My Antique Artisan Welcome Console!

Ever since my Mom bought my Great Uncle Charlie’s home, my family and I have been spending lots of time going through his antique furniture and collection that he and his late wife, my Great Aunt Mary, curated over the decades of their marriage. Some of the pieces that were in his house have since become antique artisan welcome console!!! This antique artisan welcome console is actually 1/3 of my welcome center within my apartment and holds treasures from both my Mom’s and Dad’s side of the family that were likely in storage for years before being repurposed (see another 1/3 of my welcome center here). Needless to say, I am SO excited to bring these incredible pieces (including this antique artisan welcome console!) back to life.

Flashback to May of this year and I was looking at antique pieces that my Mom and Step Dad were putting up for sale at my neighborhood’s garage sale from Uncle Charlie’s. And, all of a sudden, I stumble upon a set of gorgeously artisan-made consoles. While I ONLY took one of the consoles, which is on display now and the main character of this blog post, I think it’s important to note that there were multiples of this beautiful set. I *of course* rescued this welcome console and got to work setting it up!

Alongside the welcome console, I ALSO found this GORGEOUS marble (and brass?!?!) lamp whose ancient lamp shade I need to replace (we’ll save that for another day though!) within a box filled with many other things. Truly, this lamp is a treasure to me and I am SOOOO excited to give it SO MUCH LOVE for decades to come. I am STILL obsessed with this lamp, and I *of course* rescued it, too! When I grabbed this lamp out of the box, it did not have an updated light bulb, which personally is something that nerves me to attempt to look into. I had a leadership conference the day after I rescued this beautiful lamp that Papa heard me gush about ALLL evening long the night before, so when I got home from the conference, he surprised me upon arrival with a freshly lit lamp which was SOOO sweet of him! I am still so grateful to Papa for surprising me with updating the light bulbs of my newly treasured lamp. Now, this lamp of mine sits on my welcome console that it was rescued alongside!

Recently, I have started collecting matchboxes from restaurants and bars that I dine at. So far, I only have matchboxes from TWO local Washington, DC area restaurants: Water Bar and Le Diplomate! I store my growing matchbox collection on a family crystal piece from my Dad’s side of the family, which sits next to a Paris-themed glass/wooden tray from my Step Mom’s parents. As a HUGE fan of the city of Paris overall, it’s fun to present that to others as they feel welcomed into my own pad, alongside some of the many memories that I’ve made dining out at some iconic restaurants. And, who doesn’t love a collectible matchbox?!?!

My Papa and Grandma collected colored-glass lamps and had many of them on display in their house. Since my Grandma passed away a few years ago, Papa has been giving these beautiful lamps to my Mom, Aunts, and I to add to our own antique collections. I took three of those beautiful colored-glass lamps as additions to my own antique collection, which are on my welcome console.

Atop of my antique artisan welcome console is a wooden canvas with a felted pineapple on it. It truly is a canvas that I feel adds a daily dose of confidence and empowerment to my days. And, I hope it adds that daily boost to my fellow guests’ (and Papa and dog Rosie, too!) days, too! I thrifted this beautiful canvas at my local 2nd Avenue thrift store that I LOVE for home decor pieces.

Overall, my welcome console provides me with SO MUCH JOY. I love that I have been able to repurpose the majority of it from family-owned pieces and bring love to them for generations to come.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Annapolis, Maryland Travel Diary

I spent an incredible late July Saturday afternoon in the gorgeous town of Annapolis, Maryland! Growing up, I spent many summer days in the Maryland State Capital with my relatives who live there (and still do!) sailing, enjoying cotton candy ice cream at Storm Bros. Ice Cream Factory (which I did this time around, too!!), and walking the charming downtown streets and taking in ALL of the vibes. While I unfortunately due to family matters back at home could not meet up with my relatives this time around, there is ALWAYS a next time which I am looking forward to. Annapolis is a great stop on a road trip to the Delaware Beaches – my favorite near-to-me beach destination, which you can read my travel guide on the town of Bethany Beach, Delaware here. This time around, I brought my semi-recently acquired camera with me and snapped TONS of charming photos of Annapolis which is also known as “Naptown”. Now, I am sharing my *very own* Annapolis, Maryland travel diary!

