THE CUTEST GIRL IN THE ROOM

Summary

The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz: Episode Summary - THE CUTEST GIRL IN THE ROOM

Release Date: January 23, 2025

In this engaging episode of The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz, hosts Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John navigate through a variety of topics, blending their expertise in the auto industry with their personal lives as busy moms. From dealing with unexpected weather disruptions to insightful discussions on fashion trends and thoughtful gift-giving, Kelly and Lizz offer listeners a relatable and entertaining ride. Below is a detailed summary capturing all the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

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1. Navigating Unexpected Cold Weather and Travel Plans

The episode opens with Kelly and Lizz discussing the sudden plunge in temperatures, which has significant implications for upcoming travel plans. Lizz shares her anxiety about flying to New Orleans amid a predicted snowstorm.

• Lizz: "It's 8 degrees. Kind of a jump scare. What do you keep your house at, like, temperature wise?" [02:15]

Kelly explains her strategy to keep her home warm to prevent pipe bursts, maintaining a temperature of 73°F, while Lizz mentions her household typically stays at 70°F but unexpectedly experienced a drop to 65°F.

• Lizz: "We're a 70-degree household. And I woke up this Morning. And it was 65 in my house." [02:34]

The conversation shifts to Lizz's upcoming trip, highlighting the challenges of traveling with a baby and toddler during a blizzard.

• Lizz: "The four-month-old baby taking her from her cold home in Missouri, but a home, a home nonetheless, to a blizzard in New Orleans." [05:01]

Key Insight: The unpredictability of weather can significantly impact travel plans, especially for families with young children, emphasizing the need for flexibility and preparedness.

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2. The Struggles of Packing and Outfit Selection as Moms

Kelly and Lizz dive into the often-overwhelming task of packing for trips, particularly the stress of choosing outfits while balancing the needs of their children.

• Lizz: "I hate picking out outfits. I. I hate getting dressed. I don't like to think about it." [01:40]

Kelly empathizes with Lizz, sharing her own aversion to overcomplicating outfit choices, especially after experiencing motherhood.

• Kelly: "Once you've been pregnant in postpartum and have, you know, carry on a baby and toddler, you're never the cutest girl in the room. At least my experience." [06:34]

Key Insight: The transition into motherhood often reshapes personal priorities, with practical needs sometimes overshadowing previous concerns about fashion and appearance.

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3. Fashion Trends: Jeans and Personal Style Preferences

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing current fashion trends, particularly the resurgence of skinny jeans and the diverse preferences in women's silhouettes.

Kelly expresses her contentment with the return of skinny jeans, appreciating their timeless and flattering nature.

• Kelly: "Skinny jeans are coming back. They all say they never left." [11:07]

Lizz agrees, emphasizing the importance of choosing jeans that complement one's body shape, whether they are skinny, flared, or otherwise.

• Liz: "I think the type of jeans you should wear are whatever looks good on your body shape." [17:25]

The hosts also share personal experiences with different jean styles, discussing the challenges and successes in finding the right fit.

Key Insight: Fashion trends are cyclical, but personal comfort and body positivity should guide individual style choices more than fleeting trends.

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4. Thoughtful Gift-Giving: Simplifying Valentine's Day Presents

Kelly and Lizz transition to the topic of gift-giving, offering practical advice for selecting meaningful presents for husbands without overcomplicating the process.

Kelly recounts her successful Christmas gift for her husband, Maddie, emphasizing the power of personalized letters over material gifts.

• Kelly: "What he needs is a new robe because he's a robe guy." [13:03]

Lizz supports this approach, suggesting that upgrading everyday items can be both thoughtful and functional.

• Liz: "If you don't know what to get someone, buy them a nicer version of something they use every day." [17:22]

The discussion highlights the importance of understanding a partner's preferences and needs, advocating for simplicity and practicality in gift selection.

Key Insight: Personalized and practical gifts often hold more sentimental value and usefulness than extravagant or trendy items, fostering deeper connections.

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5. Shopping for Themselves and Their Kids: Balancing Practicality and Style

The conversation shifts to recent purchases made by Kelly and Lizz for themselves and their children, blending practicality with personal style.

Kelly shares her experience shopping for her children’s clothing, focusing on comfort and preferences to streamline morning routines.

• Kelly: "I bought shirts from Target with graphics my kids are interested in to make dressing easier." [24:30]

Lizz discusses her involvement in auctions and creating influencer PR mystery baskets, adding a fun and creative twist to her shopping habits.

• Liz: "I'm making an influencer PR mystery basket filled with good stuff and random PR items." [23:34]

Key Insight: Balancing the needs of children with personal style requires strategic shopping choices, ensuring functionality without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.

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6. Industry News: The Future of Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Kelly and Lizz delve into recent developments in the electric vehicle industry, particularly the impact of political changes on EV mandates.

Kelly explains President Trump's decision to undo previous EV policies aimed at increasing EV market share, highlighting potential shifts in manufacturer priorities.

• Kelly: "Trump canceled the EV mandate and froze funds allocated for expanding EV infrastructure." [30:30]

Lizz discusses Scout Motors’ unique approach to EV design, emphasizing the inclusion of physical knobs and buttons to cater to drivers who prefer tangible controls over touchscreens.

• Liz: "Scout plans to buck the buttonless trend started by Tesla... They are going back to physical knobs and buttons." [33:42]

The hosts speculate that manufacturers might pivot towards hybrids, offering more options to consumers amid changing political landscapes.

Kelly: "I think manufacturers will start to prioritize hybrids as an alternative to full EVs." [33:02]

Key Insight: Political decisions significantly influence automotive industry trends, impacting manufacturer strategies and consumer choices in the evolving EV market.

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7. Kelly's New Car: Embracing the Hyundai Palisade

Kelly announces her decision to purchase a Hyundai Palisade, marking a shift from her current SUV.

• Kelly: "I'm getting a Hyundai Palisade to complete my SUV trinity." [35:23]

Lizz supports her decision, sharing her own love for the Palisade's interior design and functionality, especially for families with multiple children.

