Sophisticated Living Chicago July/August 2019

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{Chicago’s Finest}

July/August 2019

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on the cover: Designer Cari Giannoulias makes Chicago’s residential interiors more beautiful, one refined home at a time, starting with her own Portrait by Maria Ponce Berre Hair and makeup by Gaby Raguso Styling by By:Fashionaholic Photo Imaging by Stephen Luxem

SISTER-IN-LAW ACT The co-founders of Veronica Beard give SL their take on how sophistication comes in one style: your own

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NEW MOVEMENT Brendan Fernandes’ striking, socially conscious multimedia art is strongly en pointe

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SO FRESH, SO CLEAN Giuliana Rancic’s search for a healthy skin care line led her to develop Fountain of Truth

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THE SHAPE OF WATER Discovering Iceland’s natural majesty—and making the most of it through Classic Journeys

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RENEE BRINKERHOFF RALLIES FROM PEKING TO PARIS A Colorado-based philanthropist is racing toward finish lines and social change around the world

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UPPING THE ANTE ON EXHILARATION Aston Martin Racing’s newest model delivers excitement

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OTTOMAN EMPIRE Kick your feet up on comfy ottomans from Gugliermetto, Ligne Roset, Gus Modern and more

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ROAD TRIP A collection of must-reads perfect for summer vacation

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GO FORE IT Casa Velas resort in Puerto Vallarta gives guests an experience beyond all-inclusive and beyond all compare

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SEA AND BE SEEN Ocean-inspired accessories from Bibi van der Velden, Begum Khan, Michael Aram and more

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The grand photography wall inside Christina Karin’s boutique merges the in-the-back design area with the front retail space and reflects the brand’s DNA. It evokes a sense of rebellion, empowerment and timeless inspiration. It features images from rock ‘n’ roll history, fashion heritage and inspiring locations around the world. If you look closely you will also find pictures from throughout the brand’s seven-year journey. Cacti and greenery fill the space and provide a sense of calm and ease, both of which are rooted in the Christina Karin vision. Photography by Anthony Tahlier

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A SHINY JEWEL The unforgettable experience of traveling to Cartagena, Colombia, to enjoy the culture, the sights and the food— while going in completely blind

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KING OF THE JUNGLE The new Land Rover Defender completes Tusk testing to support lion conservation in Kenya

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HOOP HOOP HOORAY Stay in the loop with killer hoops

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A TWOFER FOR TOWNEND AT THE LAND ROVER KENTUCKY THREE-DAY EVENT Great Britain’s Oliver Townend became the fourth person in the Three-Day Event’s history to defend his title

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SOPHISTICATED SOURCE Eight pages of summer’s freshest fashion, art and interior design finds

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IT’S PERSONAL When it comes to her home and those of her clients, designer Cari Giannoulias taps into memories, ensuring the stories behind them continue to be told

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TRIED AND TASTED Uptown’s tasting-menu-only restaurant Brass Heart breaks convention one plate at a time

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MEET ME AT THE HOXTON Whether you are staying, playing, meeting or just hanging, The Hoxton is a hit from top to bottom

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Sophisticated Sustenance Make this nutrient-rich salmon burger recipe loaded with beauty-enhancing ingredients

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THE SHAPE-SHIFTER How Christina Karin shed her Wall Street uniform to design the clothes she really wants to wear

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HEART AND SOLE Sneaker Heartz’s Cameron DeHaven helps community members take steps, big and small

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CALENDAR SL’s list of not-to-miss events for giving back and good times

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SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY Chicago’s coolest parties, from philanthropy to fashion

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Sparkling cluster bracelet featuring sapphires, aquamarines and diamonds set in platinum, price upon request, by Harry Winston, 312.705.1820.

SOPHISTICATED WOMAN Carrie Meghie, co-president of Becker Ventures and owner of St. Jane Hotel, shares what makes her proud, what drives her crazy and the three little words that guide her intentions

PUBLISHER Alison Victoria CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bridget Daley EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Melinda Sheckells EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lauren Velentzas LUXURY SALES Brittany Quintana ——————————————— ART DIRECTOR Jason Yann CONTRIBUTORS Writers Camille Cannon Geoff Carter Victoria Chase Colin Dennis Amalie Drury Carie Edelstein Karina Heinrich Andre James Caylee Matthews Deb Pollack Lisa Shames Ceta Walters Bridget Williams Photographers Tony Bailey Carrie Edelstein Alicia Fierro Kyle Flubacker James Gustin for Fig Media Sean Henderson Timothy Hiatt Jeremy Lawson Stephen Lotho LX MGMT Maria Ponce Berre Robin Subar Anthony Tahlier Widia Viti Bridget Williams Photo Editing Stephen Luxem ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE 702.573.4389 ——————————————— SOPHISTICATED LIVING MEDIA Eric Williams - CEO Bridget Williams - President Sophisticated Living® is published by AVMM Media Group, LLC and is independently owned and operated.

Sophisticated Living® is a registered trademark of Williams Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sophisticated Living® is published six times a year. All images and editorial are the property of AVMM Media Group, LLC and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Annual subscription fees are $25.00; please add $5 for subscriptions outside the US. Address all subscription inquiries to the website slmag.net. Telephone 937.672.6448.

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All the things that SL Mag Chicago Publisher Alison Victoria is coveting right now

TAKE A SEAT I’ve been coveting this South Loop Loft dusty rose mohair ottoman for my own home … and it will be mine! @thesouthlooploft FOR MY HOME The tones of Paris Ceramics metallic tile in blush pair perfectly with the soft finishes in one of my homes on season two of “Windy City Rehab”! @parisceramicschicago MY FAVORITE SIP My go-to summer drink is Kir Yianni rosé from Greece. The smell and taste bring me straight back to the motherland. This rosé is getting me more and more excited for my trip with every sip. @kiryianni.gr ON MY LIPS Leah Chavie is my skin-care goddess and thanks to her lip plumper she’s the reason my lips are fuller with the perfect blush tone for summer. Infused with vitamin B, it’s cranberryflavored. @leahchavieskincare

BY MY SIDE Worn as a belt bag or thrown over my shoulder, this 84 Rockwell bag is my all-time fave and it works with every look. I have it in four colors! I can go straight from filming “Windy City Rehab” to a night out with the girls. @84rockwell

Alison Victoria Owner & Publisher alison@slmag.net

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Hi I’m Melinda, My first issue as editor-in-chief of Sophisticated Living Chicago magazine means I’m penning what is something of a love letter to a city I’m newly infatuated with. Since April I’ve regularly made my way back and forth to this towering metropolis from the bustling desert of Las Vegas, where we will be launching an SL mag LV in September. Over the past few months I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Chicago and I love it. Here are a few of the ways Chicago has charmed me as summer hits mid-swing.

BRUNCH AT EDEN I recently checked out Sunday brunch at Eden in the West Loop. I kicked it off with a Frose cocktail, which is rosé wine, peach puree and vodka, and then transitioned to the Bountiful Bloody with pepper and citrus-infused vodka, garnished with fried chicken and pork belly—of all decadent things. On the food front, the grilled avocado Eggs Benedict with crab was an absolute delight. Plus, Eden offers a doughnut of the day, like the orange sugar with butterscotch dipping sauce—the perfect weekend daytime sweet treat. @edenchicago

MCA X OFF-WHITE™ CULTURE WALL BAG One of the most exciting events I have been to in Chicago was the ArtEdge Gala at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago to usher in the new exhibit Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech.” While I was attending a preview I snapped up this limited-edition purse from Abloh’s Church & State pop-up shop that features special products and rereleases from the multihyphenate designer. The images on this bag are taken directly from the ‘Culture Wall’ Abloh designed for the space—which runs the length of its entrance— depicting things that have influenced his life. I was told the bag was one of three in existence when I purchased it. Well, it quickly became a one-of-a-kind when Abloh so kindly monogrammed it for me with his signature quotation marks: “Melinda.” @mcachicago

DARLING BUDS OF MAY AT THE DARLING Also in the West Loop, I visited The Darling for a night of revelry.

This multilevel venue is divided into a flower shop @mydarlingfloral, The Library cocktail bar and The Ballroom social club. Rum makes me wild and I was feeling especially daring on that warm spring night, so I ordered the Darling Buds of May cocktail, which is an Insta-worthy favorite, featuring two types of rum, passionfruit juice, apple cider, lemon, agave syrup and basil. @thedarlingchi

“SOUTHERN GOTHIC” AT WINDY CITY PLAYHOUSE Immersive theater is one of my guilty pleasures—where audiences interact with actors within the performance space—and “Southern Gothic” at the Windy City Playhouse’s South Loop location is a phenomenal night of entertainment. With just 30 audience members, you wander around the set and watch the drama unfold during a dinner party where lots of secrets and indiscretions are revealed. Through July 28. @windycityplay

CLARIDGE HOUSE I love a good staycation and I rested my head one weekend at the Claridge, a boutique hotel in the Gold Coast. The staff, the accommodations, the food and beverage program were all top-notch and made me feel as if I were staying at a close friend’s house instead of a hotel. Last year, the 1923 building underwent a $9 million renovation. One of my favorite places was the lobby where I worked every morning, surrounded by stunning original artwork including a large gallery photo wall which I gazed at during breaks from writing. Plus Juniper Spirits & Oysters, the hotel’s restaurant, serves a divine lobster roll as well as avocado toast. @claridge_house

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Melinda Sheckells Editor-In-Chief melinda@slmag.net

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All the things that SL Mag Chicago Creative Director Bridget Daley adores this season

ON MY EARS Jennifer Fisher is my go-to for all things that bling. Her jewels transition from day to night effortlessly. This single star 14K yellow gold earring with pavé white diamonds is a personal staple and rarely leaves my ear.

It’s as pretty as it is edgy. @jenniferfisherjewelry FOR MY BODY My trainer Dennis Rittenhouse kicks my butt and I keep going back for more. He is the best trainer in the city, and I have been with him for years. From boxing to pull-ups, he keeps me focused on my health goals.

Gold Coast Equinox, equinox.com/clubs/chicago/goldcoast MY GO-TO SUMMER SPOT Avec is small and intimate. This is my favorite lunch in the city.

As soon as they open the big windows, it’s time to soak up the summer air that streams into this galley-style restaurant. Make sure to order the chickpea hummus—you will thank me later … over drinks. @avecchicago IN MY CLOSET I love a slip dress and Nili Lotan has done it again. It’s a good fit for most body types and falls in all the right places. Dress it up with a great stiletto or throw on a pair of sandals for a casual look. I love to wear mine with a blazer or denim jacket. Wear it all summer long and bring it right into the fall. @vmrchicago MY FAVORITE SIP I could drink Champagne with every course and pretty much love it all year round. My go-to summer drink is a glass of Ruinart Rosé, specifically in a white wine glass to really open up the lush flavors. Cheers to a beautiful summer! @ruinart Bridget Daley Creative Director daley@slmag.net 16 slmag.net

Contributors

“Photographing Cari Giannoulias for this issue was so seamless,” says photographer Maria Ponce Berre. “It was as if we had known each other for years. She was gracious, vibrant and totally fun to work with. Even a zipper malfunction didn’t prevent her charisma from coming through. This vibrance clearly transfers from her talent as an interior designer to a wonderful portrait subject.”

Berre has been working in Chicago since 2009, and has known SL Publisher Alison Victoria since 2014—she crashed Berre’s kitchen on her former TV show “Kitchen Crashers”—but this is the first opportunity she has shot for the magazine. Berre is currently working on a photography exhibit exploring how women voice and layer their inner beauty. @mariaponcephoto “Interviewing artists the likes of Brendan Fernandes is my continuing education,” says writer Geoff Carter, senior editor for the Las Vegas Weekly and contributing writer for Microsoft Stories and Time Out. “In researching him, I learned more about ballet and performative art ... and in speaking with him, I learned that the right kind of art can still stand up to injustice and beat it.” Carter is inspired by Fernandes’ unflagging energy: “Brendan said, ‘I’m a restless creature by nature, but at this point, I’m really fortunate and happy to be restless.’ He made me want to get up on my feet, too.” @beatnikside “We’ve all seen beautiful homes that we admire, either in person or in magazines,” says writer Lisa Shames. “But what makes Cari Giannoulias’ so special are the stories and memories attached to so many of the items inside it.” Shames wrote about Giannoulias and her eponymous design company for this issue (“It’s Personal”) and in the process got a tour of her beautiful Lincoln Park home. She walked away not only with a story but plenty of ideas for her own residence as well. @lisashames “I really connected with something Christina said about not feeling like you have to stick with one thing forever,” says writer Amalie Drury, who interviewed Chicago clothing designer Christina Karin Monley about leaving Wall Street to launch a clothing line and open a store. “She told me, ‘You don’t have to be embarrassed to choose change.’” Drury—a mother of three young children who now works as a writer for Crate & Barrel—was a lifestyle journalist for 15 years before entering the corporate world. “I found that very comforting,” Drury says. “The idea of what a career looks like is evolving. Maybe it doesn’t have to be so linear anymore.” @amaliedrury “I was so moved by Cameron DeHaven’s passion for helping his community,” says writer Camille Cannon, who interviewed the founder of nonprofit Sneaker Heartz for a story about how the organization is putting shoes on the feet of those who need it most. “Hearing about the aha moment when his massive sneaker collection became a catalyst for change in his community, I started to wonder what difference I could make with my own passions, and I think readers will, too. His mission is contagious.” @cami_can Photographer Anthony Tahlier was tasked with taking portraits of two exceptionally chic women for SL’s July/August issue. His image of Carrie Meghie for “Sophisticated Woman” captures her easy, breezy style and Christina Karin’s irreverent high-fashion edge jumps off the page in “The ShapeShifter.” Tahlier’s work spans many different genres, from shooting people to food to interiors. He prides himself on telling beautiful and unforgettable stories through his lens. @anthonytahlierphoto

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SISTER-IN-LAW ACT

By Ceta Walters, fashion and lifestyle blogger, clarkandstone.com

The co-founders of Veronica Beard give SL their take on how sophistication comes in one style: your own.

Many notable design duos may give the impression that they’re like a family, but few can say they actually are. Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard are just that. Sisters-in-law married to brothers, the two came together through a love of fashion and founded Veronica Beard with the goal of designing for women like them. Launched in 2010, the label includes a variety of styles that appeal to all kinds of women. From their classic Dickeys—an article of clothing you zip into the front of a jacket to change its look—to collaborations with Kassatex, VB allows mothers, entrepreneurs and anyone in between to feel confident and fashionable without sacrificing comfort. Here the Veronicas share their favorites things, what inspires them and the places that keep them coming back for more.

