Health + Wellness

A Season of Thanks: Thrive This Thanksgiving and Beyond

Therapists from Sunstone Counseling explain how a gratitude practice can benefit year-round. Article by Leesburg Lifestyle Staff When Amy Clay, Licensed Professional Counselor and co-founder of Sunstone Counseling, begins a couples session, she asks each partner to share something they appreciate about the other and how that makes them feel. “It can be anything from, ‘I love that you make me coffee in the morning, and it makes me feel cared for,’ to something grand like, ‘I love that you’re a...

Life + Culture

Kindness Rocks Leesburg

One family’s effort to spread cheer has grown into a beloved community project. Article by Glenye Oakford | Photography by The Kindness Rocks Project (Va.) When graphic artist Margie Hunter and her daughter Dani dropped their first hand-painted rock alongside the neighborhood walking path that passes their house on Graywood Way, they didn’t foresee the ripple effect that particular rock would have. What began as a modest attempt to spread cheer during the isolating days of the COVID-19...

Home + Design

Winter Warm Spell

A fire feature warms up your outdoor space and expands your entertaining options. Article by Glenye Oakford | Photography by Courtesy of Ed Ball Designs As crisp autumn air settles over Virginia, homeowners are increasingly turning to a timeless solution for extending their outdoor living season: the cheerful warmth of a fire. From cozy fire pits to elegant outdoor fireplaces, these additions are rapidly becoming the heart of backyard gatherings. Fire features are one of the most popular...

Life + Culture

Pet Pantry Provides for Four-Legged Family Members

Article by Beth Rasin Little by little, the bins begin to fill. People stop by select stores, veterinary clinics and boarding facilities across Loudoun County to drop off cat and dog food for the Loudoun Pet Pantry. Volunteers from the Humane Society of Loudoun County and the Loudoun County Animal Shelter collect the items, package them into kits, and deliver them to Loudoun Hunger Relief in Leesburg for families experiencing food insecurity. One client collecting pet food in the Hunger Relief...

Food + Beverage

Santosh Tiptur Will Tempt You With Chocolate at The Conche

With a unique take on sweet and savory, this inspired chef has created his own niche. Article by Beth Rasin Growing up in India, Santosh Tiptur had a favorite chore: biking to the market to collect groceries for his parents and five siblings, returning with bags of fresh produce. “I enjoyed sourcing high-quality, fresh ingredients,” he said. “I started testing new dishes, making cakes.” He’d had Cadburys as a child, he said, but when he tasted an éclair, the “real chocolate” revealed his...

Entertainment

Tips for a Winning Race-Day Tailgate

Six secrets for steeplechase party success. Article by Glenye Oakford At Virginia’s iconic steeplechase meets, tailgating isn’t just about parking the car, setting up a few folding chairs and breaking out the cooler to watch the races—it’s a full-blown, competitive race in itself. Tailgate competitions are where racegoers’ creativity, culinary skills and camaraderie shine for both their guests and judges. If you’re aiming to take home the coveted prize for best tailgate this fall, here are...

Home Services

Giving Back is Always in Style

Natasha Magrath Puts Service First, to Her Clients and Her Community Article by Melinda Gipson | Photography by Mary Lanaghan, MJL Studios “The heart of my business is my community,” says Natasha Magrath. A veteran of the hospitality industry, she founded the Northern Virginia franchise of You’ve Got Maids in 2017 because she wanted to build a business that would help build her community, and that she could one day pass along to her children and grandchildren. “We need every business to...

Arts + Culture

The Red Affair

Backstage With the P7 Sisterhood Article by Melinda Gipson | Photography by Mary Lanaghan, MJL Studios The Silence No More Movement kicks off its fifth annual Red Affair fashion show supporting survivors of domestic violence September 21st at Carahsoft in Reston. The local P7 “divas” who stride down the runway in bespoke styles created for the event by designer Afua Sam of Studio D Maxsi, invest more than 60 hours in rehearsal time to put on a show that will rival any you’ll see during Fashion...

Arts + Culture

Crossroads Music Festival Comes of Age

Headliner Howard Jones Selling out Tally Ho Article by Michael Gavreau | Photography by Jed Hoile, BENEFIT “We want people to be moved to give, motivated by the generosity of our artists who donate their performances.” Amy Bobchek, BENEFIT Co-Founder While this year’s Crossroads Music Festival organized by BENEFIT has lost none of its free, live-music-on-every-streetcorner vibe, the two-day charity showcase is coming of age as a must-see music happening in the Mid-Atlantic. Premium balcony...

Style + Beauty

Fall Gleams Golden at Ketterman's

Article by Melinda Gipson with Richi Norman | Photography by Mary Lanaghan, MJL Studios Gold is making a comeback this Fall – in fashion as well as on Wall Street. The trend embraces the eclectic, pairing pieces you’ve had sitting in your jewelry box for years, like bangles from Mom, with a new piece or two to create a modern stack. Ketterman’s Jewelers’ Richi Norman layers multiple pieces of different styles and textures to create her own look. On the facing page, Richi is wearing Fossilized...