• Liz: "The Hyundai Palisade has the most beautiful interior design of all the mid-size SUVs." [36:35]

The discussion underscores the importance of selecting a vehicle that meets both personal and family needs, balancing style with practicality.

Key Insight: Choosing the right vehicle involves considering aesthetic preferences, family requirements, and functionality, ensuring it aligns with one's lifestyle.

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8. Cooking Chronicles: Managing a Large Family's Meat Supply

The hosts share humorous and relatable anecdotes about managing large quantities of meat in their deep freezers, highlighting the challenges and joys of feeding a big family.

Lizz details her husband's meticulous meat crate system and the resulting culinary adventures, including making country fried steak and experimenting with different recipes.

• Liz: "We've got six people. We have five eaters in this family now." [39:55]

Kelly and Lizz discuss various recipes they've tried, such as chuck roasts and French dip sandwiches, demonstrating their knack for creating delicious meals from limited ingredients.

• Kelly: "I've been using a quadriller and trying out new recipes with the meat we've stored." [40:08]

Key Insight: Cooking for a large family necessitates efficient meal planning and creativity, turning everyday ingredients into satisfying and varied dishes.

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Conclusion: Embracing Practicality and Personal Growth

Throughout the episode, Kelly and Lizz emphasize the importance of practicality in daily life, whether it's managing household temperatures, simplifying gift-giving, or navigating industry changes. Their conversations highlight a balance between maintaining personal style and addressing family needs, offering listeners valuable insights and relatable experiences.

Final Quotes:

• Kelly: "Upgrade your closet this year without the upgraded price tag." [00:00] (From ad segment, setting a tone of practical upgrades)

• Liz: "I'm excited for you." [26:33] (Reflecting support and camaraderie between sisters)

• Kelly: "Let everybody know there's room in the car for everyone." [42:04] (Encouraging inclusivity and community among listeners)

Overall Takeaway: The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz continues to deliver a blend of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and industry insights, making it a valuable resource for millennial moms navigating the complexities of modern life.

Transcript

[Kelly]

Today's episode is brought to you by Quince. With a new year comes a new opportunity to reimagine ourselves and more importantly, our wardrobes. This year I'm resolving to refresh my look with quality pieces and stay on budget. And I can, thanks to Quince. However you choose to refresh your look this year, all quince pieces are priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands. We're talking cashmere sweater starting at $50. They're able to do that by partnering directly with top factories, cutting out the cost of the middleman and passing the savings on to. And of course, these premium fabrics finishes for a luxury feel in every piece. I love my quince pieces. I always find myself gravitating towards them and reaching for them because you can feel the quality. So upgrade your closet this year without the upgraded price tag. Go to quince.com carpool for 365 day returns plus free shipping on your order. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com carpool to get free shipping on 365 day returns. Quince.com carpool this episode is brought to.

[State Farm]

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[Kelly]

Welcome to the Carpool podcast with Kelly.

[Liz]

I am very much looking forward to New Orleans. I had to pack though.

[Kelly]

Elizabeth.

[Liz]

I hate picking out outfits. I. I hate getting dressed. I don't like to think about it.

[Kelly]

And Liz, because here's the thing. Once you've been pregnant in postpartum and have, you know, carry around a baby and toddler, you're never the cutest girl in the room. Your mom time off starts now. Welcome back to the Carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz.

[Liz]

Hey, Lars.

[Kelly]

Cal. It is so cold here. It's like, guys, it's like single digits.

[Liz]

It's 8 degrees. Kind of a jump scare. What do you keep your house at, like, temperature wise?

[Kelly]

Okay, well, lately, to prevent, you know, pipes bursting and such, I've been keeping it at like 73.

[Liz]

Interesting.

[Kelly]

What do you.

[Liz]

We are a 70 degree household.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

We're a 70 degree household. And I woke up this Morning. And it was 65 in my house. That's 65 and 70 in a house.

[Kelly]

Oh, my gosh. It is probably the biggest difference in temperature you could ever possibly have.

[Liz]

The 65 and 70 outside, both gorgeous.

[Kelly]

Both the same. Yeah. What's up with that? What is 70 is comfortable? 70. You're just existing 65. You like it cold, you know, and.

[Liz]

I, I, I know it's. It's very interesting, really. I think with a lot of our issue is it's like, you know, we took the door off the sun room, so, like, coldness is coming in through there a little bit. And our little. Our fireplace heater, like, because, you know, when we did the fireplace in the sunroom, the electric fireplace, it has helped, but it's still an uninsulated room with a. Basically a space heater in it.

[Kelly]

A very beautiful space heater nonetheless.

[Liz]

But Tyler was like, kelly, it's never like, it's this cold, like, two weeks out of the year. And. And that. That is true. Like, we've bought so much more weeks in that sunroom because, like, this. Because the fireplace, like, takes it. It was unusable at 30 degrees outside, and we've been thriving in it for there.

[Kelly]

Yeah, totally.

[Liz]

So anyway, it's so cold. And speaking of so cold, on the day we're recording this, I'm supposed to fly out to New Orleans tomorrow. And it's just like, I'm trying to go somewhere. Of course there's, you know, once in a lifetime weather happening, because that's what happens when I travel.

[Kelly]

New Orleans about to get hit with they. I think I read, like, seven to 10 inches of snow.

[Liz]

I read, like three to seven.

[Kelly]

Okay. Okay. So seven.

[Liz]

Seven crossover.

[Kelly]

Yeah. Seven inches of snow, which is a ton for anyone. For New Orleans especially, Like, they're not prepared.

[Liz]

They're not prepared.

[Kelly]

So we'll see if you get out.

[Liz]

I know. So, like, it's. But, like, I mean, gosh, I'm like, I can't wait to listen to this on Thursday. Like, who am I on Thursday? Like, I should be about getting ready to speak. Hopefully, that's what I'm doing. But it's, like, getting there, and then it's like, what's open? Are the highways open? Like, the carpoolers have really been looking out for me because that. Because also, I told you guys I'm bringing Libby. So it's not like, if it was just me and Tyler, I'm like, fly me there. Oh, I'm stuck at the airport. Like, I'll go to the Airport Chili's, drink a margarita. Like, I would just do that.

