72 Hours in Dallas, Texas

Ever since I was in college, I was SOOO excited to go and visit Texas someday. In August, I got invited to go to Dallas for a birthday weekend. My Instagram best friend Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram (GO FOLLOW HER!!!!) whom I have been lucky enough to visit in her own hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana (here) and Chicago, Illinois (here) with was celebrating her Birthday on SUPER BOWL WEEKEND (!!!!!) in Dallas, Texas and invited several of her friends (some of whom happen to live in Dallas!) who all live across the country to come and celebrate. It was such a special weekend getting to celebrate Lindsay AND meet some of her many friends that I have heard SO MUCH about in-person (shoutout out to Cody, Eva, LaRaina, Meredith, and Mich!!!) who are such LOVELY people! Needless to say, I LOVED how Lindsay’s birthday weekend brought all of us together in one city AND that I got to visit a brand new-to-me city and state that I now want to go back to too!!!

Our Dallas weekend was planned by Lindsay herself! Lindsay has been to Dallas before and knew ALLLL the good places to go to celebrate her Birthday. Luckily for me and our Birthday Bash crew, Lindsay planned to hit up MANY spots that we ALL loved (!!!!).

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

Getting There:

The best way to get to Dallas from Washington, DC is to fly. Dallas has two major airports: Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL). Dallas-Fort Worth is the 4th busiest airport in the United States and is pretty large, whereas Dallas Love Field is much smaller and is more peaceful. I booked my flight about 4 months beforehand for about $260 round trip. Typically, I fly on either United or Delta, and this time, I flew United out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) to DFW, since it was the most affordable option. While I was a bit nervous to fly in and out of DFW, due to hearing about its crazy busy reputation, I was pleased to have had a good experience there at least in my Terminal (Terminal E!), as it was much more peaceful and extremely chill *even* on a Friday afternoon when I landed there.

As for transportation within Dallas and to/from the airport, I found myself using Uber/Lyft (whatever the cheaper option was!) and found that getting around Dallas happened to be pretty affordable compared to the Washington, DC area due to most things in Dallas being close to one another. My airports to/from the airport were around $100 with tip round trip, as DFW is about 30-45 minutes from downtown Dallas (DAL is much closer to downtown than DFW).

Where We Stayed:

Lindsay did some research on travel for our trip to Dallas and ended up selecting … The Canopy by Hilton – Dallas Uptown! Personally, I have ALWAYS wanted to stay at a The Canopy by Hilton location and was SO excited when Lindsay decided to book this for her 33rd Birthday Bash for our group to stay at. I found the staff at our hotel to be EXTREMELY kind and receptive AND fun to talk to. While I didn’t check it out, all hotel guests have the opportunity to check out the rooftop within the evenings and enjoy a stunning Dallas city skyline. AND, The Canopy by Hilton has a wide array of drinks, snacks, and dining options at an extra charge to all guests. At the same time, I enjoyed the rich history of Dallas that our hotel had to offer, including the frame from an old Dallas trolley car on display within its breathtakingly gorgeous lobby!

As for location, our hotel was located within ALLL that Dallas has to offer, being in the West Village Neighborhood near and easily walkable to several shops, murals, restaurants, cafes, and MORE! As previously mentioned, Ubers were super easy to come by and affordable to get and all rides were super quick, too. Dallas ALSO has an adorable and free historic trolley that takes you allll throughout the city with a stop right by our hotel, running every 15-20 minutes. The only potential downfall to some to our hotel was that there was no free breakfast/coffee after a certain hour, BUT luckily there are cafes within easy walking distance (LESS than 5 minutes walking!!!) away for that morning caffeine fix.

What We Did:

Hot Chocolate Run & Walk – Bright and early on Saturday morning, Lindsay and I walked a whopping 5k at the Texas State Fairgrounds via the touring Hot Chocolate Run & Walk. We met Lindsay’s best friend (now a friend of mine!!!) Eva before the race (as she ran it!) and enjoyed walking over to the starting line before kicking off our respective run/walk. Lindsay and I enjoyed GREAT conversation during the run/walk despite it POURING and practically everyone getting their shoes/socks wet and the exciting energy of being apart of a race. Afterwards, we got complimentary shots (I chose an AMAZING Peanut Butter Whiskey!) and fondue.

