Our first shoot was for Tanya Taylor, queuing up a trunk show that kicks off this Thursday, September 10. The photos are just amazing, and all the fall colors make me so excited for cooler temperatures. All the plums, dark reds, and greens just make me happy. It is the perfect event to kick off fall.

I am wrapping up a one-month sabbatical from my business and life in Alexandria as I write this article. Taking a sabbatical is something I could never have imagined for myself, especially as a small business owner. When I worked full-time for other companies and organizations, I barely took a two-week vacation, so a month-long break seemed completely unattainable.

Pets are more than companions; they are part of the family, and today’s luxury homes are increasingly designed with their comfort, convenience, and well-being in mind. From beautifully integrated feeding stations to dedicated pet suites, these thoughtful details prove that pet-friendly design can be both functional and sophisticated.

We just received our first delivery of Dear Frances, and they are, as I like to say, life-changing. Founded in London in 2014 by Jane Frances and Scott O’Connor, the brand is celebrated for its minimalist and sculptural designs. Made in Italy, they have a commitment to slow fashion and quality materials.

Somewhere in Alexandria this week, a well-meaning spouse is going to walk into a title company, sign a one-page document, and hand over a piece of their premarital life without realizing it. The document is called a deed of gift. It sounds sentimental and it is. That's exactly the problem.

This week temperatures are in the 90s, so maybe it isn’t the best time to send out our Fall Look Book. Even looking at sweaters and wool blazers makes me hot! But if I can ignore the heat and just flip through the pages, I get so excited for our new arrivals. I love fall and the great clothes that come with it. It is my season. I love blazers and layers and all things cozy.

Lauren shares a simple September reset to help you clear out worn summer essentials, check expiration dates and refresh your closets. Tackle these easy tasks now to make the transition into fall feel a little more organized.

Usually, I am scrambling to schedule family photos while the very last leaves are falling from the trees, followed by a mad dash to choose a photo, order holiday cards, address them, and get them into the mail sometime before the new year. But this year, I planned ahead—and I feel like a new woman.

Labor Day is usually the kickoff to the fall fashion season, but its late date on the 2026 calendar is getting everyone back here to the DMV earlier than normal, and we are ready for more fun fall events. We kick off our first official fall event with Tanya Taylor. Still a newer brand to The Hive, Tanya Taylor's following grows each season. Known for her flattering fits and custom prints, it is no surprise our clients are loving it.

The Patterson Group and Character Companies invite you to celebrate the unveiling of 6123 Woodmont Road, a stunning new construction residence perched atop the hill in sought-after Belle Haven. Neighbors and friends are welcome from 4:00–6:30 pm for an afternoon of champagne, catering by Little Birdie, and a build-your-own floral bouquet bar by Helen & Olivia

Our furry friends fill a space in our hearts that no one else can. They are always there for us… constant, loving, always present. They know just when to nudge up against you, just how to tilt their head, and just how to look at you with those adoring eyes. When you have a friend like this, it makes you smile bigger. It makes your days more playful. And it becomes a connector — to your community, your neighborhood, your life.

When I left Simon Showroom last spring, I couldn't stop thinking about CALL IT BY YOUR NAME, a line from France that they were showing. It had appeared on Emily in Paris, and I think some other famous people had been carrying the bags as well. There was just something about the line that made me smile.

Few residences embody New York City's Gilded Age quite like 4 East 79th Street. Located just steps from Central Park and Fifth Avenue's renowned Museum Mile, this extraordinary limestone mansion is more than a luxury home. It is a remarkable piece of Manhattan history, meticulously restored to meet the expectations of modern living while honoring the craftsmanship of a bygone era.

This fall, we decided to load up on events. We have our usual trunk shows with Ulla Johnson, Veronica Beard, Citizens of Humanity, and Freda Salvador. Last year, we introduced Tanya Taylor to the mix, and Marfa Stance popped up in our store. They’re both coming back this season. To make the fall even more exciting, we’ve added two more to the lineup: Arlo Mott and AMO. We’re really excited about both of these brands.

I have sat across from hundreds of people at the worst moments of their lives. I have watched marriages end, families restructure, and adults who once shared a bed become strangers who communicate only through lawyers. I have been the person holding the door open to whatever comes next. Getting through it and processing it are not the same thing. And the gap between those two things is exactly where the next relationship goes to die.

At Patina, we love this time of year—not just for the changing leaves and cooler days, but for the opportunity to refresh our spaces with pieces that capture the spirit of the season. So let’s light the candles, gather around the table, bring the outdoors in, and make our homes a place to enjoy all this season has to offer.

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.”