I Went to See Hairspray at Capital One Hall!

Flashback to October 2022 and one of my best friends Haley and I are on the train to Philadelphia. We had experienced a lot of issues with Amtrak leading up to eventually getting on our train and on track to the City of Brotherly Love. So, like many people who were once stressed and exhausted, I *none other than* fell asleep on the train, well, until I heard on the intercom that we were in Baltimore. And, like just any other Hairspray fan, I found the iconic song “Good Morning Baltimore” gleaming throughout my head. Since then, I knew I had to see Hairspray the Musical live!

Capital One Hall is a brand-new performing arts center in the Washington, DC area based in Tysons Corner, Virginia as a part of the brand-new Capital One Center. My office happens to be in the Tysons Corner area, so I had been to the Starr Hill Biergarten (on the 11th floor aka rooftop of the Capital One Center) a few times and just happen to be familiar with the area in which this brand-new theatre is located. Along with Capital One Hall and Starr Hill Biergarten, there is also a hotel known as The Watermark Hotel, fine dining restaurants like Wren, and mini golfing place on the rooftop at The Perch. The interior architecture is gorgeous and super modern at Capital One Hall. There are 3 cafes where guests can get refreshments, whether it be snacks, coffee, or alcoholic beverages – ALL of which they can take into the theatre to enjoy the show. They also have a booth for purchasing performance-related merchandise, some of which my friends Brianna and Brittany happened to snag! To learn more about Capital One Hall, follow them on Instagram @capitalonehall AND look no further than here: https://www.capitalonehall.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqtqzho3m_AIVxd7ICh0KfwaEEAAYASAAEgIUgPD_BwE

One of my favorite parts of the Capital One Hall was the red carpet like photo booth that ALL guests could take photos in front of. There was a bit of a line when we went but luckily we got there early enough to get some photos before it got super crowded. There was ALSO a light ring aka just about every influencer’s dream at the photo booth to give that red carpet feel *just a bit more*! You really do feel like royalty when seeing a show at Capital One Hall!

Hairspray happened to be the first show that I was interested in seeing at Capital One Hall. My best friends Brianna and Brittany and their Mom invited me to join them (we happened to book seats right next to each other, too!!). We attended a 1:30pm or 2pm show on a Saturday and it was PERFECT. I LOVED the creativity of the performance and the cast: it was truly unique (especially to our location of Tyson’s Corner!) and every actor’s unique flair shined.

The only downside to seeing a show at Capital One Hall was the fact that the staff were rushing everyone out right after the show ended. This utter rushing via the staff was due to another performance being scheduled right after ours. However, the rushing of guests led to guests not being able to snag merchandise, take a photo (or two!), use the bathroom for longer than 5 minutes, or even grab a refreshment for the ride home. It sadly felt like we were rushed out to the point of where we couldn’t enjoy anything after the show. I’m hoping in the future that this manner of planning for two shows on the same day gets ironed out over time, as Capital One Hall is fairly new to the performance circuit.

Through it all, I LOVED getting to experience the brand-new Capital One Hall and hope to see a show there again in the future. I also had a GREAT time catching up with Brianna, Brittany, and their Mom. Here’s to making many more memories very soon!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Experience at Washington, DC Restaurant Week – January 2023

The last time I went to Washington, DC Restaurant Week aka DC Restaurant Week was back in January 2022 and it was very unintentional as it just so happened to coincide when I was meeting some of my best friends Brianna and Brittany for brunch (we went to Farmers Fishers Bakers in Georgetown!). Unfortunately, I missed out on DC Restaurant Week in August 2023, since I had happened to be in Maine and Canada for a much-needed vacation. SO, since I was around this past week, I was able to check out two different restaurants for DC Restaurant Week – January 2023!

DC Restaurant Week lasted from January 16-22, 2023. Participating restaurants on their website could offer brunch, lunch, and dinner with a fixed menu at a fixed price of $35, $45, and $55 for three courses (usually just lunch and dinner). I checked out two restaurants: The Capital Grille (the Fairfax/Fair Lakes location in Virginia!) and Earls (located in Tysons Corner Center in Tysons, Virginia!). Before I get into ALL the details behind my experience at both restaurants, I wanted to make note of the fact that Earls was not participating in DC Restaurant Week, but I wanted to include my experiences here since it was during *yes* DC Restaurant Week. For more information on DC Restaurant Week which will be back for Summer 2023, look no further than here: https://ramw.org/restaurantweek

The Capital Grille:

I went here with my Papa and Aunt Amy, as we do monthly/semi-monthly dinners at local restaurants. Aunt Amy and I decided to treat our very well-deserved Papa to dinner and split the check. The Capital Grille was tough to get a reservation at: I ended up monitoring the DC Restaurant Week site’s participating restaurants like a literal hawk until I saw The Capital Grille get added to the list. And, the moment I saw it on the list, I immediately booked us 3 a reservation (the earliest time we could get in was at 7pm) and well, this was a month in advance too. Tip: SO, moral of the story is to book reservations early for the restaurants you do want to dine at for DC Restaurant Week. Luckily, booking The Capital Grille a month out was well worth it and definitely a great idea. The ambience was amazing and the staff was super friendly ALL around, whether it be the bus boys, waiters, or hostesses.

