WHY @merricksart GETS DRESSED EVERYDAY

Welcome to the Carpool podcast with Kelly.

Central time is the best time zone.

I never thought I'd have a take on a time zone.

But like, you mountain girlies, uh, woof, and Liz.

Our mom had just texted the girls group chat and said,

here's my Christmas list, which she's never done before.

But you know what I love?

A girl who knows what she wants.

Your mom time off starts now.

Welcome back to the Carpool podcast with Kelly.

And Liz.

And boy, do we have a show for you.

Boy, do we ever.

We just wrapped an interview with none other than Ms.

Merrick White, Merrick's art on Instagram.

We've been talking about our non-stop.

We finally got her on the podcast.

And honestly, guys, it was even better

than I could have imagined.

Like it was so good.

It was one of my favorite interviews we've done.

I'm so obsessed with her.

Me too.

And I think you guys are going to love the episode.

We talk a lot about just like the importance

of getting dressed.

She shares like her top like three wardrobe essentials.

She gives like ideas for you to ask for for Christmas.

I mean, she, you know, one thing about us

is it's meat and potatoes.

So we're like, no, we know you said you like jeans.

What is the brand?

Yeah.

And I did take notes.

And I will be making like a collection.

Like I'll have a link for you to access all this stuff

so you don't have to write it down.

I'm actually I'm doing my diligence on this one

because there was a lot of good tangible takeaways.

And something that I really appreciated about Merrick

is that she said that she gets dressed every day.

And like her mom got, well, you'll

learn more about it more about it in the episode.

But like she gets dressed every day.

And I think for some people that can be like really

intimidating and hard to hear.

I feel like such a bum because I thought

I was being cute in my my my spanks lounge set.

And then like Kelly and Merrick are like dressed to the ninth.

And I'm like, oh, oh my.

I've got a statement.

My my sleeve, my shirt has puff sleeves.

Like I came to play.

And Merrick is someone on Instagram.

I feel like there's there's a time and a place for both.

But like there's some people on Instagram

who just like validate everything that you're doing.

And Merrick to me kind of like challenges me and inspires

me.

Yeah.

And I think those types of people

are important to have in your life, too.

And I just like need to go change and put jeans on right now.

That's what I'm saying.

Two things I want to say about getting dressed

that I didn't say on the interview.

One, we're not even getting dressed.

But like I have been trying to do it more and more.

And there's also there's days I'm just not going to do it.

And I think that's fine.

Like it doesn't have to be like I'm not

an all or nothing kind of person.

But I do love Merrick's style because sometimes I

feel like you look at these like fashion bloggers

and it's like such a cute outfit.

But you're like, where are you wearing that, too?

Yeah.

Like literally where are you wearing that?

And Merrick's outfits for the most part are all like you

would be dressed up to be at home.

But like it wouldn't look insane.

Like you know how I'm going to say this.

And I hope you take it with like I

hope everyone takes this the right way.

But like I would describe her style as like,

you know like sitcom TV families?

Yeah.

Like Merrick's outfits are like what the stylish mom

on the Disney Channel would wear.

And it's like you're dressed up for sure.

But like you don't look out of place being at home.

Yeah.

Again, with like the highest form of compliment

you can receive in that way.

The highest form of compliment,

like it's like what a family on a TV show would wear.

Like the mom on a TV show would wear,

that's Merrick's style.

It's very, but it's very attainable.

It's extremely attainable.

So attainable.

So anyway, we have that interview so good.

Really excited for everyone to hear it.

But before we get into that, how are you, Kelly?

Well, I'm OK.

I think I opened up on my Instagram a bit

that I've been having some cortisol issues.

Yeah.

Mainly just because I kept waiting for it to get better.

And it's just not totally getting better yet.

And but I don't know.

I'm OK though.

Basically, I just ever since I learned a reaction,

I know everyone's so tired of hearing about it.

My body's just like having trouble regulating

its cortisol a bit.

And I go in like waves of like, I guess I don't like to use

the word panic attacks because I guess I just I feel off

and I feel anxious, but for no reason,

which is a very weird feeling.

Because even on times where I've had anxiety,

like even postpartum when I had anxiety,

even though it might have felt even though my anxiety wasn't

rational, I could at least tell you why I was feeling that way.

But with this one, like I have no idea.

Like there's nothing to talk through because it's like,

it's not it's so not my mind.

It's so my body doing it.

It's a literal chemical imbalance.

Yeah.

And all the things that like should help

lower your cortisol like exercise and water

and getting outside at the first day's light.

And then like those don't work because the whole point

is that my cortisol is not functioning properly right now.

And so it's really kind of just like, I mean,

I'm doing some supplements based on some blood work

that I got done.

And then it's kind of a timing thing.

So I have really good moments like I'm fine right now.

I feel fine.

But then this afternoon, I might not be fine.

So I'm very much just like living my life through my I'm

very much living my life just kind of in the in the ups

and the downs.

And I'm totally fine when I don't have to worry about me.

But I'm just letting you know,

that's kind of where I'm at right now.

And if you're like, oh, I didn't notice like that's

because I really only post when I'm like feeling like posting.

Like I'm just not really one to like just for my own mental health.

I'm just like not one to post on my stories

every time I'm having like a hard day.

Like I just that's the last thing I want to do.

So my Instagram is very much a highlight reel

because that's for me.

Yeah, it kind of it kind of I didn't realize

when I saw your post about it this morning,

I was like, oh my gosh, I guess she hasn't shared this

because it's actually been like really a big deal in our lives.

Like it's really affected a lot of our work

and our lives in your life.

So it was kind of crazy to me that like, oh, I really

she hasn't posted about this one time.

And like it's one of the top three things

we're talking about offline constantly.

Yeah, because it's very much just I don't know

who I'm going to be in any given moment.

And I'm like, it's so interesting

because like I am OK, but there's moments

where I'm not necessarily OK.

So like on the days where I'm feeling good,

like I'm telling Liz, like get to the dealership.

I'm bringing three outfits.

I'm telling my manager, what is every ad that you need filmed?

Because like, I don't know how I'm going to feel tomorrow.

Like we're really capitalizing on the moments I feel good.

