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DIY Scent Studio is a make-it-yourself perfumery. More accurately, it’s an experience; an experience in smelling and creating. It is scientifically proven that the sense of smell has a high correlation to emotion and memory. DIY Scent Studio allows patrons to create their own custom perfume. Says owner Sherry Meredith, “We help create memories and we are artists. At DIY Scent Studio we encourage everybody to engage in making their own creation.”

Before opening the shop in the summer of 2017, Sherry considered herself a perfume hobbyist. She had a strong interest in perfumes and developed her hobby by taking perfumery classes with natural perfumers in Grasse, France. She saw the perfume organs and enjoyed making perfumes so much that she wanted to share experience. Says Sherry, “I thought how nice it would be to have something similar here on the East Coast.” (Incidentally, a perfume organ is a collection of vials containing pure aromas.)

Sherry enjoys the whole process of creating perfumes and her number one goal is having a satisfied client who loves what they made. She shares, “That’s the ultimate. And we guarantee you’ll love what you make. We’re not going to let you leave the shop without something you love.” Once you land on your personalized fragrance, the shop will keep your formula on file for future use. If you want a refill, you can call them and they will mix it for you, or you can return and recreate it using the saved information. And then make something new!

There are so many different materials on the organ. It can present a challenge to some to make choices. Sherry explains, “It’s a process. We just tell clients, this is like making a painting. You’re not going to make a masterpiece the first time you paint.” She encourages everyone to just enjoy the fun of the experience. She adds, “Some people discover themselves through this exercise. They’ll say, ‘Oh I didn’t know I would like this!’” Sherry finds it thrilling to observe her clientele uncovering new favorites and new inspiration through their experimentation. I asked Sherry if she had developed her OWN perfumed masterpiece. She answered, “Yes, I have. It’s called ‘Italian Holiday’. I created it in memory of my trip to Italy and it takes me back.“

Just as in other mediums of art, inspiration can come from so many different sources; a destination that you want to capture, an outfit that you want to enhance, or an event that you want to mark in time. Sometimes it’s the change of season that you want to capture and reflect. Says Sherry, “Those that are really into perfume, that really love it, will buy scents for the seasons. They might plan to come back and make a new perfume for the spring, but most people are making it based on their personal preference.” In her experience, there might be a few clients who are influenced in their aroma choices based on the seasons, but 100% of the time, the choices are quite personal. They may invoke an emotional response, or bring to mind a fond memory.

Her purest desire is to create happy, satisfied clients that refer DIY Scent Studio to others. That is, infact, how I found the perfumery. A friend of mine, (shout out to Leasa Yi!) and her daughters enjoyed the experience at the studio so much that my friend reached out to me and encouraged me to check them out.

In truth, I have always wanted to go to a perfumery. Nearly 20 years ago, I was traveling abroad to Capri, Italy and spotted a DIY perfumery on the island. I knew I would not have time during my trip to patronize that shop, but I have never forgotten that pull and intrigue that I felt. I LOVE fragrances, so checking out Sherry’s place became molto importante.

When I reached out to Sherry for this interview and she offered me the chance to come in to create a custom perfume, I was over the moon excited. I couldn’t wait! I admit that I fell into the category of being overwhelmed with all of the choices and possible combinations, but Sherry expertly guided me, explaining the origins of the aromas and how they each behave in terms of layering.

Yes! There is layering involved. When you concoct your perfume, you choose notes that work together based on your preference, but there is a science behind how they evaporate and in what order. It’s amazing. I was totally geeking out.  It’s science that smells good! I cannot WAIT to go back.

And speaking of going back, the shop is primarily open on the weekends. The process takes a bit of time, so Sherry finds that most people have more time on the weekends to allow themselves to fully enjoy their time there. DIY Scent Studio also offers opportunities to host parties on sight. Think of it as an alternative to the painting or pottery parties. Says Sherry, “Clients will say, ‘I’ve made 10 paintings. I don’t think I have room for any more paintings.’ This is a wonderful option.” (But let me just clue you in on something here…mom to mom.   The take away from this party is CONSUMABLE! That’s right! Once it’s used, it’s gone. It does not take up any space on your already crowded walls nor on your display shelves. Just sayin’.)

Think in terms of bridal parties, birthday parties, or girls day out. (But I think it would be a fun corporate outing or a fun romantic date!) Says Sherry, “I have something for all age groups including roll-ons for the kids.” There are 12 work stations in the shop, so if there is a party booked for 8 or more people, the shop will be closed off to the rest of the public. This guarantees focused assistance for your party guests.

The shop is still very new, so at this point in it’s life, the main goal is just to have people enjoy the experience. Sherry adds, “If that develops into another store, or more employees, that’s wonderful.”  She reports that, so far, there have been no real surprises good or bad. Although it’s taken a little longer to ramp up than she anticipated, she doesn’t want to rush through the maturation and business is growing all the time, steadily building upon their client base

DIY Scent Studio does sell ready made perfumes and gift certificates. They can make a custom made perfume for someone, or even try to recreate an expired perfume that someone loved. Visitors are encouraged to come in and make their own perfume or have a party.  Sherry shares, “I want people to come in and participate in [the process] and tell their best friends. That’s the best advertising.”

These experiential venues are excellent formats for bringing people together for some fun. Sherry reminisces, “I had one woman come in to purchase a gift certificate for her daughter and granddaughter and the 3 of them came in and made perfume together.”

Sherry is proud to have brought this concept to fruition. This business offers the community a different experiential option. Says Sherry, “We’d love to share all of these wonderful smells with people. If they don’t want to make something, that’s just fine, they can come and smell and just enjoy the experience.”

 

DIY Scent Studio is located at:  4007 University Drive, Fairfax, VA. 22030

SOCIAL MEDIA

You can follow DIY Scent Studio on the following social media sites:  Instagram and Facebook

Ami Dodd is the dynamic and truly lovely owner and creator of Energie. For lack of a better term, Energie is a pop-up boutique of Athleisure wear that opened in late fall of 2016. But Ami would describe Energie as an experience. She wanted to create a boutique that gave Northern Virginia more of a laid back experience and a positive message of promotion of movement, self love, and community. Says Dodd, “Community has always been a really big thing for me. I wanted a store that was a collaboration of a lot of brands together.” Available through Energie is Athleisure and performance brands, for men, women, and kids, that promote and support people in taking time for themselves to get moving in whatever manner that makes them feel good. Says Ami, “I wanted it always to be more than retail, which is why I have my boutiques primarily in studios or fitness locations and gyms.”

The concept of the boutiques being set up in the fitness spaces was meant as a temporary arrangement until Ami could work through how she ultimately wanted to market her business. To her surprise, it was a perfect fit. Putting her product into these spaces did exactly what she had set out to do. Her shop supported the fitness community as well as her brand and the products she was featuring. Dodd adds, “It is definitely a win-win on all sides. For the studios, it’s a great service for their community.   I see retail as a play item. You can touch it. You can feel it. It sparks conversation with people. For example, if you’re sitting in class and you like someone’s leggings or top. It’s a conversation starter that can lead to friendships and connection, and getting people to feel more positive and confident in their own skin that is the foundation of Energie.”  It might just be real retail therapy.

Energie is a collection of carefully selected brands. Each garment is what Dodd calls “Ami tested”. She shares, “I have to teach in it. I have to sweat in it. I have to wash it. I have to dry it. And it’s got to have a different spin.” The majority of the curated collection is made by women owned companies and proudly produced in the United States. But it’s even more than just a collection of great performing garments. Ami explains, “Each brand has a story. That alone intrigues me. Each story represents all of the customers on different levels; personal struggles, moms losing their identity, people thinking they’re not good enough. Everyone has struggles. These brands all started out of some sort of need. I think there’s magic in all of those stories.” Ami is so inspired and moved by what people go through and their fortitude to keep going. These stories and the intention of helping builds momentum that is contagious. Says Ami, “That’s why I named it Energie. You can have good energy or bad and both have momentum. You get to decide where you want to go. That’s a big part of me picking the brands. What is their intension? Is it just to sell things to people or is there a helping aspect to it to?” Ami’s plan for Energie never included manufacturing her own line. It was important to her to support the women who were already doing it really well. It remains an important part of her mission to tell their story and create one spot to showcase their products.

In her previous life, Ami served 4 years in the United States Air Force. After her military service, she began going to college as a pre-med student. It was during this time that her father unexpectedly passed away. As death often does, it shifts you. It can reveal truths in your life that you may never have considered before. It was during this time that Ami would joke and tell people, “I don’t really know why I’m doing this. I really just want to be a yoga teacher. That’s really what speaks to me.” But her head was telling her that wasn’t enough. You can’t just be a yoga teacher. That doesn’t really pay the bills. But she didn’t listen. It was during this pivotal moment in her life that she quit school, with three semesters remaining before graduation, and became a full time yoga instructor. Ami shares, “As ex-military, yoga allowed me to break down the walls in myself and I really wanted to do that for others.”

She and her family moved to Hawaii for a very short time that created another shift in her life. “But a shift”, says Dodd,” that had to happen in order for all of this to fall into place.” It was in Hawaii that Ami was moved by the spirit of community and how all of the stores were collaborations of multiple brands and local artisans. She describes the beautiful spaces that, upon walking in, you immediately felt a weight lifted. There were bright colors and fun products that she felt was needed in Northern Virginia. Says Ami, “We have so much stress here and I think everyone is so tightly wound. I thought we needed some sort of space to walk in and just have that freeing feeling right away. That spirit of, ‘It’s ok.’”

