Today, I am *officially* celebrating FOUR YEARS as a blogger (!!!!). I started my blog just 6 weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic pretty much shutdown everything in March 2020 and began even questioning, then, if I wanted to remain a blogger and even took a few months hiatus. However, as lockdown persisted wayyy longer than many of us anticipated, I returned to blogging as a joyful creative outlet to pass the time and have been loving the community I have built here ever since. Overall, I am SO blessed with the blogging community I have built since January 15, 2020 and am proud of myself for continuing to build my personal brand and make this platform into a side hustle that I LOVE (alongside my 9-5 job that I LOVE).
On January 15, 2020 around 6pm, I had a BUNCH of college friends in my apartment alongside my amazing roommate and best friend Sophie setting up my apartment with me for my blog launch party (here). I remember taking a moment to change into my dress while others were graciously putting up a banner before folks arrived. It was then that I realized that my site went LIVE a few hours before I had anticipated (WHOOPS!!!!), however, a big LOL moment now that brings me so much joy to this very day. Once the knocks started coming at my apartment door, the celebrations began. We had homemade queso and chips and I forget what else – LOL – but I do remember that there were wayyyy more people in my apartment than allowed via safety limits listed by my apartment. Looking back, I am OH SO blessed for the many many many people that showed up with SO MUCH LOVE to my blog launch party which was just the beginning of this journey of mine that’s still going strong 4 years later! Moreover, I am eternally grateful for my friends who showed up to support me on January 15, 2020 and for those that have showed up and continue to show up today on January 15, 2024 and beyond. I love you ALL <3
Flashback to 2019: It is the beginning of a brand-new college semester and year. I am eager to get started in the classroom, as I begin to dig into some major committee roles (my school was a sorority in its own right and I was VERRYYY involved in it alll!), serve as a Student Advisor throughout orientation for Freshmen, get my class ring and participate in ALLL the exciting events leading up to it, get my Little’s and participate in all of those exciting Big/Little events, and dig into some more advanced classes for my Math degree. BUT, all of this excitement and eagerness for this year of college was not why I began this platform. Rather, I started The Pink Chickadee after a heartbreak in my Junior year of college that took a HUGE toll on me. At the time, lots of my college classmates getting into serious, committed relationships (some of whom they have since married and started families with) and it made me sad that I wasn’t on the same life path and timeline as them. And, while I am happy for my college classmates on that timeline that I then-hoped for myself, I am very happy in my own life path and timeline at this moment in 2024. However, at the same time back in 2019, I REALLY wanted something that was mine and mine only. SO, that’s how The Pink Chickadee was born.
Since starting this incredible platform, I have made some amazing memories with many of y’all in this community, worked with some brands that I LOVE, and developed some incredible friendships. At the same time, my coworkers at my 9-5 have LOVED hearing about my blog and want to hear more about it, too. Every single like, share, view, comment, etc. from each of YOU means THE WORLD to me. Truly, my community here via The Pink Chickadee has been nothing short of special and that’s all thanks to YOU!
Becoming IRL besties with fellow influencer Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs (go follow her on Instagram!!!) and visiting her in Indianapolis, Indiana and having her visit me twice!Being interviewed and featured on Shapermint’s (a brand I LOVE and regularly collaborate with) blog site!My content got shared (with my permission) on Starbucks (!!!!!) social media pages, reaching millions of people.Jack Rogers (my favorite sandal brand) shared a happy summer memory of mine on their social media page. They have also shared photos of my dog Rosie in the past, too!Writing a fun and well-received my readers blog post on my favorite restaurant: Old Ebbitt Grill!Attending a Coronation Party at the Scout Flagship Store in Washington, DC with my best friend Laura!Speaking at the Women in Data: Making Sense of Data Conference in Washington, DCMeeting my fellow influencer bestie in real life Mikayla of @blissandbows on Instagram (GO FOLLOW HER!!!)Several hangouts and photo sessions during my college years thanks to my OG photographer and bestie Hannah!
Announcing my move back to the Washington, DC areaMy launch party FOUR years ago!!!!My FIRST-EVER blogger photo shoot with Papa at the Gaylord National Hotel!
Having my blog has been such a high for me! The biggest high of starting this platform has been connecting with incredible folks like YOU. If it wasn’t for YOUR support, I truly wouldn’t be where I am today – FOUR WHOLE YEARS LATER (!!!!).
You know what they say: go BIG or go home? If you know me, you know that I will pretty much always choose the first of the two. With the start of a new chapter, with it being my blog, I couldn’t not start out with a Big Bang! That being said, a launch party was the best way I could think of to celebrate my exciting brand-new endeavor. What can I say? This girl LOVES to an excuse to have a party!
The Theme: PINK!
Since we are celebrating the launch of The Pink Chickadee, I could not think of anything better than to ask my guests to wear pink if they so choose to. The theme of pink was also reflected in my *of course* pink outfit and the photo booth decor as well as the serving materials (more on that later on).
The Venue: My Apartment
Since I decided to launch my blog on the third day of Spring semester classes, I figured that my on-campus apartment would be a convenient location to host my friends, who are also mostly Meredith students. I also made the party a drop-in, so that my friends could still drop by as they pleased, amongst their busy schedules.
The Decor: All Things Pink & Sparkly
For the decor, I decided to make use with the party supplies that I already had, as well as some new things. To put my apartment in celebration mode, I found a DIY pink banner at The Dollar Tree. Meanwhile, for the photo area, I used a gold tasseled backdrop that I already had. On the table, I decked out my pink felt letter board from Amazon. Whereas, for the serving materials, I purchased all of my plates, cups, napkins, and utensils from The Christmas Tree Shops for under $4 a product. If you do plan to shop at The Christmas Tree Shops, then you must be aware if you’re shopping there that each store targets to its location so the merchandise available differs per store. I also found this super cute set of pink and white printed paper straws from The Dollar Tree.
The Food: Chips & Sundaes
As I was thinking about what I was going to serve at my launch party, I couldn’t help but think of any better combination than chips and sundaes! I mean, who doesn’t love some chips and guacamole and a lava cake topped with cotton candy ice cream?!
For the savory lovers, I bought two bags of tortilla chips from Harris Teeter and made some homemade queso dip. I also purchased some salsa from Harris Teeter. For the sweet tooth’s, I made my favorite (and SUPER easy) Crockpot lava cake recipe in the flavor funfetti and set out some fixings for ice cream sundaes (unfortunately, I did not get around to snapping some photos of the sweets). Ice cream-wise, I purchased mint chocolate chip cookie dough flavors from Harris Teeter. Meanwhile for the fixings, I snagged some cherries, caramel and chocolate sauces, and of course whipped cream.
As someone who LOVES a grand celebration, hosting The Pink Chickadee‘s launch party was such a great way to do it. I am a firm believer that empowered women really do empower one another, and I can totally see that through many amazing women that came out to celebrate me. The support that I have received from friends, family, and everyone in between truly means the world to me. In fact, my launch party was just the icing on top of the cake!
I would like to give a special thank you to my friends Ana, Sophie, Julia, Laura Kate, Kaylee, Asiyah, and Bailey for helping to make this night as amazing as it was! I love y’all <3
