One of the great parts of our Ann Mashburn Trunk Show event is the Made to Order shirting. Made to Order is not Made to Measure. When you do Made to Measure, which is common in the men’s clothing world, they take all your measurements to make a custom shirt. Made to Order is a little different. The Ann Mashburn team has sent samples of four different styles of shirts and two different dresses in all the sizing available. You try one of these models on and after you order, it’s made.

As a small business owner for more than 21 years there is one thing I know for sure, the only reason we’re still around is because of our amazing customers. The women who have supported us and kept our doors open for the last two decades have become our friends and we know a going-out-of-business sign would have been hung in our door many years ago if it weren’t for their loyalty. So stop by this weekend and grab some treats, special discounts, prizes and extra loyalty points to go towards your future purchases.

What’s that old axiom – if you want something done, do it yourself? The retailers in Old Town started Plaid Friday, The Alexandria Sidewalk Sale, The Alexandria Warehouse Sale and Alexandria Stylebook, and now we are adding a new spring event to the mix: The Old Town Spring Fling. There are 30 stores that are participating and each one has a special event or trunk show they’re hosting.

Martha Carucci, Executive Director of the National Breast Center Foundation, is always on the move. In the course of 24 hours, I bumped into her twice – at the Spring2ACTion kickoff event and at The Chamber ALX’s Coffee & Connections. Martha is the type of person that you can instantly open up to, and within minutes I found myself sharing how rattled I was by a friend’s recent diagnosis.

It was a packed house at ACT for Alexandria’s Kick Off Party, sponsored by Passport Auto on Wednesday evening at ALX Community Waterfront. We Alexandrians love to mingle and especially when it’s for a good cause and supporting so many. This year, there are over 190 participating organizations – and there is a cause that everyone can connect with.

With the arrival of spring, MGM National Harbor is serving up new and exciting experiences for guests during April. From a dedicated DMV-themed conservatory display and specials for cherry blossom season to an array of talented entertainers at The Theater, there’s no better place to usher in a new season.

Next Thursday is Nationals’ Opening Day and Alexandria Little League opens the season that Saturday. To celebrate, on March 29, Red Barn Mercantile will be handing out peanuts and our much better version of Cracker Jacks, streaming games all day, wearing our favorite team’s colors, and hosting Port City Brewing Co. for a tasting of their seasonal sensation ALX IPA.

More than 100 business professionals gathered at Virginia Tech’s new Innovation Campus at Potomac Yard last week to attend Visit Alexandria’s “What’s New 2025” Meeting. Highlights included the Public Art at Waterfront Park: Break Water by Nekisha Durrett. The sculpture draws inspiration from Alexandria’s waterfront being a place where natural forces and human activity intersect, often with profound consequences.

We’re sharing what we’re loving this spring — from the best patios for al fresco dining to stunning gardens to flower-filled escapes. Our contributors highlighted some of their faves in the DMV and perhaps you can add a few more to your own list!

I wanted to feature how versatile Veronica Beard can be. Yes, they have great jackets and suits, but it isn’t just work wear. The “work wear” they produce isn’t just for work. I think the three suiting looks show this perfectly. Ali’s suit is appropriate for work, but with some strappy heels and a clutch, I would wear it to a wedding or cocktail party. Tayo’s look is also office-appropriate and you can even layer a white button down shirt under it.

When I asked Sarah, Stylebook’s social media manager, if she wanted to check out a popup bar in Del Ray showing love for all things Taylor – she was game. I have to admit I was never a huge Taylor Swift fan until my daughter made me watch her Eras Concert Tour on Disney+ over and over. This is a place that will lift your spirits and boost your Insta cred.

Gala season is here! I love wearing gowns and dressing up, and spring in the D.C. area has lots of choices that raise money for good causes. There’s the “you gotta be there” gala hosted at the Hilton because they need a gigantic space for everyone that attends, and so many more events. Want a guide to Alexandria Gala Season? Here it is:

Over the past 21 years AGL has built a very loyal following. They are made in Italy which means they are quality and comfortable. There are few shoes I can stand in all day, but AGL is one of them. The Italians are known for shoes for a reason; they know how to make them. They are female-owned and a third generation family-owned business. They know what women want when it comes to shoes. This weekend we will kick off our Spring Trunk Show Series with AGL — stop in and see us!

When our young associate at the store Emily Montgomery texted me about a fundraising effort for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation that she was helping orchestrate, I knew The Shoe Hive and The Hive had to get involved. We are hosting a fundraiser at The Hive on Thursday, February 27 from 4pm to 7pm.

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s also one of the most meaningful with all its celebrations and holidays. The dazzling romance of Valentine’s Day; the long-weekend bliss of President’s Day; and the importance of celebrating the impact of African American history; there’s barely enough time to do it all this month. 

Last year we hosted an event where our customers were able to grab a scratch-off sticker and win a prize. It was pretty popular, so we’re doing it again! It’s just a small thank you to show our customers how much we appreciate you. It could be a prize like a candle or pair of socks, or a discount off your entire purchase or a single item.

Here’s the great thing about a Hart necklace, they have so many special charms that help create a personalized piece that really tells a story and represents you and the things you love. It’s a great gift for anyone in your life and something they can keep adding on to as well.

The 21st Annual Alexandria Boutique Warehouse Sale returns in a walkable format once again this year! This popular longest-running winter affair will take place over two days the weekend of February 1 and 2, 2025 throughout Old Town.

If you missed our big announcement earlier this week, this year’s clearance is a tiered sale. If you buy one item you get 40% off, 2 items you get 50% off, and 3 items is 60% off. This year it’s even easier to shop since we have both stores under one roof now. Happy shopping and don’t forget to check out our new arrivals as well.

It’s that time of year when all the stores are going on sale. It used to be the day after Christmas was the big day for sales, but now it seems like they start earlier and earlier. And since the holiday season has now passed, it’s time for some more markdowns. The more you shop the more you save starting Friday, January 3rd through Sunday, January 12th.