High Five for Friday #30 | My Birthday + Friends

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // July 31, 2015 // 23 Comments

Welcome to High Five for Friday – hosted by Katie, Tif, Della, and Caitlin! If you want to know more, read about it here!

This week’s featured blogger is Ashley from Life on the Parsons Farm! She’s a wife and a mommy to the most adorable girl, Ellie! Her blog is about what I adore – what it’s like as a mom, juggling life and all the ups and downs that come with it, and trying to find the joy that’s there! She’s so open about the journey of adopting, and now raising their sweet Ellie, but also finds ways to be uplifting as she and her husband go through infertility struggles. She is such an encouragement! Go on over to Ashley and say a big HELLO!!

I am a little bit shocked that today is Friday. Didn’t we JUST do this H54F thing a few days ago??

1. Today is my 31st Birthday! I plan on celebrating by not cooking (except that I am making my own birthday dessert, but I do that every year) and getting my free Starbucks drink. To be honest, I’m actually not all that enthusiastic about it. Not because I’m now 31. It’s because Elizabeth and I both have nasty summer colds and we both are getting on each other’s nerves. Toddlers and mommies with colds don’t mix. We’ve watched a lot of Daniel Tiger this week. However, in honor of my birthday, I did a fun blog post on 31 random facts about me! It was fun to put together! Check it out to see if there were any surprises 🙂

2. The TV saga continues. If you missed it last week, we spontaneously purchased a TV… and now it’s living in a rather large niche over our fireplace. I really LOVED what I had up there before, and now I’m just looking at a large TV. Plus, I can’t say having the TV really makes that much of a difference to the quality of my TV watching. My husband might disagree… To be continued….

3. It was a great week for editing videos! HA! I managed to power through 3 that had been sitting on the back burner. So this week my first Empties video went live! It was all about drugstore makeup I’ve used up. Go check it out and let me know what you’ve tried and loved! Stay tuned for an empties video all about skincare and haircare!

4. This article about missing close friends that live far away was making the rounds on Facebook this week. In fact I even posted it on my FB page. While it made me all sniffely thinking about friends that are precious to me but aren’t near me, it did make me happy to think of friends that ARE near me! I’m so grateful for a fun, supportive, uplifting, hilarious group of friends where I’m comfortable being me! Bonus that they love Elizabeth too. And a bonus bonus(!) that we’ve got friends spread out all over the country, so that no matter where we choose to go on vacation, we’ve got someone to visit.

5. Elizabeth’s entertainment factor went up a lot this week! I finally scored a cheap, wooden play kitchen on Craigslist for her, and she is so thrilled!! And one morning she crawled into an empty box, and started having a great time. What’s a mom to do but to toss in some stickers and crayons! We had a great time decorating it!

Kind of the most boring highlights ever, but I’m all congested and can’t think straight! HAHA!

So what were you up to this week? Let me know! Or better yet, link up!

Fellow bloggers – ready to join in the link up? Just write a blog post about 5 things that made this week awesome! Add your link to your blog post down below (make sure it’s your blog post, not your blog home page!). And then grab the H54F button to add to your post! And go visit at least 3 fellow link uppers AND this week’s featured blogger! It’s just the nice thing to do.

And be sure to tag your posts/pics on social media with #H54F! We really do try to make the rounds and like, comment, retweet, etc! It’s so much fun to support one another, isn’t it?

I’m also linking up with Oh Hey, Friday, Meet @ the Barre, 5 on Friday & Diary of a Real Housewife

Empties #1 | Drugstore Makeup

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // July 30, 2015 // 10 Comments

I’ve been hoarding empties for about 9 months now, and FINALLY got around to filming an empties video. If you’ve never seen an empties video, basically it’s a compilation of all products that have been used up. It’s great because it’s a video full of mini reviews!

I managed to hoard SO MANY products that I decided to split them up into two videos: Makeup and Skincare/Haircare. We’re tackling makeup today!

This is 99% drugstore makeup. As much as I want to have a collection of high end makeup, I just never will. There are so many fun things to try at the drugstore that it’s hard to resist!

There are a lot of products here! Enjoy!

Any products I mentioned that you love? Or really don’t like? What products do I need to try next?
Let me know in the comments below!

You may also love seeing my monthly favorites posts or take a peek at my travel makeup bag!

Products mentioned
I’ve included links to everything, but nothing is affiliated. I’m just not that cool.

Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer
L’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream in Fair
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation in Natural Ivory (#20)
L’Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup in N1-2
Revlon Colorstay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin in Buff (#150)
L’Oreal Visible Lift CC Eye Concealor in Fair
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment in Neutralizer
Bobbi Brown Undereye Corrector in Light Bisque
Milani Eyeshadow in Bella Champagne
Maybelline Pumped Up Colossal in Black Brown
L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof in Black Brown
Milani Easy Brow in Dark Brown
Sonya Kashuk Clear Brow Gel
Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Hold ‘Em (#460) and Top Coat
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Plum’s The Word (#360)
New York Color Long Wearing Nail Enamel in Pink Promenade Creme
Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour in Petal Pusher (color not available anymore)

31 Facts on my 31st Birthday

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // July 29, 2015 // 28 Comments

Friday is my birthday! I’m the big 3-1.

Exciting, right?

I’m not a huge birthday celebrator when it comes to myself. For others, I love to do it up big. For me, though, I prefer just a low key birthday.

Since random facts are one of my favorite posts to read, I thought it would be fun to give you 31 factoids for my 31st birthday!

Have I ever talked about my family? My parents live up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and my younger sister (by 2.5 years) lives in downtown Chicago. I love my family! It stinks being so far away from them now, but thank goodness for FaceTime. And I’m really blessed to absolutely love my in-laws! They are so much like my own family that I feel right at home when we visit!
Here’s a true random – I have never watched The Sound of Music or Gone With the Wind all the way through.
If I had to choose to watch one show or movie, forever and ever, it would be the Anne of Green Gables movies. They are just so sweet!
And if I had to choose one book series to read, over and over, it would be the Mitford Series from Jan Karon. Also just so sweet! (A new book is coming out this Fall!)
I grew up wishing I could be Amish. But an Amish girl with a TV. Is that possible?
I could watch ANY sporting event. I love sports! Particularly football.
But I only played volleyball in high school. And really anyone could be on the team… I was an amazing server (underhand only… but I was awesome!) but then got rotated out as soon as I got to the front line.
I have a large scar on almost all of my left arm from burning my arm with hot tea (ironic) when I was 7 months old. It’s what makes me unique!
I play the piano and the flute. I also sang in choirs all throughout my younger years.
I played in orchestra for two years when I was in college.
I was in drama all the way up through high school. I even won the “best actress” award my senior year!
The part I played for “best actress” was portraying a crotchety old German grandmother. I swear I only got the part originally because I could semi-successfully pull of a German accent, because I certainly don’t fit the crotchety part!
I can pretty convincingly do any accent.
I have NO problem speaking in front of people. Even if it is spur of the moment.
But ask me to sing or play an instrument solo? I get the worst stage fright! We’re talking hands shaking, knee caps wiggling… horrible!
In college I majored in Marketing. I also never changed my major once.
I went to a small Christian university in southwest Michigan, right near Lake Michigan.
I met my husband on our first week as college Freshmen. We started dating the first week of our Junior year.
My husband (then just a friend) caught me when I fainted at Sunday Mass at Notre Dame. It was an alumni weekend, plus home game… standing room only…. It was our “how we met” story, even though we had officially first met several weeks prior.
I would rather have a salty snack instead of a sweet one.
Morrel mushrooms give me the heebie jeebies.
I am always tossing and purging things. I can’t handle piles of things.
I always knew I was going to be a SAHM when we started to have kids.
When I was growing up I wanted to be either a teacher or an astronaut.
My mom was my teacher for several years. She taught me subjects in 4th, 7-10th grades. I went to a small Christian school from 1-10th, so I saw her a lot.
I had the nick name “The Duchess” my freshman year of HS because I had a sizeable crush on Prince William. (and… may still do? But that just may be an entire family crush now!)
I always wished that my birthday was during the school year so people would say “Happy Birthday” and I could have a class party.
I didn’t get to experience the “Happy Birthday” greetings until we moved to NC and I worked in an office.
I quit my job on my birthday in 2013 because I was planning on being a SAHM. And decided the best birthday gift I could have was a “last day of work”. And it was great! I got “Happy Birthday and we’ll miss you!” all day!
If you come to our house, chances are there is classical music playing. I usually have it on from the morning I get up until bed time. (In fact, you’ve probably heard it a few times in vlogs)
When I first started my blog, I was terrified that people I knew in real life would find out. I was worried people would make fun of me! I’m over it now, but it was a crippling fear!

So there you go! It was hard coming up with 31 facts that were mildly entertaining or interesting!

Any surprising things? Anything similar to you? Let me know!

Menu Monday #51

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // July 27, 2015 // 6 Comments

Hey hey! Can you believe August is right on top of us? I was doing some planning yesterday and can’t believe it’s right around the corner. Shocked!

Last week there was no menu since we ordered the Family Dinners from Foster’s Market. We did this back in February, and since we were purchasing meals for friends who have twin babies (can you imagine??) we decided to get one for ourselves too.

This week I had to ask my husband for some inspiration of what to make. He followed that up with all of his favorites. HAHA! So since I was lacking more ideas, I decided to stick with it. Those Spicy Black Bean burgers are back again. They are just SO YUMMY!