[Kelly]

There's a layer. There's a complicated layer when you have the baby. The four month old.

[Liz]

The four month old baby taking her from her cold home in Missouri, but a home, a home nonetheless, to a blizzard in New Orleans.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

So I think if they only get like three inches. Because here's the thing though, about New Orleans. Like on Saturday it's gonna be 50 degrees. Like, all the snow is gonna melt.

[Kelly]

I know.

[Liz]

Like, I don't know if they know that's how that works, but it's like it's not gonna stick. But it's just happens to be like the time. I'm coming. Very interesting. Very interesting.

[Kelly]

So we'll see if you get out or not.

[Liz]

So anyway, I am very much looking forward to New Orleans. I had to pack, though.

[Kelly]

Elizabeth.

[Liz]

I hate picking out outfits. I. I hate getting dressed. I don't hear anything about it.

[Kelly]

That's all.

[Liz]

That's the thing I wanted to say.

[Kelly]

I think most people feel that way.

[Liz]

Yeah. Okay.

[Kelly]

I think most people feel that way. I'm kind of. Now when I travel, which is few and far between, I am so. I used to be a. Well, I'll give myself options. Now I'm like, no, this is my only option. I'm wearing this and I'm moving on with my life. I so don't care anymore. Because here's the thing. Once you've been pregnant in postpartum and have, you know, carry on a baby and toddler, you're never the cutest girl in the room. At least. At least my experience. And that could also have to do with the fact that we have two younger sisters who are the cutest girls who are always the cutest girls in the room. So, you know, I just kind of.

[Liz]

Cutest girl. Yeah.

[Kelly]

And then a mom who's the cutest girl in the room. So it's just not my time.

[Liz]

Well, and Elizabeth and I one time went to this event with ebay motors and we met like the girlies who were putting on the events. Like, they didn't work for ebay. Like, they were just like the travel girls to put on an event. Remember this conversation was. And they were like, they had like very. They have very specific rules. It's like I, I never changed for dinner the first night. So it's like what I wear to the airport is like what I wear dinner that night. And I don't. I'm not saying that applies to everything, but like, for business trips, like, like that Elizabeth and I go on. It's like, you don't need to change. No, like, and it's just. It's so crazy when you think I'm, like, trying to pack, and I'm like, I'm not bringing four shoes. I'm not bringing four pairs of shoes. Like, I simply have to make this. Like, I'm bringing three pairs of shoes, which still feels like one too many.

[Kelly]

I would agree. I would agree. And sometimes there's a space for it, and sometimes there's not. But I'm with you. I don't know.

[Liz]

It's just exhausting. And my outfits are really boring. But you know what? I've kind of, like, realized there is something too. I think it's okay to have, like, a boring outfit if it's, like, the right outfit.

[Kelly]

Duh. Of course.

[Liz]

So I wore, like, jeans and just, like, a gray sweater. And I think I'm always, like, looking for a razzle dazzle moment.

[Kelly]

Sometimes you don't need to razzle dazzle.

[Liz]

Sometimes it's like, put on a lip or, you know, I put on a trench coat to go with it, and now it feels like an alcohol, a scarf. It's like the wearing verse styling trend. I love those trends. That's so helpful.

[Kelly]

It's so helpful.

[Liz]

One tip that I did, which I don't know why it works so well, but it just does. So I have this, like, light gray cashmere sweater, and I love it. Like, it's just. I, like, bought it for myself a couple. I think I got it off Quince. The best cashmere sweaters, first of all, like, they're honestly so affordable. It's this light gray one, and I, like, always try it on. I'm like, I just don't know. Like, I don't, like, look like the Pinterest girlies. Then I realized that all the Pinterest girlies put on a white T shirt underneath their cashmere sweater, and they just have, like, the tiniest bit of white here and then their sweater.

[Kelly]

And why does that transform the look?

[Liz]

And now it's like, oh, no. Like, she has, like, it's. Now it's an outfit.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

So I did that. And then I put on silver earrings and wait for it, a baseball cap.

[Kelly]

Oh. Oh, no. So she is the cutest girl in the room.

[Liz]

My Adidas Sambas and a black, like, trench.

[Kelly]

No. Kelly was trying to figure out what to pack for New Orleans, and she was sending photos in the group text with my mom and my two younger sisters and me. I don't even respond to those anymore. I'm like, let the girls who know what they're talking about answer these questions.

[Liz]

Well, I just. I simply can't. To the shoes and the jeans combination. I missed the days when it was you wore skinny jeans and riding boots. You needed one pair of jeans, and guess what? Every skinny jean worked with your boots. These effing jeans. Kick flare, crop, wide leg boyfriend, straight leg flare, slip. Shut up. I can't do this. And then they're skinny jeans, over the.

[Kelly]

Knee boots, cute top. I'm done.

[Liz]

Done. I'm out.

[Kelly]

I'm out the door.

[Liz]

And then the shoes that. It's like, sneaker, high top, sneaker, Chelsea, boot over the knee boot, skinny ankle, above the. It's like all these boots. So I'm like, wearing. I'm wearing like, the out formula. I'm wearing. I'm trying to wear jeans in black booties.

[Kelly]

Impossible.

[Liz]

And I'm like. I literally, like, I was like. I was on one. On this. On the Voice mem or on the video. I was like, cussing at this. I'm like, this should work. It's jeans and black boots. And I did the belt to tie in the black. Like, like they tell you to do. And I'm like, this still isn't working. Why isn't it working?

[Kelly]

I don't know. Beats me. Hold on.

[Liz]

I'm gonna pull it up, because this has me really ralled. If you can't tell now, everyone's going.

[Kelly]

To want to see the video.

[Liz]

Well, hold on. Where is. What was I texting the girls? I have so many group chats.

[Kelly]

Oh, the girls.

[Liz]

And here's what mom says. Jeans that length need a slight fair to wear with those booties. Okay, so the lengths, right? They're not.