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.

What I Did:

To kick off my Annapolis, Maryland travel diary, I got to meet my fellow Facebook and Instagram friend Jennifer of Capitol Hill Calligraphy & Design (support her here) at The Pink Crab – Annapolis’s Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store. Jennifer and I have SO MUCH in common, including ties to both North Carolina and New Jersey and *of course* the Washington, DC area, so it was destined that we meet! I am excited to connect with Jennifer now more, too. After a stop at The Pink Crab and meeting Jennifer and purchasing some of her incredibly gorgeous designs, too, I went to have a delicious lunch as I was starving at McGarvey’s and enjoyed a half a dozen of their $1 raw oysters (a STEAL nowadays thanks to inflation!), an Aviator’s Lager, and one of the most delicious salads I’ve ever had …. A shrimp & crab root vegetable summer salad. I will mention that the staff at both The Pink Crab and McGarvey’s were both beyond kind and made my experience at both places amazing!!

After *a little bit* of retail therapy and lunch, I headed for the iconic Naptown waterfront where I met an ultra-kind family from New York that visits Delaware every summer (which is where my Dad lives and my favorite summer spot, too!!!) and admired the gorgeous waterfront views filled with sail boats. Growing up, I would spend many summer afternoons and evenings sailing throughout the Annapolis waterfront with my Uncle John and cousins Jack and Laura alongside my Mom and brother Will, which I have MANY fond memories of. It was fun to see others enjoying Summer memories similar to mine! After the waterfront, I headed for the gorgeous and windy and colorful streets of Annapolis with my camera. Needless to say, it was a beautiful day and afternoon in Annapolis!

Wrap-Up:

Annapolis truly holds a special place in my heart and will for YEARS to come. I am excited to come back to Naptown and make more memories here with family and friends and myself as well.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Trinity College’s The Book of Kells Experience Review

While on one of my tour-free days in Dublin (see my tours outside of Dublin to Cork County and the Cliffs of Moher here and here), I ended up strolling through Trinity College’s campus amongst a sea of fellow tourists. I admired the gorgeous Trinity College campus at every “Oooo” and “Ahhh”! While strolling through Trinity College, I stumbled upon the Book of Kells Experience that Trinity College has to offer and booked a ticket for later in the day! Hence, my tour-free day in Dublin had a tour booked!!

Well, what makes the Book of Kells oh so special?!?! The Book of Kells is one of the world’s oldest books that has witnessed many centuries of world history. Scottish monks brought the Book of Kells to Ireland, when they were escaping from the Viking raids. The book dates back to approximately 800 AD and also contains several intricately drawn illustrations and ornamentation which even surpasses those of Insular Gospel books in its extravagant nature and complexity.

About: The Book of Kells experience is a magnificent experience! Taking place at its current home of Trinity College surrounded by several historians striving to preserve it for centuries to come, The Book of Kells experience gives visitors a glimpse into the book’s incredible and resilient history alongside its preservation. Guests get to see two open pages of the book, alongside the Old Library at Trinity College where many more books are being preserved, too. Timed-entry tickets can be purchased at the door via a QR Code or here.

I personally LOVED the relaxing nature of the Book of Kells experience! It was amazing to learn more about this beautiful and resilient book’s history and significance. It was super cool to kick off the exhibit with illuminated recreations of some of the many well-known manuscripts from the book and to then see the book in real life (although, it is worth noting that NO photos are allowed of the Book of Kells in order to preserve it). However, my favorite part was getting to see the Old Library after coming face to face with the Book of Kells, itself! The Old Library was extremely magnificent (!!!!) with its winding staircases and original-to-itself architecture. It also is home to several other historical books that Trinity College staff and historians are striving to keep alive for generations to come in an adapted climate (given climate change). The best part?!?! Seeing a Gaia on tour of planet Earth in the MIDDLE of the Old Library!

