Street Style: Verveine Palladin
If you’ve never met Verveine, you already know she is special, just from the sound of her name. If you’ve met her, you know the playful sparkle behind her brown eyes, her graceful gait, and her gentle kindness. Although Verveine is beautiful, she doesn’t flaunt it. She is a master of being humble, and making people feel at home in her presence.
Verveine is Director at Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga. Recently, Mind the Mat asked for client feedback on what could improve at our studio. We received back glowing reviews about how good clients feel when they see Verveine at our front desk. Many clients commented that she is genuine, knows people’s names, and asks them how they are doing. They can tell that she really cares.
Verveine has an incredible knack for organizing and creating an structured work environment for our Mind the Mat team, which allows us all to thrive. Her attention to detail comes from a place of commitment to every project or task with which she is involved.
What strikes me most about Verveine is the side of her I see when she is with her family — her husband and her daughter. The love, care, and commitment between the three of them is palpable. I know her time with them is a big priority in her life, and I imagine that those relationships nourish her and allow her to bring that same energy out into the world when she comes to work or goes out into the community. Verveine truly embodies love.
Verveine was styled by Kiskadee | Photography by Sarah Marcella Creative
ABOUT YOU
How do you spend your time? Hanging out with my amazing husband and my 2.5-year-old daughter
Neighborhood: Del Ray
How long have you lived in Alexandria: 5 years
What is your hometown? McLean, Virginia
What brought you to Alexandria? The neighborhood
What would surprise people about you? I speak fluent French and I desperately want to be a race car driver
You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? Teleportation
Favorite cocktail: Negroni
Last book read or movie seen: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Guilty Pleasure: YA Books
Phrase you overuse: Heels together toes apart
Facebook or Instagram? Instagram
Latest binge-watch: The Peaky Blinders
Bucket list travel destination: Japan
If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? Wine, of course. I’m French.
FASHION
Define your style in three words or less: Laid-back, nothing fancy
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Jeans and a tee
Favorite trend ever: Leggings
Favorite current trend: High-waisted, wide-leg pants
Beauty product you can’t live without: MAC mascara and concealer. It’s a tie.
Favorite fragrance: Anthropology Lollia Eau De Parfum, In Love
Heels or flats? Flats, though I do love a good pair of heels.
HOME
Favorite room in your home: Kitchen
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Modern
Last item bought for your home: Twin toddler bed
Next planned purchase: A bathroom
Favorite way to entertain: Around the kitchen or in the backyard with cheese, charcuterie, and wine
Clutter-free or well-lived in? Clutter-free is the only way for me 🙂
Wallpaper: yes, totally modern or no, so dated: Yes, totally modern, I love it!!
FITNESS
Your go-to work-out: Pilates Barre
Most fun way to exercise: Yoga with my husband
Group exercise or solo: Group (I never thought I would feel that way)
Fitness goal: Be happy and healthy
Haven’t yet, but might be willing to try with coaching / encouragement: Zumba
Proudest fitness achievement: Becoming a Pilates instructor
ALEXANDRIA
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Founders Park
Last purchase in Alexandria: Cheese from Cheesetique
Best coffee / happy hour / date night spot: Stomping Ground / Los Tios / Momo Sushi
Favorite charity: Anything to do with animals
Favorite annual Alexandria event: Art on the Avenue
- About the studio
Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga was founded in 2008 by Megan Brown, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Polestar Certified Practitioner of Pilates for Rehabilitation and Sara VanderGoot, Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher (e-RYT 200, RYT 500). In their private practices as physical therapist and massage therapist respectively Megan and Sara observed that many of their clients were coming in with similar needs: relief for neck and shoulder tension and low back pain as well as a desire for more flexibility in hips and legs, stability in joints, and core strength.
Together Megan and Sara carefully crafted a curriculum of Pilates and yoga classes to address needs for clients who are pregnant, postpartum, have injuries or limitations, who are new to Pilates and yoga, and for those who are advanced students and are looking for an extra challenge.
2214 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
703.683.2228
1 Comment
This message is for Verveine, sorry I didn’t know how else to message you and i hope this gets to you, i just saw the tribute you did for your father Jean Louis, i cant tell you how much of a positive influence he had on my life and how much i enjoyed watching it. I own a lil restaurant in the middle of the Mohave dessert, if you or your family ever find yourself there i would love to cook for you guys.
Eric Scott
Steaks and Beer, Tecopa CA