Friday Pick Six: 3/31/17

Here's what we are loving and living for this week!

1. Since we are passionate about fitness, I love the awesome organization Girls on the Run.  This non-profit organization works to inspire girls to live healthy, confident lives and support one another.  Girls participate in lots of activities, culminating in a 5k run as a team.  I will be running the 5k with kiddos from my school this spring.  Find your local chapter, volunteer as a coach, donate or run in your local race.--J

2.  Please tell us that you guys know about Old Navy's Rockstar Jeggings!  They look and fit like regular skinny jeans, but they have a pull-on waist.  Yes, you heard that correctly!  You can look like you're wearing regular jeans, but feel like you're wearing yoga pants!  Can you tell we are excited about this?  They come in several different colors, but we like this one for spring.  They do stretch a lot while wearing so you might need to size down, although we are wearing our regular sizes.  Order them now and thank us later.

3.  S-Town is here and it's everything we thought it would be!  We were hooked right away.  All episodes were released on Tuesday, so you can subscribe and here the series in its entirety!  We're almost done already (no spoilers for those of you who are still listening) and it was awesome.

4. Did you see our post yesterday about today being National Stripes Day?  Thanks, JCrew, as if we needed another excuse to wear stripes!  Of course we are both sporting stripes today and we think you should, too!  

5.  We love ice cream.  Like I mean we really, really love it.  Unfortunately, we aren't the kind of people who can eat it every day, no matter how much we work out.  (Do those people exist?  Gosh, I hope not...) As a consequence, we are often looking for low calorie ice cream options.  After years of enjoying Skinny Cow ice cream treats, I recently discovered Yasso frozen Greek yogurt ice cream sandwiches.  Not only are they delicious (and only 120 calories each!!), but the company was founded by two kindergarten friends.  How cool is that?  In addition to the sandwiches, they also have a variety of Greek Yogurt Bars that look amazing, too.  You're welcome. -- R

6.  For our recent birthday, my BFF (Hi Michelle!) gifted me with an Amazon Echo (AKA Alexa) and much like everything else from Amazon, it rules.  So far, my favorite features are the timer (who likes using their oven or microwave timer?  Not me), playing music and podcasts, getting weather reports and playing Jeopardy.  You heard that right, with a simple "Alexa, play Jeopardy" you are off and running!  (Eat your heart out, Trebek!)   I am particularly impressed with the quality of the speakers and the fact that Alexa can hear your instructions, even from the other room or while you are rocking out to Beyonce. -R

Twins Take on the Trend: Stripes

We'll admit it, we love stripes no matter the event or season.  Stripes are classic AND classy, two things we like to think reflect our personal styles.  We firmly believe no one can have too many striped shirts!  Leave it to JCrew to invent a whole day to celebrate stripes!  They have declared Friday, March 31st as National Stripes Day and we couldn't be happier to observe it.

This spring, we are trying to think of some new ways to wear stripes and have found some great options!  We love stripes so much, we decided to each present our striped favorites for spring.  Many of these items can be found at JCrew, but we sourced a few other places as well.

1. Merona Flounce Hem Striped Blouse: This baby stopped me in my tracks on a recent Target trip and I knew I had to have it.  The peplum detail is a girly spin on my typical striped look and it's great for work with skinny jeans and ballet flats.  Just make sure to wear a cami underneath because it's a bit sheer.

2. Strapless Ruffle Hem Dress in Seersucker:  Is there a cuter way to wear stripes than this dress?  Nope, didn't think so!

3. Striped Drapey Shorts: These GAP shorts look comfy enough to throw on post-beach but classic enough to wear with a white button down.  I'm definitely going to pick them up this spring!

4. Open Back Short Sleeve Swimsuit: I've been looking for a suit with a little more coverage from the sun and this one is adorable.  Perfect for my "Mom at the Splash Pad" summer routine.

5. Multi-Stripe Swing Dress: One of my current wardrobe staples is the Old Navy swing tank dress.  I discovered these when I was trying to dress my post-baby body a couple of summers ago and have found that they offer just the right fit for my body.  There's enough swing so that you feel comfortable, but not so much so that you feel like you're wearing a potato sack.  Just make sure to size down when ordering!

6. Performance Capri Leggings in Stripes: Striped workout pants?  'Nuff said!

1. Elbow Sleeve Linen T:  As we have said before, we love the Who What Wear line at Target and this t is no exception.  I have this in a couple of colors already but can't wait to get this army green and white version.

2. Cotton-silk popover shirt in berry print: A stripe made out of an adorable berry print?  Sold.

3. Stripe bow-back top:  Love this with a pair of white jeans or even shorts if your weather allows.

4. Bright stripe scarf:  Anyone that knows us, knows we love any kind of scarf for any season!  Love the bright colors on this one and that it's light weight enough to toss on even when it starts to warm up.

5. Knit Walton dress: We've been fans of basically everything Emily at Cupcakes and Cashmere does for years, and her clothing line is no exception.  Throw a cardigan or a jean jacket over this baby and you are good to go.

6. Ponte knit pencil skirt:  Love this skirt with a t-shirt or tank for weekend wear or with a button down (maybe chambray?) for work.

How do you plan to rock stripes tomorrow for National Stripes Day?  Leave us a comment or share your pictures on social media using the hashtag #nationalstripesday.

Jalapeño Flatbread

Hey folks, it's me, Jess with a recipe to share.  Our favorite local bar features a whole section of flatbreads on its appetizer menu.  While I was pregnant, I became obsessed with jalapeños and started ordering a flatbread so spicy I could barely eat it.  Since then, we've learned to recreate this flatbread at home and make it fairly often.  It's fast, easy and delicious!

