#MoveChallenge in March

It is time to announce the #MoveForMarch Challenge! We have loved doing monthly challenges in 2019. They motivate us to try something new for around 30ish days and see if it sticks! In January we did the #GetReadyChallenge where we got ready every day of the month – even Saturday! Why? Because studies show that you are more productive throughout the day if you just get ready or presentable. We found this to be quite true. Once you got getting ready out of the way you are ready to move onto bigger and better things throughout your day. In February we did the #MakeYourBedChallenge. There are books written about the daily practice of making your bed. We knew we wanted to incorporate this habit into our daily routine so we gave it a go. We loved the result of a clean and tidy bedroom! We also loved seeing so many of you tag us in your #MakeYourBedChallenge pictures!

For March we wanted to yet again do something that would be stimulating and motivating and we decided it was to MOVE our bodies! We both exercise regularly, but this month we plan to try new workouts, do new activities with our toddlers, and hopefully get active outside in the Spring weather.

So what classifies “move”? That is up to you. If you decide to do 100 squats in your kitchen while making dinner that is awesome! If you decide to take the stairs at work every day instead of the elevator that is great too!

We are looking forward to hearing everyone’s ideas and sharing them in the Twin Tested community.

Thank you for participating in our challenges so far this year. It is so fun to do something as a collective group and see great results!

You can expect to see some killer workout gear deals, our favorite fitness gurus, and some tips for finding motivation throughout the month of March.

Here we go!

Why You Should Make Your Bed

Now that the February #MakeYourBedChallenge is wrapping up we wanted to recap some favorite items that we found and why we are dedicated to this new habit!

Good sheets are everything! Cariloha has seriously been a game changer in our marriage. They are the perfect amount of soft yet incredibly breathable. We honestly refuse to use any other brands because Cariloha’s are made from bamboo and feel super soft against the skin. Freshly shaved legs and Cariloha sheets are a match made in bedroom heaven! When we are on vacation it is always surprising to see how rough hotel sheets can feel. We recommend that white color for the Cariloha sheets because it always looks crisp and fresh. If there is one thing you do for your room, this should be it!

Make a “pillow agreement” in your relationship to keep the peace. This means you decide together how many pillows you would both like to have on your bed. In a poll that we took during the challenge, we found the highest number of pillows on a bed is 17! Now that is impressive. Talk to your partner about how many pillows they are REALISTICALLY willing to put on the bed each day. You know we appreciate a good decorative pillow but 17 may be pushing it!

*picture via Domino Mag

Get the right comforter, duvet, or quilt for your bed. We have tried all three and had been hearing amazing things about the Cariloha duvet. Since we already love their sheets and trust their products we gave it a try and we have LOVED it! Just like the sheets the duvet is silky soft and made from bamboo. You’ll notice I keep using the word breathable but all of their products are which is a top priority for me because no one wants to be sweaty in bed. ewwww.

*picture via Domino Mag

It makes your room more romantic and cozy. We purposely scheduled this for the same month as Valentine’s Day… haha but really a bed looks much more tempting when it is made properly with fresh sheets.

pic via Minky Couture

Minky Couture Grande blankets are the pretty version of the weighted blanket. As longtime fans of Minky’s blankets, we both have them in every room of our house (even the nursery). They have a nice, thick, weight to them and are the absolute coziest blankets you will ever find. They are also machine washable which is vital when you live with a toddler! I highly recommend the Grande blanket for every master bedroom out there. It looks pretty as a decorative piece but feels even better! Speaking of Grande blankets go check out our Instagram post to be entered to win your very own!

Cute pajamas. At the ripe old age of 30, I decided to finally get a pair of matching pajamas. They are from Cariloha and as mentioned above, they are breathable. I’m the type that puts on my jammies at 7pm, so these are the greatest because even if someone stops by, I still look put together in these. You can find them here.

Hopefully, you have enjoyed the challenge this month, we can’t wait to share what we have in store for March!

A fun Valentine’s gift that we are positive you have never tried before

This Valentine’s Day we wanted to do something a little different and caring is sharing, right? Well, we found a last minute gift that might just make you the coolest spouse around. Strap on your seatbelts for this one… it’s massage oil!!