After coming face-to-face with the Book of Kells and Old Library, I headed to part two of the Book of Kells Experience, which was an illuminated recreation similar to Artechouse in Washington, DC (here) of this iconic book and its significance. One of my FAVORITE memories from this exhibition was getting to “watch” Ada Lovelace aka the founder of coding amongst several other well-known international scholars from centuries-apart have a conversation with one another in real-time. During this exhibition, it was also cool to watch a video of the story of the Book of Kells, too, as it withstood the Vikings’ invasion of Scotland and life in Ireland where it resides to this very day.

All in all, the Book of Kells Experience was a highlight of my time in Dublin and Ireland as a whole! I had SO MUCH FUN seeing the magnificent Old Library and the Book of Kells, itself, alongside “meeting” Ada Lovelace and other well-known scholars.

XOXO – Katie <3

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A Day at Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

I had an INCREDIBLE trip to Ireland back in April, which I shared about ALLLL over my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee). And, now, I am finally getting around to sharing and writing out ALLL of the details over here on the blog. Today, I am sharing about my day trip to Ireland’s iconic Cliffs of Moher via The Atlantic Way. Truly, getting to see the Cliffs of Moher within the sunshine (!!!!) was such a gift, alongside seeing these magnificent cliffs in real life, too!

After watching Irish Wish on Netflix featuring Lindsay Lohan via a virtual movie night with my best friends Holly and Lindsay a few weeks before jetting off to the Emerald Isle (where the Cliffs of Moher were featured SEVERAL times!), I got SOOOO excited to see the Cliffs of Moher myself! Needless to say, the Cliffs of Moher truly BLEW ME AWAY! As apart of my solo trip to Ireland, I took 5 day trips across the country (and into Northern Ireland) with local tour operators from my home base of Dublin. Going to the Cliffs of Moher was my second day trip throughout Ireland and one that was very much for the books.

*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.*

A Day at Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Tour Operator:

Paddywagon Tours is a popular Irish-based tour operator with headquarters in Dublin (with pick up’s literally just a couple of blocks away from both of my hotels!). I ended up doing 3 Paddywagon Tours while in Ireland (one of which I have already shared about going to Cork County, Ireland!), especially due to its utter convenience of pick-up right by my hotel!

Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are rugged cliffs that stretch approximately 14 kilometers across Ireland’s Atlantic Way in County Clare. The Cliffs of Moher are walkable and you can *even* hike across them, too, although it may not be highly suggested throughout parts of it. Just like with Netflix’s Irish Wish, the Cliffs of Moher are featured in several well-known films, photos, etc. Truly, I GASPED when I saw the Cliffs of Moher in-person, as it was such a grand sight to see!

While my tour primarily focused on spending time taking in ALLLL of the views at the Cliffs of Moher, my tour bus also drove throughout Ireland’s Atlantic Way, where we *even* took a quick stop at an Irish beach amongst the many many many twists and turns with all of the scenic views in between. This bus ride was one of THE MOST exhausting rides of my entire life due to all of the several twists and turns along the way. However, the scenic views were truly some of THE BEST that I have ever seen in my entire life.

And, along the way back to Dublin amongst all of the twists and turns via the ride home, my tour bus stopped at a BEAUTIFUL castle, Dunguaire Castle which had … SWANS!!!! At the pond nearby.

Dunguaire Castle

Dunguaire Castle is a 16th century tower house located on the shore of the Galway Bay in County Galway. It was built in 1520 by the O’Hynes clan and has since been restored. Today, it beautifully sits in all of its peaceful glory with swans hanging out all around it.

While visiting Dungaire Castle was ALSO a pretty brief stop on my tour bus, it was truly one that I will remember for the books! Seeing the swans chilling alongside the Galway Bay was such a beautiful way to close out my visit alongside the Atlantic Way!

