April 2024 was a WHIRLWIND of a month! From my first-ever solo trip to Europe to graduation from Ignite Young Professionals to back to reality to birthday celebrations for all and everything in between, April 2024 had A LOT going for it. Many highs and lows happened in April 2024, however, through it all, I am grateful for the growth that occurred during this Spring month.
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My Favorite Buys:
I will pre-phase that due to my trip to Ireland during the first half of this past month, most of my buys are … souvenirs (which I will *of course* share with y’all!!!). HOWEVER, I did enjoy some sample products that I got from my monthly Ipsy subscription (more on that here) and a TJ Maxx/Home Goods run! I ALSO had a very fun collaboration with a super fun brand over on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee) that I’ll share more on in this section, too!
- This month, I had the HUGE honor of working with 66Disco Wholesale – a plus-sized wholesale brand focused on empowering women to feel and look their best at ALL sizes. Y’all, I was BLOWN away by how adorable their selection of well-made, high-quality clothing at AMAZING prices is, too! Use my discount code KT15 for 15% off your purchase today.
- I have been working these past few months with a super incredible t-shirt brand: Mountain Moverz. Upon returning from Ireland, I received an adorable tee with the slogan “happiness comes in waves” that I LOVED styling for an ultra-fun outing via a picnic and walk with my best friend Haley the weekend after I got home. Use my discount code KATIET20 for 20% off your purchase today!
- On my most recent TJ Maxx haul complete with a gift card, I got these gorgeous House of Harlow 1960 gold hoop earrings (similar here) for $13. I KNOW that these hoops WILL become another staple in my wardrobe, especially since they work for my hypoallergenic ears that become ultra-sensitive to wearing earrings ALL the time.
- I have recently been getting into thrifting more often than not ANDDD I have found some AMAZING pieces (!!!!!). One of which was a pair of Kate Spade gold sparkly block heels that happened to be in my size for a whopping $7.49 at my local Salvation Army. I ended up going to my local Salvation Army *just* a day before STEM For Her’s Elevate Her Gala, which I attended on behalf of my company and they literally were THE PERFECT shoe to wear for the occasion and extremely comfortable, too!!
- ANNDDDD, as for Ireland souvenirs, I got a hot pink wool blanket from Ireland’s LARGEST (!!!!) woolen mills outlet: Blarney Woolen Mills, matching Daisy the sheep keychains for me and my best friend Liz, a pink wool scarf, a tartan wool scarf, and tea from Bewley’s (THANK YOU to my Instagram friend Julie of @julies_colorful_life – go follow her!!!! – for the recommendation) as well as Titantic Tea from a Northern Ireland deli. Last but not least, I went to … the Disney Store (!!!!!) and got myself another plush Olaf aka my FAVORITE Disney character EVER!
Highs:
- I kicked off April 2024 with … a solo trip to Ireland! I had a home base in Dublin for 8 days and traveled ALLL across the country thanks to the power of the Viator app. I went to Northern Ireland, Connemara, Cork County, Glendalough, The Atlantic Way, and ALL around Dublin. My trip to Ireland was my first trip to Europe since studying abroad in my college years in 2018 (5th time to Europe!!!!) and my first time in Ireland. I truly fell IN LOVE with Ireland and its culture and people and many many many incredible sights to see. Needless to say, MORE information to come on ALL the details from my incredible trip to Ireland *very* soon!
- Believe it or not, I have hit a new peak television genre interest this April 2024: true crime. From YouTube videos on true crime stories to Mean Girl Murders binge-watching on HBO Max, the my interests has peaked. I think, for me, the biggest fascination with it all is people’s psychologies and experiences behind these tragic events that shape what happened before/after them.
- My best friend Liz celebrated a HUGE milestone Birthday turning 30!!!! Me, Liz, and some of her closest friends and family celebrated Liz’s special milestone birthday with a beautiful arrangement and setup done by her ultra-sweet sister-in-law Katie via @fleuriste_dc (follow her on Instagram!!!!), wine at The Winery at Bull Run, and dinner at Thompson Italian in Falls Church. Nevertheless, I had an INCREDIBLE time celebrating my best friend Liz to kick off Taurus season with her amazing friends and family.
- I attended STEM For Her’s Elevate Her Gala for the third time at the end of April, alongside some of my super sweet coworkers all of whom have volunteered with STEM For Her – an incredible nonprofit focused on providing scholarships and academic opportunities and support to empower the next generation of girls and women in STEM. I have gotten to know some of the inspiring students and volunteers and board members that make the uplifting community and me proud to be a fellow Woman in STEM!
- To kick off my Birthday week, I went to Barca Pier and Wine Bar in Old Town Alexandria aka a FAVORITE of my family’s and I’s for *none other than* a tapas BIRTHDAY BRUNCH (!!!!!) with Aunt Amy and Papa. It was such a special brunch AND a beautiful day to be on the Potomac River with those that I LOVE.
- Just 10 days after my trip to Ireland, I packed my bags *yet again* for another trip to … Bethany Beach, Delaware to visit my Dad, Step Mom, and Sissy aka their Yorkie Ginger. My best friend Amanda came to visit for the weekend, too, and we enjoyed some super nice dinners, including to Ava’s Pizzeria and Wine Bar and The Libation Room, both in nearby Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. We also enjoyed a gorgeous day to Assateague Island National Seashore and Berlin, Maryland *complete* with a boozy ice cream refreshment. All in all, we enjoyed a super nice, relaxing, and rejuvenating weekend!
- I have adored ALLLL the flowers this Springtime. Flowers bring me SO MUCH JOY and this Spring was NOOO different. I am oh so fortunate enough to live in a house with a HUGE backyard full of gorgeous Azalea blooms, making every April super duper cheerful! My best friend Haley and I ALSO went on a stunning walk to Bull Run Regional Park’s Bluebell trail, which was GORGEOUS. And, I have enjoyed taking SOOO many photos in front of ALLLL the blooms, from tulips to different cherry tree variations than the typical cherry blossom to Azaleas and EVERYTHING in between!
- Right after I landed in the states from Ireland, I graduated from the Ignite Young Professionals Program via the Leadership Center of Arlington after 8 months of leadership, personal, and professional development amongst fellow early career professionals. I have served as the social chair for my Ignite Young Professionals cohort and it has been SUCH AN HONOR to serve my class, as we have been SOOO lucky to bond with one another over the 8 month time frame, too. While I am sad that classes are over, I am super excited to stay connected with my cohort beyond our program time.
- In April, I have enjoyed dinners with friends and Papa and my own company (usually complete with Chinese takeout – LOL!) from a trip to Tyson’s Galleria to admire ALLLL the fashion with Liz or a home cooked meal with Briana and Papa. Dinners, whether at home or on the town, are SUCH A BLESSING when spent with those that we love!
Lows:
- Pollen allergies are THE WORST during the April timeframe. If you know, you know! Enough said.
- Since coming back from my travels, it is definitely tough getting back to reality and in the swing of things. Being transparent over here that while I LOVE my job, I also LOVE the time I get to completely clock off of Outlook and Teams and simply recharge. I miss Ireland dearly and truly cherished my time there. It was hard getting back to work, however, I am super grateful to have a supportive professional environment and coworkers who LOVED seeing photos from my trip, too!
Here’s to May flowers ALLL month long!!!
XOXO – Katie <3