November 2022 - The Pink Chickadee

Lucketts Holiday House Guide

***Please note that this Lucketts Holiday House Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This Holiday House Guide was most recently updated as of October 2025.***

Have you ever dreamt of walking into a real-life Christmas Pinterest board?! Well, I certainly have! Luckily for my Christmas Pinterest dreams, over the past few years, I have made it an annual tradition to step foot into Lucketts Holiday House and fulfill those Pinterest-worthy dreams of mine. It was truly a dream come true to see real-life Christmas magic come to life, especially to kick off the holiday season.

About:

The Lucketts Holiday Open House is a festive fun Holiday House put on by the Old Lucketts Store – an antique store located in the town of Lucketts, Virginia just outside of Leesburg, Virginia. The Holiday House is located on the Old Lucketts Store’s grounds, however, it is its own separate building that only opens to the public annually during the holiday season. The staff at the Old Lucketts Store work on the interiors for the Holiday House year-round and it changes each year. One year, the walls of the Holiday House were filled with hand-painted wallpaper! Hence, you must come back annually to see what’s in store!!

Inside the Holiday House, ALL items are up for purchase (for the most part!) including gorgeous wool blazers, scarves, blankets, plush animals, mugs, and *of course* Christmas decorations. The Holiday House is a fully timed ticketed entry only due to the long wait lines that came when visitors would line up out the doors in years past (see more information below!). If you go with a group, it is highly recommended that you have one person book for everyone as tickets are highly likely to sell out fast.

In addition to the Holiday House, the Old Lucketts Store is open for visitors to enjoy hot chocolate and drinks available for purchase outside, admire the murals outdoors on the Holiday House’s grounds, shop at the local markets and support local businesses outside of the Old Lucketts Store, and check out and shop at the Old Lucketts Store, which is open year-round.

Beyond the Holiday season, the Old Lucketts Store hosts a biannual market in Berryville, Virginia at the Clarke County Fairgrounds during the Spring and Fall Season’s. Markets are an excellent time to support local businesses, vendors, and the Old Lucketts Store. And, not to mention, there are several fun photo opportunities at their markets, too! See more information on markets that the Old Lucketts Store hosts here.

Admission:

It is highly recommended to book your Holiday House ticket in advance. I suggest following the Old Lucketts Store on either Instagram, Facebook, or both for the most up-to-date information on when ticket sales go live. Tickets do sell out quickly, so I would definitely set your alarms and a placeholder on your calendar to book them! Tickets are usually sold on Eventbrite.

For the 2025 holiday season, the Lucketts Holiday House will be open from November 6-December 14, 2025 on the weekends. Buy your tickets on Eventbrite here.

Getting There:

To get to the Lucketts Holiday Open House, it is easiest to drive there. Leesburg, Virginia is the closest town, with its downtown located less than 15 minutes away via car. Metro from Washington, DC goes out to Ashburn, Virginia on the Silver Line (the new last stop on this line!) and is a 25 minute drive/Uber ride from the Ashburn Station. You ALWAYS want to put in Old Lucketts Store when routing yourself to get there via car or Uber, as the Lucketts Holiday Open House is only an extension to the Old Lucketts Store (signage will direct you via the store’s parking lot to the Holiday House). Please note that there are potentially paid tolls to drive to get there. Learn more about the Old Luckett’s Store here: https://www.luckettstore.com/

My Experience:

My first time going was in November 2022, and I decided to go by myself to the Luckett’s Holiday Open House and it was PERFECT for either solo dates, couple dates, friend dates, and family dates (personally, I’d love to take my Mom in a future year!), as I saw ALL kinds of groups of people there. The one thing that all of us have in common: a BIG love for Christmas. I loved getting to go through all of the magical rooms at my own pace and avoid the crowds, too. The Holiday House (even with ticketed entry) can get crowded and spaces are small and tight at times with people walking through its narrow halls. Personally, as someone who isn’t a big fan of crowds, I purposely went into the rooms that were least crowded and even ended up meeting the super sweet Andrea – who was walking around on her own when we crossed paths and agreed with me that the Holiday House IS like walking through a real-life Hallmark movie! That all being said, be prepared to deal with crowds here and there, especially when taking photos as you’ll likely want to.

Since my first visit to the Lucketts Holiday House in 2022, I have made it an annual tradition to visit each holiday season! I have shared a photo diary from my visits over in 2023 (here) and 2024 (here). Every time I visit the Lucketts Holiday House, I am in awe at the talent, labors of love, and holiday cheer for all to hear at every corner!