[Kelly]

They're not flared enough.

[Liz]

Anyway, so I figured it out. I did pull it together. Some looks, but it took. When I say hours, I mean hours. And Libby's still in our room. So then it's like, I finally get the kids to bed, Libby goes to bed. And then I'm like, trying to, like, rummage through my closet. Like, it's just.

[Kelly]

Well, I do want to bring a bit of good news to everyone, and that is that the. The trend people that I follow on Instagram is like, 2025 fashion trends. Skinny jeans are. Skinny jeans are coming back. They all say they never left. Sure you weren't freaking judging us millennials for wearing skinny jeans? I'm sure. Yeah. Skinny jeans are back. We knew they would be because they're.

[Liz]

A flattering gene because they're a flattering.

[Kelly]

They're a timeless gene. I'm happy we have. Here's what I'm happy about. This. The. The. The non skinny jean movement. Skinny jeans aren't flattering on every. On everyone. They're flattering on a lot of people. High rise isn't flattering on everyone. Low rise isn't flattering on everyone. Baggy jeans aren't flattering on everyone, but they're flattering on some. So what I'm just happy is it's like whatever looks good on your body shape. That's the type of gene you should wear. Unless it's a certain length and it doesn't have a freaking flare. Then you can't wear certain boots, but that's, you know, and then it's a.

[Liz]

Certain shade, and then it's this distress. It's like I'm exhausted, honest.

[Kelly]

Here's. Here's what I'm doing, Kelly. I'm going. Here's what I like. Flare, slight flare jeans look really good on my long legs. I feel like. So those in skinny jeans are going to be my jeans moving forward and like that. I will get those types of jeans in every color, in every length, and then, like, that's what I'm gonna have. I'm not gonna mess with the baggy ones. The baggy ones aren't very flattering on me. You know, that's what I'm gonna do. Spanx has great jeans. We've never talked about that before. Love their flare jeans.

[Liz]

I do like their flares. I. Yeah, Spanx has great jeans.

[Kelly]

Anyway. Anyway, moving past the jeans, we have an episode to get to. So we've got a little bit of this, a little bit of that, a little jumps, some dues, some Dawes even. No, we're going to do last three transactions. We got some industry news. We got ditch to the drive throw and that. That feels like that's it.

[Liz]

All she wrote.

[Kelly]

And that's all she wrote. So here's something that I want to talk about with Valentine's Day in our horizon. I want to talk about gifts for your husband. Now I really feel like I did not do a very. I. In one way, I did a very good job this Christmas. In other ways, I didn't do a good job for Maddie. I. I feel like I have such a hard time buying my husband something. And then I heard this podcast who went off on this tangent about what to buy men. And it's really opened my eyes.

[Liz]

So I'm excited.

[Kelly]

First thing I want to talk about is how I knocked it out of the park with Christmas for Maddie.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

So when I asked Maddie what he wants for a gift, he says, just write me a letter. Just write me a letter. It's. I talk about this.

[Liz]

No.

[Kelly]

Okay. I think I'm. I think I may have. But if.

[Liz]

I don't think so.

[Kelly]

Okay. So he says, write me a letter. It was like our love language. It is. So what I did is I got. I think I definitely talked about this. I got a spiraled notebook and I wrote a letter. I wrote Christmas 2024. I wrote a letter from me to him. And then I, like, had James scribble something, and I, like, put. Painted Sloan's feet and put.

[Liz]

You never talked about this.

[Kelly]

Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I thought I had. And I painted Sloan's feet, and I made it look like a Christmas tree. Anyway, it's just this. This notebook. And my thought is that every holiday birthday, we will write Maddie a letter. So, like, I'll write him a letter. The kids will draw him something, and then as the kids get older, hopefully they will or they will write him a letter. And then all of his letters and all of the. The cards that the kids make for him are all kept in this one notebook. So that's darling, super precious idea. I actually am going to tell Maddie that I want him to, or I'm going to order myself a notebook. I'm gonna say, I want you to write me a letter. I want you to make the kids scribble something in here. And I want my own as well. Just like an easy way to keep all these things organized. So that's where I feel like I knocked out of the park, didn't buy the guy anything, which is fine. But I. I then heard. And I was also just thinking, like, what should I get him? And I think that sometimes with men, we try to over complicate it, and we're like, well, he doesn't have. And then we try and get him this, like, gadget that he doesn't want.

[Liz]

I hate a man. I hate. I hate the looks of a man's gift guide.

[Kelly]

I hate the looks of a man's gift gift guide. And it's just like, what does Maddie like? Let me break this down, okay? He likes Notre Dame football. Why don't I get him a Notre Dame football sweatshirt? Does he have one? Yeah. Does he wear it all the time? Yeah, he does. What if I got him another one in a different font and a different flavor? Okay, sure. Is your husband a reader? Okay. Get Him a book. Is your husband a watch guy? Get him something for. Get him a new watch. You don't one gift idea. Sorry, Maddie, if you're listening to this, this was an idea I had for you. Maddie has a robe. He loves his robe. It's so old. I was like, why don't I just get Maddie a new nice robe? Why? Because he's a robe guy and because he has a robe. So how about I upgrade his robe now? Kelly, your husband doesn't wear a robe. Your husband's not a robe guy. Not going to be a good gift for him. But my husband is a rope guy. So what if I got him, like, a new row? A new robe?

[Liz]

You know, I honestly know. I think this is, like, good, tangible advice. I don't think that Maddie's that hard to buy for, though. Maddie likes things. And, like, Maddie has interests.

[Kelly]

Well, it's just taking their. Well, and I. You know what? But I've always tried to. I've always tried to overcomplicate it.

[Liz]

I get that. No, I get that.

[Kelly]

I've always tried to overcomplicate it. And you know what he doesn't need is, like, another flask, you know, or like, some with his name on it. Like, why? They don't need. They don't need that. It's just like, oh, he likes this. He likes sport. He likes Notre Dame. Give him a Notre Dame hat. First of all, he loves.

