What I Wish I Knew About Self Love Sooner

I went to an all-women’s college in North Carolina for my undergraduate years. While it was one the BEST decisions that I ever made in my life, it also brought up a lot of struggles of mine that were to come. One of the biggest struggles that I faced in college was watching many of my classmates date and get engaged and eventually married and start families of their own while in college. I remained single for most of my college years and yearned for a college love story of my own. I dreaded the idea of dating after college and even started to resent those of mine from college who happened to find somebody great for them during their college years. I had dreamed of going off to college, meeting my special someone, and then starting our lives together after we graduated. That is what 18 year old Katie wanted so so so bad. However, that is FAR from what 23 year old Katie got 2 years post-college graduation. However, 23 year old Katie today has learned A LOT about self love when it comes to dating that I truly wish I had learned and listened to others saying to me sooner.

Currently, I am single AND fabulous!!! I am *almost* 24 years old and praying that I do not end up in a quarter century life crisis LOL and striving to be a good friend, coworker, family member, Dog Mom, and much more. That is my ultimate goal at this moment is to better myself for myself and myself only. Now, that does not mean that one day I won’t date or end up married. In fact, I would LOVE to ultimately get married to the love of my life someday, but it is something that I feel takes time and is not something I am rushing or searching for. At the end of the day, I am content on my own and can support myself through thick and thin, whether or not I am in a relationship.

I live in a big metropolitan area – *just* outside of Washington, DC to be exact – and, well, every time I close my front door and head towards the city, I overhear a group of girls my age discussing some sort of dating issue in their lives. Every time. I used to be that girl, too. I wanted a relationship so so so bad. I tried the dating apps, dating friends, and dating classmates from college. However, none of them worked out in me meeting the love of my life. A quest to find love for myself usually ended up in LOTS of heartbreak and sadness in what I had hoped I would have. And I remember getting REALLY irritated during those times of heartbreak when those around me who love me would simply say “focus on yourself”. As annoyed as I was then, focusing on yourself is one of the most important things that you can do for you in the long run.

Seemingly happy couples getting married and having kids and embarking on homeownership and celebrating huge milestones on our social media feeds pretty often, the constant bombarding of ads for dating apps including success stories of couples who met on the app and the apps trying to get you to make an account, dating shows showcasing unconventional ways to date/get married (yes, I am *even* alluding to my favorite The Bachelor in this category), and family and friends getting engaged and married before us makes it SO easy to just want a relationship. The desire for a relationship 10000% makes us lose sight of pretty great things in life, including ourselves and what we want. In recent times, I have been working a lot on myself and trying to work through some things that cause me pain to only make me into a better person. I am also becoming more and more content with who I am as a person. I am falling head over heels in love with myself. And, the more I am loving myself, the less I am worried about dating and relationships.

There are also some people in my life that I know would make great life partners for someone else or have even been interested in me. In the past, I used to want to pursue someone for the sole purpose of them wanting to pursue me. Because, *surprise* I really wanted a relationship. Now, as I work on myself and love myself, the more I want someone else who checks all of the boxes off on my mental list of what I want in a partner. And, when I refer to a mental list of things that I want in a partner, I am NOT talking about stupid things that are nit picky, but rather big things and aspirations in my life that I hope my future spouse is on the same page with, too. And, the more I work on myself, the more I realize that while I may be attracted to someone and vice versa, that does not mean that they are the right person for me in the long term. As one of my coworkers says “the less forced a relationship feels, the more right it will be”. Indeed, that is true the more I work on myself and realize that wanting a relationship REALLY bad with fear of being alone or not being content with yourself or able to be on your own and content with it is a red flag from anybody. It’s one thing to want a relationship but know you can live without it, but it is another to feel like you have to have it and cannot be single and alone. Enjoy time with yourself and be content with yourself. Never lower your standards for someone else either!

The more I work on myself and focus on my own needs and desires, the more I am aligning myself with meeting the right person for me, even if ultimately that person is me. The fear of being alone is a real and scary fear that I have felt, but is the most liberating fear to overcome. Along with working on loving myself and striving to manifest the right person for me eventually, I am also manifesting my own incredible tribe of friends who are also my soulmates in their own unique ways. Dating isn’t everything at the end of the day. Our friends and family will always have our backs in our quests to find love within ourselves and those around us. It’s a gift that I treasure being that relationships take all sorts of beautiful forms.

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie!

