Friday Pick-Six: 6/30/17

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

1. We have already given you our hosting guide to the Fourth of July, but how great are these No-Bake Red Velvet Truffle Balls?  Easy and perfect for a BBQ!

2.  Eva from Happily Eva After has always been one of our blogging heroes!  Is there anything she can't do?  This week, she posted a killer tutorial for a great blowout in the comfort of your own home.  If you can't afford to hit the salon and want your hair to look amazing, check this out!

3.  If you're looking for a funny show to binge watch this summer (like Jess was earlier this week), try Happy Endings on Hulu.  We loved this show so much when it was on originally and it starts one of the cohosts from our favorite podcast, Bitch Sesh, Casey Wilson!  If you like Friends or How I Met Your Mother, give this one a try!

4.  Have you guys tried Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend yet?  It is so great and tastes just like an everything bagel!  We like it sprinkled on pita chips, burgers, pizza crust or on Ry's No Knead Bread!

5.  We can't wait to try these new Miss Spa Brightening Eye Masks.  We can always use a little help in this area and we've loved the other Miss Spa products we've been using lately (including this Gold Radiance Mask).

6.  How amazing does this hot fudge sauce on Smitten Kitchen look!  Let's all make it this weekend and eat hot fudge sundaes!  Deal?

What are you loving and living for this weekend?  Let us know in the comments below and TGIF!

Fourth of July Outfit Round Up

With Fourth of July right around the corner, if you're anything like us, you're already planning your outfit for that party you're attending!  We thought we'd bring you some styling picks that you can rock on the 4th!  Our picks are a little on the casual side, since we usually attend a BBQ with friends or hitting the beach.  Here are a few outfits we've assembled and then some picks for your last minute shopping this weekend that you can grab!

We've already blogged about our love for the Lilly Pulitzer Essie top shown here.  The solid navy color is so versatile.  Here, we paired it with these chambray shorts, a beaded necklace (sold out, similar) and these jelly sandals.

Once again, you see Jess's favorite dress ever.  This time, we styled it a causally with Classic TOMS and a Kate Spade necklace.  

This striped, swing back t-shirt is super comfy and patriotic.  Sadly, this is from last summer and sold out, but you can find something similar here.  We paired it with our favorite soft shorts and a beaded necklace.

Here are even more favorites!  

Top Row (Right to Left): Striped Bodysuit, Cami Dress, Americana Graphic Tank, Chambray Tank Dress, Graphic T-Shirt

Bottom Row (Right to Left): Pineapple Print Swimsuit, Red Wine and Blue Tank, Gingham Romper, Firecracker Swimsuit,  Plaid Sleeveless Top

What are you wearing for your Fourth of July celebration?  Let us know in the comments below and Happy Birthday, America!

Twins Take on the Holiday: Fourth of July

Happy Birthday, America!  The Fourth of July is always a fun and festive holiday.  We love to have a keep it casual and relaxed for the Fourth, in keeping with the summer vibe.  Ry often hosts a BBQ with friends and family.  Here are our tips and tricks for keeping it simple and fun for the 4th!

• Think Americana: It is America's Day after all, so keep your decor red, white and blue.  You can pick up themed decor items at craft supply stores like JoAnn Fabrics or (our favorite place) Target.  In fact, the Target Dollar Spot has a great selection of decor items RIGHT NOW, so head over there.  Just look at all this cuteness!  Don't forget paper plates and cups to save yourself from doing the dishes.  And if you can, grab some sparklers--they're so festive!

• Grill baby, grill!: Since the best 4th of July parties take place outside, the grill makes a perfect cooking utensil.  Think about classic cookout foods, like hot dogs, bratwurst or sausage and burgers.  This is pretty simple, you grill, add a bun and then serve!  You can go classic with toppings (ketchup, mustard, relish) or jazz it up a little with some fancy condiments like Sriracha or guacamole.  

• Everyone Loves a Signature Drink: As we suggested with our At Home Happy Hour tips, a signature drink is always a key to a great party.  Your guests feel special and you don't have to run around mixing up drinks.  Here are a couple of cocktails we are thinking of trying this year:
• Blackberry Lemonade Margaritas
• Strawberry Rose' Sangria
• Spicy Pomegranate Margaritas
• Skinny Grapefruit Moscow Mules
• Sparkling Red, White and Blue Sangria

• Keep Dessert on Trend: Pinterest has no shortage of red, white and blue patriotic desserts.  At a BBQ, people are often looking for something easy to eat while standing up.  Cookies, rice Krispie Treats or popsicles/ice cream sandwiches are awesome.  Here are a few faves that we may be serving this year:
• Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Fourth of July IceBox Swirl Cookies
• Brownie Dessert Pizza
• Triple Berry Trifle
• Star Rice Krispie Treats

Jess is usually on dessert at our parties and has attempted many over the years.  Just look at last year's Americana red velvet cake!

