The Meaning Behind Front Door Colors: What Designers Say, and Why the Best Choice Is Still Yours
When it comes to front doors, there’s no rulebook that truly matters, only how a color makes you feel when you come home. Your front door should spark joy, reflect your personality, and feel right for you. That’s the real design priority.
How High Earners Use a Backdoor Roth IRA—and Whether It’s Right for You
If you’ve ever wondered how high earners still manage to put money into a Roth IRA despite income limits, you’re not alone. The backdoor Roth IRA has become a popular strategy for savers who want tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement—even if their income is too high to contribute directly.
When the Night Claimed Me: Nocturne Paintings
I paint nocturnes, often in blue. I remember the exact moment the night claimed me. It was March in Acadia. I was walking alone along the water’s edge, the tide crashing white against inky rocks. I stood there, small and open, feeling both exposed and held. It took me two years to paint that moment. When I finally did, I understood the power of the sublime, and why the nocturne had become personal.
Domestic Partnerships vs. Marriage: Legal Differences That Matter
It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, and that always has us thinking about relationships. When it comes to making it legal, should you marry or register as domestic partners? While both options recognize your relationship, the legal differences are significant—and understanding them is crucial for protecting yourselves and your future.
An Ode to Kathy
How do you say goodbye to the single most important person your business has ever known? You wish you didn’t have to, but you suck it up and send her on her way so she can enjoy her first grandson on the way, all the rewards of a lifetime of hard work, traveling the world, spending time with the love of her life, and other big, huge, amazing adventures—because you love her.
Private Lives: The security features that matter most to high-end homebuyers today
For many of today’s wealthy homebuyers, concerns about safety and privacy shape purchase decisions as much as location and price. Discreet architectural design, gated access and advanced technology-driven security features are increasingly in demand.
Valentine’s + Galentine’s Gift Guide
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and whether you’re celebrating a special someone, your best friends, or even just treating yourself, we’ve got you covered. We asked our contributors to share their favorite gifts this season, and the results are as thoughtful as they are fun
Banding Together: The Glam Rock Galentine’s Day Celebration
Are you, like me, bored of being stuck at home surrounded by piles of concrete snow? Not really feeling Valentine’s Day this year? I’ve got a plan. On February 21, 2026, from 7:00–10:30 pm, my favorite Alexandria gala returns: Banding Together. And this year, the timing makes it the perfect excuse for a Glam Rock–inspired Galentine’s night out.
February Joy: The Original Gluggle Jug, Mahjong Nights, and Needlepoint
Boxwood is turning February into a month of fun! From charming new Gluggle Jugs to lively Mahjong nights and needlepoint classes for beginners and pros, there’s something for everyone—don’t miss out on the joy!
4 Ways to Celebrate Your Girlfriends This Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, gifting your girlfriends is about intention, joy, and choosing something that feels a little special—but not overly precious. Whether it’s playful, long-lasting, or simply beautiful on a coffee table, here are our top four ways to celebrate the women you love most.
Valentine’s Day Is Evolving—and Old Town Alexandria Is Leading the Way
Valentine’s Day used to be simple, but somewhere along the way, the holiday expanded - and honestly, it got better. Enter Galentine’s Day, self-love, and celebrating the people who show up for you year-round. In Old Town Alexandria, that shift feels right at home and one local boutique captures it perfectly: Eliana Curated.
A Thoughtfully Renovated Wellington Residence
Take a look at this stunning 4-bedroom, 3-full-bath Wellington residence, offering 2,286 finished square feet, that has undergone an extensive and thoughtful renovation, resulting in a home that blends timeless craftsmanship with modern sophistication.
Protest and the Arts
Thirty-six years ago, I attended my first protest. Compared to the horrific events unfolding today, it might seem almost quaint, but as a second-year student at the Corcoran School of Art, it mattered deeply to me and my classmates. We were protesting the Corcoran Museum’s last-minute cancellation of a photography exhibition by Robert Mapplethorpe.
Street Style: Meet Kendall Rife
A lifelong Alexandrian, Kendall’s story begins at Belle View Shopping Center, where a childhood favorite—The Virginia Florist—sparked an early love of flowers. That first job grew into a lasting skill she carried alongside a career in accounting and venture capital. Now, with an entrepreneurial spirit and deep local roots, Kendall’s path is coming full circle.
The Teacher We All Remember
Almost everyone can name one teacher they remember. Not necessarily the one with the strictest rules or the most impressive résumé, but the one who made learning come alive. The one who saw something in us before we could see it ourselves.
Street Style: Meet Kari Ginsburg
Kari Ginsburg doesn’t blend in. She has no interest in doing so and doesn’t want you to either. In a world where conformity often feels like the default, her presence and style is bright, intentional, and refreshingly authentic. That same spirit defines her work at Uproar Coaching, where she helps others show up unapologetically as their truest self.
The Luxury of Boredom
Designate a nook in your home for boredom–I did. Not for productivity, not for finishing anything, but for letting your mind loosen its grip. A chair, a lamp, a stack of books—nothing fancy, just comfortable enough to linger.
Five Exceptional Private Exclusive Properties Defining Alexandria's Luxury Real Estate Market
Come take a look at some of the best properties currently on the market in Alexandria, Virginia! From backyard oasis, to waterfront views, these five properties have something for everyone.
Winter Recipes We’re Loving: Meals that Welcome & Warm
When winter settles in, our kitchens become the coziest place to be. It’s the season for simmering pots, well-loved family recipes, and dishes that feel like a warm hug at the end of the day. From comforting classics to a few creative twists we can’t stop making, we asked our contributors to share the winter recipes they return to again and again.
Alexandria Restaurant Week Returns: January 23-February 1
Alexandria Restaurant Week is back starting January 23 through February 1, and it’s the perfect time to hit up your go-to staples, or try something new. With over 90 restaurants participating, there’s no shortage of fabulous meals to be had across Alexandria. Get ready to book those reservations!