The food was also amazing, too. The Capital Grille had a fixed 3 course meal for $55/person. The fixed menu also included a choice of 1 of 2 of their signature sides (we ended up ordering 2 more not listed on the fixed menu). They also have an extensive list of cocktails and wines (I tried the Espresso Martini *surprise*). And, well, they also have an incredibly delicious assortment of none other than BREAD (!!!). The fixed menu at The Capital Grille was an amazing deal, as it included their signature filet mignon on its list of entrees which can cost $55+ on its own. On the fixed menu, I got the fields salad as my starter, salmon as my entree, and The Capital Grille’s Signature cheesecake aka my favorite cheesecake ever now (!!!) as my dessert. Papa, Aunt Amy, and I also ordered Brussels sprouts and asparagus a la carte, along with the two sides of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach to share from the fixed Restaurant Week menu.

We had an incredible time at The Capital Grille! The food was delicious, the drinks were great, and the service was impeccable. I found the staff whomever they were to be ultra-friendly and truly go above and beyond what I’d expect anywhere else. The Capital Grille is definitely an occasion restaurant for families and lovers, alike, so the staff ensure that everyone feels special when they walk into the room. Along with the main dining area, The Capital Grille has a gorgeous bar that I am definitely interested in checking out sometime. I *for sure* want to come back and dine at The Capital Grille AND enjoy their cheesecake again!

Earls:

After an afternoon at the theatre aka seeing Hairspray at Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner, Virginia (more on that in a future blog post!!), my best friends Brittany and Brianna and their super sweet Mom and I headed for Earls to enjoy a nice dinner together. Earls is a well-known restaurant in Tysons Corner, Virginia. When we got there, it was pretty loud as a group happy hour was right by where we were seated at their gorgeous bar (1/2 in the restaurant!). That all being said, I was a bit apprehensive of the restaurant at first, but didn’t want to let the loudness of those around me affect my views of my time dining at Earls.

As the night progressed and the happy hour attendees flocked to the other bar, my time at Earls truly began to simply blow me away. The menu at Earls is so so so gorgeous, especially with the golden crest on the menu book’s cover (!!!). To start, I tried their strawberry lemonade which was delicious and treated everyone to the chipotle calamari (which included breaded cauliflower and jalapenos, too). And, for my entree I tried one of their salad/grain bowls and added grilled shrimp to it along with their super delicious clam chowder. Personally, the clam chowder and chipotle calamari were my favorites, and I would have easily just ordered those two only if I were to do it all over again (or go back!).

Just like The Capital Grille, the staff at Earls were super kind and truly went above and beyond. Our waitress was super sweet like everyone else along with the manager who was all smiles and came to say hello to every table of folks who were dining tonight. Everyone was so so so kind which made dining at Earls all that more special!

DC Restaurant Week January 2023 was a memorable weekend for the books. I had a blast getting to dine at two incredible Washington, DC area restaurants and look forward to trying some new-to-me places for future DC Restaurant Weeks!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie!

The remainder of January has been a fun one! On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!!), I’ve been sharing ALL of my January adventures. And, well, let me say this: 2023 is truly starting off with a BANG!

