one adventures
Come On Over
Author and chef Amy Thielen on the joy—and ease— of everyday entertaining.
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Streamlined Style
A two-pronged approach for your best spring cleaning yet.
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Trained to Travel
Mark your calendars for this year’s must-see (and must-do) marathons.
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The core of beauty is simplicity.
— Paulo Coelho, author
Editor-in-chief: Stacey Silipo
Managing Editor: Imani Josey
Lead designer: Tatjana Jovancevic
Writer: Nicole Schnitzler
Cover photo: Lacey Criswell
Social media: Christi Bohnsack
Imani Josey
Photos and information courtesy of:
Kristin Teig Photos, Serenity Sorted, Victoria Chukarov
Photography, Nicole Defilippis Photography, Ra es Boston, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, The Blackstone Hotel, Autograph Collection, Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, W Seattle, The Butcher’s Table, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
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What does insurance have to do with adventure? At Berkley One, everything. One Adventures is a celebration of the things that keep you moving forward, with stories from entrepreneurs, foodies, designers, travelers, artists, athletes and more. At home or abroad, at work or at play—there’s adventure to be found, everywhere.
Come On Over
Author and chef Amy Thielen on the joy—and ease— of everyday entertaining.
Streamlined Style
A two-pronged approach for your best spring cleaning. yet.
Trained To Travel
Mark your calendars for this year’s must-see (and must-do) marathons.
Come on Over
Author and chef Amy Thielen on the joy—and ease— of everyday entertaining.
Company: The Radically Casual Art of Cooking for Others. It is a colorful, comforting guide to gathering more frequently—with fewer frills and far less fuss. inspiration and backbone for her book
Amy Thielen had been cooking in some of New York City’s top kitchens before she and her husband returned to their native Minnesota, where she began writing cookbooks and hosting parties to crowd-test new recipes. “We are in a rural area, surrounded by lakes but far from restaurants,” she says. “Summers, especially, are full of new visitors and friends coming back home. I’ve fallen into a rhythm now of having everyone over and cooking for them.” Along the way, Thielen found herself piecing together menus across occasions, from small dinner parties to afternoon feasts that stretch into the evening hours. These compilations served as the inspiration and backbone for her book
“I’ve been making some of these recipes for 20 years, and I’ve been able to determine what works together seasonally, what ideas are feasible for a home cook, and what goes well together on the plate,” says Thielen. “Each menu is its own little world.” Take, for example, “Saturday Night,” a chapter featuring flavorful dinner party ideas ranging from “allyou-can-eat fish fry” to “pent-up winter grilling” or the “Holiday” chapter, a thoughtful series of menus guiding readers through life’s seasonal markers (with hearty mains and bold starters, such as smoked prime rib and cast-iron garlic shrimp).
In all of them, Thielen wants to remind home cooks to have fun and rather than getting focused on tackling everything the book outlines, to pick and choose what works best. “Just like in a symphony, when you’re making a menu, you don’t want every item to be complicated and loud—a simple dish goes a long way; your plate needs a rhythm section, too.” It’s for that reason that Thielen emphasizes simple vegetable sides throughout the book’s pages, in bright, approachable applications like smashed garlic cucumbers, or steamed and glazed white sweet potatoes.
For Thielen, those precious moments of decision and riffing before guests arrive are a crucial part of the creative process. “My favorite time of any dinner party is when I am in the kitchen and in the zone of creating,” she says. “As chefs, this is what we aspire to do every day—to peruse the market, invite our friends over, play our music, and spend the day cooking—in our slippers,” she says. It’s an invitation she extends to others in their own versions of easy entertaining— foregoing formalities for what she believes we’re all ultimately seeking when we come to the table: connection.
“I’ve always found that a successful dinner party is one that leaves everyone with their own takeaway, from ‘Wow, those flavors worked so well on that plate,’ to ‘I loved when we were all there sitting around the fire and cooking the pork,’” she says. “It’s all about connecting with your people.”