Wrap-Up:

I will say, the pictures that I share DO NOT do the Lucketts Holiday House ANY justice! Everything is so much more gorgeous in-person, including the murals and photo booths located outside. I definitely want to come back, as The Old Lucketts Store is a small and local Washington, DC area-owned business that ALSO does a Fall and Spring market which I’d love to check out at some point, too! But, in the meantime, if you have ANY Christmas Pinterest board dreams, then definitely check out the Lucketts Holiday Open House!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie + Early Black Friday Deals!

The other day, my best friend Hannah whose visiting from North Carolina for a conference and I went to Old Town Alexandria to discover its Christmas tree already lit up, despite seeing tree lighting posts for it happening just a day later. Needless to say, we both felt as if we had hit the lottery. Currently, it’s beginning to *officially* look a lot like CHRISTMAS!!! If you follow me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), then you probably have seen ALL the Christmas content on my page. I am a BIG Christmas fanatic and am so so so excited for the holiday season and that it has already begun!

*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 VitaCup’s Black Friday Sale! – As we ALL know, Black Friday is the BEST time to get the BEST deals on everything and anything. Case in point: VitaCup’s Black Friday sale includes the brand’s steepest discounts of the ENTIRE YEAR! VitaCup is a farm to cup beverage brand that uses the highest quality ingredients to make every sip energizing and empowering. Their products help you stay awake AND still achieve your health goals – two of my FAVORITE THINGS! Use discount code 35FORYOU at checkout to get 35% off your purchase during their Black Friday sale when you shop here: https://www.vitacup.com/

***A special thanks to VitaCup for treating me to some high-quality beverages this to stay awake holiday season!

Life recently has been a bit crazy over here. With the holidays in full swing, it has gotten even crazier but I couldn’t be MORE happy that they are here to stay! Unfortunately, my family and I have had some loss during Fall 2022, injuries, surgeries, and I even experienced a flat tire the other day. With that all being said, the holiday season is a GREAT refresher from all of the crazy things going on during Fall 2022 and a time to be with family, friends, and other loved ones. The holiday season is ALL about giving to those that we love and spreading some Christmas cheer and singing it loud for all to hear *cues the notable quote from Elf*. Now, for some updates into the life of Katie!

My best friend Hannah coming to visit! – This past week, my best friend from college, Hannah, came to visit me as she was attending a conference up here in Washington, DC. I have LOVED getting to play hostess again as I haven’t had guests over for the night since the summer. It was also pretty nice to be able to enjoy Hannah’s company and have someone to hang with in my apartment in the evenings as it’s usually just me, Rosie, and the TV – LOL! Hannah and I also explored the Downtown Holiday Market in Washington, DC’s Penn Quarter and the well-known King Street in Old Town Alexandria (where we spotted the lit Christmas tree!). Needless to say, I have LOVED every minute of having Hannah here with me AND have found it to be such a great way to kick off the holly jolly holiday season.

Cancelling two December trips – Trust me when I say this, but I am RELIEVED to have cancelled the two trips that I had initially planned to New York City and Philadelphia this December. Instead, I will be visiting my Dad in Delaware for one of the weekends and the other weekend I will be enjoying the local Washington, DC area Christmas things potentially with one of my best friends who may be in town then. The conflicts that came up were due to scheduling things which became more important in the end. And, while a bit upsetting, I am happy it all worked out and relieved to be able to save a bit of money this holiday season that I’d instead have to spend on travel. My best friend Amanda and I are going to reschedule our planned Philadelphia trip for her birthday which I’m psyched for. I ALSO got a full refund on all tickets (thanks to ticket insurance!) to use to visit Amanda in the new year. While a hard decision, I am happy with the changes in plans and excited for what is to come then and in 2023!
Celebrating Shivani’s Birthday! – My best friend from college, Shivani, celebrated her birthday earlier this month. I was REALLY excited when she invited me to come out to celebrate with her and some of her graduate school friends at a local bar in Washington, DC’s neighborhood of Georgetown. It was great to get to know some of her friends from her Master’s program that she’s talked so highly of and *finally* put a face to a name. While I am definitely not a bar-goer by any means, I really enjoyed getting to celebrate Shivani and had a GREAT time! You can read more about my early 20-something lack of interest in night life here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2022/10/25/im-23-and-have-no-interest-in-night-life/#/
My first flat tire – The other day, I had my first-ever flat tire while picking up Hannah from my local Metro station. I ended up hitting a sharp edge on a sewer alongside a curb and had to get a new tire (YAY for #adulting I guess!). Luckily, I was able to pull over at a nearby high school parking lot which was well-lit, find my spare tire in the trunk, and call my Mom and Step-Dad who both graciously came over to replace my tire without hesitation. Neither my Mom nor I have ANY experience with tires or replacing them; I also struggle with certain mechanical things due to having low muscle tone in my hands/fingers. Friday, my car Daisy got a new tire via Papa’s local tire place (which he graciously took care of for me without me even asking!). But, through it all, I am EXTREMELY grateful, thankful, and blessed for my family who came to help me and the fact that it wasn’t raining or super windy when it all happened and the fact that I remained calm and collect the entire time.
Visiting my FAVORITE exhibit! – My favorite exhibit over the years has been the First Ladies exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The first time I went to see this exhibit was when I was 11 with my Mom and brother. I was in AWE when I went and it has been my favorite ever since! Needless to say, I’ve taken friends over the years whenever they’ve come to visit, including Alanna and Hannah back in 2021 and Shivani earlier this week. The First Ladies exhibit was founded by former First Lady Helen Taft (who ALSO helped establish the National Cherry Blossom Festival – a major symbol of the United States’ and Japan’s relationship – and plant cherry blossom trees across the Tidal Basin) and features the First Lady’s Inaugural gowns and china and much more AND is worth a visit when in Washington, DC if you love fashion!!

