An Afternoon in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!!), I shared and have been sharing A LOT of my trip to Maine and Canada with my Papa and dog Rosie. HOWEVER, along our way to Maine, we stopped in the gorgeous town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire to spend the night. I had been to Portsmouth as a kid and have since always wanted to go back. We actually booked our hotel there (the Hampton Inn downtown!) just a week beforehand and it was a GREAT decision, too.

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

So, flashback to summer 2009 and I am ten years old with my cousins Jack, Laura, and Chris and my brother Will along with my Great Aunts Margaret and Alice and my Mom. We are on the way up to Maine for the summer and decided to do a week of New England sightseeing beforehand, which my Great Aunt Margaret had planned for us kids to join her on. Before Portsmouth, we had stopped in Lexington, Massachusetts and Concord, New Hampshire to see ALL the historic sights there via the Revolutionary War. We had climbed trees and explored the parks. Upon arrival in Portsmouth, we had explored the town with ALLL of us kids running up and down the historic town’s streets. And, the next day, we went to the iconic Wentworth By The Sea hotel for breakfast and all of us got all dressed up in our Sunday’s best attire for the occasion on a Wednesday morning. I remember at that time complaining because many of the other kids having breakfast at the Wentworth By The Sea hotel had had t-shirts and pajamas on, but looking back, my Aunt Margaret LOVED that hotel and dressing up which made it much more special. I have SOOOO many memories from that day and our entire week of sightseeing. After Portsmouth, we went to Bath, Maine and Owls Head Lighthouse in Maine. SO, needless to say, going back to Portsmouth, New Hampshire *even* to walk around for a few hours was bittersweet!

When Papa and Rosie and I arrived at our downtown Hampton Inn hotel for the night, I was more than pleased to see that we were just a block away from the main downtown Portsmouth area. Papa isn’t nearly as much into the downtown city sightseeing that I am (even though Portsmouth is a town and NOT a city haha!), so I went downtown on my own while he walked Rosie. Compared to my time there 2009, ALL my then-ten year old self remembered was walking around the gorgeous town in my teal GAP hoodie thinking that I was the coolest kid on the block, and then, *of course* breakfast at the Wentworth By The Sea. I really enjoyed downtown Portsmouth. The whole entire town is very European-inspired, since it is a port city along the East Coast. There’s a sign close to the Hampton Inn about Lafayette’s visit to the town during his days in history. One of my FAVORITE sights to see in Portsmouth was its Music Hall which happened to be PINK!!!! I mean, my blog’s name IS The Pink Chickadee, so my excitement was REAL strong. At the same time, Portsmouth is VERY diverse and a multicultural hub. I saw a ton of people who spoke different languages, which was super neat and restaurants of all kinds, ranging from Indian cuisines to Mexican cuisines to tiny Italian pizza places to your typical New England seafood joints (which is what Papa and I opted for as we cannot find as good of a bowl of clam chowder close to home!). All in all, I was VERY impressed with this small yet mighty town.

Portsmouth Music Hall

A fun fact about Portsmouth, New Hampshire is that it’s the last exit on I-95 before you enter the state of Maine, since it connects via a bridge to the town of Kittery, Maine. I could see Kittery when looking out over the Portsmouth waterfront while enjoying my cup of ice cream before dinner. At the same time, I really admired how much of the town’s history and original architecture is still present and flourishing to this day. Along with preserving its rich history, Portsmouth is also a very welcoming and progressive city. Several of the town’s many many many small businesses (whether it be restaurants, cafes, ice cream parlors, or stores) had signs embracing love and acceptance of everyone, such as Black Lives Matter, Love is Love, All Are Welcome, and much more. Even the town’s North Church of Portsmouth, located in the main downtown area, is notorious for being affirming of ALL people and had an LGBTQ+ pride flag to show its love for all. Portsmouth truly embraces both the old and new and it’s truly a beautiful thing.

One of the most unique things about the New England coast is the fact that the coastlines are super rugged and hilly. A fun fact about the state of Maine is that it has more miles of coastline than the whole state of California! Maine’s coastline is super rugged and gorgeous and (guess what?!) there’s SOOOO much of it, too. Portsmouth’s coastline is similar to Maine’s, too, with its VERY close proximity to the state and connection to being a twin town with Kittery, Maine. That all being said, Portsmouth is a hilly town, given its similar-to-Maine rugged coastline. Personally, I really enjoyed the town’s hilly terrain, as I got a GREAT workout in after being in the car for 10+ hours earlier that day!!

