Joyspun Pajamas Review

***Please note that this Joyspun Pajamas Review will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This review was most recently updated as of March 2026.***

One thing that I haven’t shared much with y’all here and on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee) is that I am … a HUGE  pajama collector! One of the main reasons that I LOVE pajamas is because I can always get use out of them NO MATTER how many pairs I collect over time. Over the years, I have acquired a pajama collection from several brands, including LAKE, House of Harlow 1960, Juicy Couture, Lilly Pulitzer (when the brand sold them!), and J Crew/J Crew Factory. Needless to say, pajamas excite me to NO END and getting to try out a new brand’s pajamas is even more exciting to me! Today, I am going to be sharing a review of my family favorite’s affordable pajama brand that is sold at Walmart for a price point of under $25: Joyspun.

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

Joyspun Pajamas Review

Before I get into my review of Joyspun pajamas, I will note my pajama preferences. I am typically somebody who LOVES a pajama (top and bottom) set, as opposed to night gowns. I LOVE the lounging aspect of a pajama set compared to a night gown. However, I do own a collection of night gowns that I inherited and cherish from my late Great Aunt Margaret and have several friends and family members that I LOVE who love and prefer night gowns to pajama sets. It is also worth mentioning that Joyspun does offer both pajama sets and night gowns, so everyone’s preferences can be found at their incredible price points.

Where To Buy:

Joyspun pajamas are currently exclusively sold at Walmart.

Shop Joyspun Pajamas at Walmart

About + Size & Fit:

Joyspun is a Walmart-exclusive pajama and intimates brand (and more!). It sells items in sizes XS-3XL, making it an affordable and size-inclusive brand. Joyspun also carries maternity intimates, slippers, robes, socks, and shapewear (none of which I have yet to purchase and try out for myself). You can purchase Joyspun pajamas online at Walmart and in-stores. Their pajama selection is ALWAYS changing, offering new and exciting prints to all.

My Experience:

One of the things that I admire most about Joyspun is their ability to sell unique printed pajamas that are at an accessible price point. I have been purchasing Joyspun pajamas since 2023 with the purchase of a champagne printed short sleeve pajama set that I fell IN LOVE with at first wear. The light fabric of the pajamas that is extremely comfortable makes them easy to stay and lounge in ALL DAY LONG. Since then, I have purchased a lounge set and a few other pajama sets, too. My Step Mom and Aunt Sherri have coincidentally started wearing and purchasing Joyspun pajamas for themselves for similar reasons, too! I have never spent over $25 on any single pajama set. And, usually, I am spending under $15 (especially when in store whether or not on clearance!).

When it comes to purchasing Joyspun pajamas, I will note that due to the brand’s popularity and high demand online, there is high turnover in the prints that are sold. Items will come and go. My biggest piece of advice when purchasing Joyspun pajamas online is to snag it while you can, as it may not be in stock in your size the next week or even day. The same goes for purchasing in-store at Walmart (which we all know can be dependent on the day of week as to luck with any merchandise such as with Home Goods/TJ Maxx/Marshall’s).

My only downside to Joyspun pajamas is that the bright colors may fade as they get washed over time. The same has happened for me with my Lilly Pulitzer pieces, which I write more about tips for laundering here. Though the colors may fade, the comfort of Joyspun pajamas do not, so I wear them again and again and again.

Since Joyspun pajamas’ merchandise has high turnover online, I would highly suggest picking up a pair as a nice treat yourself moment when on a Walmart run. However, if you prefer to shop online, then feel free to check out the Joyspun pajama page on Walmart’s website. Either way that you choose to buy your *very own* pair of Joyspun pajamas, there truly is something for everyone at an accessible price point.

Wrap-Up:

Overall, I would highly recommend and have recommended Joyspun pajamas to others. Not only are they size inclusive and affordable, but they also provide the high-quality luxuries of more pricier pajamas.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Why You Should Attend Events Solo

Last week, I attended an event solo that was a bit out of my comfort zone. Although I have solo traveled all across the Washington, DC area and even all the way to Ireland (here, here, and here), I still got a bit nervous about attending this event in-person, since it was a newer experience for me. I had always wanted to attend a DC Fashion Week event (an Insider’s Preview Party!), and despite being nervous to do so, I decided to attend this event solo and ended up having a GREAT time (and made some new connections, too!).

I am ALL about a good solo date. My best friend Shivani introduced me to the idea and I’ve been hooked ever since. I have seen several people in my network that I LOVE through my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee) and my close friends start doing dates on their own, too. I LOVE a good solo date and recommend them to EVERYONE, regardless of if you’re single, taken, and/or have kids/pets. However, events can be a bit more daunting to attend solo, especially in a new-to-you environment.

