Old Ebbitt Grill Restaurant Guide

***Please note that this list of Old Ebbitt Grill Restaurant Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the restaurant’s most up-to-date information. This guide was most recently updated as of January 2026.***

If you’ve been to Washington, DC, you likely either dined or passed by the iconic and historic Old Ebbitt Grill. I have a friend from my college years who always ate there whenever her family would visit Washington, DC from North Carolina. That all being said, ever since I knew about how iconic Old Ebbitt Grill is, I have been dying to eat there myself. So, when my best friend Hannah and I happened to walk by it as we were needing lunch and freezing cold via a Washington, DC day, we happened to pop in and enjoy both of our’s first ever meals at this iconic Washington, DC restaurant.

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

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Old Ebbitt Grill Restaurant Guide

Table of Contents

About

Getting There

Dress Code

Reservations

Menus 

My Experience

About:

SO, what makes Old Ebbitt Grill just so historic?! Old Ebbitt Grill was established in 1856 and is the nation’s capital’s oldest saloon. It is located just steps away from the White House, the Smithsonian museums, the National Mall, and the Washington Monument AND right across the street from the Treasury Building. President McKinley is noted to have lived there during his tenure in Congress. At the same time, Presidents such as Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Warren Harding, Andrew Johnson, and Grover Cleveland have all dined and enjoyed the gorgeous bar (which I have dined at on multiple occasions!) for refreshments. When talking with the bartender at Old Ebbitt’s bar, we learned that the animal heads lining the walls of the bar could potentially be from President Theodore Roosevelt’s hunting collection and donated from him and his family back in the day (no fret – they have a license to keep them all on display to this day due to the growing concerns over hunting specific animals). Such fascinating significance surrounding the Old Ebbitt Grill!

Alongside its vast history in the nation’s capital, Old Ebbitt Grill used to be the highest grossing restaurant in the United States. Currently, Old Ebbitt Grill is apart of the notable Washington, DC area restaurant group – Clyde’s Restaurant Group – which also owns The Hamilton, Clyde’s, and 1789 Restaurant

Getting There:

Old Ebbitt’s address is: 675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

The restaurant’s location is just a couple of blocks away from the historic The Willard Intercontinental Hotel as well as the White House. If you are driving, there are parking garages nearby on both G and F Streets. If you are taking public transportation via Metro, then Old Ebbitt Grill is an easy walk from both Metro Center and McPherson Square stations, which are accessible via the Red, Blue, Orange, and Silver lines (Metro Center), and the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines (McPherson Square). See more on Old Ebbitt Grill’s location here.

Dress Code:

Old Ebbitt Grill’s dress code is casual (as many tourists are stopping in to experience all the magic that it has to offer) yet no tank tops are allowed. Personally, I am ALWAYS one to dress up a little more than the average person (better to be overdressed than underdressed!!). Overall, given its Washington, DC historical significance and fine American cuisine, I would suggest wearing something more dressy than dressed down, however anything but tank tops goes.

Reservations:

Since Old Ebbitt Grill is a well-known and popular Washington, DC restaurant among tourists and locals, alike, it is highly advised to make a reservation in advance. For the popular peak tourist seasons such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival (see my predictions on Peak Bloom here), holidays (including Thanksgiving timeframe-New Years), and Summer, it is advised to make a reservation at least a couple of weeks-a month+ out (I have seen this from my own personal experiences dining at Old Ebbitt, too!). Reservations can be made at OpenTable

Menus:

As for the food, Old Ebbitt Grill serves up some American fare in the most fine dining way you could ever imagine. Everything from burgers to sandwiches to seafood and their most notable oysters are to be found on their menus. They serve the following menus during the following hours:

  • Brunch – weekends from 9am until 4pm
  • Breakfast – weekdays from 8am-11am
  • Lunch & dinner – weekdays from 11am-2am & weekends 4pm-2am
  • Alcohol – an extensive wine, beer, and cocktails list

See Old Ebbitt’s Menus here.

Each year, Old Ebbitt has an Oyster Fest that’s a HUGE event each year. I am more than pleased to say that the cost of dining at Old Ebbitt Grill is not as expensive as other Washington, DC area restaurants and is rather pretty fair in terms of fare. 

