Meredith Angel-Owned Small Businesses to Support this Holiday Season

If you know me, then you know that I LOVE my sweet Meredith College. My experience so far at Meredith has been one of the best that I could ever ask for. As I started The Pink Chickadee and grew my platform, I watched my Meredith sisters around me grow their own small businesses. There is so much beauty in seeing my Meredith sisters and I’s successes grow. I LOVE supporting small businesses and especially those that are connected to Meredith students or alumni. Today, I have rounded up several of many small businesses that are run by Meredith women!

  • From prints to stickers that are all Meredith-themed, check out MH Paper Goods. The lovely lady behind the business, Maria, and I did a giveaway in August and she is also a Woman in STEM with a sweet and creative spirit!
  • Customization from monograms to even Ruth Bader Ginsburg ornaments/key chains, look no further than Greetings of Magic! Megan, the shop owner, is one of my best friends’ Lil’s and friends of mine and she is the sweetest thing! You can also use my code thepinkchickadee for 10% off your purchase (offer valid until December 31, 2020).
  • If you’re looking for all-things handlettering and the most fun designs connected to your favorite shows, movies, and even Enneagram type, shop at Lettering By Miranda! The lovely Miranda designed The Pink Chickadee‘s logo and she did an amazing job!!!
  • For the cutest masks, wine glasses, ornaments, and the funniest apparel, check out Cassie’s Designs! Cassie is also one of my best friends and she is OH SO TALENTED!!!
  • Who doesn’t love a cute mug and especially a Meredith mug?! The sweetest Anna Haddock of The Coffee Table Goods has the cutest Meredith-themed mugs as well as an adorable Christmas-themed mug in her shop!
  • Whether it be Meredith, NC State, love stories, or all North Carolina destinations, shop everything North Carolina-oriented at Pamlico Paper Company. Liz the shop owner is the sweetest and is always showing up at local North Carolina art/craft fairs to show off her talents!
  • If you want some of the most adorable prints that you will find, then definitely check out J Hall Designs! Along with her Etsy shop which I have linked, J Hall Designs is carried at The Local Squirrel, For Your Convenience Raleigh, Southern Home & Kitchen, and Katherine Beck Gifts. I studied abroad with the shop owner Julia Hall in London back in July 2018, and she is such a sweet soul!!!
  • For the cutest Meredith-oriented stickers among other things, definitely check out Laney Logan Design Co. The shop owner Laney is super sweet!!
  • Whether it be Meredith-oriented stickers, metal prints, or even a painting, Mountain Top Photos has it all for you. The shop owner Brittney was one of my Lil’s teammates!
  • To get the most adorable pet designs from stickers to prints to even paintings, then definitely check out Ashlyn’s Art. Ashlyn’s Art is run by my sweet Lil Sis Ashlyn! To place your order, then follow her Instagram page @ashlyns_artwc.
  • Rachel Norris Art has the most beautiful handlettering and graphic designs that are North Carolina-themed, spiritual, and *of course* Meredith-themed. The shop owner Rachel was a classmate of mine and she is oh so sweet!
  • If you LOVE hand lettering like myself, then definitely follow @_letteringbylauren on Instagram to see my Meredith sister Lauren’s hand lettering projects! While this endeavor of Lauren’s is not necessarily a small business, Lauren is extremely talented just like the other ladies mentioned in this post.
  • Two of my favorite things are Meredith College and Christmas! Liza’s Lettering Co definitely embodies two of my favorite things. The shop owner Eliza is also the sweetest thing!
  • The Local Squirrel is the cutest boutique! Located in Raleigh’s vibrant Cameron Village, this sweet boutique is owned by a Meredith alumni who loves supporting small businesses. Every time I visit The Local Squirrel, I end up having a great experience and cannot wait to go back!
  • For such unique and stunning pieces of jewelry, then definitely check out Raleighwood Beads; I am OBSESSED with the nutcracker necklace I recently got from there. I actually collaborated with the shop owner Carolyne on a fundraiser and social with our classes and it was super fun!
  • To get all of your custom print and sticker needs, then check out @claireannedesign on Instagram. The shop owner Claire and I are in the same class and have done Cornhuskin’ together over the years. Like Claire, I have shared so many special memories with all of the ladies in my class!

Shopping small has always been a favorite thing of mine, specifically when it involves ladies connected to sweet Meredith College. Whether or not you attend Meredith or have any connection to the school, these lovely ladies’ businesses are definitely worth it to check out. Not only are their talents shining at Meredith College and within the Meredith community, but they are also shining beyond Meredith College.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Affordable Christmas Gifts They’ll Use

Let’s be honest: many of us receive gifts that we sadly never actually end up using. Knowing that, there are some items out there that make for great and practical gifts. So, I have come up with a gift guide of gifts that the ladies in your life whether she be your friend, family member, teacher, or yourself will LOVE and USE!

