tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85808104074327063002024-03-13T21:19:45.876-05:00makeunder my lifeFilled with stories, ideas, design inspiration, and focused on living simply. Chicago blogger and jewelry designer Jess LC (jesslc.com) shares what excites her everyday.Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-58268535469764374872009-03-26T10:36:00.006-05:002009-03-26T12:00:06.699-05:00moving on up! to WordPress that is.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScuhJ5m-oNI/AAAAAAAAA8w/fon-AlIBgao/s1600-h/newblog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScuhJ5m-oNI/AAAAAAAAA8w/fon-AlIBgao/s400/newblog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317520976496206034" border="0" /></a><br />At long last! The new blog, <a href="http://makeundermylife.com">makeundermylife.com</a> is open for business. I cannot tell you how excited I am for this new layout.<br /><br />There are.<br />No words.<br />To describe my excitement.<br /><br />Though the switch has not been glitch free (far from it actually, I will elaborate on the switch from Blogger to Word Press tomorrow), the result is definitely worthwhile.<br /><br />I have a huge design crush on the amazing Brooke, of <a href="http://ohbrooke.com/">Oh Brooke</a>, who not only has an adorable blog but also does amazing web design. She took my pre-made Word Press template and turned it into the perfect home for Makeunder My Life. Kind of like a really great makeover by Candice Olsen on <span style="font-style: italic;">Divine Design</span>. Oh yeah, and did I mention she actually has worked on HGTV shows? <br /><br />So come on over to the new blog.<br /><br />You're invited!Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-91837441428546377102009-03-25T16:09:00.003-05:002009-03-25T16:20:58.823-05:00off the chain update: pocket full of pendants<img src="file:///Users/jessconstable/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///Users/jessconstable/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /><p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/studio1423pocketpendantsshot.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-447" title="studio1423pocketpendantsshot" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/studio1423pocketpendantsshot.jpg" alt="studio1423pocketpendantsshot" height="446" width="530" /></a></p> <p>It’s funny how things become cool. Then uncool. And years later, cool again. Kind of like those <a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31gFYA7UdTL._SL500_AA280_.jpg" target="_blank">black and neon plastic sunglasses from the 90’s</a>. While I don’t consider Jess LC <em>too</em> old, I have had my first <em>déjà vu </em>design. These <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6971671" target="_blank">Pocket Full of Pendant necklaces </a>now available in the limited edition line, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6971671" target="_blank">Studio 1423</a>, were first available in 2005 and were one of my most popular styles.<br /></p> <p>Now the coolness is available on Etsy for just $15 bucks. The necklace comes with a silver plated lobster clasp pendant on a 16″ sterling silver chain and six charms. The idea is that you can customize your necklace with the charms you feel like, switching it up as many times as you like. I recommend wearing 2-4 charms at a time and playing with size and texture. Below are the color options we have available right now. And if these puppies get hot, more combinations will be in the works!</p> <p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/studio1423pendantshore.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-449" title="studio1423pendantshore" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/studio1423pendantshore.jpg" alt="studio1423pendantshore" height="421" width="530" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22728707" target="_blank">shore</a></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/studio1423pendantmeadow1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-450" title="studio1423pendantmeadow1" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/studio1423pendantmeadow1.jpg" alt="studio1423pendantmeadow1" height="460" width="530" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22728949" target="_blank">meadow </a></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/studio1423pendantlilac.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-451" title="studio1423pendantlilac" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/studio1423pendantlilac.jpg" alt="studio1423pendantlilac" height="472" width="529" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22728815" target="_blank">lilac</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/studio1423pendantcarnival.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-452" title="studio1423pendantcarnival" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/studio1423pendantcarnival.jpg" alt="studio1423pendantcarnival" height="415" width="530" /><br /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22728368" target="_blank">carnival</a></p>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-5425436138159563562009-03-25T10:15:00.002-05:002009-03-25T10:16:49.208-05:00dressing charlotte: bold prints<p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/charlottegraphicprintdress.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-427" title="charlottegraphicprintdress" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/charlottegraphicprintdress.jpg" alt="charlottegraphicprintdress" height="707" width="530" /></a></p> <p>This week’s Dressing Charlotte is about pairing the right accessories with an all-over, bold pattern or print. When I wear any one of these three items, I let the print do the talking and wear one of two basic pairs of earrings: <a href="http://jesslc.com/CH37A.htm" target="_blank">state st. large circles</a>, or <a href="http://jesslc.com/CH48.htm" target="_blank">state st. large eyes</a>. Their large size compliments the scale of the prints, and they have no extra details to compete with the prints. I also think large hoops or other simple, clean earrings over 1″ would look great with these looks.</p> <p>Scroll down to see the other outfits and earrings. (Charlotte’s only flaw is that she has no ears to model earrings.)</p> <p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/charlotteprintedsilktop.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-428" title="charlotteprintedsilktop" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/charlotteprintedsilktop.jpg" alt="charlotteprintedsilktop" height="707" width="530" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ch37abig.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-434" title="ch37abig" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ch37abig-240x300.jpg" alt="ch37abig" height="300" width="240" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jesslc.com/CH37A.htm" target="_blank">State St. Large Circle Earrings</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/charlotteprintedtunicdress.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-429" title="charlotteprintedtunicdress" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/charlotteprintedtunicdress.jpg" alt="charlotteprintedtunicdress" height="707" width="530" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jesslc.com/CH48.htm" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-438" title="ch48big1" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ch48big1-240x300.jpg" alt="ch48big1" height="300" width="240" /></a></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jesslc.com/CH48.htm" target="_blank">State St. Large Eye Earrings</a></div>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-40744912285796912852009-03-24T15:04:00.000-05:002009-03-24T15:05:34.602-05:00getting an internship: "you had me at the semi-colon"<p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/internshipphoto.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-418" title="internshipphoto" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/internshipphoto.jpg" alt="internshipphoto" height="359" width="529" /></a>This week’s business advice is actually geared towards the other end of the business spectrum:</p> <p><strong>Interns. </strong></p> <p>If you are in school (for art or otherwiese) and need to gain experience working for a designer, please read this post before decending upon your next <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">victim</span> employer. This topic is very close to my heart at the moment becasue I have been indundated as of late with resumes and referrals for interns looking to get experience at a jewelry company like <a href="http://jesslc.com/" target="_blank">Jess LC</a>. With the cloudy economic climate, I have been getting more emails regarding internships than ever. Some are great. Some are okay. Some are half-assed. Below are the attributes that will determine which category you will fall into- so take note and aim high!</p> <h2>Half-assed Internship Contact</h2> <ul><li>Email employer with two line email mentioning you are interested in an internship. (May or may not include resume.)</li><li>Forget to begin the email with a proper greeting. Why will an employer care about you if you don’t care about writing their name?</li><li>No mention about the actual employer or the company in initial email.</li><li>Resume in a form other than a Word Doc or PDF.</li></ul> <h2>Good Internship Contact</h2> <ul><li>Short email mentioning employer briefly, with proper greeting (ie: “Dear Mr. Gates:”)</li><li>Professional looking resume (no watermarks or unicorns) with relevant work experience and complete contact information. Resumes should be exactly one page.</li><li>Open, friendly tone in email without over using exclamation points (!!) but keeping a professional tone.</li></ul> <h2>Great Internship Contact</h2> <ul><li>Professional signature block in email (with full name and phone number [no quotes please]).</li><li>Professional email address, preferably using your name (snazzykatz007@aol.com doesn’t say ‘take me seriously’).</li><li>Email doubles as a cover letter: highlights most relevant work and school experience, and also mentions why you are excited to work for <em>that</em> company specifically.</li><li>Resume is one page long, in PDF form, concise, and focuses on relevant work and school experience.</li></ul>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-47979654629520283012009-03-23T15:20:00.000-05:002009-03-23T15:21:31.201-05:00off the chain update: shop chicago 2009<p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/busstopjesslc.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-402" title="busstopjesslc" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/busstopjesslc.jpg" alt="busstopjesslc" height="359" width="529" /></a></p> <p>Last Saturday I had at Jess LC booth at the Shop Chicago designer show. I also did the fall show last August in Millennium Park. This spring event was in Union Station. The traffic and vendors were down a slightly from last year, but thankfully we ended up doing better than in the fall!</p> <p>My favorite part of these shows is meeting customers and enjoying their reactions. This show was no exception. Several wonderful ladies remembered us from the fall show and came back to say hi and buy new pieces. And a few ladies were wearing Jess LC pieces to the show, that was <em>so </em>cool. I took lots of pictures for you to enjoy, so peek around.