My Experience:

During my first time dining at Old Ebbitt Grill in November 2022, Hannah and I sat at the bar for brunch, due to us wanting to avoid the waitlist. We had a GREAT time and chatted with others visiting from Texas who had North Carolina connections (like me and Hannah do!). I ordered the brunch trout with potatoes, green beans, and hollandaise sauce and it was THE BEST!!! Hannah ordered the chicken & waffles and LOVED her dish, too. I always order Cabarnet – it is my go-to wine and I ordered it when I went to The Hamilton (its sister restaurant) with my best friend Amanda over the summer and knew it wouldn’t disappoint! Everything on the menu was tempting and the atmosphere was gorgeous – the restaurant is usually bustling with tourists and locals alike – making it a great dining destination for all. Afterwards, Hannah and I took photos in front of the notable Christmas Nutcrackers that deck the halls outside of Old Ebbitt Grill.

Since my first time dining at Old Ebbitt Grill in November 2022, I have dined here on multiple occasions, whether at the bar or within the dining room. I have LOVED my experiences dining at Old Ebbitt! The food has been incredible and I have come back ready to enjoy more. Not only are the waiters and waitresses extremely kind and truly go above and beyond, but the historic charm and lively vibes of the restaurant make it such a unique place like no other to dine at. One of the most unique conversations I have had was with a waitress who said that she LOVES working at Old Ebbitt because she gets the opportunity to work with others from all around the world and learn from their unique perspectives. Truly, I have felt the same with the fellow diners at Old Ebbitt! Indeed, Old Ebbitt Grill has become one of my *very* favorite restaurants.

Old Ebbitt Grill truly holds a special place in my heart. Located in the heart of Washington, DC holding such unique historical significance, Old Ebbitt Grill has seen so many eras of the United States as a place of gathering for all who come – both near and far.

XOXO – Katie <3

6 Free Historic Things To Do In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

***Please note that this list of 6 Free Historic Things To Do In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the city’s most up-to-date information. This list was most recently updated as of January 2026.***

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is notorious for its skyscrapers, plethora of history, and colleges. FUN FACT: Philadelphia is actually one of my favorite cities! Well, on my most recent trip to the city of brotherly love or shall I say sisterly love (!!!) included a visit to multiple affordable, historic, and free attractions! 

In this blog post, I will outline 6 free historic things to do in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to ensure you have a wallet-friendly time while visiting!

*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.

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6 Free Historic Things To Do In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Just in case you’re looking for additional activities to do in Philadelphia during your visit, use GetYourGuide to reserve your experiences today!

1 – Visit Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

Address: 532 N Street

About: The Edgar Allan Poe House is one of 5 homes that the American authored lived in. It is one of a few still standing to this day. Currently, the Edgar Allan Poe House is owned by the National Park Service and is a National Historic Site. That all being said, it is FREE to walk in, explore, and absorb ALL the history there that there is to offer. Personally, I did not find touring the house to be all that exciting (it is only usually self-guided) with a map given per party that enters in. There’s no furniture within much of the house, but its current structure and architecture has been preserved and thus remains. At the same time, there is also an exhibit with a film, too. We didn’t stay too long here, but it was cool to see and a gorgeous, colonial-like exterior!

Plan your visit here.

2 – Tour Independence Hall, See The Liberty Bell, & Visit Independence National Historical Park

Address: 520 Chestnut Street

About: Independence Hall is currently managed by the National Park Service and is located at Independence National Historical Park. It is the home of where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and signed by our Founding Fathers. This fundamental building to big happenings in United States and world history for that matter is also a UNESCO site. In order to visit and tour its interior, one must reserve a ticket in advance for a $1.00 fee to tour. Tours last only about 20 minutes and you get to witness where history happened aka where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed. While a brief tour, it is a super cool experience! If you want to visit the Independence National Historical Park and admire Independence Hall’s gorgeous exterior, you can visit and stroll for free. While there, be sure to visit the Liberty Bell Center where you can see Liberty Bell in-person!

Please note that until January 28, 2026, the inside of Independence Hall is closed to visitors for renovations and restoration. 

Plan your visit here.

3 – Stroll Elfreth’s Alley

Address: 126 Elfreth’s Alley

About: Elfreth’s Alley is a historical street in Old City Philadelphia. It is JUST a 3 minute walk from the Betsy Ross House. To me, Haley, and Violet, this street is like an untouched part of history amongst Philadelphia’s numerous skyscrapers. The homes at Elfreth’s Alley are residential, which makes it SO unique. While not painted the colors of the rainbow, this alley felt a bit like a cobblestone and more colonial version of Charleston, South Carolina’s Rainbow Raw and Washington, DC’s Georgetown neighborhood. The BEST PART?! ALL residents deck out their gorgeous homes during the holiday season AND photos are always welcome!