And it's definitely getting better.

Like I'm having less brain fog.

And I would say I'm having my lows are definitely less.

And I'm on week seven and they like everything I've read and is,

you know, this can be like a 12 week thing.

So hopefully I start to and start to feel better

and continue to feel better.

But yeah, it's just kind of crazy.

Yeah. And also just a sign like, you know,

you just got to go.

I said this before and it was kind of like a joke,

but like now I kind of get it.

Like you just really are responsible for your own health,

you know, and like your doctors kind of care,

but like you got to advocate for yourself.

And like, I just didn't feel right.

And I'm ready to feel right.

I also shout out to chat GBT because I'm loving chat GBT

for tracking my symptoms and tracking in my bad days.

Because it's I'm trying to see if there's like any pattern

for why I'm feeling certain ways.

And definitely there's like there's a little bit of like

a times of day when I don't feel good.

But I don't know.

So anyway, that's what's that's what's new with me.

That's what's kind of a loaded question when I asked how you were.

But it has been crazy.

Like if I think back at like what the last seven weeks have done,

like we've done so much in like.

Yeah, in between.

High mental breakdowns.

Yeah, I'm really really really also realizes

like how much the car mom like fully depends on you.

Because when you're not feeling well, it's like, OK, well,

I guess we're not supposed to do anything today.

Yeah, no, OK, everyone's actually everyone's off today.

So actually, like when you see a post come from the car mom,

just know that we were really grateful.

We were able to get that post.

No, we're fine.

She's like, oh, anyways, I don't want anyone to worry about me.

And I don't want you guys to think I'm like not saying how it really is.

But like, I just I don't like creating content.

I just I don't want to do that.

Like in a bad day, I don't I'm not trying to.

I'm not trying to make it only a highlight real, but whatever.

You don't want to post when you're feeling bad,

like you've got enough going on, like you don't have to go on Instagram.

You're fine. No one's judging you. No one cares.

Agreed. Anyway, but moving on, because I'm going to feel better

and I'm having a great day today.

And we had a great interview with Merrick and life is good.

And like not to make something I'm a really thankful for.

This is totally separate.

Our mom had just texted that all

the girls group chat and said, here's my Christmas list, which she's never done before.

But you know what?

I love a girl who knows what she wants because instead of questioning

what should I get my mom, she sent us a list of probably nine things on here.

And I think I want to share them with everyone because she's so funny

because she's like, here's what I want for Christmas.

And like, like they're $13 items, $20 items,

like her biggest ticket item, I think is the $70.

She's also also include Chris's.

I'll make a I'll make a collection of Chris's Christmas list, too.

So you guys can see, but I just want to read the I want to read the Chris

mislist. OK, I need to ask her about this mattress lifters.

Yeah, I don't know what I think this is.

It's a tool to make it easier to change your sheets

because it gently lifts your mattress up.

I had no idea this existed, but the amount of nails that I've broken

trying to lift a mattress and then shove a fitted sheet.

I'm inspired mattress lifter.

OK, she wants her favorite golf balls.

Cowl away.

Bronzing stick, specific bronzing stick, specific lip gloss, tinted SPF,

tubing, mascara, lip balm, like a lot from Sephora.

White tea to layer under sweater from Quint's $20.

Like, she's so cute.

Like, this is actually such a good basic tea for laying under sweaters

because it kind of has a tall neck.

I actually have that tea audible gift card.

Thank you. Love that. Sure. Sure, mom.

And then she wants these Ugg slippers from Nordstrom rack.

I'm just going to like copy and paste this back off the golf balls

and be like, this is my Christmas list, too.

It just goes to show it's like I don't make a Christmas list

because I do feel I don't know, I feel awkward making a Christmas list.

But this is like so helpful.

Like, I'm going to click the links.

I'm going to add to cart.

I'm not going to have to think about it.

And I'm going to give her something exactly what she wants.

So everyone make your own Christmas list this year.

Something else I love about.

I mean, I remember it's just I love our mom.

Um, and we were talking about like that, that Merrick episode,

just like the importance of game dress and all this and X, Y and Z.

And our mom does such a good job making the holiday special.

And I do think one of the things that makes our holiday special

is that we dress up and I just think it would be so easy

because we just go to her house for dinner, which we do so many times

throughout the years, but like we will be like, I will be in a heeled booty

at Thanksgiving at our house, even though like the week before I was

in sweats at our house eating dinner. Yeah. Yeah.

You know, it's just like fun, I think, to make the holiday.

You know, it's the holidays.

It's the holidays as the holidays.

And if you don't know what we're saying, maybe you weren't listening

to the podcast this time last year.

Chris, during holiday season, she's always wearing a sequin.

She's always wearing a statement earring.

She's wearing them together.

She's wearing a leather pants.

She's wearing a red heel.

And why?

Because she says it's the holidays.

She says there's no, nothing is off limits when it's the holidays.

Wear the sparkles.

Wear the bling.

Because why? Yeah.

I would say like from our Thanksgiving to New Year's,

you know, she'll be going out to dinner.

Like with our dad and she'll be like, well, you know, I'm just like,

I'm going to wear this velvet pump because it's the holidays.

It's a holiday.

Yes, Cal. You just, you got a holiday.

It's a season.

So yeah, I love her.

We need to get her back on the podcast.

I just think it's been a minute.

We do.

Okay.

Well, I think we should honestly just get into this interview

because it's like so good.

Like what else could we possibly say?

So do you want to do our DWTS predictions?

Ooh, who do we think is going to win?

I'm so looking forward to the finale.

I'm having two friends over and I'm going to make Chris's

hot apple cider on the stove.

Mm hmm.

It just feels like a fun thing to sip, you know, it is a fun

thing to sip.

And you're not actually going to like catch a buzz from it,

but it's like nice to know that like there's a potential

that you could.

And it's also a good thing to have if you're not drinking

or if you don't want to drink or if you're pregnant or whatever,

because it gives you the vibe of a drink without actually a drink.

Yes.

I just feel like it's first of all, a three hour finale.

Like who are they second of all, I've never been more grateful

to live in standard or central time as I am during

dancing with the star season, because the fact that we get

to watch it from seven to nine, like we are so blessed.

