November 2024 - The Pink Chickadee

Early November in New York City

I’ve had a few people ask me over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee) about my recent early November trip to New York City. Let’s be real here: the rates are much cheaper when it comes to ALL of the Christmas fun and action in the Big Apple, yet you still get to enjoy a lot of the holiday cheer that most pay a lot more to do in later November all the way until New Years. At the same time though, you still will notice that early November truly is Fall in New York City (as-is pretty much any other United States city!) and there are some New York City Christmas staples yet to make their holiday appearance (case in point: the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree). At the same time, early November in New York City means you may have some warmer days, such as I did, too. So, plan accordingly and monitor the weather before you pack your bags. Above all else, I had an AMAZING early November time in New York City and truly got the best of both worlds getting to experience the city during both Fall and Christmas time!

In this post, I will be sharing mainly what I did and where I ate during my early November time in New York City. Given that especially early November can be an awkward Fall/Christmas time of year, I definitely did a mix of Fall and Christmas activities while there, too! And, as an avid theatre fan, I saw a few Broadway performances, too!

What I Did:

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) – Ever since I was in high school, I dreamed of seeing Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting IRL! I visited Chicago one year for Spring Break and fell in love with Van Gogh’s works via a special exhibit on him, yet missed Starry Night then as its home is in Manhattan at MoMA. MoMA was such a neat museum and I LOVED *finally* getting to gush over Starry Night in-person alongside other fellow museum visitors. MoMA also has other neat modern art displays from centuries of decades past until today. Tickets to MoMA can be bought in advance online (here) or at the door and the gift shop is pretty great, too!

Bryant Park Winter Village – Visiting Bryant Park’s Winter Village was one of the first Christmas-y activities that I did in the Big Apple. The Christmas shops at Bryant Park’s Winter Village are open until early January and they open their doors just after Halloween if not right before. I met some of the COOLEST artists and small business owners at Bryant Park’s Christmas shops! The prices on the locally-made goods are pretty reasonable, too, and a great way to support a small business. Bryant Park’s Winter Village ALSO has food + drink vendors, igloos, and ice skating.

& Juliet on Broadway – I was truly in for a treat seeing my first-ever Broadway show (!!!!!) … & Juliet at Stephen Sondheim Theatre. I had an Orchestra seat and it was seriously an AMAZING show! I ended up grabbing some wine in a souvenir cup and LOVED getting to experience the whole experience and loving atmosphere. & Juliet features an extremely diverse and empowering cast, making it such an accepting show for all. Needless to say, I would definitely see this show again on Broadway!

Central Park + The Plaza Hotel Stroll – I LOVED getting to use my camera to take some gorgeous shots of Central Park and stroll through the adjacent Plaza Hotel. Central Park is truly beautiful on any sunny Fall day – indeed, I feel I hit the jackpot on the day I went! Central Park is also filled with locals and tourists, alike, making it such a beautiful place to both people watch and socialize. While at The Plaza Hotel, I *finally* achieved my childhood dream of owning some Eloise at the Plaza merchandise including a book! The best part about a simple Central Park and Plaza Hotel stroll?!?! Both are FREE!

Central Park:

The Plaza Hotel:

Barbie Exhibit at the Design Museum – While on my way to stroll Central Park at The Plaza Hotel, I stumbled upon the Design Museum’s Barbie exhibit. I *of course* purchased a ticket and went after my lunchtime to check it out! I was truly in for a treat! I got to learn about the evolution of Barbie, from Ruth Handler’s creation of Barbie and the designing process of Barbie’s clothing by Charlotte Johnson in a studio in Japan in the 1960’s to its first designer collaboration with Oscar de la Renta to Barbie running for President and going to space and to Barbie today with the success of the 2023 Barbie movie aka a favorite of mine. There was *even* an original Barbie on display, too! I took several exhibition photos on my camera and truly felt empowered by it ALL! The Barbie Exhibit at the Design Museum costed $20 and is currently on display until February 23, 2025.

Aladdin on Broadway – I was AMAZED by the production team and the presentation of Aladdin on Broadway at New Amsterdam Theatre! I had seen Aladdin back in 2023 for my 24th Birthday (here) and was truly *even more* blown away by seeing it again on Broadway. Truly, an impressive performance that I would highly suggest any and all Aladdin fans see if they get the chance to!

