Stephanie Elms
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stephelms.bsky.social
Stephanie Elms
@stephelms.bsky.social
440 followers 240 following 3K posts
Book lover, Va Tech & Marching Virginians alum (Go Hokies!), YIMBYs of NoVa📍Del Ray, Alexandria | she/her

Note: If we don’t have a prior relationship or a current connection, please don’t feel like you need to follow!
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stephelms.bsky.social
Belated #ALXcaffeinary

Met up with a friend at Breeze Bakery in Annandale. Caramel latte & a bean paste pastry.
A caramel latte in a take-out cup sits on a table next to a very yummy bean paste pastry.
January 14, 2026 at 12:32 AM
stephelms.bsky.social
Cast my vote! 🗳️ Voting is open until 7pm!
Me standing in front of Beatley Library after voting in the Democratic Firehouse Primary.
January 13, 2026 at 7:47 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
I hate that this admin is making me into someone that has to protest…but also glad that living in Alexandria makes it easy to find one…
People at a protest. There is a large sign with orange letters that says “ICE Out for Good”. More people at a protest. There is a large American flag flying.
January 11, 2026 at 9:43 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
#ALXcaffeinary

I’m a creature of habit. Swing’s Winter Solstice Blend in a classic diner mug.

Also demonstrating my hack for thwarting a cat who has a taste for coffee (not my two angels, but my son’s cat whom I’m cat sitting).
A classic white diner mug with a thin green band around the top sits on top of a glass coaster on a table. There is a dark blue round silicone suction lid from GIR sitting on top to keep an annoying coffee loving cat at bay. https://gir.co/products/suction-lid
January 11, 2026 at 4:54 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
📚 2026 Books I’ve Read 📚

Found myself more fascinated with/ distracted by how the story was crafted than the story itself. Makes me want to find interviews with Saunders talking about it. May want to reread at some point.
Hardcover copy of Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders sits on top of a colorful quilt.
January 10, 2026 at 5:41 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
#ALXcaffeinary

Swing’s Winter Solstice Blend on a cozy rainy morning.

Rounding out my collegiate mug collection is one from the University of Vermont where my youngest graduated in 2023 with a Wildlife & Fisheries Biology degree. Go Catamounts!
A white coffee mug with “University of Vermont” & a “V” in green sits on a table.
January 10, 2026 at 3:53 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
Well that was fun. My cat just caught a mouse. And now the other two are staking out the book case.
January 10, 2026 at 2:51 AM
stephelms.bsky.social
#ALXcaffeinary

Decided to continue the collegiate theme repping University of Mary Washington where my oldest graduated with a history degree in 2019. Go Eagles!
A blue mug with a trio of white “UMW” graphics stacked vertically sits on a side table. Behind is vintage dresser & sewing table. A wooden chair with a metal table fan is off to the left.
January 9, 2026 at 2:41 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
#ALXcaffeinary

Winter Solstice Blend in my Virginia Tech mug is always a good way to start the day.
A maroon mug with “HOKIES” in orange sits on a side table. In the background is a vintage dresser & my grandmother’s vintage sewing machine table. A partridge in a pear tree stained glass art piece is leaning against the window over the sewing machine while a vintage style fan sits on a wooden chair off to the left in front of the staircase.
January 8, 2026 at 7:36 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
#ALXcaffeinary

Winter Solstice Blend in my favorite podcast mug.

Pantsuit Politics is a really great listen especially if you are looking for a more nuanced, different approach to understanding what’s going on .
A white ceramic mug with “Have the best day available to you!” from Pantsuit Politics podcast is being held up against a window with a stained glass flower art panel in the background. A red couch & vintage lamp can also be seen.
January 7, 2026 at 6:16 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
#ALXcaffeinary

Back to Winter Solstice Blend in my Rare Bird Coffee Roasters cup (a roaster in Vienna I discovered during COVID). Enjoying another bagel, this time with Raspberry Hibiscus jam.
A bagel with Raspberry Hibiscus jam sits on a blue plate. A blue-green mug with the Rare Bird Coffee Roasters logo is filled with Winter Solstice Blend coffee. A cute little jar of Raspberry Hibiscus jam sits next to the mug.
January 6, 2026 at 5:05 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
This looks so neat!
alexlibraryva.bsky.social Alexandria Library @alexlibraryva.bsky.social · 8d
There's still time to apply to become a Take a Seat for Alex Library Artist!
You can see the Yarn Story chair by Jessica and Cindy on display now at Beatley, and learn more about the project here: alexlibraryva.org/take-a-seat
January 6, 2026 at 4:55 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
My son just talked to the folks at Capital Auto Care (on Calvert) & looks like they are closing? Anyone else hear this? I was just in a couple of weeks ago & they didn’t say anything.

