Bellies and Babies Consignment Boutique in Alexandria, VA
September 1st, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Del Ray
Bellies and Babies Consignment Boutique in Alexandria is open and ready for business.
Occupying what was a former hardware store in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, specialty boutique Bellies and Babies is the creative genius of Dawn Luepke.
Dawn Luepke
Dawn, like many of our local entrepreneurs, was a Capitol Hill staffer before moving to HUD as a project manager.
Marriage, to event planner Tim Luepke, and two children – a boy and girls 15 months apart – meant a lot of maternity clothes and a lot of baby clothes.
Not surprisingly it was also time to consider a career change – all of which culminated in the idea for a great new business.
1913 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Located in the heart of Del Ray at 1913 Mt. Vernon Avenue, in a two story bungalow, the property is a perfect setting for Bellies and Babies Consignment Boutique.
A parking lot right next door and a fenced yard makes this destination easy and safe. Just look for the light green house at the corner of Mt. Vernon and East Howell.
Once inside, cool blue walls and crisp white trim invoke an instant calm. A hand painted mural anchors a back wall and a fireplace and hardwood floors add to the feeling of being in someone’s home.
The idea behind Bellies and Babies is two fold. In the downstairs area Dawn is offering select high end baby items at deeply discounted prices along with items made by local artists. Think cloth diapers, onesies, knit booties, changing pads, tutu’s, etc.
Upstairs, Bellies and Babies has consignment items in three distinct rooms – Moms (maternity clothes), girls, and boys. Both the boys and girls rooms have play areas and a second floor bathroom has a changing table and potty seats.
In the Moms space there is a dressing room and a large full length mirror. The bonus here is that Dawn is also offering high end maternity rentals for special occasions. What mother-to-be isn’t going to love this!
And the consignment items are fabulous – with some carrying original price tags. There are also some furniture pieces including a miniature club chair and rug that almost left with me.
It’s not hard to believe that Dawn was a project manager. In addition to the physical store, Bellies and Babies Consignment Boutique offers an online search capability through their Web site and inventory (especially consignments) is updated daily. A Facebook page makes updates and news about special events a snap.
We love the concept, the setting is comfortable, and the clothes are wonderful. But most of all, we love the personality and warmth that Dawn and her husband have brought to this very special business.
We know that you are going to love it too. Stop by and visit or give them a call at 703.518.8908.
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Planting Trees with the City of Alexandria
August 31st, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Real Estate News
Are you new to the City of Alexandria? Did your street lose trees during the August 5th storm? Do you just want more trees on your block?
The you need to meet John Noelle. John is the arborist for the City of Alexandria and is in charge of planting trees throughout the city.
Of course he’s responsible for a lot more than just planting trees but it’s a good place to start.
We met John last night at a gathering of neighbors in Del Ray. Fox Vernon, local musician and blogger, organized the meeting and arranged for John to be with us.
There were several things we learned:
- only ornamental trees (crape myrtle, red bud, ivory silk tree lilac, etc.) can be planted below power lines,
- medium shade trees (Honeylocust, Goldenrain tree, Kentucky coffee tree, Chinese pistach, etc.) can be planted in areas without power lines,
- there is approximately 36″ of planting space between the curb and sidewalk,
- homeowners can request a particular kind of tree (within reason),
- the city is happy to buy and plant the trees but needs ‘good neighbors’ to water,
- the city will provide ‘gator bags’ to facilitate watering.
If you would like to know more about planting trees with the City of Alexandria, contact John online at the City of Alexandria Website or at his office, 703.746.5499.
Michael
Related stories:
17,000 Trees Damaged in Alexandria from Freak Thunderstorm
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Taste of Del Ray at First Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010
August 30th, 2010 Categories: Del Ray, Real Estate News, Things to Do
You’ve heard about all the great little eateries in Del Ray. You’ve promised to visit at least a thousand times. But nothing has happened. What to do? What to do?