Being transparent over here, I ended up not going to a National Gallery of Art event solo because I was 1- tired, and 2 – a bit nervous to attend a bigger event solo. Yes, you heard me right, I was terrified to attend an event solo, despite having traveled all the way to Ireland and back just 4 weeks prior. Events can be daunting to attend solo, especially when it involves socializing and networking with others in a different setting than you’re used to and with tons of different faces around. As opposed to travel and solo dates where you pass by several people in groups and solo alike, events promote social interaction more so and can be much more nerve-wracking than walking to a restaurant and getting a table and opening up a book/your phone as you dine or strolling through a museum or even navigating the streets of a city. Events require socializing more so than solo travel and solo dates.

At the DC Fashion Week Insider’s Preview Party, I got to network with fellow fashion enthusiasts and influencers, alike. I got to make some great connections whom I’ve since connected with on social media. To top it all off, I got to see a fashion show showcasing Washington, DC area-based designers’ designs to preview for the upcoming Spring 2025 season. The designs were BEAUTIFUL (!!!!), and, spoiler that purple, emerald, and royal blue will be the big colors moving forward in the upcoming year. Needless to say, I am SO glad that I went to this event, despite my nerves convincing me to stay home.

When we get out of our comfort zones, that is when we grow! None of us will grow when we get REALLY comfortable in our current surroundings and environment and never jump out there and get *a bit* uncomfortable. Usually, it feels great to get out of our comfort zones once we do and it’s extremely rewarding in the end. The bottom line: attend that event that you’ve always wanted to attend, *even* if you’re going solo. In fact, going solo is a GREAT motivating factor in going, getting out of your comfort zone, growing, and having a great time.

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie!

In recent times, I have been sharing monthly life updates (see May’s, June’s, and July’s), however, I have missed sharing updates on an-almost weekly basis with y’all! So, I am going to get back into that brief and more concise format of updates. I am excited to share more frequent life updates that are MUCH easier to put together than a monthly update. Needless to say, here we go!

August is one of my FAVORITE months and August 2024 has not disappointed so far. I truly love the Summer lull and the so-called dog days of Summer that August brings. To kick off August, I visited my best friend Lindsay in Indianapolis (see one of our adventures this time around here) and Chicago (here). We have decided to make a Summer Midwest adventure a Summer tradition moving forward, too (!!!!). And, back at home, I have enjoyed some fun times on the town and some lowkey times at home with Papa and Rosie. August 2024 has truly been a great balance of fun and relaxation.

  • Thrifting for Fall – This Fall 2024, I have LOVED getting to thrift at my local Salvation Army and 2nd Avenue thrift shops to find some adorable finds to wear for the upcoming season. Many of these pieces are designer household names, such as Theory, Nicole Miller, Tory Burch, and Alice + Olivia. I *even* found an Oscar de la Renta (!!!!!!) caftan that I plan to style for my final Summer trip (more on that below!) for $3.75! I also found a Giorgio Armani work dress in July, too. While I am pretty much shopped out for Fall 2024 fashion, I am SO excited to style many of the name brand pieces that I found for this upcoming season. And, soon, I plan to share more thrifting content here and on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee).
  • Summer Restaurant Week – my friends Briana, Torie, Brittany, and I tried Smoke & Mirrors – a rooftop bar looking over Washington, DC’s stunning skyline – and Ambar (Clarendon location in Arlington!) – an adorable Balkan cuisine restaurant that offers unlimited small plates for DC Summer Restaurant Week. I LOVED getting to enjoy several moments catching up with and vibing with each of my friends. Truly, friendships are a gift and I am striving to find more moments to be together with friends, especially before we all may have more commitments in life in the coming years.

Smoke & Mirrors

Ambar – Clarendon location

  • Mamma Mia! The Musical – My best friend Haley and I since March have planned to see Mamma Mia! The Musical when it came to the Kennedy Center for a matinee performance! It did NOT disappoint (!!!!!). Mamma Mia! Is my favorite musical and gives me SO many memories of my study abroad time in London (here). I LOVED getting to experience this incredible musical again, but this time, close to home and with Haley. We had such a great time and enjoyed getting a nice early dinner afterwards at Tatte’s Foggy Bottom location (which ALSO did not disappoint!).

  • Emily in Paris Pop-Up – My friends Briana, Torie, and I went to check out the exclusive Emily in Paris Pop-Up at Morris American Bar in Washington, DC *just* before I jetted off to the Midwest. While the menu is mostly drinks and small plates (macarons included for dessert!), the vibes were immaculate and ALLL-THINGS Emily in Paris! We enjoyed complimentary Lillet x Emily in Paris-themed shots, cocktails, and charcuterie and took several photos (!!!). All in all, a great time to celebrate the brand-new Emily in Paris season that I’ve enjoyed watching!

