4 Things To Do in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Recently on my road trip to Charlotte, North Carolina (here) to visit my friends there, I made a pit stop in charming Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Although I only spent ~2 hours in this North Carolina college town, I loved my time here and am excited to take another pit stop in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. That all being said, this blog post is going to be dedicated to things to do in Chapel Hill and will potentially be updated over time.

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

About Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Chapel Hill is a charming town situated approximately 30 minutes West of Raleigh in North Carolina’s Orange County. It is a part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, which includes Raleigh and Durham as well. Most notably, Chapel Hill is home to the University of North Carolina – one of many colleges in the Research Triangle. Its well-known and bustling street, Franklin Street, boasts a wide array of cafes, shops, restaurants, and hotels. One thing to note about Chapel Hill is that everything is Carolina Blue aka University of North Carolina’s well-known college color!

4 Things To Do in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

1 – Stroll University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Campus

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a beautiful campus. Boasting everything from beautiful Southern style churches to gorgeous gardens and most notably the Old Well topped off in Carolina Blue, the University of North Carolina truly has so much to admire with a simple stroll on campus. You’ll definitely want to snap some photos, too!

2 – Grab breakfast and coffee at Chapel Hill’s oldest cafe: Carolina Coffee Shop

Become immersed into Chapel Hill’s history and food scene by dining at a cafe serving students for over a century. A cozy cafe that’s been situated right by the University of North Carolina’s campus since 1922, Carolina Coffee Shop is well-known for delicious breakfast eats, coffees, cocktails, and lunch foods.

3 – Admire the lobby and grab a drink at The Carolina Inn

Recognized as a AAA Four Diamond Award Hotel, The Carolina Inn is a luxurious hotel located a few blocks away from Franklin Street and adjacent to campus. The lobby, alleys, and hallways at The Carolina Inn are literally a grand millennial’s DREAM COME TRUE and also pay tribute to the history and heritage of its home at the University of North Carolina’s campus. While at The Carolina Inn, be sure to grab a drink or a delicious bite to eat at the onsite restaurant: Crossroads Chapel Hill which has a bar with signature wines.

4 – Walk along Franklin Street

Check out all of the local businesses and *even* spot one of the town’s iconic alley way’s murals alongside Franklin Street. While I didn’t spend too much time inside the shops, one thing that I wasn’t sure to miss and know you won’t miss too is ALL of the Carolina Blue and University of North Carolina pride at every turn that is beautiful to take all in!

Wrap-Up

I adored my brief pit stop and time in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill is a beautiful college town filled with so much pride and heritage tied to its home university: The University of North Carolina. That college pride town-wide is such a beautiful thing to see and made me proud to be there, too.

TIL next time, Chapel Hill!

XOXO – Katie <3

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4 Restaurants I Tried in Cary, North Carolina

Whilst I spent 24 hours in Raleigh, North Carolina over Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend which I shared more about over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee)! Although cut short due to impending snow storms in the Washington, DC area, my trip to the Raleigh area was truly a blessing as I got to see some friends that I hadn’t seen for almost a year and some over a year. While there, I got to try some new-to-me delicious eats in the nearby Raleigh suburb of Cary, North Carolina. Cary, North Carolina dining experiences are definitely ones for the book, too! Last time I went to Raleigh and truly dined out there was in December 2023 (here). I feel SO lucky to have been able to try some delicious Cary eats. The Raleigh/Cary area has changed a bit since I graduated from college in 2021 (Raleigh is my college town!) and I LOVED getting to experience some new-to-me eats!!

***Please note that this blog post was written in January 2025 and will be periodically updated and recirculated to reflect recent updates.***

4 Restaurants I Tried in Cary, North Carolina

La Farm Bakery (4248 Northwest Cary Parkway)

Truly, I was *in awe* as soon as I walked through the doors of La Farm Bakery! While there are currently four La Farm Bakery locations across the Raleigh-Cary metropolitan area, the location on Northwest Cary Parkway is their original home. La Farm Bakery is a North Carolina-based French style bakery that sells breakfast/lunch items alongside a cafe full of drinks to dine in (and most recently wine glasses!!) or take to-go alongside a French-style market selling all-things from wine bottles to pastries (cakes, macaroons, cookies galore!) to sandwiches to salad dressings to breads and unique La Farm-branded merchandise. My college best friend Claire and I visited La Farm Bakery on a rainy Saturday morning and had a lovely time together. Claire has grown up dining at La Farm Bakery and even worked there a some years ago and gave me the crash course on all-things La Farm Bakery, which was truly a gift if you ask me! My time at La Farm Bakery transported me to what it must feel like to be in a Mom & Pop French market! I ended up taking home some locally sourced North Carolina peanuts and some freshly baked scones to enjoy. Needless to say, I will be back to La Farm Bakery next time I am in Cary!!

The Refectory Cafe (2726 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham)

While technically not in Cary, The Refectory Cafe was one of the delicious restaurants that I enjoyed on my January 2025 dining expedition. Located in Durham, The Refectory Cafe offers a variety of delicious brunch and lunch delights. The Refectory Cafe has continuously been ranked the Number 1 Restaurant in Durham (as of November 2024) by TripAdvisor. This well-renowned Durham restaurant also offers special wine dinners and other delicious dining experiences on occasion. I had their North Carolina caught fish & chips alongside an Aperol Spritz. And, well, I cannot wait to have it again!

Sports & Social Cary (301 Fenton Gateway Drive)

A local sports bar at Cary’s Fenton shopping centre, Sports & Social is an ultra-fun location! Alanna and I stopped in here after some shopping at Fenton for some drinks and a snack. The interiors of Sports & Social is definitely an elevated sports bar. The vibes were impeccable and I’d definitely come back to watch a Commanders game, as it’s truly the perfect spot to watch any sports game!

Colletta (1 Fenton Main Street Suite 170)

Colletta came highly recommended to me by my best friend Shivani. Also located in Fenton shopping centre alongside Sports & Social, Colletta is an upscale Italian restaurant that offers unique lunch and dinner menus. Alanna and I started off with a charcuterie board and cocktails before enjoying a rigatoni Bolognese as an entree. I am STILL craving that Bolognese!!! Alongside the delicious eats at Colletta, the staff is ultra-kind. Our server Michelle was a literal angel and a true testament alongside her coworkers to the kindness that they offer to all diners there. One of the biggest things that I admire about my favorite restaurants, hotels, etc. is the people that make it amazing and admirable. Colletta is a true testament to that admiration of mine for this restaurant!