What’s your favorite country to visit?

VMB: Italy.

VSB: France.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

VERONICA MIELE BEARD Press snooze.

VERONICA SWANSON BEARD Check Instagram.

Most universally flattering color?

VMB: Pink.

Name one thing that you can’t live without?

VMB: Joe’s coffee.

VSB: My phone.

What is the most elegant gift to give or to receive?

VMB: Love.

VSB: An engraved charm.

Where is your favorite place to go when you come to Chicago?

VMB: Michigan Avenue.

No one should ever wear…

VMB: Uncomfortable shoes.

Everyone should own…

VMB: A Dickey jacket.

Describe your line in three words?

VMB: Cool classic chic.

What is your favorite piece in your closet?

VSB: Vintage Christian Dior suede fringe western jacket.

Proudest career moment?

VSB: Every day we get to do this.

Who or what inspires you?

VMB: The win.

VSB: Women who are making it happen.

What are you reading right now?

VSB: Blessing in Disguise by Danielle Steel.

Most sophisticated person ever?

VMB: My mom.

Guilty pleasure?

VSB: Vintage shopping.

Who is your dream client?

VMB: All the ladies making a difference.

Current must-have from your collection?

VSB: Pink floral smocked dress.

What is your favorite cocktail?

VMB: A really good red.

VSB: Tequila soda and with lemons.

Place you go for utter peace?

VSB: Yoga mat.

Coffee or tea?

VMB: Both.

VSB: Currently high on matcha lattes.

Most sophisticated city?

VMB: Paris.

VSB: London.

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Name your top three vacation must-haves?

VSB: My husband, my kids and sunscreen.

Most sophisticated structure or building?

VSB: Eiffel Tower.

How do you define ‘sophistication’?

VSB: Knowing who you are and what you want.

sl veronicabeard.com

Veronica Miele Beard (left) and Veronica Swanson Beard (right)

Left: Anthea Dress, $795 Right: Rhodora Jacket, $695, Elsy Belt, $250, Hibiscus Pant, $695

Left: Louisa Dickey Jacket, $695, Lucinda Top, $450, Colt Pant, $395 Right: Nila Dress, $750, Roan Sandal, $350

Cato Jacket, $750 Simona Dress, $595

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NEW MOVEMENT Brendan Fernandes’ striking, socially conscious multimedia art is strongly en pointe.

By Geoff Carter / Portrait by James Gustin for Fig Media Almost immediately, Brendan Fernandes demonstrates his patience.

The 39-year-old multimedia artist has likely described what he does at least a thousand times, but when asked to unpack it for someone who has yet to see his art in person and has an incomplete understanding of it, Fernandes is accommodating, effusive; he could be talking about this for the first time ever.

“I make art that is in between the intersections of visual arts and dance,” he says. “I kind of mix the two cultures together.”

It sounds easy until you look at Fernandes’ work and realize that you’ve seen nothing like it before. His 2018 piece The Master and Form, currently on view at New York’s prestigious Whitney Biennial, has ballet dancers commingling with architectural forms at the dictate of apparatus—yet finding freedom within these structures designed to restrain. 2018’s On Flashing Lights recognizes the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting with DJs from Toronto’s queer, immigrant and marginalized communities spinning tracks on a stage illuminated by the red-blue lights of 20 police cars. And with 2017’s Clean Labour, Fernandes draws attention to America’s underrecognized population of hospitality workers, as a team of dancers emulate the movements of workers tidying up the rooms of a Brooklyn hotel. Fernandes’ art is at once dreamily symbolic and wholly direct.

“Hybrid forms are always a part of what I do, [being] Kenyan-born from a fifth-generation Indian family who moved 24 slmag.net

to Canada and now living in the United States,” Fernandes says.

“This idea of hybridity, of being many things, is always something I tackle in my work. I make installations that question that, so that people can also enter and talk about their hybridity. But it’s also a space that looks at dance and art through a sociopolitical viewpoint—whether it’s Colonial history, or ballet history, or questions of hierarchy and labor in dance.”

The mostly full-time Chicagoan (he spends a couple of weekends a month in New York, and has family in Canada) has taken a long road to arrive at this creative amalgam. His formative years in Toronto were heavily informed by punk rock, ballet and visual arts (he names George Balanchine, Robert Rauschenberg and Minor Threat among his influences). He majored in visual arts at York University and took dance courses with dance major students. Then, an injury caused him to rethink his relationship to one of his passions of nearly 15 years.

“It was always something that was still in my body, but I rejected it because I felt rejected by the form,” he says. “When I came back to it, I was very nervous—because I’m returning postinjury, but I’m also older. … It was almost like seeing an ex-lover for the first time in years and to ask, ‘Do I know you still? Do I like you?’ But the relationship, the love, the care was always there. And I found a new way to make it a part of the work.”

“The Master and Form,� The 2019 Whitney Biennial, New York, 2019. Performance / Installation: scaffolding, carpets, ropes, and teak wood and leather sculptures all in collaboration with Norman Kelley, Architects; choreography for 5 dancers; costuming and audio. Originally commissioned by the Graham Foundation, Chicago.

Images courtesy the artist and Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago. Photography: Matthew Carasella.

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Above: “Hit Back,” Recess, New York 2017. Performance / Installation: panels of sprung-flooring, felt mats, clothes racks and clothes hangers, custom costuming and choreography for 3 dancers. Performers: John Alix, Khadija Griffith and Oisin Monaghan. Uniforms by the Rational Dress Society. Image courtesy of the artist and Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago. Photographer: Wendy Ploger.

Below: An additional scene from “The Master and Form,” The 2019 Whitney Biennial, New York, 2019.

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“Open Encounter,” The High Line, New York, August 2018.

Image courtesy of the artist and Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago.

Photography: Liz Ligon.

Perhaps fittingly, Fernandes set about making art in a world that’s also losing its footing. Asked if the only way to meet homophobia and anti-immigrant animus on a level field is by creating art that interprets it, he responds with an emphatic “definitely.” He calls it “performative intervention,” and it begins at a gut level.

“The Pulse nightclub situation was something that threw me off, as a person who identifies as queer and gay,” he says. “The nightclub is a place for freedom, for sanctuary … to dance, to exist together, without feeling scared or unsafe. But you know, that idea of being in a safe space or unsafe space is still very questionable. … That massacre just threw me off—to believe that, OK, our spaces are being infiltrated.

“When I use a phrase like ‘performative intervention,’ it’s that, you know, dancing in a nightclub can be an intervention. Or dancing in a museum, because I try to break away from the etiquette of the stage, the way we’re expected to see performance. So, if a person is dancing in a museum, it’s like, ‘Oh, they’re acting out. They’re doing something inappropriate.’ Rules and etiquette are choreography, so I try to challenge them.”

Fernandes’ work also considers the idea of power—how it compels individuals and cultures into shapes and situations they might not have chosen themselves. “I’m always sort of making note of the power dynamic, whether it’s within ballet, or whether it’s in Colonial history,” he says. But he does his level best to keep his power in check within his process, having all too vivid of a memory of toiling under ballet instructors who didn’t always care about aching muscles. When he works with dancers now, he draws on that aforementioned patience and keeps things loose, like his recent balletmeets-BDSM piece at the Guggenheim, fittingly called Ballet Kink.

“I have different modes of choreographing,” he says. “[Ballet Kink] is a performance art piece, but it was also under the auspices of a party, and we didn’t have a lot of time to create a whole vernacular.

Normally I would spend weeks and months processing and figuring it out. ... We had three days. So I gave them things that they know from their repertoire, and then I tasked them with it.” Watching video of the event, it’s kind of weird seeing dancers perform pirouettes while wrapped in thick white rope. It’s also sexy as hell.

The months ahead will be as busy for Fernandes as the past year. He remains an artist-in-residence and a faculty member at Northwestern University, and his latest installation, A Call and Response, is on view at MCA June 18 through October 13.

Later this fall he has a show at New York’s Noguchi Museum (“A collaborative dance piece again—sets designed by Noguchi for Martha Graham will be present in the exhibition space along with other sculptural devices I’m making with Norman Kelley Architects that the dancers will interact with”), and a dance/film hybrid exhibition at Connecticut’s Wesleyan University. But through it all, he’ll be looking out for the next underrecognized or oppressed group that needs a performative intervention.

“It’s always there, whether it’s homophobia, racism or sexism.

It’s been part of my life,” Fernandes says. “And it’s now more visible, in terms of people feeling like they can express it. … I feel that it’s my responsibility to create more radical voices to support the marginalized. I make my work to question and to challenge the spaces that we’re in, and to move us forward.” sl Commons Artist Project: Brendan Fernandes, A Call and Response runs at the MCA June 18 through Oct. 13. Find tickets and information at mcachicago.org.

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What beauty routine is never ever skipped?

I always wash my face before bed. Like always.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

First thing I do is wash my face with my Take it Off Cleansing Balm, then I put two pumps of The Truth on my face and neck, and then I moisturize with Good Day Soufflé with SPF 15.

That’s my morning beauty ritual. Then I have an oat milk latte.

Can’t start my day without one.

Fountain of Truth’s product line features efficacious formulas like the advanced skin care technology Super Bio-Ferment, which incorporates clean, safe, gentle, and highly effective, fermented, skin-loving botanical ingredients from across the globe. There are currently nine products available and Fountain of Truth is sold at fountainoftruthbeauty.com, ulta.com, hsn.com and in-store at Ulta.

SO FRESH, SO CLEAN Giuliana Rancic’s search for a healthy skin care line led her to develop Fountain of Truth

By Karina Heinrich, integrative nutritionist and accountability health coach, @thekarinamethod Portait by Alicia Fierro When E! News’ Giuliana Rancic was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36, she set out to find products that were clean and free of harmful chemicals but also worked on skin concerns such as fine lines, skin texture, discoloration and age spots. Rancic soon discovered it was hard to find beauty essentials that were both clean and high-performance at a reasonable price point. When she realized the product she sought didn’t even exist, she set out to create it.

That’s how her new line, Fountain of Truth, was born, a suite of skin care and beauty offerings that are both good for your epidermis and good for your image. They range from the Youth in Hand Cream ($28), a triple emulsion formula with shea butter, coconut and macadamia oils, honey and jojoba, providing long-lasting hydration with a protective moisture barrier, to The Truth Insta-Face Elixir ($86), a lightweight potion that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, creating plumpness and volume.

Rancic shares what she covets from the line, her tips for beautiful skin and some sage advice for those seeking a better-balanced life.

What one product from your line wows you?

That’s a tough one because I use about six products from my line on any given day and the rest throughout the week. I would say The Truth Elixir is a must-have for me. I use it twice a day and have seen incredible results since I started using it last year. My skin has never been clearer, healthier and more luminous.

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Who takes longer to get ready in your household?

Me for sure but not by much. I am very fast in the morning. I don’t wear much makeup because my skin is finally so good and doesn’t need any coverage.

Name one thing that you can’t live without.

That would have to be two things: my husband and my son.

Everyone should own…

A photo album they update every year with photos taken from their phone. We take so many pictures but they all live on our phones. It’s nice to print them out and keep them in albums to show friends and family when they come over.

What is the most elegant gift to give or to receive?

Love Food you always carry in your purse?

Some sort of a healthy fruit and nut bar.

Favorite workout?

Hiking Guilty pleasure?

Dessert every single night.

Place you go for utter peace?

A hike with my husband to chat about life.

Name your top three vacation must-haves?

My G by Giuliana Duster Cardigan—I travel with three of the fun prints—sunscreen and my favorite Chanel rubber sandals.

What is on your bucket list?

I don’t have one. As long as I wake up happy and go to bed happy, my life is fulfilled.

Describe your line in three words?

Clean, high-performance skin care

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The Blue Lagoon at sunrise

THE SHAPE OF WATER From ice caves to hot springs, Classic Journeys' multisport adventure trip makes Iceland's myriad natural wonders accessible Written and Photographed by Bridget Williams "I'd been to Iceland before, but I don't really feel like I've seen it until now," uttered one of my fellow travelers, breaking the silence between us as we stood behind a majestic waterfall, mesmerized by the cascade as the icy mist needled our cheeks.

For six days, water in all forms formed the crux of our adventures in Iceland. We simmered and subsequently froze in it, slid on it, sloshed through it and marveled at it.

Iceland has loomed large on my must-see list for years. The most sparsely populated country in Europe, Mother Nature has endowed its 40,000 square miles with a mind-boggling array of amenities: waterfalls, active volcanoes, glaciers, ice caves, black sand beaches, crystal-clear lakes, and hot springs. While a do-ityourself itinerary is undoubtedly doable, given the country's temperamental weather and vast landscape, I knew I was more likely to encounter trip-busting incidents than happy accidents,

so I turned to the experts in insider travel intel—Classic Journeys—and their multisport itinerary to deliver maximum adventure in the minimal time I had available.

Delivering the ultimate insider experience is what drove Edward Piegza, a "reformed" banking executive, to found Classic Journeys in 1995. Tasked with planning group outings for VIP bank clients in his former career, he discovered that his ardor for planning group trips was proportional to his abhorrence of banking. Exhibiting the energy and enthusiasm of a Labrador puppy, Edward's passion is palpable, as is his desire to deliver a truly authentic experience, which he says begins with using local guides. "We have one goal: to hand-craft trips of a lifetime," explained Edward, who added that his guides are empowered by the company to be agile in their decision-making.

Their guides always have a Plan B (and even a C and D if needed) to account for the unexpected.

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At the Sólheimajökull Glacier, we were guided by Jon, an accomplished mountaineer.

Edward pointed out that it takes more than a pleasant personality to be an exceptional guide; he and his staff work closely with local guides in 50 countries on six continents to develop Classic Journeys' current roster of 100 distinct itineraries focused on six areas: culture, walking, culinary, family, multisport, alumni and incentive.

"We kiss a lot of frogs and make the mistakes ahead of time so that our trips run seamlessly for guests," he said. Edward's personal desire to experience an upscale trip that is both physically and mentally engaging reflects the interests and expectations of the typical Classic Journeys' client. "I like to get muddy during the day, but I want to sleep on Egyptian cotton sheets at night."

