Reflection: 2 Years Since COVID-19 Began

It’s been 2 years since I flew to Tennessee and landed to the news “the coronavirus has been declared a pandemic.” I was staying with a then-friend at her family’s home and we both felt fearful. We were hearing the other North Carolina schools – NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, and Duke alike – cancelling classes for the upcoming weeks. Then, a few days later, Meredith College followed suit. A few days later, my Dad and Step Mother drove to North Carolina to pick me up and we drove home to essentially quarantine. I, then, quarantined with my Mom and Step Father. We didn’t know for how long and neither did anyone else. No one knew what was going on or what was to happen. It was scary and it was uncertain.

The first few thoughts going through my head when COVID-19 first hit was what about the remainder of my college experience? What about my friends’ college experiences? What about my classmates’ college experiences? What about others’ college experiences? The same idea for anyone in school. None of us knew what was to come, except for the fact that we would probably be at home for quite a while, with our academic experiences missed due to COVID-19. Experiences that we would never get due to the pandemic. While frustrating and sad, it was the reality and right when COVID-19 hit and social distancing for days ensued, so did that fear of loss and then the loss. Needless to say, there was a lot of grief going on inside of me. It sucked. BUT, it sucked for everyone else too not just me.

Looking back on the COVID-19 pandemic, I spent so much time obsessing over the what-if’s. I think we all did. No one knew what was coming. I vividly remember feeling like I wanted to know when: when would this end? When would I be able to leave my house without any worry or feelings of backlash for taking a mask off for a picture? Just when? Well, we didn’t know and no one else did either. I really wish that I enjoyed the moment more with my family, despite the circumstances.

Flash forward to the coming months/years and I went back to my college apartment. I lived out my Senior year of college and got to graduate in-person on my college campus in the most bittersweet way possible. Although not the highly anticipated Senior year of college that I had had in mind, it was surprisingly not horrible either. I actually enjoyed my Senior year of college, even *yes, even* with COVID-19. I also became employed and moved back to the Washington, DC area – a dream of mine since I started college. I have a dog named Rosie and I live with my Papa. My blogging platform has grown in ways that I had never ever ever expected. Truly, my life is insane but in the best way possible!

2 years since March 2020, I see someone that has worked on herself like never before in ways that I can only thank due to ironically the COVID-19 pandemic (read more on that here!). I developed my blogging platform here at The Pink Chickadee. I networked with so many folks and continue to network with others, whether it be family, friends, fellow influencers, or professionally. While COVID-19 is a tragic pandemic and event, it did not crush me in the long run – rather, it made me stronger. Indeed, I *even* have a greater insight into what my goals moving forward will look like. All thanks to a turn of events which made us ALL stronger.

As life feels as if it’s opening up in a post-pandemic manner, I am only excited for what is to come. I want to put myself out there in ways like never before – both professionally and personally. I want to explore my own city aka the Washington, DC area and make new connections while maintaining the one’s that I already have. I want to count my blessings one piece of confetti at a time. And, I want to invest in ME.

Right before writing this, a smile popped onto my face as I saw that some of my Meredith College classmates who were Freshmen during the 2020-2021 school year (now Sophomores) got to experience a special event that I experienced my Sophomore year just recently. Those classmates of mine are true testimonies of putting a smile on your face even in times of adversity, as they started out their college experience in the midst of the pandemic. Now, I strive to do the same. If COVID-19 taught me anything, it is that there is good even in the bad. And, the little things are the things that matter the most.

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie!

My life has been a whirlwind of craze this past week! Stressful to say the least has been the word of the week. There has been a lot of things going on within my family, but luckily we are all OKAY and no one is sick or hurt. As I share my Life of Katie blog posts, I want to be as authentic as I can when it comes to sharing a bit into my life. There has been some uncertainty recently which has been nerve-racking to say the least. Yesterday, Papa and I went out for a much-needed dinner at a local restaurant – The Secret Garden Cafe in the local to us town of Occoquan, Virginia – I shared ALL the details on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee). However, I am ready to take on what life has to bring one smile and shot of confetti at a time!

