I recently sat down with Emily Coccia, Owner and CEO of Ms. Moxie's Moon Shop, a menstrual health boutique for every phase and everyone, to talk about life, how to serve women best, and our upcoming program: Why Fitness at 40 Feels Elusive: Strategies to Feel Your Best at Any Age.

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.

There was a time (cue “I Dreamed a Dream”) when writing was all we had. I’m not talking about hundreds of years ago, quills and inkwells and carrier pigeons (but I am a little bit). I am grateful to be of the Xennial generation; we were kids in the 80’s AND 90’s. What if autumn IS the adult version of summer? I am eager to reconnect with old friends and autumn is the permission to exit summer and welcome cozy letter writing by a fire...

Back to school came and went, and now all sorts of things are filling up the calendar. I love all the fall through end-of-year events in Alexandria! I am always at events either supporting a nonprofit that has a great mission, because it’s tied to a board I volunteer on, or just because it’s a fun gathering. Here are the top events that are a must-attend for me from now till the end of the year in Alexandria!

The temps are cooling and those beautiful autumn days are coming. While fall is full of festivals, apple picking and harvests, we do love to squeeze in a day trip to a winery or two…or more. We asked our contributors to share their faves within driving distance of Alexandria.

This fall, variations of the classic bob are dominating. First up, the French bob—a timeless, effortlessly chic style that sits just above or at the jawline. Whether you opt for subtle front angles or a uniform length, the French bob exudes a certain je ne sais quoi.

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.

Of course the elephant in any medical spa treatment room is the tried and tested: “Botox”. Throughout your visits with me you’ll hear me refer to any and all of the injectable Neurotoxins as “Tox” because they all work essentially the same and have the same treatment goal: stop movement.

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.

Even though Autumn doesn’t officially begin until September 22, the start of the month always brings a festive fall mood, making us eager to dive into seasonal activities like apple picking, vineyard visits, watching cozy fall movies, and cooking comforting meals.

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.”

Hotel Heron has a vibe, and if you’ve been there you know it.  History meets modern meets eclectic meets warm is how I’d describe the furnishings and finishes. Every detail has been selected with care and thought. When I was invited back to the hotel in my official florist capacity to collaborate on a wedding styled shoot, I hoped I would find the same feel carried through to the events space.

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!

I like to give my stores a personality. Each one is distinct. When we tell people that we own all three they usually see the resemblance, but for the most part, we’ve done a good job of imbuing them with their own unique personality. Honestly, figuring out who they will be is most of the fun. What do they look like? Smell like? Even sound like?

We are fortunate that we get to experience all four seasons in Alexandria. As we draw closer to October, our thoughts turn to fall and all it has to offer. One way to add a little fall flavor to your outfits is with your jewelry.

September 5 is National Cheese Pizza Day, but let’s be honest, we don’t need an excuse to indulge — we do it regularly! Pizza's rich history stretches back to the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks, who enjoyed early versions of flatbreads, much like today’s focaccia. However, the pizza we know and love today was born in Naples, Italy.

With the kids back in school, the kitchen has become a focus again — this is where the day starts and ends for many. Here a few tips to help everything go smoother in the morning (and after school), so you can find what you need and get to where you need to be on time!

We begin to lose muscle mass at age 30. It’s crucial to keep it!  We have been sold a line that if we sweat, we will lose weight. To many, sweat is the indicator of a “good workout” and you think strength training won’t make you sweat. But that’s simply not true. 

With the fall months closing in fast, a more potent fragrance with impeccable staying power is in order. If you’re unfamiliar with House Cire Trudon, allow me to introduce you. Sultry, intoxicating and infamously long lasting, their fragrances are second to none.