Chevy Chase, DC May 2026 by City Lifestyle

Celebration & Gratitude

May is layered with celebration. Mother’s Day. Graduations. Milestones big and small. It’s a month that gently reminds us to pause and recognize the people who shape our lives.

There is extraordinary strength in motherhood — in the visible and invisible work of nurturing, guiding, protecting, and building. But May is also about honoring mentors, teachers, community leaders, and friends who pour into others quietly and consistently.

In Chevy Chase, we are surrounded by remarkable women and families who lead with heart. This issue reflects that spirit, highlighting businesses rooted in service, generosity, and long-term impact.

Gratitude shifts perspective. It invites us to notice the beauty already present, in our homes, our relationships, and our everyday routines. It reminds us that success is not just measured in achievements, but in how we show up for others.

As the school year winds down and summer approaches, I hope you allow yourself to celebrate something — your growth, your resilience, your family, your work.

This community thrives because of the people who care deeply within it.

With appreciation,

BREE KUNZEL, PUBLISHER @CHEVYCHASELIFESTYLE

May 2026

PUBLISHER

Bree Kunzel | bree.kunzel@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Vivian Mammen | vivian.mammen@citylifestyle.com

MARKET SUPPORT MANAGER

Yasir Shah | yasir.shah@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Marie Robey Wood, Yvonne Siu Turner, Vivian Mammen

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Ceylon Mitchell

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Liz Nixon

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1-7: An energizing morning led by Nesfield Performance, bringing strength, movement, and mindfulness together in perfect harmony. In partnership with Sweetbay Yoga and Pure Green, guests flowed through an uplifting yoga session followed by refreshing, nutrient-packed blends. A beautiful reminder that wellness is best experienced in community—where intention meets connection, and every breath, stretch, and sip fuels both body and mind.

DR. CEYLON MITCHELL

8-14: Celebrating one year of impact, Rachel Needle hosted a special Bingo Night at Pinstripes, bringing the community together for a cause close to her heart. Supporting the women at Rainbow Shelter. What began as a fun, social evening has grown into a meaningful platform that raises funds for local nonprofits. Surrounded by supportive businesses and engaged guests, each event blends connection, generosity, and purpose, proving that when a community shows up, real change happens—one bingo card at a time.

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business monthly

Sarah Rachel Photography

Sarah Rachel Photography captures life’s most meaningful moments with a refined, storytelling approach. Specializing in family, lifestyle, and personal brand photography, Sarah blends natural light with an editorial eye to create timeless, authentic images. Known for her attention to detail and warm client experience, Sarah Rachel Photography delivers imagery that feels both elevated and deeply personal, preserving memories to be cherished for years to come.

Cezanne Beauty by Mona

Welcome to Cezanne Beauty by Mona, where excellence meets experience. Mona Tehranchi is the proud owner of this haven of beauty and care. Her journey in the beauty industry began in her mother’s salon in Iran, where she was immersed in the art and science of beauty from a young age. This early exposure instilled in me a deep passion and a wealth of knowledge that I have carried with me throughout my career.

Signature Dresses

Signature is the East Coast’s premier dress boutique. Established in 1990, we have the knowledge and experience to help you find the perfect dress of your dreams. Carrying an exclusive collection of couture designer dresses, prom, pageant, cocktail, day to evening wear, and bridesmaid dresses. Signature has been voted Washington DC’s #1 formal store. With over 1,000 dresses in sizes 00 to plus size 30 in stock, we are sure to fit today’s fashionable women.

THE Wellness ARCHITECT

From Division One hurdles to Bethesda, Tiffany Nesfield builds a multidisciplinary sanctuary for total health.

ARTICLE BY VIVIAN MAMMEN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DR.

CEYLON MITCHELL

For Tiffany Nesfield, the vision for a comprehensive wellness “one-stop shop” was forged through the discipline of elite athletics and a sharp eye for systemic gaps in healthcare. A former Division I track athlete at the University of Illinois, Tiffany spent her youth clearing literal hurdles, but it was a high school research internship at Walter Reed Medical Center that identified the professional ones. While observing the recovery process, she witnessed a disjointed system where surgeons, physical therapists, and trainers operated in silos, often giving patients conflicting protocols. “That was the ‘aha moment’ that created all of this,” Tiffany recalls. “I wondered, why are all the professionals not working together?” This realization led her to draft a business plan for an integrated wellness center while still in high school.