</p> <p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/allison.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-400" title="allison" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/allison.jpg" alt="allison" height="359" width="529" /></a></p> <p>Allison, our resident sales guru is always huge help at these kinds of shows. Without her, lets just say… I can’t imagine doing these events without her. Her idea to use a bound notebook to gather emails was genius!</p> <p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dressform.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-401" title="dressform" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dressform.jpg" alt="dressform" height="707" width="530" /></a></p> <p>Dress form look familiar? Charlotte helped grab attention and sported some <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6971671">Studio 1423</a> pieces as well as <a href="http://jesslc.com/">Jess LC</a>. The Addison bracelet collection was laid out on a wood tray. Soc Chic ended up finding a new home on the table a few minutes after this picture.</p> <p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-397" title="shopchicagobooth2" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/shopchicagobooth2.jpg" alt="shopchicagobooth2" height="359" width="529" /></p> <p>This is the final set up: we put the branch with Rush St. necklaces next to Charlotte and Soc Chic along the back.</p> <p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/shopchicagotable1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-398" title="shopchicagotable1" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/shopchicagotable1.jpg" alt="shopchicagotable1" height="359" width="529" /></a><br /></p><p>Necklaces laid out by collection, State St., Elm St., and Southport pictured.</p>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-19468942770581737502009-03-23T09:28:00.003-05:002009-03-23T09:32:12.474-05:00naan pizza: serve yourself supper party<p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/naanpizza0.jpg" mce_href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/naanpizza0.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-380" title="naanpizza0" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/naanpizza0.jpg" mce_src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/naanpizza0.jpg" alt="naanpizza0" height="359" width="529" /></a></p> <p>This weekend Erwin and I hosted an impromptu dinner party with out friends Pete and Kaitlyn, of <a href="http://eatmyblog.org/" mce_href="http://eatmyblog.org" target="_blank">eatmyblog.org</a>. In an effort to save time and money, I challenged myself to cook the meal using ingredients I had on hand. The result was personal pizzas made with Indian naan bread and topping choices including: chicken strips, caramelized onions, <a href="http://http//makeundermylife.com/pesto-presto/" mce_href="http://http://makeundermylife.com/pesto-presto/" target="_self">homemade pesto</a>, marinara sauce, sliced grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and shrimp.</p> <p>When cruising Trader Joes last weekend on a bimonthly grocery trip, I spied the new fresh baked naan bread in the bakery section and I thought it looked a lot like pre-made pizza dough. And since I am a consistently poor pizza dough baker, the naan seemed like a way to make easy homemade pizza. The recipe is completely flexible in terms of ingedients, and the baking directions are simple.The end result was amazing - I think this might become a weekly treat.<br /></p><blockquote> <h2>Naan Pizza</h2> <ul><li>Naan (we used whole wheat)</li><li>Fresh mozzarella, torn into pieces<br /> </li><li>Pesto or marinara sauce</li><li>Veggies chopped (whatever you have on hand)</li><li>Tomatoes, sliced</li><li>Chicken strips, shrimp, etc.</li></ul> <p><i>Top naan with desired ingredients on a baking sheet (we lined our's with foil for easy clean up). Preheat oven to 400* and cook for 7-10 minutes, until cheese is melted.</i></p></blockquote><p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/naanpizza3.jpg" mce_href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/naanpizza3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-382" title="naanpizza3" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/naanpizza3.jpg" mce_src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/naanpizza3.jpg" alt="naanpizza3" height="359" width="529" /></a></p><p><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update: Please pardon the photo edges being cut off, I am still transitioning to </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://makeundermylife.com/">Word Press</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">, and the scale is a bit different. </span></p>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-21833016321135535212009-03-20T16:24:00.000-05:002009-03-20T16:25:31.831-05:00end of the week exfoliaton: sometimes it gets ugly<p><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dirtybag.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-376" title="dirtybag" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dirtybag.jpg" alt="dirtybag" height="400" width="530" /></a><br /></p><p>This week’s exfoliation was not one of those ‘oh, but it looks so nice, why is she getting rid of it?’ kind of items. This is a ‘why has this still been sitting in her shoe organizer (of all places)?’</p> <p>So here it is, an ugly, yucky cosmetics bag with some random items I probably kept for travelling but would never actually during a future trip. Unlike last week’s exfoliation, I doubt anyone will be asking me to put this on Etsy.<br />Have a great weekend!</p>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-55842296941794998242009-03-20T08:32:00.000-05:002009-03-20T08:32:00.632-05:00pesto presto!<p style="text-align: center;" mce_style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pesto.jpg" mce_href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pesto.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-263" title="pesto" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pesto.jpg" mce_src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pesto.jpg" alt="pesto" height="398" width="530" /></a><i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;" mce_style="text-align: center;"><i>Easy homemade pesto, just like mom <strike>used to make</strike> should have made</i></p> <p style="text-align: left;" mce_style="text-align: left;">Last night I was busy watching the Michigan basketball game with my insanely excited boyfriend, Erwin. While we watched a surprisingly well played game, I tested this easy homemade pesto recipe by Curtis Stone. The ingredients are simple (all I needed to buy was fresh basil) and preparing it took six minutes start to finish.</p> <blockquote> <h2><span style="font-size:100%;">Homemade Pesto</span></h2> <ul class="recipe"><li><span style="font-size:100%;">1 1/2 bunches fresh basil (about 1 1/2 cups lightly packed)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"> 4 ounces toasted pine nuts</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"> 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"> 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Grind the basil, pine nuts and grated Parmesan cheese with a food processor until a smooth paste forms. Slowly add 1/4 cup of olive oil, grinding until a smooth sauce forms.</span></p></blockquote> <p>After the pesto was finished, I tried a trick my friend, Chan, gave me from his childhood. Using a clean ice cube tray, I spooned dollops of pesto in to the cubes and threw the tray in the freezer. So the next time we make pasta or wilted greens I can just throw a cube of frozen pesto into the hot noodles or greens and I'm done. Buh bye, pre-made pesto!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pestocubes.jpg" mce_href="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pestocubes.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-265" title="pestocubes" src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pestocubes.jpg" mce_src="http://makeundermylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pestocubes.jpg" alt="pestocubes" height="398" width="530" /></a></p>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-46011349844218469812009-03-18T16:51:00.007-05:002009-03-19T13:32:06.187-05:00DESIGN YOUR LIFE: Laina<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScKB7ooNtMI/AAAAAAAAA8I/g7E9LgCiQ3w/s1600-h/Barcelona-and-Nights-out-in-London-074.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScKB7ooNtMI/AAAAAAAAA8I/g7E9LgCiQ3w/s400/Barcelona-and-Nights-out-in-London-074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314953371768960194" border="0" /></a>This week's DESIGN YOUR LIFE is by Laina B., a good friend from business school who basically dragged me through Operations Management Studies. Without her help, lets just say I might not be an 'alumni'. Laina now lives in Charlotte and is a financial analyst for a global manufacturing company.<br /><br />In the past two years she has lived in three different cities (moving every six months!)- Ann Arbor (MI), Charlotte (NC), Detroit (MI), London (UK), and Charlotte (NC). Despite her globe-trotting, hectic lifestyle, she has managed to maintain many intentions I find difficult to juggle while living in one city. Below she explains how she managed to stay focused and intentional throughout her travels.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DESIGN MY LIFE </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">by Laina B.</span></span><br /><br />I am a Pisces, which means that inherently, I tend to make lots of plans and dream of big things, but often let my mind and schedule get cluttered with too many of them, and poof time goes by without actually DOING what I set out to do. Living my life with the intention of DOING what I plan, instead of simply PLANNING what I SHOULD do, necessitates knowing when to let go of those plans that are not feasible or will not significantly affect my happiness. This provides me with a focus on actions and activities that will ultimately lead to my lifelong happiness. I want to be an active participant in my own life! By taking a step back and examining my life, I have realized that the following dreams/plans are most important to me: eating healthy, working out regularly, cooking more/learning new recipes, saving money/budgeting, traveling, meeting new friends, keeping in contact with friends and family, and learning and trying new things on a regular basis. Below are some of the things that I have done and continue to do to make sure that I am actively participating in my life and living with intention.