color #150. My 15 year old daughter introduced me to it & I’m obsessed. It decreases my pore size and is the perfect silky layer in-between my sunscreen and makeup.

Here are some more cult favorites to check out…

ESTÉE LAUDER Double Wear Stay-in-Place Liquid Makeup This award winning foundation lasts for 24 hours and delivers a flawless matte finish. Medium to full buildable coverage. The oil-free formula controls shine, is waterproof and won’t run, rub off or smudge (great for those white tops) It also lasts in hot and humid weather. $42.00

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, I’ve used this one step powder / foundation for years. It’s great for gals on the go…all you need is a powder brush to apply, no need to mess up your fingers. It’s a nice matte, buildable finish for medium and heavy coverage. Long lasting formula, wears for up to 12 hours. $30.00

This SPF 20 Tinted Moisturizer by Laura Mercier is a sheer, lightweight multitasker for a healthy glow and natural dewy finish. It’s perfect for when you don’t want or need to look too made up. $46.00

Lancome’s Teint Idole Ultra Liquid 24H Longwear SPF 15 Foundation is an ultra long wearing, oil free liquid foundation that delivers a velvety-smooth complexion for up to 24 hours. Perfect for those long days when you don’t have time to retouch your makeup. This is a transfer-resistant formula that is infused with perlite and silica to ensure that excessive oils are absorbed, leaving behind a shine-free velvety matte complexion. $47.00

Chantecaille makes this Just Skin Unisex Tinted Moisturizer that offers just enough lightweight coverage with a a nontoxic mineral sunscreen. It has a new complex of botanicals that delivers protection from free radicals, smog and sun. Great for city living! $74.00

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer this is a BB cream, a CC cream and a tinted moisturizer all in one. Lots of great stuff here for all skin types. This formula offers sheer to medium coverage with mineral-based broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. $30.00

Dior Airflash Spray Foundation this is an ultra-fluid, water-based foundation that blends full coverage with a lightweight formula providing imperceptible second skin for up to 24 hours. Good for all skin types. The fine mist provides a soft, velvety complexion for buildable custom coverage for any skin tone and texture. $62.00

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better™ CC+™ Cream with SPF 50+ This is a bestselling, award-winning, color-correcting, full-coverage cream with anti-aging skincare and SPF 50+ physical sunscreen, not sure we can ask for anything more here. I like that it has a higher SPF then some of the others. This formula won;’t crumble or crack under pressure and it’s infused with an advanced anti-aging serum. $39.oo

MILK Blur Liquid Matte Foundation is an ultra-weightless, full-coverage foundation with an oil-free, silicone-free formula that lets skin breath. This formula minimizes the appearance of pores and leaves a smooth matte finish that looks and feels as light as air. $40.00

There are different schools of thought on how to properly apply foundation. I use a combo of my fingers, the Beauty Blender and brushes. Just remember to always keep your applicators clean. I wash my brushes everyday with a gentle shampoo and let them air dry on their sides.

Foundation Brushes

Sigma Beauty F60 Foundation Brush $15

Beauty Blender $20.00

Chanel Retractable Foundation Brush $50.00

Lilah b. Retractable Creme Foundation Brush $52.00

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Natural Perfection Foundation Brush $52.00

~ Marla Meridith

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Mountain Life

March 3, 2021

The Timber Room at Madeline Hotel & Residences | Telluride, Colorado

There’s a new kid in town at Telluride Ski Resort. The Madeline Hotel and Residences (part of the Auberge Resort Collection) just shared the long anticipated reveal of their latest crown jewel: the Timber Room. For those looking for a chic chalet vibe (and if you are missing travel to the Alps) now there’s a place to meet, greet, eat and drink. The Timber Room has it all and then some.

