The hardest part will be choosing what to have. Krunch & Noodles’ ramen is a top choice on your first visit, with about 10 different combinations of meat, broth, and noodles to choose from. But the soup bowls are so satisfying, you might not have room for chicken wings or other side dishes. You could also opt for bulgogi, teriyaki chicken, or spicy pork, each served with a heaping serving of rice and vegetables. Give this new dining option in Alexandria a try Tuesday through Sunday for lunch or dinner.

The post Now Open Near Riverside: Krunch & Noodles appeared first on Riverside Blog.

Busy days require lots of coffee, and Cafe du Soleil has organic blends, expertly created lattes, and flavorful variations on your go-to drink. Then grab a breakfast sandwich, croissant, or green smoothie, and you’re set. You can even take a whole quiche to go to heat and eat all week long. But if this is one of those rare occasions where you can take a moment, enjoy a crepe stuffed with smoked salmon and spinach, or a Croque Madame with a side of mixed greens. Lunchtime brings lovely, freshly made sandwiches and salads, along with roasted vegetables and savory toasts.

Cafe du Soleil offers online ordering via their website, as well as catering for your next home or office event. Make the café your first stop of the day.

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1. Head outside (just bundle up first). Fresh-air workouts are still an option, you’ll just have to spend a little extra time getting ready. Bundle up in weather-appropriate, reflective gear before you head out, like these top-rated items. Don’t forget sweat-wicking pants and layered tops in synthetic or wool materials, a warm hat, and gloves, and sunscreen!
2. Stay hydrated. Just because it's winter doesn't mean you don't need to stay hydrated. In fact, dehydration is harder to notice when it's colder out. Be sure to drink water or a sports drink before, during, and after your workout, even if you're not particularly sweaty or thirsty.
3. Try online workouts. Online fitness routines are having a real moment right now, and for good reason. With everyone staying at home more, virtual workouts provide a convenient alternative to in-person sweat sessions. Pay a monthly fee to access a large library of workout videos, like BeachBody On Demand, or see if any of your local fitness studios are streaming classes. YouTube also has lots of options for free.
4. Get into at-home cycling. By now, you’ve probably heard of Peloton and its pricey in-home spin bikes. But did you know that you don’t need to splurge on one in order to access its library of pre-recorded and live-streaming classes? Snag one of these more affordable spin bikes and then subscribe to Peloton’s classes ($39/month) for a full-fledged fitness studio at home.

The post How to Get the Most Out of Your Winter Workouts appeared first on Riverside Blog.

1. Stow spices on a turntable. Turntable, Lazy Susan, whatever you call it, these contraptions make it simple to quickly locate the spice you’re looking for! You can also use them for go-to baking supplies like flour and sugar. A mini turntable should fit neatly and easily into any spare cabinet.
2. Quickly boost your storage space. There’s probably some spare space in your cabinets that you don’t even realize is there! That’s the dead air above your canned goods and spices. Double your storage space instantly by adding wire shelving, which sits right on top of your permanent shelves. Similarly, small drawers under the sink or in other underused spots can work wonders.
3. Stash your cookie sheets differently. Instead of keeping your cookie sheets in a haphazard pile, use tension rods to get them in order. Line up tension rods from one side of a cabinet to the other and store your cookie sheets vertically.
4. Use the back of your kitchen cabinets. Did you know that parchment paper tubes are super easy to hack? Stick a wooden dowel through the hole in the center of the tube, and you can hang it instead of trying to stuff it in a drawer alongside cling wrap and aluminum foil. Just affix two temporary hooks to the back of a cabinet door, thread the dowel through them, and voila! Parchment paper at your fingertips.

The 52 Best Kitchen Cabinet Organization Ideas of All Time [Apartment Therapy]
The 35 Most Brilliant Organizing Ideas of All Time [The Kitchn]
22 Smart Storage Tricks for a Small Kitchen [Good Housekeeping]

The post Set Yourself Up for Holiday Cookie Success With These Kitchen Organizing Tips appeared first on Riverside Blog.

Specializing in vintage home decor and gifts with a Parisian appeal, the chic French aesthetic that captivated Phelps and countless other travelers is captured in gifts and other goods at the boutique. “This is not a small shop by any means,” writes one visitor, “but it has that very charming and welcoming feel when you enter & spend some time browsing.” That browsing is sure to be extensive: from soaps to cards and candles to baby goods, you’ll find something for every occasion, be it a birthday, holiday, or a little something special for yourself. 