Treat your loved one’s or yourself to The Inspiration Co’s gorgeous bracelets! – I am a HUGE fan of The Inspiration Co! I worked with them back in August and I still wear my bracelet from them just about every day. The brand designs unique bracelets with empowering slogans engraved on them. Their bracelets serve as empowering reminders that I think we all need on a day-to-day basis. They make for excellent gifts for those in your life! Use my discount code KATIE30 for 30% off your purchase when you shop here: https://glnk.io/nrnxj/thepinkchickadee

***A special thanks to The Inspiration Co for treating me to a gorgeous bracelet to sport this holiday season with a much-needed reminder!

Happy Thanksgiving Week, everyone!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Washington, DC Spots: Downtown Holiday Market

There is ALWAYS something so magical about the holiday season. Washington, DC makes it pretty great with their annual Downtown Holiday Market. When my best friend Hannah and I arrived for its second day (Saturday November 19), we were whisked away into Washington, DC’s version of a European-like holiday village such as those I see in travel magazines.

The Downtown Holiday Market is located on F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets just outside the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). It is just a few blocks away from the Gallery Place Metro Stop, located on the Red, Green, and Yellow lines. From 12pm-8pm everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and December 5 from November 18-December 23, 2022, the Downtown Holiday Market is an outdoor market which supports small businesses across the Washington, DC area. The aisles and booths include food (including German delights and churros!), shopping, and live music. According to the Downtown Holiday Market’s website, “this year’s retail lineup will feature more than 70 exhibitors including Black-owned and minority-owned businesses.” It is ALSO the holiday market’s 18th year! At the same time, the Downtown Holiday Market offered a plethora of festive decorations, whether it be Nutcrackers, reindeer, candy canes, or gold stars that are PERFECT for photo opportunities. Read more about it here: http://downtownholidaymarket.com/

Since we went on its first Saturday of the year, the Downtown Holiday Market was pretty busy when Hannah and I got there. We mainly just walked around as I’m not a big fan of crowds, yet I enjoyed the atmosphere and holly jolly cheer. I did get a chance to stop into The DC Pop-Up – a collective of women-owned and minority-owned Washington, DC area makers – and picked up a few things for myself and one of my friends for Christmas. I ended up talking to one of the shop collective’s makers and she like the rest of their crew there was super sweet. Supporting women-owned and minority-owned makers are two of my FAVORITE THINGS! While we didn’t go this time around, visiting the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum which are two connecting museums with a cafe and atrium in between is a GREAT way to spend part of your day since it’s just right there. Instead, Hannah and I went to my FAVORITE burger joint on me insisting – Shake Shack!

I most definitely want to come back to the Downtown Holiday Market – it offered such Washington, DC Holiday charm and provided such a great way to spend the holiday season. Whether it be with family, friends, or a significant other, coming to the Downtown Holiday Market is a FREE way to spread some holiday cheer this year!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Gift Guide: Small Business Edition

There’s nothing better in my mind than supporting a small business striving to make their way in this world. I am a firm believer that any and every small business owner will make their own mark in some way, shape, or form. Two of my best friends – Cassie and Holly – each own their own small businesses (both of which I will talk about more later in this post!) and I have seen through their lenses the work, passion, and love that goes into every single product that they create and sell. To me, there’s something so special about giving a gift made with so much love and care during the holiday season.

