The Life of Katie!

Hey y’all! Welcome to my second-ever The Life of Katie!, where I will essentially be taking y’all into my life and the inner workings of how I create my own confetti. As always, before I get into sharing a bit about my own life, I want to hear a bit about yours. So, at the end of this post, comment one or more things that you’re looking forward to this week – I would LOVE to hear!

*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.*

What’s Been on my Mind?!

  • Chicago Med – *surprise, surprise* Yes, I started binge-watching yet another medical drama television show! I have been obsessed with ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and its spin-off Private Practice, so I guess watching another was in the works! I’ve most definitely enjoyed this show and the drama that it offers.
  • Work it gurl! – Recently, I have been working on literally working it! Whether it be in my job, on my blog, or focusing on my own self and personal goals, I am striving to create and achieve my own goals in life. In this time of my life, I think it is important to not only invest in myself and my career, but also where I would like to go in my life beyond college. Thinking along the lines of where I see myself 5 years from now, the answer may still be a bit uncertain but I do have an idea of the person that I want to become and how I will acquire the skills to become that woman.
  • Fall – Y’all, I AM SO SO SO EXCITED FOR FALL!!!! Yep, you heard me right! With Labor Day weekend upon us, my Fall-obsessed brain has been planning all the Fall content. Although I do not want to giveaway what’s all in store, y’all, I will say that it’s exciting!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things!

  • Rae Dunn’s Fall Tumblers and Mugs – I am oh so obsessed with Rae Dunn! Recently, her Fall collection hit the shelves of Marshall’s/TJ Maxx/Home Goods, and I have been smitten. Although I am one that does not usually purchase holiday-oriented tumblers/cups/mugs that I will only use a few months out of the year (surprisingly, I am very practical here!), I found the tumblers and mugs on the shelves of my local Marshall’s/TJ Maxx/Home Goods to be oh so adorable and perfect for those who love holiday-themed tumblers and mugs to sip their favorite drink out of and embrace their best Fall lives.
  • Semi-Reversing Last Week’s Blog Structural Changes – Trial and error, y’all! Sometimes new systems put in place do not work, and that is OKAY! I have since realized that my blog structural changes that I put in place last week were not realistic given my super Type A planner persona, so I went back to that structure for my blog, and I think it is for the better. Although I won’t be all out planning, I will be planning a lot more and embracing content ideas as they come to my brain and as I or any other fellow influencer should!
  • PSL Season! – It doesn’t get any more basic than this! Last Tuesday August 24, the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) hit every Starbucks everywhere. As a fellow PSL lover, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to grab a hot PSL despite the 90+ degree heat and humidity here in the DMV – HAHA!
  • Washington, DC TJ Maxx’s – I have recently discovered that the TJ Maxx’s in Washington, DC have a better selection of items than the one’s by me at my home base of the nearby Northern Virginia. In the past few weeks, I have visited multiple TJ Maxx’s, Marshall’s’s, and Home Goods’s locations and have indeed preferred the one’s in downtown Washington, DC over the one’s closer to home. I definitely think that my shopping desires better meet those of city folks – maybe I’m just a city girl at heart?!
  • Lilly Pulitzer’s New Arrivals – Last Friday, Lilly Pulitzer launched the second line of their brand-new Fall collection. If I tell you that my obsession with it is an understatement, then I would be telling y’all the straight up truth. I am more than obsessed with Lilly Pulitzer’s second Fall line, and I will be the first to admit it. The purple’s, green’s, blue’s and even pink’s are oh so gorgeous and perfect for the upcoming Summer-to-Fall transition and into the Fall/Winter season. You can shop some of my favorite pieces below!

Recent Purchases & My Wishlists Items

  • Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Machine – So, last week I was having trouble falling asleep. Being the caffeine addict that I am, I found myself just a few minutes later purchasing the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee machine off of Target’s website with it being on sale for $25. I have yet to test it out since receiving it a few days ago, but I plan to this week. Many of y’all have asked me about it as y’all are considering purchasing one, too, so be on the look out for some reviews.
  • Lands’ End Maxi Dresses – I have recently most definitely grown to loving Lands’ End! So, long and behold, I made yet another purchase. Lands’ End is always having clearance sales, and I loved how confident I felt as a 5’2 woman who was finally able to sport a maxi dress that she didn’t need to get hemmed thanks to their Petites section. I was actually telling my Papa how confident I felt in my maxi that he suggested that I buy more, so I did just that!
  • Cora’s Den Olaf Earrings – My friend Cassie is a MAJOR gift giver! She came to visit last weekend and she got me the most adorable Olaf earrings from Cora’s Den. Olaf is my absolute favorite Disney character, so I was more than thrilled when I saw that precious pair of earrings awaiting me!
  • Lands’ End Denim Jackets – Lands’ End strikes yet again! This time around, I also bought denim jackets along with some maxi dresses. I have been loving Lands’ End’s clearance section and, since they had denim jackets on clearance, I could not resist getting myself some of this Fall weather fashion staple for a steal. You can purchase them here!
  • Gifted Customized Girl’s Weekend Merchandise – So, last weekend, my good friends Cassie and Caroline came to visit. Cassie, in fact, owns her own oh so adorable Etsy shop and small business Cassie’s Designs! Cassie designs many customized products that are affordable and adorable – perfect for the budgeting person who wants customization! Being the super sweet and extremely talented and crafty lady that she is, Cassie designed wine glasses and t-shirts for us all to commemorate our super fun Girl’s Weekend here in Washington, DC. You can shop of my favorite products of hers and enjoy photos of the merchandise that she gifted us with below.

What’s on the Docket?!

