Hanging a Decorative Plate Wall Guide

***Please note that this Hanging a Decorative Plate Wall will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This list was most recently updated as of October 2025.***

For quite some time now, the grand millennial in me has been dreaming about hanging a Decorative Plate Wall in my living room (see my reveal pre-plate wall here). Over the past year, I have been collecting and curating a selection of plates from my thrift store runs to hang on my wall whilst fantasizing about how it’ll all come together. Confessions over here!!! It wasn’t until recently that I actually felt comfortable enough to even use a hammer and a nail to hang something on the wall when I felt driven to independently hang up a gallery at my at-home bar: Two Grans’s Bar. Even after hanging up everything and putting together the gallery wall at Two Grans’s Bar, I still felt super nervous about hanging a Decorative Plate Wall. I mean, plates are pretty delicate items anddd I like to think that the plates I’ve collected for my decorative plate wall are pretty beautiful and worth saving for many years to come. However, after a bit of agony over wanting to hang it all up and fear over hanging everything up, I decided one Friday evening to just do it. Since then, my decorative plate wall of my dreams has been beautifying my living room! And for those of you who are nervous about hanging a Decorative Plate wall, this guide will walk you through just that!

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

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

Hanging a Decorative Plate Wall Guide

Hanging a Decorative Plate wall is a bit of a process! This guide breaks it down into sections, including: where to find decorative plates, what to use to hang plates, how to style your wall, and assembling!

Where To Find Decorative Plates:

Before getting into where to find decorative plates, I am going to share some advice that has stuck with me over the years, especially when it comes to curating a vision and worry as to whether or not everything will “look good” altogether on your wall. One of the biggest pieces of advice when it comes to interior design that I’ve heard from multiple interior designers is to find pieces that YOU love and worry less about whether or not it will go together. At the end of the day, the pieces you will love will likely go together beautifully in your own unique, curated way. I think of my Mom’s and Step Dad’s home when I think of this, too, as they have cow rugs from their travels to South Africa, Ikea-built furniture, paintings of horses from Texas and beaches in Maine, and pottery from Italy. Somehow, you wouldn’t think it would all go together but it just does because it’s uniquely them.

Personally, on where to find plates for a Decorative Plate wall especially at an affordable price point, I am all for going the secondhand route via these two routes:

  • Check out your local thrift stores or antique shops. Typically, local thrift stores will donate to charities and antique shops are locally owned small businesses. Either way, a win, win!
  • Ask your family members and friends if they have any plates that they would like to pass along. I got several of my plates from family members who were looking to part with their antiques. This is an excellent way to continue your family’s and friend’s legacies within your own home!

Beyond the secondhand route, as a grand millennial, I adore brands such as Williams Sonoma, Lenox (which has a Kate Spade collection!), and Spode.

What To Use To Hang Plates:

To hang plates on my wall, I used two types of plate hangers from Amazon, which I have linked below:

It is also worth mentioning that if any of your plates are tin, then you can also use command strips.

How To Style Your Wall:

When it comes to styling your decorative plate wall, I would start with deciding where you want to hang your wall and how you want it to look. For my decorative plate wall, in full transparency, I just started hanging plates on the wall surrounding my canvas above my couch which was my biggest vision. Then, as I started to take a few steps back and visualize my progress of my decorative plate wall, I noticed that there could be some opportunities for symmetry on both ends with a white platter at the tail end of the display and a set of matching saucers on the lowest end. Not sure if I am making sense here, but I found the symmetry on all sides surrounding my painting to be the most effective way to style a Decorative plate wall. I also mixed in pops of color and tried to blend pinks and reds in with some whites and blues, too, to make it all oh so colorful. That way, at the end of the day, your decorative plate wall is clear and cohesive.

Assembling:

To assemble your decorative plate wall, be sure you have the following:

  • Plate wall hangers
  • A hammer
  • A variety of nails in different sizes (you’ll need bigger nails for bigger plates and vice versa!)