*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.*

  • Stress – This past week has been stressful to say the least. I am getting ready to make a pretty big purchase amongst other things. While I am super super super excited for this big girl purchase of mine (more to come on that very soon!!), it is also super stressful going through the process of it all. Big purchases are daunting, y’all!
  • Devotional – I have been fortunate enough to win my fellow blogger friend Liz of Palmettos and Pineapples‘s (check out her lovely site here!) giveaway with Maghon Taylor of All She Wrote Notes and Day Spring Cards 100 Days of Praise and Positivity Devotional (shop here). This week, I have been turning a lot to this great devotional of mine as I navigate uncertain waters and simply for self growth and peace. Personally, although I don’t share much here on my platform about it, I proudly use my Christian faith as a way of processing all of what life may bring – both in the good and bad times. As I watch Legally Blonde on YouTube since it’s currently free with ads as I write this blog post while struggling to sleep, Elle Woods says “we must have faith in ourselves”. Indeed, we must have faith in ourselves and my faith in myself is also thanks to my devotion to my Christian faith that I am so blessed my Mom brought me and my brother up in with our tight-knit church family.
  • Great Movies on YouTube Free with Ads this week – HAHA! Just as I write this blog post, I am watching both Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2 on YouTube. Y’all, this week YouTube has been KILLING IT with their movies that they’ve made Free with Ads. Along with Legally Blonde movies, Confessions of a Shopaholic – another movie favorite of mine was made free with ads, too. And, *of course* I had to make the time to watch them ALL!
  • Early Birthday Purchase to ME! – SO, I have a little tradition with myself! Every year, I buy myself a brand-new Lilly Pulitzer dress *surprise* at full price (I usually leave my Lilly Pulitzer purchases for their Sunshine Sale – read more about ALL the details on the Sunshine Sale from September 2021 here and January 2022 here). Since Lilly Pulitzer is currently having an AMAZING Gifts with Purchases promotion going on as they do quite a bit, I decided to take the plunge and treat myself a bit early as my Birthday is not until May 1. My Birthday purchase to myself is linked here!
  • Cherry Blossoms Excitement – If you know anything about Washington, DC, then you know that it’s well-known for its Cherry Blossom Season. Washington, DC’s Cherry Blossoms are expected to peak on March 23-26 (if I recall!). And, I cannot WAIT for them to blossom. When I was in Raleigh a few weekends ago, the cherry blossoms were starting to bloom there. Needless to say, excitement is an understatement to describe how I feel about Cherry Blossom season as a new Washingtonian!

Here’s to a GREAT week for y’all!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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5 Reasons Why I Love Living in the Washington, DC Area

The big city, the several major monuments, the people, and ALLL the sites – oh my! The Washington, DC area is such an extraordinary place to live. I moved to the Washington, DC area back in May 2021 and have never looked back. Needless to say, I have fallen in love with my new city all over again and do every day! Personally, I am a firm believer in loving where YOU live, as I do myself living in the Washington, DC area. Today, I am going to be sharing 10 reasons why I love living in the Washington, DC area.

