A Tradition of Honor: Celebrating Veterans Day at ACCA
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.
Behind a Beautiful Room
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.
Same-Sex Marriage Is Now in the Virginia Constitution — Do You Still Need an Adoption?
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.
Thanksgiving Flowers at Helen Olivia
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's Community Nutcracker Returns for Its 18th Year!
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.
Madame Coco’s Mystery Boxes: It’s Like the Grown Up Cracker Jack
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.
Well-Connected to Old Town’s Waterfront Living
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.
Things NEAT Method Recommends Letting Go of in Retirement
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.
Good Books, Great Gifts, and a Head Start on the Holidays
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.
25 Years Behind the Lens: Full of Gratitude
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.
A Love Story 20 Years in the Making: Suzanne & Stephen’s Intimate Alexandria Wedding
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.
Trust vs. Will: Which One Do You Actually Need?
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.
What Does It Take to Raise Kids Who Love to Learn?
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!
No Renovation Required: 5 Design Ideas to Elevate Your Home
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.
Sipping on Science: Incomplete Headlines on Alcohol and Health
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 Is the True Value of Luxury Living?
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.
5 Money Rules I Live By (That Have Nothing to Do with Avoiding Lattes)
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.
Co-Parenting Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Custody Case (and Your Relationship With Your Child)
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.
BOO!
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.
From a Resort-Style Pool to a 1900s Storybook Cottage: 5 Alexandria Homes to See Now
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.