Shopping in Charleston, South Carolina Guide

***Please note that this Shopping in Charleston, South Carolina Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This travel guide was most recently updated as of April 2026.***

While many people view New York City as THE American fashion capital, I have ALWAYS fallen more and more in love with the fashion sense and Southern charm that comes with the style in *surprise* Charleston, South Carolina. I have ALWAYS admired the gorgeous preppy and Southern flair style and Charleston seems to have ALL the boutiques which I have dreamed of visiting in-person yet were too far from my Washington, DC area home base to do so. Just a few weeks ago, my best friends and I had a fun beach weekend in Isle of Palms, South Carolina (here) aka one of the prettiest places I have ever been (!!!) where we spent a day in Charleston (here). On THE top of my list of things to do in Charleston …. check out ALLL the shops. SO, I am sharing my own curated guide to shopping in Charleston, South Carolina!

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

Shopping in Charleston, South Carolina Guide

From Madison Mathews to Lilly Pulitzer to LoveShackFancy, the charming fashion and shopping in Charleston, South Carolina is HARD to beat! Luckily for myself, the shops in Charleston’s Fashion District are primarily on the well-known King Street or within a few blocks away, making it an easy and fun afternoon activity. There’s *even* a Gucci and Louis Vuitton storefront there, too. A Target aka my favorite storefront is on King Street as well. Needless to say, I had an incredible time shopping and mostly browsing here in Charleston. And, I think YOU will have a great time shopping in Charleston, South Carolina, too!

  • Gretchen Scott Designs (233 King Street) – Living by the motto “Laugh More, Gripe Less, Ignore Critics, Say Yes, Order Dessert, Love Life,” Gretchen Scott Designs’ founder and CEO Gretchen Scott specializes in super fun, chic, and globally-inspired designs often in a bright and bubbly fashion. Shop Gretchen Scott Designs online here.
  • Candlefish (270 King Street) – The ultimate destination for an array of candles and gifts including storefront workshops, Candlefish has a library of over 100 scents to choose from of which will be perfect for your happy home. Shop Candlefish online here.
  • Kenny Flowers (345 King Street) – With products crafted in Colombia and Bali, Kenny Flowers specializes in beautifully made tropical apparel and goods, including an array of Hawaiian shirts and resort wear. Shop Kenny Flowers online here.
  • Stoney Clover Lane (316 King Street Suite A) – Selling customizable and personalized nylon or leather accessories including bags and pouches in a range of colors, Stoney Clover Lane truly has it all. The best part?!?! Customers can get their pieces customized at the store! Shop Stoney Clover Lane online here.
  • Hill House Home (145 King Street) – Founded in 2016 by London native and New York living Nell Diamond, Hill House Home brings romantic and dreamy styles through Diamond’s dream to make “happy things for happy places.” Hill House Home’s most well-known garment is their Nap Dress, which I have created both a Nap Dress review for here and a Nap Dress dupe shopping guide for here. Shop Hill House Home online here.
  • Roller Rabbit (163 King Street) – With pop-up storefronts across the country including recently in Washington, DC’s Georgetown, Roller Rabbit is a feel-good lifestyle brand known for their popular printed pajamas, loungewear, clothing, home goods, and accessories. Shop Roller Rabbit online here.
  • Madison Mathews (178 King Street) – I have been following Madison Mathews on Instagram for a few years now and have fallen IN LOVE with the brand’s gorgeous designs. I stopped in here to kick off my shopping stroll on Charleston’s King Street while my friends went in mainly for the air conditioning and free seating LOL! I LOVED finally getting to admire some of the most stunning designs by Madison Mathews in-person after seeing them on my phone screen for the past few years. The BEST part?! The store owners had their gorgeous dog there who LOVED visiting with me and my sweet crew (!!!). Shop Madison Mathews online here.
  • Palm Avenue (251 King Street) – Palm Avenue is a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store that was once one of 4 storefronts across the South. Now, Palm Avenue’s Charleston location remains the only storefront still in business since their Savannah and Raleigh locations went out of business. The ladies at Palm Avenue were SO SWEET and welcoming and *even* had a preview of Lilly Pulitzer’s Splash Sale on their sale racks! I invested in one of their hot pink belt bags for summer walks with my dog Rosie. My fellow Lilly Pulitzer loving best friend Alanna and I had a blast there!
  • Spartina 449 (231 King Street) – For YEARS, I have been a HUGE fan of Spartina 449‘s designs. More speciafically speaking, I am a HUGE fan of the Lowcountry-based design house’s map prints on their accessories of which I own items in the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia map prints. It was SO MUCH FUN to stop in one of my favorite brand’s storefronts that are not super common up in the Washington, DC area. Not to mention, the ladies there were so sweet. Shop Spartina 449 online here.
  • The Finicky Filly (303 King Street) – Confession: I do not know much about The Finicky Filly besides the fact that one of my college friend’s Mom’s suggested it to me. HOWEVER, the name is WAYYYYY too cute not to pop in and make a visit at the next time I am in town. Shop The Finicky Filly online here.
  • LoveShackFancy (218 King Street) – Well, I rarely feel like a 5 year old kid in a candy store nowadays, BUT I did when I stepped foot into THE iconic LoveShackFancy storefront here on Charleston’s King Street. The LoveShackFancy storefront is literally every grand millennial’s (like myself) dream come true in a store. I was so so so obsessed with the storefront the entire time and my friends LOVED all the sparse and plethora of seating options within the air conditioning *yet again*. The ladies working at LoveShackFancy were SO SWEET, too, and were happy with my excitement within their store. The day we went, an artist was custom painting on sunglasses cases which was complimentary with a purchase of one as apart of a promotion going on then. Needless to say, the vibes there were impeccable. Truly, a DREAM COME TRUE (!!!). Shop LoveShackFancy online here.
  • Charleston City Market (188 Meeting Street) – While it can get pretty overwhelming to walk through ALL the shops, the Charleston City Market has been apart of the city dating ALLLL the way back to the 1790’s. It also stretches four blocks of Charleston’s historic district and has markets of local businesses to Charleston, Charleston-oriented souvenirs, and small business owners. I ended up purchasing two of Sofya’s (here) stunning paintings to frame in my own apartment. (I hope to buy more of her designs someday, too!).
  • Old Whaling Company (409 King Street Suite 100) – We stopped here *also* for the air conditioning – surprise!! BUT, we all LOVED getting to smell the plethora of lotions, body soap, and candles that Old Whaling Company has to offer its customers. Maybe, *just maybe*, I will be placing an online order soon after I write this paragraph. Old Whaling Company also has a mini storefront at the Charleston City Market AND a gorgeous mural of sea-like paintings on its walls within its King Street store. Shop Old Whaling Company online here.
  • Jean-Pierre Klifa (214 King Street) – As of Summer 2023, the Jean-Pierre Kilfa storefront is brand-new to Charleston! I ended up talking with the store associate who was SO SWEET and explained the fashion house’s brand-new ties to Charleston. The Jean-Pierre Klifa brand is *just like* an affordable version of Emilio Pucci’s gorgeous designs with the bright and bubbly charm that comes about from Lilly Pulitzer. I had a blast browsing the new storefront and congratulating the associates there! Shop Jean-Pierre Klifa online here.
  • Lake Pajamas (153 King Street) – I have seen SOOOO many of my fellow blogger/influencer friends raving about Lake Pajamas. I once found a pair of Lake Pajamas at my local Goodwill and sadly did not pick them up for some reason (there’s always a next time, though!). One day, I shall own a pair. And, next time I am in Charleston, I *most definitely* want to make a stop in this sleeping in heaven storefront! Shop Lake Pajamas online here.
  • The Tiny Tassel (46 Spring Street Unit B) – I have been connected to The Tiny Tassel’s store owner the ultra-adorable Mimi for a few years now and have been DYING to check out her stunning storefront for a few years now! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the designs that Mimi designs herself, ranging from beaded earrings and bracelets to clothing. I’ve had a pair of flamingo tassel earrings for over 3 years now! Well, what can I say?! There’s ALWAYS a next time!! Shop The Tiny Tassel online here.