  • DC Restaurant Week: This past weekend, I checked out two restaurants as apart of DC Restaurant Week – The Capital Grille and Earls. It was my second-ever DC Restaurant Week as I went to an unlimited brunch buffet at Farmers Fishers Bakers in Georgetown back in January 2022. My memories at DC Restaurant Week this past weekend were such a blessing to me, as I got to enjoy great company, service, and food. I have always been a sucker for aa nice meal out, as it’s time with loved ones and a great meal in utter ambience. Currently, it is Alexandria Restaurant Week until January 29. Papa and I will be checking out a local favorite of ours: Hometown Bar and Grill in Lorton, Virginia.
  • 3 Trips Over 3 Weekends: The first 3 weekends of my 2023 started off with waking up in a different city. The first weekend, I was in Bethany Beach, Delaware for New Years Eve to visit my Dad and Step Mom at their full-time home. Dad and I took a day trip to the drop dead gorgeous Dutch-inspired town of Lewes, Delaware which is known as the “first town in the first state”! The second weekend, I went to the Philadelphia area to visit my best friend Amanda who lives there. We spent a day out in the Pennsylvania countryside in the Bucks County town of New Hope. We also explored her hometown of Haddonfield, New Jersey the next day. And, last but not least, I went to North Carolina the third weekend. I stayed with my best friend Alanna in her new town of residence: Chapel Hill. Alanna and I strolled throughout Chapel Hill and *even* checked out the iconic Carolina Inn! The next day, we ventured off to Raleigh, North Carolina to enjoy a nice lunch with some of our best friends at the Cape Fear Seafood Company (a place I have ALWAYS wanted to try!!) and celebrate my 3 years as a blogger. Overall, I am SO grateful to have been able to travel for the first 3 weekends of 2023, however, I am super exhausted from it all and happy to stay put and close to home for the next month.
  • Focusing on ME: This 2023, I am striving to focus on ME and only ME. It is sometimes hard when those around me, whether it be close friends or family are in loving relationships and you want that, too. Trust me, one day I do aspire and hope to be in a loving relationship. But, at the same time, I do not want to let my relationship status (or lack thereof) define me today or tomorrow or even next year. I have some very exciting trips, outings around the Washington, DC area, work opportunities, and memories with friends and family to be made this year to focus on. I want to be happy as myself before I ever let someone else into my life. Currently, I am working on learning to LOVE being single (and don’t you, too, my fellow single folks?!) and wrote about it on the blog earlier this month. Read it here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2023/01/11/how-im-learning-to-love-being-single/#/
  • Spring 2023 Trend Report: When Amanda and I were in New Hope, Pennsylvania at a boutique, the lady working there came up to me after noticing my ALL pink outfit that Barbie pink AND Kelly green are the it colors for Spring 2023! As someone who is a major Lilly Pulitzer lover and a sucker for pink and Kelly green, her remarks made my year. I am SO excited to be able to rock pink and Kelly green this Spring and Summer with it being super trendy (although I am not a big follower of all trends and would rather get behind wearing clothing that I love and not what is considered “in” or “out”) and embracing it!
  • Two Musicals in 48 Hours: Yes, you heard that right – I saw two musicals in 48 hours this past weekend!!! I feel SO lucky to live in a city like Washington, DC where so many musicals that I LOVE come every so often on tour. A fun fact about me is that I was fortunate enough to study abroad in London, England where just about every night I saw a different show in the city’s iconic West End (aka London’s equivalent of New York City’s Broadway!). Wicked was the first show I saw at The Kennedy Center where many shows come on tour to Washington, DC each year. I saw Wicked *pretty close* to the front row in London and just knew I had to see it on tour in Washington, DC! Wicked was SO well-done just like Hairspray on tour – the second show I saw in 48 hours – at Capital One Hall with my best friends Brianna, Brittany, and their super sweet Mom. Read more about my experience at Wicked here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2023/01/24/i-saw-wicked-at-the-kennedy-center/#/

Here’s to continuing to enjoying February 2023 and beyond!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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I Saw Wicked at The Kennedy Center!

I have always LOVED the meaningful storyline behind Wicked! Not only is it portrayed in the iconic musical that I got to see live just recently, but it is also portrayed in-depth in the books. My good friend Brittany reads the Wicked book and has learned SO much more than what is shown on the stage and it is all SO NEAT. I went on a solo date (which by the way EVERYONE should do this every so often!!) to see Wicked at The Kennedy Center just a few nights before it closed on January 22, 2023. I had an amazing time seeing Wicked live for the second time since seeing it at West End when I studied abroad in London in July 2018.

On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I shared ALL of my recent adventures (which I will be posting about *very soon*, too!) along with watching Wicked on tour. Wicked on tour was the first this weekend of many super fun recent adventures. It was really fun to see after almost 5 years when I saw it at London’s West End. 5 years ago, I was in a very different place than I was now. I have grown and learned so much over the past 5 years and I’m SO SO SO proud of myself for my own personal growth, too. In London even while studying abroad and knowing the transit system there and being able to navigate it on my own, I was *still* super nervous to do things by myself. Needless to say, 5 years ago, I didn’t feel comfortable by myself and with myself – sad but true. However, 5 years later, now I do and I even saw Wicked by myself: something I *just* wouldn’t have done when in London. You can read more about my London adventures while studying abroad, especially if you’re planning a trip there here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2020/09/05/my-study-abroad-experience-in-london/

***Photos of me seeing Wicked for the first time at London’s West End – July 2018!

I have LOVED getting to go visit The Kennedy Center over the past few months. There is SO MUCH to see here at this extraordinary fine and performing arts center. The Kennedy Center serves as much more than a theatre for performances that come from all across the world for fellow Washingtonians to see. A few months ago, back in October 2022, I went solo to see Hamilton the Musical on tour live at The Kennedy Center, too. I, then, saw a Frozen in Concert singalong with the National Symphony Orchestra over Thanksgiving 2022 weekend. And, in September 2022, my Papa and I took a visit to the then-brand-new John F. Kennedy (JFK) permanent exhibit on the top floor *and* to check out the iconic rooftop terrace. Read them all here:

So, a fun fact about The Kennedy Center is that if you are sick or there is inclement weather the day of your scheduled event there, they will transfer your tickets to another date of your choosing. ALL you have to do is contact the box office and they will be happy to help. Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well on my initially-scheduled date to see Wicked. BUT, luckily, the box office transferred me to the day that I went recently AND got me a better seat with a better view. ALL I had to do was pay the difference between the cost of the initial ticket to the one that I booked through the box office. The box office was GREAT and super helpful! I ended up in the same section that I booked (Tier 2 Balcony), but was in the center part of it rather than the left or right. My views were impeccable!!

