When I left Simon Showroom last spring, I couldn't stop thinking about CALL IT BY YOUR NAME, a line from France that they were showing. It had appeared on Emily in Paris, and I think some other famous people had been carrying the bags as well. There was just something about the line that made me smile.

This fall, we decided to load up on events. We have our usual trunk shows with Ulla Johnson, Veronica Beard, Citizens of Humanity, and Freda Salvador. Last year, we introduced Tanya Taylor to the mix, and Marfa Stance popped up in our store. They’re both coming back this season. To make the fall even more exciting, we’ve added two more to the lineup: Arlo Mott and AMO. We’re really excited about both of these brands.

For Anne Marie Koch, home has always been less about a place and more about a sense of connection. From Panamá to Annapolis and everywhere in between, she has been drawn to communities rich in culture, history, and character. But no matter where life takes her, Alexandria is a place she comes back to—a town that reflects her love of local businesses, the people behind them, and the belief that every destination is best experienced through those who call it home.

I often hear clients say things like, “I’m just not cool enough for Tibi.” Or another one: “I just don’t like oversized clothes—they make me look big.” Another favorite is, “I just don’t get it.” I’m here to tell you that you are cool enough, Tibi has plenty of fitted pieces, and oversized doesn’t make you look big. Sometimes you need an oversized piece to balance an outfit or create a sense of ease. I promise that if you try some of the pieces, you’ll get it.

Last week we announced that Amy Smilovic, the Founder and Creative Director of Tibi, will be coming to our store for not just one event, but two. On Wednesday evening, we'll host a Book Club discussion of Almost Reckless with Amy from 6:00–8:00 p.m.

I have been in retail for 24 years. As I typed that sentence, I kind of had to take a deep breath, as that is a really long time. I can say with confidence that I have worked with hundreds of brands. I can also say with confidence that the brand that has been the best to work with has been Tibi. This is not to say that there are not a lot of other great brands to work with; I am not saying that. I could give a long list of wonderful brands and sales representatives.

Last year my husband had his 5-year scan after a bout with an exceptionally rare sinus cancer in 2020. As most people know, especially those who have had cancer, this scan is a big marker. You are supposed to breathe a sigh of relief once it is done, and we did, but we found out last week that my husband's cancer has returned, almost exactly 6 years later - outside the realm of what is likely, but cancer does not keep calendars.

It’s finally here! The Alexandria Sidewalk Sale starts this weekend, and at The Shoe Hive, we’re kicking it off a little early. The sale officially starts citywide on Friday, but we got our red pens out and marked everything down early. Start shopping online or in-store on Thursday, August 13, and get in early for the best selection.

August is the perfect month to have a little fun with jewelry. As summer winds down, vibrant gemstones, luminous colors and effortless layering offer plenty of ways to refresh your collection — whether you're marking a milestone or simply looking for something beautiful to wear every day.

Jacquelyn Posey is the founder of Pisces Moon Permanent Jewelry, a bright studio tucked upstairs at 106 North Saint Asaph Street. While her customers leave with a beautiful piece they'll wear every day, what she has really created is a place where life's biggest moments—and even the ordinary ones—are worth celebrating.

We also kick off August with two great citywide events in Old Town. The first is Virginia’s Tax-Free Weekend. It always starts on the first Friday in August, which this year is August 9, and runs all weekend. During this weekend, stores do not have to charge sales tax on clothing, shoes, and school supplies priced under $100.

As a shopkeeper, I can say with confidence that store owners are ready for these two weekends in August: Virginia Tax-Free Weekend, August 7–9, followed by the Alexandria Sidewalk Sale the next weekend, August 14–16. These two citywide events are a sign that summer is winding down and fall is just around the corner.

When I tell people I own a store one of the first comments usually is: I would love to go to market with you. As a store owner, it is the most fun part of the job and also the most stressful. Despite the fact that I have been doing this for 24 years now, I still question myself. Also, as the store grows so do the orders. Which is what you want, but sometimes when I place an order my nerves can take over a bit.

Our items on the shelves are starting to dwindle and the Alexandria Sidewalk Sale is around the corner. Despite it being the end, we have more items than we would like to have at this point: over 600 to be exact. So in an effort to move a little more before we start the sidewalk sale in a few weeks, we are doing an extra 20 percent off sale for the weekend.

In case you have not heard yet, I have big news: this is the year we are really changing up our shoe selection. I have been trying to figure out how to bring life back to the shoe section and hoping these new additions do the trick. I tend to pick up new brands based on the theory that if I am paying retail for them at another store for my personal collection, they must be good.

Summer style has a way of making us rethink everything in our closets. Heavy layers disappear, linen takes over, and suddenly the simplest outfits become our favorites. A white button-down, a breezy sundress, denim shorts, or a classic black tank are often all you need. The secret? It's the jewelry.

We just marked all sale shoes, clothing, and accessories to 60 percent off, and there are so many items that I have in my own closet. So I thought I would share my top 10 picks. They're my top picks because I own and wear them—in fact, I've worn all of them this spring and summer.

It started with a simple question: What is that game? At the Waynewood pool, Aaricka Oliver and Jenn Morthole kept getting stopped by curious neighbors peering over their table. That curiosity turned into lessons, the lessons turned into a business, and Mount Vernon Mahjong was born.

I know everyone is sick of hearing about sets, but there isn’t a season that goes by when we don’t have a ton of different options. This summer is no different. There are sets for all occasions, and we keep getting more in every week. The set trend also isn’t going anywhere. I just got back from Resort Market, and it was, once again, all about sets. Read more about that later in Alexandria Stylebook.

Dressing in the summer can be a real pain, especially if you are not a sundress girl—which I am not. I really wish it wasn’t the case, but it is. Of course, I wear a ton of Tibi, but sometimes I just need really casual options. I think a lot of our clients do as well.