Energie began in a little corner of a bedroom in her apartment. It soon expanded to an online store and then transferred into their first pop-up location in Clifton, VA. It has continued to grow through its momentum.  Says Ami, “Energie resonates with people because it is filling a void that’s different for each person. I think that’s why retail is kind of dying. It’s not that we don’t want to shop and we don’t want tangible items. I think we’re missing the human experience. We’re totally bypassing the human element and people are feeling that because we’ve become so mass produced and technically engaged. These aren’t bad things but we’re so instinctual still and that doesn’t necessarily work comfortably.”

Ami has always had the entrepreneurial pull. Both of her parents were entrepreneurs and she calls back to high school, when everyone else seemed to know what they wanted to do, but she did not. She opted to go into the military right after high school as opposed to heading straight into college. Early on, she could not clearly define what type of work or business she wanted to build, but being her own boss was the only life she had ever seen for herself. She dabbled with two other businesses prior to Energie, but there was some element of them that just didn’t solidify. It was a particularly frustrating time in her professional life. Says Ami, “Entrepreneurship was always such a loud voice while I was working through my first two businesses. That part I knew was right, but the businesses just weren’t the right things. I couldn’t tangibly grasp what that was. It was so frustrating because I knew I was on the right track, but it was like…you’re almost there. Keep going. Keep going.” She adds, “There never really was a click for me until I entered the fitness world as a yoga instructor. It was this change that was decidedly, 100%, the fit for me. It was nothing I’d ever considered before. It’s like an “on accident” thing. Sometimes you just put the idea out in the universe. When you say, ‘I’m open to whatever that thing is,’ and you don’t hold it tightly, that’s when the magic can happen.“

Ami is a huge fan of art, photography, and design. She says, “I love colors. I love textures. I love piecing weird things together. That’s another thing with Energie that I can do. I’m not obligated to put an outfit together that’s one brand. I can piece together maybe something another person wouldn’t see.” Not limited to apparel, Ami also has an affinity for home fashions. Her long term dream involves Energie expanding into a lifestyle boutique making available, not only Athleisure apparel, but home furnishing and beauty products. Says Dodd, “I think Energie really is a lifestyle. If I were to explain it, it is literally my life. Energie is what I do and I want other people to experience that. Not that my life is a perfect thing to follow; I don’t mean it that way. But I think going through struggles and breaking a lot of boxes for myself and being on the other side of that, I want to help other people do that to. It’s more than just movement and fitness. It’s things that we eat. It’s the way that we create the space for ourselves to come home to and it’s the relationships that we have with each other.”

Energie currently has products available on the online store, but its physical presence is limited to the DMV. But like everything, businesses evolve. Part of this evolution is the potential for franchising. Says Dodd, “I think that anyone who loves that same concept could take this and incorporate it in their own neighborhoods or cities. I think it’s a really easy model to replicate if you have that spirit of community and connection. That’s why it’s so doable. It’s my vision and my dream, but it’s not me. Energie is really not about me. It’s about the communities and the people. It can translate anywhere.” But closer on the horizon is the plan to move Energie into the subscription box service arena. Says Ami, “I want it to be an experience. You open it and you feel like you’re in some sort of wanderlust adventure. And who doesn’t like to get mail?!”

Her personal experience thus far, owning Energie, has developed into some sage entrepreneurial advice. She shares, “Energie has gained it’s own momentum. Sure, I’m behind that in a sense, but I think a lot of the success has caught on because something sparks with people when you talk about it with them. They get excited about it and that excitement has taken Energie where it has gotten so far. It’s almost evolved on it’s own. My only part in that is being open to let it grow organically instead of forcing things.” She admits that she has moments when things aren’t feeling right, but she then takes a step back to let it breathe. It’s in this exercise in restraint that Ami has found so much clarity. She adds, “There’s always a path that just, maybe in that moment, is really unclear.   Sometimes you have to let things breathe and watch them from an outside perspective.”

Ami also believes that there are no rules. Support is great and a village is great, but you have to have the drive inside you. Shares Dodd, “I think instinctually and intuitively, everyone has a strong internal voice and guide. Don’t put rules there. Start small. Just start something. It might not be anything like it started. It might turn into something completely different. It might be a new business, or like me, three businesses down the line. But it has to start somewhere. Energie started 360 degrees from where I am now as far as the idea and the people. There’s no book that says you can or can’t do something, so don’t put that on yourself. You have a calling or you have a spark; if it makes sense or even if it doesn’t make sense, and you want to do it, do it.”

Ami is really proud of her relationships with her customers and vendors. Each so essential to making things run. Whether it’s Energie, or teaching, or even your household, it’s the relationships that play such a huge part of being successful. Like that old saying, ‘it takes a village’.   Says Ami, “I really believe everything we do takes a village. Sometimes we want to control things so tightly, and I’m totally guilty of that, but when you let that go and let things be, and let other people come in and enter with their own ideas it has no choice but to evolve and grow.” Allowing herself to release control at least long enough to allow other people to become a part of the process has been instrumental in her success. “Otherwise,” says Dodd, “it would just be another store.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

Be sure to Like and Follow Energie on these social media sites:  https://www.energiegoods.com/, Facebook, and Instagram

LOCATIONS

For a list of Energie boutique locations, go to https://www.energiegoods.com/faq-contact-locations

Tara and Ben Wegdam have created quite an empire for themselves under the umbrella of the West Federal Retail Family. What started as one home furnishing store in Holland, has grown to 30 plus home furnishing, clothing and accessory stores spanning from Boston to Atlanta. Headquartered in Middleburg, Virginia, the couple has created and managed successful brick and mortars of accessory shops (LouLou Boutique), clothing boutiques (Zest Clothing & Co., formerly also named Lou Lou) and home furnishing stores (Crème de la Crème Imports).

 

 

An avid shopper herself, Tara has an affinity for boutique-style shopping. Not one to pick through the discount stores, Tara prefers to shop in beautiful stores that reflect the style of the merchandise sold within, a concept that she has fully embraced and implemented in her own shops.

Originally from Nashville, she participated as a student in the Hollins Study Abroad Program through Hollins College (now Hollins University). It was during her time in Holland that Tara met her Dutch husband, Ben Wegdam.   They moved to Holland after she graduated where Tara opened her first store called The French Shoppe. Tara’s shop featured items all of French origin.

The couple moved to the US with Ben’s job. He worked for Ahold Delhaize, the Dutch company that owns Stop and Shop, and Giant, among others. Their main office was located in Chantilly, but the couple wanted to live in the country, so they settled in Middleburg, Va.

Their move also involved bringing The French Shoppe with them. As Tara’s inventory began to expand to other European regions, she took the opportunity to change the name of the store to Crème de la Crème Imports when they relocated to the US. With this new name, Tara gained more freedom of what type of merchandise she could offer in her store.

The concept of the store started as home furnishings. It then spilled over to apparel and then on to accessories. The original Virginia store was located on Federal Street in Middleburg. The opportunity to move the shop to the more coveted location of E. Washington Street became available, so they jumped at the chance. The logistics of it all left the couple with two store fronts. It was at this time, that the division of home furnishings from clothing and accessories as born. Again presented with a store front option on E. Washington Street, they opened a third shop. This time they made the separation of accessories from apparel.

They quickly realized that the customer was really ok buying clothes and accessories at different locations. Says Wegdam, “When the customers responded favorably to shopping for accessories separately I was excited. I like it too! Sometimes it’s a relief not to have to look through clothes just to buy a super cute accessory item or a gift.”

But look for changes with regards to their clothing stores. I was so flattered that I was one of the first know that The Wegdams were working to rebrand their apparel shops. In the Carytown section of Richmond, VA, their clothing store is called Zest Clothing & Co. This store has a slightly different concept having a limited, specialized selection of accessories to accompany their outstanding clothing lines. Going forward, there will be a clear separation from the Lou Lou accessories boutiques and the apparel shops. The clothing stores will be completely rebranded and styled continuing on with the name Zest. They will have a more modern vibe with sleeker shelving units that will enable the customers to see the merchandise more efficiently. Fear not. The clothing style offering that you have come to know and love will stay the same. Says Wegdam, “The whole idea behind it is to help the customer shop.”

A self-described picky person, Tara truly feels that it is her job to sort through all of the products that are out there in the world so she can provide the very best for her customers. That is what she strives to do. She adds, “It’s our job to edit the good from the bad for the stores so the customers don’t have to look at everything. I want the customer to come in to a whole store of good stuff and be able to pick what they like out of the collection.” On a personal note, this is exactly why I shop at Lou Lou/Zest. I know, without fail, that I can go into the store and find something that will work for me and in a price range that won’t pulverize a paycheck.

Tara has equal love for each of her stores. She shares, “It’s like choosing a favorite child. You just can’t. I love it all. But what I really love are the customers. The customers are the most important people.”

Tara is inspired by her customers. She observes what they are wearing and how they style themselves and takes inspiration from that. Tara shares, “I listen to the customers all the time. That’s why I love to work in the stores because they’re the best buyers in the world.” Admittedly, we live in a time of fast fashion that moves and changes constantly. Customers want to buy it now and want to wear it now, be happy with it, and then move on to the next thing.

But her dream was always to own a store. To this day, Tara’s real joy comes from being around the customers. So for her, when asked how her reality differs from her dream, she answered, “I’m sitting in an office, behind a computer and I don’t like computers. I always thought that I would just work in a store. That’s what I wanted to do. That’s what I still want to do. But it’s ok. It evolved into something else that’s been great. But sometimes I’ll just disappear out of here and go to one of the stores. That makes me happy. It’s what I love to do.”