I arrived at The Kennedy Center pretty early (at least an hour early) and was able to successfully get to my seat and purchase the souvenir book from the gift shop before the crowds started pouring in. My best friend Brianna went to see Wicked with her family not once but twice and loved it. Brianna told me to get there early, too, so thanks to her! The night of the show, the weather was super foggy and rainy, so I opted to Uber there rather than Metro and take the free shuttle that The Kennedy Center offers from the nearest Foggy Bottom Metro Station to there, as I’m not one to drive into the city. The people sitting by me were super friendly, which made my experience all that more special!! Through it all, because I saw Wicked, I *truly* felt changed for the better!

I am definitely looking forward to another solo date at The Kennedy Center. Performances such as The Lion King and Into The Woods will be coming in 2023 as the year progresses. It seriously is a GREAT way to relax and sincerely take myself and only myself out on a nice date!

XOXO – Katie <3

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A Visit to The Carolina Inn

It’s CRAZY to think that I went to college just a mere 30 minutes away from The Carolina Inn, yet I had never been! During my college years, I only went to Chapel Hill, North Carolina a handful of times (mostly my Freshmen year of college) as I was primarily in my college town of Raleigh, North Carolina. However, when one of my best friends Alanna moved to Chapel Hill within the past year, I knew that I wanted to take the chance to visit the iconic Carolina Inn!!

On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), one of my blogger and Instagram friends over the past 3 years of Liz of @palmettos_and_pineapples (go follow her!!!) has posted a few times about visiting The Carolina Inn. Liz inspired me to make a visit to The Carolina Inn AND further made me want to add it to my *never-ending* bucket list. At the same time, I am so glad that I got to explore a bit of Chapel Hill with Alanna, too. We visited the well-known Sup Dogs on Franklin Street (the University of Kentucky VS University of Tennessee game was on while we were having lunch!), got coffee at Epilogue Books right next door to Sup Dogs, and enjoyed some gorgeous murals along Franklin Street. I had a great time overall!!

The Carolina Inn is owned by Hyatt and costs upwards of $400-$500 to stay at per night (think The Greenbrier in West Virginia pricing). It is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina: the college town of the well-known University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (UNC). A fun feature of The Carolina Inn is its colors, including its logo of UNC’s trademarked color “Carolina Blue”. The Carolina Inn also has a few restaurants that are a bit pricey to eat at. I considered eating there, but for both Alanna’s and I’s budgets, we opted to do what many come to do that visit The Carolina Inn: come see what it’s ALL about! Luckily for us, we were able to enjoy the gorgeous hotel’s environment without even paying a penny. The halls at The Carolina Inn are gorgeous and filled with cabinets of china that plays homages to its native state of North Carolina, portraits of all of the Presidents (both current and former) of the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and gorgeous printed tiled floors. The lobby was stunning, too!

While in Chapel Hill, Alanna and I were able to admire The Carolina Inn at all sides of the street. It is a beautiful hotel, and I hope to be able to visit again when it’s a bit warmer. Needless to say, the winter season makes *just about* everything look and feel a little bit more drab than usual! Alanna’s roommate told us while we were back at Alanna’s house (which is just a short walk away from the iconic North Carolina hotel) that The Carolina Inn hosts fun Friday Night activities for families and community members, including food, games, and live music. They even *indeed* have heaters in the cooler months! I would LOVE to be able to enjoy a Friday night at The Carolina Inn AND take some photos in front of what appeared to be a gorgeous floral display in the warmer months (it was wayyy too cold to take photos outside this time around).

Overall, I feel really grateful that I was able to get some quality time with Alanna and *finally* check seeing The Carolina Inn off of my bucket list!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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3 Years a Blogger!

