Whether it be just down the street or a plane ride away, I always bring the confetti in my bag. My so-called Katie’s Confetti Adventures are some of my favorite adventures!
48 Hours in Edenton, North Carolina
Ever since I was 11, I have always wanted to take a trip for my birthday. So, when I read about the gorgeous charming town of Edenton, North Carolina from Annaliese of Southern Belle In Training’s Instagram and blog, I knew I had to make a visit to Edenton as I am a major sucker…
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Where I Dined in Louisville, Kentucky
To both me and my Mom’s surprise, Louisville, Kentucky is a HUGE foodie city! Pretty much every place we ate (our favorites I am sharing in this blog post) was really incredible. The people of Louisville are SO beyond friendly and the food there is incredible – a melting pot of cuisines, too. On my…
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A Unique Perspective at Churchill Downs!
Ever since I was in high school, I had always wanted to visit Churchill Downs! Coincidentally, on the same token, I had wanted to visit Kentucky since I was in elementary school singing the lyrics “I’m going to Kentucky and I’m going to the fair” on repeat on the playground. SO, when my Mom and…
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A Visit to The Carolina Inn
It’s CRAZY to think that I went to college just a mere 30 minutes away from The Carolina Inn, yet I had never been! During my college years, I only went to Chapel Hill, North Carolina a handful of times (mostly my Freshmen year of college) as I was primarily in my college town of…
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6 Hours in New Hope, Pennsylvania
I have ALWAYS been a big fan of visiting tiny, charming, and historic towns. In September 2019, I visited Charleston, South Carolina and fell *in love* with the entire city that echoes Southern historic charm at every turn. Similarly speaking, I went to the charming AND historic Lewes, Delaware – also known as the first…
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The Life of Katie!
To be frankly honest, while I LOVE this time of year, it has also not been filled with 1000% Christmas cheer for me this year. I have had some health things going on (we will save that for another day) atop of other things. Due to health-related things, I have not been able to attend…
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Gift Guide: For the Jetsetter
Over the years, I have fallen in love with travel. I have been super fortunate to live in both Italy and England for a month each in 2018 while studying abroad for the summer back in my college years. On the same token, I have also traveled to different parts of North Carolina, New Jersey,…
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Thoughts on Visiting my Alma Mater for Homecoming Weekend
This past weekend, I took a trip down memory lane and posted ALL about it on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!) by visiting my alma mater Meredith College for its Homecoming Weekend known as Cornhuskin’. Growing up in high school, I lived for Homecoming weekend – the football game, the dance, the shopping for the…
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I Visited Shenandoah National Park During Peak Season!
Every year, my Papa and I make an effort to visit Shenandoah National Park during the Fall season. Luckily for us, it SO happened to be that the only weekend day we both had available to go was during Peak Fall leaves season! That all being said, we had a breathtakingly gorgeous experience driving through…
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3 Affordable & Historic Philadelphia Attractions!
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is notorious for its skyscrapers, plethora of history, and colleges. Just a few weekends ago, I went to Philadelphia to visit one of my best friends from high school – Violet – with one of our other best friends Haley. FUN FACT: Philadelphia is actually one of my favorite cities! Well, on my…
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How I Afford to Travel Often
One of the BIGGEST questions I get over on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!) is how I can afford to travel often. Traveling has become one of my biggest passions and favorite things to do – I always have had a passion for learning more about the world around me, whether it be just down…
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24 Hours in Greenville, North Carolina
When most people hear the city “Greenville”, they think of Greenville, South Carolina. HOWEVER, both of the Carolina’s have a Greenville to call their own! A little less well-known than its South Carolina counterpart, Greenville, North Carolina plays homage to East Carolina University (ECU). It is also one of the fastest growing and up-and-coming cities…
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4 Hours in Fredericton, New Brunswick
It’s CRAZY to say that I spent LESS THAN A DAY in Canada and then came back to the United States by the afternoon. If you follow me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I shared on my stories a few weeks back about my drive going across the United States-Canada border (more on that down…
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72 Hours in Asheville, North Carolina!
On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I have been sharing my adventures in Asheville, North Carolina a few weeks ago for my best friend Kearra’s Birthday Weekend. Kearra did an AMAZING job getting us all ladies together for a fun weekend away to celebrate her and to simply be together. On that weekend, Alanna and…
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An Afternoon at The Biltmore!
A few weeks ago on a whim, if you follow me on Instagram you probably saw (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), my bestie Alanna and I decided to spend an afternoon at The Biltmore! We were on a long weekend trip to Asheville, North Carolina for our best friend Kearra’s Birthday Weekend and *JUST* happened to find…
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The Life of Katie!