Long time, NO life of Katie! It, indeed, feels like centuries (well, January 25 to be exact) since I last wrote a life of Katie blog post! A lot has happened in my life since January 25, 2023 which is ALMOST 3 months ago both personally and professionally, including: experiencing an evening hit and run by a bus after a dinner with a friend and grocery shopping, taking trips to Raleigh, North Carolina and Carlisle, Pennsylvania and Louisville, Kentucky, having two visits from friends visit me for my second-ever National Cherry Blossom Festival as a Washington, DC area professional, commemorating first-time and 100th+ time reunions with several friends and family members, chopping off my hair into a lob, helping to coordinate an International Women’s Day panel event at my company with others in my company, starting to work in the health market full-time at my company (as opposed to defense and health markets), and continuing to work on myself and grow personally in a multitude of different ways. Needless to say, the life of Katie has been a whirlwind of both highs and lows, yet, through it all, I have become stronger and more self-aware.

***Photos on a day trip to City Center, Washington DC

As always, I view life as an everlasting cycle of one working on themselves. I didn’t view life this way up until within the past year, and I see this newly developed perspective of mine as such a gift. And *of course* as promised, here are some updates into the Life of Katie:

  • Thrifting – In the past 3 months, I have gone thrifting more than I ever have in the past! While in April I am thrifting less than I did in both February and March and well shopping in general beyond things I need, I did have a blast finding some extraordinary name-brand items that I would have paid hundreds for otherwise. Most items I get at the thrift store I get for under $15! The name brand items I have found since January 25 include a Coach logo handbag, Gretchen Scott dress, Vineyard Vines shorts, Maeve dress, Kate Spade crossbody handbag, Vera Bradley scarf, Lilly Pulitzer mug, Tory Burch blouse, North Carolina (my college state!) hand-painted tin plate, Jack Rogers sandals, Lilly Pulitzer scarf, and Talbots cardigan. I have bought wayyyy too much (hence why I am cutting back on shopping a bit!), but I am really happy with what I have scored and am enjoying what I have now.
  • Overcoming Trauma – Last Spring and Summer, I had a few *very* strange interactions that made me super uncomfortable from those that it should not have come from. It took me a LONG time to process these interactions as they made me feel scared, traumatized, and overly anxious. I didn’t even want to do things locally as a result of fear of more of these interactions. But, as I worked a lot more on myself, the more I realized that these people who were the source of these interactions were 1/1,000,000+ people in my area and even the world and that there is SO MUCH good around me. I’ve started to focus on the good more and learn more and grow as a person. That self-growth allowed me to both process and overcome this trauma that I had from those uncomfortable interactions and be able to better set limits for myself moving forward.
  • Old Lady Spring/Summer – I am truly striving to enjoy the sunshine more so this year! On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I shared a bit about how this year Hot Girl Spring/Summer is now Old Lady Spring/Summer!! With Old Lady Spring/Summer, I am home by 8pm every night, enjoying my wine on the back porch, staying at home and binge watching my favorite shows, and breaking out allll the florals and chunky knit cardigans (heat permitting!). My friend a few weeks back asked me if I was wanting to couple up or enjoy Hot Girl Summer, and, well, she inspired me to respond with the fact that I am parttaking in Old Lady Spring/Summer!!
  • Travel – Since January 25, I have traveled to North Carolina, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and done a few day trips close to home in Virginia and Washington, DC. Needless to say, all this travel both near and far has been such a highlight for me!!! It has been so special to spend time with friends who come to visit me and I come to visit them and to hang with those who live close to me too and aren’t a 4 hour+ car ride or plane ride away. Travel has always been a special thing for me and having those I love be apart of it and the cultural learning and awareness that has come too makes it even more special. I have a few maybe a lot of trips planned for this Summer and even Fall and some in 2024 and I couldn’t be happier to do them with those that I love. I feel extremely blessed to be able to have such incredible friends and family members who hype me up and vice versa. It truly is a gift.
  • Healthy Lifestyle – Recently, I have started eating healthier. It has been a whirlwind of fear and emotions that have gone into my decision to start diving into a healthier lifestyle, but it has been worth it in the end. Before I made the choice of healthy living, I was always tired and it was making me feel sick and negatively affecting my mental health. I cut out sugar from all of my drinks (including coffee), refuse to eat much sugar, strive to use painkillers a lot less and choose more natural pain relievers, and avoid fried foods more often than not. Needless to say, I feel A LOT better physically and mentally. Feeling better helps us to be our best selves!!