Now, it’s time to get started with hanging your Decorative plate wall!!! Here are some pointers for assembling:

  • To get started, as I was a bit nervous to hang plates on the wall for the first time ever, I started my putting a few nails into the wall at a distance using some plates to test out hanging them before actually putting plates on the wall. Trust me, I felt SO MUCH better and less nervous when putting some nails in the wall before actually hanging my plates!
  • Be sure to assemble your plates and follow all instructions when it comes to getting your plates ready to hang on your wall. At the end of the day, we all want to have a beautiful decorative plate wall and we want to be sure that our plates look beautiful on our wall (and not break)!
  • There’s nothing wrong with adapting your vision as you go. I surely adapted my vision quite a bit!
  • Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!

Wrap-Up:

I am so so so excited after over a year of gathering plates for my decorative plate wall to … finally have a Decorative plate wall to enjoy! Not only is a Decorative plate wall a unique way to show off your character and legacy, but it’s also something that your loved ones and guests can enjoy when they come over to your house, too. At the end of the day, my plate wall brings me so much joy and I think it turned out so beautifully and that’s what matters the most. I hope you feel the same way, too.

XOXO – Katie <3

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What I Wore Out Of Office – September 2025

When putting together this post, my first thought was: “damn I wore a lot of cuties!” LOLL! The month of September’s fashion at the intersection of Summer and Fall fashion is such a fun one. From pumpkin patches to brunches and dinners with friends including my first annual Harvest Dinner Party, September 2025 out of office was such a fun one.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

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

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XOXO – Katie <3

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What I Wore To Work – September 2025

As I briefly mentioned in my most recent Life of Katie post, I enjoyed kicking off my Back to Work OOTD series over on Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee) after my week in Rome, Italy (here)! I’ve actually been excited to start styling Back to Work OOTDs since earlier this Summer. As a kid and teenager especially, I LOVED Back to School outfits the most. I guess some things never change!

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

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

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XOXO – Katie <3

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Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream Guide

***Please note that this Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This list was most recently updated as of October 2025.***

Currently, over on Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), a brand-new exhibit aka the Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream is ALLL the buzz right now! As somebody who is proud to call the Washington, DC area her home and LOVES checking out all of the fun and new things to do in my own city, I *had* to see what the hype was all about. Since I know many of y’all are planning your experience at the Milken Center as well, I figured I would share my experiences in this guide.

*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.*

Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream Guide

Looking for lodging and/or additional things to do in Washington, DC?! don’t fear! There are plenty of unique activities, tours, and experiences to choose from.

 

Getting There:

The Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream is located in the heart of downtown Washington, DC with close proximity to the White House, the U.S. Treasury Building, and offers incredible views of the Washington Monument. There is no onsite parking, however, there are nearby parking garages (I use Park Whiz to reserve!) if you choose to drive into the city. However, I prefer to use public transit/the subway which is known as Metro in Washington, DC. It is a quick and easy walk from the following Metro stations:

  • McPherson Square – access to the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines: 5 minutes
  • Metro Center – access to the Blue, Orange, Red, and Silver lines: 10 minutes
  • Gallery Place – access to the Green, Red, and Yellow lines: 17 minutes

In addition to the White House and a handful of Metro stations, this museum is in close proximity to the notable Old Ebbitt Grill – Washington, DC’s Oldest Saloon, which I share my experience dining at here.

Admission:

One of the most AMAZING things about the Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream is that admission is free for all visitors to explore all exhibits except for the Holodeck Experience. However, it is worth noting that to ensure you have a slot to visit especially from out of town that you should reserve your tickets in advance. For the Holodeck Experience, admission costs $15/person and must be reserved in advance. Tickets for both general admission and the Holodeck Experience can be reserved here.

It is worth noting that this review will focus on both the exhibitions via general admission and the Holodeck Experience.

About Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream:

The Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream is a cultural institution focused on inspiring and empowering pathways for everyone to find opportunity and achieve their dreams. Focusing on four pillars: Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Health and Medical Research, Education and the Educator, and Access to Capital and Financial Empowerment. Through the center’s research and regular public programs and exhibitions, the goal of the Milken Center is to explore and empower everyone to see and achieve the possibilities ahead. One of the notable initiatives that the center has been focusing on and showcases within its exhibits and notably highlighted throughout the Holodeck Experience is the American Dream Video Project, where 10,000+ stories of the American Dream are shared to inspire us all. Read more about the Milken Center here.

Highlights of the exhibition include:

  • The Tree of Generations
  • The Word Cloud
  • Hologram Ambassadors
  • The Holodeck Experience

Read more and check out the latest exhibitions here.

My Experience:

I am going to split my experience at the Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream into two sections: General Admission + Exhibitions and The Holodeck Experience.

However, it is worth mentioning that the architecture of the center is stunning and worth several photos and admiration!!

General Admission + Exhibitions:

Upon entering the Milken Center, I was greeted by the most friendly staff who ensured that all visitors had a good experience and knew where to go and what to see based on their personal interests. Since I had booked the Holodeck Experience in addition to the exhibits within a General Admission ticket, the staff also let me know where to go and when to arrive for that experience, which was super helpful! Next up was exploring the 5 floors of amazing exhibitions to visit. As previously mentioned, the Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream focuses on four pillars: Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Health and Medical Research, Education and the Educator, and Access to Capital and Financial Empowerment. Each of these four pillars are focused on within their own exhibits throughout the museum and shared some of the 10,000+ stories of the American dream within them. There were also several statistics shared that pertains to each of the four pillars throughout their respective exhibits. Throughout the exhibits, there were extremely interactive experiences, making it such a kid-friendly and accessible experience for all! At the same time, each exhibit highlighted a diverse range of stories, whether it be those who started their own business, found a fulfilling career in corporate, as a teacher, in healthcare, or something else, or empowered others to discover and achieve their own American dream. The common denominator of it all: there is opportunity and possibility at every corner for everyone!

There is also a gorgeous onsite cafe at the Milken Center! Decked out in all-things floral and tropical, I admired this beautiful cafe that I saw from the stairwell and throughout the museums due to the several windows that showed it off. Although I did not dine there during my visit, I did snap a photo in front of this bright and bubbly oasis in the nation’s capital.

The Holodeck Experience:

The Holodeck Experience is an interactive and immersive experience into the story machine. In addition to some fun interactions, visitors get to sit back and get up close and learn from some incredible Americans who achieved their American Dream and shared their inspiring stories filled with perseverance, grit, and a lot of hard work. If the exhibits weren’t enough to leave me feeling just a huge wave of confidence and gratitude and those feel-good feels, then the Holodeck Experience truly topped that all off! Trust me, it is worth it!!

It is worth noting that visitors must reserve their General Admission ticket before reserving their Holodeck Experience ticket which can be done at the same time and scanned with the same QR code. The Holodeck Experience lasts approximately 20-25 minutes and no photos/videos are allowed throughout it.

Wrap-Up:

As I stepped foot back onto the streets of Washington, DC, I felt a HUGE wave of empowerment and hope fly over me. Truly, I felt extremely inspired and empowered throughout my entire time strolling throughout the exhibits and taking part in the Holodeck Experience. It is a beautiful thing to know that the Milken Center strives to bring to the forefront that everyone has the opportunity and possibility, no matter who they are or their background, to make their dreams come true. Whether it be learning someone’s story as a teacher inspiring an astronaut to take off into outer space, or somebody born into poverty who started their own successful business, anything is possible and the Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream reminded me of that. At the same time, I hope that if you choose to visit that it reminds you that your dreams can come true, too.

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie – September 2025

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

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

The Life of Katie – September 2025

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

Week Recaps

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

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

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

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

Highs/Lows

Highs

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

Lows

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

Currently Eyeing

On The Blog

What’s New

What’s Trending

Wrap-Up

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

XOXO – Katie <3

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My 1st Annual Harvest Dinner Party Tablescape!

