Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.
Embarking on the holiday season demands more than just festive cheer — it calls for a dash of magic in our style survival. Join me as we meet up with sometimes referred to the “Style Therapist” by her clients, Katie with Style by Valentine at the amazing Tyson’s Corner Nordstrom.
As Katie shares insight on navigating the holiday chaos in style. As we dive into the festivities, Nordstrom emerges as our trusted companion, offering a seamless style experience with budget convenience. As women from all walks of life face the thieves of season from time constraints, packed schedules, family stress, and the inevitable lack of sleep, which could result in dark circles, frumpiness, and a general sense of discomfort that hinders us from fully enjoying the season’s moments.
Fear not, as our gift to you is a Style Survival Guide Clip — a toolkit of several practical strategies applicable to all, regardless of budget, size, age, or style preferences.
Tailored insights for moms, families, and general professionals ensure everyone can embrace the holiday spirit and look great doing so. From avoiding winging it to cleverly remixing your wardrobe with a single statement piece, strategically using color, texture, and accessories, to embracing cozy monochromes and metallics for that chic festive vibe — we’ve got you covered.
Katie definitely adds a few final tips on value, quality, and staying true to yourself, this video encourages a thoughtful and authentic approach to holiday style.
Thank you so much for tuning in to our style survival video! I hope these tips bring a touch of magic to your holiday season. As you navigate the festivities, may your days be filled with warmth, joy, and the creation of beautiful memories.
Wishing you an amazing Christmas season where every moment is wrapped in happiness. Here’s to embracing the magic of the holidays and making memories that will last a lifetime.
Merry Christmas!
Collaboration with Style By Valentine
Stylebyvalentine.com
Stylebyvalentine@gmail.com
Explore Fairfax with Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney.
Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | Sharmane@mcenearney.com | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By Melissa L. Watkins, Esq.
Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) can be a dangerous proposition for federal employees.
Federal employees who realize that a PIP is being considered, should be wary and consult with a federal employment attorney early on to make sure they maximize their chance of surviving a performance related action. In our experience, an employee being put on a PIP is usually heading towards more serious disciplinary action, such as demotion or removal.
Federal employees often will be told that a PIP is only designed to benefit them and make them better performers. Managers often promise employees that they will be given special assistance to ensure they are successful during a PIP period, only for the employees to later find themselves facing a potential demotion or removal some months later having not received any of the promised assistance during the process. In many ways, the deck is stacked against the employee when facing a PIP.
Opportunity to Improve
If an employee is said to be having performance issues, before an agency can take any action to demote or remove the employee, the agency must notify the employee of the concern and give the employee an opportunity to improve. This notification and opportunity to improve is usually accomplished by the agency placing the employee on a PIP. Through the PIP, the agency must inform the employee what performance is not acceptable, what critical performance element(s) are at issue, what standard the employee must meet to be found acceptable, and provide a warning to the employee that if their performance does not reach an acceptable level, the employee could be demoted or removed.
What To Do If Placed on a PIP
There are a few things that an employee can do once receiving a PIP to give themselves the best chance at being successful. Those things include:
- Providing a response to the PIP. While the PIP doesn’t afford a traditional response process, an employee can always put together a response nonetheless. In such a response, the employee should identify any concerns with the PIP and provide examples, if they exist, of how the employee has been performing successfully on the elements at issue.
- Don’t wait to start demonstrating improvement. Even if the employee disagrees with the PIP or the alleged performance concerns, the employee should start working on meeting the performance expectations outlined in the PIP. Waiting too long to address the performance issues can sometimes lead to the employee running out of time in the PIP process.
- Document everything. Once a PIP is issued, one of the employee’s best tools is documentation. For all tasks completed relevant to the PIP, the employee should save documentation showing the task and its completion. The employee should also keep a log of all assistance received and all feedback provided from the supervisor. As mentioned above, if an agency fails to provide feedback or assistance, it can impact the agency’s ability to move forward with disciplinary action.
- Request an Accommodation. If the employee believes that the performance issues are related to a disability, the employee should request an accommodation as soon as possible. The accommodation will not stop the PIP, but ideally, the accommodation will allow the employee to be better able to meet the performance expectations outlined in the PIP.
