What I Wore in Dallas, Texas

On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee), I have been sharing A TON about my adventures in Dallas, Texas (here) celebrating one of my influencer besties Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram (GO FOLLOW HER TOO!!!!) with some of my now new fellow friends of Lindsay’s! We had A BLAST getting to celebrate Lindsay altogether AND enjoy and explore the Lonestar state aka state 25/50 for me (!!!!). Today on the blog, I’m going to be sharing ALLLL the details about what *none other than* I wore while exploring a brand-new-to-me state.

My trip to Dallas, Texas was SUCH A BLAST (!!!!!). From dining at a Valentine’s-themed restaurant to a Super Bowl party with a …. Bejeweled PINK football clutch to a glamorous shopping experience at Highland Park Village with *even* Chanel-themed Mimosas, my trip to Dallas truly gave me my Sex and the City moment. Over the years, I have admired Dallas’s fashion scene, as a preppy fashion lover who attended college in North Carolina. SO, getting to visit Dallas was such a dream AND such a blast to plan outfits for.

I regularly share content regarding what I wear each month to work (here, here, and here) and I want to share more about some of my more fun outfits, too! While many of us spend A LOT of our time at our 9-5 jobs, all of us enjoy time outside of it with our loved ones, as well. In the future, I hope to share EVEN MORE fun content surrounding what I wear when I travel AND locally for fun adventures!

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

Friday Night Dinner at XOXO Dining Room:

Dress: The Impeccable Pig; Necklaces: Kendra Scott & Charlotte’s; Earrings: The Tiny Tassel; Headband: Simply Southern; Handbag: Stoney Clover Lane x Target; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer, All She Wrote Notes, & Amazon; Heels: DSW

Friday Night Juicy Couture Night:

Pajamas: Juicy Couture

Saturday Morning Hot Chocolate Run & Walk:

Jacket: Fabletics; Workout Dress: Amazon; Belt Bag: Lilly Pulitzer; Leggings: Fabletics; Bracelet: Scout Bags x Teleties; Sneakers: Nike; Water Bottle: Stanley

Saturday Afternoon at Highland Park Village:

Dress: Crown & Ivy at Belk; Top: Talbots; Necklaces: Kendra Scott & Vintage; Scarf: Lilly Pulitzer (gifted by Emily of @loveemilydarling on Instagram GO follow her!!!); Leggings: Shapermint; Handbag: Stoney Clover Lane x Target; Bracelets: Little Words Project & J Crew Factory; Booties: Lucky Brand

Saturday Night Dinner at The Finch:

Dress: Monique Lhuillier; Necklace: Kendra Scott; Bow: Lele Sadoughi; Bracelet: J Crew Factory; Leggings: Shapermint; Booties: Lucky Brand; Handbag: Coach

Sunday Afternoon at Lower Greenville:

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer; Trench Coat: Kika Vargas x Target; Headband: Lele Sadoughi x Lilly Pulitzer; Tote: Scout Bags; Bracelets: Amazon & Lilly Pulitzer; Leggings: Shapermint; Flats: New Bella

Sunday Night Super Bowl Birthday Bash at Moxie’s:

Headband: Packed Party; Necklace: Charlotte’s; Dress: TJ Maxx; Bracelets: Kendra Scott, Lilly Pulitzer, Amazon, & The Inspiration Co; Clutch: Amazon; Tights: Shapermint; Heels: DSW

Monday Afternoon Lunch at RH Rooftop & Airport Look to Travel Home:

Dress: Sail to Sable; Necklace: J Crew Factory; Scarf: Burberry; Bracelets: Amazon, The Inspiration Co, & Lilly Pulitzer; Handbag: BCBG; Flats: New Bella

Here’s to sharing MANY MORE fun outfits with y’all on this platform!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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72 Hours in Dallas, Texas

Ever since I was in college, I was SOOO excited to go and visit Texas someday. In August, I got invited to go to Dallas for a birthday weekend. My Instagram best friend Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram (GO FOLLOW HER!!!!) whom I have been lucky enough to visit in her own hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana (here) and Chicago, Illinois (here) with was celebrating her Birthday on SUPER BOWL WEEKEND (!!!!!) in Dallas, Texas and invited several of her friends (some of whom happen to live in Dallas!) who all live across the country to come and celebrate. It was such a special weekend getting to celebrate Lindsay AND meet some of her many friends that I have heard SO MUCH about in-person (shoutout out to Cody, Eva, LaRaina, Meredith, and Mich!!!) who are such LOVELY people! Needless to say, I LOVED how Lindsay’s birthday weekend brought all of us together in one city AND that I got to visit a brand new-to-me city and state that I now want to go back to too!!!

Our Dallas weekend was planned by Lindsay herself! Lindsay has been to Dallas before and knew ALLLL the good places to go to celebrate her Birthday. Luckily for me and our Birthday Bash crew, Lindsay planned to hit up MANY spots that we ALL loved (!!!!).

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

Getting There:

The best way to get to Dallas from Washington, DC is to fly. Dallas has two major airports: Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL). Dallas-Fort Worth is the 4th busiest airport in the United States and is pretty large, whereas Dallas Love Field is much smaller and is more peaceful. I booked my flight about 4 months beforehand for about $260 round trip. Typically, I fly on either United or Delta, and this time, I flew United out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) to DFW, since it was the most affordable option. While I was a bit nervous to fly in and out of DFW, due to hearing about its crazy busy reputation, I was pleased to have had a good experience there at least in my Terminal (Terminal E!), as it was much more peaceful and extremely chill *even* on a Friday afternoon when I landed there.

As for transportation within Dallas and to/from the airport, I found myself using Uber/Lyft (whatever the cheaper option was!) and found that getting around Dallas happened to be pretty affordable compared to the Washington, DC area due to most things in Dallas being close to one another. My airports to/from the airport were around $100 with tip round trip, as DFW is about 30-45 minutes from downtown Dallas (DAL is much closer to downtown than DFW).

Where We Stayed: 

Lindsay did some research on travel for our trip to Dallas and ended up selecting … The Canopy by Hilton – Dallas Uptown! Personally, I have ALWAYS wanted to stay at a The Canopy by Hilton location and was SO excited when Lindsay decided to book this for her 33rd Birthday Bash for our group to stay at. I found the staff at our hotel to be EXTREMELY kind and receptive AND fun to talk to. While I didn’t check it out, all hotel guests have the opportunity to check out the rooftop within the evenings and enjoy a stunning Dallas city skyline. AND, The Canopy by Hilton has a wide array of drinks, snacks, and dining options at an extra charge to all guests. At the same time, I enjoyed the rich history of Dallas that our hotel had to offer, including the frame from an old Dallas trolley car on display within its breathtakingly gorgeous lobby!

As for location, our hotel was located within ALLL that Dallas has to offer, being in the West Village Neighborhood near and easily walkable to several shops, murals, restaurants, cafes, and MORE! As previously mentioned, Ubers were super easy to come by and affordable to get and all rides were super quick, too. Dallas ALSO has an adorable and free historic trolley that takes you allll throughout the city with a stop right by our hotel, running every 15-20 minutes. The only potential downfall to some to our hotel was that there was no free breakfast/coffee after a certain hour, BUT luckily there are cafes within easy walking distance (LESS than 5 minutes walking!!!) away for that morning caffeine fix.

What We Did:

Hot Chocolate Run & Walk – Bright and early on Saturday morning, Lindsay and I walked a whopping 5k at the Texas State Fairgrounds via the touring Hot Chocolate Run & Walk. We met Lindsay’s best friend (now a friend of mine!!!) Eva before the race (as she ran it!) and enjoyed walking over to the starting line before kicking off our respective run/walk. Lindsay and I enjoyed GREAT conversation during the run/walk despite it POURING and practically everyone getting their shoes/socks wet and the exciting energy of being apart of a race. Afterwards, we got complimentary shots (I chose an AMAZING Peanut Butter Whiskey!) and fondue.

Highland Park Village – That Saturday afternoon Lindsay, Mich, and I went off to the ultra-darling Highland Park Village. Highland Park Village is definitely a luxury fashion hub within Dallas! Stores there include: Chanel, Lele Sadoughi, LoveShackFancy, Carolina Herrera, Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren, and Tory Burch. We had an AMAZING time visiting the Lele Sadoughi Dallas storefront, where the ultra-sweet ladies recognized Lindsay from her past visits there (!!!!) AND we each made one too many purchases. After a pit stop at Lele Sadoughi and *of course* Starbucks, we shot some fun content amongst the gorgeous architecture around Highland Park Village and I wondered into LoveShackFancy!

Lower Greenville – Sunday afternoon, I took a solo adventure to Dallas’s super fun Lower Greenville neighborhood. My Mom texted me during my trip that I needed to check out the consignment store scene in Dallas, SO that’s what I did! Luckily, Lower Greenville is home to MANY great ones!! I started my trip at the Goodwill store and then headed over to Crossroads and 2nd Street consignment stores, all of which where I found some *incredible* name brand items altogether for a total of under $100 (retail value over $1500). I ALSO popped into Dallas MKT which had some ultra-adorable merchandise and came across an artisan market where I fell *in love* with J’Luxe Candle Co candles and *just wish* I could’ve taken one of those candles into my carryon! At the same time, I enjoyed taking in the many murals, shops, dining options, and vibes within this eclectic Dallas neighborhood.

Where We Ate:

XOXO Dining Room – Our first night in the Lonestar State, we enjoyed *none other than* a Valentine’s-themed dinner at XOXO Dining Room. We took an Uber there and outside of the restaurant was a pink Valentine’s-themed Barbie-like box (!!!!) to take photos at amongst the stunning PINK “XOXO”-themed murals! XOXO has two rooms inside: one that is extremely Valentine’s-themed and the other feels like a modern day revamp of a retro theater-turned restaurant, which is where we sat! I LOVED the restaurant vibes of both sections! And, as for the food, it was subpar and the drinks as well, however, the vibes and photo opportunities were everything!

