The Life of Katie – December 2025

December 2025 was a wonderful month for me! I enjoyed ALLLL of the holiday cheer that this month brings to us all. Whether it be a cozy night in watching a Christmas movie with a glass of wine or a night on the town enjoying some festive fun, December 2025 was truly one for the books! 

The Life of Katie – December 2025

Moving forward with The Life of Katie content, I plan to share it monthly in a more concise format. The posts will be formatted by Week Recaps, Highs/Lows, and On the Blog.

Week Recaps

  • December 1-7 – December kicked off with Papa decorating the outside of our house for the holidays and we enjoyed our first holiday snow that weekend. The first week of December was pretty lowkey, cozy, and close to home with many work from home days. That weekend, I enjoyed attending my *first-ever* Scottish Walk in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, where I got to see so many adorable dog breeds that are of Scottish heritage, families who are descendants of Scottish clans proudly sport their family’s tartans, and admire the holiday-filled cobblestone streets of the historic district. I went with my college friends Stephanie and Ashley! After the Scottish Walk, we enjoyed lunch at Barca as their pier was revamped in December as a holiday pop-up, which was ADORABLE! I *of course* enjoyed a holiday cocktail mulled wine!! That Sunday, my childhood friend Sarah and I went to the Gaylord at National Harbor to take in the holiday-filled ICE! Christmas display that was The Polar Express-themed and *of course* checked out the Gaylord’s gingerbread displays!
  • December 8-14 – The second week of December was *very* Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and holiday-filled! My DAR Chapter had our annual Holiday Party where I found myself on Metro with 3 bottles of wine and, thanks to my Scout tote, I successfully carried home without much issue!!! The next night, the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted their annual Holiday Open House at Constitution Hall, which I enjoyed attending with some of my fellow DAR Chapter friends and members as well as seeing some DC area friends from the community there, too. Afterwords, I visited the National Christmas Tree beautifully lit up and then headed over to The Willard Intercontinental Hotel to admire their gorgeous Christmas tree and Gingerbread display! That Friday, I put together a Christmas tablescape to prep for my 3rd annual Christmas party that Sunday. Saturday, Haley and I embarked on Year 2 of volunteering at Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery and devoured a delicious brunch at the recently opened Homegrown in Old Town Alexandria. Saturday night, I baked M&M cookies and awaited for more snow! Sunday, my annual Christmas Party was a lovely gathering with several Christmas cookies, wine, cheer, and Spode champagne flutes GALORE. 
  • December 15-21 – I took the week off of from my 9-5, which was such a nice way to recharge before the holidays season (and a lot of changes to come in 2026). I spent part of the week at home resting with a daytime visit to the Downtown DC Holiday Market and my favorite Christmas tree in Washington, DC at Riggs Hotel, which was designed by David Laport this season with my friend Brittany and the other part of the week having a solo long weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I enjoyed a lovely time in Philadelphia, where I had a wonderful girl’s evening with my childhood friend Amanda enjoying pasta on the town before heading off to Philadelphia’s Christmas Village. Papa and I also enjoyed an evening stroll to Marshall Pond Christmas Village – a local Christmas tacky lights display in Burke, Virginia. 
  • December 22-31 – The 10 days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve truly felt like a BLUR! My Papa and Aunt Amy and I enjoyed our annual Christmas Eve Eve dinner on the town at Mike’s American Grill, I gifted a custom painted portrait of my dog Rosie to Papa, and enjoyed a weekend in Bethany Beach, Delaware with my Dad and Step Mom. For New Year’s Eve, my friend Haley and I enjoyed a lovely Italian dinner at D’Rocco’s in Occoquan which was delicious!

Highs/Lows

Highs

  • Christmas time is truly one of my favorite times of the year! I LOVE lighting my Christmas tree in the mornings and shutting it off at night. The cozy nights in by the tree were so wonderful, relaxing, and cheerful. Truly, Christmas time is the most wonderful time of the year!!!!
  • I love the slower pace in my 9-5 as the holidays are our slow time to recharge a bit while of course still being on the clock. 
  • I really enjoyed my time in Philadelphia visiting Amanda but also tons of solo time to recharge away from home, too!
  • I didn’t experience too much burnout this December 2025which I am *very* proud of, as compared to years’ past!
  • I had the opportunity to work with multiple amazing brands that reached out to me in December 2025 (and into January 2026!). 

Lows

  • To be completely honest and 100000% authentic, actual Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and the gatherings that follow REALLY overwhelm me with all the family dynamics and things. While I love my family, these days aren’t actually my favorite.
  • I feel really sad at the end of December that Christmas time is over and I knew I had to take down the tree and all the cheerful decorations in the next 7 days or else I never would …

On The Blog

What’s New

8 Chic Storage Solutions That Keep Your Home Organized and Stylish

How To Plan The Perfect Lisbon To Sintra Day Trip Without A Car

The Life of Katie – November 2025

What I Wore Out Of Office – November 2025

What I Wore To Work – November 2025

Your Guide To A Philadelphia City Hall Tour

Your Guide To Visiting The Royal Palace of Madrid

What’s Trending 

When Is The Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale?

