S. HOLLAND MURPHY
selected work.
The Store For All Sorts
Haunted the aisles of the Half Price Books flagship for several weeks, observing, shadowing, and occasionally startling unsuspecting customers with questions. Combed newspaper archives and spoke with old-timers to collect company history. Pics by Chris Plavidal.
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The Marvelous McCloskeys
Wrang out lasagna noodles “like lingerie” while cooking up this feature on the McCloskeys—a CIA analyst turned novelist and a political advisor who’s worked on a billionaire’s presidential run.
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A Gruesome Timeline of the Adolphus's Potential Ghosts
Sifted through decades of news archives for one weird blog post. Used by My Favorite Murder gals for fodder in live Dallas recording, episode #267.
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That Time My Hair Went to Therapy
A personal essay about embracing a more natural, modern me. Illustration by Matthieu Forichon.
The Feline Phenomenon Freak
It was supposed to be a short and silly front-of-book article about a cat show controversy—then things got strangely emotional. A feature that covers feline genetics, the history of Maine coons, and the days of Pretty Boy Floid. Killer pics by Elizabeth Lavin.
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The Loudest, Most Badass, Full-Throttle Family Business...
Spent a day at Strokers interviewing folks for this photo essay commemorating the legendary biker bar’s 25th anniversary. Pics by Elizabeth Lavin.
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How Laura Bush (and Her Closet) Made History
Granted exactly one half hour with the former First Lady for photo, interview, and tour of the First Ladies exhibition at the Bush Center. Scored a chuckle. Pic by Elizabeth Lavin.
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The Weird, Wonderful World of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book
Spent days inside Neiman’s HQ going through every Christmas Book in company archives for one lil’ spread.
Katie Rogers Is Making a Big Splash
The rags to rhinestones story of Katie Rogers, a “nice girl in, like, a pretty girl’s body,” and an entrepeneur who continues to inspire me with her hustle. Pic by Elizabeth Lavin.
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The Trouble With Being a Nursing Mom in Dallas
How I instigated a massive remodel project and why we need more like it.
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The Good, the Bad, and the Strange of Dallas Estate Sales
War stories from the owners of estate sale companies.
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Camping Is No Fun and I Can't Wait To Do It Again
A personal essay about my family’s (mis)adventures in the wild.
How Dallas Saved Fashion History
My first cover story. Researched items from the Texas Fashion Collection, a giant closet in Denton holding 20,000 irreplaceable pieces of our past. Pic by Elizabeth Lavin.
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Regina Merson Is Redefining Makeup
Notes on what inspired the Latina entrepreneur’s makeup line, Reina Rebelde. Pic by Elizabeth Lavin.
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How High-End Consignment Shops Stack Up
Took designer items to five different stores to create this charticle. Pic by Chris Plavidal.
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Meet the Black Dandies
Produced this full-bleed spread after coming across this dapper crew on Insta. Pic by Elizabeth Lavin.
Transit Bicycle Company Was More Than a Bike Shop
On maternity leave when Transit announced its abrupt closure, I bounced my baby to sleep in Fran Badgett’s kitchen to collect his life story and scrambled to make calls during nap times. Totally worth it. Pics by Sheryl Lanzel.
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The Beauty Queens of Ms. Texas Senior America
Full-bleed spread to highlight 60-and-up pageant winners.
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The Strangest Little Billboard in Dallas
Also, the strangest little blog post I ever wrote. I think about it often.
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A Close-Up Look at a Dallas Cowboy's Cleat.
Hardcore journalism; I took a whiff of the cleat. Pic by Chris Plavidal.
The Ugly Duckling
Watched a globe-trotting, high-fashion model get ready for her senior prom in the suburbs. Pic by Elizabeth Lavin.
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