Wrap-Up:

One of my consistent highlights of visiting Raleigh, North Carolina and its surrounding area is ALL of the delicious food that I have on my itinerary. Raleigh and Cary have a wonderful variety of dining experiences that are sure to leave you coming back for more!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Angus Barn Restaurant Review

Flashback to Fall 2017 and I had just started college at my incredible Alma mater Meredith College. I had ALSO moved down to Raleigh, North Carolina for the beginning of 4 years living in the South (see more of my Raleigh, North Carolina dining experiences here!). During those Fall 2017 months, I had learned about the ultra-popular and nationally well-known “fine Southern dining” restaurant: Angus Barn Steakhouse. Since learning about Angus Barn, I had been DYINNGGGG to try it myself but had yet to make it! HOWEVER, I luckily had the chance to fulfill my Angus Barn Raleigh dining experience dreams this past March 2024 with my best friend Alanna who also was eager to try too!!! Today, I am sharing my Angus Barn Restaurant review.

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Angus Barn in Raleigh, North Carolina Review

About Angus Barn:

Angus Barn Restaurant also widely known as “Angus Barn” is a fine Southern dining restaurant located in Raleigh, North Carolina serving American-style cuisine ranging from fresh seafood, upscale Southern comfort foods, and well-made in-house steaks (their notorious food!!). Angus Barn also has a vast list of wines and delicious desserts. Every Christmas season (November-January), Angus Barn decks out for the season and becomes a Christmas wonderland for all to enjoy! Angus Barn also has a first-come, first-served wine bar known as The Wild Turkey Lounge. Angus Barn also has an adorable gift shop aka their Country Store filled with North Carolina-made goods, including barbecue sauces and honey and hand-painted wine glasses dazzling with state flowers and birds. Guests over the years include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and North Carolina-based politicians and pageant queens. Through it all, think: rustic elegance!

Dining there:

Angus Barn Restaurant in HIGH in-demand and a popular destination for North Carolinians from all across the state and out-of-state visitors, alike! That ALL being said, it is tricky to get a reserve ration especially during peak dining seasons (think warmer months and Christmas time for the notable decorations). It is recommended for ALL to get a reservation as soon as you know you would LOVE to dine there and when you know you can/are able to. Christmas reservations fill up MONTHS in advance. I booked Alanna and I’s reservation in January 2024 for March 2024.

Getting there:

CONGRATS! You’ve made your Angus Barn Restaurant reservation!!! Angus Barn is easy to reach as it’s located on Glenwood Avenue and easily reached off of I-40 with signs directing you once off the highway. There are tons of parking options, too!

Dress code:

It is important to note that Angus Barn Restaurant has a strict dress code of business casual with no tank tops, hoodies, revealing clothing, baseball caps, no offensive language, etc.

The interior design of Angus Barn Raleigh is known as rustic elegance with handmade quilts for sale on display AND taxidermy, too! There is an HUGEEE wall off of its staircase upstairs showcasing all of the notable guests who have dined there over the years. And, on the exterior, Angus Barn is LITERALLY a massive barn complete with a fireplace. One of my FAVORITE parts was simply sitting at our table and admiring the rustically elegant ambience that Angus Barn has to offer.

Alanna and I were treated like the QUEENs that we are (!!!!!) while dining at Angus Barn Raleigh. We got to sample some of their many wines on their vast list (I went with a delicious red wine!) and Alanna enjoyed a cocktail. Coming with our entrees, we got a complimentary cheese and crackers platter to share. Alanna and I both went with the steak of our choice entree combination that came with a choice of soup/salad, potato choice, and side. I ended up getting a short rib and Alanna got a roast (I think?!). All in all, the food and our server were extremely kind and took GREAT care of us!

Wrap-up:

After YEARS of wanting to try Angus Barn Restaurant, I am SO SO glad that I finally got to with my best friend who had the same desires to dine there as well. I was truly blown away by the service, interiors, and cuisines at Angus Barn. I hope to dine back at Angus Barn in the future with loved ones as many have done in generations’ past and will do for generations to come!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Charlotte, North Carolina Travel Guide

***Please note that this Charlotte, North Carolina travel guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect my most up-to-date experiences. This guide was most recently updated as of December 2025.***

Since June 2023 on our week away at Isle of Palms, South Carolina (here), with the exception of a long and busy graduation celebration weekend for Alanna (see where I dined on that trip here), I haven’t really connected fully with my college best friends since. SO, when Alanna’s Birthday weekend approached us over President’s Day Weekend, I decided to take the long weekend to go and visit and *of course* celebrate Alanna in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina aka the Queen City! I have truly missed getting to catch up with Hannah and Alanna and this weekend in Charlotte was SOOO needed!!!

For Alanna’s Birthday weekend, we all ended up staying at the Hotel Hannah aka Hannah’s place with the sweetest hostesses – Hannah and her dog Pixie! Hannah and Alanna also invited our friend Rachel to come and celebrate Alanna and *of course* to all catch up, too. We also got to see our friends Bryn and Allison who are Hannah’s close friends from high school and have since become me and Alanna’s close friends as well. The last time me, Hannah, Alanna, Bryn, and Allison all got together was to see Big Time Rush in the Summer of 2022 in Charlotte (here), which was ALSO my last trip to Charlotte since briefly for Bryn’s college graduation party *just* before going to Isle of Palms.

Needless to say, my weekend away in the Queen City was JUST what the doctor ordered! Although I had just been in Dallas 3 days before I left for Charlotte, my soul truly needed to get out and about and wake up after having endured COVID and a brutal COVID fatigue (which only got worse when flying to and from Texas), as I drove round trip to Charlotte. I am OH SO BLESSED for this incredible weekend away in a different city within my college state.

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

Charlotte, North Carolina Travel Guide

Where To Stay:

While I am fortunate enough to have multiple close friends who call Charlotte, North Carolina home to stay with, there are plenty of great lodging options to choose from for your Queen City adventure!