The home, in its intimate posture, is a powerful vehicle in fostering that kind of connection —especially as a place for breaking bread. “There’s a vulnerability in cooking a meal for others—you are putting yourself out there.” Thielen’s own entertaining days began early, with her mother inviting others over at the drop of a hat, just to give friends and neighbors a place to congregate. “A lot of times, she’d throw garage parties, with a picnic table full of food and a boombox
for tunes.” That local house party tradition continues today, now looking, as Thielen puts it, like “going to someone’s house, checking out their garden and projects, sampling their food (and homemade liqueur), and toddling off into the night holding a jar of canned pickles.” In having people to your home, Thielen reminds, “You welcome somebody into your world—and people are eager for that kind of openness.”
Here, Thielen shares with us four tips for entertaining with ease, helping to ensure an afternoon or evening of connection and creative flow throughout the home—from the stovetop to the table.
Cast-iron garlic shrimp with chorizo and green olives
1. You can never have too much food.
When in doubt, Thielen suggests picking up more at the store than less—especially in the case of a last-minute increase in party size (or in appetites). That being said, if you have even more guests than you tried to anticipate, don’t worry about rushing back out to grab something—rather, consider what you have on-hand and improvise. “If you feel like you don’t have enough food prepped, look at the ingredients you do have, then whip up another vegetable side,” she says. “I’m a big believer in sides because they’re simple and quick—and they create more options for vegetarians at the table.”
2. Loud-enough music and low lighting cover up all mistakes.
When Thielen and her husband fi rst moved back home, their cabin wasn’t connected to the power grid—but that didn’t stop them from hosting frequent gatherings. In fact, Thielen notes, it enhanced those evenings with the mood it set (and the forgiveness it gave around dish presentation, décor details, and the like). Having the right music helps, too. “I like to start the night with something soulful and familiar, then see how the evening evolves,” she says. “Dionne Warwick is a favorite.”
3. Never let your friends see your fear or your thrift.
“In this book, I wanted to talk about thrift, how to cook for others affordably,” says Thielen. “Serve the best ingredients you can afford, and pad out the menu with inexpensive starches, such as beans, rice, or potatoes.”
4. Prep like mad until people arrive—then share the reins.
“My mother would always still be cooking when we’d come to her house because she wanted dishes fresh and hot when everyone sat down,” says Thielen. Plus, she notes, inviting guests to help is an invitation of inclusion. “When people come over, they want to feel like they’re a part of your inner circle,” she says. “Leave a few things for others to do, so that everybody feels like they’re a part of the process—so that they feel like family.”
Sour Orange Platter Salad with Parsley and Pistachios
A recipe from Amy Thielen’s Company: The Radically Casual Art of Cooking for Others.
A platter of freshly sliced oranges is a classic accompaniment to feijoada. Refreshing. Perfect. It needs no tinkering. But if you haven’t already picked up on it, I have a pretty big three-way crush on oranges, salt, and olive oil, especially when the oranges are tart and the olive oil is strong and green. The salt is key. A fine mist of sea salt makes the oranges break out in a sweat, which gets all the juices going. Parsley and pistachios push this situation further along into salad territory, until it’s skating the edge between savory and sweet, dinner and dessert.
Since this recipe requires such a small amount of ground coriander, you can use preground, but its fragrance pales in comparison to the freshly toasted and ground. Toasted coriander seed has a strong floral aroma that intensifies when first crushed but fades fast. It’s gone within a week. If you toast more than you need, just promise yourself to remember use it.