Wrap-Up

The shopping alone would bring me back to Charleston just about *any* day. I will definitely be back in Charleston (hopefully) very very very soon!!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadee2 Comments

Preppy Fashion Lover Gifts Guide

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

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

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

 

Preppy Fashion Lover Gifts Guide

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

$25 and Under

$50 and Under

$100 and Under

$200 and Under

$200+

Happy holidays and happy shopping, preppies!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

How To Launder Lilly Pulitzer

If you know me, then you know that Lilly Pulitzer is my favorite fashion brand! With its bright colors and prints coming in delicate fabrics, it may come as a challenge to launder your Lilly Pulitzer garments. As someone who values convenience over time most of the time, I am going to share some tips for taking your Lilly Pulitzer finds to the local laundromat or how to laundering Lilly Pulitzer yourself (which can even be a bonus when you are on the road!!!).

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is sponsored, and all opinions are my own.*

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

To shop current Lilly Pulitzer products, look no further than the Lilly Pulitzer website. You can shop any product on the site using this link.

How To Launder Lilly Pulitzer

Laundromats

Wherever you may be, locally-owned Laurdromats are probably near by. The majority of them are corn-operated, as seen in the movie’s. One of my latest and favorite laundromats is The Clothes Spin. The Clothes Spin is a laundromat that is based in Lynchburg, Virginia. Unlike the majority of laundromats, The Clothes Spin has 24/7 access for all of their customers. That being said, you can easily come in and launder your garments when it best fits for your schedule. The best part of it all?! This 24/7 laundromat located in Madison Heights allows you to pay for you to wash your clothing through an app rather than with change! I most definitely do not carry huge chunks of change in my pocket anymore, and I know many others who do not either.

Tips

Whether or not you choose to go to a laundromat or launder your Lilly Pulitzer garments at home, there are quite a few do’s and don’t’s that will make it so much more helpful for you to take care of your garments to the best that you can. I have washed my Lilly Pulitzer and do pretty frequently. Knock on wood, I have not had that many issues with washing them, as I strictly follow these do’s and don’t’s as well as the tips that I also list below, too.

 

Do’s

  • Wash in cold water, in order to prevent shrinking and color run
  • Wash your white’s and colored clothing separately, in order to prevent color bleeding on your white garments (no one wants a white shirt to unintentionally become pink!)
  • Wash garments with embroidery inside out. Embroidery may include pom poms, sequins, or delicate buttons.
  • Hang or lay your Lilly Pulitzer to dry, rather than drying it! This will prevent your garments from shrinking. If the garment is 100% cotton, then most definitely be sure to lay or hang it to dry as it will shrink a size if put in the dryer!
  • Wash garments inside out, in order to prevent pilling

Don’t’s

  • Wash light-colored garments and dark-colored garments together. Darker colored clothing items can rinse into lighter colored clothing items, which can most definitely change their colors. Typically, I wash my whites separately from all of the other colored garments and have not had many issues.
  • Put 100% cotton, cashmere, sweaters, or other vulnerable garments into the dryer – they will shrink a size! It’s best to lie them flat to dry.
  • Hang popovers or Finn tees to dry. The shoulders will be stretched out. Rather, lay them flat to dry.

Detergent & Bleach

I am a loyal Tide user. Ever since I went off to college, I have used Tide detergent in the scent April Spring. To go with it, I use Febreeze Fabric Softener in the same exact scent. However, recently, I have used Kirkland’s detergents and fabric softeners from Costco that actually come in a similar scent. Personally, I am someone who is extremely particular about the way my clothing and things smell, so it works well for me. As for bleach, I find OxiClean to be one of the best out there! Not only does it do the job, but it does the job well! Luckily, the detergent, fabric softener, and bleach products that I use can easily be found at a local grocery store, Target, Walmart, or even Costco.

