I’ve been on the hunt for a fashionable and functional work bag. It needs to have padded sleeve(s) for a laptop/tablet. I’m in love with the Gigi NY Parker Satchel in black, but they don’t make it anymore. Do you have any ideas of similar styles? Side note: not a huge fan of “the usual” work bags and I’ve already looked at Cuyana/Everlane, but nothing I’m super excited about.

A pretty style by Kate Spade here, Lo & Sons has some functional options or I love the Calpak laptop backpack – you can always get a cute laptop sleeve to keep in your tote!

My husband, 6-month-old baby girl and our 2 pups are planning a move to the western suburbs (Hinsdale or Western Springs area) this spring.  I will be leaving some great friends that I have made in the city, but I am excited to make new friends and develop a sense of community in the burbs! How do you suggest meeting new girlfriends and/or couple friends in the suburbs? Are there any particular activities (kiddo or non-kiddo related) or organizations you recommend pursuing?

Hinsdale has a great Junior Women’s League that is a great place to meet women in the community, we have made friends with our neighbors, we also joined a country club and Dave joined a paddle league where we’ve made new friends, too! To be honest, our social lives are pretty quiet right now because our kids are young – everyone always says once your kids start preschool you make more friends – ha!

I’m attending a late January wedding that is black tie optional and I’m stumped on what to wear—and I’m a gal on a budget. Would love to know what you recommend!

I would probably recommend a maxi or midi dress! You can’t go wrong with this lace midi dress, this dress is gorgeous, this dreamy floral maxi dress, the prettiest velvet wrap dress (I love this color) and you can’t go wrong with this style. 

With cold and flu season here, what’s the best way you’ve found to sanitize your house to kill all the germs and stay healthy—especially the boys’ toys and rooms?

We love Young Living Thieves cleaner! I use it EVERYWHERE. You can read my post about essential oils here and how to sign up. It is a protective blend that works together to promote overall wellness and supports a healthy immune system. They now have Thieves products for the entire home which we use religiously. You can sign up with Young Living here!

I was curious about the bumpers that you use in Jack’s crib. We’re just about to move our daughter’s crib down to its lowest setting and wasn’t sure what to use for bumpers. We have mesh ones right now that are breathable. Do you have bumpers on all sides of the crib? Do you have any suggestions for good ones?

Yes we added bumpers into the crib as soon as he started crawling (around 9 months). They do cover all sides! I felt more comfortable adding them once I knew he was strong enough to push himself out of a bad situation. Our bumpers are a few years old from Serena & Lily but our style seems to be sold out. It looks like Pottery Barn Kids has quite a few options!

I know you’ve posted about your skincare routine when you were pregnant but I am wondering what type (brand) of makeup you used while pregnant. I currently use Laura Mercier, Bobby Brown etc but would love some more natural suggestions for a tinted moisturizer, bronzer, blush, eyeshadow! 

I still used my normal makeup but I have heard some fabulous reviews about the lilah b. bronzer duo, the Ilia tinted moisturizer, I love my Kosas Cosmetics blush (my friend introduced me to!) and Glossier lidstars! I’m also trying Beautycounter right now! Any favorite products?!

I’ll be visiting family soon and showing off my new engagement ring to them! Any ideas for a cute white top I can wear for the day? My mom will want to take pictures and it seems so hard to find a cute one this time of year. Our family get-togethers aren’t too formal, so I would like a top that is romantic but pairs well with dark wash jeans.

Congratulations on your engagement!! I love this, this, this and this! Have fun!

I’m hosting a sprinkle baby shower for a dear friend of mine in January at a small cafe. Given that it is winter, I’m not really in the mood to wear a dress—do you have any cute outfit ideas that will keep me warm instead? (The sprinkle is for a sweet baby girl so maybe some girly options?)

What about this cute jumpsuit? I wore it to a holiday party in red (seen here!)

I just moved to New York from San Francisco and have a newfound appreciation for the role of high-top sneakers in your weekend wardrobe. I’ve been looking at Vans, Converse, Superga trying to find a pair that don’t feel too bulky, do you have a pair you’d recommend?

I would probably go with Superga! I like their shape the best. If I splurged it would be Rag & Bone 🙂

I am 5 months pregnant and am starting to need new workout leggings for my growing bump! Do you have any recommendations for workout leggings? I know you have mentioned the Lululemon Align leggings, did you size up in these? Did you purchase any other workout leggings that were a lower price point? Did purchase any maternity workout leggings? Thank you! 

I do love the Lululemon Align leggings and wore them through most of my pregnancy (eventually they didn’t fit the bump). These and these maternity leggings were my favorites for workouts during the second half of my pregnancy!

I would love some bathing suit suggestions that help cover stretch marks on the front of my thighs from my pregnancy. 

Hm, I would probably recommend a cute skirt or this boyleg option. 

I’m getting ready to go on my honeymoon to Cape Town! I’m looking for a great crossbody bag that I can use for travel/life, preferably something with a zipper on the top for security. I would love it to be leather, but that’s not a deal breaker. I’m not too concerned about price, because I want it to be durable and be an investment piece.

I love the Gucci Disco bag or this new style! This Mansur Gavriel style is beautiful and this Rebecca Minkoff bag is under $300 (reminds me of Valentino!).

I am wondering if there are any male-focused blogs or Instagram accounts similar to Hello Adams Family. My husband wants something Chicago-based with down-to-earth lifestyle advice like this blog provides. 

Hm unfortunately I don’t think so! Kelly in the City’s husband, Mitch, posts on their blog a lot! You can see all of his posts here. 

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