Plan your visit here.

4 – Admire + Explore Philadelphia’s City Hall

Address: 1400 John F Kennedy Blvd

About: A beautiful Baroque architectural building in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, City Hall is where all of the city’s governmental affairs happen. Philadelphia City Hall was once the world’s tallest building but has since been surpassed by the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. and the Eiffel Tower in Paris as well as many other buildings. While it is free to visit City Hall and admire its ornate exteriors as well as explore its interiors although you must go through a security checkpoint to do so, there are 2 tour options for guided tours. I outline all the information on visiting and touring Philadelphia’s City Hall in this blog post and guide. While visiting Philadelphia’s City Hall, be sure to check out the onsite Visitor Center for more information.

Plan your visit here.

5 – Visit Reading Terminal Market 

Address: 1136 Arch Street

About: Reading Terminal Market is one of the oldest and largest public markets in the United States, having first opened in 1893. Located in the heart of downtown Philadelphia with close proximity to City Hall, Reading Terminal Market is an indoor market that’s open daily from 8am-6pm, providing locals and visitors alike with the opportunity to purchase grocery and deli items, specialty goods, and dine at local restaurants and cafes. Although it is not free to purchase items or dine at onsite restaurants and cafes at Reading Terminal Market, it is 100% free to enter and stroll this really neat public market. Truly, Reading Terminal Market feels like a walk through a piece of Philadelphia’s history and unique culinary scene throughout the centuries.

Plan your visit here.

6 – Snap a Photo In Front of Love Statue at Love Park

Address: 15th and John F Kennedy Blvd

About: To commemorate being in “the City of Brotherly Love,” snap a photo at Love Park‘s iconic Love Statue. Love Statue is currently one of Philadelphia’s most well-known landmarks, having been created by Robert Indiana in 1976 in honor of the United States’ Bicentennial (200 years-Birthday). More recently, the Love Statue was refurbished and repainted as a part of Love Park’s renovation in 2018. It is worth noting that Love Park is 100% free to visit and stroll. 

Plan your visit here.

Wrap-Up:

Over the years, I feel fortunate to have visited Philadelphia on several occasions! As many of us are just starting out and traveling + sightseeing on a budget, knowing that there are multiple free historic things to do in Philadelphia makes our experiences wallet-friendly, too. Til next time, Philly!!

XOXO – Katie <3

Preppy Fashion Lover Gifts Guide

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

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

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

Preppy Fashion Lover Gifts Guide

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

$25 and Under

$50 and Under

$100 and Under

$200 and Under

$200+

Happy holidays and happy shopping, preppies!

XOXO – Katie <3

The Biltmore Travel Guide

***Please note that this guide on The Biltmore has been updated and re-circulated to include more up-to-date information. This guide has most recently been updated in June 2025.***

A few years ago on a whim, my best friend Alanna and I decided to spend an afternoon at The Biltmore while we were on a long weekend trip to Asheville, North Carolina for our best friend Kearra’s Birthday Weekend and *JUST* happened to find that we had an afternoon free while the rest of our crew went horseback riding. Flash forward to April 2025 when I was visiting my best friend Hannah in Charlotte (see my full guide on Charlotte here!), I decided to take a solo Spring day trip to Asheville to see The Biltmore, as I hadn’t seen the interiors of it my first time there. The Biltmore is approximately 2 hours from Charlotte, making it an easy day trip to do. SO, above all else, when in doubt, take a day trip to The Biltmore!!!

*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.