Here's what you need:

• Prepared Pizza Dough
• 7.5 ounce container of cream cheese (We like Philadelphia Chive and Onion)
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• handful of cilantro, minced
• 4 slices of thick-cut bacon, chopped into chunks
• 1/2 of a large red onion, sliced thinly
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 8 ounces of grated cheese (We use a mixture of mozzarella and sharp cheddar, but you can use your favorite)
• 2 jalapeños, sliced into rings (You can remove seeds if you want it milder.  The more seeds--the spicier your flatbread will be!)
• Salt and pepper to taste

To start, you'll need your favorite pizza dough.  You could easily buy pizza dough at any grocery store, but Martha Stewart has our go-to recipe.   If you have a pizza stone, you'll want to get it heating up in a 450 degree convection oven.  You can also use a sheet pan if you don't have a pizza stone.  Before heating, sprinkle on a little bit of cornmeal or semolina flour to prevent the crust from sticking.  While the stone or pan is heating up, crisp up the bacon a small saucepan. When the bacon is done, drain it and set it on a paper towel.  Add your sliced onion to this pan on a low heat.  You want to cook the onion slowly, to caramelize it.  Once it softens, add the balsamic vinegar and sauté for a couple more minutes.

This flatbread uses a white sauce, which we make quickly by using herb cream cheese.  Mix the container of cream cheese with the garlic and cilantro.  If you have plain cream cheese, you may want to add some additional herbs, like chopped chives. Now you've got your toppings ready to go!

Once your pizza stone is pre-heated, roll out the crust on top and spread on the cream cheese mixture.   Sprinkle salt and pepper over the cream cheese and crust.  Cover the crust with shredded cheese, bacon, caramelized onion and sliced jalapeño.

Bake at 450 degrees convection for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown.  (Note--if you're cooking on a sheet pan, you will likely need to increase the cooking time.)

Cool slightly and use a pizza cutter to slice it into wedges.  Now, it's chow time!

You can always customize your flatbread with other toppings, too.  In the summer, we occasionally add zucchini or sliced tomato from our garden.  Give it a try and let us know how much you liked it in the comments below!

Spring Nail Polish Favorites

Nail polish is one of our favorite guilty pleasures.  Our collections are scary large, but we always seem to find room for new additions.  Although we generally gravitate toward darker colors in the winter and lighter ones in the spring, we also try to check out the new releases each season.  Here are some colors we are wearing this spring, new and old!

1.  Essie Gel Couture in Couture Curator: We first spotted this color on the fantastic Kindra's Instagram a while back and knew we needed it.  It's a little pink, a little peach and soooo flattering on many different skin tones.  This is a neutral with a little personality, just what you want for spring.

2. Julep Alaina: We mentioned this polish in a previous Julep Beauty post, but it is worth bringing up again.  This polish is a perfect combination of taupe and beige with hints of mauve.  Spring weather can be a bit grey where we live (or even a little chilly) so this polish will work well with your spring or winter wardrobe.

3.  CND Weekly Polish in Cake Pop: We first spotted this polish when our fabulous friend (and blog reader) CarrieT was sporting it last summer.  It's also available in a gel formula, but this is the non-gel version, which makes at-home application and removal easier.  The pink is girly, but professional and clean looking.  We're just not too wild about the lack of staying power.  Despite the name, this seems to chip early, even with a great top coat.

4. Essie Pret-a-Surfer: This polish was first released in the Summer of 2015, but it's still one of our favorites.  It's a lovely light blue that looks amazing on your fingers or toes.  It's also a good transitional color because it's not a true pastel.

5. Julep Shelly: This mint green is lovely for spring.  At the time of this post, it was out of stock, but you can try here for a similar look.

6. Essie Gel Couture in Pre-Show Jitters: Can you tell that Essie is our favorite brand?  We love their color selection and formulas.  The Gel Couture line features basically the best brush ever and great staying power!  This color is a beautiful white with just a hint of blush.

What nail polish colors are you sporting this spring?  Let us know in the comments below!

Friday Pick-Six: 3/24/17

Here's what we're loving and living for this week!

1. Before I became a mom, I loved my daily Pure Barre workout.  After my kiddo was born, I found that I simply didn't have the time to get over to the studio as much as I'd like.  I've searched for ways to incorporate exercise into my busy schedule and came up with a few requirements.  I need a workout I can complete at home with minimal equipment (mat or hand weights are fine) that is around 30 minutes long.  Okay, if I'm being honest, the exact time measure is "The Length of an Episode of Curious George".  One of my favorite sources for workouts that fit the bill is the POPSUGAR Fitness channel on YouTube.  There are dozens of options and you can search workouts by length or type.  The videos range in length from 10-60 minutes and play easily on your laptop, tablet or SmartTV.  Some of my favorites include Power Yoga from the popular Y7 Yoga Studio and anything by Australian dynamo and celebrity favorite Simone De La Rue!  Thanks to POPSUGAR Fitness, I can squeeze my much needed workouts into my busy schedule.  Give it a try!--J

2. Spring weather where we live is often super unpredictable.  It usually starts off a little cool in the morning but warms up by the afternoon.  Layers and light weight scarves are great for this type of weather.  One of our favorite scarves is the Lululemon Vinyasa Scarf.  This scarf is a little pricey, but it's so versatile.  We each have one and so does our mom!  It can be worn 10 different ways (watch this amazing tutorial) and is light-weight enough so you don't feel too warm.  We often throw ours on post-barre workout or when running around on the weekend.

