I’m wondering if you can suggest some cute neutral sneakers that can be worn with anything. I’ll be taking a few trips this fall (in the Pacific Northwest and Europe) and will be doing lots of walking! I want some sneaks that I can wear comfortably (re: not converse style flat) and look cute with dresses and jeans! 

I love the Adidas Flashback sneaker (seen here), I’ve heard amazing things about Tretorn and these are so cute, these beige Nike Air Max Theas or these dusty rose APLs!

My husband and I will be welcoming our 2nd baby sometime towards the end of next month and we will be doing a Lifestyle newborn photo shoot in our home 1-2 weeks after she is born. Can you recommend a few outfit ideas for both me and my husband and our baby? Would love to find something that I can get a lot of wear out of this fall/winter! 

I am constantly getting questions about what to wear for family photoshoots and my biggest recommendation is to wear something comfortable and that feels like you. I find the overly posed, overly styled you are – the less comfortable you feel in front of the camera. You want to look back at the photos and feel happy that you stuck to your own style without pushing it. We are shooting some family photos next week and my plan is to have everyone in cozy sweaters and jeans. So for you and your husband I would recommend something like this cozy sweater, jeans, cute socks and maybe a plaid scarf for you and a stripe sweater, jeans and cozy socks for your husband. I would wrap your baby in a pretty fall blanket and a cute sweater romper from Monica & Andy (if you’re having a girl maybe I would do this!). 

What are some corporate work dresses that would vamp up my wardrobe this fall? Thank you!

Ohhh, I love this, this, this, this and this! I also love the dress I wore in this post!

I’m curious what you packed in your hospital bag and/or if you had a specific gown that you wore?  I’m due with my second in a few weeks and I’m having trouble figuring out what to wear outside of the hospital gown.  For my first, I just wore the hospital gown, but it wasn’t exactly comfortable.

I’ve answered this in many Coffee with Liz posts but I swear by these pajamas! I have them in 3 colors and wore them the entire time I was in the hospital with Jack (don’t forget to pack a cozy cardigan and socks, too!) Comfortable and easy for nursing!

When your oldest started to outgrow his baby clothes, toys, and equipment, how did you decide what to keep and what to get rid of? I am having a hard time sorting through my son’s baby items. I would like to have another baby in a couple of years, but I’m not sure how to know what to keep or donate.

I saved everything. It was honestly embarrassing what I deemed save worthy once I was pregnant with Jack and decided to go back through the boxes. I think with your first every outfit feels so nostalgic. I never wanted to get rid of pieces that reminded me of certain moments/stages. Even if they were covered in poop stains and cost $3 at Old Navy. I ended up throwing away/giving away pieces later and saving what I truly felt comfortable putting Jack in. This time around I’ve given away even more after enough wear. I think it is hard but I really tried my best to save the high quality pieces, the pieces that lined up right with timing/season and so on. Just remind yourself that even if you save it now doesn’t mean you can’t donate it later!

What app(s) do you use to edit your photos for social media? They always look great no matter the location or lighting.

I use VSCO and filter 04 or E1. I also adjust temperature, exposure, contrast, etc. as needed. If there are specific things that need editing I’ll use SNAPSEED.

I am looking for a formal dress for a Gala I have coming up. I was looking to rent through Rent The Runway. Could you give me some good option under $150? I am leaning towards wanting a black dress or something a little darker. Thanks! 

I think this navy dress is gorgeous, it is $158 but the sleeves off the shoulder looks so pretty! Also love this, this and this. 

I’ve noticed that Webster sometimes comes with you to Charleston! How do you get him down there? Does he fly with you? 

We fly and my parents will drive down with the dogs!

I always love seeing your wedding ring on Instagram Stories…can you share some info about the style and cut? Is it a stacked type of band? How did Dave propose? I’m currently looking for ring style inspiration/ideas. 

My engagement ring is a round diamond with 4 smaller round diamonds along the band on each side. My wedding ring is a diamond band and then he surprised me with a sapphire ring on our wedding day. It is a band the same width/size of my wedding band with alternating diamonds and sapphires. 

Okay getting kinda personal here, but, I’ve discovered that I have a fear of failure! I have such huge dreams and expectations for myself, yet I hold back on trying new things, making relationships and career advances etc. because I am afraid to fail! I understand and appreciate that failure is important on our journeys, but it still holds me back. If you can relate to this at all, how did you push past that?? How can we learn to make blind jumps?

Oh my gosh I used to be exactly like this (and still kind of am), always more comfortable in my comfort zone with big dreams but no pressure to really chase them. I don’t know if I can tell you what to do because I still struggle with this but I feel like a few things work for me! I would start small – overcoming small challenges can sometimes give us the confidence to tackle bigger ones. I think my mindset kind of changed when I felt like life was too short not to try. There is no fault in going on a date that is terrible, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone or proving to yourself that YOU ARE WORTHY of a higher position at work. Here are a few quotes that really resonated with me, especially after I became a mom and my own life took a backseat:

“Old ways won’t open new doors.”