Makes an extra-large platter, serving 15 as part of a big menu
5 oranges (any kind, but I like a mixture of Cara Cara, Minneola tangerines, and blood oranges)
Rounded ¼ teaspoon fi ne sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Juice of 1 lemon
½ teaspoon ground coriander, preferably toasted and freshly ground
½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper or ¼ teaspoon hot pepper fl akes
6 tablespoons strong, fresh-tasting extra-virgin olive oil
A small handful of fresh parsley leaves, roughly chopped (it looks and tastes better if the parsley is chopped when dry, so that it’s loose and fresh, like grass clippings)
3 tablespoons crushed shelled pistachios
Lop off the tops and bottoms of the oranges so they can sit flat on your cutting board. With a sharp knife, cut off the peel and white pith in curving swoops, and trim off any remaining pith with a paring knife. Turn the oranges on their sides and thinly slice.
Lay the orange slices on a large platter, slightly overlapping, and sprinkle the salt evenly over them. (If the serving platter is small and you need to make two layers of oranges, salt each layer.) Squeeze the juice from the orange carcasses over the oranges and add the lemon juice.
Sprinkle the coriander, Aleppo pepper, and some freshly ground black pepper over the oranges and drizzle with the olive oil. Scatter the chopped parsley and crushed pistachios over the top.
This salad can be served right away or held for up to an hour or two at room temperature. Give it a quick baste with its juices before serving to refresh.
A two-pronged approach for your best spring cleaning yet.
Streamlined
As we approach warmer, longer days and this season’s blooming beauty, we’re inspired to consider our own fresh starts—beginning in the home. This year, set yourself up for spring cleaning success with two key phases: simplifying and styling. “There is real peace of mind in having a tidy home,” says Rebecca Pecorelli of Serenity Sorted. “Knowing where things are helps us to feel grounded, and can help us to live more efficient, joyful lives.”
Streamlined Style
Paring down and organizing the items of a room can be a significant makeover in and of itself—but for those seeking continued change in a space, a design refresh might be just the thing. “Our surroundings can dictate our mood and our outlook,” says Emily McKenney of Studio Havlan. “If I get to wake up every morning in my bedroom and see new wallpaper that I’ve chosen and curtains that I love, it’s going to have a positive effect on how I move through the day.”
Here, Pecorelli and McKenney share tips on the simplifying and styling processes, and how to leverage one—or both—to breathe new life into our most everyday spaces now.
Phase I: Simplify | Rebecca Pecorelli, Serenity Sorted
Determine your area
When it comes to decluttering a space in your home, Pecorelli suggests a strategic approach. “Begin with a high-traffic, daily use area, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or coat closet.” She also notes the importance of setting a goal before embarking on the process—and though that might look different for everyone, she offers one with universal merit. “Having things in a convenient space that makes sense can make a big difference in our daily lives,” she says, referencing Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote: “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.” Look at your dishes—are they far from the dishwasher or close? What about a space for mail and car keys—near the front door? Consider your daily rhythms to help determine a vision to work towards.
Sort and purge
Once you choose your focus area, Pecorelli suggests removing all its current contents and sorting items by category so that you know exactly how much you have of everything. Next, look at what you want to keep, donate, toss, or sell. Further categories could include daily use, weekly use, occasional use, or overstock. “Ideally, the daily use items are placed in the easiest to reach places, while occasional use or overstock can go into storage,” says Pecorelli, giving the examples of keeping favorite snacks in a go-to drawer, and extra paper towel rolls in the back of a closet until needed. The same approach can be used for toiletries, accessories, and office supplies, as well as clothing and shoes.
Containment and labeling
Only after the point of purging and understanding how much you have left to keep is when Pecorelli advises clients shop for products that will help them in the organizing and streamlining process, such as bins, dividers, filing cabinets, and shelving units (tip: be sure to measure your space before making any purchases). Pecorelli also notes how helpful label-making can be along the way. “Labels help everyone in the household, even if it’s just yourself, to remember where things go.”
Maintenance
“Once you’ve put everything back into their new spaces and have your system set up, it’s all about maintenance and being diligent about keeping things in the spots you’ve created for them,” says Pecorelli. While your new system will hopefully do away with any miscellaneous piles, Pecorelli shares that there are a couple of exceptions she employs at home. “I have an in-process bin for items of a certain space that I can’t get to in that moment but intend to soon, and I also have an outgoing bin for items that need to leave the house—donations, mail, returns,” she says. “This way, when I’m heading out the door, it’s ready for me to grab it and go.”