 

Getting There:

I ended up driving down to Charlotte, North Carolina from Northern Virginia. The drive was ~6 hours without traffic and stops and 7-8 hours with traffic and stops (luckily I didn’t run into A LOT of traffic round trip!!!). Needless to say, Charlotte, North Carolina was my longest solo independent drive and I enjoyed it, too! I ended up taking I-95 to I-85 just South of Petersburg, Virginia ALLL the way to Charlotte, North Carolina via a brief stint on I-77 (I think?!). Luckily, I-85 both North and South HAS multiple rest stops, where I ended up stopping at the state lines once I entered into both North Carolina and Virginia AND even got a complimentary “Virginia is for Lovers” sticker for visiting the Visitors Center in Virginia (North Carolina’s State Line has a visitor’s center, too!). Through it all, I am VERY proud of myself for independently making the trip to and from Charlotte in my little white Volvo!

If you do choose to drive to Charlotte from Washington, DC or somewhere further Northbound, I highly recommend taking a few pit stops. I’ve made some pit stops on past road trips to Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Natural Bridge State Park, Virginia.

Besides driving, there are also flight and train options to Charlotte. I chose to drive to Charlotte, since I have found round trip flights there on my chosen airlines of United and Delta to be rather pricey from my local airports of Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) and the train via Amtrak while cheaper than flying is at least an 8-10 hour ride from the Washington, DC area (it is much easier to take the train from practically ANY part of North Carolina, though!).

Amongst all of the options, *surprise* I would drive again! Personally, I liked the drive and will choose to do it again. I liked having the flexibility of having my own car and would LOVE to come back to Charlotte and take a day trip or quick overnight to the NC Smokies or perhaps Helen, Georgia (a major bucket list item of mine!!), as the mountains are an easy day trip from Charlotte when comparing the distance to them from Raleigh or the coast. My biggest pointer for driving from the Washington, DC area to Charlotte: time your trip around traffic (which can sometimes not happen in the DMV, but for the most part it works!).

What To Do:

Shopping at Braveworks – Braveworks is a faith-based nonprofit and boutique with a mission to empower women starting over in their lives. Through the power of faith, networking, and creating, Braveworks provides the framework for women to feel safe and empowered for the next phase of their lives. Many of the pieces in their boutique – all ethically and sustainably made – are made by the women locally in Charlotte or in Africa, all with the chance to feel something good and to provide for themselves and their families. 

Strolling McGill Rose Garden – A long-time public garden and so-called hidden gem, McGill Rose Garden is a nonprofit organization which hosts a community area for weddings/events, outside organizations to bring people together, and MORE! While there, Hannah, Rachel and I happened to not only admire the many beautiful roses and flowers within the gardens, but also support local artists – graduating Class of 2025 Seniors at the University of North Carolina Charlotte who studied Art there – who were selling their incredible creations. It was AMAZING to be able to meet so many incredible soon-to-be college graduates while also supporting and empowering them in such a gorgeous spot.

Walking at Freedom Park – For YEARS, I have been wanting to walk Freedom Park – a large park with a lake, amphitheater, and so much more in the heart of Charlotte’s Freedom Park neighborhood – with Hannah and her dog Pixie. *Finally*, we got the chance to walk Freedom Park altogether! Freedom Park is a gorgeous park in Charlotte that I’ve enjoyed visiting for years, since my initial visits to the Queen City in college.

Indulge in some retail therapy at SouthPark – SouthPark is Charlotte’s popular shopping mall! As of November 2025, a beautiful and brand-new Lilly Pulitzer store opened up at the city’s well-known mall. Other well-known stores at SouthPark include Belk, Nordstrom, and Dillards. 

Catch the Sunset at Charlotte Airport Overlook – With some food trucks, a Navy jet on display, skyline views, and a playground, the Charlotte Airport Overlook has become a popular spot to enjoy sunset or sunrise views in the Queen City. We happened to catch sunset after a few laps around the crowded parking lot with no luck of finding parking. The Charlotte Airport Overlook is a stunning spot to not only watch planes land/take off and enjoy the sunset, but to also pack a picnic, read, journal, and enjoy time with loved ones.

Strolling + Shopping in South End – Home to Evelyn Henson’s iconic Confetti Hearts Wall, South End is an adorable shopping and dining district in Charlotte with close proximity to Uptown aka Charlotte’s downtown! We enjoyed shopping at Girl Tribe Co. while there and admiring the Confetti Hearts Wall, too. There’s several shopping and dining opportunities at South End – ranging from Bitty & Beau’s Coffee to Jeni’s Ice Creams. Check out all that South End has to offer here.

Admiring skyline views at Novelty House Rooftop – the first night that we arrived in Charlotte, we went to Uptown to celebrate Alanna’s Birthday dinner at Sea Level NC (more on that below!). Afterwards, we went to Novelty House – a gorgeous bar with skyline views in Uptown Charlotte – which happened to be right next door to where we just had dinner. While the rooftop bar was closed at Novelty House when we went up to the top floor around 10:30pm, the staff there kindly let us take in ALLLL the scenic views and snap one tooo many photos at the MANY photo opportunities there. I am a city girl through thick and thin and LOVE a good city view (!!!!), so Novelty House was a highlight for me when in the Queen City!

Mean Girls The Musical at Belk Theater – After not being able to see Mean Girls The Musical when it came to Washington, DC back in 2022, I *finally* was able to go see it in Charlotte with Alanna for her Birthday. Alanna and I both enjoyed some wine and snacks (which I happily learned IS allowed in Belk Theater!!!) and the performance. Alanna and I both LOVED the energy and excitement from ALL of the guests at Mean Girls, too! The performance was SOOO cute and well worth the wait from Spring 2022!

And, most importantly, LOTS of catching up happened this weekend!!! I haven’t seen Hannah, Alanna, Bryn, Rachel, and Allison unless briefly since June 2023 when we went to Isle of Palms, South Carolina for a beach vacation or Charlotte/Asheville for other catching up opportunities. I have to say that catching up with some of my best college gals beyond texting pretty frequently (which I feel SOOO blessed to have each of these ladies just a phone call away!) was such a blessing and truly the highlight of this weekend. I also loved how special it was that Alanna’s Birthday celebration brought us all together to see one another, too!!

Where To Eat:

Lost Worlds Brewing – Located in the heart of Charlotte’s Midtown, Lost Worlds Brewing is a taproom pouring beers, wines, and specialty cocktails alongside some delicious snacks to munch on. Nearby, diners can enjoy a beautiful skyline of the Queen City! 

