We Tried It: The 30 Minute Morning Routine for Working Moms

Madeline Bachelder
Mar 30, 2016

We’re all familiar with the morning scramble, aren’t we? You know, that constant compromise between getting everything — and everyone — ready to go and hitting that snooze button *one* more time? Well, with the help of OXO, we may have found a solution: a 30 minute morning routine that will have you and your family dressed, fed and out the door while getting a touch more beauty rest, too. It involves these five hacks to expedite the family’s morning routine:

Key to this routine are OXO’s super smart Barista Brain 9-Cup Coffee Maker and Conical Burr Grinder, two machines that will make the day’s first cup a cinch to brew without compromising quality. The 9-Cup Coffee Maker takes the guesswork out of preparing your coffee by regulating time, temperature and volume, and the Conical Burr Grinder’s built-in digital scale will measure the precise amount of coffee grounds needed, every time. For both, all you need to do is push a button. Both products are part of OXO’s latest genius campaign: They’re all about testing their products on people — real people — with different preferences and skill sets to build truly useful tools that will make everyday living easier.

Meet Cameron

We enlisted Cameron Rivinus, Brit + Co’s VP of Commerce and mother of two, to test this morning routine for a week and *really* see if it works. (Thanks, Cameron!) Scroll on to see how it unfolded!

Hack #1: Make Coffee with OXO’s 9-Cup Coffee Maker + Conical Burr Grinder

First up: Use OXO’s genius products for your morning cup of joe. Before waking up her baby boy, Ned, and four-year-old daughter, Frankie, she ground fresh beans and brewed coffee — some to sip on while getting ready and some for the road.

Here’s Cameron’s Verdict: “Having a moment to myself with a fresh cup of coffee was a delightful pick-me-up. I normally get coffee on my way into work, but having a cup at home gave me an earlier perk and is more cost effective. OXO’s coffee maker and grinder are great for a working mom because they make it so easy for you to get a perfect cup, and the coffee maker has a programmable timer so that you can have your coffee ready for you in the morning. They are also easy to clean and have counter appeal — Frankie even commented that she liked the new coffee maker better than the old one because it was silver and shiny!”

Did this hack expedite her morning routine? Yes!

Cameron said that using the Conical Burr Grinder was very intuitive — she simply poured beans into the hopper, set the number of cups, adjusted the grind size and strength to her preference and pressed the button. Moments later, the exact amount of ground coffee she needed was weighed and ready to go.

Cameron poured the grounds into the coffee maker, added water, selected the number of cups she wanted to brew and pressed the button. As she continued to get ready, the water was transported to the brew basket in measured cycles, including a pre-soak cycle so the coffee grounds could bloom. Minutes later, she had a pot of perfect coffee.

Hack #2: Make Overnight Oatmeal

Next up, the ever-trendy overnight chia seed oatmeal. There are tons of variations of this, but we went with Cameron’s favorite combo: raspberries and vanilla.

Ingredients:
— ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats

— ½ cup Greek yogurt

— ½ cup almond, coconut or regular milk

— ½ cup fresh raspberries

— 1 Tablespoon raspberry preserves

— ½ Tablespoon chia seeds

— ½ Tablespoon vanilla extract

As we mentioned, this recipe can be customized tons of different ways. For instance, you could swap the raspberries and preserves for your own favorite fruit or add cinnamon and nuts.

Add all dry ingredients to a sealable glass container (we’re using OXO’s leakproof SNAP Glass Food Storage Containers) or mason jar, then add the yogurt, milk and raspberry preserves. Stir well, top with fresh raspberries, then seal. Let sit in your fridge overnight, then eat in the morning!

We had Cameron make this recipe at home. Here’s her response: “I personally really liked this recipe. But when making breakfast the night before, you need to make sure it’s something that your kids will want to eat. I made the mistake of trying something without testing it with my daughter first. It did not go over great — so I had to make a second breakfast. I went back to a breakfast egg muffin hack that I have used in the past. The best part of that is that you make a bunch in advance so then you have to pull them out of the fridge or freezer instead of having to make a new breakfast every night.”