After having gone to Portsmouth for the second time since a big family trip years before, I can see why my Aunt Margaret loved this sweet little town so much. Its New England charm, stunning coastline, and gorgeous buildings make it ALL worthwhile of a visit for anyone, whether it be for an afternoon, evening on the town, or a weekend getaway. I definitely want to live out my true Aunt Margaret someday and enjoy a meal at the Wentworth By The Sea like I did with her at the age of 10 AND *of course* get all dressed up. Til next time, Portsmouth!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

When Shakespeare’s Playhouse Came to Washington, DC

Flashback to my college years studying abroad in London and I was standing front and center towards the stage at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre. In case you didn’t know, playgoers stand in the orchestra section of the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, since it’s simply apart of the experience!! I saw multiple William Shakespeare plays within my college years, especially within that month that I spent in London, including: The Tempest, As You Like It, Romeo & Juliet, and Othello. Needless to say, my Shakespeare-filled month was nothing short of a dream come true!! SO, when Shakespeare’s Playhouse came to the National Building Museum in my home city of Washington, DC, I just knew I had to pop by!!

The National Building Museum is located right across the street from the Judicial Square Metro station on the Red Line. It is also about a 15 minute walk from Metro Center Metro station along with Gallery Place Metro station, yet I chose the utter easiness of seeing the museum right when I saw sunlight via the Metro station’s escalator and I suggest others do as well. The museum is opulent and absolutely stunning both on the outside and the inside.

Shakespeare’s Playhouse exhibit is a limited-time exhibit at the National Building Museum in collaboration with the Folger Shakespeare Library until the end of August 28, 2022. It has played hostess to several super neat exhibits over the years, including an exhibit that involved placing plastic balls in the main lobby of the museum, which brought in several visitors. Currently, the National Building Museum has an exhibit on the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France amongst many others. There are LOTS of children-specific exhibits and activities, too. For more information on the National Building Museum, look no further than here: https://www.nbm.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx6nFy53g-QIVm__jBx2uiAHoEAAYASAAEgLeYfD_BwE

When I walked into the National Building Museum, I was in awe with its utter opulent beauty. Personally, I think that the golden columns which line the National Building Museum’s main lobby felt *PERFECT* to be able to house Shakespeare’s Playhouse exhibit. The Shakespeare’s Playhouse exhibit lined the foyer of the museum. It is highly suggested that you go with one of their hourly tours to view the exhibit and learn more about it. In the evenings, A Midsummer Night’s Dream – one of Shakespeare’s well-known performances – is performed with tickets going on sale. While on the tour, I learned that the theatre within the Shakespeare’s Playhouse exhibit was designed by a professor at the University of South Carolina to replicate Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. The theatre will, then, go to its home at the University of South Carolina and serve as a touring outdoor theatre for William Shakespeare’s splendid performances ALL throughout the warmer months. In my opinion, this theatre will be such a great way to preserve and commemorate Shakespeare’s works for many years and generations to come.

Along with a drop dead gorgeous theatre replicating Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, the Shakespeare’s Playhouse exhibit also had a section for costumes from plays over the years, the design inspiration and sketches behind *even more* costumes from Shakespeare’s plays, and interactive costume dress up experiences. As a BIG fashion lover, I loved getting to see some of the many gorgeous costumes that were designed specifically for the stage. Unlike walking into a boutique to buy clothing for a show, costume designers for a show design the costumes specifically for the actor(s) who are in the show and what they may be doing within the show (such as intricate dancing, fencing, etc.). It truly is a neat process of costume design as A LOT of work goes into making just one garment for a performance that takes on a whole other level of intricacy that goes beyond the construction of a pair of jeans from Target.

I flew solo on my visit to the National Building Museum. It was a GREAT experience to simply take myself out on a date, and I think you should take yourself out on a date, too! It was REALLY fun and a little bittersweet to be able to relive my experiences of studying William Shakespeare in London for a month. Next on my list of embracing my love of William Shakespeare is to check out the town of Staunton, Virginia – the town is currently playing homage to a HUGE Shakespeare playhouse – and explore the Folger Shakespeare Library in my home city of Washington, DC. I hope y’all continue to find things you love nearby your homes, too.