Life has been a whirlwind since my last life of Katie blog post, but everything since then has helped shape me into who I’m meant to become.

XOXO – Katie <3

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3 New Empowering Things I Am Doing This Spring

Spring is time for a fresh start. Whether it be the longer days, warmer weather, or fresher air, Spring days are some of the best days in my mind! Spring can also be a great time to try some new and empowering things. Today, I am going to share 3 new empowering things that I am doing this Spring. New season, more self growth, love, and empowerment!

***All photos from a recent solo outing to the US Botanic Garden, which offers several floral displays and gardens practically year-round.

1 – Solo outings: Sometimes, one of the most empowering things that we can do is to do things on our own. The other night, I was meeting my friend Shivani for dinner and drinks in Arlington around 7:30pm after she got out of class. In the week leading up to Shivani’s and I’s meet up, I kept seeing photos of the tulips at the US Botanic Garden right by the US Capitol Building EVERYWHERE on Instagram. And, well, my first thought was: why don’t I go see the tulips …. by myself?! It can be daunting to do something on our own at times, but it was such a nice feeling to simply get outside and do something for me and only me. I genuinely wanted to see the tulips alongside one of our nation’s most prominent monuments, so I did it! At the same time, I happened to catch the tulips and the US Capitol Building at golden hour which was STUNNING. The next day, I hung by a local pond near my house for an hour – it was so nice. I definitely want to plan more nights like the one I just had and will!

2 – Saying “no” to things I am either genuinely not interested in or it simply would take away from my time to recharge: One of the most powerful things that we can do as humans is to simply say “no”. In my high school and college years, I used to say “yes” to everything. Saying “yes” back in those days for me meant that I would be more so pleasing others and in the end maybe not even pleasing myself. My best friend Haley does something super incredible and I have given her kudos for it too: she says no to things because she is not interested or doesn’t want to spend money on it. How empowering is that? I look up to Haley in SO many ways, but the way she sets herself up to do what she wants to do with her time is such an incredible thing. The other day, I told my friend James that I did not want to go to Old Town Alexandria with him one night. I did not go because I needed the night off to recharge NOT because I didn’t want to go or see him, as James is a great friend of mine. I simply needed the time off to recharge. I’m proud of myself for setting that limit and I got nothing but applause from James. He is a blessing to have as a friend. Saying “no” is needed at times and is such an empowering thing to say.

3 – Not feeling bad for doing things that make sense for me and only me: I sometimes feel guilt if I accept a more social-related work invite but decide ultimately not to show. Somedays, on the day of those events, something else pops up in my personal or professional life or I simply need the time to recharge/am feeling “off” mentally. To myself and to you: there is NO need to justify or feel bad for any of those things. Life happens – that is just that. At the same time, I sometimes would feel sad if I’m single now when I could attempt to go on some dates or try a dating app or feel I’m missing out on social opportunities by living with my Papa as opposed to my peers. However, the fact that I am choosing to be single and work on myself makes the most sense for me right now. Does that mean I won’t ever date somebody or get married in the future? Not at all – the possibilities are endless. The same idea goes for living with my Papa. I LOVE living with my Papa and the time we have with our loved ones is limited, no matter their age. I would prefer to savor those special memories with Papa. And, guess what?! It makes the MOST sense for me. Doing what makes sense for me may not make sense for somebody else. That is OKAY. I’m going to choose what makes sense for me today and tomorrow and moving forward.

It is SO empowering to be able to create a new and empowering mindset this Spring. I always feel like I have a fresh mindset when Spring approaches, but this year I feel so empowered, too.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Washington, DC Spots: Artechouse

One of my biggest passions is finding applications of STEM concepts in the real world. When my influencer bestie Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram came to visit me in Washington, DC and really wanted to go check out Artechouse, I knew we had to go. Before Lindsay’s visit, Artechouse had been on my Washington, DC area bucket list for a while. And, to my surprise, Artechouse is an intersection of art and technological concepts such as artificial intelligence (AI) and sensors. Needless to say, one of my biggest passions in finding STEM applications in the real world was met while experiencing this super neat masterpiece!