Christmas In Washington, DC Travel Guide

Casanel Vineyards & Winery Review

Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream Guide

ICE! At Gaylord National Harbor Travel Guide

Wrap-Up

To wrap up December 2025 with a bow, I found myself feeling tons of gratitude to end 2025. 2025 was not an easy year for many of us, but I feel lucky to have ended the year on such a good note. Honestly, December 2024 was a really tough month for me, having ended with me experiencing the most severe burnout I’d ever experienced. So, I feel extremely grateful to have had a great end to 2025, although it was a rough year overall.

XOXO – Katie <3 

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The Life of Katie – November 2025

From two weekends away in North Carolina, two day trips in Virginia, and several moments spent with loved ones, November 2025 was probably my favorite month so far this year! 2025 has been a tough year for me, like it has been sadly for so many of y’all too. However, I feel extremely grateful, thankful, and blessed to have had such a wonderful month in 2025!!

The Life of Katie – November 2025

Moving forward with The Life of Katie content, I plan to share it monthly in a more concise format. The posts will be formatted by Week Recaps, Highs/Lows, and On the Blog.

Week Recaps

  • November 1-7 – November 2025 started with a post-Halloween weekend post-a looonggg flight delay to Charlotte, North Carolina. I got to see some of my favorite humans while in the Queen City and had an amazing (but brief!) time catching up with some of my close friends and checking out some new-to-me spots (more to come in my Charlotte, North Carolina Travel Guide). I was SOOOO grateful after a long flight delay to Charlotte that my flight had NO delays coming home! When I got home from the Queen City, I put up my Christmas tree and decorations and went to a book signing where I got to meet Chelsea Fagan of The Financial Diet – a favorite channel of mine!! Red cups debuted at Starbucks and I enjoyed a cosmopolitan after what felt like a looonggg work week.

  • November 8-14 – I visited the Old Lucketts Store’s Holiday House 2025 and Casanel Vineyards & Winery to kick off the weekend – both of which were such a wonderful time! I broke out my Christmas Spode champagne flutes, which y’all have LOVED seeing my use over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee). Mid-week, I went to Lowery’s Dial’s Holiday Open House to do some shopping and mingling and *of course* enjoying some champagne as well as visiting Boxwood – an adorable hostess shop on King Street. Friday, I found myself back at Dulles Airport for a spontaneous weekend away to Raleigh, North Carolina to visit some of my closest friends! Upon arrival, my bestie Alanna and I grabbed martinis and dinner at Firebirds in Raleigh’s North Hills!!
  • November 15-21 – I enjoyed LOTS of Starbucks, Aperol Spritz, wine, retail therapy (mostly browsing though!!) and friend time in Raleigh!! After a wonderful weekend which was very brief in the City of Oaks primarily in North Hills, my flight was delayed on the tarmac at Raleigh Airport due to winds. However, I am grateful that 40 minutes later, my flight safely made it to Dulles Airport. Papa and I ordered pizza when I got home and I broke out a Pink coaster that my bestie Shivani crocheted for me and gifted me over the weekend. On Tuesday, I dressed up for a night on the town for the Northern Virginia Content Creator Network’s first-ever event: a Happy hour at Inca Social!! It was LOVELY to get to mingle with fellow Northern Virginia based-creators and learn more about all that Inca Social has to offer, including table-side ceviche. Lots of Fall walks to enjoy the last of the Foliage were enjoyed with Rosie! And, Thursday, DC Preppies had a small gathering for our first-ever outing to The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC’s Third Thursdays event with free admission. Afterwards, I strolled through the DC Holiday Market and grabbed an amazing burger + cocktail at Doyle in DuPont. Friday night, I enjoyed a great dinner at Ozzie’s Good Eats – our favorite! – with my Papa, Aunt Amy, and her girlfriend Barbara. Before dinner, I checked out Creative Collective’s Small Business pop-up and was in AWE at all of the adorable finds that support local businesses! At the same time, I also got to style my gorgeous Lucy Jane Zoey bag which was graciously gifted to me by owner Cassie!! Thank YOU Cassie <3

  • November 22-30 – Saturday, I did some early Black Friday shopping + received some of my finds in the mail including Rosie’s brand-new monogrammed collar (!!!!) and hosted Friendsgiving 2025 where my two close friends Haley and Sarah and I enjoyed a nice meal together. Sunday afternoon, I went to the Southern Living Idea House 2025 at Keswick Hall in Charlottesville, Virginia and to my Aunt Amy’s Housewarming Party with kitty snuggles from Morty! Monday night, Papa, and Rosie, and I embarked on our annual tradition to Bull Run Regional Park’s Festival of Lights hosted by NOVA Parks. It was ADORABLE when Rosie was looking out the window at all of the lights!! All week long, we enjoyed some delicious slow cooker Ham and Bean soup. Thanksgiving week, my brother Will came to stay with me and Papa, which called for tons of relaxation, family time, and holiday cheer. Thanksgiving dinner was wonderful and held at my Mom’s house!! Over the Thanksgiving weekend, we went to my Aunt Alice’s on Saturday for wreath making and I went on a solo outing to visit the Christmas tree at the St. Regis and the Season’s Greenings Exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, DC.

