Country Vs Town: Alicia Boemi

Alicia Boemi grew up in Northfield, spending summers swimming and fishing on the shores of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. She met her husband at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and after graduating they lived in downtown Chicago for more than a decade. Along the way, they moved around all pockets of the city and increased the size of their family from one bunny to four rescue dogs. The Barrington area recently became the next chapter for the couple with more space, quiet, and nature to explore. Boemi’s desire for her family’s makeup was born out of her overall passion for animals, their welfare, and the passion for leading a mentally and physically healthy lifestyle with her own pets. She started her own pet wellness business where she educates and supports pet parents in the Barrington area and across the country on canine nutrition, massage therapy and bodywork, and aromatherapy. She is also heavily involved in the animal shelter community—rescuing and caring for homeless dogs while lending her nutrition and medical expertise to assist in bringing very sick rescue dogs back to health (for information, visit diydogmom.com), Here are a few of her favorite things around country and town:

Mantra? Do good and be kind.

Best grooming tip? Hydrated skin is healthy skin.

Guilty pleasure? Binge watching a Netflix or HBO series in a matter of days.

Favorite foods? Tacos and Thai food.

Music you love? Too many to name but my default favorites are Coldplay, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jay-Z, Francis & The Lights, John Mayer, and Childish Gambino.

Best advice ever given to you? Humans are the only species who make their own problems and cause their own stress.

Best advice you’ve given? You can’t be everything to everyone; do your best and be kind to yourself.

Earliest memory? Learning to swim in Lake Geneva with my siblings.

When you wake up, you? Let the dogs out, feed the dogs, then make tea for myself and check emails about rescue dogs and clients’ dogs.

Before bed, you? Ask my husband to let the dogs out!

What’s on your bookshelf? Currently reading Canine Nutrigenomics by Dr. Jean Dodds and many other canine-related health, anatomy, and physiology books sit on my bookshelf.

You can’t live without? Dogs, nature, and quiet time.

Love to escape to? Lake Geneva, Wisconsin or off to ride horses.

Advice you would give to your younger self? Everything unfolds as it should; don’t worry so much.

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? Since I’m usually surrounded by dogs and the occasional horse all day, I wear what’s comfortable—like leggings and cute tops I don’t have a major attachment to, and some gym shoes or booties.

Can’t leave the house without? iPhone, purse, and a dog or two.

Transportation? Jeep Patriot.

Driving music? Lately 6lack, Tyler Childers, or US995.

Place to eat? Francesca’s, Shakou, or Lindy’s Landing.

Shop? Deer Park and Kildeer Town Centers have everything!

Best thing about country? The quiet, space, and hiking areas.

Worst thing about country? The mosquitos are on another level.

The perfect day is? A horseback riding lesson, playing in the yard with the dogs, heading to Bangs Lake or Lake Geneva to let the dogs swim in the summer (or going for a hike at Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve in the winter), and then dinner out with my hubby and friends.

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Jeans, heels, dress top, and jewelry.

Can’t leave the house without? iPhone, and purse.

Transportation? Ford Flex.

Driving music? Depends on my mood.

Place to eat? Rojo Gusano, Club Lucky, or Las Palmas on North Avenue.

Shop? All around the six corners of Bucktown/Wicker Park.

Best thing about town? Lots of live music and concerts.

Worst thing about town? Traffic and dealing with parking.

The perfect day is? Early dinner and drinks at one of our fave dinner spots before heading to a concert.