For more information on how I menu plan, look at this.

Monday:
Indian Cashew Curry

Tuesday:
Spicy Black Bean burgers with Guacamole & Pepper Jack Cheese
(and trying a new Macaroni Salad recipe!)

Wednesday:
Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Thursday:
Taco Salad

Friday:
My birthday! Out to Eat!

Saturday:
Leftovers

Sunday:
Hot Dogs & my favorite Potato Salad

Need more ideas for dinner?
Follow my Pinterest board – it’s where I save all of my dinner ideas!

Follow Katie | Cup of Tea Blog's board Good Eats | Dinner on Pinterest.

Linking up at Menu Monday with Org Junkie

High Five for Friday #29 | A Planner + A TV + Bee Slaying

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // July 24, 2015 // 24 Comments

Welcome to High Five for Friday – hosted by Katie, Tif and Della! If you want to know more, read about it here!

This week’s featured blogger is Kate from Classy Living. She’s a wife, a teacher, and loves baking! Speaking of being a teacher, she’s had a super busy summer writing curriculum. No breaks for her!! Swing on over and say hi! So excited to be featuring her.

Anyone else feel like the weeks are just flying by?? I can’t catch my breath! Here’s what we have been up to this week.

1. I’ve been trying to squeeze in a lot of exercise this week. The last month or so I’ve been doing early morning walks with a friend and it’s been delightful! This week I’ve also added a video workout in the afternoon. Mercy! I’m sore. But happy! I decided to do these videos while Elizabeth was up and playing so she could “exercise” with me. And if she got bored hopping around with me, she just continued to play. Win Win!

2. I FINALLY got a chance to film a sneak peek of my new planner this week! Which means I can finally use it now. HA! I just LOVE this planner. It’s pretty, but simple. If you missed the blog post (which went live last night… so I wouldn’t be surprised if you did), check it out!

3. Anyone else have a hard time keeping up with magazine subscriptions? I do! We used up some airline miles for subscriptions and it’s just a non-stop flow to our door. I’m finally whittling down a large stack and managed to find this gem that hasn’t been read yet. Better late then never, right?

4. This week we’ve been enjoying the family dinners I blogged about back in the Spring. It’s just so nice having five whole dinners, tucked in the fridge, ready to be reheated! It’s been such a nice treat! Our fav so far this week was a delicious veggie enchilada. So yummy!

5. Our family has entered the 21st century. After 5 years, we caved and bought a TV. We’ve managed to survive on computers only for TV and movie watching. But on a whim we decided we should get a TV. It’s delightful! But I really don’t like having a TV over my fireplace. Anyone have any decor ideas? I just threw some stuff up there to make it less obnoxious, but I need some ideas!

6. Are you ready for a bonus? I just wish I had video of this. But let me tell you my bee story.

Sunday morning we had a bunch of friends over for a potluck brunch. Tons of fun! While we were saying goodbye, a bee flew into the house. The little bugger flew up to our second story entry window, so we figured he’d just stay there. We forgot all about him! Until that night.

My husband worked an 11PM – 7AM shift that night, so as he headed downstairs to leave for work, he manages to disturb the bee who was peacefully resting on our stair banister! And that little bee hightails it for our bedroom, where I’m peacefully sitting in our bed, slathering on lotion, getting ready to go to bed! PANIC!

Clearly, I can’t go to sleep knowing there is a bee buzzing around in my room! So I had to hunt him down. I managed to shoo him to our overhead light. After several unsuccessful attempts at whacking him with a rolled up magazine, I moved on to trying to whack him down with a shirt. BLAM! Successful! He landed on my bed. So I whacked him again, just to be safe.

Unfortunately, that final whack whooshed him off the bed onto our pile of throw pillows. I couldn’t find him! I was slowly moving pillows, one by one, trying to uncover him, when he slowly crawled up, out of the grave! He was alive!!!! So there I am, at midnight, hitting a bee wildly with a shoe, hoping to finally vanquish him. Which I do. But I had adrenaline pumping for about an hour afterwards! HA!

Sorry… that was a bit of a story! But it was such a funny one, after the fact, that I had to share. Maybe you had to be there… I don’t know… if you read the whole thing, I’m so impressed!

So what were you up to this week? Let me know! Or better yet, link up!
And this week I’ll be sure to get around and visit you all. I’ve been SO BEHIND on that these last few weeks.
*Bad blogger*

And be sure to tag your posts/pics on social media with #H54F! We really do try to make the rounds and like, comment, retweet, etc! It’s so much fun to support one another, isn’t it?

I’m also linking up with Oh Hey, Friday, Meet @ the Barre, 5 on Friday & Diary of a Real Housewife

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