Thanksgiving is all about family, gratitude, and, of course, food! But who says the menu has to be traditional? If you're ready to break away from turkey and stuffing, here’s a list of unique, mouth-watering dishes that will make this Thanksgiving unforgettable.

My new nose piercing. (Two, actually - septum and nostril, ouch.) I went to Creative Chaos on the suggestion of our booksellers and highly recommend it. I’ve been heartbroken about the recent disregard shown for a woman’s bodily autonomy, so I felt like making a choice about my own was fitting. We’re thinking of having a tattoo and piercing popup in the bookstore in the New Year, because why not? Books + body art, let’s make it a thing. 

It’s an election year, so it felt like a good time to talk about “craftivisim,” a term that was coined in 2014 but describes something that has existed for centuries. In 2014, Betsy Greer coined the term “Craftivism.” In her book, Greer gave a name to the intersection of craft and activism, looking at places where crafters and artists want their work to contribute to the greater good, spark conversation, and signal their activism to the wider world. 

We all live with little necessary home repairs. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, broken fence, missing trim, holes in drywall – well you get the picture. Most of the time we let these things go until we decide it’s time to sell our house. We get everything repaired, replaced, painted and then wonder why we didn’t do it sooner!

November is the perfect time to do two things when it comes to your finances, especially if you own a business – catch up on your bookkeeping and file your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report! We are nearing the end of the year and many people find themselves lost in a whirlwind of backlogged bookkeeping. Now is a great time to either get it up to date yourself or hire a bookkeeper to get you caught up for the year so you aren’t stressed out come tax time.

I wandered into AIP when it first reopened. Alex greeted me and sold me one of the best swimsuits I’ve ever owned. I’d never seen anything like it and I’ve  never seen anyone with it. That’s the kind of boutique American in Paris is. She finds all sorts of cool unique pieces for the store while traveling the world. This women’s boutique is more than just a shop—it’s a vibe.

Think Rolyn’s crossbody bags and sling bags are a favorite – especially for travel. They are the perfect size, they are weather resistant and the zippers and pockets are in all the right places. I use the wingman all the time when I go to NYC for work or away for a weekend. You can throw so much stuff in it and after owning it for five years, it looks like new!

Watching Love is Blind DC as a family law attorney made me cringe over and over again. The thing that bothered me most in terms of legal misconceptions was everyone referring to a “sperm baby” as if it was someone’s legal child. I also personally found the term incredibly offensive. So, let’s go over some basics.

My Libby’s List this past week featured the Ann Mashburn Funnel Neck sweater. It’s a favorite of mine and my top pick for the trunk show. If I had to suggest a second item that is a must-buy buy, it would be a pull on pant. Pull-on pants are definitely having a moment right now, and Ann was in early on the trend. I asked Madeline to style each version to show their versatility.

The holiday season is almost here and while it’s often a time of celebration and giving, for women in perimenopause and menopause, it can also be a time of hormonal fluctuations, mood swings, and physical discomfort. This year, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of wellness. Here are some ideas that will stretch your pocketbook.

With December on the horizon, we’d like to show you the Advent calendars we have this year! So many creative, fun, and tasty ways to countdown to Christmas. We have several options that all double as darling decorations and a few that have extra special surprises inside, some edible and some that will last for years to come.

"I wanted a name that captured the charm of a romance bookstore. There are so many cute bookstore names out there—Meet Cute could have been an option, but it was taken in San Diego. I wanted something that invites the idea of friendship, like going to a book club with your friends. When you think of love and friendship, that's the vibe I wanted to create for this space."

It goes without saying that table styling is serious business in my house. And, as evidenced by the overwhelming number of orders we get from our Stylebook community each year, I know that it’s serious business in your homes, too. One of the things I love most about Alexandria is how much we all love a holiday and decorating. We have new tabletop décor items, many of which are transitional from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

One of the things I often think about at Alexandria Classical Christian Academy is what level of independence is appropriate to give children. Especially, when our top responsibility is to keep children safe. It’s because of this commitment that we’ve approached the two matters with a bit of independent thinking in the current school landscape: technology and outdoor time. 

As a local, Traci shares our love for Alexandria and our community so you may already know her bright smile and welcoming personality! In fact our mutual love for Red Barn Mercantile and design helped us meet and now I see Traci at many of my favorite places around town as well! 

Many of us will have friends and family staying overnight in our homes from now until the New Year, so take the time now to make sure it's neat and well stocked. Consider adding a luggage rack or small bin with toiletries. Adding a framed print-out of your Wi-Fi password can be a really nice touch, too!

When we first opened our boutique, we knew from the start that it wasn’t just about the products we were selling—it was about creating an experience. We wanted every single detail, from the lighting to the smell to the color of the walls, to reflect our personal style and make our customers feel comfortable, inspired, and, most importantly, connected.

One of the hardest things for a young artist is finding your own voice. I wanted drama in my work—and life, as it happened, provided plenty. Going through a divorce was that pivotal moment, opening a well of raw emotion. During this time, I painted a series of self-portraits from a mirror, capturing a pain that pushed me deeper into myself than I’d ever been.

Reflect on your jewelry collection and consider the pieces that have quietly remained unworn, gathering dust in your jewelry box. At Mystique Jewelers, we understand that every piece tells a story, and we are committed to providing you with personalized service and thoughtful solutions. We invite you to take advantage of our enticing offer: receive immediate cash on the spot for your unworn treasures or enjoy a generous 20% bonus when you choose to trade them in for store credit.

I know when you think of Ann Mashburn, most people think of clothing. And they should! They make the best sweaters and shirting around. In my opinion, they also make some of the best shoes around. If you haven’t tried them, you should. First, they are made in Italy and the Italians simply know how to make shoes. Second, they are comfortable. I can wear her shoes all day, especially the loafers.