What’s in My Diaper Bag – Toddler Edition

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // March 26, 2015 // 8 Comments

This blog post should really be called the “What’s in My Non-Diaper Bag Diaper Bag”.

I’m sure every mom goes through this phase – getting tired of lugging around a diaper bag (as much as you may love yours!), and feeling like you’re hauling so much stuff!

So enter the “non diaper bag” diaper bag. It’s still a diaper bag, because I’m hauling diapers, and other kid-related things. But the bag is so not a diaper bag.

I made a deal with myself to start using my good ol’ handbags again. My favorite right now is a classic black tote from Kate Spade. I mentioned it in my January Favorites. It’s classic. You can’t go wrong with black leather and minimal hardware.

The one downside to a non-diaper bag is the lack of pockets. Diaper bags are amazing at having a million pockets which keep you perfectly organized. To compensate, I’ve been collecting pretty zippered pouches to store essentials. My favorite is this navy and white pencil pouch I found at Target. (currently out of stock) In the main compartment, there are diapers and wipes. In the smaller front pouch, I keep diaper trash bags and hand sanitizer. My husband doesn’t mind grabbing this when he needs to do a quick diaper change (Elizabeth’s diaper… not his).

I also picked up a 4 pack set from Amazon. They’re cheap and cheerful.

By utilizing a pouch/compartmentalized system to organize my non-handbag, it makes it super easy to change bags, whenever I want! It’s a great tip whether your a mom or just a lady who loves to switch up her handbags! (Or both!)

To see more details about what I carry in my handbag now that I have a toddler, check out the video!

Here are a few more posts about what I have been carrying in my diaper bag!

What’s in My Diaper Bag for a 0-3 month old
What’s in My Diaper Bag for a 9 month old

Are you carrying a diaper bag right now? Or just a handbag? How do you stay organized?

Linked up with Friday’s Fab Favorites, Tuesday Talk, Style Sessions

Favorite Menu Planning Printables + Tips

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // March 23, 2015 // 4 Comments

Today – no menu. Sorry! We’re on vacation, so our menu is “Monday, eat out here. Tuesday, eat out there”. But I thought this week would be a great time to talk about some of the best Menu Planning printables and tips to make it easier to menu plan each week!

I think printables make the mundane task of menu planning so much more enjoyable! I truly dislike menu planning, but I started enjoying it so much more when I found fun printables!

There are many styles of printables out there, but one of my favorite styles is a weekly menu + grocery shopping list. I try to make 10 weeks of menu for each season, and write every food item needed on the shopping list side. Then I can compare the complete shopping list with what I have on hand, and create a separate, actual list. Some things, like spices, olive oil, etc I may not actually need on this trip.

Here are some functional but pretty printables I found (and have used a few!):

My current fav menu printable from The Design Finch

Another printable I’ve used before from Craft Sew Create

From iHeart Nap Time

Printable and great menu planning tips at this post by Organized Home Life

Printable from Cut & Create

Love this one from Scrimpalicious!

Every week when I sit to menu plan, I comb through my trusty ol’ recipe box, as well as my Pinterest board! I’ve saved quite a few fun recipes. I’m sure you have a board yourself you save recipes to try!

But you could also use Pinterest boards to organize menu ideas by season (Winter comfort foods vs. cool Summer salads). I love doing this type of board organization using the Private Board feature, so I can keep my public board clean.

You could also do private boards with weekly menu recipes! That would make menu planning super easy. Or even a private board of recipes you’ve now tried and loved, with the description box filled with any tweaks you’ve made.

But, as organized as we try to be, sometimes menu planning just doesn’t happen (like last week!) and sometimes what we’ve planned to make just doesn’t sound appealing.

I love this post by iHeart Planners on the non planner’s guide to menu planning! I’ve also written a post about trying out a family dinner plan through a local Durham spot for busy weeks or as a gift for someone. There are also amazing sources of meal plans, already done, with shopping lists out there! My favorite is the vegetarian menus from Oh My Veggies! Everything is done! Menu with links to recipes, as well as a printable shopping list.

What are your favorite sources for menu planning? Have any good tips to share?

If you need other meal ideas, or love printables as much as I do, check out my Pinterest boards for more inspiration!

Linking up at Menu Monday with Org Junkie

Don’t forget to pin this post!

High Five for Friday

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // March 20, 2015 // 10 Comments

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

This week’s featured blogger is Jaelen at Making Mrs. M. I’ve really enjoyed catching up with Jaelen’s blog each week, and love the variety of beauty, fashion and lifestyle. In FACT, one of her posts this week was all about comparing the Urban Decay Naked Basics Eye Shadow Pallets 1 & 2! It was so cool seeing the swatches side by side. Check it out, and say hi!

How was your week? Hope it was spectacular! Had sort of a same ol’, same ol’ week here.

1. DC last weekend was absolutely delightful! It was such fun spending time with family. We spent several days celebrating our sweet niece’s First Birthday. We also spent a very windy day at the National Zoo. Elizabeth really enjoyed that! And when we came back, she was so happy to be reunited with her little doggie friend AND her rock collection!