As my loyal followers know, I’m always interested in an entrepreneur’s underlying drive for taking the leap. Some have very calculated and focused paths. When Tara started to explain her motivation, she asked, “Have you ever read the definition of the word entrepreneur? The definition in the dictionary is a person who takes great financial risk. I had no idea! It’s so funny! That’s probably why we did it…because I didn’t know what it was. I thought it was just a person with an idea who was going to make it work. Which is the positive, dreamy version of a person who takes risks.”  Having grown up with two entrepreneurial parents, Tara might just have a unique perspective. She never really thought about the risk. She never considered that it wouldn’t work. In her mind, if it’s not working, you just fix it and keep going.

Tara’s advice?  “Everybody should try what they want to do. I always tell people, ‘Just do it.  Just do it. See what happens. It’s never ever going to be how you think it’s going to be. If it’s going to work, it’s not what you think it’s going to be. It could be worse, but it could be better.’ I think so many people have such great ideas, they just don’t start.” She stresses the thought that so many people expect to be an overnight success. Even those that we perceive as overnight successes were not overnight successes. Tara adds, “People get caught up in the plan. Is it going to work? Well, it might not. It really might not.” She shared that people would tell her and her husband all of the time that their business wasn’t going to work. That was 20 years ago. Tara adds, “I didn’t even think about them. How can it not work? It’s going to work because I‘m going to make it work.”

With a family, multiple stores and store concepts, and the social media that accompanies each, how does Tara manage to keep it all together? She shares, “Honestly, it’s a lot. There are things that we don’t do well. And sometimes you just have to take those things and not do well at them because you can’t. My husband and I both say, sometimes you just have to do things 80% and it just has to be good enough.”

Tara reminds us, “We’re still a small company. We run our headquarters with about 20 people. It’s kind of amazing. Everybody wears many hats, and everybody does the best they can and they work really hard. We all do a lot, but you know, it is just clothes. When it comes down to it, we’re not curing cancer here.” The total employee count for West Federal Retail Family is roughly 240 employees, so managing all of the people is formidable. I asked Tara if she ever thought her one shop would grow to such proportions. Her response?  “NO! I still don’t even think about it.”

The couple’s multi-store mini empire continues to thrive, but the looming concern of the consumer shift to online shopping extinguishing the brick and mortar is real. Says Tara, “I think the next couple years are going to be really telling about the customers shopping habits and the Internet. We’re going to have to reevaluate our online presence.”

Traffic is down in the stores. We’ve all seen the mall stores closing. Unfortunately, it’s likely to trickle down, particularly on days when the weather is less than awesome. People prefer to sit behind their computer and shop online. Tara warns, “It’s really going to be a problem. I don’t know if people believe that the shops are going to go away if the customers don’t start shopping in them.”  Although, a town like Middleburg, as well as their other locations, are unique and might weather the storm better than most, the Wegdams are concerned about the other retailers as well. Says Tara, “We all need each other. We can’t have one store on one street. Everybody needs to bond together and make sure people are still touching things.”

I think we can all agree, that for a lot of us, “retail therapy” is a real thing. Tara takes her role in the community very seriously. When discussing her customers she shares, “You don’t know. Maybe those people haven’t spoken to anybody all day long. That is why we all, as a society and a community, have to be aware that store fronts serve different purposes on many levels. People are lonely. And if you are sitting behind your computer ordering things…what if all the stores were closed? We need to get out and have human contact. I realized that is what we do all day long. We have human contact with people, whether they buy anything or not. I think it’s something bigger than retail. I hope that we make a difference by being nice to people. We are family owned and we try to keep it like that. We want you to have that feel when you’re shopping and connecting with us. We are a part of your community.” Tara adds, “And I really do just LOVE the customers. That’s why we opened our shop.”

WANT TO SEE MORE?

You can get some insight on Tara Wegdam’s personal style in my Tastemaker Profile feature in the Spring issue of NVSL Magazine.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Be sure to follow each of the stores on these social media sites:

Crème de la Crème Imports:   www.shopcremedelacreme.com and Instagram

Lou Lou Boutique:  loulouboutiques.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

Zest Clothing & Co.:  www.zestclothingandco.com and Instagram

 

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, I worked for a high end running and cross training apparel manufacturer called Moving Comfort. One of the co-owners of Moving Comfort was Elizabeth Goeke; one of the most high energy and dynamic women that I have ever known.

After running a successful apparel business for over 25 years, Elizabeth decided it was time to pursue another passion. Her next path had been building for decades. Elizabeth loves to throw parties and has had a lifelong affinity for architecture, design, and gardening. It had long been a dream for Elizabeth to open a bed and breakfast. Having spent much of her time on travel for work and pleasure, she had come to know the essentials in comfort when staying away from home and aimed to bring that to her guests at the 5-star rated B&B Inn at Westwood Farm located in Orange, VA.

Elizabeth and her husband and business partner, Jay Billie, are innkeepers of their beautiful bed and breakfast. The house is super comfortable and not one bit stuffy or formal. But expect to find the finest finishes and furnishing throughout.

The couple met at their 25^th high school reunion, and began dating 5 years later. Jay’s background is in market research, but he always wanted to renovate old houses. It was a match made in heaven. (Or should I say, INN heaven. LOL. I couldn’t resist.) They bought Westwood in 2004 always with the intent of making it a bed and breakfast, and opened for business on September 14, 2007. Says Elizabeth, “We finished the 18 month renovation, we hung the last paintings at 12:30 pm, and the first guests were to come at 4.”

I am fascinated by why or how people going down an entrepreneurial path are able to make the leap of faith to pursue their dream. Elizabeth has had the great fortune of not only going after one dream, but two! I asked her what she thinks allows her to put herself out there and go for it. Her answer, “Each time the opportunity presented itself, my passion for the experience outweighed the guarantee of a secure future. Not a decision one would necessarily make if they were raising a family or taking care of a dependent parent.”

When further discussing her “no guts, no glory” approach to life, Elizabeth shares, “Both dreams have been a lot of work, but were great. I’m a lucky woman. I feel very fortunate that I’ve lived the dream. It really is hard work, but I guess it’s just like anything else.  It’s what you put into it.” But Goeke adds, “It’s a gamble. There is no sure thing. And there were times when it was scary. Having your own business is not an easy thing to do. It’s not easy, but I always wanted to do this.”

Built in 1910, Westwood is a fabulous house on a picturesque lot of 15 acres. It’s got a north facing front door and wonderful windows that brighten the space even on the darkest day. The house has four guest rooms with private baths and guests can enjoy a library and sitting room on the guest floor as well as a shared living and dining room on the main level. Outside there are several porches that provide wonderful views and an excellent environment for a nap.  There are plenty of seating areas scattered around the property for guests to take in a sunset and enjoy a glass of wine and a charcuterie plate. Best known for their attention to detail, great food, and wonderful concierge service, the innkeepers will give you as much attention as they sense you would like and all the space in the world if they sense that.

Elizabeth and Jay are fortunate to know a good bit of the history of Westwood. The original owner, Robert Dabney Browning, grew up on a neighboring property called Oakley. One of four sons, Robert was the only one of the Browning children interested in farming. Since 1910, the property has been known as Westwood deriving its name because it was the woods WEST of Oakley. Browning farmed the property until the late 50s when he passed away. The farm remained in the family until the 1980’s, last owned by the original owner’s grandson. Elizabeth and Jay have come to know Browning’s grandson who stays at the Inn at least once or twice a year.

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It was a couple that purchased the property in the late 90s who renovated the original part of the house and created an addition on the side of the home. When Elizabeth and Jay bought Westwood, the addition consisted of a two car garage with a second story under roof, but never built out. A huge part of their vision for the house included renovating the unfinished addition. Jay and Elizabeth spent 18 months building out that section of the house. It was imperative to them to make sure that there was no discernible difference in style or aesthetic, as you climb the steps from the original downstairs space to the newly renovated upper level. I can tell you first hand, there is not. It is seamless and lovely.

It was only in the late 1920s that Westwood was ever used as anything other than a private residence. Says Elizabeth, “The original owner would rent rooms to city folk from Richmond who would come to the mountains for the summer and the family would move to the attic. When we moved in, we discovered ghosts of partial walls up in the attic.”

Goeke and her husband spent two years of weekends to turn Westwood into the spectacular bed and breakfast that it is today. Says Elizabeth, “We were doing the Northern Virginia commute and we’d work on the property on the weekends. The only thing here was the picket fence but no gardens.” The couple added 12 raised garden beds to grow their own vegetables and flowers, and have taken over one of their two paddocks with the addition of a chicken coup, more vegetable gardens and a small hoop house.

Because Westwood only has four guest rooms, the couple’s plan was to also provide venue space for events and weddings. Wedding season can start as early as March and continue throughout the fall.  As site coordinators for all events, Elizabeth and Jay manage the process on the property. They work closely with the wedding coordinators and vendors especially if they have never worked an event on their property previously. They can also be hired to provide the flowers for the tables and aisles. Says Elizabeth, “I actually think I enjoy the planning part of it more than the party. We hold our breath until everybody is in the tent, or the barn, eating dinner. After that, we can exhale.” For Elizabeth, the joy is in the details. She ensures that everything around the family and guests is perfect.

2

In her previous career at the apparel company, every product that they made had to look good and have a purpose with their foundational principles of people, product and presentation, dictating choices and performance. That philosophy translates perfectly to the inn. Says Elizabeth, “It’s all about the people, without them we’re nothing, the product that you serve them and the presentation there of.”

To her, setting a table is an art and color is important.   She says, “Most people really don’t understand why they feel good in a certain environment, they just know that they like it. Do they have the appreciation for how much time went into selecting the color of the wall so it doesn’t fight the environment or their senses, or the rug on the floor or the furniture in the room? Probably not. But they step in and they can feel it.” The spectacular rugs came first and were the inspiration of the color throughout the house.

