Lifestyle

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Summer is officially here, and we asked our Alexandria Stylebook contributors to share the books they can't put down this season — from poolside thrillers to memoirs worth texting your friends about, here's what's on their reading lists right now.