3.  One thing we all need to do is drink more water.  It's great for your skin, weight loss and overall health.  However, drinking plain water can get a little tedious.  That's where our favorite water bottle comes in!  The AVOIN Sport Tritan Fruit Infuser Water Bottle makes it easy to infuse water with interesting flavor combinations.  This water bottle is BPA-free and has a great spill-proof top.  You just fill the inner chamber with your fruit or veggies, place it inside and fill with water.  We usually let it steep from for 15-45 minutes, too, to develop more flavor.  Who wouldn't rather enjoy lemon-raspberry or lime-cucumber flavored water than plain old boring water?  (Is anyone else being reminded of this clip from Parks and Recreation right now?) We use our favorite La Croix flavors as inspiration and make up tons of different combinations.  (Pro Tip: Freeze berries before putting them into your infuser to keep your water cold AND keep the fruit in tact).  Ryan spied and sourced these after seeing Kim and Khloe drinking out of them on Keeping Up with the Kardashians.  And you know us, if it's good enough for the Kardashian sisters, who are we to argue?

4.  Admittedly, we watch a lot of TV, but it's rare when a new show comes along and makes it into our rotation.  This year, we can't stop talking about This is Us on NBC.  This drama focuses on the lives and relationships of a family across generations and timelines.  We were hooked after the first episode!  Each week we laughed and cried (and cried some more) while learning more about the complex Pearson family.  Although the season finale aired last week, you can watch all the episodes on NBC.com or Hulu.  Grab a box (or two) of Kleenex first, trust us!

5.  We're always looking for quick and easy weeknight meals around these parts.  For the record, I don't do much (okay, any) cooking on a regular basis, but I am often responsible for finding recipes and meal planning.  I recently came across this recipe for One Pot Greek Chicken, Lemon and Rice on Pinterest and knew we had to try it.  It's relatively easy, needs no specialty ingredients and was a hit with the toddler.  My husband added capers as a garnish, but olives would be great, too.  Also, since he first made it, he's been toying around with the basic recipe but changing up the seasonings and add-ins.  For example, he used this method to make Arroz con Pollo by adding in a can of tomatoes, black beans and frozen corn and changing the spices to cumin, coriander and oregano.--J

6.  Of course, our favorite store, GAP, is having a sale this weekend!  It's Friends and Family Sale time again and we couldn't be more ready to stock up on clothes for spring!  Everything is 40% off with the code FFSALE and all orders ship free now through March 27th.  Here are some picks we have in our cart:

Love the mixed print and detailing on this top!

Lace and army green together?  Sold!

Adorable for Easter!  Just add boots (okay, if you live where we do, boots AND tights)!

We don't exactly NEED more lounge pants, but these are just sooooooo great!

What are you loving this week?  Let us know in the comments below!

Our Favorite Podcasts #trypod

One of our favorite things to do lately is listening to podcasts.  They're a great way to pass the time during mundane activities like driving to work or washing dishes.  Plus, there are literally thousands of them!  You can learn new skills, be informed about current events, or just laugh a lot.  This month, many of our favorite podcasters, led by NPR, are asking listeners to recommend their favorites to friends and family.  We've already mentioned a couple of our favorites here and here.  Here are a few more awesome podcasts you'll find in our download history!  Give them a try!

1. S-Town: We were hooked on both seasons of Serial, so we were psyched to read that its producers were coming out with a new show this month.  This new series, which will be released in its entirety on March 28th, will focus on mystery and murder in a small Alabama town.  We've already subscribed so that all the episodes will be downloaded immediately to our iPhones when they're released.  We just know this will be the podcast that everyone will be talking about this spring!

2. Bitch Sesh: If you're a Real Housewives lover like we are, then you are going to go crazy for this podcast.  Co-hosts Casey Wilson and Danielle Schneider talk all things Housewives and offer their hilarious hot-takes and commentary.  This is a must-listen if you watch Bravo 24-7 like we do.  

3. Young House Love Has a Podcast: We loved John and Sherry Petersik's blog Young House Love when it came out years ago.  Their podcast offers design tricks and tips and answers to listener questions.  We are excited to follow John and Sherry's latest journey--fixing up a beach house rental.

4.  Modern Love: Last fall, we were looking for a podcast that would distract us from politics and help us focus on the good things in the world.  We found NPR and WBUR Boston's Modern Love, where celebrities read essays from the popular New York Times column.  The essays talk about love of all kinds in touching and even funny ways.  Some favorites include Revenge of the Friend read by Kristen Chenowith and My First Son, A Pure Memory read by Sterling K. Brown.

What podcasts do you love?  Participate in the challenge by recommending them in our comments below or on social media using the hashtag #trypod.

Twins Take on the Brand: Julep

One of our favorite beauty brands has to be Julep Beauty.  Julep was created by Jane Park with the mission of providing beauty products that make you look and feel great.  We discovered Julep back in 2015, after searching high and low for the amazing greige nail polish Amy Schumer wears in her hilarious movie, Trainwreck.  Fun fact--it's Julep's Alaina!  Julep's nail polish was our gateway into the brand, but we've found so many other products we love there, too.  Once again, we're not sponsored, we just love this stuff!  Be sure to check it out!

1. Adventurous Aquarius Nail Polish: Yup, Julep has a line of nail colors that correspond to your Zodiac sign.  Julep's polish is 5-free, vegan-friendly, dries quickly and lasts long, thanks to their special Oxygen Technology.  They have so many great colors, but their shimmers and glitters are among our faves.