Highland Park Village – That Saturday afternoon Lindsay, Mich, and I went off to the ultra-darling Highland Park Village. Highland Park Village is definitely a luxury fashion hub within Dallas! Stores there include: Chanel, Lele Sadoughi, LoveShackFancy, Carolina Herrera, Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren, and Tory Burch. We had an AMAZING time visiting the Lele Sadoughi Dallas storefront, where the ultra-sweet ladies recognized Lindsay from her past visits there (!!!!) AND we each made one too many purchases. After a pit stop at Lele Sadoughi and *of course* Starbucks, we shot some fun content amongst the gorgeous architecture around Highland Park Village and I wondered into LoveShackFancy!

Lower Greenville – Sunday afternoon, I took a solo adventure to Dallas’s super fun Lower Greenville neighborhood. My Mom texted me during my trip that I needed to check out the consignment store scene in Dallas, SO that’s what I did! Luckily, Lower Greenville is home to MANY great ones!! I started my trip at the Goodwill store and then headed over to Crossroads and 2nd Street consignment stores, all of which where I found some *incredible* name brand items altogether for a total of under $100 (retail value over $1500). I ALSO popped into Dallas MKT which had some ultra-adorable merchandise and came across an artisan market where I fell *in love* with J’Luxe Candle Co candles and *just wish* I could’ve taken one of those candles into my carryon! At the same time, I enjoyed taking in the many murals, shops, dining options, and vibes within this eclectic Dallas neighborhood.

Where We Ate:

XOXO Dining Room – Our first night in the Lonestar State, we enjoyed *none other than* a Valentine’s-themed dinner at XOXO Dining Room. We took an Uber there and outside of the restaurant was a pink Valentine’s-themed Barbie-like box (!!!!) to take photos at amongst the stunning PINK “XOXO”-themed murals! XOXO has two rooms inside: one that is extremely Valentine’s-themed and the other feels like a modern day revamp of a retro theater-turned restaurant, which is where we sat! I LOVED the restaurant vibes of both sections! And, as for the food, it was subpar and the drinks as well, however, the vibes and photo opportunities were everything!

Bistro 31 – I truly felt like Royalty at Bistro 31! Not only was the service phenomenal and the staff extremely kind here, BUT the food and drinks and vibes were IMPECCABLE! One of the biggest highlights of dining at Bistro 31 is *none other than* … Chanel (!!!) mimosas! What could make a brunch spot ANY better than a Chanel mimosa (well alongside terrific service and food!)?!?!

The Finch – I WILL say that I am STILLL craving that delicious (and much cheaper than any other city restaurant that I have been in!!!) ribeye that I had there!!!! We ended up getting to The Finch *just* a bit early for our reservation which is rare – LOLLL! – and sat right at the stunning bar with cherry blossom-like blooms front and center. The Chardonnay there was a GREAT way to kick off our dinner at The Finch, before enjoying an incredible sit down meal with even more incredible company!

La La Land – When in Lower Greenville, I *finally* got to check out a La La Land Cafe location! With its gorgeous bright yellow branding, I LOVED getting to walk in and check out this adorable cafe chain that doesn’t have any locations close to home for me. The Lower Greenville location looked like it was in an adorable restored home-turned cafe with a super fun yellow truck outside. I ended up only getting a cookie which was FREE and delicious (!!!), as all first-time guests get a FREE pastry!

Moxie’s – Moxie’s is where we had Lindsay’s Super Bowl Birthday Bash (!!!!) AND where I styled a bejeweled AND pink football clutch! We had a HUGE group with us which made it SOOO much fun, as both of our booths were conveniently located in the bar near the TV showcasing the Super Bowl and *of course* Taylor Swift (!!!!). The nachos and drinks were delicious at Moxie’s and the company and occasion was EVEN better!

RH Rooftop – I had NEVER been to an RH Rooftop location before, but was IN AWE at this incredible location on Dallas’s Knox Street! RH Rooftop is located on the 3rd floor of the Restoration Hardware store which is GORGEOUS and a sight to see on its own (!!!!) and offers a stunning view of the Dallas city skyline. The food is offered on an a la carte basis, with no entrees coming with any sides, however all sides are offered on an a la carte basis, though! I ordered the lobster roll and LOVED it alongside a glass of wine before heading to the airport. I will note that RH Rooftop is pretty pricey compared to most restaurants, but it is definitely worth trying for the atmosphere and vibes!