  • Certifications – This week, I am starting a brand-new certification in order to achieve one of my professional goals. I like to say that I am a closeted nerd, as I love love love coding and analyzing alll the data. This certification that I am starting includes both of those things along with some interesting coding/data analytics applications that I didn’t learn in my undergraduate years. It’ll be fun to add onto my portfolio and expand my skills in the workplace, too.
  • Fall Trips – Currently, I am getting oh so excited to plan some fun Fall trips! This Fall, I am making up a bit for lost time last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic with family and friends. So, I will be traveling to a few places along the East Coast to see some of my friends and family who I have yet to really see since the pre-COVID days.

Now, I would LOVE to hear what you’re up to this week! Comment something you’re looking forward to below!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Life of Katie!

Hey y’all! Today, I am starting a brand-new series on the blog – The Life of Katie! Essentially, I will be sharing with y’all a peek into my life and the inner workings of how I spread confetti here on The Pink Chickadee. Now, before I share a bit about my life, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to learn more about yours, too. So, I would LOVE for you at the end of this post to comment one or more things that you’re looking forward to this week — let’s keep the good energy flowing!

What’s Been on my Mind?!

  • Grey’s Anatomy‘s & Private Practice‘s Addison Montgomery – I have discovered the values in relating to TV characters. Recently, I have really enjoyed connecting to Addison Montgomery who was initially on Grey’s Anatomy and then went onto have her own spinoff Private Practice. While she was on Grey’s Anatomy, I wasn’t as keen of her until she left the show. On the contrary, when her character began to grow on Private Practice and become her own beyond the Grey’s Anatomy scene at Seattle Grace Memorial Hospital, I truly enjoy getting to see her life unravel. One of my very favorite parts is when Addison begins going to a therapist all dolled up in her pearls looking like Audrey Hepburn! Addison Montgomery is someone who comes across as super classy and put together, but like us all, she is not. Seeing her go to therapy and embrace is is such a beautiful thing that I hope everyone gets to experience someday in their life.
  • Buy less & shop my closet more – In recent weeks, I have become keen to shopping a lot. As I am accumulating so many new pieces to wear and enjoy, I want to actually be able to wear and enjoy them and not just buy buy buy. While shopping is fun, it can become an addiction that is unhealthy. At the same time, I am enjoying shopping within my own closet and truly exploring the potential that it has to offer!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things!

  • Delight Iced Coffee – If you know me, then you know that I have recently become addicted to iced coffee! My favorite brand for iced coffee has become the Delight brand, and I get their cartons of either the Vanilla or Carmel flavor. Personally, I am an EXTREMELY brand loyal person! My friends at school would make fun of me because I am one that if I like something, then I stick with it. In fact, I have worn the same exact brand and product of mascara since high school, shopped for the majority of my shopping days at Lilly Pulitzer, and have only used the same brand of Bath & Body Works lotion since I was 12. Yes, I am that crazy of a person, but it works, and the same concept goes for my iced coffee, too. Yet, I am quite a bit more adventurous when it comes to coffee than I am with other things!
  • Upcoming collaborations – I do not want to spill the beans on what is to come, but y’all I am extremely extremely extremely excited about some of the upcoming collaborations that I have in store for y’all! Each of the brands that I have been working with or will be working with truly embody a part of what I want to share here on my platform. At the same time, in addition to working with some brands, I am also working on teaming up with some of my fellow influencer friends on some fun things as well. I find so much strength in being able to team up with others in your niche and pulling into one another’s strengths.
  • Notebooks – Recently, I have become a notebook fanatic! As previously mentioned in one of my recent blog post, I’ve honestly felt like Lexie Grey on her first days of her internship at Seattle Grace Memorial Hospital in the show Grey’s Anatomy fastidiously taking notes. One of my former professors on my very first day of classes at Meredith once said that we are more likely to remember things when we take notes with paper and a pen. She was right! In college, I ALWAYS typed my notes, but then as I got into the workforce, I noticed that I really like using a paper and pen and am much more likely to remember what I wrote, too. This week, I am planning on going to Target aka my favorite place to get some adorable and affordable notebooks and I cannot wait – its the little things y’all!!!
  • Blog structural changes – You heard me right: I am going to be changing up the structure and flow of how I run my platform here at The Pink Chickadee. Personally, I have been struggling recently with the ways that I would implement content, especially as I have started my new job, and knew that I needed to switch things up a bit. I have also talked with some of my fellow influencer friends who are making similar changes, themselves – something that is remarkably refreshing! These structural changes will not impact too much how things flow, but things will probably flow with a *little* less structure than before. Overall, I will be putting in place ways that I can still share content, balance my job, and give y’all a deeper peek into my life.
  • Land’s End – Y’all I have become OBSESSED with Land’s End! Although Land’s End may be targeting an older demographic than my age range to some extent, I have recently discovered that the majority of their pieces are remarkably timeless. In that being said, Land’s End products will carry you throughout the years, the trends that come and go, and the good and the bad days all while in style! My Mom has shopped all of the brand’s sales over the years and managed to get some oh so adorable work clothing work under $25/piece. She definitely got me hooked, too! Land’s End also has had some pretty awesome sales going on for a while now which I have shopped and found some great pieces for work, socializing, and much more. In fact, many other fellow influencers within my niche such as Jamie of Miss Maximalist have styled some of the brand’s pieces too. Not to mention, their monogrammed canvas totes of ALL sizes are such classic staples AND typically on sale for a steal!

