Who she is: Publicist for NorthPark Center, associate director of media relations for the Nasher Sculpture Center, and director of public relations for Business Council for the Arts (whew).
Why we lover her: She gets stuff done…big time (see the aforementioned job description) while still managing to be supremely laid back, incredibly kind, and immensely lovely. (What’s not to love?)
Herewith a peek into Kristen’s world:
In heavy rotation — Trampled by Turtles (1). They are a band based out of Minnesota with a sound that is part blue grass, part folk, and part country–but with a modern twist. It’s the kind of music my husband and I like to turn up when we are outside enjoying the night air with a glass of wine. While they are not known as well in Dallas (although they did perform here last year to a good crowd) they are starting to make a name for themselves and recently performed on the Late Night with David Letterman show. I knew the banjo player, David, when he was only a few years old… He lived across the street from me in Waterloo, Belgium.
What she’s reading — I collect art books on modern and contemporary artists, and generally those that are represented in the Nasher Collection. Last week, I splurged on more than a dozen coffee table books — a few from the Nasher Store and the rest from Half Price Books — on such artists as Lichtenstein (2), Picasso, Rodin, and Gauguin. The first one I pulled out to study was the book about Lichtenstein and his black and white drawings from 1961 to 1968. I found it fascinating the number of techniques he explored to create those signature dots you see in his works.
Her go-to outfit –– Since I work out of my home office primarily, I tend to go for casual comfort. In the summer months, I’m usually wearing a pair of Gap boyfriend shorts (I have the same pair in olive, navy and pink), a soft Gap v-neck t-shirt, and a pair of Crocs (they have some fashionable ones!). For jewelry, I tend to wear a Helen Ficalora necklace with heart, key, horseshoe (3), and flower charms, Raymond Weil watch, David Yurman cuff, and simple silver earrings from Tiffany & Co. When I go into the office, I typically wear a pair of black pants from Nordstrom and change it up with tops from Ann Taylor or Talbots and fun jewelry.
Always in her handbag — I always carry around the same handbag – my Louis Vuitton zipper tote – party because I love it, and party because I’m too busy to change out purses. Inside, I’m pretty minimal: Louis Vuitton Wallet (6), MAC studio fix powder, Make Up Forever lip gloss (5), Business Cards, iPhone, Fresh perfume (4), pen and notepad, and car keys with attached YMCA and library cards (usually my son’s pacifier gets stuck in one of the pockets as well).
Favorite restaurant for a family dinner and for a date night — Our go-to place with the family is Fernando’s Mexican located at Midway and Northwest Highway. The service is quick, the food is good, and the wait staff doesn’t mind if the little ones makes a bit of a mess. If it’s a Wednesday night, we’re typically at The Sports Club at the Four Seasons where they offer a gourmet, create-your-own pasta bar.
For date night, my husband and I dine at places that remind us of European bistros with cozy, quaint surroundings and great food and wine. Lately, our favorite spots have been Nonna, Princi Italia, and Neighborhood Services. We’ve been dying to try Lucia in Oak Cliff if we could just ever get a reservation…
And while we love eating out, our preference is generally to go shopping at Central Market and cook a gourmet meal at home with the boys.
