I was born in Connecticut but raised in Dallas, where I live with my husband, our two daughters, and our German Shepherd. My zodiac sign is Libra, which certainly reflects me as I am always looking for ways to find balance and harmony in my life.
I began ballet at age 3 and danced all the way through the University of Texas at Austin where I studied in the BFA dance program. In 2006, I signed with the Campbell Talent Agency where I began modeling for fashion print, commercial print, and television commercials for clients such as Stanley Korshak, Neiman Marcus, Mary Kay, Skinceuticals, and American Airlines. During this period I also attended the University of Texas at Dallas in the evenings where I received a BA in Art and Performance. I then worked part time as Director of Acquisitions at Samuel Lynne Galleries in the design district. Since then I have been collecting contemporary art and spent five years designing and building a custom contemporary home around our collection.
In 2013, I began my wellness journey and received my yoga certification at WeYogis under Cheryl Oliver and Julie Boyd. My thirst for knowledge on wellness and mindfulness is what prompted me to start my former blog marhow.net (a play on my name, inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow’s site goop) in 2014. After giving birth to my first daughter London the following year, my focus shifted to motherhood as I aimed to cultivate a curated and organic lifestyle for my family.
I am involved in multiple charities but specifically focus on causes that help children in need. In 2017, I co-chaired DCAC’s annual gala and art auction Art for Advocacy which benefits the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) and helps children who are victims of domestic abuse and violence. More recently in 2019, I co-chaired the Family Place’s Texas Trailblazer Awards Luncheon which also serves women and children of domestic abuse and stands as the largest shelter in north Texas. I have served on various host committees for other charities such as MTV Redefine, the Chick Lit Luncheon benefitting Community Partners of Dallas, and the Great Create benefitting the Nasher Sculpture Center.
I was selected by Phillip Lim as one of the 20 most stylish people in Dallas for the stylescape cast during New York fashion week and have hosted numerous events in Dallas such as luncheons and trunk shows for designers. I recently hosted a dinner for shoe designer Alexandre Birman at the Nasher Sculpture Center with whom I recently collaborated with as a brand ambassador.
My current projects include publishing my first children’s book series based on sisterhood and travel, and advocating for covid-19 “testing for all” so that we may be able to resume travel in the near future.
Thank you for stopping by my new site!
x, Marisa