Lifestyle

It was a rainy November morning in 2023, and I had been kidnapped. Not to worry. It was all part of the plan. Dressed in camouflage and face paint, our students were preparing to embark on their very first Veterans Day rescue mission. Their objective? Find and rescue their Headmaster, who was somewhere out in the woods, getting thoroughly soaked. What began as an ambitious idea from two military fathers has become one of ACCA's most beloved traditions.

At Carlough & Co., we believe a home should be a reflection of the people who live there, not simply a collection of beautiful things. It's a philosophy that shapes everything we do, from our first conversation with a client to the final installation. We intentionally take on only a handful of projects each year, allowing us to be personally involved in every detail along the way.

This is not about politics; this is simply about recognizing parents. Let’s take a moment to celebrate, because this is genuinely worth celebrating. Virginia voters enshrined same-sex marriage protections directly into the state constitution — which means the legal recognition of same-sex parentage to children couples have during marriage is no longer dependent on a federal court decision that a future Supreme Court could revisit. For same-sex couples in Virginia, this is such a meaningful right as parents.

There’s something especially lovely about setting the Thanksgiving table. Out comes the favorite china, the linen napkins, and the serving pieces that only make an appearance a few times a year. Flowers bring it all together, adding color and warmth to the place where everyone will gather.

ArtSpireVa celebrates 18 years of its beloved Community Nutcracker, bringing together more than 180 young dancers from across the region for a fresh take on the holiday classic. Beyond the magic onstage, ticket proceeds support scholarships that make the arts accessible to local youth, continuing the organization's mission of creating opportunities for every young performer to shine.

Meshelle Armstrong’s latest creation, Madame Coco’s Mystery Boxes, offers three intriguing choices: The Bewitched Box, The Witching Hour Box, and The Curious Collection Box. Every box contains chocolate, accompanied by a surprise personally curated by Madame herself. What else is inside? Well, that would spoil the fun.

Discover three distinctive Old Town Alexandria residences offering the best of waterfront living, from sweeping Potomac River views to private outdoor retreats overlooking the Washington, DC skyline. Each property captures the charm and convenience of Old Town with a unique perspective on life along the water.

Retirement is an exciting and wonderful new life chapter, filled with a lot of changes and opportunities to let go of things that no longer serve you! Here are the things we recommend saying goodbye to so you can live your best life.

I’m pleased to announce we’re launching our annual Holiday Gift Guides this month. More than 70 books on each guide, one for kids and teens, one for adults. Every book has been carefully vetted and read by a member of our team and our book buyers assemble a stellar line up of gift picks for all ages. You won’t want to miss it.

Twenty-five years ago, I walked into the courthouse in Brunswick, Maine, to sign the papers that made my photography business official. When you start anything, you hope it will keep growing, and I am so grateful that it did. As I reflect on these twenty-five years, grateful is the first word that comes to mind. Not only for this beautiful adventure, but for the people who have been part of every chapter of this story.

Suzanne and Stephen have known each other for more than 20 years.  They met through the same circle of friends in middle and high school. Stephen drove Suzanne to school. Suzanne drove Stephen crazy. His best friend dated her best friend and somewhere along the way, Suzanne and Stephen became confidants.

If you've been putting off your estate plan because the trust-versus-will question feels like a rabbit hole you don't have time for, you're not alone. I hear some version of "I know I need to do something, I just don't know what" almost every week in my practice. So let's settle this once and for all, in plain English, over a figurative cup of coffee.

Have you ever been star-struck? Perhaps you've met a favorite musician or an author whose books you've admired for years. For me, that moment came when I reached out to Dr. Daniel Willingham, a cognitive scientist and professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, to ask whether he might speak to parents here in Alexandria, and when he agreed, I was thrilled!

 Walk into a beautifully designed room and you can feel the difference. The drapery hangs just so, the lighting sets the mood, and the art feels personal. But creating that custom look doesn't require a renovation or starting from scratch. Often, it's the final layers that make the biggest impact. Here are five of my favorite ways to elevate and complete a space.

