Jess Lively

Meet the other MML Contributors. Thank you so much for having me, Jess! I love your blog and I’m honored to be a guest poster : ) First, I’ll tell you a little about myself. I have always been passionate about interior design and wanted to be a designer. However, at 18 and as a [...]

Meet our newest bag to hit the block. This turquoise lined clutch was created in collaboration with the lovely Elizabeth (our new MML beauty contributor) of Elizabeth Dehn beauty. This fella is perfect for stashing beauty supplies or carrying as a clutch out on the town. And for $30, the bag’s double duty is worth [...]

Find out more about the MML Contributors. When I was a magazine editor I spent way too much time fretting about the (un)importance of my work. While other people were saving lives or teaching children, I was waxing on about facials and designer footwear. It all seemed so superficial. And yet, I loved every second [...]

I couldn’t be more tickled to find two of our Jess LC designs swimming among the amazing products featured in this month’s Rue Mag on pages 19 and 27. Thank you, Rue lovelies, for sharing our Diversey Large Paisley Earrings and our Lake Shore Natural Tote. {I’d also like to give you the heads up [...]

Find out more about the MML Contributors. My name is Leah, and I’m the voice behind Your Nutritionista and Your Nutritionista Consulting. I’m honored to be the health/wellness contributor for MML! Though health is not just about how you treat your body, that’s my area of expertise. I’ve been studying nutrition and fitness since high [...]

A few weeks ago I shared a post I wrote with my recommendations for business and social media. Since then, I’ve answered several questions about the topic. See the questions below and the links that take you to my answers. And if you have any questions yourself, feel free to ask right here. My answers [...]

New to the MML Contributors? Find out more here. Hi, MML! I’m Cathy from Fiscally Chic! Before I jump into my introduction, I have to thank the Academy Jess. When Jess asked me to be the MML Finance Contributor, I was floored. I found this blog during a transition phase in my life and Jess’s [...]

Thanks to photographer and blogger, Frankie de Guzman, we have some great pics to share of our Pop Up Shop from last week! Take a look at how it turned out. And just so you know, our next Pop Up Shop will be on October 22nd in Millennium Park, Chicago. Details will come closer to [...]

It’s never been a secret that I enjoy sharing other people’s approach to designing an intentional life. Hearing the variety of ways that others have created amazing and intentional lifestyles is one of my favorite aspects of MML. And while talking with Kendi, she pointed out that MML could benefit from a few new points [...]

I just had a thought that moved me, so I thought I should share it with you too. “Email is a privilege.” As you know from my Email Intervention*, I feel it is my personal, purpose-filled duty (or you can even call it a “public service announcement”) to help people, especially self-employed people, extract their [...]

Balancing This week has been one to test my balancing skills – people always talk about work/life balance for corporate employees, but not much about balance for entrepreneurs. Maybe because by working from home our work/life seems melded into one? Maybe it’s because we’re following our passion so our heart and mind are in one [...]

…And I’m back! The Jess LC Pop Up Shop was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who came out to support us despite the heat wave. I first and foremost need to thank Susie, Melissa, Michelle, and Ali (our new friend and intern-for-a-day) for all of their help. There is absolutely no way we could [...]

The big days have finally arrived! Today and tomorrow our Jess LC Pop Up Shop is in downtown Chicago at the Daley Plaza from 9-3. Our booth is on a corner towards the Washington side of the plaza. There are streamers and a great sign (which Melissa lovingly made) that will mark our spot… Yesterday [...]

Big(ger) Dreams Over the last six weeks I’ve gotten numerous emails, tweets and facebook notes from other creatives with entrepreneurial goals and dreams. I love getting these – keep ‘em coming! I’m always good for a resounding cheer and vote of enthusiasm. Many of the messages say “I dream of one day following in your [...]

Lately I’ve been breaking out of my blog reading rut and exposing myself to new blogs and talented people around the interwebs. The three I’ve shared below have made a profound impact on me and help me raise the bar of what I’m capable of myself. The tastemakers below all have incredible, authentic points of [...]

Okay guys, time for something light and funny. The girls and I were eating lunch and talking about the bloggers we like to follow and I suddenly had a question to ask: Who’s your Blog Mommy? As more and more of my favorite bloggers are giving birth (or already have older children), I’m finding myself [...]

Sometimes the difference between living a life with intention and one without intention is the difference between re-filling the ice cube tray with water after it’s empty or putting it directly back into the freezer. Sound strange? Stick with me. I hate to admit it, but sometimes when I use ice cubes for ice tea [...]

After preparing rather secretly, I’m finally ready to unveil a new project the girls and I have been working on at Jess LC… our new Pop Up Shop next week in the heart of Chicago! For two sweet days [July 19th and 20th] we will be unveiling brand new fall collections for purchase, discounting mystery [...]

Today I’ve got a new gig! I’m doling out blogging and business advice over at Patch and asking for your questions about the topic. Hop on over to read my honest and candid thoughts on how businesses can use blogs effectively. And while you are there, ask any questions you have – I’ll be answering [...]

While designing a life with intention, it’s easy to get caught up in the messy middle stages of getting from here to there. When looking at my life, the distance between where I am now and where I want to be can seem daunting at times. Today the quote above by Joyce Meyer came to [...]

Marketing for the Small-Timer Wow, hard to believe that a full month of entrepreneurship has gone by! I have been keeping busy with the web redesign, home tours and photo shoots, blogging, and of course, decorating! But one thing that I need to dive into is marketing. I am by nature a shy person (my [...]

Hey guys, I’m feeling a little feisty this afternoon. After watching many new business owners and business “experts” talk on and on and on about how to increase sales, grow a following, and “hit it big,” I’ve come to a moment where I just want to scream, “Stop and focus on the goods!” Yes, there [...]

Though it’s a few days late, I’ve come up with July’s free desktop wallpaper (full size here). From my Lifebook session I learned that more than anything, designing a life with intention means creating habits that incorporate what’s most important to me. So that’s the thought I’d like to ruminate on this month. And of [...]

Yep, that’s right. I’m renting out my apartment July 28-31st. In an effort to keep my travel and savings intentions, I’m lending my home to one MML reader who wants to spend a summer weekend in Chicago. Mr. Lively and I will be driving up to Mackinac Island for a long weekend so the space [...]

[Please note, this July Email Intervention Group is closed, anyone added after 7/7/11 will not be included on the Email Intervention emails going out this month. Please sign up for the August Intervention! Details to come.] After my epiphany about how email was tying me to my career 119 hours a week, I could tell [...]

Well, big news first: I launched my website! After a loooong day of coding and formatting on Sunday as we installed all my new pages onto the permanent site, Ryan and I crawled into bed at about midnight after FINALLY figuring out why the comment section was broken. I’ve gotten lots of positive feedback and [...]