Style + Beauty

Leesi’s Beauty Picks

Northbrook’s Leesi B Cosmetics founder Elise Brill shares six go-to essentials for effortless, everyday beauty Article by Cat Rolfes | Photography by provided For Elise Brill, everyday beauty should feel effortless—but never ordinary. With decades as a go-to makeup artist for weddings, fashion and TV, she believes in high-performance essentials that work hard and wear beautifully. Her morning starts with the Peptide Serum ($59), a multi-corrective treatment that targets fine lines, dullness...

Local Services

Effortless Elegance

Curated by Velvetpeel, these trend-forward looks bring elevated, intentional design into everyday spaces Article by Cat Rolfes | Photography by Provided by Velvetpeel At Velvetpeel (1820 Glenview Rd.), interior designer Lori Waller and her team curate timeless-meets-modern spaces with style and intention. In this three-part series, she spotlights key décor trends—from layered symmetry to sculptural accents—all styled in her showroom. Every piece is available in-store, offering inspiration and...

Style + Beauty

Trenched in Purpose

Fashion meets storytelling in Chelsey Carter-Sanders’ bold new capsule Article by Cat Rolfes | Photography by Amee McCaughan Chelsey Carter-Sanders moves through her Chicago studio with the quiet confidence of someone who knows exactly what she’s building. More than clothes, she’s crafting armor—emotional, cultural, unapologetically personal—with conversation stitched into every seam. Since launching her unisex label Alex Carter in 2015, she’s become a quiet disruptor in the fashion...

Style + Beauty

Fall, Styled Right

Stylist Rachel Boedecker curates North Shore’s best fall fashion finds Article and Photography by Cat Rolfes With fall on the horizon and personal stylist Rachel Boedecker leading the way, we spent an afternoon exploring Chicago’s North Shore to preview what the autumn has in store. A former Trunk Club and Nordstrom pro, Boedecker brings a signature mix of efficiency and elegance to everything she does—always with a hint of play. Shopping with her felt less like a masterclass in elevated...

Professional Services

Nanny Vs. Daycare

The best choice depends on trust, time and lifestyle Article by Cat Rolfes | Photography by Provided The baby finally naps. Your inbox is on fire. And in the back of your mind, that familiar question returns: Should we hire a nanny or look into day care? If you're a North Shore parent with young kids, you're not short on options—but that doesn’t make the choice easier. Each path has its perks. Each has its drawbacks. And each one shapes your daily life in very different ways. Jayme Richards...

Food + Beverage

Summertime Tuna Ceviche

Article by Chef Tino Almarez Coastal vibes and bold flavors come together at Cabo Mexican Cocina, Nick Drivas’s new Northbrook hotspot. This bright, summery tuna ceviche from Chef Tino is a restaurant favorite—and perfect for patio nights at home. Yield: 4 Servings Ingredients:   16 ounces sushi- or sashimi-grade yellowfin tuna, diced into 1-inch cubes  1 cup thinly sliced scallions  ½ cup minced red onion  ¼ cup minced cilantro   1 tablespoon serrano pepper, seeded and minced (from...

Professional Services

Healing Hearts

How pets support our emotional well-being  Article by Dr. Firuza Aliyeva By Firuza Aliyeva, MD In the quiet moments of our lives, when stress creeps in and anxiety takes hold, many of us find solace in an unexpected source: our beloved pets. The bond between humans and animals has become a powerful therapeutic force that touches hearts and heals minds. As a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Plena Mind Center, I see how pets transform lives—especially for young people navigating the...

Local Services

Capture the Love Now

North Shore photographer Amee McCaughan turns family moments into lasting heirlooms. Article by Cat Rolfes | Photography by Amee McCaughan Photographer Amee McCaughan hears  every excuse for putting off professional family photos: “I just want to lose 10 pounds.” “Maybe when the kids are older.” Her unwavering advice:: Don’t wait.  "None of us are guaranteed anything," says McCaughan, a North Shore photographer known for turning joyful moments into heirloom artwork. "Your kids don’t care if...

Fitness

Athletes in Training 

These North Shore programs building strength, confidence and character through sport Article by Alessia Girardin and Amelia Levin  From strength training and soccer tech to dance, cheer, and multi-sport leagues, these North Shore programs are helping kids build confidence, character and a lifelong love for movement. Finish Strong Kids  Now in its 16th year, Finish Strong Kids is a multi-sport training and league organization serving more than 2,500 kids on the NorthShore. Founder Ed...

Food + Beverage

Dog Days of Dining

Check out these pet-friendly patios in Winnetka Article by The Editors Guanajuato Contemporary Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar                                                                                               1005 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka Guanajuato is both dog- and kid-friendly, with a menu of tacos, quesadillas, and nachos that just might get snagged by your pup on the patio. Mino’s Restaurant and Bar 985 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka Craving Italian? This Hubbard Woods outpost...