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I also ask that you please leave your thoughts in the comment section below. I’m always trying to produce helpful content for my readers, and without knowing what you think, it’s hard to know what you find helpful/not helpful. So please leave your thoughts below!!  

Katie T’s Cottage Home Fun Fact #27

Fun fact time! This is a new section I’m including on my blog posts so my readers can get to know me on a personal level!

So, for my 27th fun fact, I want to share that I LOVE the beach! I’m so excited that the weather is finally warm enough to go to the ocean.

I’m thankful that I live in MA, so there are plenty of beaches to go to, that are relatively close.

If you live in the area, do you have any beach recommendations? Drop it in the comments, I’d love to hear it!!

So now, let’s jump into the 7 paint and sip ideas!

Drink of Choice: Tea vs. Wine

Okay, so obviously, if it’s tea party inspired, it would imply there was tea. I get it. However, we did not have tea, but we did have wine!

The determining factor in choosing the best option is knowing the preferences of the ladies you are serving it for.

And hey, who’s to say you can’t have both, right?!?! Just keep in mind the space, which I will discuss in more depth in the next section.

But for me, space was limited. So, I decided that one would be better than having both.

But, this has inspired me for the next time I host a lady’s night. Lately, I’ve been getting into making my own tea (vs. the premade packets you traditionally buy at the store).

I thought it would be so cool to have a tea party with multiple ingredients to make tea, and it can be a make-it-your-own-styled tea. Kind of like a tea-inspired buffet. I feel like that would be SO cool!!

Tea Party Styled Food

Hosting paint nights is super fun and exciting because it puts a spin on the traditional ladies’ night. Plus, something is appetizing about having a meal made of finger food.

This leads me to my next point for hosting a ladies’ paint night. And, that would be to have tea party-styled food!

My menu consisted of cucumber sandwiches, banana chocolate chip muffins, cheese and crackers, jalapeno cheese rolls, and for the piece de resistance, a fruit tart for dessert!

Also, as a bonus for those who want to impress your guests, I have a FREE digital downloadable that you can edit and add your menu to the blank template!

I did not have this for my paint and sip but, as I’m putting this post together, I figured this would be an excellent addition to the tablescape The image below is an example of what it would look like with text. You can handwrite on it as well!

Click here for the download and, make sure you check out my online storefront for additional details on how to download and edit the templates!

Note: click on an actual product to see the instructions underneath the listing.

Another thing to keep in mind, as mentioned above, is the space on the table. My table was just under 6’x3′. We had just enough room for all 4 ladies, food, and painting essentials.

I could have taken a little more space, but the flip side to that argument would be that the paint supplies and food wouldn’t have been in arms reach, so keep that in mind as well.

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Rustic Cottage Dishware

For the 3rd tip out of the 7 paint and sip ideas for hosting a tea party-inspired ladies’ night, I’d recommend having rustic cottage dishware!

Now, some of you may ask, why cottage dinnerware vs any other type of style? And the answer is very simple. Literally speaking.

The cottage style is simple. It has enough textures and design elements to showcase the space, but it’s not overpowering.

I’d also argue that cottage style is an overlap of other trendy styles. These styles include modern, farmhouse, boho, and even traditional.

Modern cottage styles are the “one size fits all” in the design world. At least, in my personal opinion.

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And what better way to showcase your modern cottage dishes than to utilize them during your paint night?!?! I mean, when you think about it, what’s the point of having nice plates and dishes if you never get to use them??

Floral Napkins and Elegant Plates

Next up in the 7 paint and sip ideas is to have floral napkins and elegant plates.

I found these napkins at Marshall’s and ordered these plates years ago when I had my small Covid wedding. I saved the extra plates from the wedding for the perfect opportunity. And, this paint and sip was it!

Having a feminine touch to the table setting showcases the idea that this is a lady’s night.

So perhaps you don’t go with those specific napkins and plates. There are additional items you can add to capture the idea that this is a lady’s night and give it a feminine touch.

For example, you could add flowers or floral arrangements on the table. Or have feminine decorations surrounding the table. Another option would be to ask your ladies to dress up, but keep in mind that you’re painting, so this may not be the best setting for that.

