6 Blessings of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Whoever thought that the Covid-19 pandemic would last this long?! I surely did not! Today marks around 6 months that we have all been living in and through the coronavirus pandemic. Other plans were in store for us all as we embarked on the year 2020, and that is OKAY. While 2020 is definitely not the year that any of us expected, especially given the fact that Covid-19 literally put a halt to it all, it does not mean that there weren’t any blessings in disguise. With us being 6 months into a pandemic, I wanted to share 6 of these blessings that have come about during Covid-19.

1 – Self Growth

Little did I know that a pandemic would be the push that I truly needed to grow into the person that I am today. Before Covid-19, I really struggled with my mental health and extremely high expectations. However, once Covid-19 hit, I was truly able to take all of the time that I had to myself to look from within and truly reevaluate my priorities and truly focus on me. In doing so, I genuinely saw a difference in myself towards who I wanted to be before the pandemic to who I truly am meant to be in this world. If it were not for the coronavirus pandemic, I probably would not have had the time to focus on myself as much as I did in these past six months.

2 – Growing The Pink Chickadee‘s Platforms

When I started The Pink Chickadee, I never knew how much my platforms would grow into how they are today. I did not have the skillset to re-code my blog into the site that I wanted it to be until this summer. To be completely honest, I did not feel good about my site until I re-coded it into my own, which was the serious motivation behind me achieving my blog dreams. I spent SO much time over the summer to plan out posts, re-launch and re-code my site, and plan out content on my social media platforms, and all of those countless hours that I put in have only brought me with utter joy and excitement. Through it all, I have made The Pink Chickadee into my creative outlet, especially as a women in STEM, and it has become my backbone through it all. The support that y’all have provided me with along with the consistent joy I get from sharing content that I am passionate about with y’all is such a blessing. Given that there was not a pandemic, then maybe I never would have put in as much time and energy into The Pink Chickadee. Hence, you wouldn’t be reading this post at this second!

3 – Time To Breath

Let’s get this straight: life is and can be CRAZY! I know that mine surely is at times! Before the pandemic hit, I recall always being on the go. Even though I pretty much live for the hustle and bustle, especially as a proud Enneagram Type 3, it is really nice to just have time to stop and smell the roses. I never truly had the time to admire the things right in my own backyard and to just enjoy what was right in front of me. It sure is nice to just take a deep breath and take everything in! It surely will not be something that I ever take for granted again, even if it is at a plenty in these moments!!

4 – Extra Needed Time with Family

Being a 4 and a half hour drive away from my family when I am at college, it can be difficult to be away from them all for months at a time. Although I love having my own independence and definitely prefer living on my own to living at home, family time is always a blessing and for sure something that I crave. When Covid-19 hit, I felt very lucky to come home and get A TON of extra much-needed time with my family. My mother said that we probably would never have a time like the pandemic where we could all be at home with one another before going on our own paths, and she is certainly right. As a college Senior, it’s crazy to think that at this time next year, I will be on my own as a college graduate and potentially living in my own apartment and starting out. While the coronavirus definitely brought me home for some extended time, it was a true blessing to get to spend it with my dear family.

5 – Establishing Hobbies

I recall complaining to one of my good friends about how I had nothing better to do to keep me sane during this time of social distancing. I would complain to this friend numerous times, as we both do about various aspects of our lives, being the true friends that we are. In the midst of my complaints about not knowing what to do with my life during a pandemic, she told me to find some hobbies. As some who is ALWAYS on the go, I never really had any hobbies besides planning social gatherings and watching reality television as apart of a social gathering in my apartment with homemade popcorn. To my friend’s advice, I did find some hobbies which happen to be crafting – this has become a BIG one of mine and I’m SO excited to share many more of my creations with y’all SO SOON! Another one of my hobbies is cooking as well as taking walks and hiking. Each of these hobbies gets me off of my devices and truly allows me to put my all into something that makes me feel accomplished and is also good for the soul. As cheesy as it sounds, my hobbies have surely become my best friends during the pandemic!

6 – Self Love

Through it all, I have truly found a sense of peace in my journey to self love and acceptance. While none of us are truly perfect, it is important to accept all of our flaws for who we truly are. Our imperfections are what make us who we are and they are a beautiful thing. I see a lot of myself in my mother – and others have told me that they do too – who I love so dearly and who helped guide me in my self love journey. My mother is someone that I really admire and look up to; she has shaped me into the woman that I am today. I would be lucky if I am even half the mother and wife that she is to me, my brother, and step-father. Seeing my mother and watching her has helped me to love myself and embrace the beautiful and best Katie that I am. If it were not for Covid-19, I probably would not have the confidence, ambition, and inner peace that I have today.

Even though the Covid-19 pandemic did not bring about ideal changes to our 2020 year, it did bring many blessings. There are so many things right in our own backyard to love and embrace, whether it be time with family, establishing new hobbies, or working on our selves. Whatever it may be, the slowdown that came with the coronavirus definitely allowed me to take some time for ME and only ME. That way, when the coronavirus is at bay, I’ll be better ready to take on the world and live my best life to the fullest and even fuller than I can at this moment!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Weekly Menu Round-Up: September 7-11

Funny story: when looking at the dates for this week’s menu round-up, I had to check a few times before realizing that we’re approaching mid-September LOL! I’m very excited, as always, about this week’s menu, as I have some recipes that are staples in my kitchen. I’m definitely keeping it easy and simple, as many of these recipes contain ingredients that I either already have or can easily make. Like most of my platforms, I am currently in the process of transitioning to Fall as I am doing in my kitchen. As all of my Weekly Menu Round-Up’s, I hope that this week’s menu provides y’all with some inspiration for your own kitchens!