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

I Went to Glossier DC!

On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I shared a bit about my adventures in Washington, DC’s neighborhood – Georgetown. In case you didn’t know, Georgetown is an iconic neighborhood in Washington, DC known for: being the home of Georgetown University, a plethora of high-end shops and bakeries and restaurants, and its gorgeous waterfront involving views of the city and the Potomac River and of nearby Arlington, Virginia. Recently though, one of the iconic brand-new shops that has opened in Georgetown is Glossier (located on M Street). Yes, you heard me right: Glossier opened its 7th location in Washington, DC!

Glossier is a beauty brand that sells body care, makeup, fragrance, and skin care products. On their website, its founder Emily Weiss emphasizes that she “wanted to make beauty as much of an element of personal style as fashion.” Via interviews with hundreds of women, Weiss discovered that us women consistently buy beauty products based on what experts are telling us to buy, rather than thinking about what works for us, our beauty routines, and establishing staple beauty products to place on our own bathroom shelves. Personally, I don’t own any Glossier products, however, I would like to own some in the near future. My best friend Shivani is a HUGE fan of Glossier along with my fellow Instagram bestie Emily of @loveemilydarling – a HUGE thank you to them both for sharing with me about the opening of Glossier DC! Read more about Glossier here: https://www.glossier.com/about

When Bryn and I were in Georgetown last weekend, I knew we HAD to stop by the Glossier store. Upon arriving in Georgetown, Bryn and I went to the Starbucks that’s right by the iconic Key Bridge, which separates Georgetown from Rosslyn in Arlington, Virginia. Key Bridge ALSO offers stunning views of the Washington Monument, Potomac River, and the city skyline. Nevertheless, while at the Starbucks nearby to the Key Bridge, someone told us that the Glossier store was worth the visit, upon me mentioning it to Bryn. I had seen some Tik Tok’s of it and KNEW that I needed to go, and go again!

Upon arriving at the Glossier store, it’s important to note that they usually have a line outside of the store. Well, at least for now they do! The Glossier store caps the number of people that they let in the store at a time and for good reason, too. Luckily, Bryn and I didn’t have to wait super long, though. We, then, ….. got to walk through those *magical* doors of the aviation-themed storefront!

Needless to say, the storefront of Glossier DC was GORGEOUS! We got to walk up the magical white staircase that was lined on the sides with pink walls. The staircase literally looks like it is outside of a futuristic space-themed movie!! And, being the photo-obsessed self that I am, I most definitely got several photos ALLLL throughout the store. The walls were PINK *yes, pink!!!* and offered pops of red and white. It was a STUNNING storefront that even offered views of M Street – its Georgetown location – from up above.

Neither of us purchased anything while there, as I am trying to save up a bit more for my upcoming travel this next month. I did, however, consider purchasing some of their face masks and may do just that over time. Though, I did notice that Glossier has a unique purchasing process – you have to purchase items via one of their Sales Representatives (all items are only on for display and to sample but nothing is there for you to grab and purchase or any cashiers) and then wait in a section by the stairwell and outside of the storefront to pick up it upon your name being called. The storefront is definitely a lot smaller than other makeup stores I have been to and there weren’t really any shelves decked out with products, unlike your typical MAC Cosmetics, Sephora, or Ulta storefronts. I definitely see many beauty boutiques taking on a similar concept to Glossier moving forward, especially with a smaller storefront.

In the future, I hope to make another visit back to Glossier DC, and, more specifically with my Glossier super fan for a best friend: Shivani. Glossier DC was a GORGEOUS storefront *yes, I have said this YET AGAIN for the 50th+ time haha!* and I am excited to visit again. And, when I do make my next visit there, I hope to make a purchase there, too!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadee1 Comment

The Life of Katie!