Paint Essentials

Next up in the 7 paint and sip ideas for hosting a lady’s night is to have the right paint essentials!

I went to school for art, so over the years, I’ve accumulated a LOT of art supplies. But the basics for an event like this would be:

• Canvas
• Easel
• White and Primary Colors Minimally (You can always mix the primary colors to get any other color), but black is always nice to have on hand, too.
• Paint Brushes and disposable cups with water to wash them
• Disposable Paper Palette

Now, on a side note on the disposable paper palette. I was introduced to these when I went to college. I was used to the small or reusable plastic palettes from high school. So, at first, I didn’t think I was going to like these, but they are great for two main reasons!

One, you can throw it away. I always hated cleaning the reusable palettes because it was messy. And unless you have a slop sink, washing paint down a regular sink is never a good idea.

The other pro to these paper palettes is that it’s easier to mix paint. Due to its flat nature, it’s easier to mix a new shade because it lends itself to having an open space (vs. the reusable pallets with the small divots in them).

Set the Tone with Lighting

Next up in the 7 paint and sip ideas is having the proper lighting! This is huge for two main reasons.

One: you can’t paint if you can’t see what you’re doing.

Two: it sets the tone.

If you’re looking for an ambiance vibe, try opting for candles or string lights, especially if you are outside.

Just keep in mind an open flame on a table that may already be crowded.

For my situation, having candles would have been an added risk with the amount of reaching over to get food or a different paint color. However, if you’re set up with more room, then have at it!!

Good Company

Last but not least, having good company is SOO important!

I enjoyed this painting night because I got to do it with my friends. It’s always a good time to see them.

I know this point is kind of a no-brainer, but it holds so much weight, so I thought it was worthy of mentioning.

You cannot replace good friends, so be sure to make them feel at home, no matter what type of evening you’re hosting

7 Paint and Sip Ideas for Hosting Ladies’ Night: Tea Party Table Inspo

So that’s a wrap! I hope you’ve gotten some inspiration on how to host a lady’s paint night! Please, please, please leave your thoughts in the comments! I enjoy creating content for all of you to read, but it’s hard to know what you’d like to see if I don’t hear from any of you! So what are you waiting for?!?! Get planning your paint and sip!

With Much Love,

Katie

The post 7 Paint and Sip Ideas for Hosting Ladies’ Night: Tea Party Table Inspo first appeared on Katie T's Home.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

Best Deal

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Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below. I’m always trying to produce helpful content for my readers, and without knowing what you think, it’s hard to know what you find helpful/not helpful. So please leave your thoughts below!!  

Katie T’s Cottage Home Fun Fact #42

For my 42nd fun fact, I want to share that one of my favorite traditions this time of year is what we call French Fry Night!

Our friends and family all get together and make a ton of homemade french fries! It’s a great way to spend time with one another and eat good food!

Transformation and Letting Go

Fall is the time of year for transformation and letting go. The leaves are falling from the trees, preparing for the winter snow.

This concept is no exception for the porch. Decluttering and getting rid of unnecessary items in preparation for the colder weather is just what this rustic fall porch needs.

This may look like removing extra furniture or deep cleaning the porch.

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For this space, I’m removing my decorative ladder shelf and putting preexisting furniture in its place. The ladder displayed plants and decorations during the summer months. I’ve since brought in most of the plants and will bring the remainder in to stay warm during the winter. 

I’m also taking the time to do one last deep clean and remove the pollen, dust, and grime that accumulated since the last time it was thoroughly cleaned. All in preparation for the winter to come. A physical transformation of sorts. 

What Makes Fall Feel Like Fall

I think a lot of people love fall time, especially in New England, because it’s a time of year when coziness is the feeling that resides in our hearts.

We are winding down from the hot summer sun, yet it’s still nice enough to be outside. Maybe even cold enough to bundle up in a sweater near a fire, but not so cold that you can’t feel the tips of your fingers and toes. 

The concept of coziness is what every rustic fall porch needs. 

You can easily showcase coziness by doing just that and incorporating cozy seating for your fall-inspired porch. This means adding cushions or pillows to maximize comfort.

Charming Back Porch

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Don’t forget to add soft textures as well. Whether it’s a rug or tablecloth, these textures will help with the overall cozy aesthetic because of it’s softness in texture.