Bistro 31 – I truly felt like Royalty at Bistro 31! Not only was the service phenomenal and the staff extremely kind here, BUT the food and drinks and vibes were IMPECCABLE! One of the biggest highlights of dining at Bistro 31 is *none other than* … Chanel (!!!) mimosas! What could make a brunch spot ANY better than a Chanel mimosa (well alongside terrific service and food!)?!?!

The Finch – I WILL say that I am STILLL craving that delicious (and much cheaper than any other city restaurant that I have been in!!!) ribeye that I had there!!!! We ended up getting to The Finch *just* a bit early for our reservation which is rare – LOLLL! – and sat right at the stunning bar with cherry blossom-like blooms front and center. The Chardonnay there was a GREAT way to kick off our dinner at The Finch, before enjoying an incredible sit down meal with even more incredible company!

La La Land – When in Lower Greenville, I *finally* got to check out a La La Land Cafe location! With its gorgeous bright yellow branding, I LOVED getting to walk in and check out this adorable cafe chain that doesn’t have any locations close to home for me. The Lower Greenville location looked like it was in an adorable restored home-turned cafe with a super fun yellow truck outside. I ended up only getting a cookie which was FREE and delicious (!!!), as all first-time guests get a FREE pastry!

Moxie’s – Moxie’s is where we had Lindsay’s Super Bowl Birthday Bash (!!!!) AND where I styled a bejeweled AND pink football clutch! We had a HUGE group with us which made it SOOO much fun, as both of our booths were conveniently located in the bar near the TV showcasing the Super Bowl and *of course* Taylor Swift (!!!!). The nachos and drinks were delicious at Moxie’s and the company and occasion was EVEN better!

RH Rooftop – I had NEVER been to an RH Rooftop location before, but was IN AWE at this incredible location on Dallas’s Knox Street! RH Rooftop is located on the 3rd floor of the Restoration Hardware store which is GORGEOUS and a sight to see on its own (!!!!) and offers a stunning view of the Dallas city skyline. The food is offered on an a la carte basis, with no entrees coming with any sides, however all sides are offered on an a la carte basis, though! I ordered the lobster roll and LOVED it alongside a glass of wine before heading to the airport. I will note that RH Rooftop is pretty pricey compared to most restaurants, but it is definitely worth trying for the atmosphere and vibes!

 

Wrap-Up:

I truly LOVED getting to visit Dallas and *FINALLY* check the state of Texas off of my bucket list of seeing all 50 United States. In fact, this trip to Dallas allowed me to hit the HALFWAY MARK (!!!!) of hitting all 50 states! Lindsay is such a special friend of mine, I felt so honored to be invited to celebrate her birthday. I LOVED getting to be in such great company, too, with Lindsay alongside all of her incredible friends whom I *finally* got to meet in real life (some of which I am still excited to meet in the future that weren’t able to make it this time around!), too! SOOO many blessings ALLL around during this incredible long weekend away in the Lonestar State. Dallas is SUCH A COOL CITY, with sooo many neat spots, ranging from restaurants to historic hotels to a historic trolley and even museums. I have a HUUGEEE bucket list mentally of places that I hope to hit on future Dallas trips. My biggest bucket list items are the Fort Worth Stockyards, the Dallas Trolley (which is FREE), and a stroll through the Adolphus Hotel. I am SO lucky to have met some incredible people that have since become my friends on this trip and look forward to connecting with everyone again in the future, whether in Dallas or somewhere else or both.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Charlotte, North Carolina Travel Guide

***Please note that this Charlotte, North Carolina travel guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect my most up-to-date experiences. This guide was most recently updated as of December 2025.***

Since June 2023 on our week away at Isle of Palms, South Carolina (here), with the exception of a long and busy graduation celebration weekend for Alanna (see where I dined on that trip here), I haven’t really connected fully with my college best friends since. SO, when Alanna’s Birthday weekend approached us over President’s Day Weekend, I decided to take the long weekend to go and visit and *of course* celebrate Alanna in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina aka the Queen City! I have truly missed getting to catch up with Hannah and Alanna and this weekend in Charlotte was SOOO needed!!!

For Alanna’s Birthday weekend, we all ended up staying at the Hotel Hannah aka Hannah’s place with the sweetest hostesses – Hannah and her dog Pixie! Hannah and Alanna also invited our friend Rachel to come and celebrate Alanna and *of course* to all catch up, too. We also got to see our friends Bryn and Allison who are Hannah’s close friends from high school and have since become me and Alanna’s close friends as well. The last time me, Hannah, Alanna, Bryn, and Allison all got together was to see Big Time Rush in the Summer of 2022 in Charlotte (here), which was ALSO my last trip to Charlotte since briefly for Bryn’s college graduation party *just* before going to Isle of Palms.

Needless to say, my weekend away in the Queen City was JUST what the doctor ordered! Although I had just been in Dallas 3 days before I left for Charlotte, my soul truly needed to get out and about and wake up after having endured COVID and a brutal COVID fatigue (which only got worse when flying to and from Texas), as I drove round trip to Charlotte. I am OH SO BLESSED for this incredible weekend away in a different city within my college state.

*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.

Charlotte, North Carolina Travel Guide

Where To Stay:

While I am fortunate enough to have multiple close friends who call Charlotte, North Carolina home to stay with, there are plenty of great lodging options to choose from for your Queen City adventure!


 

Getting There:

I ended up driving down to Charlotte, North Carolina from Northern Virginia. The drive was ~6 hours without traffic and stops and 7-8 hours with traffic and stops (luckily I didn’t run into A LOT of traffic round trip!!!). Needless to say, Charlotte, North Carolina was my longest solo independent drive and I enjoyed it, too! I ended up taking I-95 to I-85 just South of Petersburg, Virginia ALLL the way to Charlotte, North Carolina via a brief stint on I-77 (I think?!). Luckily, I-85 both North and South HAS multiple rest stops, where I ended up stopping at the state lines once I entered into both North Carolina and Virginia AND even got a complimentary “Virginia is for Lovers” sticker for visiting the Visitors Center in Virginia (North Carolina’s State Line has a visitor’s center, too!). Through it all, I am VERY proud of myself for independently making the trip to and from Charlotte in my little white Volvo!

If you do choose to drive to Charlotte from Washington, DC or somewhere further Northbound, I highly recommend taking a few pit stops. I’ve made some pit stops on past road trips to Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Natural Bridge State Park, Virginia.

Besides driving, there are also flight and train options to Charlotte. I chose to drive to Charlotte, since I have found round trip flights there on my chosen airlines of United and Delta to be rather pricey from my local airports of Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) and the train via Amtrak while cheaper than flying is at least an 8-10 hour ride from the Washington, DC area (it is much easier to take the train from practically ANY part of North Carolina, though!).

Amongst all of the options, *surprise* I would drive again! Personally, I liked the drive and will choose to do it again. I liked having the flexibility of having my own car and would LOVE to come back to Charlotte and take a day trip or quick overnight to the NC Smokies or perhaps Helen, Georgia (a major bucket list item of mine!!), as the mountains are an easy day trip from Charlotte when comparing the distance to them from Raleigh or the coast. My biggest pointer for driving from the Washington, DC area to Charlotte: time your trip around traffic (which can sometimes not happen in the DMV, but for the most part it works!).

What To Do:

Shopping at Braveworks – Braveworks is a faith-based nonprofit and boutique with a mission to empower women starting over in their lives. Through the power of faith, networking, and creating, Braveworks provides the framework for women to feel safe and empowered for the next phase of their lives. Many of the pieces in their boutique – all ethically and sustainably made – are made by the women locally in Charlotte or in Africa, all with the chance to feel something good and to provide for themselves and their families. 

Strolling McGill Rose Garden – A long-time public garden and so-called hidden gem, McGill Rose Garden is a nonprofit organization which hosts a community area for weddings/events, outside organizations to bring people together, and MORE! While there, Hannah, Rachel and I happened to not only admire the many beautiful roses and flowers within the gardens, but also support local artists – graduating Class of 2025 Seniors at the University of North Carolina Charlotte who studied Art there – who were selling their incredible creations. It was AMAZING to be able to meet so many incredible soon-to-be college graduates while also supporting and empowering them in such a gorgeous spot.

Walking at Freedom Park – For YEARS, I have been wanting to walk Freedom Park – a large park with a lake, amphitheater, and so much more in the heart of Charlotte’s Freedom Park neighborhood – with Hannah and her dog Pixie. *Finally*, we got the chance to walk Freedom Park altogether! Freedom Park is a gorgeous park in Charlotte that I’ve enjoyed visiting for years, since my initial visits to the Queen City in college.

Indulge in some retail therapy at SouthPark – SouthPark is Charlotte’s popular shopping mall! As of November 2025, a beautiful and brand-new Lilly Pulitzer store opened up at the city’s well-known mall. Other well-known stores at SouthPark include Belk, Nordstrom, and Dillards. 

Catch the Sunset at Charlotte Airport Overlook – With some food trucks, a Navy jet on display, skyline views, and a playground, the Charlotte Airport Overlook has become a popular spot to enjoy sunset or sunrise views in the Queen City. We happened to catch sunset after a few laps around the crowded parking lot with no luck of finding parking. The Charlotte Airport Overlook is a stunning spot to not only watch planes land/take off and enjoy the sunset, but to also pack a picnic, read, journal, and enjoy time with loved ones.

Strolling + Shopping in South End – Home to Evelyn Henson’s iconic Confetti Hearts Wall, South End is an adorable shopping and dining district in Charlotte with close proximity to Uptown aka Charlotte’s downtown! We enjoyed shopping at Girl Tribe Co. while there and admiring the Confetti Hearts Wall, too. There’s several shopping and dining opportunities at South End – ranging from Bitty & Beau’s Coffee to Jeni’s Ice Creams. Check out all that South End has to offer here.

Admiring skyline views at Novelty House Rooftop – the first night that we arrived in Charlotte, we went to Uptown to celebrate Alanna’s Birthday dinner at Sea Level NC (more on that below!). Afterwards, we went to Novelty House – a gorgeous bar with skyline views in Uptown Charlotte – which happened to be right next door to where we just had dinner. While the rooftop bar was closed at Novelty House when we went up to the top floor around 10:30pm, the staff there kindly let us take in ALLLL the scenic views and snap one tooo many photos at the MANY photo opportunities there. I am a city girl through thick and thin and LOVE a good city view (!!!!), so Novelty House was a highlight for me when in the Queen City!

