My 2022 Goals!

For me, a new year means new goals! At the end of every year, I look back at what I didn’t like that I consistently did and strive to make changes accordingly. I see life as a cycle of continuous improvement and setting goals each new year does exactly that for me! Below, I have listed out some of my major goals for 2022.

  • Grow in my Christian faith – In the new year, I am looking to get back into a groove of attending church more often. In high school, I went to church 2-3 times a week for different activities including Sunday church and small groups throughout the week. Those times at my church were super special for me, too. I missed those days looking back and have even signed up for a church course with a retreat that I cannot wait for!
  • Network with other bloggers and meet some IRL – 2022 is THE year that I will be meeting some other fellow bloggers in-person. I have yet to meet some of the many amazing fellow influencer/blogger friends that I have established here on this platform. So, I NEED to make it happen this year, as I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to not only network with and meet other bloggers that I have yet to connect with, but also meet many of the lovely folks that I have already connected with!
  • Show off more bargains – I am a SUCKER for a bargain, BUT who isn’t?! More recently, I have become more interested in thrifting, shopping at The Dollar Tree, and simply finding a great deal. Since I am a sucker for a good bargain like all of y’all, I am so excited to share more of my bargains with y’all and want to be more consistent with sharing them on my platform, too!
  • Attend a professional conference – So, I attended a conference with my Mom in Bulgaria when I graduated from high school. Although I was NOWHERE near looking for a job when I graduated from high school, it was still such a meaningful experience of mine that indeed opened my mind up to the many many many benefits of attending a conference. That being said, I would love to attend a professional conference related to my full-time job this year!
  • Join an outside of work committee – If you knew me in college, then you know that I was the QUEEN of overcommitment. In fact, I was personally victimized by overcommitment – LOLLL! Since taking my first 6 months in my new job to simply develop myself within my company and in my new role, I am looking towards excitedly joining a brand-new committee of some sorts that is NOT work related. Something that is a great experience for me that I could use similar skills within my job, but not necessarily within my job is ideal. My overcommitment is something that I pride myself on throughout my college years and hope to get involved somehow beyond my professional world in this new year.
  • Shoot MORE items from within my closet – So, I guess I am a real life Carrie Bradshaw when it comes to my closet??? I LOVE my closet and it is huge and it is indeed my happy place. Believe it or not, there are still SO MANY items within my closet that I have yet to share with y’all that I WANT to share with y’all. In 2022, I would love to focus on sharing some of those many many many pieces with y’all and more!
  • Put myself out there more in my new city – Life is ALL about constantly putting yourself out there! What can I say?! Due to COVID-19 with the current ongoing Omicron variant and adjusting to my new 9-5 job, I have yet to establish myself in my new city. There is so much I can do here in Washington, DC that I want to do. Putting myself out there especially when it may feel like a drag will only put me so much further out there to shine!
  • Reorganize again and again and AGAIN – My newest favorite pastime has become reorganizing. I guess you can say that I am always keeping people on their toes! I have gone to both The Dollar Tree and Target multiple times and have redone my pantry a bit and am in the process or re-dolling up my office, too. The results of both of those projects will be shared here on the blog. At the same time, I am hoping to deck out my dining room, bar cart, and bathroom plus my closets. ALL of which I plan to share here, too!
  • Explore the DMV more – There is a lot to say about simply exploring your own backyard! There is SO much to do around the DMV aka the Washington, DC-Maryland-Virginia tristate around that I am excited to do this year. I spent a lot of 2021 especially the end of 2021 traveling that I missed out a bit on experiencing some magic within my own backyard. As the sun sets later and later, I am itching to get out more especially after work.
  • Visit more Virginia vineyards – This year, I was gifted a 2022 Virginia Wine Pass. A Virginia Wine Pass essentially gives you and a guest discounts on goodies at each participating vineyard (varies by vineyard). There are SO many vineyards in the beautiful state of Virginia that it’s not even funny! I cannot wait to explore SO many of them, too.
  • Find a way to professionally grow – As a new, starting out employee, I am definitely looking for ways to professionally develop myself and my portfolio. Whether it be a certification, course, or simply attending an event (or two), I really want to strive to find a way to allow my resume to expand in my current role this year.