2. The bathing suit saga ended, at least for now. I bought one bathing suit, which I really liked, from Old Navy. But once I got it home, and tried it on again, I realized the top was too loose, and a grabby toddler may ensure that I flash everyone. Not good. So I returned it for a mix-n-match two piece from Khol’s. (I secretly hate going to Khol’s. There are always amazing sales going on, but I find the store so overwhelming!) Thanks to everyone that offered up suggestions for swimsuits!! Love that we’re such an amazing source of knowledge!

3. We had a fun time with some friends this week. Tuesday we spent time hiking in the woods with toddlers. It was adorable, but slow. And yesterday we had a play date and lunch with friends! I love that we such a sweet group of friends, and that our kiddos are all the same age! But bottom line – Elizabeth could go “hiking” every day of the week.

4. You ready for a “This Week in History” moment? 5 years ago, my husband and I were sitting in a conference room at his Med School, anxiously waiting for his name to be called. It was Match Day – the day when all 4th year Med Students figure out where they will go for their residency, post graduation. It’s thrilling but frightening! We were hoping he would match at his #1 spot, and he was indeed! And we’re still here, 5 years later! We had fun reminiscing about that day this week. Good luck to all you 4th years today!

5. Things were quiet (again) here on the blog for a few reasons. But the main reason was that there has been so much going on, and not enough time to just enjoy the moment. I talked a little bit about it yesterday, but bottom line is I need to have a priority adjustment…. I don’t normally get deep, but yesterday I shared what was on my heart… as rambly as it was!

Next week, we’re on vacation to the Outer Banks! Fingers crossed the weather is decent!

So what were you up to this week??? I want to know!

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!

Don’t forget to visit your fellow linkers and say hi!

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

When Life Gets in the Way of Living

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // March 19, 2015 // 17 Comments

I’ve been struggling lately. There seems to be a million things going on, with no end in sight! And it’s making me unhappy.

This isn’t a vent about how busy I am – we are ALL busy!

But the truth is that life lately feels really busy…. And I hate it.

Over the last few weeks, I have been doing some serious thinking as to why I feel overwhelmed and unhappy with the busy-ness. And my conclusion is this:

The busy-ness of LIFE is getting in the way of just LIVING!

Sometimes we are so busy trying to get everything done, trying to please everyone, that we forget about just enjoying the moment. We all go through phases in our lives where it feels fast-paced and hard to keep up. And right now, I need a priority shift.

I love to be busy. I think if I’m not busy, something’s wrong. I am a people pleaser, and a girl that can’t say “no” when someone needs something done. I thrive on praise from others, and hate to let people down.

As the last few weeks went by, I slowly realized that in the midst of keeping up with all the stuff that needs done, I’m choosing to not play outside with Elizabeth. I’m missing chances to just sit and talk with my husband. I’m prioritizing writing a blog post over spending time in God’s Word.

I simply can’t do it all.

And if you can, I’m desperate to know your secret!

There is nothing wrong with staying busy and juggling a lot of projects and responsibilities. This isn’t a call to laziness! (Although there are days that sounds pretty appealing)

Instead, I am realizing I may need to learn to say a hard word:

No.

No, I can’t sit on that committee. No, I can’t teach that class at church. No, now isn’t the time to start a large home organizing project.

And I’m choosing to focus on living, instead of slugging through life.

*I’m not usually so somber and serious. But this has been weighing on my heart recently. I don’t like to admit when I’m doing something wrong… but felt I needed to share. Thanks for putting up with it.

Linking up with Tuesday Talk

High Five for Friday + Spring Preview

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // March 13, 2015 // 25 Comments

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

Happy Friday the 13th! Didn’t even realize it until today. Watch your back. Haha!

This week’s featured blogger is Chelsea from Red Velvet Rooster. Love that blog name! Chelsea blogs about all things home, from decor to recipes to what’s up with her sweet boy! Be sure to swing by and say Hi!!

Here’s what I was up to! (Which, admittedly, hasn’t been much)

1. This week’s weather has been absolutely gorgeous!!! We have spent so much time playing outside. Not to mention windows open, airing the house out. One favorite was going a walk, sans stroller, and letting Elizabeth walk down a gravel road. I’ve never seen her so jolly! Spring has sprung!

2. The weekend’s baby shower went so well. It’s just such fun having a chance to celebrate a sweet friend with a whole posse of sweet friends! I was so tickled at how well everything came together, from the decor to food to fun! And we were so lucky to have beautiful weather!

3. I signed up for Stitch Fix! So many bloggers out there participate, but that’s not why I chose to sign up. Honestly, I love the idea of a stylist sending me clothes that may be out of my comfort zone, and then getting to try them on at home, and mixing it with my existing clothes. Just seems like the best shopping experience! I’ve heard mixed reviews on Stitch Fix (quality, cost, and picks), but looking forward to trying it for myself.

4. Speaking of clothes… folks…. I need to find a bathing suit. *shudder* I’ve been looking for one for a few weeks now. We’ll be headed to the beach in a few weeks for vacation, and while I don’t anticipate a lot of swimming, I want to be prepared. I haven’t had a swimsuit for years! Anyone have any brand recommendations? Or strong drinks to have before going and looking?

5. We’re headed up to DC this weekend! We’ll be celebrating our darling niece’s First Birthday! It’s going to be such fun watching the cousins playing together. I’m a little bummed its forecast to rain all weekend, but will still be fun being with family, nonetheless.

So what were you up to this week??? I want to know!

Don’t forget to visit your fellow linkers and say hi!

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