Phase II: Style | Emily McKenney, Studio Havlan
Reflect
In reimagining any space of the home, McKenney notes the importance of creating a clear intention— and that a helpful way to do so is to pause, grab a pen and paper, and take in your surroundings. “Start with one room of the home, or one part of the room—and spend some time there,” says McKenney, who suggests jotting down a few key details, including what you love about the space, what you dislike about the space, what purpose you want the space to serve, and—a key one—how you want to feel in the space. “If this is a room where you want to feel comfortable and cozy, but the chairs you currently own aren’t providing that feeling, you now have a priority item to shop for.”
Seek inspiration
With your journaled notes, McKenney suggests doing some digital window shopping. “Browse through magazines that interest you like Architectural Digest or search keywords from your room reflection, such as ‘cozy family room’ or ‘modern kitchen,’” she says, noting to search for content around everything from color schemes and textures to furniture placement and products. “If you put together a design board online, you could incorporate images that you’re most excited about—ones of spaces in which you can really envision yourself,” says McKenney. Certain sites’ search engines accommodate specificity (e.g. seeing oneself in a living area by the roaring fi replace, resting on a bespoke sofa alongside a vintage, hand-knotted rug).
Shop (with a plan)
Before you start shopping, McKenney suggests revisiting your space to determine what items are most important to replace, especially if there are budget or space constraints. “For example, if you are thinking about purchasing a new rug, ask yourself: is the current rug damaged? Is it the right size for the space?” notes McKenney. “Then consider whether it’s a rug you need, or if you might feel closer to your goal through the purchase of a different item that holds more meaning or importance for you now.” With a shopping plan in place (and after taking all measurements for the space and desired items), McKenney recommends visiting shops in-person and online.
Wow factor wallpaper and statement bookshelves
If you are generally happy with your home spaces but are looking for a singular project that can offer significant refresh, McKenney has two favorite thoughts: wallpaper and bookshelves. “Wallpaper can warm up a room and give it texture; it can be subtle or bold—the options are endless,” says McKenney, who has used various patterns for her client work, from whimsical floral to a striped grass cloth. Bookshelves, McKenney notes, are another part of the home that can serve as a blank slate. “You can change the entire feeling of a room by the way you style your bookshelves,” she says, referencing her own as an example, lined with family portraits, heirlooms, and travel mementos alongside antique and vintage books (some of which McKenney displays open). “Bookshelves are some of my favorite projects to take on— they can tell us so much about a person, and about a family.”
Photos: Victoria Chukarov Photography; Nicole Defi lippis Photography
Expert Takeaways
Start small
To help ensure success in your home project, both Pecorelli and McKenney suggest starting small.
“Some days, you might only have 15 minutes to devote to tidying,” says Pecorelli. “In those instances, focusing on something achievable like a nightstand or one drawer can feel great to tackle.”
McKenney agrees. “Choosing one small area of a room, such as a reading area or breakfast nook, can start to build a clear, realistic vision.”
Take breaks
If at any point the simplifying or styling begins to feel overwhelming, remember to give yourself grace. “Organizing is a process, and it can take several sessions before the area is complete,” says Pecorelli. “It will usually get messy before it gets better, but don’t give up—keep at it, because you’re on the right track.”
McKenney shares similar insights. “When you’re sifting through all of the details of a redesign, it can be important to take breaks from the project—to literally stand up and leave the room, give yourself a day or two, and return to it with fresh eyes.”
Celebrate
When the project is complete, both experts encourage taking a moment to soak it all in. “Take time to sit in your new space and remind yourself of the last time you were here, planning out your design and thinking of how you wanted to feel,” says McKenney. Digital documentation, too, can serve as a sweet—and inspiring—takeaway.