Monday – Skillet Gnocchi

In the Summer of 2019, my mother purchased an AMAZING skillet gnocchi from Costco. Flash forward to Summer 2020 and I found a similar skillet gnocchi pack from Costco and knew that I HAD to have it in my own kitchen! I will be whipping up this Costco favorite of mine and serving it with none other than my favorite staple salad of Caesar salad!

Tuesday – Boboli Pizza

My roommate Sophie always jokes that I make pizza ALL THE TIME. True story, too: I would make a pizza at least once a week in our apartment last year when she was around, and probably will when we’re living together in the Spring semester too. Boboli has been my staple brand for pizza crust ever since I was a little girl. For this week’s pizza, I will be adding prosciutto, mozzarella, spinach, minced garlic, and goat cheese. I made a pizza similar to this one in the summer months and I could not resist making it again!

Wednesday – Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

Love me some salmon! I found this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon from Delish and knew that I had to try it!!! To serve on the side, I will be making my favorite vegetable *fun fact* aka Brussels sprouts which will also be honey glazed using this recipe from Delish as well along with some mashed potatoes. Definitely some Fall feels on Wednesday!

Thursday – Shrimp Alfredo

Coincidentally, I shared this recipe on my Instagram stories (follow me @_thepinkchickadee) back in the summer months. Shrimp Alfredo is most definitely a favorite easy recipe of mine! I usually make it with egg noodles and add in some shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and maybe even some broccoli. While I typically make my Alfredo with shrimp, one can also make it with chicken or veggie style. The possibilities with this recipe are ENDLESS!

This week’s menu is definitely on the simple side, but it has some timeless dishes that have remained in my kitchen even since my childhood days. I have always found the kitchen to be a special place to try brand-new and classic recipes, making it such a special place to be. Have a great week y’all <3

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I Lived in London for a Month

Cheerio! As highly requested on my Instagram story survey a few weeks ago, many of y’all wanted to hear my experiences studying abroad. I have been lucky enough to study abroad in 3 different cities in 3 different countries: Sansepolcro, Italy (a small town in Tuscany), London, England, United Kingdom, and San Ignacio, Belize (a town in the rainforest region of Belize). Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing my experiences studying abroad in each country, along with some advice that is specific to each place. It is important to note that each of these study abroad programs were done through my school – Meredith College. Today, I will be sharing my study abroad experiences in London, England, United Kingdom.

When I was 12, I dreamed that I lived in an apartment right across the street from Big Ben. As cheesy as it sounds, even as a college student, I really wanted to live out my dream of living in London, even if it was temporary. Luckily for myself, that dream of mine came true in the summer of 2018 when I studied abroad for a month in London.

My Home: Heythrop College

While in London, my classmates, faculty, and I stayed at Heythrop College. Heythrop College is located in Kensington Square, right by the famous Kensington Palace where Prince William and Kate Middleton reside. When I was living there, there were several other programs with students from all across the world besides my Meredith classmates, faculty, and I. Although we did not really interact much with those outside of Meredith at Heythrop, it was still super cool to be in an environment with others from all across the globe. Since Heythrop hosts numerous programs, the rooms were essentially dorm style with a dining hall for breakfast and lunch where they served more traditional British cuisines. In England, dorm rooms consist of a private tiny single bedroom with a bathroom and shared shower. Living at Heythrop definitely allowed me to truly live out the British culture and way of life.

Heythrop College is located right by the High Street Kensington Tube station. The Tube is essentially the name for London’s underground subway system, which I took EVERYWHERE, in order to get around. Taking the Tube all across London truly showed me the city way of life, which I enjoyed. Besides enjoying the London way of life through taking the Tube, I gained a much greater sense of independence that I did not have before. I felt super free and able to go wherever I liked, through living at Heythrop College in a central location of London.

Courses I Took

One of the most important things about studying abroad is that you are there to STUDY. Meredith’s Office of International Programs staff member Liz ALWAYS emphasizes how study abroad is NOT a trip or vacation as you are there to study. Liz’s emphasis on study abroad as a time to study and learn and grow as an individual in a brand-new culture is extremely important to myself as well. Study abroad is a time for nothing other than self growth while having an educational experience in a brand-new country and culture. Personally, I find this very important to remember. While study abroad is exciting and may feel like a trip/vacation, it is anything BUT that.

The first of the two courses that I took while studying abroad in London was an Arts and Artifacts course that was specific to London as well as British life and culture. My professor Dr. Rodgers who has taught this course to Meredith students for years in London really prides on teaching about the diverse and lively life that the city has to offer. For example, as apart of this course we were all required to attend London’s Pride event over a weekend, which was an AMAZING and such a beautiful experience! Dr. Rodgers also had us visit several different sites in London, which made it such an incentive to truly explore the city as well as other parts of the United Kingdom. Besides exploring London, one of my favorite parts of this course was getting to learn from some Meredith alumni who actually moved to England after graduation. That experience of mine showed me the special connection that these alumni had to Meredith, Dr. Rodgers, and the study abroad program that I went on. Taking Arts & Artifacts London edition was most definitely an experience like no other, as it truly took me out of my shell!