Like the East Coast is eight to 10.

That's crazy.

I don't even I think the rest of the country doesn't

even get to watch it live.

So like sometimes it's just good to be in a flyover state

because we get to be on central time and that is

the best time zone.

And does anyone want to disagree?

Central time is the best time zone.

I never thought I have a take on a time zone, but like you

mountain girlies, a wolf, you Pacific time, everyone revolves

around us really, like we're never to have a meeting.

We're never waking up early.

We're never staying on late.

Like we are the perfect time zone.

So just if you have to move states or whatever and like

you're like trying to compare apples to oranges, like

consider a time zone.

Consider central time.

Consider CST is where it's at.

Totally.

OK, well, now you're ready for the episode.

Over there.

Now I'm ready for the episode.

Yeah.

OK.

All right.

You guys, hey, we just give our predictions.

We just talked about time zones.

I think it's going to be Robert.

I do.

I think it's going to be Robert, too.

And I'm good with that.

I'm good.

I would be so thrilled for Alex or Robert.

I would applaud.

I would cheer.

I would end on a happy note.

If if Elaine or Jordan or Dylan wins, I will be like

for why it should be Robert or Alex.

I saw the best reel ever.

So my hair part about dancing with the stars is the reels.

Truthfully, but Ezra did the bird theory for Robert.

Did you see that?

No, do you know what the do you know what the bird theory is?

Is that where you say I saw a bird?

Yes. No, I mean, OK.

So he told Robert I saw a bird yesterday.

Yes. And Robert was so cute.

He was like, he goes, what was the wingspan?

Did it take flight?

It is a unit.

I love him and love him.

I mean, Alex is like the biggest influencer.

Like, like she's got over four million followers.

But Robert has eight million.

He has double the followers that Alex has

and he has an international audience.

No, I think it's going to be Robert.

I think it's going to be Robert, too.

I'm fine. But whatever.

I mean, I don't know why we're predicting here

because this episode comes out on Wednesday, so we'll know by then.

And also, we're not leaving you Friday.

So I know you're like, oh, a long weekend.

Your girls aren't going to be here.

No, actually, we are.

We're trying something new where we don't leave you

when everyone else leaves you.

You know what I mean?

It's going to be so easy for us to take the week off.

Oh, thanksgiving. Not us.

Not us. We want to be the constant in your life.

We want to be the constant.

Yeah. And we're hoping our podcast

number skyrocket that day

because you have nothing else because everyone took off.

We'll see if that theory rings true.

We'll see. All right, guys.

Well, without further ado,

let's get into our interview with Merrick White.

Merrick White, welcome to the Carpool podcast.

Thank you so much.

I am so excited to be here.

We're so excited to have you.

No, you have no idea.

You're basically like, I mean, you've been.

I've brought you up probably like every episode since

we had that night at your house

because you have really like you've inspired me in such a real way.

And I'm sure you hear this a lot from women,

but I find your content in your fashion so inspiring.

And I'm just really grateful that I've been getting dressed more

and I've been wearing the clothes in my closet more.

And I mean, all I do is rip you off.

Like I don't even think for my own self.

I'm like, oh, Merrick bought that outfit.

Let me just buy the entire outfit.

Like how embarrassing is that?

It's not embarrassing.

That is exactly what I'm here for.

And it makes me so unbelievably happy.

And by the way, I just have to tell you that my team listens to your podcast.

And like I am not a good podcast listener.

I listen sporadically.

I freaking love your podcast, but I do not hit every episode.

I'll just be fully transparent with you.

But they're like, they mentioned you again today.

You've got a incident.

Of course, I have to go listen to it.

So they keep me like updated on the thing.

So they are fangirling that I'm here on the podcast today.

So we're just you're you're constantly coming up, like on the podcast

and my and Kelly's personal life.

We're just like, WWMD.

Well, Merrick do always.

We do. Yes, we do.

So I've been following you for years.

I mean, years and then it was so funny.

I saw a post like pop on my Instagram one day.

It's like, we're moving to St. Louis.

And I'm like, who moves?

First of all, who moves to St. Louis?

That was so crazy.

And now you've been here a couple of years.

We've met I think we've met twice,

which is we need to get better about that.

And how are you liking St. Louis

that you've been here a couple of years?

I love it.

So here's the story is that the company

that my husband works for is headquartered in St. Louis.

So when he started with the company

like 19 years ago, we knew that St. Louis

was a possibility if we stayed with the company.

And so we've moved several times for the company.

We started in Utah, moved to California, moved to Texas.

And he came to St. Louis a ton over the years.

I had been here one time, I think, just like passing through.

I've been at the arch.

I remember it being like a little traumatic

being a tiny egg. Totally, for sure.

And that's kind of all I knew.

Oh, we did go to the zoo and it was the middle of the summer.

Hot, super hot.

Like the surface of the sun.

So that's kind of all that I knew about St. Louis.

And so when we found out that we could potentially move here,

I'd always had it kind of in the back of my mind.

But then we flew here for like a little scouting trip.

Just my husband and I before he got the job, before we told the kids

my parents were coming into town in Texas.

And I'm like, please stay with the kids.

We're going to go on a scouting trip because we might move to St. Louis.

And I flew in and it was January.

And it looked kind of dead, sort of like Texas did.

And we love Texas so much.

And I was like, you know what, it looks enough the same.

I feel like I could be OK.

You know, it wasn't like such a stark difference.

Like I have a friend who moved from like

like Vermont or something to Arizona.

And that is like a huge difference, right?

Yeah. Dallas to St. Louis, it was OK.

It was a pretty smooth transition, actually.

And I'm loving it here.

Totally. I agree.

I use it's huge for St. Louis, like Home of Merrick White.

Like that's all I know.

Well, he's my home of car mom.

Now we can share. OK. OK, sounds good.

Which if I have to share with anybody, I'll take you guys.

You're so sweet.

OK, well, like there's there's just like so much we want to get to.

And we wanted to have you on.

I mean, you squeeze us in because there is so many

Black Friday sales coming up.

This episode's coming out Wednesday, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

And I was like, let's just get you on.

I want to get your take on a few things.

