What I Wore Last Week

Hey y’all! If you have not heard already, I started a style series called Katie’s Confetti Style. Each day, usually weekdays, I will be sharing how I style a different piece in my closet for various occasions/seasons. I’m really excited that my first-ever week of Katie’s Confetti Style has been a success!!! Today, I will be sharing a round up of each of my four looks from throughout the week.

Monday: Lilly Pulitzer Skort for Fall

Start it out with a BANG! To kick off Katie’s Confetti Style, I decided to style none other than a piece from my favorite fashion designer: Lilly Pulitzer. Since I have SO MUCH Lilly Pulitzer in my closet, I opted to style my skort in my favorite print from this past Spring – Who Let The Fronds Out. With this print being extremely summery, I knew that it would be a super fun challenge to style for the Fall season. To transition this skort of mine to Fall, I paired it with a long sleeve grey top that I have had for years from Kohl’s along with a baby pink tweed jacket that I thrifted from the Nice, France-based fashion house Faconnable. To top it off, I added my pearl strands that I have had for years from Nordstrom Rack along with my vintage pink silk scarf that I wore as a hairband. Last but not least, NO Fall look is complete without riding boots and pink knee high socks courtesy of Target, like the one’s I am wearing from Tommy Hilfiger!

Tuesday: Dressing Up a Flannel

For the First Day of Fall, I could not choose a better piece to style than a flannel. The flannel that I am wearing is from Vineyard Vines and was gifted to me by my step mother about a month after I moved into my first semester at Meredith. To dress up my flannel while staying comfy, I wore my black Nicole Miller leggings that I purchased from TJ Maxx and added some dressy accessories, including my J Crew Factory necklace that I have had for years and my pearl embroidered top knot hairband from Madison Boutique in Raleigh. Lastly, I could not not wear my Tommy Hilfiger riding boots yet again!

Wednesday: PINK!

On Wednesday’s we wear pink! If you’re a Mean Girls fan like myself, then you know that quote ALL too well!!! As silly as it sounds, I just LOVE wearing pink on a Wednesday – it is my favorite color so what can I say?! For styling my pink outfit of the day, I decided to wear my long sleeve hot pink top from one of my favorite small North Carolina-based businesses Haley & the Hound and pair it with a Lilly Pulitzer skirt that I have had for years which I got from ThredUp. Since the skirt is in more of a geometric print, I knew that it could easily work for Fall! To top it all off, I added my Elie Tahari black and white bow flats.

Friday: Dressing the Part for a Virtual Career Fair!

Coincidentally, Friday happened to be a rainy day and also the day of Meredith College’s Virtual Career Fair. Since I strongly dislike getting my fancy shoes wet and well everything is on a virtual front for the time being, I decided to style my tweed Rebecca Taylor dress with my pink Hunter Boots. I mean everything is done better in pink aka the Elle Woods way, right?!

Katie’s Confetti Style has most definitely become a highlight of my day to day life. I know that y’all enjoy seeing them too!

XOXO – Katie <3

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How To Fall In Love with YOURSELF More

They say that “the trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go.” During the past six months of social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, I have been taking advantage of the free time that I have had to work on myself. One of the things that I am truly thankful for with the pandemic is that fact that I have been able to work on and fall in love with myself all over again. With today being the first day of Fall *eek*, I wanted play on the theme of Fall with one of my favorite topics: self love.

Do Something You Have Always Wanted to Do Yet Never Did

JUST DO IT!!! There are SO many things that I have wanted to do, but for some reason I did not. One of the best ways that we can showcase love and compassion to ourselves is by doing things that we want to do/try. Whether that be taking a trip you have always wanted to take, trying a new hobby, or going on a walk on a new trail, simply get out there and do it. If you cannot right now, then save up the money to do it when you can or get the resources to do it. The reward that you reap when you do that thing(s) will be much greater when you do it for YOU and not anyone else. There is SO much that we want to do and we can do it all for ourselves.

Take Time for YOU

One of the greatest ways to show love and care for yourself is to simply take time for yourself and only yourself. We all live crazy busy lives. I get it, too. However, it is really important to put away some time to simply do something for you. If that means taking a nap, then do it. If that means binge watching your favorite show with a glass of wine, then do it. If that means online shopping/browsing, then do it. Getting your mind off of the grind, which is what our minds are on practically ALL THE TIME, is such a great way to show yourself some love and compassion. Moreover, taking time for yourself shows your willingness to keep going to the best of your ability. When you put time away for you, you can then put your best self and foot forward when you are on the grind.