  1. The diversity – Washington, DC is a MELTING POT of cultures, cuisines, and people. There is something for everybody and everybody is welcome as they are for who they are and for where they come from, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ability, sexuality, gender identity, and pretty much anything else you could ever imagine. Washington, DC is a multicultural center of our world and that’s what I love about it. With my city’s great prevalence of acceptance for ALL. One of the things that made me resent the South a bit was that there was less acceptance and excitement towards diverse backgrounds or backgrounds that are different from one’s own. I have always found such true beauty in diversity and the Washington, DC area’s multicultural melting pot truly embodies that beauty and acceptance that I so truly LOVE and embrace.
  2. The friendly people – Going off of my city’s diversity and great amounts of acceptance and true embrace for diversity, Washington, DC’s people I have found to be surprisingly friendly, given that it is a Northern city. Well, yes, we ARE located below the Mason Dixon line geographically, but we do function like any other Northern city. Washington, DC has A LOT of friendly folks. People are always willing to provide a helping hand and just simply hype one another up. I can’t tell y’all how many times I have complimented somebody on their outfit and they compliment me on my outfit in return – the hype squad here is REAL y’all and it is a beautiful thing.
  3. ALLL the food – The Washington, DC area pretty much has every cuisine you could ever ask for right at your fingertips. Want to try Chinese food that isn’t at a typical takeout place? We have that! Want to try Armenian coffee and pastries? We have that, too! Want to try Peruvian delights? We have that as well! Whatever the case may be, the Washington, DC area has it! I follow a few foodie accounts based in the Washington, DC area AND have found to love seeing ALL of the nations and cultures represented within my melting pot of a metropolitan area. It’s a truly beautiful thing, too.
  4. Public transportation – With all that the Washington, DC area has to offer, it also has an amazing public transportation system, known as the Metro. Metro consists of buses and a subway train system. Let me tell y’all, Metro feels like luxury when compared to the New York City subway – we in Washington, DC are spoiled when it comes to our public transportation! When I was in Raleigh, we only had a NC State Wolfline bus that went through only NC State’s campus nearby. It was tough to navigate and there wasn’t really much information available on Raleigh’s bus system – something I just WISH I was able to learn more about while in Raleigh, since I didn’t drive while in college. Whereas in Washington, DC, I feel so so spoiled with our public transportation system that is so widely used by practically the entire city’s population.
  5. ALLL the things to do – There is SO much to do just in the Washington, DC area! Whether it be the prominent monuments, parks, wineries in the nearby Virginia Wine Country (I have a Virginia Wine Pass for 2022!!!), adorable Virginia and Maryland towns, the plethora of Washington, DC neighborhoods (Georgetown, Capitol Hill, and Dupont Circle amongst the likes!), the restaurants and cafes, and the millions of museums, the Washington, DC area truly has something for everybody. There is SO much that I want to do here that I have yet to. My city is so amazing and it’s great to see how much it has right here and within a close proximity away from me. Y’all I can ALWAYS vacation right here in my own backyard and I love it so so so much for myself and my fellow Washingtonians, too.

I have felt oh so blessed to be living in the Washington, DC area since I moved here back in May. Having my family close by in this magnificent city and being able to live in one of the most historic cities in the world has been nothing but a blessing for me. Above all else, there is SO MUCH to love about where you live. These 5 reasons are some of the many reasons why I love living in the Washington, DC area. I hope you have some reasons as to why you love living where you live as well!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Why COVID-19 Helped Me On My Self Love Journey

None of us knew and realized how tragic the COVID-19 pandemic would be to us all. Though tough for us all, little did I know, the COVID-19 pandemic would actually help me on my self love journey. Self love is key to having peace with yourself and showing love, kindness, and grace to others too. Indeed, self love has become ONE of my favorite topics to share on my social media, especially my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee). I will pre-phase that I firmly believe that one’s self love journey is a roller coaster – we all have our up’s and down’s and it’s not ever a linear journey, like one may think. BUT, surprisingly COVID-19 helped me grow on my self love journey in ways that I had never anticipated.

Before COVID-19, it was 2019. 2019 was the year that I was struggling the most with my self worth. I defined my own self based on what I wore, bought, activities I did, trips I took, and how frequent I did it all. My self definition of whether or not I saw myself as “worthy” of love didn’t depend on my flaws, rather it depended on how I presented myself to the world. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, like pretty much EVERY college student, I was forced to leave my beloved college campus to go home. Home for me is in Virginia – 5 hours away from my sweet Meredith College and the majority of my college community who lived in Raleigh and called it home. ALL of us were pretty much confined to our homes for a few months. I got depressed. I missed my old way of life – the life that so defined how I viewed myself.

There were quite a few weeks-months in 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that I became really depressed. I missed my previous way of life more than anything else. Especially being in Virginia, when my friends got together slowly but surely in Raleigh in Summer 2020, I felt extremely sad not to be there. Needless to say, I felt crushed by all of the things that I was missing out on due to COVID-19, just like my fellow classmates and peers. However, as I was feeling crushed and felt like the things that defined me for the better were taken away from me, I was essentially forced to look at myself from a whole new lens. A new lens of which allowed me to look at myself for who I was, rather than who others saw.

Y’all, I used to care SO much about what others thought of me that it took away from me simply being me. Caring about what others thought of me hurt me SO much (read more about my experiences that hurt me when I cared about others here). When I was caring about what others saw me in their own eyes, I lost a ton of touch with how I viewed myself. Most importantly, how we view ourselves is the ONLY person whose opinion of ourselves matters. During the pandemic, as my plans started to dwindle, so did how much I cared about how others thought of me. And, thus, I started to look at myself for who I was and rather how I was seen.