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

About Artechouse:

Artechouse was founded in 2015 by its founders Sandro and Tati in the hopes of “redefining the way art is experienced and creating a supportive ecosystem for the future of art.” They have locations in New York City, Washington, DC, and Miami Beach. The name Artechouse combines the words art + tech + house! Throughout the year, Artechouse has unique exhibits to reflect the current times in its respective cities (such as a Christmas-themed exhibit during the holiday months) and Lindsay and I happened to see the Pixelbloom: Timeless Butterflies exhibit going on there then in honor of the current ongoing National Cherry Blossom Festival. Read more about Artechouse here: https://www.artechouse.com

Getting There:

Artechouse Washington, DC is located on 1238 Maryland Avenue SW in Washington, DC. It is an easy walk (5-10 minutes) a few blocks away from the Smithsonian Metro Station located on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. Lindsay and I found a group of ladies also going there as we were walking to Artechouse which made it easier to find for my directionally challenged self – LOL!

Admission:

When it came to tickets, Lindsay and I got the Date Package as it was $33/person (compared to $25 for general admission) and included admission and a drink voucher at the bar. I’m glad we did the Date Package to save some money and get everything all at once. However, many of the guests at Artechouse just got the General Admission tickets and were good to go even if they wanted to order a drink at the bar, too. It is important to note that upon admission into Artechouse, you have about 90 minutes to enjoy all of the unique features within the gallery!

Our Experience:

Artechouse was such a cool experience! A unique part of Artechouse is that the gallery replays the immersive art and technology around every 22 minutes. So, if you miss something the first time, then you can see it and enjoy it again! I will say, though, that in the main gallery Lindsay and I both felt a bit dizzy with the artwork moving around us, which is why many people sit down when enjoying it all. At the same time, Artechouse along with the main gallery and bar has a few additional galleries, including features that have sensors like building a butterfly – HOW COOL! The additional galleries were honestly a highlight for me at Artechouse, as I did get to experience real world applications of artificial intelligence and sensors. In my work professionally and charity with STEM For Her, I get to learn more about real-world applications in STEM and empower others who want to pursue their interests in it. So, Artechouse was definitely a happy haven for me in that way!

Along with enjoying the art and technology immersion in the galleries, Lindsay and I also enjoyed getting some drinks at the bar. Artechouse has unique cocktails on-theme with whatever the current exhibit is. They also have an app where you can add unique filters to your drinks which make is SO immersive and enjoyable (it ALSO brings in the sensors and artificial intelligence concepts, too!). Lindsay and I met a super sweet group of women in STEM who had connections to Indiana too – HOW NEAT! I love how small and special our world is and moments like these make it so much more unique, wherever each of us may be.

Wrap-Up:

Artechouse was such a neat immersive experience. I am SO glad that I finally got to go! I talked with one of my friends Brianna about going back to Artechouse for a Christmas-themed exhibit!!! I cannot wait to go back and see *even more* applications of STEM in the real world.

XOXO – Katie <3

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10 Hard Truths I Wish I Knew Sooner

Today, we are getting DEEP. Personally, in recent times, I have been doing a lot of processing about some hard truths and thinking about them. These hard truths, while some took time to accept and process, I am glad I know now. And, I *indeed* wish I knew each of these hard truths sooner! Gee, it would have saved me A LOT of pain and struggles over the years. But, through it all, I am glad I know these things now.

Lessons learned in life are some of the most valuable things to have. No one can take away what we have learned in our lives, whether it be in the classroom, workplace, or this so-called thing known as life. Grateful, thankful, and blessed are the names of the game. The lessons that we learn in our lives help shape us into the people that we are meant to become moving forward.

10 Hard Truths I Wish I Knew Sooner:

1 – It’s your life and not anyone else’s, so don’t look at whether or not others around you are getting married, dating, promotions at work, having kids, traveling the world, moving out on their own, getting graduate degrees, adopting dogs, etc. and think you need to do the same. Sometimes, I think I should move out on my own, because many of my peers in my city are EVEN with me being extremely happy living with my Papa. The same goes for thinking I should be in a relationship like many of my college classmates when I’d rather work on myself and am happy single and all. Just because your peers are doing those things does not mean that you need to too. Take the time to reflect on what you want to do and whether or not it is feasible for you. Do what makes sense for you and when it does.

2 – Self-comparison is toxic. Stay in your lane and focus on your goals, aspirations, etc. and don’t focus so much on what others are doing. No one’s life markers are your own markers and benchmark for what you should follow. I sometimes look at others and where they are career-wise, relationship-wise, etc. and think oh my goodness I need to be at their level. We will ALWAYS find something that we see in someone else that makes us look worse than them in our own eyes. But guess what?! YOU have some admirable traits too that others admire in YOU. Someone else may look at you and say they wished they had certain things that you have and offer to others that they may lack. Focus on those and what you want to do. Someone else’s goals and aspirations and interests are not your own.