The Biltmore Travel Guide

About The Biltmore:

So, The Biltmore Estate is the largest mansion built by the Vanderbilt’s on at least the East Coast and is located in the heart of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge mountains in Asheville. It is a Chateau-style mansion that was designed by George Washington Vanderbilt between 1889-1895. An interesting thing about The Biltmore was that Vanderbilt designed and constructed it when he was a bachelor. A few years later, George Vanderbilt married Edith Dresser in 1898 where he brought her to Biltmore to live and raise their only child a daughter: Cornelia Vanderbilt. George Vanderbilt was an intellectual and the interiors of Biltmore truly showcase that via vast collections of artworks and things from his travels and his massive library filled with books. After George Vanderbilt’s passing in 1914, Edith Vanderbilt continued to live at The Biltmore with Cornelia and eventually Cornelia’s husband John Cecil until the 1930s when her daughter divorced John and moved to Europe. John on the other hand resided at The Biltmore and continued to do so and he and Cornelia’s sons joined him throughout the years that followed. The Biltmore did though remain a residence for the descendants of George Washington Vanderbilt until the 1950s when it became a historic mansion. The Biltmore is proudly kept alive thanks to the several visitors that come to see and appreciate it as well as the legacy that George Washington Vanderbilt and his descendants built during their time there.

I recently read The Wedding Veil by Kristie Woodson Harvey and found it to be a great read about the women (most specifically Edith Dresser Vanderbilt and Cornelia Vanderbilt) of The Biltmore and their stories. Truly, this incredible historical fiction read dives into the thoughts and feelings of these women as they navigate the 1900s at Biltmore in the world’s ever changing landscape. I highly recommend this read before/after you plan to take a day trip to The Biltmore.

Alongside The Biltmore mansion, The Biltmore estate also has adjacent gardens and grounds (including a ticket just to explore that), special exhibitions, hiking trails, multiple onsite restaurants and cafes, several adorable shops that are all-things Biltmore-themed, and the Biltmore Winery which has its wine produced on several acres of the Biltmore’s property.

Getting There & Admission:

The Biltmore Estate is located just outside of Asheville, North Carolina in the Western part of the state. It is situated with easy access to I-40. Within North Carolina, the Biltmore (and Asheville) are located about 4 hours from Raleigh and two hours from Charlotte. That being said, a day trip to The Biltmore is easily doable from Charlotte and makes a great stop on a weekend trip to Western North Carolina from Raleigh!

It is also worth noting that on a day trip to The Biltmore that it is easiest to have a car while there (there are several rental car options). Different parts of The Biltmore, such as the grounds and gardens, the Antler Hill Village & Biltmore Winery, and special exhibitions are all on different parts of the estate’s property. There are also gorgeous hiking trails. Parking is included within all admission tickets to The Biltmore.

In 2022 on my girls trip to Asheville, there were 6 of us girls. And, since between the 6 of us for the weekend we had only 2 cars and carpooled everywhere, our friends dropped us off at The Biltmore Visitor Center. Upon dropping us off at Biltmore’s drop off only location, Alanna and I learned with the help of SUPER sweet customer service representatives there that we would have to purchase tickets for the Biltmore Express – a $15 flat fee/day shuttle service that comes on the hour to varying parts of The Biltmore Estate. I will say, though, when I went back to The Biltmore, I definitely took my car with me, as it was much easier and more convenient to get around. See more on all-things getting there here.

For my first day trip to The Biltmore, Alanna and I ended up booking our tickets to The Biltmore the night before going. Upon booking a ticket there, we had a few options of what ticket(s) to get: including a ticket just to the Gardens & Grounds, a House tour, and a guided House tour. There are also additional ticketing add-on’s, including special exhibits and carriage rides. All tickets include a complimentary wine tasting, too! Alanna and I just went with the Gardens & Grounds ticket, as we only had an afternoon to spend there and it was the cheapest option. It’s important to note that prices to visit vary per day of the week, month, and season (Christmas is definitely more expensive than all of the other times of the year). See all of the ticket options here.

What To Do on a Day Trip to The Biltmore:

There’s several things to do on a day trip to The Biltmore, alongside *of course* checking out the beautiful gardens and grounds and admiring the mansion. Check out all the things to do at The Biltmore below:

For more things to do in and around Asheville, North Carolina in addition to your Biltmore day trip, don’t fear! There are plenty of activities and tours in Asheville to choose from.

My Experience

From my first day trip to The Biltmore – gardens and grounds only:

Well, we took the Biltmore Express to the Biltmore Mansion where my jaw had absolutely literally DROPPED TO THE FLOOR! Our driver to the mansion was super friendly and made it all that more special upon arrival there. The mansion is STUNNING and even more so than in ALLL the pictures that I have seen of it. Alanna and I took photos at the front of the mansion and along the gardens and on the sides of the mansion. You can take in SOOO many views of the North Carolina mountains, too. Every part of it was jaw-droppingly beautiful. Alanna and I enjoyed strolling through the gift shops (where the Spartina 449 custom Biltmore totes were VERRRYYY tempting!), sipping the wine via our complimentary tasting (you get to choose four of their wines to taste!) which was also extremely tempting to take home some bottles of wine, and lunch at one of their cafes whose name I forget – haha! Through it all, I was in awe every second!