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScKCP5HaWeI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/zBmwdSUl8Rc/s1600-h/laina1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScKCP5HaWeI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/zBmwdSUl8Rc/s400/laina1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314953719792163298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The 3-4-5 Plan</span><br />In January, I moved back to the States from London. While I was living and working over there I had little time and even less motivation to stay on top of my workout routine (I worked many 60+ hour weeks, the weather sucked, and all I wanted to do was sleep, play in London or travel when not at work) and had set out to get back into it when I returned. My friend and co-worker in Detroit told me about his new year’s resolution to start bringing his lunch to work more. Initially, we were just trying to keep one another motivated, but with me working in Charlotte and him in Detroit, it wasn’t working fabulously. That is when we decided to make rules and consequences/rewards to keep ourselves on track. This resulted in what we now refer to as our 3-4-5 plan.<br /><br />Our rules are simple:<br /> 3 - Bring lunch AT LEAST 3 out of every 5 work days<br />4 - Work out AT LEAST 4 days a week for AT LEAST 4 hours total<br />5 - Make a home made meal for dinner AT LEAST 5 days a week<br /><br />We picked an end date for this plan of June 14th (in time for my beach week – see below!). We do not restrict what we eat, but have both chosen to primarily keep the foods simple and healthy. Our intention is to create habits that allow us to reach our goals in a healthy and realistic way without burning out. To keep one another accountable, we have made a tracker in Microsoft Excel (yes, we are both Financial Analysts….nerds) that we fill in weekly and consolidate. We each get “paid” $5 for each piece (lunch, dinner, work-out) that we meet each week. Thus, if I were to go out to lunch 3 times in one week and met the rest of the requirements, but my friend met all of the requirements, I would owe him $5 for that week. At the end of our 5 month challenge or plan, we will see who ultimately owes the other, and it will be payout time. It will also be time to see if we truly have reached our goal – creating healthy habits that not only contribute to our health, but also to our financial health (eating out is expensive!).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grocery shopping guidelines</span><br />In order to make sure I have a multitude of healthy options, that I save money and avoid extra trips to the store, I have 3 rules for myself when grocery shopping:<br /><br />1) Always start in Produce section – if I fill my cart up early with fruits and veggies, it helps me avoid buying unnecessary garbage later on.<br />2) Always bring a list and follow it. This allows me to stay focused and avoid temptation.<br />3) I have stopped going down every aisle and just focus on getting the items on my list.<br /><br />I also always try to make sure to buy one or two new or different things each time. While I always need to buy my staples, buying one or two new things in place of a staple makes the food at home more exciting, encourages me to find new recipes and tempts me to go out less. In the past year, I have had the employee ringing me up comment on the healthiness of my groceries 9 out of every 10 trips, which tells me that I am on the right track! Also, my grocery costs have decreased by about $40-60 per trip since I started following these rules.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScKCTXlpAFI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/fJE2eOLFXHc/s1600-h/laina2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScKCTXlpAFI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/fJE2eOLFXHc/s400/laina2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314953779511623762" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Intention to live overseas</span><br />Jess and I took a class together at Michigan’s Business school that required us to create a long-term goal that we would not be able to achieve in the semester. We had to set an action plan and start working towards reaching this goal throughout the semester and beyond. My goal was to work in the U.K. within the next 5 years.<br /><br />Last April, a year after graduation, I was offered the opportunity to do a 5-6 month rotation abroad in the UK for my company. While the job ended up being less than ideal with a lot of hours and stress, I still did my best to make the most of my 5.5 months in Europe by taking numerous trips around the UK and traveling around mainland Europe – including trips Barcelona, Paris, Munich, Amsterdam, and Croatia. I did what I had planned and then some, and am very proud of reaching this goal so much earlier than I had hoped!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScKByAOMpHI/AAAAAAAAA8A/77Tuyc0GawU/s1600-h/Amsterdam-and-Croatia-095.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScKByAOMpHI/AAAAAAAAA8A/77Tuyc0GawU/s400/Amsterdam-and-Croatia-095.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314953206303597682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Connect with friends</span><br />Being happy to me means being surrounded by people I care about. One way I plan to reach this goal this year is by planning a week long beach vacation with friends from all over the country that I have met in different eras of my life. I love bringing people from different groups of my friends together and I love seeing all of them as often as I can. I have learned that happiness will usually not be brought to me on a silver platter and thus, I can’t just sit back and wait for people ask me to hang out or invite me on a trip. I need to take control of my own happiness and be the one to plan the things I want to do, the things that will make me happy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScKCXjC9EWI/AAAAAAAAA8g/vRqHyT-zL-w/s1600-h/laina4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScKCXjC9EWI/AAAAAAAAA8g/vRqHyT-zL-w/s400/laina4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314953851306840418" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Get involved in new activities</span><br />Similar to the last point, in moving around so much in the past 2 years, I have learned that making friends takes effort, even for someone as outgoing as myself. I love my alone time, but after a while it gets old. I like having a lot of different groups of friends and a multitude of activities to do each week. It is for this reason that I have joined clubs/groups/teams in every city I have lived in the past two years. Most recently, I joined CHOA - Charlotte Outdoor Adventure club. This week I am going indoor rock climbing with the club and also going on a 6 mile hike through the NC Mountains past numerous beautiful waterfalls. In London, I joined Meet-up.com groups which led to me joining a book club and going on the 12-mile hike through the English countryside. My first 6-month stint in Charlotte, I joined a kickball league which led to me finding a whole new group of friends that I still hang out with and actually play kickball with again now that I am back in Charlotte. Finally, when I was in Detroit I joined an adult recreational softball team and also started my own kickball team. The groups/activities above have helped me transition from college to the real world and from city to city throughout the past two years.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Learning to cook</span><br />Slowly learning to cook new things and trying new recipes weekly. This helps me reach my 5 nights of home-made meals a week and also helps me create my focused grocery shopping list!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joined a gym</span><br />Another organization I have joined since moving to Charlotte is the YMCA. Charlotte has some of the best YMCA’s I have ever seen. I was a member when I lived down here previously, and it was the first thing on my to-do list when I moved back. By attending fitness classes regularly, I keep up on my fitness routine easily because I rarely get bored. They offer such a wide range of classes from yoga and Pilates to Cardio Funk (hip hop dancing class that leaves me feeling renewed and ecstatic after each session), Spinning, Sculpt and Kickboxing. Another plus is that many women in my office are also members. We are all constantly encouraging one another to make it to classes as often as possible. Often times going to classes in large groups. It’s a great way for us to bond, have fun and stay in shape – better than a happy hour (but not a replacement)!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Found a roommate </span><br />When I found out that I was moving back to Charlotte last November, I decided that, in order to lower my monthly bills without sacrificing the things I wanted, like location, I needed to find a roommate to live with me in what I hoped would be an affordable apartment in Uptown Charlotte (Downtown Charlotte is called Uptown, I have no idea why). Searching for a place and roommate all while living and working in the UK was not an easy feat with the time difference, working 12+hr days and traveling on weekends! However, I succeeded by using my network and Facebook. I messaged an acquaintance living in Charlotte, and found out that she was also looking for a roommate and was willing to check out the places in my absence! Now, my monthly bills are significantly lower than during my previous stint in Charlotte, my commute is shorter or equivalent, and my new place is nicer and large enough to hold both my furniture and my roommates’ furniture! On top of all of those benefits, I have started to make some new friends through my roommate.Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-45108433005449719692009-03-18T14:24:00.002-05:002009-03-18T15:21:31.556-05:00designer swap: pigeon toe cermaics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScEudFZnNmI/AAAAAAAAA74/LaysT5wJdsM/s1600-h/cup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScEudFZnNmI/AAAAAAAAA74/LaysT5wJdsM/s400/cup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314580112474584674" border="0" /></a>Every so often I find a designer while hopping along blogs that have some really stand out pieces. Last week I was lucky enough to come across <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6675570&ga_search_query=pigeontoe&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">Pigeon Toe Ceramics</a> and knew I had to swap jewels for cups. Lisa, the designer out of Portland, was nice enough to agree to the trade.<br /><br />This morning I was excited to find a package containing these two tiny cups. How adorable are they? Their petite size (about 2.75"x2.5") is charming but they might best be put to use containing something other than liquid. Any ideas?Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-34892096512769850942009-03-18T10:19:00.008-05:002009-03-18T10:50:29.959-05:00dressing charlotte: embellished necklines<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScESpOrf0fI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/oFC0T18DFlw/s1600-h/shirt1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScESpOrf0fI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/oFC0T18DFlw/s400/shirt1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314549534798369266" border="0" /></a><br />Inspired by Blair's post yesterday on <a href="http://delightbydesign.blogspot.com/2009/03/embellished-necklines-please.html">Delight by Design</a>, I devoted this week's Dressing Charlotte to accessorizing embellished tops. When wearing a top with an off the shoulder neckline, patterned neckline, or embellishments, let those accents become the focal point for the outfit. Accessories should highlight other areas like the ears or wrist. By sticking to bracelets and earrings, the look is clean and uncluttered.