Highs/Lows

Highs

  • ALL of the holiday cheer!!!! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas <3 <3 <3
  • I LOVED getting to go on more solo day trips across Virginia. I am proud to call this state my home <3
  • Rosie’s new Pink + green and monogrammed collar looks ADORABLE on her and (I think!) she loves it too!!
  • As previously mentioned, November 2025 has been my favorite month so far this year! 2025, like for many of us, has been a pretty hectic one for me. That all being said, it was so so so amazing to have such a great month to end a rather tough and crazy year for me.
  • It was such a treat to see many of my closest friends and family members this past month. Seriously, it was such a huge and unexpected blessing!

Lows

  • My allergies have been bugging me around the end of Thanksgiving weekend with the changes in the colder weather.
  • I’m already struggling a bit with end of year burnout, so I’m trying to prioritize self care during this time.
  • I wish I read more than I did in November.

On The Blog

What’s New

The Life of Katie – October 2025

What I Wore To Work – October 2025

What I Wore Out Of Office – October 2025

The Old Lucketts Store Holiday House 2025

Shopping + Dining at North Hills in North Carolina Guide

Katie’s Gift Guides 2025!

Friendsgiving 2025 Tablescape

When Do The Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Washington, DC?

What’s Trending

I’ve Tried 4 RH Restaurants: Here’s My Take!

Christmas in Washington, DC Travel Guide

Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream Review

ICE! At Gaylord National Harbor Guide

20 Brands Like Lilly Pulitzer

Wrap-Up

Nevertheless, I feel extremely lucky to have had such a wonderful November 2025! Thankful, grateful, and blessed is truly an UNDERSTATEMENT to how I feel about this past month.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Katie’s Gift Guides 2025!

It’s gift guide season! I am SOOOO excited for my Gift Guides 2025 to officially be live. Personally gift guides are such a highlight for me year after year, and I had so much fun putting them together this year. Over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I surveyed my followers aka many of YOU on what you’re shopping for this holiday season. At the same time, I decided to mix in some of my own personality into my gift guides as I put them all together. And, hence, my gift guides were born!

This year, my Gift Guides contain gifts for: The Dog Mom, The Chef, The Homebody, The Hostess, The Wine Enthusiast, and The Stocking. And, as always, if you have any gift ideas or need help shopping this holiday season, then please feel free to DM me over on Instagram (@_thepinkchickadee). I am ALWAYS happy to help do the shopping for YOU <3

*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.*

2025 Gift Guides

As previously mentioned, my Gift Guides contain gifts for: The Dog Mom, The Chef, The Homebody, The Hostess, The Wine Enthusiast, and The Stocking.

For The Dog Mom

Sniffany & Co Plush Toy // Chewy Vuitton Paris Plush Toy // Beaded Dalmatian Ornament // Belt Bag // Mini Canvas Doggie Bag Tote // Pink Dog-Sized Blanket // Dogs Mug // Pink Champagne Bottle Plush Toy // Pink & Green Leash // Personalized Collar

For The Chef

Two-Piece Frying Pan Set // Wooden Kitchen Utensils Set // Staffordshire Dog Salt & Pepper Shakers // Pink Dutch Oven // Spoon Holder & Spoon Rest Set // Block Print Apron // Celebrate with Babs Cookbook // White Pot & Pan Set // Chinoiserie Tea Kettle // The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook

For The Homebody

Lip Balm Party Pack // Printed Mug // Floral Blanket // Diffuser Set // Block Print Two-Piece Pajama Set // Reusable Eye Patches // Needlepoint Pillow with Saying // Essential Oil Diffuser // Hydrangea Blanket // Two-Piece Lounge Set // Palm Beach Candle // Scalloped Multi-Wick Candle

For The Hostess

Veuve Cliquot Champagne Bottle // Chinoiserie Tea Towel // Chocolate Set // Hydrangea Cocktail Napkin Set // Staffordshire Dog Cocktail Picks // Personalized Jute Tote // State-Shaped Charcuterie Board // Printed Candle Set

For The Wine Enthusiast

Hampton Water Bottle // Charcuterie Board // Champagne Flutes Set // Glasses Icon Tumbler // Moët Champagne Bottle // Animals Icon Wine Glass Set // Bow Cocktail Picks // Blue & Green Wine Tea Towels // Pink Coquette Tea Towels // Pink Coupe Glasses // Wine Glass Bow Set

For The Stocking

Scrunchies // Clear Initial Pouch // Tarte Shape Tape Concealer // Scalloped Hair Brush // Lip Balm // Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Power Mist // Rose Glass Candle // Personalized Clear Pouch // Personal Fan Trio // Initial Claw Clip // Floral Notebook Trio // Gold Bracelet Set // Striped Tassel Pouch

Happy Holidays my friends!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Old Lucketts Store Holiday House 2025

Have you ever dreamt of walking into a real-life Christmas Pinterest board?! Well, I certainly have! Luckily for my Christmas Pinterest dreams, over the past few years, I have made it an annual tradition to step foot into Lucketts Holiday House and fulfill those Pinterest-worthy dreams of mine. It was truly a dream come true to see real-life Christmas magic come to life, especially to kick off the holiday season. Andddd, the Lucketts Holiday House 2025 has been no different!

