Lifestyle

As the weather gets colder and evenings move indoors, it’s officially dinner party season. There’s something especially lovely about gathering around a friend’s table this time of year—and a thoughtful hostess gift is a small way to acknowledge everything that goes into welcoming you.

A clutter-free home starts from the ground up—literally. Discover the five things organized people never store on the floor and the simple habits that keep everyday mess from piling up. From shoes and packages to laundry and those “maybe” items, these easy tips can make your home feel more orderly every day.

Steeped in history yet thoughtfully reimagined for modern living, this exceptional detached residence, originally built in the 1880s, seamlessly blends timeless architecture with sophisticated luxury. Following an extensive renovation and expansion completed between 2022 and 2025, every detail has been meticulously curated to honor the home's historic character while introducing today's finest finishes and amenities.

There is a moment in every session when a child stops noticing everything else around them and looks right into my lens. Their sweet face softens, they open up, and suddenly it is as if I can see the whole world through their eyes. Capturing that moment always brings me so much joy, and takes on a whole new meaning when it is the beginning of an oil portrait project.

I love seeing Boxwood after hours. The shop takes on a completely different feeling when the doors are closed, the glasses are poured, and everyone is gathered around the table creating something. This October we have three very different creative evenings planned. Jewelry, flowers, and needlepoint are all on the calendar, taught by three incredibly talented local women we are so excited to welcome to the shop.

There’s something about fall that makes us want to reset. We reorganize our closets, refresh our routines, and start thinking about the year ahead. But while you’re swapping iced coffees for pumpkin spice lattes, there’s one thing that deserves a seasonal refresh, too: your business finances.

The story of Carlough & Co. began long before we officially opened our doors. My sister-in-law and business partner, Deirdre, and I first met in New York City while earning our master’s degrees at the Fashion Institute of Technology and working in the beauty industry. We quickly became close friends, bonding over a shared passion for art, design, beauty, and travel.

Why what you wear can change how you think, and how to harness that tool. I hear it almost daily, in one form or another, that my outfit is so cool. Whatever room I've just walked into — a courthouse hallway, a Chamber breakfast, a table at brunch, I hear it. And I love it! I grew up with a Mother that always said that dressing the part was half the battle and her sense of style, is quite amazing.

Three beautifully updated Alexandria homes offer a mix of modern comfort, character, and highly walkable locations. From Old Town convenience to Del Ray charm and sought-after neighborhood living, each property pairs thoughtful renovations with inviting outdoor spaces and easy access to shops, dining, parks, Metro, and D.C.

Old Town Alexandria is about to host a D.C.-area first: the Old Town Beauty Crawl, a weekend-long celebration of the neighborhood's beauty scene, complete with exclusive promotions, stamp cards, and prizes! Organized by Old Town's own beauty destinations, the Beauty Crawl invites beauty lovers to explore more than a dozen participating shops and salons across the neighborhood, spanning everything from cosmetics and fragrance to skincare, haircare, permanent makeup, and beauty treatments.

After creating Taylor Swift’s distinctive Old Mine-cut engagement ring, New York jeweler Kindred Lubeck is bringing her signature craftsmanship and passion for antique diamonds to Sotheby’s. When Taylor Swift revealed her engagement to Travis Kelce on August 26, 2025, her vintage-inspired ring immediately captured attention.

Across Alexandria, families have been finding their way back into the rhythms of another school year. Some students returned in August. At Alexandria Classical Christian Academy, we began September 1. Others headed back after Labor Day. But regardless of when that first day happened, most families are now settling into that familiar transition from the openness of summer to the fullness of fall.

I am wrapping up a one-month sabbatical from my business and life in Alexandria as I write this article. Taking a sabbatical is something I could never have imagined for myself, especially as a small business owner. When I worked full-time for other companies and organizations, I barely took a two-week vacation, so a month-long break seemed completely unattainable.

Pets are more than companions; they are part of the family, and today’s luxury homes are increasingly designed with their comfort, convenience, and well-being in mind. From beautifully integrated feeding stations to dedicated pet suites, these thoughtful details prove that pet-friendly design can be both functional and sophisticated.

Somewhere in Alexandria this week, a well-meaning spouse is going to walk into a title company, sign a one-page document, and hand over a piece of their premarital life without realizing it. The document is called a deed of gift. It sounds sentimental and it is. That's exactly the problem.

Lauren shares a simple September reset to help you clear out worn summer essentials, check expiration dates and refresh your closets. Tackle these easy tasks now to make the transition into fall feel a little more organized.

Usually, I am scrambling to schedule family photos while the very last leaves are falling from the trees, followed by a mad dash to choose a photo, order holiday cards, address them, and get them into the mail sometime before the new year. But this year, I planned ahead—and I feel like a new woman.

The Patterson Group and Character Companies invite you to celebrate the unveiling of 6123 Woodmont Road, a stunning new construction residence perched atop the hill in sought-after Belle Haven. Neighbors and friends are welcome from 4:00–6:30 pm for an afternoon of champagne, catering by Little Birdie, and a build-your-own floral bouquet bar by Helen & Olivia

Our furry friends fill a space in our hearts that no one else can. They are always there for us… constant, loving, always present. They know just when to nudge up against you, just how to tilt their head, and just how to look at you with those adoring eyes. When you have a friend like this, it makes you smile bigger. It makes your days more playful. And it becomes a connector — to your community, your neighborhood, your life.

Few residences embody New York City's Gilded Age quite like 4 East 79th Street. Located just steps from Central Park and Fifth Avenue's renowned Museum Mile, this extraordinary limestone mansion is more than a luxury home. It is a remarkable piece of Manhattan history, meticulously restored to meet the expectations of modern living while honoring the craftsmanship of a bygone era.

I have sat across from hundreds of people at the worst moments of their lives. I have watched marriages end, families restructure, and adults who once shared a bed become strangers who communicate only through lawyers. I have been the person holding the door open to whatever comes next. Getting through it and processing it are not the same thing. And the gap between those two things is exactly where the next relationship goes to die.

My routine lately is simple: Get a fountain Diet Coke from 7-Eleven. Park in front of 7940 Fort Hunt Road. Stare at the storefront for over an hour. What am I doing, exactly? Because by next year, 7940 Fort Hunt Road will be home to Fabled Ice Cream, a small-batch ice cream shop inspired by stories and made right here in our community.

There’s a new kid on the block when it comes to financial planning: the Trump Account, or more technically – the 530A account. These ‘starter retirement accounts’ went live last month and there’s plenty of misunderstanding out there about how they’re most effectively used. Let’s dig into it!

Celebrity real estate continues to make headlines, and this summer has brought a new collection of notable properties to the market through Sotheby’s International Realty. From a music legend’s former California residence to an NFL star’s home that found a buyer in just days, these properties offer a glimpse into the homes, lifestyles, and stories behind some of the most recognizable names in entertainment and sports.

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.

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.