1) Indulge in Fall Flavors 

As soon as fall comes around restaurants and coffee shops alike begin serving seasonal foods and beverages. Pumpkin spice lattes have become as synonymous with fall as the leaves changing colors. But that’s because it’s just that good! People love the taste of pumpkin spice, but what many crave is the aroma of a warm fall drink. This is why apple cider is another popular choice among fall drink enthusiasts. Apple cider is a classic fall drink that can be served hot or cold depending on your personal preference. Not to be confused with the bitter tasting health drink, apple cider vinegar, apple cider has a sweet and crisp taste perfect for autumn days.  

2) Enjoy Nature 

While the summer months bring their share of amazing weather. The early fall months are one of the most beautiful times to get outdoors. Even though it might be too chilly for shorts and a t-shirt, there’s nothing wrong with putting on your favorite pair of sweats and enjoying the crisp fall air. Also be sure to take in the breathtaking views of changing seasons such as the leaves falling and changing colors. A brisk walk outside can also pair wonderfully with your favorite warm fall drink in hand!  

3) Fall Decorations 

Christmas decorations are something that have been present inside and outside of homes for years, but fall decorations can be just as fun to set up and just as eye-catching as well. From autumn wreaths, pumpkins, leaves, and spooky Halloween decorations, the possibilities are endless. Entryway decorations are also becoming extremely popular and trendy as they are the first thing people see when entering your home and serve to give your space tons of personality.  

4) Fall Recipes  

Every season can be associated with a common set of flavors. However, no season has set itself apart in that area quite like fall. Apples, pumpkin, squash, corn, cinnamon, maple, sage; these foods and flavors paired together or separately represent what fall is all about. A popular method of cooking fall recipes is in a crockpot or slow cooker. Simply combine your ingredients and leave it to cook while you go about your day. You can make delicious stews, soups, chilis and more with ease. If cooking isn’t your thing, fall farmers markets are a great place to go to for the freshest foods in your area.  

5) Apple Picking  

Apple picking is a great fall activity for families, couples, and friends. Whether you’re in it just for fun or your goal is to pick apples to eat and cook with, you can definitely find what you're looking for at your local apple orchard. Unfortunately, most orchards aren’t free, but you can surely get more than your dollars' worth for the price of admission. Apple picking season begins around July and extends into early November so don’t worry; you still have plenty of time left to try it for yourself.  

6) Carve Pumpkins 

Carving pumpkins used to be something reserved for Halloween or entertaining children, but the fall practice has become trendier and more suitable for all age groups. Scary faces on pumpkins are becoming outdated as pumpkin carvings have become much more fun and sophisticated. You could carve your favorite team's logo, a special design, or practically anything you want. Don’t forget to make the most of every part of the pumpkin as the seeds can be roasted and eaten and the pulp can be used in a variety of recipes.  

7) Dress to Impress 

Fall is a great excuse to break out those comfy sweats, and there’s nothing with that! However, fall is also a great season for many other different kinds of fashion and attire. Flannel is a great option for fall as it can be dressed up or down depending on your mood and preference. If you haven’t already, fall is also a great time to invest in a solid pair of boots. Be sure to pick a pair that are warm enough for the colder weather, but not too warm so that they will feel uncomfortable. 

The post How to Make the Most of Fall appeared first on The Aspen Blog.

DATE: April 30

TIME: 8:30 am

LOCATION: Broadlands Marketplace

                   43170 Southern Walk Plaza

                   Broadlands, VA 20148



REGISTRATION FEES:

5K Adult: $25

5K Youth (12 & Under): $15

3-Person Corporate Team: $100

4-Person Corporate Team: $115

1 Mile Adult: $20

1 Mile Youth (12 & Under): $10



For those who prefer to participate virtually, the registration fee is $30 for the 5K and $25 for the 1 mile, which includes the shipping fee. Virtual participants must be registered by Wednesday, April 27 at midnight. 



REGISTRANTS will receive a commemorative race shirt and custom bib 

 

PACKET PICK UP will be Friday, April 29, time and location to be announced. 

The post Register for 2022 Van Metre 5K Run appeared first on The Aspen Blog.

https://pentagonrowskating.com/  

Pentagon Row is home to the largest outdoor ice rink in northern Virginia. Still not convinced? What about the outdoor dual-sided fireplaces for guests to lounge and warm-up while taking a break from skating? Pentagon Row has all the luxuries and amenities you could ever ask for. If you’re a beginner, they also have lessons for children, adults, as well as private lessons.  