Now before you think we are going to get all weird, hold on. This set is actually pretty cool and unique because you drip the oil from a CANDLE! What?! We know it sounds dangerous and painful but it is really quite simple and easy to use.

So the way it works is, you light the candle and then drizzle the desired amount on your hands or your partners back. You might stop reading here and say NO WAY, I am not pouring hot oil onto MY HANDS. Which is totally understandable. That’s why we have a few takeaways for ya!

Anyways, here are the takeaways:

– Only use a small amount of the melted massage oil, a couple of drops go a long way.

– By ensuring that you only use a small amount you will not burn your hands to a crisp, so win/win.

– When the candle is burning it has a light and fresh scent that is not at all overpowering.

– All natural essential oils and ingredients are the only things in the candle. No weird chemicals or anything like that so you don’t have to worry if you have sensitive skin or are worried about what you are putting on your body.

– And the best part – no weird residue. The essential oils naturally melt into the skin so that it is super soft and moisturized afterward. Not sticky or covered in waxy residue.

Some different uses we have heard of being used for the candle:

* couples massage

* pregnant belly moisturizer (one girl claims it prevented her from getting stretch marks)

* foot rub

We found ours at a local market in SLC, UT (jenibeemarket if you are local!). But if you are not local and want to get one shipped by V-day this one on Amazon looks pretty much identical and this one can be primed if you are a procrastinator. If you are ordering the candle you might as well go ahead and get some petite sour gummy hearts to go with it! These are our very favorite, if you are local you can get them at Jolley’s Gift and Floral in Sugar House.

Happy Valentine’s Day one and all!

Announcing the February #MakeYourBedChallenge

(photo via Domino mag)

Here it is, the February Challenge, make your bed every single day of the month and see what happens! After the #getreadychallenge in January, we wanted something a little less time consuming haha. No, but really we have heard great things from dozens of different people, books, and talks about making your bed every day. We are inviting everyone to join us this month to create a new habit. Not sure about you, but it is something that is definitely not happening every day at our houses. One of our favorite books on this topic is, “Make Your Bed” by former Navy Seal William H. McRaven. In the book, he talks about the importance of that one small task each day. He said it was one of the first things learned in military training and its something that has stuck. Of course being a Navy Seal he was constantly traveling and a lot of his life was unknown – except the fact that he could make his bed every morning.

One of the most poignant parts of the book is his description of being in charge of Saddam Hussein while he was under U.S. control. He said one of the most striking things about Hussein was the fact that he never made his bed, his covers were always crumpled on the floor.

To make the challenge more fun we are taking an entire bedroom approach. That means that we are freshening up our linens. Finding that perfect balance of pillows (zero, if our husbands have any say in the matter). And, last but not least creating a hygge space where we feel calm, peaceful, and cozy!

We will also be looking at different bedroom ideas for art and wall coverings. We want to see what YOU guys like your bedrooms to look like. It is always fun to get fresh ideas and incorporate them into your home.

So here we go! The February #makeyourbedchallenge is officially underway! Join us by tagging @twintested and the #makeyourbedchallenge so that we can repost our favorites!

Steal or Splurge: $50 vs. $10 Face Tanning Drops

If you go to your local Ulta store and look for face tanning drops, you will be hard pressed to find them. That’s because they are sold out! The Tan Luxe Illuminating Face Tanning Drops have become a huge hit and are now basically only available online. It’s because they actually work. Which is great, except for the $50 price tag. We found out that Ulta created their own version of the drops and decided it was time to compare the two.

What the tanning drops have in common:

Same oil in a dropper formula and bottle
You combine the drops with your moisturizer each night before bed
Easy to apply
No streaks or weird splotches, the color goes on very evenly
Does not cause breakouts

Tan Luxe Pros:

Very concentrated, you only need 1-2 drops
It lasts a very long time, even if you use it every single night
No foul smell
It works! You wake up with a face that has natural color and looks like you got a great spray tan

Ulta Tanning Drops Pros:

The price! $10!
No foul smell
Very subtle color, natural looking

We’ve been using both for several weeks and can honestly say they both work! So, some advice. If you are just dipping your toe into the world of self tanners, we suggest trying the Ulta brand. If you are picky about what you put on your face and have tried lots, we suggest Tan Luxe simply because it’s more concentrated and will give you a deeper color. We love other Tan Luxe products and regularly use them on our bodies for self tanning.

