The Life of Katie – October 2025

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

The Life of Katie – October 2025

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

Week Recaps

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

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

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

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

Highs/Lows

Highs

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

Lows

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

On the Blog

What’s New

Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream Guide

The Life of Katie – September 2025

What I Wore Out Of Office – September 2025

What I Wore To Work – September 2025

Hanging a Decorative Plate Wall Guide

My At-Home Two Grans’s Bar Reveal!

Christmas in Washington, DC Travel Guide

Visiting Colonial Williamsburg Travel Guide

Preppy Fashion Lover Gifts Guide

Fall Family Dinner Party 2025 Tablescape

Lucketts Holiday House Guide

Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive Travel Guide

What’s Trending

When Is Shenandoah Peak Fall Foliage 2025?

Milken Center For Advancing The American Dream Guide

18 Pumpkin Patches in Northern Virginia

Christmas in Washington, DC Travel Guide

Bethany Beach, Delaware Travel Guide

Wrap-Up

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

XOXO – Katie <3

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Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive Travel Guide

***Please note that this Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive Travel Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This travel guide was most recently updated as of October 2025.***

Ever since I graduated from college, my Papa and dog Rosie and I have made our annual trek out to Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive to enjoy the mountains, leaf peeping, and all-things Fall. Over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I share a photo recap of our experiences at Skyline Drive annually. Needless to say, visiting Skyline Drive is an annual Fall tradition that I cherish! And, today, after 5 years of making the trek to Skyline Drive, I will be sharing my *very own* travel guide to Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive to help you plan your next adventure.

*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.*

Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive Travel Guide

This travel guide will be split into the following sections: About, Getting There, Admission, Navigating Skyline Drive, and Things To Keep in Mind, and Peak Fall Foliage.

About:

Skyline Drive is a 105-mile-long road that runs through the heart of Shenandoah National Park’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It connects to major Virginia highways at four points (which also serve as entrance/exit stations throughout the park) and offers several scenic overlooks and viewpoints, access to hiking trails at all hiking ability levels including accessible trails, recreational activities. Skyline Drive is well-known for wildflowers in the Spring and a stunning Fall foliage in Autumn.

In addition to a variety of hiking trails and mountains and scenic overlooks to enjoy, Shenandoah National Park also offers Visitor Centers, Lodging, and Dining options throughout it. See more information here on all current offerings.

Getting There:

Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive is accessible all across Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also highly suggested that you have a car, in order to visit and get around the park, especially if you are coming from the Washington, DC area or visiting from out of town and may not have one. There are several rental car options to choose from, too.

According to the National Park Service (NPS) website, there are 4 entrances to Skyline Drive:

  • Front Royal Entrance Station (mile 0) by Route 66 and Route 340 located in Front Royal, Virginia.
  • Thornton Gap Entrance Station (mile 31.5) by Route 211 located near Luray, Virginia.
  • Swift Run Gap Entrance Station (mile 65.5) by Route 33 located near Elkton, Virginia.
  • Rockfish Gap Entrance Station (mile 104.6) by Route 64 and Route 250 (and is also the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway).

***It is worth noting that all entrances also serve as exits from Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive as well. When planning your trip it is suggested to look at the map and plan to enter on one entrance and exit on another to enjoy a glorious scenic stretch!***

If you are coming from Washington, DC/Northern Virginia/Maryland like myself, then the Front Royal Entrance Station is your closest entrance to Skyline Drive – this is the entrance that we usually enter through. We typically exit through Thornton Gap Entrance Station, which is also the nearest entrance station to the Virginia’s notable Luray Caverns. Thornton Gap Entrance Station is close to Sperryville, Virginia and Washington, Virginia, making it another accessible entrance station to/from the Washington, DC area.

Admission:

Since Skyline Drive is a part of Shenandoah National Park, visitors must have a National Park Pass in order to enter. Admission is per vehicle to Shenandoah National Park, like many other National Parks across the United States. There are a variety of National Park passes to choose from based on you and your group’s needs and preferences. See more here from Shenandoah National Park’s website for the most up-to-date information on admission, fees, and passes.

As for when Skyline Drive is open, it is typically open 24/7 unless there is severe weather conditions. It is also worth noting that all visitors should monitor the current weather conditions when planning their visit to Skyline Drive to ensure they are safe and have a good time. For the most up-to-date information, be sure to check out Shenandoah National Park’s website before you go.