2. Julep Your Lip Addiction: We'll admit it, we have a bit of lip gloss addiction.  We're always looking for great color without the sticky goopy feeling that some glosses leave on your lips.  Enter Lip Addiction!  It's an oil-based product, so it gives you non-stick shine and lasting power.  Seriously, the first time Jess wore this to a party, at least 4 people asked her about the color.  We're partial to the Covet pink color, but try out Obsessed or even Clear for a more conservative look.

3.  Take a Breather Oxygen Nail Treatment:  This nail treatment protects and heals damage to your nails while providing all the oxygen your nail beds need.  It's great as a break between polishes, especially when your nails might be dry coming off of the winter.  Also, this product gives your nails a subtle color that is even prettier than naked nails.  We're partial to the Sheer Pink color for our coloring, but the Sheer Shimmer looks pretty, too.

4.  Beach Tonic: This dry body oil/moisturizer is our summer signature product!  You just spray it on damp skin (right out of the shower) and rub in for smooth summer skin.  Besides providing great moisturizing, this stuff smells phenomenal!  Our only gripe is the spray bottle, which gets clogged easily.  Make sure to wipe it down and lift it up fully after each pump.  If Julep could fix this packaging, this would be perfection!

5. Eyeshadow 101: Because messing with brushes takes extra time in the morning that we just don't always have, we love an all-in-one eye shadow stick.  This one comes with a smudging sponge for easy application.  The Champagne Shimmer color provides a great everyday basic color, if you're more daring, try the beautiful Midnight Blue!

6. When Pencil Met Gel:  We've never quite gotten the hang of eyeliner, but this one makes it pretty much fool-proof!  It goes on smoothly and evenly and it's even waterproof!  For day, we love the brown or clay versions, but when you're getting fancy, check out the black shimmer.

7. It's Balm: Full Coverage Lip Crayon: This lip crayon (who doesn't love crayons!) has great staying power without being drying on your lips.  Jess keeps a Vintage Mauve crayon in the kiddo's diaper bag for a quick swipe of color while out on the town.  It's easy to apply and comes in 18 amazing colors.  For spring, try Fuchsia Berry or Electric Coral.

Twins Take On Food: Ryan's Chex Mix

There are a lot of situations where the store bought version of something is just as good as homemade, but I firmly believe Chex Mix is not one of them.  I know, I know.  You are thinking to yourself, "You're insane!  Chex mix in a bag is great!  It's one of the best road trip snacks of all time!"  I agree with you, Readers, I really do.  It is great...it's just that homemade is, well, SUPER great.

Over the years, I've played around with the recipe on the box (which is fine on its own), taken some suggestions from friends, and tweaked the recipe to what I think is basically perfection.  Although this stuff is perfect at ANY time of year, it's a family tradition during March Madness. 

Without further ado, I give you, Ryan's Chex Mix!  

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.  Mix the following together in a large roasting pan*:

• 3 cups each of Corn, wheat, and rice Chex 
• 1 cup of your favorite kind of small pretzel (I usually go stix but smaller traditional pretzels or even pretzel goldfish work great)
• 1 cup bagel chips, broken into pieces
• 1 cup Cheese Its
• 1 cup Bugles (I'm guessing it's been a while since you had Bugles.  Yes, they are just as good as you remembered.)
• 1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts or mixed nuts 

* Pro tip:  I use a disposable aluminum roasting pan that you can find the baking aisle of your grocery store (because less time washing dishes means more time eating Chex Mix, obviously). 

Seasoning:

• 1 stick of butter
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder 
• 1 teaspoon onion powder 

Melt the butter and olive oil in a small sauce pan over medium high heat.  Add in the rest of the ingredients until it begins to boil and get foamy.  Remove from heat and spoon the sauce over the Chex mix in the roasting pan.  (Pro tip: stir the seasoning in between spooning it over the mix because the ingredients will settle on the bottom of the sauce pan).  Bake for a total of 1 hour, stirring the mixture at 15 minute intervals.  Once the hour is up, spread the mix on paper towels to cool for about 15 minutes, or as long as you can contain your excitement.  Assuming you are a normal person (unlike myself who can inhale all of this stuff in one sitting), it keeps well in an airtight container or freezer bag for a few days.

Feel free to play around with the recipe by adding in your favorite snacks. I've had this stuff with popcorn, fritos, pita chips, goldfish...you name it.  Mix some up this week and let us know what you like best!

Friday Pick-Six: 3/17/17

Here's what we are loving and living for this week!

1. I've been on the hunt for a great dry shampoo basically since I became a mom and had pretty much no time to wash my hair when I wanted.  I've struggled to find one that didn't leave my already fine hair limp and heavy with product.  After a long time of searching, I abandoned my quest.  Until a recent power outage that is!  On Day #2 sans power, I found myself wandering the aisles of Target with the kiddo using the free wi-fi to download podcasts.  I had a recently read a write-up about L'Oreal Paris Hair Expert Clay Dry Shampoo in Real Simple magazine and thought I would give it a go.  Lo and behold, I think I finally found that elusive dry shampoo that works for my hair!  There was a pleasant but not over-powering scent and it didn't leave my hair feeling stringy or heavy-feeling.  A few spritzes, a comb through and one high ponytail later and I arrived at work NOT looking like someone who had spent the previous 20 hours trying to convince a crabby toddler that being without power and heat was a "fun adventure." Dry Shampoo for the Win!--J

2.  As if we needed another reason to love Target, this week we can't stop eating some of the seasonal varieties of Archer Farm's trail mix.  Ryan's fave is Bunny Bait (honey roasted peanuts, white chocolate covered pretzel balls, confetti cookie pieces, etc.) and Jess loves the Chocolate Peanut Butter Overload (sort of a classed up version of the ole Chex Mix favorite "puppy chow" with mini peanut butter cups).  Added bonus is that they're on sale- 2 for $6 this week.