Timber Room at Madeline Hotel and Residences

This slope side property encourages all kinds of outdoor adventures and then pampers you when you return. Walk through the lobby and an open floor plan beckons guests to unwind in one of it’s cozy nooks. Fireplaces and fur make the entire experience rich and fabulous. Take a seat at the sultry bar, tuck into a plush couch or grab a mirror backed booth adorned with large snowy alpine paintings.

Snowy Pine Trees Telluride, Colorado — After a chilly day on the mountain nothing beats a cocktail & awesome food.

Mixed textiles and various wood details come together to create the coolest of vibes. Vignettes are created with a comfortable living room-lounge aesthetic, perfect for couples and small groups. While there, you’ve got to dive into the food and drink menu. It’s like none other in this jewel box mountain town. This is clean, rustic mountain food. It’s hearty and pure all at the same time. The flavors are as diverse as the patterns decorating the space.

The Madeline wants you to go home with a story and aprés at The Timber Room might be it. Tantalizing cocktails and a well curated Champagne list whet your appetite for what’s to come. Finely crafted whiskey cocktails and colorful signature offerings including the very creative Alpinist, with nikka vodka, rosemary, lemon, blue cheese and rosemary stuffed olives.

There are elevated small plates and dishes to tempt all palates, sharing is a great option when you want to taste the entire dinner menu. We couldn’t resist the Wild Sockeye Carpaccio with cucumber vinaigrette. The Grilled Alpine Flatbread is the perfect way to refuel after a day on the slopes, with house made lemon ricotta cheese, shaved iberico de bellota and grilled red grapes.

Not to be missed are the Devilish Eggs, these are not your 50’s Good Housekeeping eggs. These are ordered by the piece and each one a beautiful flavor experience. Choices include: caviar-truffle, house cured char, and crispy pork belly. Order one of each and chances are you will go for round two! The Colorado Planche is a locally sourced charcuterie board, a must for any mountain foodie.

One of the most creative offerings on the menu is the Timber Room Baked Potato. Get ready for it: alpine butter whipped potato, creme fraiche and 30 grams of Russian osetra caviar! This is worthy of a celebration in and of itself and on my list to try this weekend.

~ Marla Meridith

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Giveaways

February 24, 2021

Mountain Art Giveaway!

Hi friends! One of the ways I love giving back to YOU is with giveaways with really cool things that I love and support. I’m thrilled to introduce you to local Telluride, Colorado artist Daniel Kanow. He is generously gifting one lucky winner an 18″x18″ signed canvas print of “Mountain Love” (Value of $309.87 ) I’m so in love with this piece as it really represents the beautiful mountains that I love so much.

Mountain Art by Telluride, Colorado artist Daniel Kanow

How to enter:

– The winner will be announced on Monday, March 1st, 2021
– Giveaway runs from Feb 22nd – Feb 28th

Good luck!

~ Marla Meridith

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North America

February 21, 2021

The Ultimate Winter Paradise Found at The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado

Living in Ski Country Colorado we log a good number of ski days per year, they are all great, but some are more memorable than others. Even in these crazy times of Covid, wanderlust is real and the urge to travel must be fulfilled. Thankfully, Aspen, CO. is only a beautiful 4 1/2 hour drive from our residence in Telluride, CO. Aspen is different then any other USA ski town, the luxury aesthetic mixed with rugged mountains reminds me of favorite 5-star resorts I’ve visited overseas ~ specifically St. Moritz & Courchevel.

Marla Meridith skis Aspen Mountain in Ogier — Aspen, Colorado the chicest ski mountain in the USA. We love skiing Aspen Mountain and staying at The Little Nell, Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel.

Europe is way too tricky to book during these unpredictable times, thankfully Aspen is accessible and opening the doors to guests. First choice accomodations (and pet friendly) is always a stay at The Little Nell. This Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel is perched right at the edge of snowy ski slopes and always welcomes us with open arms. I feel like a queen from the moment we book our visit and throughout our entire stay, The Nell always hits that five-star mark.