Now, onto achieving my 2022 goals! But, I am wondering, what are some of your goals?!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Relationship Sunday’s – Being Single & Content

There comes a time when a person becomes content with being single. But, that time can take quite a while for many to find a point of contention with being single. Let alone, being single in a couple’s world is a tough pill to swallow for anybody. Trust me, it is HARD to be single in a couple’s world AND happy with your relationship status (or lack thereof). Though it may be tough, I find being happy while single as something that is essential for experiencing a happy relationship and eventually true love.

For myself, I wasn’t always happy while being single. Throughout my college years in North Carolina, I witnessed many of my classmates dating others and longed for that relationship of my own. There were many nights where I felt upset as a single woman and really wanted that commitment with another person. In December 2020 out of ALL of the times that one could enter a relationship, I entered a relationship. I wholeheartedly committed myself to that person and was content with the security that it brought me. On the contrary, while in this relationship, I found myself longing for my single days yet again. As someone who was looking for jobs as a soon to be postgraduate, I missed my days of being able to not worry about another person when searching for a job and where it could be located. My then-partner wanted me to stay in the state of North Carolina, despite my connections in all other states but North Carolina. My job application process during that time was miserable. During that same time, my partner did not commit to me in the way that I had hoped they would. I felt stressed trying to reach them, as they refused to reciprocate that attention to our relationship that I felt I gave. Needless to say, right after Valentine’s Day 2021, I broke off the relationship and had never felt happier to call myself a single woman. In fact, the days after my breakup were some of the most liberating days of my life.

I share this story of mine with y’all today to share how I became content with being a single woman – by being a woman in a relationship that wasn’t true to myself or my own desires. Indeed, this relationship wasn’t the right relationship for me. As a single woman, I have been able to make my own decision to move to the Washington, DC area which I have NO regrets doing. I don’t have to sit by the phone hoping that my partner calls back when they don’t feel like it: I can have my own nights to myself and myself ONLY. I can be myself and I can be happy with who I am. I can live my life in the way that I want to without any worry for anybody else, but ME.

While in college, although I was single for most of my years there, I am glad that I was. I was able to study abroad in Italy, England, and Belize. I travelled on weekend trips to Charleston, Washington, DC, Savannah, and Ocean Isle. I volunteered and served in several student leadership positions. Needless to say, I made the best of my college experience and took in every moment and enjoyed every experience. If I was in a relationship for most of my college years, then I don’t know if I would have been able to do all that I did and enjoy it all as much as I could have.

Above all else, remember to count your blessings – being single and all! One day, you will be glad you enjoyed your single years. In fact, would you want to be in a relationship and sad that you weren’t content before entering your relationship? I surely wouldn’t and I hope you wouldn’t either!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Why I Started Shopping at The Dollar Tree + Items I Primarily Buy From There

I have always been a sucker for a great bargain! When I was in high school, I used to LOVE shopping at the thrift store and getting the best deals on ALLL name brand items. I did the same for sale items in stores, too, including Kohl’s, Marley Lilly, Kate Spade, and even scored a pair of Hunter Boots for under $120 my Junior year of high school on Amazon during a Black Friday sale. Above all else, I LOVE a good deal and The Dollar Tree is NO exception to getting a great deal!

Surprisingly enough, when I was in high school, I was never really shopped at The Dollar Tree, however, that has changed since and so has what I shop for and where, too! I started shopping at The Dollar Tree during my Senior year of college which for me was about 8 months ago – HAHA! – when my friends Kaylee and Julia gifted me adorable Christmas gifts – wine glasses – which to my surprise were from The Dollar Tree. Around the same time, a YouTube video popped up from Kathryn at Do It On a Dime who spills the tea on ALL of The Dollar Tree goodies to pick up. I started watching some of her many many videos and needless to say, I became obsessed with her channel and extremely eager to make a shopping trip to The Dollar Tree.