There is something incredibly freeing about a fully supported trip; not having to mind the minutiae frees the mind to drink in every delightful detail. Our group was greeted at the airport in Reykjavik by Atli, our guide for the week. A dyed-in-the-wool native of Iceland whose ancestry can be traced back to 9th century Vikings, Atli is a life-long lover of adventure, and the outdoors, fishing, mountaineering, a teacher of history and geology, and an all-around nice guy. The senior tour leader and resident expert guide for Classic Journeys, Atli helped lead the charge to establish the Vatnajökull National Park, which makes up about 14% of Iceland's landmass and includes the largest glacier in Europe.

Our group eased into the 6 day/5 night itinerary with breakfast at a Viking museum, just as the slivers of sunlight begun to emerge from underneath the blanket of night. Our transport for 34 slmag.net

Atli demonstrating Iceland's version of a Lay-Z-Boy—volcanic rocks covered in spongy lichen.

the duration of the trip was a posh WIFI-enabled 4X4 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van. While we relaxed and admired the scenery, Atli entertained us with stories of growing up in Iceland, including skinny dipping in the famous Blue Lagoon before it became a popular tourist pilgrimage site, as well as tales of legend and lore.

His talk of trolls and "hidden people," had me convinced I could discern shadowy figures in the moss-covered lava fields. From that point onward, I thought twice about disturbing a rock, lest I face the wrath of a troll who might be residing there!

There is no bad weather, only bad gear, is a Classic Journeys' mantra. To help their clients avoid the pitfalls of underpacking or the hassles of overpacking, they offer a gear valet program that can outfit you with the appropriate attire to combat every imaginable weather scenario. While you can rent gear just for the duration of the trip, I fell in love with my tough-as-nails parka and rain pants from Iceland's Icewear company and opted for a more long-term arrangement.

Our itinerary included Iceland's notable attractions both inside and out of the famed Golden Circle sightseeing route.

We were one of the first groups through the door at the Blue Lagoon, which allowed us to enjoy the thermal waters before the place was overrun with visitors. Spying a waterfall in Iceland is like stumbling across a cathedral in Europe. They're everywhere, and we managed to see quite a few from all angles: below, above and behind.

Kirkjufells waterfalls on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula Photo courtesy of Classic Journeys.

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The start of our hike on the Sรณlheimajรถkull Glacier

Skogafoss waterfall

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"Blue Crush" ice formation on the Vatnajรถkull Glacier

Reynisfjara black-sand beach

The window of opporrunity to see the Northern Lights is typically late August through late April.

Photo courtesy of Classic Journeys

We explored glaciers in a similar all-around fashion. At the Sólheimajökull Glacier, Atli arranged for Jon, one of Iceland's most accomplished mountaineers and respected experts on glaciers, to lead a three-hour trek atop the glacier, complete with crampons and ice axes. We ventured deep into an ice cave at the Vatnajökull Glacier, admiring the obsidianlike surface created by the compression of water and volcanic ash. We also stopped at "Blue Crush," a cerulean chunk of ice sculpted by the elements to resemble a curling wave. A temporary installation, the ice formations will morph and melt as time goes on and temperatures rise.

Atli likened the notoriety of the Reynisfjara black-sand beach to the Coliseum in Rome. As our footprints pressed a fresh layer of snow into the sand, the resulting mixture resembled crushed Oreo cookies. Most tourists cluster at the entrance, so it's easy to find a sense of solitude by taking a short stroll down the beach in either direction while pondering the jet-black geology of the substrate, which gradually transitions from grainy sand to smooth pebbles.

During one late afternoon drive, the weather changed on a dime from sunshine to a whiteout, and Atli remained unflappable.

As night fell and the torrent of snowflakes reflected off of the headlights, he joked that we now know what Hans Solo felt while piloting the Millennium Falcon. Already happy that I wasn't

behind the wheel, spying the occasional rental car off the side of the road only deepened my appreciation for our guide.

With much of the country sparsely populated, finding the best lodging options isn't always easy. Classic Journeys carefully vets its hotel partners to make sure they meet exacting standards and contribute to the uniqueness of the experience. "We like to call it 'refraining from sameness,' "explained Edward. Our trip included stays at both Hotel Ranga and Skalakot Manor Hotel.

Hotel Ranga is full of quirky personality reflective of its jocular owner, who provided me with my first taste of Iceland's Black Death. Contrary to its menacing name and labeling, Black Death, also known as Brennivín, is a popular traditional distilled beverage flavored with caraway, and not the plague. A short walk from the hotel is a cabin with a retractable roof and a high-tech telescope, allowing you to ogle the night sky in a whole new way.

If Ralph Lauren designed a hotel in Iceland, it would surely resemble the chic Skálkot Manor Hotel. Set on a working multigenerational family farm with sheep, cuddly Icelandic horses, and miles of trails for exploring. Spending one afternoon on horseback, we spied the snow-capped "tongue" of a nearby glacier that seemed to lap at hills defined by tuffets of straw-colored grass that proved irresistible to my steed. I made judicious use of free time in the itinerary by taking a canyon hike and later a run to a waterfall, where I relished in being its solitary admirer. slmag.net

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Snorkeling in the crystal-clear and near-freezing water above Silfra, the fissure that marks the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Farm-fresh lamb burger at Skรกlkot Manor Hotel

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Curious barnyard residents on the farm at Skรกlkot

Riding Icelandic horses on the gentle slopes of the Eyjafjöll mountains

Meals each day were full of memorable and hearty local fare.

During a picnic atop a glacier, Atli presented us with samples of kleinur, an Icelandic pastry flavored with cardamom (which I loved), as well as fish jerky (which I would say is more of an acquired taste).

We feasted on fresh-caught langoustine the cozy Fjöruborðið restaurant and farm-fresh lamb at Skalakot. Because pre-planning on the part of the team at Classic Journeys is thorough, those with dietary restrictions were amply accommodated. "Iceland is one of those places people may only go once. We want to make sure they are getting a real immersion while they're here," said Edward.

Our last day came with the option to explore the continental divide in Þingvellir National Park— a UNESCO World Heritage Site—on foot or by floating. I chose the latter, which allowed me to snorkel in some of the world's purest water, leaving me feeling

as if I were floating on air above Silfra, the fissure that designates the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which continue to move apart at a rate of 2.5 centimeters a year. Definitely not for the faint of heart, the water temperature hovers just above freezing (hello ice cold facial!), and there was quite a lot of effort involved in stuffing myself into the dry suit, but I wasn't about to miss the grand finale of an action-packed trip that made me feel like a traveler and not just a tourist.

For more information, visit classicjourneys.com. sl Getting There: The sudden closure of WOW Air this past March stranded passengers on both sides of the Atlantic and grabbed headlines around the globe. Intrepid travelers needn't fear, as Icelandair, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2017, offers transatlantic routes from 24 European and 21 North American gateways. You can even make a day trip to Iceland an add-on to a broader European adventure with a range of distinct Stopover campaigns, all for the price of a flight ticket. Icelandair passengers can call the Buddy Hotline for personalized planning of their stopover. And, you won't mind getting to the airport two hours early when you have access to the comfy and chic Saga Lounge at Keflavik Airport (Icelandair.com)

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RENEE BRINKERHOFF RALLIES FROM PEKING TO PARIS One woman’s determination pushes new boundaries in automotive racing and social issues Written by Deb Pollack / Photos courtesy of Valkyrie Racing When Colorado-based philanthropist and mother-of-four Renee roads that claimed several crews on day one. Her class made her Brinkerhoff decided to race in the legendary and highly dangerous the only female driver to accomplish this feat. Further success in La Carrera Panamericana rally in 2013 at the age of 57 – not only subsequent years encouraged her to look at challenges further afield, was she a rookie on a race track, but sheWritten had yetby to Andre ever experience and a plan was hatchedSpA to race on every continent: Project 356 James / Photos courtesy of Pininfarina a road race – let alone a 2,000-mile racing challenge. As the founder World Rally Tour. of Valkyrie Racing, Brinkerhoff has exceeded her dreams and all To help achieve her goal, Brinkerhoff partnered with leading expectations by earning class victories in the famed Mexican race specialists in rally car competition, including famed rallyist and four years in a row and made history as the ‘only woman to finish Porsche restoration master Richard Tuthill -- and she soon began the race’ each year she has partaken. racing the car all over the world. The story captured unexpected With a self-imposed challenge to complete six races across media attention, which the savvy sixty-something soon realized seven continents, at press time, Brinkerhoff was embarking on her could be used to draw attention to worthy causes in the areas she next challenge along that path: the month-long Peking to Paris intended to race. A philanthropic wing – ‘Valkyrie Gives’ - was rally. She hopes to continue her winning ways while extending formed to assist in directing financial support and donations to the her charitable mission on a global level through her dedication charities closest to Brinkerhoff’s heart: countering child exploitation to fight child trafficking, a cause she has already championed in and human trafficking in poorer parts of the world.

Mexico, Australia, and Peru.

“I had so much spare energy and personal time when my Brinkerhoff made her driving debut in Mexico behind the children left home,” said Brinkerhoff. “I initially filled this with wheel of a 1956 Porsche 356A, navigating treacherous mountain rallying – an incredibly exciting passion which requires immense 40 slmag.net

focus and courage – but I knew there was more I could do. We started by exposing the audience that was building around our story to important social issues and asking for help to make peoples’ lives better."

Brinkerhoff began researching social problems in the countries she was rallying through, finding that child trafficking was a significant issue across the Americas, where she was participating in two rallies: Mexico for the La Carrera and Peru for Camino del Incas. Looking at the racing calendar, Renee noted that similar issues are found in Asia, where she will race on the Peking to Paris Rally in June and July, and also in East Africa, where she will be racing in late 2019 as part of the East African Safari Classic Rally.

“Understanding the scale of these problems and how a lack of transparency and education keeps children in danger from exploitation and trafficking, we reached out to some of the agencies on the ground in our target areas, to figure out ways we could help by pooling our resources,” she explained.

During each rally, Valkyrie Racing gives financial support to carefully vetted charitable efforts active in preventing or intervening in trafficking operations and restoring victims of trafficking. These charities provide education, rescue victims, provide legal assistance and travel funds to repatriate victims and nurture and counsel them after their rescue, for a healthy and productive future.

Brinkerhoff’s goal through Valkyrie Gives is to bring comfort to those in need, working to identify children at risk and working to secure and protect them. Efforts have included funding trafficking investigators and rescuers and obtaining the latest technology so that charities can match the traffickers on a technological level.

Valkyrie Racing is proactive in rural communities, taking rain boots to remote Quechua communities in Peru, and using the opportunity to educate children on their right to be safe, and when to report issues to trusted authority figures.

Learn more about the exciting story of Valkyrie Racing and follow Renée Brinkerhoff’s progress on the team website at racevalkyrie.com. sl slmag.net

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UPPING THE ANTE ON EXHILARATION Aston Martin Vantage AMR Written by Andre James / Photos courtesy of Aston Martin Launched ahead of the penultimate round of the FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season – a world where Aston Martin Racing competes with the Vantage GTE – the Vantage AMR delivers an extra dose of excitement with the addition of a third pedal and manual transmission.

The heart of the Vantage AMR is a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which is set as low and as far back in the chassis as possible to create near perfect 50:50 weight distribution. This high performance, high-efficiency engine propels the two-door coupe from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds, and 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds, with a top speed of 195mph.

Vantage AMR is equipped with a motorsport-inspired 7-speed transmission developed by Graziano, featuring a ‘dog-leg’ first gear. Inside, the driver is presented with the opportunity to deliver each gear via a hand-stitched leatherclad gearstick. Second to seventh gears are positioned in a traditional double H-pattern configuration. Vantage AMR’s transmission is mated to a limited-slip differential, tuned and calibrated by Aston Martin’s leading dynamics team, to ensure the rewarding and engaging experience expected of a manual.

The manual transmission features the driver-selectable AMSHIFT, which uses the clutch, gear position, and prop shaft sensors, together with a finelytuned engine management program to mimic the technique of heel-and-toe downshifts. AMSHIFT also offers the capability of full-throttle upshifts for maximum smoothness and minimal interruption in acceleration. Skyhook technology, part of Aston Martin’s latest adaptive damping system, offers Sport, Sport + and Track modes to ensure the car’s character can be tuned to the driver’s preference or road conditions.

Limited to 200-units, Vantage AMR is available in five designer specifications. 141 of those 200 will be available in either Sabiro Blue, Onyx Black, China Grey or White Stone, with a recommended retail price from $179,995. The remaining 59 will sport details that commemorate the 60th anniversary of Aston Martin’s 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans victory with DBR1.

Named “Vantage 59”, this fixed specification features a Stirling Green and Lime exterior paint scheme and Dark Knight leather and Alcantara interior, finished with a signature AMR lime stripe and stitch, and is priced $204,995. Deliveries are scheduled to begin during the final quarter of 2019. sl

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Of Note... Ottoman Empire

Compiled by Colin Dennis

Clockwise from top left: Ashton ottoman from Massoud (massoudfurniture.com). Ottoman designed by NoĂŠ Duchaufour-Lawrance for Ligne Roset (ligne-roset.com). Kira Tibetan fur ottoman from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams (mgbwhome.com). Small and large Lawrence footrests in silver technical shagreen fabric from Armani Casa (armani.com/casa). Lots Road ottoman from Dowel Furniture (from $900; dowelfurniturecompany.com). Lola ottoman from Bradley Furniture (bradleyusa.com).

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Clockwise from top left: In/Out ottoman from Gugliermetto (g.experience.it). Greta cocktail ottoman from Hancock & Moore (hancockandmoore.com). Bubblegum Portrait ottoman from Mineheart ($250; mineheart.com). Gus Modern Sparrow ottoman ($499; gusmodern.com). Wells Diamante ottoman from Missoni Home (missionihome.com). Mindthegap Nomad Hindustan vintage linen ottoman (mindtheg.com). Embrace cocktail table ottoman from Koket (bykoket.com). MacKenzie Childs Moonlight Garden footstool ($795; mackenzie-childs.com).

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Bibliotaph... Road Trip

Compiled by Victoria Chase

A celebration of life on the move, this book features vans, overland vehicles and their passionate owners as they embark on adventures around the globe. Gestalten—Hit the Road: Vans, Nomads, and Roadside Adventures— hardcover, 272 pages, Gestlaten (us.gestalten.com) The first gasoline was sold in pharmacies. As the car experienced an exponential rise in popularity, gas stations promulgated as temples of mobility.