In the meantime I’m looking for recommendations for a good local mechanic. Bonus points if walkable from Del Ray.
January 5, 2026 at 8:59 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
#ALXcaffeinary

Finished the Sumatra Blue Tiger beans from Swing’s. Paired with my Swing’s vintage-style mug & orange marmalade from Christmas on a Bagel Uprising sesame bagel.
A white ceramic mug with a vintage Swing’s Coffee ad sits next to a carafe which keeps my coffee hot all day. A Bagel Uprising sesame bagel with butter and orange marmalade sits in front of a blue plate.
January 5, 2026 at 5:44 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
#ALXcaffeinary

Back to the Sumatra Blue Tiger this morning. This time in my favorite thrifted mug with an egg & cheese from Bagel Uprising. Yum.
An egg & cheese on a sesame bagel from Bagel Uprising rests in a (compostable!) take-out container sitting next to a close to empty bag of Swing’s Sumatra Blue Tiger beans and a (thrifted!) retro coffee mug. The mug is speckled with a darker brown band on the lower 2/3 and a lighter band on top. There is a relief of a rounded leaf pattern with two red berries. It’s one of my favorite mugs.
January 4, 2026 at 3:48 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
#ALXcaffeinary

Tree is coming down today so felt like it deserved an appropriate send off.

Winter Solstice Blend & my East Fork Pottery mug.
White East Fork Pottery mug is being held up in front of a Christmas tree with brightly colored lights & decorations.
January 3, 2026 at 4:28 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
Any of my bookish friends want to join me on a retreat in Irving VA (~2.5- 3 hrs) in June? I’m treating myself for my birthday.

I’m friends w/ Lisa (who’s hosting) and Christi (I’ve been on a previous trip she organized & it was so good!)

sites.google.com/view/shelf-i...
Beyond the Bookshelf
Beyond The Bookshelf: A Readers Retreat June 4-7, 2026 Escape to Irvington & Kilmarnock, Virginia for three days of literary bliss at this exclusive book retreat, hosted by The Bookshelf on Church. Ne...
sites.google.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:43 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
#AlxCaffeinary

Breaking out Swings’ Winter Solstice Blend & my Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market mug for this morning’s cuppa.
A coffee press brewing a good cup sits on a black countertop next to a bag of Swing’s Winter Solstice Blend beans & a Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market mug. There is a wooden snowman decoration & a stained glass bouquet in the background.
January 2, 2026 at 4:03 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
#ALXcaffeinary

My basic set up. Cute mug. Beans from Swings. Caramel from Trader Joe’s. Brewed in a coffee press.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Enjoy!
Small white mug with a cute hand drawn small angry bird is filled with coffee. A wooden spoon peaks out of the mug. The mug is next to a bag of Swing’s Sumatra Blue Tiger coffee beans and a jar of Trader Joe’s caramel sauce. There is a wooden snowman decoration & a bouquet of stained glass flowers sitting on the countertop behind.
January 1, 2026 at 8:28 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
Happy New Year!

Here’s to a better year in 2026. 🤞🏻
A black & white cat is curled up in my lap on an orange & white checked blanket. I’m holding my mug with hot chocolate & Baileys while Christmas tree lights twinkle in the background.
January 1, 2026 at 3:30 AM
stephelms.bsky.social
TFW you discover there is a hole in your garbage disposal which is leaking at 10pm the night before NYE.
December 31, 2025 at 2:56 AM
stephelms.bsky.social
Perfect timing on my walk home from Hypergoat on Saturday. Love the holidays in Alexandria.
December 30, 2025 at 7:21 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
Trashie is having a 1 day sale on their unlimited bag program: $58/yr (reg $98). Great way to recycle old clothes, shoes & handbags.

I usually get individual bags as needed but this is a great deal www.trashie.io/trashie-unli...
Trashie Unlimited AB
Get a FREE Take Back Bag, score game-day rewards, and save the planet.
www.trashie.io
December 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
stephelms.bsky.social
🎄 Merry Christmas Eve 🎄
A Christmas tree is lit with colorful lights, draped with gold garland & decorated with an eclectic assortment of ornaments. A black & white cat can be seen crouched in front.
December 25, 2025 at 3:36 AM
stephelms.bsky.social
Was wondering when the last time I sent holiday cards was. Pulled out my card box & found addressed but not sent cards (!) from 2017. 😂

As good a time as any to jump back into the fray…
December 22, 2025 at 9:27 PM