Secondly, I took Shakespeare’s London with one of my favorite professors Dr. Walton. Dr. Walton has a passion for Shakespeare’s plays and performances, which is truly shown in all of his work and even simply having a conversation with him. While taking Shakespeare’s London, Dr. Walton had my classmates and I read and watch live productions of five different plays written by William Shakespeare: Hamlet, As You Like It, Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest, and Othello. Getting to watch Shakespeare’s performances was such an awesome experience. My classmates and I actually saw two plays at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, which is a re-built version of the original Globe theatre. At the same time, Dr. Walton showed us how several variations of one play can take place. Since Shakespeare’s play scripts have remained the same over the years, people have created their own versions of his iconic plays with casting, props, and costumes to make it original and such a neat contrast to watch. Taking Shakespeare’s London definitely allowed me to learn more about Dr. Walton’s passion for Shakespeare, which truly ignited my own love for the English play writer.

Life In London

My typical day in London consisted of classes in the morning, lunch, and then off to explore the city. Usually, the evening was filled with dinner and a show of some sorts (more on what I did and saw in the next sessions!!!). Everyday was different than the next, which I truly LOVED!! Since there is so much to see in London, I barely got any sleep while there. However, I did get to truly see a ton of London, so it worked out for the better 🙂

Sights I Saw

Big Ben, Parliament, and the London Eye OH MY! As apart of my Arts & Artifacts course and just solely being in London amongst several sites to see, I got to tour A BUNCH of the monumental places in the city. My friend Kaylee and I made a list and checked it twice for what we wanted to see and do before we even left. One of the places that we both REALLY wanted to see was Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace only opens to the public for a few weeks out of the year when Queen Elizabeth travels to Scotland for her summer retreat. Both of us could not pass up the opportunity to go, so we went! Along with Buckingham Palace, I also got to see several more sites in London both with my study abroad group and with friends and myself. I have all of them that I can remember listed below!

  • Kensington Palace (including the Princess Diana fashion exhibit!)
  • Buckingham Palace
  • Parliament
  • Westminster Abbey
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • Shakespeare’s Globe
  • Harrod’s
  • Fortnum & Mason tea shop (the tea endorsed by Queen Elizabeth herself!)
  • The British Museum
  • The National Gallery of Art
  • Tower of London
  • Big Ben
  • The London Eye
  • Tower Bridge (what we refer to as London Bridge)
  • London Bridge
  • Chinatown
  • The Victoria & Albert Museum
  • ZSL London Zoo
  • Hyde Park
  • London Pride
  • Holland Park
  • Kensington Gardens

Shows I Saw

One of my favorite parts of studying abroad in London was getting to see shows all across the city. Unlike New York City’s Broadway, London’s performances are at a much more affordable rate for an entire family to enjoy and see together. One of my favorite memories was getting to see Mamma Mia! live and meet the cast afterwards. The same goes for practically every other show that I saw as well, which are listed below:

  • Dream Girls
  • Hamlet
  • The Merchant of Venice
  • Kinky Boots
  • The Lion King
  • Mousetrap
  • The Woman in Black
  • As You Like It (saw once at Shakespeare’s Globe and another at an outdoor theatre!)
  • Romeo & Juliet
  • A Monster Calls
  • Wicked
  • The Tempest
  • Othello
  • Mamma Mia!

Getting see each of these performances really ignited my passion for the performing arts even more than it was before. Moreover, knowing that I saw each of these shows in London truly makes me feel grateful knowing the current times with Covid-19 and how they have affected the theatre industry globally. My hope is to most definitely go back to London and see more performances someday 🙂

Excursions

Besides London, I was very lucky that I got to explore a few different places in England. These include: Brighton, Stratford Upon Avon, Bath, and Windsor. While most of them were done with my classmates and professors as a group, it was still super fun to get to explore and see new places in England. Each of these excursions taught me different things about British life and culture as well as allowed me to see England beyond the big city of London.

Brighton was the first of these excursions and the one that I did not take with all of my classmates and professors. I went with Dr. Walton, my friend Kaylee, and one of our other friends. Brighton is a notable coastal hub in England. While there, we toured the notable Royal Pavilion and got fish n’ chips at a seaside pub while also admiring the English coast along the British Channel and the gorgeous streets. Like Charleston, South Carolina, Brighton also has very colorful buildings that became an obsession of mine! At the same time, we joined Dr. Walton to see William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice at an outdoor play area. Going to Brighton was definitely a really great experience, as I got to bond with some of my friends while studying abroad as well as Dr. Walton.

Stratford Upon Avon is the home of William Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Coincidentally, we all toured Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home. The streets there are super adorable and filled with shops with so much merchandise *it was dangerous on my wallet let me tell you* . In addition to exploring the downtown, my group and I also saw Romeo & Juliet at the Shakespeare playhouse in town, as apart of our Shakespeare’s London course. I definitely hope to go back and explore this sweet, adorable town much more in the future!

As implied in its name, Bath is known for its site of ancient Roman baths. With it being the most notable site in town, my classmates and I each toured the ancient Roman baths as apart of our Arts & Artifacts course. While there, I learned about fashion during the Roman Empire as well as Roman Empire life and culture. Along with exploring the ancient Roman baths, I also went to the Jane Austen House and Museum, as she lived in Bath for some time, where I got to dress up as if I was living in the 18th century when Austen was living and writing her books. Lastly, my study abroad group and I went to have tea with a former Meredith professor and her husband at their house in Bath. All in all, my experience in Bath was most definitely one for the books!

My favorite of all of the excursions most definitely had to be Windsor, England. Windsor is known for Windsor Castle, which is one of Queen Elizabeth’s residences. It is also where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in May 2018. Growing up, I used to read my dad’s travel books, which included a book on Windsor Castle where he would go sometimes for business trips. Since then, I knew that I needed to visit Windsor, especially after Harry and Meghan got married there! After touring Windsor Castle and its several shops where I also did a lot of wallet damage, my friends and I went to the Prince Harry Pub and got some fish n’ chips. It was an amazing way to end an amazing day in Windsor!