From shopping the Lilly Pulitzer Sunshine Sale to working 9-5 to travel in 3+ different states and enjoying time with family and friends all in between, life has been crazy to say the least! If you follow along on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), then you probably have seen ALL of my recent adventures. Currently,…
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6 Hours in Bar Harbor, Maine
If you follow me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), then you probably know that a couple of weeks ago I went on vacation with my Papa to Maine and Canada. While in Maine, I just knew that a visit to Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine was a must-see! From where we were staying…
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A Dreamy Lighthouse Visit!
While the Jonas Brothers may just be a sucker for you, I’m just a sucker for lighthouses!! I shared my photos from this dreamy occasion on my personal Facebook and Instagram accounts the day I went which were later shared on my Instagram for the blog (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!) and a college friend of mine…
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I Visited the LL Bean Flagship Store!
Whether you’re into preppy fashion or not, a trip to the LL Bean flagship store is nothing BUT a must-see when in the state of Maine! Growing up, my family and I spent summers on end up in Northern Maine. HOWEVER, we rarely visited the LL Bean Flagship store with the *iconic* LL Bean (Bean)…
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An Afternoon in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!!), I shared and have been sharing A LOT of my trip to Maine and Canada with my Papa and dog Rosie. HOWEVER, along our way to Maine, we stopped in the gorgeous town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire to spend the night. I had been to Portsmouth as a kid…
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What I Spent in a Week of Travel – Part 1
I have officially been traveling for a week of my month long full of travels! If you follow me on Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), then you have probably seen ALL of my travels throughout the past week all across Maine and Canada with my Papa and dog Rosie. Don’t fret, I WILL be sharing all…
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What I’m Packing for 1 Month of Travel
SO, you just booked your vacation(s) and now you have to pack for it. The dilemma – you’re going to be gone for a WHOLE MONTH! Yep, you heard me right: I WILL be traveling for a month starting in a week. I will be going to 10+ states over the course of 3 different…
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The Best Time to Visit the Washington, DC Monuments
Imagine that it is 85+ degrees, ultra-humid outside, and there’s a HUGE stampede of people at every corner you turn to. That’s exactly how it feels in Washington, DC and especially at the monuments during the summer time. Not to mention, the monuments, more specifically known as the National Mall, in Washington, DC are ALWAYS…
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A Girl’s Weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina!
4 cities, 2 states, 6 ladies, and an unbreakable bond. Well, you are *just PROBABLY* sick of hearing me say an alliteration of this quote on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!). Just a few weekends ago, I spent the weekend with some of my best girl friends – Hannah, Alanna, Bryn, Allison, and Sarah -…
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3 Days at The Delaware Beaches
At the end of June, I went to the Delaware beaches to visit my Dad who lives there full time and shared ALL about it over on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!). I brought my best friend Bryn, too, and my Papa and dog Rosie came along as well. Now, I am going to spill…
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The Ocean City, Maryland Restaurant Without the Crowds
If you have been to the beach during the summer season, then you know that it is PACKED at ALL times, whether it be the restaurants, the boardwalk, the beaches, the shops, or the traffic. Ocean City, Maryland is NO different than any of the other beaches crowd-wise during the summer months. I regularly visit…
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The Foot Bridge in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
One of my favorite things that I LOVE about visiting my Aunt April in New Hope, Pennsylvania is enjoying the views of the nearby Delaware River and town of Lamberville, New Jersey on the other side of it. On my Instagram recently (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), I shared some photos of the foot bridge, the New…
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A Few Hours in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Personally, I find West Virginia one of the most beautiful states that I have ever laid eyes on! Growing up, I would occasionally go on family reunions to Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia – a place rated a hidden gem in the United States on MANY pages listing them! – and fell in love…
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Why You Should Play Tourist in Your Own City!
The other day, I was hanging out with my high school friends Haley and Violet. When, Haley stated “let’s all go into DC one of these days and play tourist!” Well, on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!), then you probably already know that I live in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC. Well, just a…
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How I Packed for Study Abroad
I got a few questions asked on my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee) in the past few months about how I packed for my summers studying abroad back in college. So, for context, I studied abroad when I was in college for a month in Sansepolcro, Italy (a small town in Tuscany about 90 minutes from…
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The Virginia Tulip Farm that Resembles Holland
Spring has more than sprung by the time this blog post has launched on my site – haha! BUT, one thing reigns for sure, many of us seem to LOVE a good tulip farm or even patch during these warmer months. I used to think that I would have to make the trek allll the…
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My 23rd Birthday Weekend Recap!