To kick off the Fall 2025 season this year, I wanted to start a brand-new tradition given my mega passion for cooking which I do regularly for me and my Papa: an annual Harvest Dinner Party! This year was the first of many dinner parties that I plan to host for my close friends and it was a HIT!!! I had an incredible time hosting my Harvest Dinner Party and putting together my Harvest Dinner Party Tablescape.

For my Harvest Dinner Party, I opted for a colorful sort of Lilly Pulitzer (see my post all about predicting the brand’s Sunshine Sale here!) color palette with pink and green as the mega statement colors alongside some touches of white and blue. Nevertheless, my Tablescape was a super fun grand millennial and Lilly Pulitzer-coded setting! Scroll to the end of this blog post to shop some of my Harvest Dinner Party Tablescape!

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

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

Currently, my heart and stomach are full with so much gratitude and excitement. I also cannot wait for next year’s Harvest Dinner Party!

XOXO – Katie <3

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18 Pumpkin Patches in Northern Virginia

***Please note that this 18 Pumpkin Patches in Northern Virginia list will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date dining scene. This list was most recently updated as of September 2025.***

It’s Fall y’all!!! Which means that it is officially time for all-things Fall fun – whether it be pumpkin patches, apple orchards, corn mazes, Fall festivals, and pumpkin spiced lattes! Personally, Fall is one of my FAVORITE seasons!!! Anddd, nothing says Fall fun to me quite like a visit to one of the many pumpkin patches in Northern Virginia – where I am proud to call home. This blog post lists 18 Pumpkin Patches in Northern Virginia.

*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.*

If you are looking for an activity to do pair with visiting a Northern Virginia pumpkin patch, then I would highly recommend visiting one of the region’s many wineries (which I share more about here!) or take a scenic drive and go leaf peeping at Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive (read here for 2025 Fall Foliage predictions!). In addition to wineries, Northern Virginia also has a variety of things to do and delicious places to dine at, which I list here. If visiting Northern Virginia, then book one of many excellent hotels in the area!

18 Pumpkin Patches in Northern Virginia

Whether it be a local farmers and produce market selling Virginia grown goods or a pick-your-own orchard and pumpkin patch, or a Fall Festival, these 18 Pumpkin Patches in Northern Virginia truly have it ALL!

1 – Nalls Produce (7310 Beulah St, Kingstowne)

Serving the Northern Virginia region since 1961, Nalls Produce is a garden center that also sells local produce and dairy, gardening supplies, and flowers. This year, Nalls Produce’s popular Pumpkin Hill opens on September 27 and their iconic pumpkin wall has been open since early September.

2 – Burke Nursery & Garden Center (9401 Burke Rd, Burke)

Burke Nursery & Garden Center has all-things gardening and landscaping at your service! From September 20, 2025-November 6, 2025, Burke Nursery is hosting their annual Pumpkin Patch Photo Contest open to all who visit their pumpkin patch and fall market.

3 – Cox Farms (15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville)

A family-owned farm that has been a Fall Northern Virginia tradition for decades, Cox Farms‘ popular Fall Festival is open to people of all ages to enjoy some Fall fun from September 20, 2025-November 9, 2025! For those who love a bit of horror this Halloween, then be sure to check out Fields of Fear from September 26, 2025-November 8, 2025. All guests must have a ticket upon entry to either the Fall Festival or Fields of Fear.

4 – Great Country Farms (34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont)

A popular Northern Virginia pick-your-own farm in the Spring/Summer season as well, Great Country Farms hosts popular Fall events from September 1-early November, 2025 including Pumpkin Picking and a Corn Maze. It is worth noting that tickets must be purchased upon entry.

5 – Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch & Sunflower Fields (15855 Limestone School Rd, Leesburg)

A Northern Virginia park, Temple Hall Farm Regional Park offers fun nature escapes and outdoor activities all year-round. From September 27, 2025-November 2, 2025, Temple Hall Farm Pumpkin Patch & Sunflower Fields take over the park making it the ultimate Fall festival for all!

