DANIELLE WHEELER grew up in Oak Brook. She made many lifelong friends as a member of the first class of girls at Fenwick High School in Oak Park. She attended college in California, earned her degree in interior design, then joined other young professionals in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood while attending Le Cordon Bleu for culinary school. Danielle and her husband traveled extensively before having children and even lived in St John, USVI and Vail, Colorado. Now settled in Clarendon Hills with their two daughters, Isla & Cali, the family still loves to travel, whether it’s a road trip on the California coast, Italy, or sailing through the Virgin Islands and Bahamas with friends. Danielle has been a member of the Clarendon Hills Auxiliary of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago for five years. She has chaired the group’s annual benefit and currently serves as cochair of the social committee. She’s also active in the Prospect School PTO and serves as a Girl Scout troop leader. When not shuttling her girls from scouts or school to gymnastics and cheer, she sneaks in a few hours of work. Danielle owns a catering company called Maison Cuisine, which is based on the west side of Chicago. Maison Cuisine caters over 150 events a year, mostly weddings, with a focus on allergies and alternative diets, informed by her experience as a lifelong vegetarian, more recently as a vegan. Danielle believes her French and Italian heritage informs her passion for cooking and entertaining. maisoncuisine.com

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Mantra? YOLO, not FOMO On your bookshelf? Easy beachy reads, and I’m currently learning Italian. Podcast? My Favorite Murder. Favorite workout? F45 Hinsdale–thanks Coach Willie! Best grooming tip? I have two. Less is more. Facials are everything. Guilty pleasure? Dirty martinis and binge-watching Real Housewives. Early memory? Making homemade ravioli with my grandparents. Music you love? I had such an amazing high school & college experience, so I still love Dave Matthews, Phish, and the Allman Brothers. Advice you would give to your younger self? Just be you! Also, perms were not a good idea. Your style is? Athleisure. Transportation? An Infiniti QX80. Soundtrack? Everything from Bob Marley to Ariana Grande, depending on who I’m driving with. Can’t leave the house without? Water and sunglasses. Place to eat? Nabuki & Il Mio. Best thing about the country? Spending time with the amazing friends I’ve met here in the last few years. Worst thing about the country? Seeing someone you know everywhere (which I secretly love!) The perfect day is? Hanging with my family, working out, and a great dinner. Then taking our girls and puppy to The Daily Scoop.

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Glam it up! Transportation? Uber & walking. Soundtrack? The vibrant sounds of the city. Can’t leave the house without? Lip gloss and cute heels. Place to eat? Le Colonial, Cabra, and Althea. Shop? Bloomingdale’s and Intermix. Best thing about town? Exploring with my girls and remembering how awestruck I was of the city when I was a kid too–I’ve always loved the architecture and food! Worst thing about town? The traffic (is there any other answer?!) The perfect day is? Walking down Walton, something touristy like a museum, a great dinner, and an even better martini.