Celebrating Earth Day: No Longer a Luxury but a Necessity
You might not think of wine or the wine industry when you think of Earth Day, but the wine industry is one steeped in protecting the planet and the environment. In fact, most of the wineries I represent in my shop are focused on this ethos. Choosing wines made with environmental stewardship in mind is one of the most delicious ways to celebrate Earth Day, and at Wine Gallery 108, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
A Painting for Mother’s Day
Every year around this time, I find myself returning to a quiet tradition: painting flowers for my mother. I can’t say exactly when it began. It likely grew out of those early handmade gifts we all remember, macaroni necklaces, construction paper cards, and small tokens of affection made with more sincerity than skill. Over time, those simple gestures evolved into something more lasting.
Artificial Intelligence Is Not the Divorce Attorney You Want
Artificial intelligence aims to please, and I understand the temptation to use it in place of your lawyer, given the expense of legal advice. However, it may be hurting you more than helping you. Here is a guide on when and how to effectively use AI in your divorce matter.
Private Exclusive Opportunities in Rosemont & Villamay
Set along the charming, sidewalk-lined streets of Rosemont, is a beautifully expanded brick colonial offering 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and 3,314 finished square feet across four levels seamlessly blending timeless architecture with thoughtful modern updates and exceptional indoor-outdoor living.
Street Style: Meet Madisen Reid Bieder of Alexandria Moms Passport
Madisen Reid Beider doesn't wait for the right moment — she creates it. She has built a career out of knowing what people need before they know it themselves, and her latest venture is no different. As the founder of Alexandria Moms Passport, Madisen is redefining what it means to explore motherhood in Alexandria and has created a platform that feels less like a follow and more like a friendship.
What the Latest Tax Law Changes Could Mean for You (and Why It Matters Now)
Tax law changes tend to fall into one of two categories: the kind that make headlines — and the kind that quietly change your financial life without you realizing it. Right now, we’re in a moment that’s a bit of both. Here’s what’s worth paying attention to.
Street Style: Meet Gizem Şalcıgil White of Turkish Coffee Lady
Gizem Şalcıgil White has always believed that coffee is more than a drink—it's a doorway. A doorway into culture, into conversation, into the kind of human connection that the modern world too often rushes past. Inside Turkish Coffee Lady, that belief comes to life in every detail, and it's exactly what she set out to build—one cup of coffee at a time.
Spring at Home: Helen Olivia’s Easter Collection Feels Fresh, Easy, and a Little Playful
Spring has officially arrived in Alexandria, and Helen Olivia Flowers is leaning into the season with an Easter collection that feels light, pretty, and just the right amount of fun—especially for homes with kids.
The Life of a Show Dog: Paws, Ribbons, and a Little Bit of Limelight
Meet Mia Lov. Best known in Alexandria as the creative force behind some of the city’s most beloved restaurants, Mia also lives in a world few people ever see up close: competitive dog showing.
How a 15-Minute Friday Prep Can Save Your Weekend
A 15 minute reset on Friday afternoon can help your home feel less crazy so you can unwind in peace without noticing little messes everywhere. No one wants to walk into a messy kitchen on Saturday morning and immediately feel like you're playing catch up. Check out our tips to set your weekend up for success.
Street Style: Meet Debbie Bates-Schrott
In an industry that constantly reinvents itself, Debbie Bates-Schrott’s legacy isn’t just the agencies she built or the campaigns she led. It’s the relationships she nurtured, the risks she took that paid off, and the confidence that even when someone tells you it won’t work – you can prove them wrong. And Debbie has done just that.
Easter Chocolate is Broken. Here’s How To Fix It.
Let’s be honest: most Easter chocolate just doesn’t taste good—waxy, bland, and carried entirely by cute packaging. Somewhere between sacred indulgence and supermarket shelves, we lowered the bar, and it shows. This season, it’s time to expect more from what’s in your basket.
Ode to a Complicated Spring
I think we all need Spring now more than ever. I present to you my “Ode for Spring.” Not entirely a happy painting, as most daffodils express, but an honest reflection of where my heart is this spring. Introspective and thankful for all of life's beauties. Even if they are temporary or unfair.
The Power of Collective Action: Why Spring2ACTion Matters
If you've lived in Alexandria for any amount of time, you already know: this city shows up for its neighbors, for its local businesses, for the people and organizations doing the hard, quiet, essential work that makes this community what it is. That's what Spring2ACTion is all about.
An Evening of Photography, Community, and Inspiration at Nepenthe Gallery
It is so exciting for American Society of Photographers to have our Resonance Collection at Nepenthe Art Gallery! It truly ties together so many things I cherish in life and photography. People creating and growing a community, artists sharing their creativity and a space to share with others — bringing joy and inspiration to our photography world!
Kristin Try Interiors Sentimental Project: Designing with Love, Legacy, and Intention
From the very beginning, this home was shaped by a shared understanding between client and team. Working alongside Convene Architecture, Lakewood Home Builders, and Kristin Try Interiors, we approached the project not simply as a renovation, but as the continuation of a deeply personal family story—one rooted in memory, loss, and legacy.
Sculptra vs. Facelift: Which Option Is Right for Facial Rejuvenation?
As we age, changes in the face tend to happen gradually—volume loss, sagging skin, deeper folds, and less collagen. When patients start exploring ways to restore a more youthful appearance, two options often come up: Sculptra injections or a facelift surgery.
Charlotte’s Courage: How One Alexandria Student is Fighting Back Against Cancer
One of the things I love most about living in this community is how people come together for one another, especially when it matters most. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing so many wonderful families, watching their children grow up and become incredible young adults who are already making a difference in the world.
Street Style: Meet Kristen Coffield
For Kristen Coffield, wellness isn’t a trend, it’s a way of life. As the founder of The Culinary Cure, she has spent decades helping women reclaim their energy, health, and sense of self through practical, resilient wellness. Now, she’s turning her focus to a powerful and personal chapter—Active Grandparenting—showing modern grandparents how to transform this stage of life into one of the most vibrant yet.
It’s (Sort of) Our Anniversary! Celebrating 19 Years of Red Barn Mercantile
This Saturday, March 14, we are celebrating (almost) 19 years of business! I have always thought about doing an anniversary event—and have even done one or two over the years—but our anniversary is technically in the fall. That time of year is just too busy to add another event. So, we are moving it. Why not? They’re my stores. I can break the rules, right?