There is a point where you feel a full jackpot of luck when your Birthday lands on a Saturday or Sunday!! In my case, my 23rd Birthday landed on a Sunday. After having been in school and celebrated the majority of my Birthdays while attending school, it was oh so special to be able to…
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The Historic Hidden Northern Virginia Gem
The other week, Papa and I went back in time to the 18th century to visit George Mason’s Gunston Hall, located in Lorton, Virginia along the Potomac River just outside of Washington, DC. On my Instagram (follow me @_thepinkchickadee!!), I have shared a bit about my adventures at Gunston Hall already. A few months ago,…
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24 Hours in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia is located in the heart of the Virginia Wine Country, just over 2 hours from Washington, DC. It is home to the University of Virginia, our Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe, and a plethora of wineries and history. A road trip to Charlottesville, Virginia is perfect, for everyone and…
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A Day in Washington, DC Without a Plan
Some of the BEST travel plans that I have had have had anything BUT a plan. The other week, my good friend Bryn and I went into Washington, DC while she visited me with anything, BUT a plan. ALL we had planned, in fact, was which Metro (Washington, DC’s subway transit system) stop to get…
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48 Hours of Philadelphia Christmas Cheer
Merry in Philly! This past weekend, I visited my best friend Amanda who lives in Haddonfield, New Jersey (right outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) for a Christmas weekend of fun away! Personally, I have always LOVED the Pennsylvania/New Jersey area. I grew up about an hour North of Philadelphia in Pennington, New Jersey (read on to…
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48 Hours of a New Jersey Christmas
New Jersey is known as the “Garden State” and many people never get to truly see why. New Jersey is a magnificent state and it’s filled with a vast array of beauty. My Aunts, Uncles, cousins, Grandpa, and some of my best friends currently live in New Jersey, giving me plenty of opportunities to go…
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Two Weekends in Raleigh
Throughout the month of October, I have been very lucky to be able to travel twice to my college town of Raleigh, North Carolina. I have loved my time in Raleigh, despite my desires not to move back there any time soon, and am oh so grateful that I have been able to visit my…
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6 Hours in Charlottesville, Virginia
They say Virginia is for Lovers and it truly is! Indeed, Virginia is also a great place for single’s too. Over the past few weeks, I have explored some of the extraordinary state that I have recently called home, living right outside of Washington, DC. Some of those places include Charlottesville, Virginia to visit Thomas…
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My First Time Visiting My College Campus as an Alum
They always say: “when one door closes, another one opens.” On occasion, we revisit former chapters of our lives. It can be great, not so great, or a little bit of both when we do look back at our former times in life. For me, one of the best times of my life was being…
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My Favorite Trips Abroad
Today’s blog post is more of a blast from the past! As I am *finally* starting to travel again like many of us are as well, it’s fun to look back on some of my many international travels pre-COVID-19. I feel very fortunate and blessed that I was able to travel vastly and wide when…
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48 Hours in Philadelphia Area + My Favorite Philly Sights!
Like others say, weekends away are ALWAYS good for the soul. This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to be able to spend it in Philadelphia. Personally, I am ALL about saving money especially when I travel and doing it with those that I love. That being said, I stayed with my good friend Amanda…
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My Packing Essentials!
