This story appears in our weekly Things to Do newsletter, sent to subscribers every Monday. Get it in your inbox by signing up here.
By Katie Bianco, Alice Levitt, Jess Feldman, Holly Gambrell, Michele Kettner and Jennifer Zeleski
Find more places to eat outside
Dining out is both my vocation and my avocation. Every time I go to a restaurant (often twice a day), I am legitimately excited. So imagine how jazzed I am to find new options opening up every day. I’m continually updating this list to reflect my findings, then putting them into action, one plateful at a time. -Alice Levitt, Food Editor/Critic
Sun’s out, SPF on
Ah, summer. This year it feels like it took forever to get here and came in the blink of an eye all at the same time—I guess that’s what quarantine will do to you. I’m someone who is obsessed with skin care, and when the hot months roll around, I shake up my routine a bit to give my skin the extra attention it needs (hello, SPF 50 moisturizer) to survive the UV rays, sweat, pool water and whatever else it comes in contact with while I spend my weekends outside. I have my eyes on these 10 recently released beauty products, including this nourishing sunscreen and plan to browse new products this week to entertain myself. Retail therapy and a skin routine my dermatologist would approve of? Now that’s self-care. -Holly Gambrell, Digital Editor
Bring on old-school Hollywood
The global pandemic put Hollywood on pause in late March, throwing the whole film industry for a loop. Eager movie-lovers like myself have had to catch new releases from the comfort of the couch instead of the big screen, and also have to consider the fact that winter’s Oscar season is bound to look a lot different come 2021. But, with the struggles come the wonderful attempts at adapting to this current circumstance, such as a resurgence of drive-in theaters across the country. Virginia has caught on to the trend too, bringing that old-school charm once associated with film back to the region. This weekend, you’ll find me at The Lovingston Café with popcorn in hand, watching whatever Hollywood classic the team has decided to showcase. While it’s not exactly the ’60s Hollywood I’ve always dreamed of experiencing, it’s the next best thing. -Jess Feldman, Editorial Assistant
Outside, all the time
It’s summertime in NoVA and that means it’s hot. With no camp for my kiddos this year, I’m constantly updating my list of what we can do to make sure it’s fun all the same. I plan to have them in their bathing suits for a good part of each day, running in the sprinkler, playing with water toys and splashing in our inflatable pool. And even though they won’t be at an actual pool, I’m still brushing up on my water safety tips. And when they need a break from the sun? Wolf Trap has moved all its children’s summer programming online. That’s screen time I can get on board with. -Katie Bianco, Editor
Into the woods
After all this time inside, it is finally time to breakout and enjoy some nature. While I have been taking my daily walks and play breaks with my pups, I really need to unplug for some true R&R. With parks starting to reopen, now is the perfect time to plan a camping trip. While I have gone camping before, it has been about 10 years since I have started a fire or set up a tent. With that in mind, I plan on taking a few tips from Megan Shuster, the assistant park manager at Bull Run Regional Park, as I journey out into nature for a fun weekend trip away from screens. -Michele Kettner, Editorial Assistant
Movin’ on up
My apartment is a portrait of disarray. And let me just say, I am not a messy person. Actually, I’m a why-is-that-one-specific-thing-out-of-place person. But we’re moving, so everything—and I mean everything—is everywhere. Having spent nearly a year in a 500-square-foot studio apartment, I’ve noticed there are a few things I’m missing now. So instead of packing up these boxes, I’ve been endlessly browsing online. I can’t wait to peruse Goldfinch and The Old Luckett’s Store one day soon, but until then, I’ll be upgrading a few things that I can ship straight to my new home. A few firsts? Trading in my lemonade pitcher for real flower vase, adding a bit of Zen to my bedroom (yes, an actual bedroom!) and getting a colorful dish set for all of those homemade meals I’ve been making. Soon it will be home sweet home. -Jennifer Zeleski, Editorial Assistant
