getting crafty...

VOL. 59  /  DISH Last week, we were in denial that it's already November, and now we're ready to be present and enjoy the start of the holidays. We're sharing a couple of fun happenings that will get your gift gears turning, as well as a sweet tip to start your Thanksgiving planning. Get out there! Hands On Indigo Local artisan and blogger Miranda Anderson hosts her Shibori Indigo dyeing classes in Salt Lake City, Portland and Chicago - but we get them first! We’ve been eyeing her events for a while now, so here’s the dish with her workshop this month. The two-hour class will allow you to bring two one-of-a-kind towels home, all while learning the magic behind textile art. You will experience the whole process of preparing, folding and dyeing natural fabric to create Shibori patterns. Maybe the perfect opportunity to start your holiday gifting?   Vitals: Tuesday, November 13 / 7:30-9:30pm shop.livefreecreative/workshops Futures: For The Holidays Next weekend, the 54th annual Craft & Design show pulls into Main Street Station. Get a solid head start on gift giving with the ability to browse 150+ vendors at once. So, where to start? First, Church Hill boutique Dear Neighbor has curated 10 killer brands to appear in its own Dear Maker booth. That's a must. Next, vendors and artists are coming from all over the country, but we’ve got our eyes on the Virginia makers, including Grant Garmezy Glass (so unexpected), Shira Brooks Studio Jewelry, Daniel Rickey Furniture and Chamblin Design (fine jewelry). Up the ante with food and drink at the Friday night preview party, as well as Saturday and Sunday breakfasts.   Vitals: November 16-18 visarts.org/craft-design-show All The Pie This year, Thanksgiving is happening on the earliest date possible. Are you ready? We're definitely not. One step to make Thanksgiving meal planning a little easier - and a little tastier: order a pie from a local baker! Check out our favs. Whisk / That sexy pie pictured above is a Sweet Potato Buttermilk Tart. Wait 'til you see the rest of their menu. Chairlift at Someday / This Friday, pop by Someday, the new Broad St. home store, to order a pie from Chairlift and buy the platter you'll serve it on, for that homemade touch... Proper Pie Co. / Online ordering is already open for everything from a classic Apple to a Hazelnut Tan slice. Better move fast - we had intended to include Pie Y'All on this list, but they've already sold out! (They're still worth checking out.)

stirring up something delicious

VOL. 58  /  DELICACY Anyone else in denial that it's November? And so begins that sprint to New Year's. Our goal will be to cut through the clutter with a few key ideas to focus on each week. Let’s get down to business. Fire, Flour & Fork, Reprise Today marks the start of one of the best food events of the year. We featured Fire, Flour & Fork back in August so you could snag the hot tickets before they sold out. If you're just now prepping, some awesome events are still open! Start the weekend early on Thursday with a boozy Bartender Battle, watching masters craft their drinks. Carry on Friday and Saturday with a Middle Eastern feast at Blue Bee Cider and the Street Art & Street Food Tour. To cap it all off, don your best vintage wares for the Midcentury Tiki Room at Little Nickel on Sunday. Remember, each event benefits a different local charity! Now that deserves a toast.   Vitals: November 1-4 fireflourandfork.com Urbanna Oyster Festival Ah, the oyster — a delicacy near and dear to our Virginia hearts. Travel up river to Urbanna where they’ve been doing oysters right for 61 years. The Urbanna Oyster Festival features enough different events and vendors to fill out a day trip. Learn the history of the oyster industry in Urbanna before heading to the waterfront for a first-hand look at the trade! With a festival village, parade, antique car show, and oyster-shucking contest, the entire affair is a nice escape from the city.   Vitals: November 2-3 urbannaoysterfestival.com Futures: Rebelle Con After a successful inaugural year, Rebelle Con is back with another stacked line-up of events and speakers. The conference aims to support female leaders with tools and inspiration to design the life and career they desire. Kick things off with Thursday's cocktail party; Friday is keynotes; and Saturday offers actionable workshops. We're particularly interested in hearing from Michelle Cordeiro Grant, the founder of Lively, and Pia Silva, the author of Badass Your Brand. Last year's workshops were strong; we're equally pumped for this year's line-up. You can customize your track depending on interest. And you know we love to eat - even the snacks and meals were delicious last year. MEET / Come see us! We’ll be holding court at the Thursday cocktail party. Say hi and snag some RIC swag.   Vitals: November 8-10 rebellecon.com/rebelle-2018 RIC Represent Our tees are the perfect fall layering piece. Comfy. Soft. Easy. SHOP NOW

exciting reveals...

VOL. 56  /  NASCENT Earlier this year, two nascent Instagram accounts caught our eye. This week, we finally get to dish on these two new, women-owned businesses. Plus, have you made your Halloween plans yet? We’ll offer you some wicked celebration choices. Happy Thursday! Anther Launch This Saturday, Anther will launch with a private party - and we’ve got your invite. Anther is the new jewelry brand specializing in statement pieces that are sustainable and ethically sourced from Ghana, Peru, Mallorca and other far-flung locations. Their bold debut collection features novel shapes and an inventive use of materials, all immensely wearable and available at reasonable prices. PERK / To join Saturday’s launch party, email info@anther.shop (click this!) to request an invite. This will be your chance to shop the collection before their website launches. Plus, you can count on discounts, drinks and hors d'oeuvres!   Vitals: Saturday, October 20 / 2-8pm instagram.com/shopanther Dreaming of Someday We’re always dreaming of someday having the perfect home or the perfect kitchen… Someday is today. Now open, Someday is the new shop that brings those dreams to reality with everything from antique graters to French market baskets. Shopowner Audie MacDougall has a decade of retail experience, and this store of treasures is the most exciting expression of her effortless entertaining and decorating. That's all to say, hurry up and go shop at this wonder of a place, buy a few items for your home, your neighbors and your loved ones. Located at 1st and Broad (you can't miss their sprawling sign), the shop represents the latest chapter in the ongoing renaissance of downtown Broad St. More on that soon...   Vitals: instagram.com/shop.someday Futures: Halloween x 2 Confession: We take Halloween seriously, so we’re giving you not one, but two must-attend parties. That’s double the costumes and double the trouble… First up, ICA is smartly combining Halloween festivities with their inaugural fundraiser. On Saturday, October 27, find your wild side at UNTAMED, while supporting the stunning new museum’s mission to offer free admission and free programming to all visitors. Go full costume, or relax a bit with creative black tie. Saturday, October 27 / 7-10pm icavcu.org/untamed And of course you’ll need proper Halloween plans. For the 31st, follow the Quirk Hotel down the rabbit hole for its second annual Halloween Bash. We intended to cover this last year, but tickets were gone in a blink. Dress in your best Alice in Wonderland costume for a night of dancing, $5 mini-dishes from the Maple & Pine chefs, and a customizable gin & tonic bar. Plus, a costume contest... Wednesday, October 31 / 7pm-12am eventbrite.com/e/quirk-hotels-halloween-bash Now, what to wear...?