My husband and I are slowly planning to move to the Southwest suburbs of Chicago (ideally in the summer of 2021) after living in the city for over 7 years. Although we knew this was always our plan, we are starting to get nervous about such a big life change. We are moving with the hopes of being pregnant at that time and would be the first of our close friends to move. Any advice for couples who are leaving the city?

Know that it will be a transition! There are pros and cons to both because honestly both are so different! The things that you love about the suburbs will be so different than what you love about the city, which honestly is a good thing when you’re making the change. You’re going to miss the city. From our own experience, our life in the city was so different from the life we once lived there. Social lives had changed, friendships had changed, schedules got busy and at the end we were living vicariously through the city life we once lived. Our move to the suburbs was bittersweet but it came at a point when we were ready, even if we didn’t realize it yet. Just know that there is lots to love out here too!

What is something that’s made you laugh really hard recently? Needing a mood-booster while in quarantine!

Yesterday Charlie and I were doing a puzzle and he paused and said “wait mom, I need to go see if I pooped my pants.” Haha, he hadn’t.

Can you share your favorite everyday moisturizer and SPF? Thank you!

Favorite everyday moisturizer is probably Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, Tula 24/7 Hydrating Day & Night Cream (use code LIZADAMS for 15% off) or Beautycounter Countertime Soft Cream! If you’re looking for SPF I would say Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30, Supergoop Glow Screen OR the new Tula Protect + Glow is amazing and launches next week!

Any tips for styling straight-leg jeans? I’m new to the trend!

Pair with sneakers or ballet flats and keep it casual! I like to tuck in my tops or use something with a shorter waist line to accentuate your waist since the silhouette is straighter. You’ve got this!

Can you share a quick ab routine to do at home after a run?

I have a ton of ab workouts saved in my IG HIGHLIGHTS! But here is a good circuit:
1 min plank
30 second side plank on each side
1 min bicycle crunches
1 min leg raise
1 min reverse crunch

REPEAT 3X

How old were you when you got married? How did you know it was the right time?

I was 28! Dave and I got engaged after dating for 4 years and married just after our 5 year dating anniversary. I honestly don’t think people date for that long anymore so at the time it was just…time!

What are some other boy names you considered for your kids? Any favorite girl names?

Boys: Rory, Noah, Connor, William, Brooks and Sam (but Sam Adams can’t happen).
Girls: Lyla, Lucy, Ellie, Poppy, Chloe and Emma have been favorites!

What mascara do you use? Your eyes always look amazing!

Thank you! I’ve switched my makeup routine to clean product (seen here!) so I’ve been using the Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara. My other favorite is Armani Beauty Eyes to Kill Mascara (sooo good).

What activities have your boys been loving/what has been keeping them occupied while you’re all staying at home?

Honestly it’s a hot mess. I try to come up with one fun activity a day – scavenger hunts outside, baking, coloring, Easter crafts, dance parties, etc. We are in survival mode right now and sometimes that means a lot of TV.

What do you do with your clothes when you clean out your closet? Have you ever thought about selling them?

I first give to friends or family and then donate. I just don’t have the time to post on Poshmark, I wish I did! When we lived in the city I did a closet sale, maybe I’ll try to do that again! The nice stuff I usually give to my sister since we live close to each other and are similar sizes.

I have been debating getting my first designer handbag and I can’t decide whether or not to go with gold or silver hardware. Any thoughts would be so appreciated!

I am way more a gold person over silver but sometimes I think gold hardware looks too yellow on handbags. I think it depends! With my Chanel boy bag I went with rhodium because it’s a little darker silver, more neutral almost. I think it depends on the bag/designer!

Any dress ideas for a summer wedding in Charleston?

This, this, this, this or this (under $100)!

Do you have any skincare or beauty recommendations specific to pregnancy?

As long as you stick with clean products you should be fine! Tula, Beautycounter, Drunk Elephant, Colleen Rothschild – Just avoid strong acids like salicylic acid and retinol.

Are you still planning to try for a third baby? If you don’t mind me asking!

Yes!

What’s your favorite playlist to listen to while working from home?

Either my Good Days or now my Quarantine 2020 playlist on Spotify!

Need some summer sandal recs! What are your favorite styles?

I love these classic slides, this sparkly style is fun (or this), I bought this dressier style (love the heel!), these are neutral and strappy and I LOVE this simple strap bow style!

What do you wish you had done (or what did you do) in the last couple of years before having kids?

Travel more! Sleep more! Go out more! And honestly nothing, you are never prepared, there will always be things you wish you did but honestly I would trade NONE OF IT for life now. My kids are everything that life should be. The most fulfilling thing I’ll ever do in life is being their mom.

Did you experience any self-doubt when you first started working out after having Jack? How did you push through it?

YES! Oh my gosh yes. It took me a year to feel confident at the gym. But I knew it would be an uphill battle. I’ve never had the body type for quick changes, I’ve always had to work for it. And after not even attempting the journey after Charlie I was determined to ENJOY the journey after Jack.

What are your go-to healthy snacks?

Cashews, pretzels with Nutzo, chips + salsa, sliced apples, kids Perfect Bars and just protein of any sort usually helps to fill me up!

How has COVID-19 affected your short-term and long-term plans?

Short term: We were supposed to leave for the Cayman Islands on Sunday, celebrate Easter with my family, I had projects with a few brands I was super excited for that have been cancelled/postponed, going to Mexico for a family reunion on Dave’s side in May – to name a few. Long term: I’m still trying to figure that out. When we were in Wisconsin I went for a walk in the woods to get my thoughts in order – I let myself explore the direction that I want HAF to take after all of this is said and done (and even during!). I definitely feel like this entire situation has allowed me to take a step back and look at what I’ve committed to in the past and see if it’s something I want to continue. To set my own goals without feeling pressure from outside sources. I know personally that I need to establish a separation of work/life or join the two more. I think the answer is joining the two more. What I told Dave is that I feel like I’ve lost the “family” in Hello Adams Family. I want them to be more fluid, without feeling like I’m leaving mom life to WORK. More family content, more real life content, less posed/planned. I’d love to hear your opinion of this in the comments!!

What are you most looking forward to doing after we no longer have to quarantine?

Going to the gym! Getting my eyebrows done! Taking my kids to daycare! Going out to eat! Seeing my family and friends! Having a sense of routine outside of the house!

Submit your questions for next month by emailing carolyn@helloadamsfamily.com with the subject line, “COFFEE WITH LIZ!”