Renaissance Patisserie – In the heart of Charlotte’s SouthPark neighborhood, Renaissance Patisserie is a French-inspired patisserie serving up delicious pastries, desserts, and breakfast + lunch food. I adored their seasonal cookies in honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday!  

Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Garden – Located adjacent to the McGill Rose Garden (more on that above!), Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Garden serves a vast array of coffees and wines for guests to enjoy as they peruse the garden.

Pinky’s Westside Grill – Featured on Diners, Drive-In’s, and Dives, Pinky’s Westside Grill specializes in fried pickles and onion rings, after owner Greg Austen found himself throwing away excess of both. Truly, alll-things fried is Pinky’s Westside Grill’s specialty which we all enjoyed caving in on together!

YaME Asian Noodles – A delicious fast casual and family-owned Asian restaurant, YaME Asian Noodles makes you feel like you’re enjoying the comfort of Chinese takeout in a more upscale way.

Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe – Rachel and I went to Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe as per her suggestion and, needless to say, this suggestion of Rachel’s was a GREAT one!! We ended up waiting in line for about 20 minutes and it was well worth the wait. The array of delicious French pastries ranging from macarons to croissants as well as their vast breakfast menu and coffees and teas, Amelie’s truly has it ALL and I was BLOWN AWAY!!

Sorrellina Pasta Co. – A brand-new as of April 2025 Italian market, Sorrellina Pasta Co. offers pastas, Italian wines and pastries, and meals to go that transports you to Italy without leaving Charlotte. Be sure to check out their market for delicious kitchen staples for your next Italian dinner at home as well as some free samples!

Sea Level NC – For Alanna’s Birthday dinner, she decided to celebrate at Sea Level NC located in Uptown Charlotte! Dining at Sea Level NC was such a GREAT way to kick off our long weekend in the Queen City! I ordered wayyyy too much food, including a delicious grouper and fried oysters, and lots of great cocktails, too! The staff were extremely kind and personable, too. I would definitely dine here again!

RH Rooftop – YES YES YES, I dined at an RH Rooftop location in TWO different cities and states within FIVE days! The RH Rooftop location in Charlotte located at Phillips Place ALSO is on the 3rd floor of the Restoration Hardware storefront just like in Dallas. The RH Rooftop has a very distinct atmosphere to its Dallas counterpart, however, there are a few subtle differences between the two. The menu remains the same, though, and it was fun to try brunch in Charlotte, including the AMAZING forest bacon (!!!!) and a Mimosa! In the future though, I would likely not dine out for brunch at an RH Rooftop, as it was wayyyy too pricey for what I got.

Ralph’s Coffee Truck – I had never been to a Ralph’s Coffee location, despite seeing the cafe on a few occasions at the Tyson’s Galleria near Washington, DC. SO, we were all in for a treat when we got to grab some coffee/tea at the Ralph’s Coffee Truck outside of the Ralph Lauren store in Phillips Place after brunch at the nearby RH Rooftop! Due to my seasonal allergies bugging me over the weekend, I got a delicious tea that truly hit the spot for me. ALSO, I LOVED the many fun fun fun photo opportunities outside of this adorable green truck (!!!!).

Mac’s Speed Shop – Saturday night, we ended up here after trying to get into a Mexican restaurant that had an hour-long wait and we were in for a great treat dining at Mac’s Speed Shop instead! Offering an array of North Carolinian staples, including American fare AND barbecue AND *even* Mexican (!!!!), Mac’s Speed Shop was a great affordable restaurant with options for all. We ordered chips and guacamole and queso before all mainly ordering barbecue dishes. Definitely a fun Charlotte spot!

Starbucks (East BLVD) – While I am never one to really add a Starbucks run that I can do at home to my rooster of places that I dined at while on a trip, I wanted to add this Starbucks location to the list, since it was SUCH AN ADORABLE little spot in Charlotte! Charlotte, North Carolina is known for its gorgeous and historic neighborhoods AND this Starbucks location on East Blvd definitely lived up to that hype, given that it appeared to be revamped from a former historic home! Not to mention, the staff at this location were extremely friendly and accommodating AND this location was popping with people and dogs of ALL kinds.

Wrap-Up:

I truly enjoyed my weekend away in Charlotte, as it was SOOO needed for my soul. Friend time is ALWAYS such a blessing, especially in-person with those I talk to every day (such as those including Hannah, Alanna, Rachel, Allison, and Bryn!). I feel beyond blessed to have gotten such great quality time with those that I LOVE in the Queen City.

Usually when I travel to North Carolina, I am in *none other than* my college town of Raleigh. While I LOVE Raleigh and visiting those that I LOVE there, it is ALWAYS nice to explore a different city within North Carolina and try something new. On a future trip to Charlotte, I would LOVE to take a stroll at the beautiful and charming Queen’s College and Freedom Park, take a day trip to the North Carolina mountains (and perhaps the nearby state of South Carolina – some of which is apart of the Charlotte Metropolitan area), and shop at the popular Girl Tribe Co in South End. Knowing that Hannah, Bryn, and Allison are living in Charlotte, I know that I’ll have PLENTY of future opportunities to catch up with those that I LOVE in a city that I LOVE, too!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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48 Hours in Edenton, North Carolina

Ever since I was 11, I have always wanted to take a trip for my birthday. So, when I read about the gorgeous charming town of Edenton, North Carolina from Annaliese of Southern Belle In Training‘s Instagram and blog, I knew I had to make a visit to Edenton as I am a major sucker for small, historic, and charming towns! To be honest, Edenton was not on my radar until I saw Annaliese’s content on the town and I’m glad it is now. I have visited Asheville (here) and a few other cities in North Carolina, including my college town of Raleigh, but am glad I have now visited Edenton! My Papa and dog Rosie came along with me to celebrate my Birthday for 48 hours in Edenton, North Carolina and we had an incredible and special time together in this sweet and charming town.

For our 48 hours in Edenton, North Carolina, we ended up going on a Sunday-Tuesday and spent most of Sunday and all of Monday exploring. The Sunday we arrived it was super stormy in the evening, but we luckily had arrived in Edenton and were in awe via *none other than* the calm before the storm. One of the most beautiful things that Papa and I learned about Edenton was how the community always comes together and has for centuries during tough times, whether it be to save a community home, repair someone’s home, maintain a historic landmark, or simply lend someone a helping hand. I think that is why the town’s population has remained stable for over a century. The community of Edenton is such a beautiful and remarkable community that has stood the test of time.