When learning more and more about the offerings of The Dollar Tree, from wine glasses to cleaning supplies to holiday decorations and even pouches, I began to start thinking of SO many ideas for my apartment. Around this time, I was also getting ready to move into my apartment in the Washington, DC area since I was soon graduating from college in North Carolina and making my big move up North. I had a job lined up with great pay, but I was also not starting it until the end of July 2021, so I had over 2 months before I started working that I would be decking out and setting up my apartment before starting to work. That being said, The Dollar Tree was a great and affordable option to find apartment essentials of ALL kinds that got me EXCITED. Not only was I finding a great deal on even name brand items, but I was also buying practical items.

Since my The Dollar Tree obsession has started and blossomed, there are so many items that I primarily pick up regularly from there. In fact, I go to The Dollar Tree for certain items before I even check out other stores like Home Goods, Target, and Walmart. The other week, I went on a not so little shopping spree to The Dollar Tree and the cashier and I were discussing how we both believe that everyone should “come here [The Dollar Tree] first,” as it “may not have everything you need, but it will have quite a lot.” The cashier has seen people of all ages shop at her storefront – college students, high school students, parents, Senior citizens, and people starting out are all amongst the crowd of shoppers.

Items I Primarily Shop for at The Dollar Tree:

  • Holiday decorations for EVERY holiday (thanks Kaylee for this one!!)
  • Organizational items (bins, baskets, buckets, etc.)
  • Tea towels
  • Party supplies and decorations
  • Balloons
  • Wrapping paper and other gift wrap
  • Tumblers and mugs
  • Pouches
  • Cards
  • Mail packaging items
  • Banners
  • Wine glasses and champagne flutes
  • Travel size toiletries
  • Tissues
  • Sponges
  • Hand Soap
  • Craft supplies

Here’s to many more Dollar Tree shopping trips in your future!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie!

Long time, no life of Katie! January to me always brings about a nice change of pace – a fresh start, a time to create new habits, and a chance to try something new. I’ve said this before and I will say it again: I hate the phrase “new year, new me”. BUT, changes can and will happen in 2022 and I am looking forward to what is to come during this brand-new year. As always, here are some updates into the life of Katie!!!

  • A Marshmallow World – *cues the Christmas song what that exact same title!!* earlier this week, snow came to Northern Virginia. This is my first time seeing snow and a big snow of 10+ inches since before my college days. I LOVED getting to enjoy the snow from my own home (I am NOT one to be out walking in the snow HAHA!). I got some adorable content photos for an upcoming giveaway and for fun, too. It is ALWAYS a gift to be able to see snow – it is magical to me to see. Such a rarity that snow is, yet it’s such a beauty!
  • Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale – If you know me, then you know I am a SUCKER for any sale, especially Lilly Pulitzer’s sales! This past Monday commemorated the January biannual Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale. This year’s sale was so unique that it was only ONE DAY – usually the sale is 2 days. I luckily had a great sale experience, as I shopped online and ordered everything and waited in the waiting line for a mere 2 minutes. The funniest part?! I logged onto the site and was placed into the waiting line, grabbed my coffee, and was in the site once my Keurig finished working its magic. Needless to say, I felt extremely lucky that I was able to shop so quickly and snag so much, too. I am SO excited to be able to shop the sale, as it rarely comes around.
  • Committees at Work – I am excited to say that I have been getting involved in committees at work. My company has so many opportunities for folks to meet and mingle with one another amongst my team of ~100 people, Women in Data Science as well as friends/company members interested in data science, and Early Career Professionals. I have LOVED getting to plan events for friends within my Meredith Community and am so excited to get to do it as an extracurricular at my job, too. Who knew that jobs offered extracurriculars too?!
  • Healthier Eating Habits – During 2022, I want to focus on creating more healthy eating habits. I have subscribed to Hello Fresh and am SO excited to get healthy meals delivered right to my door each week! Papa and I are going to subscribe together and try the meals together, too. We are very excited, as I know that Hello Fresh can help with establishing healthier eating habits in the most convenient way possible (I get my first box this Monday!). At the same time, I am striving to enjoy some healthy meals for lunch and breakfast, too, as meal preps have become the win for this new year!
  • Focus on Faith – This year, I am also hoping to focus on getting connected within my church community. I was actually really involved in my church community back in high school – a facilitated Youth groups for middle schoolers, went on 3 mission trips, 3 church retreats, and many many many church events in between. I have SO many great and meaningful memories from church! Papa goes to a church nearby that I want to get connected to. Back in June, I attended a Celebration of Life for a classmate and family friend of mine who went to heaven much sooner than he should have. It took place at Papa and I’s church, and it made me miss the days when I was regularly attending and connected to a church community. Needless to say, I optimistically signed up for a course to introduce new members to the church starting in-person on January 30!