  • Nationals Game – This time around, I *finally* went to a Washington Nationals baseball game AND got to see the President’s Race (!!!!). Normally, I’m never paying attention to see the President’s Race or have already left the game – whoops! As a Prospective Member of the Manor House Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter, the ladies of Manor House invited me and others to the game, which was SO fun. It was great to get to know some of the fellow DAR ladies better than the brief times I have met them in the past.

  • A brief trip to Delaware – To kick off August, I visited my Dad, Step Mom, and Yorkie aka my “Sissy” Ginger for a quick two days in Delaware. We went to the beach, dinner at The Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound (here), and time watching The Olympics. While a quick trip, it was a memorable and special one, too!

  • Planning for my final Summer trip – For about 2 years, my friends Bryn and Maxwell and I have been looking at going to visit Maxwell in Hawaii where he is attending college at. SO, finally, after 2 years, Bryn and I are packing our bags for a week getaway and saying Aloha to Honolulu! My thrifted Oscar de la Renta caftan, alongside LOTS of Lilly Pulitzer shifts I’ve thrifted throughout this year will be coming along with me for my furthest trip away from home. I am SO excited for Hawaii and to see Maxwell’s stomping grounds for these past few years with Bryn.

All in all, the (more than) first half of August 2024 has been memorable for sure. One of the biggest lessons that I’ve learned this month so far is to find joy in the little things, the mundane, and to count your blessings.

XOXO – Katie <3

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An Indianapolis Gem: Soldiers & Sailors Monument

Recently, I got to visit a unique gem in Indianapolis, Indiana: the Soldiers & Sailors Monument. On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee), I shared about my recent visit to Indianapolis, Indiana (see last year’s here) to visit my fellow influencer bestie Lindsay! Lindsay is an Indianapolis native and has been an incredible tour guide for me when visiting Indiana’s State Capitol and Chicago, too, since she frequents there often. However, even Lindsay was in for a surprise when we climbed (or took the elevator!) ALLLLLL to the top.

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

About:

The Soldiers & Sailors Monument is located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis literally in the center of its well-known Monument Circle. Originally built to honor Indiana’s Civil War Veterans with its construction starting in 1888 and opening on May 15, 1902, now the Soldiers and Sailors Monument honors all of Indiana’s Veterans who served prior to World War 1, including the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. The Soldiers & Sailors Monument is well-known for its 360-degree view of downtown Indianapolis via its observation deck 275 feet up. See more information on planning your visit here.

The best part about the Soldiers & Sailors Monument?!?!? It has FREE admission to all guests during its hours of operation which are “from dawn to dusk”, as listed on the Indiana War Memorials Foundation’s website. I truly admire how accessible this monument is to all who come to visit, just like other fellow monuments in the United States such as the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. To find the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, its address is: 1 Monument Cir, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Upon admission inside, which is spectacular on the outside, too (!!!!!), you have the option to either climb to the top or take the elevator to the top to reach the observation deck. Lindsay and I ended up climbing up about half of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument *before* we climbed back down and took the elevator up the rest of it – LOL! However, we were in for a TREAT when we reached the observation deck (!!!). We were able to see MUCH of the Indianapolis skyline (and beyond!), including the Indiana State Capitol, the stadium where the Indianapolis Colts play, and the well-known Salesforce Tower. I had a GREAT time getting to see Indianapolis literally from up in the sky!

Accessibility Note:

To reach the top of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument to the observation deck, one must climb a few flights of narrow and twisty stairs even if you take the elevator up most of the way, which may not be the most accessible to all. There are railings on each side of the stairs. The elevator is also pretty narrow and can fit up to four people in it at a time, which may be nerve-wracking for some people.

Wrap-Up:

I truly enjoyed getting to visit the this monument and getting in a half a tower climb in while at it. Lindsay and I had never experienced something neat and free like the Soldiers & Sailors Monument before and it was a REAL treat! While this monument is fun to visit and explore Indianapolis in a unique way like never before (and free to do so!!), it is also important to remember who it honors: our pre-World War 1 Veterans.

XOXO – Katie <3

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48 Hours in Chicago, Illinois

Around this time last year, my blogger bestie Lindsay and I were embarking on our first-ever trip to Chicago together! While it was a brief and rainy 24 hour trip to see the Malibu Barbie Cafe (here), I knew that I had wanted to visit Chicago again with Lindsay (since she LOVES the Windy City and visits often as she once lived there too!). SO, this time around, we decided to double our time and spend 48 hours in Chicago. And, I was in for a major treat (!!!!). Spoiler: 48 hours in Chicago (or more!) is definitely a better amount of time to explore the Windy City!

*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.