With a preface written by passionate car collector Jay Leno, this book explores the diverse world of the gas station, from functional high-tech temple to an abandoned ruin. Gestalten & Sascha Friesike—It's a Gas!: The Allure of the Gas Station— hardcover, 240 pages, Gestalten (us.gestalten.com) Since the early 2000s, an explosion of interest in Volkswagens with original paint, rust and patina have inspired a generation of car fanatics. Once looked upon as needing restoration, these vehicles, especially within the global Volkswagen community, have gradually become more popular than restored cars. These rare, unspoiled survivors tell a story of an interesting and varied past. This book takes an inside look at key car builders, dealers, celebrities and hobbyists, as well as the different styles of build, meaning every single car has a style all its own. Mark Walker — Patina: Volkswagens — hardcover, 160 pages, Veloce (veloce.co.uk)

The American charm of Robert Frost's iconic poem is paired with impactful images from the mountains of New Hampshire to the streets of India. Available in October. Robert Frost—The Road Not Taken: The Classic Poem in Words and Photographs— hardcover, 224 pages, Cider Mill Press (cidermillpress.com)

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bib 'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf ]: a person who caches or hoards books

Created by photographer and art historian Dr. Fred Sigman, this book is an ode to a bye-gone era and a reflection on America's iconic automobile culture. Sigmans' photographs capture the praised architectural vernacular that once dominated Sin City's skyline and served as the foundation for today's mega-resorts. Dr. Fred Sigman—Motel Vegas— hardcover, 200 pages, Smallworks Press (smallworkspress.com)

Jeff Gordinier, food and drinks editor of Esquire and a frequent contributor to the New York Times chronicles the four years he spent traveling with renowned Danish chef René Redzepi in search of the most tantalizing flavors the world has to offer. Jeff Gordinier—Hungry: Eating, Road-Tripping, and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World—hardcover, 240 pages, Penguin Random House (penguinrandomhouse.com) In May 2007, with her husband as co-pilot, Dina Bennett was behind the wheel of a 1940 Cadillac LaSalle, one of 128 antique autos racing in the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge. Bennett's resulting book is both funny and self-deprecating. She says it was written for “every woman who's ever doubted herself and any man who's wondered what the woman traveling with him is thinking.” Dina Bennett—Peking to Paris: Life and Love on a Short Drive Around Half the World—hardcover, 280 pages, Skyhorse Publishing (skyhorsepublishing.com) The opening of America's interstate highway system in the 1950s ushered in the road trip phenomenon. Author Richard Ratay contends that families didn't so much take vacations as survive them. This lighthearted trip down memory lane chronicles what made the Great American Family Road Trip so great. Richard Ratay—Don't Make Me Pull Over: The Informal History of the Family Road Trip—hardcover, 288 pages, Scribner (simonandschusterpublishing.com)

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GO FORE IT With unlimited golf on three courses and an onsite kitchen garden, Casa Velas resort in Puerto Vallarta makes it easy to get your greens Written by Caylee Matthews It took less than an hour for me to go from planeside to poolside at Casa Velas, an 80-suite boutique hotel and spa located just five minutes from Puerto Vallarta's international airport and discreetly integrated within an upscale residential neighborhood alongside the greens of Marina Vallarta's 18-hole golf course. The ease with which you can slip into this adults-only, all-inclusive paradise, where colorful peacocks meander through lush tropical landscaping, makes it ideal for a quick battery-charging getaway.

Part of the Velas Resorts group, whose tagline is "Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond Compare," guests at Casa Velas have access to big resort amenities in a boutique setting. All-inclusive rates include luxury suite accommodations; a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, including dining privileges at sister resorts, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit and Velas Vallarta; unlimited golf at Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta 48 slmag.net

golf clubs (excluding cart fee); shuttle service and access to the private Ocean Club; premium branded beverages; 24-hour in-suite service; a well-equipped fitness center; a comprehensive lineup of weekly events; and, taxes and gratuity.

Traditional Mexican colors and furnishings define the dĂŠcor in the spacious guest accommodations. Whimsical in-room artwork by sculptor Sergio Bustamante is one of many ways that Mexican culinary, artistic, and cultural traditions are woven into the guest experience. A recently unveiled pair of 1,350-squarefoot Wellness Suites reflect a property-wide commitment to wellness. Each suite is complemented by a dedicated Wellness Concierge; in-suite fitness amenities; a private plunge pool and rooftop Jacuzzi; bespoke soaps created from local botanicals; a Nikken Kenko sleep system; and an Alchimia Apothecary essential oil aromatherapy kit.

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The lineup of complimentary weekly activities is always evolving. Those interested in local culture can partake of a micro-adventure to a local Huichol village that begins with an ancient energy cleansing ritual performed by a shaman. Of note to art enthusiasts is a guided tour of the weekly art and crafts market in nearby Marina Vallarta, as well as a two-hour art gallery tour of downtown Puerto Vallarta, and an hourlong themed art workshop with artist LeĂłn de la Vega. Founder of Estudio-cafĂŠ, a cultural center that promotes local artists, authors, and environmental activities, de la Vega's program is accompanied by tastings of Mexican wines to help get your creative juices flowing.

Every evening at 6pm, guests assemble on the large terrace, which is bordered by a serpentine-shaped koi pond, to participate in an interactive activity that can range from margarita samplings to a casino night, where "winnings" can be redeemed in the boutique, which has a thoughtful selection of locally made jewelry. The boutique is also where guests can partake of the designer Handbag Bar, a program that allows guests to borrow from a revolving selection of 13 different designer handbags.

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The roots of the culinary program are found in the kitchen garden, tucked away in a quiet corner of the property. Each of the 49 varieties of herbs, vegetables, and fruits are clearly marked, and in season, guests have the opportunity to select their favorite fruits and vegetables to create their own fresh-squeezed juice blend or personalized craft cocktail.

Casa Velas recently launched six new five-course gourmet tasting menus at its Emiliano restaurant. Built around the cuisines of France, Italy, the Mediterranean, and Mexico, each is overseen by head chefs from its sister resort, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit.

Distinctive food and beverage offerings also extend to the pools at both Casa Velas and the Ocean Club. Quench your thirst by choosing from a selection of nine infused teas from Casa Velas' iced tea bar. Twice a day, poolside palette carts at Casa Velas dole out the Latin American ice pop made from fresh fruit. The Coco Cart at the Ocean Club serves food and cocktails from a fresh halved coconut collected on the property. Other posh poolside pleasures include foot rubs, butler service, and manicures and pedicures. At night, the

Ocean Club becomes the ideal destination for a romantic sunset dinner.

Taking advantage of dining privileges at nearby Velas resorts permits you to take a journey for all of the senses at Sen Lin, the newest restaurant to open at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. The warm and exotic environs are a perfect backdrop for an Asianinspired menu that plays on modern textures and original presentations with traditional ingredients.

For a fun night in, you can opt for a gourmet DIY taco bar from room service, complete with creative meat and vegetable fillings, and sublime sauces such as Xni-Pec, made with purple onion and habanero chili peppers. Guacaholics should plan to check into Casa Velas in September for Guacamania, their property-wide celebration of the green fruit, which runs the gamut from ceviche to the spa.

To up the ante on relaxation, opt for a treatment at the 6,500 square-foot SPA Casa Velas, which incorporates botanicals from the garden into many of the 60 available holistic spa treatments for face and body. Before my Harmony massage, which included hot stone therapy and lots of TLC for my tootsies, I partook of a

guided hydrotherapy journey that included prescribed time in a sauna, pressure shower, steam room with eucalyptus inhalation, and Jacuzzi. I will admit to not being a big fan of saunas, but having an attendant come in and place cucumbers over my eyes and a cooling aloe vera compress on my forehead halfway through made the experience much more soothing.

While I was perfectly content whiling away my short stay ensconced in a lounge chair by the pool or the ocean, the concierge at Casa Velas can help organize unique adrenalinepacked off-property experiences for those seeking more uplifting experiences for their downtime. These include a surf and turf package that combines a six-hour fishing trip and a cook-yourcatch dinner; bungee jumping at Banderas Bay; skydiving; a babymoon package with specialty spa treatments, a photoshoot and personalized healthy dining options; and a cultural tour package with a visit to the historic town of San Sebastian del Oeste, located in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

All-inclusive rates start at $268 per person per night based on double occupancy. For more information or reservations, visit hotelcasavelas.com. sl slmag.net

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SEA AND BE SEEN

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Clockwise from top left: Michael Aram sterling silver Ocean Caged bracelet ($1,525; michaelaram.com). Bibi van der Velden shell Bangle ($5,115; bibivandervelden.com). Roqayas Rocks Golden Reef necklace (roqayasrocks.com). Bibi van der Velden Mammoth Sea Horse ring ($5,500; bibivandervelden.com). Large Lunasea hoops from RENNA (rennajewels.com). Seal ring from DeGrisogono's Mascote Collection (degrisogono.com). Dudley Van Dyke Pisces pendant ($5,750), and Kristopher Double Albert chain ($9,800; dudleyvandyke.com). Opposite page: Annette Ferdinandsen Coral Stick earrings ($990; annetteferdinandsen.com). Breguet 9518BR Marine ladies wristwatch with mother-of-pearl hand-engraved "marea" wave motif on dial (breguet.com). Katey Walker pearl, pink sapphire, and pink conch drop earrings (kateywalker.com). Morning Glory ring from Aida Bergsen with diamonds, green garnets, enamel, coral and pearls (aidabergsen.com). Octopus ring from Caratell (caratell.com). Sea Turtle Caret earrings from Begum Khan ($15,400; begumkhan.com).

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The private island called Acasi is reserved exclusively for guests of Casa San Agustin.

A SHINY JEWEL A milestone birthday is celebrated with a trip to Cartagena Written and Photographed by Carrie Edelstein "I need to get to Cartagena to save my sister!" I'm embarrassed to admit it, but all I knew about Colombia was from the 1984 film Romancing the Stone, in which Kathleen Turner embarks on a journey to Cartagena to find her kidnapped sister. So, when my mother said she wanted to celebrate her 70th birthday in Cartagena, I was a bit apprehensive. Her requirements were "a city with rich culture, history, shopping, and a beach." A friend suggested Cartagena, and despite booking our airfare and hotel months in advance, I didn't know anything about the city until we got off the plane. It was the first time I traveled blindly and just assumed all would go as planned.

Aboard the plane, I sat next to my sister and a gentleman from Chicago. He was traveling via Miami with a group of five married couples. They too chose Cartagena for its cultural appeal and the promise of turquoise beaches. He said they didn't want to "do CancĂşn" again; they wanted somewhere different, yet close to the United States.

Just minutes past the airport, there was a colorful and Instagram-worthy "Welcome to Cartagena" sign on the beach. The oceanfront views were not spectacular initially. While there were umbrellas and chairs set up with dozens of beach-goers, it was clear the more picturesque areas would be a boat ride away.

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After a few quick turns within the walled parameters of Old Town, we arrived at Casa San Agustin, perhaps the most beautiful and intimately luxurious boutique hotel I've ever visited. It is owned by Mr. Woods Staton, a wealthy global businessman from MedellĂ­n, Colombia. Behind the armed street-front gate, we were greeted by a kind and welcoming staff. After a soothing drink of cucumber, mint, and other fresh ingredients (the water is 100% fine to drink for travelers), we went up a flight of steps to our three-bedroom suite. The atrium style of the hotel, which encompasses a pool and 16th-century wall supporting the newer parts of the building, afforded a slight breeze to interject the hot and humid air; guest rooms are perfectly air-conditioned and cooled with fans.

After changing into cooler clothes, we headed back outside and explored the endless streets of shops, restaurants, street vendors, and food stands. The locals were young; no one appeared to be over the age of 40, aside from a handful of business owners. We later learned that a 70-year-old in Cartagena is generally confined to a wheelchair or walker and closer to the end of life, rather than celebrating in a foreign city like my mom was.

The religious complex of La Popa dates back to 1607. The convent faced multiple attacks and invasions throughout the centuries.

Today, locals make an annual pilgrimage up Mount Popa where one can see a spectacular view of all of Cartagena.

We shared appetizers at one of the many outdoor eateries which were just getting started with live music, watched horsedrawn carriages go past, and did what you do in a new city: ogle at everyone and then hit all of the street vendors. It was difficult saying "no gracias" to those sweating to make a few pesos.

The next few days were filled with private guides, must-see itineraries, and magical experiences. One of our tour guides drove us up Mount Popa for a scenic view below of Cartagena as well as a stroll through the convent at the top of the hill, which dates back to the early 1600s. We learned the skyline of Cartagena is not defined by buildings for business, but rather apartment living.

Later, we stopped at the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, an imposing fortress in the middle of the city from the 1500s, built by the Spaniards who had invaded the area.

Lunch and dinner spots of note included Cocina de Pepina, where we had our first taste of Colombian coconut rice and local seafood, and Lobo De Mar on Calle del Santísimo. A band at the latter played a sultry version of a popular song from the '80s: "Un Monton De Estrellas," by Polo Montañez. I sensed from the crowd's reaction that this is similar to hearing an amazing local band sing Air Supply's "All Out of Love." Another nearby

One could spend an entire day roaming the streets of Getsemani, the art district of Cartagena. The walled city center is filled with vibrant decorations, mural art, and opportunities to sneak a look inside businesses and residences with open doors.

restaurant we enjoyed was Cande, which featured Caribbean food, colonial architecture and a live dance show.

Many of our meals were taken in Alma, the hotel's primary restaurant. Cherry juice was a popular choice among the featured fresh juices offered each morning as part of the breakfast buffet. A must-have is the traditional Cartagena breakfast, featuring an egg inside an arepa with sausage and sweet corn bollo.

Our third day was one I will likely remember for the rest of my life. We chartered a boat through Boats 4 U to take us to Acasi, the hotel's private island. I was nervous about being on a boat in the middle of the ocean without my children, and even more so when we were told at the dock that our captain did not speak English.

