After 20 years, we’ve figured out what really works, and want to carry more of what people love. Thanks to Annette’s design we figured out how to keep the shoes right in the center of what we think is the heart of the store – the sitting area where people congregate. Here's our shoe lookbook for fall so everyone can see, we still have tons and tons of great shoes.

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."

I asked Ali to help style some of the pieces for The Hive’s Veronica Beard Trunk Show, and give them the Ali twist. She always keeps it classic but also puts a bit of a modern spin on it. Check out her three looks with Veronica Beard’s newest arrivals. They made me realize I need that plaid blazer and suede jacket!

If you’ve seen me bopping around Old Town, chances are you’ve seen me wearing - or even asked about - my boots. Black leather, zip straight up the back, and a snap enclosure. They fit like a glove, because they were custom fitted to me. After much convincing, we were able to convince both La Casa de Las Botas and Antonio Vicario to bring these boots to American in Paris.

These women are the perfect example of why Veronica Beard is our number one brand. They are all busy working moms that want to look good when they head out the door, but don’t have time to worry about it. They don’t want a “work wardrobe” and a “mom wardrobe”; they want them to overlap.

Something people don’t know about Stylists At North is that it has a boutique inside the salon with tons of great beauty lines. Not just hair products, but makeup and skincare, too. You also might not know that they also have an amazing makeup artist, Gus Hamburg. If I could just see Gus every morning I would look – and feel a lot better about myself.

Imagine a stunning three-stone ring crafted in luxurious platinum, featuring an extraordinary round-cut sapphire that truly stands out—a rarity that exudes elegance. This magnificent sapphire is perfectly complemented by exquisite trillion-shaped diamonds on either side, harmonizing beautifully with the sapphire's dimensions and creating a breathtaking visual appeal.

If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram, you might have noticed a trend that’s tipping its hat to the American West: cowboy core. This style is all about mixing rugged Western charm with modern fashion, and it’s a fun way to add a bit of frontier flair to your everyday look. Whether you're a style enthusiast or just curious about this trend, here’s a guide to understanding cowboy core.

We have always wanted to get in on the fun Historic Alexandria Homes Tour, presented by The Twig, and thank people for coming to our town for the day. We collaborated with some of the stores on a Snip and Shop. Build a “Boutique Bouquet” by starting at Enchanted Florist to pick-up floral paper and a sticker then continue on to the seven other participating stores.

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.”

I’ve started to ask my sales reps a question: “What’s on your personal order?” They’ve had the most time to mull the collection and know what the stars are each season before the rest of us do! When Annette and I were riding back from NYC this summer we thought: I bet customers would like to know what we ordered for ourselves. So here it is!

After a busy kid-filled summer I made it into Era, Old Town's newest boutique nestled in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. As a wardrobe stylist, I have a different point of view when it comes to shopping because I'm not typically there browsing for myself. If you see me around town I'm typically shopping and researching for clients.

I noticed while watching the Olympics this summer that many of the TV personalities wore Veronica Beard. It’s preppy with a twist, classic without being boring, and tailored without being stuffy. It just makes getting dressed easier — especially if you have to wear a suit or go into an office occasionally, which many of our clients still do. Here are my top five VB picks for fall.

Janel is one of those women who just has a presence. Yes, she’s naturally beautiful, and I’ve seen her with hair up in a bun, clad in sweats and she still looks flawless (she’s my neighbor). It’s the energy she gives off, her openness; her eyes carry no judgment. She’s seen a lot, she’s experienced a lot, and it has given her tremendous empathy.

I’m about to say something radical and even those who know me best will be surprised: I need to throw out most of my wardrobe. I can’t tell you how many times I have bought beautiful things and they just sit in my closet. Tibi has really helped me conquer this problem and minimize my mistakes.

On Sept. 7, Mystique Jewelers will host our inaugural designer jewelry show featuring the exquisite creations of Gumuchian, a trailblazing women-owned business. With the empowering motto of "Jewelry made by women for women," this event promises to celebrate the artistry and passion behind each piece.

Annette and I couldn’t resist the fall collection for Odeeh. I think there was clapping and jumping as we looked at it! Odeeh is a German line created by Jorg Ehrlich and Otto Drogsler. Their attention to detail and unique designs are deliberate and sophisticated. The designs are what first drew us in, but when you start looking closer it’s the fabrics that really made us fall in love.

I must share that I've never seen Hattie – without Tiffani. They seem somewhat attached at the hip, not like Siamese twins, but in an endearing, “I got your back and if anyone messes with you, they’re messing with me” kind of way. They met at the University of Georgia in 2008, and became best friends and roommates. “And we’ve been roommates ever since,” says Hattie. 

Ulla Johnson is known for: feminine dresses topped with the perfect amount of puff, ruffle and details that make them feminine but not overly fussy. As the brand has grown she has evolved into other offerings and pieces that might not be what you typically think of when someone says “Ulla.” These changes of pace are the pieces that most excite me about this fall.

Boots in summer? Why not? White after labor day? Yes - all year round!  I’ve never been one to play by fashion rules. Why should seasons be any different?  Instead of storing away your favorite items, consider extending their wearability.