If people are shopping for themselves,

want to take advantage of some sales,

we just we thought it would be a good way to kind of

really kick off the crazy sale season.

I'd first like your take on.

I feel like this has kind of been a long time coming,

but the Black Friday sales have started so early this year.

And I actually like it.

I feel like I have more time to think,

more time to just like relax with a coffee, scroll deals,

kind of like window shop a little bit.

And I don't feel like it's all pressured on Friday, Saturday, Sunday,

Monday. What is your take on like the extended sales?

I feel the same because as an influencer,

and you guys probably feel this the same way,

like when we're the ones sharing the links,

when I'm sharing so many links, I'm not buying things myself.

I like forget to buy it and then the sale ends and I'm like,

shoot, I talked about it three times and I forgot to check out.

Things are in my cart and I forgot to actually check out, right?

So this doesn't give me more time.

I 100% agree with you.

I think it's nice.

I think it does get a little tiresome for some consumers

and followers that were talking about sales over and over and over.

And I think in the past, some retailers did like different sales

like two weeks before it was like one sale

and then the sale would kind of get better.

Yeah, I don't like that Friday, which yeah,

like, you don't want to buy two weeks before and then suddenly it's cheaper.

Two weeks later, that's so frustrating.

So I think they've gotten smarter about that.

I don't see that anymore.

And then some I'm also I'm not what I'm not loving, though,

which I mean, I get that some brands just have to do this.

But like, I love Quinn's.

I know you do, too.

And they're they're making me mad because they have like select.

They have like these flash deals and like, you don't know what day

the thing you want is going to go on sale.

And this is exhausting. Yeah.

I don't like that.

Yeah, I like to check out once from a place.

Like, I'm not paying for shipping twice.

Like, I want one order.

I want one email.

Like, I don't want to go to Quinn's five times.

Hopefully they're not a sponsor of this episode.

I don't want to check out a whole lot of times.

I want one one sale.

But but they are always good prices.

It is that's always get asked if I get a code.

I have a code or if they're going on sale.

And I mean, they're great prices anyway.

So yeah, they rarely do sales.

No, I agree.

I'm not complaining about the prices, but then I just don't like

not knowing if like I want to buy like that

another color of that boxy sweater.

Yes. Is that going on sale or is it not going on sale?

So yeah.

And I should have an in on this because I do work with them

and I have no in.

Yeah, we have they sponsor our podcast.

We have no in either.

We have no code.

Like it's just well, we do have a code, but code

but it just gets you free shipping.

So yeah, use code.

Corporal what will plug there?

What color are you going to get in the boxy sweater?

Well, I think well, I get spoilers, but I I love to spoil my team every Christmas.

And I like to make them feel like they're influencers when they get this box.

So I go big on there on my team's gifts.

And one of the things that they're getting in spoiler is a boxy sweater.

And I think I'm going to get them.

I don't I don't know what color I think I'm going to give everyone

chocolate brown because it's kind of like a chocolate brown season.

So spoilers, that's what you're getting.

That's one of one of your presents.

So fun that I get to be part of the team.

And anyone on my team listening, it's one of your presents.

But that's not all I do a similar thing for my team.

And like, I love putting together the box and then I like ship it to them

and they get to open it.

We do a team lunch.

That's so fun.

Zoom call and then everybody opens it.

So that's I love to see that too.

Yeah, spoil this.

OK, so let's I want to talk someone to talk to you about.

So one of my favorite pieces of content that you've done recently

is Merrick has this theory concept or she makes a lot of content

around getting your outfit to seven points.

And basically everything you're wearing counts as one or two points,

like one, if it's basic, two, if it's more loud.

And the goal is to get to seven.

So if it's like only at five, you need to add stuff.

If you're at like a nine, you need to take something away.

And it's really been such a fun and easy exercise to add to my getting dress routine

because I start counting on my outfits and I'm like, OK, I'm only at five.

And it's like, well, let's just wear the dang bracelet or like,

let me just throw on a scarf or let me put a belt on.

It has really helped me accessorize.

And I think making my outfits look just a little bit more polished.

I cannot get enough of it.

It's my favorite thing that you do.

Yes, I need to do more.

You told me last year together,

you're like, please do this, but I need I need to do it like once a week.

But another thing that you said to me, which I really liked the idea of,

which I hadn't thought of is that like you have the bracelet already.

You have the belt already.

You're not necessarily wearing them all the time.

This gives you more use of the things that you already own.

There's accessories that are just sitting in your drawer, sitting in your closet.

One hundred percent.

Like my bracelets have never seen the light of day so much.

They've been thrilled. It's like they're just they're just getting out more.

So I think that is like that's just been such a tangible take away.

I want to go back even a step further.

And I want to kind of hear your theory on, I mean, you do get yourself

dressed every day, and I feel like for a lot of moms, that can be really hard.

So why do you get yourself dressed?

Why do you get yourself dressed every day?

And why do you think it's important?

So my mom is somebody that got dressed every day.

And she I love that.

Your mom is the cutest, by the way.

I want to meet your mom.

You would love her like every time I see her in your content.

I'm like, we would be friends.

Yeah, but my mom got dressed every day and my mom was a stay at home mom.

She never worked and she was also a homeschool mom.

Did you know that about me? No, that's fascinating.

Fun fact about Merrick's art.

I was homeschooled all the way until I went to high school.

Then I went to public high school.

But she homeschooled all of us for all these years.

And like that is the greatest excuse to stay in your pajamas all day, right?

That your kids are all home.

You're not going out.

Like you're not running kids to school drop off or pick up.

You're not seeing anybody.

But she prioritized getting dressed every day.

And I don't know for sure that my grandma was one that got dressed every day.

I think she was kind of like more that generation wasn't like so like.

Last leisure wasn't a thing back then.

But I think that that was just important to my mom.

And she instilled that in us that even though we were going to be home all day

and just sitting on the couch or at the table doing our schoolwork,

you get dressed because it makes you feel better.

Anytime we were sick, she's like, you know, sleep, take a nap

and then go take a shower and get ready, you know.

And so it's just kind of in my blood to get dressed every day.

And and I recognize how that made me feel, how that made me act,

how that made me just like feel confident.

