I kept seeing Suzanne Thibeault’s face on social. She was in group shots on LinkedIn, at openings on Insta…in recaps of networking events. Who was this woman? Then I saw her in person. I felt like one of the cool kids when I was invited to a VIP party for the opening of Atlas Brew Works and Andy’s Pizza in Carlyle, and there she was. I introduced myself by sharing that she was my professional girl crush, because she was making moves. She was not freaked out.

Do you know what excites me about fall and October? Apart from celebrating my parents’ birthdays, football, crunchy leaves and golden hues, it is the perfect balance of ‘cooler weather, I can still do things outside without fear of getting the Zika or ‘humidity exhaustion’ (I bet that’s a thing) - AND it is permission to do none of that and stay inside with a warm cup of cider or ‘a nice calming indoor activity’.

It’s fall, y’all, and ghosts and goblins abound! There’s one that lurks around you, though, all year-round – and he is so sneaky. Let’s have a little chat about that sly little gremlin known as lifestyle creep. You know, that insidious phenomenon where you’re just living your best life, and before you know it, your spending habits have ballooned faster than your last self-care splurge.

Shara has always had an entrepreneurial mindset. “You get out of school and think they’ll teach me how to run a business. But that doesn’t happen in the chiropractic industry…they make you their workhorse, and you just adjust clients, and don’t learn how to run things. There are people who can’t work for others and figure things out for themselves. That was me.” 

I tend to be a planner except when it comes to more personal things for myself, then I put them off to focus on things for others, until there is a deadline. It took me months after my divorce to get my documents in order. Are you that way, too? If so, I am going to tell you why you should set a deadline for a medical directive for yourself.

We have finally hit the “ber” months, and I am so ready for some cozy, fall vibes. The kids have headed back to school, football season has kicked off, and it’s also a pretty important time tax wise! Grab a pumpkin spice latte (or a pumpkin cream cold brew *light cold foam*– my personal fave) and let’s go over what you need to do. 

What better way to embrace the new season than with a cozy fall movie night? I’ve seen a fun trend on TikTok where guests host movie marathons, each choosing a film and bringing a drink that complements the movie's ambiance. For instance, pairing a classic James Bond movie with a Vodka Martini, “shaken, not stirred.” See my take:

The first thing I notice as I walk into Old Town Books Junior is the tree. It is magical. Its leaves. Its trunk. The pillows strewn in front. “It’s the first thing I wanted,” says Ally Kirkpatrick. “I researched the tree before the store designer. I wanted a moment, a beautiful memorable thing. If I were a little kid, I’d remember the tree."

It's a tantalizing experience, so enticingly sweet. So embrace its power, its seductive charm, let it ignite passions, and set your heart warm. For in the depths of darkness, where desires ignite, chocolate, my dear, is the key to a passionate night.

As soon as autumn arrives, I always find myself rewatching Gilmore Girls, daydreaming about tasting Sookie's culinary creations at The Dragonfly Inn, or sharing a coffee with Rory and Lorelai at Luke's Diner. Since waking up in Stars Hollow isn’t possible, I thought—why not bring a bit of *Gilmore Girls* magic to Old Town instead?

Families in Alexandria and the D.C. metro area are a uniquely driven bunch. You’re so passionate about setting your children up for success, that you’re willing to make any sacrifices for them to position them for better opportunities. As you’re preparing for fall, I have a few suggestions as you consider shaping this year to be a great success for your child.

There was a time (cue “I Dreamed a Dream”) when writing was all we had. I’m not talking about hundreds of years ago, quills and inkwells and carrier pigeons (but I am a little bit). I am grateful to be of the Xennial generation; we were kids in the 80’s AND 90’s. What if autumn IS the adult version of summer? I am eager to reconnect with old friends and autumn is the permission to exit summer and welcome cozy letter writing by a fire...

Back to school came and went, and now all sorts of things are filling up the calendar. I love all the fall through end-of-year events in Alexandria! I am always at events either supporting a nonprofit that has a great mission, because it’s tied to a board I volunteer on, or just because it’s a fun gathering. Here are the top events that are a must-attend for me from now till the end of the year in Alexandria!

The temps are cooling and those beautiful autumn days are coming. While fall is full of festivals, apple picking and harvests, we do love to squeeze in a day trip to a winery or two…or more. We asked our contributors to share their faves within driving distance of Alexandria.

Even though Autumn doesn’t officially begin until September 22, the start of the month always brings a festive fall mood, making us eager to dive into seasonal activities like apple picking, vineyard visits, watching cozy fall movies, and cooking comforting meals.

Many know Vanessa for her illustrations; she launched Old Town Illustrated during the pandemic. “When I moved here in 2021, I was just walking around Old Town and my mom’s husband pointed at the black plaques on homes. He said it meant they held at least 100 years of history. I’m very visual, so I immediately began picturing them (the homes) as illustrations.”

Hotel Heron has a vibe, and if you’ve been there you know it.  History meets modern meets eclectic meets warm is how I’d describe the furnishings and finishes. Every detail has been selected with care and thought. When I was invited back to the hotel in my official florist capacity to collaborate on a wedding styled shoot, I hoped I would find the same feel carried through to the events space.

September 5 is National Cheese Pizza Day, but let’s be honest, we don’t need an excuse to indulge — we do it regularly! Pizza's rich history stretches back to the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks, who enjoyed early versions of flatbreads, much like today’s focaccia. However, the pizza we know and love today was born in Naples, Italy.

People are often surprised and curious about the span of our five boys and the adventures we have. The simultaneous life events that traditionally don't coincide and all the little moments in between remind us—this is what matters most.

One intention of the standardized testing program is to track a student’s progress against a baseline. What about adults? You’re doing all your homework—automated savings, maxing out retirement investments, regularly reviewing your insurance coverages – but what does it all add up to? And, at the end of the day…are you on track?