<br /><br />Below are some jewelry ideas that compliment the style of the tops and create balance.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScESVMRp8eI/AAAAAAAAA7I/yewyU28JnaU/s1600-h/shirt3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScESVMRp8eI/AAAAAAAAA7I/yewyU28JnaU/s400/shirt3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314549190555726306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScEVXTZL81I/AAAAAAAAA7w/_hxqSJ3lTA8/s1600-h/CH117.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 207px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScEVXTZL81I/AAAAAAAAA7w/_hxqSJ3lTA8/s400/CH117.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314552525360984914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The delicate weave, buttons, and texture of this gauzy cardigan looks great with<br />small, delicate <a href="http://jesslc.com/CH117.htm">earrings</a>. The pearls also pair nicely with the creamy fan appliques.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScESpOrf0fI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/oFC0T18DFlw/s1600-h/shirt1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScESpOrf0fI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/oFC0T18DFlw/s400/shirt1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314549534798369266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScEVUxEtyYI/AAAAAAAAA7o/xlcFEXtoVBg/s1600-h/CH90.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 207px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScEVUxEtyYI/AAAAAAAAA7o/xlcFEXtoVBg/s400/CH90.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314552481788578178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Since this pattern is bold, a larger <a href="http://jesslc.com/CH90.htm">earring</a> is great.<br />I like the mixed metal, which to add some depth.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScESipT8MQI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/HxQtG5d7hIc/s1600-h/shirt2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScESipT8MQI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/HxQtG5d7hIc/s400/shirt2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314549421688238338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScEVSMYCBqI/AAAAAAAAA7g/iFjnZ5T_QXg/s1600-h/CH37B.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 207px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/ScEVSMYCBqI/AAAAAAAAA7g/iFjnZ5T_QXg/s400/CH37B.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314552437577746082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">With the intricate tone-on-tone embroidery, I think it's best to keep<br />the <a href="http://jesslc.com/CH37B.htm">earrings</a> simple and fresh. Since there is no print to<br />balance, the scale of the earrings can vary.<br /></span></div>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-47868054986385588462009-03-17T14:16:00.007-05:002009-03-17T14:33:25.715-05:00business answers: part two<span>Andddd we're back! Here is my second round of answers to the intelligent questions readers asked last week.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb_LvLsk8MI/AAAAAAAAA7A/p0hjgNGChlY/s1600-h/dbagg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 255px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb_LvLsk8MI/AAAAAAAAA7A/p0hjgNGChlY/s400/dbagg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314190096774525122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Note: this old-school Jess LC packaging is <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> the best marketing tool</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your business? </span> </span><br /><br />This is a very interesting question for me. Up until 2009, I have focused on wholesale business, which means marketing door to door at local shops, and then hiring sales reps to sell it out of the city across the Midwest and in other territories. On the wholesale side, to really take your business to the next level sales reps are often (but not always) the answer. Generally, sales reps work on commission and the good ones represent a variety of lines full-time. Asking your best friend or Aunt's babysitter to rep for you will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> be lucrative, will waste your time, and could hurt the relationship- so go with a pro.<br /><br />Now that I am developing my retail sales, blogging has been effective at getting the brand out there and is personally rewarding. But it also is a huge time commitment for me, and is not something I could do as frequently if I worked part-time somewhere else.<br /><br />Additionally, the blogging is something that I intend to grow into a separate career, so how I evolve the blog is independent of it's ability to market Jess LC. If I was just blogging for Jess LC, the content would be much narrower and design focused. <span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">What's your best marketing tip?</span></span><br /><br />Personally, I believe marketing should be an organic part of the business (read: free in the beginning) and I prefer free PR over paid advertisements. Once a company is large enough to shoulder the expense of ads, I would stick to online ads on blogs that match your customers. But as I have mentioned, PR and retail marketing is still relatively new for Jess LC.<br /><span><br /></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb_IXJc6yPI/AAAAAAAAA6s/jX8_nzj8uN4/s1600-h/DSCN2881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb_IXJc6yPI/AAAAAAAAA6s/jX8_nzj8uN4/s400/DSCN2881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314186385320233202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Jess LC at the Magic trade show last August</span></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">How were you able to find wholesale contacts? I find that when I search on the Internet I come up with thousands of results, but none that I really want (or that aren't selling junk!). Is there a good resource that you use?</span><br /><br />I suggest starting locally. Small boutique owners are usually the buyers and work in the store all day so they are a) easy to find, and b) know what works for their store and customer. One "line" I used to have when I was schlepping my jewelry to stores in high school and even here in Chicago was, "do you have any locally designed jewelry?" I would start a conversation with the store associate for a while, drop the above line, and wait for the response. It a) lets you know whether they support many local designers or not, and b) makes them think about how important it must be to have local designers, if this nice customer is asking about it. Then you can mention that you are a local designer yourself, and ask to talk to the owner or buyer.<br /><br />At this point make sure you have 4-12 pieces of jewelry with you in case the casual convo becomes an impromptu appointment. The buyer will generally know within five minutes if they are interested. As I mentioned in the <a href="http://makeundermylife.blogspot.com/2009/03/business-answers-part-one.html">Part One</a>, consignment might be the easiest option, <span style="font-style: italic;">but know what your wholesale prices are before going in the store!</span> No one will take you seriously if you don't have products and pricing.<br /><br />As for wholesale outside your city, you can do what all good road reps do: drive city to city, setting appointments with buyers you find. Or, ask store owners you know for recommendations outside their area. And finally, sales reps and buying a trade show booth are the "big time" ways to get clients.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb_IGkXRoSI/AAAAAAAAA6k/-9cILJDqbYU/s1600-h/makeundermylife.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb_IGkXRoSI/AAAAAAAAA6k/-9cILJDqbYU/s400/makeundermylife.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314186100486545698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh how it has grown.<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">How do you plan to use your blog (and other networking sites) to help promote your business?</span><br /><br />Good question! Since I have been doing the blogging thing seriously for about two months, I am still learning the ropes in terms of how to best get the name out there. But we did develop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6971671">Studio 1423</a>, our Jess LC limited edition line, on Etsy to get new customers with a lower price point and more colorful, one of a kind designs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb_Jj9fLboI/AAAAAAAAA60/z2lZwBjpf_Q/s1600-h/n2209018_35207610_7558.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb_Jj9fLboI/AAAAAAAAA60/z2lZwBjpf_Q/s400/n2209018_35207610_7558.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314187704958414466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Okay, so I wasn't <span style="font-style: italic;">quite</span> this young... </span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself, knowing what you know now?<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I saved the best for last! I struggled with this question for a bit, having done something for 10 years, there are many points I would wish I learned something quicker. So here is the advice I would give myself at a few points in time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Age 15</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scene:</span> Just made my first sale.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advice: </span>Jess, go out and take a class at a bead store to learn how to really make jewlery. You are going to be at this for a while, so know how to make stuff that won't break!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Age 16</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scene:</span> Naming my business<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advice:</span> "Starlette Jewelry" is such a silly name! Stick to something more classic... like your name. You know... <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">Jess</span>ica <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">L</span>ynne <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">C</span>onstable...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Age 18 </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scene:</span> Applying for college<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advice: </span>You are going to love UofM but you are going to hate business school. Either a) know that you will survive, or b) don't go to business school and start your business full-time right away. <span style="font-size:85%;">Just kidding...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Age 22</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scene: </span>Second month in Chicago, first seven days without getting an order<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advice:</span> Relax, your chest palpitations caused by the anxiety of being full-time aren't doing you any favors. And at 5:30pm on Friday you will get a huge order from an awesome store in Lincoln Square, <a href="http://thedressingroomchicago.com/">The Dressing Room</a>.