This week is the LAST WEEK before I leave for a month full of vacation. If you follow me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I have been sharing a bit about my travel plans AND life packing and prepping for it all, too. I will be traveling to Maine, North Carolina, and Iowa with *quite a few states (more like 10)* in between!! At the same time, life has been crazy with work (which I plan to do on while on each trip, except for Maine), trainings at work, seeing friends and family before I go, and enjoying the dog days of summer in my hometown city of Washington, DC. For more on my travel plans over the next month, read on for more here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2022/08/07/what-im-packing-for-1-month-of-travel/

NOW, for even more updates on the life of Katie – let’s get into the fun!

  • Even MORE travel plans – Yep, you heard me right! With both family and friends, I am currently planning a few more trips in the works on the weekends for both Fall 2022 and Winter 2023. Some of these trips include going to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Raleigh, North Carolina; Danville, Virginia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Boston, Massachusetts; and my childhood hometown of Pennington, New Jersey! I also have a group of friends planning to come up my way this Fall, too. Needless to say, travel is my love language and I love love love being able to focus on making many more memories with the family and friends that I am lucky to have in my life and spend time with.
  • MAJOR clothing purge & getting on Poshmark in a few weeks – As I am getting ready to travel for the next month to several different states, I am ALSO starting to purge through many of my old clothing pieces within my closet. I have SO MUCH clothing items that I have either purchased in the past few years or had for years yet just won’t plan to wear again. I am planning on creating a shop on Poshmark when I get back from travel and may have *just a few* more pieces to add to the shop from my closet when I get back from my adventures as well. Starting a Postmark shop was something that I have always wanted to do for a few years now and am excited to *finally* kick start it myself!
  • Soaking in summer Washington, DC days – Recently, I have been spending a lot of time in the nation’s capital. Located just a Metro ride and a 10 minute drive away from my home for me, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to take advantage of ALL that Washington, DC has to offer. I follow pages such as @igdc & @dcspot on Instagram and literally (if you’re one of my close friends who lives in the Washington, DC area and regularly gets DM’s from me about me gushing about every post, then you know LOL!), gush over EVERY SINGLE POST! I love my city!! In recent times, I have gone to Dupont Circle, Georgetown (stay tuned for a post in the coming days on visiting the brand-new Glossier store!), Navy Yard, the National Mall, and Metro Center for some Washington, DC fun!
  • Buying more intentionally – Currently, I am working on buying things more with intention and less with the thought of having large quantities of items JUST sitting around. I have started creating a running wish list of items that I would like to purchase, rather than buying them at an impulse on a whim. That said wish list is CONSTANTLY updated, whether it be removed from the list, an item added to the list, or the item was bought after being on the list for awhile and much thought. Some of my current wish list items include: a Kendra Scott emerald colored ring, a Honeywell tower fan (I LOVE my mini Honeywell fan), a wired dish rack, a new set of book shelves, and a SCOUT Bags storage cubby.
  • Work training – Currently, I am in a REALLY neat training as apart of my job on machine learning in Python. Fun fact: I wrote my Honors Thesis in my undergraduate college years on machine learning using data on Lilly Pulitzer’s retail sales. It was really fun to write and I learned a lot. However, having learned machine learning concepts independently initially, it was really really really nice to be able to sit in a classroom (or live Zoom webinar!) to learn some basic machine learning concepts with an instructor and others there, too. As of right now when I am writing this post, I have sat through Day 1/4 of the training, but am really looking forward to the next days of the course before I go on leave for my trip to Maine!

NOW, I am counting the days until I leave for my travel!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

15 Fun Facts About Me!

If you know me here on the blog or on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), then you know that I am practically an open book! I’ve shared my experiences both good and bad as a single AND fabulous lady, my health experiences, and the raw truth of being a postgraduate living in a brand-new city during and within a practically post-COVID-19 world. However, what I haven’t really shared except for a bit on Instagram is a few fun facts about myself that many people besides my friends and family know! Let’s get into it!!!