Each of the guest rooms are appointed with soft white robes, down comforters and pristine, white, French bed linens, which Elizabeth has been collecting for some time. The bathrooms contain large soaking tubs, hand milled soaps and comfy towels that will make you feel perfectly pampered. Although the couple’s personal taste is way more contemporary, they have an eclectic blend of furnishings that appeal to them as homeowners, but also honor the era of the house.

And then there is the food. Each day starts with coffee and tea service at 7 am on the guest floor. Because she did so much business travel in her past career, Elizabeth shares, “A great stay, for me, was always better with great coffee and if I was in a hotel that had room service, it was coffee at my door, a newspaper and never seeing a soul. So here, we do early morning coffee and tea. Nobody ever sees us. Whenever they awake, I don’t care what time it is, it will be there.”

Breakfast is served in the main dining room, or on one of the porches if weather permits, from 8 am to 9:30 am. There are several breakfast entrees to choose from, but none more famous with their guests then their signature Eggs Westwood (a unique and tasty twist on Eggs Benedict) featuring Westwood Farm fresh eggs and Jay’s own recipe for his killer hollandaise sauce. They honor their farm-to-table concept by taking advantage of the local farms, as well as their own, for fresh products.

There is so much to do around Westwood. Guest can visit cute little towns like Orange and Gordonsville. There are over 250 wineries in the Commonwealth and some really great ones just a short drive from the Inn; Barboursville Winery, Keswick Winery and Early Mountain Winery, to name a few. Be sure to set aside some time in the afternoon for a wine tasting.

There are fantastic you-pick-it farms, stores and markets, and kayaking in the Rappahannock River two miles away with a highly recommended and knowledgeable guide. And then you have the most popular historic attraction in the area; James Madison’s Montpelier. It’s a one mile walk from the front door of Westwood to the main gate at Montpelier which sits on 2600 acres.

If that was not enough, Inn at Westwood Farm is only 22 miles from Charlottesville, VA, that hosts a large assortment of great restaurants and shopping. Need more? Have the concierge (aka Elizabeth and Jay!) book spa treatments at a nearby salon. Or how about a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon ride? The balloon picks you up right on the Inn’s lawn!

Or never leave the property. Stay and walk the grounds. Soak up some sun or shade and sit for a long read. Says Goeke, “Often times people walk out and say, ‘Next time, I’m not going to spend all Saturday out and about. I’m going bring my book, read and take a nap.’”

Elizabeth and Jay take great pride in their impeccable concierge service. From providing some bubbly and berries for couple celebrating an anniversary to supplying some late arriving guests with a tray of great cheeses, the giver benefits equally as the receivers. Elizabeth enjoys surprising and delighting their guests. She calls on how she would want to be treated and sets their standards very high to ensure an amazing experience. The couples’ mantra is that it isn’t luxury unless you get to experience it and doesn’t have to be fussy; it just has to be wonderful.

Westwood houses an impressive lending library where guests can check out a book. And don’t be afraid of not completing the book before you leave. Thinking of every detail, the innkeepers will provide you with a mailing envelope to take home with you and use when you have finished your read.

But my favorite service provided by the concierge at Westwood is their picnic basket delivery to Montpelier. If their guests want to walk to the mansion, the concierge will drop a picnic basket off at the visitor’s center for guests to pick up and enjoy. When done, they can return the basket to the visitor’s center to be retrieved, freeing the guests of the burden of carrying it back should they decide to walk back to the inn.

Elizabeth shares, “We have the most wonderful guests. They get it. They don’t want a place that puts rose petals on their bed at night. (Never on my French linens! There are so many chemicals in those things! LOL!)” Elizabeth and Jay have discovered that their guests share a respect for the environment and love the outdoors. Guests come to hike, kayak, walk the trails, and take in Montpelier. They return time and again to be pampered in the simple, but luxurious accommodations. Elizabeth and Jay have created a wonderful, peaceful existence that they want to share. Says Elizabeth, “We just think it’s a little bit of paradise and so do people who visit.”

SOCIAL MEDIA

Inn at Westwood Farm: 12256 Montford Road, Orange, Virginia 22960

You can find the Inn on TripAdvisor, Bedandbreakfast.com and weddingwire.com.   Or follow on social media on Instagram @inn_at_westwood_farm and Facebook @innatwestwoodfarm.

1 Photo cirque 1915

2 Photography by Karen Seifert

Did you ever think of your life in terms of evolution?  I never have.  Heck, up until recently, it seems the only thing that ever evolved in my life was the size of my jeans. But I’ve taken notice of a definite change in myself. This change began happening after I started writing.  It’s been a terribly interesting, eye opening, and exciting time of evolution for me.

I have always been a creative person, but interestingly, equally right and left brained.  I used to view this duality as somewhat of a hinderance.  I wanted to throw my whole soul into creative endeavors, but my pragmatic side kept me chained.  My left brain would argue that I needed to maintain a hold on responsibility and “reality”, but my right brain would be left aching, as would my heart a little bit.

As most teenage girls, I loved fashion.  I even went to college and earned my bachelors of science in Clothing and Textiles.  I was going to design wedding dresses.  (Step aside Vera Wang, I’m coming for you.)  But as graduation approached my left brain said, “Girl, you’re going to starve.  One step at a time.  Get your foot into the fashion world and then see.”

I did that.  I worked for an amazing high end running and cross training apparel company right after college.  Ok, so it wasn’t high fashion, (it wasn’t even formal wear) but the company had an impeccable reputation, produced top quality garments, and I learned a ton.  It only took a few trips to the fabric store with some of our design and development girls for me to realize that I had no business in fashion.  My true love was interior design.  We would go to look at fabric and they would say, “Oh look at this fabric!  It would make a beautiful ball gown.”  To which I would reply, “It would make a beautiful chair!”

True love and passions have their way of badgering people.  I moved on from that company and took an admin job until I could figure out how to change my life.  Any extra money I had, and believe me, there wasn’t much, I spent on my living space.  I’d make EVERYTHING. Shower curtains, duvet covers, I’d paint feature walls (even in my rental..shhhh!).  I’d buy special carved chopsticks and pretty pieces of pottery, anything that would enhance my home.

Home interiors became my muse.  I thought about it constantly.  I watched interior design shows endlessly, studying and learning.  I read and read and read.  Learning as much as I could.  Implementing as much as I could.  I even thought about going back to school for Interior Design, but guess who stepped in?  My dang left brain.

Years and years and years of this obsession played out all while I was starting my young family.  Responsible and overworked and exhausted, I couldn’t wrap my brain (my left brain) around how I could possibly go back to school.  But I kept going, dabbling in my obsession.  I tried to make a go of a career in interiors, but I just couldn’t get it off the ground.

And then…..

The truth is, I cannot pinpoint what happened or how I ever came up with the idea of blogging.  Neither my creative right, nor my bossy left brain understands technology. I knew I wanted to make a difference in my community by sharing the plethora of amazing businesses in our area.  But blogging?  Me? But here I am.  And this is a brand new, fresh and exciting obsession.  I love to write!  Who knew?!  And the seriously interesting part is that I’ve sort of lost the capacity and desire for interiors!  No one is more shocked than I.  Sure, I still have my favorite designers that I follow on Instagram, but instead of wanting to create my space myself, I’d rather just have them do it.  I’m busy.

It’s sad in some respects to see that old dream folded up neatly in my past, but I couldn’t be happier in my new life.  This new path of mine is perfectly suited for my crazy brain.  The left side of my brain sees the structure and dedication that it takes, all while my right brain enjoys stretching it’s creative legs and appreciates the serious evolution that my creativity has grown through.

A little self reflection and you might see an evolution in your own story.  It may not be a dramatic shut down of one skill giving way to the birth of a new one, but it is what it is.  Some might just call it growth, but what if it’s really more than that?

If you’ve ever taken a drive out Route 15, past Leesburg heading toward the Potomac River and into Maryland, you have, no doubt, seen Roots 657. It is an outstanding (and I mean that in its literal sense) wooden building at the corner of Route 657 and Route 15…hence the name Roots 657. I’ve been intrigued by this structure for some time and finally made my way there. Roots 657 is a cafe and market servicing the great community of Northern Virginia. It is service to the community that is the driving inspiration for the concept of this establishment. Roots offers catering services, space for special events, and cooking classes conducted all over the world for the culinary adventurer. On sight they have a delicious dine in space and a market filled with wares from local and up and coming vendors.

THE CHEF

Headlining the “show” at Roots is renowned Certified Master Chef Rich Rosendale who has developed a crazy impressive resume. With a background in fine dining, Chef Rosendale has held the title of US Culinary Team Captain participating in the infamous Bocuse D’Or, which is one of the world’s most prestigious cooking competitions held in Lyon, France at the SIRHA International Hotel, Catering and Food Trade Exhibition.

Prior to relocating to Virginia, Chef Rich was working at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. As their executive chef and director of food and beverage, Rosendale oversaw their $50 million food and beverage operation, 12-15 kitchens, and 185 chefs. Desiring a less remote and more metropolitan lifestyle, Chef Rich and his wife and three children made the move to Northern Virginia. Says Rosendale, “I literally just started Google searching. I was looking all over the place. We were considering [moving to] Los Angeles as I had spent a lot of time in California working on CBS’s television show Recipe Rehab, but I’m an East Coast person. Ultimately we ended up in DC. We kept getting further and further out [of The District] as we were looking at houses. We came to [the Leesburg area] and loved it.”

