*Weekend Pass* to Keeping Travel in Your Heart and Home in Chicago with Claire of Centered by Design

It is a sweet world to be in when you design a life that weaves your loves together. Especially if it's also something you're happy to call work. She marries her background in yoga (spiritual) with design (material) to create personal sanctuaries for her interior design clients. So who is this calm inducing, creative woman? It's the uber talented Claire, of @centered_by_design! This weekend, she shows us how she stays curious and lives like she's traveling in her home town of Chicago! 

Meet your design loving neighbor, Claire!

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Hello! I’m excited to share a visual journey that illustrates how I keep travel in my heart and home. 

Garfield Park Conservatory is my favorite green oasis when I need a break from the concrete jungle.

Farmer’s markets are one of the best ways to shop local and feel like you're traveling at the same time!

Visiting farms bring delicious items right to your doorstep. Use them to create a meal that reminds you of a favorite culture or trip! I frequent the Logan Square and Green City Market regularly. 

Tropical Caribbean island or Lake Michigan? Michigan?Sometimes it’s all about your perspective. 

I love to take day trips and mini staycations in downtown Chicago. It feels miles away from my neighborhood to be down at the lakefront, even though in reality it’s only 4 miles away!

Part of my mission as an interior designer is to bring my client’s spirit into their home.

This often happens through prominently displaying travel mementos, or using their personal travel photography as artwork. This collection of prints in my office reminds me adventures abroad in New Zealand.

Head over to learn more of my design tips: 
--> IDEA166: Create a Personal Sanctuary that Keeps the Travel Memories Alive

Thanks for having me LLYT! ~ Claire of CenteredByDesign.com

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IDEA47: "Get Lost" in a New Neighborhood - Discovering 5 Gems in Andersonville

Happy accidents! They seem to happen quite naturally when we're in a open and exploratory mode and it was no different last week when I participated in a neighborhood tour of Andersonville, hosted by their chamber of commerce celebrating their 50th anniversary. I was particularly drawn to the event as it embodied one of our everyday adventure ideas to "Get Lost in a New Neighborhood." It even incorporated elements like talking to the owners and getting a backstory from our "shop like you're traveling" concept. Next time you're wondering what to do on the weekend, randomly drop yourself into a neighborhood you've heard things about, but still have yet to check out. Much like a trip to visit a little beach town, no major plan is really needed. Have a general direction and let the discoveries unfold...

1 - George's Ice Cream 5306 N. Clark
Delicious icecream/candy/cafe with specialty flavors like Zanzibar chocolae & horchata. 
PHOTOS: GEORGE'S ICE CREAM, MU-HSIEN HSIEH

It was a balmy 80 degree spring day, so I had my eye on this ice cream shop for my first stop. I decided to try out two exotics and two classics, and ended up with a flight of Zanzibar chocolate, horchata, mint chocolate chip and caramel chaos. While I was waiting, I overheard a girl ask, "hey is your back patio open?" Preferring an alfresco moment, I followed behind to discover an intimate hidden patio that opened up to a comic book shop. "How quaint in the middle of the city," I thought to myself. Needless to say I devoured the ice cream.

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2 - Simon's Tavern 5210 N. Clark
A historic neighborhood bar from the prohibition days, known for their Swedish Glögg.
FLAG PHOTO: SETH ANDERSON, PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN HSIEH

After a bit of a walk in the heat I was thirsty, so a bar seemed like the appropriate place to check out next. I was greeted by the owner and as I grabbed a seat at the bar, I asked him what they were known for. He pointed to a slushie machine. (Even more perfect as I was needing something to cool off!) Turns out it contained a secret family summertime version of Glögg which is a traditional Swedish Christmas spiced-wine. To me it tasted like a frozen sangria, but stronger. I ended up staying at this bar for a while. A regular sat down next to me and between him and the owner, we ended up trading travel stories, grossed each other out on the most exotic things we've eaten and I learned that this unassuming bar has a lot of interesting history as to why there are nautical details in the interiors. You'll have to ask Scott Martin, the current owner about it! Or you can watch this video. Also, for any Anthony Bourdain fans, this bar was featured in his 48 Hours in Chicago Guide. { Note to self: line up speakeasy and Glögg tasting for our Chicago Meetup group to explore and try out. }  

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3 - Milk Handmade 5137 N. Clark
Uniquely affordable boutique featuring small-run, handmade goods from local designers.
PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN HSIEH

I almost missed this boutique, distracted by all the walking and talking with Alicia, a community manager for up and coming app, "Tastemade City" which helps you explore your city through video reviews. We actually met at Simon's Tavern and decided to tour together for the rest of the evening. When we found Milk, we were greeted by the owner, Hallie Borden and her graceful greyhound. I'm nuts for handmade jewelry and there was tons of it. I really loved that everything felt carefully curated and special, yet with reasonable prices. We had to scoot, as there were still 2 places we wanted to squeeze into the night. But, I'll be back for sure

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4 - Foursided 5061 N. Clark
A custom frame shop featuring cards, gifts, art and vintage goods.
PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN HSIEH

When you step into this shop, there's just so much to see. One could easily spend hours in it. Owner Todd Mack, is an accomplished artist himself and it makes sense when you're in the space. Everyone in the shop seems to exude a fun, funky personality. There's a mixture of stationary, one-of-kind gifts and art...AND custom framing. I think you could successfuly gift shop for anyone and any occasion and find something that would make them smile. 