Travel Breaks

Most Meredith College study abroad programs allow for independent travel breaks. On these independent travel breaks, students can travel to different cities and even countries (depending on the program) on their own. Personally, I saw independent travel breaks as a way for me to become more strong and independent as I navigate a brand-new place. While in London, I got to visit Edinburgh, Scotland and the Scottish Highlands on my first travel break and Paris, France and Giverny, France on my second travel break, which you can see my post on that experience of mine here! While I will not get into my travel breaks very much in this post (I feel that they are each better served in their own post as I have SO much to say about each), I will say that each of these experiences was extremely neat, fun, and rewarding!

Most Meredith College study abroad programs allow for independent travel breaks. On these independent travel breaks, students can travel to different cities and even countries (depending on the program) on their own. Personally, I saw independent travel breaks as a way for me to become more strong and independent as I navigate a brand-new place. While in London, I got to visit Edinburgh, Scotland and the Scottish Highlands on my first travel break and Paris, France and Giverny, France on my second travel break, which you can see my post on that experience of mine here! While I will not get into my travel breaks very much in this post (I feel that they are each better served in their own post as I have SO much to say about each), I will say that each of these experiences was extremely neat, fun, and rewarding!

Getting to study abroad in London was most definitely a dream come true! From my days of dreaming of living there as a little girl to getting to, I knew that I totally hit the jackpot! While I am extremely lucky that I was able to even go to England, I know that so many have not. That being said, I want to utilize my study abroad experiences in England and beyond to share with and empower others to go out and see the world while also learning about it. Wherever this world may take us, being able to learn about the various cultures and history that different places have to offer is extremely valuable. Not only does getting to travel somewhere brand-new help us to expand our minds, but it also helps us to grow into the strong and independent people that we are meant to be.

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How I Began Comparing Myself to Others LESS

Let’s just say that I came a LONG WAY when it comes to comparing myself to others. Comparing ourselves to others is most definitely a struggle that I have ALWAYS had. With this struggle came extreme insecurities which inevitably led me to feel less confident in myself and who I was. Fortunately in recent months, I have been able to overcome a lot of my hardships that came with comparing myself to others. Today, I will be sharing how I stopped comparing myself to others as much, in hopes that I can help one lucky person be on their way to doing the same. I will note that while these tips may have worked for me, they may not work as well for someone else. We ALL have unique journeys to becoming our best selves, and nothing ever works the exact same way for us all <3

Only Stalk Someone’s Social Media Out of Excitement and Admiration

Ahhhh – the good old social media stalking! I think we have ALL been there!!! With social media stalking comes a whole new set of insecurities that can pop up. At the same time, we can easily become super absorbed in what others post that it takes away from how positively we see and view ourselves. I used to CONSTANTLY creep/stalk on other’s profiles and it only made me look down on myself more and more. That being said, it is most definitely beneficial to use that energy that you have been spending looking at others’ profiles somewhere else. For myself, that meant focusing on my blog and its posts a lot more. I also have taken the time to interact with other bloggers and influencers in my niche on my platform, which has only helped me to enjoy what I share to others and NOT what others share on theirs!

At the same time, I have found when it comes to blogging and gathering inspiration, to stalk on profiles of those who I find as an inspiration. For example, other bloggers and influencers who are in my niche. That way, I can feel excited and admire what they have done with their platform and *just maybe* bounce off some ideas to show on my own platform. I do this kind of like a mini Pinterest but Instagram addition, where I list my ideas! Though I will say, it is important not to spend too much time looking at others’ profiles, as it can become a habit that turns into something rather negative. Overall, taking the positive approach to social media stalking will help you in the long run, especially when it comes to comparing yourself to others!

Remember That We ALL Put Our BEST on Social Media!

As the saying goes, “you’re comparing your worst self to someone’s best.” This quote is literally goes without saying. On social media, most of us put our best selves out there. On the flip side, we do not want to share the anger, the hurt, the sadness, and the frustration that we may feel. Every single one of us has our own struggles, however, not many of us put them out there for all to see on our social media platforms. Keeping all of this in mind, we ALL are feeling the same way which is a good reminder for us all.

It Brings Out Our Worst

Typically, when we compare ourselves to others, we look down on ourselves and on our weaknesses while putting someone else’s strengths up on a pedestal. When we do just that, we hurt ourselves in the long run. Why waste that energy on looking down on ourselves? There are 86,400 seconds in each day; use them wisely. It’s better to use our energy towards things that bounce us into our best selves. Have a project that you’ve been working on? Have a show you’ve been binge-watching? Have a recipe you’ve been dying to try? Put your time into the things that bring out the BEST in YOU!

Others Are Comparing Themselves to YOU

When comparing ourselves to others, we often forget that others are often comparing themselves to us. In fact, the same people that we’re comparing ourselves to are the one’s who are comparing us to them. That being said, others may be wishing that they had a strength of our own. For example, you may be a very social person with lots of friends, which someone around you may wish that they had, while you may wish that you had their studious mentality. Knowing that we all typically wish we had something that someone else has, we can realize each other’s strengths and bounce off one another. Going back to my previous example, being a social person can be a strength in the classroom with planning study groups, especially with your friends that may have more of a studious mentality than yourself. Comparing ourselves to others is HARD, but knowing that you’re not alone is always the best thing to keep in mind.

You Cannot Have It All and That is OKAY

THIS was such a hard realization for myself, and I know it is for others too. When turning on the television, it is very easy to look at others and think that they “have it all”. News flash: they don’t and NONE OF US DO! One of my best friends has always said that “you want what you cannot have.” That goes for us all sometime in our lives when comparing ourselves to others with things that they have that we long for. We ALL have our moments of comparing ourselves to others and wishing for things that we do not have. And that is all OKAY.

