COUNTRY LOVES: MEGHAN SMITHE CLARKE

Meghan Smithe Clarke, Barrington High School alum and current Barrington Hills resident, is part of the fourth generation of Smithe family leadership at family-owned Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. Clarke works closely with her family to lead the business as it enters its 79th year.

What actress would play you in a movie? Kristen Stewart—strangers stop me all the time to tell me I look like the girl from Twilight.

Who from history would you want to travel with? I’d love to visit Washington DC with one of my idols, Sandra Day O’Connor, to learn about her early days as our first female Supreme Court justice.

Where do you look for inspiration? Nature is my biggest source of inspiration—there’s something magical about every season here in Barrington. I am grateful to live in a place where I am surrounded by beautiful native trees and can have my own vegetable garden.

Favorite book? English was my college major, so I appreciate so many of the classic 20th-century novels. Recently, I read Educated by Tara Westover and couldn’t put it down.

Most beloved cookbook? When I moved out on my own, my mom gifted me a copy of The Joy of Cooking and it’s been my go-to ever since. At this point, my copy is well loved (i.e., torn up and stained) and just as useful as ever.

Best dinner party hack? My husband, JC, and I have an unspoken dynamic when it comes to preparing for a party. He usually sets up the bar and cleans up outside, while I prep the food and clean up inside. Our goal is to get as much done as possible before our guests arrive. Also, a pre-party cocktail is a must as it helps shift my mindset from prep chef to hostess.

What’s in your bag right now? Everything you’d expect, plus several (maybe five!) pairs of goodr Sunglasses. I’m completely sold on this brand—the approachable price point means I can have one in every color and not stress when I lose a pair.