Wrap-Up:

While visiting the Cliffs of Moher, I enjoyed getting to see some of THE MOST beautiful views that I have EVER seen in my entire life! Amongst all of its windy roads, the Atlantic Way is indeed one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Summer Strolls – The Smithsonian Castle

One of the MANY buildings in Washington, DC that I simply cannot get over how incredible it is is *none other than* the Smithsonian Castle! Indeed, the Smithsonian Castle is a magnificent building and is one of the first places that I visited growing up with my parents time and time again in Washington, DC. Not only does this incredible place hold many memories of my own, but it also holds a vast history in Washington, DC and the United States as well as several memories of people from all across the globe.

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.

Note: Currently, the Smithsonian Castle is closed to visitors for a few-years of renovations and restorations. It closed its doors on February 1, 2023, but will re-open once complete. However, its adjacent Enid A. Haupt Garden (home to some of the iconic magnolia cherry blossom trees!) and outdoor grounds remain open to the public during visitor hours.

About: The Smithsonian Castle opened its doors to the public in 1855 and has witnessed centuries of American history. It is the first-ever Smithsonian Institution building and also played homage to the first Smithsonian exhibit that opened to the public! Its home is alongside the National Mall where many of the Smithsonian’s other museums (and national monuments!) are located, including the National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, and African American History Museum. Currently, the Smithsonian Castle serves as the central information center for the Smithsonian. While its doors are closed as of February 2023, the Smithsonian Castle’s charm still reigns in ALLL of its glory!

Growing up, I used to visit the Smithsonian Castle with my Dad and brother probably at least 3+ times during the course of my high school years. I would, then, visit it again with friends in both high school and college in the years that followed. Needless to say, over time, going through the doors of the Smithsonian Castle began to feel a bit old and annoying to me. However, as time went by, I grew to truly love this building more and more and more. When the #IfThenSheCan exhibit showcasing 3-D printed statues of women in STEM (here) were scattered all across the National Mall including at the Smithsonian Castle (which I visited!!!), I truly began to appreciate the importance and beauty of this building that I frequented in my teens. Now that the Smithsonian Castle’s doors are temporarily shut to the public, I cannot help but admire it even more so. That all being said, I cannot wait until its doors reopen again!

While on my photoshoot of the Smithsonian Castle, I couldn’t help but admire its architecture at EVERY turn! I started off entering in via the adjacent Enid A. Haupt garden aka a favorite spot of mine to visit during cherry blossom season for the magnolia cherry trees (!!!!!) to check out the stunning gardens during the summer time. It was an EXTREMELY hot and humid Washington, DC day, but yet a great one to admire the Smithsonian Castle grounds right in front of my very own eyes. I happened to embrace my Hydrangea Girl Summer (if you know, you know!!) and found a few hydrangea bushes, too! I ended up walking ALLLL around (well, most) of the Smithsonian Castle grounds and was just in awe at every turn.

The Smithsonian Castle is, indeed, an amazing structure on the National Mall. It is one that I hold near and dear to my heart! Truly, a special place to me and many others!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie – June 2024

Overall, June was a fairly quiet month. I enjoyed a nice visit with my college friend Claire who came up for all things Capital Pride, I traveled to visit my Dad for Father’s Day in Bethany Beach, Delaware and then had a celebration with Papa post-beach excursion, and I strolled around some near-to-me Northern Virginia parks with my best friend Haley. Through it all, I enjoyed the peace and quiet (despite more stress than usual) of June 2024.

Favorite Finds:

  • This past month, I had the incredible opportunity to partner with Noshinku – sustainably-made hand sanitizers coming in several luxurious scents at an affordable price point. The packaging of Noshinku’s hand sanitizers are SOOOO pretty and they smell AMAZING! I LOVE Noshinku’s sustainable design and packaging, alongside the high quality of its hand sanitizers. Noshinku gifted me TWO hand sanitizers in Eucalyptus and Lavender.

  • I went on a mega thrifting haul early on in the month and found a BEAUTIFUL custom-made gold bamboo framed needlepoint masterpiece (that I had the perfect place to hang it at!!!!).

  • Back in March, I had the opportunity to work with a plus-sized fashion Amazon seller: Cootry! This time around, I was sent a super comfortable pink tie dye workout tee! On one of my Summer strolls this June with Haley, I had the opportunity to style it for Summer!

