Street Style: Mother’s Day Edition
Last month, our commander-in-chief of Stylebook, Madelyn, asked if I would gather my daughter Lane and my mom Anne for a Street Style post centered around Mother’s Day. I was touched and am always grateful to be a part of such a stellar effort where community and style coexist. The stories and insights we all share can be everything from informative and enlightening to festive and heartwarming.
Staying in Alexandria was never my intention as a young adult. Having said this, I cannot begin to tell you all how graced my life has been living close to my parents and raising my children in the town where I was raised.
My daughter is about to graduate from high school next month. She’s just about followed in my footsteps through every part of her public school journey. I have to admit, I never had the angst of whether I was making the right decisions for either of my children as they always felt familiar. These are the benefits of not searching for greener pastures; you know the terrain and have identified the loose foot stones along the way. She’s been a stellar student and received many accolades along the way. And when she needed help in certain areas, she spoke up and asked for tutors.
In the fall, she’ll be heading to the University of Virginia and I couldn’t be more thrilled and excited for Lane. This young woman is well prepared. Many mothers might wonder if they’ve prepared their children well for the next phase of their journey. A little satisfaction came when I read one of her college essays a few months ago and realized she had identified me and my husband as anything but helicopter parents.
“Some kids have a dad who heads into D.C. in a suit and tie every morning and a mom who has dinner ready when they get home. As the daughter of two entrepreneurs, my family life is anything but routine. While a lot of my friends have what are known as ‘helicopter parents,’ I have, what I call, ‘submarine parents.’ They run low and slow, checking in every once and a while, but for the most part I’m on my own. Don’t get me wrong, my parents are always there for me and my brother when we need them, but due to their non-traditional schedules I’ve had to learn to do a lot on my own.
“My parents’ careers have shown me that life’s not about playing it safe, it’s about doing what you love. Whether they know it or not, my parents have prepared me for the future in a way that cannot be conventionally taught. After all, being unconventional is our specialty. “
On Alicia: Veronica Beard Russo Trouser, The Hive | Tibi Drape Twill V-Neck Top, The Hive | Lizzie Fortunato Earrings, The Hive
On Anne, all from Kiskadee: Waverly Grey Caroline Top | Dennis & Charles Earrings | Necklace Orange Twist
On Lane: Sienna Dress in Lemon by Ulla Johnson, The Hive | Superstar Sneakers by Golden Goose, The Shoe Hive
Photography by Sarah Marcella Creative
ABOUT ANNE
How do you spend your time? Lunch with friends and trying to reach my family by phone 🙂
Neighborhood: North Ridge
How long have you lived in Alexandria: 53 years
What is your hometown? Columbia, Tennessee
What brought you to Alexandria? My husband was assigned to the Pentagon. We chose to live in Alexandria because of its neighborhood feel.
What would surprise people about you? That I have a pretty good sense of humor and I was once a majorette at Vanderbilt.
You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? Unending energy
Favorite cocktail: Gin & Tonic with squeeze of lime, please!
ABOUT LANE
Last book read or movie seen: Just saw I Feel Pretty
Guilty pleasure: Sleeping…anytime I can sleep… SLEEEEEP
Phrase you overuse: “Like” “I mean…”
Facebook or Instagram? Instagram
Latest binge-watch: Friends. Ross cracks me up!
Bucket list travel destination: Amalfi Coast
ABOUT ALICIA
If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? Wine. I recently dialed back traditional coffee and have been enlighten to the nuances of Cafe Blanc.
ALICIA ON FASHION
Define your style in three words or less: Intentionally carefree
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: A jacket or blazer…I have many!
Favorite trend ever: This is impossible for me to answer…I enjoy them all, but am always ready to move on!
Favorite current trend: Wide Leg Pants!!!
Beauty product you can’t live without: My concealer, then mascara
Favorite fragrance: Aqua Universalis by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Heels or flats? Used to be heels but they’re getting shorter and shorter. I’m in sneakers more than anything.
ANNE ON HOME
Favorite room in your home: My living room for the views of my beautiful backyard
Antiques, modern, or a mix? I love a good mix
Last item bought for your home: Decorative pillows
Next planned purchase: A major renovation so I can continue to stay in my home. I love my neighborhood!
Favorite way to entertain: Dinner party
Clutter-free or well lived-in? Well lived-in
Wallpaper — yes, totally modern or no, so dated: No! I’ve had my fun with wallpaper and had to take it down too many times!
ALICIA ON FITNESS
Your go-to work-out: Hawt Pilates at Mind The Mat. Keeps me feeling young!
Most fun way to exercise: In the water: paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing…
Group exercise or solo: Group. I do better when others are right there with me.
Fitness goal: Strengthen my quads. Currently trying to mimic Megan Brown’s “hula down, hula up” move.
Haven’t yet, but might be willing to try with coaching / encouragement: A half marathon
Proudest fitness achievement: A 5-minute plank. I have crazy strength somewhere that can handle this feat.
ALEXANDRIA, LANE
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Caphe Banh Mi — yum!!
Last purchase in Alexandria: It had to have been something from The Hive, those cool hair bands maybe? Employee discounts!!
Favorite charity: Best Buddies
Favorite annual Alexandria event: When I was young, it was the Scottish Walk. Now, I enjoy the Christmas tree lighting with my friends.