At the same time of all of the COVID-19 ongoings, I started my platform here at The Pink Chickadee. My blog here helped me not only pass the time during the COVID-19 pandemic that kept me at home more than I would have liked to, just like many of y’all too. If you know anything about blogging, then you know that being a blogger or influencer or small business owner of any kind involves A LOT of putting yourself out there. The more I focused on my blogging platform, the more I put myself out there and the more I really focused on loving myself and what makes me ME.

As for my Fall 2020 semester, my apartment roommate decided not to come back to campus for the year. One of my then-friends that I was super close to decided not to come back to in-person classes as well. SO, my plans for the Fall 2020 semester were crushed it felt like. I would be living alone in an apartment in the middle of a pandemic that kept us all apart from our friends and the regular occurrences of college life. I was devastated. BUT, I ended up really loving living alone and truly had time to focus on solely me. My time during the Fall 2020 semester living alone did wonders for me. I got to work on myself in ways like never before.

While the COVID-19 pandemic was a struggle for us ALL and still directly impacts each and every single one of us 2 years later, it has also allowed me to become a better me. Through it all, COVID-19 has helped all of us in different ways, ways in which will make us who we are meant to be – stronger and more resilient – in the long run.

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie!

Most recently, I have been living out the hustle and bustle. Personally, I love love love the hustle! And, lately my life has been FILLED with nothing but the hustle and bustle. Life has been crazy, but it’s been good too. Here’s a peak into my life. And, if you want more updates into my life on the daily, then follow me on Instagram (@_thepinkchickadee).

  • Getting a work desk! – The most exciting highlight of these recent times have been getting a work desk!!! It’s the little things, y’all! I got assigned a work desk earlier this past week, since I got onboarded into the company in the heart of COVID-19, specifically citing the Delta variant times in the Summer of 2021 which extended my work from home times. Although I will be working from home for most likely the majority of my working days moving forward, I will be going into the office a few days a week, give or take, too. The other day, I went into the office and brought a HUGE Scout bag packed to the rim with stuff that I had gotten the day before via a shopping spree to both Walmart and Target to my desk that to my splendid surprise was actually much larger than I expected! It’s in a great location on my team’s floor, too. Let me tell y’all, I felt so so so welcome by simply coming into the office and having a desk that is my own. Luckily, I will be going in more often than I have in the past!
  • Car shopping – Recently, I have started the car shopping process. Last Fall, I car shopped a bit, BUT took a pause due to my busy work life and adjusting to working full time. Similarly speaking, y’all, the CAR MARKET SUCKS at this moment. Y’all, shopping for a car sucks during this trying times with inflation and all. It’s NOT easy! But, I am super excited to get back on the bandwagon of shopping for a car that I will have as my own for the next few years and perhaps beyond. The car that I have been driving now I have a very special bond with to say the least. I am sad to stop driving that sweet car that I have loved so so so much, BUT I am also excited for many more memories in my new future car. Through it all, I feel very very lucky that I am in a financial situation where I can afford a new car and actually make the car shopping experience something that is attainable for me and a good investment in the long run.
  • Blue Light Glasses – A few weeks ago, I put in my order for my FabFitFun Spring 2022 box. And, I ordered some blue light glasses as apart of my Add-On’s. Let’s just say that since I put these glasses on, I have NOT wanted to take them off! Y’all, I do not know how I didn’t make the effort to buy them sooner, especially with my work from home life.
  • FabFitFun Spring 2022 Box – Last week, my FabFitFun Spring 2022 box arrived in the mail! Funny story – it arrived JUST as I was heading out the door to catch my flight for my Girl’s weekend to Raleigh, North Carolina for my best friend Alanna’s 25th Birthday (read more about the Lilly Pulitzer-themed Birthday Party that me and my friend Hannah threw for her here!). Personally, I like to go *just* a bit crazy with my FabFitFun boxes and my Spring 2022 box was NO exception. I got A TON of new and exciting goodies to ring in the Spring 2022 season that feels SO close yet SO far away – we’ve enjoyed some warm weather here in the Washington, DC area for a few days before reverting back to some cold rain and wind the next day. Needless to say, I am excited to enjoy my Spring 2022 FabFitFun goodies in the coming weeks!!
*Some* of my many FabFitFun Spring 2022 Box picks PLUS my Ipsy February 2022 pouch!