Mean Girls The Musical at Belk Theater – After not being able to see Mean Girls The Musical when it came to Washington, DC back in 2022, I *finally* was able to go see it in Charlotte with Alanna for her Birthday. Alanna and I both enjoyed some wine and snacks (which I happily learned IS allowed in Belk Theater!!!) and the performance. Alanna and I both LOVED the energy and excitement from ALL of the guests at Mean Girls, too! The performance was SOOO cute and well worth the wait from Spring 2022!

And, most importantly, LOTS of catching up happened this weekend!!! I haven’t seen Hannah, Alanna, Bryn, Rachel, and Allison unless briefly since June 2023 when we went to Isle of Palms, South Carolina for a beach vacation or Charlotte/Asheville for other catching up opportunities. I have to say that catching up with some of my best college gals beyond texting pretty frequently (which I feel SOOO blessed to have each of these ladies just a phone call away!) was such a blessing and truly the highlight of this weekend. I also loved how special it was that Alanna’s Birthday celebration brought us all together to see one another, too!!

Where To Eat:

Lost Worlds Brewing – Located in the heart of Charlotte’s Midtown, Lost Worlds Brewing is a taproom pouring beers, wines, and specialty cocktails alongside some delicious snacks to munch on. Nearby, diners can enjoy a beautiful skyline of the Queen City! 

Renaissance Patisserie – In the heart of Charlotte’s SouthPark neighborhood, Renaissance Patisserie is a French-inspired patisserie serving up delicious pastries, desserts, and breakfast + lunch food. I adored their seasonal cookies in honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday!  

Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Garden – Located adjacent to the McGill Rose Garden (more on that above!), Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Garden serves a vast array of coffees and wines for guests to enjoy as they peruse the garden.

Pinky’s Westside Grill – Featured on Diners, Drive-In’s, and Dives, Pinky’s Westside Grill specializes in fried pickles and onion rings, after owner Greg Austen found himself throwing away excess of both. Truly, alll-things fried is Pinky’s Westside Grill’s specialty which we all enjoyed caving in on together!

YaME Asian Noodles – A delicious fast casual and family-owned Asian restaurant, YaME Asian Noodles makes you feel like you’re enjoying the comfort of Chinese takeout in a more upscale way.

Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe – Rachel and I went to Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe as per her suggestion and, needless to say, this suggestion of Rachel’s was a GREAT one!! We ended up waiting in line for about 20 minutes and it was well worth the wait. The array of delicious French pastries ranging from macarons to croissants as well as their vast breakfast menu and coffees and teas, Amelie’s truly has it ALL and I was BLOWN AWAY!!

Sorrellina Pasta Co. – A brand-new as of April 2025 Italian market, Sorrellina Pasta Co. offers pastas, Italian wines and pastries, and meals to go that transports you to Italy without leaving Charlotte. Be sure to check out their market for delicious kitchen staples for your next Italian dinner at home as well as some free samples!

Sea Level NC – For Alanna’s Birthday dinner, she decided to celebrate at Sea Level NC located in Uptown Charlotte! Dining at Sea Level NC was such a GREAT way to kick off our long weekend in the Queen City! I ordered wayyyy too much food, including a delicious grouper and fried oysters, and lots of great cocktails, too! The staff were extremely kind and personable, too. I would definitely dine here again!

RH Rooftop – YES YES YES, I dined at an RH Rooftop location in TWO different cities and states within FIVE days! The RH Rooftop location in Charlotte located at Phillips Place ALSO is on the 3rd floor of the Restoration Hardware storefront just like in Dallas. The RH Rooftop has a very distinct atmosphere to its Dallas counterpart, however, there are a few subtle differences between the two. The menu remains the same, though, and it was fun to try brunch in Charlotte, including the AMAZING forest bacon (!!!!) and a Mimosa! In the future though, I would likely not dine out for brunch at an RH Rooftop, as it was wayyyy too pricey for what I got.

Ralph’s Coffee Truck – I had never been to a Ralph’s Coffee location, despite seeing the cafe on a few occasions at the Tyson’s Galleria near Washington, DC. SO, we were all in for a treat when we got to grab some coffee/tea at the Ralph’s Coffee Truck outside of the Ralph Lauren store in Phillips Place after brunch at the nearby RH Rooftop! Due to my seasonal allergies bugging me over the weekend, I got a delicious tea that truly hit the spot for me. ALSO, I LOVED the many fun fun fun photo opportunities outside of this adorable green truck (!!!!).

Mac’s Speed Shop – Saturday night, we ended up here after trying to get into a Mexican restaurant that had an hour-long wait and we were in for a great treat dining at Mac’s Speed Shop instead! Offering an array of North Carolinian staples, including American fare AND barbecue AND *even* Mexican (!!!!), Mac’s Speed Shop was a great affordable restaurant with options for all. We ordered chips and guacamole and queso before all mainly ordering barbecue dishes. Definitely a fun Charlotte spot!

Starbucks (East BLVD) – While I am never one to really add a Starbucks run that I can do at home to my rooster of places that I dined at while on a trip, I wanted to add this Starbucks location to the list, since it was SUCH AN ADORABLE little spot in Charlotte! Charlotte, North Carolina is known for its gorgeous and historic neighborhoods AND this Starbucks location on East Blvd definitely lived up to that hype, given that it appeared to be revamped from a former historic home! Not to mention, the staff at this location were extremely friendly and accommodating AND this location was popping with people and dogs of ALL kinds.

Wrap-Up:

I truly enjoyed my weekend away in Charlotte, as it was SOOO needed for my soul. Friend time is ALWAYS such a blessing, especially in-person with those I talk to every day (such as those including Hannah, Alanna, Rachel, Allison, and Bryn!). I feel beyond blessed to have gotten such great quality time with those that I LOVE in the Queen City.

Usually when I travel to North Carolina, I am in *none other than* my college town of Raleigh. While I LOVE Raleigh and visiting those that I LOVE there, it is ALWAYS nice to explore a different city within North Carolina and try something new. On a future trip to Charlotte, I would LOVE to take a stroll at the beautiful and charming Queen’s College and Freedom Park, take a day trip to the North Carolina mountains (and perhaps the nearby state of South Carolina – some of which is apart of the Charlotte Metropolitan area), and shop at the popular Girl Tribe Co in South End. Knowing that Hannah, Bryn, and Allison are living in Charlotte, I know that I’ll have PLENTY of future opportunities to catch up with those that I LOVE in a city that I LOVE, too!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Where I Dined in Raleigh, North Carolina – December 2023

This past weekend aka the weekend before Christmas, I had an incredible whirlwind of a weekend in my college town of Raleigh, North Carolina (see the full breakdown of what I did on my Instagram aka @_thepinkchickadee). My best friend from college Alanna had her first-ever in-person graduation (thanks, COVID aka sad face) this past weekend as she received her … Masters in Education from North Carolina State University and I *of course* came down to celebrate her and visit with those that I love and miss from my college days. One of the things that I forgot was how great Raleigh, North Carolina dining can be. Needless to say, my weekend in Raleigh was such a special weekend, and I am OH SO GLAD that I made one last trip down to North Carolina for 2023!

Where I Ate:

Here, I am essentially going to share a round-up of where I dined during my weekend in the City of Oaks. Since I have done A TON of sightseeing around Raleigh over the past few years in college and even a bit after college on my then-frequent visits back, I will be focusing on more where I ate this time around. HOWEVER, if you are interested in a bit more about Raleigh aka North Carolina’s state capital and/or are planning a trip there *very soon*, then look no further than my guides here, here, and here (!!!!).

Coquette Raleigh (4351 The Circle at North Hills Street, Raleigh)

Located in Raleigh’s North Hills Shopping District (aka where I spent A TON of time shopping, dining, etc. in my college years!!!), Coquette is a snazzy French spot that I had yet to try! My friend Shivani and I met our friend and my former roommate Sophie at this glamorous and French-inspired spot ALLLL around for brunch. The food was delicious, from the pommes frites aka French fries to the unlimited coffee to the complimentary bread and butter to the escargot aka a FAVORITE of mine and the French onion soup! Our waitress (whose name I forget) was literally the sweetest ever alongside my time with both Shivani and Sophie. My happy place in college was North Hills, and I was SOOO happy to *finally* be able to try Coquette!

First Watch (5419 Page Road, Durham)

Confession: I had *yet* to try a First Watch location aka the practically nationwide popular brunch spot until this trip of mine! Whoops!!! HOWEVER, I am glad that I got to meet my friend Bree here for brunch before we both headed back to our respective homes for the holidays the day after Alanna’s graduation festivities. We both got the traditional breakfast with eggs, home fries, bacon, and toast AND I am craving it as we speak – LOL! My time with Bree was also special, too. Needless to say, I am excited that a First Watch location is opening up near me in Alexandria, Virginia (!!!!), as I DO want to go back.

Glasshouse Kitchen (5 Laboratory Drive, Research Triangle Park)

Shivani and I did Glasshouse Kitchen together just a few hours after I touched ground in North Carolina. Shivani describes Glasshouse Kitchen as me in a restaurant, which she is NOT wrong about – LOL! The food and locally made beer was delicious, alongside the impeccable vibes. I personally found it SOOOOO neat that Glasshouse Kitchen is literally a glasshouse and located within Raleigh’s well-known Research Triangle Park (RTP) and adjacent to a laboratory, making it such a unique upscale dining asset to the Raleigh dining scene.

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille (4509 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh)

Alanna had her graduation dinner here and I felt SOOOOO lucky to be able to join her and her family to celebrate her getting her Masters after her graduation ceremony. Perry’s Steakhouse is an upscale steakhouse located near Raleigh’s well-known Crabtree Valley Mall. Before dinner, we enjoyed wine and cocktails at the gorgeous bar (which reminded me of Founding Farmers’ bar in Foggy Bottom in Washington, DC a bit!) before a delicious meal together to commemorate Alanna. I enjoyed a delicious snapper that I am STILL craving alongside shrimp with Alanna and her family as a starter. Definitely a restaurant for the books (!!!!).