Rosendale has spent a tremendous amount of time traveling and has studied in so many different places that he has developed a robust skill set for cuisines of all types. Says Chef, “It’s not like some chefs where they [identify with one cooking] style. For me it’s not so much. You could put a whole pig in front of me and I could cook it. Or I could do a super refined, 7 course tasting menu. My tagline for the company is ‘Food. Inspiration. Adventure.’ The adventure component, for me is really important. I’d get bored doing the same thing every day.” He goes on, “I love to go to India, for example, and do a cooking demonstration, but then spend the rest of the time out learning from all the street vendors. There’s always something to learn.” His flexibility in the kitchen is a pure gift. Says Chef Rich, “I could get excited about making a pot of red sauce and spaghetti, or something super healthy like a light tuna dish and a citrusy salad. But for me, I also love to have a great burger and some fries. I just want to make sure that if I’m going to spend those calories then I’m going to get something good. That’s why I wanted to create this place.”

THE CONCEPT

Explains Chef, “When I was at the Greenbrier, I could bring [my kids] there, but it was a very formal environment. It’s beautiful, with big stately columns and plush beautiful rooms, but it is formal.” He goes on, “What I’ve learned over the years, fine dining is the ultimate ego trip.   It’s so much about your personality and your style. But sometimes not everybody can enjoy that. To me I thought that was sad; to think that most of the food I was doing all of these years, at that high level… a lot of my friends, and family, and people that love me, would never be able to come and experience that. It was executed at an almost out of reach level that a lot of people knew of me, but they really couldn’t enjoy [my food]. I didn’t want to have a place that you have to wait until your birthday to come and eat. I still like to keep the same quality standards, but now I can share this experience with anybody.”

Patrons can come into Roots in shorts, they can run around outside, and eat a cheeseburger. It’s meant to provide a venue to spend quality time with friends and family. Says Chef Rich, “I found a way to align my family life with the work. It’s nice to come in here and see the employees bringing their kids in. That’s exactly what I wanted.”

This community-centric establishment began almost humbly. Instead of developing a huge campaign resting on Rosendale’s impressive resume, he and his team quietly opened their doors on a Wednesday afternoon and let word of mouth do its thing. Says Rosendale, “People began trickling in, and trickling in, and the next thing we knew we were way busier than we thought we would be.”

THE MARKET

On the market side, visitors will find an assortment of locally made products like candy, beer, honey and hand painted note cards and pottery, to name a few. And if you’re headed to one of the wineries for the day, just bring your empty basket and you can pack a handsome picnic straight from their shop. Chef Rich also uses his international reach, and every engagement that he does, as a platform for people to be able to put their products in Roots’ market. So for somebody who sells maple syrup, or just has a passion for making salsa (Shout out to Texas Trey’s!), for example, they can work with Rosendale and his team to potentially put it on the shelves and have him as an ambassador.

Chef Rich explains, “I might take some of the products from here, like for example, the handmade pottery, to one of my cooking classes and share it with the class. It’s a way to introduce the artisans to people beyond this region and this store.”  Chef will also bring products back from places that he visits. He explains, “I traveled to Michigan and met one of the guys that was just featured on CNBC’s The Profit, called Detroit Denim. They make aprons and high-end jeans. I loved the aprons, so I’ll work out the details and I’ll sell them at Roots. Another guy that I met, Christopher Stavely of Stavely Woodworks in Atlanta, was passionate about woodworking and is just getting started. I loved his cutting boards.  I bought a bunch of them and brought them back here to Roots and sold them.” But it’s Chef’s travels and real desire to help others that opens the door for these collaborations and opportunities. Chef Rich adds, “I really am trying to do what I can within this industry that has been very generous to me. What can I do to try to recycle that?”

THE TEAM

The team at Roots 657 consists of partners and co-owners Rosendale, Muriel Sarmadi, her husband Mehrdad, and Chef de Cuisine Joe Peroney (also from The Greenbrier). Says Chef, “I’m a big believer in having win-win situations with everybody in collaboration. What can we do where everyone is going to benefit?” Rosendale is not the only person that has applied a vision to Roots. Their model allows all members to contribute so everyone has a stake in the success. Even their really cool modern, yet rustic name was a collective effort.  (Ok, I just really love the name.  The whole duel meaning…I’m a word geek.  LOVE it.  It’s just so smart.  I digress.)

And he means for this collaboration and benefit to trickle all the way down to the farmers by allowing the farmer to grow what they grow best as opposed to dictating products based on the menu. Rosendale built the menu around what the farm was already producing and producing well.

But all eyes look to Chef Rich as the idea man. He admits, “I tend to have a lot of ideas, and at times too many ideas, but in the end we try to make Roots something that everybody feels really good about.”

THE RESTAURANT

As I touched on earlier, Chef Rosendale’s resume is quite impressive. Participating in over fifty national and international cooking competitions, Rosendale has a strong background in fine dining, but desired to create a place that wasn’t all about ego and him dictating to the guests what to eat. While conceptualizing this project he asked, “What does everybody want to eat? Let’s just make that really well. Set the ego aside and make really yummy soups, big pieces of oversized apple pie, chocolate cake, and hand-cut French fries. But know that when you come in to Roots and get a soup or some corn pudding, we made that right here from scratch.”

Along with their dining room, Roots provides catering service, online ordering and take out. (I was really excited about the take out because I had my eye on some Maryland Crab Soup!). The burgers are made from ground meat that is all natural, dry aged, grass fed beef from Roseda Black Angus Beef Farm in Maryland.

Something to keep in mind with Roots 657; when they are sold out, they are sold out. Says Chef Rich, “I am actually kind of proud of the fact that, yes sometimes we’re going to run out. We may have a little bit more in the refrigerator, but we won’t reheat that. For me, the quality is really important.” Every day, the meat is trimmed and cooked fresh overnight for the next day. So when it’s gone, it’s gone. But not to worry. If they are ever sold out of what you were after, they have plenty of other really delicious things on the menu: sandwiches on fresh bread baked daily, and yummy soups too; all made on sight. Wash it all down with wine by the glass (or a bottle can be purchased) or a local craft beer on tap.

Although Roots tries to stick to the same core menu, you may have some subtle seasonal changes. Chef Rich might add, or feature as a special, items based on whatever products their supplying farm has harvested. A continuing evolution is to be expected for sure.

THE COMMUNITY

Having owned other restaurants in the past, Rosendale wanted Roots 657 to be a place that was less about him and his accolades and more about having something for the community and a place for him to make a connection with the residents of Northern Virginia. He loves that his neighbors come in to take his cooking classes. He loves being able to donate a chocolate cake to his kids’ daycare. He loves having the local school sell their merchandise in the market, which creates money for them. Roots has become a meeting place for a lot of the community. Chef Rich adds, “I love coming in and seeing people who are owners of wineries or people who make honey. It’s nice to come in here and see business people, or someone right off the baseball field coming in with their family. Everybody can come in and be comfortable. I’m kind of recycling the money, the concept, and my experience and trying to give back to the community as much as possible.”

THE FUTURE

Regarding future plans for Roots, Chef Rosendale shares, “I think where we’re going to be, even a year from now, is going to be a lot further down the runway than where we are now. In the early part of my career, I would try to control the process as much as possible. As I’ve gotten more experience, I’m able to really let Roots grow more organically, so it’s more about where it goes and less about where I want to take it.”

But current plans do include a live fire theater where cooking classes will be conducted. They will build up the patio with a solar paneled pergola as well as the greenhouse for outdoor event space, but that’s not where it has to stop. And whatever is on the shelves in the market a year from now, might be very different just based on the people that come in. Says Chef Rosendale, “That’s something I’ve learned over the years. Sometimes you might have a vision of what you think success looks like, but you also have to be a bit nimble these days because that’s just how the world is.”

Roots 657 is hosting an Easter Brunch on April 1, 2018.  Advance tickets available for three seatings.

Roots 657 is located at 42301 Spinks Ferry Road, Leesburg, VA 20176

Visit Roots 657 online at roots657.com and be sure to follow them on the these social media sites:  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @roots657.

If you live in Washington D.C., or it’s surrounding suburbs, you are well acquainted with Cherry Blossom Season. It is the time of spring that we celebrate the absolute splendor of the Tidal Basin busting with blossoms from almost 3000 cherry trees.

The trees were given as a gift to the United States by Japan in 1912, as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two countries and throughout the years, similar gifts have continued to be exchanged. In 1915, the US government gifted flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan. (Boy would I love to see that!) And in 1981, the US was able to give cuttings from our trees back to Japan, to replace cherry trees that had been destroyed by a flood.

The people of our area really embrace this cultural and horticultural phenomenon and utilize the outstanding beauty of the trees as inspiration for several events. Besides the annual Cherry Blossom Festival and parade (festival dates, this year, are March 20 – April 15, 2018), it is typical for local spring brides to use the blossoms for their wedding theme.  (The trees make a SPECTACULAR backdrop for wedding photos.) In 2004, the Washington Ballet had a changing of the guards, if you will, with the retirement of Artistic Director Mary Day. Along with her personal retirement, she decommissioned her traditional version of The Nutcracker. The new Artistic Director and Choreographer, Septime Webre (now with Halcyon House Stage) jumped on the amazing opportunity to draw from his love of American history and really tie the story to the Washington area. He set the stage for the ballet in Georgetown, featuring the, wait for it… Cherry Blossom Fairy as opposed to the Sugar Plum Fairy. Did you see that coming?!? (If you read my post “The Nutcracker” from November 8, 2017, then you totally saw it coming.) I was fortunate to see this version in its debut season. With the local setting and the familiar images of the gorgeous cherry blossoms, it really resonated with the locals.

Another spectacular display that I’ve been lucky enough to experience in person, was the inaugural spring seasonal decor of Cherry Blossoms at the MGM National Harbor grand  atrium in 2017. It was a breathtaking, larger than life presentation of thousands of real blossoms. The hotel/casino also pays homage to the beloved flower with their cocktail lounge, Blossom, located within the casino. You can enjoy freshly mixed specialty cocktails (including a cherry blossom themed drink!) surrounded by images of blooming cherry trees.  They even have floor to ceiling black and white photos of the blossoms in the hotel elevators.  (If you haven’t stayed there overnight, you should!)