Now, I want to know what’s going on in y’all’s lives! Comment here – I’d LOVE to know 🙂

XOXO – Katie <3

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Throwing My Best Friend a Lilly Pulitzer-Themed Birthday Party!

This past weekend, I went to my college town of Raleigh, North Carolina to celebrate my good friend Alanna’s 25th Birthday – YAY!! Alanna has been one of my best friends made via my college experience and she is ALSO a fellow Lilly Pulitzer lover. One of Alanna’s dreams was to have someone throw her a Lilly Pulitzer-themed Birthday Party, so our mutual best friend Hannah and I decided to make just that happen. Today, I am going to be sharing ALLL the tea on Alanna’s Lilly Pulitzer-themed Birthday Party!!

So, for Alanna’s Birthday party, I wanted to start by planning out my outfit. I asked Alanna what her favorite Lilly Pulitzer prints were and discovered that we share one of the same favorites – Seaing Things! Y’ALL, I own 6-7 (I lost track haha!) things in this specific print. So, I decided to wear my maxi dress that I purchased during the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale back in January 2022 along with my Lilly Pulitzer x Lele Saudoughi headband in that exact print, too.

NOW, onto the decorations!! Personally, I ALWAYS choose a few base colors based off of a print and/or theme. Fun fact: for my college dorm room Freshmen year, I based it off of Lilly Pulitzer’s Peel N’ Eat print and chose the colors: aqua, gold, coral/hot pink, white, and gold. SO, I *had* to do the same base color planning for Alanna which happened to be: hot pink, white, and aqua with pops of gold. I went to The Dollar Tree *surprise* for pretty much all of it. I made out a list via my vision for Alanna’s Birthday Party, in order to make it ALLLL happen. I made a list and checked it twice while at The Dollar Tree. Some of the items on that list included: pink and white balloons, B-DAY balloon, pink tablecloths, pink utensils, ribbon, and a Birthday banner. I also allowed some room for myself to simply be creative and see what I could find via my creative soul that could go with the theme. The items that I picked up included: a “Happy Birthday” banner, a gold foil garland, ribbon, gold glittered hand lettered cake topper, a white “Birthday Girl” sash, hot pink utensils, pink and white balloons, and a gold “B-DAY” balloon. As for the Lilly Pulitzer prints, unfortunately, my printer was not working to print out images of Alanna’s favorite prints, so I went through my crafting supply bin and luckily found some old Lilly Pulitzer planner sheets. All in all, my mind was EVERYWHERE when planning Alanna’s Birthday Party decorations, but in the end, it definitely all came together beautifully.

ONTO the execution!! We hosted Alanna’s 25th Birthday Party at Hannah’s place. Hannah and I started decorating a few hours before Alanna arrived and essentially went through ALL of the decorations (which, by the way, fit beautifully into my carry-on luggage) and put them all up together before Alanna arrived. Alanna is a holy grail Chick Fil-A fan and she brought over a heart-shaped tray of 30-count nuggets. Once Alanna arrived to Hannah’s place, we all went to Publix (it was actually my first time there – yay me!!) and we picked out two cakes, cotton candy-flavored wine courtesy of Alanna’s choosing, actual cotton candy, and some chips. It was such a fun memory with some of my best friends and simply catching up with all of ours’s mutual friend Jasmine.

Through it all, I felt oh so blessed to be able to give Alanna the Lilly Pulitzer Birthday Party of her dreams. It was the first time ever that I planned a Birthday Party and it all was such a blast!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Why Caring About What Others Think of Me Hurt Me 

Once upon a time, I was in high school striving to perfect the *perfect* shot for the good olde Instagram. All I cared about at the time in my life was whether or not others would like my photo and sometimes even who would. I wanted others to like my photos and cared wayyyy too much about what others thought of me. Perhaps, it even consumed my life and EVEN into part of my time at college. At some point in our lives, all of us have cared about how we were perceived by others and probably do from time to time. I get it as it IS human nature. However, when caring about what others think of us gets to be too much, it can REALLY hurt us in the long run.

