COUNTRY LOVES: FEBRUARY 2023

What actress would play you in a movie? A young Catherine Zeta-Jones. She is classy, adventurous, ambitious, and loyal to her family. We also have a similar appearance, back in college people frequently told me I looked like her—I couldn’t think of a better compliment!

Who from history would you want to travel with? It would be incredible to travel with the painter and sculptor Michelangelo. I have a passion for art, especially from the Italian Renaissance, and I have been lucky enough to visit some of the best museums in the world including the Louvre, Uffizi, Prado, and Vatican. Imagine walking the streets of Florence and Rome with the master himself telling stories about the Roman Catholic church and painting the Sistine Chapel. He was friends with some of the most iconic artists of all time, including two of my favorites Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli. Seeing Europe through his artistic perspective would be sublime.

Where do you look for inspiration? I look to God and to my family for inspiration. These two things matter most in my life and inspire me to be the best version of myself. There are so many distractions in our lives, especially with cell phones and social media, it is easy to get caught up in things that don’t matter. Spending time with God and my family helps me to center myself, stay motivated, and prioritize what is important.

Favorite book? I can honestly say I don’t have a favorite book of all time. My literary interests evolve and change over time. My favorite book I read this year was The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson.

Most beloved cookbook? The Best Recipe Cookbook is a beast at almost 1,000 pages and was written by a team of top chefs with an obsession to find the absolute best version of classic recipes. The recipes include everything from beef burgundy to chocolate chip cookies. It emphasizes the science behind cooking and describes precisely how to prepare ingredients and meats. Both my husband and I cook, but he is definitely the chef in the family. Everything he has made from this book has been exceptional, and many of the explanations provided in the text have furthered his culinary skills. Some of our favorite recipes include spaghetti alla carbonara and butternut squash soup.

Best dinner party hack? Start the party with a specialty cocktail that is prepared ahead of time. You can have a lot of fun preparing a specialty drink, especially for holidays or parties with a theme— and in my experience, people enjoy trying something new. You can also offer an assortment of garnishes, which allow guests to tailor the cocktail to their taste. A special mocktail can also be made for the kids; they love being offered something different than juice boxes or water.

What’s in your bag right now? My bag is pretty small, which is intentional so I don’t have to send out a search party to locate my car keys. Currently, there’s my wallet, Ray-Ban polarized sunglasses (I’m completely blind without them), Bath & Body Works scented hand sanitizer, Burt’s Bees rose-tinted lip balm, oil absorbing sheets, my favorite blue pen—the Pilot G2, and my keys.

CAROLYN LOVES

Gadget Blendtec blender, I use it every day for protein shakes, smoothies, and acai bowls Scent Prada’s Candy Eau de Parfum Barrington spot For dining, Shakou’s rooftop terrace. For fashion, G&G Women’s Boutique Hostess gift to receive A good bottle of cabernet Gift to give Heritage Angus Steaks from Linz Meats, especially for those who love to grill at home