The Life of Katie!

The Bachelor Live!, Stoney Clover Lane X Target, and George Mason’s Gunston Hall, OH MY! This week has been a whirlwind of adulting, exciting hauls aka Stoney Clover Lane X Target, touring the historic George Mason’s Gunston Hall (more to come on that soon in a future blog post!!), and seeing some of my favorite stars from ABC’s The Bachelor at The Bachelor Live!, and, needless to say, it has been pretty great. If you follow me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee), then you probably have seen a bit of this whirlwind known as my life on a daily basis. Now, here’s your semi-weekly/weekly peek into the life of Katie!

*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.*

Shop my top here: https://rstyle.me/+3QwPZMW88nVNslmZ0u72cQ

  • Stoney Clover Lane X Target – So if you’ve following along on social media/Target’s current ongoings, this past April 2, Target launched its collaboration with Stoney Clover Lane. Personally, I am OBSESSED with Stoney Clover Lane’s merchandise, but not its ultra-high price tags. I have purchased a few Stoney Clover Lane products in the past, yet was nervous at the high prices and with inflation they have gotten even higher than when I bought some things. So, when Target launched its designer collaboration with Stoney Clover Lane, I couldn’t’ resist NOT shopping it! For those of you who follow me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), then you know I purchased a whooping 4 orders full of Stoney Clover Lane X Target goodies – all of which have arrived. Stay tuned for a Reels featuring ALL of my Stoney Clover Lane X Target goodies!!
  • Seeing The Bachelor Live! – For those of you who know me well know that I am OBSESSED with ABC’s The Bachelor franchise. Currently, The Bachelor franchise is on tour via The Bachelor Live! which does a mini live version of a season of ABC’s The Bachelor hosted by former Bachelorette and fangirl celebrity crush of mine – Becca Kufrin. Last Sunday evening, The Bachelor Live! came to Washington, DC’s historic and gorgeously romantic Warner Theatre. My coworker and friend and The Bachelor franchise fan Katherine and I decided to go together and got tickets to the ultra peaceful VIP Lounge and Bar before the show. We ALSO got Orchestra section seats to get a close-up view of Becca Kufrin LIVE aka my dream and onstage Bachelor – Justin Glaze from Katie Thurston’s season of The Bachelorette. All in all, last Sunday night was a DREAM come true. Stay tuned on a blog post soon on my experience!!
  • The Dollar Tree Haul!! – Last week, I took a trip to The Dollar Tree on a whim. To my surprise, I found so much stuff that I not only needed, but also could benefit from and enjoy, too. I found monogrammed initial wine glasses and coffee tumblers *yes, The Dollar Tree has GORGEOUS monogrammed initial merchandise now!!!*, floral mugs and tea towels that give me Lilly Pulitzer meets High Tea vibes, ribbon, cleaning supplies, Clorox wipes for on the go, bins for office organization, office supplies such as sticky notes and scissors, and some Easter decorations. I posted a Reel about it ALL on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!!). My Dollar Tree haul was a blast and such an unexpected way to spend part of my post-work evening!
  • Touring George Mason’s Gunston Hall – A hidden gem right by my house – actually, like 15 minutes away – is George Mason’s Gunston Hall. George Mason was a Patriot and Virginia resident who was influential in the development of The Bill of Rights. Gunston Hall to me feels like a Grand Millienial’s paradise and such a breath of fresh air from reality. Next week, I plan to write a blog post ALL about my adventures to Gunston Hall, so stay tuned!
  • MORE Solo Adventures to Come – Last month, I took a solo adventure to Charlottesville, Virginia (read more about that here!). I loved loved loved my solo adventure to Charlottesville, Virginia SO much that I ended up booking and planning a few solo adventures for the coming months of this April and this May. I am oh so excited for what’s to come, so stay tuned!!!

Here’s to all the great that’s to come for us all!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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VIVAIA Flats Review – Stylish & Ethical

Since starting to work full time, I have started choosing flats over sandals in my day to day life. Luckily for my newly flat-loving self, I connected with VIVAIA to do share with YOU a VIVAIA flats review. Nevertheless, I’m excited to show off their super stylish AND ethical flats. If you follow me on Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), then you probably *just probably* have seen me style a pair of my VIVAIA flats in one (or many!) of my posts. VIVAIA’s flats are super stylish, ethically-made, and made to suit your most likely busy lifestyle, too. Today, I am going to share ALL my thoughts on VIVAIA’s flats in this review & if you’re interested in purchasing a pair of flats (or another pair of shoes from VIVAIA), then yes my code pink18 for 18% off your purchase.

***Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***

*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.*

So, you may be wondering: what exactly is VIVAIA? Well, VIVAIA was founded on a mission to create sustainable footwear that was also stylish. VIVAIA’s striving to create gorgeous footwear for YOU, while also allowing YOU to make a positive impact to those around us and the world. To me, VIVAIA’s flats feel like luxury at a fraction of the cost (think Chanel, Salvatore Ferragamo, and even Tory Burch) with the SAME quality while making a major difference in our world today. All of their shoes are sustainably made and machine-washable – to me that is a win-win!

VIVAIA flats have several features that make them unique and that I have seen embodied when wearing them on a regular basis. Some of these features I have listed below:

  • Machine-washable
  • The mid-sole feels JUST as if you were on a yoga mat
  • Half-sizes are sold *and we rejoice!!!*
  • Rebound insole
  • The heel padding is made out of memory foam *yes – memory foam to bring you back to that $8,000 mattress of your dreams*
  • Sustainably made

Each of the features that I have mentioned above about VIVAIA’s flats I have seen embodied in the two pairs that I own every single time I put them on. The reason I wear them SO SO MUCH is because I feel like a million bucks when I put them on. I an indeed brought back to the days of wearing fuzzy socks while also wearing my UGG rip off boots in the 5th grade and feeling as if I just rolled out of bed and yet still want to be comfortable. I have worn my VIVAIA flats to work and into the office (which is a 35-45 minute drive for me each way) and felt no ounce of soreness within either of my feet throughout the day. I also wore my VIVAIA flats to go car shopping a few weeks ago, where I was waiting to purchase my car for a few hours, due to a delay with another customer and felt no ounce of soreness in my feet then, too. In the past, I have felt super sore within my feet from other shoes that I wear when traveling or on my feet for extended periods of time. However, VIVAIA flats allow me to stay on my toes for those extended periods of time without feeling like I need a foot rest pronto.

One of my other favorite parts of VIVAIA flats is that they are sustainably made and machine washable. I have to say, I wear my VIVAIA flats practically everywhere now including when I travel, so they get a bit dirty from time to time. Given that they’re made out of cloth-like knitted materials, they will unfortunately get dirty from time to time. BUT, never fear as VIVAIA flats are perfectly suited for the washing machine and look good as new just after one wash. On the same token, I LOVE knowing that I am making a difference whenever I wear one of my pairs of VIVAIA flats when I personally feel like a million bucks. It’s pretty rewarding to know that the brand VIVAIA as a whole has a mission to change the world one pair of shoes at a time. To me, that’s pretty empowering.

You know what they say: empowered women empower women. I can say just the same for a pair of shoes empowering the world when it comes to VIVAIA’s shoes, too. I have most definitely fallen in love with VIVAIA as a brand along with *of course* their flats. In the future, I hope to buy more shoes from VIVAIA, too.

As always, I have linked my own VIVAIA flats down below for your own shopping convenience. If you choose to purchase a pair of VIVAIA flats for yourself, then feel free to use my code pink18 for 18% off your purchase.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Relationship Sunday’s: How My Relationship Blossomed with Myself

With Spring officially in full bloom in my hometown of the Washington, DC area, I wanted to take the time to talk about how my relationship blossomed with myself *pun here anyone?! I think yes!!*. If you follow me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), then you know that I have been adventuring ALL around the gorgeous cherry blossoms and blooming flowers around the Washington, DC area. As someone who has fully adjusted to post-college life (for the most part!), I can work on myself in ways like never before, thus, blooming my own relationship with myself into a gorgeous flower.

This past March, I took my first-ever solo road trip Charlottesville, Virginia for a work conference and saw my Aunt Lisa, Uncle John, and cousins Mary, Joey, and Matthew while there (read more about that here!). In this past March 2022, I also purchased my first-ever car – a white Volvo S60 T5 Momentum that I named Daisy, which I have spent several days since purchasing her driving her around and enjoying it. My adventures in my Volvo Daisy have been of both solo adventures and adventures with others, too. I visited the Smithsonian’s temporary #IfThenSheCan exhibit (read more about that here) not once but TWICE and learned to be proud of my career in STEM and being a #WomenInSTEM. At the same time, I have been working A LOT and really starting to enjoy my projects at work and find passions within my own career. Through each of these endeavors, I have really truly blossomed with myself within it all.

My solo trip to Charlottesville was one of the monumental experiences for my relationship with myself. Essentially, I just turned on the 80’s station on SiriusXM and jammed out the entire way. During this time, I learned a lot about myself and simply got comfortable with myself, even in a brand-new place. My first stop on the trip was to the University of Virginia, where I had about an hour to myself before my work conference. I managed to find and pay for parking on my own (the University of Virginia campus is definitely a ZOO it felt like going there for the first time when it comes to parking – HAHA!) and ask others for help navigating the HUGE (well, compared to my tiny campus at Meredith College – LOL!) campus, so that I could see the gorgeous, well-known Rotunda. I was able to successfully take care of myself, my car, and enjoy myself all along the way.