  1. Ello 8 pack Plastic Straws
  2. The Polka Dot Emporium Lilly Pulitzer Printed Face Mask
  3. Erin Condren Notebook
  4. The Redheaded Camel Today’s Plan Printable Schedule
  5. Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitizer 5 pack
  6. All She Wrote Notes Sanitizer Bottle Pocket

XOXO – Katie <3

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Black Friday Deals to Shop This 2020

With 2020 being one ride of a year for us all, it only is necessary that our favorite stores start offering Black Friday deals right now. You heard me right: several stores are offering Black Friday deals right now!!!! Today, I have rounded up a bunch of stores that are offering deals for your own online Christmas and/or treat yourself shopping sprees. Happy shopping!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Christmas Gifts for Self Care

I am very excited to have shared my first-ever gift guide apart of my Confetti Gift Guide series!!! With the holidays approaching and 2020 being a rough year for us all, self love and care has become more important than ever before. As it is important to share the love and compassion for others this holiday season, it is also important to provide yourself with some love and care, too. That being said, I decided to put together a gift guide of all things self care! These gifts are perfect to get either for treating yourself or for others this holiday season, as they perfectly embrace the need for nurturing ourselves in 2020, 2021, and beyond!

  1. Bath & Body Works Lotion
  2. Lush Bath Bomb
  3. Cuddl Duds Heated Plush to Sherpa Blanket
  4. Lilly Pulitzer Velour Robe
  5. The Redheaded Camel Bee Kind & Bee Happy Stickers
  6. InnoGear Oil Diffuser

As always, remember that self love is the BEST love!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Why I’m Thankful for Women’s Suffrage

100 years ago, women in the United States were able to vote for the first time ever. Before then, we as women could not use our voices to vote for the candidate of our choice. Knowing as a woman that many many women before me were not able to vote, makes me oh so grateful for my right to be able to do so. With Election Day being today, I want to share why I am thankful for women’s suffrage and why you should be too!

Last week, I got together with several other influencers to share why YOU should get out and vote. Although women’s suffrage was granted 100 years ago, many others such as African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, and men from a lower class were not able to vote for some time as well. As an American citizen, I see the United States as a beautiful country made up of beautiful people from several different backgrounds. Furthermore, having a candidate who embodies the votes and opinions of everyone living in America is a beautiful thing. It’s something that I can get behind.

With the current political climate, it is easy to get angry and upset over who someone chooses to vote for. While it is okay to be upset when others disagree with us, it is not okay to act on that anger and sadness. Everyone has their opinions and reasonings for choosing who they vote for, and it is usually not any of our business why someone selects a particular candidate. Personally, I have a candidate that I stand by and hope that wins this election and eventually the United States presidency. However, I will not get upset and treat others with anything but kindness if they choose to back another candidate from who I back. Even though I am pretty nervous about the election results, I know that above all else, if we are kind to others, then that is all that counts. Most people in this world are kind to others and want the best for everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion, and ethnicity. That being said, let’s focus on kindness before anything else.

As a woman, I have the power to change the world even with one vote. Women before me such as Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cary Stanton fought for my right to vote. It is important to remember and commemorate all of the hard work that these women went through just to simply cast their votes, even when it is not the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. Today, women around me are getting out to the polls much more than ever before. This ability of mine is something that I will ALWAYS be grateful for.

XOXO – Katie <3

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Christmas 2020 Decor Reveal

Have yourself a Merry Lilly Christmas! If you know me, then you know that I LOVE Christmas. So, today on the blog, I am revealing ALL of the Christmas decor for my first-ever Katie’s Confetti Christmas *cue the confetti*!!! All of my Christmas decorations are brought to you by Target, Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, Home Goods, Amazon, DIY, or leftover from my house or Papa’s from years past. With everything going on due to the coronavirus, I am very excited to have decorated a bit early for Christmas this year to spread some cheer. Enjoy!

A special thanks to my good friend Kaylee for helping me deck the halls with some sweet confetti Christmas cheer <3

XOXO – Katie <3

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A DIY Flamingo Halloween Costume

For the past few years, I did not dress up for Halloween. However, with my extra time in 2020, I decided why not?! Although I am going to any Halloween gatherings this year, in order to embrace our new and temporary normal of social distancing, I wanted to still take part in the fun. For my costume, I decided to DIY everything with crafts supplies from Hobby Lobby and items in my closet. I chose to dress as nothing other than a FLAMINGO!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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A Charming North Carolina Town

I have ALWAYS wanted to explore downtown Cary, yet I never had the chance until last weekend!! Although it is small, there is a lot to do and see for half a day in this charming town. My Papa and I did a walk through last weekend, and we had a great time taking in all of the sites while still maintaining our social distance. With its small town charm and proximity to Raleigh, I am most definitely excited to check out downtown Cary soon again!

