There’s a new children’s book called Reston A to Z, and local preschoolers and early readers are going to love it. My own kids adore this book about their town. There are a lot of reasons Reston A to Z appeals to young children, including a charming squirrel narrator and entertaining rhymes. But what makes this book particularly special is…

Recently I chatted over Lake Anne Brew House brews with Eric MacDicken and Kristina Alcorn about their hilarious new book, Myths & Monsters of Reston, Virginia. These two kept me laughing so hard that I didn’t notice two hours going by. As I reluctantly packed up at the end of a fun evening, I realized that I still had…

The holidays have arrived! Here are some of the greatest celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah in Reston and the surrounding areas of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 Herndon Turkey Trot 4pm: Herndon Centennial Golf Course, Herndon This 5K race winds around the beautiful Herndon Centennial Golf Course and on the W&OD…

We love a home filled with personality! The latest house in our series of home tours is a mixture of feminine glam, vintage chic, and wild zaniness. It’s the perfect match for homeowner April Greer and her adventurous spirit. April is a freelance advertising photographer with clients such as the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal,…

If you love strolling through Reston Town Center but wish there were more independent businesses among the large chains, then you don’t want to miss one of the area’s newest stores. Living Threads Co. is all about supporting small businesses. It opened earlier this year, bringing handmade products from independent artisans to Market Street. Living Threads…

I’ve been a fan of Herndon illustrator Lakshmi Sarkar ever since I found her exquisite fashion illustrations on Instagram. Lakshmi is a painter and illustrator who loves color and is inspired by her Indian roots. She posts regularly to her Instagram account with her gorgeous paintings and drawings. I can’t get enough. (I mean, just take a look…

The bright colors and fluid lines of Celeste Friesen-Nikkel’s paintings were the first things that caught my eye. Then when I learned that she uses freely flowing paints without brushes or other painting tools, I was especially intrigued. Her pieces are varied and unexpected — ranging from subtle and delicate to bold and intense — but they are connected by their…

If you’re not hooked on Instagram yet, you’re missing out! It’s a showcase of talent and inspiration. Whether your interests lie in art, food, music, sports, fashion, nature, or countless other topics, you’ll find something intriguing on Instagram. Here are ten of our favorite local Instagrammers. While you’re browsing, be sure to follow us at @modernreston for…

When I met with Leslie Combemale on Wednesday morning, she was cheerful and energetic even though she had been working all through the night. But if your job was to see an early release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the middle of the night, and then write a film review before coming to the art gallery that you…