As we embrace the beginning of a new year, Victoria’s January/February 2025 issue offers you an abundance of ideas for cultivating contentment amidst winter’s chill, along with energizing insights from eight impassioned entrepreneurs who share advice for pursuing heartfelt passions. We also take great delight in traveling to Highclere Castle, where we welcome The Countess of Carnarvon as our Lady-in-Residence; her compelling essays, remarkable home, and varied pursuits promise readers a year brimming with inspiration. Discover an array of cozy inns and boutiques that beckon travelers to their snug surrounds, a sweet hearthside baby shower, and a vintage collection of Valentines certain to bring a smile. Plus, take a peek inside The Greenbrier, where iconic interior designer Dorothy Draper’s bold use of color and chic design still form the backdrop for visitors to this legendary hotel.
From My Valentine
Amid the swoons and sighs of a whirlwind romance, love letters offer a tangible and lasting memory of the amor that will later simmer, soften, and burn for a lifetime.
Shower of Snowflakes
In the bracing chill of midwinter comes a warming gust of sweetness: news that a little one is soon to arrive. A frosty backdrop of blue and white sets the scene for a baby shower where friends gather to extend a loving welcome.
The Library’s Treasures
Against a backdrop of gilded book spines and a crackling hearth, The Countess of Carnarvon invites Friends of Highclere to join her for virtual literary gatherings, where pages from history and great minds of today can meet in harmony.
A Glorious Alchemy
Nestled in the Catskill Mountains and inspired by the traditions of Victorian apothecaries and perfumeries, one purveyor of botanical bliss conjures up products redolent with restorative properties and infused with scents that stir both heart and mind. Meet Willow & Birch Apothecary.
The Tale of Prints Charming
With its name derived from a fairy tale, it’s no wonder that the story of this shop includes a serendipitous romance—one that arose in part thanks to Victoria. What’s more, the objects sold here hold stories of their own that intrigue and inspire all who enter.
Cozy Retreats
Against January’s wintry landscape, the flicker of a roaring fire glimpsed through a frosted window hints at snug surrounds inside. In this chilly season, relish the warm embrace of cozy inns and boutique hotels.
Winter’s Quiet Renewal
When icy temperatures silence the song of the garden fountain and flower beds rest beneath a frosty coverlet, souls are nurtured by inviting nature’s soothing presence into the warm sanctuary of four walls.
The Artist’s Way
Blessed with a skilled hand, a bountiful imagination, and keen business sense, graphic designer Holly Hollon develops deeply personal brand identities bearing her signature nostalgic aesthetic.
Legacy of Beauty
With a dusting of snow upon tree branches, The Greenbrier, nestled in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, welcomes guests to indulge in the splendor of the region, intriguing American history, and top-tier hospitality.
To read these stories and more, collect your copy of the January/February 2025 issue of Victoria magazine today, available on newsstands and at victoriamag.com.
