Happy Friday, friends! I always look forward to this post and this week’s questions were so fun. What are you guys up to this weekend? We are taking Charlie to an apple orchard/petting zoo this morning and I’m so excited (they have the bestttt donuts). He is going to love it! Then we are spending the weekend at my family’s lake house in Wisconsin. Be sure to follow along for some fall foliage/adventures on instagram. Now, on to this week’s questions…

When do you think Charlie will transition out of his crib? Thoughts on how you plan to introduce that?

Haha never. I want to cage that kid in for as long as possible. In reality, probably once he is around 2.5 years. I don’t know what the general census is with this but I feel like he will be trying to escape around this time. His crib has a convertible option so we are going to start there! Hoping that because it will still be the bed he is used to it will go smoothly but I have no idea.

Do you give Charlie any supplements/vitamins during cold season?

Not really. Charlie eats a lot of foods with Vitamin C and we diffuse oils (one of my favorites to fight off infection is On Guard!). Otherwise, not right now. 

I was wondering with baby #2 if there is anything that you will do differently than you did with Charlie as you look back at those early days. Obviously it will be different with two and every baby is different, but wondering if there is anything that you feel you have to repeat or change? 

Hm, such a good question! Honestly, no. I had some really hard days in the beginning but overall I’m really proud of how Dave and I decided to parent. The early days are kind of just survival mode. Some days are a hot mess and others you feel like superwoman. I think just doing what you feel is best for you and your baby is the best that you can do. Charlie was on a pretty strict sleep/eat schedule which I hope to incorporate (around 8 weeks) with baby #2 but I honestly feel like Charlie’s schedule will kind of rule ours so I don’t know how this will go. I think this baby boy will be forced to kind of go with the flow (maybe that means he will be more chill than Charlie!). 

What’s your advice for these early days? I’m on maternity leave and find myself getting bored and sometimes lonely. I love my little guy so much, but of course he sleeps a lot! I’m so used to being on the go all the time, so slowing down doesn’t come easy to me. We go on walks everyday and have done a few “errands”, but any advice you have would be great! 

I can relate! I felt the same way. I think a lot of it is letting go and just enjoying the ride. It’s easy for me to say this now because at the time I was a total control freak and itching to get out. But honestly, the early days go so fast and you never get them back. I wish I had let myself chill out more in the early days with Charlie. That being said – lots of walks, lots of Netflix, trips to my favorite coffee shop, we would venture out to music class or Whole Foods (basically just for my sanity to feel like I was around other moms) or I would wear Charlie and I would sit and get a manicure. But ultimately, it’s a lot of time at home so I would just enjoy it because I promise you’ll miss it when it’s gone!

I am taking new headshots at work in a few weeks and am struggling to find ‘the perfect top’ to wear. I’m a designer so it’s encouraged to wear something that shows your personal style (ie. creative casual, if you will), but I don’t want something too trendy as it will be my headshot for a few years. The only caveat is I have very dark, almost black, hair so black tops are out, as my hair blends into them in photos. Would love any ideas you have!

I think this blouse in the floral or pomegranate print would be beautiful! I also love this ruffle burgundy top and you can’t go wrong with a pretty blush top.  

With your job you must have so many clothes! How do you decide what to keep and what to purge? Is it an ongoing process or do you wait and do a big clean out all at once? Also, what do you typically wear on the days you don’t have a photo shoot or anywhere to be?

It’s definitely an on-going process. I usually try to give something away every time I purchase something new. If an item hasn’t been worn in a year – it is donated. If an item has gotten too much wear (is pilling, has snags, is looking too worn) – it is donated. As I’ve gotten older I feel like there are things that I just no longer consider my style or are too occasion focused and I usually donate those, too. My sister typically gets the benefit of my hauls but once in a while I’ll sell items. On a typical day I’m in jeans and a tee. Lately it has been leggings and a tee and a long cardigan. 

My boyfriend’s mother is getting married in December at a golf club in Florida — I’m a NYer and I am used to the way weddings are here, attire, etc (usually black tie/fancy)…I have NO clue what to wear to a Florida wedding, at a golf course, 3 days before Christmas?! I’m usually good with picking the proper attire, but completely at a loss here…any suggestions welcome!

I would go with something classic and then play it up with some accessories. I feel like you have to play into the holiday theme a bit! I wouldn’t worry about it being Florida. Those tropical vibes don’t necessarily imply when it is technically winter (and probably a little cooler than you expect it to be). Here are a few suggestions: this off the shoulder maxi, this little red dress, this dress is so classic and you can’t go wrong with this lace midi dress. 

I am looking for a good looking backpack that could hold a computer as well as other essentials. I have great tote bags but sometimes I just have too much to carry and think a backpack would be better. Ideally something stylish, but functional. Any suggestions?

I love a good Herschel backpack! I’ve also heard amazing things about the Tumi backpacks for the workplace. I also like this Marc Jacobs option and this Kate Spade option. 

I recently found out I was pregnant with baby 2 and like you, I have a very active boy who keeps me busy. I usually find myself picking at leftovers and barely finding time to eat a real breakfast or lunch throughout the day. What do you do for quick/healthy breakfast/lunches for yourself during pregnancy? 

Such a struggle! My typical breakfast is either a smoothie (usually almond milk, almond butter, frozen berries, frozen bananas, spinach, flax seed, chia seeds, cinnamon) that I make for Charlie, too OR I’ll do some greek yogurt with slivered almonds, fresh berries and cinnamon OR I love taking a cinnamon sugar rice cake, top with almond butter and bananas. For lunch I will do some deli turkey on romaine lettuce leaves with mustard and cheese, an apple with almond butter or some sort of salad.