Recent Purchases & My Wishlist Items

  • Jordan’s Skinny Mixes Pumpkin Syrup – Call me basic all you want, but I just bought not one but two bottles of Jordan’s Skinny Mixes’s low-fat pumpkin syrup! This syrup goes into anything, ranging from coffee to hot chocolate to waffles, ice cream, and everything in between. I tried it in my coffee and wasn’t a fan, but I am really excited to use it on some sweet treats this Fall and Winter season. You can shop it here, but I would 10/10 highly recommend going to your local Marshall’s/TJ Maxx/Home Goods to get this for $3 or more cheaper!
  • K-Cups at Home Goods – You heard me right – RUN to Home Goods or Marshall’s/TJ Maxx for K-cups from now on! I have discovered that I can get a box of 18 K-cups for $7.99 which is if I’m lucky the price for 10 or 12 at my local Food Lion. I could not resist this deal, and I know I will be coming back for more in the coming weeks/months. If you’re interested in searching for this deal, then most definitely check out your local Marshall’s/Home Goods/TJ Maxx store.
  • Christian Siriano at Marshall’s – The other day, I popped into my local Marshall’s store where low and behold, I saw some of high-end Project Runway winner Christian’s Siriano’s designs on the racks! If you have never heard of Christian Siriano, then you may have heard about when his entire atelier became a mask-sewing sanctuary back in March 2020 when lockdowns were being enforced and masks were in high demand. Although I did not get anything this go around, I was very impressed by what I saw of his at my local store. The pieces, ranging from jackets to tops and chunky knit cardigans, were high-quality and all under $50. Definitely a great deal! That being said, I for sure am eyeing purchasing a piece of his within the next few times that I stop by my local Marshall’s.
  • Disney x Kate Spade Surprise Alice in Wonderland Teapot Crossbody – Ever since I saw the launch of the Disney x Kate Spade Surprise Alice in Wonderland-themed collaboration pop up onto my computer screen, I knew that I would be eventually digging into this collaboration much more! At Meredith College where I went for undergrad, the school had a tradition of putting on a performance of Alice in Wonderland every four years and it’s very bittersweet. So, needless to say, I have become oh so very obsessed with this Disney movie and performance myself! I feel that this crossbody would be super fun to bring on a trip into the city, whether it be New York City or my hometown of Washington, DC and for a Disney trip! You can shop the crossbody here.

What’s on the Docket?!

  • Friends visiting – This coming weekend, my good friends from Meredith, Cassie and Caroline, are coming to visit me here in DC! I am so excited to show them around my stomping grounds, although Caroline is pretty familiar with the area herself, and enjoy some Georgetown Cupcake aka my favorite bakery. It will be nice to get a taste of the many memories I made at Meredith College with some of my favorite people from there!
  • Fall Crafting – Crafting has recently become one of my favorite hobbies to wind down after a long day. I find it very effective to be able to get off of my phone and focus on something other than my phone or laptop. Currently, I am focused on crafting items for the upcoming Fall 2021 season, and I am loving the craft section at The Dollar Tree. Y’all – The Dollar Tree has really stepped up their game, specifically when it comes to their crafting products. Crafting has allowed me to shift my focus and curate something that I will cherish for years to come!

Now, as I have said up above, I want to hear something exciting going on with YOU! Comment down below something that’s on your wishlist, a favorite product (whether old or new), or something you’re looking forward to. Whatever it is, I want to know!

XOXO – Katie <3

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2 Years After Studying Abroad in 3 Countries

Fun fact: in college, I won the class superlative for “Mostly Likely to Talk About her Study Abroad Experience”! As someone who has LOVED her study abroad experiences in college, I am proud to be able to talk about and share the good in studying abroad. In fact, I did study abroad in three different countries while in college: Italy in June 2018, England in July 2018, and Belize in June 2019. If you know me in real life and especially on my college’s campus when I was a student there, then you know that my study abroad experiences have shaped me into the person that I am today. My moments studying abroad remind me of who I was before I left to go abroad and the woman that I have become and will become.

If you follow me on my social media, then you probably know that I LOVED my travel experiences over the few years prior to COVID-19. Indeed, I loved those experiences OH SO MUCH that I shared some of my many memories from my study abroad and even travel abroad and stateside experiences on my Instagram Stories on that day that I was there just years later. Yes, my study abroad and travel and even stateside travel experiences have been formative experiences for me, but they also ignited my personal passion and lifelong investment in travel.

I am one to believe that travel does not have to be a trip where you hop in your car or on a plane and spend 1+ hour in travel mode. You can, indeed, check out the nearby park in your neighborhood or the next town over to get a great experience, too. For example, my college town of Raleigh, North Carolina is a much different city than my current hometown of Washington, DC. Raleigh has a warm, Southern culture, meanwhile, Washington, DC has a big city and a hustle and bustle feel to it. In the case of both of these cities, if you drive 30 minutes out, then you will get a totally new, fresh, and different feel in the cultures, looks of the towns, and things to do. Both of those cities allow for day trips that can bring about personal learning and growth without spending a fortune to go far away. This same idea goes for your own hometown, too! Trust me, I will say this and I will say it again: EXPLORE WHERE YOU LIVE!!!!

Now, you may be wondering, what did I do when I studied abroad and where exactly in Italy, England, and Belize did I reside?! Well, in Italy, I studied abroad in the small Tuscan town of Sansepolcro – it is about an hour outside of Arezzo and 90 minutes outside of Florence. As cliche as it sounds, while in England, I studied abroad in London – the capital city of both England and the United Kingdom. And, in Belize, I studied abroad in San Ignacio the capital of the rainforest region in Belize known as Cayo. It is a smaller sized town in relative to many many cities and towns that I have visited in the past, yet it is a mighty hub in Cayo and Belize as a whole. I also visited Scotland, The Vatican, and France as well as various cities in Italy, England, and Belize. Each of these places are very contrasting amongst one another, which makes it a great fit for learning, growing, and engaging within another culture.