Did this hack expedite her morning routine? Kind of! It was a good breakfast hack for grown-ups, but not so much for kids.

Hack #3: Pack Lunches the Night Before

This is not a new concept, but it’s always talked about for a reason. Prepping lunches the night before frees up a solid ten minutes every morning. Let’s see what Cameron had to say about it!

Cameron’s Response: “Preparing the night before spilled into other areas of my life and made me a bit more organized overall! Mornings still are a bit of a scramble, but I found myself planning in other areas of my life which had made my mornings a bit more relaxed overall. I sometimes found it hard to take the time in the evening to prepare breakfast or pack lunch; however, I knew that it would help my mornings so it was worth prioritizing.”

Cameron used OXO’s On-the-Go Lunch Containers to pack her and Frankie’s lunches. The stackable containers keep different parts of the lunch separate so nothing becomes soggy, plus it has a leakproof seal.

Did this hack expedite her morning routine? Absolutely.

Hack #4: Choose Your Outfit the Night Before

We’re no strangers to this hack around here — in fact, our Creative Director Anj swears by it. But the real game changer is having your kiddos do it too!

Here’s Cameron’s Feedback: “BEST overall is having my daughter pick her clothes out the night before. She gets so into it and feels really proud and independent. This also spilled over into her wanting to do more — making her own bed AND making her own lunch. (Not necessarily time savers YET, but I love that she wants to take on some responsibility.)”

Do you have any tips to make these hacks even better? “Putting the kids’ shoes at the front door is a huge time saver!! Have your kid pick them out (with the outfit) the night before, and leave them at the front door with socks so that they’re ready to go.

Did this hack speed up her morning routine? Yes! This was one of the best time saving hacks she tried.

Hack #5: Have a Morning Playlist for the Kids

Rumor has it that music helps kids get ready faster. You can make getting ready a game: For example, when the song stops, her bed has to be made. By the time the playlist is over, you’ll for sure be out the door.

Did this work for Cameron and Frankie? “Having our playlist was a big help and got her to move a bit quicker in the morning! We found Katy Perry’s Firework and *anything* Taylor Swift especially motivating.”

Looks like Frankie definitely got her morning wiggles out!

The Verdict

It’s the moment of truth: Is the 30 minute morning routine feasible for working moms? While Cameron said these absolutely expedited morning prep with her kids, they didn’t take into account personal preparation time — like showering and beauty prep. We asked Cameron to elaborate:

“The most important change I made employing these hacks was to get myself as ready as possible before waking up Frankie… then I’d time myself to see how quickly I could get out of the house. 30 minutes from waking Frankie to walking out the door was definitely doable!”

Is this sustainable? Could you do this every weekday morning? “Yes! Most of these hacks we have incorporated into our evening and morning routine and I love the efficiency that they’ve created. Mornings have become a bit more fun, enjoyable and productive! Also, I’m having lots of fun with Frankie picking out my outfits for the next day. She is way into it!”

Do you have any other advice for speeding up your morning routine? “With kids, it’s all about motivation. It’s about testing things that work for them and sticking to it. Trying new hacks helped me to come up with other ideas to make sure that we can keep our mornings moving along.”

Thanks Cameron and family!

Will you be trying any of these hacks? If so, we’d love to see the results! Tweet your findings @BritandCo so we can hear about it!

This post is a collaboration with OXO.

Authored by: Maddie Bachelder
Production + Styling: Maddie Bachelder
Photography: Chris Andre + Cameron Rivinus

Run A Business In California? This Free Loan Tool Can Help You Grow

CA Small Business Loan Match
business loans

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Photo by RDNE Stock project

Wondering if you're eligible? Any business operating in the state of California, with 1 to 750 employees, is eligible. You just need to be a business entity (Sole Proprietor, LLC, Cooperative, Corporation, Partnership, S-Corporation, or Not-For-Profit), and operate in an eligible industry according to the 2022 NAICS codes (read: a legit business).