Navigating Skyline Drive:

To navigate Skyline Drive, it is helpful to grab a complimentary Shenandoah National Park guide at the park ranger’s welcome station upon entry to the park. Within that guide is a map of Skyline Drive and includes information on mile markers, entrance stations, notable hiking trails and scenic overlooks, and Visitor Centers. It is also worth checking out one of the many Visitors Centers (and gift shops!) for a rest break, restrooms, scenic viewpoints, trails, and Park Rangers to help guide you throughout your visit. Although we primarily stop at the scenic viewpoints, there are several trails easily accessible off of Skyline Drive for those interested in hiking.

Like when driving anywhere, one must always be mindful of traffic, the environment that they are in, other people, and the speed limit. The speed limit at Skyline Drive is 35 miles per hour. It is also worth mentioning that scenic overlooks are an ultra-fun way to essentially stop and smell the roses while taking in some stunning Mountain View’s! Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains are pretty spectacular and are worth admiring while at Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive. When navigating Skyline Drive, there will be some occasions where cars around you will choose to stop at a scenic overlook, get back on the road after visiting one, or you may choose to do the same. Be mindful of incoming traffic throughout your time at Skyline Drive as well as the current weather conditions, other visitors, and nature.

See more on Shenandoah National Park’s website on driving Skyline Drive.

Things To Keep In Mind:

When visiting Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive, there are a few things to keep in mind throughout the planning process:

  • Continuously monitor the weather conditions to ensure you have a fun and safe experience.
  • Dogs are welcome, however, they must be kept on a leash at all times.
  • Shenandoah National Park has a leave the park as you left it policy — essentially, all guests must not take anything from the parks with them (unless it’s a guidebook or a souvenir) and they must dispose of all trash (including disposing of dog poop) and take things brought with them back with them and leave the park exactly the way it was before visiting.
  • Be sure to fill up your car with gas before visiting Skyline Drive, as there aren’t a ton of gas stations nearby.
  • Cell service can be spotty alongside some parts of Skyline Drive. This is a reminder to follow the mile markers and truly take in the moments around you.
  • Remember to show kindness and give grace to park rangers and fellow visitors!

Peak Fall Foliage:

As previously mentioned, peak Fall Foliage is a popular time to visit Shenandoah National Park and *of course* Skyline Drive. Shenandoah Peak Fall Foliage is a great time to visit Skyline Drive — something I outline and predict in this blog post of mine. If you plan to visit for peak Fall Foliage, then I highly recommend to try visiting on a weekday whether it be a morning or afternoon, as Skyline Drive gets very crowded on the weekends. Leaf peeping at Skyline Drive is a wonderful time!

Wrap-Up:

Visiting Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive is a Fall Foliage tradition that I cherish year-after-year! Although I haven’t spent much time exploring beyond the Thornton Gap Entrance Station and hiking at Shenandoah National Park, I would love to do just that and get to explore more of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. There is so much to love in Virginia aka the state that is for lovers, including Skyline Drive!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Fall Family Dinner Party 2025 Tablescape

This Fall, I decided that I wanted to start hosting a quarterly Family Dinner Parties to bring my family together. Another reason I wanted to start hosting Family Dinner Parties was to put my hobby of tablescaping to use! Over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I shared a bit about my 1st Annual Harvest Dinner Party (see my Tablescape here) that I’ll be hosting with friends moving forward each September. So, I’m excited I got to host a dinner party for my family so soon after my Harvest Dinner Party! Nevertheless, the Fall Family Dinner Party was such a success that my family wants me to host them quarterly each year!!

*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.

I have taken after my Grandma when it comes to my love for using paper plates and napkins over fancy china plates (for the most part!) when hosting as it makes the clean-up process much easier to handle. I did the same thing for utensils and grabbed some plastic utensils and napkin sets from Home Goods, alongside my paper plates and napkins. I, then, mixed in some family crystal glasses for wine with my Kate Spade cups for water. To add some Fall fun into the mix, I added my decorative pumpkins and chicken pitchers which were all a big hit from my guests! Nevertheless, I have linked what I could find for your own Fall hosting desires!

Happy hosting!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Preppy Fashion Lover Gifts Guide

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

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

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

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Visiting Colonial Williamsburg Travel Guide

***Please note that this Visiting Colonial Williamsburg Travel Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This travel guide was most recently updated as of October 2025.***

As a Preppy fashion enthusiast and grand millennial and proud new Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) member, visiting Colonial Williamsburg has been high on my bucket list! So, when I discovered that Colonial Williamsburg was under 2.5 hours from my home base in Northern Virginia just 150 miles south of Washington, DC, I knew I had to take a day trip and cross this item off of my bucket list. Hence, this Visiting Colonial Williamsburg Travel Guide will give you all of the insights into planning your own day to this historic Virginia spot!