Apparently, with 37 "stars", Jess actually created a 1867-1877 American flag.

• Don't Forget Your Younger Guests:  Ryan is the queen of making sure that her guests feel at home, down to the littlest kiddo.  She always has sidewalk chalk or outdoor games for the kiddos to play.  This keeps them entertained AND allows their parents to chill with a cocktail.  Win, win!

Follow these simple tips and have an awesome Fourth of July this year!  Are you planning on hosting a party next week?  Tell us your keys to a successful Fourth of July party in the comments below!

Pistachio Dessert

Hi friends, it's Jess.  On Father's Day, I was looking for a simple summery dessert.  I remembered one of my husband's favorite desserts from growing up was this "Pistachio Dessert" that his mom made.  It's a layered combination of a crunchy cookie crust, cream cheese frosting, pistachio pudding and whipped cream.  I found several similar recipes on Pinterest, but I wanted the official version.  Lucky for me, upon graduation from high school, all the kids in the neighborhood were gifted with a small, homemade cookbook that featured all the favorite recipes from neighborhood BBQs and parties.  My husband still has his all these years later, so that's what I referenced for this recipe.  I'm not sure if this came from somewhere specific, but it's one of my mother-in-law's specialties, so I figured I'd share it with you!

The original recipe

Pistachio Dessert
makes one 9 x 13 tray (serves 10-12? depending on your serving size)

• 1 cup flour
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup walnuts (divided)
• 1 8-oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1 16-oz container Cool Whip (divided)
• 2 3.4-oz packages Jello Instant Pistachio Pudding mix
• 2 1/2 cups cold milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Mix together the flour, melted butter, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1/2 cup of the walnuts.  Press into the bottom of a 9x13 pan (I've used 8.5x11 when I can't find that size).  Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes until the edges are just golden brown.  Cool completely.

Layer One: Complete

With a hand mixer (or by hand with a spatula if you're feeling strong), mix the cream cheese, 1/2 package of the Cool Whip and 2/3 cup of powdered sugar until well combined.  Spread onto the top of the cooled crust using an offset spatula.  Chill.

Offset spatulas rule!

Beat the milk and instant pudding mix together until it thickens.  Spread onto the cream cheese layer carefully.  You don't want to disturb the layered effect.  (I find that pouring all of the pudding into the center then spreading it out with the offset spatula works well for this).  

That green color though...

Spread the remaining Cool Whip on top and sprinkle on the nuts.  Cover and refrigerate until serving.  My trick is to stick a few toothpicks in and stretch the plastic wrap on top of those, so that it doesn't stick to the whipped cream layer.  

When you're ready to eat, scoop out a piece and serve!  Easy peasy!  You'll want to keep this cool as long as you can, since the layers start to melt and weep a little if it gets too warm.  It does hold up in the fridge for a few days (if it lasts that long), but I wouldn't make it too far in advance for a party.  If pistachio isn't your jam, you could substitute any instant pudding mix instead.  I think it would work really well with chocolate or strawberry, too.  Actually, now that I'm thinking of it, I might try strawberry for 4th of July--garnished with some fresh berries!  How American does that sound?

Dig in!

So there you have it!  The World Famous Pistachio Dessert!  Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!  

Twins Take on the Store: Traders Joe's

One of our favorite places to shop is Trader Joe's.  They have great snacks and tons of frozen items that can be heated and served at any time.  However, it's not always the easiest place to navigate if you need to get in and out in a hurry.  Here are our hits, misses and the stuff we buy every week!

Hits:

• Fresh Flowers: TJ's always has a million different beautiful bouquets in the $6-15 range.  They make a perfect hostess gift and fancy up your house in no time.  Always grab a couple of bunches when you go in.  Ry likes to arrange her own with a few different colors, but Jess usually sticks with the pre-made mixed bouquets.  