 

3. This time of year, it's pretty much impossible to NOT have chapped lips, so I have been searching for a good lip scrub for a while.  I recently ordered a Sweet Pot Sugar Scrub & Lip Balm from Clinique and I am already noticing my lips are less chapped.  It's a 2 in 1- one side is a lip scrub and the other is a tinted lip balm and they come in a variety of shades.  I have the sweet rose color and it's the perfect little hint of pink.  Plus, look how pretty they are!!--R

4.  When's the last time you've had a White Russian?  It's been a while, right?  Well, friends, we are here to tell you that they are just as delicious you might remember.  Fun fact:  our mom actually made Jess her very first White Russian back in college while prepping for a family Christmas party.  (Among other things, our mom is a great bartender!)  Here's a great recipe from one of our favorite blogs, Smitten Kitchen.  (Word to the wise: if you don't have heavy cream or half and half, regular old skim milk works just fine).  If it's good enough for The Dude, it's good enough for us.

5. We love using Pandora as a great way to get a playlist of songs we already love and finding new releases.  Some new music we are loving this week is the new CD, Divide, from Ed Sheeran (especially the single Dive) and The Search for Everything by our fave, John Mayer.

6. We make our fair share of cookies in these parts.  One of our favorite things to do is whip up a batch of cookie dough, scoop it out into cookies and then freeze those babies.  That way, when a cookie craving hits, you're never more than 10-12 minutes away from a sweet treat.  It's our very own version of "Break and Bake".  Our favorite tool to make this task a little simpler is the Oxo Softworks Cookie Scoop.  The scoop is easy to use and scoops evenly sized not-too-large-but-not-too-small cookies.  And for what it's worth, Phoebe's Grandma was right, the classic Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie is where it's at.

Twins Take on the Trend: Athleisure

The Athleisure trend has been around for a while and it shows no signs of stopping.  Frankly, that's probably because getting away with wearing workout wear everyday is accessible and practical.  Here are a few of our favorite athleisure items and how to style them.

1. Athleta High-Rise Chaturanga Tights: Jess here...full disclosure, I should probably call these "Target Pants" or "Saturday Errands with the Kid Pants" instead of yoga pants because that's where I wear them most often.  I did actually originally purchase them for Pure Barre (and continue to love and rock them there), but have found them a bigger place in my wardrobe lately.  They're comfortable and feature a higher waistband to keep you sucked in in all the right places.   They come in many fun colors and textures to mix into your wardrobe.  I like to style them with a swing tank and long cardigan, blanket scarf optional.--Jess

2. New Balance 574 Retro Sneakers: Maybe it's just because they remind us of Ryan Gosling and Steve Carrell ("Crazy, Stupid Love", anyone?) but we adore New Balances.  They're sporty and stylish and look cute with the aforementioned Chaturanga Tights.  Just make sure you find a good no-show sock to pair with them.

3.  Gap Fit Breathe Side-Tie Tee: We don't always buy the same exact clothes, but when Ry snap-chatted a mirror selfie of her in this top, Jess ordered it immediately.  It's blousy enough to go over a workout tank, but super flattering with the adjustable tie-waist.  This top works at the gym, studio or out to brunch. Of course, we ordered it in grey, but this pretty blush pink would be on trend for spring.

4.  Gap Pure Body Mockneck Poncho:  Jess again.  I've never met a poncho I didn't love.  Seriously, my work bestie counts the days that I don't wear some sort of poncho-drapey cardigan-blanket scarf, etc.  This one is so soft and cozy!  This poncho works with leggings or you can dress it up with skinny jeans and boots.

5.  C9 Champion Focus 2 Performance Athletic Shoes:  The C9 Champion line at Target is an awesome collection of on-trend athletic wear at a super affordable price point.  I bought these shoes a few weeks ago and they are cute, supportive and breathable.  (Spoiler alert: there's almost no difference between those and my favorite Nike Flyknits,,,, just the price!)

6.  Athleta Crossback CYA Sweatshirt:  Ryan here-- I'll admit, most of my sweatshirts are oversized Michigan ones (not that there's anything wrong with that) but this one is adorable AND functional.  I love that the longer length gives a little bit more coverage with leggings.  Perfect for throwing over your barre clothes and heading out to brunch!

Customizable Egg Muffins

Hey gang, it's me, Jess.  If you're anything like me, your morning routine is bit frazzled.  I'm always looking for a way to streamline the morning, especially when it comes to breakfast.  I want something healthy and fast, so I'm not tempted to grab that chocolate croissant when I stop in for my daily latte.  This recipe fits the bill and is so easy to make and change up to your liking.

I started with the basic recipe found here on the adorable Julie's site.   The best part about this recipe is that it is literally designed to be adapted to include your favorite veggies, breakfast meats, and/or cheeses!  I like to use leftover veggies, so it serves the double purpose of helping you clean out the fridge, too.  This time, I used a mixture of red pepper, broccoli and scallions for my veggies.

After chopping the vegetables, I cracked the eggs, splashed in a little milk and added salt, pepper, dill, oregano, garlic salt and onion powder.