Apron for Grandma? Check. Provincial bath products for your best friend? They’ll be smelling like lavender in no time. Present for your coworker mid-pregnancy? You’ll find something perfect at Le Village Marche. One reviewer put it best: “In all, a well-curated boutique that has enough unusual options you won't have to fear showing up at a housewarming/shower/wedding with the same thing someone bought at another French-themed shop.”

The post Shop Like a Parisian This Holiday Season at Le Village Marche appeared first on Riverside Blog.

Gingery Sweet Potato Pie [Country Living]
The distinct addition of ginger lends a rich, complex flavor to this otherwise traditional sweet potato pie. You can make your own pie crust or buy one pre-made to cut back on prep time. Then bake about four small sweet potatoes and mash them with milk, eggs, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and, of course, sugar. Fill the pie crust with the sweet mixture, bake it, and top with homemade (or storebought) whipped cream.

Pumpkin Crisp [Delish]
Sure, pumpkin pie is delicious, but pumpkin crisp in a cast-iron skillet? You really can’t beat that. This recipe guides you in mixing together pumpkin puree, eggs pumpkin pie spice, heavy cream, and vanilla with ample amounts of sugar. Next, you’ll craft a crumbly topping using flour, brown sugar, salt, butter, and pecans. Pour the creamy mixture into a greased cast-iron skillet, sprinkle the buttery crumbs on top, and bake for about 45 minutes—then enjoy a slice a la mode.

Apple Dumpling Bake [Taste of Home]
This recipe is much easier than apple pie, and it features one unexpected ingredient: Mountain Dew. Apple slices wrapped in crescent rolls simmer in the sweet, bubbly beverage with sugar, butter, and cinnamon for about 35 minutes. The result? Flaky, golden-brown rolls bearing the perfect balance of tart Granny Smith apples and sweet soda and sugar. For an extra-delicious dessert, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The post Fall Sweets to Bake in November appeared first on Riverside Blog.

Stop by to see what’s in stock right now, just make sure to wear a face covering and keep your distance from other customers. You might snag a warm cream-colored sweater dress for your next date night or a fuzzy sherpa jacket to keep you warm on your autumn walks. Stylish jewelry, handbags, and shoes are all available at 3 Sisters, too. And true to the co-owners’ initial vision, they’re all sold at affordable prices.

The post Shop Affordably Priced Gifts at 3 Sisters in Alexandria appeared first on Riverside Blog.

The igloos will be heated, fully furnished, and available to rent for up to eight people. With a special menu of small bites and warm seasonal cocktails, it’s a safe way to go out to eat, even if you’re not comfortable joining others in a traditional dining room. For now, traditional outdoor seating is still available, and so is takeout. Of course, if you are ready to sit down inside for dinner, you’re welcome to do that, too. Make sure you try some of the artisan whiskey alongside a craft cheeseburger, the elevated pot roast, or the Shenandoah Valley chicken.

The post Step Into a Winter Wonderland at King & Rye appeared first on Riverside Blog.

Crayon Drip Pumpkins [Good Housekeeping]
This customizable craft gives you tons of artistic license over your pumpkin. You can leave the pumpkin in its natural orange state or paint it white, black, or really any color. Just make sure the color of the pumpkin canvas goes well with whatever crayons you have on hand! After the paint dries, unwrap the crayons (leftover stubs work, too) and situate one near the stem of the pumpkin. Use a hairdryer to melt it and send the wax drips artfully cascading down the pumpkin. Repeat with as many crayons/colors as you want!

Yarn-Wrapped Pumpkins [Two Shades of Pink]
Here’s a fun way to put extra yarn or twine to good use: wrap your pumpkins in it. This tutorial showcases a few different ways that you can swathe pumpkins or gourds in any shade of yard. Simply loop the yarn around the pumpkin horizontally, continuing to stack up layers until you reach the stem, or twist the yarn vertically and weave it back and forth from bottom to top. Then wrap the stems in some string of a different color as the final flourish.

Gingham Painted Pumpkins [Kelly in the City]
If you love the sweet, classic look of gingham, this might be the DIY for you. In true farmhouse-chic fashion, the tutorial creates checkered pumpkins that are much more stylish than a jack-o’-lantern. Start by painting the entire pumpkin white. Once the white base dries, add vertical stripes in the hue of your choice. Choose a darker shade of the same color to create vertical stripes and achieve that cute gingham effect.

The post The Best Ways to Decorate a Pumpkin, No Carving Knife Necessary appeared first on Riverside Blog.

Pluck a pumpkin from the assortment to take home with you, or head into the retail store to pick up other fall decorations! Grab a houseplant or a mum to amp up your apartment’s style. You can also find fresh, local produce in the market. Note that masks are required inside of the market and in any outdoor space where you may come within six feet of someone outside of your party, including Pumpkin Hill.

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