Along with OxiClean, my favorite alternative for stains is as simple as that: water and soap. All I simply do is have sink running, add an soap to the stain and massage the stain with my fingers. The soap that I use is simply the hand soap right beside my sink, but any soap even body wash will do. Y’all it works EVERY TIME!! This trick also works really well with period stains. It can also be done everywhere, as all you need is a sink and some soap!

Regular Wash VS Delicate Wash

When washing Lilly Pulitzer garments, it varies per item which type of wash that you would want to do on your washing machine. For most garments, I use regular, however, for some I use the delicate wash. I have listed down below what type of wash I use for which Lilly Pulitzer styles that I own!

Regular Wash

  • Sophie shift
  • Mila shift
  • All Luxletic products
  • Delia shift
  • Ophelia shift
  • Kelly pants
  • Adalee shift
  • Skirts/skorts
  • Popovers
  • Cotton tops (including cotton Elsa’s, Essie’s, and Etta’s)

Delicate Wash

  • Elsa Tops (especially those coming in silk fabrics)
  • Anything with embroidery (i.e. pom poms, sequins, delicate buttons)
  • Anything that is cashmere
  • Scarfs or wraps

Wrap-Up

However you choose to launder your Lilly Pulitzer garments, the consistency that you choose to wash them is key. Over the years, I have remained consistent in my techniques for washing my Lilly, and it has worked. That being said, whatever works for you is what you should do!

XOXO – Katie <3

A special thank you to The Clothes Spin for sponsoring this blog post. Without their support, The Pink Chickadee wouldn’t be where it is today.

thepinkchickadee1 Comment

Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale: January 2024

*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.*

I haven’t personally written a blog post on the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale since January 2023. And, if you’ve been following and shopping the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sales this past year, then you know a few things have changed to make the sale much more exciting (!!!).

And, *of course*, if you want to shop the sale and support me at the same time, then feel free to shop here. I always appreciate every ounce of support that each of y’all have provided me in my happy community here! <3

What has changed since January 2023?! Two things:

1 – Since January 2023, Lilly Pulitzer launched their first-ever rewards program: Club Lilly (here). When the September 2023 Sunshine Sale came around, Lilly Pulitzer allowed Club Lilly members … Early Access to all next day drops. Club Lilly members can register AND redeem rewards on future purchases within the Lilly Pulitzer app (downloadable on all major phones in their app stores). SO, moral of the story is: join Club Lilly if you haven’t already!

2 – During the September 2023 sale, NOBODY I knew had to wait in the virtual queue to get into the sale. Everyone had instant access, NO MATTER WHAT time they logged onto the site, at approximately 8am. To me, it felt wayyy too good to be true, but I was SO happy to see that no one had to wait in the queue either. However, merchandise did sell quickly during the September 2023 sale, as everyone was logged on at the same time, so definitely keep that in mind. Hopefully, this no virtual queue remains true in the January 2024 sale!

If you don’t know, the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale (formerly known as the After Party Sale) is Lilly Pulitzer’s biannual sale. It typically happens every January and September for only A FEW DAYS. Lilly Pulitzer does not have a sale section on their website (only in stores which can be hit or miss) which is something unique about the brand, making their sales SO MUCH more exciting and special. It is primarily online and has been in recent years due to COVID-19, yet many Lilly Pulitzer boutiques and Signature Stores do offer early access over the weekends in stores before the sale launches online (in this case, sales started showing up in both flagship and Signature Stores the day after Christmas!). Many of Lilly Pulitzer’s Signature Stores and Zappos (sometimes Belk, too!) offer sales online (those that have websites, though) starting at midnight the day of, so definitely stay up for that! Other Signature Stores offer shipping at a flat fee when you call their storefront during the duration of the sale to purchase – THIS can be a great way to purchase from a Signature Store (which ALL are small businesses) while sometimes *EVEN* getting a product you wanted from the sale which could be out of stock online before you get a chance to shop. Check out several of Lilly Pulitzer’s Signature Stores and their websites, which I list in this blog post here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2021/11/20/preppy-small-businesses-to-support-this-holiday-season/

Lilly Pulitzer’s Sunshine Sale is an experience to not be missed. Personally, I prefer to shop online as I am NOT a fan of the big crowds and long lines which may come with shopping in-store the weekend before. However, I DID get the amazing opportunity to shop the Sunshine Sale in-store in September 2022 (the most recent Sunshine Sale) at The Pink Crab in Annapolis. The ladies at The Pink Crab were SOOOO sweet and made my shopping experience one that I look back on and smile about to this day. The same goes for when I went into the Lilly Pulitzer Flagship store in Alexandria, Virginia in September 2023. I have, since, become friends with the ultra-sweet ladies at that location, too! Though I did shop in-store twice during the Sunshine Sale, I have yet to experience the typical crowds that come with shopping it this way. But, on the other hand, as someone who primarily works from home, I get so giddy to wake up at 8am on a Monday morning to shop and then get going on my work without the occasional early work morning blue’s. Sometimes, I *even* shop the drops the next day(s) during the Sunshine Sale, too (which Club Lilly members get early access to!!!!). It is just such an exciting time!

While I won’t dedicate this blog post to writing a bunch of tips about the Sunshine Sale, I will share some blog posts that I wrote in years past that include TONS of Sunshine Sale tips that are still pretty relevant to this day! I will say, though, that my biggest piece of advice is to be open-minded about what may be in the sale. I know many people who have made lists for the things that they want in the Sunshine Sale, which can either be a good or bad thing. I have also seen people being given the wrong package during the Sunshine Sale (especially in September 2022 – tons of complaints on Lilly Lovers Facebook groups!) so BEWARE and MINDFUL. In the meantime, you can read my previous Sunshine Sale blog posts, including several tips (!!!), here:

Happy shopping!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadee2 Comments

What I Wore to Work – December 2023

The quote for me when working this December 2023 was a TikTok turned Instagram Reels that my bestie Shivani sent me on the gram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee) was of Kim K literally saying she needs an IV containing *nothing but* caffeine – LOL! December 2023 was the season for caffeine IV’s for me. In my industry, things get REALLLY quiet during this time of year, which is SO nice. Most of us are ultra-tired and need caffeine IV’s to simply function, SO most things become “January problems”. While a pretty quiet month on the work front, I have truly enjoyed the peace and time to sit back, clock in, and enjoy time with family and friends when not clocking in (and the extra coffee, too!!).