6 – Pumpkin Village Fall Fest (19246 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg)

Known as Loudoun’s Favorite Fall Festival, Pumpkin Village Fall Fest has been bringing families together for 20+ years with several family-friendly activities from slides to moon bounces and a petting zoo. For the 2025 season, Pumpkin Village Fall Fest will take place September 20-November 4 and is ticketed.

7 – Reston Farm Garden Market (10800 Baron Cameron Ave, Great Falls Crossing)

Reston Farm Garden Market has ultra-friendly staff and an excellent selection of all-things gardening and landscaping. To enjoy some Fall fun, Reston Farm Garden Market hosts a ticketed family-friendly Fall Festival which will occur from September 27, 2025-October 27, 2025 and has a petting zoo, train ride, inflatables, and pumpkin picking.

8 – Heather Hill Gardens (8111 Ox Road, Fairfax Station)

A farmers market selling local produce, vegetables, plants, and in the Fall, pumpkins, Heather Hill Gardens has gorgeous Fall displays to get anyone in the seasonal spirit!

9 – DePaul’s Urban Farm (2599 Chain Bridge Rd, Vienna)

Proudly known as Vienna’s locally owned garden center and gift shop, DePaul’s Urban Farm has ultra-fun Fall displays and a HUGE pumpkin selection for all to enjoy!

10 – Merrifield Garden Center (Multiple locations – Falls Church, Fairfax, & Gainesville)

A family-owned garden center selling all-things gardening and landscaping as well as home decor, Merrifield Garden Center also has some gorgeous festive Fall displays and pumpkins!

11 – Wegmeyer Farms (38299 Hughesville Rd, Hamilton)

Located in Northern Virginia’s rolling hills, Wegmeyer Farms is a pick-your-own farm that offers berries in the Spring/Summer and pumpkins (including pre-picked) in the Fall. Pick-your-own pumpkins are available at Wegmeyer Farms Thursdays-Sundays and Indigenous People’s Day starting on September 20, 2025.

12 – Yankey Farms (11812 Bristow Rd, Bristow)

A fresh market produce farm in the heart of Bristow, Yankey Farms‘s annual Pumpkin Patch will open for the Fall 2025 season daily starting on October 5-October 31, 2025. Activities include pumpkin picking, a Corn maze, hay rides, and a cow train.

13 – Hollin Farms (1524 Snowden Rd, Delaplane)

Hollin Farms is a pick-your-own farm just an hour outside of Washington, DC. As of September 22, 2025, Hollin Farms currently has pumpkins, gourds, and winter squash available and their website is updated regularly to reflect what’s available.

14 – Braehead Farm (1130 Tyler St, Fredericksburg)

Located in Fredericksburg, Braehead Farm sells farm-fresh goods at their market as well as a Fall Festival Weekends on September 27, 2025-October 26, 2025 with pick-your-own pumpkins and sunflowers. Tickets must be purchased upon entry.

15 – Stribling Orchard (11587 Poverty Hollow Ln, Markham)

Also offering opportunities to go apple and peach picking and an onsite market selling kettle corn and wine on the weekends, Stribling Orchard is the perfect place for Fall fun and starts selling pumpkins as of early September 2025. Be sure to check out their website regularly for the most recent updates on what’s available!

16 – Messick’s Farm Market (6025 Catlett Rd, Bealeton)

A family-owned market selling local produce and homemade soups as well as fun festivals throughout the year, Messick’s Farm Market includes a Fall Festival with pumpkin picking, a petting zoo, and hayrides from September 20-October 26, 2025. It is worth noting that tickets are to be purchased upon entry.

17 – Hartland Orchard (3064 Hartland Ln, Markham)

A pick-your-own orchard in the Northern Virginia Wine Country, Hartland Orchard offers several fruit picking opportunities throughout the year! Be sure to check out Hartland Orchard’s calendar to see what will be available and when, including pumpkins from September-early November 2025. It is worth noting that Hartland Orchard only accepts cash and checks.