Her path was further guided by a lineage of entrepreneurs; her grandparents ran a shop in the Caribbean, silently instilling in her a drive for self-reliance and community service. “I believe that if you own your business, you should understand it from the ground up,” she asserts. Following her collegiate career, Tiffany lived this philosophy by mastering every facet of her future enterprise. While traveling the world as a professional trainer on the WTA tennis tour, she earned certifications in nutrition and massage therapy. She realized that for a busy athlete or a high-performing professional, having one expert who understands the full spectrum of their health, from strength to recovery, is a game-changer.

The transition to business ownership required immense sacrifice. Before opening her current location, Tiffany spent five years building her brand out of her own home to minimize overhead and focus on her team. “As long as there’s purpose, I can sacrifice,” she says, reflecting on the period where she lived and worked in the same space to ensure her vision became a reality.

Opening Nesfield Performance in Bethesda in September 2025 was the culmination of that decade-long blueprint. The facility is meticulously curated to be a sanctuary where personal training, physical therapy, massage, and nutrition coaching live under one roof.

Tiffany’s philosophy is deeply educational, often utilizing a “barefoot facility” approach to help clients understand their movement from the ground up. For her, the reward is in the “click”—that moment a client finally sees the progress she has been tracking for weeks. “We’re good at identifying dysfunction and the underlying issues. But the real win is when clients start to feel and understand what’s

going on in their own bodies—then I’ve done my job,” she explains. Community is the heartbeat of Nesfield Performance. Beyond the studio walls, Tiffany founded the Nesfield Performance Foundation to bridge the gap between fitness and local service.

Through her annual “Metro Move Fest,” she brings together local businesses and residents to foster a culture of collective health. “We move further together,” she says. “I feel like we’re happier people when we do.” Her commitment to the local area is even reflected in her studio decor, which features artwork created by her own clients, further blending professional wellness with personal connection. Reflecting on her journey, Tiffany notes that building her business has taught her the importance of balancing passion with pragmatism. She admits to often taking the “harder road” because she refuses to compromise on the quality of care. Her experience has transformed her from a solo athlete into a grounded leader, dedicated to providing the same elite-level, integrated care to the Bethesda community that was once reserved for the world’s top athletes. Her story proves that with a clear vision and a heart for service, it is possible to create a space that truly empowers everyone who walks through the door.

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THE CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY

Nothing Is Ever Too Great to Do for a Child

In 1887, Mary Virginia

ARTICLE BY MARIE ROBEY WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

a young woman driven by compassion, recognized the struggles faced by poor children and their families in Washington, DC. The initial volunteer organization she founded at the age of 21 was named “The Christ Child Society,” and it still operates

Merrick,

today, 139 years later. Under her leadership, the Christ Child Society grew from a local charitable operation into a national network of 44 chapters operating in cities across America. What makes this story even more remarkable is that in her early teens, Mary suffered a fall that caused a severe and permanent spinal injury, leaving her unable to walk and confining her to a reclining chair or her bed.

However, instead of becoming isolated, she gathered family members friends, and parish members to her home in northwest DC, and later at #1 Melrose Street in Chevy Chase, to sew layettes – a set of clothing and blankets for newborns.

Today, layettes remain the signature Christ Child program with layette kits containing essential items like clothing, diapers, books, and blankets distributed to low-income mothers and their newborns. Every year, the Christ Child Society of DC provides over 3,500 layette welcome kits, weighing over 490 pounds. Local knitters make over 4,000 blankets a year!

It is difficult today to realize the extreme poverty and deep social divisions that existed in Washington in the

1880’s and 90’s, especially among immigrant families. Mary was an important figure in the history of early social reform in Washington. She was told that society would never survive unless she had a religious group to support her work, but she was determined to keep it a volunteer organization solely run by lay people. The result was the first women-run non-profit and the second Catholic non-profit in DC. “What I especially like about the Christ Child Society,” states Kathleen Curtin, the chapter’s executive director, “is the combination of volunteers and professional staff working together for high impact.”