Since December 2023 was a *very* peaceful work month for me, I spent A LOT of the month working in … loungewear! I probably drank out of more holiday-themed mugs while working this month than I wore outfits – haha!!!! Anyhow, December 2023 was a nice work month with its peace and quiet during the holiday season craze. On the same token, I also was able to generate some ideation surrounding my professional goals for 2024 – MANY of which will kickstart in January and the months following (!!!!!). Needless to say, I am ready to rest, rejuvenate, and enjoy time with loved ones, before coming back to work in full force in January 2024!

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

Dress: J Crew Factory; Headband: The Dollar Tree; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer & Kendra Scott; Flats: Vintage
Blouse: MSK; Vest: Dennis Basso; Earrings: Cora’s Den; Leggings: Shapermint
Blouse: J Crew; Headband: The Dollar Tree; Pearls: Thrifted; Pants: Talbots; Flats: Vivaia
Sweater: Macy’s; Necklace & Skirt: J Crew Factory; Earrings: Charming Charlie; Jacket: Lilly Pulitzer; Tights: Shapermint; Tote: Longchamp; Water Bottle: Stanley; Flats: Burberry
Flannel: Top It Off!; Necklace: Talbots; Leggings: Shapermint; Bracelets: J Crew Factory, Kendra Scott, & Lilly Pulitzer; Headband: Simply Southern; Flats: Vintage
Vest: Thrifted; Sweatshirt: Meredith College Bookstore; Pearls: Vintage; Leggings: Shapermint; Headband: Rachel Zoe
Sweatshirt & Sweatpants: Draper James; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer; Headband: Rachel Zoe; Slippers: J Crew Factory
Dress: Kensie; Scarf: Lands End; Headband: Rachel Zoe: Earrings: Cassie’s Designs; Leggings: Shapermint; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer; Tote: Barrington Gifts; Booties: Lucky Brand
Dress: Haley and the Hound; Headband: The Dollar Tree; Bracelets: J Crew Factory, Lilly Pulitzer, Kendra Scott, & Alex and Ani; Leggings: Spanx; Booties: Lucky Brand
Vest: Lands End; Tee: Vineyard Vines; Sweats: J Crew Factory
Dress: Crown & Ivy at Belk; Sweater & Necklace: J Crew Factory; Headband: Packed Party; Leggings: Cuddl Duds; Flats: Vintage; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer, Amazon, & Kendra Scott

Here’s to rest, recharging, celebrating, and getting to spend time with those we love. Happy Holidays!!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

Are You Influenced by Consumerism?

The other day in a group chat, someone sent photos of a targeted ad based on a product that we had talked about just hours beforehand on a call. I think ALL OF US have seen advertisements on out social media feed that feel *just as if* they came out of the blue. Many of us have received these advertisements that feel like our phones are reading our minds. Admittedly so, I am a consumer (within reason and my own means, though!) and I find joy in purchasing things that will bring me joy over time. Many of the things that I purchase have been influenced by *surprise* … social media. Yes, social media influences me to shop, whether via a targeted advertisement, fellow influencer’s posting, or typing in “J Crew Factory” via my iPhone’s Safari. I may be the first person to say just that, but I personally think that consumerism has become super normalized that we forget to enjoy what we have right in front of us.

Recently on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee), I shared a bit about a recent purchase of mine influenced by … LinkedIn! Yep, you heard me right: I did NOT get influenced by Instagram or Facebook or even Pinterest to buy something, but *none other than* LinkedIn. While I HAVE BEEN admittedly influenced to buy something on practically every single social media site that I am on to make a purchase, I NEVER EVER thought that I would have been influenced by a professional networking app like LinkedIn (which is ALSO social media in its own right by the way!) to shop and even open my wallet. I will note that the purchase I made via LinkedIn is relevant to my 9-5 career as a proud leadership and women in data enthusiast that I am SO excited to have purchased. I also feel A LOT of joy from making this purchase and supporting an organization that empowers women in data and the next generation of women in data by doing so. However, on the same token, if I am getting influenced to make a purchase via a professional networking app, then consumerism has definitely gone to a whole other level than ever seen before.

Currently, I have been doing a ton of reflections on my own privilege in this world and striving to understand those around me in different financial situations from my own. I feel extremely lucky to have chosen a career field that brings me joy and fulfillment and allows me to be a consumer and travel within my own means and save for the future. At the same time, I have been reading up on the impacts that others have faced due to inflation (and myself, too!) in order to gain a better understanding into our ever-evolving world. My biggest concerns nowadays is the huge upwards trend in consumerism and sneaky ways for businesses of all kinds to bring consumers to spend, despite them truly not having the means to do just that.

I recently saw my fellow Instagram friend Stephanie of @slythestylist (go follow her if you haven’t already!!!) share something on her stories that truly resonated with me which was an Instagram reel that begs the question: when did consumerism become something that we praised? Consumerism, while potentially bringing about economic growth and prosperity (what do I know though?!) and truly allowing others to support businesses of all kinds, when brought to a standard of praise for shopping over saving, it can really harm others. Inflation is a real thing in the 2023 economy. At the same time, there are several people in my life that I know and know of that have student loans, towering bills (whether raising rent, groceries, car payments, health insurance, etc.), and other financial hardships that make it tough nowadays. The side effects of inflation are affecting many people in this world today, essentially making being a regular consumer beyond the grocery store and without going into any credit card debt (which is pretty common nowadays) a privilege that many others do not have. SO, in a society where we are praising others for shopping more and more and more when most folks do not have the means to truly do so, we need to make consumerism less about ourselves and more about prioritizing what we want within our own means.

