Mary Beth Joutras is a fashionista living in Oak Brook with her husband, Rick, and three children—Jack (10), Ryan (8), AND Kate (6). The busy fashion blogger grew up in nearby Naperville before studying at Purdue University and obtaining a Master of Arts In Teaching Degree from National Louis University. When Joutras isn’t busy toting her children to their many activities, she is dedicated to helping the local community organizations, including Wellness House, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Misericordia, and Catholic Charities. In 2018, Joutras’ love of fashion inspired her to launch her fashion blog—mjstyle.me. The influencer says, “I wanted to give women on the go a resource to find their approachable and affordable style that is on-trend and timeless.” Follow Joutras (@mjstyle.me) on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for more inspiration.

Mantra? Follow Your Heart. Best grooming tip? Use SPF daily and drink a lot of water throughout the day. It keeps your skin healthy and glowing. My current go-to products are Vital Proteins, Tula, Sio Beauty, and Aesop. Guilty pleasure? A great glass of wine and anything chocolate. Favorite foods? I do try to eat clean as much as I can during the week, but love anything my husband cooks—especially his braised short ribs! Music you love? Currently, I have country on repeat. The Sandbar mix on apple music is my go-to right now. Best advice ever given to you? Everything happens for a reason. Best advice you’ve given? Be true to who you are. Earliest memory? Learning how to golf with my brothers when I was about 4-years-old. Love to escape to? Glen Arbor, Michigan and Naples, Florida. When you wake up you? Scroll through my social media and emails to see what sales are happening, get the kids ready for the day, have a cup of TAZO tea, then head to Pilates by T or Shred415 after dropping the kids off at school. Before bed you? Unwind with a glass of Dry Farm’s wine or a cup of tea and watch Netflix or the newest movie on Apple TV. Then I make a list of what I need to do for the next day. What’s on your bookshelf? My favorites are romance and mystery novels, and a healthy array of magazines. You can’t live without? My family. Advice you would give to your younger self? Don’t sweat the small stuff … things always have a way of working themselves out.

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? Contemporary casual. I love to switch it up—from workout wear to workwear. Transportation? Volvo SUV. Driving Music? I love a great mix with a little classic rock. Place to eat? Breakfast at Page’s Restaurant with my family, lunch with my girlfriends at True Foods, and a night out at Nabuki with my husband. Shop? I will shop anywhere and everywhere! I love the smaller boutique stores like Trousseaux, Lepa Boutique, and My Sister Kate. At Oakbrook Center, I like Nordstrom, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, Vineyard Vines, and Anthropologie. I am a big online shopper, too. Best thing about country? There is that small town feel, which I love. It’s rare that you go somewhere, and you don’t bump into someone you know. People are so supportive of one another. Worst thing about country? It’s always a drive, never a walk. The perfect day is? A quiet morning on the lake, sipping tea, and watching the sunrise. Then a day filled with hiking, water-skiing, kayaking, lying by the water, and listening to music with friends and family. Ending the day with dinner, a glass of wine, s’mores, and watching the sunset with the ones I love.

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? On trend with a hint of vintage. I love getting dressed up and heading downtown with my husband, family, and friends. Can’t leave the house without? My cell phone and a pair of sunglasses. Transportation? Uber or a party bus, depending on where the night will take us. Driving music? Classic rock, country, pop—anything that brings the energy up for a great night out. Place to eat? RL for brunch, The Loyalist for a great burger, and I love to try out any of the latest additions to Eater Chicago’s hotlist. Shop? I love to check out the stores that we don’t have in the suburbs—Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and the smaller boutiques on Halsted Street or Oak Street. Best thing about town? I love the energy the city brings. There is always something new to experience or see; whether it’s the latest restaurant, new exhibit, or a newly discovered boutique. Worst thing about town? Those cold gray days in the middle of winter. The perfect day is? A morning at the Peninsula spa, lunch at 3 Arts Café, and then dinner with my husband at Le Colonial or Maude’s Liquor Bar, and dessert at Mindy’s Hot Chocolate.