Here are links to all products mentioned above:

Tan Luxe Illuminating Tanning Drops $49

Ulta Illuminating Tanning Drops $10.99

Tan Luxe Body Tanning Mist $49

What outfits to wear in family photos

It can be overwhelming to decide what your family members will wear in photos. I want to lay out a few guidelines that help me keep things streamlined for family photos each year.

Start with one color

As an easy go-to, I always start with a base of navy blue pieces. After talking to dozens of photographers over the years, the majority have shared that navy blue looks the best in photos. Gotta go with the pros.

Start to layer in accent colors

After you have decided on your navy blue base it is time to start layering in accent colors. Depending on the time of year you may want to go with pastels or bold colors. It is up to you!

Don’t forget the neutrals

You can’t go wrong with neutrals and navy blue as your family photo colors. This year I chose a pretty neutral palette and found a warm, fuzzy, gray coat that I loved. We wanted Lila to be the star of the show in a mustard yellow pea coat! Neutrals can bring warmth to your photos.

Consider the venue

Consider the venue when you are putting together everyone’s outfits. We have taken our family photos in fall foliage, at home, at a pretty park, and this year we went with a Christmas tree farm. The Christmas tree farm felt festive and was perfect for our holiday card.

When in doubt, ask your photographer

If you just cannot decide what to wear in family photos – ask your photographer for suggestions! They have seen many family portraits and will have a great idea of what looks best.

Think outside the box

Ali Anderson Photography took our photos, she is really wonderful, ESPECIALLY with toddlers which is not an easy task! We took our Christmas card photos at a tree farm in Alpine, Utah. If you look up “tree farm photos” you will be barraged with red and green plaid. Now I am not hating on red/green plaid because it is timeless and festive. However, we did something a little more unexpected and I love how it turned out.

For Lila’s look:

We wanted Lila to be the focus of our pictures this year (proud first-time parents what can I say?) I stumbled upon a mustard yellow pea coat at Target! I immediately loved the color and knew it would pop in the photos. Plus, the cape is removable so we opted to take it off since it looked a little bulky on her. This coat is similar and a gorgeous color, but you can’t beat the $26 price tag on this one. Her shoes are Freshly Picked and she wears this mary jane style. They really are the only shoes that do not slip off her feet and they are SO cute!

For Parker’s look:

We kept it pretty simple. He loves a good half-zip sweater so we found one in classic navy, our base color, that he loved. This one is similar. We felt like a coat on him would like too heavy and bulky for the photos. As for his pants, we went with the classic khaki chino. These are similar, and if your guy likes to golf they can also wear them on the golf course. His shoes are a great staple to have in your closet. You can find them here.

For my look:

I found the coziest hybrid jacket/sweater, but it is now sold out. However, I did find this one with the same sort of look. I wore my favorite jeans from Banana Republic. These ones are similar. I topped it with the striped top because I felt like it helped to tie Parker and Lila’s looks all together. The top I have is sold out but this is a similar one with collar detail! For footwear, I went with my everydayblack booties from Nordstrom and they are my winter staple! I honestly wear mine every day in the cooler weather because they can be dressed up or dressed down.

Tried and True Family Picture Rules

Do you guys have any rules you follow when it comes to family photos? Our photographer Ali went above and beyond to keep Lila smiling in the cold weather. We brought Lila’s favorite toy, a little stuffed animal cat, and as long as Ali was holding it by the camera Lila kept smiling!

Don’t be too matchy-matchy

Try not to fall into the trap of being too matchy-matchy when it comes to family pictures or you could end up looking like those all denim nightmares from the eighties! As long as the outfits complement one another, you are good to go!

Check out our other photography tips

First up, our most popular blog post of all time: Couple Photos Do’s and Don’ts. Britt and Sam show couple poses to try and the poses to avoid! This is perfect if you have engagement or wedding photos in your future.

Next up, Family Photo Do’s and Don’ts. We had so much fun doing this photoshoot where we show poses that work and poses that should be avoided at all costs. Skim through if you need some ideas for your family photos!