Flash forward to Summer 2019 and I was dreaming of starting my own blog. I had followed some pretty incredible bloggers (some of which I am friends with today!) that helped inspire me to start my own journey as a blogger. Three years later, I am proudly sitting here today having been a blogger here on my The Pink Chickadee platform since January 15, 2020. Since that January 15, 2020, I have been featured on the social media pages of the likes of Starbucks, Scout Bags, Stay Arlington, The DC Blogger Union, Visit Lewes, and Stoney Clover Lane. I have been lucky enough to have collaborated with Panera Bread, Shapermint, Glitter & Daisies, VIVAIA, Reserve Pass, Shop Navy Bleu, OPI, Exlura, The Inspiration Co, and MANY MORE! At the same time, I have been thankful enough to call some of my fellow preppy fashion influencers, bloggers, and small business owners alike some of my best friends. Sitting here today in January 2023, I did not expect any of this to have happened with my platform. I am beyond grateful, thankful, and blessed to be where I am today. And guess what?! YOU have helped make all this magic happen here at The Pink Chickadee. So, thank YOU!

Confession: I had my own blog called Katie’s Runway Report/The Chic back in middle school and high school, another one called Tales of a High School Fashionista in *surprise* high school (!!!), and *yet* another blog called Katie’s Closet Blog in my later high school/college years. However, although I had dipped my toes a bit into the blogging world, I knew that I wanted to start from scratch and create my own rather long-term blog and platform to have that would be solely mine. I had suffered a major heart break back in the early Fall 2019 semester which really compelled my interest in having my own blog. I wanted something that was only mine. In North Carolina where I was for college, many of my classmates were falling in love and finding even their now-husbands and wives. It was rough, but I knew that I wanted something of my own for the long-term haul.

When I started The Pink Chickadee, I was beyond anxious to put myself out there as I had been on social media. It was scary. I was then a Junior in college who was well-known amongst my classmates and in my college community, as a committee member on multiple committees, my Lilly Pulitzer outfits on a regular occasion, and my big social circle (which has evolved since graduation). I had a launch party for my platform on January 15, 2020 and I remember my blog launching 4 hours before I had planned it to due to having my WordPress platform set to British timezones – LOLLLL!!! I was SO nervous when my blog had launched and was just jumping into the blogger world. Read more about my launch party here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2020/01/18/the-pink-chickadees-launch-party/

Flash forward to today and I have come A LONG WAY. I have coded and re-coded and re-coded my website on many occasions and created a platform here on The Pink Chickadee that I am proud of. In the past 3 years since I started blogging, the world of an influencer/blogger has changed like crazy and has become quite overwhelming at times. However, through it all, I strive to be myself and share what I want to share and keep it at that, whether it be the types of content that I share and content. Through it all, I think it is SO important as a blogger to just do YOU and always be YOU. 3 years in the making and I am SO excited to see what is to come here on The Pink Chickadee!

***A special thanks to my best friends Alanna, Bree, Chandler, Claire, Hannah, Kearra, and Rachel for coming out on my Blogaversary to celebrate me and 3 years of The Pink Chickadee!! Without y’all’s and many more friends’ and family’s support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Thank you all for your tremendous support over the past 3 years. And, the best part is?! The best is yet to come! Here’s to many more years!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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6 Hours in New Hope, Pennsylvania

I have ALWAYS been a big fan of visiting tiny, charming, and historic towns. In September 2019, I visited Charleston, South Carolina and fell *in love* with the entire city that echoes Southern historic charm at every turn. Similarly speaking, I went to the charming AND historic Lewes, Delaware – also known as the first town in the first state – over my New Years Eve weekend. Lewes is Dutch-inspired and A LOT smaller than Charleston, but it still has so much charm and history to it. The same goes for Harpers Ferry, West Virginia which I visited with my best friend Bree back in June of 2022. Through it all, I have fallen in love with the charm that historic towns bring. Hence, they have become a favorite of mine to visit!! SO, when my best friend Amanda and I decided to skip our usual weekend visit to her home just outside of Philadelphia in the city to check out New Hope, Pennsylvania, I knew it was a must-go!!!

To read about my adventures to other historic and charming towns/cities, look no further than here:

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

A fun fact about me is that up until I was 8, I lived in Pennington, New Jersey just about 20 minutes away from the gorgeous town of New Hope, Pennsylvania. After moving away from New Jersey, I came back frequently to mainly visit friends and family who live in either Pennington or New Hope or nearby Doylestown, Pennsylvania. I fell in love with the town of New Hope throughout my years of visiting both family and friends. Yet, I never got the experience to simply explore New Hope without family or other commitments looming over my head. This time around, Amanda and I went to downtown New Hope which is a town connected by a driving/foot bridge to Lambertville, New Jersey located across the Delaware River and to Peddler’s Village for an ice sculpture festival. Read more about the bridge between New Hope and Lambertville here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2022/06/28/the-foot-bridge-in-pennsylvania-and-new-jersey/#/

Getting there: New Hope, Pennsylvania is located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and is best to drive to get to. A LOT of Bucks County requires driving through hilly and windy roads that are gorgeous at every turn, so taking Ubers would definitely add up. New Hope is just over 45 minutes of a drive from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and just under a half hour drive from Trenton, New Jersey. If flying, then it is easiest to fly into Philadelphia and if you take the train, then is it best to arrive at either Trenton or Philadelphia (depending on where else you plan to go if any other place, but definitely Trenton is best if just to New Hope). New Hope/Lambertville makes for a nice weekend getaway from Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, and even Washington, DC.