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5 - The Guesthouse Hotel 4872 N. Clark
Guests can "Live Like a Local" in their 1-3 bdrm suites with gourmet kitchens & outdoor spaces. 
PHOTOS: THE GUESTHOUSE HOTEL

Our last stop was a bit of a luxurious reprieve and coming up to it, it's like they read my mind. On the glass I saw etchings that read "Stay like a local" and "Shop like a local." The concept of the Guesthouse Hotel is to provide visitors (or locals) a place to stay that feels like an exquisite home. Their public library and living room spaces can transform into a celebration area to entertain or meet in a place that feels like the home you wish you had instead of a more neutral hotel rental room vibe. It's centrally located, so guests would have access to easily roam the 4 surrounding neighborhoods (Andersonville, Uptown, Wrigleyville and Lincoln Square).

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*Bonus! - Cantina de la Granja 5025 N. Clark
Locally-sourced farm-to-table Mexican fare with a rooftop garden & preservation kitchen.
PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN HSIEH

A bonus gem-in-the-making for you: In the public space of the hotel, two chefs prepared al pastor tacos and rhubarb sangrias on the spot for us. I couldn't believe the vibrant, garlicky flavors that came from this taco! Get this on your restaurant bucket-list. It's the first Mexican farm-to-table concept I've heard of, and I'm sure they will have no problems filling their rooftop garden and sidewalk cafe.  

Thanks to the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce for hosting a unique way to explore the neighborhood as well as the lovely local community in helping us to discover it!  ~ Want to discover these gems for yourself? Go on your own "get lost" excursion or make it out to one of their festivals and upcoming events.  

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Join your neighbors in savoring the world @LiveLikeYoureTraveling

Design a Lifestyle You love : "BeHealthful" with Sarah Baker of Balanced Babe

Today we chat with fellow Chicagoan, Sarah Baker. A model turned health and wellness entrepreneur, founder of BalancedBabe.com, BeHealthful Retreats and StyleBodySoul. This ambitious babe is dedicated to transforming the way women relate to food, a purpose she discovered during her travels and modeling abroad. We wanted to know what fueled her quest for a healthy lifestyle and of course, to pick her brain on eating healthy in Chicago!

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Before health and wellness coaching, you were modeling quite a bit. That must have taken you to some beautiful locations! Do you have a favorite? Are there any cultures or places that fueled your quest for a healthy lifestyle? 

I loved traveling to Milan, Italy. I lived there for three months and cherished the culture! Even though a lot of people say it’s very industrial, I still think it had charm. I always walked around the Duomo and the city center daily going from casting to casting so I was able to explore a lot. I also enjoyed living in Istanbul, Turkey for three months as well. I think if I would have been there as a tourist I would’ve enjoyed the experience a bit more, but I was able to take in the ancient architecture at least! The food was also - AMAZING.

What inspired your journey in health and wellness? Was there a specific event or issue that acted as a catalyst?
 
My passion about nutrition research and holistic health was a process that started to take hold when I was in my late teens, but I was always either focused on modeling or acting. Finally, once I lived in a small area in Istanbul and ate nothing but plant-based, fresh and local produce, I realized that I needed to promote this lifestyle in my community. 

Being in the modeling industry is also very tough. There is a lot of criticism and it seems as if there is constantly a microscope on the model’s body image. I’ve been around a lot of young girls who had very poor self-esteem and extremely bad eating habits, especially being in an international meeting point for models all around the world in Istanbul. That trip turned a light bulb on in my head. 

I decided then and there that my real passion is to help young girls and women love their bodies and have healthy relationships with food.

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In creating a lifestyle you love, what major steps did you need to take to get where you are? Were there difficult choices, risks or acts of faith that led you to today?

First, I needed to quit smoking. Can you believe that I was a smoker on and off starting at age 16?! It’s a common way to keep slim in the modeling industry. It took me about 7 tries to finally kick it, and I am SO glad I did. If you can quit smoking, you can take on the world! 

No one is perfect, there's always room for personal growth, so I don't dwell on past bad health habits or feel ashamed that I didn’t treat myself well when I was younger. I look at them as great obstacles conquered.

