Steph Drahozal

It’s December, it’s starting to get cold, and it’s the perfect time to snuggle up in front of a fireplace and read a good book. I’ve got a whole list of books I want to read, but here are 5 I’ve heard good things about (and are all under $13!) if you guys are looking for your next read! Does anyone have any to add to this list? 1. “In a dark, dark wood” by Ruth Ware , $8.99 What should be a cozy and fun-filled weekend deep in the English countryside takes a sinister turn in Ruth Ware’s suspenseful, compulsive, and darkly twisted psychological thriller. When reclusive writer Leonora is invited to the English countryside for a weekend away, she reluctantly agrees to make the trip. But as the first night falls, revelations unfold among friends old and new, an unnerving memory shatters Leonora’s reserve, and a haunting realization creeps in: the party is not alone in the woods. 2. " Leaving Time" by Jodi Picoult , $12.33 For more than a decade, Jenna Metca...

Hot on the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday where we were shopping for deals, Christmas gifts, and maybe picking up a few things for ourselves along the way... we have #GivingTuesday . It's a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration that takes place every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It kicks off the year-end charitable season and encourages people to make donations with many different campaigns. Matching gifts are my favorite, because your impact is DOUBLED. If you donate $50, you will essentially be donating $100! Want to make an impact and give back this #GivingTuesday? Here are 10 of my favorite charities that are matching donations until midnight: World Food Program USA : WFP works to end global hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Their #GivingTuesday goal is to raise $288,000 to cover an entire day of airdrops in South Sudan. Children there who have somehow survived a brut...

The weather is getting chilly, the leaves are changing colors, people are stretching their stomachs getting ready for Thanksgiving - you know what that means - it’s officially Fall! Looking for some fun activities in the NOVA/DC area this month? I’ve got you covered, check out these 6 things going on: 1. Emporiyum DC : Happening THIS weekend! Join me (no really, I’ll be there) for a one-of-a-kind food marketplace featuring the tastiest treats from around the country. Discover delicious foods and purchase thoughtful gifts and top-quality products from a lineup of artisans you won’t find anywhere else. There’ll be tunes from a DJ, plus sips and samples.   Date: November 10-12 Location: Union Market, DC 2. City of Fairfax Holiday Craft Show : The 32nd annual Holiday Craft Show will feature artisans from all over the US, including many local artists, and will showcase some wonderful holiday gift choices for everyone. Date: November 18-19 Location: Fairfa...

Hurricane Harvey has already dropped 49 inches of rain in Houston, TX and has broken the all-time Texas rainfall record from a tropical storm or hurricane. It's only 3 inches from the all-time U.S. rainfall record from a tropical cyclone, which was 52 inches from Hurricane Hiki in Hawaii in 1950. Last I heard today, the death toll has risen to 14 people. The people of Texas desperately need our help. Are you feeling helpless sitting at your desk while all these people are suffering and losing their homes? The good news is that you can help. Organizations such as the American Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, the Salvation Army, Heart to Heart International and more have set out to help the people of Texas. Here are some ways you can contribute: You can help by sending a simple text "HARVEY" to 90999 or make a donation through iTunes to the Red Cross.  You can schedule a Green Drop pickup to donate your clothing, shoes and household goods that will be converted...

Concert Critique: Wrabel On Monday night (Feb 13th), I got to get up close and personal to the man that belts out “11 Blocks.” I had the pleasure of seeing Wrabel at Jammin Java! Boy do I love this venue. I love the intimate setting, how close you are to the performer, the quick access to food and drink, the convenient location, and the cheap tickets. This was Wrabel’s first stop on his first ever headlining tour. It’s a short tour, only really lasting a couple of months. With it being his first show, he was very honest and open with us about how slightly unprepared he was (lol). It was just him and his guitar, not one lick of background music or any other instruments. He was witty, raw, and had real conversations with us. It was a pretty small crowd, even for Jammin Java, but it gave us the opportunity to really get to know him on a personal level. He told us stories about himself, his love life, his good times and his heartbreaks, the meaning behind his songs, and more. When...

2016 was quite a year! I started a new job, went snow tubing for the first time, got food poisoning for not only the first but also the second time, watched my Hokie football team win twice in person, went to several Caps games, loved and lost beautiful people, celebrated my Aunt Shelly's MAR Presidential Installation, went to my second Cvent Holiday Party, ran in two 5Ks, got my first flat tire, saw many concerts (including Adele, Justin Bieber, and Florida Georgia Line), had many wine nights, tried lots of new restaurants, hiked with my girl Taylor during her Appalachian Trail thru-hike, went to my first Renaissance Festival, saw Adam Sandler live, attended some beautiful weddings, celebrated some wonderful engagements, filmed two mannequin challenges, went to many wineries and breweries, kayaked on the Potomac River, saw a Broadway musical in DC, went skydiving (again!), and traveled to some awesome places including Charlotte, Raleigh, Nashville, Lake Anna (many times), Ocean ...