KATHERINE BANICH IS ON A MISSION TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT WINGS, AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES AN ESCAPE ROUTE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN. THE WINNETKA MOM OF TWO CO-CHAIRED THE WINGS 2020 SWEET HOME CHICAGO VIRTUAL BENEFIT IN A YEAR THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SKYROCKETED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. THIS YEAR, THE 18TH ANNUAL SWEET HOME CHICAGO EVENT RETURNS TO THE FOUR SEASONS CHICAGO IN DECEMBER WITH A HOLIDAY-THEMED FAMILY BRUNCH, GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING, AND VISITS WITH SANTA. THIS BUSY VOLUNTEER TAKES A BREAK FROM HELPING OTHERS TO SHARE HER CITY AND SHORE FAVORITES.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR

What’s on the horizon? Co-chairing the WINGS benefit with Maria Shideler and Meghan Norton Mantra? Treat everyone as you would like to be treated Best grooming tip? Never go to bed wearing makeup Guilty pleasure? Lying in bed on a Saturday morning with my phone and a cup of coffee Favorite foods? Mino’s burrata, Westmoreland sushi, and Homer’s Oreo milkshakes Music you love? Country with a little bit of Fleetwood Mac Best advice ever given to you? Don’t take yourself too seriously Best advice you’ve given? Be grateful and don’t compare yourself to others Earliest memory? Playing on my grandparents’ living room yellow shag carpeting When you wake up, you? Have a huge cup of coffee with cream Before bed, you? Double-check I’ve set an alarm as I am not a morning person What’s on your bookshelf? A Little Life, The Dreamers, and The Goldfinch You can’t live without? My husband and daughters Love to escape to? New York, Paris, and Tokyo Advice you would give to your younger self? Everything will fall into place, don’t rush into major life decisions, and don’t pluck your eyebrows

ON THE SHORE

Your style is? Casual: ripped denim, diamond floral studs, and sneakers Can’t leave the house without? A mask Transportation? SUV for carpooling Driving music? Whatever my daughters want, which is lots of Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift Place to eat? Mino’s, Westmoreland Country Club, Towne & Oak Shop? Valentina, Marcus Best thing about the Shore? The people and the community. Living in Winnetka is like having one gigantic, caring family Worst thing about the Shore? Nothing—it’s perfect The perfect day is? Doing something with my daughters like going to the beach, a manicure at Oak Spa, then mixed doubles tennis and dinner at Westmoreland with my husband and friends

I N T H E C I T Y

Your style is? Glam! Red lipstick, false eyelashes, faux fur, and leather Can’t leave the house without? Red lipstick and my phone Transportation? Uber Driving music? City noise Place to eat? Mirai Sushi and Four Seasons bar Shop? Chanel, Penelope’s, Maje Best thing about the City? Restaurants, museums, concerts, and culture Worst thing about the City? Poverty and inequality The perfect day is? A morning at the Museum of Science and Industry or The Art Institute with my daughters, shopping on the Mag Mile, then cocktails and dinner with my husband followed by late night karaoke with friends