After about 90 minutes at the Biltmore mansion, Alanna and I headed for the Antler Hill Village and Winery where we ended our lovely afternoon there. Antler Hill Village and Winery plays homage to the Biltmore Winery, several gorgeous high-end gift shops (including some that sold Kendra Scott jewelry!!), and restaurants/cafes. The Biltmore Estate’s very own hotel is there, too. There was a gorgeous garden as well representing the Seven Wonders of the World. Not to mention, musicians were playing such relaxing, upbeat music making that the cherry on top of the ice cream cone filled to the rim with ice cream and whipped cream!! While there, Alanna and I went to the Biltmore Winery – which by the way had the most whimsical lit up entrance!!! – and enjoyed some glasses of wine while sitting at their GORGEOUS BAR! Afterwards, we browsed through some of the sweet little shops at Antler Hill Village and Winery, enjoyed some music, called our families to tell them where we were, and then head back to our AirBnB with our Kearra’s Birthday Weekend crew.

Personally, getting there between 1-2pm, I was very worried that we were going to arrive too late. I know that The Biltmore Estate gets crowded and crowded pretty fast, too. BUT, to my surprise, it wasn’t nearly as crowded as I had expected. In the future, I hope to go tour the inside of the mansion with an audio guide or via a Candlelight tour at Christmas time and bring my car with me to get around better. I know that you need to book a specific time to tour the mansion, so it definitely would’ve been more challenging to do this time around. BUT, overall, I am really happy and blessed that I was able to even see The Biltmore Estate with my very own eyes, since it had been HIGH on my bucket list for some time.

From my second day trip to The Biltmore – going inside the mansion in addition to the gardens and grounds:

After my first day trip to The Biltmore, I decided to take my car with me from Charlotte. I ended up booking a 11am tour of the interior of the mansion, as that was my biggest priority for my next time there alongside *of course* Ooooo-ing and ahhhh-ing at all of the gorgeousness in the gardens, and got to the grounds around 9am. Once my complimentary parking was secured, I checked out the gift shops (all outlined earlier in this post!) and admired the gorgeous mansion’s grounds before heading inside. One of the biggest things I’ve noticed on both of my day trips to The Biltmore is how kind and wonderful the people that work there are. They truly make a day trip to The Biltmore one for the books! 

Upon entering The Biltmore mansion, I was immediately in awe by how immaculate it was and to learn more about the history of George Washington Vanderbilt and Edith Vanderbilt, especially when it came to their service to the Asheville community and beyond. I learned that Edith served as the first woman ever to be elected as president of the North Carolina Agricultural Society, which organizes the North Carolina State Fair, greater known in the state as the “NC State Fair,” a role she took on for many years after her late husband’s passing. In North Carolina, the NC State Fair is a BIG deal – something that I learned during my college years in Raleigh. I also learned that George collected many of the items on display to this day at Biltmore throughout his travels. I imagined their daughter Cornelia Vanderbilt as a little girl running through the halls of Biltmore and how magical a sight that must’ve been to see! I envisioned myself as a guest at Biltmore, through seeing how guests enjoyed their stays there. And, I saw the inner workings of Biltmore, from the kitchen to laundry and everything in between and learned about key staff members throughout the years. Above all else, the complimentary audio guide tour of The Biltmore truly immerses you in all aspects of this magical home, from the lives of the Vanderbilts who lived there to the faces and stories of the incredible staff that made day-to-day life at Biltmore happen. Personally, I felt that the audio guide did an excellent job of showcasing all aspects of Biltmore, from the stories of those who lived and worked there to its incredible legacy that attracts thousands of visitors annually to this very day.

After my amazing audio guided tour all around The Biltmore mansion, I stopped for an early lunch at the spot I stopped at last time: The Stable Cafe. I tried a delicious pulled pork sandwich and Blue Ridge Mountain blueberry-infused cocktail. Because, when at The Biltmore?!? My waitress was extremely kind as much of the staff were!! I, then, admired the gift shops again where I had a mini version of the complimentary wine tasting as I was driving 2 hours later that afternoon where I grabbed some wine, a magnet, and a match box to enjoy at home. Next up: the incredible gardens which BLEW ME AWAY!!!! The gardens at Biltmore, situated adjacent to the mansion are truly out of a magazine. I had so much fun snapping several photos of the beautiful gardens with several mansion and mountain skyline views in between. Alllll before making my way back to Charlotte.