Where We Stayed:

 

Just like our trip last year, we stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago – Magnificent Mile and, just like last year, it did not disappoint! The DoubleTree is where Lindsay has stayed multiple times in the past and has had GREAT experiences there. One thing that I LOVED about the DoubleTree is its central location in downtown Chicago, giving us easy access to all of the major points of interest in the Windy City, including the Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue, and several restaurants aka a great spot to spend 48 hours in Chicago at. Not to mention, the hotel rooms have incredible skyline views (!!!). At the same time, I have had GREAT experiences with the ultra-kind staff and interactions with fellow guests, too.

What We Did:

Riverwalk – Due to a fire in October of 1871, many of the Windy City’s initial buildings burned to the ground. And, to rebuild Chicago from the ground up, the beautiful buildings filled with such unique architecture and charm filled the city’s skyline to what it is today. Providing gorgeous views of Chicago’s STUNNING architecture, I LOVED getting to stroll multiple times alongside the Riverwalk, which shows off the city skyline extremely well. I kicked off our first full day in the Windy City by taking a morning stroll (before 9am) on the Riverwalk via Michigan Avenue with my camera. I was truly IN AWE by the stunning architecture that Chicago has to offer.

My biggest tip for strolling Chicago’s Riverwalk is to either stroll via Michigan Avenue before 9am or go a block (or two) off of Michigan Avenue to Columbus Street to avoid the crowds. At golden hour, Lindsay and I accessed the Riverwalk via Columbus Street, which provided such beautiful views of the Windy City’s skyline and waterfront! It truly was a magical time to see ALL of the boats (including Architecture Tours – something I aspire to do on a future Chicago trip!) go by. Golden hour on the Riverwalk was EXTREMELY majestic!

Michigan Avenue – You could *literally* spend 48 hours in Chicago simply on Michigan Avenue!! Michigan Avenue is well-known in Chicago for its shopping, restaurants, hotels, and access to the Riverwalk. You can find Ralph Lauren (including an adjacent Ralph’s Coffee!), Starbucks Reserve Roastery (which I write about more here!), the Intercontinental Hotel (which I ADORE walking by!), and *just a few* of some of my favorite places to shop such as J Crew, Kate Spade, LOFT, and Sephora. Throughout Michigan Avenue, there is TONS of stunning buildings and architecture, including the Water Tower (which is free to climb and enter), a church cathedral, and several buildings alongside the Riverwalk. I enjoyed browsing many of the shops on Michigan Avenue and admiring the gorgeous architecture at EVERY turn!

Museum of Ice Cream – Coincidentally located off of Michigan Avenue as well, Lindsay and I checked out the *very* pink Museum of Ice Cream! Offering unlimited ice cream and photo opportunities, the Museum of Ice Cream is an ADORABLE and ultra-pink place to be! Upon selecting a timed entry to the museum which guests can do on their website, we all entered in and were asked to pick out our *very own* … ice cream name! And, then, we were chauffeured into the Museum of Ice Cream where we got to enjoy unlimited ice cream in some of the many museum rooms AND interactive photo opportunities! After snapping several photos and taking in ALL of the ice cream and vibes, Lindsay and I enjoyed some cocktails (which we purchased via a drink ticket at an additional cost) before jumping into the … SPRINKLE POOL (!!!!!!).

Note that Museum of Ice Cream ticket prices vary by day and time. It is best to make reservations in advance to ensure you have a timed-entry ticket.

Millennium Park – Home to Cloud Gate aka “the Bean”, Millennium Park sits in the heart of Chicago’s downtown amongst a beautiful architectural array of buildings. I had only previously been to Millennium Park in high school in the Winter months, so it was SO nice to be able to visit Cloud Gate when it was much warmer. While a brief visit at Millennium Park to snap some touristy photos, I noticed that this place plays home to Lollapalooza several other live music events, alongside a gorgeous array of floral displays (which can be seen ALL around Chicago’s downtown!).

Lindsay and I walked from our hotel to Millennium Park (it was about a 15-20 minute walk!) via Columbus Street which is located off the corner of my hotel. On the way to Millennium Park, we stopped by the Fairmont Hotel to enjoy their gorgeous floral display that we passed by and get adorable complimentary water cartons!

Sparkling Pink Bar – Located at Lost Reef Lounge, the Sparkling Pink Bar is a pop-up bar hosted by Chicago  (learn more here). It is a ticketed event currently going on until August 25, 2024. With ticketed entry, a complimentary drink was included alongside their a la carte food/drink menu with additional items at an additional cost. The vibes were AMAZING and were ultra-PINK AND SPARKLY!!!!! I loved getting to experience this incredible pop-up bar with Lindsay and our friend Meredith.

Where We Ate:

Streeterville Social – Located at the Loews Hotel, Streeterville Social is a rooftop bar boasting INCREDIBLE views of the Chicago skyline. Me, Lindsay, Meredith, and their ultra-kind friend (whom I hope to connect with more in the future!) Faiza and I all met up for some drinks and bites. I mainly enjoyed the fries – LOLLL! – and took in all of the incredible Chicago skyline views. Streeterville Social is a GREAT place for enjoying a nice city skyline AND happy hour which they call social hour, live music, and trivia (ALL of which I read about online!) if you’re around for that.