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

About Edenton:

 Edenton, North Carolina is located on the Albemarle Sound just about 2 hours East of the state capital of Raleigh and about 90 minutes south of Virginia Beach, Virginia and is the county seat of Chowan County, North Carolina. It is a part of North Carolina’s Inner Banks region which the locals proudly call “God’s Country”. I went to Meredith College – an all-women’s college in Raleigh, North Carolina and quite a bit of Meredith College alumnae are proud Edentonians. As of 2021, Edenton’s population was around 4,400 which has remained stable for over a century. Edenton used to be the North Carolina state capital specifically in the colonial days. To this very day, Edenton’s history and charm remains in tact along with a rich community that has stood the test of time.

What We Did:

Even though many of the historic sights in Edenton were closed when we were visiting since our sightseeing days were a Sunday and Monday, Papa and I still got to get a great taste of the town of Edenton (and didn’t do our wallets too much damage either!). Hence, we must spend another 48 hours in Edenton, North Carolina to check them out!! Through it all, Edenton is such a picturesque town that has become well-known by Forbes and Visit North Carolina to name a few! I have listed all of the places that we visited in this blog post. Needless to say, Edenton was a *very* impressive little town filled with several kind and welcoming souls!

Penelope Barker House Welcome Center

This iconic welcome center is such a beautiful asset to the town of Edenton! I felt SO welcomed to Edenton when I saw this gorgeous welcome center. I walked in and was in awe with the gorgeous antiques that have been local to the Edenton community for years along with books on Edenton’s rich history. Guests are welcome to hang in the living areas of the welcome center and even on the gorgeous back a porch for a picnic (which we would’ve done if it weren’t for the strong winds while visiting!). While there, I met the former First Lady of Edenton who happened to pop in for a visit and she was such a delight to chat with! The best part?! The Penelope Barker House Welcome Center is named for Penelope Barker – the leader of what is said to be the first-ever women-lead political activity in the United States. Penelope Barker lead the Edenton Tea Party, on October 25, 1774 where she organized a petition for the British to stop “taxation without representation” on tea and other goods in when North Carolina was one of the 13 colonies in response to the Tea Act passed by the British parliament in 1773. Barker sent the petition off to England where it was shut down by the British, but its legacy remains true to its day. What’s super impressive about the Edenton Tea Party is that Barker found 40+ women who knew how to read and write (which was rare in 1774 for women) to read and sign it. To this very day, the Penelope Barker House Welcome Center stands in its gorgeous glory to honor Barker and welcome in guests to Edenton from all walks of life.

The Herringbone

Also known as Edenton’s waterfront dining destination, The Herringbone is a popular place that attracts locals and visitors alike. The bar at The Herringbone is STUNNING along with the outside seating looking over Edenton’s gorgeous waterfront. The Herringbone is housed in a remarkable buiding – which has served as both the Edenton Ice Company and the Edenton Police Headquarters over the years. Papa and I (Rosie too!) had burgers and fries for lunch when we arrived on Sunday via the calm right before the storm. We, then, came back to The Herringbone for dinner on my Birthday for beer and pizza and live music. The menu of The Herringbone involves A LOT of unique Eastern North Carolinian delights and classic American fare! The Herringbone is a PERFECT place to wind down, take in the scenic views, and enjoy some Eastern North Carolinian delights.

Cupola House and Gardens

The Cupola House was owned by the same family for generations for 141 years, after being built in 1758 on land gifted by King Charles for Frances Corbin who was an agent for Lord Granville – one of eight Lords Proprietors. After the last of the generations of family members who had owned the Cupola House couldn’t afford to maintain and care for it anymore, the people of Edenton also proudly known as “Edentonians” came together to make this historic home into The Cupola House Association. Edentonians also gave that final generation of the home’s owners assistance to move into a home that they could afford. To this day, the community effort of Edentonians remains true to the town’s legacy and love for one another. Today, the Cupola House Gardens is open between 9:00am-4:30pm and is free to visit. Whereas, the Cupola House is open for tours and visits on certain days of the week and tickets for those guided tours can be purchased at the Edenton Historic Sites Visitor Center (which was closed when I was visiting). The craftsmanship of the Cupola House to this *very* day serves as an example of craftsmanship and styles that were architecturally popular in the mid-1700s.

Edenton Bay Trading Company

This wine bar was THE CUTEST! I was also blown away at how Papa and I only spent $8.50 on a bottle of beer and glass of wine, coming from the Washington, DC area where cocktails can cost upwards of $25 or more (JUST WOW!!!!!!). Guests can also buy bottles of wine and cases of beer from North Carolina and beyond. I LOVED the atmosphere of the Edenton Bay Trading Company, as it was so eclectic and relaxing. Papa and I came here before lunch for a pre-Birthday drink, because what better way to celebrate a Birthday?!?! It also serves as a favorite spot for the local Edentonians to come together. Although we didn’t spend much time here, I really enjoyed the time that I did spend there.

Trolley Tours

As a history buff, Edenton’s iconic Trolly Tour was a MUST DO (!!!) and a highlight of Edenton for both Papa and I. It is run by two Edentonians who have been sharing the passion and history of the town for quite a while now. I learned and saw SO MUCH of Edenton that I would not have learned about otherwise. Papa and I saw several different iconic historic sites to be seen all across Edenton, including: the historically African American neighborhood, Edenton Cotton Mill Historic District, Waterfront Park, Iredell House Homesite, Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, and so much more. One of the most touching parts was learning about the life of Harriet Jacobs – an Edenton resident who escaped slavery to move up North, write about her own experiences, and become an Abolitionist. Harriet Jacobs is one of a few written accounts of the Maritime Underground Railroad. Another majorly touching part of the Trolley Tour was to learn how much the people of Edenton come together to help another town member in need (case in point: The Cupola House and Gardens!). Edentonians truly love one another and their gorgeous town! Tickets for the Trolley Tour can be purchased in the Penelope Barker House Welcome Center the day-of.

1767 Chowan County Courthouse

Known as the most intact Colonial courthouse in the United States according to researchers, the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse still beautifully gleams just in front of the waterfront. Declaration of Independence signer Joseph Hewes was one of the commissioners who was appointed to raise money for the courthouse’s construction. And, well-known Revolutionary patriots Judges James Iredell and Samuel Johnston have heard cases in this *very* exact courthouse. How cool?! Papa and I learned a lot about the Chowan County Courthouse from the historians on the Edenton Trolley Tour and took Rosie here later on in the evening and it was SO NICE!

