I have a friend who jokingly asks if she’s in my “top five” list of friends. I, of course, always change the subject—I love too many people to rank (though I can rank-order my dogs). But as I sat down to write about Elizabeth Fitzsimmons, the “top five” thing popped into my head. If I had to pick five of my favorite people who have ever walked through the doors of The Shoe Hive, she would be on that list.

I grew up in the South, where life basically happens under the sun. And to this day, I live for anything beachy: ocean breeze, salty air, coconut-scented everything, and a margarita in hand makes for a very happy Hattie. I love summer — give me a wide-brim hat, big sunnies, and a breezy dress, and I’m set. But over time, I’ve learned that looking good in the sun means protecting yourself in it, too.

We’ve put together a Grad Gift Guide in collaboration with our upstairs neighbor, Old House Provisions. As the parent of a grad myself, I know how exciting it is to imagine the adventures and opportunities that lie ahead for high school graduates. That’s why this felt like the perfect time to show how easy it is to do all your grad gift shopping right here in Old Town.

I can’t believe it’s not even officially summer yet and we’re already posting this—but with so many new arrivals over the past few weeks, it felt like the right time to share our pre-fall Lookbook. Maybe we should call it the “Summer Lookbook,” since many of the pieces we’ve selected are perfect for wearing now and later.

From going to market and working as a buyer, I’ve learned that certain styles or colors tend to appear in every line. This spring, there was definitely a fishermen trend. We picked up on it when we saw so many fisherman-style sandals—they were everywhere, along with boat shoes. You could call it the Maine vibe. And as someone who aspires to “summer” in Maine, I’m here for it.

Ever wondered what it’s like to work with a wardrobe stylist? From first call to closet overhaul, here's a behind-the-scenes look at my personal styling process—and how I help clients find their fashion rhythm.

We all love Krewe and own multiple pairs. The only problem is that there are so many styles, it’s hard to pick which ones to carry. Thankfully, Krewe helps us solve this by sending us dozens and dozens of styles to showcase for one weekend each year. This year, we’ll have more than 60 pairs just for the event! We can also special order different colors or styles.

“As I get older, I want to know more and learn more,” says Katie Nguyen Wells. “I didn’t appreciate my culture as much when I was younger.” She left Vietnam as a toddler with her mother and brother, spending over a year in a refugee camp before resettling in Virginia with the help of her uncles.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the amazing women in your life than with a timeless gift that sparkles? At Mystique Jewelers, we’ve curated a stunning selection of mother of pearl jewelry that’s as elegant and unique as she is. Whether you’re shopping for mom, grandma, or a mother figure who means the world to you, we’ve got something truly special waiting.

It’s time for our one and only weekend where we have not just one trunk show, but two! Ann Mashburn and Lizzie Fortunato really are a perfect pairing–especially when it comes to spring dressing. When it’s event season and summer travel time, these two brands can get you through either, looking stylish and comfortable.

I have been doing retail for 21 years now, and there is no better brand or people in the business. The way the Fortunato sisters treat me and our customers is remarkable. They are generous with their time and they stand behind their product. They have shipped us so many beautiful pieces just for our Trunk Show event. Please come by and say hello and check out their Spring 2025 collection. 

“I didn’t want to only be known as ‘the girl who had been kidnapped.’ I went back to teaching in a traditional classroom until the pandemic hit. And that’s when people started asking me to speak virtually because they needed someone to bolster their teams and employees. I thought ‘I can do this again.’”

One of the great parts of our Ann Mashburn Trunk Show event is the Made to Order shirting. Made to Order is not Made to Measure. When you do Made to Measure, which is common in the men’s clothing world, they take all your measurements to make a custom shirt. Made to Order is a little different. The Ann Mashburn team has sent samples of four different styles of shirts and two different dresses in all the sizing available. You try one of these models on and after you order, it’s made.

I know I always say this is the biggest event of the year, but this time it might be. I can say this with confidence because we aren’t hosting just one trunk show, we are hosting two trunk shows. We also rarely have the actual designer walk through our doors but at this event, we’ll have the fabulous designer duo: the Fortunato sisters in town, and Stephanie, our Ann Mashburn rep, too!

As a small business owner for more than 21 years there is one thing I know for sure, the only reason we’re still around is because of our amazing customers. The women who have supported us and kept our doors open for the last two decades have become our friends and we know a going-out-of-business sign would have been hung in our door many years ago if it weren’t for their loyalty. So stop by this weekend and grab some treats, special discounts, prizes and extra loyalty points to go towards your future purchases.

When Dr. Rina Bansal, President of Inova Alexandria Hospital and SVP of Inova Health Systems, joins us, she’s a vision in blue. She exudes confidence and rocks thick, high heels with ease – but I do notice the comfy pair of Rothy’s loafers nearby. “Burnout in healthcare is a huge problem,” she shares. “We want our people working in an environment focused on their wellbeing, as well as the patients.”

When it comes to what brands we carry at The Hive, the decisions aren’t always easy. It’s a bit of a puzzle that we put together in advance of each season. The brand Closed sent so many great styles, both denim and great pants, along with some cute shirting and sweaters. It’s a great brand and we’re hoping we can get enough support for it to keep it on our shelves long-term. Come check it out!

When I catch up with Drew, he’s walking Honey, his one-year-old Goldendoodle. I can hear the wind whipping as he shares, “I don’t get a lot of free moments…dog walks are how I destress. Otherwise, I distract myself with work and that’s like kicking the can down the road.” So he walks and talks to get out and grab some air. Understood, because he is head-down, working, working, as an entrepreneur and new business owner of Old House Provisions in Old Town. 

We all remember the sarcastic line from Miranda Priestley in The Devil Wears Prada: “Florals?... for spring? Groundbreaking.” Spring is all about floral dresses, regardless of year. We realized we were missing them because we were missing a customer-favorite line: Banjanan. It has been a few years since we had the line and we’re excited to bring it back. It’s a female-owned brand, which we love to support.

There’s something so special about Easter—it’s a holiday that calls for pastels, florals, and a little extra fabulousness! Whether you're dressing the whole family in coordinated outfits, planning a stunning solo look, or hosting with a tablescape that feels like something straight out of a dream, this Easter is the time to bring back the joy of getting dressed up.