Family First Law Group Recognized as Virginia’s Top Women-Led Law Firm
When Virginia Lawyer Weekly recognized Family First Law Group as a Top Women-Led Law Firm, it affirmed what our clients have been telling us for years: women’s leadership in law creates a different—and often better—client experience.
Screens, Stress, and the Lost Art of Play: Why Outdoor Play Still Matters
As families return from the holidays and children reenter school routines, it’s worth pausing to ask: What kind of childhood are we cultivating? At Alexandria Classical Christian Academy (ACCA), we believe the answer matters deeply—and it begins with reclaiming something simple, powerful, and increasingly rare: meaningful outdoor play.
A Year in Review: The Highlights from 2025
As we wrap up 2025, we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the moments that made this year memorable. From personal milestones to business wins and community impact, 2025 reminded us that progress often comes in many forms.
The Return of Wolford at The Hive
Wolford has been at The Shoe Hive for a long time. I think we even had it on the shelf at the original tiny store at 115 Royal Street. During COVID, we stepped away from the brand a bit—there wasn’t much demand for tights and nylons when no one was leaving their homes. We have slowly brought them back, and this year they’re back in a big way.
From Pain to Power: Three Women Who Found Relief Through Pelvic Floor Therapy
Pelvic floor therapy isn’t just about treating “women’s health” issues—it’s about empowering people to move, live, and love without pain or fear. These three women’s stories show what’s possible when we start talking about the muscles no one talks about.
Inside the Most Famous Holiday Homes in Film
Every December, we press play on the same beloved holiday films, partly for the stories, but just as much for the homes. The twinkling lights in the windows. The staircases made for grand entrances (or dramatic exits). The kitchens where chaos, comfort, and Christmas collide. Long after the final scene fades, it’s often these houses that stay with us, becoming as iconic as the characters themselves.
Luck, Gratitude, and Twenty Years on the Avenue
In my studio, I meet folks who are new to town almost every week. After we chat for a bit, I usually ask them: Did you know how great this town was before you moved here, or did you just luck into it? It’s never a question of whether they like it here, of course they do, the real question is whether they came here because they knew this town was great, or lucked into it?
The Hidden Cost of Cheers: Alcohol’s Overlooked Impact on Women’s Dementia Risk
‘Tis the season for toasts, cocktails, and cozy pours by the fire with friends and family! Yet, before we raise our glasses, let me raise a question: what does (extra holiday) drinking mean for our brain health?
The Truth About Waxing: What Actually Reduces Pain, Ingrowns, and Irritation
Waxing has long been misunderstood. Many people believe it is always painful, harsh on the skin, and likely to cause ingrowns. In reality, when waxing is done correctly—with education, intention, and the right products—it can be one of the most effective and skin-friendly hair removal methods available.
The Brand That Always Makes Me Laugh: Unfortunate Portrait
Each time we go into the showroom filled with brands we carry, I make a beeline for the tiny Unfortunate Portrait rack. I flip through the shirts and laugh and laugh and laugh. Each shirt is funnier than the next and are guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face the moment they read them.
Holiday Gift Guide: For the Person Who Has Everything
Shopping for the person who already has it all calls for a different kind of gift—the kind that feels thoughtful, unexpected, and a little unforgettable. This guide is all about experiences, heirloom-worthy pieces, and meaningful luxuries.
Skip the Shipping, Shop Small: Last-Minute Gift Ideas from The Hive
We’re nearing the end of the holiday shopping season, and it’s the perfect time to skip the shipping stress and shop local. With online deadlines closing fast and malls more chaotic than ever, shopping small is simply smarter—and more enjoyable. I’ve rounded up a few tried-and-true gifts that never miss, so you can wrap up your list with ease.
Traveling for the Holidays? Three Legal Documents Every Parent Should Pack
Holiday travel with children is stressful, and we frequently receive panicked calls from parents who’ve been stopped and questioned because they don’t have the right paperwork. This holiday season, as you pack gifts and coordinate travel plans, add legal documents to your checklist. It’s one gift to yourself that costs nothing but provides priceless peace of mind.
Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Year of Growth and Gratitude at Kristin Try Interiors
As 2025 comes to a close, we are reflecting on what has been both a rewarding and challenging year for Kristin Try Interiors. Like so many of you, we navigated unexpected turns—tight timelines, shifting budgets, and the ever-evolving design landscape. Yet through it all, the heart of our work remained the same: creating spaces that feel deeply personal and truly lived-in.
Your Home as Your Sanctuary: Why Wellness is the New Luxury
For decades, luxury real estate was measured in square footage, architectural grandeur, and designer finishes. The bigger the chandelier, the more impressive the home. But as we move into 2026, a fundamental shift is reshaping what affluent buyers value most—and here in Alexandria, we're witnessing this transformation firsthand.
How to Keep Your Home Organized This Holiday and Beyond
It’s the holiday season, which means it’s officially time to make things easier on yourself. Here are the tried-and-true tips we swear by to help your home run smoothly—so you can actually enjoy the festivities.
Bellacara Gift Guide: Luxe Beauty Picks for the Season
King Street is glowing, and so will your gift list. I rounded up my favorite beauty picks of the season—luxurious, useful, and ready to grab before your next holiday stop.
My Top 10 Fall Finds I Can’t Live Without – Now on Sale
I am sure your inbox is full of emails about sales. It seems like Black Friday deals started at Halloween and now winter sales are already in full force. It is time for The Shoe Hive and The Hive to join in. We’re kicking off our fall merchandise sale this Saturday, Dec. 13, and the markdown is bigger than ever.
Celebrate Style & Storytelling at Patina Polished Living
Patina Polished Living invites you to a special holiday event featuring the perfect pairing of modern elegance and Old Town charm on Friday, December 19 from 12-3 PM. Discover the stunning jewelry of Anabel Aram and meet author Anne Metcalf as we celebrate the launch of her new book, Old Town at Home.
Holiday Gift Guide: For Him
Shopping for the men in your life can feel impossible, so we pulled together a guide that actually makes it easy. Whether he’s into style, gadgets, travel or the little luxuries he’d never buy for himself, this list has something that’ll make him light up. From practical upgrades to splurge-worthy treats, consider this your go-to cheat sheet for gifts he’ll actually use, appreciate and maybe even brag about later.