3 – It’s a waste of time to care what other people think about you. Likely, believe it or not, most people don’t care THAT much about what we’re doing. Likely, most people don’t think about us nearly as much as we envision that they do – we ALL have our own lives to live filled with responsibilities, worries, and much more. Do your thing and always be you. Would you prefer to read on a Friday night than go clubbing like your twenty-something peers?! Who cares – stay home! Do you just LOVE a style that’s, perhaps, considered … “cheugy”?! WEAR IT and wear it well! Sometimes, I think well my sense of style is not the mainstream style and I *even* had a college classmate tell me my love for Lilly Pulitzer that is STILL going strong will be “just a phase”, but it is me. That’s what matters. So, I keep doing me. Whatever the case may be, carry yourself with confidence and do things because you want to do them not anyone else. You’re irreplaceable. Don’t let others’ opinions of you steer you in the wrong direction.

4 – Not everyone will like you and you will not like everyone and that is OKAY. We are all human. We have our likes and dislikes when it comes to food and, well, people are no different (we just don’t want to say it). Some people, we are meant to clash with more than agree on certain matters. Sometimes, it’s best to admire and root for people from a distance, even if we do not like them. At the same time, we must always treat people with respect and not with hurt. I had a former classmate say she didn’t like me, but that she wished me the best. While not pleasant to hear, I 100% respected her comment as it did not come with ill will. I feel the same for her and know there are others like her in my life. We also have the ability to root for and wish the best to others that we may not like personally. Choose to do that. Don’t wish ill will on anyone. You will have so much peace when you wish others well, even if they may not be in your corner or have even hurt you in the past.

5 – Your career – your choice. Career paths are not linear. Many people go back for second degrees or switch career fields all together. What we think we want today may not be what we want 3 years down the line in our own careers. I felt heavily influenced by my parents as to what major and career discipline I was to choose. And, well, I initially went for a career in data science and realized that I did not like it. I now work at the same company in health policy and data visualization (with company support!) and am a lot happier. I am glad I took the time to explore data science, as it got me to where I am today. I was proactive in my career and that is important. Always be proactive in achieving your goals. Learn more about you, your passions, and always uplift your teammates. Don’t be afraid to make a chance, like I did switching from data science. It’s all about learning.

6 – Take time to self-reflect on your own personal triggers, likes, dislikes, etc. and work through the things that you can. Take the time to process things and learn more about yourself. We NEED that time as humans to be able to process and sort things out emotionally and personally in our lives. While painful at times to process things, we need to feel the pain. No day is perfect by any means, but we need the time to process things on our own. Being alone allows us to recharge, reassess, and repeat. I am also a big advocate of therapy and have been proudly going for 4 years now. Therapy also helps me process thinks with someone who is always in my corner and willing to lend a helping hand. And, the more we process our own personal triggers, the better we will be moving forward.

7 – Being alone is better than being in the wrong company. Actually, being alone is good for the soul and important for our minds to grow and process things and recharge. We learn more about ourselves when we are alone than when we are with other people. Spending time with yourself and only yourself allows you to learn more about you and love you. Personally, being single for a longer time than previously envisioned is much better than being in a relationship and even in a marriage with the wrong person. When I dated my ex, I spent so much time hoping for what wasn’t instead of learning to enjoy being in my own company. In early college, I was SO afraid to eat and do things alone. Now, there are times I prefer to be alone and LOVE it.

8 – Not everything is in our control. Sometimes, we have to set back and let God (or whatever upper spirit if you believe in one) or life take the wheel. All we can do is our best each and every day. I had a health scare in December of 2022. Being in the waiting room sucked, as I was waiting to hear my results. But, I was proactive with my health, advocated for myself, and did all that I could. At the end of the day, that is all we can do and that is that.

9 – You’ll find your tribe with the radiant energy you spread. Many of my friends from high school and college are not my friends today. In high school and college, I was at a very insecure place in my life. I did not have as much self value placed on myself than I do now. Now that I have worked on myself, I have found many others who are more confident in themselves and radiate positive energy more so than those in my high school and college days. I have grown closer to some of my high school and college friends, while others I have not. That is OKAY. You will find your tribe in due time. Your tribe will be FILLED with people who love, hype, and accept you for you. Don’t accept anything else just keep doing you.