No problem. Join us for Taste of Del Ray at First Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010. This is the last First Thursday for 2010 and looks like it is going to be a doozy.
Eateries up and down Mt. Vernon Avenue will pitch their tents in the parking lot directly behind Virginia Commerce Bank from 6-9 pm. (This is where folks park for the Del Ray Farmers Market.)
These updates just in:
- Tickets will be sold in two locations – at the Oxford Street entrance across from Dr. Stone’s and in the entrance between Cheestique and the School of Rock. Everyone must have a ticket – $10 for adults and $5 for children. All proceeds will got to Community Partners for children.
- Food will be served from 6:30pm to 7:45pm or as long as it lasts.
- Deadline to vote is 7:45pm (each ticket holder gets one vote).
- Winner will be announced at 8:00pm
Participating restaurants include:
- ACKC
- Bombay Curry
- Caboose Cafe
- Cheesetique
- Del Merei
- Evening Star
- Italia Di Sapore
- La Strada
- Monroe’s
- Pizzaiolo
- Pork Barrell BBQ (last year’s winner)
- Taqueria Poblano
- Thai Peppers
Seriously, no more excuses. Why even think about going anywhere else for dinner?
We’ll see you at Taste of Del Ray at First Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010.
Michael
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Why A Senior Real Estate Specialist is Important in Today’s Market
August 30th, 2010 Categories: Real Estate News
On Saturday we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 92nd birthday. She uses a walker now – thanks to a recent broken hip – but she still manages her own affairs, plays bridge (including duplicate), gardens, and dotes on her cat, Muffin.
She is also the reason I decided to become certified as a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and why it is important in today’s market.
Five years ago my mother-in-law decided to sell her house in
Florida and move to Goodwin House here in Alexandria.
She made the decision on her own time but very quickly and left little time for preparation. I found her a competent agent in Florida and her house sold within two weeks. We were very lucky.
But not everyone is. Just going through the process with her and remembering what my own parents had endured long before I became an
agent, I decided that I would take the time to learn just what a Senior Residential Specialist can offer.
Consider this: my in-laws were products of the great depression and
did not believe in credit. During their lifetime they built three different houses in three different states and they NEVER, EVER had a mortgage.
It was all done with cash and a handshake. They probably never even used a real estate agent but simply bought their land directly from the owner – with cash and a handshake.
Just think how strange today’s transactions must have seemed to my mother-in-law.
SRES agents understand that this extreme downsizing is often done under duress or when the homeowner is not in the best of health, physically or mentally. It may occur after the death of a spouse or partner with whom the client has shared a lifetime. It may mean leaving friends and moving to another city or state. Each of these components is difficult and taken together it is almost a tsunami.
SRES agents learn that a “team” approach is often helpful. If needed, I will put together a team to include a social worker, health care provider, investment counselor, family member, estate sale/moving specialist, etc. etc. Some of the members, like a health care provider and investment counselor, may have already worked with my client for years, but having everyone working together can make a huge difference.
SRES agents learn that patience is key. Terms and conditions need to be explained and then explained again. The client may ask the same question every day for weeks. Patience.
SRES agents learn about communication. And for me, this – and patience – are key. In two recent listings I have done for senior clients, neither had computers, fax machines, or cell phones. One did not even have an answering machine.
Because of that, most of our conversations were face to face and I had to hand deliver documents. It was definitely a change from the way I normally do business but you know what? I kind of liked it! Old-fashioned, simple communication at its best.
SRES agents are often the voice of reason between family members. A SRES agent is a neutral entity, working in the best interests of his/her client. It is a local SRES agent who understands the market and knows that pricing is key for today’s buyers, especially if the home is in need of repairs or has not been updated.
Can I help you or someone you know make the move of a lifetime? I understand why a Senior Real Estate Specialist is important in today’s market.
Call me at 703.927.4554 or email at michael.bergin2@verizon.net.