I whisked it all together and added some sharp white cheddar (my personal fave) and the vegetables to the mix.  Then, I poured the whole thing into my muffin tin, which I had sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  

Pop that baby into a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes and breakfast is done!  I just let them cool and then stored them in a airtight container in the fridge.  I like to microwave them for about 45-60 seconds to heat them through before serving (Aside a piece of whole wheat toast, no less).  

Again, the best part of this recipe is that you can mix things up so that you're not bored.  Do you like huevos rancheros?  Then add in some salsa, monterey jack and black beans!  Are your kids crazy for pizza (like mine...and maybe everyone else's)? Fold in some chopped pepperoni, mozzarella, tomato and basil for "Pizza Eggs".  The combinations are endless!  I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it...

So give it a try and let us know what you think!  Leave a comment to tell what combination was your favorite!

Friday Pick-Six: 3/10/17

Here's what we're loving and living for this week!

1.  Listening to podcasts is one of our favorite ways to spend quiet time.  They're great for your morning commute or while you're working out or even cleaning your bathroom.  Although we have many favorites, we can't stop talking about Missing Richard Simmons.  In February 2014, famous fitness expert Richard Simmons disappeared from the public.  He withdrew from his friends, coworkers and his exercise studio, Slimmons.  Filmmaker and personal friend Dan Taberski created the podcast to look for answers about where Richard is and why he disappeared.  We were hooked on Serial a couple of summers ago and this has a similar feel.  Check it out!

2. Although it hasn't been warm enough here to rock this trend, one shoe style that's exciting for spring is the block heel mule.  Block heels have been happening for a while now, but a mule is a great update for spring.  You can show off your pedicure AND follow the trend at the same time...if it ever stops snowing where we live... Here are a few of our favorite options:

These red sandals would give a great pop of color to any basic outfit and what a price!  That Who What Wear line at Target is such a steal!

I swear, I had an identical pair of these back in the 90's.  Glad to see they still hold up.

TOMS is a favorite brand (so COMFY!)  and the perforated detailing makes these special.  They come in 6 colors!  

3.  Jess here!  Although we don't get as much time as we'd like to read, we always try to share great books when we find them.  Ry recently finished Commonwealth by Ann Patchett and recommended it to me.  I had a little trouble getting started, but during a recent power outage, I kept on reading this family drama until my Kindle battery died!

4.  For years we have wondered what beauty trick has kept generations of ladies in our family looking much younger than their years.  Last summer our Mom and Aunt Maggie finally revealed the family secret-- bronzer!  Mom and Aunt Maggie both use it instead of blush, but I like to add a little bit to my cheekbones, forehead and chin with a large powder brush (think the places where you tan... or if you're like us, sunburn) before I head out the door.  One I really like is the Hoola Matte Bronzer from Benefit.  Give it a try, we promise you'll look younger immediately.  Well, we hope so anyway.  -- Ry

5.  We have a more in depth Athlesiure clothing post in the works, but in the meantime, check out this adorable GapFit Breathe tie-back tank.

I'm wearing it as I type and trust me, it is just as cute while working on your laptop at your local Starbucks as it it would be in your favorite barre or other workout class.  -- Ry

6.  It is a little early to start checking out bathing suits in our neck of the woods, but if you are heading out on vacation or spring break, check out the adorable new line, Shade and Shore at Target.  Admittedly, I am a bathing suit addict (I have a drawer full of them, no kidding) and I just added one of these to my collection last week.  I love that the tops are based on your bra size (like some of my old favorites from the now defunct Victoria's Secret swim collection), fun colors/patterns and mix and match easily.

What are you loving this week? 

No Knead Bread

So I have never been much of a baker, but have always loved the idea of baking bread at home.  I mean, picture bringing a homemade loaf to a friend's house for dinner and having this conversion--

Friend:  "This bread is amazing!  You must have paid a fortune for it at (insert name of fancy local bakery here)!"

You:  "Oh this old thing?  No biggie... just made it myself this afternoon.  Yes, I bake my own bread now..."

Friend:  "OMG YOU MADE IT YOURSELF!?  THAT IS AMAZING!  YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR OWN BAKING SHOW ON THE FOOD NETWORK IMMEDIATELY!"

Sounds awesome, right???  Well, unfortunately, I don't have any sophisticated kitchen gear like a Kitchen Aid or bread maker, so I figured I was out of luck.  That is, until I started checking around on Pinterest and came across a super easy recipe from The Comfort of Cooking that requires no kneading and bakes in dutch oven!

Seriously, you can't mess this recipe up!  Just mix everything together, let it sit for at least 8 hours (I've found that overnight is best), throw it in the oven and you are good to go!  I mean... look at it you guys.

Not only is the recipe easy, you can also change it up to suit your individual taste.  I've made all kinds of variations and they always turn out beautiful and delicious!  Here are a few of my favorites-

Left: For delicious toast alongside your morning coffee (our grandma can attest to this one!) add a teaspoon of cinnamon, a 1/4 cup of raisins and 1/4 cup of walnuts 

Right: For a great dinner side, add a couple of chopped garlic cloves, a tablespoon of fresh oregano chopped, a tablespoon of fresh basil chopped, and top with  poppy seeds and kosher salt

For bread that is so good you want to eat it (and it alone) for the rest of the day, add about 1/4 shredded or roughly chopped Parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon of peppercorns (smash them a little with the bottom of a cup or a rolling pin first) 

Please, please, please try this at home and let us know how it turns out.  We'd love to add to our repertoire- let us know in the comments what combos you try!

