PAMELA PONTIKIS grew up in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago before moving to the West Loop with her husband, Dr. George Pontikis, after college. The couple eventually found their way to Hinsdale after a two-year stay in Dallas, for Dr. Pontikis’s surgical fellowship. Pamela has a degree in Civil Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and works as a Project Manager for Talman Consultants, a woman-owned utility engineering firm based in Chicago. When this self-proclaimed “awful cook” isn’t consulting with clients like the City of Chicago, she enjoys working out with her husband and two children—Christopher (4) and Angela (2). “My husband and kids are my best friends and support system in everything that I do in life.” The family’s love of Hinsdale began during a weekend trip to the area while still living in Dallas. “We had a free afternoon one weekend and decided to drive through the areas we were considering and immediately fell in love with Hinsdale,” she says. “The downtown was picturesque, and we loved the character of the neighborhood.” She has certainly made her footprint on the local community, supporting nonprofits like Simply From the Heart, Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club, and an organization near to her heart and in memory of her father, the Lung Cancer Research Foundation. Pamela shares some of her favorites in the country and around town with Hinsdale Living this month:

Mantra? Carpe diem. Best grooming tip? Nothing makes me feel better than a great blowout. Guilty pleasure? Eating my kid’s snacks. Favorite foods? Greek Tiropitas made by my mom. I am an awful cook, so I love any time she makes a childhood meal. Music you love? I love anything upbeat, especially top hits, musicals, and Britney Spears. Best advice ever given to you? Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it. Best advice you’ve given? Always try to see things from someone else’s perspective. Earliest memory? Running to the train to pick up my dad from work. We lived a few blocks from the Metra and it was a nightly summertime ritual to meet him at the end of the block and walk home together. When you wake up, you? Beg my kids to let us sleep just five more minutes. Before bed, you? Chat with my husband. He’s always so busy during the day that nights have become our quiet time to catch up on life. What’s on your bookshelf? The Home Edit organization books. You can’t live without? My family and of course, my phone. How else would I take 1,000 pictures a day of them?! Love to escape to? London with my husband. Advice you would give to your younger self? Everything happens for a reason.

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? Almost always athleisure. I will glam it up for a meeting or event. Can’t leave the house without? My cellphone and a coffee. Transportation? My SUV. I’m short, so I love to feel taller in my big car. Driving music? Top pop—I’m almost always singing along out of tune and off-key. Place to eat? Fuller House—I feel like we can go there no matter who we’re with. Whether date night or with energetic toddlers, we feel right at home. Shop? Marcus. Best thing about country? The people. We found such a wonderful tribe of people to surround ourselves with and share so many fun experiences. Worst thing about country? The bugs. The perfect day is? A morning family walk downtown for coffee, hanging out with our friends and their kids in someone’s backyard, followed by a dinner date in downtown Hinsdale.

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Jeans and a top or a cute dress. Always with a heel and I love a great coat in the winter. Can’t leave the house without? Lipstick. Transportation? Walking or Uber. Driving music? I love to use my city walks to catch up on my phone calls for work or with friends. Place to eat? Maple and Ash for a fancy night out or Jefferson Tap near our old neighborhood for a more casual evening. Shop? Bloomingdale’s. Best thing about town? The atmosphere. I love the busy streets and all of the interesting neighborhoods to visit. Worst thing about town? The traffic and parking. The perfect day is? Walking the River Walk and Michigan Avenue to shop and pop in restaurants to eat. I love not having a plan when we’re downtown and just going with the flow.