(Photo rights fxva.com) 

Old Town Manassas  

https://visitmanassas.org/shop-dine/291/the-city-of-manassas-ice-rink-at-the-loy-e-harris-pavilion/  

Old Town Manassas is one of the most historic cities in Virginia, if not the entire country. On top of their history, they also have a charming ice-skating rink at the Loy E. Harris Pavilion. A night or day spent ice skating at this location is sure to create joyful memories with friends and family alike. For a special fee, you can even rent out the entire rink to have it all to yourself!  

Reston Town Center Ice Skating  

https://restontowncentericeskatingpavilion.showare.com/ 

Reston Town Center is a terrific place to celebrate holiday traditions and create magical memories. Ice-skating at Reston Town Center allows you to experience so many great festivities all at once such as the annual Reston Holiday Parade, the arrival of Mr. And Mrs. Claus, mini-train rides, and a horse-drawn carriage. Limited tickets are available so be sure to book in advance.  

(Photo rights fxva.com) 

Ashburn Ice House  

https://www.ashburnice.com/  

The Ashburn Ice House is so much more than your average ice-skating rink. It’s home to tons of activities such as camps and hockey leagues. If you’re not an avid skater, no need to worry. Ashburn Ice House also has public skate sessions as well as group activities. Pretty much anything you would want to do on ice can be done at Ashburn Ice House.  

The post Where to Go Ice Skating in Northern Virginia appeared first on The Aspen Blog.

The holiday season is upon us, and we reflect on the past year and those who have helped to shape our business – our residents. We value each and every one of you and would like to express our tremendous gratitude for your ongoing support. We know that selecting where you live is a choice and we are humbled that you chose to make a Van Metre community the place you call home.

In 2021, the pandemic has, yet again, dominated our day to day life. We’ve all had to adapt to a “new normal,” although what that looks like is different for every person. We know 2021 has been difficult, but we are looking forward to a brighter new year – 2022. A year filled with hope and possibilities!

Thank you for your continued loyalty and trust in us. Kick back and relax in your Van Metre home, have a well-deserved rest, and let every day of the holiday season be filled with joy.

From our family at Van Metre to yours, Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Mike Barrett

Group President, Investment Properties

The post A Message From Mike Barrett appeared first on The Aspen Blog.

Staycation Celebration: How are you celebrating the 4th of July in your Van Metre community?

We know Summer may look a little different this year as we continue to stay home but we would love to see how you’re making the best of summer within your Van Metre community!

Let's see your red, white and blue! How are you and your family celebrating the 4th in your Van Metre Community!? Tag us and use hashtag #VANMETREATHOME for your chance to win prizes!*

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram 

We can't wait to see how you are making the best of summer 2020! 

*Account must be public or email your community captain to be entered to win prizes!

The post Staycation Celebration – 4th of July Photo Challenge appeared first on The Aspen Blog.

Chances are, you’re starting to get a little cabin fever. There are only so many programs you can binge watch or hours you can bear reading, and your news feed is full of frightening headlines. If you’ve got kids, the close quarters are probably making the household a little maddening.

Here’s a suggestion: For an antidote to isolation, get out into nature. You don’t have to go all that far. Find some way to make a trip to your nearest woodlot, creek, regional open space area, seashore, or hillside. Take the dog for a walk. Sit on your balcony or patio or take a walk in your community. As long as you’re able to do so in a way that meets the recommendations for social distancing, figure out how to get outside however you can.

Below are easy ways you can enjoy the outdoors from your apartment community! The key is to stay local, practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others and avoiding peak traffic times, and disinfecting anything you come into contact with.

1. Take a Walk Around your Apartment Community or Neighborhood

One of the easiest ways to take in some fresh air and get a little exercise. Walking for 30 minutes per day gets your blood flowing and can improve your cardiovascular health. Spending time outdoors can also reduce stress and boost the immune system.Take your four-legged bestie with you!

2. ExploreTrails Near You

You may notice the bike paths near you becoming a little crowded, for some extra quiet, try a nature trail in a state or national park. Trails in NOVA tend to be much larger with more room to spread out not to mention some amazing views!

Being surrounded by nature – stop to admire the animals, trees, and streams along the path!

3. Dine Al Fresco

Food always tastes better outdoors anyways so turn your balcony into a bisto! Or take your lunch to a bench outside your building and breathe in the outdoors with every bite.  