Christmas Shopping on 5th + 7th Avenues – I popped into a few of the shops alongside 5th and 7th Avenues as I was walking to Rockefeller Center! Funny enough, I made my first-ever H&M purchase in 10 YEARS (!!!!!) as I became *very* impressed with what they were selling via the store windows. I also hit up Nordstrom Rack, Macy’s, and Old Navy. Macy’s was DECKED OUT with ALLL the Christmas cheer and even had some adorable small business vendors in a section of the store. I would highly recommend visiting Macy’s at Christmastime and prioritizing it, if you have limited time to do so. At the same time, I stumbled upon St. Patrick’s Cathedral on my shopping strolls, too!

Radio City Music Hall Tour + Rockettes Meet & Greet – Upon purchasing my Rockettes Christmas Spectacular ticket (more on that experience below!), I ended up paying ~$20 extra for the Radio City Tour + Rockettes Meet & Greet add-on. Let me just say that it was WELLLL worth it! I ended up arriving to Radio City Music Hall about 90 minutes before my show and the staff there got me into a tour about an hour before my show (my tickets were scanned right after the tour inside the music hall, too, making the seating process SO MUCH easier!). On this tour, I got to experience the incredible opulence of Radio City Music Hall, including the magnificent chandelier Christmas tree, learn about the incredible artwork, and Radio City’s Great Depression-age history and heritage. I learned that Radio City Music Hall’s stage is SOOO large that it can fit an actual bus on it with plenty of room to spare. The best part?!?! Getting to meet an ACTUAL Rockettes! I highly suggest anyone do this tour to get excited for the Christmas Spectacular!!

2024’s 1st Rockettes Christmas Spectacular Performance – After my tour of Radio City Music Hall, my ticket was scanned and I was off to get seated to see 2024’s 1st Christmas Spectacular Performance (!!!). The Rockettes begin their Christmas Spectacular in early November just as Veterans Day weekend commences. Tickets are definitely much cheaper to see the Rockettes in early November (or after Christmas) as opposed to in the height of the holiday season. My Orchestra seating ticket and tour of Radio City Music Hall was around $100 total for both, which can get much higher in cost as Christmas approaches. I am definitely striving to make a return to see the Rockettes for another Christmas season!

Shopping at Hill House Home at Rockefeller Center – As a HUGE Hill House fan, I *had* to shop at the Hill House Home store at Rockefeller Center! I ended up trying on two Ellie nap dresses aka my FAVORITE Hill House nap dress style before making my decision on which one to take home. The staff here were also ultra-kind and helpful in making my experience pretty great, too. I had never been to a Hill House store before, so this was a TREAT!

Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology – The Fashion Institute of Technology has a free to all fashion exhibition at their museum, which has special fashion exhibitions that change every so often! I *almost* studied fashion in college and ended up touring the Fashion Institute of Technology as a perspective college of mine. The Museum at FIT is definitely a hidden gem that ALL fashion lovers must visit!

Where I Ate:

Breakfast at Cafe Chelsea – Located inside the gorgeous, historic Hotel Chelsea, Cafe Chelsea is a stunning cafe that looks like an upscale retro diner. I ended up popping in here for breakfast, which I enjoyed via one of their retro bar stools to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Dinner at Monkey Bar – Monkey Bar was my splurge meal while in the Big Apple and the one that I am still dreaming about for my next trip! I ended up eating at the gorgeous bar founded in 1936 in all of its gorgeous glory with its monkey-painted murals and grand millennial-inspired fabric chandeliers. I enjoyed a glass of rose while I walked in and waited a bit for a first-come, first-served bar seat. The bar staff were extremely friendly as well! Totally worth the wait and dining experience!

Coffee at 787 Coffee Co. – An adorable coffee shop focused on empowering creative minds and honoring its Puerto Rican heritage, I enjoyed a nice morning iced coffee in … an IV bag! It was SUCH A FUN New York City experience!

Late night snacks at Slice of New York – I stopped one too many times at some of the many many many Slice of New York pizza shops for a late night (or lunch) slice of pizza. In my honest opinion, nothing beats a good olde slice of New York pizza!