While I will ALWAYS LOVE a good purchase like many of us do, especially those that bring me a ton of joy, I am striving personally to be more conscious about what I spend my money on. I have my own financial goals that I am striving to pursue into 2024 and beyond. I also want to focus more on experiences, whether it be traveling or time with friends and family both close to home or a quick train ride/flight/drive away or even across an ocean. Consumerism is sadly SO easy to get sucked into. BUT, at the end of the day, I want to enjoy and be thankful for what I have right now and continue to be thankful for what I have moving forward. And, also at the end of the day, no matter what we have, it’s who we have to spend our time with. I want to prioritize my loved ones and making memories, whatever I may pick out of my closet to wear with them!

And, in the meantime, I hope that consumerism starts to slow down a little, too. With the greater awareness towards climate change and sustainability, people are slowly beginning to realize the benefits of shopping your own closet and enjoying what you have. More often than not, there is great benefit to wearing the same thing again or lending it/borrowing from a friend to wear instead of heading online to buy something new only to wear it once. It only costs $0 to enjoy what we already have. I’m hoping that this greater awareness against consumerism begins to slow down ALLLL the advertisements for shopping nowadays, especially in a time where people are stretched for cash more often than not.

Overall, I LOVE social media and getting inspired by others’ styles to catapult my own style as it continues to evolve. BUT, on the same token, consumerism via social media especially targets many people’s vulnerabilities when it comes to spending in ways that it shouldn’t. As much as I am a proud consumer and LOVE to shop just as much as the next person, I also see the normalization and praising of consumerism as a major disadvantage in the long term to our society as a while, specifically given inflation and the current economic environment (e.g. student loans, high healthcare costs, high cost of living). I feel lucky to be doing OKAY in today’s world, yet I know many people are not. Moving forward, I am striving to share LESS links for commission and MORE of what others can replicate within their own closets/homes to create a joyful outfit/experience for themselves (thankfully, my hometown of the Washington, DC area has several affordable things to do too!). I hope that given today’s world others will consider to move away from consumerism and towards enjoying the moment what with we already have within our own means.

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

The Life of Katie – November 2023

November 2023 started off with a bang and pretty much ended with a bang. Overall, I felt as if I was in a big ol’ race car ALL month LONG. I started the month off with courses for my first-ever certification through work and my November class for my Ignite Young Professionals Program and a big company party and presenting at a demo alongside a trip to Boston, Massachusetts in the mix of it ALL. The middle of November was filled with balancing burnout while feeling EXTREMELY excited to have not one but TWO visits from two of my besties – Shivani and Lindsay – back-to-back with some sightseeing around the Washington, DC area and a Friendsgiving. And, the end of November was super fun and gratitude-filled with Thanksgiving weekend given the actual day and Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping fun and a hike to see … SWANS (!!!!!). Well, sadly, there was a bit of drama during the month of November (more on that below!), as I decided that I needed to end a friendship with someone that I had hoped would be a friend for a much longer time. *EVEN* into December 2023, I feel as if I’m still riding on that race car, but the BEST PART?!?! I am enjoying EVERY second of the ride!

Highs:

  • The first weekend of November, I traveled to Boston (here) for the weekend! My cousin Sabrina and her girlfriend Nicole have been living in Boston for YEARS now, YET I hadn’t made the time to visit them both until now. I was lucky enough to be able to stay with Sabrina and Nicole in their guest room, and I LOVED catching up with them both while in Boston. I also got to connect with my blogger friends Griffin, Timmy, and Mikayla AND *even* ran into my friend Joelle in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood on a whim while exploring. The next day, Sabrina and Nicole showed me around their old stomping grounds (courtesy of Boston’s subway system the T!) at Northeastern University and we spent most of the afternoon at the absolutely incredible Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Nevertheless, I truly appreciate Sabrina and Nicole and their sweet kitty Salem opening their home up to me to come and visit them and explore Boston with them.
  • My company had a super fun $1B booking party right before Veterans Day weekend. It was A LOT of fun to see SOOO many of my incredible coworkers in-person and to connect with them beyond the computer screen. A week earlier, my company had a Technology Showcase which I had a BLAST attending and sharing more about the Women in Data Community of Practice (COP) that I lead. I truly love my company, too, and feel oh so blessed to be able to say that!!! I love getting to connect with my coworkers and truly “work the room” as my coworkers say that I do!
  • Early this November 2023, I decked the halls (!!!!!). I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas, as it brings me SO MUCH JOY. SO, I always deck the halls around Veterans Day weekend each year. I truly love having a good two months to enjoy the stunning Christmas decorations. There is just something *SO* special and unique about having the Christmas tree lit up and allll decked out as I’m simply enjoying an evening in or just anytime of day for that matter, especially as the evenings are getting darker much much much earlier. I also visited the Lucketts Holiday House (here) over Veterans Day weekend which was a GREAT way to get in the Christmas cheer! More to come in a future blog post!
  • My best friend Shivani visited during the week before Thanksgiving, as she had a few job interviews in the Washington, DC area. It was SO NICE to get some much-needed time with Shivani, too. We did one night on the town at The Wharf where we dined *yet again* at Del Mar (which wasn’t as great the second time around to be honest) and another night on the town at Old Town Alexandria where we had an AMAZING time dining at Ada’s on the River. We also strolled through some of the many shops on King Street, including Lou Lou and The Lucky Knot, and then got ice cream at Kilwins. Shivani and I also spent lots of time enjoying wine, a few home-cooked meals, freshly put up Christmas decorations, and one another’s company. Shivani is truly such a blessing in my life and I am SO glad that I got to spend some time with her!

