Rada and Matthew Burdeen. PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK ISHMAN
Rada and Matthew Burdeen are partners in life and in business. As owners of Burdeen’s Jewelry in Buffalo Grove and several specialty luxury boutiques in Chicago, they custom design and curate timeless, exquisite jewelry and luxury timepieces. Longtime Northbrook residents with two sons (16 and 18), the couple shares their love for family, friends, philanthropy, socializing for business and pleasure, and of course, fine jewelry. Rada has served on the board of Kohl Children’s Museum and, for the past 5 years, has been passionately involved in the Jewish United Fund, serving on its board for the last three years. The couple started Team Burdeen this year, designating select pieces of jewelry, (from $250-$1,000), with 100 percent of the gross revenue from these pieces directed to their charity, which provides grants for local community projects. Matthew feels that his work is conducive to a luxury lifestyle that allows him to connect with many different types of people on many different levels, including being an intimate part of life’s celebrations. Here is how this stylish power couple stays on trend.
Mantra? She says, “Love the life you live; live the life you love.” He says, “All the way UP.”
Best grooming tip? She says bronzer. He says, if you are going to have facial hair, keep it well trimmed.
Guilty pleasure? She loves to binge watch any of the Real Housewives series on Bravo. He has way too many to list.
Favorite foods? Give him foie gras and her any type of dessert that contains fruit.
Music you love? He loves ’70s rock; she jams to ’80s, ’90s, and electric dance.
Best advice ever given to you? She says, “Happiness starts with you.” He says, Never be afraid to give away half of what you never had.”
Best advice you’ve given? Give and do without expectations and always make yourself proud.
Earliest memory? For her, it’s walking to the park in Rogers Park with her dad. For him, it’s helping his dad fix stuff around the house.
When you wake up, you? She pops out of bed and heads to the gym; “I’m definitely a morning person!” He checks his email; “I’m a workaholic!”
What’s on your bookshelf? For her right now, Deepak Chopra’s The Healing Self and Maria Shriver’s I’ve Been Thinking…, and lots of family pics. For him, it’s a humidor.
You can’t live without? For her, it’s mascara and her family. For him, it’s his wife.
Love to escape to? The mountains.
Advice you would give to your younger self? “Everything happens for a reason; it’s all building blocks to the next phase of life,” she says. He says, “Chill bro.”
WHEN IN THE COUNTRY
Your style is? She gravitates to athleisure—leggings, sneakers, and a cute hoodie. He sports a Pacific Northwest casual look.
Can’t leave the house without? Her bling and his gold Panerai Luminor.
Transportation? She drives a Mercedes S63 coupe and he favors his Range Rover.
Driving music? She likes coffee house acoustic and he’s sticking with ’70s rock.
Place to eat? She loves her own kitchen when her husband cooks. He loves Hole in the Wall.
Shop? You’ll find her at Neiman Marcus and him at Binny’s.
Best thing about country? The birds chirping, the change in seasons, and the space to entertain and connect with friends.
Worst thing about country? Lots of driving from place to place and the pace.
The perfect day is? She loves waking up early, spending the day outside being active, and ending it with a great dinner and a fine bottle of wine. He also loves a morning hike for a few hours before lunch, then coming home to make dinner for their family or friends.
WHEN IN TOWN
Your style is? She opts for sophisticated urban chic and he goes for Euro chic.
Can’t leave the house without? For her, it’s a crossbody bag and a pair of diamond hoops. For him, it’s his A. Lange & Sohne datograph.
Transportation? Her feet; “We walk everywhere!” He’ll take the Porsche 911.
Driving music? They’ll toggle between her BPM (electronic dance music) and his ’90s hip hop.
Place to eat? The Bellmore, Lula café, and any restaurant from the BOKA Group.
Shop? Rush Street boutiques, Intermix and Saks 5th Avenue.
Best thing about town? The energy and the people.
Worst thing about town? Traffic and too many people, ha!
The perfect day is? She likes lots of walking, coffee, people watching, catching a great show, and ending it with a fantastic dinner at a hotspot. He prefers to start at 8:30 p.m. with a great dinner, followed by a swanky lounge with great friends. They compromise.