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><br /></span>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-14465998074379432702009-03-17T08:09:00.003-05:002009-03-17T08:09:00.690-05:00painless and productive purging<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5uk9EjZwI/AAAAAAAAA58/xCnm3wXjVrs/s1600-h/3302830592_b29bc55fec.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5uk9EjZwI/AAAAAAAAA58/xCnm3wXjVrs/s400/3302830592_b29bc55fec.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313806191491770114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Spring Cleaning with Amy<br /><br /></span></div><div>Considering my propensity to (constantly)<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>makeunder my life, one might assume that my friends are also professional purgers. But this is not the case. Realizing this difference, I am careful not to push my passion for 'living with less' on unsuspecting amigas. However, every so often, a friend will ask for makeunder help.<br /><br />Last week, Amy, a great friend from college who lives in Lincoln Park, asked me to help with her room and wardrobe. After we completed most of the work, she offered to summarize and reflect on the process. Not only is her writing entertaining, but her frank perspective from "the other side of the makeunder coin" is a great addition for Makeunder My Life. Enjoy!<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Painless and Productive Purging</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">(well, minimal pain)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">By Amy S.</span><br /><br /></span></div> <div> </div> <div>I'll admit it: appearances are important to me. Each time I leave my apartment, I make sure my outfit is perfectly put together accompanied by the perfect jewelry pieces and handbag. Yet, for some reason, I don't invest the same TLC into the appearance of my bedroom. You see, I love to shop just as much as the next girl, but, after years of purchases, my belongings had taken over my small room in Lincoln Park. My own closet had turned into a foreign jungle filled with mysterious garments on tacky dry-cleaner hangers, and the sartorial overgrowth had pervaded my room.<br /><br /></div> <div> </div> <div>I knew I needed a change in my life. A knack for organization was not bestowed to me upon birth, unfortunately, so I enlisted the help of my <em>wonderful</em> friend Jess, knowing full-well that her mantra of "making under" could do wonders for my current lifestyle. So we started with my goals: what did I want to achieve after the make-under? Well, for me, clutter had overshadowed the things I loved, like my books and picture frames, so I told her that I wanted those things to be the primary focal point of my room--not the haphazard pile of clothes on the ground. As Jess reminded me, I deserve to live in a beautiful space. Declaring my intentions helped me change my perspective on the things I owned. Obviously we don't <em>need</em> everything we have. Sure, certain things are nice to have--ones that make us happy--but, in my case, I own plenty of things that may have at some point made me happy but now just take up unnecessary space and caused me stress. Those things serve absolutely no productive purpose in my life anymore.<br /><br /></div> <div> </div> <div>Jess helped me not only get rid of the positively useless things I had been holding onto, but also some other more "difficult" things I would have likely held onto for years to come. For example, I had a brand new purse that sat with the price tag on it for at least three years under my bed. I had justified keeping it based on a line of reasoning that presented a common, recurring dilemma for me: I <em>liked</em> the purse. We only buy things that we like, duh. But in practice, I didn't use the purse because I owned other ones I simply liked better. Jess helpfully coaxed me into getting rid of the darn thing and taught me an important lesson: just because you own something doesn't mean you have to keep it. Plus, there is someone else out there who can actually use it!<br /><br /></div> <div> </div> <div>The purging is still a work in progress (I was serious when I said I had a lot of stuff!), but already I know I won't miss the things that are gone. In fact, in many cases, I had forgotten they existed! Now I'm working to make all of the things I love--my "priority" items--visible and easily accessible. There's no point owning something that's going to be permanently wedged in the back of my closet. After triumphantly editing out plenty of unnecessary items from my wardrobe, I already feel much better. :)</div> <div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[Lovely photo by Rachel at <a href="http://heart-of-light.blogspot.com/">Heart of Light</a>]</span><br /></div>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-74507928437616566682009-03-16T13:47:00.004-05:002009-03-16T13:56:01.012-05:00business answers: part one<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb6fQSKb-2I/AAAAAAAAA6E/LKNTyzNhM2I/s1600-h/n2209018_42314034_1177.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb6fQSKb-2I/AAAAAAAAA6E/LKNTyzNhM2I/s400/n2209018_42314034_1177.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313859712446102370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is relax!<br /><br /></span></div>Last week I offered to answer any business questions that were lurking in readers minds and man, you all have some great questions!<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Specific, insightful questions tell me two things, 1: that there are some serious (or soon-to-be) business owners out there, 2: you all want some serious answers.<br /><br />Below are half of the questions with their answers, the second half will post tomorrow afternoon.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb6gcWvTIhI/AAAAAAAAA6c/N5-Ed2kqRpI/s1600-h/DSC_0027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb6gcWvTIhI/AAAAAAAAA6c/N5-Ed2kqRpI/s400/DSC_0027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313861019344511506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Love walking in Chicago- such great architecture all around<br /></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">Why Chicago?</span></span><br /><br />I grew up in Rochester, Michigan and went to school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Having lived in the Midwest my whole life the obvious choice was Chicago for laid back people, bustling city, and Lake Michigan. I also knew I wanted to live in a city that had good public transportation.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">Do you think that in the future you will need to move the operation to NY or LA as it gets bigger?</span><br /><br />During college I interned in NYC with Macy's in Product Development. Living in New York was great for four months. But the cement scenery, constant noise, and expense wasn't for me long term. Though I have never been to LA, I imagine the weather and view is nicer, but it won't hold a candle to my love for Chicago.<br /><br />So no, I plan to stay rooted in or around Chicago regardless of the business. Because Chicago's design scene is still 'up and coming' there are a lot of opportunities to get attention and great support.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb6fXQse_LI/AAAAAAAAA6U/gTdob7NYbb8/s1600-h/n14802984_40249692_3601.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb6fXQse_LI/AAAAAAAAA6U/gTdob7NYbb8/s400/n14802984_40249692_3601.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313859832311119026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">At last fall's Shop Chicago event<br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">What do you think is the most important step in laying the groundwork for starting a business?</span><br /><br /></span>The most important step in starting a part-time business is to <span style="font-style: italic;">just start selling</span>! A lot of would-be-great-designers hold off waiting for the perfect time to begin. But there is no perfect time to begin. So why not sell a necklace today? And maybe a bracelet next week? Start with people you know and branch out, open an <a href="http://etsy.com/">Etsy</a> store, print some business cards. There is something great about an organically grown company that expands along with your business acumen. For the purposes of this blog and small designers, I do not recommend launching a line full-time on day one, but to rather grow it on the side until you have an established customer base.<br /><br />Take Jess LC for example: I sold my first 5 ankle bracelets sitting next to a pool to tipsy Canadian women without even trying! Then I learned to make new pieces, sold them to friends and teachers at school, studied business in college, and nine years later, launched Jess LC full-time. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">Your top 5/10 tips for a jewelry designer just starting up? </span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Define your goals.</span> Do you want to get into a ton of stores and sell mostly wholesale? Or do you want to make one-of-a-kind pieces with higher price tags for a small group of loyal customers? Do you want to be full-time or part-time? Know your goals so you can go about achieving them as quickly as possible. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">If you want to get in a store, offer to do consignment.</span> This is where the store puts your pieces on display and when your pieces are bought, you get 50% of the price. If they don't sell, then you get them back. Buyers like this because they don't have to risk anything by putting your pieces in their store. It is also good for you because you get 50% of the price which (almost) never happens in wholesale. This is a good option until you have successfully sold in about 5-6 stores, then begin to work with the buyers via wholesale.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't take your own pictures.</span> Unless you are a photographer or have taken classes, do not attempt to shoot your own pieces. Jewelry is small and reflective= very difficult. The first thing you should pay someone to do is photograph the jewelry for retail selling on Etsy or your own site. <br /><br />4.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Make a website.</span> A great place to start is <a href="http://etsy.com/">Etsy.com</a> because it already has a huge following and you can upload and provide credit card charges without much work. If I was just starting up now, I would definitely have started there and moved my way to my own separate site over time. Another option is to pay someone to create your site. I suggest posting a freelance job on a local art school website to find students who will do it for less (same goes with photography, see tip #3). Or, if you are ambitious, learn how to use Dreamweaver - this is the route I took.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb6fTX_mLWI/AAAAAAAAA6M/fE-T5YdJirI/s1600-h/n2209018_42314045_2854.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb6fTX_mLWI/AAAAAAAAA6M/fE-T5YdJirI/s400/n2209018_42314045_2854.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313859765550853474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Know how to use your tools</span><br /><br /></div>5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Learn <span style="font-style: italic;">how</span> to make jewelry.