If you know me, then you know I pack *way more* than I need even for a day trip! Needless to say, I am an overpacker and I am not afraid to admit it. I have been fortunate enough to travel and be able to do it quite often, even for the day in my…
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72 Hours in Florence, Italy
Ciao bella’s! Welcome to Florence!!! If you know me, then you know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE to travel. Summer of 2018, I had the blessing of being able to study abroad in Sansepolcro, Italy – a small Tuscan town literally under the Tuscan sun. While in Sansepolcro, I travelled to a variety of Italian…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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My Most Bizarre Lighthouse Experience
I’m a sucker for lighthouses! Growing up, I took road trips with my family up to Northern Maine where we stopped at several lighthouses along the way. That being said, I fall in love with lighthouses over and over again. So, when I was visiting my Dad and Step-Mother in Delaware, I knew I had…
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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…
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48 Hours in Ocean Isle, North Carolina
Let’s go to the beach beach, let’s go get away! I, indeed, did just that just a few weeks ago with some of my best friends. We all went to Ocean Isle, North Carolina for a pre-graduation trip and had the time of our lives. Today on the blog, I will be sharing my experiences…
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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…
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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.…
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Travel Guide: Things To Do in Raleigh, North Carolina
About Raleigh: Raleigh has been frequently named the number one city to live in by many acclaimed sources for the past few years. It is the capital city of North Carolina and a growing technology hub, due to its home of Research Triangle Park (RTP). Due to RTP’s location in Raleigh, some even say that…
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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…
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The Adorable Raleigh Area Winery
Love me a vineyard! My college town of Raleigh, North Carolina is not known for its high number of vineyards. However, I was extremely excited when my friends and I found a local winery that brews their own wine in house right in our area. Chatham Hill Winery is located 10 minutes away from my…
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The Magical Delaware Christmas Town
Love me a Christmas town! Last weekend, my family and I visited the tiny and charming town of Lewes, Delaware. This sweet little town has been decked out for Christmas for a while. Along with solely small businesses in town, Lewes also has its own historical significance too, as there are plaques commemorating its events…
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A Charming North Carolina Town
I have ALWAYS wanted to explore downtown Cary, yet I never had the chance until last weekend!! Although it is small, there is a lot to do and see for half a day in this charming town. My Papa and I did a walk through last weekend, and we had a great time taking in…
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The Historic Mill Park in Raleigh
I am OBSESSED with old mills, however, I had never been to one until last Saturday. My Papa and I love going for walks together, and since he was in town for the weekend, we decided to check out Historic Yates Mill Park. Our experience at Historic Yates Mill Park was most definitely social distancing-friendly…
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A North Carolina Vineyard and Llama Farm
What’s better than wine?! Wine AND llama’s!!! My good friend Caroline wanted to go to a vineyard to celebrate her 22nd Birthday, so when I found out about Divine Llama Vineyards located in East Bend, North Carolina, neither of us could pass up the opportunity to go. Our friend Cassie lives a lot closer to…
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I Lived in London for a Month
Cheerio! As highly requested on my Instagram story survey a few weeks ago, many of y’all wanted to hear my experiences studying abroad. I have been lucky enough to study abroad in 3 different cities in 3 different countries: Sansepolcro, Italy (a small town in Tuscany), London, England, United Kingdom, and San Ignacio, Belize (a…
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My Very *Unrealistic* Travel Bucket List!
The quote “I haven’t been everywhere but it’s on my list” truly resonates with me. I LITERALLY want to go EVERYWHERE – it is scary at times. I have been lucky enough over the years to have traveled to 13 different countries including the United States and cross half of the States off my list,…
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I Lived in Belize for 3 Weeks
I cannot BELIZE it!!! As highly requested on my Instagram story survey a few weeks ago, many of y’all wanted to hear my experiences studying abroad. I have been lucky enough to study abroad in 3 different cities in 3 different countries: Sansepolcro, Italy (a small town in Tuscany), London, England, United Kingdom, and San…
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I Lived in Tuscany for a Month
Love me some Tuscany!! As highly requested on my Instagram story survey a few weeks ago, many of y’all wanted to hear my experiences studying abroad. I have been lucky enough to study abroad in 3 different cities in 3 different countries: Sansepolcro, Italy (a small town in Tuscany), London, England, United Kingdom, and San…
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My Social Distancing-Friendly Beach Trip
Life is better at the beach, especially during a pandemic! With everything going on in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, being at the beach was a great way to relax and still social distance. While travel may look different this year, especially overnight travel, it does not mean that we can’t still enjoy it.…
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96 Hours in France
They say that Paris is ALWAYS a good idea. That saying is indeed true! When I was studying abroad for a month in London, England two years ago, one of my friends Kaylee and I decided to plan a trip to Paris for one of our travel breaks. Let’s just say that going to Paris…
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Travel Guide: Seeing Washington, DC On a Budget
Growing up right outside of the nation’s capital was something that I unfortunately took for granted until I moved to Raleigh for college. However, after hearing many of my college friends and classmates share with me how much they wished they could be able to live outside of the nation’s largest cities, I knew how…
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Traveling During the Coronavirus Pandemic
At the beginning of this year as any other year, I got real giddy about all of my possible upcoming travels. As it has affected us all, something that starts with a C, known as the coronavirus pandemic has put a halt and has risen a lot of uncertainty on our anticipated travel plans. This…
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72 Hours in Charleston, South Carolina
A pineapple fountain, beaches everywhere you turn, and colorful buildings galore, I’m not going to lie, Charleston is definitely me in a city. Ever since I learned of this magnificent coastal city, I knew that one day I needed to plan a trip. Luckily for myself, my college’s Honors Program allowed me to help plan…
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