For many women, this sense of mental overstimulation is particularly pronounced, affecting their daily lives, mental health, and overall well-being. It’s like trying to juggle flaming torches while walking on a tightrope—except the torches are actually emails, chores, and endless “what’s for dinner?” queries.

Recently, my family took a trip to the Pacific Northwest. Our first stay was in a funny little house tucked away in a corner of a tidy community with homemade signs that asked us to watch out for the family of roughly eight deer who made their home there. Surrounded by evergreens, the house was on the edge of a bluff high above the Straight of Juan de Fuca.

As summer winds down, the season of transitions is in full swing for our family! This week marked some big milestones as we sent our oldest off to Virginia Tech for her first year, while our middle started high school, and our youngest began middle school. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster as we navigate this new chapter, but we’re grateful everyone had a smooth start!

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.

Patina is busily preparing for our designer tag sale which will take place on Saturday, September 28. We will feature vintage pieces — mainly French, along with art, lamps, tables, upholstery, garden items and lots of accessories.

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. 

I have another muse in Maine, nestled in Winter Harbor. To get there, I have to walk down a meandering path through the woods until I hit the water. By the time I'm halfway down, I can hear the waves crashing in the distance and smell the salty air. Perched atop the large rocky edge of the water is a tiny one-room house...

Summer break’s last big weekend is almost here. We want you to savor this gorgeous last weekend of summer break in the best way possible. Here’s a curated a list of perfect ways to celebrate in the DMV and a few nearby getaways.

The reality is, summer did fly by, and the kids are already waiting at the bus stop. When you’re on the go 24/7, trying to savor every precious (and humid) moment of summer – August immediately follows July 4th weekend. We asked our contributors to share what they’re squeezing in before fall arrives.

I understand that gym memberships and pre-dawn workouts no longer fit your reality. I’ve been there. But fear not, there are smarter ways to incorporate exercise into your busy schedule. Here are three strategies to stay focused on your wellness during the crazy days of September:

To me when you think of the brand you think of beautiful dresses that are feminine but not too frilly. They have ruffles and puff sleeves but don’t seem too precious or bohemian. Oftentimes dresses can seem too young. I am not trying to say I am not fun, but I do need some tailoring and thick fabric. I think this is why Ulla works well for me and so many other people.

After doing some research, we discovered Juno Moneta, the Roman goddess of money and protectress of funds. She is often depicted on ancient coins, and is shown holding a pair of scales with which to measure out the pile of money that lies at her feet. She is also believed to have been the guard of the Roman temple Capitoline.

There’s just something about having your hair and makeup done that provides a boost. That’s what I love about deZEN – we’re in the business of making people feel their most confident.  We’re also here for those women getting back on their feet, trying to find a light in sometimes very dark days.

“It’s not the business I thought I was opening…it’s about three times the size of the business I started. And I never thought I’d own a building,” said Danielle Romanetti. When I ask her about the next 15 years, Danielle’s eyes pop open, ”I hadn’t thought about that…another 15 years?”

We usually don’t do events in August since most folks are out of town, but we decided to give it a try with Ulla Johnson. Starting Thursday, August 22 we are kicking off the Ulla Johnson event with some summertime cocktails from 4pm to 7pm. We are going to be serving everyone’s favorite summertime cocktail, an Aperol Spritz. It seemed like a fitting drink for the end of summer and for Ulla.

Perhaps you’ve seen them when you’ve stepped into Boxwood. They’re about 10 to 15 inches high, come in a variety of colors, and with a gentle tap on the base they provide a nice stream of light. I just never thought – they would be one of our bestsellers – but the cordless lamps by Zafferano have been flying off our shelves since introduction.

One recent Monday morning I was dragging my feet getting into work, trawling the makeup aisles at Target. Maybe it was the recent stretch of summer heat, or the piles of admin I had waiting at my desk, but my little brain was on the hunt for a dopamine boost. So, I gave it to her in the form of a fun homework assignment: Match drugstore lip glosses to our bestselling book covers. 

You know you are on a new life journey when you can drink martinis with your children!! Ok…This newfound freedom is not just about the cocktail; it's about embracing a different phase of life. Gone are the days of eye-rolling negotiations over book reports and bedtime. Or going to the mat over Brussels sprouts. In their place, we chat about their dreams, (thankfully, there are many.)

The economic rise of women has coincided with declining marriage rates, and while correlation doesn't equal causation, I think it’s safe to say that women of the present age are less interested in relationships of the past and are demanding more honesty and transparency.