Here’s how it works:

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Most California Small Business Loan Match lenders are certified as Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), which means they offer competitive rates but specialize in helping borrowers who don’t meet the rigid lending criteria of traditional banks — for example, small businesses that have a lower credit score, a prior defaulted loan, or no up-front collateral. CDFIs specialize in helping people in lower-income communities too, and offer a much more flexible and affordable repayment plan than online lenders or Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) loans.

Check them out to help you grow your business, meeting our mission to help you succeed! Good luck!

Hero photo by Amina Filkins

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Jenna Bush Hager's Book Club Just Announced A Thoughtful Pick For May!

I've recently started sitting on my balcony in the morning to catch up on standout book club reads, and it's been so refreshing. Call me obsessive, but I just can't get enough of finding hidden gems that others — like Jenna Bush Hager — are reading. When she's not co-hosting TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, she's sharing her monthly book club picks on Read With Jenna and accompanying podcast!

Created by Hager in 2019, Read With Jenna features over 50 titles that Hager eagerly shares with other book lovers. She told The Today Show, "There's nothing like falling in love with a book," and I wholeheartedly agree. If you can't get enough of curating your own bookshelf, here are 25 standout reads from Jenna Bush Hager's book club.

May 2024

Real Americans by Rachel Khong

Real Americans is a beautiful story about identity, class, and more in America. It begins with Lily Chen falling in love with Matthew despite their different backgrounds. She's dealing with being an unpaid intern who's the child of someone who escaped Mao's Cultural Revolution while Matthew is the heir of a successful pharmaceutical company. Nevertheless, they somehow manage to fit together.

But, something happens in between the time they fall in love and the moment Lily's son Nick realizes his mom seems to be keeping something from him. She's never talked about his father and this has only piqued his curiosity even more.

The more he tries to find answers about his dad, the more Nick realizes there's not always a clear path to the past.

April 2024

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

What if you came home from work one day to discover you're married to a stranger and everyone knows but you? That's exactly what happens to Lauren and it confuses her because she's sure she'd remember getting married. Not only that, but she's apparently been married for a while. Everyone in her life knows and the life around her shows evidence that her marriage isn't a fluke. So why can't she remember it?

The answer to her question lies in the mysterious act that occurs in the attic. For some reason, it's become a place where she 'receives' new husbands and a brand new lifestyle. She starts to enjoy the newness of living different lives, but eventually she wonders if it's possible to find happiness in one of the realities she's being afforded.

March 2024

The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez

Debuting tomorrow, The Great Divide is a tale about the intersection of lives, compassion, and dedication. Set in Panama, the novel allows readers to form an intimate relationship with Omar, Ada Bunting, and John Oswald as they navigate circumstances that bring them together.

Despite his father's disdain for a new canal that's been commissioned to be built, Omar finds himself among one of the workers tasked with paving the way for it to exist. It's backbreaking work that takes a toll on him, but his weariness is comforted by Ada. Having seen firsthand how Ada cares for those who are fragile or sick, scientist John Oswald immediately enlists her help due to his wife being sick.

The Great Divide sweeps you into it's compassionate arms and has an ending that'll surely make your heart swell.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

To celebrate it's 40th anniversary, Jenna Bush Hager's book club has named The House on Mango Street as it's second pick for March! It's about Esperanza Cordero's desire to define who she is outside of what her Spanish culture has chosen for her. There's moments of sheer bliss that make heart-wrenching recollections easier to stomach, but Esperanza always finds a way to embrace how these things make her who she is.

February 2024

Good Material

Good Material is the new coming-of-age novel for adults who are still trying to figure out if they're adulting properly and revolves a series of events that makes main character Andy feel like he's down on his luck. From watching the breakdown of his longterm relationship to feeling like he's not growing as a comedian, it's clear that Andy is ready to do whatever it takes to become better in the love and career departments. But, is he truly ready to learn his life's lessons and will he be prepared for what happens next?

January 2024

The Waters

Trigger Warning: This novel contains graphic mention of animal cruelty.
The Waters is a gripping tale that involves Hermine "Herself" Zook's unmistakable way of healing others in Whiteheart, Michigan. However, she doesn't have the best relationship with her daughters and this makes for a complicated life when her granddaughter, Dorothy "Donkey" Zook" is left in her care.

