Cheers to 2026 ✨

Hello, 2026 — and Happy New Year from Shutter & Compass

As we step into a fresh year, we’re feeling energized, curious, and excited about what’s ahead. Travel continues to evolve, and so do we. This year is all about inspiration that fits real life — whether that looks like a spontaneous weekend getaway, a thoughtfully planned cruise, a foodie-focused night out, or a long‑dreamed‑about international adventure.

One of our quick fall getaways was spent at the Middleburg Oktoberfest…and the Corgi Races!!! Megan and Shelby COULD NOT resist! How could we NOT go?!

At our core, Shutter & Compass is for women who love experiences. Women in their 20s discovering the joy of travel, couples and friend groups planning unforgettable trips, empty nesters embracing freedom, and solo travelers chasing confidence and comfort — all with a touch of luxury and a lot of heart.

Looking back on 2025 (just the highlights 😉), we loved diving deeper into incredible local spots across Northern Virginia and Washington, DC. From waterfront favorites like Chadwicks and cozy classics like Cheesetique, to standout meals at Corso Italian, sweet stops at Don Churro, cocktails at Brass Rabbit, and craft pours at Lark Brewing, local storytelling became one of our favorite ways to connect — and we’re just getting started. I mean, look at those CORGI’s?!! Was that day “planned” and official? Nope. Did we just decided to up and go…Yep! Look at those puppieeeeesssss! Shelby wants them all. Now back to the point…local storytelling has definitely increased with the partnerships and collabs, as well as just fun outings!

Some of our most memorable moments blended food, fun, and pure creativity. We loved immersive pop‑ups like The Upside Down Bar, inside Problem Child DC, located near Nationals Park, making it an easy additions to a DC day or weekend itinerary. From the Stranger Things themed cocktails and nostalgic décor to better‑than‑bar food we’re still talking about, these experiences reminded us how powerful storytelling can be. Bonus: we loved that teens were welcome until 9 PM — a huge win for families who still want something fun and elevated. And let’s be honest - were you even a part of the 2025 holiday season if you didn’t enjoy Stranger Things?!! We also loved heading to Tiki Thai in Reston, Virginia! Oh my goodness. Deliciousness with all of the warmth of tiki vibes in December.

On a national level, 2025 was a big year for theme park travel. We explored Disney and Universal from multiple perspectives, shared honest resort comparisons, and leaned into the excitement surrounding Universal’s EPIC Universe. From stays at Disney’s Riviera Resort and Shades of Green, to iconic favorites like Loews Portofino Bay and the stunning new Helios Grand Hotel, we’re excited to bring even more behind‑the‑scenes looks, planning tips, and hotel deep dives in the year ahead. Now, we did have our podcast scheduling slow down a bit — what can we say — we’re human, and life was definitely happening to both of us last year. But, stay tuned. More to come soon! A few fun captures from EPIC — ahhhh! And after seeing these, we want to go back already!

We also continued learning how to travel smarter, not harder. In 2026, you’ll see more content on leveraging credit card points and miles to reduce out‑of‑pocket costs — especially for flights. From using Rakuten strategically to maximize rewards, to pairing it with American Express for even more value, we’re excited to keep sharing what actually works for us. The plan is also to have some great leading experts on this to help us navigate this newfound travel energy! As we grow in 2026, we’re also excited to continue opening the door to intentional brand partnerships that align with our audience and values. From restaurants and hotels to entertainment venues and travel brands, we love collaborating with businesses that care about experience, storytelling, and connection as much as we do. Our goal is always authentic coverage — thoughtful photography, honest insights, and content that inspires our community to explore with confidence.

And now… the big tease. ✈️🌍

Last year’s major focus was Disney, Universal, and EPIC. This year? International travel takes center stage. New destinations, new cultures, and stories we can’t wait to tell — and yes, we’re keeping the details just mysterious enough for now. Stay tuned.

As always, we want to know what you want to see more of in 2026. More local guides or more far‑flung adventures? Hotels, restaurants, cruises, theme parks — or all of the above? Weekend trips or bucket‑list journeys?

Tell us in the comments, vote in our polls, or send us a message. This community helps shape every itinerary, every guide, and every story we share.

Here’s to a year filled with unforgettable experiences, beautiful places, and travel that meets you exactly where you are. 🥂

Happy New Year,

Disclaimers
Affiliate Disclosure: Shutter & Compass, LLC participates in affiliate and referral partnerships. Some of the links in The Compass Journal are referral or affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, sign up or apply through these links, we may earn a small commission or bonus, at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support our travel content and keep the blog running.

Accuracy Disclaimer: The information above is current as of January 26th, 2026. Always refer directly to official websites for the most up-to-date details before making decisions.

Shutter and Compass: October Haunts and a Savory Brunch in Old Town Alexandria

How is it Already November?

Somehow, we’ve found ourselves halfway through the month, with Christmas lights beginning to twinkle and New Year’s Eve just around the corner. Time flies when you’re having fun—and that’s definitely been the case for Shutter and Compass this fall!

Let’s take it back to October for a quick recap. Once y’all see how busy we’ve been, you’ll know why we haven’t been able to update the blog nearly as much as we’d both like!

We kicked off the month with a Dominion Valley Country Club neighbor’s invitation to try out a ghostly good time at The Winery at Bull Run! Such a fun idea, and we had a group of twenty meet up at The Winery where we enjoyed an assortment of wine throughout a ghost tour. One of the best things about the community that we live in is things like this — an open invitation for anyone who’d like to get out and enjoy group experiences can sign up, connect, and just enjoy life together. The Haunted Wine Tours at The Winery at Bull Run, start towards the end of September and go through October. We enjoyed the time away from the busy-ness of October and it helped us get into the Spooky Season with a bang! Plus, being on the Manassas Battlefield…well, there’s something a little “extra” about these stories that felt so real in many ways. We really can’t express how much a great evening with amazing friends and neighbors can really reset your mind. This was a welcome “treat”…with so amazing spirits!

Shelby and Megan stopped to pose with one of the “spirits” of the evening. The Winery at Bull Run did a great job with the ghost stories.

About mid-October, we received a delightful invitation to brunch at Chadwicks in Old Town Alexandria as hosted guests. When we are asked to do restaurant reviews, we want you to know how seriously we take it. Megan and Shelby go through each item (and this time, our husbands did as well) and typically we savor the yumminess we’ve been blessed to try. That said, we only give authentic reviews - everything we share, we need you to know it’s genuine. In this case, for Chadwicks, we already knew it would be delicious as we had heard great things, but there were plenty of pleasant surprises on the menu—especially the Rill Dill, Chadwick’s creative twist on a Bloody Mary that was a hit all around, and the Flappy Jack, which instantly became a new favorite. It surprised us, too! Its unique combination of flavors - stemming from both breakfast and lunch servings - is something different than we would have imagined together, but it was really good and dipping it in the syrup…just do it! We also enjoyed the Huevos Rancheros - and Chadwick’s has a delightful take on the traditional dish. The Steak and Eggs with the delicious chimichurri sauce was a hit (and those breakfast potatoes!), and while not all of us are lovers of seafood, those who are enjoyed the Eggs Chesapeake. It was flavorful and the taste was yummy, and dare we say…it gave us the feel of a nice Coastal take on a breakfast treat. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and exactly what you want on a crisp autumn weekend. Additional perk — the Halloween decor was on point, and we loved the overall feel of Chadwicks. The staircase, the bar, the open space come together to create a great atmosphere. We had an impressive server who was as kind as she was attentive, and this only added to the positive experience. You can find our IG Reel Quick Review here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQMyq00jnsm/. We want to also mention — if you like Espresso Martinis, try the one from Chadwicks. They actually use a cold brew in stead of espresso, but we would not have known otherwise and truly, it was delish. As was the Brunch Punch — a sweet and fruity choice that truly hit the spot!

And as always if you go, let them know Shutter and Compass recommended them, and let us know what you got and what you thought!

Pro Tip: Just trust us on this - get the Fried Green Tomatoes, and don’t be stingy spreading the bacon jam and jalapeño cream. Just thank us later!

Bonus Pro Tip: If you’re either a photographer or a photography client getting those iconic Captain’s Row pictures with the cobblestone road … treat yourself to this afterward! It’s just past the cobblestone toward the waterfront. You won’t be disappointed!

Of course, as with every year, October was also filled with spooky party fun! Halloween is always a favorite season for us, and this year was no exception. Dressed as Mary Poppins and Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island, we - along with our significant others also dressed in character, enjoyed the fruits of Megan’s labor at Megan’s Annual Monster Mash Halloween Party! This was the first major party of the season, and was once again frightfully festive; we kept the celebrations going at another Dominion Valley neighbor’s party—both of which were…to die for. Boyett Manor is well known for its creativity and ghoulish decor, and this year was no exception. Has anyone checked in on Audrey?! #IYKYK We love friends who open their homes and put so much into every detail. I can speak for all of us who attend each year - we are grateful for your dedication and hard work in hosting these events.

We also ventured into Haymarket to celebrate one of our favorite people, Kenny Brooks of Brooks Heating and Air, who marked his 10th Anniversary in business by hosting an incredible community Halloween celebration - BrooksFest 2025. From trunk-or-treating and costume contests to food, friends, and fun, it was the perfect way to celebrate both local business and community spirit. We believe it was a huge hit, a wonderfully festive time for the community, and a treasured event that will hopefully continue through the years! We absolutely love Kenny and his keen business sense, but also his kindness and warmth. He’s one of those people where we can honestly say, “if you don’t know Kenny, you need to.” If you’re in the Northern Virginia area, please follow Kenny or connect with him (especially if you’re in need of HVAC services!) - https://brookshvac.com. You can also find him on Facebook HERE.

While we have tons of pictures of our costume contestants (provided by Shelby Leigh Photography, LLC), we added just a few of some amazing people behind the scenes and huge supporters of our community - those who took time to host the trunk-or-treat and make all of this happen! Shout outs to: Brooks Heating & Air, and of course, Kenny and Maureen Brooks, Trouvaille Brewing Co., Jim and Andrea Payne of A Pup’s Valley, David Kemp of PestProof Pest Management, Wayne Mitchell with Caring Senior Service of Northern Virginia, Ace Handyman Services - Northern Virginia, Anita Sadlack with State Farm (and Paulina Stowell, with Century 21 New Millennium), Brittany Elkins owner of Balance Physical Therapy, and of course, the Town of Haymarket and the Police Department - special props to Officer Anderson! He’s a great sport and quite the model! We had so many more participants - please note that this is just a quick handful. We are grateful, and we know Kenny loves the community spirit! Check out our IG reel of BrooksFest!

Shelby managed to squeeze in (legitimately in the last hour!) the ever popular Haymarket Day that we’ve mentioned our Perfect Day in Haymarket, VA post, found HERE! It was a beautiful afternoon, and an event that we look forward to each year. We do highly recommend getting there before we did — the crepes that we had looked forward to were sold out by the time we got there. No worries - we still enjoyed some Moo Thru Ice Cream, hanging out and walking our little town with Bailey, our pup, and just enjoying the day. It was wonderful to run into old friends and new, and to enjoy our little Town of Haymarket as a family.

Last tid-bit we’ll add, as it’s SO IMPORTANT! Both Megan and Shelby also had the opportunity to spend a few days in Raleigh, North Carolina for the Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar. For those that don’t know, Megan’s other full time job is with a non profit called A Cure in Sight for Ocular Melanoma (ACIS). This is incredibly meaningful to Megan as her mom, Melody Burchett started this non profit after her battle with Ocular Melanoma. ACIS is on a mission to provide patient services for those who have ocular melanoma. They asked Shelby if she would be willing to photograph the event, and as it’s important to one, it’s important to the other partner! So we met up in Raleigh and worked to document this informational and inspiring seminar. While it’s not exactly “what we do” … it is. Because it’s important to share this information and the resources to help the community going through eye cancer. If you or anyone you know has ocular melanoma, please know that there is a community out here for you. You can connect with A Cure in Sight at www.acureinsight.org.

Lucy Brummett, inspirational writer and coach with Megan and Shelby at the Eye Believe Seminar in Raleigh NC - 2025

Initially, when we started this particular blog post, we thought we’d add the November happenings, but as you can see, this is plenty long as is…

So, stay tuned - November and December’s events will be forthcoming, and we hope you are getting into the holiday spirit!