“I consider Alexandria home.” When I ask why she chose it, she shares, “Two reasons. I felt like Washington, D.C., had a lot of European feel…the buildings, the architecture, and I knew I wanted to live in a bigger city. And this is going to sound silly, but I was inspired by a movie that won a Grammy (for it’s soundtrack)…it was a big 80s hit with Demi Moore and Rob Lowe.” She thinks for a minute or two. “St. Elmo’s Fire!”

It was a packed house at ACT for Alexandria’s Kick Off Party, sponsored by Passport Auto on Wednesday evening at ALX Community Waterfront. We Alexandrians love to mingle and especially when it’s for a good cause and supporting so many. This year, there are over 190 participating organizations – and there is a cause that everyone can connect with.

Spring shoe season is here and it’s time to pack up the boots and bring out the sandals and lighter shoes. To prove we still have a great shoe selection I created a shoe capsule. This is what I think someone needs to make it through summer if they had no shoes at all in their closet.

As the owner of Boxwood, I pride myself on featuring items and artwork handmade by local creators. Their attention to detail is not something that can be easily copied, and you can almost feel their passion emanating from their featured products.

The Alexandria real estate market is off to a dynamic start in 2025, with homes selling quickly and prices reflecting strong demand across key neighborhoods. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or stay informed, here’s a breakdown of the latest market trends.

Spring is here and so is the urge to declutter, deep clean and organize! Seasonal cleaning doesn't have to take over your entire week or even month, but with some helpful tips, you can embark on these tasks with minimal stress.

Last year I had the honor of photographing six, local female authors. The portraits had to capture – in a glance – who they are and what they want to share on websites, book jackets and in press materials. No pressure!

Life moves fast, and sometimes we just need a moment to slow down, breathe, and reset. Our Japanese Scalp Spa is where ancient wellness rituals meet modern luxury to transform not just your hair—but the health of your scalp and your entire sense of well-being.

When it comes to Hunter Bell, she really gets how to make a dress for warmer weather. Maybe it’s her Texas roots, but over and over, I find that nobody does it better. I’m not typically a color or pattern person, but I’m always drawn to her dresses.

April is National Letter Writing Month! I love all these fun made up “holidays.” They bring so much silliness and joy. Naturally, one of our Penny Post favorites is National Letter Writing Month. It’s an entire month where we get to celebrate writing letters and connecting with our loved ones near and far.

With the arrival of spring, MGM National Harbor is serving up new and exciting experiences for guests during April. From a dedicated DMV-themed conservatory display and specials for cherry blossom season to an array of talented entertainers at The Theater, there’s no better place to usher in a new season.

Pamela went viral on TikTok at the end of 2021. “I made a video of trends I had observed through the lens of an elder millennial. Overnight I gained 50,000 followers…I had celebs following me,” she shares. “This humorous approach to trends worked for an older audience,” and she kept creating “weekly Cliff notes” for two years as an organic content curator. She struck more gold with spoof reality shows on the platform. “There’s a lot more silliness and physical comedy coming back to social, people need an outlet.”

Spring is in the air, and that can only mean one thing: the Easter Bunny is hopping into town! But have you ever stopped to wonder where this fluffy, egg-delivering creature originated? It’s a tale as rich as a box of Madame Coco’s chocolate Bon Bons. 

Everyone is loving Freda Salvador and we keep adding more and more styles to our collection. Ann Mashburn does the most comfortable sandal called the Diagnol Strap Sandal. It just molds to your foot and disappears when you wear it. When you look at it, it doesn’t seem like it should be comfortable, but we promise you can wear them all day.

Set along the picturesque banks of the Potomac River, this 5,200 square foot Mediterranean-style villa offers a seamless blend of Old World charm and contemporary innovation. Its warm, earth-toned brick façade and classic terracotta roof exude timeless elegance, while integrated solar panels provide a sustainable touch without compromising its architectural authenticity.

April 9 is Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s Day of Giving where we come together to raise nearly $3 million for organizations serving our most vulnerable citizens. Critical federal funding that our non-profits and schools rely on is being stalled at best, and eliminated at worst. As we see more of our neighbors in need, it’s going to be up to the public sector to come to their aid. This is the perfect time to teach children the joy of giving so others may thrive. 

First of all, let’s review whether it’s smart to get a refund to begin with. Not really, and certainly not a sizable one. That’s letting the government take your money throughout the year, earn interest on it for itself, and then return it to you without even a thank you. Now, I don’t want to be swung on the other side too far and face owing a substantial amount either. The sweet spot is something that looks a lot like a non-event.

Right now there’s a lot of chaos in the D.C. area, and some people are wondering if they can relocate either to be closer to family, or for a lower cost of living. If you have children in common with someone you are not living with, and want to move with your children – this is tricky.

The moment you hold your grandchild for the first time, you experience a love that is different from anything else. Not only do you experience becoming a grandparent, but you get to see your child step into the role of becoming a parent. And once I became a grandparent, I saw so many items on our buying trips that the shop just had to have! Here’s a preview.

You know “those” people you see at gyms. They walk in with confidence. They know where to go and what to do. They know the people at the front desk like family. Their workout looks tough, yet (oddly) they seem to be having the time of their life. How do YOU do that?  Let’s start with some numbers.