The Beautiful, Messy Business of Chasing Dreams
NAPERVILLE - WHEATON - GLEN ELLYN - ELMHURST - GENEVA - ST. CHARLES - BARRINGTON - BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHER
She Was, She Is, She Will Be - Alicia Staley Johnson
Currently on exhibit at Agora Gallery 530 West 25th, New York, NY
Happy Sunday my friend!
It’s hard to believe everything that fit into this past week.
Monday through Wednesday were a whirlwind of senior sessions—from tennis courts and football fields to flower fields, a vintage mahogany Chris-Craft boat on beautiful Gull Lake in Michigan, and yes… even a pasture full of curious Angus cows. (You’ll understand that last one after reading this week’s essay!)
Then, after wrapping up our final session, Dan and I flew to New York for the opening reception of the Chelsea International Fine Art Competition at Agora Gallery. Seeing my two fine art photographs hanging in such a beautiful space was a moment I’ll never forget.
If this week’s newsletter looks a little different than usual, you’ll have to forgive me. I somehow managed to leave my laptop at home, so every word of this has been written on my phone between museum visits, coffee stops, and an app that has crashed more times than I’d care to admit.
It’s been an unforgettable week, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. But first… this week’s essay.
Some BTS from the exhibit.
Soft Focus: The Glamorous Life
Thirty two years ago, I thought being a photographer would look like Paris cafés, perfect light spilling through old European streets, and a scarf blowing dramatically in the wind.
I didn’t imagine cow manure.
Or sprinting through a thunderstorm carrying a vintage chair while trying to keep a camera dry.
Funny how life leaves out those details.
This week, I found myself living in two completely different worlds.
Earlier in the week, I had just finished photographing one of our senior models on a beautiful farm. The light was perfect, the creek was peaceful, and about fifty Angus cows had decided to breathe down my neck, apparently convinced they had front-row seats to the session.
To get the composition I wanted, I squatted right in the middle of it, surrounded by cows and, unfortunately, their manure.
At almost that exact moment, my phone buzzed.
Agora Gallery in New York had posted photographs from the installation of the Chelsea International Fine Art Competition.
Naturally, I opened Instagram.
And there they were.
My two fine art photographs hanging inside this beautiful gallery in Chelsea.
Not tucked between other artists’ work as I’d experienced before, but displayed together on their own wall.
I just stood there staring.
Thirty two years.
Thirty two years of learning, failing, trying again, questioning myself, growing, creating, and believing that maybe—just maybe—I had something worth saying through my photographs.
It was one of those moments that quietly takes your breath away.
And yet…
I was standing in cow manure.
I laughed.
Not because it somehow diminished the moment.
But because it made it even better.
Was it glamorous? No. Was this how I had dreamed it would happen? Absolutely not.
I think that’s the part no one tells you about following a dream.
People see the gallery.
They don’t see the years spent wondering if you’re good enough.
They see the beautiful photographs.
They don’t see the mosquito bites, the early mornings, the sunburns, the soaked shoes, the heavy camera bags, the endless editing, the road trips, or the moments you’re quietly wondering whether any of it will ever amount to something.
They certainly don’t picture cow manure.
Or thunderstorms.
Or trying to explain to your husband why your shoes now need to live permanently outside.
Somewhere along the way, we’ve convinced ourselves that success looks polished.
That one day you’ll arrive and everything will suddenly become sophisticated and glamorous.
But I don’t think that’s how it works.
The beautiful moments don’t replace the messy ones.
They exist right alongside them.
One hour you’re standing in a muddy pasture photographing a high school senior.
The next you’re looking at your artwork hanging in a New York gallery.
Both moments are equally real.
Both are part of the same story.
And perhaps that’s my favorite part.
Because no matter where this journey takes me, life has a remarkable way of keeping me grounded.
Quite literally.
If there’s anything these past few days have reminded me, it’s this:
The dream isn’t waiting for you at the finish line.
The dream is built in all the wonderfully ordinary, muddy, soaking-wet, unpredictable moments that happen along the way.
And every now and then…
if you’re very lucky…
you get to stand in manure while watching one of your biggest dreams come true.
*This essay and more can be read on my Our Cozy Compound substack
WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK
Inspiring Follow: @yourstrulygracecottage
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I have a soft spot for old homes, meaningful renovations, and people who choose to preserve history instead of replacing it.
That’s exactly why I’ve been so captivated by @yourstrulygracecottage.