Ralph’s Coffee – I *finally* tried a Ralph’s Coffee (!!!!). Last time Lindsay and I went to Chicago, we tried the Ralph Lauren Restaurant (more about that here). This time around, while on one of my Michigan Avenue strolls, I stopped into Ralph’s Coffee and got … a lemonade! The cafe was gorgeous and offered a selection of Ralph’s Coffee merchandise alongside drinks and pastries. I LOVED that the employees and decorations were all Olympic-themed to honor the Paris 2024 Olympics, given the Ralph Lauren campaign with ALL of the USA olympians!

HotHouse – Lindsay and I enjoyed martinis and watching the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics and the passing of the torch to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics at the HotHouse bar. The HotHouse bar is located at our hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton – Magnificent Mile, and we got to chat with the super sweet bartender there, too. Alongside an amazing espresso martini, I enjoyed some delicious fish n’ chips and time with Lindsay, too! *Even* if you have 48 hours in Chicago, I recommend stopping here for a drink simply to interact with the bartenders here who make it soooo special!

Minghin Cuisine – I passed by Minghin Cuisine on the way to Michigan Avenue from our hotel and decided to pop in for a late lunch, as I was craving Asian cuisine. After a Quick Look on Yelp at reviews and saw that this was THE PLACE to go if you want Chinatown cuisine not in Chicago’s Chinatown, I knew that Minghin Cuisine was THE place to go nearby the hotel! Boy, was I in for a TREAT (!!!!!). The interior of the restaurant was gorgeous (which I would NOT expect from looking at the restaurant’s exterior) and the food was delicious. Lindsay and I were both BLOWN away by the restaurant’s quality of food, service, and atmosphere.

Starbucks Reserve Roastery – I decided to stop by Starbucks Reserve Roastery located on Michigan Avenue again, but this time, for breakfast and a Starbucks Reserve-exclusive coffee drink (last year we went for cocktails!). I LOVED getting to try the egg Caprese breakfast sandwich and another latte with their exclusive olive oil: Oleato. While a much briefer visit this time around, I LOVED getting to visit a familiar spot from last year!

Wrap-Up:

This was my first trip to Chicago where I truly felt that I got to experience ALLL of the best of the best that the city has to offer! From strolling the Riverwalk and Michigan Avenue to seeing the stunning turquoise Lake Michigan waterfront to all of the magnificent skyline views and interactions with locals and visitors alike in between, I fell in love with the Windy City! Needless to say, I am SO excited to go back to visit Chicago, as Lindsay and I are making it a summer tradition to visit her hometown of Indianapolis and *of course* an additional couple of days in Chicago, too. Chicago is an amazing city that boasts friendly people, gorgeous architecture, great vibes, and delicious eats. Truly, a 48 hours in Chicago leaving me wanting 48 more hours to spare!! I cannot wait to go back!

Til next time, Chicago!

XOXO – Katie <3

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RIHOAS Review + Wishlist

This past weekend, I went on a long weekend adventure off to the Midwest! Last Summer, I visited my best friend out in the Midwest Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs (go follow her on Instagram!) in Indianapolis and Chicago (more to come on my experiences in both cities this year in future blog posts!) and this year we’ve made it an annual Summer trip tradition! On our trip this time around, we visited the iconic RH Restaurant (owned by Restoration Hardware!) which is located in a mansion on a stunning estate in Indianapolis (read more about my experiences at the Dallas and Charlotte RH locations here and here). There, at RH, I was able to wear this beautiful white satin bow RIHOAS dress and will be sharing a RIHOAS review, too!

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

RIHOAS is a fashion brand focused on allowing their customers to feel comfortable while maintaining their elegance. Started by three girls coming together, RIHOAS’ mission is focused on appealing to the emotional side that many of us look our best when we feel our best. RIHOAS focuses on tailoring and outsourcing the best fabrics to bridge that gap between sheer elegance and the daily comfort that we all desire. Hence, the lack of uncomfortable clothing sold by RIHOAS that is still extremely beautifully made all around!

I have been IN LOVE with the bow trend recently (!!!!) and was SO EXCITED that RIHOAS carries such a gorgeous bow dress (that also comes in a light yellow!). We all know that the bow trend is pretty popular right now, as it gives off such sheer elegance. And, I have LOVED seeing brands such as RIHOAS carry such beautiful bow dresses like the one that I was able to style at RH Restaurant!

