Menu Monday – Favorite Make Ahead Meals

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // July 21, 2014 // 2 Comments

Today isn’t our typical Menu Monday. I’m currently out of town, in Michigan, preparing for my sister’s wedding!!! I’m so excited for her. It’s been a blast hanging out with my family, enjoying some time together.

My husband is currently holding down the fort, and will be joining us on Thursday. Before I left, I created a menu, of sorts, so he could remember to eat. He’s amazing – when no one is home, he actually FORGETS to eat. I wish I had that kind of will power.

He’s definitely picking up some of his favorite take out items, like Chubby’s yummy burritos (massive and cheap as chips!), an Enzo’s pizza (he loves the bruschetta pizza) and his favorite Thai food. But here are some of my favorite make-ahead meals that are currently sitting in the fridge.

Vegetarian Meatballs – I actually made several batches of these meatballs, so we could have them for dinner later on. I reserved half a batch for him to eat. They are already in a small casserole dish, in the fridge. I also pre-mixed the sauce so he can add it. It should be enough for one dinner and leftovers the next day!

Black Bean & Butternut Squash Enchiladas – these can be made in advance and can sit in the fridge, without the sauce, for a few days! I haven’t tried freezing them, but I’m sure that would work! I made the full recipe, because he would eat this every day, if he could.

Greek Tortellini Salad – this recipe makes A LOT of salad, so I halved the recipe so it was manageable for one person.

Spicy Basil Tofu – tofu based Thai dishes hold up well in the fridge. Make the rice ahead as well for an easy reheat meal!

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

http://www.pinterest.com/ktcupoftea/good-eats-dinner/

Hey Hey! It’s Friday!

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // July 18, 2014 // 5 Comments

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:

30 Outfits 30 Days Challenge | Day 25-30 Recap

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // July 17, 2014 // 8 Comments

It’s hard to believe this is it for the 30 Outfits in 30 Days Challenge! I’m all done! And I’m so proud of myself.

If you’re not sure what’s up, you can read more here. But, long story short: I chose 30 items from my closet, and challenged myself to make 30 unique outfits for the next 30 days!

I’ll do a thorough wrap up on Tuesday, but, for now, let’s recap the final 6 outfits!

I had 2 “New to Me” outfits this week – outfit 2 and 5. I was trying to squeeze in one more look with that lace shirt, and just decided to put the blue dress over it. It photographs fine! In person, though, with the extra bulk, I looked a little squishy. But I’d definitely wear that look again!

Here are my thoughts from this week’s outfits.

Most Worn Item | Looks like it was my statement necklace! Wore it with 4 different outfits. I need to buy more necklaces like that. It’s so easy to kick up an outfit a notch!

Favorite Outfit | I really like outfit 1 this time! It was really comfy. In fact, I wore it on the plane yesterday when I was traveling.

Least Favorite Outfit | I feel like outfit 4 was same old, same old. Nothing wrong with it! Just, towards the end of the challenge, it looks repetitive.

This Week’s Surprise | I miss my handbags!!! Being limited to just two (my dressier Kate Spade and then my Skip Hop Duo French Stripe Diaper Bag) is kind of boring.

Hardest Thing About This Week | Phew, these last few days were hard, coming up with unique outfits. I’ve got some new clothes I purchased JUST when I started this challenge that I’m itching to start wearing.

Alright, on to the last 6 outfits! Below are each day’s outfits, along with links for each item OR a similar item. Outfits: From L to R, Top Row

1. Cardigan (Similar); Top (Old, Similar); Jeans; Wedges; Necklace (Similar)
2. Dress (Old, Similar); Lace Top (Similar); Sandals; Necklace (Similar)
3. Blazer; Top (Similar); Skirt; Wedges (Similar); Necklace (Similar)
4. Jacket (Similar); Shirt (Similar); Shorts; Sandals
5. Top (Similar); Skirt (Similar); Wedges
6. Blazer; Top (Similar); Jeans; Wedges; Necklace (Similar); Bag (Similar)

Stay tuned next Tuesday for a wrap up of the entire 30 days!

Linked Up at:

Packing for Vacation

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // July 16, 2014 // 8 Comments

Hello friends!

As you’re reading this, I’m whizzing away, with Elizabeth, to Michigan to visit my family and celebrate my sister’s wedding! It will be so delightful. And I’m looking forward to the Midwest summer weather.

The nice thing about traveling means you’ll be receiving a few posts around what I packed for my trip, including the carry on/diaper bag and my make up bag.

But, today, I thought I would show you what I have packed for outfits.

Thanks to my recent 30 Outfits in 30 Days Challenge, it was fairly easy to piece together 11 outfits. So if you followed that series, you’ll see some repeat outfits.

So here’s what I’m packing!

These 2o items (this includes the diaper bag, not pictured) make AT LEAST 11 outfits. I’ll be there for a total of 14 days, but I’ll be able to do some laundry while there. All of these items easily fit in a carry on suitcase, with room to spare for toiletries and hair tools and the unmentionables.

Here’s the breakdown:

2 Jackets (Denim & Navy Blazer)
4 Shirts (1 Long Sleeve, 1 Sleeveless, 2 Short Sleeve)
1 Cardigan
2 Pants (1 Shorts, 1 Skinny Jeans)
1 Skirt
1 Dress
3 pairs Shoes (Sandals, Brown Wedges, and Dress Shoes)
2 Necklaces
1 Watch
1 large leather Purse
1 Scarf

This should be more than enough outfits to get me through the family fun, church, and wedding festivities.

Here are all the outfit options!

Did I miss any other options? I’m styling a new J Crew gray tee with the Peter Pan collar with this collection. Hopefully it will work well with everything!

If you want to follow along with our vacation adventures, follow me on Instagram!

Wish List | What I Want for My 30th Birthday

by Katie @ Cup of Tea // July 15, 2014 // 8 Comments

July is my Birth Month! Yippee! This year is my 30th…. not sure how I feel about that yet.

If the world were perfect, the above it what I’d want for my birthday! Now, some of this is really extravagant ($350 bakeware set??), but a girl can dream, right?

1. See by Chloe perfume – I gave this a sniff when I was at Sephora the other day, and it smells so beautiful! The perfect hint of floral without knocking your head off.

2. C. Wonder Flats – so apparently the cute whale ones are sold out online, BUT I spied them in the window when I strolled past our C. Wonder store at our mall. I may have to go back and pick them up as a Happy Birthday present to myself 🙂

3. Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set – I’ve heard great things about the Real Techniques brushes. I’m not a makeup brush user, but I’m trying to be. These are reasonably prices and I hear they are great quality!

4. Royal Albert Friendship Green Vintage Mug – Isn’t that mug adorable? It’s the kind of mug I’d have on display in my tea cupboard. Right next to my commemorative Will & Kate Royal Wedding mug. (Yes, I own one… don’t judge)

5. Baublebar Peacock Chandelier Collar Necklace – Every time I go on to Baublebar’s website, I see this necklace, put it in my shopping cart, but never purchase it. I don’t know why! It’s a good price, and it hot pink.

6. Kate Spade Holly Street Ashton – This mint color is just adorable, and I love a top handle bag.

7. Williams-Sonoma Goldtouch Non Stick 15 Piece Bakeware Set – So this is a bit much. It’s a $350 bakeware set… but I’m in desperate need of new bakeware, and this is the best. (Husband, if you’re reading this, maybe just the cake pans to start??)

So I wish…. I dream…. I don’t need any of this, but it’s fun!

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