• Chips and Dips: The teachers at Jess's school always stock up on TJ's snacks to make the weekly staff meeting more manageable.  There are no less than 15 different varieties of dips, hummus or salsa available at any given time.  One of the fastest ways to prepare for a party is stopping by Trader Joe's and grabbing some dips and chips!

• Wine and Beer: Their selection is wide and affordable.  If you're a beer fan, you can often make up your own 6-pack, choosing from any of their single bottle offerings.

• Nuts and Trail Mix: This might be Jess's favorite aisle in the store!  The nuts are great quality and come plain, roasted, salted, unsalted--you name it!  There are lots of mixes too, which are great to grab for a snack.  Oh, and dried fruit!  They have basically every dried fruit under the sun.  This is a great spot for kids snacks, too.  

Misses:

• Produce: Although they have a decent variety, the produce is often not in stellar condition.  Despite their best attempts, we think that produce might not survive the shipping it needs for a big chain store.  We prefer to buy produce in our local stores or farmers markets.  

• Meats: Much like produce, we prefer to get our meats locally.  In a chain store like TJ's the supply seems to be a little smaller and lower quality.  

• The Weekend Crowds: The worst thing about our local Trader Joe's is how busy it is on weekends.  If you can swing it, try to head over on a weekday morning or duck in right before closing time in the evening.

Here are some of our favorite Trader Joe's picks!

Top (L to R): Salt & Pepper Pistachios, Salty & Sweet Trek Mix, Candy Cane Joe Joe's, Arancini, Pork Gyoza
Bottom (L to R): Kettle Korn, Rose', Lemonade Iced Tea Mix, Toasted Oatmeal Flakes

Do you shop at Trader Joe's?  What's your favorite item?  Let us know below and happy shopping!

Friday Pick-Six: 6/23/17

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

1.  For Father's Day, I decided to take on the task of cooking dinner (which I almost never do).  I wanted something BBQ like but since I'm a grill novice, I was a little intimidated to actually BBQ.  I found this awesome crockpot pulled pork recipe on Pinterest and paired it with this coleslaw that is a copycat version from one of our favorite restaurants!  The end result was easy and a hit with the whole fam!  Mom for the win!--J

2.  You might have seen this great new Essie color, Blue La La, on our Instagram story earlier this week.  This robin's egg blue is perfect for a summer pedicure!  This color, which is part of Essie's Paris inspired summer collection was sold out on Amazon, so pick it up if you find it!

3. If you're looking for a great workout, check out this Popsugar video featuring celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins.  She trains Serena Williams, friends!  This workout is no joke!

4.  Guys, starting on June 26th, one of our favorite stores (Nordstrom) will be carrying one of our favorite brands (Benefit)!  Now you can grab our favorite highlighter, High Beam or That Gal Brightening Face Primer at Nordstrom!

5.  Target is having a Buy One, Get One 50% off sale on all swimsuits!  Women, men, kids!  Everybody gets a swimsuit!  (Did you read that in your best Oprah Winfrey voice?  Because we did!) This is not a drill!  It ends tomorrow, so stock up now!

6.  Did you hear that they're going to make a Downton Abbey movie?  Let's hope it happens (some of the actors in the story didn't seem to know about it yet!) and that it's amazing!

What are you loving and living for this week?  Let us know and have a great weekend!  See you Monday!

Twins Take on the Brand: Lilly Pulitzer

In honor of today being declared National Wear Your Lilly Day, we thought we'd bring you some of our favorite Lilly Pulitzer looks!  We love the bright prints and colors that Lilly always has to offer.  However, the prices can be a little steep, even if the quality is great.  We tend to stock up at the twice annual sales (The After Party Sales in January and August) when the prices are crazy low.  Anyway, here are some of our favorite Lilly pieces and how we like to style them:

The Elsa Top:

The Elsa top is a Lilly staple.  For real, this is the kind of top that you want in every single color so you can wear it everyday.  It's made of silk and has really a flattering smocking detail at the bust.   So comfy and classic.  Here's how Jess wore it for our aunt's surprise birthday party in April with her  favorite jeans (a Pick-Six Pick a while back) and Rag and Bone Newbury booties.  It also works with dress pants, tucked into a pencil skirt or even with black shorts.  Even though we tend to stick with prints when buying Lilly (the brand's signature), this top would be a great staple in navy, white or black.  Bottom line, if you're looking for a great entry point to the brand, Elsa is a great way to go!  This is actually a splurge-worthy piece at full price, considering how much you can wear it.  (How did I get through that entire paragraph about Elsa without a Frozen joke?  Mom for the win!--J)

