Street Style: Karen Devlin
Taking on a challenge has always been part of Karen Devlin’s life. Although now you can find her on a tennis court with me and Gayla amidst loud laughter and just the right amount of competition, in her early years, her 16-year marketing career with IBM provided the challenge she needed. “My professional life was completely invigorating and captivating, but it just didn’t leave much time for a family.”
Things are much different now. Currently she manages her crazy husband, Jim, spends hours in the car negotiating the music volume with her teenage son, and struggles to keep up with her Polish Mother’s killer Scrabble game. And if anyone doesn’t think that is a challenge, they don’t know how long it takes to drive to school in D.C., the meaning of the word “qat,” or what it’s like to live with a British-born Irishman. Oh yes, and then there is their adorable Wheaton Terrier mix, Seamus, also known as son number two, who just needs to learn how to throw his own ball.
Karen is wearing an Acrobat Silk Sleeveless Tunic, $195; Wasteland Ankle Grey Joe’s Jeans, $189; 14K Braided Leather Necklace with Grey Agate Stone, $185; Hammered Gold Hoop Earrings, $42; Maddie Tassel Hobo Bag, $537, all available at Coco Blanca.
ABOUT YOU
How do you spend your time? I am in the “sandwich generation” stage of life, with duties surrounding a teenage son and senior mother…and very occasionally my husband. Staying flexible is essential and I am blessed to be able to spend quality time with my family. When not driving someone somewhere, I can be found on the tennis court, enjoying the most frustrating and addicting activity of all. My creative outlet includes graphic design, writing poems, and building musical slideshows for school, charity and personal use. I also have a genealogical hobby. Through extensive genealogical research, I recently discovered many family members my Danish father never met from the Faroe Islands (A Danish territory east of Iceland and North of Scotland)…and I am now in direct contact with five second cousins through Facebook.
Neighborhood: Harborside
How long have you lived in Alexandria: 6 years in the early 90’s and another 15 years since 200, always in Old Town.
What is your hometown? Hazlet, New Jersey
What brought you to Alexandria? With a 16 year IBM Marketing Management career around the country, I first landed in Washington, D.C. in 1990 and moved to Old Town shortly thereafter.
What would surprise people about you? There’s another major career opportunity in my future. I just don’t know what, when, and how. Details to be determined.
Favorite cocktail: Margarita, although a Caribbean “Pain Killer” is a close second.
Guilty Pleasure: A daily latte from our local Starbucks.
Phrase you overuse: “Yours!” (Just ask my tennis partners.)
Facebook or Instagram? I am a recent Facebook user, which has been instrumental in identifying my Faroese relatives.
Latest binge-watch: “The Americans”
Bucket list travel destination: The Galapagos Islands
If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? Sorry, Starbucks, but it would have to be wine—and I would hope for more than one.
FASHION
Define your style in three words or less: Classic and comfortable.
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Black anything
Favorite trend ever: Straight legs
Favorite current trend: Boots
HOME
Favorite room in your home: Family room
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Transitional
Last item bought for your home: A Rotary Telephone; we’re due for an update.
Favorite way to entertain: Informal gatherings involving chardonnay and laughter.
FITNESS
Your go-to work-out: Tennis and aerobics
Most fun way to exercise: Long walks with our Whoodle (Wheaten Terrier and Standard Poodle)
ALEXANDRIA
Favorite spot in Alexandria: The intersection of King and Union Streets where I can see several of my favorite establishments all at once, such as Virtue, Landini Brothers, Pizza Paradiso, and Starbucks.
Last purchase in Alexandria: a top from Coca Blanca
Favorite charity: There are too many worthy local charities to choose just one: SCAN, Healthy Families, Hopkins House, and the CAC are just a few strong non-profits with innovative ways to reach Alexandria’s most vulnerable children and who played a special role during my tenure with the Giving Circle of Alexandria.
Favorite annual Alexandria event: Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
- About the boutique
Using the soothing color palette of a coconut by the sea—whites, neutrals and splashes of turquoise—Coco Blanca has created a trademark look. Her lifestyle boutique offers expert solutions for home design and women’s fashion—blending a clean, fresh, sophisticated, feel-good style.
210 South Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.535.8002