Wrap-Up:

I truly LOVED getting to visit Dallas and *FINALLY* check the state of Texas off of my bucket list of seeing all 50 United States. In fact, this trip to Dallas allowed me to hit the HALFWAY MARK (!!!!) of hitting all 50 states! Lindsay is such a special friend of mine, I felt so honored to be invited to celebrate her birthday. I LOVED getting to be in such great company, too, with Lindsay alongside all of her incredible friends whom I *finally* got to meet in real life (some of which I am still excited to meet in the future that weren’t able to make it this time around!), too! SOOO many blessings ALLL around during this incredible long weekend away in the Lonestar State. Dallas is SUCH A COOL CITY, with sooo many neat spots, ranging from restaurants to historic hotels to a historic trolley and even museums. I have a HUUGEEE bucket list mentally of places that I hope to hit on future Dallas trips. My biggest bucket list items are the Fort Worth Stockyards, the Dallas Trolley (which is FREE), and a stroll through the Adolphus Hotel. I am SO lucky to have met some incredible people that have since become my friends on this trip and look forward to connecting with everyone again in the future, whether in Dallas or somewhere else or both.

XOXO – Katie <3

February 29, 2024January 28, 2026

thepinkchickadee4 Comments

Charlotte, North Carolina Travel Guide

***Please note that this Charlotte, North Carolina travel guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect my most up-to-date experiences. This guide was most recently updated as of April 2026.***

Since June 2023 on our week away at Isle of Palms, South Carolina (here), with the exception of a long and busy graduation celebration weekend for Alanna (see where I dined on that trip here), I haven’t really connected fully with my college best friends since. SO, when Alanna’s Birthday weekend approached us over President’s Day Weekend, I decided to take the long weekend to go and visit and *of course* celebrate Alanna in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina aka the Queen City! I have truly missed getting to catch up with Hannah and Alanna and this weekend in Charlotte was SOOO needed!!!

For Alanna’s Birthday weekend, we all ended up staying at the Hotel Hannah aka Hannah’s place with the sweetest hostesses – Hannah and her dog Pixie! Hannah and Alanna also invited our friend Rachel to come and celebrate Alanna and *of course* to all catch up, too. We also got to see our friends Bryn and Allison who are Hannah’s close friends from high school and have since become me and Alanna’s close friends as well. The last time me, Hannah, Alanna, Bryn, and Allison all got together was to see Big Time Rush in the Summer of 2022 in Charlotte (here), which was ALSO my last trip to Charlotte since briefly for Bryn’s college graduation party *just* before going to Isle of Palms.

Needless to say, my weekend away in the Queen City was JUST what the doctor ordered! Although I had just been in Dallas 3 days before I left for Charlotte, my soul truly needed to get out and about and wake up after having endured COVID and a brutal COVID fatigue (which only got worse when flying to and from Texas), as I drove round trip to Charlotte. I am OH SO BLESSED for this incredible weekend away in a different city within my college state.

*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.*

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

Charlotte, North Carolina Travel Guide

Where To Stay:

While I am fortunate enough to have multiple close friends who call Charlotte, North Carolina home to stay with, there are plenty of great lodging options to choose from for your Queen City adventure!

Getting There:

I ended up driving down to Charlotte, North Carolina from Northern Virginia. The drive was ~6 hours without traffic and stops and 7-8 hours with traffic and stops (luckily I didn’t run into A LOT of traffic round trip!!!). Needless to say, Charlotte, North Carolina was my longest solo independent drive and I enjoyed it, too! I ended up taking I-95 to I-85 just South of Petersburg, Virginia ALLL the way to Charlotte, North Carolina via a brief stint on I-77 (I think?!). Luckily, I-85 both North and South HAS multiple rest stops, where I ended up stopping at the state lines once I entered into both North Carolina and Virginia AND even got a complimentary “Virginia is for Lovers” sticker for visiting the Visitors Center in Virginia (North Carolina’s State Line has a visitor’s center, too!). Through it all, I am VERY proud of myself for independently making the trip to and from Charlotte in my little white Volvo!

If you do choose to drive to Charlotte from Washington, DC or somewhere further Northbound, I highly recommend taking a few pit stops. I’ve made some pit stops on past road trips to Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Natural Bridge State Park, Virginia.

Besides driving, there are also flight and train options to Charlotte. I chose to drive to Charlotte, since I have found round trip flights there on my chosen airlines of United and Delta to be rather pricey from my local airports of Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) and the train via Amtrak while cheaper than flying is at least an 8-10 hour ride from the Washington, DC area (it is much easier to take the train from practically ANY part of North Carolina, though!).

