For the past 8 years, a group of my closest girlfriends have been getting together for a Christmas sleepover complete with matching PJs, cookie decorating and holiday movie watching! It became especially cherished when we all moved away for college but were reunited each winter break. So, I thought that I would share our beloved tradition with you all. Here are some ideas for the perfect Christmas Pajama Party…
Read MoreHappy Holidays everyone! I am so excited that we have finally reached my favorite time of the year. There is very little that I love more than when the weather cools down, holiday music is on the radio and the house smells delicious from whatever winter treat is cooking in the oven.
Read MoreEven though Halloween is more of a children’s holiday, it is one that I always get pretty excited about. In my mind, Halloween marks the beginning of my favorite time of the year; the holidays! Growing up in California meant that Halloween was typically the first weekend that turned cold. So, my family always seized the opportunity to break out some fall favorites. This year, I am going to be in North Carolina for my first Homecoming since graduating from Wake Forest and I couldn’t be more excited. Although it does mean that my Halloween plans will be a little different… So for those of you who will be home this weekend, here are my tips for throwing the ultimate Halloween Party!
Read MoreWhen I first started my series, the “20-Something Girl Spotlight,” my goal was to highlight women in my life who inspire me. I thought that my followers were mostly female and that they would appreciate learning from other women’s experiences, and they did! But what I didn’t realize was that I also had a large male following. Several of them have reached out and asked me to put more guy centered topics on the blog. So, I decided to start with a “20-Something Guy Spotlight.”
Read MoreThe Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays because not only does it celebrate our incredible country, but it is also in my mind, the epitome of summer! I love nothing more than hosting a BBQ with great food, drinks, music and friends.
For the past few years, I have been out of town for this holiday weekend, but this year I’ll be home with my precious pup Winston. My parents are heading to Tahoe with their friends so I decided that it would be the perfect chance for me to host my first Fourth of July Backyard Party.
Those who know me well, know that I tend to go all out when it comes to hosting and decorating parties (Check out my post on the Fiesta I threw a couple of months back). So, this will be no different.
This is what I am planning for my Fourth of July celebration:
Read MoreToday is officially my last day of school… ever! So to celebrate, I threw a Fiesta last night to celebrate with some of my closest friends that I made during my time at Wake Forest. One thing that I have really loved about college, and getting older in general, is that my friends are not confined to my grade level. Some of my closest friends are younger, and I love that it doesn’t matter. However, because of that, a lot of my friends won’t be around campus during graduation week to celebrate with me so I decided to do it a little early.
If you know me well, you know that there is not much that I love more than a good margarita. So of course I made the party Mexican Fiesta themed!
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Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to my day 1 Wake Forest friend, Madi Julius! Madi and I met on the first day of health class freshmen year. She was sitting next to me in a ball cap and jeans and had a smile that made everyone around her light up. Over the past 4 years, our friendship has grown so much and she inspires me everyday with her love for Christ, and her enthusiastic zest for life!
Read MoreAs most of you know, it is Masters Week! I am super excited because it is one of the only weeks during the year when everyone comes together to celebrate the sport that I love so much. I will be headed up to New York the end of this week, but thank goodness I will be back home in North Carolina for Masters Sunday so that I can celebrate right!
Here are some of my recommendations for hosting the Ultimate Masters Party:
Read MoreI am so excited to introduce you all to this week's 20- Something girl, Rachel! Rachel is an incredible photographer and style guru from New York who I have been fortunate enough to get to know the past few months here at Wake. She is actually the photographer who took all of the cover photos for each page of my blog! She is such a sweet, loving and fun girl and I can't wait for you all to get to know her. . .
Read MoreI want to introduce you all to one of my oldest and truest friends, Callie! Callie is more than just a friend to me, she is my sister. Growing up as an only child, she was the one who I went to for just about everything. We shared clothes, lived at each other’s houses and even got our ears pierced together. It has been incredible to see my best friend grow and change as we got older, and I admire her so much for the decisions she has made and for always staying true to herself.
Read MoreI am so excited because Easter is this week! Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays because it is one that we spend with family. For the past few years we have been spending this weekend in Charlotte, but this year we will be traveling to Boston to be with my dad's side of the family. I am so excited to see my Grandfather, aunts, uncles and cousins!
For me, Easter is the first weekend that truly begins to feel like Spring, and I could not be more excited to embrace warm weather, color, fresh flowers and delicious food! Here is my guide to creating the perfect Spring Weekend.