Practice Self Care

Self care takes all kinds and forms. As humans, we naturally spend so much time loving and caring for others that we forget about the most important person in our lives: ourselves. For myself, self care means knowing my limits and what I am willing to do and not do. At the same time, self care means for me to step back when needed and take time for myself to watch some reality television and sip some wine. Sometimes, self care simply means scrolling through my phone for minutes on end. Whatever it means for you, do what you have to and got to do. Once we take time to love and care for ourselves, we learn to grow and love ourselves for who we are and are meant to be.

Be Comfortable with Yourself

I’m going to be honest: this is something that I struggle with still. Guess what?! That is OKAY! We all are unique human beings, but unfortunately society strives to paint us all to fit one mold. The sad reality with society’s distortion of us all is that people feel afraid to come out and be comfortable in their own skin. We are all unique people, and we need to embrace who we truly are. Whether that means dressing in a certain way or style or embracing your love for Disney, the more you become comfortable with yourself, the happier you will be with your own self. Being comfortable in your own skin is one of the best ways to find love and compassion for yourself.

Don’t Care What Others Think About You

The only person whose opinion matters of yourself is your own. There will ALWAYS be haters. I hate to break it to you, but the more you begin to become more comfortable in your own skin and compassionate towards yourself, the more you will distance from those who do not align with your true self. Taylor Swift said it perfectly in her song Shake It Off, as “the haters gonna hate hate hate.” And guess what?! The people who are the proclaimed “haters” in your life, DO NOT MATTER!!! The only person that matters in your life is YOU. No one else is living your life but you. Remember that it is YOUR life to live and no one else’s.

Know YOUR Worth

Knowing your self worth is SO important. For many of us, our past experiences can easily make us feel as if they define our future one’s. However, that is NOT the case. Only YOU define YOUR future! You are worth SO MUCH more than what may have happened in your past. It could take some time for you to realize just that but overtime you will. Just know that you are capable of so much, which knowing yourself is key to falling in love with yourself all over again.

Only Compare To Yourself Yesterday NOT Others

Naturally, it is SO easy to compare ourselves to others. Every single time we do it, we make ourselves look worse in our own eyes as compared to someone else. A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on How I Began Comparing Myself to Others LESS, and it elaborates more on this subject matter. Long story short, comparing ourselves to others is such an unproductive thing to do with our time. At the same time, if we are to compare ourselves to someone, then it should be ourselves yesterday. When we begin comparing ourselves to our own self, we start to examine our self growth and work on ourselves instead of trying to work on others. When we do just that, we begin to love ourselves even more.

When we fall in love with ourselves, we easily let things go that we did not let go before. Falling in love with yourself is something easier said than done. However, it can and must be done by us all, in order for each of us to live out our best lives. This Fall, I hope y’all make it a goal to work on yourself more and to fall in love with yourself. It may take time, but it will happen and it’ll be OH SO WORTH IT. Once you do, you will not look back! You know what they say?! Self love is the BEST love!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Weekly Menu Round Up: September 21-25

To be blatantly honest, I have not been the best recently about planning my weekly menus. With everything going on with the coronavirus and the extreme uncertainty that sits atop all of us, it has been difficult for me to keep up. At the same time, I know that y’all love seeing my Weekly Menu Round Up posts. So, that all being said, I do and will continue to share my weekly menus, but they will be a lot more simplified. As always, I hope that my weekly menus provide you with some inspiration for your own kitchen!

Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash soup has been a classic family favorite in my family’s household. Now that it is starting to feel like Fall #YAY, I wanted to make this favorite of mine in my own kitchen! I will be trying an easy recipe from AllRecipes. At the same time, I will be serving it with roasted vegetables, whatever I find at Trader Joe’s that looks appealing, and crostini’s.

Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta

It is most definitely Fall y’all in my kitchen! This week, I will be making a Pumpkin Alfredo sauce from Delish. As for the noodles, I will be using the pumpkin-shaped noodles from Trader Joe’s that I CANNOT wait to have back in my kitchen. I will be serving the pasta with Texas toast.