Pointing to a young man at the check-in area who spoke English, my mom took the words out of my mouth when she asked if he could join us. The dock manager let us "abduct" Andréas, who said he was "about to have the best day of his life," as he had never been to Acasi until that day. Once the marina was out of view and the boat increased its speed, Andréas tried to calm me down by saying in a thick accent, "Yesterday you did not have this experience, and today you do, and it's going to be incredible." He was right not just about the boat ride, but the entire trip to Cartagena. slmag.net

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La Gorda Gertrudis is a statue by Fernando Botero that rests in the Plaza de Santo Domingo.

Baruco By Cuzco in Old Town is one of dozens of delightful restaurants serving up Colombian cuisine with a Caribbean atmosphere.

A sampling of homemade dried and sugared fruits in different flavors for sale in the marketplace near La Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower Gate).

"The Cartagena Breakfast" consists of an arepa with egg , carimaĂąolas (a typical sausage), sweet corn bollo and local cheese.

"Adidas Superstar Colors" or Pura Apariencia, is a piece of art comprised of shoes with acrylics by Laura Castro. La Presentacion Art Gallery is on the main floor of the El Claustro Hotel House, just one block up and over from Casa San Agustin.

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A typical local dish served at the private kitchen at Acasi. Staff live on the island for a month at a time, waiting to delight tourists with cuisine and hospitality.

The wall inside the pool dates back to the 16th century when it functioned as part of an aqueduct.

Formerly used as an apartment building, it has been the Casa San Agustin hotel for six years.

It took about 45 minutes to get to the Islas de Rosario (Rosario Islands), which included a close look at Pablo Escobar's abandoned secret island mansion. I loved asking the tour guides to tell stories of Escobar; they were all different, filled with animation and likely embellished details. We snorkeled around the islands before stopping at Acasi. There, we were greeted by a host who led us through a short trail to a small restaurant and beachside seats where we spied just one other couple there from our hotel. The sand was soft and light, and the water was warm, calm, and turquoise-colored.

After a swim, we sat down for a typical Colombian lunch with assorted kinds of seafood, plaintains, coconut rice, exotic fruits, and squid served in a coconut shell. We were told the chef stays on the island for a month at a time to prepare for guests.

The next day, we toured the art district of Getsemani, once again "abducting" a local; this time, the hotel's private driver, Roberto. We gave him a list of places to take us with our guide who had greeted us without a car. In Getsemani, there is street after street of colorful walls, flowered balconies, mural art, shops, galleries, and eateries. On what would seem like a dangerous street filled with graffiti, a local approached us with a smile saying "Bienvenidos," or "welcome to the area."

From tasteful graffiti to colorful walls and flowered balconies like those in New Orleans every street is worth exploring. Don't forget to watch out for cars and bicyclists zipping down the narrow streets as you look around.

A famous Salsa singer, a Colombian Pocahontas, and various images of social movements decorate the walls at Plaza de la Trinidad. We stopped in a local gallery to see artists at work; in another, a music video was being filmed. The famed Gertrudis statue by Botero rests back in Old Town in the Plaza de Santo, near a few smaller museums. One of our favorites in that area was a rotating exhibit inside El Claustro Hotel House.

We spent the last hours of our vacation shopping for emeralds.

While I'm not one to shop and tell, I highly recommend the Caribe Jewelry family for quality jewels. A set of brothers owns the business, and they can make anything you'd like during your stay as well as educate visitors on how to buy emeralds and where in the world to find the best ones (Colombia, Zambia, Pakistan, and Russia).

The one suggested tourist attraction we did not see? The Totumo Mud Volcano. Google some blogger experiences though, and you might leave it off your list as well. I would highly recommend exploring Cartagena. The U.S. dollar is strong, the culture is rich, the locals are extremely friendly, and it's beautiful— like a small European city infused with vibrant Caribbean flare.

We certainly had a great time, and most importantly, our safety was never in question. sl slmag.net

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KING OF THE JUNGLE The new Land Rover Defender Competes Tusk Testing to Support Lion Conservation in Kenya Written by Andre James / Photos courtesy of Land Rover Eagerly anticipated by fans of the iconic off-road vehicle, Land Rover inched closer to production of its newest iteration of the Defender with the successful completion of a demanding testing program in Africa.

Carried out at the Borana Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya in partnership with Tusk, a prototype Defender—fitted with an integrated raised air intake and wrapped in a camouflage design devised for the surroundings—helped to track radio-collared lions and transport supplies. The Conservancy, one of Kenya’s largest, is home to some of Africa’s most iconic and endangered species. The sanctuary utilizes a holistic mix of tourism, ranching, and other enterprises to support the livelihoods of the human population while enhancing the integrity of the ecosystem.

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encompassing flat plains, deeply rutted tracks, steep rocky inclines, muddy river banks, and dense forests. “Working with our partners at Tusk in Kenya enabled us to gather valuable performance data,” said Nick Collins, Vehicle Line Director for Jaguar Land Rover.

Charles Mayhew MBE, Chief Executive of Tusk, added: “The new Defender took everything in its stride, from deep river wading to climbing rocky trails.”

Land Rover has been an official partner of Tusk for 15 years.

While the test program was influential in tweaking the new Defender, it also presented an opportunity to highlight the critical situation faced by lions across Africa. Over the past century, the number of lions living in the wild across the globe has dropped from 200,000 to less than 20,000. Today, black and white rhinos outnumber the big cat in Africa.

The new Land Rover Defender is scheduled to make its world premiere later this year. sl

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H p H hooray

Clockwise from top left: Irene Neuwirth turquoise Lilly of the Valley hoops ($18,740; ireneneuwirth.com). Hueb Romance earring with pearl drop (hueb.com). Large Signature Swinging hoop earrings from Rush Jewelry Design ($3,830; rushjewelrydesign.com). Brick Brigade hoops from Era Jewelry ($880; erajewelrydesigns.com)

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Clockwise from top left: Bianca hoops from Marrow ($3,250; marrowfine.com). Gemstone hoop earrings from Bassali Jewelry (bassalijewelry.com). Motty hoops from Nora Kogan ($2,860; norakogan.com). Lotus Samsara floating hoops from Ananya (ananya.com). Jemma Wynne Prive pearl and diamond hoops ($5,460; jemmawynne.com).

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A TWOFER FOR TOWNEND AT THE LAND ROVER KENTUCKY THREE-DAY EVENT The prestigious event is one of six annual Five Star Eventing competitions in the world, and the only one held in the United States Written by Caylee Matthews / Photos by Tony Bailey Following a nail-biting finish decided by the last jump, Great Britain’s Oliver Townend became just the fourth person to defend his title in the 41-year history of the Land Rover Kentucky ThreeDay Event. The prestigious event was staged at the Kentucky Horse Park, the only theme park in the country dedicated solely to horses. Townend logged a perfect performance in show jumping aboard Cooley Master Class, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse he has been riding since the horse was four.

“We’ve had the horse from the word go, and it’s a huge team effort,” said Townend. “So much effort goes into it, not just on my part. The horse has had a checkered career, and we’ve finally got him on top form. We’ve always believed in the horse, and it’s thanks to everybody at home putting in a huge team effort. It was just my job to push the buttons at the right

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point in time. I couldn’t be more proud of the horse and the whole team.”

Originally staged around the world to test the fitness and finesse of cavalry mounts, today the sport is an equestrian triathlon, consisting of three distinct elements: Dressage, CrossCountry, and Show Jumping. The winner is the horse-and-rider combination with the fewest combined penalties in each of the disciplines. Governed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event has been ranked as a Five Star Eventing competition, designating the highest level of competition that has been awarded to only six events in the world. Referred to as “The Best Weekend All Year,” the event also serves as the Land Rover/USEF CCI-5*-L Eventing National Championship presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN.

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At the Land Rover Kentucky event, riders vie for their share of $400,000 in prize money as well as the elusive $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, which is awarded to the rider who wins Land Rover Kentucky, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton and Land Rover Burghley Five Star Events in succession. Townend took home a check for $130,000, a one-year lease on a Land Rover Discovery, and a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust watch.

Following his fault-free show jumping round riding his 12-year-old Trakehner gelding, owned by Christine Turner, American Boyd Martin finished in second place. Speaking of his 64 slmag.net

steed, Tseterleg, Martin remarked, “He’s probably not the fanciest horse here but he’s an absolute gutsy little trier, and that counts for a lot.” Tim Price of New Zealand riding Xavier Faer rounded out the top three.

When they aren’t taking in the action, fans shop and browse the nearly 200 booths in the Sponsor Village and International Trade Fair. Land Rover also sponsors a tailgating competition and off-road test drives. A fundraising dinner benefitting the event’s official charity, The Bluegrass Land Conservancy, as well as a twilight 5k race are included among the varied spectator experiences.

The 2020 event is scheduled for April 23-26. sl

84rockwell.com

photo production: Schawk Studios Account Director: Tearle Calinog Photographer: BETHANY PUTERBAUGH Styling: Aimee Ventura / Maggie Jarecki Art Director: Tomoko Nagle Model: Colleen Kloster -- Factor Chosen

SOPHISTICATED SOURCE

HardWear link large bracelet in 18K rose gold with pavĂŠ diamonds, $14,000, by Tiffany & Co., 312.994.7500.

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Crackle collection, price upon request, by Ann Sacks at LuxeHome in theMART, 312.923.0919.

Symphonic Atlas #45, $3,995, by artist Kristi Kohut, kristikohut.studio.

Square-frame acetate sunglasses, $420, by Gucci, 312.664.5504.

Sparkling Cluster earrings featuring sapphires, aquamarines and diamonds set in platinum, price upon request, by Harry Winston, 312.705.1820.

Hennessy V.S. limited edition

by Felipe Pantone, price upon request, at clos19.com.

Lightning Keepall 50cm, price upon request, by Louis Vuitton, louisvuitton.com.

Ember spot table with Gilded Ray and Iced Shadow finish, $447, at The Design Bar, 630.734.0000.

Crayons Box collection, $133–$188, by Pacific Connections at Bedside Manor Ltd, shopbedside.com.

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Ivory floral neck tie blouse, $695, by R13 at VMR, 312.330.3778.

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Aziza flat in fluorescent yellow, $695,

by Jimmy Choo, 312.255.1170.

D-way Kaleidiorscopic slide, $690,

by Christian Dior, 312.651.4415.

Light Technical canvas sandals with crystals, $1,250, by Gucci, 312.664.5504.

Bom Dia flat mule in rose, $855,

by Louis Vuitton, 312.944.2010.

Lock It flat mule in rose, $990,

by Louis Vuitton, 312.944.2010.

Logo slide in black, $295, by Givenchy at Nordstrom, 312.464.1515.

Lennyo sandal, $580, by Isabel Marant at VMR, 312.330.3778.

Block sandals, $780,

by Prada, 312.951.1113.

Crepe satin Spetsos, $595,

by Christian Louboutin, 312.337.8200.

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Green tea mousse cake, $85, by Lady M Confections at Mitsuwa Marketplace, 312.625.3333.

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La Plage roundie towel, $99, by The Beach People at thebeachpeopleco.com.

Danielle cowhide-print belted onepiece swimsuit, $195, by Onia at Neiman Marcus, 312.642.5900.

Queensland top and Kingston bottom in white, $112 and $90, by Mikoh at Barneys New York, 312.587.1700.

Lima one piece in Cobalt Blue, $275, by Nightcap Clothing at nightcapclothing.com.

Bikini, price upon request, by Agua de Coco at Neiman Marcus, 312.642.5900.

Confetti beach ball in gold, $16, by Minnidip at minnidip. squarespace.com.

After Sun Body Soother, $25, by Ouai Haircare at Sephora, 312.335.9391.

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Femme, price available upon request, by Francine Turk, francineturk.com.

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Concealed bar in smoked wood and leather, price upon request, by Eggersmann Kitchens Home Living at West Hubbard Street, 312.222.8700.

Darling lounge set, $110, by Astars at astarswomens.com.

GG Visor with snakeskin in ivory/ black, $490, by Gucci, 312.664.5504.

Air Force 1 ‘07 LV8 Have a Nike Day sneaker in Frosted Spruce w/True Berry, $100, by Nike at Nordstrom, 312.464.1515.

Flight bag, $1,800,

by Tiffany & Co., 312.944.7500.

Hyaluronic gel moisturizer, $116,

by Tata Harper at Saks Fifth Avenue, 312.944.6500.

Narguile & Lily duo set, $130, by Diptyque at diptyqueparis.com.

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IT’S PERSONAL When it comes to her home and those of her clients, designer Cari Giannoulias taps into memories, ensuring the stories behind them continue to be told.

By Lisa Shames / Portrait by Maria Ponce Berre / Hair and makeup by Gaby Raguso

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. But in the Lincoln Park home of Cari Giannoulias, the same can be said of the light fixture in the dining room, the rock-filled shadow boxes in the upstairs hallway, the living area’s collection of colorful worry beads and the gold-accented sconces hanging next to them. Even the iconic Woodstock photo hanging above the fireplace in the sitting room is much more than it seems. “There’s nothing in here that doesn’t have a story or isn’t placed because it has a special meaning in our lives,” says Giannoulias. “Everything has a memory attached to it.”

That’s an ethos Giannoulias follows not only for her own home, which she shares with her husband and three children, but for those of her design clients as well. Her aesthetic of understated sophistication that stays clear of the “T” word (trends) has earned her plenty of fans, both when she worked with a partner at Lewis Giannoulias Interiors and now on her own at her eponymous company (carigiannoulias.com), which she launched in 2018. Giannoulias’ résumé includes ground-up build-outs and extensive renovations ranging from suburban estates and downtown Chicago penthouses to vacation homes here and abroad.

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Mirror: “I loved that it was different in shape. I thought it was super-unique. It’s the hard and soft combination coming together. I loved the pairing of the traditional bench with the more modern mirror. That juxtaposition between traditional and modern sets up the tone for the rest of the house.”

Photo by Dustin Halleck

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Cari’s backyard: “This is reminiscent of Greece for me. We completely tore up that background. It looks nothing like it did before. With our children, it so needed AstroTurf to play on. There’s an entire lighting system. At nighttime, it’s very Zen. Lighting is very important to me. There’s a tree there that we as a family picked out together. It’s green in the summer and has red berries in the winter. Every season is something different. This is my ode to bringing Greece back to Chicago.

There’s a grilling area, an herb garden, a fireplace. There are a lot of Greek olive oil urns that I turned into planters. During the times when it’s nice here, we spend a lot of time out there.”