Wrap-Up:

Since graduating from college and moving back to the Washington, DC area, I have truly enjoyed getting to enjoy the vast array of incredible restaurants on the slim times that I am back in my college town. The Raleigh, North Carolina dining scene was a highlight for me when I was in college and, since moving away, I have come to appreciate it even more when I do come back alongside some incredible friends who make for the BEST company.

XOXO – Katie <3

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48 Hours in Boston, Massachusetts

To kick off November 2023, I took a weekend trip up to Boston, Massachusetts (!!!!). My cousin Sabrina and her girlfriend Nicole live in the nearby Boston suburbs and were amazing hostesses (which I am ALSO so grateful for them opening their home up to me, too!) and I got to also meet some Instagram besties of mine and have them become in real life friends (if you know, you know!). My trip to Boston was SUCH A BLESSING to me and I am OH SO GLAD that I was *finally* able to make this trip happen. The idea of me visiting Boston on my own has been in my head for … 9 years now, and I am very happy that I have been able to make it happen almost a decade later. While in Boston, I was able to see many of the sights that this New England hub has to offer, ranging from points of interest all along the Freedom Trail, Newbury Street, Beacon Hill (including the iconic Acorn Street), North End aka Little Italy, the waterfront, all the way to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. My first full day in Boston, I walked 18,000+ steps and found myself crashed on the air mattress that night – LOL! Overall, I am SO happy and blessed that I was able to visit my cousin Sabrina and Nicole and have an incredible time up in New England (see snippets from my trip to New England in 2022 here, here, here, and here!).

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

Getting There:

Living in the Washington, DC area allows me to have MANY MANY MANY flight options for getting to and from Boston, given nearby airports and airlines. I ended up using Delta flight vouchers that I had from cancelled trips to the Carolina’s over the summer and paying $5 (!!!!!!!) out of pocket round trip out of Reagan National Airport (DCA) which is Metro-accessible for me and super close to Washington, DC. I chose to fly to Boston on a Friday evening and fly back to Washington, DC on a Monday morning, to allow for a bit of a vacation post-vacation. Over the years, I have decided to mainly stick with Delta and United Airlines (and their partner airlines) for flights, given that I have a rewards account with each and want to accumulate miles over time. The BEST PART?! Given my rewards account through Delta airlines, *somehow*, I got a free upgrade to Comfort+ heading home and found out when I went to gate check my bag which is the rows behind First Class and got to enjoy many many fun perks during my quick flight back home. I LOVED the incredible service that Delta provided on my flights both to and from Boston and look forward to flying Delta again in the future!

What I Did:

When in Boston, live as fellow Bostonians do! I REALLY enjoyed getting a taste of Boston over the weekend that I was there! The first day I was in Boston, I walked over 18,000 steps and then crashed when I got back to my cousin’s apartment – LOL! Anyhow, I LOVED getting to see SOOO many incredible sites to see here in Boston, including the many points of interest alongside the Freedom Trail, the stunning Beacon Hill neighborhood, Newbury Street, North End (including the waterfront!), and the iconic Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. I also enjoyed getting to meet up with not one but 3 (!!!!) Bostonian Instagram besties of mine – Griffin, Timmy, and Mikayla – while in town and getting to see their incredible city from their perspectives. Truly, I LOVED getting to see Boston for the first time as an adult and learn to love this stunning, charming, and historic New England city.

While there, I mostly used public transportation via their subway system known as the T. I purchased a 1 ride or 2 ride pass which was either $2.40 or $4.80, respectively. I will note that, over time, the T has become a bit more unreliable to local Bostonians, given that the trains can be super slow and delayed, which can be an issue for those with commitments and commuting to and from work. However, the T is GREAT for not having to drive in and out of the city and around the city as well as saving on Uber/Lyft fares. Compared to Washington, DC’s Metro’s fares, the T’s fares are *pretty close* to what I pay per ride on the weekends.

Boston Public Garden

The Boston Public Garden was probably my FAVORITE spot in all of Boston (!!!!!). Indeed, it felt *just* as if I was walking through a mini Central Park …. But I was in Boston! I truly loved getting to enjoy the vibes of locals, tourists, musicians, and everyone in between in this beautiful and central spot in the city. The city skyline of Boston was also a stunning aspect of the Boston Public Garden, too! I sat on a bench in the Boston Public Garden not once, but twice, and LOVED getting to literally cool my heels and take it all in, whether it be the people-watching, crisp Fall air, or city vibes.

Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill feels like Boston’s version of Washington, DC’s Georgetown neighborhood HOWEVER it has a much much much more colonial and historical feel to it. Just like Georgetown, Beacon Hill has several shops, both locally owned and bigger known names, restaurants, cafes, and several stunning windy cobblestone streets. I popped into the stunning Beacon Hill Books & Cafe, Benefit Cosmetics, Upstairs Downstairs Home, and *of course* Starbucks. I also walked down the iconic Acorn Street – which according to my cousin Sabrina is one of the most photographed streets in the United States. Acorn Street is a historical cobblestone alley essentially that still holds its colonial charm to this very day. The best part?! I ran into my friend Joelle on a whim while wondering the streets of Beacon Hill, and I was SOOOO glad I ran into Joelle and got to see her in Boston where she’s recently relocated while on this trip!

Upstairs Downstairs Home

Acorn Street

Freedom Trail

My fellow Instagram turned in-real life (!!!!) bestie Mikayla of @blissandbows gave me a walking tour of Boston’s Freedom Trail when we met up! We walked the Boston Common to the Old City Hall (which is a favorite of mine weirdly enough!) ALLL the way to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall. And, *of course* passing a prominent cemetery in between it all. I had a GREAT time getting to meet up with Mikayla in-person and see her incredible city from her perspective. Earlier in the day with my friends Griffin and Timmy, we walked by the Massachusetts State House, which was another super cool site to see. Boston’s Freedom Trail is spread out throughout the city yet it still somewhat centralized, too. I found it SO unique that Boston has sites from the colonial days still standing to this very day as well as tall buildings representing the big city vibe era of today.

Newbury Street

I *of course* did some shopping here on Newbury Street! Newbury Street feels like the shopping street of Boston. I popped into the stunning Lilly Pulitzer store which I had seen SO MANY photos of for many years. The ladies at the Lilly Pulitzer there were SO sweet, too! I enjoyed checking out some of the New Arrivals in-person and chatting with the Lilly ladies of Boston. Then, I headed to Kendra Scott which was such a STUNNING store and all decked out for Christmas, too, (just like Lilly Pulitzer was!!) and *of course* did a little bit of damage, getting the Emerald Elisa necklace. I truly LOVED the interiors of both Lilly Pulitzer’s and Kendra Scott’s storefronts. Like much of Boston, the storefronts of Newbury Street are in older buildings and possess such unique charm on both the interiors and exteriors.

Another neat aspect of Newbury Street was passing religious buildings of all kinds, whether a synagogue, church, or temple, that are still in use today. The biggest theme of all of these religious buildings was the fact that they all brought everyone together. Each place of worship had signs to show that they are a safe place for people of all walks of life, whether LGBTQ+, BIPOC, etc. It truly was a beautiful thing to see the love and acceptance and inclusivity in the air ALL around Boston.

North End

Mikayla and I walked ALL the way to North End from the Freedom Trail. Our first stop was the Boston Waterfront, which was STUNNING. We, then, strolled along the beautiful streets to dinner via Mikayla’s amazing recommendation of BenCotto (more on that below!). North End is known at Boston’s Little Italy neighborhood and is a very popular place for visitors and locals, alike to dine,

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is probably THE BEST museum that I have ever visited, alongside the Louvre in Paris and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence (!!!!!). The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is actually late 1800’s-early 1900’s Boston socialite Isabella Stewart Gardner’s mansion-turned-museum. Isabella Stewart Gardner was an avid world traveler and extremely educated and bright woman for her time. Stewart Gardner learned to read and had tens of thousands of books in her collection, alongside artworks from her international travels, including to Asia, Europe, and all across the United States. Honestly, her collection of artwork and books was STUNNING (!!!!). I was truly in awe of Stewart Gardner’s collection that still prevails to this day and attracts many many many visitors year after year. I went with my cousin Sabrina and her girlfriend Nicole who both have been to the museum in the past and LOVE it. We ended up chatting with a local Bostonian who is a fellow Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum member. He ended up telling us some really neat antidotes and facts about the iconic Isabella Stewart Gardner, who had several friends at Harvard University in nearby Cambridge, Massachusetts where she was able to be inspired to pursue her lifelong passion for learning. What a woman Stewart Gardner was before her time. I left this museum feeling beyond empowered, inspired, and in awe!

Where I Ate:

Bistro du Midi

My Instagram turned in real life (!!!!) besties Griffin and Timmy suggested that we try Bistro du Midi – a delicious French spot right alongside the Boston Public Garden – for *none other than* brunch! It was SUCH AN HONOR to be able to meet both Griffin and Timmy in-person for the first time. We had an amazing time at Bistro du Midi, too. I tried raw clams for the first time ever and enjoyed a delicious omelette with some amazing pommes frites. I also have to mention that the atmosphere at Bistro du Midi is EVERYTHING, from the bar to the second story (where we ate!) to everything in between. I also had a great time with GREAT company, too!!

Bencotto

Mikayla suggested we try Bencotto and I am SO glad that we went! Bencotto is located in Boston’s North End where Italian cuisines reign, as previously mentioned, and was such a treat. One of my highlights of Bencotto was getting to spend time with Mikayla and learn more about a restaurant that she and her family LOVE to dine at and celebrate occasions together at, too. I *surprise* got an Aperol Spritz with *none other than* a specialty pizza for dinner. Needless to say, my pizza and Aperol Spritz and pizza were well-earned and deserved after walking 18,000+ steps around town that day!