And so I've always done that.

I've never been a state of my pajamas all day.

Like I cannot think of a single time in my life that I've stayed in my pajamas all day.

Never. But you don't even wear like, I mean, if because I think you

like even after a workout, though, like you change out of your workout clothes

to an outfit, see, that's where I get stuck.

I'll put on leggings and I'll like put on my workout clothes.

Sometimes I even don't even work out, but that I don't always get.

I'm not always putting on a real outfit, you know.

Yeah. But you know what?

I was actually I just posted my weekly outfits, which I do most Sunday nights.

Like here's what I wore this week.

And I did one outfit where I went straight from the gym.

This was on Thursday.

I had errands to run and I was not working Thursdays or usually my day off.

So I was running errands that day and I had a doctor's appointment.

So I kept my leggings on and I swapped my shoes

to like a cuter pair of sneakers rather than my workout shoes.

And then I threw on a pullover and a cute coat and I added some earrings.

And then like you take your gym outfit.

I still have my tank underneath.

I have my leggings that I'd worn in the gym, but I like added

these extra things that made it feel like a real outfit.

So like I'm not opposed to you go to the gym and or like not even doing

your workout, just like throwing your leggings on after you get up.

But then like add a few things and make it get to your seven points, you know.

Yeah, we're adding the layers.

We're adding like a couple of accessories.

It makes you feel better.

I didn't put makeup on that day.

Doesn't matter. Put my little tinted sunscreen on.

And I just I feel better.

I act better. I feel more put together.

People respond better to that.

They do all those studies about that.

You're so right. Yeah, it's.

I think it's one of those things that feels very hard and daunting in the moment.

I mean, especially if you have young kids, like getting yourself dressed

and it feels like what's the point it's going to get thrown up on.

It's going to get this, it's going to get that.

But you will you will I've never put on clothes and felt worse.

Never had a worse day, you know, should should be that.

Should I get a tattoo of that?

I've never put on clothes and felt worse.

It's so true, though.

Like that is literally that is literally like words to live by.

You just put it on.

Why do you feel like for, let's say, the busy mom listening

who maybe wants to start getting dressed?

What are like a couple of basic pieces

that they would kind of be in their wardrobe?

Maybe they have, maybe they don't.

But like, what do you feel like are like three things that every person

needs in their wardrobe to get dressed every day?

OK, that's a great question.

I think you know, number one is a great pair of jeans.

And they're like think back in the day when jeans were like

not comfortable and you're like thinking of

do I want to put on my sweatpants or my leggings or do I want to put on my jeans?

Like they're obviously very different.

But now there's like super comfortable jeans.

Yeah. Yeah. Another plug for quints.

Those are obsessed with quince jeans.

Obsessed. They're so comfortable.

They're so they're fifty bucks and they come into four inseams.

And like that's just I cannot.

I don't even know how they're doing it.

Like it that's an insane thing to offer to people.

Yes. Yes.

So by cutting out the middleman, Spanx is a

hurt. That's bears.

Where's the where's the copy?

Where's the plug?

So jeans, I think

jeans are like the easiest thing because you can throw them on with anything else.

Totally. With your sweatshirt, with your tank top, with your t-shirt.

Yeah. Whatever.

And you can feel put together.

You add a couple of necklaces.

You add a pair of earrings.

You add a bracelet and or belt.

You instantly feel put together.

So jeans are like such a foundational thing.

And just for that busy mom that feels like,

do I want to put on jeans?

You'll feel more put together.

You'll feel better.

And they don't have to be uncomfortable.

Right.

Might make a trial and error to find the ones that are just right for you.

But like they are out there.

Comfortable jeans that make you feel great.

Is that your plug?

Is Quincy your plug?

Are there other brands that people should try that you like are comfy?

So those, I think, are

one of the comfiest that I've tried.

I also really like Everlane, but they are not quite as soft.

I really like.

Oh, well, mother jeans.

I have you guys get on mother and friend.

I just got some PR from mother.

And one of the pairs are I've been wearing them every day.

They're they're like leggings.

They're so comfortable.

And then another pair is like very stiff and I can't wear it.

So I think that it depends.

I think that they have like multiple types,

but like their soft ones are insane.

OK, they're expensive.

They are so expensive.

So I think in terms of comfort and affordability,

Spanx is top.

I think Spanx is good.

Spanx is great.

Or no, sorry, Quinn Quinn.

No, I keep thinking Spanx

because Spanx are also really comfortable,

but they're also expensive.

OK, no, yeah.

No, I do really like Spanx, too.

No, affordability and comfort.

It's good to know.

So, yeah, I mean, there's a lot of comfortable ones.

Have you guys tried the viral sweatpants jeans?

So ones that like look like that.

I know I'm going to let that trend lie.

I that's I don't need to touch that.

I'm glad that one's up for me.

But I have heard that those are great.

So, yeah, like I said, there's options out there.

There are a lot of good options that are comfortable and affordable.

I think you can get those sweatpants

jeans on Amazon, right?

Yeah. OK, so jeans would give us like two more like pieces to.

That you need.

Yes. Pull over sweater.

We're going to give a plug for Old Navy right here.

OK. Oh, yeah.

Merrick's got I've got two there.

They are really good.

They're great.

But you don't have to get Old Navy.

You get whatever you could get any kind of just pull over sweater.

I like a crew neck personally.

You could do a V neck.

You could do a whatever.

Just something that's like a basic elevated piece.

Better than your sweatshirt.

Better than your T shirt.

I'm more substantial than like more substantial

than like a long sleeve T.

Like a sweater.

Yeah. Yeah.

It's a piece that you can dress up, dress down.

It's versatile.

You can wear it with your jeans.

You can wear it with your skirt.

You can wear it with your shorts, whatever,

with your trousers, with your sweatpants.

But it feels more pulled together.

It is a basic elevated piece.

And then also, I would say a cute pair of sneakers.

OK, you're such a sneaker girl.

And I love that about you.

You are such a sneaker girl.

I am.

So I think, I mean, if you're not a sneaker girl,

you could do a ballet flat or whatever,

but like a nicer pair of shoes than your flip flop or your workout shoe.