Drink Company has opened it’s 2nd annual pop up bar, cleverly named Cherry Blossom Pop Up Bar, in NW DC (open now through April 29).  The bar is set up to celebrate springtime in DC and features a blossom filled space with interesting beverage choices and spring themed cocktails on the menu, namely the Cherry Blossom G&T.   In fact, several establishments in our area offer a cherry blossom cocktail! Check out this Washingtonian Magazine article from 2016! YUM!!!! https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/03/23/8-cherry-blossom-themed-cocktails-to-try-peak-bloom-dc/

Last, but not least, you may have noticed my inclusion of the sweet little cherry blossom in my Jennifer the Beholder logo. It honors my fondness of beauty, flowers, (and pink!), and the area of the country that I live and love.

I wish that cherry blossom season was longer. But like anything truly special, it might just crush the excitement if it were. I get sad when the blossoms start to fade and die off, but they leave a final gift when they snow down pink confetti with every gust of wind. Now that’s just fun. And COOL! (Pink snow! Or a pink autumn?  I dunno.)

Some who live here might be jaded to the hoopla of Cherry Blossom Season because a lot of our neighborhoods are loaded with these trees.  (We have at least a dozen just at the pharmacy in our ‘hood!) BUT, if you live here and have never experienced the Tidal Basin in full bloom, it really is worth a lap around the waterfront (even if you just stay in your car). It’s not just for the tourists. And if you are from outside of the beltway and beyond, I encourage you to make it a point to add the DC cherry blossom experience to your bucket list. It truly is a breathtaking sight to behold.

2ND ANNUAL SPRING SMELLABRATION

The girls and I were at it again!  Smelling our way into another season.  (That sounds hilarious!  LOL)  It’s really shocking to believe that this is our SECOND annual Spring Smellabration! It was Spring of 2017 that Jennifer The Beholder was born and quickly out of the gate, the girls and I hit the shop to discover our favorite scents for spring.

I think we all felt that the new Spring candle offering was challenging for us this year. As much as we are ready to leave winter way far back in the rearview mirror, it’s just easier for us to gravitate to the comforting, warm and spicy smells that we associate with the cooler months. But I have no doubt that once the sun breaks through the veil of our frigid atmosphere, we will welcome the 2018 Bath and Body Works spring scent offerings. Here’s how it went down….

You’ll recall that Meredith is our seasonal/beach girl and she stayed in her lane, but with a slight merge to the fruits. Says Mere, “TIKI BEACH is my go to. It seriously smells like the beach and when I want to escape the craziness of my house with kids screaming, dishes and laundry piling up…basically everyday life, I burn this scent and escape it all!”

TIKI BEACH is a combination of Vanilla Musk, Orchids, and Toasted Coconut.  It is available in Wallflowers Refills, 3-Wick Candle, Scentportable Fragrance Refill, Concentrated Room Spray, and Fragrance Melts.

New for Meredith this year are MIDNIGHT BLUE CITRUS and ALOHA KIWI PASSIONFRUIT. She shares, “MIDNIGHT BLUE CITRUS has a fresh, fruity scent without being too heavy and overbearing.  ALOHA KIWI PASSIONFRUIT is a mixture of an “umbrella drink” and the beach…take my money, Bath and Body Works!! Very fragrant and a fun scent for the spring and summer.”

MIDNIGHT BLUE CITRUS combines notes of Juicy Citrus, Fresh Spring Water, and Sweet Mango.  It comes in Wallflowers Fragrance, 3-Wick Candle, Concentrated Room Spray, and a Single Wick Candle which sports a very modern container.

ALOHA KIWI PASSIONFRUIT, a combination of Tropical Passionfruit, Radiant Kiwi, Juicy Pineapple and Fresh Coconut.  This scent is available in Wallflowers Fragrance Refill, Scentportable Fragrance Refill, 3-Wick Candle, and the Concentrated Room Spray.

Jen, our foodie! Like me, Jen had a hard time picking this season.  She’s not much of a floral fan (also like me) so she found her gourmand choices limited this time. But here’s how she weighed in…

Says Jen, “I liked GRL PWR (Shocking, because it’s called Strawberry Cupcake – Juicy Red Strawberries, Sparkling Sugar and Vanilla Cake).  Hands down, my favorite.  I do like the sweet smells!”  Sadly for Jen, Strawberry Cupcake is only available in the 3-Wick Candle. (Guess she’s gonna have to stock up!)

Jen’s number two fav was COCONUT COLADA.  A tasty blend of  Creamy Coconut, Spicy Banana and Dark Rum (YUM!) available in Wallflowers Fragrance Refill and the 3-Wick Candle.

Also on Jen’s list of likes was Meredith’s favorite, TIKI BEACH.  Shares Jen, “Apparently I am also a big fan of coconut fragrance!” We’ll have to see if that carries over from season to season!  Imagine if they put coconut and apple together.  Jen would be in HEAVEN!

This season was tough for me. You know I go for the woodsy scents as a rule. In the past, Bath and Body Works has carried a candle reminiscent of fresh cut grass which I LOVE! One year it was sold under “Sugar Snap Peas”, the next it was sold under the name “Rainforest” and then, “Fresh Bamboo”.  They’ve come darn close to it with “RAINFOREST GARDENIA”. RAINFOREST GARDENIA is still available, as is another past favorite of mine, FRESH CUT LILACS, but I was hoping for something less floral and more fresh grass smelling.  And FRESH BAMBOO is only available as a Wallflower Refill. Sadly, this year, they did not offer anything close. So the hunt began to find something that I could wrap my nose around.

FRESH BAMBOO is a combination of Sweet Bamboo, Lush Jasmine, and Swaying Beach Grass (as opposed to unswaying beach grass?)

Queue AVOCADO COCONUT.  New on the docket for me this year is AVOCADO COCONUT. I found it subtle and creamy smelling. Not containing an overwhelming amount of floral and the coconut was nicely tempered by the avocado so it’s not too suntan lotion smelling. (Sorry Meredith.)  This new combo of Hass Avocado, Creamy Coconut, and Lime Zest is available in Wallflowers Fragrance Refill, and the *3-Wick Candle.  *This version of the 3-Wick Candle is in the new wider but shorter container which causes problems if you have one of Bath and Body Works’ cool 3-Wick Candle holders.  (Dang.)

After doing this Smellabration exercise for some time now, I’ve learned that within my preferred scent profile is Pear, Gardenia and Vanilla. These notes are portrayed in the PURE WHITE COTTON fragrance along with the addition of White Cotton Blossom. A lovely, sweeter option.  Only available in the 3-Wick Candle.

BERGAMOT WATERS has been around for some time, but it wasn’t until this season that I realized that I like it as a spring scent. Bergamot is an orange, but leans more to the scent of a lemon. I find that I do like the freshness of lemon especially in the kitchen.  The combo of notes on BERGAMOT WATERS is Sparkling Bergamot, Pristine Blue Waters, Sugared Citrus, and Creamy Sandalwood.  (Oh, there’s the wood element that I love!)  This scent is available in Wallflowers Fragrance Refill and the 3-Wick Candle.

And lastly, I liked MINERAL SPRINGS. It’s combination of Soothing Mineral Water, Night-Blooming Water Lily, and a Dash of Lime were a very balanced spring fragrance. Not too floral, not too citrusy.  Only available in Wallflowers Fragrance Refill and 3-Wick Candle.

Last but not least, Jackie, our brand new momma took the opportunity to get out of the house for a bit and contribute her findings.  She too had a hard time with the selection.  If you recall, Jackie is our “purist”.  She enjoys the less complicated concoctions, favoring the single note, or minimally mixed combos.

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Her No. 1 pick?  LEMON.  Says Jackie, “This one was fresh and summery.  I’ll definitely be burning that one this summer.”  A nice combination of Lemon Zest, Verbena, and a Hint of Lime.  LEMON is only available in the the new sized 3-Wick Candle.

CARROT NECTARINE – Jackie admits that she didn’t expect to like this one as much as she did.  It is very subtle and she found herself drawn to the sweet orange oil.  This candle is a concoction of Sweet Carrot, Juicy Nectarine and Fresh Greens, only available in the new sized 3-Wick Candle.

Honorable mention – YOU HAD ME AT ALOE aka WILD SAGE & ALOE – Although she didn’t like the scent as much as the others, she couldn’t resist how adorable the little jar was.  (Agreed!  Totally cute!)  This fragrance sports the mixture of Aloe Water, Agave Nectar, Desert Sage with Essential Oils.  If it doesn’t make a good candle, perhaps an interesting smoothie!  YUM!  YOU HAD ME AT ALOE is available in the Mini Candle only, but WILD SAGE & ALOE is also available in the traditional sized 3-Wick Candle.

I hope you enjoyed this fun and a bit tongue-in-cheek review of the Bath and Body Works spring fragrances.  It’s something fun that my friends and I look forward to doing together.  It gives us an excuse to get out, and spend a little time together and welcome the new season in an aromatic way.  Maybe we’ll inspire you to do the same.  HAPPY SPRING!

1 Photo by Ampstudiollc.com located in Phoenixville, PA

Kira Luca has been painting since she was a little girl. Having always been creative, she took art classes throughout her childhood and into high school, but ultimately studied business in college. Says Kira, “I chose marketing because I felt that it was the most creative form of business. I wish I could have double majored in studio art, but the business school and the art school combination didn’t work.”

