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style + work

Background facts

 

Job title and industry:

 

Evening anchor at NBC Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas  (5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts)

 

What initially drew you towards working in the media?

 

I grew up in Charleston, SC and I watched a woman named Leslie Lyles on the local NBC station. I can still hear her voice and see her eyes as she connected with me every night. The way she told the day’s stories with this unique ability to make me care about my community at a young age was captivating. Leslie had the magic and I became a news junkie.

 

What or who had the biggest impact on your career as a defining moment?

 

Hurricane Floyd, a Category 4 hurricane launched my TV career. I was 22 years old, working behind-the-scenes at the NBC station in Charleston, SC. I was green green green!  I volunteered to cover traffic on the interstate as people evacuated the peninsula. Floyd missed Charleston, but the hours people sat on the interstate became the big story. A local radio station labeled me, “hurricane hottie” and I was mortified because I desperately wanted to be taken seriously, but the general manager offered me a full-time reporter job after that.

 

Do you have a role model in your profession that has influenced your work?

 

I was Amy Robach’s (anchor, Good Morning America) intern one summer in South Carolina. I was completely in awe of this 25 year old woman who didn’t take no for an answer and stopped at nothing to get a story. She was the first career-strong female influence in my life. We are good friends today.

 

How did your parents influence your career?

 

I lived with them for the first few years out of college because I couldn’t afford an apartment. I made $20K a year. They believed in me and told me to be myself. I still believe that’s the best piece of advice I’ve been given.

 

What are you most excited about in your career now?

 

I have a “wish list” of people that I want to interview. People from all walks of life. That excites me.

 

Who or what do you believe has been a strong influence of your personal style at work?

 

I’ve had to learn the hard way what looks good on TV and what looks horrendous. NBC provides a wardrobe consultant who is brutally honest and sometimes it hurts, but she’s always right.

 

 

 

Dress code

 

How does dressing for work as a TV news anchor work?

Does the station have a stylist that provides wardrobe

choices - and you select from those options what you

would like to wear? Or do you pre-shop with a stylist

for those options?

 

I mainly shop online because my free time is limited.

Our consultant sends pictures and links of current

styles, clothing and jewelry. (She likes ear crawlers,

which I love!)

 

How do you have your wardrobe organized in

your closet?

 

My work attire is color coordinated. I'm a dork. A few

years ago I got into a habit of wearing the same color

all week. Some weeks I would wear green every day,

others all red - not on purpose! It was strange. So I

try to mix it up.

 

Is there a certain dress style that you prefer?

 

I look best with a sleeve, a cinched waist, a straight skirt and a pair of Spanx - always!

 

And then, how do you determine what you’re going to wear on the news each day? Does the potential gravity of some news impact your decision on color or style that you select? Are you concerned with repeating colors too often?

 

News is unpredictable. We always say, ‘you don’t want to have a serious news event, like a terrorist attack, and be wearing pale pink with ruffles.’ I try to steer away from the pastels. The day of the Fort Hood shootings, I was in an oatmeal colored, baby doll-style sweater dress.  It was a bad choice. Brian, my co-anchor, and I still reference the “oatmeal sack” that I wore on that serious news day.

 

AND (yes I’m sure you expected this question, but …) do you try to color coordinate with what Brian Curtis is wearing (at least his tie) or not really?

 

Ha! We coordinate a lot and not on purpose. We’ve been together for

13 years, so I guess we think alike. He is an impeccable dresser. Brian

is a great example that classic is always best.

 

What do you usually wear into and around the newsroom (when you

are not on air)?

 

I keep an old beat up pair of UGG slippers under my desk and wear

them at night. I always have my puffer coat on, because I am

always cold.

 

What is something you wear that instills more confidence on days

you need it most?

 

Heels & concealer.

 

Where do you shop for your work wardrobe (and when do you find

the time)?

 

I mostly shop online but I’ll pop in the Trina Turk, Tory Burch and

DVF stores in Dallas. I have a friend who works at the

CH Carolina Herrera outlet and she sends me pictures of clothes

that are deeply discounted.

 

What are your favorite brands for clothes, shoes, and accessories?

 

Clothes: Tory Burch, J. Crew, Zara, Topshop, DVF, Trina Turk

Shoes:  J.Crew, Tory Burch, Forty Five Ten

Accessories:  Gilt.com

 

What is on your wish list (clothes/accessories)?

 

Summer is approaching and I want a Marysia swimsuit.

 

What type of daily tote/bag do you carry for work, and what's inside?

 

Celine. I need something sizable for all of my “special effects” at work. Makeup case, brush, hair spray, dry shampoo, Dior Sunglasses, AERIN Rose Hand and Body Cream my friend Lana gave me,  MAC lipstick, Sole Serum (miracle serum for foot pain), two iPhones (1 work, 1 personal), Extra gum, Key chain with pic of my little angels, work I.D.

