December 2023 - The Pink Chickadee

What I Wore to Work – December 2023

The quote for me when working this December 2023 was a TikTok turned Instagram Reels that my bestie Shivani sent me on the gram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee) was of Kim K literally saying she needs an IV containing *nothing but* caffeine – LOL! December 2023 was the season for caffeine IV’s for me. In my industry, things get REALLLY quiet during this time of year, which is SO nice. Most of us are ultra-tired and need caffeine IV’s to simply function, SO most things become “January problems”. While a pretty quiet month on the work front, I have truly enjoyed the peace and time to sit back, clock in, and enjoy time with family and friends when not clocking in (and the extra coffee, too!!).

Since December 2023 was a *very* peaceful work month for me, I spent A LOT of the month working in … loungewear! I probably drank out of more holiday-themed mugs while working this month than I wore outfits – haha!!!! Anyhow, December 2023 was a nice work month with its peace and quiet during the holiday season craze. On the same token, I also was able to generate some ideation surrounding my professional goals for 2024 – MANY of which will kickstart in January and the months following (!!!!!). Needless to say, I am ready to rest, rejuvenate, and enjoy time with loved ones, before coming back to work in full force in January 2024!

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Dress: J Crew Factory; Headband: The Dollar Tree; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer & Kendra Scott; Flats: Vintage

Blouse: MSK; Vest: Dennis Basso; Earrings: Cora’s Den; Leggings: Shapermint

Blouse: J Crew; Headband: The Dollar Tree; Pearls: Thrifted; Pants: Talbots; Flats: Vivaia

Sweater: Macy’s; Necklace & Skirt: J Crew Factory; Earrings: Charming Charlie; Jacket: Lilly Pulitzer; Tights: Shapermint; Tote: Longchamp; Water Bottle: Stanley; Flats: Burberry

Flannel: Top It Off!; Necklace: Talbots; Leggings: Shapermint; Bracelets: J Crew Factory, Kendra Scott, & Lilly Pulitzer; Headband: Simply Southern; Flats: Vintage

Vest: Thrifted; Sweatshirt: Meredith College Bookstore; Pearls: Vintage; Leggings: Shapermint; Headband: Rachel Zoe

Sweatshirt & Sweatpants: Draper James; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer; Headband: Rachel Zoe; Slippers: J Crew Factory

Dress: Kensie; Scarf: Lands End; Headband: Rachel Zoe: Earrings: Cassie’s Designs; Leggings: Shapermint; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer; Tote: Barrington Gifts; Booties: Lucky Brand

Dress: Haley and the Hound; Headband: The Dollar Tree; Bracelets: J Crew Factory, Lilly Pulitzer, Kendra Scott, & Alex and Ani; Leggings: Spanx; Booties: Lucky Brand

Vest: Lands End; Tee: Vineyard Vines; Sweats: J Crew Factory

Dress: Crown & Ivy at Belk; Sweater & Necklace: J Crew Factory; Headband: Packed Party; Leggings: Cuddl Duds; Flats: Vintage; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer, Amazon, & Kendra Scott

Here’s to rest, recharging, celebrating, and getting to spend time with those we love. Happy Holidays!!

XOXO – Katie <3

December 21, 2023January 27, 2026

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Where I Dined in Raleigh, North Carolina – December 2023

This past weekend aka the weekend before Christmas, I had an incredible whirlwind of a weekend in my college town of Raleigh, North Carolina (see the full breakdown of what I did on my Instagram aka @_thepinkchickadee). My best friend from college Alanna had her first-ever in-person graduation (thanks, COVID aka sad face) this past weekend as she received her … Masters in Education from North Carolina State University and I *of course* came down to celebrate her and visit with those that I love and miss from my college days. One of the things that I forgot was how great Raleigh, North Carolina dining can be. Needless to say, my weekend in Raleigh was such a special weekend, and I am OH SO GLAD that I made one last trip down to North Carolina for 2023!

Where I Ate:

Here, I am essentially going to share a round-up of where I dined during my weekend in the City of Oaks. Since I have done A TON of sightseeing around Raleigh over the past few years in college and even a bit after college on my then-frequent visits back, I will be focusing on more where I ate this time around. HOWEVER, if you are interested in a bit more about Raleigh aka North Carolina’s state capital and/or are planning a trip there *very soon*, then look no further than my guides here, here, and here (!!!!).