As many of us who have been to an RH Restaurant know, the dining experience is extremely opulent! I dined at the Indianapolis RH Restaurant after an early morning’s worth of travel from Washington, DC and wanted something comfortable to wear for the experience that gave off sheer elegance. That being said, my RIHOAS dress was PERFECT for the experience! Not only did my beautiful dress compliment the atmosphere at the Indianapolis RH Restaurant, but I also felt like a million bucks while wearing it.

After lunch and an estate/mansion stroll at RH Restaurant, I was in need of an afternoon nap, due to my early travel day. And, funny enough, I took a nice afternoon nap in my RIHOAS dress! To tell you how comfortable the dress is (alongside many other RIHOAS garments), I can unintentionally tell you that it is nap-approved – LOL!

Alongside my gorgeous bow dress, RIHOAS has many gorgeous pieces to choose from! I have listed some of my favorites on my wish list below:

As someone who LOVES to dress up, I also truly value my comfort above all else. Like RIHOAS strives to do for all of their customers, I truly value how I feel when I put any piece of clothing on. I love that RIHOAS focuses on just that!

A special thank you to RIHOAS for sponsoring this blog post. Please note that all opinions are my own.

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Summer Staple: The Lobster Dress!

Growing up, I spent Summers with my Mom, brother, cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandpa and family members/family friends of ALLL generations up in Northern Maine and Canada. Those Summers are the origin of many of my best memories from that season, including eating *none other than* … lobster (!!!!!). Now that the Summers in Maine aren’t as frequent and look a bit different, my love for lobster-printed everything still reigns supreme. SO, knowing that every Summer J Crew Factory launches a brand-new lobster print, I cannot help but make a purchase (or two!) in that print year after year!

*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.*

Over the weekend, my Dad, Step Mom, and I went to The Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound (I share more about my experiences there here!) which is my favorite dinner spot when I visit them in Delaware. I *of course* wore my J Crew Factory lobster dress in this year’s print. Funny enough, I wore my lobster dress from last year’s print made by J Crew Factory to dinner at The Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound during our family reunion. J Crew Factory has since become one of my FAVORITE places to shop and their annual lobster print (which I have purchased multiple items in that print since Summer 2023!) makes me even more excited to order pieces from there, too!

One of the things that I LOVE about J Crew Factory is their continuous sales on merchandise. Especially when an item is on clearance, J Crew Factory will add *even more* additional markdowns to it with a discount code. I have ALSO signed up for Rewards, since I shop there *a bit* too frequently and can earn free shipping and additional discounts from time to time, too. But, in the mean time, you can shop my dress in this year’s J Crew Factory lobster print here!

My love for lobsters definitely stems from my childhood Summers up in Maine. From our continuous family road trips up the Maine coasts and throughout New England, to the Summers spent at the Houlton, Maine lobster festival and scoring Friday afternoon doorbuster deals on lobster rolls at the local Houlton Farms Dairy, truly lobsters remind me of many lovely Summers spent up North! And, I LOVE that I can carry those many splendid Summer memories of mine into many more Summer memories to make and cherish during my mid-20’s and beyond.

Here’s to hopefully many more New England and specifically Maine Summers (something I hope to continue as a tradition into my adulthood with my family!) to come AND while sporting a lobster printed garment!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie – July 2024

 

July 2024 was a WHIRLWIND of a month. It started off pretty rough with lots of uncertainty and it ended with a clear path forward and lots of clarity. Through it all though, I have been able to find the joy in a rather crazy month and make lemons out of lemonade. In life, we are always managing and navigating through one conflict or another or perhaps multiple, so why not find the joy during these times?!?! Needless to say, through it all, I am very proud of myself for staying busy and making time for myself, my loved ones, and to recharge, too.

*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.*

My Favorite Buys:

  • Strolling through the aisles of Target with Papa, I found this Universal Thread dress *right* before I checked out and snagged it in pink. Then, I went back and ordered it in TWO more colors on sale!
  • I have been EYEING a set of House of Harlow pajamas for MONTHS (since finding a pair earlier this year and not grabbing it when I wished I had). However, in July of 2024, I scored a House of Harlow tank pajamas set at TJ Maxx for $15!
  • Bottles of Rosé at Trader Joe’s for under $10 is ALWAYS a favorite buy of mine! End of story.
  • This past month, I inherited some family-owned gold utensils, candle holders, Pillsbury salt/pepper shaker set, plates, parfait glasses, and a hydrangea vase. I have been decorating these incredible finds around my apartment to put on display for generations to come. It is a HUGE blessing to be able to inherit these beautiful finds of mine with family ties.
  • Thrifted scores were AMAZING this past month. These thrift scores included: Kate Spade leopard pumps at Bee Thrifty, Giorgio Armani dress at Salvation Army, Lilly Pulitzer for Target shift at Current Boutique, Brooks Brothers shirt dress at Salvation Army, ginger jar at Jayne’s Reliable, and a chinoiserie wine glass that I’ve been frequently using at Bee Thrifty.

