the real raleigh :: Marie Cox

Name Marie Cox
Occupation VP of finance

Who do you live with My three kids and my crazy Boston terrier
What’s your sign Taurus

Describe your style in 3 words eclectic, modern and layered
Indispensable design element Art (always buy the art)

Tell us about this house – how long have you been here?   Did you have any big projects? I bought this house almost three years ago and basically gutted it. I did lots of work myself, but also hired out projects that I needed assistance on like plumbing and electrical. I finished the entire basement as well and added a media room and a guest bedroom down there. I’d like to focus more on the outside like adding a hot tub and doing some landscaping this coming year.

Dream dinner party guests Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Rachel Maddow, Denzel Washington and Oprah Winfrey
What do you bring with you everywhere you go? NARS lipstick in my fav color catfight

Two things you love about your job That I’m a black female executive in a male dominated industry ( representation matters ) and that my company’s focus is on really helping people reach their financial goals

favorite cocktail Tito’s & Tonic
always in your refrigerator ginger ale because I don’t do any other soda and Greek yogurt

3 things you love about this house My deck, the creek in my backyard and the abundance of natural light
book you’re reading right now Democracy in black

what would be your perfect weekend? As a mom I feel like I’m always busy so a perfect weekend for me would be to not have any obligations, sleeping in and a coffee date with my boyfriend
favorite place to get coffee in raleigh Sola hands down best Caramel latte in the city

best concert you’ve ever been to I have been to so many Beyoncé concerts and her shows are always the absolute best. I don’t care how many times you’ve gone you leave the concert totally empowered and wanting to take over the world
what’s your newest music discovery Ari Lennox ( she’s super soulful)

necessary extravagance/simple indulgence candles and fresh flowers
favorite song right now You by Nicole bus

style mantra all black everything
scent Arizona by proenza schouler

favorite places to score finds for your home I love cb2 and vintage stores
fabric or textile you adore African prints

last place you traveled NYC
what did you bring back a sequin blazer from Zara

piece of jewelry my vintage gold razor blade charm
style icon Khalana barnfield brown

fave place to buy clothes Nordstrom, Zara and ASOS
if you were a boxer, what song would you walk out to Hypnotize by Biggie 

how do you unwind I light candles and listen to old school R&B
color I never tire of olive green

your favorite 3 things in your house My vintage Moroccan rug in my bedroom, my Sally King Benedict painting and my leather bench in my living room
what would you save in a fire my photos

fave piece of clothing right now my Gucci booties
the farthest you have been from home Italy

weekend destination NYC
all-time fave city Rome

what surprises you about raleigh I love how hip Raleigh is, but it really still has a nice hometown feel
favorite restaurant I don’t think I have a favorite restaurant. There are so many really cool places to eat in Raleigh and I’m constantly exploring new spots.

go-to color palette anything neutral
netflix obsession my latest one was innocent man

what’s the most important thing you’ve learned this year (so far!)  that you’ll survive even your worst day

you can follow marie on instagram here, and here are some fun picks to shop marie’s style!