- Keep an eye on the use of leave. An employee can use leave during a PIP period. An employee on approved leave (annual, sick, or leave without pay) cannot be penalized for work that is not completed while on approved leave. Also, if an employee is on leave for an extended time during a PIP period, the PIP period may need to be extended to give the employee a meaningful opportunity to improve.
What Happens After a PIP
If the employee is still performing unacceptably after the PIP period, the next step is usually some type of discipline. The options include reassignment, demotion, or removal. If the employee is proposed for removal, he or she can be removed in a very short period of time after the decision on the PIP.
Given the potential serious implications of a PIP, employees who believe one may be issued, or have received a PIP, should consult with an attorney to determine how best to proceed. Our law firm advises federal employees in various employment matters. We can be contacted at www.berrylegal.com or by telephone at (703) 668-0070.
This holiday season, join us at The Residence at Colvin Run for a festive celebration of local talent and holiday cheer at our Holiday Shoppe!
Located at 1131 Walker Road in Great Falls, Virginia, this enchanting event is set to take place tomorrow (Tuesday, December 5) from 1-3 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season as we showcase a curated selection of wares from talented local craftspeople, artisans, and small businesses. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover unique holiday treasures and thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. Whether you’re a resident, family member, or part of the vibrant Great Falls community, everyone is welcome to join in the festivities.
The Residence at Colvin Run, an Assisted Living and Memory Care community, invites you to experience “Boutique Senior Living in the Heart of Great
Falls.”
Don’t miss this chance to add a touch of local magic to your holiday season!
We look forward to celebrating with you at The Residence at Colvin Run’s Holiday Shoppe.
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or Laura@GuidingYourMove.com.
Did you know that the county has many resources available for residents to use — for free? I wanted to highlight some of them for you so you’re aware of these resources:
Planner of the Day
A Fairfax County planning division employee is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer calls and questions. Questions like “Can I build a garage? Can I put on an addition?”; questions about a permit application, or historic resources. The county has a person for those answers. Check out this website to find the correct phone number or email address.
- This can be especially helpful when looking at houses to buy and making sure you can do what you want. *Don’t forget if you’re in the Town of Vienna, there’s an additional layer to work through.
Animal Adoptions
Fairfax County has multiple shelters if you’re looking to adopt a dog, cat or small animal. You can learn more about these shelters here.
Car Seat Safety Checks
I hated installing/moving car seats. If you follow me on Instagram, you know how much I love the car wash and with all of the crumbs that toddlers make, I was removing the car seat regularly. If you’re unsure if you’ve installed the car seat correctly, Fairfax County Police have safety checks to ease your worry!
Neighborhood Information
If you’re looking to get into the weeds with information on neighborhoods, the county also has some great resources for data. You can check out their mapping features and community profiles.
Mental Health Assessments
This time of year is hard, for so many people and for so many different reasons. The county has a walk-in clinic at 8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Parkway, Fairfax that’s open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to help with mental health services.
Town of Vienna Resources
The town of 2 thermal cameras that attach to your phone to take thermal photos of your walls, doors and windows to see how well insulated it is.
Leaf Collection
The Town of Vienna includes leaf collection by way of vacuum if you rake or blow your leaves to the curb. There’s a map of the streets they do so you can try to time their visit.
Tree Arborist
The Town used to offer an arborist to residents to check on the health of your trees. However that staffing position is currently vacant, but we hope they fill that spot soon!
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
For many, the holiday season includes traditions, expectations, commitments — and rising levels of stress. If you are among those who feel their stress levels rising at this time of year, try an easy solution: mindful meditation.
Myriad studies have shown that a regular meditation practice can reduce stress and physically change the brain so that you have greater capacity to continually manage stress. Learning to avoid stress saves a lot of wear and tear on your body as well as your brain.
Mindful meditation refocuses the attention, calming the mind and lowering blood pressure and heart rate. A morning meditation session of even a few minutes can help you manage stress throughout your day.
As you learn to focus, you’re training your attention and your ability to tune out the information overload and jumbled thoughts we live with constantly — and better attention means a sharper memory. Additionally, studies show that meditation can actually grow, or increase the volume of, areas of the brain responsible for:
- complex cognitive processes including planning, goal setting, decision making, attention, and short-term memory
- positive mood
- improving awareness of body, gut feeling, and empathy
- long-term memory
Types of Meditation
Meditation is simple and takes as little as a few minutes a day. But remember — if you want to enjoy the benefits above, you’ll need to meditate regularly, and ideally that means every day.