Mary Virginia and her sisters and friends followed the motto, “If you see a need, fill it”, and expanded the society’s programs to include a Christmas gifts program, clothing and shoe distribution, summer camps for girls, and boys, gymnasiums, summer fresh air programs, sending kids to the country, medical and convalescent care for sick children, as well as settlement houses. At one point, the society had seven settlement houses scattered throughout the city, providing classes to train children in carpentry and

even languages, and some offered language classes for parents. As the number of impoverished children changed, the Society’s programs evolved to meet them while keeping its mission the same. Today, the DC Christ Child Society serves over 10,500 children and families throughout the year.

In its Girls on the Rise Program, the DC chapter provides after-school activities, summer camp, and family services to girls in grades 1–8.

Queens on the Rise focuses on students in high school, college, and career alumnae of the program. Today, the DC Society provides school-based support, called “student success”, which includes providing books (book bunch) for children in Pre-K through first grade. Christ Child tutors go to local middle and high schools to help students develop a love of learning and reading, and they support the transition from middle school to high school and high school to college. Not to be missed is The Christ

Child Opportunity Shop, located at 1427 Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown, a high-end consignment store that markets and sells fine jewelry, antiques, sterling silver, and crystal. Mary Virginia purchased the shop property in 1933, and it has operated there for the past 93 years. It is mainly staffed by volunteers, and all proceeds from the Shop go to support the Washington, DC CCS chapter.

The continued success of the Christ Child Society is a living testimony to Mary Virginia Merrick’s virtuous life and efforts. Today, the Catholic Church has named her a “Servant of God”, the first step towards canonization.

The Christ Child Society of DC is always ready to welcome new members and volunteers to provide much-needed assistance to children in need and their families, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, or background. To learn more about this organization, go to www.christchilddc.org, email info@christchilddc.org, or call 202-966-9250.

Girls on the Rise

Design & Celebrate: custom-build every detail of your Porsche; upon arrival, host a reveal at the Studio to mark the occasion.

Refined Appraisal & Convenience: Enjoy an espresso at our barista bar while our team provides a professional, on-site appraisal of your current vehicle. It’s not just a showroom—it’s Porsche, reimagined.

LIVING WELL BY DESIGN:

Mary Douglas Drysdale, a name synonymous with Washington, D.C. interior design, has spent her career showing that beautiful interiors are not about superfluous decoration. They are about how we live.

ARTICLE BY YVONNE TURNER

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

The Vision of Mary Douglas Drysdale By Yvonne Siu Turner

She has been named among the top 100 designers by House Beautiful and among the top 100 American women designers by Interior Design Magazine. Her work has been published on the cover of more than 75 prestigious books and magazines, and has profoundly shaped the local, regional, and national design scene.

What was the inspiration for her love of beauty and design? Mary attributes it to growing up in the charming college town of Charlottesville, VA. She remembers playing on the lawn of the University of Virginia, where her father taught law. She spent her childhood surrounded by the natural wonders of the Blue Ridge Mountains and historical, classical landmarks designed by Thomas Jefferson.

“It wasn’t as crowded then, so whenever anybody came to town, we would get the private tour of Monticello,” said Mary.

The rich history, beauty, and classical architecture of Charlottesville deeply influenced Mary’s sense of style. It also influenced her sense of adventure, because when she was 19, Mary decided that she, like Thomas Jefferson, would also go to France.

However, “my father thought that was an impractical idea,” she said.

But during her first year in college, Mary got a job at Lord & Taylor’s and, working evenings and weekends, managed to earn enough money to buy a plane ticket to Paris.

When her father saw that she would not be dissuaded, he relented and wished her well.

What started as a summer studying at the Sorbonne became a three-year tour of Europe as Mary continued her studies at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Her time in Paris further shaped her view of design, fashion, and city living. When she returned

to the States, she attended Parsons School of Design in NYC and graduated from George Washington University. She has been living and working in Washington, D.C ever since.

The combination of history and classicism of her Charlottesville upbringing, combined with her experience in Paris as a young adult, has contributed to her classic-meets-modern aesthetic. Today, Mary’s approach to interior design is to create spaces that cultivate understanding, respect, and compromise.