About New Hope: New Hope is located along the Delaware River which divides New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As previously mentioned, on the other side of New Hope just across the Delaware River is the town of Lambertville, New Jersey. You can even step foot in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey at the same time which we *of course!!!* did. Just up the road minutes away from New Hope is Washington’s Crossing, Pennsylvania where *yes* former President George Washington crossed the Delaware River at Christmas time during the Revolutionary War. New Hope is notorious for its riverside dining, eclectic shopping, historic charm, scenic views, thriving LGBTQ+ scene, and impressive theater via the Bucks County Playhouse. According to Visit Pennsylvania, “New Hope is a small town with a big city feel”: something I noticed when I was there on many occasions. Additionally, New Hope has been named one of “America’s Favorite Towns” by Travel + Leisure. Last but not least, it’s fun to note that celebrities such as Gigi Hadid and Tina Fey call or have once called gorgeous New Hope home. Celebrity sightings anyone?!

While in New Hope, Amanda and I walked around the gorgeous town. We did not do any activities in particular except for crossing the foot bridge into New Jersey and checking out the eclectic shopping scene. In recent years, the Ferry Market opened up in New Hope – similar to Union Market in Washington, DC as its a mini dining hall full of small businesses. I treated Amanda and I to some coffee and a pastry. We, then, explored the scenic waterfront views of the Delaware River alongside the iconic Bucks County Playhouse which has performances all throughout the year. Afterwards, Amanda and I walked by the only pink house/building in town where we snapped a few photos aka one of my blogger photoshoot bucket list items of mine (!!!). We also saw the historical Carriage House in town AND snapped a few photos there, too. A lot of the buildings in downtown New Hope are being/have been renovated including the Logan Inn (it has an urban, New York City feel to it) and an old cathedral turned steakhouse (something that I want to try on a future trip with family!!). New Hope is definitely gorgeous and has SO much charm to offer!

After we explored a bit of downtown New Hope, Amanda and I headed for the nearby Peddler’s Village. Peddler’s Village is a shopping and dining district in New Hope that is just about 10 minutes from downtown (sorry – no waterfront views here). The BEST part about Peddler’s Village is that it offers some historical charm and feels to it throughout the whole little village. It, indeed, feels like a village!! What Peddler’s Village had when we went to visit was ice sculptures spread throughout the village. Practically every store had its own ice sculpture outside of it AND the Christmas lights were still up for all to enjoy in a magical Winter wonderland kind of way. Here, Amanda and I checked out the shops but didn’t stay for dinner as it was packed and hard to get a table there and *out of all things and days* there was a gorgeous outdoor wedding in the midst of ALL the crowds. But, through it all, I had a blast being able to get time with Amanda and enjoy some Winter Wonderland magic!

I have always loved being able to explore New Hope, Pennsylvania. New Hope and all of Bucks County for that matter is absolutely stunning. I feel extremely blessed to have family and friends nearby this extraordinary historical town and county, too. Til next time, New Hope!

XOXO – Katie <3

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How I Save on Coffee Table Books!

A quick search on Amazon will show that most coffee table books cost around $20 upwards of $100 or even more. While pretty and excellent for decoration, coffee table books come at a hefty price tag. On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I recently shared photos of my coffee table, which includes several gorgeous books. The best part?! It did not cost me even a mere $50 to top off my coffee table!

*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.*

Back in October, I purchased a few new furniture items, including my gorgeous gold and clear glass coffee table. As a recent college graduate, it is hard to buy new furniture when initially starting out. SO, it was finally about time that I get a new and gorgeous coffee table which I can have for years to come. I knew that when I purchased my coffee table that I wanted to add some beautiful coffee table books to deck it out. Pinterest has inspired me to deck it out gorgeously, too!! Shop my coffee table here: https://rstyle.me/+6UqQUnBia1u2H_Ax-E29mg

Thrift stores – This is the NUMBER 1 place that I have looked for coffee table books! While it is hit or miss as to what you will find on any given day (I like to see it as a treasure hunt!!), the prices of any given book at a thrift store can be as cheap as a couple of coins. There are so many unique finds and gems, too. In addition to a few books, I also got a gorgeous straw weave lidded basket and a rattan tray (both for under $5 each!) to add some more gorgeous decorations to my coffee table. My biggest piece of advice with thrifting is to be as open as possible when going, as you NEVER KNOW what you will find.

