NAPERVILLE - WHEATON - GLEN ELLYN - ELMHURST - GENEVA - ST. CHARLES - BARRINGTON - BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHER

*Elegy in Red*
I created this image on a day when everything felt heavy. When the news crept into my chest and stayed there longer than I wanted.
Red can mean so many things — love, anger, grief, courage. Today it feels like all of them at once.
This is my way of holding space. For what’s broken. For what’s still blooming. For the quiet belief that beauty is not frivolous—it’s necessary.

Hello, friends,

Before we dive in, I want to say thank you—and I’m sorry for missing last week.

It’s not like me to skip a newsletter, and I was genuinely touched by those of you who reached out to check in and make sure everything was okay. That meant more than you know.

Writing this newsletter is incredibly cathartic for me. It’s my quiet pocket of peace in the middle of a life that’s usually moving fast—running a business, creating, juggling all the things that come with being an entrepreneur. Missing it last week was harder than I expected, and I was actively trying to give myself grace (a skill I’m still very much learning).

This past weekend, we hosted our son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law’s baby shower and met her large, wonderful family for the first time. Preparing the house, planning the celebration, and pouring ourselves into making it special was all-consuming—and if I’m being honest, completely exhausting. The one thing that usually brings me calm had to be set aside for just a moment.

I’m sorry if my absence caused any concern.

I’ll admit, I sometimes get in my own head and think, “No one will even notice. I’m not sure anyone is reading anyway.”And then I remind myself that I write this first and foremost for me—and if someone reads along, that’s an added gift.

So to know that some of you did notice, did read, and even checked in… I am beyond grateful.

Thank you, my friends, for caring. And thank you for being here.

Soft Focus: The Open Nest

With the uncertainty of the country lately, I’ve found myself reflecting on how deeply grateful I am to have our nest full.

Not just with people—but with connection, shared responsibility, laughter, and the quiet reassurance of knowing we are not navigating this season alone.

Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t think the goal was ever an empty nest.

Somewhere along the way, we decided success looked like quiet halls, unused bedrooms, and a life that shrinks once the kids grow up. But I’ve come to believe something very different.

I believe in the open nest.

A home that adapts as life changes.
A place with room for adult children to bounce back—because life is expensive, unpredictable, and far less forgiving than it once was.
Space for aging parents. Space for regrouping. Space for staying.

Multi-generational living used to be rooted in culture and tradition. I used to quietly envy families who lived this way—who shared homes, meals, responsibilities, and life itself. Now, more families are returning to it out of necessity, as the cost of housing and everyday life makes independence harder to reach and harder to sustain.

And honestly? I see it as a gift.

Our Cozy Compound was built with this belief at its core. Not just walls and rooms, but intention. A quiet promise that there would always be space here—for growth, for return, for togetherness.

As our family grows, so does our understanding of what home can be. We are gaining another daughter-in-law who brings with her cultural differences that are expanding us in the most beautiful ways. We are learning her language. Learning her traditions. Learning new ways of seeing and being.

Our expanding family here at the compound is gently stretching us beyond our invisible boundaries. It’s teaching us curiosity, humility, and openness. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t stop when your children grow up—it simply changes shape.

Soon, there will be four generations living within these walls. Four generations sharing meals, laughter, stories, and the kind of ordinary moments that quietly become everything.

There are so many unexpected bonuses to living this way.
Help is always nearby when someone needs it.
Household responsibilities are shared.
Elders are supported, not isolated.
Laughter doubles—sometimes triples.
And there’s a deep comfort in knowing you are never truly alone.

This is what home looks like when love is allowed to stay.

That feeling matters more than ever right now.

In a world that feels uncertain, divided, and heavy at times, I find so much peace in knowing we have each other’s backs. That this house holds us. That no one here has to face life alone.

A multi-generational, multi-cultural home doesn’t just shelter a family—it stretches it. Life stretches. Love stretches. And somehow, we grow both together and as individuals.

The open nest isn’t about holding on too tightly—it’s about holding each other up.