After college, Kira relocated to the DC area from Pennsylvania and began working at USA Today doing advertising in their sales department. From there, she moved to a start up called Vox Media, now a huge media company. Life at the time was hard. All of her free time was spent learning a new city, adjusting to a new career, and attending to the stresses of building a new life. Those stressors took a toll and her health took a hit. It was that low point that caused Kira to prioritize aspects of her life and get back into what she loves. Once she dove into the fresh art supplies gifted by her husband, she hasn’t stopped painting. It was this past Fall when she started to connect the “professional dots”. She thought, “I work in advertising. My husband works in marketing. I know everything about social media. It would be such a shame if I didn’t take my business degree and turn my passion into a business.” Four months later, Kira launched her business. She shares, “I’ve done everything myself. I’ve built my own website and started to post [my art] on Instagram and people began asking about buying it.”

Kira’s goal is to make beautiful art that inspires people and makes their home feel more chic, beautiful, or fun. She aims to produce art that fills people’s homes with wonder and inspiration. Being an abstract artist, Kira likes that abstraction is not a literal representation of an object or place. Says Kira, “I like when people look at [an abstract painting] and all see different things. They see different shapes. I like that art can spark ideas, and feelings, and thoughts, and I hope that my art gives people more creativity and enjoyment in their life overall.”

Says Luca, “Painting is therapeutic in many ways. It’s kind of a lonely hobby in that you do it by yourself, but it’s nice. I’m an introvert/extrovert. Totally friendly and talkative with people, but I recharge alone. With painting, I can just be myself. I always joke, that I have this mermaid soul; this beachy, whimsical part of my personality. I feel like I can recharge in being that. It’s fun!”

Speaking of mermaids…. Kira’s family owns a beach house in Rehoboth, Delaware, which she has traveled to throughout her life. Her love of the sea and the sky at the beach is her major source of inspiration.  Says Kira, “I love how you feel like you’re looking out to infinity. I love clouds and stars; anything [having to do with] the wonder of the vastness of the sky and the sea. I love the colors of the beach, the texture of the sand, the textures of the waves….” Recently, Kira has been working on her “Galaxy Series”. In the same way that she feels looking out over the ocean feels like looking out to infinity, her “Galaxy Series” also offers this idea of wonder. She muses, “Like, what is out there? What do you see when you look into the sky? What are the colors? What do you dream about? It doesn’t have to literally be a galaxy or the night sky, but it’s more of the thought of the feeling behind it.”

She goes on, “I know this probably sounds crazy, but sometimes I feel like when I’m going to sleep, I can close my eyes and I can see paintings that I want to paint. I see lines or colors, or I’ll be somewhere and I’ll look at something and I’ll think, that is so interesting, I want to incorporate that into a painting.” Kira often finds that places she has traveled to or wants to visit will also inspire. She explains, “Once you’ve been somewhere, the experience is only in your memory and I like to translate that into a painting. I like that it doesn’t have to be a literal scene of where you were. Sometimes I just paint something that makes you feel the way [you felt in that place].” She adds, “You can work with a local artist, to make something custom in whatever colors you want. They will help bring your vision to life from whatever inspiration point that you are working from.”

Kira’s original artwork is currently available for sale on her website, www.kiraluca.com, or inquires can be made through her Instagram account @kira_luca, but on the horizon is Kira’s dream to appeal to shoppers with a more modest budget. Short-term plans are to make her artwork available as prints. Says Kira, “There obviously is a market for original art, but there are a lot of people who just want an inexpensive 8” x 10” print. They’re ok that it’s not an original. I feel like I can service those clients by offering a select grouping of prints.” This idea nicely transitions into an even bigger dream for Kira. Ultimately she would like to form a lifestyle brand around her art. Says Luca, “I think it would be cool to do partnerships with other brands and stores and have my art on products and décor items.” She would love to be a part of design and fashion in the form of her artwork and style in the luxury lifestyle space.

But the dreams don’t end there. Kira would also love to be involved in some kind of live abstract mural piece. She shares, “I would love to work with a really cool, up and coming restaurant that wants me to do an abstract mural on their wall. I’m really into alternative art. I don’t like to just paint, I want to add texture and make it cool and different. I think that translates into me wanting to do murals or make art that goes onto purses or wine bottles or whatever it is.” She goes on, “How cool would it be if I got a winery to contact me to design [artwork] for their wine label? [I’m interested in that type of] partnership or collaboration. I would love to have my art on a product or be a co-owner of a brand where someone says, ‘This is what our wine tastes like. Here are the elements of it, here’s what our bottle looks like, here’s what we’re all about. Can you give us an abstraction of that wine experience?’ I think it would so cool to paint something from a flavor or an experience.” (Hey Loudoun County wineries!! There are over 40 of you! Anyone in need of an artist to create a label for your newest creation?) Says Kira, “I feel like I want my art to be more than just a canvas. I want it to be more experiential.”

What’s the reality versus the dream of running a business that sells original art? Kira answers, “I found that Instagram is such a creative medium that I didn’t expect, but it’s definitely a hustle to get yourself out there. The reality is you spend a lot less time painting than you do working on the business side. Thankfully, I love the business aspect. That’s what I do. I worked at a start up. I work in advertising. It’s right up my alley, so it’s comfortable for me, but I see so many artists that are so talented, but are overwhelmed. They don’t know how to build a website. They don’t know anything about social media. They’re not confident in front of a camera.” But even being educated in all of these things, and having professional experience, Kira admits that it hasn’t been easy to build a brand around cultivating a certain look of photos of her work which is dictated by social media. A lot of time is spent editing photos. She also adds that you have to have pretty thick skin. You put your creative self out there in the form of art braced for feedback, good or bad. She says, “When I share a photo I’m saying, ‘Here’s what I’ve poured my soul into and now I’m going to see if people even like this’. Or what if they don’t buy it, or what if they were to write a negative comment? That’s definitely an aspect I didn’t really consider but has been challenging to think about.” As most small business owners, Kira spends more time shipping art, responding to inquiries, updating her website, or posting on Instagram, than just painting. She goes on, “Sometimes I wonder what if I never did all of this and all I did was paint in my basement? I would paint all the time and I wouldn’t have to worry about all this other stuff, but then I’d have a house full of art that no one ever bought. I think that’s definitely the challenging part with most people who are creative. They want to produce and they love their creativity and what they’re making, but there’s so much more to it if you want to make it a business.”

Growing her Instagram following has been a huge professional accomplishment for her. “I’m proud of it,” she says. “I think when you look at my feed, you see a specific look and feel of my art and style. I’m proud that I put myself out there. That takes a lot of courage to do.” Kira has sold the majority of her art through Instagram. She’s confident in her artwork and has been able to sustain her business through social media sales alone. What she considers her best accomplishment to date.

Parting Words:

Says Kira. “It’s easy to fill your home with stuff that’s trendy, or you go into Pottery Barn where they’re telling you what is cool, but if you invest in a piece of artwork, something from an artist, something that’s original, you’re getting an heirloom piece that you can have forever. Original art is completely unique to you and you’re supporting a local artist that made it.” She adds, “Fast fashion and fast design [are not meant to last]. A piece of art that you love and that speaks to you, will never go out of style. Don’t think of it like those throw pillows you’re going to get rid of in 6 months. It’s not going to get stained. It’s not going to get ripped. It’s a beautiful piece for your home. It’s an investment.” She goes on, “I think people sometimes spend all this time on the furniture and paint colors and then think, ‘Oh, we’re just going to throw some junk up on the walls’. Cheap frames, or pictures they don’t even like. I think your artwork should be the one thing you spend money on. Your kids are just going to destroy your furniture and you’re going to get rid of your rug in the next year. Buy something you really love and that speaks to you, it doesn’t have to be something that’s trendy and then you get rid of it.” Says Kira, “I feel that a lot people think original art is unaffordable, but if you’re willing to spend a couple hundred dollars for an end table, spend a couple hundred dollars on a really cool piece of art that you’re going to love. And when that end table breaks, you’re still going to have your piece of art! Lol.”

You can follow Kira on the following social media accounts:  Facebook @kiralucaart, Instagram @kira_luca and at www.kiraluca.com, or email her at kiraluca@gmail.com.

As I have discussed multiple times now, I am obsessed with color. It energizes me and excites me.  I love to be surrounded by healthy doses of it. I know it’s current, super chic and trends point to white everything right now.  I’ve tried, sometimes desperately, to embrace the neutral life in my home, but it always leaves me empty and longing for something to bring the room back to life.

In addition to my love of color, I also have a habit of searching for beauty around me. It’s almost like a dare. I like to look at the ordinary and try to find something about it that makes it beautiful or special.  It helps me, particularly during the dregs of winter, to look for beauty where seemingly there is none.  I visited a friend’s farm a few towns over with my family. It’s the dead of winter here in Northern Virginia which means that nearly all of nature has been robbed of it’s spring or summer vibrancy and has been reduced to, well, beige. (Mother Nature’s version of the Restoration Hardware catalog.  Ugh.  Oops.  Did I say that out loud?)  With my surroundings being so devoid of color, I started to take in everything and began the search to find something lovely.  It’s my way of coping with the drab.

I was delighted to find that this exercise was surprisingly simple! Since my natural draw to a pop of color was missing, I found myself utterly fascinated and completely captivated by the unending display of textures. Whether is was the ruggedness of a hand-stacked stone wall, or the smoothness of the glassy surface of the pond, there was a compelling little treasure around every twist of the thoughtfully laid mulched path.

And just as I was relaxing into the textural symphony that was playing around me, I would be rewarded with a lovely shock of red here and there, just to tease me and remind me of the pending promise of the change of season.