[Liz]

Flasks are weird. Like, if I was out with somebody and they had a flask, I would immediately send that. A drinking problem.

[Kelly]

And how many men have grooms. Groomsmen gifts that are flasks? Like, everyone who. Who's taking flasks anywhere.

[Liz]

Can we stop with the flags?

[Kelly]

Can we stop with the flasks?

[Liz]

I like that. I like the gifting advice. I think this is kind of. This is what you're saying is if you don't know what to get someone, buy them a nicer version of something they use every day?

[Kelly]

Yeah, pretty much.

[Liz]

I think, like, a really good kit gift for a man is a dop kit. Like, I like. I got Aunt Tyler like, an ander one a couple of years ago. You know, it's like, for their, like, toiletries.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

It's literally a leather bag. He will. When I say he will literally die with that bag. Like, I will never buy him another one the rest of his life. Count on it. That will be it. Yeah, good. Tyler, he's not a gift guy. Doesn't like getting gifts. We. We don't really do a Ton of gifts for each other. Sometimes I like to, like, you know, be a brat and be like, I want a present this year. Just, like, just. Just to keep things fresh, if nothing else. Sometimes I say, no, I don't need anything, or no, like, you don't have to give me a present. And sometimes I say, I expect a present, but I'm always just sure to.

[Kelly]

Tell him and, you know, well, some expectations, because they'll. Otherwise, if you don't give them the expectations, they'll always.

[Liz]

Yeah, but sometimes I like to, like, I like to save my gifts. So, like, I really. And I. People have asked me about it on my Instagram story, and I've been, like, very embarrassed because it was an expensive necklace that I got, but I wanted this Dana Rebecca necklace for years. Like, at least two years. And then I didn't get, like. I think it was literally two birthday presents, an anniversary, a push, and a Christmas. And I said, this is what I want.

[Kelly]

What I want. Yeah.

[Liz]

After not getting anything for. From him for, like, a couple, I was like, this is really what I want.

[Kelly]

Well, that's. That's a good hack, too. She's like, I don't need anything. I don't need anything because save up your. Save up your coins.

[Liz]

And you know what that also gives, though? That gives leverage. Because then it's like, well, I'm. Remember, I didn't get anything for Christmas. And I think you could say that three times, to be honest with you.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I think you would get one Christmas present, I think you could say, but remember, I didn't get anything for Christmas. You didn't get anything for my birthday. I told you I didn't want anything for my birthday, and that's what I want.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Hack.

[Kelly]

Hack. So, yeah. What do you expect on Valentine's Day? Is Tyler gonna get you anything? Like, do you expect a letter? Do you expect flowers? I have.

[Liz]

Well, I don't expect anything, but I do think it's time to start doing flowers because I think that's important for Hattie to see.

[Kelly]

I would agree. I think it's also cute when a dad gets, like, his daughter flowers.

[Liz]

No, that's what I said. I said, you need to get me Ty, Me, Hattie, and Libby. I forgot about Libby for a second. Me, Hattie, and Libby, flowers.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I agree.

[Liz]

That's what I said.

[Kelly]

Yeah. And today's episode is brought to you by Clean Simple Eats. I think we all know that we need to be getting more protein in our diet, and it's nearly impossible for me to do without my Clean Simple Eats protein. Between their protein powder and their canned drinks, I'm always having something Clean Simple Eats. I usually need like an afternoon drink and a really great option for me has been their clear protein. It's made with only eight ingredients and it's ultra filtered. It's completely lactose free, making it easy on digestion. Each can contains 20 grams of grass fed whey protein and only the highest quality of ingredients. They have four light and juicy clear protein flavors as well as clear protein plus energy drink with 20 grams of protein and 100 mig of caffeine. For the perfect pickme up, Visit Clean Simple Eats.com and use code CARPOOL10 at checkout for 10% off your order. That's Clean Simple Eats.com code CARPOOL10 for 10% off your order. The link is also in the show notes.

[Clean Simple Eats]

We're so done with New Year new you this year it's more you on Bumble. More of you shamelessly sending playlists, especially that one filled with show tunes. More of you finding Geminis because you know you always like them. More of you dating with intention because you know what you want and you know what? We love that for you. Someone else will too be more you this year and find them on Bumble.

[Liz]

Anyway, speaking of gifts, let's talk about things we bought for ourselves slash our kids recently.

[Kelly]

Totally.

[Liz]

Because you know, I didn't get anything for Christmas. And let's do our last three transactions.

[Kelly]

Okay, Kel, I'll go first because I don't. Do you ever. I think you mentioned on the pod how you bought an outfit from black House White market. First of all, black market.

[Liz]

What is this? Couple of things. I hate when people say the pod, so don't ever say that again.

[Kelly]

Okay. I didn't know that was a pain point for you.

[Liz]

Yeah, that's such. That's like, it's not so much when you say, but like when men say, oh yeah, like I heard it on a pod or like we'll have to get them on the pod. Like I can't.

[Kelly]

Okay. I don't think I'm running into that many men that are saying the word pod. But you must just be in different circles.

[Liz]

Also, it's White House black market.

[Kelly]

White house black market. You were talking about it and I still need an outfit for our photo shoot. So I said, you know what, let's see what what they're doing. Ordered a lot of stuff all with the I actually ordered one thing in two sizes so that would guarantee that I would return Things.

[Liz]

No, that's version of all.

[Kelly]

Well, first of all, I don't. I have no idea what size I am.

[Liz]

Well, it's such a hack. And it's like sometimes you have to order so many things so you make yourself return.

[Kelly]

Yeah, like I. I straigh up. Can't spend that much. That much money at White House black market. So. Hasn't come in yet. Very excited. Will be posting about it.

[Liz]

I can't wait. I can't wait. I like that place. Well, you know, it's one of my favorite seasons. It's dinner auction season. Oh, you know me, I love a dinner auction.

[Kelly]

You love dinner auction.

[Liz]

I love a dinner auction. You know what? I don't. I. I go to about three every year. So like, I'm good. Like that's plenty of dinner auctions, first.