Pumpkin Cookies

The other week, I picked up some of the classic Pillsbury Pumpkin Cookies. I cannot wait to whip some up this weekend, as they are a favorite of mine!!!

I hope y’all have a great week, as we go into Fall!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Craft Bucket List

Let’s get CRAFTY!!! Last week, I mentioned that one of the blessings that I have experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic is establishing new hobbies, including crafting. Since starting to dig into this brand-new hobby of mine, I have come across several different DIY crafty things that I want to try. Today, I have listed all of those to help gather myself some inspiration as well as y’all!

Home Decor

  • Coffee/Tea bar out of an antique armoire or shelf
  • Chair covers
  • Painted bar stools
  • Glitter confetti desk chair
  • Table runner
  • Lilly Pulitzer printed placemats
  • DIY laminated placemats using wrapping paper
  • Spray-painted picture frame
  • Curtains
  • Wine & design canvas
  • Fleece throw blanket
  • Area rug made out of fabric scraps
  • Door hanger

Fall

  • Pie banner
  • Painted pumpkins
  • Door sign
  • Wreath
  • Canvas

Christmas

  • Christmas cards (annually)
  • Photo ball ornaments (as gifts)
  • Lilly Pulitzer printed ornaments
  • Banner of some sort
  • Canvas
  • Wreath

Scrapbooks

  • Family trips/reunions
  • Friends & family graduation notes
  • My Meredith College experience
  • Study abroad

Accessories

  • Fleece scarf
  • Hairband
  • No sew skirt

If only I had the time to do it all!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My First Month of College During Covid-19

To think that I would ever be going to classes while wearing a face mask or through Zoom is truly above me. At this moment, I feel extremely fortunate that Meredith College has not moved all classes permanently online for the Fall semester like many of the other colleges around me. While I feel really lucky to still be on campus a month in, it is still pretty tough to be taking on Senior year in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Today, I am sharing my one month reflection of being at college during Covid-19.

It is most definitely weird to be back on campus without the social aspect that my professors, classmates, and I really cherish. At Meredith, social events play an extremely vital role in the college experience, just like at pretty much every other college. To say that I miss that part of being at college would be an understatement, as I am a social person by nature – actually very very very social. Pre-pandemic, I was definitely that girl who hosted parties and gatherings of all kinds in her apartment. Not to mention the several activities that I did with others off campus as well. At the same time, I do know that in-person social events are put on hold right now and for good reason. That being said, I have strived to make it work for the time being, with getting together with friends both a virtual and/or social distanced environment. While it most definitely is not the same for me this semester

In terms of classes, I have had a mixture of in-person and online – 3 in-person and four online. Over the first few weeks of classes, I decided to switch two of my in-person classes to all online. Oddly enough, I have really enjoyed the online environment for classes during the pandemic. Although it was forced, I really like having the flexibility and honestly not having to leave my apartment or even bedroom for that matter to accomplish what I need to. At the moment, I have one in-person class and I chose to keep it in-person, as I have a bond with my classmates and professors in it. This class is also a favorite of mine, so it really worked out to keep it in-person.

Since I do have a lot more free time on my hands, I have been using it in many different ways. First, I have truly been able to invest in my platform here on The Pink Chickadee. Having the ability to be able to share what I do with y’all has truly been a blessing during this entire pandemic! At the same time, I have been able to invest in looking towards the future, through making connections at potential graduate schools and with potential employers. I have been conducting a ton of informational interviews with graduate school students at programs that I am interested in as well as people at companies that peak my interest. In my free time, I usually spend it crafting, which has become a new favorite hobby of mine! To be able to invest in myself so much more than before has really been a blessing even while in classes during this pandemic.

Looking back on my first month of classes of my Senior year, there have been many ups and downs, but one thing that remains for sure is the friends that I made, the family that I have, and the degree that I am attaining. Senior year, Coronavirus edition, was definitely not in my plan for my four years of college. However, like many things in life, plans can and will change and we have to be OKAY with that. Even though there is SO MUCH uncertainty at the moment, I do know that things will always work out in ways that we could have never even imagined. Simply hopping along for the ride and knowing that everyone around me, even if it is virtually, is going through similar things is extremely comforting and the way to go!