Edenton Tea Pot

The Edenton Tea Pot was constructed to honor Penelope Barker’s fight and drive via the Edenton Tea Party that she organized (read more about that above!). It is said to weigh several tons, too. Needless to say, Edenton is beyond proud of its heritage as the first-ever North Carolina State Capitol and for being put on the historic radar via the Edenton Tea Party. As previously mentioned, the Edenton Tea Party is said to be the first-ever women-run political activity in the United States – something that Edentonians are very proud of.

1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse

On commission from 1887-1941, the Ronaoke River Lighthouse is the only surviving of 3 lighthouses in Edenton over the centuries. Its permanent location is overlooking the Edenton Bay with excellent views from the Edenton Waterfront Park. It moved offshore to its current location in 2012, as reported by WRAL’s Tar Heel Traveler series. At one point, the Roanoke River Lighthouse housed a family with kids before its move in 2012! It is said that the lighthouse is the last surviving example in the United States of a “squarer frame building built for a screw-pile base” (“Visit Edenton”). Papa and I LOVED walking up to the lighthouse and admiring it via the waterfront park. It is such a gorgeous asset to Edenton. Currently, the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse is being continuously restored, in order to keep its glory running sky-high for centuries and visitors to come!

Wrap-Up:

48 hours in Edenton, North Carolina was such an incredible visit! Edentonians have shown so much grit and love for their little town for centuries and will for centuries to come. I loved getting to visit Edenton, as to be honest, it was never on my travel radar until recently. The passion and love that I now have for Edenton is something I am very grateful to now have. Maybe another 48 hours in Edenton, North Carolina soon?!

XOXO – Katie <3

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A Visit to The Carolina Inn

It’s CRAZY to think that I went to college just a mere 30 minutes away from The Carolina Inn, yet I had never been! During my college years, I only went to Chapel Hill, North Carolina a handful of times (mostly my Freshmen year of college) as I was primarily in my college town of Raleigh, North Carolina. However, when one of my best friends Alanna moved to Chapel Hill within the past year, I knew that I wanted to take the chance to visit the iconic Carolina Inn!!

On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), one of my blogger and Instagram friends over the past 3 years of Liz of @palmettos_and_pineapples (go follow her!!!) has posted a few times about visiting The Carolina Inn. Liz inspired me to make a visit to The Carolina Inn AND further made me want to add it to my *never-ending* bucket list. At the same time, I am so glad that I got to explore a bit of Chapel Hill with Alanna, too. We visited the well-known Sup Dogs on Franklin Street (the University of Kentucky VS University of Tennessee game was on while we were having lunch!), got coffee at Epilogue Books right next door to Sup Dogs, and enjoyed some gorgeous murals along Franklin Street. I had a great time overall!!

The Carolina Inn is owned by Hyatt and costs upwards of $400-$500 to stay at per night (think The Greenbrier in West Virginia pricing). It is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina: the college town of the well-known University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (UNC). A fun feature of The Carolina Inn is its colors, including its logo of UNC’s trademarked color “Carolina Blue”. The Carolina Inn also has a few restaurants that are a bit pricey to eat at. I considered eating there, but for both Alanna’s and I’s budgets, we opted to do what many come to do that visit The Carolina Inn: come see what it’s ALL about! Luckily for us, we were able to enjoy the gorgeous hotel’s environment without even paying a penny. The halls at The Carolina Inn are gorgeous and filled with cabinets of china that plays homages to its native state of North Carolina, portraits of all of the Presidents (both current and former) of the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and gorgeous printed tiled floors. The lobby was stunning, too!

While in Chapel Hill, Alanna and I were able to admire The Carolina Inn at all sides of the street. It is a beautiful hotel, and I hope to be able to visit again when it’s a bit warmer. Needless to say, the winter season makes *just about* everything look and feel a little bit more drab than usual! Alanna’s roommate told us while we were back at Alanna’s house (which is just a short walk away from the iconic North Carolina hotel) that The Carolina Inn hosts fun Friday Night activities for families and community members, including food, games, and live music. They even *indeed* have heaters in the cooler months! I would LOVE to be able to enjoy a Friday night at The Carolina Inn AND take some photos in front of what appeared to be a gorgeous floral display in the warmer months (it was wayyy too cold to take photos outside this time around).

Overall, I feel really grateful that I was able to get some quality time with Alanna and *finally* check seeing The Carolina Inn off of my bucket list!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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24 Hours in Greenville, North Carolina

When most people hear the city “Greenville”, they think of Greenville, South Carolina. HOWEVER, both of the Carolina’s have a Greenville to call their own! A little less well-known than its South Carolina counterpart, Greenville, North Carolina plays homage to East Carolina University (ECU). It is also one of the fastest growing and up-and-coming cities in the United States and has even been ranked by Best Places and Liveability as one of the best places to live. One of my best friends, Bryn, who spent her summer interning up by me in Arlington, Virginia is finishing out her Senior year of college at ECU. SO, me and my friends Alanna and Hannah decided to make the trek for a day down to Greenville to spend some time with Bryn and see a football game versus the Naval Academy!

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

The majority of our visit was spent visiting with Bryn in her gorgeous dorm, exploring ECU’s campus including a meal at the dining hall and seeing Bryn’s most-frequented spots, and going to the ECU-Navy football game. At the same time, we ALSO walked a bit around the gorgeous downtown of Greenville (which I hope to explore more so in the Spring when I visit Bryn again!) at night, ate at the well-known pre-tailgate restaurant known as Sup Dogs (they also have a location in Chapel Hill, North Carolina by the University of North Carolina), and visited Pink – a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store located in Greenville. I shared ALL of my adventures on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!).

I left bright and early for Greenville, North Carolina that Saturday morning of the game. To my surprise living in the Washington, DC area (the traffic here is THE WORST), I ran into NO TRAFFIC. It was, indeed, my first-ever 1+ hour drive on I-95 with NO traffic. The drive to Greenville, North Carolina from Northern Virginia is mostly a straight-shot south on I-95 for a good 3-4 hours. Parking at ECU is FREE on the weekends at the parking deck near the Student Center. Generally speaking, ECU’s Campus Police don’t check on cars parked on campus or charge for parking on the weekend, making it very easy and free to park on campus on the weekends. Needless to say, when I made it to Greenville, I was excited to be able to enjoy the town and be reunited with Bryn along with Hannah and Alanna who arrived just minutes after I did.