4. Open Up the Windows

It’s springtime, which brings the fresh smell of new growth in the air! Open your apartment windows while working from home and allow the fresh breeze to air out your space. While this doesn’t get you in the outdoors, it brings the outdoors inside!

These are just a few tips to help you enjoy the outdoors locally in or around your apartment. Remember always to follow good social distancing practices when leaving your home.

The post Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors While Practicing Social Distancing appeared first on The Aspen Blog.

Working from home has its own set of unique challenges. Follow along for a few of the tips we've found most helpful in creating a work environment that establishes a healthy work/life balance, increases productivity, reduces feelings of stress, and more.

These tips will help you make sure that you’re successful, both at getting your work done and at maintaining your mental well-being:

1. Get Dressed

It might seem like a simple tip, but it’s a crucial one. It was tempting to stay in pajamas all day, but any day you give into temptation will be a much slower to start and less productive overall.

You don’t need to dress as formally as you might for work, but the simple act of changing clothes serves as a signal that it’s time to wake up and get things done. “Don’t underestimate the power of putting on clothes suitable for public viewing. It makes you feel human [and] confident and helps draw the line between being at work and being at home,” says Heather Yurovsky, Muse career coach and the founder of Shatter & Shine. “Feeling human” might seem like an odd thing to have to actively think of, but it’s especially important at a time like this, when the breakdown of your everyday routines might make you feel cut off from your “normal” life and the “real” world.

Getting dressed also applies to other appearance-based tasks: Take a shower, brush your hair, even put on makeup if that’s what you’d usually do. You don’t need to go as all out as you would for the office if you don’t want to, but waking up and taking care of your appearance can go a long way toward helping you feel like you’re taking care of yourself.

Besides, just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean that no one from work will see you. It’s 2020 and we’re all about to have a lot of video meetings.

2. Designate a Workspace or Home Office

One of the big challenges when it comes to working remotely is keeping your work and home lives separate. If you never fully disconnect from work, your work productivity will suffer and your home life can take a hit as well.

If you’re used to going into an office each day, the separation between work and home is physical, and you want to try to recreate that as much as possible with a designated physical workspace at home. You may scoff at the idea of a separate room for a home office if, like me, you live in a small apartment. I’m writing this in the room that is my office, kitchen, living room, and dining room all in one. Your workspace doesn’t have to be its own room—in my apartment, it’s a corner—but it should feel as separate from the rest of your home as possible.

Try to make your workspace comfortable with a chair you can sit in for eight hours a day and a few decorations. Find an area with good natural lighting if at all possible. Even if you don’t usually spend a lot of time outdoors, losing out on the time you spend outdoors during your commute can start to weigh on you quickly, and it will only happen faster if you don’t have natural light coming in.

Entering your workspace will help you turn “on” at the beginning of the day and get down to work. On the flipside, leaving your workspace will also help you turn “off” at the end of the day and fully disengage. That’s why it’s also important not to spread yourself across your home—while it might seem great to be able to move from desk to couch to bed, if you let your laptop creep into your downtime space, it makes it harder to keep your work separate from your home life.

If you’re working at a table you need to use outside of work or a room you spend a lot of time in, pack up your work each evening to make the end of your day decisive. When I worked remotely in my last job, I was working on my personal computer, so I’d make sure to close all the tabs and programs related to my job as soon as I was done for the day. The key here is to do whatever you need to do to “leave” your workspace.

3. Keep Clearly Defined Working Hours

Just as you designate and separate your physical workspace, you should be clear about when you’re working and when you’re not. You’ll get your best work done and be most ready to transition back to the office if you stick with your regular hours. Plus, if your role is collaborative, being on the same schedule as your coworkers makes everything much easier.

If you live with other people, this separation is even more critical. Communicate with the people you live with to establish boundaries so you can cut down on distractions during the workday—and then disconnect and give the people you care about your full attention. Having a separate time and space to work will allow you to be more present in your home life.

4. Build Transitions Into (and Out of) Work

Your morning commute not only gets you to work—from one physical location to another—but it also gives your brain time to prepare for work. Just because you’re not traveling doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carve out equivalent routines to help you ease into your workday.

Maybe you usually read or listen to music on your commute. You can do that at home. Or maybe you can spend some time with a pet or loved one. You can even add in a workout (preferably at home because of the new coronavirus, but see what is being recommended where you live) or spend some time on a hobby (again, make sure it’s appropriate given the health recommendations where you are).