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I am so excited to announce a new series of posts that will CELEBRATE several 20-something girls in my life that inspire me every day. March is National Women's Month and I think that celebrating each other's accomplishments and passions is key to empowering women to be their best selves. I am constantly seeking advice from the women in my life and I feel that we can all learn from each other and work together to make our world a better place.
Stay tuned for spotlights on my "20-Something Girl of the Week."
XOXO,
Rachael Claire
Growing up, St. Patrick’s Day was always a holiday that I looked forward to! I remember one year, I had a friend spending the night and when we woke up the next morning, the leprechaun had visited, and my room was an absolute mess! There were clothes everywhere, on the lamp, on the floor, and even all over the bed. But I was the most excited by the trail of chocolate gold coins that led us from my bedroom, down the stairs, and all the way to the kitchen where a breakfast of pancakes was awaiting us.
St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow and I am so excited, not only because I have always loved celebrating this holiday, but also because it is one of my best friend’s 21st Birthday!
Now that I am older, St. Patrick’s Day has grown to be a little bit of a different celebration than just eating gold chocolate coins! Here are some fun St. Patrick’s Day cocktail recipes that are easy to make, and will be festive way to celebrate the day.
The Jade
Leprechaun
The Irish Lady
The Token Irishman
When all else fails, buy a bag of chocolate gold coins and throw on a “Kiss me, I’m Irish” T-Shirt and you will be good to go! Have a happy St. Patrick’s Day… and HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY EMILIE!
XOXO,
Rachael Claire
Valentine’s Day has always been a day that I love to celebrate, not because I’m looking forward to spending it with a love interest, but because it’s a day that I get to be thankful for my girlfriends. I think that my love for Valentine’s Day began in high school when all of my single girlfriends would plan a nice dinner at a restaurant in our town. We would get all dressed up and celebrate each other. Sometimes we would get really into it and buy each other flowers, chocolates and even fun friendship cards!
A couple of years ago, I first heard the term “Galentine’s Day,” and I loved it because it made the day more about celebrating the love my “Gals” have for each other.
So, here are a few ideas for how you and your friends can celebrate Valentine’s Day this year!
Get your nails done.
There is no better way to treat yourself than getting a mani-pedi with your best friend. Take the afternoon to just get pampered, and leave the salon feeling like a new person. Valentine’s Day isn’t always about loving other people, it’s about loving yourself a little bit too!
Go on a V-Day hike.
It’s February, so where you live might be a little snowy on the actual day, but if you’re lucky enough to have a clear day on Feb. 14, find a trail and go explore the great outdoors. I always find it so relaxing to take a long hike on Sunday afternoons. Pack a lunch for you and your bestie to enjoy once you reach the top of the mountain… red strawberries anyone?
Make a reservation at a fancy restaurant and treat yourselves!
Like I said before, this is how my friends and I celebrated back when I was in high school, and I think that it is just so much fun. Who said that you need to be in a romantic relationship to enjoy a delicious meal at your favorite restaurant? Plus, chances are that the restaurant has created a special menu for the evening, and who doesn’t love chocolate cake and strawberries? You can take it one step further and buy each other friendship Valentine’s Day cards as well!
Participate in a “Secret Valentine” with your friends
If you have a group of single ladies who you will be spending the day with, why not turn it into a little mini Christmas? Put everyone’s name in a hat and have each girl pick a name and buy a special gift for that person. Here are some great gifts to buy your girlfriends.
Make pink and red cocktails…because, why not?
Singapore Sling
Paloma
Cosmopolitan
Pink Gin Fizz
Kir Royale
Cranberry Vodka Spritzer
Check out these yummy recipes!
Host a Pot-Luck dinner for all of your single girlfriends.
I know a lot of people who show their love through cooking, so why not make a party out of it? Have all of your friends bring their favorite dish and eat, eat, eat. Turn on your favorite music and celebrate being together and eating some incredible food!
And when all else fails, open a bottle of wine (or two) with your best friend / soulmate and watch your favorite rom-com movie.
What’s better than drinking wine with your girls and watching your favorite movies? Honestly, not much. My favorites are The Proposal, Dirty Dancing, The Notebook, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and Father of the Bride. If you would rather go for a TV series, Friends will never let you down.
xoxo,
Rachael Claire
I am a 20-Something Girl based in San Francisco. I started The 20-Something Girl in 2016 as a way to share the experiences, surroundings and stories that inspire me. Thank you for stopping by and going on this adventure with me!" Read more.