The Amberly Dress: 

Another great dress--the Amberly!  It's light enough weight to wear in the spring and fall, but also looks great with boots and tights under a sweater.  Here it is with a favorite scarf from Anthropologie (similar) and these great DV Dolce Vita booties (Sold out but similar).  Sadly, this dress is from last season, but you might still scoop it up on sale online.  That brings us to a great point, even though we love Lilly, we aren't willing to buy on eBay, despite the lower prices.  We want avoid fakes (there always are a few).  We haven't purchased there, but we hear that the ReLilly Facebook group is a good way to purchase previously owned Lilly pieces.  

The Essie Top and Dress:

A top named after our favorite nail polish brand?  You bet we checked it out.  We love Essie so much, we often each show up to family events wearing one.  This sleeveless top has a smocking detail similar to Elsa but is made of cotton jersey.   Just like Elsa, it comes in solids and prints with lots of options.  Again, this top is pretty versatile.  We have worn it with shorts to a BBQ and also under a suit to work.  The dress is also super cute and flattering.  During the sale, the top version runs around $25 so it's worth grabbing a couple!

Shift Dresses:

A signature Lilly look is the classic shift dress.  They offer a lot of neckline options so these dresses are flattering to lots of different body types and ages.  They're perfect for a daytime wedding or shower.  These tend to run a little small (especially if you're a gal with a chest) so you may want to size up.

Little Lilly:

You better believe that Jess's little gal has some Lilly, too.  The shift dresses and swim options for little gals are so insanely adorable!  Also, if you want to match your little, they have tons of cute possibilities.  Here's another sale staple.  Since kids grow so fast, you might not want to spend full price on your little one, so grab these on sale.  Another Lilly tip is to check out Lilly on 6pm.com on the reg.  They are the sale sister site to Zappos.com and offer lots of great deals, adding stock often!  

Those are some of our favorite Lilly picks!  When the sale rolls around in August, we'll post about our tips and tricks to rocking it.  Are you wearing Lilly today?  What's your favorite Lilly Look?  Let us know below and Happy Lilly Day!

Essie Treat, Love & Color

Hi gang, it's Jess.  If you're anything like me, it's rare that you don't have polish on your nails.  Seriously, my students always notice if I have plain nails and assume I must be sick or something when it happens.  Anyway, after constant polishing and removing, sometimes I notice that my nails are brittle, chipping and dry.  Okay, this happens pretty much every time I remove my polish.

I heard about Essie's new Treat, Love & Color line through their Instagram account.  These sheer polishes claim to treat damage and brighten your nails in just a week.  They're specially formulated with collagen and camellia extract and DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde free.  Not to mention that, but they come in three sheer colors (check out Lauren's site for some great swatches), so that your nails don't look totally boring and plain while you treat them.  I decided to order the lilac color (Laven-Dearly) and check it out.

This is what my (admittedly terrible looking) nails looked like before:

Here's what my nails looked like on the initial application.  I did two thin coats which still looked a little sheer.  In certain lighting, my nails looked almost natural and the shimmer showed up best in natural sunlight.  Overall, it's lighter than I would usually go, but I liked the effect.

I got antsy and removed my polish after just 5 days, but I noticed a difference almost immediately.  Check it out.

Not perfect, but definitely better than before!  My nails looked shiny (similar to after buffing them) and felt stronger and less dry.  I still have some cracks from before, but I think the overall appearance is much improved.  I would definitely recommend this product if your nails are in need of a break from over-polishing or dryness.  

Have you tried any of the Essie Treat Love & Color treatments?  Which were your favorite?

Summer Wardrobe Essentials: Ry

I'll be honest that summer has never been my favorite season for clothes (except for bathing suits, of course).  However, this year, I just started a new job (WOO!) and am using it as an opportunity to refresh my style a bit.  I work at a bank (snooze) so my work clothes need to be a bit conservative, but I also like to still be comfy and stay cool in the summer heat.  On the weekends, I love shorts with comfy t-shirts and flowy tanks.  Below are a few of my favorite picks for work and weekends.

1 and 2.  For years, I coveted the wardrobe of a former co-worker.  She always looked polished, professional and put together... her secret?  The work dress.  Friends, I am telling you, this is a game changer for a variety of reasons (not the least of which is, you don't need much outfit planning- grab a dress, cute shoes, pair of earrings and you are out the door!)  I love Calvin Klein's work dresses and just ordered this Buckled Sheath Dress and have already gotten compliments on it!  I am considering this cap sleeve empire sheath dress in white for summer (even though I already have it in navy).

3.  We have sung the praises of the Target Who What Wear Line here at TTO many times.  I love their dressy tanks like this Ruffle Trim Shell for work.  I usually with a pair of black pants (like number 4 below!), and a cardigan, but they also add a bit of style and femininity to a suit for when you need to suit up!

4.  Not sure if you got the memo, gang, but wide leg pants are back!!  I have these ones from Target in black and grey and wear them tons.  Plus, they clock in at under $30 a pair (!!!) are machine washable, and don't require ironing.  You're welcome!

5.   I don't know about you, but I am loving camo print lately.  This Camo pocket T from Gap is no exception. It's been hanging out in my online cart for a couple of weeks and I'm about to hit order!

6.  I love a palm print, and the sequin detail on this muscle tank adds just the right about of bling.  I love it with my favorite pair of distressed jean shorts.

7.  When it comes to shorts, for me, comfort is key.  I have an old pair of cargo shorts that should probably be retired (I promise, Jess, I'm thinking about it...) and if they are, I think I'll replace them with these linen-cotton utility shorts.  They're not too short, plus they have pockets to hold all of your goodies.

8. Couldn't resist throwing in a beach cover up into my picks.  JCrew has been my go-to source for coverups for years, and I am in love with this Rainbow Gingham Beach Poncho.

What are you wearing this summer? Leave a comment and let us know!

Friday Pick-Six: 6/16/17

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

1.  Father's Day is Sunday!  If you still need a gift for the Dad in your life, be sure to look back at our Father's Day Gift Guide.

2. Peonies are one of our favorite flowers.  Since they're only available for a small window of time in early summer, we are always looking for ways to help them last longer.  These tips from Effortless Style Blog will definitely extend the life of your peonies!

3.  Looking for a summer beverage with a little kick?  Give Trader Joe's Organic Jalapeño Limeade a try!  It's a little spicy, a little tart and great for a hot summer day.  Also, in case you were wondering, adding a little silver Tequila takes this up a notch!

4.  We often need a snack on-the-go and want something a little healthier than a handful of Goldfish crackers (although we do love those little guys!)  One of our current favorites is Sargento Balanced Breaks.  They're pre-packaged combinations of nuts, cheese and dried fruits that all clock in around 200 calories per serving.  Our favorite flavors are Sharp White Cheddar-Cashews-Raisins and White Cheddar-Roasted Almond-Dried Cranberry.  Ry swears by grabbing one of these before hopping in the car for her drive home so she's not starving by the time she arrives.

5.  As you know, we enjoy listening to podcasts.  Lately one of our favorites has been Pod Save America.  Pals and political insiders Jon, Jon, Dan and Tommy take on all the politics of the week and tell you what you need to know.  You can also check out Pod Save the World if you want a little international info.  These two podcasts plus a new longer commute are making Ryan into a world class genius.  Try them and see if they do the same for you!

6.  Summer time means ice cream as far as we are concerned.  For all the times you want something a little healthier than Dairy Queen, try Halo Top Creamery!  Their delicious ice cream is low calorie, low sugar and high protein, so you don't have to feel bad about eating the whole carton!  Ryan's favorites are Mint Chip and Salted Caramel and Jess can't wait to try Birthday Cake.

What are you loving and living for this week?  Let us know in the comments below and have a great weekend!

The TTO Summer Reading List: Fiction

One of our favorite things to do on a warm summer day is settling in with a good book.  When we're looking for book recommendations, we have just one call--Our Mom!  Not only does our mom have an impressive personal library, but her local librarian knows her by name.  We checked in with Mom to see what books she's recommending this summer.  This is Part 1: Fiction...look for Part 2: Non-Fiction coming soon.  Here's her list in no particular order...

 I Found You by Lisa Jewell.  A lonely single mom who offers shelter to an amnesiac man and a young bride who is told that her missing husband never existed struggle to make sense of their transforming worlds and their connection to two teenagers whose lives were shattered by secrets two decades earlier.

Before This Is Over by Amanda Hickie.  A devastating epidemic raises the question as to how far a mother will go to protect her family.  Timely and thought provoking.

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins, author of Girl on the Train  - need I say more?

Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout.  Small town folks coping with love and loss.  She is an awesome writer if you have not read her other books.

Marlena by Julie Buntin.  I chose this one because my name is Marlene and it is set in Michigan.  A story of two girls also coping with love and loss and, to complicate matters - addiction.

The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley  by Hannah Tinti.  12 scars left by 12 bullets reveal a criminal past that impact the present.

Small, Great Things by Jodi Picoult.  Again, not much needs to be said.  This actually came out in 2016 but if you missed it then, don't miss it now.  Timely.  Thought provoking. 

Faithful by Alice Hoffman.  A story of a survivor's path through grief, guilt and recovery.  Alice can always be counted on to tell a great story.

The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian.  A sleepwalking wife and mother who exhibits violent behavior while unconscious, goes missing.   He is one of my favorites - lots of title, if you are not familiar. 

The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve.  Based upon the true story of the largest fire in Maine in 1947.  She's another who, if you haven't found already, should check out.

And last but not least, The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova.  This woman writes BIG stories with BIG plots and tons of pages but still leaves you wanting more when you turn the last page.  If you have not read The Swan Thieves or The Historian check out all three but not at the same time!  

So that's it for Part 1!  Can you see why we depend on our mom for book recommendations?  She knows everything!!  Stay tuned for Mom's non-fiction picks soon.  What are you planning to read this summer?  Let us know in the comments below!

Summer Wardrobe Essentials: Jess

Hi Friends!  As you may know, I teach elementary school.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job, but I also LOVE my summer vacation.  I am lucky enough to spend my summers hanging out with my kiddo and doing all kinds of non-work activities!  I'm pretty excited because this Friday is the last day of school!  Because of that lifestyle shift, my summer wardrobe changes a bit from my daily work-wear in the other seasons.  I figure these wardrobe items would be great for any mom at home with kiddos, or anyone else in a pretty casual setting/on the weekends.

1.  Old Navy Jersey Swing Dress:  Anyone who knows me knows that I wear this dress a lot.  I have it in 5 different colors, so I'm not even kidding.  This dress is super versatile so you can dress it up or down depending on the occasion.  At work, I wear this with tights, boots, a cardigan and a statement necklace.  At home, I add flip-flops or Toms and a jean jacket.  It also makes a great make-shift coverup over your bathing suit.  Just make sure if you order to size down, as it runs a little large.  I did that and I still find it swingy and flattering, just not circus-tent sized!

2.  Merona Vintage V Tee: This is hands-down my favorite t-shirt.  It's got a flattering v-neckline and is fitted without being comfortable.  I have it in lots of colors, but I am definitely picking up this pineapple pattern for the summer, too.

3.  Jack Rodgers Georgica Jelly Sandals: I bought these after seeing one of my favorite bloggers, Ashley from Sweet Southern Prep rocking them last summer.  They come in a ton of fun color combinations and work with your swimsuit or sundress.  They were quite a hit last year, and I'm thinking I might need this iridescent color this summer.

4. Old Navy Soft Shorts: These shorts are so comfy and flattering.  I was a little nervous when I ordered because the inseam seemed like it would be too short, but I find them long enough to feel like I can sit comfortably.  I have the black because they go with everything, but if you're adventurous, try one of the patterns!

5. Gap Embroidered Stripe Caftan: We spend a lot of time outside at the beach or pool.  This striped caftan combines my love for anything embroidered with my addiction to stripes.  I plan to wear this as much as I can this year!  Also, wearing a caftan is so Real Housewives, I can't stand it!

6. Merona Swing Tank:  As you can tell, I'm usually looking for staples that can be mixed or matched and worn lots of ways.  This swing tank top comes in solids and stripes and I have it in many colors.  I wear it with shorts, boyfriend jeans or even as a quick coverup at the pool.  I like that the material is lightweight enough to wear in the summer, but not see through.  Plus, the back is long enough to cover your tush.  Mom for the win!

7. Gap Tencel Shorts: I bought a pair of these last year and I was happy to see that they're back this year!  They're lightweight, comfortable and easy to move around in.  Plus, they're long enough that you don't have to worry about flashing anyone at the park.  I've been known to throw them on over a swimsuit, too.

8. Old Navy Flip-Flops: Okay, so these aren't the most glamorous shoes, but they're what I wear MOST of the time in the summer.  They're so cheap I often buy a couple of pairs each summer.  They're great for a walk to the beach or running errands and they come in a million colors.

9.  Aviate Baseball Cap:  If you're a regular reader, you know Ry and I take sun protection seriously.  I wear a hat often to protect my face and eyes from the sun.  This cool baseball hat fits the bill (like my pun?).

What do you plan to wear this summer?  Let us know what staples you have in your summer wardrobe in the comments below.  Look out for Ryan's picks next Monday!

Friday Pick-Six: 6/9/17

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

1.  As we've mentioned already, we love all the feminine details we've been spotting in clothes this season.  I bought this top recently and am in love.  It's very flattering and comes in a few colors (although is sold out in a few!) Grab it now while you can!--J

2.  In celebrity news, hopefully you heard that George and Amal Clooney's twins were born this week!  We can't wait to see pics of these (presumed) cuties!

3.  We love a big summer action movie.  People seem to be talking about Wonder Woman everywhere these days.  We're looking forward to finally seeing it this weekend.  Hopefully it will be as great as people are saying.  Either way, it will definitely give us flashbacks to when we used to play Wonder Woman as kids! (#thattimewhenRythrewherBigWheelofftheporch).

4.  Last weekend at Target, I was in need of a new razor.  The one I usually purchase was out of stock, so I grabbed this Gillette Venus Embrace instead.  At first, I thought it was going to be a swing and a miss.  I was put off by the larger head of the razor and was afraid it wouldn't give me a smooth enough shave.  However, I couldn't have been more wrong!  The 5-blade razor head with a ribbon of moisturizing lotion left me with silky smooth legs.  Get one and try it out, gals!--J

5.  Three words: Birthday Cake Bread!  Saw this one on Pinterest and knew we had to try it this weekend!

6.  One of our favorite products lately is Essie's Treat Love Color.  Jess has been working on a review with pics of this gem that you'll see soon.  We couldn't be happier that according to the amazing Kindra at Essie Envy, they'll be coming out with new shades soon!  Can't wait to check them out!

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

DIY Cold Brew Coffee

Hi friends, it's Jess.  I know we've mentioned our love of cold brewed coffee around the TTO Headquarters.  There's nothing more refreshing on a warm summer morning than a tall glass of iced coffee.  However, if you've ever tried to make it yourself by simply pouring brewed coffee on ice, you have likely found yourself with a watery cup without an ounce of that coffee flavor you love so much.

That's where cold brew coffee comes in.  Instead of brewing through your coffee machine or Keurig, you let coarsely ground coffee steep in cold water to slowly infuse the flavor.  This creates a delicious coffee concentrate that will rival any coffee house drink you can find!

It's actually easier to make than I realized.  I used this tutorial I found on Pinterest and enlisted my husband for a little help.  First things first, I gathered my materials: whole espresso beans (We love Black Cat Espresso from Intelligentia Coffee, coffee grinder, food scale (you could also use a measuring cup), water, a pitcher, a paper coffee filter and sieve.

We started by grinding the coffee.  You could use already ground, but I found that the flavor is more intense in freshly ground.  This is admittedly one of my least favorite kitchen jobs (I hate cleaning the grinder!) but it's totally worth it for the flavor.

After you have your coffee grounds, you'll measure the water in the pitcher and stir the grounds.  They'll clump together, but that's okay.  Now it's important to let this mixture steep.  Twelve hours is good, but it can go even longer.  We mix this up after dinner to have extra in the morning before work.  Now, take a rest!

Once you wake up, it's time to get straining.  Line your strainer with the coffee filter and fit it over a bowl or pitcher.  We used this measuring cup because it's easy to pour.  Pour the mixture SLOWLY into the filter and let it drain.  Do NOT stir your coffee again (I learned this the hard way) because it will take way too long to filter.  It's best to try to keep the solid grains as close to the bottom as you can while you pour.  We've tried using a spoon to hold them down works well.  This process takes a few minutes, but don't rush it!

Once the coffee has filtered through, you can discard the grounds (they're great for your compost bin or Hydrangeas) and filter.  Now you've got a delicious coffee concentrate that can be stored in your fridge for a few days (if it makes it that long).  To serve, we add milk and a splash of CoffeeMate.  I find that I need to add more milk to this, as it's a stronger brew than just a regular cup of coffee.  I'm interested to try this tweak which sounds just like my beloved  Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold brew at Starbucks.

So there you have it!  The easiest, best cold brew for the summer!  Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!