It is hard for me to talk about Meaghan without first talking about her sweet husband, Tim. I met Tim when he became co-owner of Lawrence Miller many years ago when The Shoe Hive was on Royal Street and he was my neighbor.To say that the arrival of Tim caused a stir would be a mild understatement. Women would come in after being at his store and gush about how handsome he was. I then started to call him “The Old Town Heartthrob.” He was as sweet as he was handsome and you had to wonder how could anyone ever match up to this adorable guy.A few years down the road I was introduced to Meaghan, and immediately knew he had met his match.As you can see in the photos, Meaghan is strikingly beautiful. Walking up to them together is like stepping into a three-dimensional Ralph Lauren glossy magazine ad. But beyond good looks they both have a genuine kindness and gentle ease about them.Of all the people I have ever met, Meaghan has that Parisian “je ne sais quoi” that we all try to emulate. The problem is it can’t be emulated; you either have it or you don’t. Once again as you see in the photos, she has it.So fast forward, Tim and Meaghan are married and have a beautiful baby (obviously) and now they have become business partners. Meaghan was always involved in the business but now her presence will be even greater. Since she became involved, she upgraded the space and brought a notch of elegance to the surroundings.Her style represents to me what Alexandria & Co is all about. They create timeless, beautiful pieces that just have a calm confidence about them. Just like Meaghan.

Meaghan is wearing clothing and shoes from The Hive and The Shoe Hive | Jewelry by Alexandria and Company and &Co. | Makeup by Bellacara | Photography by Sarah Marcella Creative

ABOUT YOU

How do you spend your time? Building my husband’s and my small business and chasing my toddler around Old Town. Sleep, rinse, repeat. Throw in a hike when I’m lucky.

Neighborhood: Old TownHow long have you lived in Alexandria: Going on eight years! This is the longest I have lived anywhere, aside from my childhood home.What is your hometown? Danville, Illinois, by way of Medford, New Jersey. I consider myself a Midwesterner at heart but my elitist view of Italian food and fast-walking skills are definitely from the latter part of my life.What brought you to Alexandria? My best friend and I initially moved to Arlington when we came to the D.C. area after college and we lived off of Columbia Pike, which was cheap but not exactly fun. We were planning to move to D.C. but browsed some places in Old Town upon recommendation from this guy I was dating at the time (nothing serious, he just became my husband). The perfect little townhouse popped up and we decided to move here instead of across the river, and here I am eight years later.What would surprise people about you? Most of our friends and family forget that Tim, my son, and I are all pescetarians. Tim hasn’t had meat in more than ten years; I haven’t had meat in close to eight, Nolan has never had it!You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? Successfully ghosting out of any social situation I want, without giving the impression of being rude.Favorite cocktail: A good gin & tonic with some kind of savory shrub.Last book read or movie seen: Book: Collected Stories by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (perfect length for pre-bed reading); Movie: Get Out (so, so good)Guilty Pleasure: Oyster and mac n’ cheese lunch dates with my son at Hank’sPhrase you overuse: “Bu, your hair is everywhere.” (Bu is my 10-year-old yellow lab)Facebook or Instagram? Instagram. I don’t even have Facebook anymore!Latest binge-watch: The DeuceBucket list travel destination: There are so many. This is actually how I spend my time, I sit around and fantasize where I want to travel next, I look up hotels, flights, AirBnBs…just yesterday I looked up flights to Kigali, Rwanda and seriously contemplated a four-day solo trip to visit a friend… still contemplating…Otherwise, in order of where we’re (hopefully) going next:1) Cayman Islands with my family for serious resting and relaxation2) Japan3) Kerala, India for backwater houseboating4) Marrakesh, Morocco5) Portugal in a van6) Iceland for camping during the summer7) Italy for a luxurious extended stay in a villa (one can dream)If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? This is a really mean question. I guess coffee and I would learn to make some really good savory cocktails.  

FASHION

 Define your style in three words or less: Textural, leather, classicThe go-to piece in your wardrobe: Faded, black, quilted high-rise skinny jeans with zippers on the anklesFavorite trend ever: High-rise pantsFavorite current trend: High-rise pantsBeauty product you can’t live without: Rilastil “Aqua” face moisturizer from Bellacara – I use this religiously and my formerly perpetually dry skin has remained soft all winter.Favorite fragrance: Fresh airHeels or flats? On a daily basis, definitely flats (sturdy boots, in fact) since our shop is a workshop and it’s messy in there. Anytime I can wear heels though, I take the opportunity. 

HOME

 Favorite room in your home: My son’s bedroom, which used to be my bedroom before he stole it from me.Antiques, modern, or a mix? A mix. My personal style is definitely more modern but we have beautiful pieces from our families that we have kept in our small home and they definitely keep things from getting too stale. 

FITNESS

 Your go-to work-out: Barre3! I feel like I’m drinking the Kool-Aid of excited motivational exercise every time I go – it is totally the opposite of my personality in so many ways – but I dig it.Most fun way to exercise: Swimming, hiking, anything outside.  

ALEXANDRIA

 Favorite spot in Alexandria: No favorite spot per se, but walking around the neighborhood in the late spring at night when all the flowering trees are in bloom is the reminder of why I live here.Last purchase in Alexandria: Christophe Robin Prickly Pear Shampoo from Bellacara – two thumbs up for thatBest coffee / happy hour / date night spot: Captain Gregory’sFavorite charity: AWLA and The Carpenter’s Shelter