pb & kelly

Unwrapped: The Perfect Sugar Cookie

A look into one of my family's favorite traditions.

I crave Christmas every year. Before the Thanksgiving leftovers are even gobbled up, I’m already dreaming about my family’s traditional Christmas spreads to come – hot breakfast casserole, butterscotch haystack cookies, mini beef Wellingtons, and a cheese platter that captures every tastebud. It’s my mom’s recipes that give me a sense of comfort, a sense of belonging, a sense of home.  And this year, she reminded me even more what home tastes like – and my childhood, too. A few days ago, I came home to find my mom making classic, rolled sugar cookies – a treat she hadn’t whipped up in some time but with me, my brother and sister in mind. Seeing her in the kitchen took me instantly back to my childhood. She would single out a day after …

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Prepare Your Pet for a Holiday Photo Shoot

Local photographer Robin Burkett offers tips for taking a great photo of your pet.

With Christmas literally just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about last-minute gifts and decorations. An easy way to get away with staging some last-minute Christmas cheer is to snap some festive photos of your pets for guests to enjoy and even take home. Getting a pet to pose for a last-minute photo can be a bit of a challenge, especially on a tight schedule, but Robin Burkett from Paw Prints Photography shared her tips for getting Fluffy or Fido ready for their moment in the spotlight: 1.  Don’t "manhandle" your dog or cat. Treat them like you would want to be treated—if you had someone pushing you into place you probably wouldn’t like it either. So how do you get them to stay in one place? Pick a place where they are …

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12 Days of Shopping Local: Gifts for the Relaxation Guru

Looking for a gift? Go local and find something perfect for the relaxation guru in your life.

The difference between a relaxation guru and the rest of us is the fact that they know how to pamper themselves to increase emotional well being. You don’t have to be a genius to be a relaxation guru, you just have to know about the perks of aromatherapy, spa days and a little personal comfort.  Consider the lasting effects your gift might have on a loved one: it could be the kick-start they need to start treating their body and mind. Whether you’re looking for a gift for the already initiated or your gift recipient could use a little relaxation, there are many local options to fulfill their needs.  Good Day Wellness Spa 4215 Evergreen Lane., Annandale (703) 914-4663 Mindful Hands 211 King St., Alexandria (703) 683-2074 Solace Day Spa 7696…

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12 Days of Shopping Local: Gifts for the Musician

Looking for a gift? Go local and find something perfect for the musician in your life

Music is a fabulous hobby that inspires confidence and pride in millions of people all over the world and a simple gift of their passion will warm their hearts.  Whether your musician is a master of many instruments or they’ve been dreaming of picking one up for the first time, it’s easy to find a gift for the musically inclined this holiday season. If you’re not sure what they like to play, you can always give gift cards to local music stores, or even try renting an instrument they might enjoy. A few local music stores include: Kingstowne Acoustic Music 5830 Kingstowne Center, Alexandria, Va. 22315 #110 (703) 822-9090 Alexandria Music Company 1502 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria, Va. 22307 (703) 660-6025 Music & Arts Center 5735 Burke Centre…

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Local Florist Offers Tips on National Poinsettia Day

What color poinsettia is your favorite? Take our poll!

The winter holiday season is the number one floral-buying time of the year, according to the Alexandria-based Society of American Florists, a national association for florists and flower growers. And locally, Carol Chabra agrees. She's the owner of Festival of Flowers, a flower shop at 6933 Telegraph Road. In fact, for her store, open since 1989, business especially blooms in December. “People have winter parties all month long,” she explained. Chabra reports poinsettias are her top-selling plant this time of year. Poinsettias’ U.S. history dates to 1825, according to SAF. Joel Robert Poinsett, an amateur botanist and the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, brought some cuttings to his plantation in Greenwood, S.C., from the poinsettias’ …

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