All right. What's the what's the brands that you like?

I really like Gola a lot.

Cool. I have one of those.

I buy those anthropology cells, those.

Yeah. Everton sells them.

Northstrom sells them.

They have a bunch of different retailers.

I really like Adidas.

Adidas is having a total moment.

And some of my Adidas are very unsupportive.

Some are more supportive.

So, you know, it depends.

It's like your mother jeans, some are comfortable, some are not.

Yeah. But Adidas, I like.

I still like my golden goose.

They're expensive.

They were trendy.

They were kind of like a shoot for a while, but I still wear mine.

Um, yeah, those are kind of my top.

OK, I think that's good.

I like Ross.

Steve Madden. Steve Madden makes great sneakers.

OK, good to know.

I'm writing all these down.

I'm going to make I'm going to link all of this stuff

in our in our show notes so everyone can shop, can shop this.

You don't have to write it down.

I'm doing it for you.

OK, but like in versatility,

I think all three of those pieces you can wear together.

Right. OK.

So, you know, sneakers,

but you can also wear the sneakers

with your lounge set or your leggings.

Like I did to the doctor and running errands, you know,

that you like throw on the cute pair of sneakers

and it makes the outfit feel less like you just left the gym

and more like it's a purposeful outfit.

Yeah, so let's sneaker with a skirt or not scared of that.

And I love that about you, too.

You're always you're always wearing sneakers for the skirt.

It's so cute.

Yeah, it's like my favorite thing during the summer.

It's just like a way to like make your outfit

feel a little more casual.

And what about let's talk a little bit about

another piece of content that I really love that you do

is you're big on color and you're big on like pairing unexpected colors.

And I think a lot of other like fashion bloggers,

like they're so into the neutrals

and I don't see a lot of people sharing color,

but not in a too eclectic over the top kind of way.

I know that styles for some, but like that style is not for me.

I like to dress simply.

But I get bored of the neutrals and you're throwing together burgundy and red

like two colors that shouldn't go together and teach people how to style it.

So what about some of your favorite like unexpected color combos?

So I did a whole series in the fall of like fall color combinations.

And it was so fun because I have all these fall colors in my in my closet.

But like I would be wearing the burgundy sweater with jeans

or the burgundy sweater with like gray, you know, like anybody can do that.

But then I started pairing these pieces together like the burgundy and the red

or the or the plum dark plum like you're wearing Liz at are you wearing brown?

It's kind of like it's like a brown plum, actually.

I think you're right on that. Yeah.

Yeah, like the plum and rust.

I wore that last week.

Like, I don't I don't know.

It's fun. I think that wearing your clothes in your closet is just

like you're buying the clothes. So wear the clothes. 100 percent.

We're all like we're all saving.

I feel like we all get in the habit of like saving our outfits for what?

Like, like, I am so bad about that.

It's like, oh, I just like need an excuse to wear this dress.

It's like, we'll just wear it on the Tuesday.

Like, what if you just wore it?

Yeah, clothes are meant to be worn. I know.

That's right. I love I love the way that you share those color combos.

And it's also helped, I think, extend.

I think what you're really mindful of is like the consumers

or is your followers money for lack of better words.

You're like, hey, if you're going to buy this dress,

like, I'm going to make sure you're going to get your wear out of it.

Like, I'm going to show you all the different ways to wear this

chartreuse sweater or I even love another piece of content that I love

was you sold me on the Somerset dress.

I now have two of them and you need to do this again.

But you did a style on how to wear the Somerset dress year round.

Oh, yeah. OK.

I need to do that again.

You like threw a sweater over the top.

Like, that was so cute.

And it's like, if you're going to buy this $150 dress,

like, Mary's going to make sure you're wearing it all season.

Yes. Yes.

You're not so.

Yeah. Yeah.

And the other thing about fashion for me is like the creativity part of it.

Like, we're all getting dressed every day.

We have to wear clothes every day.

So like, why not?

Why not have some fun and some creativity with it?

And like, I I love Pinterest.

I love looking on Pinterest and I'm very drawn to all of those

like fashion girly pictures of the neutrals.

Yeah, like they look so like chic and clean.

And and then I put it on and I'm like, this feels so not me.

It feels so boring.

Like, I want to be creative with my outfits and challenge myself.

And so that's why I do these little personal challenges.

Like, what color combinations can I do?

And going back to your question,

what's my favorite color combination?

Chartreuse and burgundy.

Yeah.

I am loving and I've done it in so many different ways.

And for me, I'm doing it like maybe a little more bold,

like the chartreuse sweater and then like a burgundy skirt together.

Like, that's two big bold colors together.

But like, whenever I talk about it,

I say you could do this in a really small way.

Throw on a little neck scarf that has a little pop of that color.

Like, you don't have to do full color on the top and full color on the bottom.

Like, that's not the only way to do this color combination.

Or that's interesting or your shoes or your shoelaces

or a bracelet or your earrings, whatever.

Like you can throw these little color combinations in.

Yeah, that's interesting.

I feel like more doable.

Merrick, what do you say to the mom in the small town

who's like, I would feel ridiculous throwing a neck scarf on

and like going about my day?

Like, what do you what do you think about that?

OK, here's the thing about doing anything

is that you don't get good at it until you do it multiple times.

Like the confidence doesn't come by itself.

The confidence comes from doing the thing, right?

You have to ride the bike for multiple times

before you feel confident riding a bike.

You don't feel confident the first time you get on the bike.

You feel a little silly the first time you ride the bike.

You feel a wobbly.

Right. And it's the same thing with fashion.

And like, I totally get it.

And I get messages like that from people all the time.

Like my friend group always just was wearing like leggings

or pajamas or whatever, like nobody's dressing up for this.

And I'm like, you know what?

Like you do you if you feel like you want to dress to their level.

No judgment for me.

Do your thing. I don't care.

I like to get dressed and dress up because it's fun for me.

And it makes me feel great.

But like if they want to do it, do it.

And guess what? High tide rises all boats, right?

So like if they see you dressing up and you could do it maybe like in stages,

like add the next scarf to like your more simple outfit, right?