Highs:

  • July 2024 included an incredible trip: the Thompson Family Reunion and visit with my bestie Amanda in the SAME WEEKEND in Bethany Beach, Delaware. The Thompson Family Reunion had 14 people, 1 dog, 1 cat, and LOTS of memories made in the same house. We enjoyed pool time, dinners at Good Earth Market and Dockside, lots of at-home happy hours, thrifting at ACTS Thrift Shop and Jayne’s Reliable, and simply catching up. Times like the Thompson Family Reunion truly remind me of the importance to take a step back, savor the moment, and love my family for who they are.

  • During the Thompson Family Reunion, we took a day trip to Berlin, Maryland. Berlin, Maryland is an ultra-charming town known as “America’s Coolest Small Town” located within close proximity to Ocean City, Maryland and the Delaware beaches. It boasts many small businesses that are local to Berlin, ranging from shops to art galleries to bars to ice cream parlors to restaurants. One of the biggest draws to Berlin shop-wise is their plethora of amazing antique shops. I enjoyed strolling throughout the streets of Berlin, lunch and beer with the family at The Globe, taking charming downtown photos of Berlin.

  • To commemorate Independence Day, I took a pre-July 4th stroll at Old Town Alexandria and enjoy a nice solo happy hour at the city’s brand-new Hotel Heron’s rooftop bar Good Fortune. Good Fortune has the highest altitude in all of Alexandria, Virginia for a rooftop bar and offers AMAZING skyline views of Old Town Alexandria, the Potomac River/Woodrow Wilson Bridge, and parts of Washington, DC/Virginia/Maryland. SUCH A COOL SPOT!

  • I took Rosie on a Starbucks outing on a Wednesday afternoon once I finished a work briefing. It brought me SO MUCH JOY to see my sweet pup enjoying a nice outing with me to my local Starbucks, which I LOVE to frequent a few times a week! I LOVED bringing Rosie with me as she brought me and so many other fellow customers lots of joy.

  • July 2024 brought about many great moments to catch up with friends, including lunch with Stephanie and Ashley at Ballston, Arlington’s Punch Bowl Social (including a post-lunch stroll at the Smithsonian Castle), dinner with Briana at Occoquan’s The Secret Garden Cafe and Lorton’s Naty’s, dinner at Old Town Alexandria’s Barca with Brittany, solo dinner date at Washington, DC’s La Grande Boucherie, dinner with Papa at Burke’s Spartans Family Restaurant, and a movie night at Washington, DC’s The Wharf with Briana, Brittany, their Mom, and Torie seeing Dream Girls at sunset. All in all, I am extremely blessed to have such incredible friends and family members in my life to make memories with.

  • Walks and chats at the local-to-us Burke Lake Park and Heron Pond with my best friend Haley have been MAJOR blessings in my life and especially this past month. With having gone through a pretty chaotic July, I have truly cherished my local walks with Haley and will continue to do so moving forward, too.

  • My return to church (which I write about more here) and many more memories were made this July 2024 with Papa who is recovering from his knee replacement surgery! We have been going to church on Sunday’s together and plan to continue this Sunday tradition beyond his recovery and into the Fall with our church’s Wednesday Night Dinners and other events which kick off in September. At the same time, we have been going on outings to Target and enjoyed homemade potato pancakes (which Papa made for us!) from his garden.

Lows:

  • Stress and uncertainty due to family-related things was how I kicked off July 2024. Needless to say, the month started off with a bang, but fortunately, these family-related things are things that have since subsided and are improving for the better. During this timeframe, I learned to truly be grateful for the moments that we have with our loved ones and strive to find the good in everything.
  • Extreme burnout in late-July hit me like a TON of bricks, and, as a result of lots of chaos going on earlier in the month. However, at the end of the day, I am beyond proud of myself for identifying what I was struggling with as burnout and for simply taking the time to recover and recharge and take care of me.
  • Allergies due to pollen of ALLLL the things kept me super exhausted most evenings until I got a shower. Classic with pollen, I guess. Pollen definitely feels like the carousel that NEVER stops turning – LOL!

As we wrap up July 2024, I will note that August 2024 is going to be one of my MOST exciting travel months to date (!!!!). I am going to be visiting two new-to-me states (one of which will go into September, as it’s over Labor Day Weekend and into the week!). This post will probably be short and sweet into August, but many many many travel posts will be coming soon on this platform, alongside my slowly-coming reflections of my day trips and experiences on my solo trip to Ireland (here, here, and here so far!) that I have been in the process of sharing. Needless to say, August here we come!