 

What is something that you wear that instills more confidence on days when you are not quite feeling yourself?

 

I love wearing a bold, bright color. It makes me feel more confident.

 

Lipstick or Lip Gloss? What are your go-to brands and shades?

 

Lipstick. For work: MAC Matte in YASH, plus Spice lip pencil. In my real life… MAC Lipstick in Blankety.

 

What is the most important part of your beauty routine that you feel helps complete your look?

 

I got really serious about taking care of my skin a couple of years ago and have a lengthy, twice a day routine. My mother is my inspiration. She looks incredible and it’s because she has taken care of her skin over the years.

 

What's your manicure style? What brands/shades are your favorite?

 

I am boring in this arena. Bubble Bath gel manicure most of the time. Colored

nails jump off of the screen. When I hang up the microphone one day, I will

have colored nails and VERY blonde hair.  ;)

 

What is your “must-have” product for your great hair?

 

My hair is very fine and I don’t have a lot of it. It’s a source of frustration. The gals

at ERA Salon taught me how to effectively use products to make it appear thicker.

Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray is a miracle solution. I also use the

Plumping Mousse by Oribe and a Texturizing Spray.

 

What is your approach to jewelry? Do you have standard “go to” pieces that you

wear on the air most of the time, or do you mix it up?

 

I try to mix it up and I don’t wear expensive jewelry on air because I get hairspray

all over everything. I get so many nice messages when I wear these pearl and

diamond (CZ) ear jackets.

 

Who are your favorite jewelry designers currently?

 

I love Meira T’s necklaces. I am a huge Ebayer and buy a lot of second hand jewelry

there. I am watching over 200 items at any given time. It’s a problem.

 

 

 

 

 

Daily commute

 

What do you do prior to your working hours that

helps you to prepare for the day/evening ahead?

 

I always say, ‘I never close’ - and it’s true. I’m

connected to news all day through push alerts

on the NBCDFW app and twitter.  I try to spin

twice a week and go to pilates classes here and

there. When I do, my mind is sharper and I have

energy that carries me through the evening.

 

What is your favorite morning beverage?

 

My friend Natalie got me hooked on water mixed

with chlorophyll, vitamin C and prebiotic fiber first

thing in the morning.

 

Do you have a favorite song/artist/playlist/audio

book that you listen to while driving to the station?

 

I am all over the map. I listen to Howard Stern on

the way home at night (sorry Mom) because he is

a master interviewer. Lately I‘ve been listening to

podcasts when I am alone. Alec Baldwin has some

good interviews. Or I will listen to TED Talks. Some

days it’s Rihanna.

 

 

 

Workday

 

What does a typical workday look like for you?

 

We have a 2 p.m. editorial meeting each day and

then I am involved in reading and writing scripts

for the 5 & 6 p.m. newscasts. It takes me about

30 minutes to do hair/makeup –I do it myself.

Then at 7 p.m. we have an editorial meeting for

the late newscast. I usually write a web article

while eating dinner at my desk (Snap Kitchen

meals to go) and then I am highly involved in the

10 p.m. newscast until it ends at 10:35 p.m. I am

home most nights by 11:30 p.m.

 

What kinds of things do you do for work?

 

I anchor three shows a day and report in the field

as interviews come up. I always have five or six

“lines in the water” (interview requests) that I’m

working with various people. I love this part of

my job. I shine the most when I listen and tell

people’s stories.

 

What essentials do you have when you go to into meetings at the station or to perform an interview?

 

My iPad, a high definition powder on my face that cuts the shine (by Kett Cosmetics) and hairspray for “flyaways.”

 

Do you have a pre-show routine that you do before going live?

 

When I first started in the news business, my Mom told me not to become desensitized.  Whenever I would get anxious early on she would tell me to say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” to myself. I still do that when stories are hard to tell.

 

How do you handle job-related stress?

 

Humor. I work with the most creative, diverse group of people. They have wicked senses of humor. We laugh about things I could never repeat. Put it this way, we couldn’t work in a bank!

 

What are some of your work pet peeves?

 

Misspellings. Egos, although we have a pretty level headed group at Channel 5.

 

What has been your happiest career moment?

 

My most rewarding career moment was when I reported in Kandahar, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. I also produced a 30 minute special about the experience.

 

 

 

 

 

Desk drawer

 

How would you describe your workspace?

 

Intimate. We don’t have offices. We have cubes.

It forces our team to be close to each other and

in turn, I know everyone’s life story.

 

What item is in your workspace that makes it

more YOU?