Visiting Colonial Williamsburg Travel Guide

***Please note that this review is not sponsored. I paid in full for my tickets and experience.***

About Colonial Williamsburg:

A living-history museum and private foundation in the heart of Williamsburg, Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg preserves history by allowing visitors to step back 250+ years back in time. The stories, research, historic preservation, and life there 250 years ago are kept alive at Colonial Williamsburg and have been since 1926. Nevertheless, Colonial Williamsburg prides itself on being a place of living history through bringing past stories to the present-day. Colonial Williamsburg is situated within part of Williamsburg, Virginia’s Historic District alongside the College of William & Mary – a 1693-founded public university – and Merchant’s Square – a popular and charming upscale shopping and dining district. Learn more about Colonial Williamsburg here.

Alongside being a popular Virginia historic attraction, Colonial Williamsburg is also apart of America’s Historic Triangle which also includes Virginia’s Jamestown and Yorktown. Visitors can also plan a trip to both Jamestown and Yorktown when visiting Colonial Williamsburg via a Historic Triangle ticket.

Getting There:

There are several different ways to get to Colonial Williamsburg, whether by car, by train, or by plane. See more information below:

  • By Car: Colonial Williamsburg is located off of I-64, between Richmond and Virginia Beach and 150 miles south of the nation’s capital (approximately 2.5 hours away). As for parking, there are a variety of options, including paid parking per hour at Merchant’s Square which I opted to do and found to be the easiest and most affordable way to do so. There is also free parking at the art museums and Colonial Williamsburg, although further away from Merchant’s Square and other historic attractions.
  • By Train: Williamsburg has its very own Amtrak station offering connecting train routes from Washington, DC just blocks away from Colonial Williamsburg with rental car service.
  • By Plane: The following 3 airports offer 200+ daily flights nearby Colonial Williamsburg – Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) (20 minutes), Norfolk International Airport (ORF) (45 minutes), or Richmond International Airport (RIC) (45 minutes).

Admission:

Tickets: While strolling throughout the vicinity of Colonial Williamsburg is free for all, admission tickets are required to enter buildings and experience programming. It is worth noting that admission tickets do not include parking fees. Get your tickets to Colonial Williamsburg here.

Accessibility: It is also worth noting that Colonial Williamsburg strives to make their attractions accessible to everyone and all service animals are welcome. See more about accessibility here.

Pets: Colonial Williamsburg is a pet-friendly place, and I was happy as a dog-lover and Dog Mom to see several pups enjoying themselves! It is worth noting that pets are not allowed indoors at most shops and restaurants as well as inside buildings and museums. Above all else, Colonial Williamsburg is an excellent place to bring your fury friend on a wonderful and historical walk!

What To Do:

There is a plethora of things to do when visiting Colonial Williamsburg, including:

  • Strolling the historic homes and buildings at Colonial Williamsburg adjacent to Merchant’s Square.

  • Stay at or take in the lobbies of one of the incredible historic hotels nearby.

Wrap-Up:

Visiting Colonial Williamsburg is a Preppy fashion enthusiast and grand millennial’s dream come true! Truly, there is charm at every corner of Colonial Williamsburg. At the same time, I admire how Colonial Williamsburg strives to conserve history and bring lifestyles from 250+ years’ past to life to this very day. Indeed, everyone can learn something from visiting Colonial Williamsburg.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Christmas in Washington, DC Travel Guide

***Please note that this Christmas in Washington, DC Travel Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This list was most recently updated as of October 12, 2025.***

If you’re anything like me, then you LOVE Christmas! Living in the Washington, DC area, I have come to see there is SO much to do when it comes to celebrating Christmas in Washington, DC. Hence, since last Christmas 2024, I have been plotting my Christmas in Washington, DC Travel Guide which I am SOOOO excited to share with YOU today! Now, let’s get into the holiday spirit!!

*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.*

Christmas in Washington, DC Travel Guide

Planning an overnight stay for your Christmas in Washington, DC visit?!?! There are several incredible hotels as well as guided tours, experiences, and activities to choose from!

 

Please note that this travel guide not only highlights incredible activities, festivals, and things to do in the heart of Washington, DC but also highlights Christmas-themed activities in the DMV region, including Northern Virginia and Maryland. Some of these activities will require a car to get to as they are outside of the city.

This Christmas in Washington, DC Travel Guide will be organized into the following sections:

  • Christmas Trees
  • Performances
  • Holiday Markets, Festivals & Light Displays
  • Pop-Up Bars

Christmas Trees:

Washington, DC has so many magnificent Christmas trees to enjoy! Whether it be the National Christmas Tree, in a historic hotel, or outside the United States Capitol, truly the nation’s Capitol has so many unique Christmas trees to enjoy – many of which are free to see!