XOXO – Katie <3

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What I Wore to Work – July 2024

July 2024 started off with a bang (stress-wise) and ended SOOOO peacefully. Due to some family matters (which added on the early stress of this past month), the beginning of July felt SOOO chaotic, however, as the month progressed, things improved for the better, which I am SOOOO grateful for. Professionally, I had a fun shoutout from my company and many of my colleagues in honor of some client work that I completed surrounding Disability Pride Month (which is I learned is July!) the month prior, which was fun and rewarding to see. At the same time, I am making professional strides to grow my career in program management within the data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) space. I have registered for relevant program management certification courses, am supporting a team focused on robotic process automation (aka my company’s *very own* bot!!), and am reading up on all-things data analytics and AI in my spare time. Although, an initially chaotic month, I am grateful to end July 2024 with much more clarity and a prosperous path moving forward.

One of my highlights in the midst of it all that July 2024 brought was getting to follow the Summer Olympics in Paris. I have been following Team USA updates via my News app on my iPhone and have enjoyed sharing them with my colleagues bringing us ALL some joy! Simone Biles’ Gold Medal win via the Team USA Women’s Gymnastics team was announced JUST before one of my team calls, so I *of course* brought it up on that team call which many of my teammates loved hearing the news, too. Truly, the Summer Olympics have been fun to follow along with and share the news and celebrate it with my colleagues.

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

Dress: Crown & Ivy at Belk; Scarf: Talbots; Necklace: Thrifted; Earrings: House of Harlow 1960; Tote: Amazon; Sandals: Jack Rogers; Bracelets: Amazon & J Crew Factory
Dress: Draper James; Necklace: J Crew Factory; Earrings: Charming Charlie; Bracelets: Amazon & J Crew Factory
Tank: Walmart; Skirt: Chaps; Necklace: Thrifted; Headband: Lilly Pulitzer; Bracelets: J Crew Factory, Amazon, & Kendra Scott
Dress: J Crew; Bracelets: Amazon, Lilly Pulitzer, & Kendra Scott; Earrings: J Crew Factory
Dress: J Crew Factory; Headband: Lele Sadoughi; Necklace: Kendra Scott; Earrings: House of Harlow 1960; Bracelets: Amazon, Lilly Pulitzer, & Kendra Scott
Dress: Southern Tide; Headband: J Crew Factory; Earrings: SugarFix by Target; Necklace: Thrifted; Bracelets: Amazon & Kendra Scott
Dress: Crown & Ivy at Belk; Scarf: Lilly Pulitzer; Necklace: Thrifted; Tote: Mark & Graham; Earrings: Charming Charlie; Bracelets: J Crew Factory, Amazon & Kendra Scott; Sandals: Jack Rogers
Dress: Lilly Pulitzer; Bow: Lele Sadoughi; Necklace: Kendra Scott; Earrings: SugarFix by Target; Bracelets: All She Wrote Notes & Lilly Pulitzer
Dress: Lilly Pulitzer; Cardigan: J Crew; Headband: Simply Southern; Necklace: Kendra Scott; Bracelets: Amazon, Kate Spade, Lilly Pulitzer, & Kendra Scott
Top: J. McLaughlin; Scarf: Talbots; Skort: J Crew Factory; Necklace: Coach; Tote: Mark & Graham; Bracelets: Amazon & Lilly Pulitzer; Flats: New Bella
Dress: Target; Necklace: Cora’s Den; Bracelets: Amazon & Lilly Pulitzer; Earrings: Charming Charlie
Tank: Lilly Pulitzer; Skort: J Crew Factory; Necklace: Kendra Scott; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer & All She Wrote Notes
Blouse: Talbots; Skirt: Draper James RSVP; Necklace: Thrifted; Bracelets: J Crew Factory, Kate Spade, & Kendra Scott
Tee: Mountain Moverz; Shorts: Stoney Clover Lane x Target; Necklace: Kendra Scott; Bracelets: Amazon & Lilly Pulitzer; Tote & Headband: Lilly Pulitzer; Sandals: Jack Rogers
Blouse: Crown & Ivy at Belk; Necklace: J Crew Factory; Bracelets: Amazon & Lilly Pulitzer; Skort: Lilly Pulitzer; Tote: Mark & Graham; Sandals: Jack Rogers
Blouse: J. Jill; Pants: TJ Maxx; Earrings: Lisi Lerch; Bracelets: Amazon, Lilly Pulitzer, & Kendra Scott

August and into September of 2024 are to be one of my busiest travel seasons YET (!!!!). I will be working bicoastal for half days for 3 days during August and will be visiting 2 (!!!!!) new and extremely anticipated states that I’ve been dying to visit for 15+ years now in this timeframe. That all being said, outfits will be limited during this period, but I am excited to still share what I wear in August as I wrap up Summer 2024 fashion (CRAZY to say out loud!). Needless to say, I’m super excited for my final full Summer month of work (from home) wear!

XOXO – Katie <3

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