Amongst all of the options, *surprise* I would drive again! Personally, I liked the drive and will choose to do it again. I liked having the flexibility of having my own car and would LOVE to come back to Charlotte and take a day trip or quick overnight to the NC Smokies or perhaps Helen, Georgia (a major bucket list item of mine!!), as the mountains are an easy day trip from Charlotte when comparing the distance to them from Raleigh or the coast. My biggest pointer for driving from the Washington, DC area to Charlotte: time your trip around traffic (which can sometimes not happen in the DMV, but for the most part it works!).

What To Do:

Shopping at the Mint Museum Store – Although we didn’t visit the Mint Museum – an art museum in the heart of Uptown Charlotte – we did walk through the Mint Museum Store, which has an excellent selection of home goods, jewelry, and souvenirs for all.

Shopping at Braveworks – Braveworks is a faith-based nonprofit and boutique with a mission to empower women starting over in their lives. Through the power of faith, networking, and creating, Braveworks provides the framework for women to feel safe and empowered for the next phase of their lives. Many of the pieces in their boutique – all ethically and sustainably made – are made by the women locally in Charlotte or in Africa, all with the chance to feel something good and to provide for themselves and their families.

Strolling McGill Rose Garden – A long-time public garden and so-called hidden gem, McGill Rose Garden is a nonprofit organization which hosts a community area for weddings/events, outside organizations to bring people together, and MORE! While there, Hannah, Rachel and I happened to not only admire the many beautiful roses and flowers within the gardens, but also support local artists – graduating Class of 2025 Seniors at the University of North Carolina Charlotte who studied Art there – who were selling their incredible creations. It was AMAZING to be able to meet so many incredible soon-to-be college graduates while also supporting and empowering them in such a gorgeous spot.

Walking at Freedom Park – For YEARS, I have been wanting to walk Freedom Park – a large park with a lake, amphitheater, and so much more in the heart of Charlotte’s Freedom Park neighborhood – with Hannah and her dog Pixie. *Finally*, we got the chance to walk Freedom Park altogether! Freedom Park is a gorgeous park in Charlotte that I’ve enjoyed visiting for years, since my initial visits to the Queen City in college.

Indulge in some retail therapy at SouthPark – SouthPark is Charlotte’s popular shopping mall! As of November 2025, a beautiful and brand-new Lilly Pulitzer store opened up at the city’s well-known mall. Other well-known stores at SouthPark include Belk, Nordstrom, and Dillards.

Catch the Sunset at Charlotte Airport Overlook – With some food trucks, a Navy jet on display, skyline views, and a playground, the Charlotte Airport Overlook has become a popular spot to enjoy sunset or sunrise views in the Queen City. We happened to catch sunset after a few laps around the crowded parking lot with no luck of finding parking. The Charlotte Airport Overlook is a stunning spot to not only watch planes land/take off and enjoy the sunset, but to also pack a picnic, read, journal, and enjoy time with loved ones.

Strolling + Shopping in South End – Home to Evelyn Henson’s iconic Confetti Hearts Wall, South End is an adorable shopping and dining district in Charlotte with close proximity to Uptown aka Charlotte’s downtown! We enjoyed shopping at Girl Tribe Co. while there and admiring the Confetti Hearts Wall, too. There’s several shopping and dining opportunities at South End – ranging from Bitty & Beau’s Coffee to Jeni’s Ice Creams. Check out all that South End has to offer here.

Admiring skyline views at Novelty House Rooftop – the first night that we arrived in Charlotte, we went to Uptown to celebrate Alanna’s Birthday dinner at Sea Level NC (more on that below!). Afterwards, we went to Novelty House – a gorgeous bar with skyline views in Uptown Charlotte – which happened to be right next door to where we just had dinner. While the rooftop bar was closed at Novelty House when we went up to the top floor around 10:30pm, the staff there kindly let us take in ALLLL the scenic views and snap one tooo many photos at the MANY photo opportunities there. I am a city girl through thick and thin and LOVE a good city view (!!!!), so Novelty House was a highlight for me when in the Queen City!