One of the most unique things about the Old Lucketts Store’s Holiday House is that every year its interiors changes. That being said, visitors to the Lucketts Holiday House get a brand-new experience each year! While I won’t get into all of the details of the Christmas fun at the Lucketts Holiday House in this blog post, luckily for you, I have a Lucketts Holiday House Guide that shares all of the fun Holiday details for you to plan your visit. At the same time, annually, I share my trips to the Lucketts Holiday House. Check out my holiday house experiences in 2024 and 2023. Furthermore, if you plan to visit the Washington, DC area this Christmas season, then don’t forget to check out my travel guide (here). Anyways, there is SO much holiday fun to be had at the Holiday House (and beyond!).

Now, for a virtual tour of the Lucketts Holiday House 2025!

TIL next year, Lucketts Holiday House!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie – October 2025

Whether it be leaf peeping strolls or drives, quality time with loved ones, a handful of day trips, one too many cocktails, or alll of the spooky vibes in between, October 2025 truly had sooooo many special memories! Over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I shared a recap of my October fun and continue to share regular peaks into my life and all of the fun to be had into the rest of 2025 and beyond. In the midst of all of the spooky fun, I will also mention that October 2025 was a transformative month for me personally, and while I won’t get into that here, I am very grateful for the lessons I learned and realizations I had. I think it’s important to share that while a lot of what I do share does look like a highlight reel, it is not the reality of anyone’s day-to-day life, including mine. Nevertheless, let’s get into the October 2025 edition of the life of Katie!

The Life of Katie – October 2025

Moving forward with The Life of Katie content, I plan to share it monthly in a more concise format. The posts will be formatted by Week Recaps, Highs/Lows, and On the Blog.

Week Recaps

October 1-7 – I kicked off October 2025 with a happy hour with my Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Chapter via Bingo Night at Problem Child and a vineyard day with my friends Stephanie and Ashley at Three Fox Vineyards & Brewery (see my review here!). I independently hung up my decorative plate wall (and created a guide on how to do so independently, too!) after MONTHS of planning it and curating plates for it via thrift store runs and celebrated with some Fall Chili and *of course* wine. My Papa and I celebrated Taylor Swift’s brand-new album The Life of a Showgirl and my vinyl came in the mail (!!!!!). The week ended with me getting some solo time with Rosie girl while Papa went on his annual hunting trip to Chincoteague. Rosie and I enjoyed several Fall walks, and I enjoyed a night of networking with Arlington, Virginia nonprofits at Volunteer Arlington’s Causes & Cocktails and afterwards enjoyed an incredible cocktail and sea bass at Bar Colline in Arlington’s National Landing.

October 8-14 – I enjoyed a solo evening at the ballet seeing the Stuttgart Ballet at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC with happy hour beforehand at Circa. I hosted my family for a family dinner party and put together a Fall tablescape for it (check out my tablescape here!). My family brought over tons of wine with new corks to add to my ongoing wine cork collection! I also channeled my inner Martha Stewart and gave everyone homemade apple jam to take home. I caught up with my good friend James right before he moved to Mexico at my local Starbucks, which was wonderful! I went in-person to my first DAR meeting as an official member. My seasonal allergies got the best of me for the next few days.

October 15-22 – I went on a solo day trip to Colonial Williamsburg (see my guide here) aka preppy + grand millennial heaven (!!!!) and literally fell in love with this place. I will definitely be back! Two days later, Papa and Rosie and I embarked on our annual Fall day trip to Carlisle, Pennsylvania to visit my Great Uncle Mike. After our visit, I fell in love with the Hallmark town vibes of Carlisle’s Historic District and found heaven at the downtown Carlisle Antique Mall. One our way there, we stopped by Catoctin Mountain Orchard for some Fall vibes and jam. Saturday, I took a solo afternoon to Old Town Alexandria, Virginia for an amazing brunch at Vermillion where I got to see the incredible wine room upstairs aka a dream come true (!!!) and then strolled the town to enjoy all of the spooky fun and indulge in some retail therapy. Tuesday, I went on a lovely leaf peeping walk at Lake Mercer with my best friend Haley.