Seasonal Growth

Like any season, the produce for that time of year sets the tone for the seasonal vibe. Think about it. If I saw a watermelon, I would automatically think of summer. 

Fall time is no exception. Whether it’s the winter squash, like butternut,  pumpkin, or fruit like apples, there is no shortage of falltime produce.

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For the sake of keeping well for a prolonged period, I don’t know that I’d recommend putting apples out on your porch, but pumpkins, corn stalks, or even hay bales are the perfect fall-inspired decorative items to include in your entryway display.

Last year, the hay bales were nice to display the pumpkins at different heights. This technique gives depth to the overall aesthetic, which I discuss in the article below. 

Decorating Techniques

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This year, I decided to add a variety of pumpkin types, and let me just say, I’m in love! I love the contrast between the pastel and bright colors of the pumpkins. 

Don’t forget to add the classic mums, either! Whether you mix and match different colors and sizes like I did last year, or keep it symmetrical like I did this year, the choice is up to you and what makes you happy!

The Search for Warmth

Fall is sweater weather for a reason. It’s noticeably colder than the summer months, and what better way to warm up than to wear a big chunky sweater?

Your rustic fall porch needs a warm-up, too! Whether you add string lights or candles, having some time for a visible concept of warmth will add a crisp coziness to your fall-inspired back porch. 

Even a stack of wood can insinuate warmth because it’s the material needed to start a fire, whether outside or in the home. 

To top it off, if you spend time outside on your porch, be sure to have a hot beverage like coffee, cocoa, tea, or apple cider!

This and a warm blanket will epitomize what a rustic fall porch should look and feel like for a cozy cottage home.

Rustic Fall Porch Decorating Ideas for a Cozy Cottage Home

There you have it! Some rustic fall porch decorating ideas for a cozy cottage home. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article! Let me know in the comments if you would like me to do a winter or spring porch decor refresh as well. Until next time!

Love,

Katie

The post Rustic Fall Porch Decorating Ideas for a Cozy Cottage Home first appeared on Katie T's Home.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Best Deal

Get all my favorite digital downloads today!

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I also ask that you please leave your thoughts in the comment section below. I’m always trying to produce helpful content for my readers, and without knowing what you think, it’s hard to know what you find helpful/not helpful. So please leave your thoughts below!!  

Katie T’s Cottage Home Fun Fact #31

For my 31st fun fact, I want to share that I have a new favorite shopping store, Azure Standard! 

If you can be flexible in your schedule, I highly recommend ordering from Azure Standard. They have wheat berries and dry goods that are significantly cheaper than a traditional grocery store.

The only catch is that you have to meet at the dropoff location, and you never know the exact date and time until the week before. So again, flexibility is a must.

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So now, let’s jump into the ministry of homemaking and the 5 prioritizing skills every Christian woman needs to know. Check out my bundle deal to help overcome the common prioritizing struggles!!

Start with Prayer

It’s not a ministry of homemaking if God isn’t the priority. Without him, we can do nothing. 

This is why it’s so important to start your day with prayer. 

Not only does this bring a clear mindset, but it will help you accomplish far more than you could ever imagine. And I’m saying this from personal experience. 

When I prioritized God in the busiest moments of my life, things just unexplainably fell into place. 

And not only that, but things that once seemed important became irrelevant after spending time with God. And I think that’s part of what it is to be human. We get so wrapped up in trivial things that we forget the important stuff. But if we put God at #1, we’ll subconsciously prioritize what matters in life without thinking about it. 

One of the easiest ways to do this is to ask. Ask God to direct your steps for the day. Pray that he will be with you and KNOW that the holy spirit is in our hearts, guiding our way. 

If you’re struggling with knowing how to fit God into your morning routine, I have a full guide on how to do so in the article above. 

Be Realistic with the Time You Need

Being realistic about how long it takes to complete a task is the second skill in your ministry of homemaking. After all, we only have 24 hours in a day.

I struggle SO hard with this one at times. Unfortunately, I never give myself enough time to complete a task. And at the end of the day, this only leaves me feeling stressed and frustrated because I can’t check off all the things on my list to do. 