18 – Meadows Farms Nursery & Landscaping (Multiple locations – Annandale, Falls Church, Manassas, Chantilly, Herndon, Stafford, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, & Winchester)

Including 18 full-service garden centers and nurseries across the DMV, Meadows Farms Nursery & Landscaping has a variety of pumpkins to choose from in the months of September and October as well as a few Fall-centric events.

Wrap-Up:

Ever since I was a kid, pumpkin patches have brought me SO MUCH JOY. And, I know that many of us as we grow older whether or not we have kids in our lives at the moment want to embrace our inner child and enjoy that Fall fun, too. If you’re traveling to Northern Virginia this Fall season, then there are several incredible opportunities to enjoy a pumpkin patch wherever you may be in the Washington, DC area.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Lilly Pulitzer Home Decor Shopping Guide

***Please note that this Lilly Pulitzer Home Decor Shopping Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This Shopping Guide was most recently updated as of September 2025.***

From collections with Pottery Barn to collections in-house, home decor is such a dream come true for anyone that loves sunshine and a little bit of pink! Over the years, I have adored and purchased home decor items that I have come to embrace within my own happy home (see more of my happy home here!). Today, I am going to be sharing a Lilly Pulitzer Home Decor Shopping Guide (which will be updated periodically!!) to provide YOU with inspiration for adding a bit of sunshine for your own happy home.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

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

Lilly Pulitzer Home Decor Shopping Guide

Before I get into the meat of this Shopping Guide, I will note that Lilly Pulitzer currently has an ongoing collaboration with Pottery Barn, PB Teen, and Pottery Barn Kids where bedding and other home decor items are sold. In addition to the brand’s ongoing collaboration with Pottery Barn and their sister brands, the Preppy Resort wear brand sells their own home decor items focused on hosting, stationary, and drink ware. Now, HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Is Crown & Ivy A Good Brand?! A Preppy Fashion Blogger’s Review!

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

Over the years since starting my blog and over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I have raved about a Belk house brand that I have adored over the years: Crown & Ivy. I have shared and styled SOOOO many pieces from Crown & Ivy on my platform that so many of y’all have enjoyed. I also mentioned Crown & Ivy in my list of brands like Lilly Pulitzer (here). Although a brand central to the Southern-based department store Belk, Crown & Ivy has become a well-known brand amongst Preppy fashion enthusiasts from across the United States (and beyond!). Today, I am going to outline my personal experiences with and review the Preppy fashion brand that I’ve come to love over the years.

*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. Thank you for supporting The Pink Chickadee.*

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

Is Crown & Ivy A Good Brand?! A Preppy Fashion Blogger’s Review!

Table of Contents 

About Crown & Ivy

Sizing

Price Range

My Current Favorite Crown & Ivy Pieces

My Experience

This Crown & Ivy review will share a bit About the brand, Pricing, Sizing, My Experience, and some of my current favorite pieces for you to add to the cart as we speak!

About Crown & Ivy:

Crown and Ivy is a Belk-exclusive, private label Belk brand that focuses on apparel specifically for the “modern Southern woman.” It was launched by the well-known department store in 2014 and currently sells women’s, men’s, and children’s apparel. The Belk house brand also does collaborations with other Southern preppy brands, including Sewing Down South in 2025 and Society Social in 2024. The brand also intends for their pieces to be versatile and worn and reworn different ways and for different occasions.

Sizing:

Crown and Ivy offers a diverse range of sizing in women’s apparel, ranging from Petite, Tall, Regular, and Plus sizing. Truly, everyone is welcome and about to enjoy the adorable styles that this Belk-owned brand has to offer.

Price Range:

Currently, Crown & Ivy women’s apparel pieces retail for upwards of $100 and typically are sold with a 30-50%+ markdowns. It is worth mentioning that pieces’ prices do fluctuate over time, as does most of the items sold at Belk both online and in-person. At the end of the season, pieces do tend to decrease to a 50-70%+ markdowns from their original price and is worthwhile waiting for if you’re willing to score a bargain. Although I don’t have much experience shopping as of recently within a Belk storefront due to my post-graduate relocation away from the South, I do recall that Belk stores frequently place the brand’s merchandise on their clearance racks for fellow bargain hunters who love the thrill of the hunt!

