HALIE BRADEN has always been drawn to the arts. As the daughter of an NFL player, athletics were introduced at a young age. She quickly flourished as a nationally-ranked figure skater and studied ballet throughout college. Today she works for Pinterest, where she flexes her creative muscles on a daily basis. Braden recently found another opportunity to let her innovation shine, through a top-to-bottom renovation of her 100-year-old Kenilworth home. This busy mom of three (under the age of 4) takes a creative break to share her favorites from the city and the shore.

What’s on the horizon? Attending the Joffrey’s Nutcracker with my daughter (her first time), various holiday parties with friends, traveling to see extended family, and finally moving back into our house after a yearlong renovation Mantra? Don’t worry, be happy Best grooming tip? SPF, a full night of sleep, or an SK-II face mask when a full night’s sleep isn’t in the cards Guilty pleasure? Homemade buttered popcorn and a glass of French chardonnay Favorite foods? My mother’s homemade pasta Music you love? Taylor Swift and Vitamin String Quartet Best advice ever given to you? Work hard, stay humble, and have fun Best advice you’ve given? Be kind and always assume positive intent Earliest memory? Early mornings with my mom driving me to the ice rink. She spent so much time allowing me and encouraging me to follow my passion When you wake up, you? Stretch and drink lemon water before eating the breakfast my husband makes for me Before bed, you? Kiss my husband and talk about our days—then review my calendar for the next busy day ahead What’s on your bookshelf? Vogue, Traditional Home, and Get Your House Right You can’t live without? My husband, my babies, and my parents—they are my whole world Love to escape to? Mackinac Island and Nantucket. Those tiny islands are both magical places rich with history Advice you would give to your younger self? Be patient, trust your instincts, and believe in yourself

ON THE SHORE

Your style is? Feminine and comfortable. I love a good tweed cardigan paired with flats Can’t leave the house without? Lip balm and snacks for everyone Transportation? My SUV to fit all three car seats or my pale pink PUBLIC bike Driving music? I’ve been spotted dancing to Disney music along with my kids in the carpool line of preschool Place to eat? Pomeroy and Aboyer Shop? Bunny & Babe for amazing clothes, Anna’s Mostly Mahogany for antiques, and Penny’s from Heaven for precious children’s items Best thing about the Shore? The community, neighborhoods, and proximity to the lake Worst thing about the Shore? All the traffic from construction The perfect day is? A barre class at The Salt Barre before grabbing a smoothie from True Juice. Taking our kids on a stroll through one of the gorgeous historic streets for inspiration. Lunch with friends at Towne & Oak. Taking my kids to a local park with friends followed by dinner out with my husband

IN THE CITY

Your style is? Feminine, classic, and tailored. I love to wear dresses and heels Can’t leave the house without? Cell phone Transportation? Walking Driving music? Podcasts— The Style Files: Conversations with Creatives and Great Women of Business Place to eat? Le Colonial and Sweet Mandy B’s for sweets Shop? P.O.S.H. Chicago and Space 519 for unique finds and American Girl Place for my daughter Best thing about the City? The Joffrey Ballet Worst thing about the City? The crime and traffic The perfect day is? A morning spent in the Art Institute’s impressionist galleries, lunch at RL, followed by a meeting with Annie Liddle Design at the Mart, and drinks with friends at a new restaurant before heading home to snuggle and tuck my kids in for the night