Photo by Eric Hausman

Fitting for someone whose company philosophy is based, more or less, on telling stories, Giannoulias’ own narrative is quite the tale. After graduating from Boston University, she packed her car and drove cross-country to Los Angeles.

She went from not knowing a soul to working at Universal Pictures, eventually becoming senior VP of marketing for motion pictures. She also was part of Danny DeVito’s Jersey Records, which included working with the Sex Pistols. But when her college friendship turned romantic, followed shortly after by a proposal, Giannoulias moved to Chicago, where her husband-to-be had deep roots.

It was when building their first home that Giannoulias made a life-changing decision, although she didn’t know it at the time. Unhappy with the designer they had hired, she opted to do it herself. Mistakes were made, she admits, but she learned a lot along the way. Once she finished their Gold Coast home in 2010, the referrals from friends started coming in—and haven’t stopped since.

“I had always been doing creative [work] for other companies, but I was always following someone else’s direction and inserting myself a little bit along the way.

This was my full creative expression,” says Giannoulias. “It wasn’t something I had set out to do, but in the process of doing it, I found myself.”

Giannoulias’ creativity hit home again when she and her husband decided their growing family needed bigger digs. Although the three-story townhouse in Lincoln Park was new construction, she saw it as an opportunity to further tell her story—”I was born in Jersey, raised in Florida, went to school in Boston and ‘grew up’ in L.A.,” she says—as well as the Greek heritage of her husband and the developing tale of her family. Plenty of renovations have occurred since they moved in in 2014, but Giannoulias still considers the property “an evolving work in progress, as I’m sure is the same with any designer in her own home,” she says.

On the ground floor is where you’ll find the aforementioned dining room light fixture made out of an antique Moroccan water pot, which made the move from their previous home even though its heavy weight required additional ceiling bracing. In the sitting room hangs the Woodstock print “Hugging Couple” by Burk Uzzle. Giannoulias, a self-confessed hippie at heart who’s had a lifelong fascination with the music festival, obtained a rare print after calling the famous photographer’s studio and, by chance, ended up having an intense conversation with Uzzle himself. “He gave me the whole story about being there,” she says. “It was definitely a moment for me.”

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“The barstools are actually mimicked after ones I saw in Paris and took a picture of. I never turn off my design eye. It’s always on. My husband says it’s like a hamster on the wheel that never gets off.

I think I’ve always just been that way, but it wasn’t always obvious to me beyond my own homes.”

Photos by Eric Hausman

“This was my third project. The family wanted to portray a glamorous farmhouse. With four children, this house had to be incredibly functional. We did a lot of custom furniture. She was very much into subtle color. She wanted it to be glamorous, but it needed to operate as family home with kids.

It was a balancing act. We had a lot of requirements for this house, but it ended up being perfect.

There’s some mixing of vintage. The table is vintage, the navy chairs are custom-designed. They were based on two different vintage chairs that I put together to create one.”

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Photo by Eric Hausman

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“My closet is a combination of my husband and myself. The light fixture nods back to the natural materials used throughout the house and also to bring that contrast of light and dark. My husband is a huge fan of the ’80s. The studs on the island are my nod to him. There are certain rooms to me that can be dark and moody and give an undisciplined, funky vibe while still feeling very refined and sophisticated. Everything here has a place. It’s fun to get dressed. It’s a little bit more rock ’n’ roll and references my days in the music industry.”

Photo by Isabel Parra

“This is with my client who was the chief creative officer of Ogilvy Mather. An incredibly intelligent and creative man. I was given full creative license on this project. This room had to double as his office and music room. He always knew he wanted white for the walls, but I gave him superwhite, which gave the space more of a pop.”

Photos by Eric Hausman

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“This home, Cedar, was the kickoff of my career. It was our home in the Gold Coast.

It was an 8,000-square-foot ground-up build-out. This was that turning point where I realized that no one understood my aesthetic. Everything seemed so traditional. I was trying to emulate that feeling of being transported to a high-end hotel and it included a little bit of everything: my California vibe, my Florida roots. This was also a balancing act of my husband and I. I do love that struggle between the masculine and the feminine. I try to bring the masculine in through the furniture (clean lines, modern shapes). But the fabrics are always a little feminine.�

Photo by Eric Hausman

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Photo by Isabel Parra

Not far away, the expansive kitchen/living area is bathed in natural light, both from the windows overlooking the lush Greek-inspired outdoor area and the partial skylight overhead. On one wall, the strands of worry beads—some gifted, others purchased on her numerous trips to the Greek Islands—hang side by side on a long brass rail.

Throughout the home, marble in various hues and styles plays an important role, whether as a fireplace mantle, in the powder room and master bathroom, or in the kitchen as a backsplash and countertop. “Every piece of marble is so different and evokes this feeling of history and warmth,” says Giannoulias, who tends to gravitate toward natural materials as fitting her time spent outdoors in L.A., Florida and more recently Crete, where her family spends their summers.

Marble’s chameleonlike ability to be both traditional and modern appeals to her passion for pairing the two genres, a style she calls “moditional.”

Functionality is also a signature of Giannoulias’ design work, both for her own home—check out the drawers-within-drawers in the master bathroom— and her clients. Another is creating spaces in which people actually want to hang out. “It feels very curated and put together, but at the same time, you feel OK putting your feet up on the sofa,” she says of one of her design tenets. “My clients always say my homes feel so approachable, and to me, that’s such a compliment.”

For Giannoulias, design is an intuitive process that she doesn’t overthink.

“I have a very guttural and emotional reaction to things when it comes to selecting pieces,” she says. “I have this feeling that if you find something and you love it, there will always be a home for it.”

And that’s a similar sentiment when it comes to placing items. “For the most part, once I find a piece for a home and it feels like it belongs there, I try not to mess with it,” she says. “It’s an energy thing for me.”

When it comes to the clients she works with, Giannoulias likes to keep the experience lighthearted while still addressing expectations on both sides. “I’ve become the greatest of friends with all my clients. It’s a blessing you get to hire a designer to decorate your home, so why not make it fun?” she says. “I’m so grateful they let me tell their stories.” sl

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TRIED AND TASTED Uptown’s tasting-menu-only restaurant Brass Heart breaks convention one plate at a time.

By Melinda Sheckells / Photography by Tom Gavin In the heart of Chicago’s Uptown, there is something cooking. What may seem like an unlikely spot for a tasting-menu-only restaurant is on the verge of being exactly the opposite. Located on North Broadway, the 20-seat, six-table Brass Heart, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Matt Kerney with partners Vinnie Maiorano and Margaret Eisen, is not only a bridge into a new era for this neighborhood, but it is also a glimpse into the resurgence of Chicago’s fine dining scene—and there isn’t a shared plate in sight.

Progressive yet approachable is Kerney’s signature, whose résumé is just about as good as it gets. After culinary school, he cut his teeth at the legendary French restaurant Ambria before a one-year jump to Maui and then back to Chicago for runs at Schwa—where Maiorano is a partner—and Michelin-starred Longman & Eagle. In continual pursuit of improvement and with the desire to explore, Kerney decided to branch out on his own and bring to life some of the concepts he had always dreamed of.

First things first, Kerney and the team of the newly formed Brass Duck Hospitality—Eisen is Maiorano’s wife and in charge of design—knew they wanted to start small and self-fund versus having to go to outside investors. Then the group stumbled upon a restaurant space in a burgeoning area, adjacent to the decades-shuttered historic Uptown Theatre, which is undergoing a $75 million renovation, and close to West Wilson Avenue, the new home of Wicker Park icon Double Door.

“We always had this idea of doing a French brasserie. We looked at the space and we thought about what we could do. We were like, ‘Well, let’s just do a tasting menu.’ That suits it perfectly. We can transform the [room] and we can really make it our own,” he says.

When word hit the streets that he was going to open a tasting-menuonly restaurant, there was a lot of chatter.

“Everyone said, ‘You can’t do that. No one likes to go to tasting menu restaurants anymore,’ I was like, ‘Look, I’m doing this for me, and challenging myself and I really think people are going to enjoy what I’m doing,’” he says.

“Over the past two years Temporis opened, which just got a Michelin star. I opened and then four other people have announced that they’re opening up tasting-menu-only restaurants. I’m just like, ‘Whoa!’”

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House-made gnocchi with pickled green garlic, morels, fried capers and wood sorrel

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Spinach artichoke tart with cashew cheese, radish and black summer truffle

Kerney stands by his belief that people want their own food and that like all trends, the small plates movement has come to pass. It is also evident in the four menus at Brass Heart—a nine and 12-course with vegan options for each—that he is focusing on his culinary DNA. “The original concept was really kind of a culmination of all the different restaurants that I’ve worked at and all the different inspirations that I’ve had,” he says.”I tend to take lowbrow [dishes] and make them high-end, highbrow, intricate and delicate. I grew up working in chain restaurants and eating Hamburger Helper and mac and cheese.”

Take, for example, the unlikely yet clever rice and beans dish on the menu—Kerney’s staple.

“I always have rice and beans on the menu. I thought it was really interesting how every single culture in the world, especially through South America, and in Spain, France, Italy, all have it,” he says. “Here’s a dish that is inherently a peasant dish, presented very simply but with huge flavors. I wanted to really show off why rice and beans is such an important dish around the world.”

The bread course was inspired by his love of the McDonald’s McGriddle and ultimately comes in a form similar to a Korean-style bing bread. It is evident in experiments like this that Brass Heart affords Kerney and his partners the opportunity to really challenge themselves like they never would have with a larger scale, high-volume concept.

“This allows me to kind of play around and use some really intense ingredients that I couldn’t really ever do before, like I got a live king crab in the other day,” he notes. “It was so terrifying, I’ve never broken down a crab that large. I’ve killed my fair share of lobsters and crab and all sorts of shellfish, but when that thing came in I said, ‘Oh my God, what the hell am I supposed to do here?’”

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Chef Matt Kerney

Pea soup, rabbit boudin blanc, carrot tuile, spring peas, spring lettuce, pea sprout

Art by music photographer Jesse Lirola dots the walls. “We thought, given the area and all the music venues, it would be important for us to have some rock ’n’ roll artists up on the wall.”

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Judion beans with paprika gravy, saffron risotto, Spanish-style chorizo, cornbread crumble and pork trotter caramel

The Basil Collins: Organic basil from Brass Heart’s garden with a touch of cucumber from Green City Market highlight this take on a classic Collins. Choice of San Francisco’s Junipero gin or Austin’s Tito’s vodka

The whiskey and framboise flip with Nikka coffee grain whiskey and G. E. Massenez framboise, raspberry syrup, lemon and egg

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Pannicelli with caramelized onions, egg yolk jam, crispy chicken skin, fava beans and chicken jus

Beverage expert Sarah Traynor takes a hyperfocused angle on the wine pairings, changing it up every two or three weeks—her lens is always focused on small production wineries, family-owned, sustainable and female run.

In addition to nine-course and 12-course menus, Brass Heart also offers vegan menus.

“Back working at Longman for so many years, I hated when I would get vegans in,” he says, noting that he doesn’t like to modify dishes with processed ingredients or wheat proteins. “That’s not good food. [At Brass Heart] I wanted to do vegan dishes that would be a great way to avoid a lot of allergies as well—dairy allergies, egg allergies and others. We are able to offer something that no one else is doing—find natural binders, things that are sustainable that aren’t some weird highly processed thing.”

Ever the innovator, Kerney expresses tremendous passion for his present endeavors but isn’t shy about sharing that his eye will continue to be on bigger future prizes.

“We really went into it with all our hearts. This is going to be our first restaurant that we ever do together; it’s kind of our heart, so we should call it Brass Heart,” he says. “I don’t want to start talking too early, but in a dream world, in a perfect world, we’d get to open up our large French brasserie. I’ve always wanted to do the 150-seat restaurant that just pounds out steak frites.” sl

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The Hoxton is known for its lobby culture where all are welcome

Meet Me at The Hoxton Whether you are staying, playing, meeting or just hanging, The Hoxton is a hit from top to bottom.

By Melinda Sheckells / Photography by Anthony Tahlier What does Chicago have in common with Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood and Portland, Oregon? These are three cities where it is totally possible to hear the sweet little words “Meet me at The Hox,” on a Friday evening. And what a treat that invitation is.

With two restaurants, a cocktail bar and an unrivaled living room experience—and a soon-to-open coworking space—The Hoxton is Fulton Market District’s newest spot to hang out day and night. Situated among the converted meatpacking warehouses that populate the neighborhood, the hotel has 182 rooms, public spaces that beg to be well used, a thought-provoking art program and a calendar of cultural events meant to entice locals and visitors.

The Hoxton brand draws on the neighborhoods its hotels occupy and it captures, bottles and expresses those influences in details from top to bottom. Every space at the Hoxton feels like the living room of your coolest friend. These communal areas— known as an “open house”—are dotted with vintage furniture and other distinct touches that invite interaction and collaboration whether for work or for play.

“Our hotels are always heavily rooted in the community and inspired by the neighborhoods they’re in. Very early on in the process, our design studio goes out and researches, delving 92 slmag.net

into the history and stories of the area, so that each property is a truly authentic reflection of its neighborhood,” says Martina Luger, chief marketing officer of Ennismore, The Hoxton’s parent company. “We were really inspired by our location in Fulton Market. The neighborhood has an industrial feel and a rich history. You can get a sense of the industrial roots in the hotel through design features like warehouse-style windows and raw concrete ceilings in the guest rooms.”

This vibe starts in the double-height lobby. The art collection, which is sprinkled throughout, showcases Chicago with over 250 artworks in rooms and over 100 artworks in common areas, ranging from prints by Sonnezimmer and Dont Fret, to a dramatic tapestry by Alexander Calder in the lobby.

“In the name of all things local, we worked with the brilliant gallerist, Johalla Projects, to put together an art collection that both shows off the best of Chicago’s up and coming artists and embraces The Hoxton’s fun and slightly playful personality,” Luger says. “There aren’t any plans to switch up this permanent collection in the hotel but The Hox Gallery will rotate regularly.”

Wall-to-wall, there is always something exciting transpiring on the property thanks to a stacked monthly calendar of events,

Taking the living room to the 12th floor, Cabra also has vintage furnishings such as cozy couches and chill out chairs.

programmed to encourage emerging artists and locals to showcase their talents and ideas. There are talks, workshops, DJ sets, art exhibitions, pop-up shops and more.

