For Anne Marie Koch, home has always been less about a place and more about a sense of connection. From Panamá to Annapolis and everywhere in between, she has been drawn to communities rich in culture, history, and character. But no matter where life takes her, Alexandria is a place she comes back to—a town that reflects her love of local businesses, the people behind them, and the belief that every destination is best experienced through those who call it home.

My routine lately is simple: Get a fountain Diet Coke from 7-Eleven. Park in front of 7940 Fort Hunt Road. Stare at the storefront for over an hour. What am I doing, exactly? Because by next year, 7940 Fort Hunt Road will be home to Fabled Ice Cream, a small-batch ice cream shop inspired by stories and made right here in our community.

I often hear clients say things like, “I’m just not cool enough for Tibi.” Or another one: “I just don’t like oversized clothes—they make me look big.” Another favorite is, “I just don’t get it.” I’m here to tell you that you are cool enough, Tibi has plenty of fitted pieces, and oversized doesn’t make you look big. Sometimes you need an oversized piece to balance an outfit or create a sense of ease. I promise that if you try some of the pieces, you’ll get it.

After more than 20 years behind the chair, I can often tell when someone is ready for a change before they say it directly. They start showing me photos. They touch the ends of their hair differently. They say things like, “I don’t know what I want. I just know this isn’t working anymore.”

There’s a new kid on the block when it comes to financial planning: the Trump Account, or more technically – the 530A account. These ‘starter retirement accounts’ went live last month and there’s plenty of misunderstanding out there about how they’re most effectively used. Let’s dig into it!

What we eat can be stressful enough on its own. Enough protein. Plants. Calories. Ingredients. Organic or not. “WIll it make me fat?”  What everyone on Instagram seems to be eating. Am I eating enough? Too much? The “right” things? But today I want to talk about something we rarely acknowledge: all of the work that happens between deciding what we want to eat and sitting down to eat.

Last week we announced that Amy Smilovic, the Founder and Creative Director of Tibi, will be coming to our store for not just one event, but two. On Wednesday evening, we'll host a Book Club discussion of Almost Reckless with Amy from 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Celebrity real estate continues to make headlines, and this summer has brought a new collection of notable properties to the market through Sotheby’s International Realty. From a music legend’s former California residence to an NFL star’s home that found a buyer in just days, these properties offer a glimpse into the homes, lifestyles, and stories behind some of the most recognizable names in entertainment and sports.

I have been in retail for 24 years. As I typed that sentence, I kind of had to take a deep breath, as that is a really long time. I can say with confidence that I have worked with hundreds of brands. I can also say with confidence that the brand that has been the best to work with has been Tibi. This is not to say that there are not a lot of other great brands to work with; I am not saying that. I could give a long list of wonderful brands and sales representatives.

You've tried stretching. You've bought a new mattress. You've had a massage. Maybe you've even gone to physical therapy before. Yet every morning you wake up with that same nagging ache in your low back. Or your back starts hurting after standing at your child's soccer game, carrying groceries, or sitting through another day at your desk. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.

Last year my husband had his 5-year scan after a bout with an exceptionally rare sinus cancer in 2020. As most people know, especially those who have had cancer, this scan is a big marker. You are supposed to breathe a sigh of relief once it is done, and we did, but we found out last week that my husband's cancer has returned, almost exactly 6 years later - outside the realm of what is likely, but cancer does not keep calendars.

Who can believe school is already around the corner? With parents and kids gearing up for a new year, it's time to share what helps get us through the back-to-school season. If you’ve been looking for some inspiration (or motivation) to embrace the start of a new year, check out the recommendations from our Contributors below.

It’s finally here! The Alexandria Sidewalk Sale starts this weekend, and at The Shoe Hive, we’re kicking it off a little early. The sale officially starts citywide on Friday, but we got our red pens out and marked everything down early. Start shopping online or in-store on Thursday, August 13, and get in early for the best selection.

When most people think about custom framing, they picture the classics: black, white, natural wood, or perhaps a brushed gold or silver frame. Those timeless choices have earned their place, and they’ll never go out of style. But sometimes the perfect frame isn’t the one that blends in.

Perfectly positioned in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, this beautifully appointed three-level townhome offers timeless design, sophisticated finishes, and an exceptional floor plan just moments from the city's most beloved shops, restaurants, and waterfront.

August is the perfect month to have a little fun with jewelry. As summer winds down, vibrant gemstones, luminous colors and effortless layering offer plenty of ways to refresh your collection — whether you're marking a milestone or simply looking for something beautiful to wear every day.

As the buyer for Wine Gallery 108, staying abreast of consumer trends and current events surrounding wine is a significant part of the job. There have been enormous shifts in consumers' buying habits, consumption patterns, and entertainment practices in the past few years that, some days, I feel dizzy from these movements in all directions.

My house is, by any objective measure, a good place to be. It’s super cute, the throw pillows are comfy, the blankets are fluffy and weighted. The orchids bloom often, provided I remember to water them. There is wine. There is quiet, technically. And I am incapable of simply sitting in it.

Jacquelyn Posey is the founder of Pisces Moon Permanent Jewelry, a bright studio tucked upstairs at 106 North Saint Asaph Street. While her customers leave with a beautiful piece they'll wear every day, what she has really created is a place where life's biggest moments—and even the ordinary ones—are worth celebrating.

We also kick off August with two great citywide events in Old Town. The first is Virginia’s Tax-Free Weekend. It always starts on the first Friday in August, which this year is August 9, and runs all weekend. During this weekend, stores do not have to charge sales tax on clothing, shoes, and school supplies priced under $100.