Despite Donkey's desire to run free in Whiteheart, her family's past threatens to disrupt that and then some. Will she be able to understand what's threatening the community around her or history repeat itself? Find out when the book releases January 9, 2024.

December 2023

We Must Not Think of Ourselves

#ReadWithJenna announced its December pick yesterday and it's a historical novel that's sure to tug at your heartstrings. We Must Not Think of Ourselves follows Adam Paskow's journey as a Jew held captive by the Nazis. He later finds himself working alongside others who are committed to immortalizing history as it unfolds around them. Not without flaws, Adam unintentionally falls in love with Sala Wiskoff despite the latter being a married mother. This thrusts him into a world filled with complicated choices fueled by the need to survive and love.

Will his choices hinder those he's agreed to help or will he prove that taking risks is necessary for history to move forward? Pick up a copy of We Must Not Think of Ourselves to find out!

November 2023

The Sun Sets in Singapore

To help ring in a new month, Jenna Bush Hager's book club announced its November pick earlier today. Available for purchase tomorrow, The Sun Sets in Singapore introduces us to three women whose paths seem different at first glance. However, each of them have something that's lurking behind initial assumptions. As Dara, Amaka and Lillian find themselves 'lost' in Singapore's paradise, they begin to realize there is a such thing as too much tranquility - especially if it's disguised to hide life-altering truths. Will they be able to confront what they've escaped from or will it continue to follow them like shadows on a summer day?

October 2023

How To Say Babylon

Jenna Bush Hager's October pick is a tale of what happens when toxic traditional views begin to threaten a family's foundation. Young Safiya Sinclair must come to grips with her father's authoritative reign over her family, especially when she realizes her mother's only act of rebellion is making sure her daughters are educated. It's something that Sinclair allows to open her mind and set her free from her father's views.

A Woman Is No Man

Let your curiosity and assumptions about this book's cover introduce you to the journey of Deya. While she has her sights set on going to college and chasing her dreams, her strict grandmother is only concerned about Deya becoming someone's wife. Tradition seems to rule her life, and it's the last thing Deya wants. A random turn of events grants her wish and takes her on a journey of self-discovery where she learns what it means to be a woman whose voice is not only heard, but also respected.

Searching For Sylvie Lee

Families can carry hidden secrets that threaten to undo everything one knows once they begin searching for the truth. And this is exactly what happens when Amy rushes to find out what happened to her older sister Sylvie after her disappearance. With her confidence growing as she draws nearer to the truth, Amy is faced with the difficult task of seeing her family without rose-colored glasses and has to decide what that means for them as well as her.

Nothing to See Here

When Lillian drifts apart from her roommate and eventual friend Madison, she thinks nothing of it. That is until Madison begs her to help her caring for her stepchildren whose irritation manifests as fire. Over time Lillian is able to develop a beautiful relationship with the twins and learns the depths of her love are limitless.

The Girl With The Louding Voice

As she grows up in Nigeria, Adunni longs for a future that looks different from what she's always known. She goes to great lengths to figure out how to do so and this takes her down a path filled with sorrow and faith.

Valentine

When Mary Rose Whitehead finds young Gloria Ramirez on her doorstep, she quickly realizes a vicious act of brutality happened. Unfortunately, justice isn't swift and this leads Whitehead to take matters into her own hand.

A Burning

A Burning takes readers on a tale that intertwines the lives of three different people. Beginning with the public smear campaign of Jivan, readers are then introduced to a gym teacher whose ambitions cloud his judgment and a sweet, yet misunderstood soul who works to clear Jivan's name.

Friends and Strangers

Friends and Strangers follows Elisabeth and Sam as they navigate what it means to show up in the different seasons of their lives. They somehow form an unlikely friendship that's quickly threatened and leads to things that are hard to come back from.

Leaving The World Behind

When Amanda and Clay decide to take a breather from city life with their teenagers, they initially feel they're in for peace and quiet at the rural location they've chosen. Unfortunately for them, the owners of the home they're renting arrive in the middle of the night. It's a tale of wariness that spills over and it's up to the reader to decide if it's warranted or not.

