I’ve been meaning to do a Q&A for a few months now and since I get a lot of the same questions on Instagram, I thought I’d post the answers here! There was a good mix of personal, family, and style questions. If I missed the one you sent in, I’m probably saving it for the next Q&A! Leave a comment if you have any others though and I’ll add them to my list!
Coffee Chat: Your Top Questions Answered
What’s your favorite kind of fall outfit?
I really love fall sweaters! As soon as the temperatures drop before 70 I’m bringing them out! A good go-to combo is a chunky sweater with a tee and denim {either in the form of jeans or a skirt}. I wish we lived somewhere with a true fall because it really is my favorite season!
Have you been doing anything differently with your hair?
My hair is finally recovering from the terrible color appointment I had last winter. I had asked for a trim and re-toned highlights so I could get back to my natural color, and I left with choppy layers and BLACK hair! Two color corrections later it’s finally looking a little better. Product-wise, I’ve been using this shampoo and conditioner which I’ve really liked. I’m actually going in for an appointment tomorrow and I’m tempted to take off 3 inches to get it looking and feeling even healthier. One of these days I’ll do a bigger chop, but for now I’m liking long hair!
What did you go to school for?
I was an English major with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. I was planning on going to law school with the hopes of focusing on public interest law. Even though I worked for a firm throughout college, as well as the District Attorney, I realized that the legal field wasn’t the best fit for me personally. I am so glad I listened to myself and decided to pursue some of my other passions instead. While I’m still fascinated with law and the legal field I’m not sure it would have been the best career choice for me.
Tips for going from 1 to 2? I’m terrified over here!
Honestly, it’s not that bad!!* Going from 1 to 2 was so much easier than going from 0 to 1! You have a lot more confidence and perspective, and it’s kind of where your life is already. With Augustine I missed my yoga classes, getting my nails done whenever I wanted/doing anything whenever I wanted. Now my priorities are a little different since I’m already focused so much on parenting. Adding another little one to the mix has actually been really fun and it’s made me love my family even more. It brings me so much happiness to see Augustine and Corinna interact and I know that once they’re playing together it’s going to be even more special!
* Corinna is only 7 months though so let’s see how I feel once she’s crawling and walking! It might get crazy!
Is having 2 kids more or less work than you thought?
Right now it seems like the same amount of work, but maybe a little more. It’s interesting because I feel like Augustine has entered a slightly more independent stage these past few months which allows me to have a little more of a break to be with Corinna. Having two kids definitely requires more planning and logistics but it also feels like second nature now. Again, ask me when she’s crawling/walking, though!
How was your wedding planning experience?
It was really fun! Did any of you follow along during the process? I actually did Wedding Wednesday posts! It was really helpful to talk with Matthew about the three things we felt were the most important for our wedding. We knew photography, venue and food were high on the list so we spent a little more in those areas and then skimped a bit on the others- like invites, the flowers, and the music. It helped us focus on our priorities, Also Pinterest is so helpful because you can make a board with all your favorite wedding inspiration and that can help guide your choices when it comes to colors, DIYs, your dress, and of course the overall vibe. By the way, here are the wedding gifts we still use 8 years later!
How did you know it was time to switch to a forward-facing car seat?
We actually haven’t done that yet! I think I’m going to wait until Augustine reaches the maximum rear-facing height or weight rating for his car seat. I’ve read articles saying that it’s safest to leave them rear-facing until those markers, and since he doesn’t seem to mind facing the back, I’m not that concerned with it. I’m sure he’ll love being front-facing though when the time comes!
What are your skincare staples? Specifically, ones you used safely while pregnant/breastfeeding.
Ah there are so many great skincare products out there! I really loved my skincare routine in January though! That facial oil is one of my absolute favorites and I loved it with the serum and moisturizer! All are clean beauty products too which makes them perfect while pregnant/breastfeeding!
How do you manage to stay productive with kids? What’s your daily work routine?
Honestly it’s really tough sometimes! I feel like I’ve had to just get really smart about time management and knowing what I can do when. I try to plan certain chores that are easy to do with Augustine and Corinna during the day and plan the ones I need to do solo during naptimes or after bedtime. I fit in my work before Matthew goes to work, during naptimes, before dinner if Matthew is playing with the kids, but after bedtime is when I can really get the most done since it’s uninterrupted time. Sometimes I for sure would rather be vegging on the couch but I absolutely love what I do and it also inspires and motivates me! I really rely on having this creative outlet.
When and what kind of preschool will Augustine enroll in?
We’re still deciding. Augustine is on the young end so I think we’d wait another 6 months to a year before signing him up if we did do preschool. I also have so much fun with him and love teaching him so I’ve thought about possibly homeschooling. One of the careers I considered after law was actually being an elementary school teacher! I definitely want to do what’s best for him so who knows what will happen but I’ll keep you posted!
Favorite things you like to do with two children not inside your home?
Go to the park! I’ve really relied on our morning park dates because Augustine can run around and get lots of energy out and I can either hold Corinna while she naps, or put her on a play mat. There’s also an Ocean Institute close to us that’s really fun and affordable to visit. Oh and storytime at the library! By the way, here’s what I bring in my diaper bag for both kids.
What time do you work out?
Lately I’ve been working out in the middle of the day, right when I put the kids down for the nap. If they’re asleep at the same time that is. I just go on the elliptical for 30 minutes and then I’ll try to do some simple arm workouts later in the day. I was just telling my brother the other day that working out has become something so crucial for me. I crave it just like I crave water and sleep. Even on the early morning days, I always try to pull it together for a quick workout. It gives me energy and perspective to get through the rest of the day, which trust me I need!
SHOP THE POST
sweater {similar} . jeans . shoes . bag . earrings .
I hope you all had a great weekend! My parents came and stayed with me while Matthew was on a camping trip and I loved having the time together. We took my mom to Augustine’s favorite park, went on a huge walk, played in the backyard, made dinner and cookies together, and checked out some of my favorite local restaurants of course! I think we’re all looking forward to their next visit, especially Augustine!
xox
photos by Priscilla Frey
