There are lots of great reasons to cut off all your hair. Going through a personal style crisis after having a baby is one of them. In the years since, I’ve had two more daughters and experienced similar moments of reinvention and rediscovery. It feels like each new baby challenges me to get back in touch with myself, my image, with what makes me feel seen and understood.

The work of play (if it’s good play) builds strong people. In his book The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt describes the best kind of play as spending time outdoors wherein children decide what to do for themselves – they make up the games, competitions, crafts, and there is some risk of getting hurt. This helps build resilience while nurturing and strengthening all the things so inherent to children. 

For many of us, autumn is a time of transition, and that shift can bring even the most composed home into a time of chaos! Here are some tips to help you ease into the transition.

I know that in Northern Virginia I’m preaching to the choir about voting. The majority of people who can vote in this area are already registered. Hell, registering to vote is the first thing some kids do when they turn 18. I know mine did. While those who can vote are likely registered, I still feel like it’s our responsibility to encourage voting every election cycle. The first thing to do is make a voting plan.

If you enjoy watching someone yell at the television, watch Love is Blind with a divorce attorney. I generally hide under a rock from reality TV, but it was interesting to watch. One of the biggest takeaways though is just how fast this show pushes people to get engaged. And while some people had the kids/no kids discussion, not everyone did. How can you not discuss whether or not you want children?

The closest to reality TV I get is The Great British Bake Show. I love me some Pru and Paul. The Britts are just so nice to each other when competing. We can use more of that, don’t you think?!  Love is Blind is not something I would normally gravitate to, but since they are in D.C., we thought — what the hell let’s have some fun with it and play BINGO!

The Alexandria Fall Fest is BACK! Join us on Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 11am to 4pm at the scenic River Farm for a day of unforgettable fun. Hosted by The Patterson Group and Alexandria Living Magazine, this year’s event is packed with activities for all ages, making it the perfect fall day for the entire family.

Since our inaugural Heirloom Portrait session at Monday’s Child in 2020, the tradition of capturing timeless children’s portraits has evolved into a cherished event. With a special place in my heart for children, I love creating these timeless images. Heirloom Portraits are photographs you will hand down to your future generations. They capture the true beauty and spirit of a person…of a child…of a moment paused in time.

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...