Before getting into the bulk of this blog post, I want to mention that it is important in certain ways to care about how you’re perceived, such as in the professional world, dressing according to dresscode for an occasion (even if it means going into the office), being a kind person, and having a strong work ethic as a student. Those are all VERY important and valid things to be sure you care about succeeding the part for, as you SHOULD! I do, too.

When I was in high school, my Mom asked me “why do you care [about what others think of you] so much?” Mom was indeed right, just why should we care? We shouldn’t. BUT, it is easier said than done. TRUST ME!

In high school, I was *super* self-conscious, which may come as a surprise to some of the folks that knew me in high school. Although I did put myself out there A TON via dressing in my own Katie fashion style as I do today and simply being kind to others no matter who they were, I was also bullied quite a bit for it. The bullying started in middle school where it got really bad and continued into high school but not as much. People are mean and their actions that were hurtful towards me left a sore taste in my mouth and, thus, paved the way for me to be super insecure about how others perceived me. There were even times that I did things just to make sure that I felt affirmed by my friends at the time. Little by little, I was hurting only myself by simply giving even a little attention to what others perceived of me at any given moment.

In college especially during the pre-COVID years, I was beginning to really feel the pressure to be liked by everybody. Meredith College is such a great college and I am so blessed for my experience there. BUT, Meredith College is an historically all-women’s institution, so there is a lot of drama there, too. News flash: girls get catty and Meredith College women are NO exception. There were several moments that were trying at times, many of which only hurt me in the long run. It wasn’t until I started my platform here at The Pink Chickadee that my care for what others thought of me went away. At first, it was there and trust me, 2020 Katie was SOOO self-conscious. However, her confidence grew over time and her care for what others thought of her simply dimmed away.

At the end of the day, caring about what others think of you is a waste of time. Take it from me: a young woman who spent WAYYYY too much of her time – wasted time – thinking about others’ thoughts of me which I CANNOT even control. Instead, foster that time into your passions, walking or petting your pet(s), cooking, or perhaps even a nap. Whatever it may be, you have so much more better things to do with your time. It’s easier said than done – definitely know this from experience. But, caring less about what others think of you will make you stronger in the long run, like it did for me. You GOT this <3

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie!

Happy happy Tuesday, y’all! Today is the day after Valentine’s Day and is a day in which it feels like a return to nothing but reality. Personally, I have always loved holidays such as Valentine’s Day and embrace my singleness and self love to yours truly and going back to my typical day to day life beyond allll the hearts and pink and red items on the shelves of every store. BUT, Valentine’s Day isn’t just the only time and excuse that we have for self love and care – it should be every day. Today, I’m sharing with y’all a peek into the Life of Katie and, yes, life beyond Valentine’s Day!

