It’s cold outside and for some reason my brain thinks there’s nothing fun to do indoors on the weekends. Of course, my brain is always wrong. We live in a thriving metropolitan area with THE SMITHSONIAN, for pete’s sake. But what if I don’t feel like heading to The Mall (or leaving Virginia) for my art fix?…

I’ve long admired jewelry artists who can create beautiful items with beads, but I’ve never known much about the use of beads in other forms of art. I’m not even sure I’d given it any thought before I heard about this exhibit. So I didn’t know what to expect when I headed to GRACE to see…

Lake Anne really shines in the warm months. Boat rentals, concerts, farmers markets, festivals, and outdoor dining make it a summertime delight. But so much is going on at Lake Anne Plaza all year round, and you really should come in the winter, too. Here are some reasons why: 1. There’s wild nightlife. Anyone who shrugs off Lake…

Now that the holidays are over, we have little to distract us from the next two months of bitter cold. Yet the kids still expect to go out, even if that means their parents will be grumbling through chattering teeth. Fortunately we live in an area with lots of indoor amusements for children, many of which are free….

The weather report is grim for the next week with the wind chill expected to dip into single digits. For some reason, this news immediately made me think of soup. Really, what better way is there to warm up than with a piping hot bowl of soup? But where can one find delicious soup in…

If you’re like lots of people, you start each year invigorated and committed to getting fit. It’s a fresh start! You are motivated! And then you discover an overcrowded gym packed with all the other resolution-makers, and the thrill is gone. Or maybe you spend the first day of January in your traditional spot on the sofa, recovering…

When people think of shopping for holiday decorations in Reston, they probably think of Target and Home Depot, and perhaps other chain stores like Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma. But if you would rather have decorations that don’t look just like your friends’, or you’d like to support local businesses and independent artists, look beyond the chains. There are lots…

While lazily exploring Instagram via the hashtag #RestonVA one day, I stumbled upon the most breathtaking floral arrangements I had ever seen. Literally, these pics were showstoppers. I had to find out more. Who was behind these stunning works of art? Are they local? Could I arrange to renew my vows in the next week so I…

I’ve often been curious about the chocolate shop at Lake Anne Plaza. It’s always great to see a locally-owned business succeeding in Reston, but this one is particularly intriguing to me, because it’s such a charming little neighborhood store. And let’s be honest: anything involving chocolate is going to catch my attention. Probably yours, too. I’ve bought several…