Focus on What YOU Bring to the Table

Whether we see it or not, each of us brings some unique things to the table. Personally, I find it really important in one’s journey to comparing themselves to others less is to do some deep soul-searching into what your strengths and the great things about you are. Are you a really gifted dancer or writer or even artist? Can you cook a delicious Mac & cheese recipe like no other?! If you do not know what some of your strengths, gifts, are talents are, then ask a close friend or family member. Those in our lives who know us best can point out the best in us, because they love and care about us like we do for them. Whatever it may be, focus on the things that you’re good at and put more of your energy into what you do well. The things that you do well make you YOU! Use them to your advantage.

Only Compare Yourself to Yourself Yesterday

When comparing ourselves, the only person that you should be caring about yourself is to compare yourself to yourself yesterday. Self growth is the key to living out your best life. At the same time, it will help you to compare yourself to only YOU and what YOU can do better for yourself. That being said, focus on YOU and only YOU. When you invest those 86,400 seconds of each day into you, then you will be better off in the long run when it comes to comparing yourself to others less AND to living out your best life.

One of the best investments you can make is in yourself. Working on yourself is such a great way to not only grow as a person but also live out your best life. Doing so with striving to compare yourself to others is an excellent way to do just that! While some of the tips that I mentioned may have worked for me, they may not work for you or someone else and that is OKAY. Many of these tips are also easier said than done, and they TAKE TIME. However, as long as you make an effort to work on yourself, then you’ll be on your way there in no time!

XOXO – Katie <3

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What I Wore During the Month of August

August most definitely slipped by like a bottle of wine! It’s crazy to think that it is already September and that Fall is approaching us. BUT, I am SO ready for it!!! August will most definitely be my final month of Summer fashions, as I will be transitioning my closet for Fall in the coming months, despite it still being a sauna in North Carolina. As always, I hope that my Summer looks can provide you with some inspiration for some final summer looks this year.

  • Romper: Lilly Pulitzer (bought two years ago!)
  • Earrings: Cora’s Den
  • Scrunchie: Got FREE in a goodie bag at school
  • Top: LOFT (got at a thrift store for $1!!!!!)
  • Necklace: Gifted to me from my Dad on his trip to Mexico a few years ago
  • Skirt: Lilly Pulitzer (got it off of Poshmark!)
  • Dress: Lauren James (got on clearance)
  • Earrings: Gifted from a friend!
  • Sandals: Jack Rogers (purchased a few years ago at Nordstrom Rack – I think they’re from a collaboration with Vera Bradley!)
  • Dress: White Tag Lilly Pulitzer (thrifted)
  • Pearl Strands: Nordstrom Rack (purchased YEARS AGO)
  • Hairband: A neck scarf I’ve had for YEARS
  • Earrings: Kate Spade (gifted to me!)
  • Top: Thrifted
  • Skirt: White Tag Lilly Pulitzer (given by my Mom)
  • Necklace: Handmade by my High School Marketing Teacher
  • Hairband: Purchased while studying abroad in San Ignacio, Belize
  • Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (shop in different colors here!)
  • Earrings: Found On Madison (shop similar cute styles here!)
  • Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (got off of Poshmark!)
  • Sandals: Jack Rogers
  • T-shirt: From school
  • Earrings: Purchased handmade by a Native American artist
  • Skirt: J Crew (got off of ThredUp)
  • Flats: Marley Lilly (purchased a few years ago!)
  • Dress: Lisa Fernandez X Target collaboration
  • Earrings: Purchased handmade by a Native American artist
  • Sandals: Jack Rogers
  • Dress: Altar’d State (purchased on clearance back in January!)
  • Necklace: Kohl’s (purchased a few years ago)
  • Hairband: Gifted from my Grandma (had for YEARS)
  • Sandals: Jack Rogers (purchased a few years ago at Nordstrom Rack)
  • Top: Lilly Pulitzer (got off of eBay!)
  • Flower Hair Clip: Had for YEARS
  • Skirt: Lilly Pulitzer (got at a consignment store in Raleigh)
  • Popover: Lilly Pulitzer (got on sale a few years ago)
  • Track pants: Walmart
  • Slippers: Purchased at a book store while studying abroad in London!
  • Top: SheIn
  • Skirt: Vintage – it used to be my Great-Grandmother’s!
  • Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (got off of Poshmark)
  • Cardigan: Kohl’s (got YEARS ago)
  • Earrings: Emerald Lane Design Co. (a classmate of mine runs this small business!!)
  • Dress: White Tag Lilly Pulitzer (got from my friend Kaylee during a clothing trade)
  • Cardigan: Zara (got in Italy while studying abroad)
  • Pearl Strands: Nordstrom Rack (got YEARS ago)
  • Flats: Tory Burch
  • Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (got at the After Party Sale in January!)
  • Necklace: Talbots (my mother got it for me as a Christmas gift)
  • Top: Nautica (got in a clothing trade with my friend Kaylee)
  • Necklace: Had for YEARS
  • Skirt: J Crew (got off of ThredUp)

Cheers!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Social Distanced Daiquiri Party!

The coronavirus pandemic has shifted all of our lives drastically, especially the social aspect. Being the social being that I am, I have had to find new and different ways to interact with others and have my social fix. The other day, two of my good friends and I had strawberry daiquiris on her screened porch with Taco Bell/Chick Fil-a takeout. That way, we could all get together while still maintaining our social distance! The moral of the story is that you can still have a BALL while being safe, especially as a college student in her early 20’s.