Twins Take on Jewelry: Simple vs. Statement

We are pretty similar in many aspects of our style (Hello, stripes!) but one main difference in our signature styles is our taste in jewelry.  Ryan likes to stick with simple, classic pieces and Jess likes to incorporate statement pieces.  Here are some of our favorite simple or statement jewelry sources and items.  Once again, we aren't sponsored at all, we just love this stuff!

SIMPLE (Ryan)

1. When you're wearing simple pieces, customizing them with sentimental details is a great way to show your individuality.  My bestie lives in Seattle, and last year I gifted her with a personalized Lat and Lo Bar Necklace, inscribed with the coordinates of where I live (and got myself one with her coordinates too).  You can choose the location of any special place on earth (like the beach where you and your love got engaged, the city where you went to college, the house where you grew up, etc.) and anytime you wear it, it's like a piece of that place (or special person) is with you.

2 and 3.  Catbird NYC is one of my favorite sources for delicate, dainty, and beautiful everyday accessories.  I love that their jewelry is made in their Brooklyn studio, with recycled or fair-trade gold and all of the stones they use are conflict-free.  They even donate minimum 1% of all their sales to a variety of charities, chosen by their employees!  I wear this delicate gold Mignon Memory Ring on my index finger and get tons of compliments on it. I love that it comes in a variety of sizes so you can wear it as a "first knuckle ring" or get a larger size and wear it as a traditional ring like I do.  I have also been dying to get this ear cuff-- it reminds me of the best of the 90's when I rocked flannels around my waist and more hoop earrings than you could count!  Ah, the good old days.

4. Another great site for handcrafted and personalizable (is that a word?) jewelry is Three Sisters Jewelry.  The company's founder Zoe combines feminine styles with a little bit of edge to create gorgeous modern heirloom quality pieces.  (Plus, she even included a handwritten thank you note with everything I've ordered-- and anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for a good thank you note!)  I love this rose gold crescent moon necklace on its own or layered with a couple of other necklaces (see #6 below).

5.  Bauble Bar has been one of our favorite places for years, and their SUGARFIX by Bauble Bar line for Target is no exception.  I have been rocking these Crystal Crawler Earrings for the last couple of weeks and love that they are on trend but still look classy and elegant.

6. Gorjana is one of my go-tos for simple, timeless jewelry that is beautiful layered or worn on its own.  Most of their items come in silver, yellow or rose gold, which gives you the chance to mix things up (if you agree with me that mixed metals are where its at-- even if our mom isn't quite on board with the trend yet!)  This long lariat necklace is one I've been coveting.  Too bad our birthday is almost an entire year away!


STATEMENT (Jess)

1. and 2.  One of my favorite sources for statement jewelry is Kendra Scott.  Her pieces are classic and well made at a fairly reasonable price point.  Kendra is a mom and entrepreneur whose company employs 98% women!  She also prioritizes philanthropy, partnering with local and national charities.  Kendra's work is unique and high quality, definitely worth investing in!  I recently received this Beatrice necklace as a Christmas present (Thanks, Babe!) and rock these Elle earrings on a bi-weekly basis.  I find the coolest part about these items is that they elevate even a simple outfit with just one add-on.  I'm all about a simple t-shirt/boyfriend jeans plus statement necklace everyday look.  There's a reason why one of my students once told me I had a "dazzling array of giant necklaces".

3. and 4. Not all statement jewelry has to be expensive!  Baublebar is one of my favorite sources for trendy and affordable pieces.  Ry and I discovered Baublebar back in 2011 right as it was getting off the ground.  What's not to love about a company created by two friends who were looking to create statement jewelry that wouldn't break the bank?  I'm sure you've seen these Piñata Tassel earrings all over the blogosphere, but they're sooooo great in person and come in a ton of colors.  This necklace is everything with a tank dress or plain t-shirt.  I didn't include it, but I've had my eye on this Seaglass Bib (Mother's Day, perhaps?)

5. Kate Spade gives me the chance to combine my love of statement pieces with a class, preppy look. I received my first pair of Square Studs as a gift and loved them immediately.  These glitter ones go with so many outfits and add a "piece of flair" (Name that movie?) to everyday.  Kate also has some awesome necklace options.  I have this beaded bow necklace in navy blue, which doesn't seem to be available anymore, but the red is so cute, too.  I wore mine to a 4th of July BBQ with a white tank and got tons of compliments.

6.  Now I bet some of you are thinking, "Hey, that Alex and Ani bracelet looks pretty delicate to me.  I thought this was a statement list?"  Well, I suppose you're right at first glance.  However, I think that Alex and Ani provides the perfect opportunity to combine simple bracelets into A Stack of Awesomeness.  I currently wear five together on a daily basis (Yes, Ry and I wear the best friends--I'm "Friends" and she's "Best!") and I like how they represent different parts of my life and personality.  Alex and Ani creates eco-conscious, American made products is so many styles and finishes that it's hard to choose!  I'm sentimental about my Mom bracelet, which I received on my first Christmas after having our daughter and love representing the Maize and Blue with this one.

What's your signature jewelry style: simple or statement?  What are your favorite pieces from each category?  Tell us in the comments!

Friday Pick-Six: 3/3/17

Every Friday, we'll feature six things we are loving each week.  We aren't getting paid to mention any of this stuff, it's basically just things we love and how to find them.  In honor of our love of football, we're calling it...

