Beauty Maria Elizabeth Beauty Maria Elizabeth

The Experience That Reminded Me Why I Created Salon deZEN 

Every so often, someone walks into your life and quietly reminds you why your work matters. For us, it was a young woman in Alexandria whose hair disaster hid a much deeper crisis—and whose story unfolded into two days of care, patience, and unexpected connection. This week, we share how Elise, Lee, and a little teamwork helped her leave not just restored, but seen.

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Lifestyle Heather Peeler Lifestyle Heather Peeler

How to Give a Thoughtful Gift That Says "I Really Know You"

We've all been there: standing in a store, scrolling through endless products, trying to find the perfect gift for someone who already has everything they need, or a best friend who insists she doesn't want anything. This holiday season, what if you could skip giving anxiety altogether and have confidence that you are giving something meaningful? There’s a wonderfully heartwarming gift that can make a tangible difference in our world:  a donation to a local nonprofit.

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Style Elizabeth Todd Style Elizabeth Todd

The 12 Days of Christmas Are Back and Better Than Ever

We’ve missed the magic of our 12 Days of Christmas tradition—and this year, it’s finally returning. Starting December 2, The Hive will share a new deal each morning to make your holiday shopping a little brighter. Check your email and socials daily so you don’t miss out!

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Style Elizabeth Todd Style Elizabeth Todd

Shop Small Business Saturday in Old Town Alexandria

We are all recovering from Thanksgiving, and maybe you’re reading this after a big day of hitting the mall and all the big-box stores, looking for something to do this Saturday that feels a little less intense. If that is you, I have a recommendation: stop by the stores of Old Town for Small Business Saturday.

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Style Elizabeth Todd Style Elizabeth Todd

15 Years of Plaid Friday Magic, Lessons, and Lots of Coffee

It is hard to believe that this is the 15th year we have done Plaid Friday. I will always know exactly when we started because the year prior, 2009, Danielle of fibre space called me and asked me to participate, along with a handful of other stores. That was the last time I traveled out of town for Thanksgiving.

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Style Elizabeth Todd Style Elizabeth Todd

The Plaid Friday Gift Guide from Lauren Bishop

This holiday season, we once again asked Lauren Bishop to sponsor Plaid Friday—the small business community's answer to competing with the big-box stores on Black Friday. Check out her guide to make the most of your Plaid Friday!

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Wellness Adrien Cotton Wellness Adrien Cotton

Myth or Medicine: Is Red Wine good for you?

We all remember the era when red wine was touted as the shortcut to better health and longer life. Turns out, much of that buzz stemmed from studies in yeast and mice—not humans—and the latest research is setting the record straight. Here’s what you really need to know now.

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Lifestyle Alexandria Stylebook Lifestyle Alexandria Stylebook

She Said / She Said: Wellness Edition

We tapped two of our local wellness experts, Sara Acheson of Athena Wellness and Jennifer Szymanski of Vitality-Led Health, to share their perspectives on proactive, whole-body care — from supporting patients through cancer treatment to healing chronic skin conditions from within.

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Lifestyle Danielle Romanetti Lifestyle Danielle Romanetti

Sweater Weather is Here: The Mohair Moment

I am sure you can imagine that your local wool shop gets a bit giddy when sweater weather finally arrives. This season, we love seeing “high pile” textures in knits at our local boutiques and on runways – lots of fuzz, floof, fringe and fur! Oversized fuzzy and furry garments were all over runways for fall and winter, and Mohair in particular is having its moment again.

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Style Elizabeth Todd Style Elizabeth Todd

Why I’m Reaching for Sets Over Dresses

It used to be that sets were reserved for more casual looks—and of course, there are still great casual sets (I live in them). But these days, there are so many great dressy options, especially skirt-and-top combinations. There really are so many great sets at all price points, and for every occasion.

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