I come from a family background of faith in God and goal-setting. I probably started writing down my goals at an earlier age than most. I also realized that I have an entrepreneurial spirit and that the best way for me to have the freedom to pursue my goals would be for me to start my own business rather than work for someone else. My health/wellness website, Balanced Babe, led to launching BeHealthful Retreats and branching out to consulting via SBS Image. So it wasn’t a difficult choice at all to switch my major from Fashion Business to Nutrition while also completing certifications in plant-based foods and holistic health coaching.
 

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Chicago is a haven for foodies, however healthy restaurants seem hard to come by. As a Chicagoan, I'm super excited to have discovered your plant-based dining guide that's an extension of your "Be Healthful Retreats." For those that feel it's difficult to find healthy, organic options in restaurants, do you have any tips when eating out?...Who's at the top of your list lately?

It is sooo hard not to dine out regularly in Chicago. I am probably out to eat about 4 nights a week, which can add up in boat loads of calories if you are not careful. Here are some tips that work for me when dining out:

• Order at least one veggie dish: This could be a salad, side of sauteed spinach, or a vegetarian entree (a lot of Chicago spots are catching on to the vegetarian movement)!

• Vegetarian does not mean PASTA...Sure, pasta is technically vegetarian if there isn’t any meat in it, but it still isn’t the healthiest option. If you truly want to order vegetarian while dining out you have to look for the veggie options!

• Choose wine, carbs or sweets, not all three!
   

Sarah's Top Four Plant-based Options in Chicago:

1 Lyfe Kitchen 413 North Clark Street, (River North)
Loocal & organic American fare in a bright, cheerful space with outdoor seating.
PHOTO: KIRSTEN SCULLY

2 Taxim 1558 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago (Bucktown)
Upscale modern Greek dining with an all-Greek wine list & a full bar plus stylish decor & a patio.
PHOTO: ROGER KAMHOLZ

3 Karyn’s on Green 130 South Green Street (Greektown)
New American dishes go vegan at this stylish restaurant with a sprawling bar & upstairs lounge.
PHOTO: KARYNSONGREEN.COM

4 Duseks 1227 West 18th Street, (Pilsen) 
Imaginative pairings of high-end pub grub & specialty beers offered in a funky, historic building.
PHOTO: ANNA KNOTT
 

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When cooking at home, it's easy to get stuck on a few go-to dishes. How do you keep things interesting?
I love cooking and do it often, so I buy a bunch of local and in season produce that I know I should be eating and experiment with 5 ingredients daily. It is also crucial to have the kitchen essentials:

• beans
• nuts
• complex carbs like quinoa
• leafy greens
• seasonal veggies
• onions and garlic
• almond milk or coconut milk
• fruits like apples, grapes, berries

I choose three veggies that I want to eat and make a lot of stews and soups that will last me for the week. If you are not an avid chef, you can choose a vegetable that you want to focus on and simply google “spinach vegan recipe” (I would google vegan recipes just because there is now an abundance of this dietary cuisine and the majority of recipes are delicious)! Googling recipes with the ingredients you have handy can do wonders and may broaden your go-to cooking list.
 

As a health and lifestyle consultant, what are the biggest challenges that you see people facing these days? 

The biggest challenge hands down is the HOW. Everyone knows that you should eat healthy and you should do this and that, but few know how to make it work for them and how to sustain it. It’s so important to focus on the “how” when making lifestyle changes.

You must be quite busy running the blogs, and various wellness offerings, how do you keep from burning out? 

I am a strict time management gal! I have so many time management techniques that I use - they allow me to work on multiple projects daily without being all over the place. My consulting company, StyleBodySoul, LLC not only offers holistic nutrition and lifestyle consulting, but also offers small business coaching to holistic entrepreneurs and businesses, so I use a lot of time management techniques with clients as well.

I have three main sectors to my brand that I focus on: Balanced Babe, my consulting services, and the holistic health conference series, Be Healthful. Managing those three parts of my brand along with the projects that go along with each venture (launching some fun projects for Balanced Babe and Be Healthful in 2015!) can take up A LOT of my energy and time. Because there is so much going on with me, I work like a dog on the weekdays, and take my break on the weekends. Saturday’s are my days off where I relax, do yoga, say adios to emails (which is hard!!) and zone out from the world (this means watching Real Housewives on Bravo). I also make sure that I exercise in the morning or at lunch time to keep me sane during the week.

Sharing vegan recipes on a a shoot for Living Healthy Chicago segment 

Before you leave us...tell us, what's the most important thing that helps you to embrace life with curiosity and awe, to live like you're traveling?

More than just one...
Passion, determination, and the urge to always grow and create!

GET MORE HELPFUL TIPS
1 -  EathHealthful.com for the full directory of plant-based restaurants and reviews in Chicago.
2 - BalancedBabe.com for more holistic health and wellness tips and inspiration.
3 - BeHealthful Retreat to participate in, or attend the next event coming up on March 22!
4 - StyleBodySoul for lifestyle and business coaching.

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Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling