Day 1. For the zillionth time… 

I’ve been struggling with a small series of unfortunate events lately. Not ONE big thing has happened or gone wrong, but bunches of little stuff has started to catch up with me. I obviously have been lacking blog post consistency, which sucks. This weekend when chatting to my best friend about life, my career, and the blog, she said, “I just thought maybe you were getting over it.” YIKES. 

I’m not over it, I’m more into it than I’ve ever been. The last thing I ever want to do is publish a half ass blog post, but in the same breath I have to remember that “done is better than perfect”. So here I am, getting it done, and as a perfectionist, it will be challenging to post this puppy without rereading multiple times and holding back the honesty a bit. 

I live a life of organized chaos. Some of you do as well, you take on the world, and prefer it that way, but there’s simply not enough hours in the day. Others think we’re crazy. Someone actually said to me this week, “What could you possibly be doing that you’re so busy?” To people like that, I say this…

I have BIG goals, and SO much to give. I take on so much because it makes me genuinely happy, stressed but happy. I STRIVE for balance, and admit I haven’t perfected it. The battle of “too busy” is between me and my goals, and to anyone that chooses not to contribute to my life in a positive way, stay out of it. 

So today is Day 1. It’s not the first time I’ve had a Day 1, it’s not even the 20th, I’ve truly lost count. It’s embarassing to proclaim motivation for newness when really you feel like the boy who cried wolf, but as long as I’m hungry for a fresh start, I can absolutely make it happen.

Today’s Day 1 consists of sitting here writing and publishing an imperfect post, just to get it live. The green and fresh stocked fridge. The laundry currently tumbling. My first workout with a personal trainer. A still drying pale pink, self painted mani. Today is my Day 1 of striving for a more consistent, more productive life with higher return. 

It’s not too late, why don’t you decide to make today your Day 1 too?

XO
AJ 

Just be nice.


One of the most interesting parts of having a blog for me, is finding that hard line within the fog of sharing personal and professional information. I started this blog originally to connect with my current clients outside of the salon, give them industry related information and connect on a personal level. In the past year and a half of having this website, much has evolved, but I am still trying to identify how much of my personal life is sharable before it just becomes annoying to others. I’ve claimed to be a beauty and lifestyle blog, and for me, the two are directly connected. 

Just when I decide to pull back, and create only beauty and fashion related content, I get emails or facebook messages asking lifestyle related questions. Again, this is such an interesting spot for me, my intentions were never to showcase my personal life, but I wear my heart on my sleeve and my passions are always present, so trying to downplay that is foreign in itself. 

In the past six months especially, I’ve had many cosmetology students and fellow beauty professionals contact me privately through this website. I’ve had childhood friends I’ve lost touch with reach out to simply say they read or love the blog. Many other women in long distance relationships connect with me to vent and just seek hope that it’s worth it… or possible. SO many people ask for MORE personal content.  

So I’m in a funky spot today, day one without my partner in crime. And I sobadlywant to sit here at my quiet desk and chat about fashion week or the Grammy’s, but my personal resolution for the blog is to not force content, and speak passionately. And today, all I’m feeling, is like a total sloth. 

If you’re new around here and recently tuned in… I get to live with Sammy for four months out of the year, and we’re apart for eight. Today is day one of the new eight month cycle. (You should have seen me at the airport this morning…) Our fourth season away, and it only gets harder. It’s a strange thing, because people know about us, but no one really knows us. 

So with all that rambling, I actually do have a point: BE NICE. Everyone is struggling with something. For me, right now, it’s regaining balance and feeling an emptiness. JUST BE NICE, it could make all the difference in someone’s day. 

You have the power every single day to be a daymaker, why would you want to be anything else?

THINGS I LEARNED THIS WEEK:

• I need my friends, and the laughter we share
• Wearing my beats on my way to work= a better day
• Keratase’s new oil for damaged hair is my new best friend
• Being booked with weddings through NYE makes me feel downright awesome
• My clients trust me with the private details of their lives, and this is an honor, a goosebump worthy honor
• When your building notifies you your water will be turned off on Thursday morning, they’re not bluffing
• Gilt bar has the best caesar salad in Chicago
• My boyfriend will always be a kid… he had a longboard and tambourine delivered to the apartment
• I feel better with extensions in!
• I deserve a monthly massage… and so do you

Have a perfect Friday!
P.S. Congrats to Rachel W. for winning the $50 gift card on the facebook page today :)

XO
AJ 

JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE LIVING DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE ALIVE.

LIFE COMES IN MOMENTS, MAKE EACH ONE COUNT.

IT’S NOW OR NEVER.