October 23-31 – Papa and Rosie and I went on our annual Pumpkin Patch visit to Burke Nursery and our annual leaf peeping day trip to Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive (see my travel guide here). Saturday, I walked around the neighborhood and admired all of the spooky decorations close to home alongside hosting some friends for a casual happy hour. Sunday, my family and I as well as my best friend Haley set off for the day to Linden, Virginia to hike the Appalachian Trail and do some leaf peeping where my Uncle James volunteers. While on our hike, we got to see the end of the Rappahanock River – HOW COOL! Back at home, I continued to enjoy some Fall walks with Rosie and Haley as well as participating in my company’s annual Fall trivia event throughout the week leading up to Halloween. Halloween Eve, I went with some members of my DAR Chapter on a Booze and Boos Ghost Tour in Old Town Alexandria with Nightly Spirits and had a wonderful and spooky time! And, on actual Halloween, I spent the evening … at the airport due to continuous flight delays flying out to Charlotte to visit my best friends for the weekend. Through it all though, I was grateful to have made it in Charlotte and at Hannah’s house before midnight (and to indulge in a wine tasting Vino Volo at the terminal while waiting for my flight!).

Highs/Lows

Highs

  • All of my day trips and Fall fun around the Washington, DC area (and beyond!) were such a blessing and so memorable.
  • Independently hanging my decorative plate wall was a major accomplishment of mine!
  • My Dad and brother briefly spent the night and visited me at my apartment after going to the Washington Commanders game and it was lovely to get some time with them (even if brief!).
  • On my social media platforms and website, I had my highest performing month as a blogger since I began *cues the confetti*!!!
  • Through it all, I feel extremely grateful to have such a supportive network of loved ones <3

Lows

  • As a new and avid Washington Commanders fan, I feel sad seeing them continuously loss games this year and top players getting injured and having to be on the sidelines a lot, too 🙁
  • The flight delays on the way to Charlotte wasn’t the most fun. Honestly, it was a bit stressful, too.
  • So many people I know are going through a tough time right now including myself, government shutdown related or not. It’s tough to see so many people going through it 🙁

On the Blog

What’s New

Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream Guide

The Life of Katie – September 2025

What I Wore Out Of Office – September 2025

What I Wore To Work – September 2025

Hanging a Decorative Plate Wall Guide

My At-Home Two Grans’s Bar Reveal!

Christmas in Washington, DC Travel Guide

Visiting Colonial Williamsburg Travel Guide

Preppy Fashion Lover Gifts Guide

Fall Family Dinner Party 2025 Tablescape

Lucketts Holiday House Guide

Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive Travel Guide

What’s Trending

When Is Shenandoah Peak Fall Foliage 2025?

Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream Guide

18 Pumpkin Patches in Northern Virginia

Christmas in Washington, DC Travel Guide

Bethany Beach, Delaware Travel Guide

Wrap-Up

October 2025 was truly a transformative month for me as well as a mega blessing filled with so many wonderful memories made. Til next year, October!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Preppy Fashion Lover Gifts Guide

***Please note that this Preppy Fashion Lover Gifts Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This gift guide was most recently updated as of October 2025.***

Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, J Crew, and Kate Spade, OH MY! As a self-proclaimed preppy fashion lover and grand millennial, I could not share some preppy fashion lover items for my Christmas Gift Guides. Today, I am rounding up all of the preppy fashion lover gift ideas to complete your preppy fashion wardrobe and for your preppy fashion lovers in your life all while at different price points. In the case that you’re interested in some of my other preppy fashion shopping guides, then look no further than my blog posts on a few brands to know like Lilly Pulitzer, Printfresh Pajamas Review, Hill House Nap Dress Dupe Shopping Guide, and more. Happy shopping!!!

*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.*

Preppy Fashion Lover Gifts Guide

This Preppy Fashion Lover Gifts Guide will be divided into 5 sections based on price point: $25 and Under, $50 and Under, $100 and Under, $200 and Under, and $200+. That way, there’s a gift every preppy fashion lover in mind!

$25 and Under

$50 and Under

$100 and Under

$200 and Under

$200+

Happy holidays and happy shopping, preppies!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie – September 2025

Time goes by when you’re having fun!!! Full transparency over here, I have been sooo busy since my last Life of Katie post which I wrote before my end of August week in Rome that we are at the end of September AND I haven’t written another. This past month has been a whirlwind and so much has happened that I forget that it all was in the same month – LOL! Nevertheless, September 2025 has been the gateway of Fall 2025 so far, and I have been enjoying every single minute of it!

*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.*

The Life of Katie – September 2025

Moving forward with The Life of Katie content, I plan to share it monthly in a more concise format. The posts will be formatted by Week Recaps, Highs/Lows, Currently Eyeing, and On the Blog.

Week Recaps

September 1-7 – After landing back in the United States and enjoying 5 days in Rome to a gorgeous sunrise at Dulles International Airport, I enjoyed a restful few days at home with some running of errands and some beautiful false Fall weather before jumping back into work. I enjoyed kicking off and styling work wear via my daily OOTDs which I share over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee) calling it “Back to Work.” I decorated for Fall and was the first customer according to the staff at my local Giant Food grocery store to buy a pumpkin for the season! Over the weekend, I *finally* received the amazing information that I am officially a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (!!!) and went to my first-ever in-person event as a member in Washington, DC before. I, then, crossed off a major bucket list Washington, DC restaurant item: El Presidente. I also went to a church luncheon with Papa and celebrated the Commanders’ first win and game of the season!