10 – Dating apps are not worth your time. Learn to love yourself and focus on your own goals and passions, rather than focus on finding a partner. The more you love you, the more attractive you’ll be to the right person for you, as you’ll radiate confidence and your love for yourself will shine. Find a hobby, go on that trip to Italy you’ve been wanting to take, or take some time to volunteer. When you light up and are in your element is when you will find somebody on the exact same wavelength as you. Trust the process and enjoy living and time with you!

XOXO – Katie <3

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DC Dining – March 2023

In the past, I would write a blog post for each and every single spot that I dined at for the most part. However, I have been dining at a ton of different unique spots in the Washington, DC area that I think it will be fun (and A LOT easier) to do a round-up of each of the different spots that I dine at each month. In case you haven’t noticed on Instagram or Tik Tok, the Washington, DC area foodie scene is booming. There are SO many different places to try dining-wise and I am excited to share more about where I eat each month here!!

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

Virtue Feed & Grain (Old Town Alexandria, Virginia)

As my friend Lorena says “this is your spot”! Yes, I frequent Virtue Feed & Grain in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia *quite* a bit. I went to this favorite spot of mine back in January with my good friend Haley and I took Lorena here when she came to visit for the day in March. Virtue Feed & Grain is located in an old warehouse building turned restaurant. It *even* has stain marks from a past hurricane flood which adds to its unique character. In January, Haley and I sat upstairs at a table looking over the waterfront. This time around, Lorena and I enjoyed mimosas, eggs, and waffles at the bar! Read more on my experience at Virtue Feed & Grain back in January here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2023/02/08/washington-dc-spots-virtue-feed-grain/

Lotus Pho & Grill (Lorton, Virginia)

My good friend Haley wanted to check out this close to our homes Vietnamese restaurant for her birthday and it was A HIT! Asian cuisine is probably my favorite type of cuisine besides Italian and classic seafood from practically anywhere. I rarely go out anymore for Vietnamese food but I am glad I did recently. I am not a huge pho fan, but I tried their Vermicelli and it was amazing. At the same time, the staff at Lotus Pho & Grill were super sweet along with the quick service. I could easily go there to grab and go or stay and chat for some time which is what Haley and I did.

Residents (Dupont, Washington DC)

When my fellow influencer bestie Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram came to visit, Residents in Dupont was on her list brought to you by the power of Instagram sharing *just* how cute this spot truly is. Residents is decked out in ALL the cherry blossoms galore this cherry blossom season and the food is definitely not to miss as well. At the same time, Residents had so much character as they use their old candle jars as decoration on the interior walls. Lindsay and I got coffee and avocado toast, but Residents also had a gorgeous bar and drink menu (espresso martinis anyone?!), too. The brunch truly hit the spot!! Our server Maria was super sweet, too, and made our experience dining at Residents SO SO SO worth it. I definitely will be back!

Vola’s Dockside Grill (Old Town Alexandria, Virginia)

I dined at Vola’s a few years ago just before Christmas with my family when they were in town. My memories at Vola’s were very fond and the food there was hard to beat. Not to mention, I had a hard time then as I did just about 10 days ago deciding what to eat off their menu that is tempting to order just about everything off of it. I took Lindsay to Vola’s for dinner as I wanted to show her Old Town Alexandria on her first night in the Washington, DC area and we had an AMAZING time! We got the crab dip (which is TO DIE FOR), crab sandwiches with Old Bay fries, and cocktails. Lindsay was introduced to Old Bay seasoning (if you know, you know!!) here at Vola’s. The staff and service is pretty great too – Franklin was our server and was super sweet! I definitely hope to bring Papa back to Vola’s in the coming weeks/months.

Founding Farmers (Foggy Bottom, Washington DC)

The corn bread croutons at Founding Farmers on my caesar salad were SO HARD to beat! Needless to say, I am STILL craving those incredible croutons at Founding Farmers. Funny enough, I have been to Founding Farmers every month so far in 2023. Founding Farmers is a Washington, DC area-based farm-to-table chain that uses locally sourced goods and brings it into delicious cuisine. I have been to both the Tysons Corner, Virginia and Foggy Bottom, Washington DC (where I went in March!) locations and they do not disappoint. Lindsay and I sat at their gorgeous bar and got drinks and salads along with freshly made candy to go off of their glorious dessert menu. I have always admired what a classic staple Founding Farmers is here in the Washington, DC area and will definitely be back in the near future.