15 Fun Facts About Me!

  1. Fall is BY FAR my favorite season! I’ve grown up loving the magic of Fall – with the cozy Fall fashion, the crisp Fall feeling in the air, the holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving with a gateway to Christmas, and the coffee and cocktails. As for the other holidays, Spring comes in second, Winter in third, and Summer in last (I have a strong passion for disliking the heat – LOL!!).
  2. My go-to wine is Cabernet – When I started drinking wine, I was a BIG (and still am!) Chardonnay fan, but overtime I started to really have a greater appreciation for red wines, and most specifically, Cabernet. That being said, that is the wine that I ALWAYS get when I am at happy hours, work-related events, and even when I’m in the mood for a glass at a vineyard.
  3. I grew up a HUGE Vera Bradley fan – In elementary school, I fell in love with the Vera Bradley brand when my classmates all had the gorgeous quilted lunch bags. My Grandma ALSO always had a Vera Bradley purse that she took EVERYWHERE she went for decades. I, then, got my first-ever Vera Bradley item – a lunch bag in my favorite print to this day – Pink Cupcake! I still have that lunch bag and I have some folders and even thrifted a tote in that print back in November.
  4. My favorite flower is a tulip – It has been since I was a kid!
  5. I paint my own fingernails! – I used to get my nails done – both manicures and pedicures – at a nail salon, but decided against it due to the high costs and the fact that my nails chip SO quickly even with gel nail polish. I’ve started to have fun purchasing my own nail polish and doing it myself while I’m usually watching Grey’s Anatomy. Soon, I want to try a set of press-on nails, too. At the same time, I do invest in a pedicure from time to time, as I LOVE the foot rubs and massages that I can get while there. I feel like a MILLION bucks when I leave the nail salon as well!!
  6. My go-to coffee order is an iced Carmel latte – say NO more!!!
  7. My favorite holiday is Christmas – Growing up, my Mom and Grandma always made Christmas SO magical. They did the beautiful dinner’s with family, decked out their houses, and baked the glorious Christmas cookies. Not to mention, my Mom and Grandma BOTH made sure to give me and my brother and the rest of our family every ounce of Christmas cheer that they had. We went to see Christmas lights, go to Christmas festivities in our hometowns, and get pictures with Santa Claus. They made Christmas SO magical and it was so special to me and continues to be my favorite holiday because of them.
  8. I grew up going to Maine – Ever since I was 5, my Mom took me and my brother up to rural Northern Maine for family reunions. On the way up (we would drive the 18 hours up there), we would stop along the way at other beautiful places in New England, including Boston, Massachusetts; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Lexington, Massachusetts; Higgins Beach, Maine; Portland, Maine; and Newport, Rhode Island. We would all spend some time in the town of Houlton and at the nearby East Grand Lake. I used to HATE going in my teenage years, but nowadays I am more than blessed and grateful for those times that I had up in Maine. I love it so much up in Maine that my Papa and I are going to Maine in less than a week!
  9. My favorite snacks to make for a crowd are air popped popcorn, baked kale chips, and baked oyster crackers – YES, you can bake kale chips and oyster crackers and they are SO good!!!
  10. When I travel, my favorite things to collect are magnets and handmade jewelry – My Mom got me into collecting handmade jewelry when we went to Bath, Maine as a kid and got sea glass necklaces at a local boutique. Since then, I’ve picked up handmade jewelry pieces from all across Europe when my Mom and I would travel there in my high school years and my college study abroad years along with in Belize when I studied abroad there, too. As for magnets, they’re easy to put in a luggage or bag when traveling AND they are fun to admire on my fridge!
  11. While I do love flamingoes, my favorite bird is a black capped chickadee – Growing up in New Jersey as a kid, I used to LOVE to watch the black capped chickadee chirp from my back porch. They’re the state bird of both Maine and Massachusetts. I fell in love with the bird SO MUCH as a kid that my love for them still reigns true to this day, so much that I named my blog after it.
  12. Ever since I was a kid, my favorite fast food place has been Taco Bell! – It ALL started when my Dad took me there practically weekly as a kid.
  13. I am fascinated with genealogy – In the summer of 2013, I spent hours upon hours upon hours researching into my family’s genealogy. Both my parents are ALSO very into it, too. We learned a ton about my English, Scottish, Irish, Czech, German, and Italian roots. My interest in genealogy even prompted a trip which my Mom and I took to Prague, Czechia in Spring 2015, which we did a private historical walking tour of the city, for her Bachelorette celebration. For Christmas 2020, my Mom and I also made my Great-Grandmother’s Czech sauerkraut and dumplings recipe (and failed a bit at the dumplings – haha sorry Mom!) to commemorate our heritage.
  14. My favorite food is pizza – Living in New Jersey as a kid, pizza became a regular food group in my household. New York style pizza is easily my comfort food and, since then, pizza has became my favorite dish to enjoy!
  15. I make WAYYYY too many bucket lists! – Whether it be travel, pieces to wear for work or blog photos, wish lists, dishes to try, things to do in my hometown of Washington, DC, or restaurants to try, I am ALWAYS making bucket lists of sorts!!

