What you do for a living: You can find me welcoming guests at the front desk at Fitness Formula Club. In March of 2022, just days after giving birth to our second daughter, I underwent an unexpected and life-saving brain surgery at Northwestern to remove a massive tumor. Since then, I’ve spent my days in extensive therapies to retrain my body and brain to function properly together again. During this time, I spent several days a week inside the FFC building with the Rush physical therapy team (shout out to the whole crew, especially Jennifer and Fotis!) and thought it would be a great place to combine my love for fitness and my desire to ease back into the workforce. I’ve been with the FFC team since January. It’s been such a wonderful extension to all my therapies, and I’ve met so many people of all ages and backgrounds from the Park Ridge community. Come on in for a workout (my favorite class is heated yoga sculpt) and say hi.

Prior to FFC, I spent over 15 years as an event fundraising executive for non-profits across the country. Much of my time in Chicago was spent with the Go Red for Women campaign for the American Heart Association, raising funds and awareness for women’s heart health.

How long you’ve lived here: My grandfather was born and raised in Chicago before moving to New York as a teenager. He and my grandma eventually moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where I was born and raised. He was known to everyone as “Chic” or “Jimmy from Chicago”. After graduating college, I had a desire to take a shot at moving away from home, and Chicago just felt like the right place with some family history. I got to spend my late 20s and early 30s enjoying all the city life has to offer.

After having a true pandemic baby, my husband and I chose Park Ridge as our new home in the winter of 2022 because of its proximity to the city, airport for our families and friends to easily visit, and access to all the things we love with more of the community feel we were craving after living in the city for so many years. We love it here!

What do you like best about Park Ridge?
Park Ridge has everything we were hoping for this season of life. Great neighbors, amazing schools and ample kid-friendly things to do. We were new to the area when I had brain surgery, and I’m so grateful for the new friends and neighbors who have helped us through it all. It gives us the best of both worlds we dreamed of: the charm and tight-knit feel of a suburb, with quick access to all the culture, dining and business opportunities the city offers.

Nonna Silvia’s calamari

Best meal you’ve had recently: I could never pick just one! How about a few? The carbonara in a jar at Zia’s Social — creamy, decadent, delicious. And the perfect meal to celebrate pre-school graduation. The chicken caprese at Fire + Wine — an unexpected trip to flavortown for date night. The acai bowl at Bonita Bowls — a great option for something light and fresh on the go after a workout. The grilled calamari salad at Nonna Silvia’s — my first time having grilled calamari, and I’ll definitely have it again. The Rosso Diavolo pizza at Forno Rosso on Harlem — perfect for sharing during a girls’ night when you want to try a piece but not have the whole pizza. And of course, the creme brûlée dessert is a staple order from Capital Grille for special occasions.

The chicken caprese at Fire + Wine — an unexpected trip to flavortown for date night. The acai bowl at Bonita Bowls — a great option for something light and fresh on the go after a workout. The grilled calamari salad at Nonna Silvia’s — my first time having grilled calamari, and I’ll definitely have it again.

Favorite restaurant: As someone who feels they have only touched the surface of the Chicago food scene, I could name the usual suspects like Duck Duck Goat in the West Loop and RPM Italian in River North, but recently my husband and I have been revisiting an old favorite. We were introduced to the Portuguese fast-casual restaurant, Nando’s Peri Peri, years ago by our good friend (she’s from Brazil). Since having brain surgery, we’ve found ourselves celebrating good check-ups with lunch dates at the location across from Northwestern Hospital before heading back to Park Ridge. There’s something about being there with my husband, enjoying the lemon herb chicken, mashed potatoes and a diet coke that just feels like a great big, healing hug. And yes, I know what you’re thinking… of course I get a vanilla confetti cupcake from Sweet Mandy B’s for the ride home.

Favorite hidden gem restaurant: Charcoal Flame Grill in Morton Grove is hands down my current hyperfixation. One of my physical therapists (he’s Greek!) recommended it to me, and I can’t get enough. It’s an unassuming place that serves insanely good Greek food. The flavors are authentic, the portions are generous, and you can tell it’s a place the local lunch crowd loves. My favorite is the gyro plate.

Easy Street’s diner burger

Best bar to grab a drink or watch the game: Like so many other residents in Park Ridge, Holt’s and Easy Street Pizza are our family go-to spots. They both strike the perfect balance of being lively and fun for adults, but also super kid friendly for my daughters, who are now five and two. Don’t sleep on the diner burger at Easy Street or the ooey, gooey grilled cheese at Holt’s. Dip it in the tomato bisque and you have perfection. For those needing a non-alcoholic refresher like me, both make a mean Shirley Temple with generous fresh cherries. Whether we’re catching a game on the big TVs, showing off Park Ridge to visitors or grabbing a quick drink before daycare pick up, you’ll likely find us at either place.

