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

Welcome to The Twins Take On!

Is this thing on??  Check, check, one two...  Ok, gang, let's do this!

For years, we have been reading fun lifestyle blogs written by women all over the country who have educated and inspired us.  Finally, one day, we decided it was time to share our ideas with the rest of the blogosphere.  We hope that this place can be your go-to source for great lifetstyle advice, and we look forward to learning from you along the way!

Of course as identical twins, we have tons of things in common, but we also are at different stages of life and have totally different careers (even though Ryan's clients and Jessica's students may seem a lot alike sometimes...)  On any given day, you can find the two of us doing one (or all) of the following- drinking rose, catching up on celebrity gossip or the Real Housewives, discussing nail polish trends, going to brunch (seriously, who doesn't love brunch?  Best meal of the day.), cheering for University of Michigan and Detroit sports, or working out at our local Pure Barre.

A little bit more about us-

Ryan:  I'm a single gal and lawyer (currently on a work hiatus). I love cooking, reality tv (yes, I do Keep up with the Kardashians... please keep that between us), beach vacations, college basketball, gummy candy, Starbucks cinnamon dolce lattes, pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain.  (Ok, that last one was a lie- who likes getting caught in the rain?  Even with an umbrella it's a giant pain in the you-know-what). In my spare time, I have been known to get into home improvement projects far above my abilities and skill level which is always an adventure. I love being an auntie to Jess's sweet and adorable daughter (which entails a lot of letting her stay up late and giving her two desserts, obviously).

Jess: I'm a busy mom, wife, sister and teacher who likes to think I can do it all...I guess I can do most of it.  My style is a little more casual than Ry's, working with kids all day, both at school and at home.  I like to say that I "can't cook" but mostly I just find it stressful and avoid it when possible.  I do love baking, painting my nails, reading, Venti Skinny Vanilla Lattes, spending time with my family and of course, watching copious amounts of TV.  Around the house, painting and decorating are my strengths.