Dinner at Butter – Featured in Gossip Girl, I *had* to dine at Butter while in Manhattan! Butter was located super close by to the New Amsterdam Theatre where I saw Aladdin, making it a great spot for a pre-show meal. My meal was AMAZING and I was able to enjoy the happy hour wine deals at the bar alongside a delicious salmon. Given that Butter has a seasonal menu, I definitely want to check it out again during a different season!

Lunch at Cafe Ginori at Bergdorf Goodman – One of my FAVORITE lunches was at Bergdorf Goodman’s Cafe Ginori! The restaurant is gorgeous in all of its pink wallpaper glory inspired by the Ginori 1735 Italian porcelain used to serve its delicious dishes. I enjoyed a larger than life Aperol Spritz aka a dream come true for me (!!!!!) alongside an AMAZING seasonal butternut squash gnocchi. The staff here were also extremely kind and friendly and the food and drink was amazing – not to mention the vibes, too!

Wrap-Up:

Truly, early November in New York City can be such a treat as you get early bird deals and to enjoy some holiday cheer. See you in a New York minute!

XOXO – Katie <3

November 26, 2024December 27, 2024

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The Life of Katie!

It’s been a HOTTTT minute since I last did a Life of Katie post. And, that is all for good reason, too! I have been on not one, not two, but THREE trips (more on that below!). When it comes to blogging while traveling, awhile back I made the executive decision to not post much on the blog and even on social media for that matter while I’m on the road. I like to truly be in the moment when not at home and have even added the same value to my weekends and other social outings, too, which is an additional time off for me. Rather, through it all, I’m preferring to share ALL types of content afterwards rather than while I am there. Now, enough of me rambling about my timing of posting content – LOL!!!! – and let’s get into some recent life updates.

*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 sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

Trips to West Virginia, New York City, & Toronto – Over the November weeks, I have been on the go from wonderful Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (here) to the Big Apple (more on that coming soon!) and allll the way to Toronto to see Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour (more on that coming soon as well!). I had an amazing time on each trip, too! Needless to say, I have LOVED getting to visit several places both close to home and either a train or plane ride away. HOWEVER, I am SOOO glad to be able to be at home to ring in the holidays!
Decorating for Christmas – A few days after my final big travel hurrah of 2024, I decked the halls for Christmas 2024! Let’s just say that from now until January, I will be *very* reluctant to leave my cozy little Christmas pad!!!

Six The Musical + Additional Outings Around Town – Right after I got back from Toronto, I made my way into downtown Washington, DC to see Six The Musical at National Theatre. Six has been on my bucket list of shows to see ever since it came to Washington, DC in Summer 2022 (sadly I couldn’t score a ticket then) and discovered that it was about the 6 wives of Prince Henry the 8th. The musical is 100000% about women’s empowerment, which was truly felt through the audience. I am SO excited to see it again (perhaps in New York City’s Broadway next?!?!). In addition to seeing Six, I also enjoyed some dinner and drinks with my friend Celeste at Brass Rabbit Pub – an adorable bar in Clarendon in Arlington – alongside an adorable cafe outing with my friend Maggie to the super cute Rare Birds Coffee Roasters in Falls Church.

Friendsgiving 2024 – Over the most recent weekend, I hosted Friendsgiving for the 2nd year (!!!!!) and enjoyed having many of my friends over. Everyone brought a lovely dish to share and I cooked a ton, too. It was such a great time to enjoy with one another and simply be thankful for our friendships over the past year (and beyond!). I also enjoyed getting to model my gorgeous Ritera – aka a plus-sized fashion brand that sells adorable pieces at an affordable price point – dress (here) for the occasion, too!

Planning for the Actual Holidays – As the holidays approach, the planning for the actual holidays also comes as well. I am planning to spend the actual holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years) close to home in the Washington, DC area with family and friends with an additional post-Christmas trip to Maryland + Pennsylvania + New Jersey to see my family who resides in those states, too. I have proudly solidified all of my dates for where I will be and when (which is a MAJOR accomplishment for me to have done before Thanksgiving approaches!!!!). I am definitely celebrating that I have awareness of where I’ll be and when early on and excited for what’s to come.
Navigating ALLL the Upcoming Holiday Parties + Events – Alongside planning for the actual holidays and where I’ll be + when, I am also trying to navigate ALLL of the holiday-related plans, too. Whether it be a holiday dinner with friends, a holiday party, a work celebration, a family gathering, or an activity on my holiday bucket list, there is seriously SO MUCH GOING ON. It is tough to navigate at times, too, as I want to limit the amount of burnout I may experience from the heavier than usual social calendar. However, at the same time, I know that I will regret missing out on certain holiday gatherings as this time only comes once a year (and, I’m also super grateful that I am spending the weeks leading up to this crazy social time at home on my couch!!!).
A Beautiful Sunset Walk – Right before Halloween, my Mom and I went on a walk in her new neighborhood near the Potomac River. We *just* so happened to catch the sunset at the right time when we did (!!!!!). Luckily, I had brought my camera to capture the AMAZING sunset in ALLLL its glory, too!