Mike’s American Grill (Springfield, Virginia)

Nothing beats dinner at Mike’s American Grill in my book!!! I’ve grown up dining at Mike’s American Grill – one of the iconic Great American Restaurants via The Carlyle Group chain (which also includes Coastal Flats, Sweetwater Tavern, Ozzie’s Good Eats, and Carlyle!) in the Northern Virginia area. I had my first-ever Washington, DC area Dinner Club meet up with some of my best friends at Mike’s American Grill. My great friends Laura and Sarah came and we enjoyed their delicious rolls (which you can get for $1 which is then donated back to charity!), burgers, salad, and cheesecake and simply catching up. The memories, the magical environment and atmosphere, and the food make Mike’s American Grill such a classic!

Coyote Grille (Fairfax, Virginia)

I dined at Coyote Grille back in September 2021 with Haley when she was in her undergraduate years at the nearby university there. Coyote Grille is located in the adorable Old Town Fairfax, Virginia and is an authentic Mexican restaurant. After my hair appointment at a nearby salon, I was starving and decided to pop into Coyote Grille on my own for some chips and salsa and tacos – nothing better am I right?! Thee waiters who are all mainly university students there were SO kind and fun to talk to. Their salmon tacos were so so so good that I am craving them now as I write this. I definitely want to come back to Coyote Grille after sightseeing a bit in Old Town Fairfax!

Now, onwards to my April dining round-up!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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A Visit to the Tidal Basin at Peak Bloom!

*Just* in case you didn’t know, my favorite color is PINK!! And, well, I LOVE that the pink cherry blossom trees are well-known in my home city of Washington, DC. Peak bloom for the iconic cherry blossom trees for this year aka 2023 was this past week (March 23-29). And, it just so happened to be that my blogger bestie Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram was in town to visit me! We had the PERFECT cherry blossom-themed weekend here in the Washington, DC area! Today’s blog post will focus on our visit to the Tidal Basin at peak bloom.

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

The Tidal Basin is one of the most iconic places to see the cherry blossom trees in Washington, DC. Even though cherry blossom trees are planted in several different areas across the Washington, DC area even in the neighboring states of Virginia and Maryland and in my home neighborhood in Fairfax Station, Virginia, nothing really beats getting to see the cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin. People from ALL across the world come to visit the cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin! In fact, 2023 is the first year since COVID-19 that people from abroad are coming to see the cherry blossom trees along with Washington, DC area locals and visitors from all across the United States. That all being said, the cherry blossom peak bloom gets none other than CROWDED!

Personally, I get super overwhelmed and triggered by big crowds. I have NEVER liked crowded places and I refuse on the most part to be in a crowded place. I can likely thank my Mom for this one – LOL! I have learned since moving back to the Washington, DC area that there are a few times to go to certain places in the city than others if you want to see a big tourist and visitor heavy area that is popular (case in point: the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin!). On Instagram, I have seen SO MUCH hilarious content about the brutal crowds at the Tidal Basin in the midst of all the gorgeous photos that the fellow content creators took. The crowds are brutal at the Tidal Basin, y’all! In the case of visiting the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin, then it is best to go when the weather is rainy, cloudy, windy, overcast, all of the previously mentioned combined, OR at sunrise. In Lindsay’s and I’s case, we went to the Tidal Basin on an overcast Saturday afternoon the day that the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Kite Festival was postponed to that following Sunday.

Living in Washington, DC, I have noticed that people DO NOT like to come out in crowds if there isn’t a big event or it’s not a beautiful sunny day or it’s not 5am. That all being said, Lindsay and I were both so so so glad that we went on an overcast Saturday afternoon. It was Lindsay’s first time ever to the cherry blossoms, too! Lindsay had only been to Washington, DC once for a brief day before last weekend. Seeing the excitement on her face when she saw ALL of the monuments and cherry blossom trees along the National Mall made me SO happy. I feel beyond lucky to live in and call the Washington, DC area home. When I have friends come to visit, I feel so excited to see the excitement in their eyes when they come to the place that I call home.

Some of my favorite places alongside the Tidal Basin to see cherry blossom trees in the Washington, DC area are the following:

  • Washington Monument
  • The White House
  • Smithsonian Gardens
  • Old Town Alexandria
  • There are ALSO probably many more places that I am forgetting to mention as well!

