Everyone is loving Freda Salvador and we keep adding more and more styles to our collection. Ann Mashburn does the most comfortable sandal called the Diagnol Strap Sandal. It just molds to your foot and disappears when you wear it. When you look at it, it doesn’t seem like it should be comfortable, but we promise you can wear them all day.

If you’ve been to The Hive recently, some of these items may already be in your closet. But for many, they are just starting to think about possibly flipping their closets and making sure they have what they need for spring events. I know I am finally admitting I have to buy some dresses for my daughter’s graduation – and it makes me want to cry just thinking about it!

I love them all. I probably love the ten dollar Old Navy sweats a little too much. So when I have to leave my house and be seen in public and can’t wear the beloved gross gray sweats, I turn to Tibi, obviously. 

Over the years, I’ve built a wardrobe of go-to essentials—straight-leg jeans, a white tee, classic flats or boots, a gray cashmere sweater, a blazer, my Prada cat eye sunnies and my slouchy black Proenza tote. My style stays rooted in this core uniform, but each year, I refresh it with easy, mood-boosting pieces that reflect how I’m feeling. I take a high-low approach.

Each season we try to bring a new line to The Hive. . Last August, we were in Fashionhaus and one of the women working the showroom was wearing the coolest jacket. The designer: “COG The Big Smoke.” Here is the very interesting part about the line: it’s one-size-fits-all.

When I saw Elizabeth’s post: “Styled Looks with Veronica Beard” it hit me – I haven’t done an outfit to room article in a long time, so why not give that a go?!  I took three looks from Elizabeth’s Veronica Beard trunk show and threw together the bones of a room. Just imagine family photos, a collection of artwork, treasures collected over time and you essentially have three outfits to a room.

The pieces are well made, are a flattering cut and never go out of fashion. These core attributes are the pillars of the Veronica Beard blazer brand. This week we kick off our Veronica Beard Trunk show so I thought I would share the jackets that will be available at the event.

I wanted to feature how versatile Veronica Beard can be. Yes, they have great jackets and suits, but it isn’t just work wear. The “work wear” they produce isn’t just for work. I think the three suiting looks show this perfectly. Ali’s suit is appropriate for work, but with some strappy heels and a clutch, I would wear it to a wedding or cocktail party. Tayo’s look is also office-appropriate and you can even layer a white button down shirt under it.

After what has been one of the worst winters I can remember, I know we’re all ready for spring. Nothing lets me know spring is around the corner more than the start of our annual trunk show series – especially the arrival of our Veronica Beard Trunk Show. In keeping with tradition, I am sharing my top five choices which was tough, but made me realize how much Veronica can work for everyone.

I must admit that having friends that look like models is pretty helpful when you own a store. And it’s extraordinarily helpful when they don’t mind taking time out of their busy schedules to help out. If you are in need of a spring dress for an event, Ulla Johnson is the trunk show to shop. There are sets and dresses for black tie events, weddings, graduations or just running around town.

It’s hard to choose what pieces I love the most this season. But I must say: the winner of the season is the Rhodes Skirt and the Twyla vest. These were both on most of our personal orders. Needless to say, between our spring selection and what Ulla Johnson sent us for the event, there is something for everyone. See a preview with the Lookbook:

Over the past 21 years AGL has built a very loyal following. They are made in Italy which means they are quality and comfortable. There are few shoes I can stand in all day, but AGL is one of them. The Italians are known for shoes for a reason; they know how to make them. They are female-owned and a third generation family-owned business. They know what women want when it comes to shoes. This weekend we will kick off our Spring Trunk Show Series with AGL — stop in and see us!

We still have March to get through, but I wanted to get an early start on the Spring Trunk Show series at The Hive and The Shoe Hive – especially since it’s our first spring all under one roof. We’re starting big. AGL, then Ulla Johnson and squeezing in Veronica Beard before people start heading off on spring break.

When our young associate at the store Emily Montgomery texted me about a fundraising effort for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation that she was helping orchestrate, I knew The Shoe Hive and The Hive had to get involved. We are hosting a fundraiser at The Hive on Thursday, February 27 from 4pm to 7pm.

Despite how stressed we get when ordering, wondering if we’ve picked the right items, it’s what makes Allude so wonderful. The brand is one that you can’t find everywhere. And even if it were in big box stores, rarely is the same item carried. The sweaters are custom-made for us; we get an edited selection exclusively for The Hive and our customers.

Tibi just dropped their spring fundamentals and the main spring delivery should arrive by the end of next week. I ordered way too many personals and could somehow get more. The fundamentals are just like they sound: the pieces in your wardrobe you instantly grab because you know they work. The fit and style are proven and that is why they introduce them in different fabrics and colorways.

Last year we hosted an event where our customers were able to grab a scratch-off sticker and win a prize. It was pretty popular, so we’re doing it again! It’s just a small thank you to show our customers how much we appreciate you. It could be a prize like a candle or pair of socks, or a discount off your entire purchase or a single item.

Here’s the great thing about a Hart necklace, they have so many special charms that help create a personalized piece that really tells a story and represents you and the things you love. It’s a great gift for anyone in your life and something they can keep adding on to as well.

Not only does Kristen support events, she supports the local business community by keeping her personal shopping dollars local. She gets that it’s our local business community that makes Alexandria a great place to live; it creates jobs and strengthens our local economy. I asked Kristen to share a few of her favorite picks for this weekend’s Warehouse Sale.

I know it can be frustrating sometimes to shop sale merchandise. Sizes can be picked over and often, shoppers are ready to move on to the next season. But when the prices are as low as they are at the Alexandria Walkable Warehouse Sale, it’s worth it!