Remember, It’s ONLY a Highlight Reel – Throughout the months of October and into November, I have been struggling mentally with some things in my personal life. While I won’t get into the details of it all, a lot of what has occurred has taken a toll on me. Stress and uncertainty can take A LOT out of any person! Needless to say, I am going to leave y’all with a reminder that social media (and most of this blog for that matter) is a ONLY highlight reel. Next time you go through something tough or less social media like, remember that all of us are going through similar things, too.

Happy Holiday season folks!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

November 25, 2024December 29, 2025

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Guide: Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia Fall Crowds

Pretty much EVERY year since I graduated from college and relocated to the Washington, DC area, I have found a way to take a half a day trip to wonderful Harpers Ferry, West Virginia! Typically, I visit this gorgeous West Virginia town in the Summer months, however, this year, I was *finally* able to make it to see the peak Fall foliage (!!!!). My best friend Haley and I are both HUGE fans of Harpers Ferry so much so that we both find West Virginia to be one of the prettiest states. SO, when thinking of a lovely Fall half day trip to take, Harpers Ferry was at the top of both of our lists! However, it does get Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia Fall crowds are a thing. SO, I’m going to be sharing how Haley and I navigated the Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia Fall crowds.

For more Washington, DC area travel inspiration, check out my Exploring the DMV page. For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page.

Given that I have been to Harpers Ferry year after year, I’ll leave my travel tips and insights to my formerly written posts (here and here). Rather, I will stick to my Harpers Ferry, West Virginia Fall crowds guide and tips this time around! However, I will share some insights on visiting Harpers Ferry on a crowded day!

Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia Fall Crowds Tips:

I will mention that on this half day trip that Haley and I took, the crowds were at its peak due to it being during the peak Fall foliage. First off, Haley and I had an 8am departure and arrived to downtown Harpers Ferry around 9-10am to beat the crowds. We ended up parking at the Visitor’s Center (about 1-2 miles away from the historic downtown) which all visitors can park at either with the purchase of a $20 day pass/vehicle or an already valid and issued National Park Pass/vehicle. Parking can be hit or miss in downtown Harpers Ferry, especially on a crowded day and there is plenty of parking at the Visitor’s Center (even on crowded days!). The Visitor’s Center offers free shuttles to and from the historic downtown Harpers Ferry every few minutes. Due to the high volume of crowds, there were more shuttle buses than usual to/from downtown and the Visitor’s Center. And, we ended up departing Harpers Ferry’s Visitor’s Center just after 12pm, which is when the crowds started to exponentially pick up. SO, needless to say, its best to arrive early and park at the Visitor’s Center to avoid the crowds and parking issues.

Wrap-Up:

Here’s to making many more memories in Wonderful West Virginia!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

November 21, 2024January 28, 2026

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What I Wore to Work – October 2024

October was truly October-ing for me this October 2024! Indeed, weather-wise this October had some warm and cooler days and has been much more refreshing than the swamp of a Summer that is typical for the Washington, DC area. There’s nothing super new or significant professionally for October 2024, but nevertheless, I am plugging away (as my Papa says!) and am making strides in my career for the future. Through it all though, I have enjoyed the cooler temperatures, time with loved ones, and the excitement towards a lighter workload as the holidays approach (my industry is super quiet during the last two months of the year!).

On my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I have been sharing ALLL about what I like to call Fall fashion-wise … Pink Fall! I have LOVED here and there getting to style fun outfits with my favorite color PINK. One of the things that disappoints me a bit about Fall is the societal expectation to put away the bright colors from Summer and get out the darker colors for Fall. Fall and Winter and even Spring doesn’t mean we do not have to wear our favorite bright colored pieces. SO, Happy PINK FALL!

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