</span> No one taught me how to make jewelry when I started at 15 years-old, and subsequently a lot of my (ugly) pieces broke. They got better as I went along, but I would have been better off going to a jewelry/bead store and taking a class or asking questions.<br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Wear your jewelry.</span> This sounds obvious, but tons of people I meet say they make jewelry and don't have their work to show me. If you aren't wearing/carrying some pieces, customers have no idea whether they want to buy from you. Every now and then I wear vintage jewelry but I still try to remember to wear at least one Jess LC piece, just in case. <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />... to be continued tomorrow!<br /></span>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-22966458959038896552009-03-16T08:54:00.008-05:002009-03-16T09:16:23.790-05:00flea + free decorating ideas<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5cMvX-aeI/AAAAAAAAA5M/OP4PyQHhuAo/s1600-h/IMG_1022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5cMvX-aeI/AAAAAAAAA5M/OP4PyQHhuAo/s400/IMG_1022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313785984288975330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The most compelling tip jar I have seen to date-<br />"Stimulate My Economy: Change I need"<br /><br /></span></div>Good morning! I apologize for the relatively infrequent posts over the past several days. Last Thursday I attempted to move my blog from Blogger to WordPress.org, and though it was successful, I have a lot of graphic and editing work to finish before it's complete. So for the time being I recommend reading the Blogger version as usual.<br /><br />While I was busy transferring info between blogs at <a href="http://nobletree.tumblr.com/">Noble Tree </a>with my amazing web guru friend, Tim, I snapped a few pictures of some awesome decorating ideas in the coffee house. Most items are free, if not easily found at your average flea market or garage sale.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5dttQViBI/AAAAAAAAA5k/3Y3_60Hlano/s1600-h/IMG_1008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5dttQViBI/AAAAAAAAA5k/3Y3_60Hlano/s400/IMG_1008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313787650167375890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My favorite: vintage chandelier with paper planes attached </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5c3cAQ6HI/AAAAAAAAA5U/KAcdBAjYhPc/s1600-h/IMG_0994.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5c3cAQ6HI/AAAAAAAAA5U/KAcdBAjYhPc/s400/IMG_0994.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313786717823625330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Vintage snail mail tacked to the wall collage style (aka: reclaimed wall paper)<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5dRJmpDqI/AAAAAAAAA5c/GpYMnF_CoMo/s1600-h/IMG_1003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5dRJmpDqI/AAAAAAAAA5c/GpYMnF_CoMo/s400/IMG_1003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313787159560916642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Coffee cups strung along a banister<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5epSHRHaI/AAAAAAAAA50/FiiKmI5ppNo/s1600-h/IMG_1023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5epSHRHaI/AAAAAAAAA50/FiiKmI5ppNo/s400/IMG_1023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313788673673731490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Vintage windowpane with message<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5eJ43IgdI/AAAAAAAAA5s/6qAnlIDb5PE/s1600-h/IMG_1014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sb5eJ43IgdI/AAAAAAAAA5s/6qAnlIDb5PE/s400/IMG_1014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313788134319227346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A bright pop of color on an otherwise ho-hum fireplace<br /></span></div>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-64955593548789046202009-03-13T09:37:00.003-05:002009-03-13T09:52:35.598-05:00end of the week exfoliation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbpwYUwo8qI/AAAAAAAAA5E/upbyblz3TcQ/s1600-h/exfoliation.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 67px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbpwYUwo8qI/AAAAAAAAA5E/upbyblz3TcQ/s400/exfoliation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312682273628811938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbpwIHprVnI/AAAAAAAAA48/KTl5VHhIdzo/s1600-h/IMG_1025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbpwIHprVnI/AAAAAAAAA48/KTl5VHhIdzo/s400/IMG_1025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312681995232040562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Note: I am working on the new Word Press version of MakeunderMyLife.com throughout the weekend. So for now, I will be posting on both sites until the WP version is finished. Thanks for your patience! Perfection takes time.)</span><br /><br />This week's exfoliation is a silver cuff I found in my jewelry box. I got it back in high school when I worked for a local jeweler selling fine and vintage jewelry. It is nice, but Erwin got me a similar silver cuff with my initials for my birthday last year and I wear so much <a href="http://jesslc.com/">Jess LC</a> jewelry, that this one hasn't been worn ... ever. Time to pass it on.<br /><br />Perhaps it might make it's way to<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6971671"> Studio 1423</a>.Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-24784343262750434752009-03-12T12:16:00.003-05:002009-03-12T12:18:29.165-05:00monkey businessI am in the process of switching (hopefully today) from Blogger to Word Press (!). So if you see anything funny on the blog or if you type in makeundermylife.com and it takes you to the middle of no where, just type www.makeudermylife.blogspot.com to see the existing blog in it's soon to be outdated form.<br /><br />Here goes nothing :).Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-53852969254082553602009-03-12T09:15:00.008-05:002009-03-12T09:56:07.740-05:00DESIGN YOUR LIFE: Patricia of PVE DesignsThis week's DESIGN YOUR LIFE interview is brought to you by Patricia of <a href="http://pvedesign.com/index.htm">PVE Design</a>. Throughout the years she has worked with some of the most exclusive designers you can name in New York City (Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Liz Claiborne) and has since taken root in Westchester and manned her small business which includes illustration, decorative, and pattern design. I adore her work and have sprinkled pieces she has created throughout the interview below. On top of all this, she also has a great daily blog, <a href="http://www.pvedesign.blogspot.com/">pvedesign.blogspot.com</a>.<br /><br />Not only is her talent striking, but her sincere support of my ventures has been a constant source of encouragement. So I can say firsthand that her intentions outlined below are not just mere guidelines for her, but actual daily practices. One of my favorite intentions she mentions is #7, to know that passion feels like love. So true!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sbkev5FghHI/AAAAAAAAA4c/y01Ph5KVZOU/s1600-h/pve_about4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 195px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sbkev5FghHI/AAAAAAAAA4c/y01Ph5KVZOU/s400/pve_about4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312311043586819186" border="0" /></a><br /><div>1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To choose wisely</span> - Life is all about choice and the choices that we make can make or break a life. I have three children and my intent is to teach them to be independent thinkers and to know that it is their choice. I learned this from my Mom, as one of seven we learned by doing. Like a bird, we all have to fly so the sooner the better.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To sacrifice </span>- Our culture today is so accustomed to "immediate" needs being met that very little sacrifice is being made. I do not really like the word goals, it sounds so "big" and I prefer to set small steps by building upon desires. One has to look ahead, and plan. I prefer to "plan" - lists and a book journaling my steps, my desires and trying to accomplish them. Some require help, like taking a class to learn to work towards desires. Others just simply need action.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbkfqgiAs7I/AAAAAAAAA40/B3I5gqI6Os8/s1600-h/illust8L.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbkfqgiAs7I/AAAAAAAAA40/B3I5gqI6Os8/s400/illust8L.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312312050607764402" border="0" /></a><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;"> To be at peace</span> - Peace is more than just making your surroundings an oasis. Developing and understanding peace requires hearing, listening and being open to be still. In a hectic and fast paced world, peace needs to be put first. It is in finding joy in small things, first by waking up earlier, by giving yourself time to think, time to create, time to get out for a walk and be aware of each day. I made a cake for a friend, for her birthday. My friend, who I made the cake for told me about "zen habits" site and I love it, I gave her the book, "The Power of Less" - we all need to simplify, do less and live more peacefully. Honoring yourself and the one's who bring you peace. S l o w i n g down. Visit a cemetery and feel the rest. Feel joyful for each day.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To smile</span> - Each day, to smile at those you love and then that one person that you know will benefit from a free smile. I always try to smile at those I meet and hope to make their day a bit brighter, cheerier.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sbkfif5IjoI/AAAAAAAAA4s/Y0WFohmXiPk/s1600-h/illust9L.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sbkfif5IjoI/AAAAAAAAA4s/Y0WFohmXiPk/s400/illust9L.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312311912997359234" border="0" /></a>5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To risk</span> - To realize that the greater the risk, the greater the reward. Anyone who has risked has gained. Risks can often involve danger or fear, but it is often fear that drives us. I moved to New York City after college and I think my parents were more afraid than I was. It can be a "risky" city, lots of opportunity, good and bad and I think I chose wisely, gaining invaluable experiences having worked for top fashion designers. We moved to the suburbs north of the city when our twins were little - for a house, green grass, fresh air and good schools. In 2 short years, our sons will graduate from high school and our daughter is 4th grade. We gained a nice community, a small village, but close to the big city. We have the best of both worlds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbkecZYTZGI/AAAAAAAAA4U/ImEZAGTj98c/s1600-h/pve+design+paint702.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 121px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbkecZYTZGI/AAAAAAAAA4U/ImEZAGTj98c/s400/pve+design+paint702.