It’s early morning and Renée, Meghan and I are walking around the Amtrak station on Callahan Drive, across from the George Washington Masonic Memorial. It’s fairly quiet, with a few folks sitting inside on the benches, glancing up at the screens to see when their train will arrive. As a frequent traveler, Meghan spends a lot of time here. “I take it to Richmond, to NYC…you can pretty much take it anywhere on the East Coast,” she says.

As she and Renée test the light and various angles outside near the tracks, my intuitive mom voice kicks in: “Where’s the third rail? Be careful, don’t lean back too far. Don’t put your bag down over there – germs!”

Since I began working with Meghan in August (she’s Stylebook’s marketing and social media manager), what I’ve enjoyed most about our relationship is the reverse mentorship. I may be twenty years older, but every day there is a knowledge exchange, and when we’re all together, age is irrelevant. We’re just a couple girls having fun and creating content that promotes the city we all love: Alexandria.

Meghan is a local, local. She was born and raised in Alexandria, attended St. Mary’s for elementary through middle school and graduated from Bishop Ireton in 2019. Last summer, she graduated from James Madison in Harrisonburg, VA, where she studied communications with a PR focus. She’s also incredibly grateful for the summer she studied abroad in London, receiving a minor in British media and communications. 

Marketing is in her blood. Her parents are both marketing experts and met while working in this field. Her father, Bob, is from Michigan and her mother, Mary, is from Ohio. “They’re both really creative people, and that has helped me in every aspect of my life. If I need their guidance – they’re in-the-know. But not on TikTok…although my dad did have one of those Ring camera lights for calls during the pandemic.” 

Meghan shares, “I had a very happy childhood, and was involved in a lot of sports including Fort Hunt Lacrosse and Fort Hunt Basketball. Everyone is interconnected here, and I’ve seen it even more since I began working for Alexandria Stylebook. Sometimes, I’ll see one of my mom’s friends featured in a story. I feel like I was super in-the-dark about a lot of what goes on in Alexandria. Since joining, I’ve learned so much, especially about the small businesses. I used to only go into Old Town for the restaurants and dining, which has gotten so much better since I was a kid, by the way. But now I know all these female, locally-owned businesses…places that I would actually shop at.”

She says her parents, “are adventurous and love to travel all over the world. I’ve been traveling on planes since I was an infant. It’s something I love, too. My room has these art canvas pictures from all over…Greece, Spain, Japan. My parents have taken us (she has an older brother, Trey) everywhere. This also encouraged me to study abroad and to experience new things. I went not knowing anyone else, which was a little nerve-racking. Looking back, I wouldn’t have done it any other way, because it pushed me to branch out.”

When I ask where she wants to return, she quickly replies “The South of France…,” pauses and adds, “Japan, Tokyo and Kyoto. I went there when I was in high school, and I would appreciate it a lot more now. It was very cool, but I didn’t realize just how unique it was. At the time, I was not happy with the plane ride…it was very long.”

For fun, Meghan loves to grab drinks and dinner in Old Town or Arlington. “I’m a big shopper and I’ve really grown into my own style since graduating college. At school, many fell into social norms and what everyone else was wearing. I loved college and had a great time, but I feel like I’ve been able to grow so much more as a person since graduation…both emotionally and mentally.”

As for her style, she says she pieces together a few outfits in her head before going to bed and tries them on in the morning. “My mother started off in fashion merchandising, so she has certainly instilled a lot of style in me. I have finally started taking her advice.” 

I also make a discovery: Meghan likes to sing! “I’m always down for karaoke…after a cocktail or two. I’m a little shy. I’ve been to the Rocket Grill on King Street, but I’ve yet to get myself up on stage. My dad’s a really good singer. We used to appear in plays and musicals at the Little Theatre of Alexandria when I was much younger. My dad always had the big main character parts.” This summer Meghan’s traveling to Nashville with her boyfriend to see Zach Bryan perform. Maybe an open mic night is in her future?

Check out Meghan’s Street Style:

ABOUT MEGHAN

Neighborhood: Wilton Woods

What is your hometown? Alexandria!

What would surprise people about you?  I don’t drink coffee, but I LOVE coffee-flavored things (especially ice cream).

Favorite movie: Zero Dark Thirty or Marley & Me…two ends of the spectrum.

Guilty Pleasure: Horizon chocolate milk.

Latest binge-watch: Sex and the City is an all-time favorite, but looking for new recommendations!

Bucket list travel destination: African safari.

STYLE

Define your style in three words or less: Modern classic.

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: A good quality pair of jeans.

Favorite trend: Hmmm… currently the denim maxi skirt.

Beauty product you can’t live without: Face moisturizer.

Boots, sandals or sneakers? Depends on the season. Right now I'd have to say boots, but I do love myself a colorful pair of sneakers or sandals.

WELLNESS

Go-to way to de-stress: A longggg walk or self-care night at home.

Most fun way to stay active: Run/walk on the beach.

Wellness goal: Learning how to sleep better at night.

Want to try: Running a half-marathon.

Proudest wellness achievement: Getting 10,000 steps (almost) every day.

HOME

Favorite room in your home: My bedroom! It’s my zen space after a long day.

Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix of both.

Last item bought for your home: A new rug for my bedroom.

Favorite way to entertain: Drinks and catching up with some friends.

Clutter-free or well-lived in? Clutter-free. Clean space = clean mind.

Next planned purchase: A bigger closet… lol.

ALEXANDRIA

What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? It has opened my eyes to all of the amazing female entrepreneurs and businesses here in Old Town. I was so in the dark before!

Favorite spot in Alexandria: Any restaurant by the waterfront during the summer.

Your go-to shop: Anthropologie or Penny Post for all of their amazing holiday cards.

Best food spot: Landini Brothers, definitely.

Favorite local organization: ACT for Alexandria

Favorite annual Alexandria event: Alexandria Warehouse Sale.

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