Friday Pick-Six:

1.  Did you guys watch the Oscars on Sunday?  Although we love seeing the winners and losers (and devouring all the snacks and signature cocktails at Ry's Oscar Extravaganza), our real love is the fashion.  Our favorite this year was hands-down Taraji P. Henson and as always, the amazing Heather and Jessica from Go Fug Yourself killed it with their fashion recaps this year.  Do yourself a favor and read their Oscar coverage.

2. Have you tried the new Cinnamon Almondmilk Macchiato at Starbucks yet?  My favorite barista made some samples of this and it was delicious!  It's inspired by a Horchata and has an espresso shot, almond milk, Cinnamon Dolce syrup and a caramel drizzle!  What a great option for anyone who is dairy free or simply likes cinnamony, almondy goodness!  Even though this reminded me of fall, I think I'll be ordering it a lot this spring.

 3.  One of our favorite bloggers, the fabulous Eva Martino, had a great post this week about finding your personal interior design style.  We have struggled with this over the years, navigating the transition from All-Ikea-In-Every-Room from our 20's to investing in some pieces that make us feel like Real Grownups.

4. If you're doing a little shopping online this weekend (and who isn't?), there are some great sales going on.  Old Navy's "Thank You Event" gets you 30% off your order or 40% if you're an Old Navy Cardholder with the code THANKYOU.  Here are a couple of things we've got our eyes on for spring:

A t-shirt in our Summer Mantra...yes, please!

 Love the embroidery details and swingy look of this dress.  Runs big, so size down.

Giving these cropped leggings a try for running this spring. Can I get a hallelujah for the high-waist?

5. We are always trying to find quick and effective arm workouts.  Here's a great one from one of our go-to bloggers for fitness advice, Julie at Peanut Butter Fingers.  I've done it a couple of times this week and am sore already.  Look out, Michelle Obama!

6,  If you're a fan of the classic show Gilmore Girls like we are, check out the Gilmore Guys Podcast.  The hosts, Kevin (a GG fan from the beginning) & Demi (a newcomer watching for the first time) are hilarious and adorable and break down the show, episode by episode.  After listening to the podcast, we want to be their BFFs and are pretty sure you will too!

Winter Beauty Picks

Although this winter has been a little on the mild side in our neck-of-the-woods, we still like to change up our beauty routine in colder months.  Here are some of our favorite beauty products that have helped us get through the winter so far.  Let's all hope they'll get us through until spring finally arrives!

1. Essie Gel Couture: Believe it or not, winter-time dryness can wreak havoc on your manicure.  Nails can get brittle and chip easily, causing those unsightly chips that we hate. Essie's latest line, Gel Couture, provides long-wearing coverage without a gel light or special removal.  They report "up to 14 days of luxurious wear" and while ours didn't make it quite that long, we were mostly chip-free within a week.  We're loving pastels like Pre-Show Jitters and Perfect Posture to cheer up the winter blahs!--Jess

2. Burt's Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream:  If you're anything like me, the one-two punch of washing your hands constantly (Hello, cold and flu season!) and winter weather takes a toll on your hands.  This cream not only has a lovely smell but also works wonders on dry skin, nails and cuticles. I'm also a sucker for the clean and beautiful packaging.  --Ry

3. Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash and Skin Lotion: I always experience some sort of skin dryness in the winter, however, this year it was extreme.  Every shower left me itchy and uncomfortable, so I knew I had to change up my routine (although I still heart you, Julep Beach Tonic!  See you in the spring!)  I turned to Aveeno's Skin Relief line and found almost an immediate improvement in my skin.  I've always liked Aveeno's natural ingredients and scent-free options (My daughter has used their Baby Wash since coming home from the hospital!) and I found that this combination of body wash and lotion left my skin feeling smooth and hydrated all day. --Jess

4. Smith's Rosebud Salve: Ry gifted me with my first tin of this multi-tasking wonder in an Oscar Party Gift Bag a few years back (Yes, Ryan throws an Oscar Party with gift bags and yes, it is amazing).  At first, I was skeptical because I tend to shy away from scented lip products.  However, the scent is so subtle and the results were so great, I was hooked almost immediately.  This provides all the hydration my lips need with the slight shine of a lip gloss.  It's also awesome on your cuticles or other dry spots.  There's a reason why I have one of these tins in every bag I own...and on my desk...in my car...in my nightstand...you catch my drift.--Jess

Props to my pal Bekah who introduced me to this amazing stuff a couple of years ago. If you want to mix it up, check out the Minted Rose Lip Balm (which is mildly tingly but not overwhelmingly so) or the Strawberry Lip Balm (which is like a classy version of the Bonnie Bell Lipsmackers I loved back in the day). --Ry

5. Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask: Here's a product that was introduced to me by the Blogosphere!  Beauty masks seem to be one of the hot trends lately, and so many bloggers recommended this one.  I've always been partial to Clinique (shout out to their amazing Repairwear Laser Focus line!) so I knew I had to order this.  You apply it in the evening after cleaning your face as usual.  It goes on smoothly and made my skin feel softer and more hydrated the next morning.  Use it now, thank me later!e--Jess

6. Body Shop Honeymania Body Butter:  I have a confession to make... my name is Ryan and I'm obsessed with body washes, lotions, body butter, etc. (Seriously, every time my mom stays with me, she says it's like being at a hotel with so many toiletry choices.)  I've never been huge on overly floral scents, but this one is a nice combination of floral with a little bit of honey.  I love the consistency of this body butter- it seems thick in the container, but goes on smoothly and soaks in quickly.-- Ryan