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312310708658201698" border="0" /></a>6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To express emotions</span> - For me, this would be to express emotions not only in my artwork, but also in my daily life. To speak freely, laugh openly, show tears and to know that it is all good to share and to express. I love the fact that I have always drawn, always loved to from the time I was little and to me, the one emotion is "energy" - "vitality" - "alive" - I get excited, my heart beats a bit faster - I feel like a kid with a brand new box of crayolas! I get so excited.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbkeK0sJnGI/AAAAAAAAA4M/U4kU9KBHPuc/s1600-h/pve+birds025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 220px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbkeK0sJnGI/AAAAAAAAA4M/U4kU9KBHPuc/s400/pve+birds025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312310406751558754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Patricia's designs can be seen <a href="http://pvedesign.com/index.htm">here</a><br /><br /></span></div>7. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To work with passion</span> - I am fortunate that I get to do what I love every day. I feel so many people either hate what they do, or were never supported to follow their passion which then can show up in anger, resentment and unhappiness. Working with passion feels like love. You live for it. <div><br /></div> 8. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To radiate light</span> - One must think of themselves like a bright light - full of warmth.<br />Like ET, he had a special light that he could not hide. There will be brighter days than others, but when you are in the habit of radiating a positive light, it becomes easier to shine. "Light today for tomorrow" - quote from Elizabeth Browning. Again, radiating light is shining, not hiding. It is a personal choice to be the brightest, be the best, and often that is through reflecting and working within. Think of Mother Theresa or Princess Diana. They did not hide, they lit the world.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sbke3RwCi8I/AAAAAAAAA4k/k1_0iy52UCk/s1600-h/pve_about5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sbke3RwCi8I/AAAAAAAAA4k/k1_0iy52UCk/s400/pve_about5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312311170466745282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A gorgeous image Patricia at work<br /><br /></span></div>9. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To sense</span> - Seeing, touching, hearing, tasting, smelling are all part of getting in touch with your senses. Just think as you go through your day how much you actually sense. Keep a card and write a note of all the things you sense. You will be amazed how we take this for granted. I use a simple card to jot down notes - this really helps me to be aware, to not forget. <div><br /></div> 10. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To realize a purpose</span> - Living with a purpose, gives one direction to wake up, to toil, to love, to care, and to enjoy a life full of intention. No matter what we endure, hardships, hatred, or loss, to know that each of us are here to live a purpose driven life is how we rise to realize our own unique purpose. My purpose is to share my art, to inspire others that want to find passion and love in their work. I think on a bigger scale, I hope to be part of an organization to help others, perhaps children or newly married couples. Love is truly all a part of it, my parents have been married 60 years and they always tell me, it is the little things that add up to something big. I see them as being kind, strong, resilient and loving. My father built a business -"Paul's" Fruit markets in Louisville, KY and it is still going strong. He certainly inspired me to do what I love and of course my Mom gave us many wonderful opportunities to be "open." Open to the best you can be. <div><br /></div> </div>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-63235664932438573612009-03-11T13:41:00.001-05:002009-03-11T13:41:00.221-05:00business questions? i got answers!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sbfr1gLxMoI/AAAAAAAAA4E/ZoXHUoMDMYk/s1600-h/BusinessQA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 340px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/Sbfr1gLxMoI/AAAAAAAAA4E/ZoXHUoMDMYk/s400/BusinessQA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311973589911679618" border="0" /></a><br />More and more often I am getting questions about entrepreneurship, and starting a small business- which I LOVE to talk about. So I would like to offer my advice regarding small business, ways to grow, or what running a small business is like. Please post your questions in the comment section and on Friday I give my honest and candid opinion on the topics you propose.<br /><br />I will also state that my advice is based on my personal experience in business and may not be applicable for all companies. (So please don't sue.) But I can say that:<br /><ul><li>I started my company at the age of 15. Which means I have been a business owner for <a href="http://jesslc.com/aboutjess.htm">nine years</a>.</li><li>My jewelry is sold in over <a href="http://jesslc.com/location.htm">95 stores </a>across the country (and one in Canada- yea for <a href="http://oliverandlillys.com/">Oliver and Lilly's</a>!)</li><li>I work alongside four part-time employees, interns, sales reps, and several freelance workers to keep <a href="http://jesslc.com/">Jess LC</a> running.<br /></li><li>Jess LC is 100% organically funded (no big start-up funds for this little lady).</li><li>I personally create and maintain the <a href="http://jesslc.com/">website</a>.<br /></li><li>I graduated from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business with a Bachelors of Business Administration in 2007 and moved to Chicago to pursue Jess LC full-time.<br /></li></ul>So now that you have a quick idea of how I spend my time: Please, ask away!Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-67259224648828049852009-03-11T09:52:00.006-05:002009-03-11T10:18:54.873-05:00dressing charlotte<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbfRoqqoJhI/AAAAAAAAA38/Q2dpJA3MaEI/s1600-h/IMG_0957.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbfRoqqoJhI/AAAAAAAAA38/Q2dpJA3MaEI/s400/IMG_0957.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311944782084843026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My button down shirt, neglected in recent months.<br /><br /></span></div>The theme for this week's Dressing Charlotte is about reworking the button down, a closet staple, into something fresh for spring. I realized on Sunday that button downs haven't gotten much trend love in the past few seasons, and therefore my lonely button down has been stranded on a hanger for far too long.<br /><br />And with the warmer temperatures coming soon (they are going to come, right?) a button down can be a perfect lightweight, long sleeve option. Below are three easy ways I will be sporting my oxford this season.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbfRWlLs2UI/AAAAAAAAA30/MbNLImtGFKA/s1600-h/IMG_0970.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbfRWlLs2UI/AAAAAAAAA30/MbNLImtGFKA/s400/IMG_0970.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311944471375305026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The V-neck of this sweater is great for the button down and I love the tone-on-tone combo.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbfQ0WbgJ0I/AAAAAAAAA3s/JkQsQA1j0w4/s1600-h/IMG_0980.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbfQ0WbgJ0I/AAAAAAAAA3s/JkQsQA1j0w4/s400/IMG_0980.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311943883299497794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The neck of this raspberry short sleeve sweater is just a smidge too big to<br />wear alone, but it pairs beautifully with the shirt underneath.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbfQhAIAHCI/AAAAAAAAA3k/2quuQxexGGU/s1600-h/IMG_0985.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbfQhAIAHCI/AAAAAAAAA3k/2quuQxexGGU/s400/IMG_0985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311943550894611490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The small ruffle on the oxford collar is adorable paired<br />with the inset detail on this gray cardigan.<br /></span></div><br />As for accessories with a button down? Stick to earrings, and let the scale match the collar of the shirt.Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-81763991318997465132009-03-10T14:56:00.015-05:002009-03-10T15:32:23.910-05:00design crush: dream studio tour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbJIoKrIJI/AAAAAAAAA3c/I1b2xC0lQAE/s1600-h/2979608898_ed509c56bd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbJIoKrIJI/AAAAAAAAA3c/I1b2xC0lQAE/s400/2979608898_ed509c56bd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311653960588402834" border="0" /></a><br />To some, this studio may look familiar. That is because it is the headquarters for <a href="http://pinklovesbrown.com/">Pink Loves Brown</a>, a Chicago based stationary line designed by Nicole, of the popular design blog, <a href="http://makingitlovely.com/2008/10/27/studio-tour/">Making It Lovely</a> (home of these great photos).<br /><br />I will cut to the chase and admit that I have a huge design/career crush on Nicole. Her lifestyle in Chicago incorporates a successful business and a house worth blogging about- two things that I hope to one day achieve on a similar level. I have the <a href="http://jesslc.com/">business</a> part started, but my own jewelry <a href="http://makeundermylife.blogspot.com/2009/01/where-i-work-part-2.html">studio</a> is "cute, but no cigar" to this amazing 150 square foot workspace. Can you believe that all of this wonderful resides in a spare bedroom of an Oak Park bungalow?<br /><br />Moral of the story?<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">1.) It can be done.<br />2.) I have some work to do.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbJEMreDGI/AAAAAAAAA3U/kMVRAr5dsP4/s1600-h/2979608372_a077233227.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbJEMreDGI/AAAAAAAAA3U/kMVRAr5dsP4/s400/2979608372_a077233227.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311653884490288226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Just the right shade of blush for the walls.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbI-gPxBlI/AAAAAAAAA3M/E_B8TNtzWZg/s1600-h/2979607874_dc085a814c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbI-gPxBlI/AAAAAAAAA3M/E_B8TNtzWZg/s400/2979607874_dc085a814c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311653786663585362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Nicole installed these bamboo floors herself!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbGkRNCANI/AAAAAAAAA28/y8S_8Kt8y50/s1600-h/2979556072_0ca0e439b4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbGkRNCANI/AAAAAAAAA28/y8S_8Kt8y50/s400/2979556072_0ca0e439b4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311651136925728978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I. Adore. These. Shelves.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbGM_CPtGI/AAAAAAAAA2k/oBA07zLm8qk/s1600-h/2979468058_8cedd83dcb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbGM_CPtGI/AAAAAAAAA2k/oBA07zLm8qk/s400/2979468058_8cedd83dcb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311650736911660130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">FYI: My packing station has some explaining to do.