For example, last year, I went peach picking with a friend. I wanted to preserve and make a ton of peach desserts to freeze, so I opted for the large tray and picked a ton of peaches.

The farmer warned me that peaches don’t have a long shelf life. I told myself, “nah, I have time”. 

As you can imagine, I threw away a ton of peaches because I didn’t have enough time to get through them all. I was also anxious about finding the time to finish what I had set out to do.

So, be realistic with the time you have. Also, don’t be afraid of cutting back.

Sometimes, less is more. And I think simple living should be encouraged more than it is.

If you struggle with answering the call to a slow-living lifestyle, you’re just in luck! Check out the article above for a detailed guide on how to answer the call for a simple life. 

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Listen to Your Body- Don’t Force It

Next up in the 5 prioritizing skills for the ministry of homemaking is to listen to your body and not force getting things done.

Now, I’m not saying don’t ever do the dishes because you don’t feel like it. I am saying to listen to your body and what it’s trying to tell you.

If your homemaking routine starts with dishes and then laundry to follow, switch it up. If you feel like doing laundry more, then do that first.

Don’t feel like you have to keep a rigid schedule. 

Part of what makes homemakers essential in a household is the flexibility. If you go out of your way to be flexible for everyone else and not yourself, then you’re doing it wrong. 

Everyone is in a different season of life. You are in a different season of life than 5 years ago. So, tasks may take longer to accomplish because of external factors such as kids, a new home, anxiety or depression, or even a full or part-time job. 

If your body is telling you it doesn’t feel like doing dishes at that specific moment, wait a bit. It could be God’s whisper to delay that chore.

For example, my husband does the vacuuming (yes, he likes it, and yes, he is slightly OCD). But if he vacuums the kitchen before I make dinner, he runs the risk of having to do it again because I dropped cauliflower bits all over the floor when I was cutting it up. 

Sometimes, waiting is the best thing you can do. And if you’re body is sending you signals to put it off, it might be worth listening to.

Again, if you’re trying to discern, give it to God. Pray about it. Give it a minute and feel the way he is directing your steps. 

Take Part in Finacial Matters

The 4th skill out of the 5 for the ministry of homemaking prioritization tips is to be involved and intentional in financial matters.

When it comes to homemaking, this isn’t talked about.

And I think it’s so sad. Many traditional homemaking tips don’t discuss finances. They assume the husband who provides the income should be in charge of financial matters, but I think this way of thinking lacks balance.

Your husband might make the money, but it’s your job to leverage it. So, both parties need to be involved. 

And why wouldn’t you want that? If time equals money, and the husband provides the money, don’t you think you would want to make that dollar stretch? Knowing that taking part in financial matters and doing what you can will only increase the value of his time.

It means cooking certain meals over others because it feeds a large family. Or having a zero-waste mentality in the kitchen and utilizing every part of the food. 

It means learning the art of saving money so you can invest in important things.

Or even learning what constitutes as a frivolous item and how to stop buying such things that hold you down financially. 

Either way, taking part in financial matters plays a big role in homemaking.

Know Your Love Language

Last but not least, in prioritization skills you need to know in the ministry of homemaking is knowing your love language. 

This skill is not talked about nearly enough!

Because the reality is, if you know your love language and can fulfill it in your homemaker role, then you will find so much PURPOSE.

But if you don’t know your love language to prioritize it, then your responsibilities as a homemaker will get old real quick.

Take, for example, the love language of quality time. 

That is my top love language, so I make sure I spend time with the people in my inner circle. 

Whether it be quality time with my husband or hosting a ladies’ paint-and-sip night like in the article above. Spending time with others is how I feel the most loved. And this love trickles into my work as a homemaker. 

So, learn your love language and prioritize it in your daily schedule.  

Ministry of Homemaking: 5 Prioritizing Skills Every Christian Woman Needs to Know

So there you have it! The ministry of homemaking prioritization skills that every woman needs to know! I hope you enjoyed reading about this and got some handy skills to have in your back pocket. Comment below on your favorite homemaking skill or even the one you struggle with the most. Until next time!

Love,

Katie T 

The post Ministry of Homemaking: 5 Prioritizing Skills Every Christian Woman Needs to Know first appeared on Katie T's Home.