Long story short: wear a mask, maintain a 6 foot distance, and make smart decisions. You CAN still have fun while social distancing – it simply takes a lot of creativity and care! Cheers!!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Easiest Roasted Broccoli Recipe

I have always been a lover of cooking, especially recipes that are easy to make yet still taste AMAZING! Ever since I got my college apartment last year, I began to want to try many new recipes. One of my favorites of them all has been my Roasted Broccoli – something that has now become a staple in my kitchen. Today, I will be sharing how YOU can can a try to making your own version of my long and behold Roasted Broccoli in your own kitchen!

Easy Roasted Broccoli

  • Ingredients:
    • Broccoli florets/broccoli bunch (chopped into florets)
    • Olive oil
    • Sea salt
    • Cooking spray
    • Any other spices/seasonings to your liking
  • Directions:
    • Preheat oven to 450 degrees
    • Spray pan with cooking spray
    • Wash broccoli & place it on the pan
    • Drizzle broccoli with olive oil and sprinkle sea salt and any other spices/seasonings to your liking
    • Place pan in the oven for 25 minutes
    • Enjoy!

The best part of my Roasted Broccoli recipe?! You can make it uniquely your own by adding the spices/seasonings that you LOVE! Here’s to many enjoyable times in the kitchen with a healthy and delicious recipe!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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8/24-8/28 Weekly Menu Round-Up

The other day when I was planning out this week’s menu, I shared that I think planning it has been the highlight of 2020. Ever since I was younger, I have become such a planner. That being said, I LOVE planning Weekly Menu’s and am really excited for this week’s. Just like last week’s, I have TONS of one pan/Crockpot recipes, as attending my Senior year mostly from Zoom is pretty hectic. Here’s to another crazy yet exciting *mainly virtual* week of Senior year!

Monday: Manicotti

Love me some Manicotti!!! Manicotti has been one of my favorite pasta dishes since I was younger. Last summer, I made a Crockpot Manicotti recipe that was AMAZING, however, it took two hours just to prep. That being said, I found this recipe from allrecipes that takes a lot less time to prep yet still has the same results! Similar to last week’s ravioli, I will be serving my Manicotti with some Caesar salad and Texas toast.

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Maple Salmon

Once I got to Meredith, my mom and I hit up a local Costco for some salmon, shrimp, and tilapia as we are fish lovers. As I have a ton of salmon in my freezer, I figured I would put it to some good use and try a super delicious looking Slow Cooker Maple Salmon from Get Crocked. I will be serving it with my favorite Thanksgiving dish that I make ALL the time – green bean casserole – along with some roasted broccoli.

Wednesday: Old Bay Shrimp

Ever since I was younger, I was OBSESSED with Old Bay Shrimp as well as *of course* all things Old Bay! I mean, I did grow up going to see my family in Annapolis, Maryland and visit the beaches in Delaware where my family has a beach house, which is where Old Bay seasoning flourishes. To complement the Old Bay Shrimp, I will be serving it with a baked potato and a Garlicky and Cheesy Cauliflower Broccoli Bake which looks AMAZING from Diethood.

Thursday: Popcorn Shrimp

Similarly to the Old Bay Shrimp, I have also always been obsessed with popcorn shrimp as I grew up eating it from the local Dairy Queen! Instead of making popcorn shrimp from scratch, I usually purchase it pre-made from Seapak. It definitely tastes similar to my favorite childhood dish from Dairy Queen. To serve alongside my popcorn shrimp, I will be having yet another baked potato as well as roasted carrots.

Friday: Crockpot Shrimp & Grits

Like salmon, I also have A TON of shrimp, so why not put it to some good use?! That being said, I will be testing out an easy Crockpot Shrimp & Grits recipe from Tammilee Tips. I will be serving it with roasted cherry tomatoes to celebrate the end of another long week!

I am MOST definitely excited for this week’s menu round-up, and I hope y’all are too! One of the biggest incentives for myself throughout crazy long weeks is to have an AMAZING dinner at the end of the day. It *for sure* keeps me going through it all, especially during these oh so crazy times.

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I Lived in Belize for 3 Weeks

I cannot BELIZE it!!! As highly requested on my Instagram story survey a few weeks ago, many of y’all wanted to hear my experiences studying abroad. I have been lucky enough to study abroad in 3 different cities in 3 different countries: Sansepolcro, Italy (a small town in Tuscany), London, England, United Kingdom, and San Ignacio, Belize (a town in the rainforest region of Belize). Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing my experiences studying abroad in each country, along with some advice that is specific to each place. It is important to note that each of these study abroad programs were done through my school – Meredith College. Today, I will be sharing my study abroad experiences in the town of San Ignacio, Belize located in the rainforest region of Cayo not far from Guatemala.

My Home: The Cahal Pech Resort

When thinking about a study abroad experience, you may be thinking that a resort will provide anything but an authentic Belizean experience. On the contrary, I found my experience staying at the Canal Pech Resort to be exactly the opposite. The Canal Pech Resort is located on a hilltop right by the town of San Ignacio. It is conveniently less than a half a mile away from one of Belize’s notable Mayan ruins sites known as Cahal Pech. The major reason why my group and I stayed there was due to safety, since Belize is still a developing nation. Personally, I found my experiences staying at the Canal Pech Resort to be extremely rewarding to the entirety of my study abroad experience.

The Canal Pech Resort’s staff is mostly filled with people who are local to the country of Belize. Everyone in my group and I truly got to know and bond with the resort’s staff over the course of our three weeks staying there. I found this to be an extremely special part of my study abroad experience, as it made it so intimate and ten thousand times more meaningful than simply staying at a resort.