White Ivy

People aren't always what they seem, and Ivy Lin is a prime example of this. She learns how to steal from her grandmother, and she doesn't stop until her mother decides enough is enough. After being sent to China, Ivy grows to become trustworthy and evens bumps into her former crush's sister. But, her past begins to haunt her and she finds out that some things are hard to forget.

What's Mine And Yours

Gee and Noelle's worlds collide when integration brings them together. Behind the scenes we find that their mothers — both with strong opposing views — are doing what they feel is best to prepare their children for a life in America. Each has their own reasoning even if it threatens to erase who their children truly are.

Good Company

Flora Mancini is forced to question the life she and her husband have built when she discovers he didn't actually lose his wedding ring years ago. It's enough to make anyone go mad, but she somehow works to piece together the puzzle to discover the truth and decide how to move forward.

Malibu Rising

Things reach a fever pitch in this tale about family secrets and longing. Each of the Riva siblings have their own ghosts and anticipation to look forward to as their famous summer party draws near. It's only a matter of time before things bubbling underneath the surface burst in front of everyone.

Hell of a Book

Hell of a Book is about an author who's being followed by an imaginary child and a Black boy named Soot. As the past and present collide, Hell of a Book somehow lives up to its name in a reckoning tale.

Bright Burning Things

Bright Burning Things sheds light on a former entertainers love for her son and struggle to part ways with drinking. It's a tale that's familiar to those who have parents who struggle with alcoholism and the pain it often inflicts.

Black Cake

With their mother's cryptic message and a family-long recipe involving black cake looming between them, brothers Byron and Benny must work together to learn more about her history. They also have to find a way to repair their relationship before everything that still ties them together is lost forever. Be sure to read Black Cake before it comes out on Hulu this November!

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Tova Sullivan has suffered two great tragedies in life — the death of her husband and her son's unsolved disappearance. When she befriends an octopus named Marcellus, he becomes determine to help her understand what happened to her son before evidence is completely lost at sea.

Check Out More Titles From Jenna Bush Hager's Book Club:

Images via Amazon

Which books are you adding to end-of-year reading list? Let us know in the comments and follow our Amazon Storefront for more of must read picks!
Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated.
Header image via Amazon.
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8 Social Media Hacks To Help Your Brand Stand Out, According To Our Social Media Pro

Adobe Express
creativity tool

Mallory Levy leads a busy creative life in NYC as head of social for Brit+Co. She wrapped 2023 with a dreamy forest wedding and bucket-list honeymoon to Australia and is back to work creating clever and often hilarious posts for our Brit + Co followers, from snappy recipe Reels to inspiring quotes to celebrity interviews and more. Where does she get her inspiration to bring you the best social content?

“I’m lucky to be within walking distance of world-class museums, theater, and cool events, like fashion week. The inspiration is endless!” she says. “Social media can get overwhelming at times, but I often come away feeling more inspired than anything else. It’s a great way to connect with other creators and find new inspiration, which fuels my creativity to deliver fresh, engaging social media content every day.”

Mallory’s secret to bringing her inspiration to life? She uses Adobe Express, the all-in-one AI content creation app, to ideate and design colorful and engaging content on-the-go. “The features on the all-new Adobe Express mobile app make editing and collaborating on projects easier than ever!” she says. “Because we’re a remote team, I’m very rarely at my desk, so being able to ideate and create, or make adjustments, when I’m out and about is truly game-changing.”

Adobe Express makes designing easy and fast for anyone – even if you’re not a pro – with thousands of beautiful, professionally designed templates and a massive selection of assets for your Instagram and TikTok content, flyers, logos, and more. Plus, Adobe’s Firefly generative AI technology, which allows you to create the perfect image, edit with ease, and generate and customize amazing text effects with styles or textures that really stand out. All these features are now available on the mobile app.

In this fresh, new Reel, Mallory shares a day in her colorful life as she creates standout visual assets for Brit+Co’s social channels using the generative AI features in the new Adobe Express mobile app. Check it out below!

