Jess Lively

After taking a quick glance around the studio, I found my object(s) for this week’s exfoliation. In college, I had illusions of grandeur as a stationary hobbiest (pretty sure that is not a word but I’ll stick with it). Within the span of two weeks I amassed a small treasure trove of stationary supplies. I [...]

Before I moved to Chicago I worked for a few months at Heavenly Metal, in Ann Arbor Michigan. I have mentioned the owner, Vicki, quite a bit so far this month. I think that is because shea) is a great friend who has taught me a lot about what is really important, and how to [...]

I am not really sure if this salad I had on Tuesday night really qualifies as a “makeunder” I mean, it’s not simpler than a regular salad. It actually is the vegetable portion of an amazing pasta dish my dear friend Vicki of Heavenly Metal taught me. So I guess it isn’t actually a salad [...]

See Anne of City Sage’s original post.

It’s hard to say whether Rebecca Minkoff is considered a “popular” designer. On the one hand most of the tabloid celebrities are photographed with their Minkoff handbags, and she has a strong, devoted (read: cult-like) following. But on the other hand, though I have had a design crush on her styles for about a two [...]

At long last I have finally whipped out the camera and started photographing the foods I am making on this whole vegan cleanse thing. This is what my breakfast looked like this morning. After hearing I am abstaining from: meat, dairy, alcohol (more moderation), sugar, and gluten (which has now been added back in my [...]

Though it may seem odd, my first love is actually home decor, not jewelry. Gasp. One day I plan to make interior design a more permanent part of my vocation, but for the moment I will stick with the jewels and leave the decor to my dreams. However I still continue to evolve both my [...]

What a great idea for those with apartments that don’t allow walls to be painted (many of us)! Or for those who are perhaps to lazy to paint walls in the first place (most of us). This image is from a recent post on Design Sponge. First, I adore this icy blue color. I even [...]

Exciting news! Jess LC has gone global. Over the past week we have shipped to Quebec, London, and Singapore. Two points for pictures submitted with Jess LC jewelry worn outside the US! Jess LC International – by Jess LC on Polyvore.com

Yum. Just designing this post is making my stomach rumble. As I placed my annual Girl Scout Cookie order with a friend I began to miss the days when I was a Girl Scout. I learned a lot with that great group of girls in middle school and I am still good friends with one, [...]

When taking a little stroll through various blogs I found Cakespy.com, the most adorable cupcake art I have ever seen. Not just because it is the only cupcake art I have ever seen but also because it actually is adorable. My personal favorite is this one: Hey, if you can’t eat ‘em, join ‘em.

The most interesting part of my weekend pertained to the infamous ‘vegan cleanse’ Kaitlyn and I have been attempting. It eliminates drinking, and therefore discouraged me from going out Friday night. But I was able to rationalize going out Saturday and enjoyed a few drinks anyways. So much for abstaining.After seven days living more (or [...]

Off to a great weekend of vegan cleansing (with or without the alcohol restriction). Vegan cleanse buddy Kaitlyn and I are heading to Karyn’s Cooked for dinner tomorrow. Heaven.(*note pancake does not represent vegan cleanse as it contains gluten, but he’s sure adorable) And a HUGE thank you to all who commented on A Cup [...]

It may sound weird, but I get the same thrill from new purchases as I do from getting rid of old things. Really, I promise. There is something really freeing about passing on things that no longer have a place in my life to someone who needs them. That whole circle of life thing. On [...]

Last night at a great “ladies only” dinner at Bistro Margot we got on the topic of kissing. We debated whether chins touch while making out. If so, can a man’s 5 o’clock shadow cause skin irritation on the lady’s chin? Has this ever happened to anyone, and if so, is there a solution? [photo [...]

Since I am still pretty new to the whole “cooking” thing I haven’t had a chance to make those blunders that experienced cooks talk about. The whole “I have burned myself several times and been impaled twice peeling potatoes” has never been an issue for me. Until this morning.It started simply enough. I wanted to [...]

Those who are familiar with Jess LC jewelry probably already know about our Lucky In Bed Necklaces. And if you want to win one, post on a favorite blog of mine, Cup of Jo, before tomorrow. She will pick one (lucky) person at random to take home the most popular Jess LC necklace.

How adorable is this cup and saucer from Bailey Doesn’t Bark? I love Honey Vanilla White Chai in the morning and think this little combo is perfect. I also like the birds on the cereal bowl-So cute.

My dear friend Kaitlyn and I have been reading Quantum Wellness by Kathy Freston and are inspired to try her vegan “cleanse.” So basically from Monday the 19th to February 9th we are (trying) to stay away from: meat, dairy, added sugars, gluten (in most wheat products), and alcohol. Yes. I know. On Sunday to [...]

With a lull in the day I thought I might follow up with the rest of the studio tour. Here it goes:This is a big empty frame that hangs above my computer desk. I simply taped a piece of fancy paper from Paper Source and started adding things on top of that almost as if [...]

So for those who wonder why “makeunder my life” is the title for my blog, I will explain (a little). In part it has to do with my belief that great things come in all sizes, large and microscopic, and that my life though humble, does not need to be void of style. Even if [...]

In December 2008 I did a jewelry show for Macy’s on State St. in Chicago (the iconic Marshall Field’s Building) and met of all people, a wonderful stationary and graphic designer, Megan Nutley of Silhouette Blue. We hit it off and now she is designing some new packaging for our Soc Chic line at Jess [...]

So when Erwin (my boyfriend) and I planned our New Year’s Intentions (notice Intentions not Resolutions: the latter are too demanding and morally defeating for me if not carried through) and put “get some bikes” on our list, I didn’t think much of it. That is until I spotted this Gary Fisher Simple City bike [...]

So here it goes. With this blog I plan to share my intentions, design inspiration, entrepreneurial stories, and cool stuff that crosses my path. As a designer I am drawn to all sorts of images, ideas, and ideals I wish I could automatically incorporate into my life. Some I can, others take longer. On the [...]