Old Town Alexandria

The Wharf

  • *JUST* a day after Shivani left for home …. My fellow influencer best friend Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram (go follow her!!!) came to town for the weekend. Lindsay and I had an incredible weekend which I wrote about more here. Some of our activities included: hosting Friendsgiving at my apartment, visiting Urban Roast and the Downtown Holiday Market, and dining at Old Ebbitt Grill. Needless to say, it was the PERFECT weekend to kick off the holiday season! And, just like Shivani, I am so thankful for Lindsay’s and I’s friendship and for time with her.
  • To honor the many Navy Veterans in my family, my Mom and Uncle and I hosted family Veterans’ Day tailgate. What was REALLY special about this year’s Veterans’ Day is that it happened to be on a Saturday and the day of the Navy-University of Alabama Birmingham game in Annapolis. SO, we turned on the TV to watch the game, grabbed some beer, wine, and snacks, and enjoyed the game as a family. I really enjoyed getting to catch up with my Aunts, Uncles, and cousins and truly honor the many Veterans in our family.
  • On the *very* last day of November, I got influenced to make a purchase on … LinkedIn! I NEVER thought I would say that I made a purchase thanks to a professional website, but here we are – LOL! Instagram and Shop.LTK is usually where I get the most inspiration for purchases, especially from what others share and things that I may be interested in as a consumer. HOWEVER, I have failed to mention my daily online walk through of the J Crew Factory clearance section, too! At the same time, I am working on cutting back on purchases and dining out to better plan for the future financially and focus more on experiences and time with loved ones. BUT, this LinkedIn purchase was an exciting one, as it’s from an organization selling Women in Data merchandise (!!!!) that supports the career advancement of women in data, which is VERY relevant to my 9-5!
  • My Thanksgiving weekend was definitely a special one! I took Wednesday-Friday off of work the week of Thanksgiving to enjoy much-needed time with family and friends. For Thanksgiving, my family and I enjoyed a cozy and fancy dinner at my Mom’s house. It was super nice to be altogether enjoying a delicious meal and time with each other. That Friday night, my best friend Haley and I strolled briefly around the gorgeous charming town of Occoquan, Virginia which is currently gorgeously decked out for the holidays (!!!!) and then enjoyed a nice early dinner at The Secret Garden Cafe. That Saturday morning, my Mom and Step Dad took the family on a gorgeous hike at Virginia’s Mason Neck State Park where we went to a scenic overlook to see … tundra swans that migrate from Alaska and Canada to Northern Virginia of ALL places during the winter months. We, then, checked out a gorgeous place called The Point in Mason Neck, Virginia which has a gorgeous field and beach. That Sunday evening, I winded down from the weekend’s food and festivities by watching the premiere of A Biltmore Christmas on the Hallmark channel! All in all, a GREAT weekend filled with LOTS of gratitude.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Occoquan

Mason Neck State Park

Lows:

  • Into adulthood, i have *really* despised the seasonal daylight savings time changes. I seriously hate how daylight savings throws off my sleep schedule and leaves me just feeling so so so off, especially when the first week of it I have had a super busy work schedule. The first week of the new daylight savings transition, i have woken up at 7am, 6am, 8am, 9am, and just about every time in between. And, let’s just say that it is a struggle and an adjustment that as I age I realize is a downside of the working world.
  • Speaking of daylight savings time changes, sunsets right after work is THE WORST when working a 9-5 job. It definitely feels sad to end work and not enjoy *any* glimpse of sunshine *sad face!*. However much this is a low of mine for November, I am LOVING turning the lights on my Christmas tree to brighten up the days *just* a bit into the darkness of the outdoors once I end the work day.
  • Most of November has oddly been a busier than usual month on the work front, despite it being a slow season this time of year. While I LOVE being busy and thrive off of the hustle, it definitely has gotten more overwhelming at times alongside the current holiday season that makes things busier than usual. Demands can be tough during the holidays and I think that it’s important that all of us acknowledge that, as it is more challenging to take a step back during this time of year (myself included!).
  • Post-Holiday fatigue started to hit me towards the end of November. After having two of my very best friends over at my apartment back to back over the span of 8 days and then the Thanksgiving holiday right after that, it was easy for me to feel nothing but … TIRED. While I have LOVED the time together with everyone and the joy it all brings me both sightseeing and spending time with loved ones, it can be tiring after awhile. I am glad that the last week of November I pretty much only said yes to visiting with my friend Violet who was in town on a whim one weeknight evening after work.
  • To end November, I ended up bowing out of a friendship. I did not want to end the friendship, however, I knew that this friendship was causing me more distress than joy in the end. Thankfully, with the help of some of my AMAZING friends, I was able to articulate a way to end the friendship and move forward in my life with closure. While a stressful situation for me (and some of my other friends too sadly), I am extremely grateful, thankful, and blessed (in the spirit of Thanksgiving and November!) for the friendships and family that I do have in my life and for their support through this tricky situation.

Still being on the race car ride of what is known as THE holiday season, I am definitely enjoying every minute of it ALL into December 2023! From LOTS of professional development to a great trip to Boston to hosting others both for an evening or for a few days to shopping sales to the debut of the holiday season for 2023 to everything in between, I have truly felt thankful for all that November 2023 has blessed me with and for what I will be blessed with into December 2023 and into 2024 and beyond.

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

What I Wore to Work – November 2023

I don’t know WHAT it is about November, BUT this has been the month of *none other than* leggings and loungewear pretty much, well, unless I had to go into the office! I am such a dress girly and have ALWAYS been someone who prefers dresses and skirts over pants, however, November 2023 has pretty much been just the opposite – LOL! November 2023 has been a busy month for me work-wise, as I kicked off the month with classes for a training for a certification at work and networking events in the office alongside my November 2023 Ignite Young Professionals class in Arlington and then ended the month hosting my best friends Shivani and Lindsay with some sightseeing and nights on the town in between and *of course* the Thanksgiving holiday in between it all. Needless to say, November 2023 was chaotic professionally, but SO needed for the soul in terms of me deciding to take most of the Thanksgiving week off to spend with family and friends and recharge.

Likely, my loungewear and pants obsession (something I NEVER thought I’d say!!!) came about via having such a busy month and wanting to be comfortable when at home. It is also likely due to the fact that the temperatures here in the Washington, DC area are getting chilly, too. I have LOVED the crisp Fall weather of November, especially as I could admire the foliage when driving to professional development-related events throughout this season. I think it is SO important to be able to enjoy every season of life, whether it be climate-based or a different phase of life. There is ALWAYS something good to find in this world, and I think professionally for me that November 2023 has been something pretty great.