Use old books and magazines – We ALL probably have a few books or magazines that we saved from year’s past. Whether it be in storage, a childhood bedroom, or just sitting on a book shelf, some of those old books and magazines can look gorgeous on a coffee table whatever the vibe of it may be that you’re going for. Case in point: I had an old book on late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld that is currently on my coffee table, the same goes for an old copy of Vogue magazine. Additionally, I used a scrapbook of mine from Kate Spade that looks like a book to top my coffee table off, too!

Travel souvenirs – Surprisingly so, I had found that little books on big places that I have visited come at a rather tiny price tag and bring special memories to any coffee table. I have a magazine which I purchased for 1 Euro at the Gucci Garden in Florence sitting on mine. The same exact stack as the Gucci Garden magazine also contains a program from when I saw Wicked at London’s West End. I also have a mini book from my trip Paris sitting on my rattan shelf in my living area. Needless to say, books, programs, and magazines from our travels can bring SO MUCH memories and an even more special meaning to a coffee table at no cost to you.

The Dollar Tree – Surprisingly so, I have seen some pretty great books for only $1.25 at *none other than* The Dollar Tree! The books that The Dollar Tree sells, just like the thrift store are hit or miss, but it’s the luck of the draw. I have found SO MANY cute books at The Dollar Tree and ALWAYS strive to check out the book section when I go. One of my coffee table books on New York Fashion Week is from there! While some books may not be super well-known or mainstream, they can also be super cute and make for a great coffee table addition (or two!).

Browse sites like Target, Amazon, and Walmart or go to Home Goods for deals! – Although Amazon and Target and Walmart carry coffee table books at a rather hefty cost when you add it all up, they can sometimes mark down some adorable books! I usually recommend that purchases be made on these sites ONLY when looking for specific books or when seeing a cute book of interest at a great price. One day, I looked up Reese Witherspoon’s Whiskey in a Teacup *ONLY* to find it on clearance on Target’s website. I’ve also found some super cute Kate Spade books at Home Goods, too, and *just maybe* added one to my coffee table!

I’ve linked some of my coffee table items (that I could find!) below to both give you some inspiration to thrift/search your stash of old books, magazines, and souvenirs and for your shopping pleasure!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie!

New year, same ‘The Life of Katie” blog posts coming your way – LOL! Well, it’s my first blog post of 2023! My new year kicked off with a bang, as my Papa and I went to visit my Dad, Step Mom, brother Will, and their Yorkie Ginger at their home in Bethany Beach, Delaware. We all had a nice dinner (with champagne!) at the gorgeous Shorebreak Lodge in nearby Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and then went to sleep and, well, woke up and it was 2023. I hope y’all had an AMAZING jump into the new year as I’m feeling that it’ll be a good one for me. And, as always, here are some updates into *none other than* the life of Katie!!

  • My new favorite cocktail – The other day, Papa and I went on our *final* Christmas-y outing of the 2022 season: to National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. National Harbor is located right across the Woodrow Wilson bridge (the bridge separating Virginia and Maryland via the Potomac River – I think) on the Maryland side with many fun shops, restaurants, the gorgeous and iconic Gaylord Hotel, waterfront views, and the also iconic Capital Wheel aka a ferris wheel. Well, while we were at National Harbor this time around, we went to one of Papa’s favorites: McCormick & Schmidt’s where I got to enjoy an espresso martini! And, let me just say that it has recently become my new favorite cocktail!!! I even ordered one while in Delaware the next day. Here’s to MANY more espresso martinis in 2023!
  • A day trip to Lewes, Delaware – While on our New Year’s trip to Delaware, Dad and I took a day trip to Lewes, Delaware: the first town in the first state. Lewes is a very gorgeous Dutch-inspired town alongside the Delaware coast. Dad and I walked around the main downtown streets, admired the Dutch-inspiration within the building’s architecture, checked out some shops, and enjoyed a nice lunch at the Hotel Rodney. One of the town’s shops has an old, replica flag of the 13 colonies of the United States – HOW neat is that?! It was super nice to be able to get some quality time with my Dad, and I hope to explore some of the museums that Lewes has to offer on a future Delaware visit.
  • My first thrifting haul of 2023 – 2023 kicked off with a thrift haul where I *just* practically purchased some new pieces for my Spring 2023 wardrobe. I went to Bee Thrifty, located off of 123/Ox Road in Woodbridge, Virginia – the SAME thrift store that my fellow Instagram bestie Stephanie of @slythestlylist loves, too (we plan to shop here together, too sometime!!). I got some great finds too – pieces came from J Crew, Talbots, Banana Republic, Trina Turk, and Vera Bradley – AND a discount. I also got some home decorations, too. I am striving to shop less in 2023, but have set aside a budget for the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale (which is *hopefully* very very soon!!) and took it from that.
  • Taking Rosie to the beach – To end our Delaware New Year’s trip, we went to the Bethany Beach boardwalk. While there, Papa and I just happened to walk in on a New Year’s Day 5K. It was fun, yet chaotic to see, but we made it to the beach after crossing through the 5K finish line *of ALLL things* and survived in one piece. Rosie had A BLAST on the beach, and many memories were made amongst me and Papa and Rosie, too!
  • Upcoming January 2023 travels and beyond – I have so many exciting travel plans for 2023! As of right now, I am going on two weekend trips in January: one to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Haddonfield, New Jersey to visit my best friend Amanda and another to Raleigh, North Carolina and Chapel Hill, North Carolina to see some of my best college friends. Beyond January, I am planning to see family in New Jersey/Pennsylvania, visit Kentucky with my Mom, and a few other exciting places that I have yet to announce! Stay tuned!!!