“Be sure to capture before and after pictures, so that you can admire your work,” says Pecorelli. “It will be rewarding for you to look back on all you’ve accomplished.”
Marathons around the world are seeing more finishers than ever before, a trend towards wellness attributed to an increasing appreciation for the structure, exercise, community, and accomplishment that completing such an undertaking brings. The euphoria carries over from the athletes to the sidelines, too, where spectators are showing up in equally impressive droves to spur on squads and strangers alike. Race-day
enthusiasm, met with today’s travel momentum and the chance for a change of scenery, is finding both runners and revelers packing their bags in search of their new 26.2. Each competition offers its own thoughtful, thorough course through fresh terrain. From a scenic journey through the Pacific Northwest to a theme park spectacular in the Sunshine State, here are four U.S. marathon destinations.
Trained to Travel
Mark your calendars for this year’s must-see (and must-do) marathons.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
October 12
What began in 1977 with 4,200 participants as a running group’s realized vision for a Chicago marathon has since grown to a globally recognized event hosting more than 52,000 finishers and 1.7 million oncourse spectators. Today, The Bank of America Chicago Marathon begins and ends in the city’s celebrated Grant Park, comprising a loop through 29 neighborhoods. It’s a thorough tour of the city for athletes— locals and visitors alike (the event draws participants from more than 100 countries and all 50 states and is home to several men’s and women’s world records—plus last year’s record $36 million raised for charity).
The Blackstone, a Chicago Landmark, is recognized for hosting several U.S. heads of state over the years in the Presidential Suite or the hotel’s famous “Smoke-Filled Suite” (where Republican leaders met to nominate Warren G. Harding for president). And then, of course, there’s the location— situated directly across from Grant Park, the hotel affords pristine views of race day action (and the lakefront, just beyond). Post-race, a search for a memorable meal might bring you to onsite Mercat a la Planxa, a longstanding favorite for its scope of flavorful Spanish plates (think bacon-wrapped dates or ham croquettes).
Those looking to cheer at the finish line can enjoy a stay at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, where the team’s post-race “Finish Line Fest,” comprises free massages, stretching stations, snacks, and entertainment (the hotel also helps athletes pre-race with fitness coach-led shakeout runs and stretch sessions). The Saturday before the race, one can spend a morning exploring Chicago’s culinary scene like a local at the Lincoln Park Green City Market, where dozens of farmers and vendors gather to showcase the season’s best, from produce to ready-to-eat creations. And for a culture dose before your departure, head southbound on Lake Shore Drive to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, where exhibits on everything from modern transportation to farm tech serve up entertainment for hours.
Photos:
The Blackstone Hotel, Autograph Collection, Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
The 129th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America
April 21
With the first taking place on April 19, 1897, the Boston Marathon is the longest running in the country, and in the world. It’s also one of the most famous for its competitive qualifying standards. Beginning on Main Street in Hopkinton and passing by a series of iconic New England towns, sites, and schools, the course concludes on Boylston Street. If you missed the chance to register for this spring’s race, there is always next year (scheduled for April 20, 2026, with registration opening this September). If you are racing, you can choose from one of the event’s many partner charity organizations to support (last year, runners raised a recordbreaking $71.9 million for charitable causes).
While in town, consider a stay at Raffles Boston. The recently opened Back Bay hotel features nearly 150 rooms, each a thoughtful convergence of luxury and comfort (credit award-winning firm Stonehill Taylor). Enjoy an afternoon at Guerlain Spa, or head to floor 17 for striking city views
alongside world-class dining at Long Bar & Terrace or Amar. At the latter, chef George Mendes looks to local ingredients for his Portuguese cooking (try the pasteis de nata here, or in the morning at ground-level Café Pastel). Those seeking a neighborhood stay can check into The Whitney Hotel, a boutique hotel in the heart of Beacon Hill, just footsteps from some of the city’s best shops and restaurants (including their own, Peregrine). If you find yourself in town a few days pre-race, the American Repertory Theater is a Tony Award-winning arts venue that has developed and debuted several prized productions (including Once, Waitress, and last year’s Gatsby). Through April 20th it’s Night Side Songs, a music-theater experience and ode to the resilience of the human spirit. Maybe grab a bite beforehand at Pammy’s, a popular Cambridge restaurant known for its innovative, colorful menus, or at Bar Mezzana, a South End favorite for its bright, coastal Italian fare.