September 8-14 – I baked peanut butter cookies over my lunch break and enjoyed a walk with Papa and Rosie one late afternoon to kick off the week. Mid-week was filled with some networking with The DC Influence’s event with Abigail and Chloe Baldwin – the founders of Buttercrumble who came all the way from England – spoke about branding and their book The Brand Power Manifesto at Friends to Lovers bookstore in Old Town Alexandria. I *of course* did some window shopping and made a purchase at some of my favorite shops in Old Town! Friday evening, my friends Haley and Sarah and I grabbed dinner at La Madeleine in Kingstowne and learned about the cafe’s happy hour. Saturday, I went on a wonderful Daughters of the American Revolution field trip to the National Museum of the United States Army in the morning and a solo tasting at George Washington’s Distillery in the afternoon. Sunday, my Papa and Aunt Amy and I enjoyed our favorite cocktails and salmon at Ozzie’s Good Eats at Fairfax Corner.

September 15-21 – I kicked off the week visiting my Dad and Step Mom who were in Washington, DC for happy hour at Chef Geoff’s West End and dinner at Osteria Mozza and afterwards a Daughters of the American Revolution wine tasting and service project in honor of Constitution Week. I baked manicotti for the first time ever for me and Papa, which was a mega cooking bucket list item of mine! My Labubu which I named Pinky arrived in the mail. Over the weekend, Papa and I visited Nalls Produce and got jam and apple cider donuts, I went on a solo food and cocktail crawl of Old Town Alexandria, and enjoyed a very restful Sunday watching the Commanders game and the Hallmark channel.

September 22-30 – My friend Haley and I enjoyed a nice neighborhood stroll to kick off the first day of Fall. I *finally* shot some content of my Two Grans’s Bar which I will share more on over here soon and have already shared over on Instagram. I hosted my first-ever Harvest Dinner Party (which I write more about here!), and it was such a success!! Haley and I had a wonderful Saturday brunch at Carnegie Diner in Vienna. Sunday, I took a solo date to Advancing the American Dream at The Milken Center (I plan to share more on this incredible exhibit in a future blog post!) and sushi hour + sangria at The Hamilton before dinner with my Mom, Step Dad, and Papa. To end the month, Papa made some beef stew which was delicious (!!) and he picked some pumpkins that he planted over the Summer.

Highs/Lows

Highs

  • Finally becoming a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) member, which has been YEARS in the making!!! I have LOVED attending some super fun DAR events which I mentioned above. It brings me SO MUCH JOY to finally be an official member!!
  • During the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale, I reached a mega blogger milestone that I never thought I would achieve. Over the Summer and into September, I can officially say that I’ve started to grow my platform after feeling a bit stagnant for a few years. This is something I am really proud of.
  • In my 9-5, I am helping plan a few happy hours and taking part in some fun in-person networking opportunities with some of my coworkers.
  • My Harvest Dinner Party was such a bucket list tradition I have wanted to host and it *finally* happened. My friends all came together to enjoy a nice meal I cooked for them and it was such a lovely time. The conversations, the food, and the wine were all flowing. Just a joyful time!!

Lows

  • Having a lingering cough (not terrible now) from a sinus infection I picked up in August that stayed due to my travel abroad and the seasonal changes.
  • I have felt more overwhelmed adapting to the busier Fall schedule as compared to the slower dog days of Summer, but aren’t we all?!?!

Currently Eyeing

On The Blog

What’s New

What’s Trending

Wrap-Up

From happy hours to dinners with loved ones to cultivating new friendships and cherishing existing ones and commemorating the beginning of a new season, September 2025 was truly such a gift. Here’s to October 2025!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie!

A weekend trip back down memory lane to the lake with some of my best friends, a quick 36 hours in Raleigh, North Carolina seeing some of my best friends and checking out some delicious new-to-me spots, and unfortunately coming down with a cold as I got home, the Life of Katie has been a lovely time to have an opportunity to rest and also look back with gratitude at the friendships I built when in college in Raleigh. Over the course of the last few weeks, I have been taking a break from posting as I have in the past due to burnout, with the exception of a few already scheduled sponsored content. I have enjoyed my restful time and have truly loved getting to savor the “dog days of summer.” Nevertheless, I have been excited to get back here and share a bit of updates, but in a new way!

In The Kitchen!

Every Life of Katie posts, I LOVE to share what I am cooking up in the kitchen for me and my Papa. I also share our dinners over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee).