Tous Les Jours

While it is a nationwide franchise, Tous Les Jours is a favorite spot of my cousin Sabrina’s alongside her girlfriend Nicole. And, both Sabrina and Nicole take loved ones to Tous Les Jours when they come to visit them! Before Boston, I had never dined at a Tous Les Jours location and was very impressed by its unique experience. Essentially, Tous Les Jours is a French-Japanese pastry shop and cafe fusion, offering a variety of both sweet and savory pastries. Guests upon entry grab a set of tongs and can select the pastries of their choosing AND order a coffee or tea at the register when they go to pay. I got a savory quiche and a sweet chocolate-filled croissant alongside a pumpkin spice latte!

Pressed Cafe

After wondering and being in literal heaven at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Sabrina, Nicole, and I headed to Pressed Cafe located at Prudential Center. A New England/Northern-based breakfast and Mediterranean like cafe chain, Pressed Cafe was SO gorgeous on the inside and offered something literally for everyone! I definitely enjoyed the vibes at Pressed Cafe and the market-like array of goods such as hummus and freshly pressed juices for guests to purchase and take home with them. Pressed Cafe was definitely a unique spot that I would try again when in New England!

Wrap-Up:

Overall, I LOVED getting to *finally* visit Boston as an adult. The last time I went to Boston before this trip was when I was 15 and couldn’t really go off on my own and do my own thing. And, since that trip as a 15 year old, I had been wanting to go back to Boston and do *none other than* my own thing on a trip there. I am SO glad I got to do my own thing on this trip … a whopping 9 years later! This trip, I got to explore the stunning Beacon Hill neighborhood, shop and browse the gorgeous stores there at my own pace, explore the historic sites to see alongside the Freedom Trail, and visit a new-to-me museum that I fell IN LOVE with.

At the same time, I am SO SO SO grateful to have many loved ones in Boston, including my cousin Sabrina and her girlfriend Nicole who were incredible hosts during this trip. I LOVED getting to finally meet my Instagram friends Griffin, Timmy, and Mikayla and have them become in real life friends. Needless to say, I feel SOOO much gratitude for this trip and to be able to fall in love with another place in New England (growing up I spent summers up in Maine!). I ALSO am so so so excited for visiting Boston and other parts of New England in the future, as I have some friends in Boston and Newport, Rhode Island that I have yet to meet up with in their respective homes. New England is probably my favorite place in the world, given its charm and stunning coastlines to mountainous skylines. Moving forward, I aspire to visit New England at least once a year!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie – October 2023

October 2023 started off on a BIG low and ended on a BIG high. WHAT A MONTH it was (!!!!!). From kicking off the month with extreme burnout to some super fun professional development events including speaking at a conference and going back to the classroom TWICE and exciting professional news to some local travel and adventures close to home to enjoying the Fall foliage and vibes to dressing Rosie up for Halloween and everything in between, October 2023 was truly one for the books. The older I get, the more I want to savor ALLL the memories and be grateful for what I have in the moment. And, the memories I had made this October 2023 were no different.

Highs:

  • Papa and I enjoyed a nice meal in downtown Clifton, Virginia together at Trattoria Villagio (which was recently ranked as a Top 50 Restaurant by Northern Virginia Magazine!). It was a great time for both me and Papa to simply enjoy one another’s company, some delicious pasta and appetizers (I was craving calamari and Papa was craving bruschetta!), and some excellent restaurant ambience.
  • This Fall has been a BEAUTIFUL one (!!!!). Personally, I have found this time of year to be one of THE MOST stunning times with the Fall foliage. I have taken EVERY moment to enjoy the stunning environment around me, through walks at local ponds near me to taking in alll the crisp Fall air when I step foot outside, to views of the foliage when I drive on Fairfax County Parkway. I have truly taken a moment this October to take a step back and practice mindfulness via simply being in the moment of Fall 2023 … we will never see Fall 2023 again, so why not enjoy it?!
  • Early this month, I got a surprise email in my inbox that I had been … PROMOTED (!!!!). My promotion was well-earned and a result of A LOT of hard work that I put in on the job. I have grown SO SO SO passionate about my work since starting at my current employer since graduating from college in 2021. I am extremely blessed to be able to work for my incredible employer and am SO excited to have been promoted this Fall season. I feel A LOT of confidence that others are seeing the hard work that I am putting in with tons of passion and am extremely proud of myself for earning it, too. To celebrate, I went to my favorite spot: Old Town Alexandria where I got a bottle of Italian women-owned bubbly at Virginia’s Darling, stopped by the Lilly Pulitzer store on King Street, strolled alongside the iconic Captain’s Row (more on that below!), and purchased a new dress at The Lucky Knot on King Street. I, then, went to my Mom’s house to enjoy some takeout Afghan cuisine from her favorite spot Afghan Bistro with a bottle of wine I picked up from Virginia’s Darling’s market and it was DELICIOUS. My Mom (and Dad, too) has been one of my biggest cheerleaders in life, so it was special to be able to celebrate with her.
  • Back to the classroom for me this October 2023! I started my monthly program – Ignite Young Professionals via the Leadership Center for Excellence – and have LOVED getting to be a student again and network with likeminded professionals all across different industries in the Washington, DC and more specifically Arlington, Virginia area. The Ignite Young Professionals program focuses on empowering the next generation of leaders with the skills to succeed professionally and personally alongside an incredible civic engagement component with a local Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit. I LOVE LOVE LOVE and am so blown away by my classmates, how much I learned from them, and what incredible people they are. I am *VERY* excited for what is to come over the next 8 months as a student via the Leadership Center for Excellence!
  • This month, I had the HUGE honor to represent my employer where I moderated a panel at Women in Data, Washington, DC’s Making Sense of Data 2023 conference at the National Children’s Museum (which is SUCH A COOL museum!!). My panel was focused on 7th grader students and featured other working data professionals in government and the public sector. The students were extremely interactive asking several great questions AND loving learning the fact that data helps power TikTok and Instagram – LOL! Also, I LOVED getting to network with some incredible fellow women (and men!) in data who both volunteered at the conference whether with a booth or through the event as a whole. One of my biggest passions is empowering the next generation of girls and women in STEM-based careers, which Making Sense of Data 2023 allowed me to do! The BEST part?!?! I got to strike a few poses at the Barbie booth (!!!!!!).
  • I got a new PINK iPad!! In case you haven’t been following along on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee) stories, I accidentally spilled water on my 2017 MacBook Pro. Fortunately for myself, I had insurance to cover the replacement of my laptop, which allowed me to replace it with … a PINK iPad and a Magic Keyboard to go with it. Needless to say, my excitement is definitely an understatement and the iPad is PERFECT for what I need for regular personal use. I actually picked up my iPad after the Making Sense of Data conference in Georgetown where I dined at Martin’s Tavern for a splendid solo date filled with espresso martinis, burgers, and fries (!!!).
  • Papa, Rosie, and I made a visit to Burke Nursey & Garden Centre‘s Fall Market on a weeknight and it was so fun! We went there last year and brought Rosie then, too, and had such a blast. There are two parts to the Fall Market: the the market filled with aisles of locally made goods ranging from their homemade Apple Cider Donuts, curated jams and sodas, and produce and the pumpkin patch and playground with Spooky-themed murals, hay bails, and *of course* pumpkins. This time around, we enjoyed browsing, walking around and admiring both the market and the patch, and watching Rosie enjoy it all, too.
  • One of the BEST parts of October in the Washington, DC area is making a visit to Old Town Alexandria’s iconic cobblestone streets of Captain’s Row to see the well-known Halloween decorations. Confession: I hadn’t have made a visit to Captain’s Row since I moved back to the Washington, DC area after college. SO, I LOVED getting to make a visit to Captain’s Row after enjoying some bubbly at Virginia’s Darling (!!!!) to celebrate my promotion. The Halloween decorations were so so so fun to see, especially since I recently learned that the Halloween decorations change within the community year after year!
  • At the Jonas Brothers concert back in September (here), I met a new friend Liz while getting lost on the way to Metro. Liz and I have met up again since the Jonas Brothers concert right by our Tysons-based offices at Coastal Flats in Tysons Corner Center where she brought Joe Jonas in the form of a pop-up! Needless to say, I am SO blessed that Liz and I met while getting lost going to Metro after the Jonas Brothers concert and have bonded ever since. Liz truly is a blessing!
  • My Dad came to visit for a weekend and we had an amazing time together! Our first stop was to Washington, DC to dig into our family genealogy research at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library which is a STUNNING library (!!!!). We met with some genealogists and had a great time meeting with them and exploring the gorgeous library, museum, and state rooms which showcase historical representations of rooms from different states in different time periods. While we have literally hit a brick wall with a bit of our family genealogy, we did enjoy our time there and the several impressive resources at this incredible free library. After our time digging back in time, Dad and I headed to Thompson Italian aka one of my favorite local restaurants (!!!) in Old Town Alexandria to enjoy some amazing wine, short rib ravioli, and dessert before walking down King Street to stop into The Lucky Knot (who have the sweetest ladies there!!!!), enjoy some live music, and take in all of the spooky vibes. The next day, we got brunch in Occoquan, Virginia’s historic district at our favorite spot: The Secret Garden Cafe. We also strolled through the town, which is DECKED OUT for Halloween and so so so charming, and admired the adjacent Occoquan River, window shopping, and the crisp Fall air. I had an amazing time with my Dad and I truly cherish our time together.

DAR Library

Old Town Alexandria

Occoquan Historic District

  • Every October, Papa and Rosie and I take a day trip to Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive to enjoy the foliage. This year, I took a Thursday off of work and we got a peak at the leaves a bit pre-peak and pre-mega crowds, too. The day we went was a BEAUTIFUL sunny day and literally THE PERFECT day to go! We enjoyed taking in ALLLL of the stunning and cloud-free scenic views, crisp Fall air, and time together. Afterwards, we got lunch in Old Town Warrenton, Virginia at Denim & Pearls which was dog-friendly and had amazing daily deals on both beers and burgers aka the golden ticket (!!!!). The staff at Denim & Pearls were SOOO friendly and hospitable, too. Afterwards, I took a brief stroll through Old Town Warrenton before heading back home. Papa and Rosie and I definitely had a very special day for YEAR …. 3 of our Shenandoah National Park Fall day trip!