Besides engaging with other cultures, study abroad brought me a whole new perspective onto life. I was pushed beyond my limits in several ways, which I think was a blessing in disguise. The only way that you grow and expand your limits is to push yourself, and study abroad presented me with that opportunity. Similarly, I was presented with the opportunity to utilize my problem-solving skills on the spot, which, in fact, help me in my everyday life in my job as a data scientist and in everyday situations. Case in point, a few weeks before I left for Italy, I was visiting my friend in Philadelphia and ended up putting my credit card into a machine to get a train ticket that ended up being broken. The card got stuck and I ended up in a panic crying outside of the train station for a good 15 minutes. I figured out a solution, but it took some time. However, in the past few days, I can problem solve literally on the spot. And, I can thank study abroad for those experiences and that newfound gift that I have.

I also experienced a newfound sense of pride and independence since studying abroad. I used to be afraid to do things alone. I was uncomfortable with the idea of doing things by myself. A lot of other people are and maybe some of y’all are too. Don’t worry – we ALL have been there! But, study abroad pushed me to be able to be comfortable doing things on my own and navigate a brand-new place on my own. It has been super rewarding to be able to have that comfort and peace of mind knowing that I can do it all on my own. Personally, I probably would not have made the move to Washington, DC if it wasn’t for study abroad!

Overall, study abroad has been able to open my mind up to this extraordinary world that we all live in. My experiences studying abroad help me to this day in my day to day life and I am grateful for that.

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XOXO – Katie <3

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A Day in Washington, DC?! Here’s Some Ideas!

So much to do, yet so little time! A city as big as Washington, DC has so many things to do that it can be hard to decide what to do when visiting, especially for a few days. The same concept goes for only having a day to spend somewhere too. Living in the Washington, DC area has its perks when it comes to sightseeing at my leisure as much or as little as I want to and when, but I also experience the challenges of choosing what to do and when. Whether it be on the weekend or for a weekday, Washington, DC has so so much to offer and here I will be sharing with y’all some ideas for what to do if you only have one day to spend in the nation’s capital!

Things To Do for a Day in Washington, DC

  1. A picnic and stroll along the National Mall – the National Mall offers a vast variety of major sights to see in Washington, DC. From the Lincoln Memorial to the to the United States Capitol to the Washington National Monument to the Smithsonian Museums, there is A TON to see along the National Mall. I would highly recommend spending a few hours here and enjoying a picnic on the mall if the weather permits. Otherwise, I would suggest going to a restaurant or cafe nearby or even a food truck along the mall streets. There are so many opportunities for photos and simply taking in so many sights in an easily accessible and walkable area from one sight to the next. Rain or shine though, do not miss out on the opportunity to walk alongside some fundamental sites that this city has to offer!
  2. Visit a Smithsonian Museum – a ton of Smithsonian Museums are along the National Mall and offer several extraordinary artifacts, pieces of artwork, and much more! Museums include: The Smithsonian American Art Museum, The National Gallery of Art, The Museum of Natural History, The Air & Space Museum, The Renwick Gallery, The National Archives, and The Museum of American History. The National Archives, for instance, is the home of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Meanwhile, the Museum of American History can also be considered Kansas in its own unique way, since it is home to Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz‘s iconic red slippers. When walking along the National Mall, visiting one or two or even three of the Smithsonian Museums is an excellent way to spend a half a day or more. The best part?! ALL of the Smithsonian Museums are FREE!
  3. Lunch/dinner, dessert, & shopping in Georgetown – the notable Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC is home to Georgetown University along with a plethora of shops, restaurants, cafes, and dessert shops. Not to mention, there are oh so adorable streets – cobblestone, colorful, and all! You can easily spend either an afternoon or an evening in Georgetown. There are several notable chain shops and bakeries and *of course* Georgetown Cupcake. You can also walk along the waterfront and hang out there, especially in the warmer months. Whether it be shopping, strolling, eating, or all of the above, Georgetown is an easy way to spend a few hours or more.
  4. Enjoy dinner at The Wharf – personally, I have been really wanting to go enjoy an outing at The Wharf! However, I have yet to do so. The Wharf is right by the shipyard in Washington, DC and it is home to several restaurants, bars, shops, cafes, and much more. All in all, it is a super fun place to enjoy the local Washington, DC environment and social life here.
  5. Visit a non-Smithsonian Museum – although several of the museums here in Washington, DC are Smithsonian Museums, there are quite a few that are not. The National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Madame Tussands Wax Museum, the Holocaust Museum, and the International Spy Museum. You can also visit a historical building like the Washington National Cathedral, Tudor Place, and the Dumbarton House. While you do have to pay for admission for the majority of these museums, they are still very much worth the experience. More specifically, if you really want to go make a visit to them.

You can easily combine two or more of these ideas into one full day in Washington, DC. Fortunately, Washington, DC’s Metro transit system is easy to navigate and allow oneself to easily get around the city as well. Here’s to many adventures in this great city!

XOXO – Katie <3

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A Week in Sofia, Bulgaria

Bulgaria for an international vacation?! I think YES! Four years ago, I went to Bulgaria for a conference with my mother as apart of my graduation gift. Before going, I never thought that I would travel to a country such as Bulgaria that appears to be on the lower end of most people’s radars when it comes to European countries to visit. However, Bulgaria deemed to impress me on more levels than not! Now, we will take a trip down memory lane to my trip to Bulgaria back in June 2017.

Our Home Base – Sofia

For the week and the duration of the conference, we stayed in Sofia, Bulgaria – the nation’s capital city. The hotel that the conference was held at was where we decided to stay along with the rest of the conference attendees and their families. The conference was a smaller scale conference for this organization and attendees were more than welcome to bring their family members and many did. Although I was a guest of my mother who was a presenter and attendee, I did get to attend sessions if I so chose to along with all of the group tours, meals, excursions included within the conference. Personally, I liked that the conference was held on a smaller scale, because I got to get to know everyone who attended on a more intimate level. Furthermore, I also got to see everyone at the conference on a regular basis, rather than simply in passing or meeting them once and never seeing them again for the rest of the week.