Bonnies Aspen Colorado on mountain dining by Marla Meridith — Book a ski brunch at Bonnies, located slope side on Aspen Mountain. The pancakes & omelettes are delicious!

The Little Nell approaches everything they touch with style and grace…making every effort to provide the ultimate getaway while ensuring Covid safety protocols. They find very creative ways to keep the true Nell experience over-the-top while staying within New Normal guidelines. A few stand out experiences were the regularly refilled in-room goodie bags with treats galore, the Aprés Ski bar cart (listen for the jingle bells outside your door) and the Veuve Cliquot In the Snow backpack with all the works to safely enjoy cheese, charcuterie & Champagne in the great outdoors.

Veuve Cliquot in the snow picnic at The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado — Indulge in the great outdoors and a chic backpack filled with cheese, charcuterie and Veuve Cliquot!

If you have a pet then you know that bringing your pooch along can add so much fun & an extra dimension to a vacation. Before we hit the road I had set up a contest for my four dogs. Whomever behaved the best over the course of a month was to be awarded with a luxurious trip to Aspen! We kept a calendar filled with gold stars and indiscretions. The overall winner was our new rescue Pippin. She proved over the course of a month that she was worthy of mountain girl status, her home just a few months before was in Charleston, South Carolina. While at The Nell, Pippin was spoiled with chef made treats, a beautiful doggie bed and plentiful walks by handsome bell staff. She felt very welcome!

Marla Meridith's dog Pippin staying at The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado — Out pup Pippin was indulged with the best homemade food, treats, doggie bed and walks at pet friendly Little Nell

A few experiences on the horizon after our trip were the opening of the brand new Wine Bar, The Krug Lounge and for private events, the well hidden speakeasy The Board Room. With The Nell’s award winning food & wine no matter which venue you experience, mouthwatering adventures await. We always enjoy a hearty pre-ski, In-Room Dining breakfast, there’s nothing more luxurious and delicious then this. I look forward to the House Cured Smoked Salmon throughout the year, it’s such a treat and protein packed for a busy day on skis. For evening elegance and the finest dining, we love to get dressed up and stay in the cozy comfort of the hotel. We look forward to cocktails in the Living Room, dinner at Element 47 and a sultry visit to the Wine Cellar. The Nell’s wine program is taken very seriously, 20,000+ wines are in their collection from the best most renowned names in the biz.

Krug Bar at The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado with Marla Meridith — The perfect spot to Aprés all day, The Krug Bar at The Little Nell

Aprés All Day at Ajax Tavern located at The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado — Enjoy lunch and Aprés Ski slope side at The Little Nell’s Ajax Tavern

Always a morning and Aprés Ski favorite (add a little liquor to the Aprés version) is the Nell’s Signature Hot Chocolate. Watch my video where I share the coveted recipe….yes you can recreate it in the comfort of your own home!

When in Aspen, always leave a lot of extra time for shopping. The Little Nell has has a not to missed boutique conveniently located near check-in. The Boutique is an expertly curated selection of wearables, jewelry, artwork and housewares. I found my way to Dior and purchased a long coveted saddle bag and a few other goodies. There are tasteful adventures around every corner in Aspen, until next time!

~ Marla Meridith

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Recipes

February 16, 2021

One-Pot Beefy Lasagna Soup

Lasagna is such a great dish this time of the year. It’s hearty, delicious and feeds a good amount of hungry aprés skiers. One-Pot meals make me so happy because there’s much less clean up (my least favorite part of cooking!) This gets you in and out of the kitchen way quicker.

If you don’t own a 7.5 quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven pot I suggest you make the small investment. It’s one of our most used kitchen items and they last forever! They have wonderful heat retention and heat evenly which makes the outcome of dishes so much more predictable. They also look great on the dining table.

Click HERE for recipe details.

Watch the video here & be sure to follow my YouTube channel so you don’t miss anything.