What a fun, creative job, right? “My day-to-day is genuinely such a blast. I love having the creative freedom to run with my ideas and infuse some of my own humor and pop into our content,” says Mallory. “Most of my friends and family don’t believe that this is what I get to do every day!”

Looking to improve your social content game? Here are tips for saving time and making an impact on social media for your work, side hustle, or to build your personal brand.

1. Engage with your audience: Engaging your audience with content that resonates can lead to higher reach and visibility. Thanks to Mallory’s constant performance monitoring, we know our B+C follower loves to treat herself and her besties, she’s super creative, indulges in celebrity news (especially nostalgia TV), and gets joy from entertaining, travel, food, and decor. Knowing this, Mallory creates fun, interactive posts like polls and quizzes, and always keeps our content fresh and interesting using the massive library of fonts, photos, and design assets in Adobe Express.

“I’m always out and about filming fun content for TikTok and our other video platforms,” says Mallory. “Adobe Express makes it so easy to add clips, music, and captions (and record voiceovers!) so I can edit it all together in real time.”

2. Generate anything you can imagine: AI has become a powerful tool for content creators, helping them enhance their creative work and simplify tasks. Leveraging the right AI tools can help you work and create high-performing content faster! The new Adobe Express mobile app is packed with AI goodness that makes complicated tasks simple. For example, speech to animation lets anyone easily animate extraordinary characters using their own voice. Adobe’s Firefly generative AI, which is designed to be safe for commercial use, helps creators ideate, generate, and edit stunning images and turn text and headlines into attention-grabbing designs – all on-the-go and in just a few taps. And the Adobe Express Generative Fill feature even lets you insert, remove, or replace people, objects, backgrounds and more with just a description.

“The AI tools are fantastic,” says Mallory. “Even the most obscure ask in the Text-to-Image feature will yield dozens of options. My favorite hack is to include “hand drawn” or “illustrated” in the prompt box to get a more authentic/stylized result.”

3. Embrace trends: Hopping on social trends quickly can boost your visibility and relevance. Constant collaboration ensures our team is on top of what people are talking about – and Mallory takes that to social media to make sure our POV is part of the conversation. The ever-changing nature of marketing and social media can make it hard to keep up! With the Adobe Express TikTok Creative Assistant tool on the desktop version, you can easily ideate and search what’s trending, so you’re in-the-know and able to reach more followers and stand out with your creative take on the latest trends. Then head to the mobile app to quickly schedule or post the content directly to your necessary social platforms! More on that below.

4. Keep it short and sweet: Attention spans on social are short, so it's best to keep your content concise and to the point. Use clear and concise language and don’t be too fussy (sound like the real person you are!). Break things up with text with photos, emojis, and bullet points to make your content more scannable.

5. Create a consistent visual style: While our audience can have slight nuances across our social channels, Mallory makes sure our content is instantly recognizable. Using tools like brand kits in Adobe Express (shown below) can help you easily stay consistent and on brand, easily saving and applying colors, fonts, filters, and imagery to any asset to create a cohesive look and feel across assets – and in a fraction of the time.

6. Repurpose content: Repurposing our top-performing content into different formats or for different platforms helps stretch the impact of a post and helps us test performance. Sometimes a post that didn’t perform well in the past kills months later!

7. Schedule ahead: In today’s on-demand world, consistency is key to keeping your social audience engaged. Develop a content calendar and schedule posts in advance to ensure a steady stream of content. With easy-to-use tools like the Adobe Express Content Scheduler, you can quickly plan, preview, schedule, and publish in a few clicks to all your social media channels and on-the-go.

8. Leverage data: Use analytics tools to track the performance of your social media content and identify trends, patterns, and audience preferences. Analyzing data can help you achieve a successful content strategy and focus on creating content that inspires, delights, and keeps your audience coming back for more!

Download the all-newAdobe Express mobile app today to try out all the innovative and fun features, including Adobe Firefly generative AI—a one-stop shop for all your content needs!

Video Direction & Editing by Mallory Levy.

