COUNTRY VS. TOWN: CLAIRE MULLEN

Claire Mullen has lived her whole life in Barrington and is so excited to raise her family here. For the last three years she and her husband, Jack, have been restoring their 1938 Sears Home in the Village. While Claire has never been much of an athlete, dressing her 1-year-old daughter, Annie, has become her varsity sport. Because of Annie, Claire now has a blossoming custom embroidery and monogramming business called Suburban Stitches—she can be found on Instagram at @suburbanstitches. Her custom items are sold in-store at The English Daisy in Barrington and at Fontana Home in Fontana, Wisconsin. For the last two years, Claire has co-chaired the Service to Seniors Committee for the Barrington Junior Women’s Club, and she and her husband were in the Barrington Area Council on Aging’s Dancing with the Barrington Stars in 2023.

Mantra? “No bow, no go” (with regards to my daughter’s hair) Best grooming tip? Find a great tailor and a great monogrammer/embroideress (hint, hint) to customize your look and your home decor Guilty pleasure? Chocolate- covered pretzels Favorite foods? Pasta!! So much so that my wedding reception was at Maggiano’s Music you love? I don’t mean to brag, but I am in the top 0.25 percent of Taylor Swift listeners Best advice ever given to you? It takes a lot of effort to look effortless, so plan ahead—from my mom Best advice you’ve given? Everything is as big of a deal as you choose to make it Earliest memory? Visiting my dad at the fire department with my mom and brother one Christmas while he was working Before bed, you? Read, which is supposed to put me to sleep but instead, I get hooked on the book and am up until 1 a.m. What’s on your bookshelf? A bit of everything: from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros to Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen to Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney You can’t live without? My family! They are my support system Love to escape to? When your husband is a pilot, anywhere is possible Advice you would give to your younger self? Invest in Bitcoin

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? No matter the season, I am usually in a dress. Simple and classic in the country Can’t leave the house without? These days it’s the diaper bag, snacks, and Jones Road Miracle Balm for a quick lip and blush application Transportation? My stroller! Living in the Village means we can walk everywhere with the baby Driving music? Sesame Street songs Place to eat? gigi Wine Bar & Bistro and Neoteca, and you can find me every Saturday morning at Cook Street Coffee for a mocha and a scone Shop? Amazing Gracie’s, French N.75 Maison, The English Daisy, and The Pink Geranium Best thing about country? Seeing someone I know everywhere I go Worst thing about country? Seeing empty storefronts The perfect day is? My house is already clean, Annie slept until 7:30 a.m., we walk to Cook Street Coffee, pop in on my parents and stay for lunch, and finally dress up for dinner at gigi Wine Bar & Bistro (please note my kitchen has stayed clean all day)

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Still in a dress, more tailored and chic, always black Can’t leave the house without? A crossbody bag and a portable charger Transportation? Metra and walking Driving music? Lately, Chappell Roan Place to eat? Quartino, Duck Duck Goat, Farm Bar in Lakeview Shop? P.O.S.H for awesome gifts and antiques! I make time to stop in every time I’m in the city. And I am so excited to take Annie to the American Girl Store someday Best thing about town? The views! There is nothing like the Chicago skyline Worst thing about town? The constant expressway construction (thank goodness for Metra) The perfect day is? Sleep in, brunch at Eleven City Diner, pop in a few shops, drinks at the Chicago Athletic Association Game Room, end with a comedy show