Professional Services

Homeland Contractors:

Crafting the Heart of the Home Outdoors Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Homeland Contractors For more than 20 years, Homeland Contractors has been a familiar name in Northern Virginia, built on the belief that a home doesn’t end at the back door. For owner Mario Monroy, the outdoor space is an essential extension of the home experience. His journey began with hands-on experience in outdoor work, where simple lawn care and small planting projects grew into a lifelong...

Home + Design

Tracing the Dream:

Timeless Living in Northern Virginia Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of James McDonald Associate Architects The Art of the Sketch The design process at James McDonald Associate Architects is a collaborative journey that begins with a simple roll of trace paper. McDonald believes in active listening, putting aside ego to truly understand how a family functions. He asks granular questions: Do the kids have space for their activities? How does the family use the kitchen? Is the...

Professional Services

Finding Home

with Lori Mensing Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Lori Mensing The foundation of Laurie Mensing’s real estate success was built on an eye for detail. Before she was a top-tier industry leader, she spent her time mastering the art of design, a skill that now allows her to curate and market homes with unparalleled precision. While her peers in her college sorority house were receiving standard mail, Laurie was poring over the latest issues of  Architectural Digest  and  Adweek...

Health + Wellness

Doing Wellness Ourselves

In the first quarter of a new year, people get motivated to make lifestyle changes. Many people decide to paint the house, declutter the closets, purge the wardrobe of unloved or stained clothing, go on a diet, and so many other initiatives!Since starting a LifeWave business, personal growth and self starter behaviors are now a new lifestyle. I am finding that my enthusiasm for do-it-yourself projects around the home carries over into our family’s health and wellness.We are “doing wellness”...

Health + Wellness

The Health and Wellness Journey

Nearly two decades ago, my husband and I were facing health challenges. His was related to the heart, mine was severe knee pain.My husband challenged me to explore lifestyle changes that could restore us after years of bad choices and neglect of our physical health.We embarked upon a diet and exercise regime, as a team. We enjoyed the process of working together for a goal. I was told by the doctor that I was too young for knee surgery, and my husband did not want to take a drug for the rest of...

Arts + Culture

The Soul of the Suburb

Article by AJ Jones | Photography by The McLean Art Gallery You’re likely at the Chesterbrook Shopping Center to pick up groceries or grab a coffee, but lately, a different kind of storefront has been stopping residents in their tracks. It’s a space filled with canvases and sculptures that feel remarkably like home. For Jane McElvany Coonce, Gallery Director of the McLean Art Gallery, this "pop-up" space is the latest chapter in a story that began in 1955. What started as the McLean Art Club...

Education

A Sanctuary for Childhood:

Inside the Brooksfield School Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of the Brooksfield School The Vision: From Town Halls to Tall Trees The story of Brooksfield began with Mary Anne Duffus, the school’s founder and Executive Director. Growing up in McLean, Mary Anne spent her childhood exploring the woods and climbing trees. This sense of freedom is something she believes is essential to a child's spirit. In 1987, after years of holding town hall meetings and connecting with local...

Health + Wellness

The Harmony of Facial Rejuvenation

Aging touches everything: Brows begin to drop, the eyes look tired, volume fades, skin loses its texture and glow.A comprehensive plan, one that restores balance from brow to collarbone, can create a more natural, synergetic result. Patients look refreshed, vibrant, and elegant. People will notice the rejuvenation, not the work.The best facelift results don’t shout.They whisper. Deep Plane FaceliftThe Deep Plane Facelift goes beyond surface tightening by repositioning deeper facial structures...

Health + Wellness

4 Ways To Complement Your Laser Treatement

Although permanently shrinking your pores requires laser treatments, it is possible to refine their appearance significantly with the proper skincare. Nurse Erin from Maia Medspa in Tysons Corner shares four helpful tips on how to achieve smoother, more refined pores. Pores are vital for the skin’s health, yet many people are concerned about their enlarged appearance. While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the look of pores, the good news is that you can make them appear much smaller. ‘By...

Health + Wellness

The Stress-Proof Scalp

Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Redwood K-Wellness In the pursuit of total well-being, we meticulously refine our diet, optimize our sleep, and curate our skincare, but one crucial pillar is often overlooked: the scalp. It truly serves as the essential bedrock for all healthy hair growth. Experts recognize scalp health as central to both hair vitality and overall wellness. The root system, the foundation for strength, growth, and resilience, requires attention just as much as...