Mean Girls The Musical at Belk Theater – After not being able to see Mean Girls The Musical when it came to Washington, DC back in 2022, I *finally* was able to go see it in Charlotte with Alanna for her Birthday. Alanna and I both enjoyed some wine and snacks (which I happily learned IS allowed in Belk Theater!!!) and the performance. Alanna and I both LOVED the energy and excitement from ALL of the guests at Mean Girls, too! The performance was SOOO cute and well worth the wait from Spring 2022!

And, most importantly, LOTS of catching up happened this weekend!!! I haven’t seen Hannah, Alanna, Bryn, Rachel, and Allison unless briefly since June 2023 when we went to Isle of Palms, South Carolina for a beach vacation or Charlotte/Asheville for other catching up opportunities. I have to say that catching up with some of my best college gals beyond texting pretty frequently (which I feel SOOO blessed to have each of these ladies just a phone call away!) was such a blessing and truly the highlight of this weekend. I also loved how special it was that Alanna’s Birthday celebration brought us all together to see one another, too!!

Where To Eat:

Oh My Soul – Located in Charlotte’s ultra-fun NoDa neighborhood, Oh My Soul serves delicious South African vegan food with an onsite bar and live music on select nights.

French Quarter Restaurant – Providing Cajun cuisine with a touch of comfort and award-winning burgers, French Quarter Restaurant is located in Uptown Charlotte and has an excellent selection of beer, Cajun fare, and burgers.

Lost Worlds Brewing – Located in the heart of Charlotte’s Midtown, Lost Worlds Brewing is a taproom pouring beers, wines, and specialty cocktails alongside some delicious snacks to munch on. Nearby, diners can enjoy a beautiful skyline of the Queen City!

Renaissance Patisserie – In the heart of Charlotte’s SouthPark neighborhood, Renaissance Patisserie is a French-inspired patisserie serving up delicious pastries, desserts, and breakfast + lunch food. I adored their seasonal cookies in honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday!

Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Garden – Located adjacent to the McGill Rose Garden (more on that above!), Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Garden serves a vast array of coffees and wines for guests to enjoy as they peruse the garden.

Pinky’s Westside Grill – Featured on Diners, Drive-In’s, and Dives, Pinky’s Westside Grill specializes in fried pickles and onion rings, after owner Greg Austen found himself throwing away excess of both. Truly, alll-things fried is Pinky’s Westside Grill’s specialty which we all enjoyed caving in on together!

YaME Asian Noodles – A delicious fast casual and family-owned Asian restaurant, YaME Asian Noodles makes you feel like you’re enjoying the comfort of Chinese takeout in a more upscale way.

Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe – Rachel and I went to Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe as per her suggestion and, needless to say, this suggestion of Rachel’s was a GREAT one!! We ended up waiting in line for about 20 minutes and it was well worth the wait. The array of delicious French pastries ranging from macarons to croissants as well as their vast breakfast menu and coffees and teas, Amelie’s truly has it ALL and I was BLOWN AWAY!!

Sorrellina Pasta Co. – A brand-new as of April 2025 Italian market, Sorrellina Pasta Co. offers pastas, Italian wines and pastries, and meals to go that transports you to Italy without leaving Charlotte. Be sure to check out their market for delicious kitchen staples for your next Italian dinner at home as well as some free samples!

Sea Level NC – For Alanna’s Birthday dinner, she decided to celebrate at Sea Level NC located in Uptown Charlotte! Dining at Sea Level NC was such a GREAT way to kick off our long weekend in the Queen City! I ordered wayyyy too much food, including a delicious grouper and fried oysters, and lots of great cocktails, too! The staff were extremely kind and personable, too. I would definitely dine here again!

RH Rooftop – YES YES YES, I dined at an RH Rooftop location in TWO different cities and states within FIVE days! The RH Rooftop location in Charlotte located at Phillips Place ALSO is on the 3rd floor of the Restoration Hardware storefront just like in Dallas. The RH Rooftop has a very distinct atmosphere to its Dallas counterpart, however, there are a few subtle differences between the two. The menu remains the same, though, and it was fun to try brunch in Charlotte, including the AMAZING forest bacon (!!!!) and a Mimosa! In the future though, I would likely not dine out for brunch at an RH Rooftop, as it was wayyyy too pricey for what I got.

Ralph’s Coffee Truck – I had never been to a Ralph’s Coffee location, despite seeing the cafe on a few occasions at the Tyson’s Galleria near Washington, DC. SO, we were all in for a treat when we got to grab some coffee/tea at the Ralph’s Coffee Truck outside of the Ralph Lauren store in Phillips Place after brunch at the nearby RH Rooftop! Due to my seasonal allergies bugging me over the weekend, I got a delicious tea that truly hit the spot for me. ALSO, I LOVED the many fun fun fun photo opportunities outside of this adorable green truck (!!!!).