One of my favorite small businesses recently has been Sprinkled with Pink. Sprinkled with Pink focuses on affordable customization for everyday wear, travel, game day, and more specifically Bachelorette celebrations. I have recently become super obsessed with the fact that they have their own custom Ironic Boat Tote – something that is on my wish list for the Christmas season in bright pink *of course*! I also LOVE their customized acrylic champagne flutes that I think are PERFECT for several occasions, whether it be a gift, wedding, birthday party, Bachelorette, or even to double as a vase for a plant or even fake flowers (something I may do!). I also recently ordered the monogrammed jute bag, which I would plan to bring on a potential VERY exciting trip in the works for 2023. Personally, I have been VERY VERY VERY impressed and obsessed with the Sprinkled with Pink shop and plan to make many more purchases for myself and others, too!

My best friend Cassie runs an Etsy shop and small business called Cassie’s Designs. As Cassie describes herself, she is a one woman show and, to me, there’s nothing more iconic than that! Cassie designs the most GORGEOUS affordable and high-quality monogrammed champagne flutes duo. I have a pair of her flutes which she gifted me for my 21st Birthday back in 2020 and I have loved having them ever since! At the same time, Cassie’s Designs carries the CUTEST wooden ornaments that I like to keep up year-round, including her “On Christmas We Wear Pink” ornament which is currently showing off its best self on my pink Christmas tree. To me, Cassie is such a talented, kind, and caring soul and she puts SOO much love into her designs and work. For more on her story, I interviewed Cassie here back in 2020 so check it out here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2020/08/14/interview-with-small-business-owner-cassie-of-cassies-designs/#/

One of my best friends via the blogger world is Holly of Glitter & Daisies. Glitter & Daisies is a Disney ears shop, selling high-quality ears that are sooooo gorgeous! Having a huge heart and love for Disney, Holly puts SO much love into her designs that she spends countless hours making each pair of ears. If Holly has taught me anything, it is that compassion for others goes a long way and in whatever form it may be. Case in point: Holly donates some of the money she earns from certain sales/times of the year to different charities. I see that day in and day out when it comes to the way that she carries herself and running her small business (also as a one woman show!) – how great is that?! While I am not nearly as invested into the Disney niche as Holly herself is, I know that my fellow Disney lovers LOVE Holly’s creations just as much as I do! For more on her story, I interviewed Holly here back in 2021 so check it out here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2021/12/16/interview-with-holly-of-glitter-daisies/#/

This holiday season, I think it’s important to support small business owners JUST as it is every other year. Small business owners like Cassie and Holly put in SO MUCH love and energy into their work to bring joy into y’all’s homes and other’s homes, too. That all being said, small business creations make for the most perfect gifts.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Gift Guide: For the Jetsetter

Over the years, I have fallen in love with travel. I have been super fortunate to live in both Italy and England for a month each in 2018 while studying abroad for the summer back in my college years. On the same token, I have also traveled to different parts of North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware on a semi-regular basis to visit family and friends. That all being said, I consider myself to be a jetsetter from time to time!

My for the jetsetter gift guide was A BLAST to create. I had fun looking through and pretending to shop for travel essentials that I have used and loved along with those that I may just add to my wishlist. Some of the travel essentials on this gift guide, including the Lilly Pulitzer scrunchie set, the Stoney Clover Lane Classic customizable backpack and large pouch, Vera Bradley grand hanging organizer, and Lands End weekender tote, I have used quite often when traveling. Needless to say, many of the products on this gift guide have been used regularly by myself during my travels, both near and far!

When it comes to pouches, they have been my saving grace in recent years when traveling! My Dad ALWAYS uses pouches to keep his things organized throughout his travels over the years. I used to think that he was CRAZY, yet now I am just as CRAZY if not even more than he is when judged by my younger self. In recent years, clear pouches and bags have become essential in concert venues and more across the world. Stoney Clover Lane’s customizable clear travel pouches (I purchased 2 during their sale back in late October!) are PERFECT as they’re large enough to hold the essentials, yet small enough to comfortably carry while out and about. I was also really excited to come across Sprinkled with Pink’s monogrammed pool bags, too, as they’re super adorable and also pretty great for events where there may be a clear bag policy.