“A real celebration of the community, we work with local brands, creatives and start-ups for a rolling program of events that are open to all. There’s been everything from live podcast recordings, panels with local musicians and media, plant swaps, poetry readings, and more. It gives our guests more of a taste of the city, and gives our partners a platform to grow and collaborate,” Luger says.

Located on Green Street, The Hoxton neighbors some of the city’s coolest restaurants and bars and matches that tone with stylish offerings: Cira, Cabra and Lazy Bird. These food and beverage concepts come courtesy of Boka Restaurant Group, James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur of 2019, and they offer a range of environments, designed by AvroKO—which also did the highly accoladed Momotaro, located across the street—in collaboration with Ennismore Design Studio.

To kick off the night or to end it, check out the intimate cocktail bar Lazy Bird, which is nestled in The Hoxton’s basement. Its menu features 52 classic cocktails in a beautifully illustrated book. The number was chosen as such so the history of a different libation could be showcased every week of the year.

For mingling and munching with a view, Cabra, a Peruvianinspired restaurant by Chef Stephanie Izard, crowns the 12th floor of The Hoxton and is booming from the moment it opens for lunch, brunch and dinner.

“It’s pretty special up there, especially when the sun sets over the city,” Luger says.

The floor-to-ceiling windows highlight a view that is only upstaged by Izard’s extreme attention to authenticity with the regional South American cuisine. Order ceviches and tiraditos at the six-seat ceviche bar or go for traditional dishes such as empanadas, chicken stew, and larger shared dishes, ranging from adobo de cabra and chicharrón lamb ribs to a whole fish cooked in Japanese curry. Among the tables find the same couches and cozy chairs that are a signature design element of all The Hoxton’s spaces.

Adjacent to Cabra, the hotel’s rooftop pool deck is the perfect place to sip a Pisco sour.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner and a coffee bar are courtesy of Cira, a modern Mediterranean restaurant by Chef Chris Pandel. Must haves from the eclectic menu include brown butter hummus, lamb shawarma and falafel and Spanish chorizo. Located on the ground floor, Cira is seamlessly integrated into The Hoxton’s living room. slmag.net

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Take a dip in The Hoxton’s 12th-floor pool, which offers food and beverage service from Cabra.

Peruvian-inspired dishes are the hallmark of Stephanie Izard’s Cabra.

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Artist Cody Hudson, known for his works that highlight abstract shapes and colors, lent his touch to custom-designed bed linens

And if you need a place to rest your weary head, you can always check in for a night or two to chill out. The rooms come in three aptly named categories: Snug, Cozy and Roomy. The floor-to-ceiling windows carry through to the accommodations, as well as bespoke wallpaper, paneled dark green or brown leather headboards, custom-designed bed linen by artist Cody Hudson, Marshall radios and walk-in showers with herringbone tilework.

Luger recommends checking out the books in the guest rooms. “They’ve all been curated by our Hox Friends—a handpicked group of 182 locals who resonate with The Hoxton brand—and inside, you’ll find bookmarks with insider tips of things to do and see in the city. It’s a little touch I always love helping people discover,” she says.

Select Hox Friends will be showcased on the dedicated Instagram @hoxfriends, which acts as an insider guide for guests and fans to discover the various Hoxton’s neighborhoods.

In every room there is complimentary water and WiFi, one hour of free calls to anywhere in the world, a mini fridge and a daily breakfast bag delivered to the room.

“Our breakfast bag program is a simple idea at its core but not many other hotels do it. Guests place the bag on the hook outside the room, and then they wake up to a little breakfast waiting in the

morning: overnight oats, orange juice and a piece of fruit. It’s one of the small details that people really love,” Luger says.

If you forgot something essential or nonessential, downstairs behind the front desk in the “reception shop” there are local products at supermarket prices. Also here, find the Best of Chicago retail collection. “We’ve created [this in] collaboration with some of our favorite local brands. There’s everything from caps to ceramics, key rings and T-shirts. You’ll feel like you’re bringing home a real piece of the city,” Luger says. This is the place to snap up a Field Notes journal, Stock MFG hats and T-shirts with the Hoxton logo and custom scents, soaps, skin care and candles from Asomatria ViktorVB. Coming in fall 2019, taking the open house concept a step further and proffering the brand’s lobby culture, The Hoxton Chicago will be the home of an inaugural coworking concept Working From_ that embraces freelancers, small business owners and travelers—think desks, studios and meeting space.

“The Hoxton has always been all about inclusivity and our doors are open to everyone—from your parents to your pals, colleagues and dogs. We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel welcome, whether they’re here for a drink, a quick coffee meeting or staying the night,” Luger says. sl slmag.net

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Rush University Medical Center Woman’s Board

FUTURES FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 , 2019 6 P.M. THE ATER ON THE L AKE, CHICAGO www.thewomansboard.org

Make this nutrient-rich salmon burger that is loaded with beauty-enhancing ingredients

By Nutritionist and Health Coach Karina Heinrich / Photography by LX MGMT If the seafood section of your local grocer had a popularity contest, salmon would surely be the “it” fish. And rightly so. Do you desire hydrated, glowing skin? Salmon’s your fish. Crave shiny, strong hair? Salmon’s got your back. Want reduced inflammation in your entire body? Yes, salmon’s the one.

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, B vitamins, potassium, selenium and antioxidants. Consuming at least two servings per week is enough to reap benefits from salmon’s nutritional powers. Plus, this superfish is prized for its rich, versatile and delicious taste. With a plethora of salmon options, how do you know which fish is right for you? There are tons of factors to consider: Organic or sustainable? Wild or farmed? fresh or flash-frozen?

KARINA’S ‘EAT FOR BEAUTY’ BURGER Ingredients (Makes 6 Patties) 1 ½ lb. salmon fillet (skin removed)—cut into 1-inch cubes 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped fine 4 scallions, sliced thin ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped ½ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil ¼ teaspoon pepper Dash of cinnamon

Organic watercress and arugula for bed of greens Sliced avocado for topping Dash of turmeric to splash on avocado Prep Place the salmon cubes into the freezer for around 10 minutes until chilled (but not frozen.) Transfer the salmon to a food processor and pulse until salmon is finely chopped. Make sure not to over pulse into a paste. Aim for around 10 one-second pulses.

Transfer salmon mixture to a bowl. In the same food processor, add in the remaining ingredients and pulse until smooth.

Add this mix to the salmon. Use clean hands to completely mix.

Form the salmon mixture into 6 patties. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the patties and cook until just browned (about 3 to 4 minutes per side.)

Arrange 2 to 3 cups of organic watercress and arugula as a “bowl” on each plate, add a patty and top with sliced avocado and a dash of turmeric. Or feel free to eat them with fresh, whole wheat buns and your favorite fixings.

Karina Heinrich, International Certified Integrative Nutritionist and Accountability Health Coach, achieves unmatched success in helping clients reach optimal wellness and weight loss through her breakthrough nutrition movement The Karina Method. @thekarinamethod slmag.net

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Monley standing in her design space wearing Satin track pants ($179) and Vintage Polaroid t-shirt ($88), both available in store and online

THE SHAPE-SHIFTER How Christina Karin Monley shed her Wall Street uniform to design the clothes she really wants to wear.

By Amalie Drury / Photography by Anthony Tahlier Christina Karin Monley has to give Wall Street some credit for teaching her how to run a successful clothing line. She spent a decade working in the futures industry in what she calls a very “structured and rigid” environment, dressing the “stiff and predictable” part. But, she says, “I learned how to communicate, how to work on a team, how to talk to people, how to focus and really get things done.” And while it’s easy to get caught up in the negative aspects of corporate America, Monley says, “I couldn’t be where I am today without that experience.”

Where she is today is in Wicker Park, the Chicago neighborhood she calls home with her husband and two young children, where she just opened the first Christina Karin collection store on North Avenue eight blocks west of the Damen Blue Line stop. After seven years of selling her line through the brand’s own e-commerce site, www.christinakarin.com, as well as online retailers and independent boutiques in New York, Los Angeles, London and other European cities, Monley has poured herself into the design of the 1,500-square-foot brick-and-mortar retail space. “I curated every detail,” she says, right down a decorative sign with the word Chicago spelled out in blazing pink neon.

An elegant, edgy blonde who set out to transport clients to a place that feels like a dream home (“at least in my world,” she 98 slmag.net

laughs), Monley wants customers to be inspired to stay, hang out in the store, play dress-up. “Everything about this place really represents the line and our aesthetic. It’s sophisticated and clean, with a little rock-and-roll rebelliousness.”

The same goes for the clothes. The Christina Karin brand is divided into 3 categories—the heritage collection of bold leather, styles that offer convertible functionality and day to night standouts, all of which embody a seasonless, effortless approach to dressing—a rejection of the conventional boardroom clothes Monley donned for many years. These are modern looks defined by details like black mesh cutouts placed to expose a little shoulder or midriff, striking asymmetric hemlines and athleisure reimagined in luxe satin. Some of the pieces have romance in their DNA—think rich watercolor prints, lingerie-inspired cuts and draped, flowing tunics and dresses. But they all have an undercurrent of toughness, the appearance of fashionable armor—almost like a wardrobe for the modern urban superwoman. (There’s even a gray sweater dress with cape attached.)

“I love that combination of soft and hard,” says Monley, who looks to architecture and music, rather than other clothing

Left to right: The front window area is outfitted with midcentury design elements, featuring a vintage bar cart complete with Christina Karin wine and Louis XIII cognac, a custom neon Chicago sign and vintage print of brand muse, Nicole de LaMarge, 1965. The grand photography wall merges the back design area with the front retail space and reflects the brand’s DNA. It features images from rock ’n’ roll history, fashion heritage and inspiring locations around the world. The fitting rooms are adorned in dramatic cascading velvet curtains with Louis Philippe gilded mirrors anchoring the space.

designers, for style cues. “It’s a really fun thing to play with because I think that’s what most women are every day. Strong ideas with gentle kindness underneath.” She designs for women in their late 20s up to their 50s and 60s. “No woman is just one thing,” Monley insists. “No one is just flirty dresses or just tough leather. We’re involved in so many different roles in our lives that I think it’s difficult to relate to a line that’s so one-note. I’m more about a philosophy, a lifestyle, than just a line of dresses.”

Monley became acquainted with Carine Roitfeld—the famous former editor of Vogue Paris who has also worked as a model, stylist, entrepreneur and writer—at last year’s Paris Fashion Week where the designer held an intimate showcase. “She taught me the powerful lesson that you can transform yourself, re-envision your path, at any moment. You don’t have to do one thing and stick with it forever,” says Monley, who completed an adult continuing education program in garment design and construction at The Art Institute of Chicago. “People questioned my choice to give up a stable financial career to pursue something creative. But you shouldn’t feel embarrassed to choose change.”

If 2018 was about the push to open the store, Monley says, 2019 is about assembling her dream team. “It’s important to

find the right people, because we have big plans. Hopefully this will not be our only store.” Christina Karin’s sample studio is in Humboldt Park, and Monley, a Boston native from a family of serious art collectors, wants to disrupt the fashion industry in a way that puts Chicago on the map, at least from an advanced contemporary market standpoint.

Between expanding her business, keeping up with a “see now, buy now” sales model that brings new products to market every six to 10 weeks (“It keeps things fresh and engaging,” she says) and spending lots of time soaking up sweet childhood moments with her son and daughter, Monley describes life as “pretty chaotic, but exciting and stimulating” at the moment.

So what keeps her feeling even? Yoga and pilates here and there; traveling with her husband, who works in agriculture developing software for farmers; and, above all, an early bedtime.

“People think I’m out at fashion parties every night,” she says. “I mostly just like to cook and be at home. When you go to bed by 9:30, it’s amazing, you feel great the next day.” Ready, in other words, to throw on your superwoman clothes, hit the city and be exactly yourself. sl christinakarin.com

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Sneaker Heartz founder Cameron DeHaven in front of his wall of sneakers that inspired the creation of Sneaker Heartz

HEART & SOLE Sneaker Heartz’s Cameron DeHaven helps community members take steps, big and small.

By Camille Cannon Cameron DeHaven can remember the exact moment Sneaker Heartz was born. An avid sneaker head, DeHaven has been collecting kicks for 10 years. By 2018, he had amassed about 170 pairs in his collection, stacked floor-to-ceiling in his bedroom. “I woke up one morning and I felt guilty that I had all of these shoes when plenty of people don’t have even one solid pair,” says DeHaven, 38. “My first thought was to give them away,” he says, “or do a fundraiser.” After talking it over with longtime friend Jason Sandquist, who suggested DeHaven start a nonprofit, he did just that.

Since then, DeHaven estimates that Sneaker Heartz (sneakerheartz.com), a 501(c)(3) organization, has provided approximately 1,000 pairs of shoes to those in need. Sneaker Heartz organizes the donation of new and gently used shoes by providing donation boxes to locals businesses and teaming up with other organizations to host fundraisers. “If someone asks, we just try to find a way to get a box out to them,” says DeHaven. (The “we” is the Sneaker Heartz crew, comprising DeHaven, Sandquist and five friends who all share a love of sneakers.) What started as a handful of drop box locations has grown to about 20 since their first shoe drive in March.

“I’ve always had a passion for helping people,” says DeHaven, who works full time as a PCT phlebotomist in the emergency 100 slmag.net

room at the Delnor campus of Northwestern Hospital and part time as a firefighter with the Geneva Fire Department. “My days off are just driving [to deliver donations],” says DeHaven.

“Whoever asks, we show up with what we have. My philosophy is ‘say yes, then figure it out.’”

“He’s a very enthusiastic young man,” says Susie Rot-Barrto of Wrapped in Love, a nonprofit that provides resources to the homeless population in the Chicago area. Earlier this year, RotBarrto invited DeHaven to join her in distributing donations in Tent City and surrounding areas. “He said ‘Absolutely yes,’” says Rot-Barrto. “He brought two of his friends and a carload of shoes.

We gave away everything that day.” The two have since made plans for more collaborations. “Whatever ideas I approach him with, he jumps right on it.”

This spring, Rot-Barrto connected DeHaven and the Sneaker Heartz crew with Kim, a single mom whose son, Colby, was preparing to compete in the regional Special Olympics. Kim had purchased a pair of running shoes on sale for Colby, only for them to fall apart before his big match. “Thinking about getting another pair of shoes wasn’t in my budget,” says Kim. Barrto informed DeHaven, who personally delivered not just a new pair of running shoes, but also an additional pair of sneakers for Colby.