[Kelly]

Of all, for sure.

[Liz]

But you know, I like to go. I like to do a basket. I like to spend a little coin. I mean, it's fun because you're literally you. If you're already gonna like donate the money, you might as well get something with it. I mean, I guess, like not, you know, I mean, you know what I mean? It's fine. I like, I like the hustle and bustle. I like a dinner auction. I'm doing some really fun baskets. This is kind of a tangent, but I'm doing some really fun baskets for like two major dinner auctions that I donate to. And they are gonna be an influencer PR mystery basket. And they're both gonna have like 500 values of just like random PR but like good stuff. And like I actually bought some stuff just to fill with them. But don't you think, like, the surprise element's a good idea?

[Kelly]

Yeah, I think that's fun.

[Liz]

Yeah. I just think like that sells it. So it's. I'm gonna like make the basket, but I'm gonna like cover everything up so you don't know what's in it and I'll have like some dibs. But anyway, I wanted to fill the basket with more stuff because I was, you know, I don't always have enough PR to build like two baskets. So I ordered two Stanley ice floes off Amazon.

[Kelly]

Oh, nice.

[Liz]

So because it's like the best cup in the world.

[Kelly]

It's truly so.

[Liz]

And it couldn't be a car on basket without it.

[Kelly]

Would. Would agree with you. Okay, let's see, what else have I been buying? Well, James is at a very fun age that I'm just now realizing he has interests. He's a he's a dino guy. He's a Spider man guy. He's an animal guy. So the easiest way that I can get him dressed in the morning is if I can say, do you want to wear your Spider man sweatshirt? He's like, yeah. So then he puts it on. No fight. A regular sweatshirt. He's fighting me for it. So I recently bought, went to Target and bought like any shirt, graphic tee, that had something he would be moderately interested in. And I'm hoping that's going to really help me get him dressed.

[Liz]

I find it very interesting that you have a kid who likes Spider man. And I'm wondering if how much of this was nature and nurture Because I'll.

[Kelly]

Tell you exactly what it was because.

[Liz]

You kind of have a Spider man thing.

[Kelly]

Spiderman's my favorite superhero. That's not a secret. I used to have a Vine account where I am impersonate, impersonated Spider Man. It's fine.

[Liz]

We need to surface those.

[Kelly]

We don't.

[Liz]

We service all my embarrassing videos.

[Kelly]

Okay, well here's the thing. Here's the thing. Let me back up before everyone's like, whoa, that's really weird. It was college, me and my girlfriend's all dressed up as superheroes. I bought this child's extra large spider man jacket with a hood that covered your eyes so you look like Spider man. I, I really enjoyed it. I kind of like made. I got a spidey shooter and was, you know, you can shoot. I was like shooting silly string of people all night. I kind of made it my personality. What can I say? Create a divine account. It was just like a joke account where I made all these videos where I was wearing this Spider man jacket. Whatever. Spider man's been my favorite superhero. When the Tony's box was on sale, the only one with the most amount of characters that was on sale was Spidey and his amazing friends. And I'm like, okay, sure. I'm trying to get bang for my buck here. So I ordered that one. That Tony's is actually a really good one because they play all the songs at the beginning and then tell a cute story. So would recommend the Spidey Tony's. But he really liked the songs and it would go, go, webs, go. And so then he would call it go go. And then he then we like found Spidey and his amazing friends on Disney plus and he's like, go, go, go, go. And now he just likes. He likes go go.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

He has books, he has sweatshirts, he has toys.

[Liz]

I. You're feeding into it and.

[Kelly]

No, I'm totally feeding into it because thing too, that he, like, repeatedly noticed. I'm, like, perfect. Everything you. Anything you could possibly want, it's yours. It's. Go, Go. And now he's really a dinosaur. So now I'm. Now I'm stepping into the dino world.

[Liz]

So excited for you.

[Kelly]

It's just fun.

[Liz]

Yeah, it is fun. Okay. Anyway. Were you going somewhere with that?

[Kelly]

I already said my. I bought him. I bought him shirts from Target. Okay.

[Liz]

Well, speaking of Tony's, I. We're really having, like, a renaissance with the Tony's box over at my house because for a while it was. I mean, my kids have always played with it consistently, but, like, now George and Hattie absolutely have to listen to a story every night. Absolutely. Like, without question. And, you know, they. They rotate who picks what, and I'm tired of the ones we had. And I, like, could have waited for a Christmas or something, but, like, I. Or a birthday, but I just couldn't. So I each bought them a new Tony for literally no reason. Yeah, I bought Hattie the spirit one. And I bought George Lion King. George is tough. We haven't listened to Lion King yet, but the spirit one, honestly, I don't really listen to him once. I just, like, put them on and I go to bed.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

So I don't know.

[Kelly]

Yeah, George is tough.

[Liz]

George is tough, but I use the Tony's create. He made the Tony's creative. Maybe I'll just record a YouTube video of, like, the guy he likes to watch on the Tony's creative.

[Kelly]

Yeah, just like, talking about reptiles.

[Liz]

Reptiles. It is just so hard, though, because it's like, poor Hattie, because George and I do so many things together, and there's some things that feel like, neutral. Like, for example, the Lion King, like, totally neutral. And Hattie is always very. I mean, I just. I don't think I make George sit there and watch Princess as much as I make. How do you sit there and watch reptiles? And I need to work on that. And I'm looking inward. But how. He's also just chill. She doesn't really care, you know?

[Kelly]

Well, and. Okay, well, I. I don't know.

[Liz]

I don't know. I don't know that. Whatever. I don't know.

[Kelly]

I. I can't help you with that. I'm not sure. Okay, so you bought more Tony's.

[Liz]

I bought more Tony's.

[Kelly]

Oh, gosh. I really have not been spending that much money, but this is. I didn't buy this, but. Well, I Guess I won't do that one. Like, Loki. Haven't been transacting. I'm kind of like, on a. Like, saving my money.

[Liz]

Okay, well, you wanted to, like.

