Serendipity lead me to live in a handful of cities before finding my home and career in Chicago. My job constantly evolves and only gets better with age, like a grandfather with so many stories under his belt, and never less proud to tell them. Hairdressing has lead me into the homes and wedding days of so many beautiful women, and I’ve become one of the guys chatting baseball from behind the chair with my guys. It has lead me to blogging, shares common denominators with my work in the fashion industry, and allows me to be a professional daymaker. 

But what I’ve learned, is that I’m a minority here in this bliss of loving what I do. Now, please don’t mistake this for bragging, I’m not trying to rub it in. I’m genuinely sad if you don’t share the obsession for your own job, what you’re choosing to spend your life doing. My question: Then why are you doing it? And my opinion: It’s never too late. Trust me, there are many days a week I don’t feel my sparkliest, but only I can change that!

Life is short. I know it’s a generic statement, but it’s the simplest truth. Life is flying by! If you don’t love something, change it. If you’re not happy, know that you have to power to be. 

My mission is to be happy. Isn’t everyone’s? Don’t we all strive to be happy? I don’t know if it’s the change in seasons, or the fact that we’re all growing up and facing the challenges of the real world, but I’ve noticed, even in myself, that everyone is a little blue as of late. So I took this weekend to spend some serious time and thought on happiness. What happiness means to me, how to be happier, and how to help others be happier. 

After a long Sunday of reading, and singing, and vision boarding- I’ve got it. I KNOW the FASTEST most efficient way to becoming happier. Now don’t laugh… 

MAKE SOMEONE ELSE HAPPY. 

I mean it. 

If you are unhappy, stuck in a funk, or just kinda blah- make it your mission to start making other people happy. SPREAD HAPPINESS. I promise, seriously, that you will be instantly happy. Find your way to spread smiles, and whether it be dropping quarters in a cup on a cold day, paying a compliment, SMILING, being a good listener, sending a “just because” card with glitter… your optimistic options are endless. Before you know it, you’ve tricked yourself into feeling what you want others to as well. 

So BAM. Do what you love, and spread joy. It’s the holidays, so this is the perfect time to snap out of it and get into it! 

XO
AJ 

Happy Monday :) 

After a weekend FULL of hair, love and weddings, I’m excited to be back in Chicago, back into the yoga studio, and back to the blog! 

Today, Emila Jane Photography released her super cool promo video. It’s the kind of thing I caught myself smiling at while watching, and couldn’t watch only once, or even twice. 

DO YOU LOVE THE HAIR?! I’m pretty proud of it. Call me maybe? 

Hope your week is full of summer lovin’ and fresh starts!

XO
AJ 

Beauty doesn’t always come in a bottle, and what’s trending now doesn’t even come with a price tag.

The beauty industry is always evolving, and trends constantly morph. We play an adult game of follow the leader. It’s exciting to keep up on the current nail tutorials, hair DIYs and beauty pinboards, but sometimes it’s totally fine to step away from the scene, and model your best look.

I’m talking about optimism. Noticeable, contagious, beautiful, positivity. 

I promise, (and my mom taught us young to never make promises you can’t keep), your positive attitude this season, is a REVOLUTIONARY trend, one that is timeless, and should last more than just this season. When those around you, strangers or not, witness and feel this positive energy radiating from your smile, they won’t be able to help but smile back… making optimism the most contagious trend, and a smile your best accessory. 

:)
AJ