Some moments feel bigger than the page they’re printed on. Seeing Once Upon a Dollhouse featured in Hinsdale Living was one of those moments. The kind that makes you pause, take a breath, and reflect on how an idea that once lived quietly in your head slowly grew into something real.
When Once Upon a Dollhouse was started, I could only dream that it would one day be positioned as an “empire”. Their words… not mine! The goal was never to simply share beautiful photos. It was always about storytelling, about celebrating creativity, community, and the small details that make life feel a little more magical. This feature felt like a reflection of that journey.
I was approached by Hinsdale Living near the end of November about the feature. The turnaround was quick, but it was an immediate yes.
It was an incredible honor… and suddenly, it was go time.
A magazine feature may appear effortless when you see the final images on the page, but behind the scenes it becomes a flurry of thoughtful decisions and creative collaboration. Wardrobe, styling, location, lighting, storytelling… all the little details begin to come together at once.
I adore every single second of it. There’s something about preparing for a shoot that gives me the best kind of creative adrenaline. The planning, the vision boards, the tiny adjustments that slowly shape the final image. It all brings a rush of endorphins that remind me why I love this work so much.
Calling in the Doll Squad
I kept the feature mostly under wraps at first, but I quietly called in my Doll Squad for support.
My mom, my closest friends, and an incredibly talented inner circle who helped bring the vision to life. These are the people who know how much the little details matter and who show up with the same excitement and creativity.
The beauty of a moment like this is realizing how collaborative it truly is. Each of these Dolls understood my vision and really supported making it a reality. A cover may spotlight one person, but it’s always created by a team. A huge thank you to the incredible talent who made the day possible:
Hair: @styledbylia_
Makeup: @catherinevasilikiartistry
Wardrobe Styling: @klo & @neimanmarcusoakbrook
Art Styling: @christinaangelosstudios
The Team Behind the Story
I also felt incredibly cared for by the entire JWC Media team, who orchestrated the feature so beautifully.
Writer Tricia Despres—who also writes for People Magazine—captured the story behind Once Upon a Dollhouse with such thoughtfulness.
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Crowe was the one who originally sought me out and helped bring everything together.
Behind the lens was the incredibly talented James Gustin, who made the entire shoot feel relaxed, natural, and fun.
And the shoot was expertly produced by Theresa DeMaria, whose eye for detail and creative direction made the entire experience seamless.
From start to finish, I felt like I was in the safest and most capable hands.
The Moment It Went Live
There’s something surreal about opening a magazine and seeing your story printed on the page.
Local publications like Hinsdale Living do something special: they capture the spirit of a community. The people, businesses, and ideas that make a place feel like home. To be included in that conversation is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
Moments like these are also a reminder that building something meaningful rarely happens overnight. It’s built through small steps, late nights, creative risks, and the quiet decision to keep going.
The Story Behind the Story
For me, this feature was about more than a photograph or a headline.
It was about the evolution of Once Upon a Dollhouse and the local community that has become a part of the story. So much of what I do is rooted locally, in the people, businesses, and events that make the western suburbs of Chicago such a vibrant place to live and create.
And if there’s one thing this feature reminded me, it’s that storytelling still matters. Whether it’s through social media, a blog post, or the pages of a magazine, stories connect us in ways that algorithms never could.
Read the Feature
The full feature is available through Hinsdale Living, where I share more about the journey behind Once Upon a Dollhouse and the inspiration that continues to shape it.