June Ongoings:

Highs:

  • My good friend from college Claire came to visit me for Capital Pride in Washington, DC! We enjoyed an evening and afternoon in my favorite Washington, DC hangout spot … Old Town Alexandria! We had dinner and drinks at Vola’s Dockside Grill and brunch at Call Your Mother Deli when in Old Town Alexandria. I ALSO had a chance to snap some photos around town with my recently purchased camera!

  • To kick off the first weekend in June, I took a solo date to the National Museum of Women in the Arts for Community Day aka for free admission the first Sunday of every month. I spent about an hour wondering through this gorgeous and opulent museum that truly honors women artists from across the globe. The pieces in this museum are immaculate and seriously some of the most extraordinary creations I have EVER seen. The National Museum of Women in the Arts reopened to the public back in 2023, and I am SO glad I made a visit there for the first time since 2019!

  • I enjoyed a much-needed weekend getaway to visit my Dad and Step Mom and their dog aka my Sissy Ginger in Bethany Beach, Delaware. I truly feel SO at ease and relaxed when visiting them! This time around, we strolled the boardwalk, had ice cream at the local place to be Bonkey’s every night after dinner, and enjoyed a nice beach day. Truly, my time in Bethany Beach is ALWAYS needed for my soul!

  • I took some puppy portraits of my dog Rosie in *none other than* her natural habitat … our front yard! Rosie is my FAVORITE photography subject so far!!!! Rosie was beyond curious with the sounds of the clicking of my camera AND enthusiastic, too.

  • I enjoyed *just a few* weeknights on the town during the month of June! The first of these nights out was to celebrate my Mom’s Birthday with family at Barca Pier and Wine Bar in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. We ended up dining out on the pier during …. Sunset!!!! And, it was BEAUTIFUL to literally watch the sunset on the water. Another night on the town that I did was to see Funny Girl while it’s performing live at the Kennedy Center (!!!!!!). An AMAZING show! And, last but not least, my best friend Liz and I enjoyed a night on the town watching her cousin’s husband Phil host a comedy show that takes place on Wednesday’s at Hot Bed in Adams Morgan in Washington, DC. Each of my nights on the town were truly incredible for my soul!

  • To close out the month of June, my Mom, Step Dad, and my Mom’s friend Laura, and I all went to go see fireworks at the nearby-to-us Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia. We enjoyed a super nice picnic, took in ALL of the vibes and views *including an incredible fireworks display!!!*, and time with one another. Truly, with such a stressful month especially then, this time at the Workhouse Arts Center with loved ones was needed for my soul.

Lows:

  • June 2024 was probably THE MOST stressful month I have had to date. While I will not get into any details, it has truly been a lot this past month. Above all else, I am proud of myself for what I have accomplished and for being able to handle what was thrown my way.

Here’s to an INCREDIBLE July 2024 to come!

XOXO <3 Katie

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Summer Strolls – Lake Mercer, Virginia

To celebrate the Summer Solstice, my best friend Haley and I enjoyed a Summer Solstice stroll to Lake Mercer! I recently shared another recent Summer stroll that Haley and I did to Fountainhead Regional Park, which we ALSO loved doing. I am hoping to continue sharing remarks from my local (and even far away strolls with y’all!).

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.

Lake Mercer is a man-made lake on a 154-acre park located just South of the Fairfax County Parkway in Springfield, Virginia. There is a loop that goes ALLL around the lake, allowing for visitors to take in ALLLL of the views of it from every angle. Lake Mercer is BEAUTIFUL, despite its small size and acreage, it is a mighty place to be!

On this Summer Solstice stroll of ours, Haley and I discussed the power of balance when it comes to all of life’s commitments. Both of us were agreeing on the importance of balancing work and other responsibilities with time to take care of ourselves and also enjoy our hobbies. Within this discussion, we truly emphasized the importance of setting boundaries when it comes to our commitments. Personally, I’ve found it a challenge at times to balance it all, but in recent times, I am striving to set more firm boundaries with where I am willing to commit, need to commit, and won’t commit (at least for now). Truly, I have been learning the true importance of boundaries. At the end of the day, boundaries are a gift.

