You've tried stretching. You've bought a new mattress. You've had a massage. Maybe you've even gone to physical therapy before. Yet every morning you wake up with that same nagging ache in your low back. Or your back starts hurting after standing at your child's soccer game, carrying groceries, or sitting through another day at your desk. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.

Last year my husband had his 5-year scan after a bout with an exceptionally rare sinus cancer in 2020. As most people know, especially those who have had cancer, this scan is a big marker. You are supposed to breathe a sigh of relief once it is done, and we did, but we found out last week that my husband's cancer has returned, almost exactly 6 years later - outside the realm of what is likely, but cancer does not keep calendars.

Who can believe school is already around the corner? With parents and kids gearing up for a new year, it's time to share what helps get us through the back-to-school season. If you’ve been looking for some inspiration (or motivation) to embrace the start of a new year, check out the recommendations from our Contributors below.

It’s finally here! The Alexandria Sidewalk Sale starts this weekend, and at The Shoe Hive, we’re kicking it off a little early. The sale officially starts citywide on Friday, but we got our red pens out and marked everything down early. Start shopping online or in-store on Thursday, August 13, and get in early for the best selection.

When most people think about custom framing, they picture the classics: black, white, natural wood, or perhaps a brushed gold or silver frame. Those timeless choices have earned their place, and they’ll never go out of style. But sometimes the perfect frame isn’t the one that blends in.

Perfectly positioned in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, this beautifully appointed three-level townhome offers timeless design, sophisticated finishes, and an exceptional floor plan just moments from the city's most beloved shops, restaurants, and waterfront.

August is the perfect month to have a little fun with jewelry. As summer winds down, vibrant gemstones, luminous colors and effortless layering offer plenty of ways to refresh your collection — whether you're marking a milestone or simply looking for something beautiful to wear every day.

As the buyer for Wine Gallery 108, staying abreast of consumer trends and current events surrounding wine is a significant part of the job. There have been enormous shifts in consumers' buying habits, consumption patterns, and entertainment practices in the past few years that, some days, I feel dizzy from these movements in all directions.

My house is, by any objective measure, a good place to be. It’s super cute, the throw pillows are comfy, the blankets are fluffy and weighted. The orchids bloom often, provided I remember to water them. There is wine. There is quiet, technically. And I am incapable of simply sitting in it.

Jacquelyn Posey is the founder of Pisces Moon Permanent Jewelry, a bright studio tucked upstairs at 106 North Saint Asaph Street. While her customers leave with a beautiful piece they'll wear every day, what she has really created is a place where life's biggest moments—and even the ordinary ones—are worth celebrating.

We also kick off August with two great citywide events in Old Town. The first is Virginia’s Tax-Free Weekend. It always starts on the first Friday in August, which this year is August 9, and runs all weekend. During this weekend, stores do not have to charge sales tax on clothing, shoes, and school supplies priced under $100.

Idle tidying is all about maximizing your time to tend to tasks while you're waiting for something else to get done. It can promote tidiness, give you more time to rest and create a sense of calm within your home.

If you've ever bought flowers from a grocery store or florist, you've probably found yourself staring at that tiny packet of flower food, wondering: Does this stuff actually do anything? Or is it just marketing? The short answer is yes—it absolutely works. But perhaps not for the reasons most people think.

As a shopkeeper, I can say with confidence that store owners are ready for these two weekends in August: Virginia Tax-Free Weekend, August 7–9, followed by the Alexandria Sidewalk Sale the next weekend, August 14–16. These two citywide events are a sign that summer is winding down and fall is just around the corner.

While summer may still be in full swing, late August is the perfect time to start preparing your home for the changing seasons. Tackling a few simple maintenance projects now can help prevent costly repairs, improve your home's efficiency, and ensure it's ready for cooler temperatures in the months ahead.

Fabled Ice Cream is a passion project rooted in the belief that good food can tell a story, and good stories make for great experiences. Every pint is handpacked with a premium, locally made ice cream inspired by books and storytelling. Our first two flavors? Jane Eyre Grey (tea with lavender and lemon), and Cliff Hanger (peanut butter with craggy chocolate covered pretzels).

As our family prepares to leave Alexandria after many meaningful years, I've found myself reflecting on how much this city has shaped me. Like many people, I came to the Washington region as a college student expecting to stay only briefly. One opportunity led to another, and before I knew it, years had passed as I built a career, friendships, and eventually a family in this remarkable place.

When I tell people I own a store one of the first comments usually is: I would love to go to market with you. As a store owner, it is the most fun part of the job and also the most stressful. Despite the fact that I have been doing this for 24 years now, I still question myself. Also, as the store grows so do the orders. Which is what you want, but sometimes when I place an order my nerves can take over a bit.

The Patterson Group sat down with local author Christine Gunderson to talk through her latest novel, Behind White Picket Fences, and the real conversations with Alexandria moms that inspired it. Discover the surprising question at the heart of her book — and why she thinks it's one every modern parent is quietly asking.

There is something uniquely empowering about your forties and fifties. Many of us have gained confidence, perspective, and a clearer understanding of who we are. Yet it is also the decade when we begin to notice changes in the mirror that seem to happen almost overnight. Skin feels thinner. Fine lines linger longer. The jawline softens. Makeup doesn't sit quite the way it used to.