My Current Favorite Crown & Ivy Pieces:

Please note that all pieces’ retail prices are listed as of March 1, 2026. Prices do fluctuate on both ends. It’s best to monitor the pricing over time to get the best deal.

 

My Experience:

Flashback to Winter 2017 and I was about to interview for some scholarships at what would then become my undergraduate alma mater: Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. The night before my interview, I stepped foot in a Belk – a popular Southern-based department store – for the first time ever as someone from the Washington, DC area. Little did I know I would fall in love with the Southern fashions and styles that were sold at Belk. Alongside seeing my favorite brands to this day, Lilly Pulitzer and Vineyard Vines, on the racks, I also came to love another new-to-me brand: Crown and Ivy! That Spring for my 18th birthday, I asked for several Crown & Ivy pieces which I then wore into my college years. Besides falling in love with my alma mater’s campus and receiving scholarships and Honors to attend, I also attribute my first stroll through those doors of that Belk store and newfound love of Crown & Ivy to my reasoning behind attending Meredith College and furthermore falling in love with preppy + grand millennial Southern fashions.

Styling Crown & Ivy in 2020!

Flash forward to today (Summer 2025), and Crown & Ivy is well-loved by preppy and grand millennial fashion enthusiasts, influencers, and both across the South and beyond. While I did move back to the Washington, DC area post-undergraduate, I still find myself frequenting Belk’s website and *just maybe* placing an order while doing so. I find myself excited by the brand and their frequent markdowns on styles that I adore and wouldn’t feel comfortable at times splurging on elsewhere. Whether it be their adorable Ginger Jar print for Summer 2025, bright colored dresses that remind any Lilly Pulitzer lover of the resort wear brand, regular plethora of block print dresses and blouses and more for all seasons, or Hill House nap dress dupes (which I write more about here), Crown & Ivy truly exceeds all of my expectations when it comes to preppy fashion and many others’ expectations, too!

Wrap-Up:

As of today, Crown and Ivy is a well-loved brand by many preppy fashion lovers. Its incorporation of styles by higher priced preppy fashion brands that are brought to the masses at a reasonable price point with its own unique Southern flair leaves several people saying especially on Reddit: “Crown & Ivy does it again!” And while I do adore and shop at preppy fashion brands such as Lilly Pulitzer, Tuckernuck, J Crew, and PrintFresh, there is something so refreshing about the price point and variety of similar styles that Crown & Ivy offers at a fraction of the cost. And, of course, has me as a regular on Belk’s website coming back for more!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Printfresh Pajamas Review + How To Find Them On Sale

***Please note that this Printfresh Pajamas Review + How To Find Them On Sale will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This review was most recently updated as of March 2026.***

This platform’s slogan is “she creates her own confetti wherever she goes!” I founded and coded my blog The Pink Chickadee in 2020 in the midst of the gloomy and chaotic times of the pandemic. Whilst scrolling over on Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I found myself in awe with the gorgeous, creative, and colorful yet pricey luxury pajamas from the brand Printfresh. While the pajamas come at a hefty price tag though the brand does have a few sales throughout the year (which I will spill ALLL the tea on in this guide!!), Printfresh pajamas do have a lot of perks that make the cost worth it. In this blog post, I will be providing my own personal review of Printfresh pajamas.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

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

Interested in getting the latest scoop on all the preppy + grand millennial fashion and decor (& more!) deals?!?! Be sure to join in on the fun over on Substack!

  

Printfresh Pajamas Review + How To Find Them On Sale

Before I get into the meat of my Printfresh pajamas review, I wanted to mention that it is a BLAST to just simply browse the website and admire all of the beautiful products that Printfresh has to offer. You can do so here!