Wrap-Up

Ever sine my college years, I have dreamed of getting to visit The Biltmore. Several of my North Carolina-based college classmates went throughout the years, given that it is a North Carolina staple, especially during our holiday breaks. I remember hoping to go someday, too, despite it being challenging to reach from the Washington, DC area when I didn’t have a car or much room in my budget. Now, I am extremely thankful to say that I have been to The Biltmore not once but TWICE. Here’s to my next day trip to The Biltmore!

XOXO – Katie <3

How To Launder Lilly Pulitzer

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

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

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

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

How To Launder Lilly Pulitzer

Laundromats

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

Tips

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

 

Do’s

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

Don’t’s

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

Detergent & Bleach

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

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

Regular Wash VS Delicate Wash

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

Regular Wash

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

Delicate Wash

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

Wrap-Up

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

XOXO – Katie <3

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

5 Years of The Pink Chickadee!

Five years ago, I hit “post” and posted my first-ever blog post. I was terrified, but I did it. That night, I hosted a launch party for my *very own* dream blog that I was, well, terrified to start and keep the momentum going on. In January 2020, I was scared to put myself out there, scared of what others would think of me, and simply scared of failing myself and my dream of becoming a fashion and travel blogger. Five years later, I can confidently say that I am a successful fashion and travel blogger who despite her initial fears of putting herself out there and failing at this has curated a strong community and following of likeminded people and a blog to call my own. Five years into blogging and I am proud of myself for what I have created and self-coded and what I will continue to do.

In September 2019, I suffered my first big college heartbreak. It was a situationship that lasted on and off until a few years later. September 2019 was the first of many tough heartbreaks and realizations when it comes to love and dating. At first, I was in utter denial, but I was also upset. At that time, though full of great sadness for what could have been, I knew that I wanted to do something for myself. I vividly remember posing for a photo with a cookie on a trip in college to Charleston, South Carolina (here) and excitedly revealing to somebody in college that I was starting a blog while feeling so sad on the inside due to that heartbreak. But, saying “I am starting a blog” aloud truly gave me hope that there was more to life beyond the utter heartbreak that I was experiencing via the dating world. And, that is when and how The Pink Chickadee was born.

On January 15, 2020 when I first hit “post,” I was extremely self-conscious as a person. Like I said before, I was terrified in all ways at the idea of putting myself out there and full unfortunately of self-hatred and loathing. Fear was my best friend. I even took a break from posting consistently not once but twice in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic was keeping us in lockdown. My mental health hit an all-time low. Until, I took a Summer 2020 website development course and willingly pulled a few all-nighters to re-code my entire website. I got my logo redone and re-designed. And, I started to continually post consistently over on my social media platforms. My social media, then, looked a lot different than it does now. But, The Pink Chickadee was my saving grace during the COVID-19 pandemic days and my relationship and breakup and beyond.

Flash-forward to today and I am full of gratitude, confidence, self-love, happiness, and joy. I am fully confident to say that being the one woman show behind The Pink Chickadee is a BIG reason for my success and personal growth over the past five years. I have had the pleasure to work with several brands, including Virginia Wine Pass (now Reserve Pass), OPI, Shop Navy Bleu, and Panera Bread. I have been featured on Starbucks, Redfin, and Jack Rogers. And, I have curated an incredible follower basis and community and friends in YOU. Needless to say, I feel so thankful, grateful, and blessed to have made that decision on the evening of January 15, 2020 to hit “post” and remain consistent in doing so over the past five years.

I have fallen in love with being a blogger! I love getting to curate content that resonates with you and connect with you all. I love getting to collaborate with likeminded brands and share content with likeminded creators and communities. While my platform and my goals associated with it has evolved over the past five years, the one thing that remains the same is my love of being here. I love getting to be here!!