At the other end of the day, the evening commute does the reverse. “Commuters often take for granted the time they have in the car or on the train to wind down from a hectic workday and mentally prepare themselves for their evening routine.” Yurovsky says. Generally, you’re not going from getting a huge presentation done right to making dinner or doing chores. If you try to jump directly, “your brain doesn’t have time to hit the reset button, which can make you less present as you transition back into your personal life.”

Give yourself something that will signal the end of work and serve as a buffer. When I worked from home, I made it a habit to take my dog for a long walk as soon as I was done for the day. It helped me decompress with something physical and fun, and the habit was self-enforcing since my dog would lie in front of the door when it was time to go or would come looking for me if I was taking too long.

5. Don’t Get Too Sucked in by the News—or Anything Else

You probably already take a few breaks throughout the day at the office, and that’s fine to do at home, too. Using that time to throw in a load of laundry is OK, but try not to look at your new work arrangement as an opportunity to finally clean out that closet or anything else that takes a lot of sustained focus.

Right now, one of the biggest distractions is the news. And if you’re working remotely because of the new coronavirus, checking in on COVID-19 updates is going to be at the front of your mind. It’s good to stay informed, of course, but it’s also easy to scroll yourself into an anxious mess.

I suggest setting timers for any breaks you take. You don’t want to get too immersed and forget that you’re at work altogether. If you’re someone who’s susceptible to getting distracted every time you get a news alert, turn your notifications off during the workday, too. The news will still be there after 5 PM.

6. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

If you don’t usually work from home, chances are there will be some bumps in the road if you have to suddenly go fully remote. The key to steering through these bumps is communication—especially with your manager and direct reports. Either before you make the switch or as soon as you know it’s happening, come up with a plan that lays out expectations for how often you should check in and how you’ll convey any changes or new assignments to one another. Do the same with anyone you usually work collaboratively with throughout the day.

This plan is likely to change as you go. And that’s OK. This is a new situation for everyone. So make sure to circle back and change the plan if problems come up. You’ll also encounter unique challenges as you try to do your job remotely, which can vary greatly depending on the type of work you do. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the same people you would usually turn to for help—even if you’re not in the same building as them.

You might find it’s best to check in with your boss and coworkers over the phone or through video chat. This will cut down on miscommunication and break up some of the social isolation that can come from working from home.

7. Don’t Forget to Socialize

When the whole office suddenly starts working from home, you’re cutting off a lot of the casual social interactions you’re used to having throughout the day that help you feel less lonely and break up the monotony of work. “People forget they need to be around others because it’s the small talk and random fire alarms that keep your days feeling unique and prevent that hamster-wheel feeling. When you work from home, you don’t have that,” Yurovsky says.

Combat this by talking with your coworkers throughout the day through Slack, calls, text, Zoom, or however your company communicates. If you usually ask your coworkers about their weekends, keep that up. If you’d usually comment to them about a specific topic, reach out. These little interactions go a long way.

You can also schedule morning video call kickoffs with your whole team so you make space for that first-getting-into-work small talk, or carve out time for other check-ins throughout the day.

While you’re at it, don’t just check in with coworkers about this project or that TV show you both like—really check in. Lots of us are feeling anxious and uncertain right now, and suddenly being isolated at home can amplify these feelings. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a coworker just to ask how they’re doing.

All this doesn’t just apply to the workday and people you work with. You may not be able to meet up with friends for dinner after work, but you can organize a group of people to discuss a book or TV show or just to catch up over Google Hangouts. You don’t even need to plan that much: My best friend and I live in different parts of the country but stream TV shows simultaneously so we can text about them in real time. And Facetime your mom, will you? When the world is freaking out, it’s more important than ever that we reach out, connect, and take care of one another.

The post 7 Tips For Working From Your Aspen Apartment appeared first on The Aspen Blog.

About this Event

Join us for our 3rd Annual Del Ray Fit Crawl – an afternoon of sweat, fun & community-building! You'll get to participate in four 30-minute workouts at fitness studios along Mount Vernon Avenue, including:

• Ascend Cycle – Indoor Cycling
• Foundation Fitness of Alexandria – Boxing
• Mind the Mat – Hot Power Yoga
• Studio Body Logic – Mat Pilates

Event check-in will being at 12:30 at Ascend Cycle. Please arrive early enough to check-in and make your way to your first studio. You will have an event team leader who will join your group throughout the event. The event will conclude with wings & drinks at Pork Barrel BBQ!

All participants will receive a SWAG bag and a drink ticket for the social at Pork Barrel.

Click here for tickets!

The post Del Ray Fit Crawl 2020 appeared first on The Aspen Blog.