Winter in Alexandria can be beautiful, but it’s no friend to our hair. The good news? With the right care, your hair can stay hydrated, healthy, and full of shine all season long. Here’s a step-by-step guide to winter-proofing your hair, featuring must-have products we love at Salon deZEN.

As you are reading this you might be trying to figure out how to get your last-minute Christmas shopping done. Well, look no further than Old Town Alexandria. If you are still trying to cross people off your list this late in the game, then you really have to buy for them in a brick-and-mortar store. I thought I would share how I checked a long list of people of all ages off my list—all in Old Town.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a wonderful design-focused event at Alexandria’s Crème de la Crème store. At the event, I picked up the perfect holiday gift for any design enthusiast: The Living Room, the latest title published by Assouline. For those unfamiliar, Crème de la Crème is a haven for unique home and entertaining finds.

We love a good tradition. One that makes sense and everyone can enjoy. Now that Old Town has a toy store again, we thought it would be fun to continue Why Not's time-tested tradition of staying open until Midnight the Saturday before Christmas. We’re calling it Midnight Merriment!

Discover a new level of luxury living in this newly renovated elevator townhome, ideally located just steps from Founders Park and the scenic Potomac River. This meticulously crafted residence offers unparalleled comfort and style, blending modern design with elegant finishes throughout.

There’s always that one individual that makes you sweat come holiday shopping time – because they have absolutely EVERYTHING. They’re on top of trends and have the “it” gadget before it's available to anyone else on planet Earth, they also have a vintage collection that museums would fight over and they’re non-expressive and unimpressed (though polite), whenever it’s time to open your present. But…maybe they don’t have one of these:

Season’s greetings from your neighborhood bookseller, a 40-year-old woman who has, according to her Christmas list, leaned in to becoming a caricature of an eccentric bookshop owner. In addition to the following gift ideas on my list this year (only some of which are truly strange), I have also included book recommendations to help steer your gifting this year. 

If you are looking for a last minute gift, look no further than The Hive’s new arrivals from Lizzie Fortunato. Do you need something for that hard-to-shop-for friend or mother-in-law? You can’t go wrong with the organic hoop, which now comes in a mini size. We just received a new shipment of all different colors of both sizes.

When I first walked into Reza Mohammadi’s tailored clothing shop, BARG Garments on 108 N. Alfred Street, I felt like I was visiting a friend’s home. He was very polite, always smiling and brought me a cup of tea and some chocolates when we sat down to chat. He had emailed me a few weeks earlier, curious to know more about the small business community in Alexandria.

I invite you to embrace the most accessible beauty secret: dedicating time to yourself. This practice not only redefines vanity but also nurtures the soul. In our fast-paced lives, we often wear our exhaustion as a badge of honor, neglecting simple pleasures like taking a moment to breathe or appreciating our loved ones.

What I know from years and years of costume design - is that accessories and beauty hold such a magical power to transform an outfit. We don’t always need to go out and buy a new dress or outfit for every party. When you have something you already love, wear it! The easiest way to make it new? Add an accessory, then change your hair and makeup.

You could go for the usual suspects—luxury candles, cashmere scarves, maybe a bottle of vintage Champagne. Or, you could elevate your gifting game entirely with something unexpected yet undeniably luxe: a personalized makeup lesson.

Holidays can stir up a lot of feelings, and there is comfort in memories that connect us to people and places of the past. We are feeling particularly nostalgic these days and have assembled a Gift Guide to celebrate fond memories and a few things we grew up loving.

Let’s talk front doors.  As funny as it is to say, front doors are my favorite part of a home’s exterior. This season we’re rolling out a brand new collection of door wreaths that are the perfect celebration of the season, and a wonderful gifting idea.  

One key part of this annual event is making sure the men know what to get when they arrive. This is where the Stylebook readers come in. This isn’t just for Men’s Night – this is for the entire holiday shopping season. Come in and fill out a Wish List and we will do the rest.

As both an artist and the owner of a framing gallery, I’ve worked with countless clients to help them transform their living spaces into personalized Art galleries. With a few thoughtful tips, you can elevate your space and create a cohesive, inspiring environment that tells your story.

Why does he always say he doesn’t need anything, and then looks sad when all the gifts under the tree are for the kids – and you! Surprise him this year with something unique and something he needs, not socks or a sweater, because you know your mother-in-law has that covered. Here’s a guide from our local experts:

This mid-century modern masterpiece, winner of the 2024 Home and Design Grand Award for Curb Appeal, is a striking example of visionary design by celebrated architect Ben Ames. Every aspect of this extraordinary home reflects a meticulous commitment to craftsmanship, aesthetic harmony, and the seamless integration of architecture with nature.

As the festive season sparkles into view, we invite you to indulge in our special savings designed to make your holiday gift-giving truly magical. Mystique Jewelers’ exquisite collection of jewels is not just any ordinary gift; each piece is a unique treasure waiting to be discovered.

Ever wonder how some people seem to have boundless energy while you wish you could have pushed the snooze button five more times? And how does your sister eat anything and not gain a pound? This is likely due to metabolic flexibility.