Whether near or far, I am ALWAYS creating my own confetti wherever I go. My for the jetsetter gift guide allows others to create their own confetti both close to home and when on the road. Being bright and bubbly is always a go for me especially when on the go and I hope it is the same for you, too!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Thoughts on Visiting my Alma Mater for Homecoming Weekend

This past weekend, I took a trip down memory lane and posted ALL about it on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!) by visiting my alma mater Meredith College for its Homecoming Weekend known as Cornhuskin’. Growing up in high school, I lived for Homecoming weekend – the football game, the dance, the shopping for the dance, and the friends. However, when I got to college, I attended an all-women’s institution which meant that our Homecoming Tradition – our always loved Cornhuskin’ – would look A WHOLE LOT different than it did for me during my high school years or for that matter most other college’s. Indeed, one of my favorite parts of this Fall season was getting to visit and experience Cornhuskin’ as an alum of Meredith College.

Cornhuskin’ at Meredith College is our Homecoming tradition, since we are proudly undefeated in football/have no football team – LOL! We also have shirts to prove our undefeated pride in football, too. Cornhuskin’ is pretty much a class competition – the Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors ALL compete against one another – via dances, skit, can art, Hog Callin’, Tall Tales, sweatshirt design, t-shirt design, prop design, on-campus spirit (to win a spirit stick – my class won twice) and much more!! – for bragging rights and the right of winning this most prized tradition. Everything within the class competition revolves around a theme that is then tied into the amazing Meredith College sisterhood given the year of college and ongoings that come with it – my Sophomore year our theme with based on Hercules and the strong sisterhood and we wore togas to dance and throughout our skit. It seriously is very Corny but seriously one of the best ways to spread joy and bond with classmates of all years.

Unlike in high school, Cornhuskin’ is a mega Meredith College community effort that takes effort from practically everyone in the community for months. Although a totally optional activity for all students, many many many of the Meredith College classmates of mine would participate, since it was a great opportunity to bond with classmates. We would start Cornhuskin’ practices in September where we would dance, rehearse skits, paint signs, and make up rhymes in the on-campus parking lots from 9pm until 1am sometimes. The next morning, we would get up and do it all again along with the hustle of classes, committees, jobs, and everything else in between. It was stressful to say the least. And, in fact, my Sophomore year of college, I felt VERY lonely as my friends from Freshmen year had transferred to other schools/drama had happened with those who stayed that I almost considered not participating due to the stress and feeling lonely. BUT, in the very end, I am super proud of myself for taking that leap and doing Cornhuskin’ and so so so happy that I did. The blood, sweat, and tears put into making Cornhuskin’ happen by all within the Meredith College student body made it soooooo worth it in the end when we would perform in the amphitheater at night in front of our family, friends, faculty, staff, classmates, alumnae, and community members.

Due to COVID-19, I did not get a Senior year Cornhuskin’. Meredith College staff did a GREAT job at attempting to give us an as-typical experience as possible, despite nothing looking the same during the 2020-2021 timeframe anyways. Though, in the end, it was sad that we in the Class of 2021 didn’t get a Senior Cornhuskin’ along with the classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024 behind us in their respective years. My friends and I in the Class of 2021 definitely felt some remorse towards that fact that we didn’t get a Senior Cornhuskin’ coming back to Cornhuskin’ this past weekend. COVID-19 took a lot from all of us, and I think it is important that we ALL acknowledge that everyone lost a lot from it and that it isn’t easy at times either. It’s HARD! Loss is hard and there is a major component of COVID-19 that we don’t talk about much: grief. Grief comes in many forms, but the occurrence of my beloved Cornhuskin’ my Senior year of college was hard to lose and it is something that I am still processing and miss all the time. Personally, I wish I got to experience it as a student and get Corny one last time with all of my classmates by my side.

On the flip side, I am SUPER grateful for the Meredith College sisters and classmates of mine that I do have to this day right in my corner. I got to both reconnect and bond with so many of my classmates some of which that I haven’t seen since I graduated or since before COVID-19 times. It was truly a blessing to see Hannah, Alanna, Kearra, Aspen, Jane, Lexie, Laurie, Sarah, Caroline, Cassie, Chandler, Faith, Aly, Kiran, Meredith, Bailey, Jasmine, and my Lil/Grand Lil’s Lelia, Madelyne, and Jordan and many more. I also got to bring my Papa and dog Rosie along to experience it all with me. Rosie dressed as Corny Corn and wore her pineapple Halloween costume from last year in the parade (we got to walk in it as Alumnae with other fellows alums!). We spent hours, after the main events of the class competition, talking in the parking lot just like the good old days of Cornhuskin’. SO many memories were made. I felt apart of the Meredith College community yet again after gaining my Meredith Angel wings and flying off to Washington, DC for my post-graduate life. Currently, I am still struggling to find my way in the Washington, DC area, but knowing that I have SO many fellow Meredith College Angels in my corner is such a sweet feeling and makes me know that I WILL find my way in my new city just like I did at Meredith.

