Caroline Reeves-Skidmore is the senior sales manager for Chicago-based A Lava. Previously, she worked at Jones Fiber and Springs Creative Products Group. In her free time, she enjoys fellowship with friends over a cold glass of champagne. Most recently, however, she spends her time hunched over a sewing machine with her stepchildren, Harper and Emileigh. Everyone is getting homemade pillows for the holidays this year. (Photo was taken at her Sept. 23 wedding.)
BedTimes: Tell us about your bedtime routine.
Caroline Reeves-Skidmore: I am not proud of this. Typically, I watch an hour of brain-cell-killing, trashy TV. It is not a great time investment, but the shrill yelling on reality TV lulls me to sleep. It’s a balance. The TV can’t be too good or I will watch it all night.
BT: What do you avoid before bed?
CRS: My handsome husband, Pete, and I are talented at keeping the drama and anxiety at bay starting around 9 p.m. The late evening is not the time for emails, budget talks or meal prep discussions. That is a luxury and not always possible. Still, I barely answer the phone after 9 p.m. these days.
BT: How many hours do you typically sleep?
CRS: I won’t lie, sometimes that trash TV or a girl’s night keep me up a little later than normal. I get around five to seven hours a night. Same on the weekends.
BT: Pets in the bed – yay or nay?
CRS: This is an ongoing compromise in our household. We have four pets: Luna the Great Dane, Samuel the schnauzer, Winnie the calico kitten and Popeye the one-eyed cat.
I desire to be an animal-free sleeper. My husband advocates for the cats and loves their quiet affection.
So, I have agreed that no animals should sleep with us. Just kidding — I wish. Have you ever told a cat what to do? And while my husband plays innocent, I know the cats have an accomplice.
BT: Barefoot or socks?
CRS: Barefoot. I would not even be friends with someone that sleeps in socks.
BT: What’s on your nightstand?
CRS: Pictures of all the great men in my life: my husband, father, Brent Limer and Adam Lava.
BT: Are you a napper?
CRS: Very few naps have ever left me feeling rested. I try to avoid them.
I do have the amazing ability to fall asleep on a plane before takeoff. Any time of day. That is the closest thing to a nap I enjoy.
BT: What are your best sleep tips?
CRS: Nothing guarantees a better night of sleep than preparing for it. No matter what, I make my bed daily. I hate getting into an unmade bed. It feels like impending chaos.
BT: What are your secrets for getting a good night’s sleep while traveling?
CRS: Oh, this is the hardest balance of all. As a sales-person, my objective is to be soaring on the adrenaline of a fantastic, successful customer dinner. That can keep you up replaying the night for hours.
At this point, I think a nice long call home, a shower and a gorgeous melatonin will get those emotions in check.
BT: Is there anything else you want to add?
CRS: Phones and watches also dominate so much time in the evening. My worst sleeping habit might be the late-night scroll of doom. I just love reading that clickbait at 4 a.m.