Shenandoah National Park

Warrenton

  • Just HOURS after I got back from Shenandoah National Park, my friend Liz and I met up at Panera Bread for dinner and then off to Tyson’s Showplace Icon Theatre and Kitchen to see … Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour movie. I *of course* got the bucket and cup and some popcorn, too. Liz and I dressed up in PINK and enjoyed time together just simply bonding and enjoying one another’s company while LITERALLY sobbing over our mutual love for Taylor Swift (and the Jonas Brothers, too!). I enjoyed Liz’s and I’s time together AND the amazing reclining chairs at the theatre!
  • The last week of October, it felt *just as if* ALL of the happy hours were manifesting (!!!). My back-to-back happy hours kicked off with Causes & Cocktails at The Commentary in Arlington’s Ballston neighborhood. Causes & Cocktails is an event hosted by Volunteer Arlington to highlight different charities focused on different causes in the Arlington, Virginia area, with this month’s being focused on Food Insecurity. I got to network with those at the local nonprofits alongside others in the amazing Leadership Center for Excellence network that I recently became apart of via Ignite Young Professionals (INCLUDING some of my classmates!!) and *of course* my best friend Stephanie who completed a high school program through the Leadership Center for Excellence. The next happy hour was the 2023 Achieving After-school Celebration to fundraiser for Aspire After-school Learning: an Arlington-based nonprofit focused on providing additional After-school programming for students. I got to network with others from my Leadership Center for Excellence network AND enjoy the incredible skyline views at the venue: Army Navy Country Club! Because I was tired from a busy week the past week, I’m proud of myself for declining additional happy hour invites to simply rest.

Causes & Cocktails

Achieving After-School Celebration

  • Halloweekend was filled with LOTS of rest and LOTS of fun! Friday, I enjoyed the night in with carry out Chinese food and some tea on my back porch with my best friend Haley in the early evening. Saturday, I ran some errands including a stop by Home Goods (!!!!) and to a Trunk or Treat that Papa was volunteering at during setup. The Trunk or Treat had *none other than* a Fall-themed balloon arch, SO I *of course* snapped a few photos in front of it! Sunday, Papa, Aunt Amy, and I enjoyed a brunch at Ada’s on the River at the Old Town Alexandria waterfront. Our brunch was amazing (as per usual!) and I had one of the best Aperol Spritz’s I’ve had! Afterwards, I took Papa and Aunt Amy to Captain’s Row to see ALLL the spooky Halloween decorations (!!!). Captain’s Row brought GREAT joy to all three of us. Sunday evening, I organized, did some home decor projects, and meal prepped for the week ahead. The entire weekend included LOTS of the Hallmark Channel’s Christmas movies, too.

Trunk or Treat

Ada’s on the River

Captain’s Row

Lows:

  • 2 weeks without a personal laptop SUCKED at the beginning of the month. I ended up using my work laptop for personal use including writing blog content where I encountered … a BUG with WordPress. The WordPress bug delayed ALLL my blog content for the first few weeks of October. HOWEVER, I am SO grateful for my new iPad and excited to have it to easily carry and take with me everywhere I go!
  • Early this October, I had horrible burnout. And, my burnout made me feel sick, as a result. Since then and luckily with the support of friends, family and my coworkers, I have made some adjustments to my day-to-day life, including scaling back on some of the work I am committing to both professionally and personally. One of the BIGGEST changes that I am making is avoiding (for the most part) signing onto my work laptop after 5pm on weekdays and on the weekends. I since deciding to do some scaling back, I have felt SO MUCH BETTER both mentally and physically.
  • NOT to be dramatic, BUT I had my lovely car Daisy towed without realizing that she was 1000% fine this month – BIG WHOOPS!!! SO, I drove to Starbucks after my vaccines and on the way home a warning light came on telling me to stop driving my car. While I got home safely, I was SOOO nervous that something bigger was going on with poor Daisy. I talked to my local body shop and had her towed (free thanks to insurance!) only to discover that she just needed a programmatic reboot. WHELP! In the end, I am grateful that I brought my car in to be extra sure and that everything is good and that I didn’t have to spend a ton on repairs, either.
  • I got my COVID and Flu vaccine at the same time towards the middle of the month. My experience to say the least was quick and easy, but left me with a horrible fever that night and out all weekend. I had to reschedule plans with friends that I planned that weekend thinking that I would be *TOTALLY* fine with just a sore arm (or two!). HOWEVER, the universe had other plans and I ended up barely leaving the couch ALL WEEKEND LONG. BUT, I am grateful for the opportunity to simply rest, be still, and in the moment for one weekend before they all get super busy with the upcoming holiday season. I am also extremely grateful for science and the scientific advancements that have come to allow us to get vaccinated, in order to stay safe and healthy and protected against COVID-19.
  • My seasonal allergies have been THE WORST this past October. The exact Friday I was supposed to host a Halloween Happy Hour at my house, I ended up having an awful bit of allergies get sprung upon me. I had a bunch of work calls in the morning that required me to have myself in my typical work from home attire (here and here) while dying on the inside. Ultimately, I ended up sadly cancelling my Halloween Happy Hour for 2023. And, while a disappointment, I am glad that I was able to prioritize rest and that I was able to get one-on-one time with my friends soon after who intended to attend.

I am going into November 2023 filled with SO MUCH gratitude. I turned 24 in May of this year and it’s CRAZY to think that in just 6 months I will be turning 25! I have really enjoyed Chapter 24 so far in my book of life and am more than excited for what is to come for the second half of this magnificent chapter! NOW, onto November!

XOXO – Katie <3

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24 Hours in Chicago, Illinois

Ever since I went to Chicago on a Spring Break trip in high school, I had wanted to visit again as an adult. Luckily, that opportunity to visit Chicago again came up when I went to visit my best friend Lindsay in Indianapolis, Indiana (here) and we decided to do a night in the Windy City before I headed back to the East Coast in August 2023! While in Chicago, we did alllll-things Barbie-themed, from going to the Malibu Barbie Popup Cafe to drinks at Hampton Social to the literal best ever espresso martinis that I’ve ever had at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and a few things in between. During my time in Chicago, I truly fell in love with the city all over again and I cannot wait to go back and visit Chi Chi in the future!

*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.

Getting There:

Lindsay and I drove from Indianapolis to Chicago, since it is under 4 hours each way and I totally give props to Lindsay for driving us the entire way as I am NOT a city driver (confession!). I ended up flying home out of Chicago O’Hare airport on a United Airlines (my preferred airline!) flight back to Washington, DC. I was able to somehow get a flight into Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) from O’Hare which is RARE for United given that Washington, DC’s Dulles International Airport is a United Airlines hub. BIG WIN! Overall, I found navigating O’Hare to be pretty easy, as the airport is extremely nice and pretty fun with all of its displays, too.

Where We Stayed:

I am a big Hilton fan and a Hilton Honors (rewards) member! SO, we stayed at a Hilton with close proximity to the Magnificent Mile and the iconic Chicago Riverwalk. Our room had a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline, which was amazing especially after sundown. Personally, I LOVED where we stayed, as it was super close to everything in Chicago, allowing us to walk pretty much everywhere (with the exception of the Malibu Barbie Popup Cafe in a different part of town!). And, well, I LOVE a nice Hilton hotel, too!

What We Did:

Being transparent here, A LOT of our activities during our brief Chicago stay revolved around *none other than* … food and cocktails. Initially, we had planned to take an Architecture River Tour, however, due to the rainy weather, we decided against it – next time though! However, we did have a few fun activities during our time that didn’t involve food.

One of my favorite activities while we were in Chicago was getting to walk around after our night cap at Hampton Social alongside the Chicago Riverwalk, as the rain started to subside. Lindsay knows Chicago pretty well, so she was able to give me a free and fun nighttime skyline walking tour of the city. I LOVED getting to see Chicago’s skyline at night (there is something simply SOOOO magical about city skylines at night – am I right?!) and truly see the stunning city’s flair on a peaceful and partially drizzly Monday night. We walked across the bridges alongside the Riverwalk and admired all aspects of the city skyline. We also saw one of Chicago’s well-known theaters allll lit up and stepped foot in the Kimpton Hotel Monaco lobby which I stayed at the last time I was in Chicago with my Dad. The best part?! Finding a super fun set of gold ANGEL WINGS (!!!!) to strike *just a few* poses in front of. My college mascot is the Avenging Angel, so I ALWAYS will take an opportunity to pose in front of angel wings. That Monday night, I had a happy happy happy heart and SO MUCH love for the Windy City.

The other activity that we did was go to *none other than* the Target right next to the Malibu Barbie Popup Cafe after our time in Barbie Land to buy … Barbie dolls (!!!). The CUTEST thing?!?! SO many mothers, grandmothers, and daughters that we saw at the Malibu Barbie Cafe happened to stop by that exact Target, too. It was sooo fun to see Barbies manifested at Target afterwards! After Target, we took an Uber back to our hotel and ended up stopping by the iconic Intercontinental Hotel which was decked out in butterflies for summer time. We *of course* snapped a few photos with our Barbies at the hotel, too!

Where We Ate:

Starbucks Reserve Roastery – our first stop in Chicago was *none other than* … Starbucks Reserve! Starbucks Reserve is essentially a HUGE Starbucks offering cocktails, coffee, merchandise, food, and everything in between. It was such a neat experience! There isn’t a Starbucks Reserve in Washington, DC and I hadn’t been to the New York City Starbucks Reserve, so, when in Chicago, we HAD to make a visit (!!!). Lindsay and I went up to the 4th or 5th floor (I cannot remember – LOL!) bar and got some espresso martinis which were LITERALLY THE BEST EVER and simply enjoyed one another’s company. The vibes at the Starbucks Reserve were impeccable, too, and I will definitely be back for another espresso martini at the bar next time I am in the Windy City!