~ Marla Meridith

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Gifts

February 7, 2021

Cupid’s Choice: Valentine’s Month Shopping Ideas

There’s not much time left, but just enough to get your special someone a memorable Valentine’s Day gift. These days we all need something fun to celebrate. How about making this V-Day an all month long celebration?! I’ve got some really fun gift ideas here that I hope you love too. Look beyond the chocolate (though that’s always great too) and go with something a little different this year. Happy shopping!

Shopping List: Best Valentine's Day Gifts — Take your next Zoom call in this cozy heart lounge wear by Love Shack Fancy.

The sweetest candy pink sweater in a wool cashmere blend with keep your love super warm!

~ Marla Meridith

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Crafts & DIY

January 25, 2021

DIY: Paint Splattered Cashmere Sweater

Looking to sass up an upcycle a cashmere sweater? All you need to do is take some paint and splatter it! I love metallics, but you can use any color you want. You can also do this to shoes, boot, sweats or anything you wish to upcycle and give a trendy edge. This craft couldn’t be easier and it’s a great way to breath life back into a piece of clothing that you might otherwise be done with.

Upcycle your cashmere with splatter paint. — Use a sweater or any knit that you need to give a makeover. This is a favorite cashmere sweater of mine, but lightly stained. It was time for the trash or an upcycle.

Splatter Painted Cashmere Sweater — Upcycle seemed like a way better idea then the trash!

Watch the video…

All you need….

Cashmere sweater, poncho, etc.
Metallic (or any color) water based paint. Fabric or acrylic paint.
Paint Brush
Drop cloth

How to….

Place your clean, dry item on a drop cloth
Water down the paint just enough to splatter with your brush
Dip the brush in paint and flick it onto the garment
Let dry overnight
Hand wash in cold water with a mild shampoo, do not wring, lay flat to dry on color safe towel

Shop for everything you need here…

Favorite Cashmere Sweaters — J. Crew Boyfriend Sweater 7 Colors

Shabby Chic Furniture Paint — Gold Paint I use.

Another great metallic paint that you can use on furniture too.

Great fabric paint, comes in many colors — Awesome fabric paint that comes in many colors.

Drop Cloth for your crafts and home renovations — Drop Cloth essential for keeping your work space clean.

Conair Sweater Defuzzer — Keep your cashmere looking it’s very best with this Conair defuzzer, shaver

*DISCLOSURE: I occasionally use affiliate links. If you happen purchase something through one of my links, I make a tiny percentage of revenue. Thank you for supporting me and my mission to help make your life it’s very BEST! XO Marla

~ Marla Meridith

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Bread

January 20, 2021

Make 2021 Delicious with Wildgrain

I hope the first few weeks of 2021 has been good to you. We are having a great winter here in Telluride, CO. It’s even better now that we know where to source the best sourdough bread…and it’s delivered straight to our door. I introduced you to the Wildgrain subscription box back in January. I loved it then and I love it even more now. So much so that I wanted to post our January goodies with you. My kids were so excited when the box came and we have been enjoying it so much.

Wildgrain Box | Bread - Pasta - Pastry — Chocolate Croissants were our surprise pastry. They were so delicious, a buttery flaky dough with the perfect amount of high quality chocolate.

Having a monthly subscription to Wildgrain is great for:

People who LOVE homemade bread.
Sourdough lovers.
Artisinal pastry lovers.
Fresh pasta lovers.
Those who strive for a clean diet.
Foodies who appreciate the highest quality ingredients in every bite.

Inside each box you will receive:

3 slow-fermented sourdough loaves
1 bonus sourdough loaf
2 packs (12 oz each) fresh pasta
4-6 rotating seasonal pastries

Limited time offer!

