Sophisticated with a dash of swagger—these Chicago trendsetters prove that style is indeed a state of mind.
Founder, Ambitious Kitchen, ambitiouskitchen.com
Inspired by her Puerto Rican heritage and a passion for cooking instilled in her by her parents as a child, Monique Volz started Ambitious Kitchen, a recipe platform dedicated to celebrating healthy living and delicious, wholesome food. With millions of followers across social media, the Minneapolis native has struck a serious chord—and this month sees her unveil her first book, The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook: 125 Ridiculously Good for You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day (ambitiouskitchen.com/cookbook). As Volz (who describes her style as “romantic, edgy and boho”) prepares for the project’s Sept. 17 publish date, CS checks in with the Uptown resident for her takes on food, fashion, philanthropy and more.
Wake-Up Time
6 a.m.
Diet
Veggies, fruits, lean proteins and a little sweet treat after dinner
Escape
Anyplace with gorgeous hiking
Weakness
Hot chocolate with whipped cream
Uniform
Black turtleneck and jeans
Workout
Strength training at Ladies Who Lift
Mentor
Mariah Carey was my idol when I was little (and still very much is)
My Style In Three Words
Romantic, edgy and boho
Most Cherished Clothing Item
Stuart Weitzman velvet heels
Last Thing I Splurged On
A pair of Agolde jeans
Jewelry
Simple gold necklace and small gold hoop earrings
Workout Playlist
Disclosure radio on Spotify
Philanthropy
We give to different charities through our Ambitious Kitchen recipe of the month.
Mantra
You can do this—you are doing this.
Streaming Now
The Boys or House of Dragons
Dinner
A veggie-packed curry over rice with lots of fresh herbs on top
Bedtime
11 p.m.
Theme Song To Your Life
“Say Yes to Heaven” by Lana Del Rey
Zodiac
Capricorn
Oradina 14K yellow gold High Society oval hoops.
Stuart Weitzman mesh and suede pumps.
Brunello Cucinelli virgin wool, cashmere and silk English rib sweater.
Agolde Dame rolled wide-leg jeans.
Monique Volz’s debut cookbook publishes on Sept. 17.
Laura Sage
Founder, CHILL, chillanywhere.com; Interim Executive Director, Lynn Sage Foundation, lynnsage.org
As the founder and interim executive director of the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation (and Lynn Sage’s eldest daughter), Lakeview native and resident Laura Sage (@laurahopesage) has been working alongside her family to eradicate breast cancer for decades. And that’s just one of Laura’s passions. A former hedge fund and private banking executive and former interior designer, she’s also the founder of app and mental well-being platform CHILL (@chillanywhere), which provides meditation and mindfulness solutions for individuals and employers. As she prepares for the October unveiling in Pioneer Court of BIG Hope (bighope.lynnsage.org), a larger-than-life artwork by Chicago artist Matthew Hoffman in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this stylish dynamo shares with us some of her personal passions, from fashion to wellness and more.
Breakfast
A lot of coffee and a little oat milk
Wake-up time
Too early
Diet
Fish and vegetables
Doppelganger
I’ve heard Rene Russo recently and Elizabeth Shue in the past.
Nemesis
Aches and pains
Escape
Solitude and nature
Weakness
Reposado
Last Meal
Stracciatella gelato or Baskin-Robbins chocolate chip ice cream
Wellness App
CHILL Anywhere
My Style
Comfortable, classic, pink
Go-To Luxury Brand
Nili Lotan
Bag
Connolly travel bag
Watch
Breguet Reine de Naples
Workout Outfit
Michael Stars wide-leg pants and a fitted tank top
Workout Buddy
Cameron, Maddy and Kevin
Best Advice
Treat others the way you’d like to be treated, and treat yourself the way you’d treat your best friend.
Mantra
Perfection is the enemy of progress.
Streaming Now
Awaiting The Bear season three
Soulmate
Bob, my sisters and Luca
Bedtime
Early
On My Nightstand
North Woods by Daniel Mason
Theme Song To Your Life
“Under Pressure” by David Bowie and Queen
Desert Island Essentials
Supergoop sunscreen, water and Oliver Peoples sunglasses
Zodiac
100% Capricorn
LAURA SAGEBreguet Reine de Naples wristwatch.
Supergoop Unseen sunscreen.
Oliver Peoples x Brunello Cucinelli Mr. Brunello sunglasses.
Connolly large Sea bag.
Paige jacket by Nili Lotan in espresso.
Creative director, Humans of High Fashion, humansofhighfashion.com
Known for her bold use of color, shapes and textures, Nasreen Hussain (@nasreenhussain) is making her mark on the city’s style scene as an on-the-rise art director, fashion stylist and designer. The Bloomingdale, Ill. native and Streeterville resident’s styling has graced the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan and more; now, she’s focusing on her newest passion project: apparel collection Humans of High Fashion (@humansofhighfashion), whose luxury hats are fast becoming a must-wear. Hussain’s excitement for fall? “I have a new drop in the works for my brand. I’m excited to expand my product assortment and continue to push myself in the design realm. As a stylist, I’ve spent a lot of time observing the fashion landscape around me, soaking in inspiration and translating that to my personal style, so I can’t wait to see that come to life in my designs.”
