I first met Mickey at Barre3 through our dear friend, Whitney. I remember thinking to myself, "I want to be like this woman when I grow up." Flash forward five years, and even though I'm not even close to being as cool and collected as Mickey - I get to at least work with her every week.Mickey provides visual merchandising and display services to a number of local boutiques including The Hive and The Shoe Hive, Barre3, and Boxwood. We like to call her The Magic. She has her degree in fashion merchandising from Fordham University and worked early on at high-end brands like Ralph Lauren Home and Bloomingdales.She lives in Del Ray (right behind Stomping Ground) with her husband and two young boys. Maybe you can all give her a virtual high five via Instagram @mickeysauls because she's at home struggling like all of us, but probably being just as stylish and chic as ever. 

Mickey is wearing the Danica High Rise Wide Leg Jeans by L’Agence and the Twin Swans Tee by Emerson Fry available at The Hive.

ABOUT YOU

How do you spend your time? I recently started my own small business helping local boutiques with merchandising, visuals, and retail consulting. Weekends are spent mostly in Del Ray near home with my boys: my husband and our 8-year-old and 3-year-old. There are so many activities and fun places to walk to from our home.Neighborhood: Del Ray all the Way!How long have you lived in Alexandria: 8 years.What is your hometown? Long Island, New York.What brought you to Alexandria? The Navy (Go Navy Beat Army!)What would surprise people about you? That as a child I spent my summers in New Hampshire on a farm feeding chickens, riding horses, and canoeing.  You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? That I could slow down time. Fun times are flying by too fast right now!Favorite cocktail: The margaritas at Taqueria Poblano, slightly spicy, hold the salt. We go there so much they know that my husband is salt and I’m no salt.Last book read or movie seen: Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid with my amazing book/wine club.Guilty Pleasure: Stalking the real estate market on Redfin even though I love our home and we’re never ever moving again.Phrase you overuse: “Sounds good” and “totally!”Facebook or Instagram? Insta.Latest binge-watch: Downtown Abby all the way through for the third time.Bucket list travel destination: Monaco.If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? I struggled with this question more than any other! I think wine…  

FASHION

Define your style in three words or less: Comfortable with edge.The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Layering necklaces.Favorite trend ever: 90’s platform sneakers like Volatile.Favorite current trend: Wide leg pants and monochromatic.Beauty product you can’t live without: Hyaluronic acid and tweezers.Favorite fragrance: Anything with sandalwood.Heels or flats? Flats 75 percent of the time. Heels for drag brunch. 

 

HOME

Favorite room in your home: People watching from the swing on our front porch.Antiques, modern, or a mix? A mix of new and repurposed.Last item bought for your home: New rug in our living room which made a huge difference in the space.Next planned purchase: I’ve had my eye out for a large mid-century mirror for our dining room.Favorite way to entertain: Outside on our screened in back porch all summer long with the fire pit outside.Clutter-free or well-lived in? Cozy minimalist.Wallpaper -- yes, totally modern or no, so dated: Wallpaper all the way! I’ve been thinking about wallpapering our stair raisers.  

FITNESS

Your go-to work-out: Barre3 Old Town 3 - 4 times per week.Most fun way to exercise: Still Barre3.Group exercise or solo: Groups get me moving.Fitness goal: Make it to owner Meredith’s class at least once a week.Haven’t yet, but might be willing to try with coaching / encouragement: Aerial Yoga.Proudest fitness achievement: Actually finding a workout that I love. I used to hate working out; I wish I found Barre3 earlier in my life!      

ALEXANDRIA

Favorite spot in Alexandria: Running into friends and neighbors on the Avenue in Del Ray.Last purchase in Alexandria: Earrings and a ring from She’s Unique at the Warehouse Sale and a gift for my baby niece from Boxwood.Best coffee / happy hour / date night spot: Stomping Ground for all three!!! We can be found at Stomping Ground multiple times each week for coffee, wine, and Nicole’s short ribs!Favorite charity: Child and Family Network Center Preschool.Favorite annual Alexandria event: Art on the Avenue.