Meet the Team
Meadow & Moonshine
Bound together by a shared love of fantastical stories, Ainsley, Aly, and Zoe set out to turn pages into experiences. What began as kindred spirits talking about dragons at the inaugural meeting of our Books and the Bees book club soon blossomed into a partnership devoted to bringing accessible, immersive, and delightfully whimsical bookish events to the Midwest, where every reader is invited to step into the magic.
Meadow & Moonshine has been part of that story from the very beginning, providing the handcrafted Cauldron tote bags at the first Court of Dreams' Fae Ball and reminding us that whimsy could be made tangible. And while Court of Dreams would not have been possible without the support of She Hive 815 and its founder, Tori, our journey has brought us full circle. As we've continued to grow, Court of Dreams is transitioning to its true home within Meadow & Moonshine, where our dreams can expand beyond what we ever imagined.
About Us
Ainsley A.
Ainsley is the heart behind Meadow & Moonshine, which began as a little shop of handcrafted whimsical treasures. For nearly a decade, she poured her days into raising her three feral daughters with the support of her husband (who was definitely written by a woman). Now she’s embracing a new chapter—one filled with creativity, community, and rediscovering her own magic.
True to her crow-like spirit, Ainsley delights in collecting trinkets, jars, bones, and every shiny bauble that catches her eye. She’s currently writing her own romantasy novel and when she isn’t lost in her own stories, she can be found savoring rainy days, weepy playlists, or books that leave her deliciously unhinged. This year, her favorites have been For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn, Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, and Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry.
With a love for stories and a gift for crafting spaces where imagination can take root, Ainsley brings whimsy to life, one gathering, one creation, one moment at a time.
Aly G.
Aly is a dreamer with both feet firmly planted in the real and the magical. By day, she works as a diagnostic respiratory therapist, but her heart truly comes alive when she’s planning and weaving together bookish gatherings. Her journey began with co-creating the Books and the Bees book club alongside Zoe, a space where shared stories grew into lasting connections and laughter stitched strangers into friends.
When she’s not balancing her work or dreaming up the next event, Aly can be found exploring nature’s quiet wonders, traveling with her husband, curled up with a fantasy romance, or surrounded by the joyful chaos of her many dogs and cats. This year, some of her favorite reads have been For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn, Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider, and Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry.
Aly believes in the magic of little moments, deep conversations, and the power of community, and she brings that spirit to every gathering she helps create.
Zoe E.
Zoe is a whirlwind of energy and heart, balancing her days as a 23-year-old mama to a wild toddler and a brand-new little one with her roles as Event Coordinator and bartender in Rockford. Hailing from Nashville, she carries a touch of Southern twang wherever she goes—like a song that never quite leaves your soul.
When the rare gift of quiet finds her, you’ll catch Zoe curled up with a book, chasing new worlds between the pages. This year, her favorites have been The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig, The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, and Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry. Her love of stories and her joy in planning gatherings weave together seamlessly, making her one of the hearts behind our most enchanting events.
If you see her at one of our gatherings, don’t be shy, she’ll welcome you like an old friend, because in Zoe’s world, there’s always room for one more at the table.