COUNTRY VS. TOWN: KAFI MATUSIEWICZ

For KAFI MATUSIEWICZ, a sense of place has always mattered. Born in Hazel Crest, she moved with her family to Northern California while still in elementary school, trading the Chicago suburbs for beautiful weather, picturesque landscapes, and easy access to Carmel and Napa Valley. “Growing up in California was a dream,” Kafi says. The family returned to the Chicago area during her high school years, and Matusiewicz graduated from Hinsdale South before heading to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. There, she and her friend Katie founded Vitality, a dance team associated with Greek life on campus. “We are so proud and excited that it’s still around today,” she says.

That California childhood may also have planted the seeds for two enduring passions: wine and travel. Kafi began her career in sales with E. & J. Gallo Winery, where she became fascinated by the history and viticulture of wine, as well as the idea of terroir. “The same grape grown in different parts of the world can be completely different,” she says, pointing to the distinctions among Pinot Noir from California, Burgundy, and Australia’s Yarra Valley. “I think this ties directly into my love of travel.” For Kafi, the fascination lies in discovering how something with essentially the same DNA can take on entirely different characteristics depending on where in the world it lands.

Her own early career involved quite a bit of landing around the world. Straight out of college, Kafi auditioned alongside hundreds of hopefuls for the Chicago Luvabulls and earned one of 26 spots on the team. She danced with the Chicago Bulls organization for seven years, serving as captain for five, and traveled internationally along the way. The friendships proved every bit as lasting as the memories. Several of her former teammates remain among her closest friends today. “It is the most special group of friends that I could’ve ever asked for,” she says.

These days, Kafi’s home base is Clarendon Hills, where she lives with her husband of 12 years, Jim, and their children, Londyn, 8, and Logan, 5. Community is an important part of the equation, too. For 2026–2027, Matusiewicz is serving as co-president of the Clarendon Hills Infant Welfare Society alongside her friend Betsy McDaniels. Professionally, she is vice president of business development at her family’s company, Fair Oaks Foods, a food manufacturer specializing in custom meat products.

And then there is the passport. Kafi is also the founder of Pinot & Points, a travel service built around a tantalizing premise: luxury travel that feels out of reach, until it isn’t. Her enthusiasm for plotting an escape began early. As a teenager, Kafi’s parents let her research and book family vacations, from a villa in the Dominican Republic to flights to Paris. Along the way, she discovered the possibilities tucked inside points and miles.

Today, she helps clients use those strategies to turn aspirational trips into actual itineraries. “I love the idea of utilizing points and miles to fly in a $15,000 first-class seat from Chicago to the Maldives,” Kafi says. Her own family has put the philosophy enthusiastically into practice, traveling this year alone to Dubai, Thailand, Vietnam, Doha, Costa Rica, Japan, France, Abu Dhabi, Mexico, and Singapore. Their business-class flights home from Singapore would have cost approximately $10,000 each; instead, Matusiewicz says, they booked them for 100,000 miles apiece. “I love the opportunity that points and miles give us to travel the world in style,” she says. “And with all that money saved on the flights, what a great excuse to splurge on a luxury hotel!”

Through Pinot & Points, she helps clients optimize flights booked with either miles or cash, as well as hotel stays. As a luxury travel advisor, she can also help secure VIP perks at many hotels, from room credits and complimentary breakfast to upgrades and early check-in or late checkout. It is another expression of an idea that has followed Kafi from California to Chicago and far beyond: where you go matters, but knowing how to get there can make the journey even better.

On your reading stack? Start with Yourself by Emma Grede, Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, and Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune. Favorite travel spots? For the clearest water and a place that feels heaven-adjacent: the Maldives. For a spiritual experience, amazing spa culture, and the kindest people: Phuket, Thailand. For amazing food and culture shock in the best possible way: Kyoto, Japan. For a gorgeous lantern-lit city on the river, custom-tailored clothes, and the best possible value: Hoi An, Vietnam. For a city that feels like it’s living 100 years in the future: Singapore.

Products you’ve been loving lately? I stock up on Medicube products whenever I’m in Asia. They give my skin that glassy/glowy look, which I love. I also love the Elemis eye revitalization cream. Once, when we were in Portugal, my suitcase was lost with my makeup bag inside, and I felt like the Elemis eye cream kept me looking alive and awake even without makeup. Favorite fall tradition or activity? I absolutely love fall and all the activities associated with it. My favorite fall tradition is cooking, everything from soups and stews to pumpkin muffins, game-day food, and all the warm and cozy dishes the season brings. I also love the Half Baked Pumpkin Smash candle from Half Baked Harvest. The second it dips below 60 degrees, it’s candle time!

WHEN IN COUNTRY

What’s your go-to outfit? As much as I love to dress up, I’m a comfort girl at heart. In the summer, it’s a light and breezy dress from Modern Citizen, and in the winter, it’s the Spanx AirEssentials high-waisted wide-leg pants. When dressing up, I love Ronny Kobo, A.L.C., Ramy Brook, Staud, Maje, and Veronica Beard. Is there anything you can’t leave the house without? My Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. I literally cannot leave the house without it. Where do they know you by name? Standard Market. We are always there, whether it’s for the one ingredient I forgot, a weeknight dinner, or their incredible brunch, which I feel like not that many people know about! Describe your perfect day? A farmers market in the morning to pick up fresh ingredients to cook for dinner, fresh flowers, and some market goodies to take home. Then, a relaxing afternoon spent outside with my family, with a slow-cooker meal filling the entire house with an incredible aroma.

WHEN IN TOWN

What’s in your bag? My cell phone, Laneige lip gloss, Diptyque perfume, sunglasses, and mints. Describe your perfect day? An outdoor brunch in Bucktown, a long walk along the lake, meeting up with my girlfriends for drinks, and dinner with my husband at Shanghai Terrace at The Peninsula. Best quick bite or hidden gem? The Royal Grocer in Bucktown is our go-to hidden gem for brunch, and for dinner, it’s Le Bouchon, an incredibly authentic French bistro on Damen Avenue. Do you have a favorite bookstore? I love the library. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved spending hours there, and I still do. I love to read, and I’m in an amazing book club with an incredible group of women. I love being around like-minded souls, and the library and my book club are the perfect places for that.