Coquette Raleigh (4351 The Circle at North Hills Street, Raleigh)

Located in Raleigh’s North Hills Shopping District (aka where I spent A TON of time shopping, dining, etc. in my college years!!!), Coquette is a snazzy French spot that I had yet to try! My friend Shivani and I met our friend and my former roommate Sophie at this glamorous and French-inspired spot ALLLL around for brunch. The food was delicious, from the pommes frites aka French fries to the unlimited coffee to the complimentary bread and butter to the escargot aka a FAVORITE of mine and the French onion soup! Our waitress (whose name I forget) was literally the sweetest ever alongside my time with both Shivani and Sophie. My happy place in college was North Hills, and I was SOOO happy to *finally* be able to try Coquette!

First Watch (5419 Page Road, Durham)

Confession: I had *yet* to try a First Watch location aka the practically nationwide popular brunch spot until this trip of mine! Whoops!!! HOWEVER, I am glad that I got to meet my friend Bree here for brunch before we both headed back to our respective homes for the holidays the day after Alanna’s graduation festivities. We both got the traditional breakfast with eggs, home fries, bacon, and toast AND I am craving it as we speak – LOL! My time with Bree was also special, too. Needless to say, I am excited that a First Watch location is opening up near me in Alexandria, Virginia (!!!!), as I DO want to go back.

Glasshouse Kitchen (5 Laboratory Drive, Research Triangle Park)

Shivani and I did Glasshouse Kitchen together just a few hours after I touched ground in North Carolina. Shivani describes Glasshouse Kitchen as me in a restaurant, which she is NOT wrong about – LOL! The food and locally made beer was delicious, alongside the impeccable vibes. I personally found it SOOOOO neat that Glasshouse Kitchen is literally a glasshouse and located within Raleigh’s well-known Research Triangle Park (RTP) and adjacent to a laboratory, making it such a unique upscale dining asset to the Raleigh dining scene.

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille (4509 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh)

Alanna had her graduation dinner here and I felt SOOOOO lucky to be able to join her and her family to celebrate her getting her Masters after her graduation ceremony. Perry’s Steakhouse is an upscale steakhouse located near Raleigh’s well-known Crabtree Valley Mall. Before dinner, we enjoyed wine and cocktails at the gorgeous bar (which reminded me of Founding Farmers’ bar in Foggy Bottom in Washington, DC a bit!) before a delicious meal together to commemorate Alanna. I enjoyed a delicious snapper that I am STILL craving alongside shrimp with Alanna and her family as a starter. Definitely a restaurant for the books (!!!!).

Wrap-Up:

Since graduating from college and moving back to the Washington, DC area, I have truly enjoyed getting to enjoy the vast array of incredible restaurants on the slim times that I am back in my college town. The Raleigh, North Carolina dining scene was a highlight for me when I was in college and, since moving away, I have come to appreciate it even more when I do come back alongside some incredible friends who make for the BEST company.

XOXO – Katie <3

December 19, 2023December 29, 2025

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Are You Influenced by Consumerism?

The other day in a group chat, someone sent photos of a targeted ad based on a product that we had talked about just hours beforehand on a call. I think ALL OF US have seen advertisements on out social media feed that feel *just as if* they came out of the blue. Many of us have received these advertisements that feel like our phones are reading our minds. Admittedly so, I am a consumer (within reason and my own means, though!) and I find joy in purchasing things that will bring me joy over time. Many of the things that I purchase have been influenced by *surprise* … social media. Yes, social media influences me to shop, whether via a targeted advertisement, fellow influencer’s posting, or typing in “J Crew Factory” via my iPhone’s Safari. I may be the first person to say just that, but I personally think that consumerism has become super normalized that we forget to enjoy what we have right in front of us.

Recently on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee), I shared a bit about a recent purchase of mine influenced by … LinkedIn! Yep, you heard me right: I did NOT get influenced by Instagram or Facebook or even Pinterest to buy something, but *none other than* LinkedIn. While I HAVE BEEN admittedly influenced to buy something on practically every single social media site that I am on to make a purchase, I NEVER EVER thought that I would have been influenced by a professional networking app like LinkedIn (which is ALSO social media in its own right by the way!) to shop and even open my wallet. I will note that the purchase I made via LinkedIn is relevant to my 9-5 career as a proud leadership and women in data enthusiast that I am SO excited to have purchased. I also feel A LOT of joy from making this purchase and supporting an organization that empowers women in data and the next generation of women in data by doing so. However, on the same token, if I am getting influenced to make a purchase via a professional networking app, then consumerism has definitely gone to a whole other level than ever seen before.

