KRISTYN KLEAR LOVES

Kristyn Klear first came to Barrington when she was 19 to visit her now husband during the summer after they met in college. They have lived in Barrington for over a decade, have two elementary-aged boys, and much like the present state of their house, Klear considers their life to always be under construction and a work in progress.

Gadget: My Apple watch … I really shouldn’t wear it so much (like when I’m dressed up!), but I use the timer function all the time. Scent: Sugar Lychee by fresh and Diptyque’s Roses Barrington spot: Cuba Marsh and Region Kitchen + Bar Hostess gift to receive: Good tequila Gift to give: Little Saints mocktails

What actress would play you in a movie? Kristin Bell. She’s a fellow blonde, Michigander, and like her, my life ranges from Disney- like to House of Lies and Bad Moms. Who from history would you want to travel with? Eleanor Roosevelt. As the longest-serving First Lady (for 12 years!), she re-defined the role. Instead of selecting a tea set for the White House, she was constantly on the move, traveling across the country to meet with all different kinds of people, listening to their concerns, and offering help. What an amazing experience it would be to join her as she blazed her own path, looking around to see what needed to be done and how we could contribute. Where do you look for inspiration? I find inspiration from two sources. When I’m able to be out in nature and moving— running, kayaking—that’s when I do my best thinking and solve all the problems. I also get inspired by talking with other women. I love meeting women from all different backgrounds and learning about their journeys and experiences. Connecting with them sparks energy for me. Favorite book? I was an English major and my first job out of college was in book publishing, so I love to read. I always have multiple books going at once. I’m currently listening to the last book in Alka Joshi’s trilogy, The Perfumist of Paris, as well as Malcolm Gladwell’s Talking to Strangers. On my nightstand, almost finished, is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Most beloved cookbook? When I got married, my grandmother gifted me a handwritten cookbook with all her recipes. While I don’t quite cook with as much oleo or Jell-O these days, it’s so special to have family recipes written in her handwriting to make dishes that I grew up with for my own family. I continue to add recipes that my kids like to the now tattered and well-loved cookbook. Best dinner party hack? Our current lifestyle might be described best as organized chaos. My husband and I often high-five each other on our way in and out the door traveling for work, and our boys are in all the sports. Yet, we both love to socialize and spend time with friends. Because of these two things, our party hack is that we always have a stocked bar and the full Trader Joe’s frozen section at the ready for impromptu gatherings. What’s in your bag right now? Way too many things. More lip balm than one person needs to carry with them (mostly BITCHSTIX and Aquaphor), and always an assortment of GoMacro bars and peppermint gum. And my keys, somewhere in there. Hopefully.