Fun facts are FUN to share from time to time, but what’s even more fun is learning some fun facts about others!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

Items I Bought in College that I Use Now

So, with Back to School season now officially in FULL SWING, it’s time to start stocking up on items that may be beneficial to you throughout the year. Personally, I find the Back to School season a time for EVERYONE to purchase things that they could use throughout the year, whether it be a doorbuster deal on a new fan, a notebook(s) for work, a fresh new set of pens, or even a brand-new pair of shoes. On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!!), I always love the Fall/Back to School season and always am sharing content on it all!!!

*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.*

Most of the items here are such that I bought in my school years that are still beneficial to me today, along with items that I would buy from the shelves and shelves of Back to School merchandise. Hopefully you can find something of use for yourself, too!

Items I Bought in College that I Use Now

Whether you’re in college or not, these are some of the items that I would recommend purchasing this upcoming Back to School season!!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

The Best Time to Visit the Washington, DC Monuments

Imagine that it is 85+ degrees, ultra-humid outside, and there’s a HUGE stampede of people at every corner you turn to. That’s exactly how it feels in Washington, DC and especially at the monuments during the summer time. Not to mention, the monuments, more specifically known as the National Mall, in Washington, DC are ALWAYS packed with tourists and even locals, alike. On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I shared a bit about me and my best friend Bryn’s experience at the National Mall enjoying the monuments at night. We had planned to go see the monuments while Bryn is here for the summer time for a while before hand, BUT we were in for a splendid surprise when it started to rain and the sun started to set and the crowds *just magically* disappeared.

Before I spill the tea on my rather peaceful evening along the National Mall and experiencing Washington, DC’s monuments in their truly and gorgeous glory, the National Mall can be easily accessible via the following Metro (subway system) stations that are all accessible along the Blue, Silver, and Orange lines:

  • Smithsonian – brings you RIGHT to the National Mall and ALL of the museums. Offers the utter convenience of being in front of ALL of the action of the city’s monuments and museums, including views of the United States Capital, Washington Monument, and even the Lincoln Memorial at a distance.
  • Foggy Bottom – most reachable via a 0.8 mile walk from the Lincoln Memorial and the World War 11 Memorial, which are at least a 20 minute walk from the Smithsonian Museums and Washington Monument. However, the Smithsonian station.
  • McPherson Square – a few blocks away from The White House and right by A LOT of restaurants, including the iconic historic Old Ebbitt Grill and The Hamilton.
  • Metro Center – not necessarily on the National Mall or by the monuments: it’s rather a bit off a walk to reach them all but not a long or hard walk, with the National Mall and Smithsonian museums (specifically the Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art) being closest. BUT, it does offer a wide array of restaurants and shops, both local and chains and offers a lot of historic charm along the streets. Both Ford Theatre and Warner Theatre are there, too, with tours being offered.

If you know me pretty well, then you probably know that I do not like crowds, like at all. Despite the fact that I travel and have traveled to quite a bit of highly touristy places (London, Paris, Rome, Chicago, Florence, New York City, Athens, and Philadelphia to name a few!) and even life right outside a very touristy city aka Washington, DC, crowds still really freak me out – LOL! Whenever I travel, I strive to purchase the fast passes, in order to bypass the crowds where I can – I did this at the Louvre in Paris, Parliament in London, and The Vatican. HOWEVER, the Washington, DC monuments along the National Mall are NOT ticketed entry. Rather, the monuments are open to all of the public free of charge (something that I really admire about my home city is the fact that SO many things especially main tourist attractions are FREE to all). BUT, free does have its down sides with the crowds.