Cameron DeHaven and Solemn Oath COO Eric Hobbs setting up the Sneaker Heartz pop-up sneaker drop prior to an event at Solemn Oath Taproom.

Sneaker Heartz crew member Olijuwon Davis (OD) helping size up a pair of sneakers for a homeless man in downtown Chicago. The man challenged him to a foot race right after. Onehundred-thirteen pairs were handed out that day.

A lawn full of sneakers after the first week of having the Sneaker Heartz drop boxes out. The lawn was the only place they would fit. They would fill that same lawn four times over during the first month long sneaker drive in March.

Sneaker Heartz members and supporters at Solemn Oath Taproom in Naperville after their first ever collab event. Cameron and Eric Hobbs grew up together and have plans for other events in the future.

“Cameron is just an amazing young man. He really is a wonderful human being,” Kim says. “And to give a second pair of shoes to Colby. … Now he has another pair to wear when school starts in the fall. That takes the financial pressure off of me.”

And while the name may emphasize, well, sneakers, Sneaker Heartz collects donations for all shoe types and sizes. “Some of the shelters we go to, some of the women and men need work shoes or church shoes,” DeHaven says. The organization also recently outfitted the entire basketball team of a youth detention center. And if donated shoes can’t be worn again? “We’ve found recycling programs that convert the shoes into material used on playgrounds,” DeHaven says.

The biggest challenge Sneaker Heartz has faced is also its “biggest blessing,” according to DeHaven. Overwhelming community support has led to a lack of storage. Currently, DeHaven’s own garage is stuffed full of donated shoes. “I wasn’t prepared to have that many shoes,” he says with a laugh. “If someone gives me sizes, I have to drag out 30 bags of shoes on the front lawn.”

Bigger than that stash of sneakers are the plans DeHaven has for the future of Sneaker Heartz. “I want anybody in the Chicago area, if they need shoes, they can contact us,” he says.

“I also want to help other communities.” Friends are currently helping him prepare donations in Austin, Texas; Charleston, South Carolina; and parts of Africa and Mexico. “Having shoes on your feet is something you shouldn’t have to think about. I put myself in that mindset.”

Though shoe drives have become the Sneaker Heartz staple, DeHaven says there are plans to expand through the sale of merchandise, which is available for purchase online and at pop-up events. “Our main goal is to get to a point where we’re fundraising to support creativity for kids. That’s what binds the sneaker community. We love the creativity and collaborations. If a music class needs something, we want to be able to provide it. If teams can’t afford equipment, we’ll provide that.”

When he’s not at one of his jobs, collecting or delivering shoes, coordinating with the crew or planning the next pop-up event, DeHaven says he’s at home working on Sneaker Heartz’s website and social media presence.

“I don’t think about anything but helping people. I come home and I get to do one of my favorite passions. It’s all I can think about. I couldn’t wake up and just not do that. I don’t know what I would do all day.” sl slmag.net 101

SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY Presented by

July 10-14 12 12–14 14 20 27

Taste of Chicago Food Festival at Grant Park, chicago.gov Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo Ball “A Feathered Affair” at the Lincoln Park Zoo, lpzooball.org Square Roots Festival, squareroots.org Ravinia Women’s Board Gala in Highland Park, ravinia.org Water Lantern Festival in Humboldt Park, waterlanternfestival.com Garden Party Featuring Manet and Modern Beauty Art Institute of Chicago, artic.edu

Lollapalooza August 1–4 at Grant Park Lollaoalooza is Chicago’s biggest annual music festival. Since 1991, the outdoor event has been a place to experience music, food, visual art and a platform for non-profit and political activism. This year’s Lollapalooza features four days of major acts including Arianna Grande, AJR, Twenty One Pilots, Childish Gambino and the Chainsmokers. Plus, there are over 50 official after shows all week and weekend long.

Platinum and VIP ticket options with elevated viewing platforms and lounge access featuring relaxed seating, shade and premium restrooms, celebrity chefs cooking delicious bites, complimentary beverages and other perks like golf cart shuttle transportation between lounges are the best way to take in this unforgettable weekend. New this year, check out intimate performances within the Lolla Lounge from select artists daily. lollapalooza.com Photo by Charles Reagan Hackleman

August 5 7 12 17 24–25 30

Day on the Terrace at The Peninsula Chicago, the serviceclubofchicago.org Talk on Style and the Invisible Medium of Scent with Ben Gorham at MCA Chicago, mcachicago.org Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert at Millennium Park, broadwayinchicago.com 28th Annual Dance for Life Chicago, chicagodancersunited.org Bucktown Arts Festival, bucktownartsfest.com Final Night Theater on The Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival, chicagoparkdistrict.com

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The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center Fall Benefit at Theater on the Lake, thewomansboard.org 5th Annual Fall Gallery Walk at River North Design District, rivernorthdesigndistrict.com Whisky Extravaganza at Revel Fulton Market, thewhiskyextravaganza.com Grand Cochon Chicago at Fulton Market, cochon555.com

FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION, the Only Limit is Your Imagination

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CELEBRATING VIRGIL ABLOH The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago hosted more than 650 guests at its ArtEdge Gala to toast the new exhibition Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech.” Notable names such as Chance the Rapper, Takashi Murakami and Michael Burke were welcomed into an immersive evening of urban ruins inspired by Abloh’s signature style. Beginning by labelling themselves as either “Fashion Tourists” or “Fashion Purists,” the city’s art devotees ascended via freight elevator to a cocktail reception in the Kovler Atrium and took part in a special viewing of “Figures of Speech” on the fourth floor. Surrounded by the exhibition’s signature orange and white, guests were then guided to the museum parking garage for dinner and later back up to the museum for an after-party performance by singer and songwriter Dev Hynes. The event raised $2 million to provide workshops and creative spaces for Chicago youth. “The success of this year’s ArtEdge Gala celebrating our summer blockbuster, Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech”, will have a tremendous impact on our ability to reach the youth of Chicago, who we hope will be influenced, inspired and encouraged to create as a result of this exhibition,” says MCA Pritzker Director Madeleine Grynsztejn. “We are particularly grateful for the efforts of our co-chairs, Dr. Julius Few, D’Rita and Robbie Robinson, and Mary Ann and Ben Weprin, and applaud their energy, determination and support, which was critical for making the evening a success.”

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1) Linda Johnson Rice, Michael Sacks and Cari Sacks 2) Michael Darling, Madeleine Grynsztejn and Mike O’Grady 3) Julianna Zobrist 4) Sharon Johnston, Mark Lee and Helen Zell 5) Virgil Abloh, Ben Weprin, Robbie Robinson and Dr. Julius Few 6) Anne Kaplan, Beth Karmin, and Sara Albrecht 7) Trevian Kutti and Jesse White

Photos by Jeremy Lawson

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8) Ian Smith, Dev Hynes, and Eva Tolkin 9) Ben Weprin, Dr. Julius Few, Andrew Grossman and Mary Ann Weprin 10) Takashi Murakami and Virgil Abloh 11) Christine Centenera and Joel Edgerton 12) Chance the Rapper 13) Tom Shapiro and Madeleine Grynsztejn 14) Dev Hynes 15) Ellen-Blair Chu and Matthew Yates

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OPENING NIGHT CHICAGO ANTIQUES + ART + DESIGN SHOW Hosted by the Woman’s Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the opening night for the for the 3rd annual Antiques + Art + Design Show welcomed 325 guests. The show features more than 60 national and international exhibitors of fine antique furniture and art from the 17th to 20th centuries. Attendees enjoyed exhibitors from around the world, such as Trinity House Paintings from London and Greg Pepin Silver from Copenhagen, as well as locals like Converso, Richard Norton Gallery and Nicholas Wolfe. There was also a lecture and VIP hour with the party’s design chairs: Bahamasbased interior designer Amanda Lindroth and internationally known landscape designer Fernando Wong. The event raised more than $200,000 to support initiatives like collaborative mental health treatment and coordinated care for families with genetically detected oncology markers.

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1) Chris Kane, James Dolenc, Frank Kane 2) Amy Davidson and Shelley Johnstone 3) Coco Meers 4) Claire Dwyer 5) Co-chair Alison McNally 6) Designer Lecture Host Cathy Busch and Charlotte Busch 7) Luke Palese 8) Amy Brock and Carolyn Burns

Photos by Widia Viti & Robin Subar

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Photos by Sunda

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SUNDA’S 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY Asian restaurant Sunda celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a party that incorporated both the traditional and the modern. More than 300 guests were hosted by Sunda owner Billy Dec and chef Mike Morales, including local luminaries like Ryan Chiaverini, Rochelle Trotter, Linda Yu and Matt Forte. Guests connected over hors d’oeuvres and cocktails before digging into a family-style Kamayan feast, which translates to “with hands” in Tagalog.

The meal featured a variety of Sunda’s greatest dishes over the years from all around Asia. The night was capped off by a series of cultural performances, including the Lion Dance.

1) Chef Mike Morales 2) Marisa Buchheit 3) Sunda’s Kamayan “With Hands” Feast 4) Ryan Beshel and Nicole Khayat 5) Saudia Davis, Kevin Finegold 6) Judy Truong, Lola Delic 7) Tiehong His-Hanink, Marisa Buchheit, Domenica Biondolillo, Meiling-Jin

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Photos by Kyle Flubacker

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GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER GALA Jon Favreau received the Renaissance Award at the 2019 Gene Siskel Film Center Gala at the Four Seasons Chicago.

“The Renaissance Award is designed to honor multifaceted talents in filmmaking, and I can’t imagine a better recipient than Jon Favreau,” says GSFC Executive Director Jean de St. Aubin. Favreau is a prolific actor, producer, writer and director, as well as a longtime friend and collaborator of Robert Downey Jr., who was also in attendance. Guests were treated to personal video tributes from friends such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Holland and Scarlett Johansson and behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insights during the panel “Marvel, Movies, and More: Honoring Jon Favreau in Conversation with Robert Downey Jr.” The dialogue was accompanied by clips of Favreau’s most memorable scenes of both acting and directing. President of the School of the Art Institute Elissa Tenny, GSFC Advisory Board Chair Ellen Sandor and Downey Jr. then presented the Renaissance 6 Award to Favreau, who thanked the audience for falling in love with his work. In total, the event raised more than $380,000 for the Film Center.

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1) Callie Siskel 2) GSFC Executive Director Jean de St. Aubin 3) Eve Ewing 4) Marlon Scott and David Martin 5) Dr. Neepa Patel and Robert Munch 6) Katherine Berko 7) Priya Setty 8) Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau

Photos by Timothy Hiatt

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VITAL PROTEINS COLLAGEN WATER LAUNCH PARTY Vital Proteins ushered in the launch of its new Collagen Water with a party at the Harris Theatre Tent in Millennium Park. In attendance were fans, influencers and celebrities, including Olivia Culpo, Morgan Stewart and Nicole Williams. The night included a fashion show

by By:Fashionaholic. There was also a surprise flash mob performance and tunes by DJ Matt Roan. In celebration of Vital Proteins’ new, on-the-go beverages, each guest left with a swag bag filled with the water.

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1) Vital Proteins gift bags 2) Niamh Adkins 3) Nicole Williams 4) By:Fashionaholic runway show 5) Olivia Culpo 6) Jonathan Hippensteel 7) Shea Marie 8) Flash mob performance

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Photos by Sean Henderson

MAGIC CARPET RIDE More than 150 guests gathered at the Oscar Isberian Rugs showroom for Magic Carpet Ride, an event honoring Berlin artist and designer Jürgen Dahlmanns of Rug Star. Oscar Isberian Rugs and Sophisticated Living Chicago welcomed Dahlmanns to the Chicago design community in style.

6 Friends of both SL and the venerable rug seller enjoyed an evening of mingling with local artists, socialites and designers as they admired Dahlmanns’ work, along with drinks, food, music and a performance by the Magic Penthouse.

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Guests at the Oscar Isberian Rugs showroom Magic Carpet Ride event. Flowers by Morgan’s In Bloom

Photos by Stephen Lotho

MIRA COUTURE GRAND OPENING Around 100 VIPs, clients and influencers converged upon the debut of Mira Couture’s new atelier at 70 East Walton. A number of Mira Couture’s custom pieces, designer gowns and eveningwear was modeled. Within this fully equipped new space, custom garments are produced. The event was catered

by The Revel Group. “We designed the space for brides and women to each have their own little pocket or corner of the store for themselves and their group to have a private, more intimate shopping experience,” says Julie Mersine, Mira Couture’s owner and head designer.

Guests at Mira Couture’s Grand Opening at 70 East Walton

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SOPHISTICATED WOMAN

By Bridget Daley / Portrait by Anthony Tahlier

Carrie Meghie, co-president of Becker Ventures and owner of St. Jane Hotel, shares what makes her proud, what drives her crazy and the three little words that guide her intentions What Chicago neighborhood or suburb do you live in?

Bucktown.

What cause is nearest and dearest to you right now ? I am co-founder and board chair of the Jackson Chance Foundation, which partners with hospitals to provide complimentary parking passes to every family with a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We ensure that the financial burden of parking does not stand in the way of any parent being with their child.

When you look back on your career so far, what are the moments that you are most proud of? I am most proud of the impact I’ve been able to have on others and our community— from providing employment opportunities, to seeing former team members thrive, to helping families and critically ill babies through our charity.

What is your favorite quote or motto? My current favorite quote is “Action indeed is the sole medium of expression for ethics” by Jane Addams.

Who is your mentor or muse? My father and my mother.

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Name your No. 1 life-changing, aha moment... The loss of my 10-month-old son in 2012 put my priorities into immediate perspective. It gave me certainty in knowing what’s important and valuable in life.

What sets your soul on fire? When I’m told I’m not capable of doing something, it drives me.

What is your biggest mistake or regret? I appreciate mistakes and the value they provide, but I regret when they happen because I didn’t listen to my gut or trust myself.

What is your biggest challenge, professional or personal, that you work on every day? Since becoming a mother, I made the decision to slow down at work and limit new projects. Turning down potential opportunities is my greatest challenge.

Give us one word that best describes how you live your life…

Determined.

Use three adjectives to describe the sophisticated woman you aim to be… Self-aware, high integrity and kind. sl

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