Sometimes I struggle when I have to tuck a shirt in, it can add bulk and I wish I had something that just hit my natural waist line. The Next Ex was perfect. I didn’t feel self-conscious at all, which I normally would. My love for it was confirmed when I went into the store one day and Angelica was wearing the same shirt!

I don’t know about you, but I’m having a really hard time getting dressed this month. I texted Ali of ALH Style and asked her to help get myself and other Stylebook readers motivated. We’re kicking off a five-day Get Dressed Challenge,starting Tues., January 21. Winner will receive a $500 gift card from The Hive and a two-hour session with Ali.

As someone who loves a great shirt and believes you can’t go wrong with classic pieces, TWP really checked all the boxes when I was looking fora brand to add to The Hive. I also love to support woman-owned brands and I love that it is all made in NYC from Italian fabrics.

Returning from vacation on January 4, I realized I had to get my act together and start planning the Alexandria Walkable Warehouse Sale. This is the 21st year of the sale – is that even possible? We came up with the idea of a "walkable warehouse sale" and it was a hit with both shoppers and shopkeepers! You can check out Alexandria Stylebook to find out what stores are participating.

The 21st Annual Alexandria Boutique Warehouse Sale returns in a walkable format once again this year! This popular longest-running winter affair will take place over two days the weekend of February 1 and 2, 2025 throughout Old Town.

I buy a lot of products. I mean a lot. Most are a miss but when I do hit it right I am a very loyal consumer. At the beginning of every year I do a major bathroom drawer clean out. I basically make it my hall of fame and toss the stuff that hasn’t become a favorite. Here are my favorite picks from 2024 that I’m taking into 2025.

If you missed our big announcement earlier this week, this year’s clearance is a tiered sale. If you buy one item you get 40% off, 2 items you get 50% off, and 3 items is 60% off. This year it’s even easier to shop since we have both stores under one roof now. Happy shopping and don’t forget to check out our new arrivals as well.

My favorite part of opening presents is opening my stocking. I take a lot of time to find fun and interesting things for the stocking and luckily for me, you don’t have to go much further than Old Town. There are so many unique gifting options in Old Town, so skip Target and Amazon this year and SHOP LOCAL!

As you are reading this you might be trying to figure out how to get your last-minute Christmas shopping done. Well, look no further than Old Town Alexandria. If you are still trying to cross people off your list this late in the game, then you really have to buy for them in a brick-and-mortar store. I thought I would share how I checked a long list of people of all ages off my list—all in Old Town.

If you are looking for a last minute gift, look no further than The Hive’s new arrivals from Lizzie Fortunato. Do you need something for that hard-to-shop-for friend or mother-in-law? You can’t go wrong with the organic hoop, which now comes in a mini size. We just received a new shipment of all different colors of both sizes.

One key part of this annual event is making sure the men know what to get when they arrive. This is where the Stylebook readers come in. This isn’t just for Men’s Night – this is for the entire holiday shopping season. Come in and fill out a Wish List and we will do the rest.

Don’t forget to make sure the men know it’s at 315 Cameron Street this year. We won’t kick them outside like years past; we will instead let them stay warm inside. And one thing that hasn’t changed at all – we’ll have top-shelf bourbon and scotch to make the shopping a pleasant experience.

If you’re a regular reader, you know I have written a lot about Tibi. Last year Tibi put out a book called The Creative Pragmatist and I am happy to finally have found something that makes my life and getting dressed easier. 

Never has there been a Tibi delivery I have loved more than this one. I started to count how many personals I ordered and well, I didn’t have enough fingers. It was an obnoxious amount and I could have ordered more. Despite the long ticket, I actually showed self control. Join us for the trunk show this Friday, Dec. 6.

There is one particular group in our city who I can always count on to support our events: the real estate community. They devote a massive portion of their marketing dollars to things that help other people and make Alexandria livable. We’re grateful Lauren Bishop is sponsoring Plaid Friday and thought it would be fun for her to share some of her top holiday shopping picks.

Alexandria has great architecture and history. It always had the “good bones” to be a destination. But what makes it great are the people. After owning retail shops here for 21 years, I know there’s not a more loyal clientele or a more collaborative community of small business owners. And bonus, there’s a core group of phenomenal female entrepreneurs who make big things happen.

Since Alexandria is what I consider the best collection of independent retailers around, this Small Business Saturday, a group of over a dozen stores have collaborated to do a day of gifts with purchase. Stop in, shop and get a little gift from us. Just a thank you for shopping small this holiday season and helping us keep the doors to our shops open another year!

Since merging stores it seems like we have a ton of bags in stock. We kept all the purse lines from The Shoe Hive and moved them into 315 Cameron. As a result, it’s hard to miss our bag selection when you walk in the door. Since we’re hosting our Think Rolyn Trunk Show this week, I thought it might be nice to share all the great bags we carry.

Think Rolyn’s crossbody bags and sling bags are a favorite – especially for travel. They are the perfect size, they are weather resistant and the zippers and pockets are in all the right places. I use the wingman all the time when I go to NYC for work or away for a weekend. You can throw so much stuff in it and after owning it for five years, it looks like new!

My Libby’s List this past week featured the Ann Mashburn Funnel Neck sweater. It’s a favorite of mine and my top pick for the trunk show. If I had to suggest a second item that is a must-buy buy, it would be a pull on pant. Pull-on pants are definitely having a moment right now, and Ann was in early on the trend. I asked Madeline to style each version to show their versatility.