Walking on campus was a BLAST – I got to see the Pirate statue, the gorgeous well that holds the superstition that if you walk under it as an undergrad you won’t graduate within 4 years, eat at the dining hall with Bryn and her ECU friends, shop at the Campus Store, and get an iced Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. I got A LOT of steps in and enjoyed the gorgeous on-campus environment. Similarly speaking, I loved getting to walk down the gorgeous streets of downtown Greenville. While a small town, it offered a lot of places to eat, drink, and historical views (I LOVED seeing the town’s community library there!). We also visited Pink in Greenville and chatted with the super sweet owner of the store. Visiting Pink was a highlight for me while in Greenville, as I’ve been connected with the owners of the store on Instagram for over 2 years now. We have definitely become friends online and now in real life, too! *Of course* we grabbed some Lilly Pulitzer goodies to bring back home with us AND got some photos in the store!!!

Well, the main reason for our visit was to go to the ECU-Navy football game. A fun fact about me and my family is that my Great-Grandad, Grandad, Great Uncle, Great Aunt’s, and Uncle’s all have served or are serving in the Navy. My Grandad was in the same graduating class as John McCain and calls him “Johnny”. And, well, I have never been to a Navy football game, so I decided on this weekend to see Navy play, even if it was in Greenville, North Carolina. Bryn got us student seating guest tickets for $40/each, while hers was free or much cheaper (I cannot remember LOL!) being a student there. We had a GREAT TIME! Afterwards, we went to Insomnia Cookies in downtown Greenville.

I am SO blessed to have been able *FINALLY* visit Bryn at her college campus and see her college town! It was great to be able to see her for the first-time ever since she interned up here by me in Arlington, Virginia. Here’s to my next adventure in Greenville and beyond!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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72 Hours in Asheville, North Carolina!

On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I have been sharing my adventures in Asheville, North Carolina a few weeks ago for my best friend Kearra’s Birthday Weekend. Kearra did an AMAZING job getting us all ladies together for a fun weekend away to celebrate her and to simply be together. On that weekend, Alanna and I went to The Biltmore together and the Birthday crew – me, Alanna, Hannah, Aspen, Rachel, and *of course the Birthday girl of the weekend* Kearra!!! – and I also visited many other places around Asheville. Let’s get into the fun Birthday weekend for Kearra via 72 hours in Asheville, North Carolina!!!

As for The Biltmore, I decided to get into more depth on the experience that Alanna and I had there. Read more on Alanna and I’s Biltmore adventures here: https://pinkchickadee.com/2022/09/16/an-afternoon-at-the-biltmore/#/

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

Where We Stayed:

First thing’s first, after a LOOONGGG working day, each of us headed for our AirBnB in nearby-to-Asheville Swannanoa, North Carolina. Our AirBnB was STUNNING and perfect for all of us for the weekend. Hannah, Alanna, and I carpooled there and arrived at the AirBnB close to midnight. When we woke up in Swannanoa, we got to see breathtakingly gorgeous views of the North Carolina mountains at every angle, whether it be from our AirBnB’s balcony, driving into Asheville, or on the neighborhood streets right by our AirBnB. The mountains were GORGEOUS!!!

What We Did:

After working a half a day at the AirBnB, each of us ladies went to The Biltmore Village to Corner Kitchen – a delicious brunch and dinner place. A fun fact about Corner Kitchen is that it gets packed pretty easily so reservations (which Kearra so kindly did for us all!) are highly suggested. Corner Kitchen is only open for breakfast/brunch and dinner and both menus look AMAZING. Everything at this restaurant is locally sourced and seemingly (if I recall!!) farm-to-table. We arrived at Corner Kitchen for a 12:30 reservation and around 1-2pm, the restaurant was closing for the breakfast/brunch meal time, in preparation for dinner. At the same time, Corner Kitchen had a GORGEOUS exterior along with many many many of the Biltmore Village restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Post-brunch, Alanna and I headed for Palm Village – a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, while the rest of our crew went to other stores in the area. Alanna and I are the BIG BIG BIG Lilly Pulitzer lovers of the Birthday weekend crew! I got to meet Britney of @cute_classy_carolina on Instagram – a fellow Instagram friend of mine for a few years now who happens to work at Palm Village! While there, I learned that Palm Village is the largest Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, encompassing 4 locations each with HUGE storefronts. Britney was SOOO SWEET and it was great to meet her along with the rest of the uber sweet Palm Village ladies! Alanna and I enjoyed trying on some of their many gorgeous pieces (a lot of which were on sale!) and shopping. We each purchased a few pieces – one of which for me was the Pollie Midi Dress (pictured right below!). I most definitely cannot wait to shop at Palm Village again and plan to via calling them and ordering one full-priced item for FREE SHIPPING. I highly recommend you do, too!

Friday night, we all did candle making at Hummingbird Candle Company located in downtown Asheville. Candle making was a unique experience which Kearra so kindly reserved for us all. It was neat to be able to smell several different candle scents, with the flexibility to be able to mix 2 scents together. One of the unique experiences offered in it all was getting to smell the 25+ scents that they had without knowing what the scent really was. We got descriptions of our favorite scents later – mine was Lemon Pound Cake! I mixed mine with a strawberry/raspberry scent, too. Once we chose all of our scents, we got to get to candle making, which was such a FUN, interactive, and NEAT experience! The best part?! They had a confetti wall and the most adorable merchandise, SO pictures, pictures, pictures!!!!

Saturday, we slept in before parting ways to either The Biltmore (me and Alanna) or horseback riding (Aspen, Kearra, Hannah, and Rachel). We each had a fun afternoon whatever the activity was that we did. After parting ways, we united together again to go to downtown Asheville to enjoy some of their gorgeous local shops. One of the things that I LOVE about downtown Asheville is the plethora of locally-owned shops. Whether it be fashion, art, locally made goods, restaurants, or a cafe, downtown Asheville truly has it all. Us ladies checked out one of their fashion boutiques, an Asheville-themed gift shop, and a cafe. I refrained this time around, as I shopped a lot at Palm Village, yet some of the other ladies in our crew got a few goodies. And, later that evening, we went to The Lobster Trap for Kearra’s Birthday dinner celebration and got a BUNCH of delicious seafood cuisines with fresh Maine lobster. It was a blast and especially seeing Kearra’s STUNNING Birthday cake when we got back to the AirBnB, too.