Honey Dijon Salmon with roasted broccoli & rice

Old Bay Baked Tilapia with Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli, & Mushrooms

Caprese Pesto Sandwiches with Prosciutto

Salmon marinated in soy sauce with broccolini, honey bourbon salad, and rice

Chickpea Noodle Soup

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta with Panko Caesar Salad

Honey Soy Ginger Salmon with Roasted Broccoli, Stir Fry Veggies, and Rice

Beer Battered Flounder with Roasted Broccoli, Green Beans, & Mushrooms + Mac & Cheese

Cod with Roasted Zucchini, Carrots, Potatoes, & Caprese

The Life of Katie!

  • A brief 36 hours in Raleigh – Ah! It was a trip down memory lane last week, as I went to my college town of Raleigh, North Carolina for a quick time before heading off to a weekend at the lake (more on that below!). While in Raleigh, I tried several different new-to-me restaurants (including Restoration Hardware’s RH Restaurant!) and did a bit of retail therapy and browsing at some new-to-me shops! I also had the incredible opportunity to catch up with some of my bestest college friends. I’m looking forward to sharing a bit about my dining experiences in the city of Oaks in a future blog post.
  • A lake weekend – My best friend Hannah graciously hosted some of us at her family’s gorgeous lake house in gorgeous Lake James in Morganton, North Carolina. While there, we went paddle boarding which for me was the first time I did so in about 10 years (!!!!!), visited a gorgeous brewery and saw a rainbow, and simply enjoyed time catching up with one another. Lake James is such a beautiful lake and made me realize how much I missed lake Summers, which I grew up enjoying in Northern Maine as a kid. Truly, I felt so lucky to be back lakeside and with those that I love and am lucky to call my friends.
  • Getting sick – Unfortunately, all of us from the gorgeous lake weekend ended up … sick. I ended up having to go to the doctor’s and wound up with a sinus infection. While an incredible weekend away and together, we all ended up parting ways and coming down with something. Luckily, we have each other in the group chat to support one another from afar as we all rest up. And, above all else, I feel grateful that I am able to go to Italy feeling mostly well for the next week!
  • Organization for Fall – I got a brand-new HP Chromebook laptop for personal use, and I am LOVING it! I have been organizing my Google calendar for the upcoming Fall season which is something that I am LOVING doing!! I have been adding in all of my social, professional, and personal commitments for this upcoming season. I have to say that I LOVE Google Calendar, especially since it syncs up to my iPhone’s calendar. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to what this upcoming Fall season may bring!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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90+ Ways to Practice Self Care For Women

As women, it’s hard sometimes to prioritize ourselves. I know for a fact that at times that I have a tough time putting myself first. On a personal note, last year, I found myself starting to severely burnout from all of my personal and professional commitments (as I’ve outlined a bit here). Nevertheless, thanks to the help of close friends and family, I learned that I needed to practice self-care to better manage everything. Personally, I felt fearful to practice self care, as I was nervous that it would limit me from accomplishing all of my life goals. However, self care helps us to achieve what we set out to achieve by giving us the tools that we need to succeed. And, there are many ways to practice self care for women.

SO, today, I am sharing a list of 90+ ways to practice self care for women. I am sharing this list in hopes of inspiring you to practice self care, too!

90+ Ways to Practice Self Care For Women

  1. Read a new book
  2. Set clear boundaries with others
  3. Be kind to others and yourself
  4. Practice gratitude
  5. Wear something that makes you feel confident
  6. Spend some time outside
  7. Regularly show appreciation to yourself and to others
  8. Start journaling
  9. Light a candle
  10. Give a stranger a compliment
  11. Exercise regularly
  12. Engage with other fans of your favorite artists or fashion brands
  13. Get your hair done
  14. Set some time away from screens
  15. Cook your favorite meals
  16. Practice self love
  17. Read your favorite book
  18. Seek professional help and consult a therapist (if you feel you need to)
  19. Dedicate time to your hobbies
  20. Go to a concert
  21. Regularly clean your house
  22. Wear that new dress that’s been hanging in your closet for awhile
  23. Participate in a local special interest meetup group
  24. Try something new that’s out of your comfort zone
  25. Listen to your favorite music
  26. Take a walk
  27. Devote time to your faith (if religious)
  28. Spend time with your pets
  29. Stay hydrated
  30. Watch a new-to-you show or movie
  31. Become a sports fan and engage with other fans
  32. Get a massage
  33. Seek professional help and consult a nutritionist (if you feel you need to)
  34. Read your favorite magazine
  35. Watch a comfort show or movie
  36. Smile at strangers
  37. Take a bath
  38. See a show
  39. Savor your cup of tea/coffee
  40. Get regular medical check-ups
  41. Practice healthy eating
  42. Give yourself and others grace
  43. Don’t overbook or overextend yourself
  44. Make time for your loved ones
  45. Take yourself on a solo date
  46. Limit time listening to things that feel upsetting to you in the news
  47. Book that trip and take that trip
  48. Buy yourself flowers
  49. Document your favorite memories
  50. Join a book club
  51. Get your nails done
  52. Regularly do the dishes
  53. Seek an accountability partner
  54. Wear that expensive perfume
  55. Write a hand-written letter to a loved one
  56. Indulge in some retail therapy (within reason)
  57. Order your favorite takeout (within reason)
  58. Make sure you have something to look forward to
  59. Bake your favorite treats
  60. Continuously practice forgiveness
  61. Volunteer with a local organization that’s important to you
  62. Ensure you are getting adequate sleep
  63. Treat yourself to a cup of coffee or cocktail after a busy work day
  64. Try a new-to-you hobby
  65. Find creative ways to save money and create savings goals
  66. Take a class that’s not professionally focused
  67. Make a bucket list
  68. Check in on a friend or family member you haven’t heard from in a while
  69. Tell your loved ones you love them
  70. Decorate your home to align with your personal style
  71. Practice financial wellness, create a budget and stick to it
  72. Reward yourself after a long, stressful day or doing something that you dreaded doing or makes you nervous
  73. Ensure you honor your commitments
  74. Pop open the fancy champagne
  75. Try cooking a new-to-you dish
  76. Celebrate your achievements, however big or small
  77. Limit time on social media
  78. Don’t believe everything you hear or read on social media
  79. Find things that spark joy
  80. Spend time with animals
  81. Practice meditation
  82. Regularly do your laundry
  83. Use the fine china
  84. Indulge in a sweet treat from time to time
  85. Celebrate others’ achievements, however big or small
  86. Attend a sports game
  87. Take a spa day
  88. Learn about your family’s history
  89. Make time for family
  90. Forgive others