And last of all, our Photography Tips From the Pros. Jessica Janae is a bombshell and taught us some tried and true poses and tricks to do in front of the camera. Hint hint, don’t do the head tilt!

Hopefully, these tips can help you achieve the family pictures that you are dreaming of! If nothing else, have fun! It shows through the photos if you are really enjoying yourself. Best of luck!

Hazel & Lila are ONE!

Just for the fun of it, we are posting a little bit about what our babies are like right now so that we never forget.

Hazel is:

Walking everywhere (like so fast I can barely catch her!)
Saying a couple of words “hello”, “Lila” and “Dada”
Has four teeth, two on the bottom and two on top that just came in
Loves food! Oddly enough I think her favorite thing to eat is chicken
Loves to play with the hose and in water of any kind
Loves to give real kisses and blow kisses
Not the best sleeper – still wakes up a lot in the night
Knows how to wave and sign “more” and “all done”
So determined!
Hilarious and makes us laugh about a million times a day
Snuggly – she still loves to cuddle and it’s the best thing in the world

Lila is:

the happiest baby on the block
life of the party – loves being around people
almost walking, but is a very sassy crawler
says lots of words like “bubbles”, “Hi”, “Buh-bye”, Dada, Mama, Woof Woof and more
loves to eat
So sweet and happy
Has 6 teeth – 4 on top, 2 on bottom
Constantly giggling and making everyone around her smile

Lila’s 1st year and what I have learned about being a mom

Labor Day 2017 I was floating in the lukewarm water of the neighb0rhood pool, finally letting my joints feel relief from my large belly that was due with a baby girl that very day. Little did I know, later that night I would be having our baby girl. After returning home from the pool I realized the slight trickle of water down my leg was not from the pool water in my swimsuit and that my water had broken. At that very moment, I remember getting into the shower and tears streaming down my face because of the unknown that lay ahead. Giving birth for the first time is a life-changing, gigantic experience. But the fact that I got a little brunette with sparkling eyes that crinkle when she smiles makes every discomfort and pain worth it.

Now that Lila is a true one-year-old I wanted to share a few of her favorite things and what has helped me the most this year. (Besides grandmas and a twin sister going through the exact same thing at the same time!)

Wubbanub: If your baby takes a binky, these are hands down the best! Lila loves the elephant that is attached to hers and it is pretty much the cutest thing ever to watch her fall asleep stroking the ears with her tiny fingers. (Now I am starting to face the fact that she cannot have a binky forever and need a game plan for getting rid of it…)
A set of her own keys: My mother-in-law is a genius and got together all of her old keys and keychains, sanitized them, and then gave them to Lila. This way she has her own set of “real” keys to hold while I do everyday tasks like locking the door, starting the car, etc. without a fight.
Minky Couture blankets: They are super cozy and soft, but most importantly MACHINE WASHABLE! There is nothing sweeter than a babe fresh from the bath cozied up in her Minky. (I might just have a giveaway coming up on Instagram this week so pay close attention!)
A gym pass: Britt and I do a gym swap at Xcel Fitness each morning where we take turns with the girls to attend a workout class. Whether it is High Fitness or Reformer Pilates it has been a lifesaver to feel that part of my pre-mom self. I am happier because I get that moment to myself each day and I feel zero guilt about it because Lila is playing with her cousin. Plus, who says the gym isn’t a social event?! I have made some great friends there!
Fun clothes, okay these are not necessary but dressing a baby girl is FUN! I can’t get over these striped jumpsuits, and you shouldn’t either because they are $6.00!

Finding out our heritage (and if we are really identical twins) with AncestryDNA

Our birthday month continues and we just keep on celebrating! We wanted to do something significant for our 30th so we reached out to AncestryDNA. We are lucky enough to have them headquartered nearby in Lehi, Utah. More than 10 million people have taken AncestryDNA and uncovered something new about themselves. Pretty cool, right? We wanted to learn where our family really came from and if our results would match up.