Here are a few types of meditation to consider:
Mindfulness sitting meditation is the most common form of meditation. Sit comfortably with your back, neck, and head straight but not stiff. Concentrate on your breathing and the sensations it creates. When your mind wanders or you become distracted, gently return your focus to your breath. Try this for just five minutes at first, gradually increasing the time.
Visualization meditation involves mental visualization of an image, which is usually meaningful or religious. While you meditate (as above), you try to mentally visualize your chosen image in as much detail as possible. As you do so, you may also reflect on the meaning of your image.
Walking meditation is similar to sitting meditation. Slowly and comfortably walk, focusing your attention on each step, the movement of your body, and the feel of each foot on the ground. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the movement of walking.
Loving-kindness meditation focuses on practicing compassion. As you practice cultivating feelings of loving kindness, gradually move your focus from feeling this toward yourself, then to loved ones, and then to people who are less close to you.
Look for a local meditation class, or purchase audio recordings of guided meditations. Once you’ve mastered the basics of your chosen type of meditation, it will become a matter of practicing — and enjoying the benefits that come with it.
The Mather, projected to open in Tysons, VA, in early 2024 for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be.
Written by Mina Lucks, Synergy Design & Construction
The 2023 Reston Home Tour recently sparked our imagination with its theme “A Style All Their Own,” which beautifully encapsulates the essence of home renovation. For anyone who attended the tour, there were noticeably different energies as you entered each unique space, which is what makes each year’s tour such a highlight of the fall season. From the perspective of someone who sees a lot of clients chasing the latest design trends, the emphasis on the importance of building upon a homeowner’s personal sense of style when transforming a house into a home made this tour particularly special.
So how do you achieve the balance of form, function and personality? In this month’s article, we’ll delve into the significance of embracing your unique sense of style when tackling a renovation project to ensure the final product is truly “you”!
Create(ing) a Home with Personality
After living overseas for over 18 years, these Reston homeowners needed a complete overhaul of their 1968 colonial prior to their landing back state-side. Bringing home with them a blue upholstered sofa, a sound system with vintage record player, and a particular beloved rainbow rug, they were looking for more than a basic refresh.
Allowing their acquired contemporary European tastes to shine by fusing the warmth of walnut base cabinetry with contemporary white upper cabinets, they were able to create a modern yet eclectic aesthetic in their new Kitchen. Adding the vibrant teal handmade Fireclay tile — vertically stacked for a bolder statement — truly brings their whole space together in one cohesive statement that is uniquely “them.”
Achieve a Functional Fit for Your Lifestyle
Renovations aren’t just about making a home look good; they should also enhance its functionality. Aligning renovation choices with lifestyle preferences ensures a home serves its family in a way that is tailored to their individual needs.
This hockey-loving family with two teenagers wanted to create a space where they could not only spend time together as a family, but their kids could also have a fun and entertaining place to hang out with friends. The final result was an amazing new multi-layered space with a custom bar and cozy TV area and an adjacent space for games, creating a fun and functional space for friends and family of all ages.
Design Harmonious Spaces
Embracing style in a renovation doesn’t mean every room has to be drastically different from the next. It’s about finding a common thread or theme that ties everything together while still allowing for personal expression in each space. By incorporating a consistent color palette, texture, or design element throughout a home, one can achieve a sense of cohesion while still allowing each room to have its own unique charm.
This Reston homeowner took down an onerous wall in the middle of the home between their kitchen and dining room and brought the spaces together visually through complimentary cabinetry colors, warm wood elements and unique lighting features.
Whether your preferences are bold and contemporary or calm and casual, your home is an extension of you and should suit your character and taste. Even if you’re not exactly sure what your style is in the beginning, as you embark on a renovation journey you’ll begin to discover not only your personal sense of style, but ways your home can serve as a canvas for your individuality to shine through.
Not sure where to start? Get in touch with us today to take the first step in designing a home that is unapologetically a “style of your own.”
Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA and D.C. with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or Laura@GuidingYourMove.com.
It’s hard to believe we’re just a month away from entering 2024.
This time of year goes by in the blink of an eye between all the times happening. If you’re trying to decide where to spend your time and energy, here’s a breakdown of happenings around town for the remainder of the year so you can pick and choose what you want to prioritize!