Enter the code SNOWQUEEN at checkout and receive $10 off your first box PLUS a free extra sourdough loaf in every box for the life of your subscription!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR WILDGRAIN BOX

How it Works:

Start your Wildgrain subscription
Your box gets delivered to your door every month.
Store in your freezer and enjoy anytime in 30 minutes or less! (No thawing necessary)

Disclosure: I received a delicious Wildgrain subscription box to review and we all loved it! If you place an order a small percentage goes right back into supporting my website.

~ Marla Meridith

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Recipes

January 10, 2021

Vegan Mushroom Soup

With the new year finally here, it’s a great time to add some new favorite recipes to your to-do list. This Vegan Mushroom Soup is so tasty and is a hit with everyone in my house. Around here we enjoy use lots of healthy soups in the winter. I love that they come together pretty quickly and that several servings are in one batch. This makes it easy to feed a crowd and the bonus is you might end up with lots of leftovers!

Click HERE for recipe details.

~ Marla Meridith

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Fashion

January 8, 2021

Trendsetter: Must Have Puffers

Are you planning a mountain escape in 2021? I can think of nothing better! It’s been an epic winter ski season here in Telluride, Colorado despite the Covid restrictions. Thankfully time outdoors is one of the things what we all need most. Being outdoors provides a great way to socially distance and the bonus is you get to play in the snow! No matter what your winter sport or lifestyle, if you live or play somewhere frosty then you absolutely need a great puffer coat. The ones I’ve curated here look great both on and off the slopes and in urban lifestyles.

Must Have Puffy Jackets for cold winter days. — You will not be missed in this Mellow Yellow puffy | Moncler

~ Marla Meridith

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Holiday

December 26, 2020

Merry Christmas from the Snow Queen Ranch

Hello friends! How was your Christmas? I hope you were able to enjoy yourself even though the holidays are quite a bit different this year. We decided to spend time at the Snow Queen, enjoying some peace and quiet with our four dogs. It’s a different world out at the ranch, it’s near Telluride, but the vibe is so different from the ski resort. Instead of skiing, we are busy painting the house, refinishing furniture, plowing snow and tending to the yard. It’s a simple and very fun life out here. Christmas was low key and very enjoyable.

Shabby Chic Christmas — It was quite the challenge getting our four Powder Hounds to pose for a holiday photo.

It’s been a fun challenge to decorate our Telluride Ski House and The Ranch. They are both quite different from one another. Here at the Snow Queen the aesthetic is Shabby Chic, whereas in Telluride the feel is Swiss/Mountain Modern chalet. For the holidays I kept the unique design themes in both homes.

I hope you enjoy these photos of our holiday decorations and silly pups!

Happy Holidays everyone!

~ Marla Meridith

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Cocktails

December 22, 2020

Snow Queen Cocktail

We can all use something special for the holidays. No matter what your plans are, a delicious wintery cocktail might be just what you need to put a smile on your face. As many of you know, I have a ranch here in the Rocky Mountains that I named the Snow Queen. It’s a place to get away from it all and we DO get lots of snow! I figured a signature winter holiday cocktail was in need, a taste that we can share together. I hope you enjoy this drink, it’s become a favorite around here!

Click HERE for recipe details.

~ Marla Meridith

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~ Marla Meridith

~ Marla Meridith

How to enter:

1. Like and Follow @danielkanow.fineart & @MarlaMeridith on Instagram2. Comment on this post and tag up to three friends (Each tag gets you an extra entry)3. Sign up for the GIVEAWAY via this LINK

~ Marla Meridith

~ Marla Meridith

~ Marla Meridith

~ Marla Meridith

Watch the video…

All you need….

How to….

Shop for everything you need here…

~ Marla Meridith

~ Marla Meridith

~ Marla Meridith

~ Marla Meridith

~ Marla Meridith

~ Marla Meridith

Specially Curated

1. Like and Follow @danielkanow.fineart & @MarlaMeridith on Instagram
2. Comment on this post and tag up to three friends (Each tag gets you an extra entry)
3. Sign up for the GIVEAWAY via this LINK