Meredith College prides on its slogan of “Going Strong”. We Meredith College Angels, through it all, are strong – we have gone through tough things and we will do it again. Cornhuskin’ as a student was tough at times – the late nights practicing and then even later nights studying, the long days of classes, committees, and work, the stride to maintain a clean apartment and eat three meals a day, and everything else in between – is not easy for anyone to strive for. BUT, at the end of it all, as fatigued as we were, we loved every minute of our time well spent via Cornhuskin’ and our hearts were filled with gratitude and many many special memories made along the way. We truly were and are still continuing to be going strong the Meredith way, NO MATTER how Corny we may be at times!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Let’s Celebrate Lilly Pulitzer’s Birthday 2022!

Late fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer once said: “it’s always summer somewhere!” On this very day, Lilly Pulitzer would be celebrating her 91st Birthday. And, today, we are partying like it’s 1931 in our brightest Lilly Pulitzer shifts and a cocktail in hand in her honor! As a little girl, I fell in love with the Lilly Pulitzer brand and my love for the brand only continued to grow throughout my high school and college years. The Lilly Pulitzer fashion brand has helped me express myself and become who I am today.

Lilly Pulitzer embodies everything in a person that I want to be! She was kind, classy, bright, bubbly, and always down for a GREAT time. Growing up, the brand Lilly Pulitzer embodied to me someone who was everything that Lilly Pulitzer, herself, was. My late Great Aunt Margaret was a Lilly Pulitzer lover as well. She introduced me to the brand as a little girl when we passed The Pink Crab – an Annapolis, Maryland-based Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store and I immediately wanted to buy everything in the store. Just like Lilly Pulitzer, Aunt Margaret truly embodied the woman that Lilly Pulitzer was. That all being said, today is a day that I think is well worth honoring these two women that helped shape me into who I am today.

In college, I was known as “the Lilly [Pulitzer] girl”: a namesake that I am truly proud of to this very day. I ALWAYS wore Lilly Pulitzer in college and both of my dorms along with my college apartment were decked out in all things Lilly Pulitzer-themed. At the same time, I constantly hosted my friends over for dinners, parties, and viewing parties of The Bachelor in my apartment with my roommate and one of my best friends to this day Sophie. Thankfully for us both, Sophie and I both have a very Lilly Pulitzer-like taste in home decor! I truly found the love of spreading joy, wearing bright colors, and being kind to go a loooonnggg way. All times of life are stressful by my college years surrounded by ALL things Lilly Pulitzer truly made me life a party and I dressed like it regularly, too!

“Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink”

— Lilly Pulitzer

All things taken into consideration, I truly loved my college experience wearing Lilly Pulitzer for practically EVERY event that we had and living up to my nickname of “the Lilly girl”. I am truly proud to be someone that has never been afraid to be herself. Lilly Pulitzer once said “being happy never goes out of style” and it truly doesn’t. There is ALWAYS an opportunity to spread some joy to others, no matter what the occasion may be. In recent times, my Dad’s side of the family has unfortunately experienced some losses. But, through it all, my Aunt Sherri always made sure to give everyone a laugh. To her, laughter is the best medicine and I truly agree. I am a firm believer, just like my Aunt Sherri, that laughter always brings some happiness *even* during the toughest of times. Wearing Lilly Pulitzer brings me SO much joy.

To celebrate Lilly Pulitzer’s 91st Birthday, I have linked some of my favorite Lilly Pulitzer gifts for the strong and extraordinary Lilly lovers in your life!

Here’s to all the strong women in our world – may we know them, may we raise them, may we be them. And, may we honor them today and everyday! Today, I will honor my Great Aunt Margaret who helped shape my fashion sense and personality with her loving nature, kindness, poise, and bubbly personality. I will also honor the late fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer who gave me a love for a brand that I will cherish forever with memories and love of my Aunt Margaret and many others in my life whom I truly love and care for.

XOXO – Katie <3

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