I have outlined a list of some of my favorite Christmas trees that I have visited from years’ past and some high bucket list Christmas trees that I hope to visit soon:

  • National Christmas Tree (15th St NW &, E St NW)
  • United States Capitol also known as “The People’s Tree” (The West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building, East end of the National Mall)
  • Library of Congress (101 Independence Ave SE) ***it is worth noting that free timed-entry passes must be reserved in advance to visit
  • The Willard Intercontinental Hotel (1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW)
  • Riggs Washington DC (900 F St NW)
  • City Center DC (825 10th St NW)
  • Washington Harbour ( 3000-3050 K St NW)
  • The Wharf (645 Wharf St SW)
  • Canadian Embassy Rotunda (501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW)
  • The St. Regis Washington, DC (923 16th St NW)

Performances:

Holiday Markets, Festivals & Light Displays:

  • Downtown DC Holiday Market: Bringing local Washington, DC area businesses together, the Downtown DC Holiday Market is an opportunity to transport yourself into a Christmas wonderland. There are several opportunities to browse, shop, and support local businesses alongside several fun photo opportunities, too! This year’s Downtown DC Holiday Market will be held November 21-December 23, 2025. See here for a list of vendors and more information here.
  • Enjoy the Nutcrackers and dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill: Old Ebbitt Grill is a notable restaurant in the nation’s capital: being Washington, DC’s Oldest Saloon with its establishment in 1856. Old Ebbitt Grill offers all-American fare, oysters, crab, and cocktails which I share a bit more about in my restaurant guide. During the holiday season, the popular Washington, DC restaurant gets into the Christmas spirit as giant Nutcrackers greet visitors and those passing by starting in late November. It is also worth noting that partner restaurants such as Clyde’s in Georgetown also have the same Nutcrackers.
  • Season’s Greenings Exhibit at the United States Botanic Garden: An annual poinsettia display at the United States Botanic Garden, the Season’s Greenings Exhibit brings Washington, DC to life in the most holly jolly way! The exhibit is free for all and no ticketed entry is required to visit. Season’s Greenings will be on display November 27, 2025-January 4, 2026 with it open late on the following evenings: December 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and January 1. Check out more information on Season’s Greenings here.
  • National Park’s Winter Wonderfest: Just announced this September, a variety of family-friendly activities will take place on the District Diamond. Activities range from a 100+ tubing slide, Northern Lights Experience, train ride, Putt Putt experience, and a 21+ Speakeasy bar. Winter Wonderfest opens November 28, 2025 and is open mostly on weekends. Plan your visit here.
  • Get in the holiday spirit and learn a bit of American history at the Daughters of the American Revolution Holiday Open House: Take in all of the holiday decorations and enjoy perusing the museums and library with options for photos with Santa in the evening on December 10, 2025 from 5:30-8pm. This event is free to attend and open to the public. Plan your visit here.

  • National Zoo’s Zoolights: A fun illuminated display at the National Zoo, Zoolights transforms the zoo into a winter wonderland! It is worth noting that no zoo animals are on display as a part of Zoolights and visitors who want to see zoo animals should come back during the day to see them. If you’re interested in seeing the giant pandas, then look no further than my guide to plan your visit accordingly. Zoolights will be happening from November 21, 2025-January 3, 2026. Plan your visit here.
  • Caroling, high tea, and a Gingerbread display at The Willard Intercontinental Hotel: The historic hotel just steps away from the White House transforms into a magical Christmas wonderland in late November. From December 1-23, complimentary nightly caroling performances from local singers light up the hotel’s lobby which has a gorgeous Christmas tree, pop-up Veuve Cliquot champagne bar, and a Gingerbread display nearby to admire. Guests whether staying at the hotel or not can also enjoy high tea at Peacock Alley or grab a cocktail at the hotel’s Round Robin Bar. Check out the latest updates on Christmas at The Willard here.
  • Indulge in Some Holiday Shopping and Walk into a Hallmark Christmas Home at The Old Lucketts Store Holiday House: Located just outside of Leesburg, Virginia about an hour outside of Washington, DC the Old Lucketts Store – an antique shop – has a Holiday House on its grounds that opens its doors to the public once a year. The Holiday House is literally out of a Hallmark movie come to life. Each year, the Holiday House is decorated uniquely to honor the year and offers several opportunities to purchase holiday goods while admiring every corner. There are also hot cider and shopping opportunities at the storefront adjacent. It is worth noting that the Lucketts Holiday House is a ticketed event. To give you a preview of what to expect, I outline more about my visit in 2024 here and you can plan your visit for this year’s Holiday House here.
  • Enjoy a Holiday Boat Show and/or a Scottish Parade: Every year, The Wharf in Washington, DC and Old Town Alexandria in Virginia each host their own Holiday Boat Shows. The Wharf’s Holiday Boat Parade and Party will be on December 6, 2025. Old Town Alexandria will host their 25th Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on December 6, 2025 in the evening. However, if you plan to spend the day in Old Town Alexandria on December 6, then be sure to check out the 54th Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade from 11am-1pm. 
  • Take in Christmas Decorations in a Hallmark-like setting in one of Virginia’s or Maryland’s nearby towns: Just outside of Washington, DC are some charming towns that provide those Hallmark-like vibes! Old Town Alexandria is Metro-accessible on the Blue and Yellow Lines and will be hosting a Scottish Christmas Walk and Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on December 6. Be sure to check out my Old Town Alexandria, Virginia Dining Guide if you plan on visiting and stroll the cobblestone streets of Captain’s Row. If you’re willing to drive, then be sure to check out Annapolis, Maryland; Middleburg, Virginia; Occoquan, Virginia; Leesburg, Virginia; Warrenton, Virginia; or Manassas, Virginia.