DISCOVERY IN PARIS

One of the most surprising things she discovered during her time in Paris was that good design doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. “You could shop at Pres Unique, which is probably the equivalent of Walmart, and buy a pair of trousers, or a sweater, or a pair of shoes. They weren’t the most expensive, certainly weren’t made by designers, but they really had style!”

For Mary, it was a revelation: good design wasn’t necessarily about luxury. It was about the principles that help people live comfortably and beautifully in their spaces.

This includes planning, order, balance, a sense of proportion, vision, and art. “Above all, in whatever you do, there needs to be some intentionality. Some care. And some courtesy that’s reflected in your gestures.”

This can look as simple as plain white plates and napkins with rings, with a splash of green apples and flowers on the table for color. For artwork, you can always frame photos of your loved ones or favorite sketches or drawings. Good design, Mary believes, is ultimately about hospitality and thoughtfulness— organizing a space in a way that makes people feel welcomed and cared for.

“You could shop at Pres Unique, which is probably the equivalent of Walmart, and buy a pair of trousers, or a sweater, or a pair of shoes. They weren’t the most expensive, certainly weren’t made by designers, but they really had style!”

A VISIONARY IN THE DC INTERIOR DESIGN SCENE

At the start of her career, Mary was hugely criticized for wanting to mix traditional with modern design, especially in DC. Design at the time was very conservative, with interiors reflecting traditional styles with no big art. But, Mary was a believer that even though you may live in a historic house that goes back hundreds of years, “your house should represent what you are doing today.” Mary persevered in this belief and in her work. Over the years, Washington has become far more open to art, modern design, and the kind of thoughtful, lived-in interiors Mary has always championed.

THOUGHTFUL DESIGN FOR OUR SANCTUARIES

When explaining why interior design matters now more than ever, Mary points to the fact that we don’t live in a simple world anymore. In our modern, noisy, 24/7 world, we still need rest and a place to find our equilibrium. Building personal spaces where you feel protected, happy, and relaxed is more important than ever. Mary says that with beautiful design, family life and modern work are compatible. All it takes is creative solutions, a bit of organization, and intentionality. Our homes are our sanctuaries. In a fast-moving world, thoughtful design helps make those sanctuaries possible.

Guided

PLAY HAPPY:

THE STORY AND THE SISTERHOOD BEHIND MOORLOW

ARTICLE BY VIVIAN MAMMEN

What if getting dressed felt as good as your favorite match?

That’s the idea behind moorlow, a women-founded, purpose-driven athleisure brand born not in a boardroom, but over a glass of wine in a backyard in Chevy Chase, in the kind of conversation that only happens between close friends…the ones where ideas turn into something bigger.

And this one did.

Founders Holly Morris Espy, Sondra Hoffman, and Brooks Kenny were living the same rhythm so many women know well, court, coffee, carpool, cocktails, and realizing nothing in their closets quite kept up. They wanted pieces that looked polished, felt effortless, and moved with them. Elevated, easy, and always a little bit joyful.

So they created them.

moorlow is designed for women who move, not just physically, but through full, dynamic days. Think dresses, skorts, fleeces, and performance sets that transition seamlessly from a morning match to wherever the day takes you next. It’s what the founders call “court to coffee” style, pieces that move beautifully on and off the court, without ever missing a beat.

Because life doesn’t happen in one lane. Your wardrobe shouldn’t either.

But moorlow is more than what you wear. It’s why you wear it.

From the beginning, the brand has been rooted in a simple, powerful belief: movement fuels connection, joy is a choice, and taking care of your mind matters deeply.

Inspired by pickleball’s “win by two” rule, moorlow donates $2 from every purchase to brain health research and education, including Alzheimer’s, through partners like the BrightFocus Foundation and Hilarity for Charity. It’s a small number with a meaningful impact, purpose woven into every stitch.

That purpose shows up everywhere. In the brand’s signature Rally print, inspired by brain waves and the rhythm of play. In the brain health tips tucked into every order. And in the growing community of women choosing to move, connect, and show up for themselves and each other.

Since launching just a year ago, moorlow has quickly gained momentum. What started as a tight edit of core pieces has evolved into seasonal drops that blend performance, color, and thoughtful design. The latest, the Mind in Motion Collection , celebrates the powerful connection between movement, joy, and brain health, with vibrant hues, playful prints, and pieces designed to energize both body and mind.