I am SO happy that Lindsay came to visit me to see the cherry blossom trees! And, until next year, I am going to smile at the memories made this year amongst the cherry blossom trees.

XOXO – Katie <3

 

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How I Spice Up My Weekly Routine

A few months ago, one of my good friends asked me how to make a weekly routine that can be so mundane *just* a little more exciting. To be frankly honest, it took me a while to nail down a weekly routine as it can get pretty boring with the 9-5 work days every Monday-Friday. Ever since I graduated from college, I wanted to find fun things to do with my time when I was not on the job. SO, today, I am going to share a few ways that I spice up my weekly routine!

Post-graduation life can be a tough adjustment. Going into adulthood after living in a college dorm/apartment with all of my best friends just doors/an easy walk away was a challenge for me. I felt spoiled having made plans with those in my social circles all the time to having practically no plans at my fingertips. Even though work can take up a bit of my time during the week even after the typical hours of 9-5 from time to time via happy hours, networking events, and professional development, I think it is vital for every person to have a strong work-life balance. The “life” part of the work-life balance can be pretty tricky to navigate, too, especially during a big life transition from the college world.

At the same time, I don’t have a huge interest in night life like many of my fellow peers and, yes, I am 23 as I write this. I have learned that there is MUCH MORE to life than going to the bar every night (DC area bar life culture is big on this) and repeating after the work day or on the weekends. I do go out a bit on occasion, but I prefer to check out the booming Washington, DC foodie scene than anything. However, on the same token, if bars are your thing, then that is GREAT and you SHOULD go enjoy them when and while you can! Read more on my *lack* of excitement on the subject of nightlife here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2022/10/25/im-23-and-have-no-interest-in-night-life/

The following items are ways that I spice up my weekly routine:

  • Try a new-to-me local restaurant – As previously mentioned, the Washington, DC area’s foodie scene is growing faster than ever before. There are SO many new-to-me restaurants and cafes galore that I want to try! Sometimes, it’s nice to get out of dining at my usual restaurants/cafes and trying some place that is new to me. Trying a new restaurant ALSO makes for some great content on this platform 🙂
  • Take a walk – Whether or not I take my dog with me or go somewhere in the neighborhood or farther away, a nice walk is a GREAT way to clear my head after a long day. Especially as it gets warmer outside, I am excited to check out some new trails and visit some local spots that I rarely take the chance to stop by.
  • Get some coffee – I usually try to go get some coffee at my nearby Starbucks 1-3 times/week. I LOVE the community of baristas at my local Starbucks, as they always put a smile on my face. These Starbucks runs of mine make for excellent work breaks or pick-me-ups after errands.
  • Shop at a different-than-usual grocery store – Sometimes, all it takes is a visit to a different grocery store. Nearby, I have Safeway, Giant, Food Lion, Wegman’s, Aldi, Lidl, Walmart, Target, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods. I LOVE getting to stop by a different grocery store, as I usually place an Instacart order at my local Food Lion (I save A LOT of $$ this way!). At the same time, I always find something so so so magical about wondering the aisles of a grocery store. Even if I have the majority of my grcoeries at home already, it still is fun to check out one of the many grcoery shops near me!
  • Pick up my prescriptions and check out TJ Maxx/Home Goods – I get my prescriptions at my local Safeway near *none other than* TJ Maxx and Home Goods! SO, I always make sure to check out the TJ Maxx and Home Goods right by that Safeway and make such a mundane outing a lot more fun.
  • Watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy while cooking a new-to-me recipe – Every so often during the week, I listen into Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. While I tune into some of my favorite weeknight shows, I usually dedicate some time to cooking a recipe that I have yet to try! That way, I can eat well and enjoy shows that I LOVE.
  • Go thrifting – One of my newest favorite hobbies is …. thrifting! There are A LOT of great thrift stores within a 30 minute drive of my house with several items retailing for under $10 and $15 at the very most. Thrifting is like a treasure hunt, and I find it to be such a blast. More to come on some of my favorite super cheap scores Northern Virginia thrift stores!!!

During the week, it can feel so so so boring once we sign off of work. While it is necessary and healthy and needed to simply have days where we literally do nothing and nothing only, it is also important to find some joy in the mundane. Spicing things up in our ordinary lives simply makes the ordinary … extraordinary!

XOXO – Katie <3

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