Prior to our visit to the Ancestry offices, we took the “AncestryDNA test”. They make it very simple by mailing you a clear tube that you spit into and then ship back to them. That’s it! By far the easiest test we’ve ever taken! Your results are then processed and AncestryDNA’s cutting-edge science compares your DNA to people all over the world. The neat thing about Ancestry is the focus they put on technology. Everything you are seeing in your results is the latest, absolute most accurate and up to date information. You can view all of your results online, which makes everything so convenient and easy. Our mom was the one who gave us the idea after doing her own AncestryDNA test. She loved it and encouraged the rest of the family to take their own. After going over her results, we knew we wanted to do it.

When we arrived at the Ancestry offices we had two big questions:

Are we really identical twins with matching DNA?
Where did our family come from?

Family Historian Lisa Elzey was kind enough to guide us through our results. She dropped several bombshells while taking us through our results. She told us that we are indeed identical twins, but our results did differ slightly, which was very surprising! She also took us through hundreds of years of our family’s history and migration, which was absolutely fascinating!

We found out that more than half of our ethnic makeup is from England and Wales. We were raised thinking that we were predominantly Scottish, so it was all very eye-opening. The most surprising ethnicity found was the fact that we are both 10% Swedish! It was so nice having Lisa there to explain the how and why of each of our numbers and percentages. The website is super interactive so you can dig as deep as you want into your heritage. You can watch our full reaction in the video at the bottom of this post.

If Lisa looks familiar, it’s because she is the family historian that has worked on many of the celebrity cases on the television show “Who Do You Think You Are?”. She said working with famous people is fun, but she has realized something – we are all just people who want to know who we are and where we came from.

We think everyone should take the test! There is something so grounding about looking into history and learning about the names, faces and stories of your family members. We are so grateful we had this amazing opportunity! Huge thanks to the team at Ancestry for partnering with us. Now we need to go work on our family trees.

If you want more information about getting your own AncestryDNA test, go here.

A GRAND 30TH!

When I started thinking about mine and Britt’s 30th birthday I knew I wanted to do something special. Since having babies, Britt and I often talk about the luxury it would be to go to a hotel for one night, no babies, and sleep in our own fluffy beds without worrying about waking up with a baby. I decided I wanted to make this a reality for our birthday, selflessly or not haha! I immediately knew that The Grand America would be the perfect venue to make us feel pampered and doted on for our little getaway. To make things extra special I put a little bug in the staff’s ear that it was our 30th birthday and that I would be surprising Britt. Of course, they came through 1000%!!! We were upgraded to the Executive Suite which is just pure heaven and so spacious. It has been SO hard to keep the getaway a surprise from Britt but it made the moment I told her that much more special! And yes, her eyes glistened a little as she thought about a full night’s sleep in her own quiet room after taking care of a sick baby all week.

To make things even more fun the staff had a personalized chocolate mousse birthday cake waiting for us in the suite! (Go to La Bonne Vie and try it immediately, so decadent and fluffy!)

All-in-all the weekend was picture-perfect.

Here are some insider recommendations for making the most of your weekend stay at The Grand America:

Let the staff know what you are celebrating! They are incredibly accommodating and can point you in the right direction whether that is a spa day or breakfast buffet in the Garden Cafe.
Speaking of the breakfast buffet – don’t miss it! This is fine dining at a really fair price point. You have your choice of everything from cronuts to savory cheese crepes. Being that breakfast is our favorite meal of the day we were in heaven.
Make time to relax by the pool. The gardens surrounding the pool area are manicured to perfection and the setting is ideal for a fun beach read on your Kindle under one of the bungalows. The staff makes you feel extra special by bringing around little snacks every hour or so ranging from frozen grapes to mango smoothies. We also snacked on their queso and pico de gallo dip which we highly recommend. Next time we have a goal to try the gourmet popsicles that are made on-site.
If you are staying without kids or babies check out The Grand Spa. It occupies 4-stories of the hotel and is on a completely different level than any other spa on earth. You can experience the relaxation rooms, 360 waterfall showers, and hot tub area. And once the clock strikes 9 pm the area is strictly 18 and up if you are looking for some peace and quiet.

Whether you are looking for a girlfriends getaway or want to surprise your spouse with a night away this is the place to do it. Thank you to everyone at The Grand for helping us ring in our 30th right! Here’s to the best year yet!

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