Tonight (Nov. 27): Church Street Stroll
The fun starts at 6 p.m. Bundle up because it’s cold today! Santa will arrive on his firetruck to light the town tree, there’s live music, he generally sits on the porch at the Freeman Store if you want photos or a meet-n-greet. There are crafts at Vienna Presbyterian Church and hot chocolate. The town will also set up firepits on each block of Church Street with free marshmallows for roasting. There’s a list of business specials from participating stores along Church Street. Find the full list here, but favorites include free warm and sweat treats along the way, plus a free social media-sized digital photo from Melody Yazdani Studios (this is a HUGE opportunity), also free pet photos with Santa at Vienna Pet Spaw.
Saturday, December 2
- Cookies with Santa at the Vienna Community Center: This event is already sold out, but there is a waitlist you can hop on. For future information, you can sign up on Webtrac next year under Special Events. Tickets are $5/person.
Letters to Santa: Drop box at the Vienna Community Center Lobby (or you can mail it to the Vienna Parks and Recreation). Letters must be received by TOMORROW November 28 to guarantee a letter back from Santa.
Saturday, December 9
- Breakfast with Santa at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department: Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon, with tickets being sold at the door (pre-sale tickets were available but they’re sold out now). The tip with this is that 8 a.m. is usually the least busiest time — so all of you with early risers, go take advantage! Breakfast includes pancakes, bacon, sausage, orange juice and coffee.
Santa Claus Runs with the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department
An annual tradition you should definitely take note of! Follow along as Santa visits each part of Vienna beginning on Friday December 15th. You can follow his route on Twitter at @VVFDSanta and this year the map is so much easier to decode! If you hear a loud siren and blaring music, that must mean Santa is close.
Sunday, December 10 at 11 a.m. at the Vienna Moose Lodge
Power Pack Event to benefit Food for Others. Great opportunity to get kids involved in giving back. You can bring food and help donate the weekend bags of food. Find more info here.
Thursday, December 14 at 5 p.m. at Mosaic District
Community Menorah Lighting with the JCC of Northern Virginia, between Shake Shack and West Elm. There will be candle lighting, sing along, dreidel games, and other entertainment.
James Madison High School Band Tiny Tots Concert
An interactive annual event that features music, characters and costumes, which is really fun for little kids. Many go in holiday PJS. Get tickets online. Thursday, November 30 at 10 a.m., 7 p.m., or Friday, December 1 at 10 a.m.
Live Fairfax is a bi-weekly column exploring Fairfax County. This recurring column is sponsored and written by Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney Associates. Questions? Reach Sharmane at 813-504-4479.
The anticipation of winter fun is infectious!
If you’re not already planning, fear not — I’m here to assist. As we bid farewell to fall and welcome winter’s embrace, creating a winter bucket list is an excellent way to infuse excitement into the season and prioritize memorable experiences for all.
Here are some top picks to consider in Fairfax County and a little beyond:
- Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Park: Experience the beauty of a winter wonderland as you stroll through the captivating lights, turning an ordinary evening into a magical one.
- Ice Skating at Reston Town Center: Embrace the charm of winter by gliding gracefully on ice, surrounded by the vibrant energy of Reston Town Center.
- Bull Run Festival of Lights: Illuminate your nights with the dazzling display at Bull Run, a spectacular festival that captures the essence of the season.
- Enchanted Christmas at Nationals Park: Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with this enchanting event, spreading joy and creating lasting memories.
- DMV Winter Lantern Festival: Be captivated by the artistry of lanterns, casting a warm glow and creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.
- Skiing or Tubing at Massanutten (Pro Tip — Pack a bathing suit for the indoor Waterpark): Enjoy the thrill of winter sports and extend the fun with a relaxing dip in the indoor Waterpark — a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
- Unleash Your Creative Side at Board & Brush: Channel your inner artist and create something uniquely yours, adding a personal touch to your winter experience.
- Culinary Excellence and Date Nights at Sur La Table: Elevate your winter evenings by exploring your culinary skills or indulging in a date night at Sur La Table, promising an exceptional experience that exceeds expectations.
As we embrace the colder months, let this Winter Bucket List be your guide to creating cherished moments and embracing the spirit of the season. Wishing you a joyful and enchanting winter season!