Currently, I have been doing a ton of reflections on my own privilege in this world and striving to understand those around me in different financial situations from my own. I feel extremely lucky to have chosen a career field that brings me joy and fulfillment and allows me to be a consumer and travel within my own means and save for the future. At the same time, I have been reading up on the impacts that others have faced due to inflation (and myself, too!) in order to gain a better understanding into our ever-evolving world. My biggest concerns nowadays is the huge upwards trend in consumerism and sneaky ways for businesses of all kinds to bring consumers to spend, despite them truly not having the means to do just that.

I recently saw my fellow Instagram friend Stephanie of @slythestylist (go follow her if you haven’t already!!!) share something on her stories that truly resonated with me which was an Instagram reel that begs the question: when did consumerism become something that we praised? Consumerism, while potentially bringing about economic growth and prosperity (what do I know though?!) and truly allowing others to support businesses of all kinds, when brought to a standard of praise for shopping over saving, it can really harm others. Inflation is a real thing in the 2023 economy. At the same time, there are several people in my life that I know and know of that have student loans, towering bills (whether raising rent, groceries, car payments, health insurance, etc.), and other financial hardships that make it tough nowadays. The side effects of inflation are affecting many people in this world today, essentially making being a regular consumer beyond the grocery store and without going into any credit card debt (which is pretty common nowadays) a privilege that many others do not have. SO, in a society where we are praising others for shopping more and more and more when most folks do not have the means to truly do so, we need to make consumerism less about ourselves and more about prioritizing what we want within our own means.

While I will ALWAYS LOVE a good purchase like many of us do, especially those that bring me a ton of joy, I am striving personally to be more conscious about what I spend my money on. I have my own financial goals that I am striving to pursue into 2024 and beyond. I also want to focus more on experiences, whether it be traveling or time with friends and family both close to home or a quick train ride/flight/drive away or even across an ocean. Consumerism is sadly SO easy to get sucked into. BUT, at the end of the day, I want to enjoy and be thankful for what I have right now and continue to be thankful for what I have moving forward. And, also at the end of the day, no matter what we have, it’s who we have to spend our time with. I want to prioritize my loved ones and making memories, whatever I may pick out of my closet to wear with them!

And, in the meantime, I hope that consumerism starts to slow down a little, too. With the greater awareness towards climate change and sustainability, people are slowly beginning to realize the benefits of shopping your own closet and enjoying what you have. More often than not, there is great benefit to wearing the same thing again or lending it/borrowing from a friend to wear instead of heading online to buy something new only to wear it once. It only costs $0 to enjoy what we already have. I’m hoping that this greater awareness against consumerism begins to slow down ALLLL the advertisements for shopping nowadays, especially in a time where people are stretched for cash more often than not.

Overall, I LOVE social media and getting inspired by others’ styles to catapult my own style as it continues to evolve. BUT, on the same token, consumerism via social media especially targets many people’s vulnerabilities when it comes to spending in ways that it shouldn’t. As much as I am a proud consumer and LOVE to shop just as much as the next person, I also see the normalization and praising of consumerism as a major disadvantage in the long term to our society as a while, specifically given inflation and the current economic environment (e.g. student loans, high healthcare costs, high cost of living). I feel lucky to be doing OKAY in today’s world, yet I know many people are not. Moving forward, I am striving to share LESS links for commission and MORE of what others can replicate within their own closets/homes to create a joyful outfit/experience for themselves (thankfully, my hometown of the Washington, DC area has several affordable things to do too!). I hope that given today’s world others will consider to move away from consumerism and towards enjoying the moment what with we already have within our own means.

XOXO – Katie <3

December 12, 2023December 29, 2025

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The Life of Katie – November 2023

November 2023 started off with a bang and pretty much ended with a bang. Overall, I felt as if I was in a big ol’ race car ALL month LONG. I started the month off with courses for my first-ever certification through work and my November class for my Ignite Young Professionals Program and a big company party and presenting at a demo alongside a trip to Boston, Massachusetts in the mix of it ALL. The middle of November was filled with balancing burnout while feeling EXTREMELY excited to have not one but TWO visits from two of my besties – Shivani and Lindsay – back-to-back with some sightseeing around the Washington, DC area and a Friendsgiving. And, the end of November was super fun and gratitude-filled with Thanksgiving weekend given the actual day and Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping fun and a hike to see … SWANS (!!!!!). Well, sadly, there was a bit of drama during the month of November (more on that below!), as I decided that I needed to end a friendship with someone that I had hoped would be a friend for a much longer time. *EVEN* into December 2023, I feel as if I’m still riding on that race car, but the BEST PART?!?! I am enjoying EVERY second of the ride!