 

I have pictures of my family. I miss them in the

evenings but am grateful for the daytime when

I am with my children.

 

What is the brand of your newsroom office furniture?

 

Steelcase in RED!

 

What is your favorite office supply and why?

 

I steal Brian’s highlighters if I have long interview logs, a speech to prepare for, or research before breaking news.

 

What snacks do you prefer at the office?

 

Don’t even get me started. The work fridge has hummus and pretzels. I bring beef jerky, kale crackers and kombucha tea. Everyone makes fun of me, especially my boss.

 

With all the evening newscasts, what’s for dinner?

 

Usually Snap Kitchen meals (to go). This is not an ad. I love that place endlessly because it keeps me on the wagon during the week.

 

What’s a work tool (app, hardware or software) that is a must-have for you?

 

I have four screens out on the set. A laptop with our scripts loaded onto it, an iPad and two cell phones. Not to mention all the TV screens on our set.

 

Besides texting and email, what iPhone app do you use the most?

 

The NBCDFW app - no kidding. It sends push alerts for news and weather so I know what’s going on all day.

 

 

 

 

 

Agenda

 

What is your secret to achieving your daily objectives?

 

Perspective. The days are long but I’m very grateful

for the opportunity I have.

 

How do you organize the details of your life (to-do

list, calendar, notes ...)?

 

At home, we have an old school paper desk calendar

with the kids’ activities. All of that information is

loaded onto our phones. If I don’t set an alert, it

won’t happen.

 

What helps you keep track of the stories that you

are working on? What do you use for writing out

questions you want to ask someone on air or points

that are important to include for the story?

 

I am old school when it comes to preparing and

researching for interviews. I either write on paper

or type in iNEWS, the program we use at the station.

 

What do you use to keep up with location shoot details?

 

Every shoot is in my iPhone calendar. I set reminders like crazy.

 

What is your method for networking?

 

Most of my work contacts are through mutual friends. I really try to be sincere and trustworthy in my relationships and let the rest fall into place. I don’t gun for contacts and I am not pushy.

 

What advice have you received in your professional life that has really stuck with you?

 

“Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.” I love that because it’s really pretty simple.

 

What is your work motto?

 

Enjoy the journey. (Thanks to Dan Ashley, anchor at KGO in San Francisco.)

 

When you have an on-air moment - where you might giggle or tear up, how are you able to regain control and move out of it?

 

There are sad stories that I literally have to look away from or I will do the ugly cry on TV. I never mind laughing out loud, as long as the viewers are in on the joke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downtime

 

What do you do during your downtime to refresh

and recharge yourself?

 

I nap. I can sleep anywhere, anytime. The only

downtime I have during the week is late at night.

When I get home at 11:30 p.m., my family is asleep

and the house is dark. I created this little space in

my closet that I call, "the nook." It's a space with

a TV and a light. Most nights I read or watch

Fallon on DVR. It's bliss - my little gift to myself.

 

How important has traveling been for you personally?

 

I travel mainly for pleasure with my family and I

am always more creative when I explore new places.

 

Where has been one of your favorite places to visit?

 

Our family goes to Figure Eight Island in North Carolina every summer. My husband grew up going there as a child. It’s peaceful. No bells and whistles. We play on the beach, go crabbing, skiing, tubing, ride bikes and play BINGO at the club. It’s paradise.

 

Where are you looking forward to traveling next?

 

We just visited Punta Mita for spring break with the children. I really want to take my husband to Cumberland Island in Georgia.

 

What charities or non-profit organizations are you involved in?

 

I recently joined the national board for the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health. Locally, I love supporting Jonathan’s Place, which provides a home for abused or neglected children.  I am so moved by the lives they touch there.

 

What are you currently reading?

 

Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson. I have a rascal 3 year old boy and I have a lot to learn.

 

What are you watching on TV?

 

I am watching The People Versus OJ Simpson. Turns out, America's first reality show is still the best.

 

What currently fascinates you?

 

People.

"When I first started in the

  news business, my Mom

  told me not to become

  desensitized."

Meredith's advice for looking and feeling your best at work:

 

Eating mindfully,

During the week, I go to bed at midnight and am up at 6:45 am with the children. I've learned to eat for my schedule - not a lot of heavy food or I will fall flat on my face. My go-to is Snap Kitchen for balanced meals to go. That said, I don't turn down newsroom pizza.

 

sleeping, occasionally working out ...

Pilates and spin classes keep my energy up but most mornings I choose a nap after I get the kids to school. My grandmother says, "you have reached the age where you have to sleep. If you don't, it will age you." She is right.

 

and laughing a lot.

Laughter is the key to happiness. I seriously work with the funniest, most creative group of people. We see so much negativity in our jobs, we have to have a release.

 

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