XOXO – Katie <3

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DIY Preppy Painted Pumpkins

It’s beginning to look a lot like FALL Y’ALL in my apartment! After going on an online shopping spree to Michael’s, I left with an online cart full of many finds and lots of inspiration for many fun crafts. As I was getting all excited to get into the Fall spirit, I just knew that I wanted to create some things myself for my own apartment. Crafting has most definitely been a godsend to me during the Covid-19 pandemic, and I have finally been able to establish it to be another passion of mine. Today, I will be showcasing my DIY Preppy Painted Pumpkins!

To do my DIY, I spent a few days and episodes of Sweet Magnolia‘s on Netflix to paint them, as I needed to dry the paint between days. It was most definitely a great relaxing activity, especially amidst all of the uncertainty that our current times have brought on to us all.

My pumpkins are each plastic and purchased from Michael’s (I got the smallest size I could find, as I am a college student on a budget). That way, I can use them with my Fall decor year after year! The BEST part about painting plastic pumpkins?! They come in a variety of colors, sizes, and can easily be painted to your liking!

Overall, I truly LOVE my preppy painted pumpkins – they are uniquely my own and something that I can call mine. Moreover, they were also designed at a fraction of the price of getting a pumpkin done from an Etsy artist, and it was super fun to do!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Lilly Pulitzer Styles that I Love

The party is just getting started with Lilly Pulitzer’s notable annual After Party Sale (APS) hitting the stores as we speak and online starting tomorrow *throws confetti in the air*!!! With the Lilly Pulitzer APS keeping all of the excitement on our toes, I wanted to do a bit of a twist on the tea of the APS and share some of my favorite Lilly Pulitzer styles from over the years photo edition. Since there are a diverse mix of body types, I will only be sharing photos of each style on me, as I feel that how a piece looks and fits on somebody differs for each of us. Many of these styles will *hopefully* be found in Lilly’s APS, starting tomorrow!

Adalee Shift Dress

Mila Shift Dress

Essie Top

UPF 50+ Luxletic Run Around Skort

Sophie Shift Dress

Elsa Top

Jane Shift Dress

Colette Scallop Hem Skort

UPF 50+ Luxletic Leggings

Popover

Kelly Ankle Stretch Pant

Harper Shift Dress

Happy shopping!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Pumpkin Items from Target to Buy Online NOW

It’s most definitely Fall y’all in my book, which means it’s time to stock up on all things pumpkin-related until Thanksgiving! Like many of y’all, I am OBSESSED with Target, as they carry affordable merchandise and have great pick up options pertaining to Covid-19. Recently, I ordered some Target products online to make it Fall y’all in my apartment and I have them shared down below along with many other products that I had to resist purchasing. Before I get into sharing my finds with y’all, I wanted to thank my friend Faith Ann from FAB As Can Be for sharing some of her favorite finds with me to share here with y’all too! Definitely check her own on Instagram @fabascanbe, too! Now, let’s get our carts ready to fill up with ALL THINGS PUMPKIN!!!

Tazo Chai Pumpkin Spice Latte Tea Concentrate

Shop here!

11oz Glass Jar 3-Wick Pumpkin Spice Candle

Shop here!

Decorative Ceramic Pumpkin

Shop in orange, red, white, & blue too here!

barkTHINS Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Seed

Shop here!

Febreeze Air Freshener in Fresh-Harvest Pumpkin

Shop here!

Pumpkin Pie Toaster Pastry

Shop here!

Milano Pumpkin Spice Flavored Cookies

Shop here!

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Light Roast Coffee Keurig K-Cup Pods

Shop here!

“Happy Fall” Orange Decorative Harvest Pumpkin

Shop here!

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Shop here!

Carvable Plastic Halloween Pumpkin

Shop in cream, orange, and Tiffany blue here!

Smashmallow Organic Halloween Pumpkin Pie Marshmallow

Shop here!

12pk Pumpkin Spice Tealight Candle Set

Shop here!

Organic Vegan Gluten Free Wheat Tree Pumpkin Spice Frozen Waffles

Shop here!

Pumpkin Bread Kit with Icing

Shop here!

Painted Gold Nailhead Halloween Decorative Pumpkin

Shop in both black and cream here!

