Arts + Culture

Grace in Motion

Sylvia Perez on boundaries, rituals and finding calm in a fast-moving life Article by Cat Rolfes | Photography by James Gustin Before dawn, while the city sleeps and Lake Michigan lies still, Sylvia Perez’s ritual begins. She rises at 5 a.m., brews coffee, reads a few pages for inspiration and lies quietly for 10 minutes to let her mind settle. Only then does she reach for her phone. That calm carries her into a day many people could hardly imagine. Born the youngest of five to Puerto Rican...

Health + Wellness

Steer with intention in 2026

A roadmap for reclaiming your energy, direction, and sense of self before the New Year picks up speed Article by Lauri Stern I used to arrive at the grocery store with no memory of driving there. Not in a cinematic or dangerous way, but more like I’d blinked and landed in the produce section while still sorting my kids’ schedules and permission slips in my mind.  I was a younger mom then, running on autopilot: schlepping kids, racing to games, cooking dinner in my head while sitting in...

Fitness

The North Shore’s Wellness Bunch

Meet the visionaries redefining health, beauty and balance across the North Shore’s most restorative spaces Article by Cat Rolfes Marta Traversa Dahlia Rose Salon & Spa | dahliarosesalonandspa.com   At Dahlia Rose Salon & Spa, beauty is more than surface—it’s about helping clients feel whole again. Known for their expertise in hair extensions, the team specializes in restoring confidence for women experiencing hair loss, including those recovering from chemotherapy. Their...

Fitness

Midlife Upgrade

Lit & Local: Indie and local books that are bound to inspire Article by Cat Rolfes When Julie Fedeli and Pamela DeRose sit down together, the air vibrates—equal parts candor, science, mischief and mission. Their new book, “Midlife Upgrade: A Girlfriend’s Guide to Finding Your Power in the Pause,” isn’t another clinical tome. It’s a rallying cry wrapped in girlfriend wisdom, born from two women who’ve spent decades lifting others through midlife. Their origin story feels almost cinematic. In...

Entertainment

A Year Worth Celebrating

NSCL Anniversary, an unforgettable night of celebration and connection Article by Cat Rolfes | Photography by Eric Toalson On November 13, North Shore City Lifestyle marked its first anniversary with an evening that captured the spirit of our community. Guests kicked off the celebration with cocktails, conversation and wood-fired pizza from 28 Mile Distilling Co., before the night burst into full swing with a high-energy set from New Orleans–inspired funk band Groove X. Laughter, dancing and...

Life + Culture

Go-To Wellness Picks

Editor Cat Rolfes shares her favorite gadgets, apps, and tools for energy and balance Article by Cat Rolfes As we head into the new year, I’m excited to share a few wellness items that I’ve been trying and genuinely love. These simple, smart tools make it easier to stay balanced and energized. My hope is that they’ll inspire you to find small moments of recovery and calm in your own routine. 01 | Next Health (Lincoln Park) This wellness center offers proactive, personalized care through...

Arts + Culture

The Art of Listening

Inside a North Shore lounge where sound becomes connection Article by Cat Rolfes | Photography by Emily Hadzhiev It started, as many good things do, in a basement. Sixteen years old, a dartboard on the wall, a record spinning—Chicago blues, maybe Zeppelin. The exact track doesn’t matter. What matters is how it sounded. For Howard Scharf, those hours spent in the Keogh brothers’ Wilmette basement weren’t just formative—they were sacred. Now, decades later, Scharf leans back on a caramel...

Food + Beverage

Crafted for Connection

How two Chicago visionaries crafted cocktails for connection and modern hospitality. Article by Cat Rolfes | Photography by Lynn Renee Photography More than a decade ago, beneath the hush of a low-lit bar, Charles Joly and Matt Lindner closed the night at The Drawing Room as many bartenders often do: with a quiet drink and a long conversation. That spot was an intimate cocktail den where Joly, then head mixologist, tested balance and texture while Lindner, co-owner, thought about how service...

Home + Design

Makeovers That Build Hope

Closets by Design and Special Spaces create dream rooms for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Article by Cat Rolfes When 8-year-old Eva Engwall described her dream bedroom, she imagined a vanity for playing dress-up, cozy corners for reading, and a palette of teal, purple, pink and sparkle. Closets by Design didn’t just listen. They brought it to life. Partnering with the nonprofit Special Spaces, which designs healing bedrooms for children with life-threatening illnesses, the...

Arts + Culture

Framing Life in Focus

For Winnetka filmmaker David Parks, a story about golf became a story about family. Article by Cat Rolfes Filmmaker and Producer David Parks’s newest release may seem like a story about golf, but it reveals something quieter and more enduring.   The award-winning indie drama follows teenage golf prodigy Jeremy (Ben Krieger) and his autistic younger brother Ethan (Owen Himfar), who helps him rediscover confidence, family and purpose. But behind the story are lessons in patience, grace and...