This April and May, I have quite a few *yes, quite a few* plans that are solo. After my solo road trip to Charlottesville, I am super excited to be able to feel comfortable enough with myself to do even more solo excursions on my own moving forward. Even just a few months ago, I felt like I “needed” to go do something as long as I had someone else to go with. However, that is completely the opposite. If you want to go do something, then just go yourself and have a good time. Going somewhere by yourself AND simply enjoying it is a skill that I believe everyone needs to learn as well. I also feel like if I can enjoy myself while doing something on my own, then why bother going with someone else all the time?! Through my solo adventures, I most definitely feel that I was able watch my relationship bloom with myself – a beautiful thing!

Overall, through feeling more comfortable with myself and how I am, I feel like my relationship bloomed with myself in ways like never before.

XOXO – Katie <3

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My First Washington DC National Cherry Blossom Festival as a Local

If you live in Washington, DC or perhaps the United States, then you know that late March-late April is the 3 week long National Cherry Blossom in the nation’s capital. On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!!), I have been sharing ALLL the cherry blossom content on my page, whether it be in my Northern Virginia neighborhood or in Washington, DC on my several weekend day trips there. This year (2022), the National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 22-April 17 (website linked here), and I am going to share my experiences with my best friend Shivani at this almost-month long festival so far (hence why this is Part 1 of 2!) in this post!

Part 1 – The Opening Ceremony at Warner Theatre

Every year, the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off with an opening ceremony, which this year was held at the historic and drop dead gorgeous Warner Theatre. Shivani and I arrived at Warner Theatre early and *of course* stocked up on ALL of the merchandise that the Cherry Blossom Festival sells each year. This event is FREE and features performers and prominent figures in making the National Cherry Blossom Festival happen from both the United States and Japan. Fun fact: Japan is the home base of the cherry blossom trees, as they were planted by First Lady Helen Taft and prominent Japanese figures, in order to represent and honor the United States’ and Japan’s friendship back in the 1910’s-1920’s. First Lady Helen Taft also founded my favorite-ever museum exhibit – the First Lady Exhibit at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum. We got to see Japanese performers, the United States Ambassador to Japan, a video message from United States First Lady Jill Biden, an Amazon Executive (Amazon is a MAJOR sponsor in the makings of the National Cherry Blossom Festival), and even Washington, DC-based meteorologist Veronica Johnson who was a co-host. It was such a cool and historic experience and very very very special!

Before heading over to Warner Theatre for the National Cherry Blossom Opening Ceremony, Shivani and I met at the National Mall. We walked over to explore the gorgeous cherry blossoms along the National Mall, right by the Washington National Monument. The cherry blossoms were just gorgeous and we were able to get some great photo opportunities in as well. Despite the weather being freezing for this time of year, it was still a pretty great time!

Part 2 – The Tidal Basin

The second part of my National Cherry Blossom Festival Experience was visiting the Tidal Basin aka the BEST place to go to view the cherry blossoms at their peak. In ALL its glory, even on an extremely cloudy and gloomy day, the cherry blossom trees were still quite gorgeous to see. Shivani and I got off at the Smithsonian Metro Station (the closest station to the Tidal Basin), where we walked to the Tidal Basin via passing by the Washington National Monument yet again. The walk to the Tidal Basin from the Washington National Monument is lined with gorgeous cherry blossom trees and is a scenic route in its self with many many many photo opportunities. Once we reached the Tidal Basin, we lucked out to be able to get a spot to enjoy the scenery without crowds interrupting our photos (a normalcy during this time of year at the Tidal Basin!!). People were leaving the Tidal Basin for lunch when we arrived, which made our time there a bit less crowded yet still crowded. BUT, it did sleet and rain quite a bit on and off but luckily we didn’t get too pampered by it as it was on and off. I always like to say that it’s all about the journey and not the destination and that rings true to Shivani and I’s memories made at the Tidal Basin!

I am in love with Washington, DC in full bloom. There’s so much free things to do, even when it’s crowded with tourists and locals alike. I am oh so blessed to be able to live in the nation’s capital and enjoy this extraordinary city too AND with my best friend Shivani! In the meantime, I will be admiring the cherry blossoms locally until I go back into Washington, DC for the Hello Kitty Truck’s visit to the Tidal Basin in just a short week.

XOXO – Katie <3

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