A PURPOSEFUL LIFE

Christine Witt says growing up in Lake Bluff was nothing short of magical. “As I get older, I’ve come to appreciate even more the deep sense of pride I feel in how close my family is and the many shared experiences we had living in the same town,” says Witt, adding that Friday night family parties at her grandmother’s house with aunts, uncles, and cousins were a foundation of her childhood. “This connection makes my Lake Bluff experience all the more meaningful to me.” From riding her bike to school with her cousins and exploring the ravine outside her house to the long summer days the family would spend at the lake, her young life was filled with sensory experiences and stories—planting the seeds for a career as a TV producer and more recently, her work with the PurposeFull brand of journals. “Since I was young, storytelling has been my passion. I’ve always kept a journal to capture my feelings and adventures, so it’s no surprise that I pursued a degree in Communications with a concentration in Media Studies,” she explains. “My dream was to work for Oprah, but unfortunately, her show went off the air shortly before I graduated. After a brief stint in hospitality, I found my way to Grip Design, a creative agency in Chicago, where I met Josh, my future co-founder.” After Grip Design, she worked in New York as a full-time storyteller and TV producer for such popular shows as Chopped, Chopped Junior, and 90 Day Fiancé. Then the pandemic hit, which drew her back to her hometown. “I turned to journaling to calm my anxious thoughts and soothe my worries. That’s when PurposeFull was born—a creative venture inspired by the pandemic,” says Witt, adding that she had stayed in touch with her co-founder so the timing could not have been more perfect. “With Josh’s design magic and my passion for storytelling, we crafted PurposeFull to explore the powerful connection between scent and memory for mental well-being.” This busy entrepreneur recently took some time to share some of her favorite things on the North Shore and beyond. For more information on her new venture, visit purposefullgoods.com.

Favorite place to escape and relax? Family lake house in Wisconsin. Favorite scent? It’s a tie between CapriBlue’s Havana Vanilla scent and Nest’s Lavender and Cedarwood. North Shore’s best-kept secret is? Spending an early morning at the lakefront. It sets your mind at peace for the start of the day. Beauty brand you can’t live without? I really love anything by Biossance or The Ordinary. Favorite local restaurant and go-to order? Deer Path Inn. I like the Wild Mushroom Risotto from The White Hart Pub, but for a special treat I like the Afternoon Tea in the English Room. Favorite thing about your hometown? I think the trees and the friendly people make it pretty great. Best thing about the month of October? Watching the leaves changing color along the ravine in Lake Bluff. And, of course, cozy fall sweaters Favorite beverage? Arnold Palmer with the perfect balance of Iced tea to lemonade. Next passport stamp will be? I’m hoping to celebrate the New Year in Paris, France! Your perfect weekend getaway consists of? A cabin on a lake, day hikes, nightly campfires, good food, good friends, good wine, and belly laughs. Best live concert you’ve seen recently? The Vaccines and The Kooks. TV show you can’t stop binging? Sex Education. I love British comedy! Favorite vacation spot? I love Cape Cod. I go there regularly to hang out with friends, and it’s always the best time. Favorite journaling hack? Our PurposeFull brand combines scent, journaling, and ambiance to help you manifest goals. Light the candle, relax into the scent, and follow the prompts. Repeat daily for best results. What’s on your bucket list for the rest of 2024? To partner with a few local stores to stock them with PurposeFull Goods, start some new creative projects that push me outside my comfort zone, and level up my technical creative skills.