Mac’s Speed Shop – Saturday night, we ended up here after trying to get into a Mexican restaurant that had an hour-long wait and we were in for a great treat dining at Mac’s Speed Shop instead! Offering an array of North Carolinian staples, including American fare AND barbecue AND *even* Mexican (!!!!), Mac’s Speed Shop was a great affordable restaurant with options for all. We ordered chips and guacamole and queso before all mainly ordering barbecue dishes. Definitely a fun Charlotte spot!

Starbucks (East BLVD) – While I am never one to really add a Starbucks run that I can do at home to my rooster of places that I dined at while on a trip, I wanted to add this Starbucks location to the list, since it was SUCH AN ADORABLE little spot in Charlotte! Charlotte, North Carolina is known for its gorgeous and historic neighborhoods AND this Starbucks location on East Blvd definitely lived up to that hype, given that it appeared to be revamped from a former historic home! Not to mention, the staff at this location were extremely friendly and accommodating AND this location was popping with people and dogs of ALL kinds.

Wrap-Up:

I truly enjoyed my weekend away in Charlotte, as it was SOOO needed for my soul. Friend time is ALWAYS such a blessing, especially in-person with those I talk to every day (such as those including Hannah, Alanna, Rachel, Allison, and Bryn!). I feel beyond blessed to have gotten such great quality time with those that I LOVE in the Queen City.

Usually when I travel to North Carolina, I am in *none other than* my college town of Raleigh. While I LOVE Raleigh and visiting those that I LOVE there, it is ALWAYS nice to explore a different city within North Carolina and try something new. On a future trip to Charlotte, I would LOVE to take a stroll at the beautiful and charming Queen’s College and Freedom Park, take a day trip to the North Carolina mountains (and perhaps the nearby state of South Carolina – some of which is apart of the Charlotte Metropolitan area), and shop at the popular Girl Tribe Co in South End. Knowing that Hannah, Bryn, and Allison are living in Charlotte, I know that I’ll have PLENTY of future opportunities to catch up with those that I LOVE in a city that I LOVE, too!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

February 27, 2024April 21, 2026

thepinkchickadee3 Comments

My Favorite Shrimp and Berry Salad Recipe

Recently on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee), I shared a preview of my LITERAL favorite salad recipe EVER (!!!!!) on my stories. This salad is … my Shrimp & Berry salad! I have created this salad recipe on my own after being inspired by a delicious shrimp and berry salad that I had while on vacation in Dewey Beach, Delaware last summer (here). Needless to say, I have made this salad on MULTIPLE occasions after initially crafting this recipe of my own post-Dewey Beach vacation. Now, I am here to share it with y’all!

I will note that this Shrimp & Berry salad is literally the salad for salad haters. It is sweet with a bit of a savory kick which is something that I LOVE! Personally, while I love a good salad on occasion, it’s hard for me to imagine eating and enjoying salads on a regular basis. SO, this Shrimp & Berry salad of mine is something that truly unlike most salads makes me want to come back for MORE time and time and time again!

While this Shrimp & Berry salad recipe is listed the way it is below, some potential additions/substitutions include: salmon/chicken/chick peas in lieu of shrimp, blackberries in addition to/in lieu of blueberries or raspberries, and crumbled feta cheese in lieu of crumble goat cheese. A delicious addition to this salad would be walnuts or pecans for an extra dosage of protein and a bit of a crunch, too. To keep the sweetness of this salad going strong, I highly suggest using a rather sweet, strawberry-based vinaigrette just as in this recipe.

Ingredients:

1 pack of defrosted shrimp (peeled & deveined)
1 pack of blueberries
1 pack of raspberries
1 container of goat cheese crumbles
1 pack of spring salad mix
Blush Wine Vinaigrette (I use Brianna’s Home Style!)
Spices for shrimp rub (I use garlic, paprika, basil, parsley, cayenne, oregano, salt, & pepper!)