Sadly, Kearra had to leave early Sunday morning. So, the rest of us left the AirBnB for the Omni Grove Park Inn hotel – a gorgeous hotel overlooking the North Carolina mountains. None of us could afford to stay there at this point in our lives – LOL! – but we really enjoyed the hotel’s grounds. We walked around the hotel’s grounds mainly outdoors, catching scenic mountain views, waterfalls, and much more. The hotel is made out of stone rocks and was seriously breathtaking. It, perhaps, felt like a luxurious lodge in the mountains. We didn’t get any food or drinks there, but if I do go back to Asheville, that would be high on my list. Then, we all parted ways and headed home after an amazing weekend.

Wrap-Up:

Personally, I am super super super grateful for Kearra for arranging a special time and weekend for all of us to get together to celebrate her. Each of us ladies live in 6 different cities across North Carolina and Virginia and don’t get to see one another as much since our college days, so getting together was truly a blessing. Here’s to the next Girl’s Weekend with this amazing crew!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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A Girl’s Weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina!

4 cities, 2 states, 6 ladies, and an unbreakable bond. Well, you are *just PROBABLY* sick of hearing me say an alliteration of this quote on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!). Just a few weekends ago, I spent the weekend with some of my best girl friends – Hannah, Alanna, Bryn, Allison, and Sarah – down in the beautiful city of Charlotte, North Carolina. We saw *surprise!!!* Big Time Rush and lived out our childhood dreams aka the main reason for this trip. We also got to get together with a bunch of Hannah’s, Bryn’s, and Allison’s friends from high school, such as Drew, too. Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty of this super duper fun weekend of mine!

Friday

Friday was the start of our trip, which meant that Bryn and I set sail (or through the Virginia/North Carolina mountains!) towards Charlotte, North Carolina from good olde Northern Virginia. Our friends Alanna and Hannah who both live in the Raleigh, North Carolina area left MUCH later than us, since it was a shorter drive. We each in our separate cars arrived to Bryn’s house around the same time (8pm!). SO, that meant for a happy hour with tacos and cocktails courtesy of Bryn’s angels known as her parents! The cocktails we had were gorgeously displayed in all their pretty and pink glory. We enjoyed some great time catching up, as it has been a few months since all 4 of us had been together.

Bryn’s house is GORGEOUS!!! Her mother, like me, is a BIG FAN of bright colors and has the most gorgeous home. The house is decked out with printed chairs, floral prints, AND all things preppy. She *EVEN* has King and Queen-shaped salt & pepper shakers – talk about my kind of place! Trust me, I wanted to move immediately when I set foot in her home and am currently talking about planning a trip back around Christmas time, as I know that it’ll be gorgeous then.

Saturday Afternoon

After breakfast and getting ready at Bryn’s house, we headed for Charlotte’s super fun South End neighborhood. South End is known for its funky, eccentric, and up-and-coming vibes. This neighborhood is home to several murals within the Queen City, including the Confetti Hearts Wall (the one that we visited!!). The Confetti Hearts Wall was designed and painted by Evelyn Henson – a local Charlotte artist – and is hanging up in an alley South End right by the well-known Jeni’s Ice Cream Shop. I am a BIG fan of the Confetti Hearts Wall and visited it back in January 2021 when I was in a long distance relationship and was more than happy to go back and get photos with my besties, instead! So, we *of course* went to both!! While there, a bunch of local businesses had booths set up, including in front of the Confetti Hearts Wall (which made for a bit of an awkward photo opportunity, BUT we made it work well!) and I even got a pair of adorable earrings from one of them. Then, it started raining, SO we took the Light Rail (which is FREE) one stop over to Hannah’s car. We, then, went to the HUGE Target in Midtown that is known for that parking garage top deck with those stunning skyline views. Sadly, I didn’t get any photos at the top of the parking garage (I guess I can save that for next time, though!). It was definitely a fun afternoon: pre-concert!

Saturday Evening

Saturday evening, we all went to the Big Time Rush concert aka the major major major reason for us all having this girl’s weekend in Charlotte. The night started off with us all meeting at Hannah’s place to get ready – we had a mini happy hour and Allison and Sarah showed up then, too. We, then, headed on over to the concert which was held at the Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre: an outdoor venue that plays host to some drop dead gorgeous views of Charlotte’s skyline. For my outfit, I decided to wear my hot pink chiffon Sam Edelman maxi dress that I SCORED for $14 – CHEERS!!! – at Marshall’s back in May. This gorgeous maxi steal of mine was styled with my J Crew Factory statement necklace, Lands’ End strappy wedges, and Lilly Pulitzer x Lele Sadoughi top knot headband.

Besides the AMAZING performance courtesy of Big Time Rush (!!!!), we also had a great time together. The line up was GREAT!!! One of the BEST things about being in North Carolina as compared to Washington, DC is how cheap everything feels. For example, I paid $5 for a big bag of popcorn as opposed to at least $8-$10 in my hometown. The same went for drinks, too. We purchased lawn seats and got there pretty early (about 45 minutes before the concert began) and did not pay extra for the fast lane admission. I will say that we did get in easily without any problems and had a somewhat good view of the concert. Needless to say, I could not be found complaining and neither could anyone else! At the same time, I LOVED getting to see the sun set along the Charlotte skyline. It was beautiful and made even better jamming out to Big Time Rush.

Sunday

Sunday morning rolled around much quicker than anyone of us had anticipated, which meant that we had to head back home. BUT, before heading back home and parting ways to our respective cities, we all enjoyed one last meal together. Hannah was an angel and treated us all to Einstein Bros Bagels and coffee – a bagel breakfast chain that I have seen in at least Virginia and North Carolina – and we headed for the local and gorgeous Freedom Park. Hannah’s, Bryn’s, Allison’s, and Sarah’s high school friend Drew joined us for breakfast, too. Freedom Park plays homage to a stone bridge, ducks, a ton of nature, a pond, and what to me feels like a ton of magic. To me, Freedom Park feels like a magical gateway as if it were in Peter Pan! We, then, took A TON of photos and then parted ways.

My weekend in Charlotte was a special one filled with friendships both old and new, lasting bonds, and several memories. Til next time, Queen City!!!

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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