  • Exciting professional opportunities – This past week has been nothing but a whirlwind of excitement for me professionally. I’ve been onboarding to a project that’s in an area that I’ve since become extremely fascinated with since learning more about it and working on it on a very minimal basis back in December. While I won’t share much about my work on here, I will say that I am REALLY excited about this project and my future growth professionally on it. This project requires that I go into the office starting most likely this Spring sometime every Tuesday and Wednesday which will be so great for my social soul! At the same time, I am also on a planning committee for a STEM-related female empowerment group at my company, and it has been nothing but a blessing to me.
  • Neurodiversity awareness thanks to The Bachelor – So, if you follow me on Instagram (@_thepinkchickadee) – I’d LOVE to connect! Then, you probably already know about my major obsession with ABC’s The Bachelor Franchise. This season of The Bachelor starred Elizabeth – a neurodivergent woman who was proudly open about her disability on the show. While there was a bit of drama this season, as always, Elizabeth truly preached on being a woman who has a disability and others, including myself, rallied behind her. Elizabeth truly created a safe space for all of those to share their disabilities and embrace their differences, too. Trust me, it has been a beautiful thing. Everybody is unique and having Elizabeth on The Bachelor truly showed that to us all.
  • Enjoying Shonda Rhimes’ Inventing Anna on Netflix – Just like The Bachelor, I am ALSO a major major major fan of Grey’s Anatomy! The writer of Grey’s Anatomy is Shonda Rhimes – who recently wrote Inventing Anna aka the Netflix series documenting the true story of Anna Delvy who is actually Anna Sorokin. Anna Sorokin was a Russian/German socialite con artist who changed her name to Anna Delvy and moved to New York City and conned several thousands of dollars out of several folks. Anna Sorokin was famously in the news, given her arrest, trial, and imprisonment following her scandal. Needless to say, Anna Sorokin walked all A LOT of people and her story is extremely intriguing. Not to mention, my inner Grey’s Anatomy fangirl LOVED seeing some of the show’s many supporting actors in Inventing Anna. Read more about her story and a bit more about the Netflix film series by THE ICONIC Shonda Rhimes here.
  • Booking up my Spring/Summer 2022!! – Yep, you heard that right. My calendar’s ALREADY booking up for Spring/Summer 2022. LOTS of excitement is happening over the next coming months. Some of the festivities include: turning 23, graduation ceremonies and parties, a good friend’s 21st Birthday, conferences and galas hosted close to home, and much more! As someone who likes to stay busy, I am OH SO glad that I can live my hustling life that I so truly love to the fullest.
  • Binge-watched Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias Season 2 in a day – Many of us fellow bloggers LOVE Netflix’s original series – Sweet Magnolia’s. While I won’t share any spoilers here in this post, I will say that I did watch the entire Season 2 in a day, which was A BALL to do, too! There were a ton of mic drop moments over the course of Season 2. At the same time, I really enjoyed ALL the gorgeous fashion statements made by several of the characters throughout the season. ALSO, I love love love some good olde Southern Charm, and Sweet Magnolia’s gives me that charm that I so miss while living up North (although, I prefer living up North at the moment!). Bring on Season 3, Netflix!
  • Draper James x Kohl’s Collaboration Fangirling – So, Draper James recently dropped a GORGEOUS collaboration with Draper James. The pieces come at a much more affordable price when compared to the brand’s usual retail price on their main site. Many of the pieces are super classic as per usual with Draper James and workwear ready to go. Knowing me, I will *probably* be purchasing some new pieces to add to my work wardrobe as I go into the office this Spring. Below, I have linked some of my favorite products from the collaboration!
  • Girl’s Weekend with Bryn last weekend & Girl’s Weekend with Alanna and Hannah this weekend – So, this past weekend, my Instagram was FLOODED with photos of me and my best friend Bryn’s Girl’s Weekend here in the Washington, DC area. A fun fact about Bryn is that she actually grew up here in the Northern Virginia area and moved down to North Carolina. Like myself, she wants to relocate to here after she graduates from college – something that we both bond over regularly! We both explored so much of the Washington, DC area – from the National Mall, the White House, Reston Town Center, her old neighborhood, The Wharf, and everywhere in between! The time that I had with Bryn was nothing but priceless and is irreplaceable. Such special memories were made, and I am SO excited to celebrate my best friend Alanna’s Birthday THIS WEEKEND down in good olde Raleigh, North Carolina and have a 3 night slumber party with her and my best friend Hannah at her new place in the area. I love these girls more than words can say – they’re truly the best best friends I could ask for, amongst others too!!!
  • Women in STEM awareness at the Smithsonian this March – The other day, I was on LinkedIn. Actually, it was a Saturday – haha! Well, I saw a post on something quite amazing – orange statues going up at Washington, DC’s Smithsonian in honor of Women in STEM. As a PROUD Woman in STEM, I am more than excited about this display throughout the majority of March here in my own city. Women empowerment is so so so important, and especially, for women in STEM who sometimes to me feel like a dime a dozen.
  • Marshall’s/TJ Maxx Swimwear Obsessed – Recently, I have been OBSESSED with Marshall’s and TJ Maxx’s swimwear pieces. I’ve most definitely been browsing a lot lately online, but luckily for my wallet, have yet to commit to buying anything from it. BUT, I do plan to buy an adorable new swimsuit this season. Below, I have linked some of my favorites that are currently online!

Whew! Now, that was a lot. I hope y’all are well, and, as always remember to take time for YOU!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Current Wishlist!

You may see it and like it, but you want it and have YET to get it! Sometimes, I find it SO fun to share some of the products currently on my wish list. Some of the items on my wishlist I will probably purchase over time and others I will probably not purchase at all. A LOT of the items on this list either have to do with two things – investment products for practicality that I plan to use A TON (aka the Lilly Pulitzer Market Tote, since Washington DC area has a five cent bag fee currently enact) or as a major treat yourself (Badgley Mischka pumps anyone?! They’re also my dream wedding shoe, too, so I’m probably going to wait a bit on that one) or are from me browsing and saying “oh this is so cute but I need to think on it more before committing via opening up my wallet” for my upcoming Charleston, South Carolina trip in April-May along with probably multiple beach trips this summer to Delaware. Well, enough of me rambling and let’s get to some fun browsing!