About Printfresh:

Known for their luxury pajamas and to “live on the bright side,” Printfresh prides on being all about “the creative, the cozy, and the bold.” Printfresh’s roots started in 2006 as a to-the-trade textile design studio founded by couple Amy and Leo Voloshin. Since growing into one of the world’s leading print houses, Printfresh expanded into stationary goods in 2016 and eventually into its luxury pajamas debut in 2019. Today, Printfresh is a lifestyle brand, selling apparel, home goods, and *of course* their pajamas – all of which are pumping out dopamine boasts to all. In recent years, Printfresh has also been seen in the media by stars of Bravo’s The Real Housewives franchise and Kathy Hilton. Currently, Printfresh is headquarted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where Amy is Founder and Creative Director and Leo is Founder and CEO.

The luxury lifestyle brand’s designs are all hand-painted and made with eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics. Printfresh regularly punches out several creative collaborations with their apparel and sleepwear, including with Lenox to highlight their Spice Village collection and Downtown Abbey. In addition to ultra-fun collaborations, Printfresh pajamas’ designs include incorporating champagne bottles, footballs, flamingos, cats, dogs, hydrangeas, and all major holidays.

Pricing:

Printfresh pajamas retail at a hefty price tag, given that they are luxury pajamas. The starting price is around $75+ for a pair of pajama pants to upwards of $230 for a vibrant pajama set. It is also worth noting that Printfresh has a handful of sales throughout the years with pajama sets retailing usually under $150. Typically, I shop the sales for the majority of my Printfresh pajamas.

Size & Fit:

One of the best aspects of Printfresh pajamas is that the brand is proudly size-inclusive with sizes ranging from XXS-4X. For more information on sizing, refer to Printfresh’s Fit Guide.

My Experience:

As previously mentioned given their hefty prices, I usually make my own Printfresh pajamas purchases from their sales throughout the year. To find out more about Printfresh’s sales and promotions which typically happen in late Summer, Black Friday/Cyber Monday, and after Christmas, I sign up for their text alerts. As someone who loves preppy and grand millennial styles but gets intimated by expensive prices for the styles that I love, I find brands that I love including Printfresh’s sales to be the way to go. If you’re similar to me, I recommend shopping Printfresh’s sales and signing up for their emails and text alerts to get updates.

When it comes to my experience with Printfresh pajamas, I have found them to be not only such a fun dopamine boast to my night time routine, but also a luxurious addition. Given Printfresh’s light fabrics as someone who regularly overheats at nighttime, I have found their pajamas to be perfect for someone like myself. Not only are Printfresh’s pajamas comfortable and made at the highest quality, they also allow for a high-quality night of sleep. Not to mention that fact that Printfresh has a size-inclusive and sustainable focus leaves me feeling good when I go to sleep knowing that everyone gets a chance to enjoy their own pair of Printfresh pajamas while making a positive impact on our planet.

Will I be making another Printfresh pajamas purchases?! YES! Especially during future sales!! Make your *very own* Printfresh pajamas purchase here.

How To Find Printfresh Pajamas On Sale:

Printfresh Pajamas go on sale periodically throughout the year via the following:

  • On Printfresh’s website via their Warehouse Sale events which take place late Summer and during Black Friday/after Christmas. I recommend signing up for Printfresh’s text and email updates to get the latest scoop right to your inbox!
  • On websites such as Belk and Dillard’s that sale Printfresh Pajamas, too, and at a fraction of the price! For these websites like Belk and Dillard’s, it’s worthwhile checking them regularly as prices do fluctuate as well as in-store if you’re near a location. Shop Printfresh Pajamas at Belk here and Dillard’s here.
  • If you’re open to secondhand, then be sure to check out sites such as Poshmark and ThredUp for some adorable pajama sets at a fraction of the cost and sustainably!

My Favorite Printfresh Pajama Sets:

There are SOOOO many adorable Printfresh Pajamas to choose from! I included a round-up of some of my favorite Printfresh Pajama sets that are some of the many signature prints that the brand has to offer. However, there are several seasonal pajama prints to choose from on their website, which you can shop the latest and greatest prints here.

 

Wrap-Up:

As someone who LOVES all things bright, preppy, and grand millennial, Printfresh Pajamas are truly a sweet dreams come true!

XOXO – Katie <3

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