Lauren and her husband, Lee, have returned to the charming village of Matlock Bath in Derbyshire, England, to lovingly restore her grandparents’ cottage. Rather than stripping away its character, they’re thoughtfully blending old and new, honoring the home’s history while creating a beautiful space for their own family.
I’ve especially loved watching their bespoke kitchen come to life. Every thoughtful detail feels timeless, proving that a home doesn’t have to be brand new to be extraordinary.
But perhaps my favorite part isn’t the renovation at all.
It’s the heart behind it.
There is something incredibly moving about watching a young couple choose to invest in a place filled with family memories, preserving Lauren’s grandparents’ legacy while creating new memories of their own. In a world that often celebrates the newest and the next, their story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the greatest treasures are the ones already waiting for us.
If you love charming English cottages, thoughtful renovations, and stories that celebrate home, heritage, and family, I think you’ll enjoy following along as much as I do.
What I’m Loving: French Linen Tablecloth
I have a bit of a weakness for anything that makes our home feel like a little cottage tucked away in the European countryside… and this French linen tablecloth did exactly that.
We used it for Alyssa’s baby shower last weekend, and I couldn’t stop smiling every time I walked by. The soft gingham pattern, the sweet ruffled edge—it felt like something you’d find in a charming farmhouse in the English countryside or a little cottage in France.
The best part? It somehow manages to feel both elegant and relaxed. Dress it up with vintage china and fresh flowers for a shower, or throw it on the table for a simple family dinner with candles and a loaf of crusty bread. It’s one of those pieces that instantly makes a meal feel more special.
Safe to say… this one will be staying on our table for quite a while.
Local-ish: Kintsugi Coffee Company
If you’re looking for a way to make your next celebration feel just a little more special, let me introduce you to Kintsugi Coffee Co.
Last Sunday, Delaney hired owner Candace and her beautiful mobile coffee cart for her friend Alyssa’s baby shower hosted here at Our Cozy Compound, and I honestly can’t stop thinking about it.
There is something wonderfully indulgent about having your own barista crafting handcrafted lattes while your guests mingle. From the most delicious Chantilly lattes to perfectly made matcha lattes, every drink felt like something you’d order from your favorite boutique coffee shop—except it was being served right in the middle of a beautiful celebration.
Beyond the coffee itself, Candace brings such warmth and genuine hospitality that guests naturally gather around the cart, chatting while they wait for their drinks. It becomes more than just coffee—it becomes part of the experience.
Whether you’re hosting a bridal shower, baby shower, wedding morning, birthday celebration, or even a corporate event, Kintsugi Coffee Co. is one of those thoughtful touches that instantly elevates the entire gathering.
Trust me… your guests will still be talking about the lattes long after the party is over.
FROM MY KITCHEN
The perfect make-ahead breakfast for holidays, brunches, or slow Sunday mornings.
I made this for the baby shower last weekend, and it was one of the first dishes to disappear. Everyone kept asking for the recipe!
I love that it can be assembled the night before, making the morning feel relaxed instead of rushed. The French bread bakes up wonderfully soft and fluffy, the sweetened cream cheese melts into little pockets of richness, and the fresh berries add just the right amount of brightness. It’s simple, delicious, and one of those recipes that feels a little special without requiring much effort.
Whether you’re hosting a brunch, celebrating someone you love, or simply treating your family to a cozy weekend breakfast, this one is definitely worth making.
Berries & Cream French Toast Casserole
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 8
Ingredients
For the French Toast Casserole
1 large loaf brioche bread (14–16 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, etc.), diced if needed
6 large eggs
2 cups milk of your choice
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon salt
For the Sweetened Cream Cheese
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2–3 tablespoons powdered sugar (to taste)
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
For Serving (Optional)
Powdered sugar
Fresh berries
Warm maple syrup
Cinnamon and Brown Sugar
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cream Cheese
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
2. Make the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs. Add the milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt, whisking until fully combined.
3. Assemble the Casserole
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the dish. Dollop half of the sweetened cream cheese over the bread, then scatter half of the berries on top.
Repeat with the remaining bread, cream cheese, and berries.
Slowly pour the custard mixture evenly over the casserole, making sure all of the bread is moistened.
Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight. (The longer it rests, the richer and more custard-like the texture becomes.)
4. Bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Remove the foil. If you’d like a little extra sweetness and crunch, lightly sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar before baking.
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
5. Serve
Dust with powdered sugar and top with fresh berries. Serve warm with plenty of maple syrup.
with love and light,
Alicia Staley Johnson
of Alicia’s Photography
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