Through it all, THANK YOU for being here along for the ride. Cheers to five years (read past years’ blog-aversary posts here, here, and here!) and more than five more years of opportunity, growth, prosperity, confidence, and happiness. Cheers!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale: January 2024

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

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

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

What has changed since January 2023?! Two things:

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

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

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

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

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

Happy shopping!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

What I Wore to Work – December 2023

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

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

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

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

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

XOXO – Katie <3

Where I Dined in Raleigh, North Carolina – December 2023

This past weekend aka the weekend before Christmas, I had an incredible whirlwind of a weekend in my college town of Raleigh, North Carolina (see the full breakdown of what I did on my Instagram aka @_thepinkchickadee). My best friend from college Alanna had her first-ever in-person graduation (thanks, COVID aka sad face) this past weekend as she received her … Masters in Education from North Carolina State University and I *of course* came down to celebrate her and visit with those that I love and miss from my college days. One of the things that I forgot was how great Raleigh, North Carolina dining can be. Needless to say, my weekend in Raleigh was such a special weekend, and I am OH SO GLAD that I made one last trip down to North Carolina for 2023!

Where I Ate:

Here, I am essentially going to share a round-up of where I dined during my weekend in the City of Oaks. Since I have done A TON of sightseeing around Raleigh over the past few years in college and even a bit after college on my then-frequent visits back, I will be focusing on more where I ate this time around. HOWEVER, if you are interested in a bit more about Raleigh aka North Carolina’s state capital and/or are planning a trip there *very soon*, then look no further than my guides here, here, and here (!!!!).

Coquette Raleigh (4351 The Circle at North Hills Street, Raleigh)

Located in Raleigh’s North Hills Shopping District (aka where I spent A TON of time shopping, dining, etc. in my college years!!!), Coquette is a snazzy French spot that I had yet to try! My friend Shivani and I met our friend and my former roommate Sophie at this glamorous and French-inspired spot ALLLL around for brunch. The food was delicious, from the pommes frites aka French fries to the unlimited coffee to the complimentary bread and butter to the escargot aka a FAVORITE of mine and the French onion soup! Our waitress (whose name I forget) was literally the sweetest ever alongside my time with both Shivani and Sophie. My happy place in college was North Hills, and I was SOOO happy to *finally* be able to try Coquette!

First Watch (5419 Page Road, Durham)

Confession: I had *yet* to try a First Watch location aka the practically nationwide popular brunch spot until this trip of mine! Whoops!!! HOWEVER, I am glad that I got to meet my friend Bree here for brunch before we both headed back to our respective homes for the holidays the day after Alanna’s graduation festivities. We both got the traditional breakfast with eggs, home fries, bacon, and toast AND I am craving it as we speak – LOL! My time with Bree was also special, too. Needless to say, I am excited that a First Watch location is opening up near me in Alexandria, Virginia (!!!!), as I DO want to go back.

Glasshouse Kitchen (5 Laboratory Drive, Research Triangle Park)

Shivani and I did Glasshouse Kitchen together just a few hours after I touched ground in North Carolina. Shivani describes Glasshouse Kitchen as me in a restaurant, which she is NOT wrong about – LOL! The food and locally made beer was delicious, alongside the impeccable vibes. I personally found it SOOOOO neat that Glasshouse Kitchen is literally a glasshouse and located within Raleigh’s well-known Research Triangle Park (RTP) and adjacent to a laboratory, making it such a unique upscale dining asset to the Raleigh dining scene.

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille (4509 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh)

Alanna had her graduation dinner here and I felt SOOOOO lucky to be able to join her and her family to celebrate her getting her Masters after her graduation ceremony. Perry’s Steakhouse is an upscale steakhouse located near Raleigh’s well-known Crabtree Valley Mall. Before dinner, we enjoyed wine and cocktails at the gorgeous bar (which reminded me of Founding Farmers’ bar in Foggy Bottom in Washington, DC a bit!) before a delicious meal together to commemorate Alanna. I enjoyed a delicious snapper that I am STILL craving alongside shrimp with Alanna and her family as a starter. Definitely a restaurant for the books (!!!!).

Wrap-Up:

Since graduating from college and moving back to the Washington, DC area, I have truly enjoyed getting to enjoy the vast array of incredible restaurants on the slim times that I am back in my college town. The Raleigh, North Carolina dining scene was a highlight for me when I was in college and, since moving away, I have come to appreciate it even more when I do come back alongside some incredible friends who make for the BEST company.

XOXO – Katie <3

Are You Influenced by Consumerism?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

XOXO – Katie <3