Tell us more about your breast surgery! What made you decide to get it done? Recover? I’m considering but anxious about it.

I had been thinking about doing an upper blepharoplasty (eyelid removal surgery) since the end of last year. I had very heavy eyelids that were only getting heavier thanks to genetics so I booked a consultation in February. I had no intentions of getting my boobs done at all and to be honest I’m not really a boob girl, I liked me smaller boobies! As I was in the waiting room I was looking at this platter of breast implants and thought to myself, I have breastfed three kids and I can’t imagine voluntarily signing myself up for another elective surgery. I decided to have my doctor look at my breasts just to see what we were working with. When I tell you that he picked up my deflated boobs and put them where they should be on my chest I nearly told him to cut them off. I decided to do a lift with a small implant, stating that I didn’t want my boobs to look any bigger but I wanted to fix the volume loss on top. Since I was going to go under anesthesia for my breasts he was able to do my eyes at the same time. I filmed a full video shortly after my surgery on my substack here.

In terms of recovery, you can see the reel I shared about my eyes on Instagram here. Both were fairly easy! My eyes honestly healed pretty quickly but did look a little scary at first. My eyes required a lot of icing and ointment. The stitches got removed after one week. The scars are still slightly raised and red but because it is so vascular you can’t put any scar creams on there to support healing, it just takes time. My eyes feel significantly more open and bright! The skin is still a little tight from scars softening. My breasts were taped up and sore for the first two weeks. The tape was removed with some dissolving stitches that lingered until last week. I have been putting scar tape on my scars and they still feel swollen on the side. My boobs are nice and perky! It takes some adjusting to especially with more volume on top but overall I’m really happy. This is coming from someone who doesn’t care about boobs! My doctor was incredible (Dr. Clayton Crantford in Charleston) and overtime everything will continue to settle.

Every influencer is on Ozempic, are you team yay let’s go or each to their own?

I’d be lying if I didn’t say it is a little discouraging for my personal journey. Feeling like everyone is just so thin now. It’s not something that I need and I feel good about the balance of my diet and exercise. I feel so happy for my friends who are on it and feel great (truly!!!!) but I personally don’t want to be married to a drug for the rest of my life.

Do you have a team that helps with your social/job? If so, how many people?

Yes! I have a manager who helps me negotiate my contracts and communicate with brand partners. I also have an assistant who helps me create all the incredible collages you see, source products, post on social media here and there and more. I feel so lucky to have them both! Dave helps me with the accounting side, creating content here and there and everything else.

I miss you writing on your blog! What content go on instagram, substack vs. blog now?

I do too!!! Time is not on my hand at this phase of life. Long story short, views on my blog are just way down (and have been for years). I know that is in part to less consistency but also people aren’t reading blogs like they once did. Brands are putting more money behind video content and my time has been put elsewhere. I also have felt a bigger pull to be more private on my website. As my kids get older and the world gets more fiery, opening myself up here (given that it is free and anyone can find it!) feels a little scary. I talked about a harassment situation we dealt with in 2020 on my substack this week that reframed the way I share my personal life.

That being said, I’ve decided to share more personal posts every Wednesday on my Substack for paid subscribers. It feels a little safer doing so right now. My Instagram remains very off the cuff, random conversations, favorite product shares, etc. My blog strategically feels a little more general right now – my recipes, things I’m loving, outfits – things that are easy to discover on SEO. If you have suggestions for anything else you’d love to see here please leave it in the comments!! I’d love to bring back my weekly or bi-weekly Coffee with Liz posts.

Little did I know when I started my blog in 2011 that my job would see so many different forms. I’m constantly pivoting and trying to keep up with the demands of my followers, brand partners and changing technology/advancements. I am someone who doesn’t like to outsource a lot of support, I like to be able to control every thing that is shared, I want to remain small in this big, ever-changing world. This mindset has served me well so far but please let me know if there is anything you wish I would do more!

Summers are long, how do you entertain your kids? Yours seem so well behaved.