And I am endlessly grateful that we can offer this kind of home to the people we love.

Here, no one stands alone—and that may be the greatest gift of all.

WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK

Inspiring Follow: *@ainsleydurose*
Lately, I’ve been so inspired by **@ainsleydurose** — a pastry chef in Paris with the most beautiful eye for coziness, vintage treasures, and the quiet poetry of everyday life.
Her feed feels like a soft exhale. There’s an old-world charm to everything she shares—morning light in a Paris kitchen, well-loved ceramics, layers of linen, and the simple magic of slowing down. It’s less about perfection and more about presence, warmth, and savoring the small things.
Following her feels like stepping into a gentler pace of life—one rooted in creativity, tradition, and the kind of comfort that never goes out of style. If you’re craving a little more calm and romance in your scroll, she’s a lovely place to land.

What I’m Loving: *Jamie Beck’s 2026 Monthly Life Planner*
If you know me, you know that I am always reaching for beauty in the everyday—and that’s exactly why I fell in love with **Jamie Beck’s 2026 Monthly Life Planner**.
It’s the kind of planner that invites you to begin each day with intention instead of urgency. Linen-bound, softly detailed with gold foil and fine art photography, it feels less like a to-do list and more like a companion for the year ahead.
What I love most is how thoughtfully it’s designed—not just to organize your schedule, but to support your whole life. There are gentle prompts, affirmations, rituals, and space to reflect. Even a French *word of the week*, which feels like a quiet nod to slow living.
I bought one for myself and one to gift to my dear friend Renee, because it felt like the kind of gift that says: *I hope this year holds you well.*
In many ways, this planner mirrors the heart of our home—making room, living with intention, and choosing what truly matters. For less than the cost of a single date night, it’s a full year of beauty, structure, and care—something to return to again and again.
If you love her planner and you desire even more French floral beauty in your life, you MUST visit Jamie’s Instagram.

Local-ish Love: *Petite Vie*
If you’ve been craving a little taste of France without getting on a plane, let me introduce you to **Petite Vie**.
This cozy French café and brasserie in downtown Western Springs is from chef **Paul Virant**, and it feels like such a beautiful return to his roots. After the closing of **Vie** last fall, Petite Vie marks a full-circle moment—back to the French cuisine that first made him fall in love with cooking.
The food is classic, comforting, and incredibly thoughtful. You can feel the care in every dish—rooted in tradition, but never fussy. Chef Virant spent time in France earlier this year, and it shows in the details and the restraint. Everything feels intentional.
And the space… it’s just lovely. Petite Vie is intimate and warm, the kind of place you want to linger. It’s layered with vintage finds, Parisian treasures, artwork, and even an antique mirror that’s been passed down through generations. It feels collected and personal—like it’s always been there.
It’s French food far from France, but somehow it still feels like a little escape. A reminder that beauty, comfort, and great food can be found close to home.
*909 Burlington ave. western springs*

Photography Tip: Let the Details Do the Storytelling

One of the easiest ways to elevate a photograph is to think beyond the subject and start paying attention to everything else in the frame.

This image was photographed in Paris, and what makes it work isn’t just the person—it’s the story happening around her. The classic architecture immediately places us somewhere specific. The vintage car in the background adds a quiet sense of time and nostalgia. And the wardrobe—the beret, the sculptural black dress, the little vintage handbag—echoes the elegance of the surroundings.

None of these details are loud on their own, but together they create context. They turn a simple portrait into a moment. A feeling. A story.

When you’re photographing, ask yourself:
Where am I? What does this place say? What small details can support the mood I’m trying to create?

Great photographs don’t just show us what someone looks like—they invite us into where they are and how it felt to be there.

This image was shot at our Paris Senior Model Shoot this past spring. Our Class of 2027 search is on! So if you are interested in participating in our model program now is your chance. You can find more information here: Senior Model Program Casting Call

with love and light,

Alicia Staley Johnson

of Alicia’s Photography

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