[Kelly]

I mean, my last one is. It's like, I just bought Sloan, like, custom daycare stickers with her name.

[Liz]

That's a fun one.

[Kelly]

It's not that fun.

[Liz]

What color did you go for?

[Kelly]

Well, I got them off Amazon. They have swans on them because they were cute. They're like purple and pink and they had swans on them.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

I don't know.

[Liz]

That's fine.

[Kelly]

Say her name. That's it.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

What's your last one?

[Liz]

I bought a new car seat. See, mine's boring, too. Oh, well, I bought a Diono Cambria. It's a booster seat. I really like this Diono booster seat. And they sent me one a long time ago. But the problem with when they sent me, for some reason, they sent me a hot pink one. And, like, I need it for George. Like, I would like George to try out the Diona Cambria. And, like, he's not. I'm not gonna make him sit in a hot pink one.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

So I bought a black one and I wanted to have. I think I. The way that my expedition works is the expedition headrest and the third one aren't removable. And this one works good with non removable headrest. So, like, I do think I'll use a black. I do think when Hattie's in the booster seat, she'll use the pink one that I have. So kind of like a two bird situation.

[Kelly]

Totally.

[Liz]

And that's that. So are you ready for last three transactions? Are we sure? Are we? No. Are you ready for introduced rice with a hot tea going on in the auto industry?

[Kelly]

Yeah, girl.

[Liz]

Okay, two stories. We have to talk about it. We have a new president with a new president. We have new mandates or we have new executive orders. You guys, I can't. I'm not. Please, like, please give me some grace. Like I don't know all the political jargon. I read this entire article, and I still kind of only understand it, But Trump ends EV mandate first day in office. Could impose tariffs by February 1st. This is from car dealership guy. Here's what I really wanted to talk about, though. During his inauguration speech, Trump confirmed his plans to undo what he calls the EV mandate, which was a set of policies passed by the Biden administration in 2021. With the goal of boosting EV sales. With a goal of boosting EV sale shares to 50% by 2030. So what's a little confusing is like Trump's calling it a mandate. It wasn't a man, it wasn't a mandate. But like the policies were encouraging 50 EV share. So Trump redid all. Trump canceled that. He also froze. Trump also froze funds allocated for expanding EV infrastructure. So while billions were had, had been directed towards the project, only a handful of charging stations have been constructed with the funds. So those billions were to go in towards like the EV infrastructure and having more charging stations. So, so interesting because like, then there's like the whole like oil. Isn't Elon like your best friend? So like, how's the blood? Like, are you guys good or whatever. I think what this means for you is I think we will see manufacturers start to back up on their EV hopes, dreams and fears, which I feel like I've kind of, I feel like we've kind of said this for a while. I. You're not gonna, I mean, we're gonna continue on with the evs because also evs actually have grown and the audience appetite has grown for evs especially as more and more come out and there's more competition. Whatever they're doing better, they're improving. I think we'll see manufacturers though start to prioritize like hybrids. Hybrids and like I almost see a world where it's like, you know, you can get. And there's so many factors that are doing this but like you could get a Kia gas hybrid, plug in hybrid and like you could like pick. It's like pick, pick your own adventure.

[Kelly]

I love that.

[Liz]

That's kind of where I'm seeing it. So.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Speaking of all things evs though, this was like a funny story for Motor Trend. It's about Scout Motors, which if you need a refresher, Scout Motors is an, I'm gonna call them like a boutique EV brand. You know, they're one of those brands trying to like make an off roading electric car. This still doesn't make any sense to me. And the headline says how Scout Motors plans to deliver both modern tech and a digital detox simultaneously. So it kind of just goes into like what, what, what Scouts trying to do. And the big headline was behold physical knobs and buttons.

[Kelly]

Honestly, that's innovation in an ev.

[Liz]

Scout plans to buck the buttonless trend started by Tesla and imitated by Rivian and Lucid that packs nearly every control into the touchscreen. In the Scouts. You can adjust the mirror and the steering wheel with dedicated knobs and you flick a lever to the left of the steering wheel to signal a turn. Both Scout models feature a row of dedicated physical climate control buttons underneath the 16.2-inch touchscreen. So there's buttons.

[Kelly]

Okay, so the story. There's buttons. The story is that there's buttons, but.

[Liz]

They'Re also going to, you know, of course, have, like, some big there. It's going to be riddled with tech. But I guess, like, the overall consensus was, like, people kind of want. They want the cars to have good technology, but they want to feel like they're still in control of it, and they want to feel like they're driving it, and people want buttons. I like, I'm a button girl. Yeah, a button, a knob. Like, bring it a switch. I love it.

[Kelly]

Well, I think that there's something too about, like, what if you had, like, a very satisfying knob or button?

[Liz]

Like, no, Like, I was going back on our old reels just to, like, see what we were up to. We made such a good reel. I need to resurf. I'm also gonna start reposting stuff because, like, we do such good, Liz. We do such good work. And we made an AMSR and a Honda crv. The Honda CR V has the most brain tickling satisfying sounds you've ever heard in your life.

[Kelly]

Let's put our research, our studies, and our development into brain tickling clicks and knobs, and let's do that.

[Liz]

I agree.

[Kelly]

Well, I have some industry news.

[Liz]

Tell me.

[Kelly]

I'm getting a new car. It's time for me my demo. I have too many miles on it, so I am getting a. Wait for it. Hyundai Palisade.

[Liz]

Oh, I didn't even hear the latest.

[Kelly]

Yeah, well, I was considering maybe dipping my toe in the waters of the minivan world and getting a Kia Carnival, but dad called me the other day and told me that he picked out a Palisade that he wants me to drive. So he's very excited about. He's very passionate about it. So I said, okay, fine. So I'm excited. I've never driven a Palisade before because since they've come out, they've been in such high demand that they never had enough to spare one for me to drive as a demo. So I'm excited. That way I will have spent some good time in a Telluride, a Pathfinder, and a Palisade. So I feel like I'm completing my trinity.