Layered Felt Pumpkin Harvest Garland

Shop here!

Pepperridge Farm Seasonal Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies

Shop here!

Despicable Me Minion Dave 5pc Halloween Pumpkin Push-In Decorating Kit

Shop here!

Glade Candle – Pumpkin Spice Things Up

Shop here!

Archer Farms Pretzels (also comes in a Pumpkin Spice flavor!)

Shop here!

“Give Thanks” White Decorative Harvest Pumpkin

Shop here!

Here’s to your next Target trip being filled with a few pumpkin items *or two*!

XOXO – Katie <3

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15 Staples To Transition Your Fall Wardrobe

It’s Fall y’all!! I like to think that September 1-Thanksgiving is officially Fall (even if the calendar says otherwise). Whether you like it or not, Fall is coming. That means that it is about time that we all transition our wardrobes from Summer to Fall. While it may feel extremely daunting to switch out our clothes for the cooler months, it does not have to. There are SO many pieces that are perfect for transitioning our wardrobes, many of which you probably already own! Today, I will be sharing 15 of those Fall transition staples that are most likely already in your wardrobe!

1 – Cardigan

Nothing says “It’s Fall y’all” like a good old cardigan! Cardigans are excellent staples for the Fall season, and they can add a cozy feel to practically any outfit. You can dress them up or down, which makes them such a versatile piece for any wardrobe. Especially when the mornings may be crisp and the afternoons are hot and humid, a cardigan can easily be worn or taken off throughout the day. The best part is: practically all of us ladies have one (or a few) in our closets!

2 – Lipsticks

Burgundy’s, red’s, nudes, and purple’s OH MY! Lipsticks are such a fun way to add a Fall twist to ANY outfit. I always find it fun to mix and match my lipsticks when transitioning from my Summer wardrobe to my Fall wardrobe. For instance, instead of wearing a soft pink lipstick, I may opt for a red or burgundy lip depending on the colors of my outfit. That way, I can still feel as if it is Fall when it may not feel that way outside. While it may still be super hot outside, like it is here in North Carolina, wearing lipstick does not make anyone feel overheated, unlike many other Fall fashion staples!

3 – Leather or Denim Jacket

Luckily for us all, leather and denim jackets come in all different styles, shapes, and sizes. Similar to a cardigan, a leather or denim jacket can really add sleek Fall like vibe to any look. Additionally, they are both a great layering piece of clothing for those crisp mornings turned afternoon sauna’s. They are also Uber-versatile!!!

4 – Hairband

Blair Waldorf vibes anyone?! If you know me, you know that I LOVE Gossip Girl‘s infamous Blair Waldorf who sported the most fashionable hairbands on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for her daily lunches. Fortunately for all of us Blair Waldorf lovers, we can all unite for one of the latest trends in fashion: the hairband. Hairband’s are such great pieces, as they go with so many looks and are OH SO affordable. For Fall, hairbands come in rich Fall hues ranging from red to cream to black and Burgundy and/or embroidered with pearls or gemstones are the way to go! Moreover, the top knot hairband is also a super trendy preppy fashion look that has been a hit throughout Spring/Summer 2020 and does not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. That being said, bring it on, Blair Waldorf!!!

5 – Flats

If you know me, you know that I LOVE my Jack Rogers sandals. However, soon enough, I will be trading them in for my flats. With any looks, a pair of flats can add a nice Fall feel, especially when paired with a long sleeve dress/top and skirt or dress/top and skirt and a cardigan. Back in March, I invested in my first-ever pair of Tory Burch flats, and I definitely cannot wait to sport them in the coming weeks while transitioning my wardrobe for Fall. I hope y’all are excited to show off some cute flats too!

6 – Shirt Dress

Shirt dresses have definitely been a staple for the year of 2020. The best part is that you can dress them up or down and they also come in pretty much every print, color, and style! I have purchased one from J Crew Factory as well as Draper James during their sales and I am NOT looking back. In addition to the variety of colors and styles that they come in, shirt dresses can easily be styled for Fall and especially during the Summer-Fall transition period with a pair of flats, booties, or riding boots. The possibilities are most definitely ENDLESS!

7 – Nail Polish

When it may not feel like Fall outside, spicing up your nails for Fall is a great way to transition into the season. From shades such as Burgundy, orange, yellow, dark green, and nudes, the possibilities for Fall nails are endless. Like lipsticks, nail polish is an affordable and easy product to purchase or have in your own collection of nail polishes at home. That being said, you can easily spice up your nails in the comfort of your own home AND budget!

8 – Chambray Shirt

Similar to a denim jacket, chambray shirts can go with practically EVERYTHING! Personally, I have found that chambray shirts truly add a nice, crisp feel to any look. I have paired my chambray button-downs with my Lilly Pulitzer shifts, in order to spice them up for the Fall season. They can also be layered for a cool morning and taken off in the afternoon, which makes them be such a versatile piece for the season!

9 – Scarf

Love me some scarves! From plaid to striped to solid and everything in between, scarves are such a great staple to have in your wardrobe, especially when transitioning to your Fall wardrobe. Scarves are easy to come by AND they fit practically every budget. When it’s warmer outside, I like to wear a scarf in a lighter fabric such as cotton or linen. Meanwhile, once it gets cooler, I opt for my scarves in wools, flannel, and fleece. The possibilities for styling and searching for a scarf (or two) that you like are out there!

10 – Boots

Love me some good old boots! Boots are such a classic Fall/Winter piece. They also make for excellent transition pieces, when changing out your wardrobe from warm to cool. Additionally, boots also come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from ankle-high to knee-high and in all types of fabrics and colors. You can most definitely find the right boot for you, your budget, and style!

11 – Pullover

I have ALWAYS been a major fan of pullovers of all kinds! Like cardigans, denim jackets, leather jackets, and chambray shirts, you can easily layer them and take them off as it gets warmer throughout the day. Also, they make for a great investment piece that you can wear in the Spring and Winter seasons as well! I love Lilly Pulitzer’s popovers in my favorite fashion house’s vibrant Resort 365 prints along with Vineyard Vines’ classic Ship Shirts. Whatever your taste may be, there is most definitely a pullover out there for you!

12 – Animal Print ANYTHING

Just like 2019, animal print has entered into 2020 with a bang and it isn’t leaving the clothing racks any time soon. Over the years, animal prints have been a classic, whether leopard, snakeskin, or anything in between. However, these fun prints have been widely seen in the past year. Whether in a dress, skirt, top, or leggings, a piece in the animal print of your choosing will easily lend you into your Fall wardrobe. Fortunately for us all, animal printed clothing can be easily found on practically every store’s racks (or online shop), such as Kohl’s, Belk, J Crew, and even Lilly Pulitzer. That way, you can say that you found a Fall trend that you can wear that you can wear even when the weather doesn’t feel like Fall!

13 – Eyeshadow Palettes

Just like lipsticks and nail polish, eyeshadow palettes are an excellent way to make an “it’s Fall y’all” statement. Practically EVERY makeup brand carries eyeshadow palettes in Fall colors, such as Burgundy, dark brown’s, and a gold shimmer. The best bet is to check out Ulta, Sephora, Target, Walmart, or even your local drugstore. Whatever your budget may be, your eyes will be filled with glee for Fall to be here!

14 – Leggings

The classic leggings! You heard me: leggings are such a great transition wardrobe staple for Fall. Since we all do not have to shave our legs for much longer, leggings provide for an excellent opportunity to acknowledge that the Fall season is coming. The best part of it all?! You probably have several pairs, even just a plain black pair, in your closet/dresser right now!!!

15 – Oversized Sweaters

Who doesn’t love an oversized sweater?! I know that there has yet to be an oversized sweater that I met and did not love! Oversized sweaters go great with leggings and even dresses/skirts if styled well. They also come in a variety of colors and styles. I have several that are a knitted feel as well as many to show off my college spirit, and they’re SO fun to style. I also LOVE how comfortable I feel wearing any oversized sweater – just as if I did not change out of my pajamas. That way, any day can feel just as if you did not roll out of bed!

Fall is upon us, which makes me a very happy gal! Although it may not be fun for some to switch out their wardrobes especially on a tight budget, Fall clothes can be some of the most fun to wear throughout the year. Luckily, many of the staples that I have mentioned can be easily be found in our own closets/drawers/dressers right at this moment. Perhaps, maybe, you do not have to spend a dime to dress your best for the Fall season!

XOXO – Katie <3

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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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