Directions:

Mix shrimp in with the spice rub
Cook shrimp to your liking (I usually air fry, but you can easily pan fry, bake with butter in the oven, grill, etc.)
While the shrimp is cooking, prepare the rest of your ingredients, including washing the blueberries and raspberries and spring mix
Add spring mix, blueberries, and raspberries to a salad bowl. Add in the goat cheese crumbles
When complete, add your newly cooked shrimp into the salad
Top the salad off with your Blush Wine Vinaigrette
Enjoy!

Note: Salad stays good and can easily be kept cool for 2-3 days! It is SOOOO good you will finish it really fast 🙂

I hope you try and enjoy, too! If you do, then PLEASE let me know how it goes!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

February 7, 2024December 29, 2025

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The Life of Katie – January 2024

Being transparent over here, January 2024 was a month filled with more trials than triumphs. Indeed, I have called January the “trial month of 2024” more often than not *whoops*! January 2024 was the month that I got COVID, after having ended the *very* end of December 2024 via a stressful and rather traumatic event that I needed to process too. As a result of getting COVID and a few looonggg weeks of recovery, I have LITERALLY had to move mountains within my own personal and even work calendar to account for it all. Through it all, I have remained proud of myself for navigating through some tough moments and finding the silver lining amongst it all. Going into February 2024, I feel more than ready to kick off 2024 the fabulous Katie way!!!

During the month of January, I revamped my Shop.LTK page after about a year-long hiatus. I am MORE THAN excited (!!!!!) for my Shop.LTK revamp and am excited to share some of my many favorite finds with y’all in 2024 and beyond! That all being said, I am going to each month share 3 of my favorite purchases, whether it be something ordered via carry out (as in the case of January’s), a clothing/home/beauty item, grocery item or travel-related item! In the meantime, you can follow along my Shop.LTK shop here!

A Few of My Favorite Purchases

The Tuckernuck Sample Sale went LIVE during the month of January and I am more than pleased to say that my entire Spring/Summer 2024 wardrobe is ready to go. One of my favorite purchases was a restock of my absolute favorite tortoise heart-shaped sunglasses. I share ALL of my sale purchases and favorite picks from the sale here!
ALLLLL while I had COVID, I was craving *none other than* … Chipotle! SO, once I was feeling up to it, I got a Chipotle steak and fajita veggie bowl and it has definitely been one of my favorite purchases in January 2024!
Across my Instagram feeds, I have been seeing Poppi soda becoming a fan favorite. SO, I *FINALLY* popped open a can of Poppi soda to see what the hype was for myself (!!!!!). And, yes, I completely understand the hype now. I WILL be buying another can again in the future ANNDDD perhaps a pack from Amazon, too!
Bonus: I found a 2024 calendar year Lilly Pulitzer agenda at … Home Goods (!!!!) for $15. I snagged that beauty up within SECONDS!

Highs

Tradition-wise, I usually spend New Year’s with my Dad. AND, ringing in 2024 was NO different! I rang in 2024 with my Dad and Step Mom and their Yorkie Ginger by spending the first week of January AND New Years with them in their home base of Bethany Beach, Delaware. We had an incredible New Year’s Eve dinner at the gorgeous Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound (here) on the Ocean City, Maryland sound. Dad and I enjoyed MANY evenings after work from home watching movies and drinking champagne out of the circa 1900 Thompson family Christmas china and *of course* Ginger snuggles (!!!!!). And, I got to dine at Ocean View Brewing Company where I had some of THE BEST mahi mahi I’ve ever had and enjoy the vibes and atmosphere at Libation Room, a lounge inside of Rehoboth Beach’s Summer House. All in all, it was SUCH A special time with my family (and quite peaceful, too!!).

While in the midst of my recovery from COVID, when I became no longer contagious, I was able to *finally* go see Frozen on tour at The Kennedy Center after two failed attempts (thanks to COVID boo) with my friends Briana and Brittany. We ended up dining at the Roof Terrace Restaurant (onsite at The Kennedy Center on *surprise* the terrace!!!). The vibes and views and company were immaculate AND I got to live out my BESTTTT Frozen life, as Olaf IS my spirit animal (!!!!!). Needless to say, seeing Frozen (and Olaf!!!) was THE BEST way to officially kick off 2024!!!!

Papa and I *finally* made it to Restaurant Week thanks to its extension and had an AMAZING time trying Trummer’s Restaurant in Clifton’s Historic District in Northern Virginia. Trummer’s serves up New American cuisine and delicious cocktails, including their signature cocktail (which I tried and LOVED) The Titanic! At the same time, Papa and I LOVED getting to try some of the delicious cuisines that Trummer’s has to offer, including crab dip, Weiner schnitzel, and scallops. HOWEVER, I cannot finish raving about my incredible experience at Trummer’s without mentioning their GORGEOUS atmosphere and vibes both at the bar and in the upstairs dining area (!!!!).