RL Ralph Lauren Restaurant – After seeing my friends Michelle and Divya dine at the RL Ralph Lauren Restaurant on their Chicago trip earlier in Summer 2023, I *just knew* that it was a must-dine when Lindsay and I went to Chicago! The restaurant is attached to Chicago’s Ralph Lauren boutique and the vibes were super elegant, classy, and very very very Ralph Lauren. The interior gave me a bit of that historic Washington, DC charm, but thinking more on the lines of Ralph Lauren in a restaurant! I tried their Lobster Bisque which was AMAZING and a Caesar salad. I have to mention that the staff at RL Ralph Lauren Restaurant are extremely kind, hospitable, and caring. While this wouldn’t be my first place on my list to dine at again in Chicago, I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to come back when the opportunity presents itself!

Hampton Social – Streeterville – Lindsay and I came to Hampton Social’s Streeterville Chicago location for a night cap on a rainy Monday night just a few blocks away from our hotel. We got Barbie-themed pink and glittery cocktails and I also got some delicious fried oysters. There aren’t any Hampton Social locations near me and I had heard of it as a popular spot in Nashville, SO I was psyched to hear that there were not one but TWO locations in Chi Chi! I am SO glad we came here, especially on a rainy Monday night as not many people were around and we got practically the entire second floor of the restaurant to admire its vibes and *of course* take photos.

Malibu Barbie Cafe – While the Popup cafe is unfortunately closed, Lindsay and I had an amazing time here. Upon purchase of our tickets, we selected complimentary food items (we both chose the veggie and grain bowl!) and ordered cocktails for an additional charge at the bar. The cocktails were ALSO glittery, pink, and VERYYY Barbie (!!!!). I’ll save the rest of my incredible experience at the Malibu Barbie Cafe for another post, but for now I will say that the food and drinks were pretty good.

Dollop Coffee Company – Lindsay and I got our morning coffees at Dollop Coffee just a block away from our hotel on Tuesday morning. One of the super fun things about Dollop is the fact that they have photos of many of the Real Housewives lining the walls of the shop. I don’t keep too much tabs at the moment on the Real Housewives, but I did watch the franchise a lot more during my high school years, so it was fun to see some familiar faces and enjoy a new-to-me cafe!

Wrap-Up:

I had an incredible time in Chicago and am SO grateful for our brief time in the Windy City. I LOVED the hotel that we stayed at and its location in proximity to many of Chicago’s incredible sites to see. I also LOVED having such a fun Barbie-themed time here, too. It was fun to practically plan a 24 hours revolving around all-things pink and Barbie! At the same time, I am so so so grateful for Lindsay’s and I’s friendship and the fact that she drove us into the city and then drove me to the airport out of the city, too. All in all, I have so much gratitude for our 24 hours in Chi Chi!

I definitely would LOVE to make a visit back to Chicago someday, too. And, hopefully, it won’t rain as much either! I would LOVE to experience the city’s incredible architecture via a tour, dine at some new-to-me spots, and spend time with Lindsay and others that I love. People in Chicago are extremely friendly and I would LOVE to go back again. Til next time the Windy City!

XOXO – Katie <3

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5 Days in Isle of Palms, South Carolina

It has been a hot minute since I shared a bit about my time in Isle of Palms, South Carolina with y’all since over the Summer on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee) yet I always look at my time there with such a big smile. My best friend Hannah hosted me and my best friends Bree and Alanna for a week at her family’s home there at Wild Dunes. There, we had a girl’s week with Hannah’s mom and some of Hannah’s mom’s friends and their dogs (which made me MAJORLY rejoice as a fellow Dog Lover!). Our 5 days in Isle of Palms was filled with so many memories, from the four of us bunking together in the same tiny bedroom, kayaking on the ocean (which terrified me LOL!) to look for sand dollars on the sand bar, and catching up with one another without any looming deadlines or outside things going on.

Isle of Palms, South Carolina is one of a few islands neighboring the charming Southern city of Charleston. Other neighboring islands include Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island. More specifically speaking, we stayed alongside the private gate-controlled Wild Dunes Resort/community on Isle of Palms. Confession: I am *terrified* of alligators and have been since I was a kid and knowing that South Carolina has many native alligators nerved me SOOOOO MUCH – LOL! Luckily, I saw NO alligators on this trip, but Hannah’s mom did and saved us that grace. From where we were in Wild Dunes, we were about 45 minutes from downtown Charleston which we did a day to (here) that included LOTS of shopping (here). I had actually been to Isle of Palms and Charleston back in September 2019 for a brief 72 hours (here) for a college trip and LOVED it. Needless to say, I am SO glad that I got to spend a lot more time this time around in Isle of Palms!

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

Reflections:

For the most part, we spend our time in Isle of Palms simply enjoying the moments that we had together. There are 3 different cities and 2 different states that Alanna, Hannah, Bree, and I live in, which makes it THAT much more challenging to get time together especially for almost a week. We enjoyed several walks on the beach and golf course, plenty of moments doing nothing other than snacking and sipping some wine, and a ton of valuable conversations in between it all. We did enjoy an afternoon in Mount Pleasant, including a trip to the local Goodwill (aka my idea) and the Mount Pleasant Shopping Center where I got to enjoy walking into a Belk for the first time in practically *forever* (!!!!) as well as indulging in Cookout. On another occasion, we enjoyed a nice dinner in Mount Pleasant with Hannah’s mom and her friends, where on the way we coincidentally found ourselves right in front of the iconic Isle of Palms pink flamingo house that I later found out is available for rent (!!!!!). On this trip, I am SOOO glad that we were not in a hustle once, given how I usually am in my 9-5 life.

Funny story: as me, Hannah, Alanna, and Bree were all riding into Isle of Palms around midnight, I couldn’t help but fall *in love* with the stunning palm trees whose shape I could vaguely see via the highway’s lights. Then, I *knew* that we were close to the beach and I got SOOO excited! Once we got up the next morning, Hannah and I took her amazing and ultra-adorable boxer mix Pixie for a walk on the beach. What I LOVE about Hannah’s family’s home is that it is right on the beach and is SOOOO peaceful given its proximity to the Wild Dunes Resort. We took many many many walks on the beach and at the nearby golf course and enjoyed many sunsets together, too. One of my favorite activities was reading a beach read while looking out over the beach. We also enjoyed a time afternoon on the beach, too, and an evening at the community access pool and hot tub. One of my *very very very* favorite activities was getting to enjoy dinners with Hannah, Alanna, Bree, Hannah’s mom, and her friends. It was SO nice to all simply catch up, share our thoughts, and get inspired be one another given our different life journeys and seasons of life.

I got extremely inspired by the incredible women around me on this trip of 5 days in Isle of Palms. Every afternoon, Hannah made delicious smoothies which only kickstarted my own healthy eating journey to include smoothies (!!!!). Not only were Hannah’s smoothies SOOOO refreshing in this humid and hot South Carolina heat, but they were also so fueling, too. Smoothies inspired me SO much on this trip to start my own healthy eating and lifestyle journey, alongside Hannah’s mom and her friends who all strive to live and healthy lifestyle. When I got back to Northern Virginia, I implemented and continue to implement my own version of a healthy lifestyle. Another way that I got inspired in Isle of Palms was through hearing Hannah’s mom and her friends discuss dating today versus when they were dating before my friends’ and I’s time. I LOVED hearing their perspectives on dating and the lack of a need to rush things when it comes to dating, too. As someone in her early twenty’s who has many college and even high school classmates getting married and engaged and starting families of their own, it can be extremely daunting or worrisome to think that I am not on a similar timeline and life stage as them. However, at the same time, I have come to learn that it’s REALLY important in fact even vital to be married to the right person to start a life with (whatever that may look like!) as opposed to getting married at a young age to someone who you may think in the moment is the right one. I ALSO learned the value of meeting others in-person via through friends and family and perhaps in the real world as opposed to on an online dating platform. Needless to say, I left 5 days in Isle of Palms, South Carolina so much more inspired than when I came!

Wrap-Up:

From inspiration both via the stunning Wild Dunes views and beyond and conversations that were had, I left my 5 days in Isle of Palms, South Carolina with such a recharged and happy heart. I find myself SOOO lucky that I was able to take some time away from work to spend with Hannah, Alanna, and Bree. I also want to thank Hannah and her mom for hosting us and an incredible week here at Isle of Palms. Isle of Palms is truly one of the prettiest places that I have ever been to!

XOXO – Katie <3

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48 Hours in Indianapolis, Indiana

If you follow me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee), you likely have seen photos from my AMAZING August trip to Indianapolis, Indiana & Chicago, Illinois with my influencer best friend Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram (GO FOLLOW HER!!!). Lindsay currently lives in Indianapolis and has also lived in Chicago, and I had such a GREAT TIME getting to see both cities from Lindsay’s perspective. I am SO SO SO grateful that my fellow influencer best friend and I have formed such a close bond and have NOW both visited each of our hometowns. Lindsay is such a BLESSING! In this post, I am going to be sharing specifically about my lovely 48 hours Indianapolis, Indiana where I ALSO got to add state 24/50 to my bucket list of visiting all 50 states (with a post on Chicago to come soon, too!!!).

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

Getting There:

First things first, I am going to share about how I got to Indianapolis. “It is SOOOO green here” – me to Lindsay when she graciously picked me up at the airport – LOL! I flew into Indianapolis International Airport (IND) via a direct flight on United Airlines (aka my airlines of choice and for points!) out of Washington, DC’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) (the airport I personally prefer as people are SOOO friendly there despite it being much farther from me and not the best for Metro travel from my house). Initially, I was going to fly on a connecting flight out of Washington, DC’s other airport Reagan National Airport (the airport I also love for its Metro-accessible and much closer to home proximity) and on a different airline, but decided to pay a few extra bucks for the convenience and less of a hassle of not having a connecting flight. Personally, I prefer to not have a connecting flight and value paying those extra dollars to worry less when traveling. My flight had the most kind flight attendants who happened to all be Indianapolis-based and gave me such a sweet taste of Indianapolis (which residents proudly call Indy!). I gate-checked my carryon and it got mixed up with the other bags going to baggage claim upon landing and the flight attendants and airport crew were SO kind and brought my bag to me just a few minutes later. Needless to say, the greener space of Indiana and the kind souls helping ensure me and my flight made it there safely and with all of our belongings provided me with THE BEST welcoming to my 48 hours in Indianapolis, Indiana and where Indiana proudly calls themselves as “the crossroads of America”!

