Several months ago, my husband and I made the decision to move back to our home state of Pennsylvania to be closer to family. It felt very far off at the time, but now—with boxes nearly all unpacked in Philadelphia—I find myself in my last two weeks at The Hive. Shops and businesses are the heartbeat of places like Old Town. And my biggest takeaway about Alexandria is that it shows up.

There’s a new beauty buzzword making its way into everyday conversations and no, it’s not another TikTok trend. It’s recession hair, and while the name might sound like something pulled from the pages of an economics textbook, the deeper story is one of empowerment, sustainability, and smart beauty choices.

My husband has always wanted to show me where he spent seven years of his life growing up. It just happens to be Switzerland, specifically Lausanne, on the shores of Lake Geneva. So here I am, sitting on our hotel balcony. But since Patina isn’t a travel blog or restaurant review site, let’s move on to something a little closer to home—our gorgeous rechargeable lamps

Some of you already know, but we wanted to make sure everyone heard the news: Annette is moving back to Pennsylvania. She tried to do this once before, a few years ago, but I managed to trick her into staying. This time, no amount of begging could change her mind. This is the hardest part of the job. We really are like a family, and when someone leaves, it hurts.

Hooray for summer! The season of carefree sunlit evenings with lightning bugs, dinner on the grill, and sand between your toes. And like most things in my life, I welcome it with a plan in place and a goals list to check-off. So, join me in celebrating summer with my season’s bucket list with something old, something new, something relaxing, and two things red, white and blue!

Get ahead of your finances this season with a smart summer checklist tailored for self-employed individuals and small business owners. From estimated tax deadlines to mid-year planning and cash flow checks, now’s the time to tidy up your books and prep for a strong finish to 2025.

Summer is calling and so are the open roads, coastal breezes, and mountain air. This month, our contributors are sharing the destinations that have captured their hearts and itineraries.  Consider this your invitation to dream, plan, and maybe add a few new spots to your own wanderlist. Check them out!

From caffeine-fueled intros to speed networking (yes, it’s a thing!) Our morning at Josephine with The Chamber ALX brought new faces, inspiring connections, and even a few surprise moments. See why business cards—and good coffee—still matter.