I hesitated for a while before writing about this topic, simply because it requires so much nuance and detail. I left a decades-long career in science and policy communication before I jumped full time into the wine arena and didn’t think I would be back in the communications space again. However, my synapses have been active since this topic landed on my doorstep.

What defines the true value of a luxury property in today’s global market? From location and currency fluctuations to the cost of maintaining a premium lifestyle, explore the key factors shaping international real estate decisions, informed by Julius Baer’s Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2026.

As a financial advisor, I spend a lot of time helping people make smart decisions with their money. But financial planning isn't just only investment portfolios, retirement projections, and tax strategies. It's also about the everyday choices that determine whether your money is working for you—or whether you're wondering where it all went. Here are five that I practice in my own financial life.

I am a family lawyer and I have been a Guardian ad Litem, which means courts appointed me to speak for children in custody cases. Virginia judges decide custody on the child’s best interests, and the child development research on what that means is remarkably consistent. Here is what not to do during a custody case, and what to do instead.

October in Old Town has arrived! The humidity is lower and we are enjoying crisp, cooler days and blue skies. Pumpkins are popping up on doorsteps throughout town, and Halloween decorations are taking center stage. Before we know it, we will be eating turkey, decorating for Christmas, and ringing in the New Year. Now is the time to start thinking about all the little touches that make entertaining and celebrating easier.

The Patterson Group introduces five exceptional new listings, from a resort-inspired Wellington retreat with a spectacular pool to beautifully reimagined Old Town residences and a spacious Del Ray home. Discover distinctive architecture, thoughtfully updated interiors and inviting indoor-outdoor living, all in sought-after Alexandria neighborhoods.

As the weather gets colder and evenings move indoors, it’s officially dinner party season. There’s something especially lovely about gathering around a friend’s table this time of year—and a thoughtful hostess gift is a small way to acknowledge everything that goes into welcoming you.

A clutter-free home starts from the ground up—literally. Discover the five things organized people never store on the floor and the simple habits that keep everyday mess from piling up. From shoes and packages to laundry and those “maybe” items, these easy tips can make your home feel more orderly every day.

Steeped in history yet thoughtfully reimagined for modern living, this exceptional detached residence, originally built in the 1880s, seamlessly blends timeless architecture with sophisticated luxury. Following an extensive renovation and expansion completed between 2022 and 2025, every detail has been meticulously curated to honor the home's historic character while introducing today's finest finishes and amenities.

There is a moment in every session when a child stops noticing everything else around them and looks right into my lens. Their sweet face softens, they open up, and suddenly it is as if I can see the whole world through their eyes. Capturing that moment always brings me so much joy, and takes on a whole new meaning when it is the beginning of an oil portrait project.

I love seeing Boxwood after hours. The shop takes on a completely different feeling when the doors are closed, the glasses are poured, and everyone is gathered around the table creating something. This October we have three very different creative evenings planned. Jewelry, flowers, and needlepoint are all on the calendar, taught by three incredibly talented local women we are so excited to welcome to the shop.

There’s something about fall that makes us want to reset. We reorganize our closets, refresh our routines, and start thinking about the year ahead. But while you’re swapping iced coffees for pumpkin spice lattes, there’s one thing that deserves a seasonal refresh, too: your business finances.

The story of Carlough & Co. began long before we officially opened our doors. My sister-in-law and business partner, Deirdre, and I first met in New York City while earning our master’s degrees at the Fashion Institute of Technology and working in the beauty industry. We quickly became close friends, bonding over a shared passion for art, design, beauty, and travel.

Why what you wear can change how you think, and how to harness that tool. I hear it almost daily, in one form or another, that my outfit is so cool. Whatever room I've just walked into — a courthouse hallway, a Chamber breakfast, a table at brunch, I hear it. And I love it! I grew up with a Mother that always said that dressing the part was half the battle and her sense of style, is quite amazing.