You're doing like a basic sweater and you're doing jeans that feel safe,

that feels comfortable, you add a little accessory, right?

It's like baby steps.

And then your friends see it and then maybe they start doing it.

And then you can like raise it again.

Yeah, I love that.

You don't have to just if you're hearing this and you're like maybe centering

yourself and like feeling bad, like let's say your postpartum

or you're just like not fully in the stage of your life to like

wear the next scarf in the earrings and the bracelet and all the things.

It's like like you said, baby steps.

And I loved your example of the leggings because I think that a lot

of us when we're going through like a lot of our listeners have young kids.

So it's like maybe your postpartum like the jeans aren't fitting.

Wear the leggings and you can still you can still elevate it.

But also like if you're not in that stage of your life where you physically

can't do it, like don't feel bad about yourself either.

Like I don't want anyone to hear this and be like, well, I can't do it.

Like that's that's OK.

Yes, it's baby steps.

It's there will be a stage in your life where you where you can do this if you want.

Yes. And that's if you want.

Yeah, it's forcing you to dress up and and wear all the fashion things.

Like if you want to do it, I love to do it.

It fulfills me.

It it makes me happy.

It's not for everybody.

Do you believe in color theory?

Like getting your colors matched. Yeah. OK.

Yes, sort of.

I'm not yet done.

I think that it's a very cool idea because

I do put on some colors and I'm like, oh, I can tell that this doesn't look

good on me or like I used to have blonde in my hair for like

twenty five years.

And then just recently I went like full brunette and I was like,

this looks much better on my skin than the blonde ever did.

And I like remember getting my blonde done and I'd be like, oh, I love it.

And then I would like see a picture and I'm like, it just doesn't look quite right.

And I didn't like right.

So like color theory, I think can be so helpful.

But I don't think it's an end.

I'll be all. Yeah, that's the thing that the thing that people get stuck on

is like, this is my color or these are my colors and I can only wear these colors.

I can't wear these colors.

You can wear whatever you want.

Just know that some colors are going to work better for your skin tones,

your hair colors than others.

And I think that that's empowering, but it doesn't have to be like the final answer.

We have done it.

And transparently, I didn't I didn't I didn't love it.

Oh, well, I didn't love it.

But I just found I'm kind of with you like I know what colors

I look good in. Yeah.

And it was like, so I get that, like, sure, I am.

I don't know what we're realists.

We were the same. We were summer summers.

So we're like these, which I like how I look in summer colors,

but I also think sometimes I'll put on I just know,

like, I don't think you need to get it done.

Yeah, I don't think personally, I just didn't find.

I just didn't find it that helpful, I guess.

It didn't change my life.

OK, I haven't like changed.

I didn't get rid of anything and I haven't.

I don't really pay attention.

I like to wear blue.

So blue is a color I wear.

I wear blue. I think it's for some people.

I think people who like love rules and just like really like

that's it's for them.

There was a level when we first got it done

that I felt more confident when I was ordering stuff online

because I'm like, oh, this should look good on me.

This is a color that I have never tried before.

It's and it's supposed to look good on me.

I like ditched to the book that they gave us.

Like, I have no idea.

I've never thought about it since the week after we did it.

Same. So that's so that's our little.

Yeah, that's our.

Did they say anything about your hair color or your makeup?

Because that's what I think is the most.

Yes, they said they said we should be using brown mascara, not black.

OK, and they also the personal attack was that we should be wearing

silver jewelry and not gold.

And I will just like I think that's crazy.

I think jewelry is interchangeable.

But they didn't say anything about our hair,

but we also don't have color in our hair.

So that would have been like a real bummer.

She was like, you need highlights.

So OK, so just before before we go.

Well, two questions.

First, I want to know, Merrick,

like for the people Black Friday shopping, like, is there anything?

Like, what do you think?

What are you? What's on your list?

Like, what do you think would make a great gift?

Like, what's a good thing for someone who may be to ask for for Christmas?

Like, I feel like sometimes that's like my mom,

she's asking me what I want for Christmas.

I'm like, I have no idea.

I don't know.

OK, so two things, two big sales

that I think are worth checking out.

One is banks.

And I know you guys are Spanx girlies.

We are Spanx girlies.

And everything's like 50 or not 50.

Everything's 30 percent off, I think.

But then they have a lot.

They have like daily deals.

And I just saw that pop up this morning.

And so I haven't really looked into it.

But I'm excited about a daily deal again.

Is this going to be a quinsting

where you're like having to place more scissors?

I don't know.

Maybe that's going to be obnoxious.

But the Spanx lounge sets are like.

So great.

That's what I'm wearing right now.

That was great.

And I love that they come in tall.

And yes, they love extended sizes.

Yeah.

So that's great.

And they've really extended what clothes they have.

It's not just like shapewear or loungewear anymore.

They have dresses.

They have jumpsuits.

I tried on a jumpsuit the other day.

It is so cute.

And it has that split in the back.

If you try that one.

Yeah, I know what one that is.

I have that one.

Yeah, it's so good.

The mock neck with the castley.

Oh, yeah, I just got that one.

Yeah.

So cute.

I think I might wear that for Thanksgiving.

It's so good.

OK, so that.

And then also Omni Luxe.

You guys tried the red light mask.

Oh, I do have one.

I don't think it's Omni Luxe though.

OK.

So Omni Luxe is on sale.

OK.

And it's like a tiered sale.

But that is something like if your mom or your husband

or whoever is like wanting a big ticket item,

I've had multiple husbands texting me this week.

OK, my wife is talking about this thing.

What is this?

Send me the link.

Is it worth it?

Because everybody's saw us about the Omni Luxe mask.

I use it every day.

It contours your face and helps with fine lines,

helps with brightness, helps with dark spots,

helps with crepey skin, like all these things.

The red light masks work.

They really do.

They do.

They're worth the hype, I think.

OK.

And the other thing is that they have men's masks.

And I think that I might get one for my husband.

And I have friends that are getting them for their husbands,

too, specifically for men because apparently men

have tougher skin.

So it creates a little more.

So that's like a big ticket item for my friends.

Will my husband use it?

I hope.

Yeah.

I mean, it's good, but we're all getting older,

so why not help a guy out?