Above all else, be sure to take care of YOU!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie!

Recent Buys!

I’m going to start off by sharing what I recently bought! I have found myself more often than not browsing the Belk website to admire ALLLL of the Crown & Ivy at Belk aka a preppy fashion brand similar to Lilly Pulitzer (which I write more about here) pieces. Andddd, I found these gorgeous Lilly Pulitzer/PrintFresh dupes and immediately added to my cart!

/// Shop it here

Nevertheless, I am moving the meat what I am eyeing to my newsletter on Substack as well as my broadcast channel “Favorite Finds” over on Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee).

In The Kitchen!

Crab & Corn Salad + Caprese Pizza

Beer Battered Fish Snack Wraps with Chick Fila Sauce

Honey Mustard-Marinated Salmon with Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli

Cherry Tomato Burrata Pasta with Kale Pine Nut Salad and Texas Toast

The Life of Katie!

  • What I’ve been up to – Truly, I have been enjoying the dog days of Summer! Alongside cooking some delicious meals for me and Papa, I have also enjoyed some Summer outings as I rest up before the hustle and bustle of a busy Fall! My best friend Haley and I have enjoyed some walks together in our neighborhood- something I feel SOOO lucky about is that we still live in the same neighborhood. I also went to a company-sponsored Washington Nationals baseball game networking event, which was LOVELY, alongside another team-building in-office day the week before. I also took a relaxing afternoon and headed over to the nearby Paradise Springs Winery to simply read and sip on some wine – it was soooo needed! Over the past few weekends, my Mom and I have been getting back into attending church locally at my childhood church and reconnecting with our church community and debriefing the sermons the next day. And, the last two weekends, I enjoyed two busy Saturdays – one visiting my Aunt Alice and Uncle Charlie in Annapolis to talk all-things family genealogy and catch up over lunch from Graul’s Market and another checking out Lake Anne in Reston, Virginia with my best friend Haley with a delicious brunch, too. All in all, while a lowkey last few weeks for me, it has also been what I have needed as I know Fall 2025 is already shaping up to being a pretty busy one!
  • What I’ve been watching – After a busy in-office day at work, I turned on Netflix to see Amy Bradley Is Missing had been released. I have recently become a true crime fan and had heard of the Amy Bradley case – a 23 year old woman from Virginia who went missing on a cruise ship with no trace in 1998 and what has happened since still remains a mystery to her family and the world despite potential sightings of her and suspicions of human trafficking – and it was that so-called true crime case that really affected me. SO, on that very night that I saw that Amy Bradley’s case was making waves on Netflix screens, I immediately watched and learned so much more about this case. I pray that someday her parents and brother who have never lost hope of being reunited with their Amy get the answers that they need and that hopefully Amy is returned safely to them and can drive her car that they keep in the garage in pristine condition for her to do so. Her family’s perseverance and dedication to never losing hope in finding their Amy is admirable and truly touching to see, despite all that they have been through. At the same time, it was touching to see her friends speak fondly of her and their fondly shared memories together. If you’re a true crime fan, then you must watch Amy Bradley Is Missing on Netflix.
  • Enjoying my favorite espresso martini! – Nevertheless, there is nothing better than enjoying your favorite espresso martini during the dog days of Summer!! My Papa and Aunt Amy and I went to our favorite spot – Ozzie’s Good Eats in Fairfax Corner. Andddd, *of course* our time at Ozzie’s did not disappoint!!! It is always a treat to enjoy my favorite espresso martini that is only $11 (which if you live in the Washington, DC area or any metropolitan city for that matter is a steal!) on the menu.

XOXO – Katie <3

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