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

Cardigan: Vintage; Pearls: Vintage; Leggings: Shapermint; Earrings & Slippers: J Crew Factory
Dress: Karl Lagerfeld; Blazer: J Crew; Pearls: Vintage; Bracelets: Amazon, The Inspiration Co, & Kendra Scott; Heels: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Necklace & Sweater: J Crew; Pants: Crown & Ivy by Belk; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer
Blazer: H&M; Dress: Calvin Klein; Necklace: Talbots; Headband: Lele Sadoughi; Bracelets: J Crew Factory; Tote: The Monogram Corner; Flats: Burberry
Dress: J Crew; Headband: Madison Raleigh; Bracelets: The Inspiration Co, Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, & Kendra Scott; Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Sweater: Vintage; Lounge Pants: Lilly Pulitzer
Sweater: Rachel Zoe; Leggings: Shapermint; Pearls: Vintage; Flats: Burberry
Blazer: Pendleton; Top: J Crew; Leggings: Spanx; Bracelets: J Crew & Lilly Pulitzer; Headband: SugarFix by Target; Flats: Burberry
Sweater: Old Lucketts Store; Leggings: Shapermint: Headband: Packed Party; Necklace: Kendra Scott
Sweatshirt: Boden; Vest: J Crew Factory; Pants: Silk & Salt; Earrings: Lilly Pulitzer; Bag: from Aunt Margaret; Flats: New Bella
Vest: Lands’ End; Sweater: Rumi + Ryder; Pants: Isaac Mizrahi; Necklace: South Moon Under; Bracelets: J Crew Factory
Top: Talbots; Necklace: Vintage; Pants: Lands End; Shoes: Thrifted; Bracelets: Lilly Pulitzer & J Crew Factory
Loungewear Seat & Scrunchie: Joyspun by Walmart; Scarf: Burberry; Headband; Rachel Zoe; Flats: New Bella
Headband, Top, & Cardigan: Lilly Pulitzer; Leggings: Shapermint
Sweatshirt: Glitter & Daisies; Skirt: J Crew Factory

& now onto December!!!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

The Perks of Meal Prep During the Holidays

In recent times, I have found myself LOVING meal prep (I also write about it and rave about it, too, more here)! Not only is meal prep more affordable in the long run, but it also allows me to cook things in bigger batches at the same time as opposed to every single night. With my busy busy busy schedule ESPECIALLY with what is to come during the holiday season, meal prep helps me to have structure and maintain a *somewhat* of a healthy lifestyle during a not-so-healthy mainstream time of the year.

To be frankly honest, I am writing this post on the Sunday evening of Thanksgiving weekend. Having taken off the Wednesday-Sunday of Thanksgiving week, I am so happy to have had a break. However, I am still SOOO tired after the fun weekend filled with joy, family, and LOTS of food. I also find myself sitting on the couch after a few hours of meal prep for the upcoming week. I have recently added in breakfast to my meal prep circuit, which I know will work WONDERS for me (thanks to my bestie Shivani on this one!!!). However tired I JUST may be, I am so grateful for the joys of meal prep even during this busy holiday season. In fact, I am so thankful to have decided to meal prep more often than not during these busy times.

My holiday season schedule is literally jam-packed. Not only do I have a holiday party, event, dinner, celebratory trip (CONGRATS to my bestie Alanna on this one!!!), or activity planned more nights than not, I also have as most Americans do my 9-5 job that I LOVE which keeps me going during the days. Not only am I working the hustle and attending joyful holiday festivities which I LOVE, I am also busy prepping for Christmas with family and friends – think all things Christmas presents (from buying to wrapping), cooking dishes for gatherings, and baking cookies. My story is nonetheless like most Americans during this time of year. If you have seen A Bad Moms Christmas movie, then you PROBABLY know what I am talking about! The holidays can be a CRAZZZYYY time for everyone. Not to mention the fact that I am a LITERAL sucker for ALLLL things Christmas meaning that I go out most nights to enjoy it in my wonderful city, too!

I HAVE to say that I am oh so excited for the upcoming events and ongoings within my own life this holiday season. This 2023 year has been such a special year for me. 2023 has been filled with lots of self love, growth, and much more both personally and professionally. I feel so grateful for 2023 and what lessons this year has taught me, too. I am ALSO thankful to have incredible friends and family members and coworkers who support and empower me regularly, each of them are incredible human beings that I am lucky to have as apart of my life and support system (you all know who you are <3). And, guess what?! CRAZY ENOUGH, meal prep has helped me practice giving myself grace and to be more thankful for what I currently have.

Furthermore, I am OH SO GRATEFUL, THANKFUL, and BLESSED to have discovered the joys of meal prepping during this 2023 year. Meal prep allows me to focus on a healthy eating lifestyle that works for me. Personally, I am someone that believes that healthy eating is a lifestyle choice and NOT a diet and, rather, should be something that works for every individual person as opposed to a collective group of people (enough to be said here for today!). And, meal prepping allows me to simply get away from my always flashy phone and simply focus on the joys of cooking and be one within my own kitchen. I live for the hustle, *just* in case you haven’t noticed (!!!!), and find myself getting into the hustle more often than not. Especially during the holidays, I find myself with plans and/or commitments more often than not, SO meal prep allows me to cook on my OWN schedule and enjoy a delicious, healthy, and home-cooked meal while hustling.

Meal prep is something that I am thankful, grateful, and blessed to have found joy in this year. Specifically this holiday season, meal prep is literally a LIFESAVER. Some of the many dishes I plan to make this holiday season include: skillet gnocchi in Trader Joe’s Vodka sauce (aka my FAVORITE!), breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs and black beans and MORE, honey chipotle shrimp salad, and a Caprese salad wreath!!! There’s SO much to be thankful for this time of year (and every time of year for that matter!) and meal prep is just one of those things!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment

My Pre-Thanksgiving Weekend in Washington, DC!

