In an industry that constantly reinvents itself, Debbie Bates-Schrott’s legacy isn’t just the agencies she built or the campaigns she led. It’s the relationships she nurtured, the risks she took that paid off, and the confidence that even when someone tells you it won’t work – you can prove them wrong. And Debbie has done just that.

At Salon deZEN, we’re always paying attention not just to what’s trending, but to what’s lasting. The best hair doesn’t just look good the day you leave the salon, it grows with you, moves with you, and supports your lifestyle in between appointments.

We edited our shoe selection down to our favorites and hope our customers agree. Two shoe lines that have surprised us with their popularity are Rachel Comey and Ann Mashburn. Rachel Comey knows how to do a cog, and this spring we picked two of their newer styles along with a great pump that literally goes with everything.

Let’s be honest: most Easter chocolate just doesn’t taste good—waxy, bland, and carried entirely by cute packaging. Somewhere between sacred indulgence and supermarket shelves, we lowered the bar, and it shows. This season, it’s time to expect more from what’s in your basket.

Ezgi Kaya always dreamed of creating a space where people could gather, a place with warmth, community, and something beautiful at the center of it. What she found, during a summer back home in Turkey, was the medium that would make that dream real.

I think we all need Spring now more than ever. I present to you my “Ode for Spring.” Not entirely a happy painting, as most daffodils express, but an honest reflection of where my heart is this spring. Introspective and thankful for all of life's beauties. Even if they are temporary or unfair.

When we think about health markers, we often focus on weight, cholesterol, or daily step counts. Improving grip strength rarely is discussed, and yet, it’s one of the most well-researched, reliable indicators of overall health, functional strength, and longevity.

If you've lived in Alexandria for any amount of time, you already know: this city shows up for its neighbors, for its local businesses, for the people and organizations doing the hard, quiet, essential work that makes this community what it is. That's what Spring2ACTion is all about.