Here’s to a GREAT 2023 for us all. May this year be filled with joy and happiness for each and every one of us. 2020, 2021, and 2022 weren’t my favorite years, so I’m hoping and pretty optimistic that 2023 may just be my year. I know that 2023 will not be the year for everyone, but I hope that each of us remembers to see the good in it all. Here’s to making many new memories with loved ones. Happy New Year!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale January 2023!

Hey y’all & happy almost-Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale time!!! The Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale is like my own personal version of the Super Bowl (because, yes – I avoid watching the Super Bowl LOL!). It is filled with happy carts, happy clothing, and lots of great bargains that are rarely to be seen in the glorious Lilly Pulitzer world. However, the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale, while it is pretty great, can have its fair share of not-so great moments too. In today’s blog post, I am going to be spilling ALLL the tea on the upcoming Sunshine Sale January 2023!

The Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale January 2023 will begin Thursday, January 5th at approximately 8am and end Friday, January 6th at 11:59pm. Historically speaking, the Sunshine Sale has been on a Monday-Tuesday so this year is a new excitement! The Sunshine Sale will only be online, so that ALL Lilly Pulitzer lovers get a chance to shop. For more information, look no further than the Lilly Pulitzer Sale page: https://www.lillypulitzer.com/sale-faq/sale-faq.html

*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.*

To shop anything and everything in the sale or on the Lilly Pulitzer site for that matter, please feel free to use the following link. As always, I greatly appreciate every ounce of support that y’all give me: https://rstyle.me/+b5MxQf22i-AB4Id6xtsYRg

If you don’t know, the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale (formerly known as the After Party Sale) is Lilly Pulitzer’s biannual sale. It typically happens every January and September for only A FEW DAYS. Lilly Pulitzer does not have a sale section on their website (only in stores which can be hit or miss) which is something unique about the brand, making their sales SO MUCH more exciting and special. It is primarily online and has been in recent years due to COVID-19, yet many Lilly Pulitzer boutiques and Signature Stores do offer early access over the weekends in stores before the sale launches online. Many of Lilly Pulitzer’s Signature Stores and Zappos (sometimes Belk, too!) offer sales online (those that have websites, though) starting at midnight the day of, so definitely stay up for that! Other Signature Stores offer shipping at a flat fee when you call their storefront during the duration of the sale to purchase – THIS can be a great way to purchase from a Signature Store (which ALL are small businesses) while sometimes *EVEN* getting a product you wanted from the sale which could be out of stock online before you get a chance to shop. Check out several of Lilly Pulitzer’s Signature Stores and their websites, which I list in this blog post here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2021/11/20/preppy-small-businesses-to-support-this-holiday-season/

Lilly Pulitzer’s Sunshine Sale is an experience to not be missed. Personally, I prefer to shop online as I am NOT a fan of the big crowds and long lines which may come with shopping in-store the weekend before. However, I DID get the amazing opportunity to shop the Sunshine Sale in-store in September 2022 (the most recent Sunshine Sale) at The Pink Crab in Annapolis. The ladies at The Pink Crab were SOOOO sweet and made my shopping experience one that I look back on and smile about to this day. Though I did shop in-store once during the Sunshine Sale, I have yet to experience the typical crowds that come with shopping it this way. But, on the other hand, as someone who primarily works from home, I get so giddy to wake up at 8am on a Monday morning to shop and then get going on my work without the Monday blue’s. Sometimes, I *even* shop the drops the next day(s) during the Sunshine Sale, too. It is just such an exciting time!

While I won’t dedicate this blog post to writing a bunch of tips about the Sunshine Sale, I will share some blog posts that I wrote in years past that include TONS of Sunshine Sale tips that are still pretty relevant to this day! I will say, though, that my biggest piece of advice is to be open-minded about what may be in the sale. I know many people who have made lists for the things that they want in the Sunshine Sale, which can either be a good or bad thing. I have also seen people being given the wrong package during the Sunshine Sale (especially in September 2022 – tons of complaints on Lilly Lovers Facebook groups!) so BEWARE and MINDFUL. In the meantime, you can read my previous Sunshine Sale blog posts, including several tips (!!!), here:

In the meantime, happy shopping!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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