My boyfriend and I have our second wave of weddings this coming year and so far it is looking like we will be attending 9 by next October! I have a few go to dresses and have used Rent the Runway in the past, but since we have a range of cocktail to black tie, I wanted to see what your favorite dresses for weddings are that aren’t too expensive. Would love options where I could accessorize differently, so it doesn’t look like I am wearing the same dress all the time.

I tend to find my favorite party dresses at ASOS, Shopbop, BHLDN and Club Monaco and since you are hoping to re-wear some of these I would stick to a simple color palette. I love this classic black midi dress, this pretty pink lace dress, this dress would be perfect for a winter/fall wedding, you can’t go wrong with this classic silhouette (on sale!), and I love the neutral color of this dress. 

Have you ever had to deal with Charlie hitting?  My 16-month-old son hits me, my husband, and my mom in the face when he is excited or upset.  He is otherwise a very happy and sweet child.  Any advice is appreciated!

Charlie doesn’t hit but he does kick and pull hair when he gets frustrated. I actually just had this conversation with a friend about the best way to react and we’ve found that what works best for us is ignoring Charlie and then reprimanding him for what he did once he has calmed down. All he wants is attention for whatever is frustrating him and I think it’s hard when they aren’t completely talking yet and there is a lack of communication (at least for us). At this point we have thought about instituting time out’s but we think Charlie would think it was a game. Teaching a child is tough! Especially at this age. 

What are some of your go to brands for long tops and tunics?  I am going to be in my third trimester soon and don’t want to buy “maternity” tops if I don’t have to since this will most likely be my last pregnancy.  I live in Florida so I don’t need too thick of tops.

I LOVE this Halogen tunic and these luxe Old Navy tunics (both non-maternity). I have at least three of each and I love that they cover your butt in leggings! The perfect layering tee’s. 

This past summer you posted on Insta Stories a video of a shrimp marinade that you raved about!! I can’t remember what it was! Can you share?

Yes! It’s the easiest appetizer. Take a pound of cooked, de-veined shrimp and put it in a large ziploc bag. Pour in a jar of giardiniera and add the juice of 2 limes. Mix together and let marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours (at least, you can do overnight, too!). Pour entire bag into a casserole dish and serve with toothpicks. So easy and delicious! My mom calls it jalapeño shrimp. 

What are some of your favorite “guilty pleasure” things to bake?

All of the baked goods! Blueberry muffins, pumpkin bread (Trader Joe’s Gluten Free mix is the bestttt, better than the regular!), chocolate chip/peanut butter cookies, banana bread. I don’t necessarily bake these but if I could eat a croissant with my coffee every single morning, I would (with a side of nutella).

If you don’t mind my asking, what does Dave do? It’s awesome that you’re both entrepreneurs!

Dave started a company called Safe Charge. It is a secure cell phone charging station, usually found in bars/restaurants (but you can see it in places like Wrigley Field, casinos in Las Vegas, NFL stadiums, etc.) where your credit card is the key and you can safely lock your phone away to charge while you’re out and about. They are in a ton of spots around Chicago but also all around the US! 

What’s your all-time favorite movie or TV show to just binge on?

Love these questions! All-time favorite movies: Big Fish, Moulin Rouge and Bridget Jones’ Diary. Favorite TV shows: I could mindlessly watch Friends all day every day forever. If I’m flipping through cable I’ll usually land on the Food Network or HGTV. I’ve never watched BRAVO which I feel like is kind of weird with the Housewives craze. On Netflix I’ll usually watch Chef’s Table, Friends or Parks & Recreation. I have a harder time committing to new series lately because I feel like at the end of the day I have a hard time paying attention to anything. I just want something that helps me zone out/relax. We did just watch Ozark on Netflix (so good) and The Keepers (so disturbing) and started The Killing. 

Do you know of any bras that are comfy, supportive, AND cute?? I feel like I’ve searched and searched and come to the conclusion that you just can’t have it all… hoping I’m wrong!

I’ve heard amazing things about Third Love which I plan on ordering once I’m no longer breastfeeding. My personal favorites are the Natori Feathers bra and Natori Hidden Glamour Contour bra.

What is your go-to coffee order?

I am so basic. I always order a black coffee and add a splash of half and half in the morning (this is usually the only caffeine I’ll have). If it’s fall and I want something cozy I’ll order a chai tea latte. If I’m at a coffee shop for a meeting I’ll usually order a whole milk latte. 

My question is whether or not you create a monthly budget that you allocate for clothing, shoes and accessories?

NO, BUT I NEED TO! Honestly, some months are more expensive (especially with a new house and a new baby on the way) and others I really try to save. I get super stressed out over credit card bills. I have a goal that I try to stay around each month and I have a rule that if I spend too much one month and go over that spending goal, I have to put the difference of what I over-spent into our savings the next month. Does that make sense? It’s all about balance. 

This month my little baby boy will have his baptism. I want to wear something fall colored but appropriate for church as well. Do you have an options for such an event? 

I love the idea of this skirt paired with a pretty sweater. This ruffle sleeve dress is pretty and this tie sleeve dress, too! Paired with these earrings in plum, navy or ivory. 

I am due with my first baby (a little lady) in January, and while Northeast winters aren’t as cold as Chicago winters, I’m wondering what you’d bring a new baby home from the hospital in. I’d love your suggestions!

We had Charlie wear an outfit from Monica + Andy and then we had purchased this JJ Cole Bundle Me car seat cover. A must for newborns in the winter!

Don’t forget to submit your questions for next week via email with the subject “Coffee with Liz.” xoxo!