Erin Vondra. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR
Erin Vondra was raised in North Barrington and is now planting her own roots in Barrington Hills with her husband Matt, and children Tommy (7) and Mary (6). She is a Realtor, interior designer, and blogger at Imperfect Polish. She serves as a board member for Barrington Children’s Charities (BCC) and as a volunteer for St. Anne’s and BCC’S “Blessings in a Backpack.” When not mommy-ing or working, you can find her playing tennis, gabbing with friends, cooking, and enjoying the hometown she loves so much.
Mantra? Just one more song.
Best grooming tip? Don’t forget the neck.
Guilty pleasure? Bravo, tequila, crinkle fries, shopbop.
Favorite foods? Thin crust pizza, breakfast burritos, any dish that includes noodles.
Music you love? All time, Fleetwood Mac. Current Fave, Lizzo.
Best advice ever given to you? Just let the world take a turn or two, it will all look different then.
Best advice you’ve given? PICK IT UP. Not your game, your spirit.
Earliest memory? After moving to Barrington, walking into my first day at North Barrington School in first grade with a denim on denim number on and being so scared. Fun thing is that I am still friends with people I met that day.
When you wake up, you? Complain about waking up.
Before bed, you? Pull down my sleep mask and fall asleep to the soothing rhythm of a Law & Order episode.
What’s on your bookshelf? Educated by Tara Westover and Calypso by David Sedaris.
You can’t live without? Buttered popcorn, espresso, eye cream. Love to escape to? The comfort of home. But when it is time to get away, the British Virgin Islands or Cabo.
Advice you would give to your younger self? Not every fire needs to be put out, some can smolder out on their own.
WHEN IN THE COUNTRY
Your style is? Workout clothes, mom jeans, sweats, and breezy dresses.
Can’t leave the house without? Having to run back in for something I have forgotten.
Transportation? Land Rover LR4 with lots of junk in the trunk.
Driving music? Clean Pop station on Amazon Music for the kiddies.
Place to eat? Shakou, Mago, The Texan, Tacos El Norte, The Saddle Room, Francesca’s, Pine Foods.
Shop? Pink Geranium and English Daisy for home, Blue Mercury for beauty, and Angelina for gifts.
Best thing about country? Barrington is really something special. A community filled with wonderful people doing so much good and surrounded by beautiful nature.
Worst thing about country? Bugs, trains, drainage.
The perfect day is? Pilates at Tensile Strength Studio, facial at Wellness for Eternity, alfresco lunch with friends, afternoon golf with kids, and dinner on patio at Barrington Hills Country Club.
WHEN ON THE TOWN
Your style is? A statement dress or classic basics with punchy accessories.
Can’t leave the house without? A babysitter and red lip.
Transportation? Train and Uber.
Driving music? Mega Hit Mix on Spotify.
Place to eat? Sunda to feast, Fig & Olive for lunch, Volare with the hubs, Hub 51 for brunch, Chicago Bagel Authority after a night out, Pequod’s for pizza, Floriole for coffee.
Shop? Intermix, Aritzia, Zara, and Oak Street.
Best thing about town? Walking everywhere, restaurant variety, boating on the lake, visiting city friends and family.
Worst thing about town? Traffic and parking.
The perfect day is? Waking up at the Waldorf to breakfast in bed, SoulCycle class, lunch and shopping in the Gold Coast, afternoon drinks on a rooftop, date night with Matt at Spiaggia.