You could probably say that this blog post screams “new year, new me” – haha! However, through it all, I am excited to make some changes in my life for the better. I have always seen the new year as a time to reflect on the old year and essentially go out with the old and in with the new *cues High School Musical!*.

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Lilly Pulitzer Winter 2022 Sunshine Sale – Tips & Tricks!

Popping that champagne since it’s officially 2022 AND the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale has been announced!!! If you didn’t already know, well now you do: Lilly Pulitzer has a HUGE sale twice a year more recently known as the Sunshine Sale (formerly known as the After Party Sale). For more on the Sunshine Sale, you can read my post about last year’s sale in September 2021 here. It was announced to be this Monday January 3 online – ONE DAY ONLY. I know many of y’all have been shopping the preview of it all in corporate stores this past week and yet cannot still wait to shop this Monday, too. Now, let’s get into some tips & tricks that are ALL about the Sunshine Sale.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

As you’re reading some tips and tricks on how to shop the Lilly Pulitzer Winter 2022 Sunshine Sale, feel free to use this link to shop the sale and potentially enter the waiting line to find some great finds!

Tips

  • Log onto the Sunshine Sale as soon as you can the morning that it starts. Yes, you WILL be put into a waiting line once the sale kicks off. The sale starts at 8am, but people may log on as early as 7am or 7:30am. During the September 2021 sale, I ended up waiting the longest that I ever have in all the years that I have shopped it – 45 minutes. I know some others who waited both longer, shorter, and even shopped the sale and got placed back into the waiting line. Essentially, it seems that one’s wait time is to be the luck of the draw. Be mindful and aware of the waiting line no matter how annoying it may be, but know that it is all just simply apart of the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale magic!
  • Be patient!!! The Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale’s waiting line may take some time, but through it all, DO NOT reload your browser!!! If you reload your browser, then you will be placed into the waiting line at the very end of the line. Your waiting time will probably be longer, too.
  • Log onto the sale on different devices and browsers. Yes, you heard me right: it does not matter how many devices or browsers you log onto during the course of the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale as long as they’re not the same one. This will, then, allow you to most likely get into the sale quicker, as different browsers/devices have differing wait times, no matter when you log on.
  • If you really want something, then buy it right then and there. A unique feature of the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale is that all items in your cart aren’t reserved until you buy them. So, if you want it and you want to got it, too, then buy it right then and there. Items that are Luxletic and popovers and even Finn tees tend to sell out fast, too.
  • Shop small! All Lilly Pulitzer Signature Stores offer the Sunshine Sale deals, too, and they’re ALWAYS worth checking out. Some of them even start selling sale finds the weekend before in-store and online as well as at midnight on the day of. Check out a full list of them in my Preppy Small Businesses to Support this Holiday Season blog post.
  • Be mindful of the fact that you may have an order cancellation. Sadly, you may have wanted it and got it, but then it got cancelled. Websites sometimes sell more than they have available which means that certain items you may have purchased could be cancelled in the end. In my own experiences, I have found this to be true more so with smaller Signature Stores than with corporate, but I know some who have had order cancellations via corporate orders.

Above all else, HAVE FUN! The Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale is meant to be a fun experience to score some amazing and rarely seen Lilly Pulitzer deals. You WILL find something you love during the sale and enjoy it in real life, too. Happy Shopping!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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