“We’re surrounded by history, American history – not political history. In England, the local pub is part of your community, you walk in and you know people. I want that here. I love the walkability of Old Town, the character in the architecture. Sometimes I close my eyes and can almost hear the hooves clanking from horse-drawn carriages.”

The waiting, the rejection, the reward, it all taught her resilience. “We come to what we’re supposed to come to when we come to it. And you’re the best mother you can be with your child at the time when you’re a mother. We all have different circumstances.” 

The Courtyard Clearance continues and the deals keep getting better and better. This week all three stores will have new markdowns to $125 and $150. The tables will be out and the racks at The Hive will be full of huge savings on some of our biggest brands.

Creating a portrait is not just about the technical skill; it’s about encapsulating the essence of the subject. Maria is more than a muse—she is a source of inspiration, a beacon of creativity. The challenge lies in translating her vibrant spirit onto the canvas. A tall order.

Summer is the ideal season to explore Virginia and discover its abundant waterfalls. Here’s a list of some of the state's most beautiful waterfalls, complete with scenic hikes to satisfy your adventurous spirit this summer!

Whether you dread the summer months and steamy discomfort (yep, that’s me), or you love the summer (because free vitamin D?), or you are indifferent and maybe just tolerate it as the gateway to autumn (the clear winner of Mid-Atlantic seasons) - something we can all look forward to is Planner Season! 

Delia shares this pearl, “You wouldn’t have wanted to choose what you went through, but what you went through is giving you the impetus to share and someone will resonate with some part of it.”

One client dreamed of a traditional home featuring a light-filled dining bay overlooking a spacious backyard oasis. The other imagined a mid-century modern addition with a cool kitchen. We gave both homes a new vibe while maintaining their original essence…

I get asked a lot about intermittent fasting – which is not a diet and is better described as an approach to meal timing. While I understand there are benefits for some, I do have concerns about this strategy for women in perimenopause and menopause.

Ever feel like your home could use a little extra something? It’s come together nicely and you’re happy with it, but…it needs a little oomph. Time to zhuzh it up! Take a look around your home or office. There are zhuzh opportunities everywhere!

It's the end of an era. In a few weeks we’ll be packing up The Shoe Hive and moving it into our clothing space at 315 Cameron Street. We’ve been at 127 South Fairfax since 2009 and it’s been a wonderful home for our little fashion community. I hope you’ll come to the courtyard one more time!

Natalie says, “You can keep an eye on your clients and work out. There’s an energy transfer when we’re doing it together…we know when we’ve fatigued…that’s harder to tell when you’re not actually doing it. I also give my team the freedom to bring their own flair to their class, it’s not plug and play.”

Well it’s week two of our Courtyard Clearance Sale at The Shoe Hive. Things are moving quickly, that’s for sure! This week we have only two price points: $75 and $100. There’s something about the arrival of fall merchandise that makes us grab the red pens and reduce prices on summer merchandise.

We tapped two of our local skincare experts, Ashley Perkins of Caravela and Celthia Corsino of Bellacara, for tips on summer skincare. If anyone knows how to tap into the fountain of youth and make our skin glow — it’s these women. Here are some ideas to implement into your current routine:

If you're looking forward to traveling this summer and staying with family or friends, and you want to show your appreciation in a special and thoughtful manner, we have the perfect gift for you. These are items that will last much longer than that bottle of wine and will be a nice reminder of you whenever they see it in their home.

I am a longtime restaurateur, but I recently opened a retail shop and learned a few things—retail can be tough. This being said, do not be afraid to be the queen of the castle, but be smart and listen to those who have walked the walk.

August 3rd is Stationary Store Day!! Mark your calendars now and make your plans to be at Penny Post early. Last year, we had a line of about 40 people strong as soon as we opened the door. When I say our paper people are serious about paper, I’m not kidding. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Our team of lucky booksellers got to take on a fun challenge: Match the cover of a book you’re recommending this summer to an M.M. LaFleur outfit! Here’s what we came up with. How did we do?

I find that shoes are an area where it can feel safe to play around with color a bit. I cannot explain this but whenever I see a very classic outfit in neutral colors with a bright shoe it always looks great. Always.

There’s a reason the world loves a spritz, it’s light, refreshing and so easy to make. Whether you’re enjoying these by the Piscina “pool”, Spiaggia  “beach”, Terrazza “patio” or Ristorante “restaurant” do as the Italians do and enjoy.