But ask the founders, and they’ll tell you the real magic isn’t just in the product.

It’s in the feeling.

It’s the confidence of walking into a match or a meeting feeling like yourself. It’s the connection that happens when women gather, move, laugh, and play. It’s knowing that something as simple as getting dressed can carry meaning beyond the moment.

“We created moorlow to help women feel good, look good, and do good all at once,” the founders share. “Because when you move your body and connect with others, you’re not just investing in your day… you’re investing in your mind.”

That philosophy is captured in two simple words: Play Happy.

It’s not just a tagline. It’s a way of showing up, with joy, with intention, and with purpose.

And for moorlow, it’s only the beginning.

HOLLY MORRIS ESPY

If there’s a through line to Holly Morris Espy’s career, it’s this: she knows how to tell a good story.

She spent years as a morning anchor and co-host of Good Day DC on Fox 5, showing up before sunrise and connecting with viewers across the city. These days, she’s trading breaking news for building moorlow, a brand rooted in joy, movement, and purpose. And while the platform has changed, the heart of it hasn’t. Holly is still in the business of connection.

You’re just as likely to find her on a pickleball or tennis court as you are brainstorming the next collection, usually doing both with a lot of energy and a little bit of laughter. She has a natural instinct for bringing people together and turning everyday moments into something meaningful.

Holly lives in Chevy Chase with her husband and their son, and it’s that full, dynamic rhythm of life that helped inspire moorlow in the first place.

While her background is rooted in storytelling and brand-building, moorlow is anything but siloed. Every idea, every product, every decision is shaped together. There may be lanes, but there is always someone riding shotgun.

She believes style should feel effortless, movement should feel joyful, and the best ideas come from real life, not perfect plans.

Her personal mantra is simple: choose joy, take on challenges head first, and stay connected to what matters most.

For her, Play Happy isn’t just a tagline. It’s how she lives.

SONDRA HOFFMAN

If you ask Sondra Hoffman what she does, she’ll probably tell you she makes things look good. What she really does is make women feel good in what they wear.

By day, she is a talent manager at THE Artist Agency, working closely with creatives and brands to bring ideas to life. But her foundation runs deep in fashion and production, with experience alongside brands like Nike and Under Armour shaping her eye for design and detail.

At moorlow, Sondra helps shape the look and feel of the brand, but never in isolation. From the way a piece fits to the energy of a print, ideas are constantly being built, tested, and refined together. It’s a collaborative process that defines everything moorlow creates.

She lives in Chevy Chase with her husband and their two young sons, and understands firsthand the need for pieces that can keep up with real life while still feeling pulled together.

Sondra believes great style should feel effortless, confidence should be built in, and getting dressed should be one of the easiest wins of your day.

Her strength is knowing what works. The magic is how the three founders bring it to life together, each with a point of view, always with someone riding shotgun.

Because at moorlow, the best ideas are shared ones.

BROOKS KENNY

Brooks Kenny has always been drawn to building things that matter. With a background in healthcare strategy and a deep focus on brain health, she’s spent her career thinking about how to take complex ideas and make them feel accessible in everyday life. She has a natural ability to connect big-picture thinking with real-world impact.

At moorlow, that perspective helps ground the brand’s purpose, but like everything else, it’s never a solo effort. The mission, the message, the product, it’s all built together, shaped through constant collaboration and shared vision.

Brooks lives in Kensington with her husband and their two children, and brings that same sense of intention and balance into both her work and her life.

She believes that the small things we do every day, moving our bodies, connecting with others, showing up with intention, are what truly add up over time.

Her philosophy is simple: make it joyful, make it meaningful, and make it part of how you live.

At moorlow, everyone has their strengths. But no one builds alone. There are lanes, yes, but there is always someone riding shotgun.

That’s what makes it work. And that’s what Play Happy is all about.

ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

BECKY HILLYARD

From Side Hustle to Style Empire

The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”

She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s, she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.

Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY?

A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.

Becky in Splendid x @CellaJaneBlog Spring 2026 Collection

Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND?

A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.

Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?

A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust. People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.

Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off. After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them. I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING?

A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strategy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.

This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle Podcast.