Explore Fairfax with Sharmane Medaris of McEnearney.
Sharmane Medaris | Live Fairfax | www.soldbysharmane.com | Sharmane@mcenearney.com | @soldbysharmane | 813-504-4479 | 374 Maple Avenue Suite 202, Vienna, VA 22180
This holiday season, join us at The Residence at Colvin Run for a festive celebration of local talent and holiday cheer at our Holiday Shoppe!
Located at 1131 Walker Road in Great Falls, Virginia, this enchanting event is set to take place on Tuesday, December 5, from 1-3 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season as we showcase a curated selection of wares from talented local craftspeople, artisans, and small businesses. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover unique holiday treasures and thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. Whether you’re a resident, family member, or part of the vibrant Great Falls community, everyone is welcome to join in the festivities.
The Residence at Colvin Run, an Assisted Living and Memory Care community, invites you to experience “Boutique Senior Living in the Heart of Great
Falls.”
Don’t miss this chance to add a touch of local magic to your holiday season!
We look forward to celebrating with you at The Residence at Colvin Run’s Holiday Shoppe.
This biweekly column is sponsored by The Mather in Tysons, Virginia, a forward-thinking Life Plan Community for those 62 and better.
How does your plan for the future look? If you’re a planner, you’ve already got your investments and assets figured out, and your estate plan in order. But there are other important aspects of planning that are often ignored — such as laying the groundwork for your future quality of life.
More and more people are considering the solid advantages of Life Plan Communities. These age-restricted, amenity-rich communities invite people to live on their own terms, enjoying a host of services and opportunities, along with the added benefit of access to on-site health care services, if ever needed.
A local example of this is The Mather, a Life Plan Community opening in early 2024 in Tysons, Virginia, for those 62 and better.
An Engaged Lifestyle
Because you move into a Life Plan Community while you’re independent, you can take full advantage of the rewarding benefits of living there. At The Mather, residents will enjoy amenities such as:
- A fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment, group classes, personal training options, and more
- A heated, saltwater lap pool, whirlpool, and sauna
- Inspiring social, educational, and cultural programs, such as digital media workshops, live music, art technology seminars, and featured lecturers
- An art studio for exploring creativity through art classes and collaborative Open Art Studio sessions
- A spa offering signature services like facials and massage, with a Himalayan salt wall and more
These and other amenities and services are designed to meet the needs and desires of today’s older adults — and they also support overall wellness.
Proven Benefits
A national, five-year study revealed clear associations between living in a Life Plan Community and enjoying better health. The Age Well Study is a large-scale national study conducted over five years by Mather Institute, involving a total of 8,228 residents living in 122 Life Plan Communities around the US.
The Age Well Study compared the health and well-being of people who live in Life Plan Communities to a demographically similar sample of older adults living in the community at large. The findings reveal that residents of Life Plan Communities reported better physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and vocational wellness than their community-dwelling counterparts over a five-year span, with more favorable ratings in social and intellectual wellness in particular.
Highlights of the findings include:
- In Year 5, Life Plan Community residents exhibited better self-reported health and higher levels of moderate physical activity compared to older adults from the community at large.
- From Year 1 to 5, social contact significantly increased for residents.
- From Year 1 to 5, overall engagement in intellectual activities significantly increased for residents and decreased for older adults in the community at large.
- Changes in emotional and spiritual wellness were more favorable for older adults in the community at large, while the two groups reported similar changes over time in physical and vocational wellness.
The Age Well Study’s statistical models examined 1) differences in wellness between groups (residents from Life Plan Communities vs. older adults from the community at large), 2) changes in wellness over time (Year 1 vs. Year 5), and 3) whether the changes in wellness were different for Life Plan Community residents compared to the community-at-large respondents. Analyses controlled for age, gender, income, education, and marital status.
The increase in social contact within Life Plan Communities is not surprising, since in a community like The Mather it’s easy to find neighbors with similar interests to form a hiking club, theater-going group, or other social groups.
These research findings support the fact that, for those making a plan for their future, Life Plan Communities like The Mather are worth a closer look.
The Mather, projected to open in Tysons, VA, in early 2024 for those 62 and better, is a forward-thinking Life Plan Community that defies expectations of what senior living is supposed to be.