What We Did:

Friday: I arrived to Indianapolis around 6pm (I think?) Indianapolis time (which is Eastern time despite being in the Midwest) and headed with Lindsay to her apartment to get settled in. Lindsay has a GORGEOUS and super adorable and veryyy Lindsay apartment near her workplace outside of downtown Indianapolis. Her apartment looks out over a STUNNING lake, which was SOOO nice to watch the sunset and much more peaceful than back at home in the Washington, DC area. We, then, went out to dinner at a restaurant near her house (more on dining in the next section!!!) before heading back to her apartment to catch up *even more* after doing so a bit over margaritas.

Saturday: In the morning, we hung out at Lindsay’s gorgeous apartment and enjoyed some Starbucks while taking in the lakeside view via her deck. It was SUCH A NICE way to restfully enjoy the morning! Early that afternoon, we went to Carmel City Center in the gorgeous and well-known in America suburb of Carmel, Indiana to have brunch at The Cake Bake Shop By Gwendolyn Rogers (more on that here in my review!), window shop at some of the many shops there, and check out the gorgeous and very historic (rather, Washington, DC-like) Hotel Carmichael. And then, that evening, we checked out Indianapolis’s Broad Ripple Cultural District which was such a fun area. We got wine flights and popcorn at a spot there, before admiring ALLL that Broad Ripple has to offer – the rainbow bridge, a canal full of geese, the Indianapolis Arts Center, and many stunning (and VERYYYY green) walking trails.

Hotel Carmichael

Broad Ripple Cultural District

Indianapolis Arts Center

Sunday: Our last full day in Indianapolis!! We started our day on the early side with a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo – an award-winning zoo known for its conservation and extensive research and care of the animals. We grabbed lattes at a cafe along the way, before hitting the Indianapolis Zoo’s Sunday morning special known as Flamingo Mingle and then hitting up the Dolphin Show (both are open and complimentary with admission to ALL visitors!). Lindsay’s amazing friend Elias met up with us after the Dolphin Show and we continued to admire the lions, elephants, birds, and kangaroos. We also took a safari train around the zoo and then checked out the conservatory and gardens (AND met an adorable turtle!!) ALSO at the zoo. I LOVED getting to know Elias a bit more and look forward to getting to know him better more so over time! After the zoo, Lindsay gave me a driving tour of downtown Indianapolis, before we headed home for LOOONG afternoon naps. That evening, we headed back to downtown Indianapolis to have dinner and cocktails before walking a bit alongside the charming Massachusetts Ave downtown. We ALSO found one of many ‘Indy” signs that are all throughout the city (!!!) and danced with this automated “dancing woman” that brightens many people’s days.

Indianapolis Zoo

Mass Ave in downtown Indianapolis

Where We Ate:

Verde, Flavors of Mexico – Lindsay and I kicked off Friday night here and it was A BLAST. Both of us LOVE a good bar seat, so we took the two seats at the end of the bar. We got margaritas and chips and guacamole and simply took the time to catch up. Needless to say, I LOVED our time just catching up and reuniting after ~6 months since Lindsay came to visit me in Washington, DC for the cherry blossoms. It felt like brunch but Mexican edition!

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers – a magical magical magical experience!!! The Cake Bake Shop is ALSO coming to Disney Springs at some point, too. To be honest, Lindsay and I truly felt *just as if* we were at Walt Disney World within the magic of it all.

Just Pop In! – Just Pop In! is an award-winning gourmet popcorn company that ALSO does popcorn and wine flight pairings in the evening (!!!) via their gorgeous shop with a bar. SO, Lindsay and I *of course* got the popcorn and wine flight pairing which was SO MUCH FUN to try. A fun fact is that Lindsay got me a bag of Just Pop In!’s popcorn as a housewarming gift for me back in March – they are AMAZING. And, the bar/popcorn shop is SO SO SO cute. We had the bar to ourselves which was such a great way to wind down.

Foundry Provisions – A locally-owned Indianapolis cafe, Foundry Provisions strives to bring the Indianapolis community together. Lindsay and I grabbed iced lattes here on our way to the Indianapolis Zoo. While we didn’t spend much time here, Foundry Provisions comes HIGHLY suggested by the locals and had such a cute environment.

The Oakmont – Known as Massachusetts Avenue’s “favorite bar”, The Oakmont is a highly Instagrammable spot serving up brunch, bar snacks, and a highly distinguished list of cocktails. Lindsay and I *yet again* sat at the bar here and had a great time. I LOVED trying their delicious brisket nachos with a gorgeous cocktail. Here at The Oakmont is where I learned that truffle fries are THE thing in the Midwest – LOL! Lindsay ordered truffle fries and they were amazing, too. As I’m writing this post, I am CRAVING those brisket nachos (!!!!). Til next time!

Wrap-Up:

I had an incredible 48 hours in Indianapolis, Indiana and would LOVE to come back to visit again someday, too (perhaps another 48 hours in Indianapolis, Indiana?!?!). A few weeks before I jetted off to the Midwest, my coworkers and I shared on a team call where we were going for the summer. When I said Indianapolis, many of them, to my surprise, were SO SO SO excited for me. My coworkers LOVE Indianapolis and now I can see why. Indianapolis (just like many Midwest cities/states) is a highly-underrated city. Many people call the Midwest states the “fly over” states, but they are WAY more than that. There is a rich history, culture, and several kind souls there to meet and learn from.

I cannot wait to come back to Indianapolis sometime in the near-term future. As someone who wants to visit all 50 states in her lifetime, Indiana is definitely on my fly back to list, as there’s a lot to do, see, and learn about. I highly recommend that everyone spends 48 hours in Indianapolis, Indiana, especially if visiting all 50 states is on their radar! Until next time, Indy (and Lindsay!!)!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Review: The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers

Ever since I saw my influencer bestie Lindsay share about The Cake Bake Shop on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee), I knew that I needed to check this magical brunch spot when I visited Lindsay in Indiana (see our full experience here). As of late 2024, The Cake Bake Shop is open at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida! And you may be wondering is The Cake Bake Shop really worth the hype?!?! Well, in today’s Cake Bake Shop review, I’ll show you why it is! Nevertheless, The Cake Bake Shop feels as if you are visiting Walt Disney World with the magic, the sparkle, and the generous hospitality. I did NOT want to leave this magnificent spot!!

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

About:

With locations in both Carmel City, Indiana and Broad Ripple Village, Indiana, The Cake Bake Shop has won Diners’ Choice Triple Awards for being the ‘Most Booked’, ‘Special Occasions’, and ‘Ambience’ in 2023. The Cake Bake Shop has also won a Travelers’ Choice Award by TripAdvisor in 2022, along with features of the likes of Oprah Winfrey, The Rachael Ray Show, and a Williams Sonoma partner. And, to top it ALLL off, The Cake Bake Shop is opening its newest location at Walt Disney World’s Boardwalk *coming soon* in Orlando, Florida and its owner Gwendolyn Rogers whose Indianapolis-based is striving to bring other Indianapolis-based small business owners into the spotlight like herself, too. Whether it be in the media locally in Indiana or to Walt Disney World, Rogers strives to support and bring awareness to other entrepreneurs’ dreams. As for The Cake Bake Shop, guests can dine there for brunch, afternoon tea, champagne, dessert, parties, and even dinner. The Cake Bake Shop is well-known for their delicious arrays of cakes that is one of Oprah Winfrey’s Favorite Things (!!!) and bubbly, along with their gift shop filled with cookbooks, ornaments, desserts, tea cups, and an array of many more *magical* goodies. Learn more: https://thecakebakeshop.com/

My Experience:

Lindsay and I went to The Cake Bake Shop location in Carmel, Indiana, decked out in its HUNDREDS of whimsical Swarovski crystals, and it was such an AMAZING experience! The moment we walked through The Cake Bake Shop’s magical doors, I started screaming just as if I was a five-year old again in a candy store. The vibes, ambience, service, and magic at every turn makes this dining spot such an impeccable place to be. The best part?! Our waitress Lupe made my experience such a magnificent one for the books. Once we got seated, Lupe was extremely empowering and kind and made our visit such a wonderful one. Lindsay and I enjoyed lattes with The Cake Bake’s signature edible glitter in their gorgeous signature teacups, lemony Caesar salad’s, truffle fries (who know that they were a Midwest specialty?!), and lemon blueberry cake. At the end of our dining experience, Lupe allowed us to channel our inner little girl and make a wish amongst ALLL of the fairy dust. Lupe truly helped make our experience (and my first one ever!!!) such a special one!

The Cake Bake Shop also has a stunning bar, events spaces, and a gift shop where guests can order cakes and other pastries along with pastries a la carte. Not to mention, The Cake Bake Shop has STUNNING Swarovski crystal-decked out chandeliers and floral-covered trees to make you feel *just* as if you’re in a magical fairy land. Personally, I am not a Disney vacationer *confession*, yet I felt as if I was in my very own version of Disney World. The entire time I was there, I felt as if I was in a magical land – just like I was 5 and at Disney again for the first time-ever!

Wrap-Up:

Personally, I felt SO inspired to have an event of my own at The Cake Bake Shop, whether it be an Afternoon Tea with my best gals clad in our fascinators, a celebration of sorts, or to simply to enjoy bubbly at the opulent bar. While I don’t live near a Cake Bake location, I definitely plan to come back to Indianapolis and Indiana for that matter and go back *yet again*. The Cake Bake Shop looks SOOO magical at Christmas time, too, and for a little girl’s Birthday celebration (like the group of girls and their Mom’s at the table next to us!). I hope this Cake Bake Shop review inspired YOU to put a visit on your bucket list, too!! Whatever the occasion may be for me, I KNOW that The Cake Bake Shop will see me again!

XOXO – Katie <3

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