Street Style: Sarah Phillips of The Scout Guide Alexandria

In this week’s street style, we are getting to know Sarah Phillips – owner and editor of The Scout Guide Alexandria. Sarah’s love for fashion, fitness, and entrepreneurship began when she was eight years old when she started creating hair bows and selling them at horse shows between classes. That was just the first of many businesses Sarah has started over the years, and her dreamer and doer attitude hasn’t waned yet!

When Sarah isn’t at her desk, you can find her spending time with her husband and rescue pups, squeezing in a core-shaking workout, perfecting her newfound quarantine hobby of making jewelry, or scouring the racks for ridiculously good deals.

Keep reading to learn more about Sarah, The Scout Guide Alexandria, and more!

:Sarah Marcella Creative

ABOUT YOU

How long have you lived in Alexandria? We moved from Arlington to Mount Vernon two and a half years ago. The community has been so welcoming and we’ve made lifelong friends in such a short amount of time.

Favorite item of clothing in your closet? A pair of vintage Dolce & Gabbana loafers I picked up at a consignment store while traveling in Europe.

Biggest inspiration? I know this sounds cheesy but my husband. His entrepreneurial spirit and sense of drive have taught me to stop waiting for the perfect time to launch and just do it! Because of his encouragement, I’ve launched a few businesses since leaving corporate America and I couldn’t be happier than where I am right now.

Dogs or cats? Dogs! We have two rescue mutts, Hank (9) and Blanqui (8) that we love dearly! Blanqui (featured in these photos) was rescued out of Puerto Rico almost seven years ago through Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. She was our eighth foster dog with Lucky Dog but ended up “foster failing” after a few months because we couldn’t picture our lives without her.

Pictured here is Blanqui

ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS

What inspired you to start your business? After leaving my corporate job in 2013, I went full time with my blog Fifty-Two Thursdays and social media firm 52Thursdays Creative. There I learned the ins and outs of social media, working with local and national brands and businesses, creating content, and growing an engaged following for my blog and for my clients. I got to know many of the small business owners here in Alexandria from my stint in social media consulting and management, so when the editor role at The Scout Guide Alexandria opened up, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. Since becoming the owner and editor of TSG Alexandria in 2017, I’ve been able to work with some incredible people and created so many beautiful relationships with our small business owners in town. I feel blessed to be able to share what these incredible people do and to be a part of this very special community.

AT THIS TIME

How can the community support you and your employees during this time? Follow @tsgalexandria and help support all of your local businesses in town. Instead of shopping at big box stores this year, make an extra effort to shop small and to buy from your favorite stores in our community. They need us more than ever this holiday season!

A favorite new hobby? Making jewelry. During the shutdown, my business partner over at Fifty-Two Thursdays and I started making mask chains and we had no idea they would be such a hit. You can find them on our Etsy shop or at Mint Collective in town!

Top must-read books? Mathew McConaughey’s Green Lights, City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert, Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis.

Binge-worthy suggestion(s)? Yellowstone, I’m obsessed!

What local business have you supported this week? The Shoe Hive, Fire Hook Bakery, Grateful Kitchen, Brut Wine Bar.

Favorite carry-out restaurant? Grateful Kitchen. I’m addicted to their Asian Noodle Bowl (add whipped avocado) and the anti-inflammatory smoothie (you know…to counteract the wine).

Favorite family pastime? Well, it used to be traveling but we haven’t done much of that lately. Hoping that we can do a family road trip once things slow down with Scout Guide and we can remain healthy and safe while exploring our beautiful country!

Go-to at-home workout? Mind The Mat and Mvmnt Society.