Typically the weekend before Thanksgiving, ALL of the Christmas fun has typically begun in the Washington, DC area! And, as a Christmas enthusiast, I see that there is literally nothing better to do than simply enjoy ALL the holly jolly fun right in my own backyard. Ranging from hosting my first-ever Friendsgiving to visiting a Popup Christmas bar to a Christmas tree lighting and everything in between, I have enjoyed this past pre-Thanksgiving weekend essentially kicking off the holidays here in my city.

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

My best friend and fellow influencer Lindsay of @sunshineandstairclimbs on Instagram came to visit me over the weekend JUST IN TIME for Friendsgiving (!!!). We, then, did a bunch of activities around the city and went out to Bealton, Virginia for a winery day, too. I will note that although not everything is fully decorated and all things Christmas until around December 1, I am SO glad I got to show Lindsay a bit of Christmas in Washington, DC.

Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving was a bittersweet one, as I had to cancel my planned gathering last year due to burnout. SO, I am so so so thankful, grateful, and blessed to be able to not only host an incredible Friendsgiving this year but also have such incredible friendships here in the Washington, DC area. Many of my local friends were able to make it, too, which made it to be such an incredible and blessed gathering. Lindsay also got to meet all of my Washington, DC area friends and everyone there all became friends on social media and in real life (!!!!). One of the biggest gifts in my book is seeing my friends become friends with my other friends. I LOVE being a bridge to new and incredible friendships! Rosie my dog also joined in on the Friendsgiving fun, too, and brought us all SO MUCH JOY!

Downtown Holiday Market (Centered at 8th and F Streets NW, Washington DC)

Every year, Washington, DC’s Downtown Holiday Market brings Christmas cheer to the city pretty much daily now until December 23 from 12-8pm. Located just in front of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the Downtown Holiday Market brings local Washington, DC area businesses to the forefront to showcase their goods and allow locals and visitors alike to support them. While I find the Downtown Holiday Market to be a bit overpriced (depending on the merchandise) at times, I do LOVE supporting 1-2 local small businesses each year and learning about many others in my city. Lindsay and I LOVED taking photos in front of the fun props such at candy canes and reindeer and stars for folks to pose in front of and enjoying *none other than* the holiday vibes at the Downtown Holiday Market. Live music is there, too! We were there right as the sun had set, which made for such a magical experience!

Urban Roast (916 G Street NW, Suite C-2, Washington DC)

Known as Washington, DC’s premier pop-up bar, Urban Roast has been ALLL decked out for Christmas since the beginning of November! I have LOVED dining at Urban Roast for the vibes and drinks but less for the food (which to be honest is subpar). However, the staff there are super kind and make it worthwhile to come back time and time again. The Christmas decorations at Urban Roast was probably my favorite that they’ve done, too! Being transparent, I reacted adversely to something in the environment at Urban Roast which will make me sit out going back there any time soon. BUT, I am ALL about enjoying the vibes at this incredible pop-up bar while you can!

Bull Run Festival of Lights (7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA)

I treated Papa and I to tickets at the Bull Run Festival of Lights and it was AMAZING. Every holiday season, the Bull Run Festival of Lights takes over Centreville’s Bull Run Regional Park with SO MUCH Christmas cheer. When I was a kid, my family and I used to pack the family van and all go and enjoy the lights at Bull Run, so it felt magical to be back! This time around, Papa and I ended up going on a rainy Tuesday night and took Rosie with us. The cutest thing is that Rosie was looking out the window at the lights, too! Needless to say, we all enjoyed ourselves and had a holly jolly time!!

Morais Vineyards & Winery (11409 Marsh Road, Bealton, VA)

My fellow best friend Stephanie posted about the Fall Festival that Morais Vineyards & Winery was having when Lindsay was coming to visit, SO, in typical Katie fashion, I made arrangements for us ALL to go! Morais Vineyards & Winery is located about an hour away from me and Stephanie both in Bealton, Virginia and about 90 minutes South of Washington, DC. Stephanie and I had checked out Morais Vineyards & Winery while at the Mount Vernon Wine Festival back in October (here) and knew we wanted to check out the gorgeous vineyard in-person at some point. Morais Vineyards & Winery also serves as a wedding venue playing homage to Portuguese architecture and wine with some tastes of its home in the Virginia Wine Country, too. It is a STUNNING place! We all enjoyed some wine and checking out the food trucks and small business booths at the Fall Festival.

Old Ebbitt Grill (675 15th Street NW, Washington DC)

Old Ebbitt Grill is probably one of my VERY favorite restaurants. I write more about this incredible restaurant and its historical significance in Washington, DC and the United States as a whole here. And, since the notable Nutcrackers appear outside the doors of the magical Old Ebbitt Grill EVERY holiday season, Lindsay and I *just knew* that it would be a must-go for us! While I go into much more details on Old Ebbitt Grill in my previously linked post, this well-known restaurant is a unique one in that it brings together tourists and locals, alike, and has a strong international presence with both its clientele and staff making it such a unique place to be!

Old Town Alexandria Christmas Tree Lighting (520 King Street, Alexandria, VA)

The Christmas tree lighting in Old Town Alexandria took place on Saturday November 17 with special guests such as Santa and his elves. The Christmas tree is located right in front of the gorgeously historic Alexandria Courthouse in the heart of Old Town Alexandria’s King Street. Lindsay and I shopped at local shops on King Street before admiring the gorgeously lit tree. I spend A LOT of time in Old Town Alexandria, as it is one of my happy happy happy places, so to see the Christmas tree there the night it was lit brought me SO MUCH JOY!

The Willard Intercontinental Hotel (1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC)

While not decked out for Christmas *just yet* (or at least when we went), the Willard Intercontinental Hotel is ALWAYS such a magical place to be. I took Lindsay here late on a Sunday night right after our dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill, as it is a few blocks away. This notable and iconic Washington, DC hotel has an iconic holiday tea at their in-house Peacock Alley and nightly carolers (something I want to check out this year!). More details on the holiday fun here. It was a such and brief visit for us both before the halls are decked out!

I have already found SO MUCH joy and things to be thankful for this holiday season. I have SO MUCH holiday fun to look forward to this season, and I hope you do too.

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment