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!

🍁 Falling into Traditions That Last: Northern Virginia and DMV Fall Happenings

There’s something magical about autumn in the DMV — crisp air, golden leaves, pumpkin spice everywhere, and the chance to slow down a bit with family and friends. Megan here, fresh off planning some fall activities, and Shelby can’t wait to get outside with her camera again. It’s tough to be a photographer who can’t use a shoulder — but no worries, physical therapy is going well, and she’ll be back at it soon. Whether you’re new to the area or you’ve lived here forever, fall gives us an excuse to explore, connect, and build memories. And of course our favorite part, is capturing all of the joy and sharing it with you!

Below we’ve pulled together a curated list of some of the best fall events in Prince William, Loudoun, Fairfax, and beyond — family-friendly, festive, and full of tradition.

🍂 Nothing says fall like diving into a giant pile of leaves! 🍁
📸: Shelby Leigh Photography, LLC

These are some of our favorites for this season (late September through mid-November). We’ve grouped them so you can pick what fits your vibe or schedule. And trust us, this is a short list! Wherever you are in the DMV, take some time to scout out what activities work best for you and your family!

🌾 Outdoor & Farm-Style Fun

• Great Country Farms Fall Pumpkin Harvest (Loudoun area)
  A staple for folks who love pumpkin patches, cider donuts, hayrides, and picking pumpkins. (Dates: full October, likely through end of the month; check local site for exact calendar.)

• Leesburg Animal Park — Pumpkin Village Fall Fest (Loudoun County)
  Opens September 20, 2025, through November 4. Preview weekend September 13-14. Attractions include giant hill slides, moon bounces, wagon rides, a corn bin, pedal carts, lots of animal encounters (petting, feeding), pony rides, weekend entertainment, seasonal food, and more.

• Cox Farms Fall Festival (Centreville / Fairfax County)
  Runs September 20 – November 9, 2025, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in September & October, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in November. Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Their Fall Festival includes hayrides, the “Cornundrum” cornfield maze, giant slides, goat village, huge pumpkins, rope swings, toddlers’ play zones, live music, and much more. Big hit for families.

🎉 Festivals & Community Events

• Reston Multicultural Festival (Reston, Fairfax County) — celebrate the many cultures that make up our community with food, performances, kids’ activities. (September 20)

• Bluemont Fair — art, crafts, jams, music in Bluemont; lovely chance to wander, shop local, eat good food. (September 20-21)

• Leesburg Air Show — aerial performances, static tarmac displays, kids activities, food and fun. (September 27)

• Vienna Oktoberfest (Vienna, Fairfax County) — music, food, and festive atmosphere. (October 4)

• City of Fairfax Fall Festival — crafts, kids’ play, everything to make an easy afternoon of fall fun. (October 11)

• Manassas Fall Jubilee (Prince William County) — heritage crafts, food, music, community feel. (October 5)

• Haymarket Day 2025 — a lovely hometown city-wide street festival, complete with parade, performances, live music, delicious food and fun. (October 18)
  (we’d totally be remiss not to mention this one, as we love the small “Stars Hollow” vibe of our town!)

🍷 Arts, Wine, & Evening Events

• Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour at Mount Vernon — beautiful backdrop, good for couples who enjoy a relaxed evening with views and wine. This one may sell out, so get your tickets early if you plan to go. (October 10-12)

• Mount Vernon Fall Harvest Festival — bring the kids! Seasonal foods, crafts, tours of gardens, beautiful foliage to enjoy. (October 18-19)

• Waterford Fair — arts and crafts fair, picturesque setting (historic village). (October 3-5)

🎨 Arts & Crafts / Markets

• Heritage Harvest Festival at Loudoun Heritage Museum — offers a blend of history, harvest, and artisanal crafts. (September 27)

• Fall Festival + Artisan Market at Fairfax Corner — shop local artisans, seasonal food, family-friendly environment. (October 18)

• Occoquan Fall Arts & Crafts Show — browsing vendors, nice walk, food options, good for a laid-back weekend. (September 27-28)

👍 Why Fall Events Make Great Tradition

Shelby here: there’s more to fall than pumpkins and leaves. These events are how traditions begin — the moments when kids’ faces light up on the hayride, the smell of cider donuts, that chill in the air just before sunset. They’re simple, but rich. Visiting the same farm, walking through the same fair every year, learning new things about your county — it builds roots.

Megan adds: for us photographers, fall is also one of the most magical seasons for lighting, color, and capturing warmth. Getting out to these events is a way to slow time, to see familiar places in new light. And for your family or friend group, these can become “the thing we do every fall.” Something to to look forward to.

🔎 Know…Before You Go

• Always check event websites or social media beforehand — times, ticketing, or even schedule shifts can change. And as much as we hate to admit it, once in a while, we may get it wrong, too! We try hard to get it right, but better safe than sorry as we don’t want to be responsible for a date mistake!

• Dress in layers. Fall mornings are crisp, afternoons warm, and evenings chilly.

• Bring cash or small bills if there are artisan vendors or food trucks — sometimes payment options are limited.

• Weekdays or preview weekends can be less busy, more relaxing if you want a calmer experience.

🌟 Which Event Should You Pick First?

If you’ve only got one weekend, here are two we think are must-does:

1. Great Country Farms Fall Pumpkin Harvest (Loudoun area)
   A staple for folks who love pumpkin patches, cider donuts, hayrides, and picking pumpkins. (Dates: full October, likely through end of the month; check local site for exact calendar.)

2. Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park — great mix of animals + classic fall fun + photo-friendly settings.

3. Bealeton Hot Air Balloon Festival — mostly because we wanted to make sure you are paying attention to ALLLL of the activities offered…and, it’s on our bucket list!

Let us know what you end up doing! If you go, share your photos. If you have an event we didn’t list but love, we’d love to hear about it.