“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.”

“Nothing holds you back more than your own insecurities.”

“It all begins and ends in your own mind. What you give power to, has power over you if you allow it.”

“There are secret opportunities hidden inside every failure.”

I feel like my biggest advice is to know your self worth and just go for it. In the grand scheme of things, these types of failures will ultimately lead you to where you’re supposed to go. Nothing happens that can’t be fixed. Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. It’s so true! You’ve got this.

I’m about 39 weeks pregnant and live in New England, so am looking for cute sweaters and tops I can wear that are warm, but also breastfeeding friendly. I’d rather not live in cardigans all winter, and love wearing cozy turtlenecks and bulkier sweaters. What worked best for you when (if!) you were nursing in the Chicago winters?

Hmm, I’m going to recommend that you pass on bulky sweaters and turtlenecks if you plan on nursing when you’re on the go (you’ll be dripping in sweat). I tried this and trust me it is a battle. If I wasn’t wearing a button down shirt or a cardigan I was wearing this loose tunic (I think I had in 2 colors) that can easily be pulled down to nurse. 

I love watching your Instagram stories of your dad playing with Charlie and Jack! My dad’s 50th birthday is coming up– any gift recommendations?

Thank you! He is the best!! Hmm…I guess it depends on what your dad likes! We love Mark & Graham’s gifts for guys, when I was in Santa Barbara we learned about the most amazing company with the coolest bags for men and we also love to do photo gifts!

I just had my first baby in July, and I have so valued all of your tips on parenting. I feel like we have similar philosophies so I appreciate everything you share and refer to your blog when I have questions. We follow the awake time chart that you shared, which I agree helps prevent him from getting overtired and fussy. I was wondering if you could suggest some ideas for things we can do during awake time. Currently, we read stories, sing, do tummy time, play on his activity mat and go on walks. But I sometimes feel like I am up in his face all the time when he’s awake. Did you do independent play? Do you have any other ideas for awake time besides what we’re doing already?

Yes independent play is so important! Even if that means them sitting in a bouncy chair and observing the room around them! I think as parents we assume that we should be showing them things all the time but sometimes I think that leads to overstimulation. I would have Charlie and Jack sit in our Bjorn chair and either watch my clean the kitchen or examine the room around them. I would attach a little stroller toy to the seat and let them feel around. You’re doing an amazing job so don’t feel bad about letting them sit and watch you for a little while 🙂

I am celebrating one year with my handsome boyfriend next month. It’s my first “big” anniversary with a boyfriend and I’m struggling on gift ideas! He loves music, art, and fine dining. For his birthday a few months ago I made us a reservation at Schwa ($400 price tag was no joke, but in line with my budget). However, for this anniversary I’d like to do a meaningful gift instead of an experience. We have several trips coming up over the next few months, so maybe something travel related? Any other suggestions? 

Oh like I mentioned above – what about a cool weekender bag? I feel like if he appreciates art he will appreciate Parker Clay’s story and product! Trust me I saw these bags in person and they look like the price tag should be $1000+. 

Can you name 5 of your favorite jean brand/the style of the jean? Especially from Madewell. 

Frame Le High Skinny Jeans
Everlane High Rise Stretch Skinny Jean
Everlane Kick Crop Jean – if you can’t find a pair of “mom jeans” that you love, try these!!!!
Madewell Perfect Vintage Jean
Levi’s High Rise Skinny Jeans

I’m looking for a perfect comfortable and classic black flat. There are so many out there and I’m not sure which is the best. I’d be willing to invest a little if they are truly worth it but am really just in need of a perfect flat to wear for work. 

Ok I swear the most comfortable ballet flat I’ve every owned is the Chloe Lauren ballet flat. The leather is BUTTER. I also love these and these. 

With all the recent debates over Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford, the Me Too movement, and all the other contentious subjects in politics these days, how do you keep a neutral stance with friends/family that don’t have the same political views as you? Would you ever use your social platform to voice your opinion about what’s going on in the world?

Personally I choose not to share these topics on my own platforms for two reasons. 1. There is no reason that someone should be coming to my site/social platforms for political advice. There are far too many websites out there who talk about these topics in depth and I choose to keep this space neutral, positive and welcoming. And 2. I was raised never to judge people because of their political stance. I have best friends who are highly liberal and highly conservative. I don’t ask them who they voted for and I don’t ask them their opinion on the current state of our government. I respect their decisions and I know they respect mine. I have made comments here and there over the years about my political stance only to be criticized and it has reminded me that I don’t feel this should be a factor in why people choose to like me or not. 

Submit your questions for next week by emailing Carolyn@sequinsandstripes.com with the subject COFFEE WITH LIZ!