Cary, North Carolina is a suburb located outside of Raleigh. Its downtown is super adorable with many local shops, restaurants, hotels, and other small businesses. There is even a park – it is all super adorable with a modern twist. While there, Papa and I walked the streets and checked out some of the shops as well as gorgeous The Mayton Inn – located in the heart of downtown. Even though the downtown is tiny, it is super walkable and fun to explore, whether it is for an afternoon, lunch, or a drive through. I will definitely be back to check out some of the restaurants and maybe even the small businesses!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Historic Mill Park in Raleigh

I am OBSESSED with old mills, however, I had never been to one until last Saturday. My Papa and I love going for walks together, and since he was in town for the weekend, we decided to check out Historic Yates Mill Park. Our experience at Historic Yates Mill Park was most definitely social distancing-friendly and a fun Fall adventure.

On our way to the park, we crossed through lots of farm land, which is found on the outskirts of the Raleigh area. Both Papa and I did not know where we were going when I had found this cute little park on Google of all places and wanted to explore it with him. Contrary to our beliefs, we were both in for a treat when we arrived and saw anything but farm land – there were gorgeous trees and waterfront views everywhere that we turned.

Like its name, Historic Yates Mill Park is home to the absolutely stunning Historic Yates Mill. Although this is a historic site to North Carolina, it is free to all of its guests, which makes this a super budget-friendly place to explore, especially if you are in Raleigh or nearby. According to the park guide volunteer who spoke with me and Papa, Yates Mill has been around since the 1700’s and was used for corn. Yates Mill also sits right beside Yates Mill Pond. The park is also owned by NC State University and their Agricultural students use as their own classroom and research area. Along with Yates Mill, there are trails alongside Yates Mill Pond, which is open to exploration. Papa and I walked the entire trail surrounding the pond and we both had no trouble walking it (I was wearing my Jack Rogers sandals and Papa has a walking stick). Everywhere we turned, there was a stunning view of the everchanging Fall leaves, the mill, the pond, and all of the above. We surely got our daily workout in while taking in some scenic Fall views!!!

Historic Yates Mill Park is most definitely a hidden gem in Raleigh. With its free and easy access to everyone and its gorgeous views, the park has much to offer for everyone of all ages and abilities. I am also super happy that I got to cross seeing a historic mill off of my bucket list, too!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Weekly Menu Round-Up: October 25-30

Life has definitely been crazy recently. After talking to a friend, I realized that making a good dinner can be a great way to get through the week. If you know me, you know that I love a good weekly menu. This week, I am cooking some recipes that are close to my heart from my childhood years and spicing them up to be an adulting edition. I am most definitely excited to enjoy some great recipes to keep me going throughout the week!

Sunday: Oven Baked Ziti

Every Christmas Eve, my Aunt Amy bakes a homemade oven baked ziti. Since I love my Aunt Amy’s recipe so much, I decided to find a variation of an oven baked ziti recipe to try myself. Aunt Amy’s recipe *HAS* to be saved solely for Christmas Eve!!! I found this dutch oven recipe from The Cookie Rookie, and it has been super popular recipe for a crowd (the pre-pandemic life). To go with it, I will be having a Caesar salad with a Vegan Salad Dressing from Trader Joe’s. I have yet to make it since the pandemic has taken over most of our lives, but I cannot wait to this week!

Monday: Honey Mustard Roasted Salmon

Love me some salmon!!! I have always been a sucker for salmon AND a Delish recipe. Experimenting with different salmon recipes has always been a favorite thing of mine to do. Monday, I will be trying a Honey Mustard Roasted Salmon from Delish and serving it with my favorite vegeatable dish: roasted Brussels sprouts. Definitely a great way to kick off the week.

Tuesday: BBQ Shrimp

I am obsessed with all things barbecue. At the same time, I am very weird about the meats that I eat, especially when cooking at home. So, when I found this BBQ Shrimp Recipe from $5 Dinners, I knew that I had to try! I made this recipe back in January for a few friends and in April for my family during quarantine, and am making it again and serving it with some Kraft Mac & Cheese and Roasted Broccoli. Definitely excited to have it again!

Wednesday: Breakfast

Confessions: I NEVER eat breakfast on a good day, so why not enjoy it for dinner?! Growing up, my Papa and Grandma made Corned Beef Hash, so I can going to make that along with an egg and probably some bacon. It will be an easy yet delicious dinner!!

Thursday: Pesto Pasta

Pesto pasta has been a childhood favorite of mine. My mother probably cooked it for me and my brother at least once a week! That being said, I will be enjoying my childhood favorite dish with some amazing roasted cherry tomatoes on the side. Like breakfast for dinner, it is an easy yet delicious recipe to make!

With the end of the Fall semester approaching, my life is about to get extremely crazy. I am glad that I have some super good recipes to look forward to all week.

XOXO – Katie <3

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