[Liz]

It is the trinity.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I live, laugh, love for the Palisade. I drove the Palisade with George and Hattie a lot. Like, I drove it with two kids a lot. And I always say this, and I stand by it. If I would have been done at two, I would have bought a Hyundai Palisade. Like, if I had two kids, I'd buy a Hyundai Palisade.

[Kelly]

I will, I will either confirm or deny that.

[Liz]

Like, without, without question, it is my favorite interior design of all the mid size SUV's. I can say that it's beautiful. It's gorgeous.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I'm gorgeous.

[Liz]

I literally love everything. I love the interior of that vehicle so much. Like, I'm, I'm obsessed.

[Kelly]

I'm excited to mix it up to get me out of my SUV rut. And speaking of mixing it up to get you out of your rut, it's time for a dish to drive through.

[Liz]

I knew you a daisy dinner is me excited. That makes it so excited. So excited. So excited about this.

[Kelly]

Kelly, you sent me this one. And you know, we don't DM often for girls. We're always, always on Instagram. We don't DM often, but when we do, you know, it's a good one.

[Liz]

And why don't we, like, there's, I don't know if it's just like we're.

[Kelly]

IDM multiple people regularly. Like, you are not on my Rolodex.

[Liz]

And I wonder.

[Kelly]

No.

[Liz]

That is so interesting because, like, I rarely see something and think of you.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Or maybe it's just like because we talk so much.

[Kelly]

Well, it could be. I'll just be like, oh, I'll just tell her about this the next time we speak.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

I don't know. Anyway, Kelly, I want to find it.

[Liz]

Hold on.

[Kelly]

Sorry, I just had to yawn. Kelly found a Instagram recipe.

[Liz]

Okay, I'm getting there.

[Kelly]

I'm trying to, I'm trying to buy you time.

[Liz]

So as you guys know, Liz and I recently have in our deep freezers have pork and beef and we've made it our personality. Oh my gosh. Remember me tell you the most annoying. Can I tell you the most annoying thing that Tyler did?

[Kelly]

What?

[Liz]

And you know the thing with it? It's like, I like Tyler is very particular about some things. Like, let me just give you an example. Every morning when he makes his coffee, he puts, makes iced coffee in a Yeti like tumbler and he has to count 22 ice cubes and put it in there.

[Kelly]

Oh, that's so strange.

[Liz]

And so, and all I hear is, and I can't talk to him because then he'll lose count.

[Kelly]

What happens if he loses count?

[Liz]

Today I literally looked at him and I, I Had an ice. I. I wanted just to be sassy, and I took the. I took. Put 23 ice cubes in it. Like, he pulled it out, and I threw one more in there. And he was like. But, like, he knew he could never live it down if he actually let it bother him. So he literally sits there and counts his ice cubes. So just to give you an idea, colors, but then other things. He's so not particular on. I don't. I. I honestly, I've been with the man for, what, 13 years. I don't have him figured out. Okay. So I've told you about, like, his meat crate. His meat crate system, which it did make me use the cuts of meat. If you recall, I made country fried steak. Like, I used cube steak. Okay, well, he did it. We got more meat, and he did it again. But he's done it in such an annoying way now because. Well, first of all, he tries to take towels and tuck them on the crate. So I can only choose from he's. And I literally. Whatever. So now what he's done, though, is I'm like, tell her. You have to group the meats together. Because, like, what's happening is I'm looking on the top, there's one pack of pork chops that has two pork chops in it. I need all the. If we're having pork chops for dinner, I need all the pork chops.

[Kelly]

Yeah, you need sex.

[Liz]

We have six people. We have five eaters in this family now.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And he's like, we'll just grab two something else instead. I'm like, no, I'm not doing it that way. So anyway, he's letting.

[Kelly]

Then you're making two recipes.

[Liz]

No, I know.

[Kelly]

You're crazy.

[Liz]

He doesn't understand how cooking works. So anyway, and I was also like, tyler, I did a good job going through the meat. I used the cube steak. That's the worst cut of meat.

[Kelly]

I've earned this.

[Liz]

And I used it. So, like, your system worked. Your system stretched me. I actually liked your system. Don't keep going on it. Anyway, that was a scenic route to say, liz and I love a Chuck roast.

[Kelly]

Oh, my gosh.

[Liz]

And we have a lot of Chuck roasts. And we're always going back and forth being like, what are we doing with the Chuck roast? What are we doing with the Chuck roast?

[Kelly]

Because you only make a Mississippi roast so many times.

[Liz]

And then we have a taco variety, which we like. But then, I don't know. We're not always in the mood for that. This Stopped me in my tracks when I saw it. Crock pot, French dip sandwiches. It's from Cooking in the Midwest. He's like one of my favorite Instagram followers right now.

[Kelly]

He was a taco skill skillet.

[Liz]

He was the taco skillet. And then I'm just like, is this just, like. I can't explain Cooking in the Midwest, but, like, because this is, like, how Midwesterns cook. Like, is this. Are these just all Midwestern delicacies? I don't know. I'm obsessed. So you get a chuck roast, one onion, sliced. I gotta figure out how to slice onions. I think I need a mandolin. Do you have a mandolin?

[Kelly]

No.

[Liz]

Okay. Worcestershire sauce, beer, a package of a jus, beef broth, sub rolls, provolone. So he sears it. He does it right. He does it up in the cast iron. He does it right. He sears it, puts it in his crock pot with some onions, and then has this delicious French onion beef to put on his, like, hoagie rolls with Proval. I'm mouth watering obsessed.

[Kelly]

Mouth watering. Go follow Cookie in the Midwest. He's got some really good and attainable recipe.

[Liz]

So attainable.

[Kelly]

So attainable. But impressive. Anyway, and Kel, with that, that's gonna be our episode.

[Liz]

No. And it really was.

[Kelly]

And it really was. Thank you so much for listening to the Carpool podcast, and we'll talk to you next time.

[Liz]

See ya.

[Kelly]

Thank you for listening to the Carpool Podcast with Kelly and Liz. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode. And if you enjoyed riding with us, tell everybody you know there's room in the car for everyone.