PHOTO BY ROBIN SUBAR
Annabella L. Walsh is a native Texan and graduate of U.T. Austin. After a career with Merck & Co. and relocating from three different areas of the country, she found home in Clarendon Hills nine years ago with her husband, Christopher. Walsh enjoys community service and participating in activities of interest to their three children, Liam, Aidan, and Lauren. In addition to serving as a past PTO Co-President for Prospect Elementary School, where she worked with parents and the administration to bring the children a 1:1 digital learning environment, she is currently serving as a Girl Scout co-leader for a Brownie troop of 21 girls. Walsh also enjoys other volunteer activities for organizations such as Boy Scouts, Notre Dame church, and PTO committees for three different schools.
Mantra? The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
Best grooming tip? Exfoliate and wear sunscreen! It really does make a difference.
Guilty pleasures? Celebrating our family birthdays with freshly baked cinnamon rolls and plenty of icing.
Favorite foods? Fresh seafood, both raw or cooked. Salmon, tuna, or octopus, it all tastes wonderful! Prepared grilled or sashimi style, on a salad or over rice.
On your car radio? WBBM Newsradio to keep up with current events. And anything by Adele.
Best advice ever given to you? My maternal grandmother was wise with experience and she always told me stay true to myself and don’t let anyone diminish your sunshine.
Earliest memory? Camping and fishing with my grandparents. Waking up to the fresh air with hints of crisp bacon cooking and riding your bike to the pier with a red snow cone melting in your hand.
When you wake up? I always greet with a “good morning,” grab my coffee, and review the calendar for the day.
Before bed? Like many moms, I review my emails to make sure I didn’t miss any permission slips, etc., make a “to do” list for the next couple of days, take time to reflect, and then spend a little alone time with the TV.
What’s on my bookshelf? If I’m not reading my Bible study books or the latest book on how to raise resilient well-adjusted kids, then I’m reading about gardening. I love to garden and right now I am reading Tree & Shrub Gardening for Illinois.
Where do you escape? As a family, we love to vacation together, mostly to warm and sunny locales. As an individual, I love to escape to a good massage.
You Can’t Live Without? I can’t live without the love and support of my husband and kids and my faith in God.
Advice to Your Younger Self? LIVE in the moment and don’t care so much about what others think.
WHEN IN THE COUNTRY
Your style is? Honestly, most of the time, I wear tennis skirts and “active” wear. But I prefer a more classic line with a pop of vintage or modern accessory.
Can’t leave the house without? Did I mention sunscreen? I also always have a large container of coconut water and almonds in the car for those crazy carpool days.
Transportation? My very large SUV that fits seven Boy Scouts and all their gear.
Place to eat? Aguamiel and Village Gourmet in Clarendon Hills and Mai Thai in Westmont.
Shop? We couldn’t live without Learning Express in Clarendon Hills for all the birthday gifts. For hostess gifts, I love English Garden and for last minute wardrobe assistance I rely on The Green Goddess.
Best thing about country? I love that everyone really cares about the community, from schools to businesses to recreation. Everyone is involved and concerned about our community and its future.
Worst thing? No anonymity.
The Perfect Day? 78 degrees and sunny, walk kids to school, gardening, no after school activities, and then make a delicious dinner.
WHEN IN TOWN
Your style is? I lean to the classic and elegant with simple quality pieces of clothing and jewelry with a beautiful clutch.
Can’t leave the house without? When we stay in Chicago I never leave my hotel/apartment without a shawl, jacket, or sweater.
Transportation? Taxi, Uber, or we just walk.
Place to eat? Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Mercadito, and Le Colonial.
Shop? You can’t go wrong at Henri Bendel or Neimans.
Best Thing about town? The lakeshore and the skyline, especially at night. There are so many great roof top bars/restaurants and the views are amazing!
Worst Thing? The politics.
The Perfect Day? 78 degrees and sunny, no traffic, no lines, great dinner, and a nice walk back to the hotel.