A great night out with friends usually includes… no kids and no husbands! I’ll never say no to a happy hour at Harp and Fiddle, with a show at the Rosemont Theatre or a concert at Allstate Arena after. My favorite shows have been getting to see Tina Fey and Amy Poehler deliver the Weekend Update live, John Mulaney giggling in his suit on stage, and jamming with our favorites, Old Dominion, at Allstate. Will I stop at Steak and Shake afterwards for a milkshake and fries every time? You bet I will!

The perfect Saturday would be getting a fresh, powdered donut from Allegretti’s Bakery in Norridge with the girls and my husband, followed by a Kobido massage at Renata’s Organics Skincare.

Allegretti’s Bakery

The best way to spend a Saturday in the late summer or early fall: The perfect Saturday would be getting a fresh, powdered donut from Allegretti’s Bakery in Norridge with the girls and my husband, followed by a Kobido massage at Renata’s Organics Skincare with Anya. After I come out of the sugar crash and relaxation coma, we’d head to Gillson Beach in Wilmette for the afternoon (with an Italian sub and malted milk ball milkshake from Buck Russell’s in hand of course). We’ll all be a little sunkissed and the kids will nap peacefully on the ride home and be excited to have Pazzi di Pizza once we get back to Park Ridge. Then, the neighbors will all rally at our house for some evening drinks and an outside movie and s’mores for the kids. The night cap will be a late-night run to Dairy Queen for a cotton candy blizzard. Ahh, a mom can dream, right?

What’s something you look forward to every late summer or early fall?
Just being outside is my favorite. There always just feels like more life to live with outdoor workout classes, farmers’ markets, food trucks, live music for the kids at the library, and al fresco dining all over. And of course, the pool and splash pad scene here is incredible in the summer. Can’t forget a trip or two up to Ravinia!

TeaLula

Secret spot: My neighbors recently recommended a visit to TeaLula in Uptown. What a cute place! The staff was super friendly and helpful, and the Arnold Palmer was as fresh as it gets. I’ve heard that the high tea experience is great, and I imagine it would be a great spot to work or read for a few hours.

Favorite local store or best shopping area: You did pick up on the fact I’m a mom of two girls and a wife to a husband who’s not sure when the toothpaste has run out, right? So when we’re not at Target, my favorite place to roam is Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. I can pretend we’re “running errands,” but I get to shop too. That’s called a mom-win.

One underrated activity in the area we love is the Parkway Bank Park entertainment district in Rosemont. Throw the kids’ scooters in the car, have pizza and a beer at Crust Brewing and enjoy the people watching on the turf afterwards.

Underrated activity in the area: The Parkway Bank Park entertainment district in Rosemont. Throw the kids’ scooters in the car, have pizza and a beer at Crust Brewing and enjoy the people watching on the turf afterwards. A few innings at a Chicago Dogs baseball game? The best! When we lived in the city, we thought Rosemont was just for tourists. But now that we live so close, we love it. We also really enjoy going to high school and college athletic games which can be hard to manage with the girls.  We’ve recently learned the arenas in Rosemont host a variety of tournaments throughout the year. It lets my husband and I re-live our glory days and gets the girls excited to participate in team activities without breaking the bank, or our sanity.

New Buffalo, MI

Favorite weekend getaway spot: New Buffalo, Michigan is my newest quick escape obsession. I grew up going to the Jersey Shore, so beaches in the summer are a must. I love how close it is and how it feels like you’re on vacation the moment you arrive. You can’t go wrong with a day at the beach, dinner and music at Ghost Isle Brewery or Beer Church Brewery, and of course, ice cream at Oink’s Dutch Treat. There’s something about the lake views, the small-town charm and the slower pace that makes it the perfect place to spend a weekend. I love seeing Stray Dog Bar & Grill shirts around Park Ridge all winter long too.

A kid-free staycation in downtown Chicago when my mom visits from Pennsylvania is also a must-do. There’s always something new to explore, and we miss the food downtown and the neighborhoods we used to call home. It’s always a  fun reminder of how lucky we are to have access to such a vibrant city.

What have you heard great things about but have yet to try?
More golf in the area. I also want to try the batting cages in Niles and the upgraded tennis and pickleball courts in South Park. So much still to explore!