COUNTRY VS. TOWN: MEGAN MCKILLEN

Megan McKillen grew up in the southwest suburbs but knew she didn’t have a chance of moving back south after her now husband invited her to her first Fourth of July in the town where he grew up, Tower Lakes. She immediately fell in love with the north side and not even her parents could blame her. The couple now live with their three children: 4-year-old son, James; 2-year- old son, Charlie; and 4-month-old daughter, Nelle, on the lake down the street from her wonderful in-laws. Before making Tower Lakes home, McKillen played volleyball at the University of Notre Dame, then moved to Lincoln Park where she had 10 good years of city living and readily available Thai food takeout. She now enjoys the best of both worlds, taking the Metra in to the busy Loop a couple of days a week for her job on the corporate accounting team of private equity firm Adams Street Partners. But she’s always happy to return to the calm of the country, that is until bedtime.

Mantra? When in doubt, play it out Best life tip? Download the Yuka app. The app scans barcodes on food and beauty products and rates them on a scale of 0-100 (bad to excellent). It will suggest healthier alternatives for “bad” items. Catch me on the weekends at Costco scanning everything in the frozen food aisle Guilty pleasure? Expensive pedicures. The Ultimate Pedicure at the Cowshed Spa in the Soho House is my absolute favorite (75 mins and includes a head massage!) Favorite foods? I love a good chicken strip and am thankful to my toddlers for making it socially acceptable for me to order them at a restaurant Music you love? The Lone Bellow is my favorite band. They usually play a smaller venue once a year in the city and we love to catch them live. Also Pat McKillen! (He isn’t the brother I’m married to, so I’m not even obligated to say that) Best advice ever given to you? You burn your behind, you sit on the blister. My grandma said this to me a lot when I was in college Best advice you’ve given? Take lots of pictures and be in lots of pictures Earliest memory? Dancing on a cooler in my aunt’s garage singing “Build Me Up Buttercup” for a party. She had confidence Before bed, you? Take a hot bath and do the New York Times mini crossword What’s on your bookshelf? The Wedding People. Some dark humor but so entertaining. You can’t live without? A bathtub and my kids’ big hugs when I pick them up from daycare Love to escape to? Cabo! But we also love a staycation. The Publishing House B&B in the West Loop is our favorite, and it’s walking distance from that Ultimate Pedicure referenced earlier! Advice you would give to your younger self? Study other languages and learn to play golf

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? Almost exclusively athleisure—CRZ Yoga is my favor- ite brand on Amazon. Can’t leave the house without? This question implies that I remember to leave the house with anything at all. If I’ve remembered all three kids, I’ve definitely forgotten my phone Transportation? Honda Pilot—our final stop before the minivan Driving music? A podcast, usually Armchair Expert Place to eat? Southern Belle’s for breakfast, Wild Onion Brewery for dinner with the kids, PL8 for a mai thai Shop? The Pink Geranium Best thing about country? The lake, having a backyard, and amazing neighborhood for the kids to run around and play, waking up every day and saying, “Wow what a beautiful day!” Worst thing about country? The mice The perfect day is? Start with a family walk/bike/ scooter around the neighborhood, brunch at Southern Belles, a swim at the cousins’ pool down the street, everyone in the family takes a nap at the same time, then we have the family over on the deck for pizza and wine and end the day by bringing down all of the pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals and renting a movie for “cozy night”

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Casual. Relaxed jeans, sweater, booties Can’t leave the house without? Headphones if taking the Metra Transportation? Divvy bike. Not always by choice, but if I’m with my husband there simply is no other option Driving music? A random Spotify curated playlist like “Your Top Songs 2017” Place to eat? Tuco and Blondie for a fun brunch, Sushi San for date night, Noodles in the Pot for Thai takeout, Armitage Alehouse for their Sticky Date Cake—the best dessert I’ve ever had Shop? Art Effect Best thing about town? Being able to walk everywhere, the many great parks for the kids, all of the food options Worst thing about town? Winter (this season is much more tolerable in the country) The perfect day is? I drop the kids off with my mom who takes them to the zoo and R.J. Grunts for their own perfect city day, while I do a workout class (maybe yoga sculpt or a cross town fitness class) with an amazing playlist and then head to a boozy brunch with a big group of friends at Tuco and Blondie on Southport