First of all that is kind and they are not well behaved all the time! We all have our moments. I will say they are very respectful and happy kids. We have had a lot of iPad time this past week (which makes me feel guilty) so that I could help my mom unpack some things from their move in December, get organized, catch up on work. But this next week we have so many family and friends in town and know it will be filled with fun! I think letting go of the urge to constantly keep them entertained allows for more space for creativity and fun to come. I try not to give them a plan and see what sparks their interest. Charlie and Jack are at fun ages (7 and 9) because I can trust them a little more to find adventure. George is the one I have to distract when I need a minute (more iPads, more tv time) or the one who needs more guidance in finding activities to do. The summer schedule isn’t easy so don’t be too hard on yourself!

How do I stay positive and present when my child is struggling with developmental delays?

I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way. I’ve been there, too. Everyone we ever met with for George would always remind me that I’m doing everything I can for him and that is more than most people do. It always helped me to feel like I had all the answers and made me feel more settled in the fact that he just needed/needs more time to get there. I can tell you now, as George has made tremendous strides over the past 6 months (but is still very delayed), that it gets better! Some kids just need more time.

Also remember that your hard work in finding answers will help create the best path for him! George got an IEP in December and just got into the childhood development pre-k program at Charlie and Jack’s school next year. We were worried about whether or not he would get accepted because it is a limited program and are just so thrilled. George’s OT had told us last year that his private school wasn’t giving him enough resources and we needed to look elsewhere. A reminder that the more people you have supporting you and your child, the better! But also, it’s okay to feel discouraged and sad.

What is your favorite blush right now? What do you use on your eyebrows? What was the eyeshadow stick you used on Instagram? What is your favorite tinted moisturizer?

I am loving this Rare Beauty liquid blush in Happy. I also love their brow gel and this brown pencil in Cool Brown. My favorite tinted moisturizer is Iris & Romeo Best Skin Day (I wear shade 2) – it is so fluffy and sheer and light.

When did you start to feel normal with three kids? I’m struggling.

I think when George turned two it felt like we turned a corner and he wasn’t this fragile baby anymore. I let myself do more, gave myself a break, let go of the guilt and reemerged myself in the world. I’ll always feel like 0-1 was my hardest transition but 2-3 is a lot! I wrote a couple posts about this here: Transitioning from 2-3 Kids and On Having 3 Kids.

Can you suggest black tie dress ideas under $250?

This Donna Karan Dress is on sale in the most gorgeous blue. This dress would be so fun in the polka dot or floral print!

What is the eyeshadow and brown mascara you’ve been wearing?

The Laura Mercier Caviar Eyeshadow Stick in Sugarfrost is my favorite! I love Tower28 Mascara in Drift, the brush is so great for creating fluffy, natural lashes.

How do you feel confident parenting active, busy boys? I’m always scared of being judged.

I think my best advice would be to let them be kids. Creating a circle of trust with your kids so they have a strong foundation of respect. My kids are complete fools at times but I know that they know what is respectful and kind. It makes me feel better when I they are being silly in public. I have to have a little faith in them! It definitely took me awhile to get to this place and it involved (and still involves!) lots of conversations with everyone but specifically Charlie because he is usually the ring leader. I think it takes time to gain trust in your children! But it comes in time.

Do you ever get socially burned out with summer plans?

Absolutely! I am someone who relies heavily on personal space to recharge and my summer does not allow for much of that at all. We rotate through a lot of visitors in the summer and I’d be lying if I said I don’t run on empty at times. I just have to make sure that I take time for myself, whether that is a walk or waking up early to get a few sips of coffee before diving into the day.

What are your tattoos and their meaning?

I have 4 tattoos! I got a cross on my wrist my senior year of college which really doesn’t mean much, it was sort of a time of life rebellion. It looks terrible (it has bled a lot) but I still love it for the time of life it symbolizes. Then I have my boys initials tattooed on my let rib cage, a 5 on the inside of my right elbow that symbolizes the family I’ve built and the family I’m from. I also have a scallop shell which means all roads lead to one. I also just love shells and find a lot of peace in their beauty! It makes me happy and reminds me of my mom.

Can you suggest some special date night outfit pieces under $300?

A few favorites include this classic black dress, this cute navy mini dress, this classic silk shift dress, this amazing pink vest (pair with these shorts), a cute white top with jeans and a fun necklace.