The fire that engulfed Madame Coco Chocolate Emporium, along with two other beloved women-owned businesses, marked a heart-wrenching moment for all involved. What began as an ordinary evening quickly transformed into a scene of devastation that would shake the very foundation of our community. And yet, even amid the ashes and ruin, there were glimmers of hope that reminded us of the resilience within and around us.

Located in the snowy landscapes of Rovaniemi, Finland, Santa’s Village brings the magic of Christmas to life every day of the year. Officially recognized as the hometown of Santa Claus, this enchanting destination in the Arctic Circle offers visitors an unforgettable experience filled with holiday cheer, adventure, and unique cultural traditions.

I am always on the search for the perfect t-shirt. It has to be both the right thickness and the right cut. I can’t stand it when a t-shirt is too sheer or cut either too tight to the body, or way too boxy so it looks sloppy. It has to be that perfect in-between. I want to be able to layer it under a sweater or blazer but also to sometimes wear it alone.

This holiday season feels extra special for me – it’s our very first holiday season in business at ERA, and I’m absolutely buzzing with gratitude and excitement! As we count down the days to New Year’s Eve, it’s time to focus on you. This is the time to pick out an outfit that not only shows off your style, but also radiates all the excitement, confidence, and fresh energy you’re bringing into the new year.

With a larger-than-life holiday display, a weekly fireworks show, and festive spa specials, MGM National Harbor is the ultimate holiday staycation destination. The property has transformed into a winter wonderland with activities for the whole family to enjoy and celebrate the yuletide season.

My favorite part of opening presents is opening my stocking. I take a lot of time to find fun and interesting things for the stocking and luckily for me, you don’t have to go much further than Old Town. There are so many unique gifting options in Old Town, so skip Target and Amazon this year and SHOP LOCAL!

If you’re holiday shopping for someone who enjoys the outdoors – a camper, a hiker, a wanderer, a stargazer, or an explorer of any sort, read on. I hope the guide will simplify shopping for the adventurers in your life and perhaps inspires you to do some exploring of your own!

Winter in Alexandria can be beautiful, but it’s no friend to our hair. The good news? With the right care, your hair can stay hydrated, healthy, and full of shine all season long. Here’s a step-by-step guide to winter-proofing your hair, featuring must-have products we love at Salon deZEN.

As you are reading this you might be trying to figure out how to get your last-minute Christmas shopping done. Well, look no further than Old Town Alexandria. If you are still trying to cross people off your list this late in the game, then you really have to buy for them in a brick-and-mortar store. I thought I would share how I checked a long list of people of all ages off my list—all in Old Town.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a wonderful design-focused event at Alexandria’s Crème de la Crème store. At the event, I picked up the perfect holiday gift for any design enthusiast: The Living Room, the latest title published by Assouline. For those unfamiliar, Crème de la Crème is a haven for unique home and entertaining finds.

We love a good tradition. One that makes sense and everyone can enjoy. Now that Old Town has a toy store again, we thought it would be fun to continue Why Not's time-tested tradition of staying open until Midnight the Saturday before Christmas. We’re calling it Midnight Merriment!

Discover a new level of luxury living in this newly renovated elevator townhome, ideally located just steps from Founders Park and the scenic Potomac River. This meticulously crafted residence offers unparalleled comfort and style, blending modern design with elegant finishes throughout.

There’s always that one individual that makes you sweat come holiday shopping time – because they have absolutely EVERYTHING. They’re on top of trends and have the “it” gadget before it's available to anyone else on planet Earth, they also have a vintage collection that museums would fight over and they’re non-expressive and unimpressed (though polite), whenever it’s time to open your present. But…maybe they don’t have one of these:

Season’s greetings from your neighborhood bookseller, a 40-year-old woman who has, according to her Christmas list, leaned in to becoming a caricature of an eccentric bookshop owner. In addition to the following gift ideas on my list this year (only some of which are truly strange), I have also included book recommendations to help steer your gifting this year. 

If you are looking for a last minute gift, look no further than The Hive’s new arrivals from Lizzie Fortunato. Do you need something for that hard-to-shop-for friend or mother-in-law? You can’t go wrong with the organic hoop, which now comes in a mini size. We just received a new shipment of all different colors of both sizes.

When I first walked into Reza Mohammadi’s tailored clothing shop, BARG Garments on 108 N. Alfred Street, I felt like I was visiting a friend’s home. He was very polite, always smiling and brought me a cup of tea and some chocolates when we sat down to chat. He had emailed me a few weeks earlier, curious to know more about the small business community in Alexandria.

I invite you to embrace the most accessible beauty secret: dedicating time to yourself. This practice not only redefines vanity but also nurtures the soul. In our fast-paced lives, we often wear our exhaustion as a badge of honor, neglecting simple pleasures like taking a moment to breathe or appreciating our loved ones.

What I know from years and years of costume design - is that accessories and beauty hold such a magical power to transform an outfit. We don’t always need to go out and buy a new dress or outfit for every party. When you have something you already love, wear it! The easiest way to make it new? Add an accessory, then change your hair and makeup.

You could go for the usual suspects—luxury candles, cashmere scarves, maybe a bottle of vintage Champagne. Or, you could elevate your gifting game entirely with something unexpected yet undeniably luxe: a personalized makeup lesson.

Holidays can stir up a lot of feelings, and there is comfort in memories that connect us to people and places of the past. We are feeling particularly nostalgic these days and have assembled a Gift Guide to celebrate fond memories and a few things we grew up loving.