Each night, my group and I would have dinner at the resort, where we got to know the staff and talk about our days and/or excursions/trips. The same went for our times before and after dinner at two of the resort’s pools to cool down. My professor Dr. Roberts who came with us truly took on a mom role for us all while we were studying abroad. She has taken students to study abroad in Belize on multiple occasions, so it was real special to get to know her as well as some of my classmates. One of my favorite parts about going to the pool was getting to see and know a bunch of local’s as well as tourists in the area. The Canal Pech Resort’s pools were open to locals who had a pass to come in along with guests. I have ALWAYS been one to love to get to know others, and to be able to do it on a global front was such a cool and rewarding experience.

The Benefit of San Ignacio

When most people picture Belize, they picture beaches for never-ending miles. Besides, its beaches, Belize has a TON to offer. San Ignacio is located at anywhere but the beaches in the rural rainforest region of Cayo. Cayo’s location also borders Guatemala, which I could see a few times on some of my excursions. Staying in San Ignacio allowed me to truly learn more about the authenticity of Belizean life and culture beyond its beaches.

The Canal Pech Resort is located on a hilltop overlooking the town of San Ignacio. The resort’s convenient location to the downtown meant that there was a ton to do outside of it. On many occasions, my group and I would check out the local restaurants to get milkshakes or chicken and rice (a Belizean delicacy). Unlike many United States cities and towns, San Ignacio’s downtown was super bright and vibrant with so many colors painted on buildings and walls. San Ignacio definitely made for a sweet second home while in Belize!

Courses I Took

One of the most important things about studying abroad is that you are there to STUDY. Meredith’s Office of International Programs staff member Liz ALWAYS emphasizes how study abroad is NOT a trip or vacation as you are there to study. Liz’s emphasis on study abroad as a time to study and learn and grow as an individual in a brand-new culture is extremely important to myself as well. Study abroad is a time for nothing other than self growth while having an educational experience in a brand-new country and culture. Personally, I find this very important to remember. While study abroad is exciting and may feel like a trip/vacation, it is anything BUT that.

I took two courses in Belize with the first of the two being my Belizean Service and Life & Culture course. In this course, my group and I volunteer at a local school in San Ignacio. While there, we read books to the children and simply hang out with them. My professor Dr. Roberts has had ties with this school for a number of years now and it has become a special part of her and her family’s (who she takes with her on her study abroad adventures) lives too. Dr. Roberts’ openness of how extraordinary the school is that we volunteer at and its community truly made me feel at home and welcome there too. The school that we volunteered at definitely became a vital part of my experience and outlook in life as well – it’s the pure joy that brings the most to us all in the long run! If I had not volunteered at that local school, then I never would have learned how valuable some of the simplest things are in life.

The second of those two courses was my independent research project. I collaborated with three different Meredith professors including Dr. Roberts to conduct a qualitative research study on special education in the region of Cayo. While conducting research, I interviewed seven different teachers at three different schools in San Ignacio and the nearby town of Santa Elena. Through doing my independent research, I learned two things: one that Belize unfortunately does not have nearly as many special education resources as the United States which most definitely needs to change and two that conducting special education research was not my true life’s calling for my career. Although I really enjoyed making a positive impact on teachers in Belize, I knew that I did not want to do it forever like I had considered using my Math major for beforehand. Moreover, I realized that my true passions are in data, fashion, and marketing. Getting to conduct independent research in Belize that made an impact on others was such a rewarding experience for myself, and I know that I would LOVE to do something else with data analytics that helps others in the future. My independent research made me realize that I have a passion for speaking up for and helping others – something that I strive to do each and everyday.

Life in San Ignacio

Life in San Ignacio varied each day, however, on most days it remained somewhat consistent. On a day-to-day basis, my group and I would have breakfast at the resort which was an AMAZING Belizean style breakfast, go to the school to volunteer, have lunch typically in the town of San Ignacio, and then go back to the resort to do the remainder of our coursework. After a full day of coursework, we would spend our evenings at the pool before having a group dinner. If it was not an ordinary day in San Ignacio, then my group and I were probably on one of our many excursions in Belize which were some of my favorite parts of my experience!

Excursions

While studying abroad in Belize, I was very fortunate to be able to explore many parts of this tiny yet extraordinary country! In the three weeks that I was there, I went to the Canal Pech Mayan Ruins Site, the Lamanai Mayan Ruins Site, the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Site, the Belize Iguana Project, the Barton Creek Cave, and a Butterfly Sanctuary. Each of these excursions were super cool yet unique in their own way. In fact, I truly gained a passion for touring Mayan Ruin Sites while in Belize, and I cannot wait to tour many more across Central America once it’s safe to do so!

The Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins Site is located less than a mile from the Canal Pech Resort that I stayed at. It was even walking distance from there! Cahal Pech was my first-ever Mayan Ruins Site that I had ever been to, and it was a really awesome experience! There, my group and I had climbed several of the temples (which is allowed for tourists to do!) and explored all that the site has to offer. In fact, Cahal Pech is a site that is known to have great significance in Mayan history which made it even more of an awesome experience to be able to visit it!

Lamanai was by far my favorite of the Mayan Ruins Sites that I visited! Upon arrival, my group and I had to board a motor boat that was about an hour long ride away to the actual site. Since it is SO hot and humid in Belize, causing on a motor boat was one of the best feelings in the world. Not to mention, I LOVE riding on boats in general, so it was definitely a highlight of the experience for me. Fortunately for us all, we had arrived before many of the tourists did which meant that we got to explore Lamanai without many others there. Before leaving, our tour guide and his super sweet mother had prepared us a lunch of Belizean chicken and rice which was AMAZING! The lunch was definitely the icing on an extraordinary cake called my experience at the Lamanai Mayan Ruins site!

