Hey Hey! It’s Friday!

Posted in It's Friday by Katie @ Cup of Tea Blog

TGIF!

Here’s what I was up to this week:

1. I am so happy to be home!!!! Elizabeth and I were gone for 2 weeks to Michigan to help with my sister’s wedding. It was nice to be home, visiting my family and watching my best friend get married to HER best friend, but there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed. 🙂

2. Speaking of travel, Elizabeth did pretty well on both of her flights. I imagined it going much worse, but she did great. She even fell asleep during an entire leg! I can’t remember the last time she fell asleep in my arms. I crafted a “Lessons I Learned” travel post, so stay tuned for that one!

3. Once we made it home, I spent a large amount of time unpacking, cleaning out the refrigerator, and just getting everything back in order. But it felt great!

4. Elizabeth picked up so many new skills while we were gone. She officially started saying “dada”. She’s crawling so much faster now! And she is an expert on pulling up to stand on anything. Amazing.

5. And finally, yesterday was my 30th birthday. While it’s nice to celebrate my birthday, my brain can’t help but drift to the fact that summer is more than half over! We’re almost to Fall! YAY!

Even though I was gone for 2 weeks, there were still some blog posts! If you’re catching up (like I am!), here’s what you’ve missed:

Menu Monday – Favorite Make Ahead Meals
30 Outfits in 30 Days Challenge – Wrap Up
Menu Monday – Favorite Desserts Found on Pinterest
Daily Schedule of a Stay at Home Mom

Let me know what you’ve been up to in the comments below! Have a great weekend!

Linking up with:

18Jul2014

Hey Hey! It’s Friday!

Posted in It's Friday by Katie @ Cup of Tea Blog

TGIF! I’m currently working my TAIL off, as a personal slave to my mother, as we prep for a Bridal Shower for my sister on Sunday. But you know what?? I’m having a blast 🙂

Here’s what I was up to this week:

1. We spent the weekend up in Virginia Beach with my in-laws. We had a fabulous time!! We went to the Aquarium, hung out with family, had a date night (sans babies) with my sister-in-law and her husband, and took Elizabeth to the beach for her first toe dip in the ocean. She cried…. this was expected. After we dined al fresco, and she recovered.

2. I’m not sure if going out of town JUST prior to me leaving for two weeks was a blessing or a curse. On the one hand, I basically did laundry, then repacked my suitcase. That was handy! But I felt like I lost a few days of work to prep being gone for 2 weeks. Oh well!

3. My husband and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary on Tuesday! We had planned to eat out that evening to celebrate, but that morning I wanted to go out for breakfast. My husband looked a little disappointed and asked “But I thought we were going to dinner tonight?”, to which I replied “I want to do both!”. Milk the out to eats while I can 🙂

4. Elizabeth and I had a pretty easy flight up to Michigan! It went very smooth. Fingers crossed its that simple on the way back home.

5. On a blog related note, I’ve written many blog posts that will go out over the next few weeks. So don’t worry!! I’m not 100% disappearing 🙂 Did you see this week’s birthday wishlist or outfits I packed posts? I also finished the last 6 days of the 30 Outfits in 30 Days Challenge!!! Woohoo! Stay tuned Tuesday for a recap of all 30 outfits. I was pretty chuffed when I saw them all together.

Let me know what you’ve been up to in the comments below! Have a great weekend!

Linking up with:

8Jul2014

Bride-To-Be Gift Ideas

Posted in Daily Life, Organization by Katie @ Cup of Tea Blog

I hope she’s not reading this, but my sister is getting married in just a few weeks!!! I wanted to get her a fun Sister gift beyond something off the registry. (But don’t worry – still got something off the registry, because nothing says “I love you, Sister” like a spatula.)

We’ve always enjoyed tiny toiletries and used to collect them. And when I asked her what she would like to do the night before the wedding, and she just said she wanted to relax and do an old fashioned spa night like we used to do as kids.

So I decided to combine those two things – travel sized toiletries and spa night – to create a fun Bride-to-Be gift! Plus, I figured she could take some of these items on the honeymoon!

First I went out to Forever 21 to pick up a fun cosmetic/travel bag. I knew they had cute ones because I recently bought myself one 🙂 I found this large floral bag with a black bow detail. The bow reminded me of the Ted Baker cosmetic bags, which have been on my wish list for months!

While there, I noticed Forever 21 had quite a few cheap face product. I just picked up a few for fun. I grabbed makeup remover wipes, a few sheet masks, and two eye masks (can’t find online). I also saw a cute make up brush set. They’re polka dot! Love it!

I raided my own stash of tiny toiletries to find a few more things: travel size St. Ives Apricot Scrub, Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo & Conditioner, Aveda Energy Lotion, and Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Passion.

And then………. I went to Sephora. Just to find a few extra things. A great addition were travel sizes of perfumes. It’s hard to travel with perfume, especially those full sizes. So stick with a roller ball or a sampler set, like this one. I also grabbed a Smith’s Rosebud Salve, because it rocks. The other items were some point rewards (yay me!) that I decided to gift as well. I got a MakeUp Forever mini set of lipstick and mascara. I also got a sample of the Algenist Detoxifying Exfoliator.

Finally, I grabbed a travel set of Philosophy products (similar). This set alone would make a great gift! Plus it came in a travel bag. It’s not as cute as a floral cosmetic bag, but it’s useful!I’m really excited for her to crack into this! We’ve got a few things to experiment with the night before the wedding, but she also has some things to take with her on the honeymoon.

I love tiny toiletries!

One of my other favorite gift ideas for a bride-to-be is a recipe card with one of your favorite recipes written on it. Include a kitchen item to help make it (grab it off the registry!). It’s personal but still getting the bride something she wants and will use.

For other gift ideas and gift wrap inspiration, check out my Pinterest Board!

What were some of your favorite gifts you have received?

*Note: none of the links are affiliated. They’re just links to the products for easy browsing!