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbGCaVM-XI/AAAAAAAAA2U/seJtnxh4Chk/s1600-h/452905341_0bb968a447.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbbGCaVM-XI/AAAAAAAAA2U/seJtnxh4Chk/s400/452905341_0bb968a447.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311650555260369266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Genius! I have this same shoe caddy from Target.<br /></span></div>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-9862853311921310582009-03-10T07:40:00.000-05:002009-03-10T07:40:00.121-05:00no paint artwork in 15 minutes<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbW4HbE7L4I/AAAAAAAAA2M/JQpcs12y2Bo/s1600-h/IMG_0565.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbW4HbE7L4I/AAAAAAAAA2M/JQpcs12y2Bo/s400/IMG_0565.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311353773220376450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Simple white canvases above my bed.<br /><br /></span></div>I never really thought too much about these canvases until my cousin mentioned they were his favorite pieces of art in my apartment.<br /><br />"Art?"<br /><br />What was once an unsuccessful attempt to make jewelry displays later became an inexpensive way to fill the space above my bed. Nevertheless, I will accept the compliment and now I am excited to share this simple <span style="font-style: italic;">no paint</span> project (read: apartment friendly).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbW30PvROLI/AAAAAAAAA2E/tzAASYEXnNA/s1600-h/IMG_0556.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbW30PvROLI/AAAAAAAAA2E/tzAASYEXnNA/s400/IMG_0556.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311353443759241394" border="0" /></a><br />I bought two $22 primed canvases from Blick, a spool of textured charcoal thread, and a foot of charcoal starched linen-like fabric. I cut the gray fabric into 14-18 leaves for each canvas and cut a small slit in the center of each leaf to make room for the thread.<br /><br />Then, I wound the thread across the canvas front to back about 12-20 times, threading leaves as I went. Once I was out of thread or liked how it looked, I cut the end and knotted it to the first thread. Done.<br /><br />Can this even count as a project? Seriously?<br /><br />There are a million ways this could be evolved into even more elaborate artwork. If anyone tries this project, please send me a picture to post!Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-53803684298036052922009-03-09T13:13:00.001-05:002009-03-09T13:11:36.720-05:00off the chain update: love from portugal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbVVqgx6siI/AAAAAAAAA18/vBX2aqDbKlU/s1600-h/OFFTHECHAINheader.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 102px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbVVqgx6siI/AAAAAAAAA18/vBX2aqDbKlU/s400/OFFTHECHAINheader.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311245524395536930" border="0" /></a>[<a href="http://makeundermylife.blogspot.com/2009/03/soc-chic-all-week-giveaway-winners.html">Soc Chic Giveaway winners</a>]<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbUnJSOW2KI/AAAAAAAAA1E/2syVGuhQ5hA/s1600-h/Lisbon"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbUnJSOW2KI/AAAAAAAAA1E/2syVGuhQ5hA/s400/Lisbon" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311194376017729698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Daniela in Lisboa, Portugal wearing her new Jess LC <a href="http://jesslc.com/CH122.htm">necklace</a>.<br /><br /></span></div>I <a href="http://makeundermylife.blogspot.com/2009/01/jess-lc-goes-international.html">mentioned</a> last month that thanks to our efforts "out and about" on the internet, we have seen a big spike in international Jess LC orders and fans. Most recently we added Australia and Portugal to the list.<br /><br />We always ask our international customers to take a picture of themselves wearing their new Jess LC jewels in their hometown. Daniela of Lisboa, Portugal was happy to supply us with some amazing photos of her sporting her new <a href="http://jesslc.com/CH122.htm">Southport Cluster Necklace</a> with a stunning backdrop of land and sea.<br /><br />All I can say is:<br /><br />First - Thank you Daniela for the great pictures!<br /><br />Second - Mind if I come and stay for a while? Lisboa sure beats Chicago this time of year!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbUn0tf_p9I/AAAAAAAAA1U/ea4W7Qqm6co/s1600-h/Lisbon%283%29"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbUn0tf_p9I/AAAAAAAAA1U/ea4W7Qqm6co/s400/Lisbon%283%29" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311195122073839570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Such a cutie!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbUoJtQ5KXI/AAAAAAAAA1c/gnFhjSCpcH8/s1600-h/Lisbon%284%29"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbUoJtQ5KXI/AAAAAAAAA1c/gnFhjSCpcH8/s400/Lisbon%284%29" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311195482787752306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My view of Lake Michigan doesn't hold a candle to this breathtaking sight. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbUnwh3HDxI/AAAAAAAAA1M/5efFv90IjmE/s1600-h/Lisbon%282%29"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbUnwh3HDxI/AAAAAAAAA1M/5efFv90IjmE/s400/Lisbon%282%29" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311195050230091538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Thanks again, my dear!</span><br /></div>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-32710945907940667092009-03-09T09:33:00.013-05:002009-03-09T19:34:26.940-05:00soc chic all week: GIVEAWAY WINNERS!Drum roll please. At long last we have the winners of the <a href="http://makeundermylife.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-week-all-chic-soc-chic-giveaway_02.html">Soc Chic All Week Giveaway</a>. The lucky ladies from the seven awesome participating blogs are listed below. Winners will be emailed today regarding final details.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbUsdZymSZI/AAAAAAAAA10/I4zzqiaNsy4/s1600-h/scbanner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 128px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbUsdZymSZI/AAAAAAAAA10/I4zzqiaNsy4/s400/scbanner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311200219204307346" border="0" /></a><br />But for the 822 people who commented and did not snag a lovely Soc Chic necklace we have a special thank you for participating - <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >For the next two days (Monday 3/9 and Tuesday 3/10) we have FREE SHIPPING on ALL Jess LC jewelry</span></span></span><br /><br />This special shipping rate applies to all US shipping- no code needed, it will automatically take affect at checkout.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Soc Chic All Week Winners:</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://cocokelley.blogspot.com/">Coco + Kelly</a> : <a href="http://www.jesslc.com/SC06.htm">Match Made in Heaven Necklace</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">Patricia of <a href="http://pvedesign.blogspot.com/">PVE Design</a></span><br /><a href="http://www.ladolcevitablog.com/">La Dolce Vita</a> : <a href="http://www.jesslc.com/SC03.htm">Silver Lining Necklace </a>- <span style="font-style: italic;">Angela F.</span><br /><a href="http://delightbydesign.blogspot.com/">Delight by Design</a> : <a href="http://www.jesslc.com/SC04.htm">Good Intention Necklace </a>- <span style="font-style: italic;">Amanda M.</span><br /><a href="http://heart-of-light.blogspot.com/">Heart of Light</a> : <a href="http://www.jesslc.com/SC02.htm">Falling Star Necklace</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">Elizabeth B.</span><br /><a href="http://www.thebrightsideproject.com/">Blah Blah Blahg</a> : Commenter’s Choice - <span style="font-style: italic;">Laura </span><br /><a href="http://twoliablog.com/designlovely/">Design Lovely</a> : <a href="http://www.jesslc.com/SC05.htm">Lucky in Bed Necklace</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">Kit of </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://thatunreliablegirl.blogspot.com/">That Unreliable Girl</a><br /><a href="http://www.annesage.com/blog/" target="_blank">The City Sage</a> : <a href="http://www.jesslc.com/SC01.htm" target="_blank">Pink Lemonade Necklace</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">Grace of </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.poetichome.com/">Poetic Home </a><br /><br />Also props for Miss B at <a href="http://www.thebrightsideproject.com/">The Bright Side Project</a> for getting featured on<a href="http://www.dailycandy.com/everywhere/article/42108/Mrs+Brightside"> DailyCandy.com</a>!<br /><br /></div></div>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580810407432706300.post-44348617146742241642009-03-06T13:29:00.009-06:002009-03-06T13:37:43.660-06:00weekly post its- my favorite house tour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6oLTxVpI/AAAAAAAAA08/Hbd7Ai9DL5c/s1600-h/summer03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6oLTxVpI/AAAAAAAAA08/Hbd7Ai9DL5c/s400/summer03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310160266295596690" border="0" /></a>This week I am going to devote the entire Post It to the Lincoln Park home images from Summer of <a href="http://www.summerthorntondesign.com/">Summer Thornton Design</a> via <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/house-tours/house-tour-summer-and-joshs-pumped-up-traditional-chicago-065851">Apartment Therapy</a>. I found this slide show months ago, and it remains my absolute favorite. Check out photos below to see why I adore Summer's space so much.<br /><br />And the best part is her place is only 700 square feet!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6kMz9PoI/AAAAAAAAA00/8ZeFHhmPNC8/s1600-h/summer04_small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6kMz9PoI/AAAAAAAAA00/8ZeFHhmPNC8/s400/summer04_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310160197979553410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6gEVlUbI/AAAAAAAAA0s/68P5dgjsmDA/s1600-h/summer05_small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6gEVlUbI/AAAAAAAAA0s/68P5dgjsmDA/s400/summer05_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310160126985195954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6a3wUQ9I/AAAAAAAAA0k/f8U3bhbYD6c/s1600-h/summer08_small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6a3wUQ9I/AAAAAAAAA0k/f8U3bhbYD6c/s400/summer08_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310160037708317650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6XE-JkEI/AAAAAAAAA0c/mQK5IGjB2WE/s1600-h/summer11_small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6XE-JkEI/AAAAAAAAA0c/mQK5IGjB2WE/s400/summer11_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310159972536520770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6S3nSDWI/AAAAAAAAA0U/2qMIur2eZt0/s1600-h/summer02_small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aKY2qdGBzoc/SbF6S3nSDWI/AAAAAAAAA0U/2qMIur2eZt0/s400/summer02_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310159900231470434" border="0" /></a>Jess Constablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16584162498064348628noreply@blogger.com11