  • Christmas displays & ICE! at Gaylord National Harbor: Just across the Potomac River at Oxon Hill, Maryland’s National Harbor, the Gaylord National Harbor hotel hosts its annual ICE! display. This year’s theme is The Polar Express! Alongside the magical ICE! Christmas displays, the Gaylord National Harbor also has a variety of fun Christmas displays and activities. Read more in my guide here.
  • Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens: An elegant garden trail filled with the magic of sparkling lights, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens lights up in the Christmas spirit. Guests can be one with nature while getting in the Christmas spirit. There are also opportunities to sip on a cozy hot beverage or butter beer to get into the Christmas spirit. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens’s Winter Walk of Lights will be open November 7, 2025-January 4, 2026. Check out the latest updates on Winter Walk of  Lights here.
  • Drive by popular tacky Christmas light displays in the suburbs: One of the best parts of the Christmas season is getting in the spirit! An excellent, low-cost way to do just that is to drive by popular tacky Christmas light displays in the suburbs. Specifically in Fairfax County, this guide walks you through some of the many tacky Christmas light displays to enjoy from the comfort of your car! To enjoy a holiday lights festival and holiday village, be sure to check out the ticketed Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville, Virginia.
  • Transport yourself back in time to George Washington’s Mount Vernon: Learn more about holiday traditions at Mount Vernon – George Washington’s Estate – and enjoy candlelight tours in the evening on most weekend nights throughout the holiday season, including meeting special guest Aladdin the Camel. Mount Vernon by Candlelight will beNovember 28-29, 2025 and December 12-13, 19, 22-23, 2025 and Christmas Illuminations will be December 20-21, 2025. Plan your Christmas visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon here.
  • Go Ice Skating: There are several neat places to go Ice Skating in Washington, DC! Spots to go Ice Skating include: Washington Harbour overlooking the Georgetown Waterfront, The Wharf, the National Gallery of Art Ice Rink at the Sculpture Garden, Downtown DC Holiday Skate Spectacular at The National Building Museum, Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating at National Landing, and Reston Town Center. Most spots will open for ice skating in November 2025 and will last throughout the Winter usually until early March 2026. However, it is recommended to check out website for the most up-to-date information.

Pop-Up Bars:

Wrap-Up:

As a local Washingtonian, I am less inclined to travel anywhere else besides my own backyard during the holiday season. There is so much to see, do, and enjoy when it comes to Christmas in Washington, DC. Indeed, Christmas in Washington, DC is like no other!

XOXO – Katie <3

 

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My At-Home Two Grans’s Bar Reveal!

A few weeks ago over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I introduced my community over there to Two Grans’s Bar. Two Grans’s Bar is my at-home bar and probably the best corner in my apartment!! My at-home Two Grans’s Bar is dedicated to and inspired by my late grandmothers: Judi and Anita. It is curated with artwork to honor both Judi and Anita including portraits of them. Artwork has been collected from local thrift stores, photos of my own and of my grandmothers, and unique pieces I have purchased over the years. Truly, Two Grans’s Bar is such a special place and the inspiration has a legacy from both Judi and Anita that lives on within them to this day!

*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.

Two Grans’s Bar Reveal

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XOXO – Katie <3

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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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