The hotel that we stayed at was a boutique hotel within the Sofia city center. It wasn’t far from many of the city’s major attractions. A unique asset of the hotel that we stayed at was that it was also a site of ancient Roman ruins. Who knew that the Roman Empire expanded to Bulgaria?! Well, may brain did not think that through! There is also a Bulgarian city called Plovdiv – a place I wish I visited while there – which is notorious for its Roman ruins. The Roman ruins were located at the hotel’s basement right next to the conference rooms with viewing points throughout the hotel – definitely something that you do not see everyday!

Bulgaria is a post-communist Soviet Union nation. So, there are several concrete tenant apartment buildings that Bulgarians live in. The same concept goes for some of the city’s architecture on the outskirts. But, the city center still had its charming and unique to Bulgaria feel that has been there for years before its Soviet Union days. Sofia also has ancient Roman ruins throughout its city center that its residents and tourists can view by simply just walking across the street. Each day that we were there, we got to visit various aspects of the city. One of the most notable sites to see in Sofia is the Cathedral Saint Aleksandar Nevski – a stunningly gorgeous cathedral just blocks away from the hotel. We would always pass it on our walks and strolls around the city.

On our first full day in Sofia, the conference arranged for our entire group to go on a city center walking tour. We walked passed the Bulgarian Parliament, an Opera house, Roman Ruins, Cathedral Saint Aleksandar Nevski, an Art Museum, and much more. Bulgaria is filled with beautifully colorful architecture that truly shows off its Eastern European charm. Another super amazing aspect of Bulgaria is its fresh roses that come in the form of perfumes amongst many other things. Let me tell y’all, their perfumes come at a Bath & Body Works price for a Marc Jacobs quality! They are also known for their great massages, at a much cheaper price tag, too. Overall, Sofia is an extraordinary city and I fell more and more in love with it everyday that I was there, and especially on the walking tour!

Excursion 1 – Mount Vitosha

The first excursion that we took was to the nearby Mount Vitosha. Mount Vitosha is a mountain in Bulgaria that is also a notable ski resort in the Winter months. We had the opportunity to hike the trails around Mount Vitosha since we visited in the summer time. There were two options for our group to hike: the bunny trail and the advanced trail. Clearly, I chose the bunny trail, since I am not an avid hiker – ha! The bunny trail definitely had its scenic route and truly allowed me to take in all the sights (and pictures) along the way. One of my favorite parts of the trail was the cross along it signifying Orthodox Christianity that remains strong to this day throughout the nation of Bulgaria. I also got to take in some mountainous Bulgarian views. After our group hike, we had dinner at a nearby restaurant that came with a complimentary traditional Bulgarian folk dancing performance!

Excursion 2 – Teteven

Teteven is known as the greenest town in Bulgaria, according to the locals. This stunning town is located in the Bulgarian mountains, which are all *surprise* green! The conference group and I went there to help out at a local school. We were greeted by local Bulgarian women who had bread and honey for us – some of the town’s specialties! Helping out at the local school, even though I lack experience in education, was such a rewarding experience. It was incredible to be able to see the teachers in Teteven so happy to see us and appreciate our help. Not to mention, the school was built with the local materials to the town and truly showed off its Bulgarian charm. As for the town, it was beautiful with all of its immaculate architecture. It was super fun to walk around and enjoy!

Excursion 3 – Rila Monastery

The Rila Monastery is located in the Bulgarian mountains. There are also four or five lakes called the Rila Lakes nearby. This monastery was beautiful and it was great to walk through. Our experience there was self-guided and we got to see all of the gorgeous architecture and paintings – all of which took countless hours and hard work to make. Luckily, I got to see it all in its full glory!

My experience in Bulgaria was such an amazing experience. I am oh so grateful that I was able to go. Years ago, I never would have thought that I would have gone to visit Bulgaria, but I am happy that I did!

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Historic Mansion Nestled in Georgetown

Imagine having a huge backyard and a huge house in the heart of Washington, DC. Well, then Tudor Place is most definitely that rare Washington, DC dream! Growing up, my Mom and I used to visit a lot of places that were rather deemed as off the beaten path. Some of these destinations include Krakow, Poland; Sunapee, New Hampshire, Sofia, Bulgaria; Rila, Bulgaria; and East Grand Lake, Maine. I have learned to truly love exploring some of the lesser known gems as I went off to college and started to travel on my own. That being said, I *of course* had to look for some not as well-known gems in my brand-new hometown of Washington, DC! More specifically, I will be sharing my recent experiences at Tudor Place in Washington, DC.

About Tudor Place

Tudor Place is located in the heart of the oh so adorable, historic, and iconic Georgetown neighborhood – also home to Georgetown University. It was the home of the Peter family from 1805-1983. The home’s first owners were Martha Custis Peter – the daughter of the first First Lady Martha Washington and step-daughter to the first President George Washington – and her husband Thomas Peter. One of the neat aspects of Tudor Place is that it has witnessed a lot of events which shaped the United States and its history: the burning of Washington, DC in 1814, slavery, the Civil War, World War 1, World War 11, and the Cold War. In fact, Tudor Place was used as a Boarding House for Union Soldiers during the Civil War. At the same time, Tudor Place has seen several advancements within technology around the United States and the globe, such as the the typewriter, telephone, lightbulb, and so much more. Since its ending of being a residential home for the Peter family, Tudor Place has become a historic site focused on preservation, education, rejuvenation, and community engagement (all relevant information from the “Our Story” page).

Currently, Tudor Place offers at minimal seasonal free admission to all guests who reserve in advance online to visit. This historical house also hosts events and weddings amongst speaker events and other things, too.

My Experience at Tudor Place

I booked Tudor Place tickets initially for my friend Wyatt and I a month prior to. Unfortunately, I had an event conflict so I had to reschedule my visit. Luckily, the Tudor Place staff were all super sweet and easy to work with and happily willing to reschedule it for us. In other to access Tudor Place, the Washington, DC Metro is a bit further out. However, there are buses that go into and out of the Georgetown neighborhood from Virginia, Maryland, and all over the District of Columbia. Tudor Place also offers parking nearby for all guests and visitors who choose to drive there. Wyatt and I chose to drive in. Upon arriving at Tudor Place, we both both surprised that Tudor Place was located in Georgetown. On a typical day, Georgetown is uber packed with tourists and residents alike. However, we drove a bit outside of the crowds all around the stunningly beautiful cobblestone streets and historic homes to the more quaint part of the neighborhood. All of a sudden, we arrived at Tudor Place, followed the signs for parking, and walked up to the historical home. We were in awe of home quaint and sweet this place truly was!

When arriving, everyone must check in with the welcome center. One very interesting aspect of Tudor Place is tickets. Even when booked online, one does not receive their tickets until they check in through showing their reservation confirmation. The tickets are, in fact, a name tag that must be signed by a staff member on site with the date of your visit upon check in.

Once you check in, Tudor Place tours are self-guided, but they also have an audio guide option that they have upon request at the welcome center. The self-guided tours can be done at your own pace, which is great. It didn’t take Wyatt and I super long to explore the entire Tudor Place that is free to see on tour. We both found it interesting that there were a lot of technological advancements within Tudor Place from when it was first a home in the early 1800’s. Once we toured the Tudor Place interiors, we strolled around the beautiful stunning gardens. The gardens are self-paced too with a map to guide you. All around the gardens, staff members are happily willing to help. Wyatt and I each found the staff members to be extremely friendly and helpful, too. In comparison to Mount Vernon, Tudor Place is most definitely small but it is mighty and has some amazing history to it as well.

Overall, Wyatt and I had an amazing time at Tudor Place. Since living in Washington, DC for almost two decades, Wyatt was shocked and wished he knew about Tudor Place much sooner than we did when going just recently. I was definitely impressed with the utter beauty and rich history that Tudor Place had to offer and I hope to go again, soon and to the nearby and comparable Dumbarton Oaks.

XOXO – Katie <3

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A Week in Greece

Mamma Mia here we go again!!!! Yes, I did it. Recently, I have been sharing in my stories my mainly international summer trips from years past aka the pre-COVID times. Now, I am going to be sharing my trips from previous years here on the blog, too! In July 2017, I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Greece with my Mom, Step Dad, and Step Brother. We went to Athens and the island of Hydra about an hour ferry ride off the coast of Piraeus – the port right by Athens. Let’s go to Greece y’all!!!

Athens

We stayed in the neighborhood of Plaka – it has stunning views of the Acropolis from up above and amazing architecture and churches everywhere you go! On our first day, we went to the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora of Greece, walked through Plaka and the markets of Athens, and enjoyed dinner and smoothies all around town! For our second and final full day in Athens, we walked around Plaka and went up to the Acropolis. We also enjoyed gelato! Yes, Greece has just as amazing gelato if not even more amazing than Italy. We ended our final night in Athens with dinner on an outdoor terrace overlooking the entire city.

Hydra

On the island of Hydra, we stayed in an AirBnb up on the hill of the island up and away from the main town. Our days we pretty much the same along the town – beach, explore, dinner, and gelato! For beaches, we would either walk along the island or take a ferry to a beach further than a walk’s reach on the island. We also did a lot of walking to and from the beaches, in order to explore it all! While exploring, there are cats everywhere on the island and they just simply live there and thrive off of the islands and the locals. As for dinner, we would enjoy the local fresh caught seafood and Greek fare. I mean, when in Rome!!! There was a woman named Flora that made some of the BEST gelato in the world and has been doing so on this island for years. I mean what better of a life is that?!?!

Now, here we go again to Greece. Am I right?!

XOXO – Katie <3

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DC Diaries – Part 4

Ever since writing my very last DC Diaries, my life in the nation’s capitol got just a bit morning exciting! Surprisingly enough, I did not explore the city that much until about 2 weeks ago. Once I started my explorations of my brand-new backyard, I have not wanted to stop! So far, I have admired the walls of two Smithsonian museums, the several sights to see around me right in front of my eyes at the National Mall, and the fireworks right in front of the city’s many monuments. My time in Washington, DC has most definitely gotten more and more exciting, and I am oh so excited to see what is in store next, too!

Since writing my Washington, DC Bucket List, I have since enjoyed a few photoshoots along the National Mall, including the National Monument, Korean War Memorial, and the United States Capitol. I have also devoured a delicious brunch at the oh-so Instagrammable brunch spot of Urban Roast. I took a day trip to the charming town of Annapolis, Maryland and went for a sail boat ride with family. Lastly, I *finally* was able to visit the National Cathedral after over a decade of wanting to and enjoyed a burger and fries at Shake Shack.

At the same time, I have been able to make some new and exciting plans for the next few weeks and months! I am planning to go and visit one of my friends at the Tyson’s Corner Center Mall in Tyson’s, Virginia – the 10th largest business district in the United States. I will also be planning some outings to the charming Washington, DC neighborhood of Georgetown home to Georgetown University where one of my best friends from Meredith will be attending graduate school. For a belated Father’s Day gift, I will be taking my Dad for a day to George Washington’s Mount Vernon this Fall and I will be taking my Papa to one of his favorite restaurants nearby our house, too. Three or four of my friends will be coming to visit me in August, so I am super pumped to be able to spend time with them and allow them to explore my backyard with me as well.

My apartment has also been set up after a long long long awaited time of waiting and setting it up to be. It has been a blast with some hard work to set it up, but I am super happy to be settled in and enjoying living here. Each week, I have been providing y’all with different types of reveals related to my apartment. So far, I have revealed my Bedroom, Kitchen, and Jewelry Organization with much more to come in the coming weeks!!!

Overall, I am starting to get settled into my new apartment in my brand-new city and enjoy it, too. Here’s to making many more memories very very soon!

XOXO – Katie <3

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A July 4th Weekend in the DMV

Baby you’re a firework!!! This past weekend, my best friends Hannah and Alanna visited for the July 4th weekend. We had a blast and were able to, as Hannah put it, visited three states – Virginia, District of Columbia, and Maryland – in 3 days. We spent our weekend exploring the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia (but mostly for a fireworks show), Annapolis, Maryland with a boat ride along the Severn River off of the Chesapeake Bay, and of course Washington, DC. Today, I will be sharing our experiences from the past weekend AND some tips and tricks to combating the crowds and still having a great time at the notable fireworks show in Washington, DC. Here we go!!!

My July 4 Weekend Trip

Friday – The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia

Alanna and Hannah both came in on the train on Friday evening. My Papa LOVES going to the Workhouse Arts Center’s fireworks show every year, so he bought my friends and I a tailgate ticket to enjoy the fireworks, ourselves while he got a VIP ticket.

Fun fact: The Workhouse Arts Center is the former prison outside of Washington, DC-turned Arts Center. The formerly known Lorton Prison also housed some of many notable suffragettes in the 1900’s, bringing on a dark history to the center and Northern Virginia suburb of Lorton. Since becoming an Arts Center, the Workhouse Arts Center hosts a fireworks show every year along with displaying beautiful pieces of artwork made by local artists along with glasses, galleries, and a museum exhibit on its former prison roots.

Before going to the Workhouse Arts Center for a fireworks display, we all grabbed Mission BBQ – one of my favorite barbecue chains that supports police officers, firemen, and our military amongst many other first responders and our own American heroes. Once we arrived at the Arts Center, we strolled through the vendors and stations filled with several local businesses and admired the Arts Center’s grounds. We got to enjoy our dinners and the sunsets before an 8 minute-long fireworks show. Such a great way to kick start the July 4th weekend!

Saturday – Annapolis, Maryland

Some of my many relatives live in and around the beautiful town of Annapolis, Maryland. Annapolis is the Maryland state capitol and resides on the Chesapeake Bay. For reference, the Maryland city reminds me of the beautiful New England cities of Boston, Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island! To kick off our time in this gorgeous city, we visited my relatives at their Annapolis house before hitting the historic downtown.

Once we went downtown, we walked around the notable Annapolis Main Street and hit the local and oh-so preppy boutiques that it has to offer. Most notably, The Lucky Knot and of course The Pink Crab – a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store. We also hit the most stunning Starbucks locations that I have been to on Main Street along with the 17 year old flagship Annapolis Ice Cream Company. We, then, strolled along State Circle which is home to the Maryland Statehouse and some extraordinary views of it. The streets all along Main Street and State Circle are cobblestone streets with colonial inspiration wherever you go!

After exploring downtown, we walked about a mile away to Eastport, Maryland where my Uncle John’s sailboat is. On our walk there, we crossed a beautiful drawbridge that displayed stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay and the Severn River along with local Maryland yacht clubs. Once we arrived on the boat, we enjoyed several stunning views of the Severn River. We went by the Naval Academy, downtown Annapolis, and much more! We, even, saw a rainbow from a recent storm – what a great way to spend the day!

Sunday – Washington, DC

From 8am to 12am, we were all in for a full Washington, DC Fourth of July. Each way, we took Metro – the Washington, DC area transit system. We kicked off our day with a Sunday brunch at the uber trendy and super fun Urban Roast. Urban Roast is known for their charcuterie boards with everything from your typical meat and cheese to waffles and your typical morning breakfast favorites! We got the breakfast board with waffles, biscuits, eggs, fruit, pastries, bacon, and sausage. It was great and the Instagram photos made it all even better!

Our early afternoon was spent at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum. As I have previously mentioned in my blog posts, due to COVID-19, the Smithsonian is offering ticketed entry where visitors can register to visit at a particular time up to 30 days in advance. All tickets are free, just like every Smithsonian museum always is. Everyone must wear a mask and maintain a social distance of 6 feet apart. So, we in a socially distanced fashion enjoyed the Smithsonian Museum – probably my favorite of the bunch! We went to the First Ladies, Transportation, and Food exhibits amongst many others. My favorite exhibits is, in fact, The First Ladies exhibit. The gift shop at that museum is also a favorite of mine, too. Definitely a fun time!

The remainder of our day was spent in and around the National Mall. The National Mall is where the fireworks were to be held that night. We ate at local food trucks for dinner and ice cream and took naps on the Mall, with some of us awake at each time of course. We also walked around to go see the National Monument, Korean War Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Capitol at a distance (each were blocked off due to the fireworks). The fireworks were a blast as the fireworks show was packed with visitors and fireworks for 17 minutes straight. Fireworks were presented by the National Monument and the Jefferson Memorial/Tidal Basin. It was super cool to see both, as well. Overall, it was a hot day but a very fun one, too!

Tips for seeing the Washington, DC Fireworks

  • DO NOT spend all Day in the city – get there in the evening. If you don’t, then you will probably be drained and tired of the crowds like I was by 3pm. The crowds get bigger and bigger as the day progresses. Take the fireworks viewing like a concert – be alert and ready to watch and have a great time!!!
  • Take public transportation – pretty much all of the areas to park in the city and even the nearby suburbs will be closed. So, be prepared to take the Metro in and the crowds that come with it.
  • Bring chairs, blankets, and your own food and water – food and water bottles are expensive in the city and your own comfort will be more at ease when you do. Sitting in the grass can suck at times if you forget it all and your wallet will appreciate you, too.
  • Leave the National Mall a few minutes later – it will be very crowded once the fireworks show ends. People will be rushing to leave once it all ends and the crowds will be INSANE. So, definitely save yourself the hassle and hang out in and around the National Mall a few moments later. You also may want to walk a little bit extra to a further Metro station such as Metro Center, Foggy Bottom, or Farragut North/West. You can even check out a bar or restaurant, too. Just be mindful that Metro trains will depart at around 10:45 at the latest.

Here’s to a great July 4th weekend with even greater friends!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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48 Hours in Washington DC

Since moving to the Washington, DC area, I have been so busy that I haven’t had the time to truly explore my brand-new backyard. Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to be able to play tourist in my own city. So, I decided to create my own 2 day mini-cation in Washington, DC where I got to play none other than a tourist. Love me a mini-cation!!!

What I Did!

Each day, I did something unique and different in the city. Two days in Washington, DC can seem like a lot or a little, but it is always a challenge to figure out what to do. There is SO much to do in this glorious city. I did the majority of my mini-cation on my own, but my friend Ashley joined me for part of it which was super fun!

Day 1

On my first day in the city, I met my friend Ashley for her birthday. We started off our day at the local Shake Shack – Ashley’s Birthday choice! -, a burger joint that is up to par with the iconic West Coast joint: In N’Out Burger. We, then, went to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery where I had reserved us some tickets. After wondering the museum for some time, we decided to head to none other than the city center’s TJ Maxx! Yes, you heard me right – TJ Maxx’s are amazing in Washington, DC. We had both heard that the Washington, DC neighborhood of Georgetown has a pretty great TJ Maxx, so we decided to give the city center one a try, too. It had a pretty great selection, despite it being a smaller scale city-style location. Ashley and I, then, said our goodbyes, and I decided to head onto the Metro (Washington, DC transit subway system) to the National Mall. Wearing my pink Jack Rogers sandals, my feet started to hurt and I started to feel poached as I forgot to pack a bottle of water so I stopped at a local stand near the Smithsonian Castle – the original Smithsonian Museum built in the 1800’s during I think Andrew Jackson’s presidency – and grabbed a soft pretzel and a bottle of water. I spent the next half hour just simply people watching along the National Mall, before setting down on the grass to admire the United States Capitol in front of me and the National Monument behind me. Such a splendid way to spend a day!

***Noted***: Currently due to COVID-19, the Smithsonian Museums are offering ticketed admission for varying time slots throughout the day to their museums. The museums are slowly but surely opening up and visitors must reserve their ticket approximately 30 days in advance to even get one, due to their high demand. If you do not know about the Smithsonian Museums, they are government-funded museums all across Washington, DC with a few in other cities across the country offering free admission to all visitors. All visitors must wear a mask and maintain their social distance throughout the entire duration of their visit. Like the pre-pandemic days, the Smithsonian Museums are still free to all who come to visit. Museums include: The Museum of Natural History, The Smithsonian American Art Museum, The National Zoo, The Renwick Gallery, The National Archives, and my favorite The Museum of American History.

Day 2

Over the past decade or even longer, I had dreamed of going to visit the Washington National Cathedral, yet I hadn’t had made it. Usually, the Washington National Cathedral is booked throughout the day and it is hard to find an available time slot, especially during the busy holiday season. One night when I struggled to fall asleep, I went onto their website on a whim only to find a ticket to visit the current Les Colombes exhibit at the cathedral. So, I booked it!

My second and final day of my mini-cation, took a different turn than I had expected. My day started out with me taking the Metro into the city and to the Tenleytown/American University Metro stop. Little did I know, the Washington National Cathedral would be a 1.5-2 mile walk away from it. Though the longer than expected walk caught me by surprise, I managed to enjoy it and the fairly residential neighborhood with several local joints and chain restaurants in the area. The neighborhood was gorgeous and extremely safe and walkable. I had never been to that neighborhood in Washington, DC, and it was a nice change of pace from the typical touristy city that I have known for the most part. After my long walk, I had finally arrived at the absolutely stunning National Cathedral. My jaw most definitely stopped when I had arrived at the stunning park and just simply walked upon it. If you are visiting, then it is free to walk the church grounds, but you need a ticket to go inside. Once I got inside, however, my jaw began to drop even more! The cathedral’s interior is pretty stunning and reminds me of the cathedrals that I had visited in Europe – Westminster Abbey, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, among the likes! The Les Colombes exhibit made it all that more gorgeous, too. Les Colombes is a traveling exhibit of origami paper doves that was instilled in the Washington National Cathedral in late 2020. The doves symbolize hope after a year full of several trials and struggles. After my visit at the cathedral, I walked over to the nearby Chipotle and then took the Metro to my excitedly awaited visit to the Renwick Gallery. As I got off of the Metro and got lost and lost on my way to the Renwick Gallery, I had finally found my way – ONLY to see that the streets were blocked off and a protest that had just begun was in my way. Looking out for my safety being solo that day, I found the nearest Metro station and headed for home – BUT on my way there, I walked along the Black Lives Matter street and mural! It was all in all, a super neat day, even though things did not go as expected, they never do and that day was just a prime example of it.

Even at the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was very happy that I was able to plan a great little trip into my own backyard. I love love love getting to play tourist, even in my own town, and I hope to do it again very soon!

XOXO – Katie <3

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