From April Fool’s Day pranks to planning Reptile Day at Pippin Toy Co., Leann brings joy and spark to Old Town’s favorite toy store. This week, she shares how life led her to Alexandria, her top Disney tips, her daughter Lily’s toy evolution—and why she’ll never move farther south (unless it’s to Key West!).

You never think about divorce when you’re looking into those cute little wet noses, do you? Of course not! So many of us have pets that are not just animals but cherished members of the family. In Virginia, courts are required to treat pets like any other form of tangible property. That’s why it’s important to think ahead about what might happen.

Looking for family-friendly summer fun — and a chance to tour your future dream home? Join The Patterson Group and Wakefield Homes for a one-of-a-kind Carnival Open House at 8628 Plymouth Road, Alexandria, VA on Sunday, July 13 from 3–6pm.

Headed to the beach (or mountains, or city) this summer? We’ve rounded up our favorite easy, thoughtful host gifts—from candle sets and cocktail kits to notepads, games, and cozy kitchen bundles—that are sure to impress and easy to pack.

Several months ago, my husband and I made the decision to move back to our home state of Pennsylvania to be closer to family. It felt very far off at the time, but now—with boxes nearly all unpacked in Philadelphia—I find myself in my last two weeks at The Hive. Shops and businesses are the heartbeat of places like Old Town. And my biggest takeaway about Alexandria is that it shows up.

There’s a new beauty buzzword making its way into everyday conversations and no, it’s not another TikTok trend. It’s recession hair, and while the name might sound like something pulled from the pages of an economics textbook, the deeper story is one of empowerment, sustainability, and smart beauty choices.

My husband has always wanted to show me where he spent seven years of his life growing up. It just happens to be Switzerland, specifically Lausanne, on the shores of Lake Geneva. So here I am, sitting on our hotel balcony. But since Patina isn’t a travel blog or restaurant review site, let’s move on to something a little closer to home—our gorgeous rechargeable lamps

Some of you already know, but we wanted to make sure everyone heard the news: Annette is moving back to Pennsylvania. She tried to do this once before, a few years ago, but I managed to trick her into staying. This time, no amount of begging could change her mind. This is the hardest part of the job. We really are like a family, and when someone leaves, it hurts.