Jess Lively

Hi everyone, it’s me (Jess) here to say that Ashley isn’t feeling well and needed to take a sick day from the Dream Reporting series. She’ll be back next week with her updates and newest revelations on her journey. In case you’ve missed her previous posts, catch up in the Dream Report Archive. Feel better [...]

The weekend! I can almost taste it. Though this week certainly had it’s lulls for me, I made some pretty big headway on creating the (personal) life that I want. I’m learning to own my truth and follow my gut without fear of non-support. It’s both liberating and emotionally draining. I’m hoping a weekend of [...]

This week’s DYL features Brigitte of the blog, Covet Chicago. I first met Brigitte via comments and email, and later in person when she stopped by Macy’s during one of my trunk shows. We hit it off right away and I am incredibly grateful for the insights Brigitte had for MML. Before speaking with her, [...]

Good morning! As I format this week’s DYL for later today, I want to share a link to my Designer File feature I did today for Rebecca’s The Pink Orange blog, check it out!

First, I’d like to give a huge hug to all of you who responded so positively to the re-posts yesterday! I was shocked at the response. Sometimes when talking to people about MML, they ask about something I’ve written about in the past. And for some reason it never clicked, just because I’ve written about [...]

[originally posted April, 7th 2009] Since I got such great responses from the business pieces I have posted, I will continue with this question from last week. What are the biggest leaps you have taken in starting your own business? This is a great question and the answer varies for each business owner. When I [...]

[originally posted on November, 3rd 2009] Have you ever noticed that a title of a certain book reappears throughout your life in things you read and hear? This has happened to me with two books, The Alchemist (a great book) and A Return to Love. Right now I am deep within Marianne Williamson’s A Return [...]

[originally posted October, 14th 2009] A few weeks ago I realized that I haven’t ever clearly explained why I started MakeunderMyLife. People have asked me about it in person, but I’ve never taken the time to share the background here. Which is a pretty sad reality, considering that you might be interested to know. Planting [...]

[originally posted May, 26th 2009] Welcome back! I’ve taken a few much needed days to rest and recuperate. I hope you had a great few days of relaxation and are now ready to get back in the swing of things as well. This week I am detailing how to create your very own makeunder, step [...]

Explaining My Purpose Good morning! After talking to blogger and MML reader, Brigitte, at Macy’s a few weeks ago, we realized that many newer MML readers might not know the full background behind why I blog and how I got to this point in my life. I think it might be apparent that I have [...]

Good morning! A few weeks ago I asked for any questions you might have and I thought I’d answer a few of them here on MML. Take a look. How to build a home from scratch with intention You’ve taken pictures of your apartment and chronicled your move from one home to another. I will [...]

I hope you are having a great weekend so far! To be honest, I am writing this post on Friday afternoon while listening to an old Counting Crows cd, wishing I was running outside in Michigan along my favorite routes in Rochester. But since travel is not in my near future, I’m guessing that as [...]

Being a person who likes to have my hands in lots of things at once, and also being a person that can do a lot of different things well, it has been challenging for me to pick exactly what i want to do to make a living while staying within my purpose and following my [...]

Last month, I asked you all to help create the second spring collection for Jess LC. The response on the first and second posts were overwhelming. Thank you very much. As I have mentioned, I am excited to mesh intentions and jewelry for the first time in my line. And to do that, I asked [...]

This week’s DESIGN YOUR LIFE participant was selected in a rather unusual way. I first learned about Erin, her blog (Just One Week), and her story based on her comment she shared last week on Ashely’s Dream Report Week Three. After reading about her life, I knew she would have a lot of insightful intentions [...]

In the process of re-launching Jess LC this April, we have decided to do a bit of spring cleaning to make room for new jewelry in the Chicago Collection. Enjoy 40% off all of our Southport styles. (Which means prices range between $20-$33!)

The Cloud Today’s THINK ABOUT IT came to me officially (though I didn’t know it) on January 30th, 2009. While on the way home from the airport after spending the holidays with my family in Pennsylvania, my wallet was stolen. The actual event was fortunately non-violent. A man on a crowded bus “helped” me with [...]

Good morning! After being gone last Thursday and Friday at the trunk show, being out of the office over the weekend, and taping our March Spring video yesterday, I have a lot of work to do today. One of those “I’ve-been-out-of-the-loop-the-mountain-of-work-seems-pretty-big-and-I-don’t-quite-know-where-to-start” kind of days. I think a well planned to-do list and a good sense [...]

Over the weekend, I put together a page with the recent tv segments that aired about MML and Jess LC. The first interview is short and sweet with shots of my studio. And the rest of the clips are pieces from a longer interview I did about the business. Breaking the full 30 minute piece [...]

I know, this exfoliation is arguably at the beginning of a new week. But with Valentine’s Day festivities yesterday, I didn’t get around to posting. Instead, Erwin took me to a new Chinese restaurant out in Logan Square called Friendship which has the worlds best pot stickers. I highly recommend trying it if you live [...]

I’m in the in-between place and I am finding that it is really hard to balance everything. Working a full time job and trying to follow your purpose and dreams at the same time is not easy! Almost every single day I wake up and wish I could just put in my 2 week notice [...]

Good morning! Today’s DYL is written by a very dear friend and mentor of mine, Vicki of Heavenly Metal. I first met Vicki as a college sophomore. Her adorable and unique boutique, Heavenly Metal, in Ann Arbor, Michigan was one of the first stores to carry Jess LC. Through working with Vicki via my jewelry, [...]

In case you want to get a treat for you or your sweet, (Free shipping ends Monday.)

This week’s THINK ABOUT IT is a topic both near and dear to my heart and straight out of Stephen Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. In the overview of the book (starting on page 53), Covey explains that effectiveness is based on honoring what he calls the P/PC balance. The P stands [...]

Remember a few weeks ago I mentioned that MML was turning one-year-old and was being featured on tv? Well, that segment we taped aired this morning on Chicago’s WCIU. Check it out! Thanks to Aleah and Erica for hosting and producing the piece, I love what you did with it! (PS- We shot the segment [...]

Good morning! I hope to post the segment about MML that aired this morning on Chicago’s WCIU morning show later this afternoon when it goes online. But until then, check out our new Spring video about what Danielle LaPorte calls our “tribe.” And you can also now follow Spring on Twitter for updates about tapings [...]

I know this is going up a bit later than usual. This morning I was at an early meeting in Bucktown (aka: the other side of the world Chicago). And given the awesome party last night for the Super Bowl, I’m a bit tired and playing catch up. On Friday, I met up with Crystal [...]

First I want to thank everyone for the wonderful and encouraging comments that you took the time to leave on last weeks post. I had no idea what to expect when I put myself out there and I was completely blown away by the warm reception. A million thank yous go out to each one [...]

Here’s the very first sneak peek at what we have coming up for March! Due to the popularity of our Astor St. Cluster Necklace, we have decided to expand on the collection and add a new take on the old favorite. As you can see, we used larger stones and bright ribbons to add color [...]

Good morning and good TGIF! I’ve got to admit, I’m pretty excited about the weekend. Some weeks I find the days just fly by. Others, not so much (like this one). I’m also pumped about hosting a Super Bowl “Sundae” party in a few days. Since I’m not much of a cook, desserts and ice [...]