For me, I’ll just continue to hold my breath until Mother Nature wakes up and graces us with the fireworks of spring flowers. But I will no longer take for granted the beauty of texture. I’ll appreciate the winter drives through the lovely country roads of Loudoun County, Virginia, with its rolling hills of beige grasses, peppered here and there with the occasional tonal hay bales and civil war-esque stone fences. Even though it’s missing the splashes of color that energize me, there is still a grace and beauty to be found.

So if you are not a lover of neutrals, but long to be, either to create a timeless space in your home, or a more peaceful atmosphere for an over-stimulated family, try layering on different textures in one color family to keep your room fresh and interesting. If you stick with organic materials, it’s almost foolproof. Consider the combination of warm wood accent tables and smooth leather armchairs, layered with a dreamy, creamy alpaca throw. It won’t have the energy of a colorful palette, but I think that just might be the point.

Sandrine Brubaker, of Cayenne Pepper Studio, is a food and architecture photographer. Sandrine comes from a family of amazing cooks and chefs and grew up around food. Her love of cooking made this career choice a natural fit.   Says Sandrine, “I love to cook. I love architecture and interior design. Food and architecture are very similar. They both have leading lines. They both have different structures to them. There’s different textures within a room, or within a [dish].”

Cayenne Pepper Studio only “officially” opened in the Fall of 2017. Since launching her business, she has worked with familiar local clients such as Ford’s Fish Shack, French Hound Brasserie and Layered Cake Patisserie. In her earlier photography years, Sandrine was into a little bit of everything… headshots, families, senior portraits. Being afforded the opportunity to work in several different photography genres, Sandrine got a good taste of what her strengths and interests are.  She shares, “I think it’s really important to find what you’re really good at so you can be really good at it.” (A BRILLIANT philosophy. Love.)

She loves to work with restaurants as she often finds that their photos on their menu or website are not a good representation of what their food actually looks like. She says, “I want to help restaurateurs, chefs, and bloggers, elevate their food.” Her desire to produce great photos for the restaurants is twofold. She says, “There’s a chance of me helping [the restaurants] gain more of a following, and there’s also a chance for people to be willing to try something that they’ve never [eaten] before and that they might be afraid of having. Like escargot!”

Sandrine’s giving spirit and enormous talent was a natural fit for jenniferthebeholder.com. It’s Sandrine’s true desire to help the restaurant community that inspires her the most. She says, “I just want to help them. They come to me with a problem and they’re afraid. They’re often reluctant to spend money on good photography because they don’t always think it is necessary or they may not have the budget. My job is to help them understand that it’s not scary and that I can help them get to where they need to be. I’m trying to make it so it’s not stressful. You just have to find a way to relate to people and you have to be genuine.” She goes on, “I heard that from [industry renowned] photographer, Thomas Ramsay. He told me, when I first started, ‘You don’t have to be the best at what you do, but you do have to be consistent. You do have to care and you do have to be genuine. And if you are all these things, then your clients are going to stay with you. They’re going to be loyal to you.’ That’s been really true. I have been fortunate to work with really great clients who have been with me from start.”

Life before Cayenne Pepper Studio was very different. Sandrine graduated with a marketing degree from Temple University. She shares, “I always thought I’d be in marketing and then I realized that marketing was not just marketing. It was sales. I don’t like sales, so I got out of it and got a job as an executive assistant. After that, we had our child and I started staying home.” When her son was little she began searching for something that she could do that would help her family. She quickly landed on teaching. Sandrine started volunteering at the neighborhood elementary school. She then began subbing and then transitioned to working as a teacher assistant. Shares Sandrine, “I thought, oh this is awesome! This is what I’m going to do. I’m going to be a teacher. I’m going to go back to school and get my degree.” While she was researching schools for her teaching certification, she was offered a Kindergarten Assistant position at a neighboring school. She held that position for two years, but during the second year, Sandrine got extremely sick.

Sandrine has chronic kidney disease. The grueling pace of assisting in a classroom of kindergarteners for two years took its toll. Says Sandrine, “I was tired all the time. I would go in and out of the hospital and my levels all plummeted. [The doctors] finally said that it was time for me to get a kidney transplant.” Relieved to hear that she was now eligible for a transplant, Sandrine quit teaching.

The plan was to go through Johns Hopkins Kidney Paired Exchange Program. The program allows a family member who is not compatible to donate to another patient who would be a match in exchange for the same. It took some time to get an appointment. During that waiting period, Sandrine was home resting. She shares, “I was in bed all the time. By the time I got to that appointment, my levels had somewhat [improved].” Because of that slight improvement, Sandrine was told that the surgery must wait as the risks of performing it too early were significant. Sandrine returned home and spent the rest of year in bed due to extreme fatigue and pain. It was an awful year for her.

She soon realized that she needed to do something with her life. She wanted to find something that she was really passionate about that would get her out of the house. That “something” was photography. She started taking classes in Leesburg and loved it. Through these classes she met some great people and outstanding professional photographers. She became a photographer’s assistant and slowly worked her way up. She was getting out of the house more and her health improved. Says Sandrine, “I got physically stronger. I could be out more and I started healing.”

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One of the photographers that Sandrine met was Jeanette Burkle. Jeanette had her own business and was a multiple award-earning photographer and as Sandrine describes, “Is just a wonderful person.” The women hit it off, and Sandrine became her assistant. They worked together until Burkle relocated to Denver leaving Sandrine to take over some of her accounts.

This new role left Sandrine in a discovery period. She describes, “At that time, I hadn’t developed a style yet. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. It was so scary to put myself out there. It was so much easier to stay home and think it’s just not for me, then to actually go out there and [potentially] be told, ‘Oh you really stink.’ For a long time I [decided] not to do anything. It was a really hard time.” But Sandrine continued to work on her craft. She would spend days at places like Harper’s Ferry and just shoot photos and try different techniques. She would conduct photographic experiments discerning the affects of the manipulation of light. It was a great learning period.

Sandrine found another photographer who needed an assistant. At this point she thought, “Ok, maybe I should just be an assistant for a while. I’ll keep working on the business side of it, but be somebody else’s assistant so I can learn more.” That relationship lasted until mid Fall of 2017 leaving her once again wondering, “What am I going to do now?” Sandrine shares, “I said, that’s it. It’s time. I know what I’m doing. It’s time for me to just go out there.” Cayenne Pepper Studio was officially open for business with a confident, educated, and talented CEO at the helm.

In the short-term, Sandrine would like to open a studio outside of the house. A must have for the space would be a kitchen so that she could cook and create her Facebook food photography videos. Since that’s where the industry is headed, she would love to have a better space for beginning to end production.

In addition to her studio dreams, Sandrine is working on a fantastic *project that has implications of helping a lot of people. In this fresh season of Cayenne Pepper Studio, Sandrine was searching for a way to help local restaurants and chefs and make an impact on the restaurant community. She understands that it’s a very hard industry and that many do not have the budget to put into marketing.   She says, “I was trying to find a way to give back in a way that would also help showcase [the restaurants] and put them on the map a little more. I thought a cookbook would be really great.” The concept of the book involves the public nominating local chefs or restaurants via Cayenne Pepper Studio Facebook page. After compiling the nominees, Sandrine has already begun interviewing the chefs, photographing them, photographing their creations, and will put it all in a cookbook.

Here’s the lovely “icing” on this project, the profits from the book sales will benefit Tree of Life in Purcellville, VA. Tree of Life avails meals on the weekends for kids who receive assistance from the county by having breakfast and lunch provided for them at school. She explains, “You don’t think about these kids going home on the weekend. What do they do for food? The Tree of Life in Purcellville really helps a lot of the kids in the community get food when they don’t have access to school.” She is targeting Thanksgiving 2018 timeframe to have the book available. A perfect Thanksgiving Hostess gift (you know I love my hostess gifts) or an excellent Christmas or Hanukah gift for anyone. I feel the need to point out the amount of people being served by this project: the chefs and restaurants, Tree of Life, the beneficiaries of Tree of Life services, you as the gift giver, and the recipient of your gifted cookbook! And just imagine the trickle down of benefit from having successful restaurants in our community!

Interestingly, staying true to her original plan, her long-term goal is to, once again pursue teaching. Says Sandrine, “I’d love to help other photographers who are coming up in the industry. I’d like to be a teacher, and maybe even be a mentor!” She explains, “There’s a lot of misinformation in the photography industry. I would like to be a voice where I could inform photographers and future clients, not just for me, but for others. I belong to the Virginia Professional Photographers Association, an organization that provides educational resources to photographers who are brand new, as well as to photographers who have been in the business for years. This group has been amazing at helping me become a better photographer, better business owner and through it I have made great friendships. That’s how I see the photographic community, one where we help each other grow.”

I find it very interesting that she wants to go into teaching. That theme of mentoring somebody else makes her story come full circle. Sandrine has been so blessed to have extraordinary professional mentors in her life. She says, “I was very fortunate to meet so many great photographers and business people who have helped me along the way. I want to give that back. We need more of that.”

When asked what she is personally most proud of, Sandrine answers emphatically, “Starting something that makes you afraid, but that you really love and have a passion for. You just push through because you just really want to do it. I’m showing my kid that you can do it. That anything is possible if you just work.”

 

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1 Sandrine is part of the Virginia Professional Photographers Association and enters prints into their competitions each year.  This photo of the ocean won 3 awards at the State and International competition last year.  She has others that won as well, but this is a personal favorite of hers.

*At the time that this interview was conducted, I had no affiliation with the Tree of Life Cookbook project. Sandrine has since approached me and requested my assistance with writing the book. I’m excited to be a part of a project that has the potential of helping so many people in our community.

To contact Cayenne Pepper Studio visit http://www.cayennepepperstudio.com, or email Sandrine at info@cayennepepperstudio.com.  Be sure to follow Sandrine on Instagram at @cayennepepperstudio and on FB @cayennepepperstudio.