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11 Bathing Suit Brands Outer Banks Locals Swear By

Growing up on the Outer Banks means I've gone through my fair share of swimsuits. All it takes is one summer of surfing wipeouts, sun bathing, swimming, and hitting up the shops (because you really do everything in a bathing suit on the OBX) to know exactly which bathing suit brands are worth buying — and which are cheap enough to avoid forever. I took to social media to ask real Outer Banks locals which bathing suit brands they can't get enough of. Keep reading for all the details!

Target

Image via Target

I know y'all love Target just as much as I do — and along with their home decor, cute shoes, and comfy clothes, their bathing suit options are some of my friends' favorites. Target's got a ton of diverse and affordable swimwear options that is full of different styles, sizes, and prices. That means there's something for everyone! I'm obsessed with this Underwire Bralette Bikini Top and High Waist High Leg Extra Cheeky Bikini Bottom.

Aerie

Image via Aerie

Aerie is perfect for Outer Banks fans because it's one of the most-used bathing suit brands on the show! This store balances style with comfort and casual, and TBH half the swimsuits are cute enough to be tank tops. Their bathing suits will make you feel confident and add a pop of color to your summer wardrobe! This Smiley® String Triangle Bikini Top and Cheekiest Tie Bikini Bottom are a great place to start ;).

​Old Navy

Image via Old Navy

Old Navy is a great place to shop for affordable basics, and that definitely extends to swimsuit season. Their bathing suits come in a range sizes, and they're durable, classic, and super affordable (a lot of them are under $20!). They also have just enough Americana edge to live out your '00s rom-com dreams. I can't stop looking at the Zip-Front Bikini Swim Top and High-Waisted Bikini Swim Bottoms.

Body Glove

Image via Body Glove

Body Glove is one bathing suit brand that's just as functional as it is stylish, and it's also equal parts feminine and sporty for any gal who's always on the go. The Free Flow Eli One-Piece Swimsuitis one of my favorite suits because it's so colorful and it's also supportive, which you absolutely need when taking part in a treasure hunt.

AlySwim

Image via AlySwim

If you're looking for the true Outer Banks experience, then you should grab a suit made by someone who grew up there! AlySwim is totally customizable, and a lot of the suits are reversible so you get two looks for the price of one. With trendy patterns and vibrant colors, bathing suits like the Blue Hawaiian Eva Top and Bottoms will make a bold statement.

Rey Swimwear

Image via Rey Swimwear

The bathing suits from Rey Swimwear are as classy as they come, and it feels like there are endless options for colors, patterns, and silhouettes. There are also options for longer torsos, which is such a blessing for us #TallGirls. Sarah Cameron would be all over this Marie bathing suit!

More Bathing Suit Brands OBX Locals Love

Image via Kenny Flowers

Maaji is the thing of our '90s dreams, and each bathing suit will make you feel the summer magic we crave all year long. I love the Hot Magenta Adhara V Wire Bralette Bikini Top and Sublimity Regular Rise Classic Bikini Bottoms!

Left on Friday is for the minimalists. But just because the swimsuits are simple and elegant doesn't mean they're boring — and the asymmetrical silhouette on the Shoreline Suit proves it.

Kenny Flowers immediately reminds me of Palm Royale every time I look on their site because of the old school vibe and bright colors. I NEED the Acapulco Underwire Bikini Top and High Waist Bikini Bottom!!

Lime Ricki is the place to go if you're looking for modest swimsuits that will also turn heads all summer long. The bold prints and bright colors are both nostalgic and playful, and it's also a really accessible brand. Celebrate your individuality in a suit like the Shell Stripe Ruffle-Strap One Piece.

Korni Jeane lets you mix and match different vibes to create a bathing suit that's unique to you and your personal aesthetic. I'm confident Kiara would love this Bandeau Top and All Ruffled Up Bottoms.

Every cute bathing suit needs equally cute accessories so check out The 5 Most Comfortable Walking Sandals For Summer, Ranked next!

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead image via Kenny Flowers

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The Dunkin’ Summer Menu Just Dropped – See The New Lineup Here!

