JENNIFER HOLTON is a busy Burr Ridge resident, enjoying life as a wife and mother while maintaining a great sense of fashion.

Mantra? You don’t have to sparkle to shine! You shine bright as yourself. On your reading stack? Lucy Foley’s The Guest List is my current read but I really enjoyed The Paris Seamstress, The Paris Orphan, and Paris Secret by Natasha Lester. Favorite workout? I’m a barre junkie. I was a dancer in a company as a girl. Best grooming tip? Cetaphil! It may be inexpensive but has never failed me. Also, something doesn’t have to match, it just has to go. Guilty pleasure? Gardenscapes on my phone. Early memory? I have amazing memories of spending time in a little boutique in Freeport, IL with my mom. The owner would go on to be a mentor and friend. I adored her! She put my mom in her wedding dress, veil, and other accessories. I wore the same veil, which she adored! Music you love? Well, I’m a child of the 90’s so, No Doubt, Aerosmith, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews Band. I have always been a Beatles fan. My Dad instilled the love in me and it is stronger now that he is gone. Advice you would give to your younger self? Find your fit (friends, school, job) and fight for it, kindly & smartly.

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? Outdoorsy chic. I just bought a new Carhartt olive and sherpa vest I am obsessed with. I wear it with jeans, cozy sweater, Planone rain boots or my ancient white Sorel originals. Let’s be real, as a mom of three boys, I often end up in flare leggings, a cropped ¼ zip sweatshirt & my Stan Smith’s. Mine have snake print on the back & gold tips on the laces, just to keep the edge. Favorite walk? Chasing kiddos around Harvester Park. They like the tractor in the back, we call it “Frank.” Favorite sounds or soundtrack? I love the ducks splashing in the pond in our backyard. Can’t leave the house without? Aquaphor chapstick, water, and my boys! Place to celebrate? My house, I love entertaining and have done most of my kids’ birthdays at our home. If we go out to celebrate it is usually to Jenn’s Guest House in Willow Springs. Best quick bite or hidden gem? My kitchen or Kirsten’s Bakery. Favorite festival or special event? My husband, some friends, and I just did the first annual Willowbrook Park District “Mug Run” with Black Horizon Brew Company. It was a blast! Best thing about the country? I love our property! To have an acre with a pond this close to the city is amazing. I always feel fortunate how close we are to kid’s school & friends. Worst thing about the country? It’s all great. I grew up spending a good amount of time in the city and lived in the northwest corner of Illinois. Burr Ridge is the happy medium. The perfect day is? We have an RV and my favorite mornings often start there. Quiet, except for the birds & a hot cup of French press coffee. Watching the sun slowly stir everything awake is amazing.

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Eclectic and a little edgy. I recently had a conversation with my 8-year-old son about art. He asked why I love art but don’t practice. I told him fashion is my art, clothing is my medium. I love creating the right look for the occasion for them and myself. Favorite walk? With the kids, the museum campus along the lake to Maggie Daly Park, through Millenium Park to The Gage and back. If it’s just me, I like the walk from Macy’s State Street (which will always be Marshall Field’s to me) to Water Tower or The Merchandise Mart just as the holiday lights are turning on. Favorite sounds or soundtrack? The bell of the “L” followed by “Merchandise Mart.” Can’t leave the house without? My phone, shades, sanitizer. Place to celebrate? BLVD steakhouse. They have great cocktails, great food. It’s cool, luxurious, and not too loud. Best quick bite or hidden gem? Well, it’s not hidden to us but, Fontionos on Polk has BEST breakfast, hands down, The Bongo Room on North Milwaukee! The bar at The Whitehall is quaint & cozy. Favorite festival or special event? We love Taste of Randolf, it reminds me of being 20-something in the City. It’s our tradition to my kids, nieces, nephews to the Walnut Room at the Holidays. We see the Jolly Man, explore the windows, listen to the sidewalk musicians & make wish lists. It is so wonderful to build on a tradition my parents started. We also take the same crew to Broadway in Chicago shows. We get dressed up, have dinner, and see a show. Shop? Logan Square has lots of cool places. Best thing about town? The Energy. Worst thing about town? The traffic. The perfect day is? I like taking my boys. We start at The Shedd and mosey along the lake to play at Maggie Daley Park. Stop at the “Bean”, lunch at The Gage or Cindy’s and back. I also love a Sunday Funday brunch at The Bongo Room followed by a stroll around the funky vintage shops and cool little boutiques.