When going to the monuments in Washington, DC the other night, Bryn and I lucked out when we finished our dinner at the nearby Hard Rock Cafe and headed down a few blocks to the National Mall. It started to rain a bit but not too much (no pour downs – thank goodness!!!) and the crowds dispersed. Only a few people on bikes and scooters were to really be seen. As we walked towards the Washington Monument, the crowds were still mostly gone. The sun had set when we walked from the Washington Monument to the World War 11 Memorial. The rain continued. Practically NO ONE was at the World War 11 Memorial, which I had NEVER in my life seen that place so empty before. It was nice. The reflecting pool in between the World War 11 Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial was the most quiet I had ever seen it before. The rain continued but remained light the entire time until we reached the Lincoln Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial had the most people, yet, for the Lincoln Memorial on a Friday night in the summer time, it was rather empty. Needless to say, Bryn had an AMAZING TIME!!!

When in Washington, DC, I highly recommend to ANYONE checking out the monuments along the National Mall, since it is FREE and offers so much history and significance within the United States and even world as a whole. And, when given the opportunity, I 10/10 highly recommend going to the National Mall even if it’s raining (perhaps, even a pour down) – you’ll miss out on the crowds and make SO many memories (and steps!) along the way!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

How I Dress for a Work Business Casual Dress Code 

For the past year, I have been working primarily remote. HOWEVER, I am making efforts these next few months and into the future to work in the office in a hybrid format. Although my company has stated that it has a “casual” dress code, the unsaid guideline is pretty much that you dress business casual where jeans are acceptable. Despite the fact that I still work remote and when working remotely the dress code is practically non-existent, I STILL get the thrill of dressing up for a dress code, whatever that may be!

Back in the days in high school, I used to be REALLY into getting dressed up and wearing a cute outfit for school. I did it EVERYDAY! During my high school days, I took multiple advanced level courses at a time along with extracurriculars, so my stress levels were typically high. So, wearing a cute outfit which I picked out the night before ALWAYS got me through the days and gave me SO MUCH excitement. Needless to say, planning out my outfits of the day were such a creative outlet for me!!~

Last year, I wrote a blog post on dressing for work when there’s NO dress code aka whenever I am working remote. I have also written about wearing Lilly Pulitzer to work in the summer time, which my biggest fear in college being known as “the Lilly [Pulitzer] girl” (!!!) was that I wouldn’t be able to wear my favorite fashion brand into the office. I have linked all relevant blog posts below:

When working in the office for a business casual dress code, I think there’s A LOT of interpretation for how to dress for it. Nowadays, I feel that one can style their business casual looks in more ways than they could even 5 years ago. I am one to style brightly colored clothing for work – within means, of course!!! – and make it work within my company’s dress code. Personally, I feel it’s more helpful to list out the criteria that I use when picking out my outfits for in the office in hopes of helping you, too:

  • Closed-toe shoes ONLY and usually not sneakers or boots (unless appropriate!)
  • All clothing ironed/with NO wrinkles
  • Nothing alcohol-related (earrings, champagne-printed bag, etc.)
  • No spaghetti straps unless worn with a cardigan/jacket
  • Sleeveless tops/dresses must be formal
  • Heels must be under 2 inches tall
  • Nothing too revealing, in terms of attire

& that’s it! That all being said, business casual dress codes can leave A LOT of room for interpretation when it comes to styling outfits. I have always found it important to dress accordingly wherever you go, but also add your own twist to it, too! Individuality is IMPORTANT!!

On the same token, when it comes to pieces that I LOVE for work, here are a few that are my favorites:

  • Pearl necklace
  • White jeans
  • Midi dress
  • Blazer (in ALL colors, whether pink, navy, black, tan, or green!)
  • Tweed jacket
  • Canvas tote
  • Ballet flats
  • Maxi dress
  • Mini skirt
  • White tee
  • Striped tee
  • Maxi skirt
  • Kitty pumps
  • Little black dress (LBD)
  • Cardigan (in ALL colors, too!!!)
  • Pearl stud earrings
  • Beaded statement necklaces (they’re my FAVORITE!!!!)
  • & MOST dresses!!!

Being at home for the past 2+ years due to COVID-19 has made me now more than ever before psyched to have an excuse to dress up and see others, whether it be in a workplace, for a dinner with family or friends, sightseeing, or a happy hour. Now, to utilizing my very very very creative outlet of picking out my outfits yet again!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment