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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DC Diaries – Part 3

My move to Washington, DC has been a whirlwind of emotions – happiness, sadness, excitement, grief, and so much more. Moving to the big city has been OH SO exciting. However, what is even more exciting is the fact that I am finally moving into my new place and getting my feet off the ground and, yes, it is exciting!

The past few weeks, I struggled to feel as if I had my ducks in a row. You know, the feeling when you feel as if NOTHING in your life is in place?! Yep – that feeling. I have been living in a guest room for the past few weeks as I wait to move into my apartment and for it to be ready for me to do just that. Having my items literally in suitcases and boxes has made me go a bit crazy and feel as if my ducks are anything but in a row. Naturally, I do not know many people who enjoy living out of a suitcase unless they’re traveling, and it can feel overwhelming and exhausting for sure. I feel very fortunate that I do not start my job until July 26 and that my company wanted me to have 2 months off before even starting to work. It has been such a blessing, and I cannot thank them enough for giving me this time. So, I am very excited to get settled in and get prepared more so for my job.

Although I will not share too much about the company that I am going to be working for and prefer to keep that information private, I will tell y’all that I am extremely excited to be working there! The company culture and everyone I have met there are extremely kind, driven, and willing to learn and grow. It is such a great place!!!

In the past few weeks that I have been in the Washington, DC area, I have missed having friends to hang out with. As I have mentioned before, it is most definitely weird to not have my friends living in the same apartment complex as me or even within the same exact square mile – something that my readers currently in college and/or graduate school and living with college friends need to savor every moment of!!! Never did I ever think I would download Bumble again, I tried multiple dating apps but they are just not for me and I currently want to focus on my career and love being single, but I did.

Hold your horses, though, I downloaded Bumble BFF NOT Bumble dating, and, yes, there is a version of Bumble where you can meet friends and ONLY friends. Let me tell y’all, I LOVE Bumble BFF! My friend Claire told me about it and how she met some pretty cool folks on there, so I decided to give it a try, too. Bumble BFF is pretty fun and it has been a great way to meet friends who are also looking for friends and starting out in the Washington, DC area, too. I am also pretty lucky to have a few friends back at home from high school – shoutout to Wyatt, Haley, Violet, Laura, and so many more – as well as fellow influencer Talia of Dresses and Democracy. I am also a new member of The Blogger Union’s Washington, DC chapter and I am going to an event with them along with Talia and I cannot wait to meet other influencers in my own backyard. Through and through, it is always nice to make new friends as well. Like I said, the more the merrier!!!

While these next few weeks will be crazy, my life in Washington, DC is also getting crazy exciting! AND, my ducks are beginning to *finally* feel as if they are getting in a row. Cheers to a great week y’all!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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DC Diaries – Part 2

My life in Washington, DC is a much different life than the one I had in Raleigh at Meredith College. It is been such a transition these past few weeks. Life post-graduation can be extremely daunting. The transition from college life to post-graduation life is not one that is easy, but it is one that is also unavoidable. Everyone that I have talked to has said the same thing: the post-college life transition is not an easy one. I have most definitely witnessed that these past few weeks. It is weird not being able to have my friends and social life right at my fingertips – you spend a lot of time alone (something that I got more acquitted with during the pandemic), technology becomes your best friend, and adulting comes in the full-swing *whaaaattt?!*.

Raleigh is where my main social life has been in the past, so it is quite strange having to adjust to living near my family rather than my friends. I do not start my new job until late July, so I am in a holding period for sure. Also, I have some friends here in the area that I have yet to see (I am seeing a few pretty soon!).But, I am definitely looking to build my social life here in Washington, DC and I know that once I start my job and get settled in I will be able to more so!

On the flip side, I am grateful for my move to Washington, DC. Personally, I am all about continuous self love and growth. During my last few months in Raleigh, I knew that I was ready for something fresh, new, and different and that Washington, DC would do just that for me. Many of my friends in Raleigh love it there and are super content and I am oh so happy that they are! However, I knew that Raleigh was not where I wanted to be at this stage in my life. My friend Callie phrased it well – I crave excitement – and I surely do. Washington, DC will provide me with that excitement and hustle and bustle that I oh so love and enjoy.

Currently, I am planning some excursions and things to keep me busy before I start my new job. I am in the process of setting up my new apartment (which I will be sharing with y’all soon!). At the same time, I am planning some days to go into the city and explore a bit – the Smithsonian Museums are starting to open up again and I have reserved some tickets to a few of the sites to see AND for free. The same concept goes for some places in Virginia and Maryland, too. Additionally, once my apartment is set up, I will be hosting some gatherings like dinners with friends, a housewarming party, and a birthday party for my Shepherd-Chihuahua mix Rosie. I am also striving to map out the future of my platform here on The Pink Chickadee. Excitement is most definitely up in the air!

My Look:

  • Romper: Lauren James (scored during one of their $10 sales last year)
  • Scrunchie: Lilly Pulitzer free Gift with Purchase
  • Earrings: Sugarfix by Bauble Bar (bought 4 years ago)
  • Tote: Etsy (currently unavailable)

XOXO – Katie <3

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The Beach Trip Packing List that I Swear By

As someone who spends a lot of her summer time at the beach, I know how it feels to forget something on a trip especially a beach trip. Beach trips are super fun, yet can be daunting to pack for! So, I have provided my ultimate beach trip packing list.

*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.*

Clothing

  1. Swimsuit (2-4) – if you’re looking for a cute AND modest swimsuit, then check out my recent blog post My Favorite Modest Swimsuits & Where to Buy Them!
  2. Pool Cover-Up – whether that be a t-shirt, caftan, cover-up, etc. (same number as you pack for swimsuits)
  3. 1 Sweater/Hoodie (in case it gets cold!)
  4. Pajamas
  5. Sundress/Night out outfits (the same number for your evenings out)
  6. 3-4 T-shirts for lounging
  7. Flip flops (my favorite flip flips for on the beach are J Crew Factory’s Embroidered Flip-Flops)
  8. Dressier sandals/wedges
  9. Baseball cap and/or floppy hat (I love Marley Lilly’s Monogrammed Derby Hat!)
  10. Workout wear (if that is your jam)
  11. Sneakers (if needed)
  12. Spanx (if applicable)
  13. 3-4 Shorts for lounging
  14. Jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc.)
  15. Undergarments

Toiletries

  1. Shampoo
  2. Conditioner
  3. Dry shampoo
  4. Nail polish
  5. Nail polish remover
  6. Makeup
  7. Vaseline
  8. Body lotion
  9. Aloe Vera
  10. Body wash
  11. Waterproof mascara (my favorite mascara is Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Splashes!)
  12. Primer and/or setting spray
  13. Hair brush
  14. Hair dryer (if needed)
  15. Deodorant
  16. Medicine
  17. Feminine products
  18. Makeup remover
  19. Any skincare products that you regularly use
  20. Toothbrush
  21. Toothpaste
  22. Dental floss

On the Beach

  1. Beach towel (my favorite beach towel is Lilly Pulitzer’s Rectangle Beach Towel – its quality, size, and durability makes up for its price tag too!)
  2. Beach chair (if applicable)
  3. Inflatable(s) (if applicable)
  4. Portable speaker
  5. Books
  6. Magazines
  7. Snacks
  8. Refillable water bottle
  9. Energy drinks
  10. Cooler (I love Scout’s Pleasure Chest especially since it is small, easy to carry, portable, and perfectly holds my wine bottles!)
  11. Ice packs
  12. Beach tote
  13. Sunglasses (for adorable and affordable sunglasses, check out WearMe Pro and receive 20% off your purchase with my discount code PinkChickadee20!)
  14. Sunscreen (My favorite sunscreen is the Neutrogena Defense Spray Sunscreen!)

Entertainment

  1. Headphones
  2. Laptop
  3. Card games/Board games
  4. Chargers
  5. Alcohol (if applicable)

Enjoy some Vitamin D!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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DC Diaries – Part 1

After years of living in the South, I am have made the move of my dreams – a move to the nation’s capital. I will be stepping foot into brand-new ground, groundbreaking ground. I will be living just minutes away from where decisions all across our globe are made. I will be living in a city full of diverse people who think similarly to me and differently from me. I will be living in a Mecca full of people figuring out what they want to do with their lives. There will be so much opportunity for me to explore, learn, and grow.

In the South, I had it all – the friends, the style, the walk, the talk, and all of the involvement and everything in between. Indeed, I had the life and enjoyed the Southern way of life. In fact, in high school, I was crowned Homecoming Queen, and I had it all then too. I had the big parties and played hostess. I had the social media friends and followers – a big crowd of them, too, which I continue to have to this exact day. I walked with stride. I had the style, kindness, charisma, and poise. Everyone knew my name both at my high school and at my college, and I befriended practically everyone. Life was and had been good. However, I knew I wanted much more beyond what I knew.

Since spending time in the South, I have learned a lot about myself and what I want in life. I knew that I craved excitement: something that is a driving factor in my life and in my many life’s decisions. Growing up, I knew that I wanted something more than the suburban way of life. However, one day I think I may crave that lifestyle again – who is to say though! I wanted to get out and explore and feel like the woman who I am meant to be both strong and independent. I have consistently been a workaholic who prides on never sitting down and being on the go. I live for the hustle and bustle – a city lifestyle meets those needs for me – and the constant need to get out and explore, even in my own backyard. My backyard is about to expand a lot and in ways that I would have never ever expected it to.

As an LGBTQ+ woman in the South, I have found the world of love and romance to be a quite tricky one. Even though I have had encounters in the past within my romance sphere, nothing leads up to the plethora of LGBTQ+ folks in the city of Washington, DC alone. The District of Columbia is notorious for having just around 10% of its total population identifying as apart of the LGBTQ+ community. That is, not to account for the several LGBTQ+ people who live outside of the city in nearby Virginia and Maryland. Personally, I have struggled with the dating world within my own backyard in the South. There is still a continuous source of LGBTQ+ hate and homophobia within the South and many people potentially remain closeted – afraid to show their true colors. Sometimes, I even felt scared to do just that. That being said, I am more than ready to take on the new in a fresh and positive light. I am ready to showcase and open the doors to my closet where a beautiful rainbow lies from within. I am truly ready to present my true colors and be the best me that I can be.

Moving to Washington, DC comes with several unknowns. Who will I meet? What will I do? Where will I go? How will my life change? When will all of these things occur? How will I get started? The answer is: who knows! However, one thing’s for sure is that I may have had it all in the South, but I am just getting started here in the nation’s capital.

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Summer 2021 Beach Essentials

With summer just around the corner, the beach season is beginning!!! As exciting as it all is, the process of deciding what to get to bring on your beach and/or pool excursions can be daunting. But don’t fret, I have rounded up my favorite beach essentials for this Summer 2021 season in order to help you out!

*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.*

Beach Essentials

Shop my Look!

Happy almost-Summer and cheers to the many memories you will make either beach or poolside!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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10 Things I Will Miss About Living in Raleigh, North Carolina

As I embark on my move to Washington, DC in just a mere few weeks, I want to take the time to look back on my time living in Raleigh, North Carolina. There were so many great things that I got to experience while living in Raleigh. Life in Raleigh is much different than life in Northern Virginia. As I move back to Northern Virginia/Washington, DC, I want to reflect on the pluses of Raleigh that I will miss once I make the big move!

  1. The fashion – Yes, the fashion. I have discovered that I prefer the Southern style fashion more than the Northern style fashion. Maybe, because the style is more preppy and bright and bubbly than the North. They do not have Belk’s in Washington, DC and I LOVE Belk. Either way, I love all of the local boutiques and super fun unique styles that I have a harder time finding up North.
  2. Raleigh’s food scene – Raleigh has one of the BEST food scenes that I have ever seen in any city. With Raleigh being a smaller city than New York City or Washington, DC, it does make up for its size with its mighty diverse population filled with a plethora of delicious cuisines. Some of my favorite restaurants serve up some Indian food, sushi, and Southern comfort foods. Most of these restaurants are local businesses that I will dearly miss supporting when I move. My very favorite oddly enough has been Beansprout – the local Chinese takeout place across the street from Meredith.
  3. The friendly atmosphere – Everyone in the South is SO friendly! When I moved here, I was shocked to see that everyone held the door open for everyone else. Those simple Southern courtesies went a long way and it will be a strange adjustment going back to the Northern hustle and bustle without the kind charms of the South.
  4. All of the Meredith-owned businesses in town – Raleigh is the home of Meredith College. So, several Meredith College alumni own small businesses in town. One of my favorite Meredith alumni-owned shops is The Local Squirrel located right in the center of Raleigh in The Village shopping center. It’s super sweet to support local Meredith-owned businesses in-person.
  5. The affordable cost of living – The cost of living is significantly cheaper in Raleigh than in Washington, DC. In fact, when I went to a local Raleigh Regal Cinema, I was happily surprised at the fact that a large popcorn was $8 rather than $11! The same concept goes for pretty much everything else here in Raleigh – living in Raleigh is a lot cheaper than Washington, DC and I will miss that aspect of it.
  6. The Meredith College community – Even off campus and all across Raleigh, Meredith College alumni are EVERYWHERE. Although they are in Washington, DC too they are easier to find in Raleigh due to the college’s location and networks in town. On the flip side, I know I will always have my Meredith College community wherever I go!
  7. My friend’s family’s nail salon – One of my best friend’s family owns a nail salon in Raleigh area. I have loved getting to go and get pampered at her family’s nail salon. Their nail salon has made me feel as if I am apart of the family and it has been oh so special. I am most definitely going to miss supporting her and her family when I move!
  8. Cookout – If you are from the South, then chances are you may have been to a Cookout! Cookout is extremely affordable and has amazing burgers, fries, milkshakes, etc. I have become obsessed with Cookout since being in Raleigh and I’ll really miss it when I move!
  9. Divine Llama Vineyards – Although it is not in Raleigh, Divine Llama Vineyards is located in the Yadkin Valley just 90 minutes west of the state’s capitol. Divine Llama Vineyards is a two family-owned vineyard that also serves as a home to several llamas. I have been to Divine Llama Vineyards a bunch and even wrote a blog post on it (linked here).
  10. Friendships – I have established so many friendships both on and off of Meredith’s campus here in Raleigh. There are so many special bonds that I have made and will continue to grow beyond my move. Yet, I will miss having my friends from Raleigh right at my footsteps.

While I am oh so excited for my Washington, DC move, I am also going to miss Raleigh quite a bit. But, I will be back to visit many times once I move!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Interview with Female Solo Traveller Abi!

As women, it can be intimidating to travel especially alone. Independently traveling is daunting – national and international, alike. However, as women, international travel can be done on our own. Case in point, I am sharing a bit of my classmate, fellow woman in STEm, and good friend Abi’s experiences as a solo budget-friendly traveler. Abi is one of the most adventurous and sweetest people that I have met. Her travels have inspired me and I hope they inspire you too!

Tell me a little bit about yourself!

I am honestly never sure how to answer this question. My name is Abi. I am 21 years old and an avid solo traveler. I am a double major in Spanish and Computer Science at Meredith College where I am currently  finishing up my Sophomore year. I am from a tiny mountain town in Colorado and I like to call myself an  adventurer.

I know you are both a Computer Science and Spanish major at Meredith College. What made you choose two such different majors?

Well my reason for choosing each of my majors is drastically different. In high school I took AP Computer Science and I fell in love with coding. I knew almost instantly that I wanted to find a way to continue learning to code during my time in college. I really like the way coding makes you think, and it has always come easy to me. 

Spanish on the other hand I have never been very good at, but in my home town there is a large population of native Spanish speakers. During my Junior year I was recruited to help with the ELL(ESL) program that helps students who have English as a second language succeed in school. I became fast friends with all of my tutees and they inspired me to continue with my Spanish career. I heard at one point that by 2025 about 50% of Americans will speak Spanish and I want to be on the bilingual side of that statistic. I love people and being able to help and communicate is something I strive to be able to do in all aspects of my life.

How do you plan to use both of your degrees upon graduation?

Honestly, I am still not super sure what I want to do after I graduate. I am hoping to find a job where I will have lots of opportunity to travel and meet new people. At this point I am considering becoming and app developer, and with such a large portion of the population of the USA speaking Spanish I am sure there are endless ways that it will be a wonderful skill even if not directly implemented in my job. I plan to start taking Mandarin this coming semester and if I can find the room in my schedule maybe by graduation I will speak all 3 of the global languages and be able to communicate with almost anyone on the planet.

You’re from Colorado and attend Meredith College in North Carolina, what made you choose to attend Meredith?

Lots of things lead me to Meredith. The first and foremost was the fact that private women’s colleges statistically give the most aid to high achieving students. When I was looking to apply for college after my gap year I knew that I was looking for a small university somewhere on the East coast to be closer to my extended family. I applied to a good number of schools, but Meredith offered me a position in the AWE-STEM program and that was the deciding factor of my choice in college.

What is your favorite thing to do at home in Colorado?

I am from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and while I am not the biggest fan of skiing I love to go white water rafting. My home county holds the headwaters to the Colorado river, that cuts the Grand Canyon, and we love to raft down it. If anyone doesn’t know what white water rafting is basically you get into a boat made out of rubber and paddle/float down river rapid. It is both exciting and fun, kind of like a natural roller coaster.

What is your favorite thing to do at college in North Carolina?

I am still learning to explore North Caroline to be honest Covid has made it hard for me to find cool things to do. I really have only lived in NC for 9 months with a whole year cutting that time down the middle. When our school got closed I had 5 days to move out and nowhere to go so I moved to South Carolina with my Grandma to finish off the semester then back home to Colorado for the one after that. I am now thankfully back in NC and hoping to find fun and Covid safe activities to do here.

So share with me a little bit about what made you choose to start travelling independently?

To be honest some really awful things happened in my personal life that threw off my plan. I had originally intended to go to Hollins University in Virginia, but life got in the way and it wasn’t meant to be. So I took a year off to find myself again and figure out who I wanted to be. I first toured Europe, the first half with one of my high school friends whose family was from the Netherlands. We visited 4 different countries together and by the end of our trip to Spain I felt confident enough to travel by myself. I visited both the United Kingdom and Germany by myself before returning to the states.

You took a gap year between high school and college to travel. How did your gap year shape you into the woman that you are today?

I think if it taught me anything my gap year showed me how much kindness and love there is in the world. Wherever I went and anything I did there was always people will and wanting to support me on my adventures. The realizations about the world made me a far more confident and component individual. Solo traveling means you have to make every decision and get yourself into and out of any and all situations that may arise. It makes you really sit with yourself and discover who you are and who you want to be. I highly recommend it to everyone I meet. Most people tell me they could never do what I did but every grand journey starts with a single step and I am sure any and everyone could successfully solo travel if they set their mind to it.

Where have you travelled independently?

I have traveled to Toronto, Philadelphia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and across Japan by myself. I have also road tripped across the USA by myself on my move back to NC.

What was your favorite place that you travelled to independently?

By far the best solo travel experience I have had was the summer I spent traveling across Japan by myself. I met so many amazing people and gained an incredible amount of perspective on the world that I never could have if I hadn’t been solo traveling.

Describe an experience during your travels where you had to problem-solve on the spot!

I think the scariest personal experience I had on my first solo trip was when I was on a train up to Whales in the UK and I couldn’t figure out how to open the door. By the time I found someone to help me I had already missed my stop adn road 45 min in the wrong direction and needed to ride the 45 min back to try and catch the boat I had a ticket for. I had to call my friend who I had traveled with the first part of the trip with’s family and get them to call the company that ran the boat to tell them I was coming since the representative only spoke Dutch. I made it with the help of a nice old lady, a reckless taxi driver and a mad dash to the boat but it was terrifying.

I know that you pride on being able to travel affordably. Share with us some of your tips and tricks for saving big on travel!

There are so many great way to save but every person has their own level of comfort they wish to uphold and different priorities so the first thing I do is a little bit of research and make an excel sheet of my trip expenses. Try to save in the areas that you don’t mind slumming it a little. I am rarely if ever in my “hotel” room so I love to stay at hostels. They do require you to share a room with strangers, but my personal policy is that strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet and while solo traveling it is great to make friends to share memories of your fun adventures with. I also don’t mind being sardined in on a flight so I try to find the cheapest flight possible I once found a direct flight from Raleigh to Denver that was $15. I was sore from the uncomfortable seat when I got off the plane but cheap flights are a great way to save. I like to find a flight on google and see what company it is on then go to their website to see if I can find a better deal. Most of the time (pre-pandemic at least) the cheapest flights are Frontier or Southwest. If you are not a pick eater finding a way to make your own food while traveling is also a great way to save money. Hostels will have kitchens to use and free food events. I always take advantage of those. If you are considering going to a hostel I recommend the Hostel World website/app as a woman. It can be scary to share a room but many hostels will have women only floors that adds an extra layer of safety. Hostel World also has a great review and comparison tool so you can find the best Hostel for what and where you are looking to stay.

What are some basic ways that any ordinary person can save on travel?

You can do all the things your ordinarily do to save money while traveling. A good thing to keep in mind is that regular people live there too. How are they getting by? Don’t go to the flashy tourist restaurant, go to the grocery store and buy food there or go to where the locals go out to eat. Only spend money on things you care about. Find free walking tours and parks and cheap or free things to do in the cities you visit. ALWAYS get a public transport card. They save you so much money on cabs or rental cars. Stay in Hostel if you are comfortable. They even have private rooms sometimes or smaller rooms, or gendered floors. Find ways to save money that is comfortable to you. The first thing is to think of what you are hoping to get out of your travel experience and cut everything else that you can.

Covid-19 has put a stunt into many of our travel plans. Through your experiences, how do you think travel will change post-pandemic?

My best guess is that airlines will require proof of vaccination to travel on them and that masks may be required in such tight spaces for a while into the future. I am not sure it will change much other than that it is hard to say. I don’t think that adventures will ever stop seeking adventure and we all want to make it as safe for everyone as we can so I am sure there will be changes but I don’t think they will be anything too drastic.

Where would you like to travel to next?

Funnily enough my plan before the pandemic was to travel to China and SouthEast Asia. It is one of the cheapest places to solo travel and has a great hostel environment. I am not sure when I will get to go there as the Visa I intended to apply for is no longer being offered to Americans but I am hoping to go on a Scuba diving trip next winter with my dad. And possibly on the Meredith study abroad Costa Rica trip next summer.

Where would you like to travel back to again?

I think I would like to go many new places before returning anywhere, but Japan was by far the best place I have ever been and I would love to go back someday.

Lastly, what would you tell yourself before you started your independent travels?

You will be fine. You’ve got this. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or directions when you need them.

You only live once in this world, like Abi did with her international travels, if you can dream it, you can do it, and you will be just fine.

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Washington, DC Move Q&A

Recently, I made an announcement regarding my post-graduation plans – I will be making the move all the way up to the Washington, DC area. On my social media, I asked my fellow followers to share questions that they have about my big move, which I will be answering in today’s blog post. Read along to find out more about my next adventure!!!

Where exactly are you looking to live?

I am planning to live in the Northern Virginia area near a Metro station (train station to the Washington, DC subway). Although I have not solidified a place yet, I will probably be living near my family who also reside in Northern Virginia.

What kinds of jobs are you searching for?

When it comes to the job search, I want to use my Mathematics degree and each of my minors – Data Science, Website Development, and Statistics – in some way or another. So, I will be searching for a job within the Data Science/Analytics realm. Additionally, I am still considering going to get a graduate degree to further my interest in Data Science/Analytics.

How do you do Public Transportation? Metro, train, etc.?

In the Washington, DC area, there are a variety of ways to get around. When it comes to the city of Washington, DC, I plan to use the Metro (which as mentioned above, is the subway/transit system of the city). There is also a widely-used bus system within the Northern Virginia/Washington, DC area that is connected to the Metro transit and takes locals to the Metro who are not in walking distance from a station. At the same time, I will also rely on my car (once I get my license – it’s been a process y’all!!!!) to go places, too.

What is your favorite place back home and are that you’re excited to be at again or for the first time?

So, I am going to answer this question in two parts: my favorite place back at home and a place I am really looking forward to going to for the first time when I move.

My favorite place back at home (in Northern Virginia) would probably be Old Town Alexandria – this town is super adorable and has so much history to it. I am super excited to explore this sweet place even more.

As for a place I am looking forward to checking out, I would have to say many of the restaurants in the city of Washington, DC along with the vineyards west of the city out in the so-called “countryside” of Virginia.

What are you most excited for about your move?!

Honestly, I am most excited to be starting out somewhere fresh and new. I have always been a big city girl, ever since I was little. Raleigh is a really nice city, but it is a bit too small for me, so I am excited to be somewhere starting out that will have a plethora of jobs available and many others starting out there since graduating from college, too. Personally, I have always wanted to start out in the Washington, DC area since I started college. So, I am really happy that I will be able to do what I have so desired to do for about 4 years now.

What is something that you will miss when you leave Raleigh?

I have fallen in love with the kindness and warm hospitality of Raleigh and all across the South. Since touring Meredith as a Senior in high school, I most definitely identified more with the clothing and styles of the South rather than up North. This may sound crazy, but I will really miss the malls and shopping experiences of the South, along with its friendly and warm, welcoming community.

What are some ways that you hope to connect with others in the Washington, DC area?

While I have not solidified just yet how I am going to go about engaging and getting involved in my future community, I most definitely know that I am interested in a variety of differing channels of involvement. As a Lilly Pulitzer lover, I know that I want to do something to connect with my Lilly Pulitzer lover community within the Washington, DC area – women of all ages and backgrounds. My cousins love to sail in nearby Annapolis, Maryland, so I would like to get together and sail with them more often. At the same time, I am considering joining some organizations, but I have not exactly decided as to which I may join. Stay tuned 🙂

While I have 6 weeks left of my undergraduate journey at Meredith, I am optimistically looking towards the future. Similarly, I am soaking in all of my final moments at Meredith. Here’s to Washington, DC super soon!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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So I Went to New York Fashion Week

The dream come true!!! Ever since I was a little girl, I had always dreamed of getting to attend New York Fashion Week. Luckily, in September 2014 at the age of 15, my fashionista dreams came true. For my 15th Birthday, my mother took us to New York City the weekend of New York Fashion Week. Without any tickets to any shows, both of us still had the time of our lives. It was most definitely an experience that I will never forget!

What We Did

New York Fashion Week is a time that people from everywhere and all different backgrounds come together for a common ground – Fashion Week. New York City has several different activities and things to do around the city, especially during Fashion Week! The two big booths that I remember seeing and enjoying were Glamour Magazine’s Pop Up booth, complete with refreshments and a photo booth, and the Zappos Recharge photo booth and catwalk – where I got my hair done and got to walk the catwalk for free and was given a complimentary juice. Both of these super fun activities were one of my very favorite lifetime memories!

Besides taking in all the New York Fashion Week sites from an outsider’s perspective as a teenager, my mom and I also explored a bit of the city. We walked through the Fashion Institute of Technology’s current exhibits within their museum, fell in love with the Doughnut Plant in Chelsea (this has become a favorite joint of mine and is a mini chain around the city!), and walked through the business district where we walked along Wall Street along with the 9/11 Memorial where we paid our respects. We also walked through the Meatpacking District and just wondered the city streets. The best part of it all was simply just time with my mother that is irreplaceable!

Takeaways

Having not been a blogger then, I was still really excited to be in New York City the weekend of New York Fashion Week. There were so many free activities and excitement going on throughout the city that it made it super special. Moreover, it was really special to have one on one time with my mother, especially looking back now as I begin my years starting out in the real world and leaving my home with her behind. I definitely recommend going to New York Fashion Week if you can – it is truly an experience that you will NEVER forget!!!

XOXO – Katie <3

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