Outfits

35 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

02.20
ZIMMERMANN GATHERED HIGH NECK BLOUSE + MANOLO BLAHNIK MULES

I don’t think I’ve ever done anything like this before, but I thought it would be a fun way to reintroduce myself and share some things about myself that you may not already know. Enjoy!

  1. My name is Merritt, which is actually my mom’s maiden name. I didn’t love it growing up because it was pretty different, but now I wouldn’t have it any other way. It suits me perfectly!
  2. I was born and raised in Austin, but have lived in Dallas since 2005! Aside from a year and a half in Houston and five months in London, I’ve been a Dallasite most of my adult life.
  3. I started my fashion blog in 2011 (can’t believe I’ve been doing this for twelve years – so grateful!)
  4. I have a crazy but unbelievably cute French Bulldog named Reeses
  5. I went to SMU for college, where I initially majored in vocal performance (choir nerd here!!), but ended up focusing on a Psychology major instead – I was so fascinated by it and loved all of my classes!
  6. I have one sibling, my sister Alexandra, but I acquired five step-siblings when my mom married my stepdad in 2011.
  7. I absolutely love to travel and have been to some incredible places over the years: Japan, Argentina, Portugal, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, and so many more – I’m so thankful my job allows me the freedom to travel and work from wherever I want to be!
  8. I lost my father in an aviation accident when I was a freshman in college – he had just turned fifty.
  9. I am 35 years old and single! I love my life, and while I’m not in a rush, I would eventually like to meet someone.
  10. My sister and I both love fashion and we’re both fairly competitive, but that’s about it when it comes to things we have in common. We are *so* different – from our personalities, to the way we dress, to how we date! We used to joke the other was adopted. We don’t even look alike!
  11. I love being a hostess and having friends over for game nights, parties, etc, but I wouldn’t say I’ve got the eye for aesthetics for tablescapes and such. I’ve just never been good about the details with things like that!
  12. My birthday is in July and I’m a Cancer, but I’ve never related to my horoscope or any of the characteristics people attribute to Cancers… and because of that, I’ve never been very into astrology!
  13. I am the least picky eater I know! I’ll eat just about anything. The only thing that I really don’t like is uni – it’s a texture thing!
  14. I love being active! Whether that’s an intense workout in my home gym, a long walk outside, or hiking in Switzerland, I find moving my body to be the best stress reliever and mood booster.
  15. I did Dry January this year and still haven’t had a sip of alcohol. I’ve been feeling amazing and haven’t craved a drink yet!
  16. I live in a somewhat small neighborhood in Dallas, and have several friends who lives just a couple blocks away. It’s nice being so close!
  17. I tend to be direct and will often just say things without thinking about how it might sound – it’s not something I mean to do, but I’ve definitely been told I can be too blunt or sound harsh on occasion.
  18. I’ve been in two serious relationships, but both were over a decade ago!
  19. I have TERRIBLE handwriting. Don’t expect snail mail from me! My mom and sister both have beautiful handwriting and know how to write in calligraphy – I’ve always been very jealous of that skill!
  20. I had severe ADHD as a child and adolescent. I was on medication (Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta) throughout elementary, middle, high school and college. While I wouldn’t say I’ve completely grown out of it, I’ve figured out the best way to work where it doesn’t affect me as much. For example, I do way better working at home in silence than I do in an office where other people and sounds can be a distraction! I’ve just figured out what works for me to be my most productive self!
  21. I’m a natural blonde, but get highlights to brighten it up (I see Monte at HairStory for color!)
  22. My favorite road trip snack is a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Puffs… can’t beat ’em!
  23. I taught myself how to read music and play the piano in high school. I had just transferred schools and wanted to join the choir, and the director told me I had to learn how to read music in order to be in the choir. So I spent all of my free time on that outside of school! I’m not great at piano because I have poor hand dexterity and never really had lessons, but being able to read music gets me by when playing a lot of sheet music.
  24. I am such a light sleeper, I can hear a pin drop… but this white noise machine changed the game for me!
  25. After being bullied in middle school and changing schools after eighth grade, it took me a few years to find where I felt I fit in. It caused me to be more independent and open-minded as a result – I’m a social chameleon and can really talk to anyone!
  26. I’m 5’9.
  27. I’m a control freak and a planner. I love a routine and adhering to a schedule! I’m not the best at delegating, but I’ve gotten better about it since hiring my assistant, Liza, in 2019.
  28. I’ve done my makeup the same way for over a decade and rarely swap out my go-tos for new products/brands… that’s why you don’t see many beauty posts on my blog! I never change it up!
  29. People say my mom and I look like sisters, but I also take after my grandmother quite a bit. She was the only other natural blonde in the family! Those Merritt genes are strong!
  30. You probably can’t even imagine it, but I went through a punk faze in high school while I was trying to figure out where I fit in. I died my hair purple, pierced my own ears, wore skater clothes and there was also some pretty bad behavior… it was… a journey. But I think I turned out just fine!
  31. My dad’s death changed me in many ways, but it wasn’t until years later I realized exactly how. I’ve definitely hardened – I very rarely get emotional and tend to figure things out for myself as opposed to asking for help. I tend to hold my anger and any negative emotions in, and they can sometimes burst forth in an impulsive, out of control manner – it’s something I’m always working on. I’m more independent and don’t rely on other people for many things, because I felt I needed to be with my mom and sister dealing with their own grief – at times I felt I needed to be the strong one. I think me being a control freak definitely came out of this experience – having order, structure and a plan is a way for me to feel like I’m in control and lessens my anxiety about any given situation.
  32. I am the opposite of a night owl. I much prefer to go to bed early and wake up early!
  33. I froze my eggs at 34 (only did one round, got 9 eggs), but the older I get the less I want kids.
  34. In middle school I had root canals on two of my front teeth and ended up getting veneers in college when they started to discolor!
  35. My death row meal would include Il Bracco’s Spicy Gemelli, La Duni’s Rice Salad, Enchiladas Perfecto (no onions!!) and Diablo Queso from Maudie’s, biscuits and gravy from Bubba’s, and Bluebell Peppermint Ice Cream.

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