Another one of my favorite coffee chains’ summer menus just dropped, and I am ready to sip away! Rumors about the Dunkin’ summer menu were introduced by foodie inside source, @markie_devo last month, and it appears they were right.

The Dunkin’ summer menu got released on May 1 (just six days prior to the rumored Starbucks summer menu drop), and it looks way too yummy. I’ll have a hard time not ordering these tasty drinks and food items! Based on the success of the Dunkin’ spring menu, the new summer menu doesn't miss.

So, as things begin to heat up, let’s take a look at the *official* Dunkin’ summer menu. Here's what to order today!

When does the Dunkin' summer menu come out?

Image via Dunkin'

The Dunkin' summer menu came out on May 1, 2024.

Everything On The Dunkin' Summer Menu

NEW! Kiwi Watermelon Refresher

You'd think that this green drink would be matcha – but nope, it's the all-new Kiwi Watermelon Refresher! Based on the name, this drink mixes kiwi and watermelon for a super fruity and fresh sip. Dunkin' Refreshers are caffeinated with green tea, too, so some of the tea brew could shine through in the flavor. This sounds too good to not order on a sunny summer's day.

NEW! Vanilla Frosted Donut Signature Latte

Available to order hot or iced, this next drink is totally new to the Dunkin' summer menu. Their 'signature' lattes are often super sweet and topped with whipped cream and drizzle. This one will take on the flavors of a classic frosted donut, with rainbow sprinkles to boot. I simply need it now!

NEW! Blueberry Donut Coffee

Also available hot or iced, I expect the rumored Blueberry Donut Coffee to taste like a blueberry donut. Blueberry cake donuts are my absolute favorite kind, so it'll be interesting to see (and taste) how this sip lives up to the OG.

Lemonade

I find it a little odd that Dunkin' doesn't already serve lemonade, but summer seems like the perfect time to start doing so! Dunkin' will be making lemonade a permanent part of their menu on May 1. The last time they had lemonade was when they began serving the Dunkin’ Lemonade Refreshers in 2021, so it appears they're bringing it back for good.

You'll be able to order it on its own or inside their regular lineup of Refreshers (pictured above) – including the new Kiwi Watermelon one!

NEW! Green Goddess Dunkin’ Wrap

Now onto the food! The Dunkin' summer menu has three new snacks slated, and the first one is this wrap. The Green Goddess Dunkin' Wrap is made from scrambled egg whites, farro, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, crumbled feta cheese, green goddess sauce, and wrapped in a green lavash. It looks highly similar to the Spinach Feta wrap on the Starbucks breakfast menu! 👀

NEW! Watermelon Burst Classic Donut

I'm not so sure about this one. Watermelon and donuts don't ever cross paths in my mind, but you never know, it could be delish! This donut is filled with a watermelon-flavored cream filling. I need it now!

Chocolate Chunk Cookie

Chocolate Chunk Cookie – looks like a classic! Like the Chocolate Chip Banana Bread on the Dunkin' spring menu, this rumored item looks like a conveniently pre-packaged easy snack to enjoy on the road or during your lunch break!

All The Dunkin' Summer Menu Rumors

IG @markie_devo

Dunkin' fans sounded off in the comments of the summer menu rumors, sharing their thoughts about the new seasonal roster when it was leaked in April 2024.

Some Dunkin' diners aren't super thrilled with the snack selection on the leaked menu.

"Watermelon donut is wild," one person wrote. "They really need to do better with their food & snacks 😒," another said.

One user is disappointed that Dunkin' isn't doing anything overly innovative with their upcoming rumored summer menu.

"So basically blueberry and vanilla flavored coffees like they’ve had all along," they wrote. "Man they are really slacking on new flavors lately. So disappointing."

On the other hand, some Dunkin' sippers are interested in the more out-there flavors.

"Kiwi Watermelon refresher and Watermelon Burst donut both sound intriguing! Not going to lie!" one user said. "This menu isn’t bad at all I am glad they are bringing Lemonade back I love it," another echoed.

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Lead image via Dunkin'.

This post has been updated.

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