Highs:

The first weekend of November, I traveled to Boston (here) for the weekend! My cousin Sabrina and her girlfriend Nicole have been living in Boston for YEARS now, YET I hadn’t made the time to visit them both until now. I was lucky enough to be able to stay with Sabrina and Nicole in their guest room, and I LOVED catching up with them both while in Boston. I also got to connect with my blogger friends Griffin, Timmy, and Mikayla AND *even* ran into my friend Joelle in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood on a whim while exploring. The next day, Sabrina and Nicole showed me around their old stomping grounds (courtesy of Boston’s subway system the T!) at Northeastern University and we spent most of the afternoon at the absolutely incredible Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Nevertheless, I truly appreciate Sabrina and Nicole and their sweet kitty Salem opening their home up to me to come and visit them and explore Boston with them.
My company had a super fun $1B booking party right before Veterans Day weekend. It was A LOT of fun to see SOOO many of my incredible coworkers in-person and to connect with them beyond the computer screen. A week earlier, my company had a Technology Showcase which I had a BLAST attending and sharing more about the Women in Data Community of Practice (COP) that I lead. I truly love my company, too, and feel oh so blessed to be able to say that!!! I love getting to connect with my coworkers and truly “work the room” as my coworkers say that I do!

Early this November 2023, I decked the halls (!!!!!). I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas, as it brings me SO MUCH JOY. SO, I always deck the halls around Veterans Day weekend each year. I truly love having a good two months to enjoy the stunning Christmas decorations. There is just something *SO* special and unique about having the Christmas tree lit up and allll decked out as I’m simply enjoying an evening in or just anytime of day for that matter, especially as the evenings are getting darker much much much earlier. I also visited the Lucketts Holiday House (here) over Veterans Day weekend which was a GREAT way to get in the Christmas cheer! More to come in a future blog post!

My best friend Shivani visited during the week before Thanksgiving, as she had a few job interviews in the Washington, DC area. It was SO NICE to get some much-needed time with Shivani, too. We did one night on the town at The Wharf where we dined *yet again* at Del Mar (which wasn’t as great the second time around to be honest) and another night on the town at Old Town Alexandria where we had an AMAZING time dining at Ada’s on the River. We also strolled through some of the many shops on King Street, including Lou Lou and The Lucky Knot, and then got ice cream at Kilwins. Shivani and I also spent lots of time enjoying wine, a few home-cooked meals, freshly put up Christmas decorations, and one another’s company. Shivani is truly such a blessing in my life and I am SO glad that I got to spend some time with her!

Old Town Alexandria

The Wharf

*JUST* a day after Shivani left for home …. My fellow influencer best friend Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram (go follow her!!!) came to town for the weekend. Lindsay and I had an incredible weekend which I wrote about more here. Some of our activities included: hosting Friendsgiving at my apartment, visiting Urban Roast and the Downtown Holiday Market, and dining at Old Ebbitt Grill. Needless to say, it was the PERFECT weekend to kick off the holiday season! And, just like Shivani, I am so thankful for Lindsay’s and I’s friendship and for time with her.

To honor the many Navy Veterans in my family, my Mom and Uncle and I hosted family Veterans’ Day tailgate. What was REALLY special about this year’s Veterans’ Day is that it happened to be on a Saturday and the day of the Navy-University of Alabama Birmingham game in Annapolis. SO, we turned on the TV to watch the game, grabbed some beer, wine, and snacks, and enjoyed the game as a family. I really enjoyed getting to catch up with my Aunts, Uncles, and cousins and truly honor the many Veterans in our family.

On the *very* last day of November, I got influenced to make a purchase on … LinkedIn! I NEVER thought I would say that I made a purchase thanks to a professional website, but here we are – LOL! Instagram and Shop.LTK is usually where I get the most inspiration for purchases, especially from what others share and things that I may be interested in as a consumer. HOWEVER, I have failed to mention my daily online walk through of the J Crew Factory clearance section, too! At the same time, I am working on cutting back on purchases and dining out to better plan for the future financially and focus more on experiences and time with loved ones. BUT, this LinkedIn purchase was an exciting one, as it’s from an organization selling Women in Data merchandise (!!!!) that supports the career advancement of women in data, which is VERY relevant to my 9-5!
My Thanksgiving weekend was definitely a special one! I took Wednesday-Friday off of work the week of Thanksgiving to enjoy much-needed time with family and friends. For Thanksgiving, my family and I enjoyed a cozy and fancy dinner at my Mom’s house. It was super nice to be altogether enjoying a delicious meal and time with each other. That Friday night, my best friend Haley and I strolled briefly around the gorgeous charming town of Occoquan, Virginia which is currently gorgeously decked out for the holidays (!!!!) and then enjoyed a nice early dinner at The Secret Garden Cafe. That Saturday morning, my Mom and Step Dad took the family on a gorgeous hike at Virginia’s Mason Neck State Park where we went to a scenic overlook to see … tundra swans that migrate from Alaska and Canada to Northern Virginia of ALL places during the winter months. We, then, checked out a gorgeous place called The Point in Mason Neck, Virginia which has a gorgeous field and beach. That Sunday evening, I winded down from the weekend’s food and festivities by watching the premiere of A Biltmore Christmas on the Hallmark channel! All in all, a GREAT weekend filled with LOTS of gratitude.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Occoquan