At the same time, I am SO grateful for a friend who also agrees on the true importance of placing boundaries within our lives. Boundaries tell us what’s important to us and give us the opportunity to recharge before conquering all that’s in front of us.

XOXO – Katie <3

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What I Wore to Work – June 2024

Ahhhhhh, June 2024, I am SO glad you are over! While I made some great memories during June 2024, there were also some tough times, too. HOWEVER, despite these trying times due to some family things, I really enjoyed getting to break out my Summer workwear wardrobe! I have worn SO MUCH Lilly Pulitzer this month, which is my favorite fashion designer (!!!!!). I also enjoyed shopping the Lilly Pulitzer June 2024 Surprise Sale as well and grabbing only two things (VERY proud of myself for this one!). Through it all, Lilly Pulitzer has reminded me (and us all too!) to truly think of the sunshine and the sunnier moments ahead!

June 2024 definitely felt more casual due to the current heatwaves in the Washington, DC area and helping my Papa recover from his knee replacement surgery. However, I have enjoyed *finally* getting some use out of some of my more casual pieces that aren’t pajamas. Though, on the flip side of things, I DID style a nightgown (!!!!) for workwear this month, which was a FUN one! Here’s to some stylish professional wear in July and the rest of the Summer and beyond!

Top: Lilly Pulitzer; Earrings: Cora’s Den; Skirt: J Crew; Necklace: J Crew Factory; Headband: Anthropologie; Bracelets: Amazon
Dress: Lilly Pulitzer; Necklace: Thrifted; Earrings: J Crew Factory; Bag: Target; Bracelets: Amazon & Lilly Pulitzer; Sandals: Sperry
Tee: Stella Parker; Skort: Amazon; Headband: Simply Southern; Bracelets: Amazon & Lilly Pulitzer
Dress & Scarf: Vintage; Earrings: House of Harlow 1960; Bracelets: Kate Spade, Kendra Scott, Lilly Pulitzer, & Amazon
Top: J McLaughlin; Pants: Lilly Pulitzer; Claw Clip: J Crew Factory; Bracelets: Amazon; Bag: Target; Sandals: Jack Roger’s
Blouse: Karl Lagerfeld; Necklace: Amazon; Headband: Lilly Pulitzer x Lele Sadoughi; Earrings: Charming Charlie; Skirt: J Crew Factory; Bracelets: J Crew Factory & Amazon
Dress: DVF X Target; Shapewear: Shapermint; Necklace: Thrifted; Earrings: House of Harlow 1960; Bracelets: Amazon, Lilly Pulitzer, & Kendra Scott
Dress: TJ Maxx; Necklace: Kendra Scott; Earrings: Lilly Pulitzer; Bracelets: All She Wrote Notes & Lilly Pulitzer
Caftan: Simply Southern; Necklace: J Crew Factory; Bracelets: All She Wrote Notes & Lilly Pulitzer; Earrings: J Crew Factory
Dress & Necklace: J Crew Factory; Bracelets: Kendra Scott, Amazon, & Lilly Pulitzer; Earrings: Charming Charlie
Dress: Draper James; Headband: Simply Southern; Necklace: Thrifted; Bracelets: Kendra Scott, Amazon, & Lilly Pulitzer
Tee: Fish Tales – Bethany Beach; Skort: Lilly Pulitzer; Bracelets: Amazon & Lilly Pulitzer; Earrings: SugarFix by Target
Dress: Target; Scarf: Lilly Pulitzer; Headband: J Crew Factory; Earrings: Charming Charlie; Bracelets: J Crew Factory, Amazon, & Lilly Pulitzer; Crossbody: Target; Sandals: J Crew Factory
Dress & Headband: J Crew Factory; Earrings: House of Harlow 1960; Necklace: SugarFix by Target; Bracelets: Amazon & Lilly Pulitzer
Tank: Larace; Necklace: Kendra Scott; Pants: TJ Maxx; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer, Amazon, & Kendra Scott
Dress: Lilly Pulitzer; Necklace & Earrings: Kendra Scott; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer & Kendra Scott
Blouse: Thrifted; Skirt: J Crew Factory; Earrings: J Crew Factory; Bracelets: Amazon, Lilly Pulitzer, & Kendra Scott
Dress: Lands End; Necklace: J Crew Factory; Bracelets: Amazon & Lilly Pulitzer; Headband: Scout Bags

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Want to Save on Wine?! Get A Wine Tasting Pass!