*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.*

As always, my wish list changes and alters itself over time. Now, I’m wondering what’s on YOUR wishlist?!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie + My Favorite Kitchen Essentials!

Adaptation and embracing the change are my two keywords at the moment, especially when moving into 2022! In 2021, I graduated back in May from Meredith College – officially ending my undergraduate college years. Since then, adjusting to post-graduate life has been a whirlwind of emotions and changes. Needless to say, it has been tough and I had a tough 6 months, like many that are recent college graduates do when first out in the real world. It sucked. BUT, I have been striving to set goals to make amends and adapt to life in the postgraduate world as, essentially, an adult. Today’s Life of Katie! is ALL about those changes that I have been and am continuing to be making moving into month 2 of 2022.

*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.*

  • Professional goal setting – My company PRIDES on setting goals and achieving them over time, given that they are realistic and knowing what life may bring in our personal lives. When my personal life felt like it was up in flames after graduation, it was HARD to get on my feet professionally or simply feel as if I could. BUT, professional goal setting is something that not only my company requires for every employee at the start of each year *we LOVE that*, but also something I strive for personally. When I have something to aim for in the future, that helps me be my best self and enjoy the present.
  • Getting back into the church groove – One of the main things that I want to do in 2022 is make attending church a regular weekly activity. I used to attend church regularly in high school and LOVED my high school church (which happens to be the same one by my house in Washington, DC!). Church was a HUGE part of my high school life and, after graduating from college, I realized how much I missed it and want it apart of my life as a postgraduate. The community, while quite different people wise from 2017, still has the same foundation that it had when I moved down to North Carolina and many of the same folks there to this day. The community there is PRICELESS. Unfortunately, due to the Omicron variant, my church going days have been a bit delayed, BUT I want to strive to make a more consistent effort to attend more in the New Year. I am also starting a class at my church on getting to dig deeper into my Christian faith, actually starting today. Perhaps, you may be reading this while I am there!!
  • HelloFresh – This week, I am getting my fourth HelloFresh box in the mail! If you have been following me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee), then you have probably witnessed my continuous sharing of my HelloFresh recipes and meals on the *well, almost* daily. I have LOVED getting to enjoy new and unique meals that are also super healthy, too. I am also a major The Bachelor fan and one of the contestants, Elizabeth Corrigan (who I am a HUGE fan of!), shared how clean eating has helped her manage her anxiety disorder (something I also struggle with on a similar wavelength). Since starting HelloFresh, I have actively seemed out better food options AND felt so so so much better mentally, too. Knowing that others feel similarly is a great feeling!
  • Treating myself – I have been striving to spend less and save more in 2022. However, I somehow made an effort this past week to treat myself more than ever before. I customized my Spring 2022 FabFitFun box with MANY extra treats (including boxes from my FAVORITE new tea brand – Vadham!), I shopped the Tuckernuck Sample Sale for some classic workwear and comfort staples, and *FINALLY* got ahold of the Lilly Pulitzer Analeese midi dress which I found in my size in low stock at Saks Fifth Avenue online (check out Annalisese of Southern Belle in Training rocking that new dress of mine here)! This year, I have been one to struggle with treating myself, BUT I find it as a great once in a while way to show yourself some love.
  • New friends & many new memories in the Washington, DC area – Since moving to the Washington, DC area just DAYS after graduating from college, it took months to process it all. Not going to lie, it was TOUGH, but now I am more than ready to get back on my feet and enjoy my brand-new city. Needless to say, I am SO SO excited to be living in the Washington, DC area and am super psyched to explore more in this area, too. I have met some great new connections through work, professional societies, and blogging. I am oh so excited to be able to make even more this year, too.

My Favorite Kitchen Essentials!

Since starting to cook more with HelloFresh, I have started to LOVE my kitchen now more than ever before. So, I am sharing ALL of my kitchen essentials – those that I use and love on a regular basis.

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