My husband will use it.

We haven't touched on last, sorry, second to last question.

We haven't touched on jewelry.

Where are some of your favorite go-to places,

like just for every day or maybe slightly elevated jewelry?

Because I think that's sometimes so hard.

I want something that's good quality,

but I don't need real gold.

Yes.

OK, so cheapest option target

is always my go-to.

They do have good.

I mean, is it going to last forever?

No, but you're paying like $10, $12

for a pair of earrings, statement earrings,

like they have good ones.

OK, my favorite everyday jewelry is Miranda Frye.

It's like, well, I've heard of Miranda Frye.

I don't have anything, though.

OK, I don't have them on today,

but usually I will put them on later when I put my watch

on.

But I have three or four bracelets

that I'll wear every single day.

They're the cuff bracelets, so they're not stretchy.

They don't catch on your arm hair and pull it all day,

which is annoying.

But they're also sized.

They have different sizes, so they're not flopping around

because they're too big.

You know what I mean?

Yes.

And then because they're a cuff, they clasp,

and then they have a little hook

so they don't come unclasped during the day.

Yeah, these are nice.

These are really nice.

Designs.

Seriously, I think I have five of them,

and I just kind of rotate which ones I'm wearing.

They're my favorite.

I wear them literally every day.

OK, I love this.

I'm obsessed.

This is a tangible takeaway.

These are really, really nice.

There are so many tangible takeaways.

I'm so excited about this.

I'm swimming in tangible takeaways.

OK, last tangible takeaway we need from Merrick

is after a long day of like putting together

chartreuse and burgundy outfits,

you have three kids, three boys.

What are you feeding them for dinner?

So I'm a dinner mom.

I make dinner almost every night.

But if we're in a super time crunch

and I have not prepped something in the crock pot

or whatever, it's a grilled cheese sandwich.

Yeah.

And I'll throw it.

We don't hear a lot of that.

OK, I wonder if that's been to that.

No, we actually, I don't know if that's ever

been like a ditch to the drive-thru.

It hasn't been.

OK, so here is the way that I make the grilled cheese

that my children love.

Brioche bread from Trader Joe's.

It's like that's thick.

It's usually I'll use it to make French toast.

Have you had that one?

Oh, yeah, uh-huh.

So good.

It's like sweet and hip cut.

So you do the two pieces of that

with two pieces of cheddar cheese

and you put it in the microwave

so that the cheese melts.

You do like 30 seconds or 45 seconds in the microwave

so the cheese is melty.

Then you put the butter in the pan

and you just do like a quick brown the bread.

And then it's perfect.

I've never heard of this.

I've never heard of cheese in the microwave.

I find that if you cook the grilled cheese in the pan

and you're waiting for the cheese to melt,

then the bread gets too brown or like too burnt.

And so you've got to pre-melt the cheese

and then all you have to do is like a quick little

buttery crisp on the bread and then it's perfect.

Merrick, that might be your hottest takeaway

of this entire episode.

That sounds crazy.

But I haven't tried it.

I'll try it.

It took me time.

But you've got to do, I mean, brioche bread,

that brioche bread is already super buttery, right?

Yeah.

You just got to do the butter in the pan anyway

and then it's like the perfect little crust.

Even just the butter in the pan

because when you butter an untoasted piece of bread,

you're getting holes in it, it's getting gross.

Like I always put butter on the bread

before I put it in the pan.

No, why are we doing that?

Why are we just putting it in the pan?

Yeah, that's such a better idea.

My mind is blown.

Yeah.

And then you do the cheese pull.

My kids always do the cheese pull fast.

Yum.

OK, that's a great dish to drive through.

Thank you.

Thank you for this whole episode.

Like, we're so grateful you squeezed us in.

Everyone needs to go follow Merrick's Art.

And you will not regret it.

I mean, you are my favorite.

You're like my, I honestly probably

should unfollow you because I'm spending a lot of money

lately because I'm always just like.

But what I told Liz, one of my favorite things about you

is like, I know if I buy something from your link,

you are going to show it multiple times.

Like I just know you're going to make sure I get my wear out

of it and that I appreciate.

It's not just this like, you know, consumerism, new arrivals.

OK, now you're never going to be aware of this again.

Like you won't shut up about some stuff.

No, you're very consistent.

You're very consistent.

Like you're buying from the same place as you're posting.

All of your fashion is all very the same vibe too.

So like if you buy one thing,

you're going to style, if not that exact sweater,

something similar.

Yes, agree, Elizabeth.

Yeah, you're very, you're an excellent fellow.

And we're so happy that you moved to St. Louis

and we're just so excited to be friends with you.

We do need to have more.

Literally our night of hanging out,

I I talked your ear off like the entire night.

It was so fun.

It was so fun hanging out with you guys every single week.

Well, you know what's next for us is you need.

I mean, we you need to go car shopping.

We need to go car shopping together.

OK, we actually should because I am buying a new car in three.

I know you are.

I know we have to get started.

Yes, let's do it.

I will take you around to St. Louis.

I got the keys to all the dealerships.

Wherever you want to go, we have a connection

and we'll just I will be your salesperson.

It'll be so fun.

This is the best news ever.

I why had I not thought of this?

I'm so excited.

OK, but also because I could just chat with you guys

all day.

You guys are one of my favorite follows too.

Like I your condom is legitimately so good.

And I just have to say I love the new like where the color

that the car is.

I think that's really fun.

You know, and so we should do a collab on that.

Like I used to be really into styling my outfit to the car.

So I thought it was fun.

And like I'm just here to make cars fun.

Yeah.

So yeah, I'm getting.

Yeah, we'll see.

We need to do more.

But anyway, we'll let you run because I know

I'm sure you're so busy with it being Thanksgiving week.

Thank you for squeezing us in.

Of course.

Everyone go follow Merrick.

Thanks, Merrick.

This is like the biggest comment.

Thank you for listening to the carpool podcast

with Kelly and Liz.

Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode.

And if you enjoyed riding with us, tell everybody you know

there's room in the car for everyone.

WHY @merricksart GETS DRESSED EVERYDAY

Dodge Omni

Ford Contours

About this episode

Original notes