Do YOU love wine?! Are YOU traveling to the wine country in Virginia or California?! Perhaps, do YOU live near wine country?! If any of these following examples apply to you, then you must check out Reserve Pass app! If you know me or have been following me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee) for some time, then you know that I LOVE wine! I ALSO LOVE finding a good deal and enjoying one, too! Luckily for me, Reserve Pass allows me to enjoy wine at local wineries AND score some discounts!! I have been fortunate enough to partner with Reserve Pass (which has since merged with Virginia Wine Pass!) in the past and today, I am hear to share with y’all, my experiences of using Reserve Pass.

About: Reserve Pass is currently the only app in the United States that is essentially a nationwide wine (and sometimes beer) tasting pass for you and a guest (see more here)! The key features of Reserve Pass are:

  • Explore – by simply downloading the Reserve Pass app, you can simply plan your wine tasting adventure within your own backyard or while on vacation.
  • Perks – as a Reserve Pass member, you get to enjoy exclusive perks while touring historical sites, strolling through vineyards, and tasting local wines.
  • Revisit – unlike just any old coupon, you can revisit any of the wineries you loved and get the same Reserve Pass deals with them time and time again.

Currently, Reserve Pass is partnering with over 250 wineries across the United States, being a passport for its guests to visit local wine regions both near and far. Reserve Pass’s deals and discounts vary per winery. Some places offer buy one get one free on wine glasses/flights/tastings, a percent discount on wine bottle(s) purchases, and tasting fee waived with the purchase of a bottle. It is also important to note that Reserve Pass does not partner with every vineyard/winery/brewery in the United States (and primarily its partnering wineries are in the West Coasts’ and Virginia’s Wine Country regions), meaning that there won’t be a deal at every place you may visit. However, there are several vineyards/wineries/breweries that Reserve Pass DOES partner with, especially clustered in the Virginia Wine Country/Maryland area and across the West Coast. In Virginia, Reserve Pass partners with wineries, including: Boxwood Estate Winery, Three Fox Vineyards & Brewery, & The Winery at Bull Run. Overall, Reserve Pass is truly a wine tasting pass!

Whether you’re visiting a local wine country for the first-time EVER or live nearby a wine region (such as in Virginia or the West Coast) and want to check some boxes off of your winery bucket list, Reserve Pass truly IS the wine pass for YOU! Reserve Pass allows for its users to purchase two different types of memberships:

  • Monthly ($14.99/month) – PERFECT for those looking to try local wineries while on vacation or in the Summer month(s) when you know you’re looking to try a high-volume of wineries in a given month.
  • Yearly ($99/year) – PERFECT for those who live and frequent local-to-them wineries and will be visiting them multiple times in the year.

Interested in trying Reserve Pass for yourself?!?! Use my discount code “ktloveswine40” for 40% off an annual membership today!

I have personally LOVED how unique Reserve Pass is given its app-based geographical interface to allow for users find wineries nearby their current location and whether or not there is a deal nearby. For the many day trips that I take in the Washington, DC area to the nearby Virginia Wine Country, I LOVE that I can simply log onto the Reserve Pass app and find wineries near me and their corresponding deals. For example, when planning for a day trip to visit my friend Carlin in Winchester, I was able to find a nearby vineyard offering discounts to Reserve Pass members to grab a glass at along the way.

A special thank you to the team at Reserve Pass for sponsoring today’s blog post. Please note that all opinions are my own.  

XOXO – Katie <3

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