Michael
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Late Summer Flowers in Old Town Alexandria
August 29th, 2010 Categories: Old Town, Scenic Sundays
Potato Vine
The 100 block of North Columbus Street in Old Town Alexandria is awash in the color of late summer flowers.
Caladiums
A Riot of Color
Home to private residences, a spa and an antique store, there is a pride of place, a calm, a sense of the what lies behind the closed door.
Michael
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Getting Organized – The Hall Closet
August 28th, 2010 Categories: Real Estate News, Whatever
A week or so ago we ran a post about getting organized – family photographs. Today we are going to talk about getting organized – the hall closet.
According to uber closet organizer Alison Lukes Teer, the hall closet is “the junk drawer of closets. Because your hall closet is used every day. . . it tends to gather a lot of random junk.” Teer goes on to say that a hall closet is valuable real estate and should contain only things you are using right now.
- Use products to increase storage. Hanging pocket organizers, hooks, clear plastic boxes, etc.
- Use matching wooden hangers for everything and keep several empty ones available for visitors.
- Mark your calendar to empty and sort twice a year. Clear out the winter accessories in late spring and then pack up summer about mid September.
Our hall closet doesn’t get much use in the summer but the winter is another story. So maybe if I get started now . . .
Don’t have a hall closet? Call me at 703.927.4554 and let’s go find one for you.
Michael
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Moon Over Alexandria
August 26th, 2010 Categories: Alexandria, Whatever
- Moon Over Alexandria
We were out visiting friends and as we headed home from Vienna this brilliant moon lead the way.
A photograph doesn’t even begin to do it justice.
Michael
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Del Merei Grill First to Close with Redevelopment of the Calvert
August 25th, 2010 Categories: Arlandria, Real Estate News
The City of Alexandria is expected to release a highly anticipated proposal this week supporting the redevelopment of the Calvert in Arlandria.
The Del Merei Grill has already announced that they will be the first business to close in conjunction with the redevelopment.
The Calvert is located near the corner of West Glebe Road and directly across from the newly opened Del Ray Central Apartments.
A linchpin between the neighborhoods of Del Ray and Arlandria, the redevelopment of the Calvert comes as Arlandria is beginning to stake it’s own identity with a neighborhood centric blog and new Farmers Market.
According to Duncan Blair, attorney for the Calvert’s owner, United Dominion Realty (UDR), This development will take a building that contributes very little to it’s immediate environs and create an active streetscape . . . . it’s energy in the community.”
All residential tenants in the Calvert are on year-to-year leases and UDR expects the building to be completely empty by 2012. The commercial tenants have all signed a confidentiality agreement and are not at liberty to discuss current negotiations.
Mary Reid, co-owner of the Del Merei Grill with her brother Eric, choose to leave early noting “It’s better to be the first one out.”
The City of Alexandria Planning Commission will consider the Calvert Proposal at their September meeting.
Michael
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An Afternoon at the Hard Times Cafe in Old Town Alexandria
August 25th, 2010 Categories: Old Town, Real Estate News
Monday was a beautiful day here in Alexandria. A nice breeze, low humidity and temperatures that made you want to be outside every minute.
I happened to notice this trio sitting outside at the Hard Times Cafe in Old Town Alexandria and couldn’t help but stop for a picture. And oh did I wish I could join them -
This is the McElroy family from Austin, TX - visiting, relaxing, taking in the sights and smart enough to know that the Hard Times Cafe is a local favorite.
Come back and see us again -
Michael
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It’s Bulldogs, Hokies and the Crimson Tide on North Payton Street in Old Town Alexandria
August 24th, 2010 Categories: Old Town, Real Estate News
This afternoon I was out checking on a listing in Old Town Alexandria when I noticed a row of townhouses on North Payton Street.
There, separated by only one house, were flags for The University of Georgia, Virginia Tech and the University of Alabama.
Bulldogs! Hokies! Crimson Tide!
My guess is that a lot of football gets watched here on the weekends. I’m thinking I may have to do some door to door prospecting . . .
Michael
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