My best friend Liz and I had a much-needed outing post-COVID where I *finally* got to check out a much, in-fact, years-along anticipated visit of mine to a local thrift store that I somehow haven’t visited until this month … Unique! Liz and I spent HOURS sifting through the racks and racks and racks of incredible finds. Let’s just say that I did some damage (whoops!). HOWEVER, I am more than excited to say that I have just about everything that I could ever want and need for my Spring/Summer 2024 wardrobe (!!!!). And, I of course LOVED some much-needed time chatting with Liz as we admired ALLLL the merchandise on the floor at Unique. I am SO grateful to have Liz as one of my best friends!

As apart of my Ignite Young Professionals program, I have been volunteering with the Museum of Contemporary Art in Arlington (aka the ONLY art museum in Arlington, Virginia AND it is definitely worth visiting and free to do so!!!) with a group of classmates from my cohort. As apart of our groups’ volunteering efforts, we have been helping to stock the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington’s Amazon HQ2 Innovation Studio storefront that they have for the next year+. It was SUCH A COOL and AMAZING opportunity to watch the ribbon cutting ceremony for the storefront and see some of my network through Ignite Young Professionals at the event. I also got to meet one of the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington’s artists and his son that will be onsite at the storefront selling artwork and mingling with customers and guests, alike, for the next 6 weeks. It was such a full circle moment for the staff at the museum and my group within my cohort!

Lows

ANDDD, it happened …. I got COVID. My first time with COVID came about this January 2024 and it was NOT FUN. I feel thankful to say that somehow I was marked safe from COVID for a whopping 4 years and that I had a pretty mild case (however COVID is COVID and it’s NO fun). At the same time, I am also lucky that I got COVID when the weather was snowing and storming outside, so there really wasn’t anything that I would be missing out on, despite missing my January Ignite Young Professionals class and planning another happy hour afterwards and having to reschedule my friend Bree coming to visit (sigh!). AND, well, I ended up with a lingering cough and a few failed attempts at getting medications to work to relieve the cough, too. As a result, I had to reschedule many events with friends, coworkers, and family, including a much-anticipated Outreach trip to Raleigh, North Carolina at my Alma mater Meredith College (however, I luckily have a new date for this at the end of March AND reservation at a restaurant that I have been so psyched to try!!!). Needless to say, I do not wish COVID on anybody, but I am grateful for COVID truly forcing me to do something I legit never do unless I am literally on vacation: slow down.
Rescheduling plans due to COVID and inclement weather seemed to be THE THEME of January 2024. Whelp! It kind of got annoying having to CONSTANTLY reschedule plans again and again and again. HOWEVER, if January 2024 taught me ANYTHING, it is that plans can and will change and we have to adapt from time to time.

Here’s to an INCREDIBLE February 2024 and beyond, given all of the self growth, trials, and triumphs of January 2024!

XOXO – Katie <3

February 5, 2024December 29, 2025

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What I Wore to Work – January 2024

January has felt like the LOOOONGEST month, both personally (more on that to come *very* soon!) AND professionally. To kick off my first work week in 2024, I spent it in Delaware at my Dad’s house with him and his Yorkie Ginger near the beach. It was SOOO nice to simply get away from the craze and hustle and bustle of Washington, DC and simply be by the beach. THEN, I came home for my first full 5-day work week and … lo and behold … Papa and I both got COVID for the first time. Needless to say, January 2024 has made me take many more sick days than anticipated this early in the year AND many more days in pajamas and sweatshirts and fuzzy robes and slippers GALORE, too. Throughout the month of January 2024, though, I have enjoyed getting to style some fun work from home outfits (some even being pajamas – LOL!) while recovering from COVID!

During this past month, I ALSO started to *finally* revamp my Shop.LTK page (here) (!!!!!) AND have been posting MANY of my daily outfits (including work outfits) with exact and similar pieces for YOU to shop. My decision to revamp my Shop.LTK page was thanks to YOU all continuously asking me where/how to shop the very pieces that I wear and share with y’all!

For more preppy style & grand millennial home content, check out my Preppy Fashion & Grand Millennial Home page.