Welcome to 2026
I began this new year with a bad cold, so I'm kicking it off here midway through January. I have been struggling all week to write something that doesn't feel flimsy in the face of all that's happening in our country and around the
🎉Happy new year's eve!
I haven't gone "out" for new years in quite a long time. My kid's about to be 14, so at least that long! I have been to friend's houses but no bars or restaurants or places with tickets and long lines and
OMG it's nearly 2026
How do you feel about GOALS? Or TIME? I've ebbed and flowed on new year goal setting through the years. Now that I'm semi-recovered from being "productive," I have more general ideas about what I want the year to look like. I often make
Birthday!
Today is my birthday 🎉♑🐐 When I was growing up, my family was so good about separating my birthday celebrations from Christmas. I've continued that tradition into adulthood and always do something on the day of to celebrate me and my existence. Today I will do things I love
Prioritizing joy
Chicago had record breaking snow at the end of November, followed by subfreezing temps. Then it was warm and ICE came back for a couple days to stir things up, then left again. Then the city finally passed a budget. Then it was Hannukah and Christmas! And today it'
My favorite things right now
Over the weekend, Chicago had its biggest November snowstorm EVER. I love the quiet and stillness of the city while snow is falling and the excitement of kids (and some adults) playing in it. While I'm less excited about multiple shovelings and the inevitable dirty slush, I still
Phone Photography in Focus Pre-sale
I'm launching my first online course in January and would love you to join me for Phone Photos in Focus. You have your phone with you all the time, so it's your default camera for all of life's events. You take hundreds of photos
📷Last call for fall photo walk
Today is the last day to get $10 off the Friday, November 14th Capture the Urban Canvas photo walk. It's my last one of 2025, before it gets too cold, dark, and holiday-y to be enjoyable. We meet at the Chicago Cultural Center at 2pm and do about
🍁Spooky fall update
Eek! It never feels like the "right" time to send a newsletter... so in this spooky season, I am getting over that fear! Here are some updates on what I am working on, what's happening in Chicago, and how we can stay connected. Capture the Urban
Newsletter
How I've measured a year
Time with loved ones, doing what I love