Charlotte’s Courage: How One Alexandria Student is Fighting Back Against Cancer
One of the things I love most about living in this community is how people come together for one another, especially when it matters most. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing so many wonderful families, watching their children grow up and become incredible young adults who are already making a difference in the world.
What You Need to Know About the Final Walkthrough
From the first showing to settlement day, weeks (sometimes months) can pass. The final walkthrough, typically completed the day before closing, is your last opportunity to confirm the home is in the condition you agreed to purchase. Here’s what buyers should look for…
Inside The Hive’s Spring Lookbook
This spring brings us the usual floral dresses and brighter colors that we all expect, but what else is in store for you? This season we continue to have lots and lots of sets - in all different colors and fabrics. There are sets to sit on the beach and sets to wear to the office.
Street Style: Meet Kristen Coffield
For Kristen Coffield, wellness isn’t a trend, it’s a way of life. As the founder of The Culinary Cure, she has spent decades helping women reclaim their energy, health, and sense of self through practical, resilient wellness. Now, she’s turning her focus to a powerful and personal chapter—Active Grandparenting—showing modern grandparents how to transform this stage of life into one of the most vibrant yet.
It’s (Sort of) Our Anniversary! Celebrating 19 Years of Red Barn Mercantile
This Saturday, March 14, we are celebrating (almost) 19 years of business! I have always thought about doing an anniversary event—and have even done one or two over the years—but our anniversary is technically in the fall. That time of year is just too busy to add another event. So, we are moving it. Why not? They’re my stores. I can break the rules, right?
If You’re Going to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day… You Might as Well Buy a Castle
Every March 17th, we’re all a little bit Irish. This year, instead of just wearing green, we decided to go full fantasy and scroll through some of Ireland’s most incredible homes currently offered by Sotheby’s International Realty. The verdict? Shamrocks are cute, but sea-view castles are better. Here are four Irish properties we can’t stop thinking about.
Ulla Johnson Trunk Show at The Hive: Styled Looks
We just wrapped up our Veronica Beard Trunk Show, and it was a huge success. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us. Now it’s time for Ulla Johnson. Nothing says spring more than Ulla Johnson, and this season doesn’t disappoint. It might actually be my favorite since we started carrying the line.
The Benefits of Vibration Plates: Is This New Trend the Real Deal?
If you’ve spent any time in the wellness space lately, you’ve probably seen vibration plates everywhere. They promise stronger muscles, better circulation, lymphatic support, bone health, and even fat loss, all while you stand (or squat) in one place. So… are they worth it? The honest answer is somewhere in the middle - and that’s actually good news.
Before You Board: What Every Woman Should Have in Place Before Traveling Solo
Solo travel is having a moment. Nearly 40% of female travelers are planning a solo trip this year, and women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s are leading the charge. But here’s what the travel guides don’t always tell you: how you prepare before you leave matters just as much as where you’re going.
Mystique Jewelers’ Wedding Band Event
This March, Mystique Jewelers invites couples to celebrate their love stories in style with its exclusive Dream Bigger: Wedding Band Event, happening throughout March. With special savings, expanded collections, and a brand-new interactive design experience, the event is designed to help brides and grooms find — or create — wedding bands as unique as their commitment.
Staff Picks: Ulla Johnson Spring Trunk Show at The Hive
Once again, I thought it would be fun to see what everyone at The Hive was looking to purchase from the Ulla Johnson spring collection and trunk show. I always ask my sales representatives, “What is on your personal order?” As a result, I’m sure our clients would like to know what was on ours.
Why Bespoke Shoemaking Is Dying — and How to Revive It
Depending on the day, there may be more astronauts in outer space than there are traditional bespoke shoemakers in America. And with each bespoke pair taking at least 100—sometimes closer to 200—hours to make, finding clients is the least of our concerns. So why aren’t there more shoemakers? Better yet, why aren’t there more artisanal craftspeople in general—and what can you do to help?
Veronica Beard Trunk Show at The Hive: Casual, Work & Dressed Up Looks
I finally got the original dream team back together. Tayo, Courtney and Megan once again took time out of their busy schedules to help showcase some of the beautiful looks we have for Veronica Beard. Veronica isn’t just for work. Their jackets paired with denim are the perfect weekend look and have perfected the elevated t-shirt.
Street Style: Meet Arielle Weinberg and Katri Haas of Arielle Shoshana
If you’ve ever owned a signature scent, hunted one down, or caught a fleeting trace and still regret not asking what it was, you know that a great scent lingers in memory long after it fades from skin. That identity defining and time-stopping relationship with scent is what drives Arielle Weinberg and Katri Haas, co-owners of the perfume playground, Arielle Shoshana.
Skip the Decluttering Trends — Here’s What We as Professional Organizers Suggest Instead
The holidays are a time for excess, but once the new year hits, we’re all trying to do more with less. Spring cleaning is just around the corner, and at Neat Method, we’re here to share our tried-and-true tips for staying clutter-free.
Five Ways to Keep Your Flowers Alive Longer
In a town that appreciates fresh flowers as much as Alexandria does, there’s nothing better than walking into a room and being greeted by something beautiful on the table. The good news? Whether your flowers came from the corner market or your favorite local florist, a few thoughtful habits can add days — sometimes even a full week — to their life.
Discover Alexandria’s Newest Listings & Off-Market Exclusives
Discover what’s next in Alexandria’s most sought-after neighborhoods with these properties from The Patterson Group. From golf course colonials to beautifully updated homes in Fort Hunt, these properties offer refined living, thoughtful renovations, and exceptional locations. Get an early look at these standout residences before they officially hit the market.
Spring Into Style: Ulla Johnson Trunk Show 2026
This spring’s show is one of the best yet. There are some brands that, after a few years (okay, a decade) of seeing them, feel like their collections are on repeat — but I never feel that way with Ulla Johnson. Yes, there are always beautiful florals, which you simply can’t go wrong with, but her shapes and fabrics change every season, and there’s always something new and exciting.
The Power of a Great Frame
Last month a client walked into our frame studio with a bird painting that needed help. The painting itself was dynamic with bold color, confident brushwork, and a terrific expression. Clearly the work of a skilled painter who knew the subject well. And yet… it fell short. I don’t know how long my client lived with it in that state, but the truth is this: many strong works of art are quietly diminished by their frame and mounting.
Staff Picks from the Veronica Beard Trunk Show
When I go to market, I always ask my sales representatives what they are personally buying from the collection they sell. In the retail world, we call it “our personals.” I find it enlightening to learn what the people most familiar with a product think is so good that they can’t live without it. In that same spirit, I thought our customers might like to know what’s on our shopping list from the Veronica Beard Trunk Show.