The final of the three Mayan Ruins sites that we visited was Xunantunich. When Belize was a British territory, Queen Elizabeth went to visit Xunantunich and more recently Prince Harry had visited it. As a British Royals fanatic, I got really excited about visiting Xunantunich just knowing that some of my favorite British Royals had also been there too! Xunantunich is home to the second-largest Mayan temple in Belize, which we got to climb while there. I had been nervous about climbing to the top of a temple, but decided to simply go for it, and it was SO WORTH IT!!! Most definitely a rewarding experience overlooking the hill country off Belize and Guatemala – that actually looks a bit like the Tuscany hill country!

As an animal lover, I most definitely HAD to visit both the Belize Iguana Project and a nearby Butterfly Garden! The Belize Iguana Project is actually located right by the Cahal Pech Resort just like the Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins site. During my time at the Belize Iguana Project, I got to hold and play with several iguanas. Before going, I was literally TERRIFIED of reptiles, so this was a huge breakthrough for me. At the same time, the Butterfly Garden allowed me and my group to learn about and see butterflies that are native to Belize. Although there sadly were not that many butterflies out and about, it was still a super cool time. Being the animal lover that I am, getting to visit two animal sanctuaries was a highlight for me!

Unlike Cahal Pech, Lamanai, and Xunantunich, the Barton Creek Cave is a Mayan Ruins Site that is in the form of a cave. Knowing this, the Barton Creek Cave was used as place to make sacrifices in the Mayan culture over the years. My tour guide was a Belizean local who emphasized the value of the Mayan life and culture, which is still existent to this day. Unfortunately, the Mayan people are a small minority in Belize today; Belize is in fact a melting pot of ethnicities and races. That being said, while their culture still persists as it has for centuries, the Mayan people are under-looked in their own society. Through visiting the Barton Creek Cave, it almost felt magical on the outside while in the inside it taught me about a really special culture still alive today in our beautiful world.

Travel Breaks

Most Meredith College study abroad programs allow for independent travel breaks. On these independent travel breaks, students can travel to different cities and even countries (depending on the program) on their own. Personally, I saw independent travel breaks as a way for me to become more strong and independent as I navigate a brand-new place. While in San Ignacio, I got to visit Caye Caulker and the Belize Zoo on my first travel break and Placencia on my second travel break. While I will not get into my travel breaks very much in this post (I feel that they are each better served in their own post as I have SO much to say about each), I will say that each of these experiences was extremely neat, fun, and rewarding!

Having the ability to study abroad in Belize on such a unique program that allowed me to serve others while exploring a brand-new country and culture was a remarkably rewarding, eye-opening experience. While I am extremely lucky that I have been able to even go to Belize, I know that so many have not and may never even get to. That being said, I want to utilize my study abroad experiences in Belize and beyond to share with and empower others to go out and see the world while also learning about it. Wherever this world may take us, being able to learn about the various cultures and history that different places have to offer is extremely valuable. Not only does getting to travel somewhere brand-new help us to expand our minds, but it also helps us to grow into the strong and independent people that we are meant to be.

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The BEST Jack Rogers End of Season Sale Deals

Love my Jacks! I have ALWAYS been obsessed with Jack Rogers sandals. In fact, when I was a Sophomore in high school, I bought my first pair of platinum Jacks Flat Sandals and have purchased a new pair practically every year since, as I wear them out a ton. I also have three others Jacks sandals as well as a pair of heels from the brand. You can probably say I’m obsessed at this point LOL! In honor of Jack Rogers End of Season sale, I wanted to share my favorite finds from the sale to hopefully inspire y’all’s future shopping sprees at a fraction of the cost.

Georgica Jelly

Retails for $50, on sale for $25. Shop here!

Jacks Flat Sandal

Retails for $128, on sale for $79. Shop here!

Georgica Sandal

Retails for $128, on sale for $79. Shop here!

Palmer Espadrille Snake Embossed

Retails for $98, on sale for $35. Shop here!

Lauren Snake Embossed Sandal

Retails for $138, on sale for $50. Shop here!

Jackie Sandal

Retails for $118, on sale for $69. Shop here!

Georgica Cork Sandal

Retails for $118, on sale for $50. Shop here!

Kennedy Flip Flop

Retails for $48, on sale for $15. Shop here!

Palmer Wedge

Retails for $134, on sale for $40. Shop here!

Jacks Slipper

Retails for $88, on sale for $25. Shop here!

Bella Jelly

Retails for $50, on sale for $20. Shop here!

Sallie Rainboot Sparkle

Retails for $68, on sale for $49. Shop here!

Rowan Flip Flop

Retails for $78, on sale for $35. Shop here!

Ronnie Mule

Retails for $148, on sale for $45. Shop here!

Holly Flat

Retails for $128, on sale for $35. Shop here!

Bea Sandal

Retails for $98, on sale for $45. Shop here!

Reese Gingham Flat

Retails for $98, on sale for $30. Shop here!

If it’s cheaper somewhere else, then I am going to get in then! Hopefully, some of my favorite finds from Jack Rogers’ End of Season sale will provide you with some shoe inspiration. It surely did for myself! My Aunt Margaret whose also an avid shopper like myself once told me to shop as much at sales as possible. That way, you can buy what you want from that season but at a fraction of the cost. Indeed, my Aunt Margaret is right! Now, let’s see if I can keep my cart empty before the weekend LOLLLL!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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