Wake-Up Time
8 a.m.
Diet
Lemon water, salad for lunch, crackers and hummus
Escape
Going for a walk
Weakness
Bubble tea
Uniform
A Humans of High Fashion baseball hat, an Essentials hoodie/t-shirt and sweatpants
Last Meal
Rice and kabobs (Persian food)
Supplements
Ritual multivitamin
Wellness App
MWH: Fitness + Wellness
Mentor
My husband
My Style
Edgy, chic and classic
Go-To Luxury Brand
Bottega Veneta or Prada
Bag
Maison Margiela
Watch
Cartier
Best Advice
Enjoy the journey and celebrate the small successes.
Philanthropy
I’m passionate about supporting organizations that provide water to the needy in underdeveloped countries.
Mantra
You only live once.
Soulmate
Saamer Siddiqi
Bedtime
12 a.m.
On My Nightstand
A Curious George book (mom life), my water bottle and a sound machine
Theme Song To Your Life
“Life is a Highway”
Zodiac
Aquarius
Prada boot
Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch in rose gold with brilliant-cut diamonds.
Fear of God wool v-neck hoodie in cream.
Bottega Bottega woolcashmere wrap coat in light grey melange.
Maison Margiela’s Bag Slide in medium.
Black baseball cap by Humans of High Fashion.
Entrepreneur and philanthropist, @cmeghie
The term “multihyphenate” doesn’t begin to describe Carrie Meghie (@cmeghie), whose roles include co-president of private equity firm Becker Ventures; owner of fashion line Neon Fringey bags (@neonfringey); and, along with husband Terry, owner of multiple Jamaican vacation villas, including The Bessa on the Rocks (@thebessaontherocks). Perhaps dearest to her heart, though, is the Jackson Chance Foundation (@jacksonchancefoundation), a nonprofit named after their late son Jackson which supports critically ill babies by removing the financial burden of parking fees and which in 2023 provided over 95,000 days of parking to three local hospitals. As the Detroit-area native and Bucktown resident gears up for the foundation’s 10th annual Ping Pong Ball on Nov. 8, the stylish CNN Hero and SAIC Fashion Council member reveals the routines, favorites and personal passions that keep her thriving and on the go.
Breakfast
Green juice or nothing
Wake-Up Time
6 a.m. or sunrise if earlier
Diet
95% vegetarian
Doppelganger
My sister Jill
Escape
Jamaica
Workout
Lagree Fitness, biking, tennis, yoga
Last Meal
Pizza and beer
Mentor
My father for business and my mother for life.
My Style in Three Words
Personal, creative and comfortable now that I’m 50-plus
Go-To Brands
Loewe and Jeune Otte
Bag
Neon Fringey Squiggle bag
Jewelry
Custom wedding bands, Pomellato Nudo ring, and two pendants from Imperfect Grace, one in honor of my late son and one designed by my dear friend who passed away last year
Workout Playlist
Reggae with some ’80s mixed in.
Best Advice
It’s better to be effective than right.
Mantra
Don’t waste your worry.
Streaming Now
The 1% Club and The Floor, game shows we binge-watch with our 10-year-old son
On My Nightstand
Design plans and inspo notes for our current hospitality projects
Theme Song To Your Life
“Three Little Birds”
Zodiac
Sagittarius
Neon Fringey textured tote.
Loewe lambskin Toy Panta Heel toe post heel sandal in Oat Milk.
Sophie natural denim blazer by Jeune Otte.
To the Moon pendant in 14K gold by Imperfect Grace.
Pomellatto Nudo maxi ring in rose gold with London blue topaz.
Photography by: Monique Volz PHOTO BY ALISHA TOVA; Monique Volz Products: BOOK COVER PHOTO BY KRISTIN TEIG, REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE AMBITIOUS KITCHEN COOKBOOK BY MONIQUE VOLZ/COPYRIGHT © 2024, PUBLISHED BY CLARKSON POTTER, A DIVISION OF PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE; ALL OTHER PHOTOs COURTESY OF SAKS.COM; Laura Sage photo by Tess Graham; Laura Sage Products: SUNGLASSES PHOTO COURTESY OF SAKS.COM; all other PHOTOs COURTESY OF BRAND; Nasreen Hussain PHOTO BY SEBASTIAN BERLIN; Nasreen Hussain Products: Prada boot PHOTO COURTESY OF PRADA; Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch in rose gold with brilliant-cut diamonds PHOTO COURTESY OF CARTIER; Fear of God wool v-neck hoodie in cream PHOTO COURTESY OF SAKS.COM; Bottega Bottega woolcashmere wrap coat in light grey melange PHOTO COURTESY OF SAKS.COM; Maison Margiela’s Bag Slide in medium PHOTO COURTESY OF MAISON MARGIELA; Black baseball cap by Humans of High Fashion PHOTO COURTESY OF HUMANS OF HIGH FASHION; Carrie Meghie PHOTO BY ANTHONY TAHLIER; Carrie Meghie Products: all product photos COURTESY OF BRANDs
