Friday Pick-Six: 2/23/18

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

1.  On our President's Day off, we decided to move up our usual Taco Tuesday to Monday.  Jess made this crockpot barbacoa recipe and it was a total hit!

2.  While making an Amazon Prime order the other day, I added these beaded tassel earrings on a whim.  They're not the highest quality (hence the price point) but the color is great and they're not too heavy either. --J

3.  You know how we love a good face mask.  One of our recent favorites is this Pacifica Disobey Time Rose and Peptide Mask from Target.

4.  As much as we all love checking all our favorite blogs, I've been thinking a lot recently about trying to quit my phone habit.  I have found myself playing Monopoly with my kiddo and I mindlessly grab my phone and start to check Instagram.  Not my finest mom moment, but I think we can all relate.  Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere blogged about it this week and she also linked to this helpful article.  I'm going to give it a try this weekend and will report back! --J

5.  After seeing something similar on our favorite hostess at our favorite neighborhood restaurant, we've been on the lookout for a kimono-style jacket.  We may have to scoop up this one from Target. Throw under a black tank and some skinny jeans and you're date-ready.

6.  This Olympics, we were totally obsessed with Canadian ice dancers, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.  If you're like us and you can't get enough of them, then check out their 2014 reality show which is streaming on Amazon.  We might have to marathon this weekend!

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

TTO the Trend: Crossbody Bags

One trend we've been seeing around a lot lately is crossbody bags.  Even Meghan Markle has been carrying one lately instead of the usual royal clutch bag.  Although for gals who carry a lot of stuff on the reg (AKA US!) they're not practical for everyday, they do have their uses.  For example, a good cross body is great for travel when you don't need much and you want your hands free.  If you're looking for a good crossbody bag, check out the following!

Top Row (Left to Right): Rebecca Minkoff Aime bag, Strathberry East/West (the actual bag Meghan is carrying!), Kate Spade Watson Lane, A New Day Zip-Top Crossbody (GREAT PRICE)

Bottom Row: Quilted Crossbody, BP Foldover Crossbody, Nylon Messenger Bag, Rounded Saddle Crossbody

Do you have a favorite crossbody bag?  Will you be following this trend?  Let us know in the comments below!

TTO the Trend: Bright Lipstick

One beauty trend we've been noticing lately is bright lip color.  We tend to stick to more neutral lip color but we love the idea of taking a little beauty risk on color choice.  In fact, one of Jess's friends always rocks her brightest lip color on her most stressed out days, and she swears that it turns her day around.  If you're feeling bold and want to give this trend a try, check out some of these picks!

Top Row (Left to Right): Julep It's Whipped, ELF Velvet Matte Lipstick, Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color, Clinique Chubby Stick

Bottom Row: L'Oreal Pro Matte Gloss, L'Oreal Colour Rich Lipstick, Julep It's Balm

Do you rock bright lips?  If so, what's your favorite shade?  Let us know in the comments below!

Friday Pick-Six: 2/16/18

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

1.  Isn't this zodiac sign bracelet cute?  It would be fun to wear your own sign, or to wear your sweetie or kid's signs.

2.  Are you guys watching the Olympics?  We had always been big Olympics fans, so we've been watching all week!  What are your favorite events?  We love figure skating!

3.  We found out this week that NARS is releasing a lip gloss version of Ry's favorite blush (Nars Orgasm).  Popsugar has swatches and they're goooooood!

4.  We've loved John and Sherry at Young House Love and their great DIY blog for years.  Jess also enjoys listening to their weekly podcast.  This week, they had a great post about the 10 items in their home that they've had for 10 years.  Lots of good investment pieces.

5.  We've been dreaming of a beach vacation, but sadly have nothing in the works.  If you're luckier than us, check out this adorable swimsuit at Target!  Great price, too!

6.  Have you ever had a favorite beauty product that you've used for a long time, but wondered about its shelf life?  This article tells you exactly how long you should keep each makeup product and why. Pretty sure this means it's time to buy a new mascara.

What are you loving and living for this week?  Anything fun planned for President's Day Weekend?  We both have short breaks from work, so we're looking forward to a little relaxation!  Enjoy it and catch you guys next week!

TTO the Trend: Matte Black for the Home

We are always trying to track the latest trends for fashion, beauty and home.  Lately, a lot of places have been talking about the trend of incorporating home items in matte black.  It was even named a trend of the year on Popsugar.

If you're looking to incorporate matte black around your house, try some of these products!

Top Row (Left to Right): Guthrie Coffee Table,  Monte Carlo Vase,  Stoneware Serving Dish,  Table Clock

Bottom Row (Left to Right): Kitchen Aid Mixer, Toaster,  Suitcase, Coffee Mug

Do you plan to incorporate matte black into your home decor?  If so, let us know how in the comments below!

New Target Beauty Finds

As you know, one of our favorite places in the world is our local Target!  On a recent trip, we were super impressed with all the new products in the beauty department!  How about this stuff?!

Top Row (Left to Right): 3-way mask, body wash, sleeping mask, resurfacing mask, body spray

Bottom Row (Left to Right): Cleanse oil, Coconut scrub, eau du perfume, red wine mask

Have you tried any of these new products?  Anything else great you've spotted out at Target lately?  Let us know in the comments below!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

Hey all, it's Jess.  What is it about baking and snowy weather?  I always feel like I need to bake cookies when I see a snow storm coming on and last week was no exception.  I decided to make a family favorite, chocolate peanut butter chip cookies.  If you like a Reese's peanut butter cup, then these are the cookies for you!

You just need a few ingredients:

Most of these things are ingredients we always have on hand.  The only real specialty ones you'll need are the peanut butter chips and the unsweetened cocoa.  We actually always keep the latter around.  You need it for No-Bakes and it also makes the best homemade hot chocolate!

As with most cookies, you'll mix your dry ingredients and cream the butter and sugar together.

Add the eggs and vanilla and beat the butter mixture.  I always crack my eggs into a separate bowl and and whisk them first before adding them to the butter.  Once your mixture is smooth, SLOWLY add your dry ingredients.  I say SLOWLY because even on my mixture's lowest setting, I had cocoa powder all over myself and my kitchen!  Try pulsing the mixture a bit at a time and then add speed as it gets mixed in.  Finally, add in your peanut butter chips!  You'll want a whole bag here, well, if you're like me the amount is a bag of peanut butter chips minus several preschooler-sized handfuls.

Scoop them out onto a tray and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.  They'll be little soft on top when you take them out.  Let them set up on the tray for a minute or two before cooling them on a wire rack.  You can bake them all off, or scoop and freeze some.  This time, I did about half and half, which gave me 2 dozen in the cookie jar and 2 dozen in the freezer.

And there you are!  The perfect cookies for a lazy Snow Day!

They'd be perfect as a Valentine's Day treat, too!  Give these cookies a try and let us know what you think!  Happy baking!