UW Medicine Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon
November 30
Athletes from around the world gather every year for this historically festive race, which takes place over Thanksgiving weekend. The course is a scenic journey across Seattle, beginning at The Space Needle and passing through the University of Washington campus, Ballard, Queen Anne, and downtown Seattle, with sweeping views of Lake Union and Puget Sound along the way. For a downtown stay with an emphasis on the arts, there is the W Seattle. The property recently completed its FACES Floor, where resident artist Morgan Zion painted a unique face in each room representing a different Seattle neighborhood (scan each mural’s QR code for its respective neighborhood guide). A visit to Seattle wouldn’t be complete without live music—found in the W at the Living Room Bar, which regularly hosts DJs, or at nearby Charlotte Restaurant, where guests go to enjoy weekend jazz lineups. Situated on the top floor of Lotte Hotel Seattle, the venue’s panoramic views make it a prime spot for breakfast, too (with sharp interior design that underscores Phillipe Starck’s playful, contemporary aesthetic across the guestrooms).
If you arrive to town early enough for a mini-carb fest, Haerfest can make it happen, where chef Brian Clevenger leans on the local and seasonal for lively, refined plates—pastas among them (beef Bolognese and sage tonnarelli). If it’s protein you’re after, it’s hard to top The Butcher’s Table, a celebrated steakhouse known for its in-house butcher shop and Mishima Reserve American Wagyu. There are also special cuts and their housemade cheese plate, too (featuring Seattle staple Beecher’s). Before you return home, brunch at RockCreek brings some of what the Pacific Northwest does best: crab, oysters, and mussels. Consider globally sourced seafood in options like the Creole Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict, Bacon and Oysters Benedict, or Wild Caught Carolina Prawns “St. Helena” (and then, spring for sweet finales: caramelized apple and ricotta beignets or housemade plum turnovers).
Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend
presented by State Farm
January 7-11, 2026
Disney dials up the magic throughout this marathon weekend, hosting four special, character-themed races: Pluto’s sci-fi 5K, Chip ‘n Dale’s 10K, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck’s half marathon, and the weekend finale: a marathon led by Mickey and Minnie themselves. The 26.2-mile course winds its way through the Walt Disney World Resort parks, packing plenty of surprises and entertainment along the way. You will need to rise bright and early to support athletes for this 4:30am start time—then festivities keep going with an afternoon at EPCOT tasting through the World Showcase, or an evening at Magic Kingdom and Cinderella’s Castle.
A wind down can occur with dinner at The Cake Bake Shop (a fairytale in and of itself with its whimsical décor and colossal cake slices), or at any of the dining options within Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. There, three properties—Swan Reserve, Swan, and Dolphin— are home to lunchtime and poolside eateries, plus several signature restaurants with menus that span the globe (e.g., sushi at Kimono’s, Mexican at Rosa Mexicano, Mediterranean at Amare). Athletes will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to EPCOT and the marathon’s start and finish lines—plus the chance to recharge with elevated R&R at the pool or Mandara Spa.
Those looking to travel in large groups for the big weekend can check out the Evermore Orlando Resort, a recently opened property offering houses, flats, and villas that can accommodate parties of 10-plus. It’s a good option for those seeking extra Florida time to rest and explore the region. Consider an airboat ride, a day trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, or a drive to Winter Park, home to Michelin-awarded restaurants, boutiques, and, at The Morse Museum of Art, the world’s largest collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Photos:
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
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