Mason Neck State Park

Lows:

Into adulthood, i have *really* despised the seasonal daylight savings time changes. I seriously hate how daylight savings throws off my sleep schedule and leaves me just feeling so so so off, especially when the first week of it I have had a super busy work schedule. The first week of the new daylight savings transition, i have woken up at 7am, 6am, 8am, 9am, and just about every time in between. And, let’s just say that it is a struggle and an adjustment that as I age I realize is a downside of the working world.
Speaking of daylight savings time changes, sunsets right after work is THE WORST when working a 9-5 job. It definitely feels sad to end work and not enjoy *any* glimpse of sunshine *sad face!*. However much this is a low of mine for November, I am LOVING turning the lights on my Christmas tree to brighten up the days *just* a bit into the darkness of the outdoors once I end the work day.
Most of November has oddly been a busier than usual month on the work front, despite it being a slow season this time of year. While I LOVE being busy and thrive off of the hustle, it definitely has gotten more overwhelming at times alongside the current holiday season that makes things busier than usual. Demands can be tough during the holidays and I think that it’s important that all of us acknowledge that, as it is more challenging to take a step back during this time of year (myself included!).
Post-Holiday fatigue started to hit me towards the end of November. After having two of my very best friends over at my apartment back to back over the span of 8 days and then the Thanksgiving holiday right after that, it was easy for me to feel nothing but … TIRED. While I have LOVED the time together with everyone and the joy it all brings me both sightseeing and spending time with loved ones, it can be tiring after awhile. I am glad that the last week of November I pretty much only said yes to visiting with my friend Violet who was in town on a whim one weeknight evening after work.
To end November, I ended up bowing out of a friendship. I did not want to end the friendship, however, I knew that this friendship was causing me more distress than joy in the end. Thankfully, with the help of some of my AMAZING friends, I was able to articulate a way to end the friendship and move forward in my life with closure. While a stressful situation for me (and some of my other friends too sadly), I am extremely grateful, thankful, and blessed (in the spirit of Thanksgiving and November!) for the friendships and family that I do have in my life and for their support through this tricky situation.

Still being on the race car ride of what is known as THE holiday season, I am definitely enjoying every minute of it ALL into December 2023! From LOTS of professional development to a great trip to Boston to hosting others both for an evening or for a few days to shopping sales to the debut of the holiday season for 2023 to everything in between, I have truly felt thankful for all that November 2023 has blessed me with and for what I will be blessed with into December 2023 and into 2024 and beyond.

XOXO – Katie <3

December 11, 2023December 29, 2025

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What I Wore to Work – November 2023

I don’t know WHAT it is about November, BUT this has been the month of *none other than* leggings and loungewear pretty much, well, unless I had to go into the office! I am such a dress girly and have ALWAYS been someone who prefers dresses and skirts over pants, however, November 2023 has pretty much been just the opposite – LOL! November 2023 has been a busy month for me work-wise, as I kicked off the month with classes for a training for a certification at work and networking events in the office alongside my November 2023 Ignite Young Professionals class in Arlington and then ended the month hosting my best friends Shivani and Lindsay with some sightseeing and nights on the town in between and *of course* the Thanksgiving holiday in between it all. Needless to say, November 2023 was chaotic professionally, but SO needed for the soul in terms of me deciding to take most of the Thanksgiving week off to spend with family and friends and recharge.

Likely, my loungewear and pants obsession (something I NEVER thought I’d say!!!) came about via having such a busy month and wanting to be comfortable when at home. It is also likely due to the fact that the temperatures here in the Washington, DC area are getting chilly, too. I have LOVED the crisp Fall weather of November, especially as I could admire the foliage when driving to professional development-related events throughout this season. I think it is SO important to be able to enjoy every season of life, whether it be climate-based or a different phase of life. There is ALWAYS something good to find in this world, and I think professionally for me that November 2023 has been something pretty great.

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