My Alter Ego

I stepped on a stage at the age of three and I think it was that moment that I fell in love with performing. I can still remember the song that I did my first tap dance to, "No Can't Do!" I've haven't stopped performing since. Whether it was choreographed water ballets at the public pool or hours of practicing my dance moves in front of my bathroom mirror, I've always loved performing.

I loved it so much that I went to a special performing arts high school in Houston, Texas where I majored in clarinet performance. Yes, I was a nerd, but I have always found a way to be involved in the arts. I am proud to say Beyonce went to my school, so maybe that's where this alter ego of mine first started to develop. B has Sasha Fierce and I have Alexa!

Alexa is the name of my mannequin and my diva alter ego that dances in my head. haha. I am weird you guys, but I think you know this by now. Who doesn't secretly dream of accepting Academy Awards, dancing in a music video with JT and strutting on the runway at New York Fashion Week?!

The ability to transform myself and others is part of what makes me love fashion. To this day I still step on stage to sing for church, have daily dance parties with my daughter and create special experiences for film and photography. Alexa is very much alive, and keeps me dreaming and performing even though the audience might not be able to fill a football stadium.

I'd love to hear the names of your "alter egos!" Please share!

Dress from Lulus.com; Photo by Gina Meola, makeup by SN Makeup Artist; Hair by Kim Cornwell, Styling by AVE Styles

The Boys Call Me Al

I spent a good chunk of my childhood in Wisconsin where my dad taught me how to hunt and fish. I became a pro at calling in the ducks and didn't even flinch at grabbing earthworms and tying them to my fishing hook. My dad never wished he had a son because he got a tomboy daughter who didn't mind getting dirty camping.

Back then I could have cared less about the world of fashion. Clothes just kept me from running around naked. In fact, I wore a uniform of baggy shirts and shorts for almost eight years. It was only on Saturday mornings that you would find me in a leotard and tights for ballet class, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I remember a lot of my boy friends would call me Al, as well as my cousins in New Hampshire who all equally love the outdoors.

I don't hear the name Al all that often anymore, but I have definitely kept my tomboyish spirit. Most days my husband and I wear button down shirts and jeans as if I am trying to match him. If I didn't love to wear makeup, had long hair and boobs I could totally pass as a man. haha. I also still love getting away in nature and don't mind getting dirty. I love my tomboy side that is playful and carefree, and it's something that I hope my daughter gets from me too.

Photo by Gina Meola; Makeup by SN Makeup Artist; Hair by Kim Cornwell; Styling by AVE Styles

What's in a name?

What is in a name? It's a famous question asked by William Shakespeare in the play Romeo and Juliet, and it's a very important one that I asked myself a lot as the relaunch of AVE Styles approached. A couple months ago, a close friend of mine challenged me by asking me what is most memorable about my style or my personality. Nothing came to mind, which took my brain to the dangerous place of comparison land where I thought about other stylists in the business easily identifying and communicating their unique style (edgy, shabby chic, vintage, etc). Even days later, I realized that I don't have a specific style I completely align with. Rather, I appreciate ALL styles. I love working on projects that showcase variety and range. I love wearing ultra feminine clothes to tomboy clothes. At first when I came to this realization, I felt like I wasn't good enough because I didn't have one major unique thing. But after some soul searching, I thought, "To hell with that! I am who I am!" My appreciation for many styles, my ability to art direct and style projects that that run the gamut of fashion is what makes me who I am and unique. Not everyone can say the same thing.

So, let me introduce you to me - to Alex. I am an honest soul. I value authenticity, justice and hard work. I am a go getter, a natural networker and I thrive on bringing people's vision to life through my curatorial eye and ability to style people well. I love to laugh. I love to sing, I love to help people feel alive and experience this world's beauty. I dream often.

I have been married six and a half years to Ryan. I have a golden doodle named Wendy (pictured below). I am a mom to  sweet and spunky Elle. I enjoy living in Phoenix, Arizona. I don't like beets and liver, but I'll eat and try anything else. I am Greek, Italian and Irish. I'd say the stereotypes of my cultures remain true. I am loud. I am emotional. I am stubborn. But, I love life. I love good people and good food. I love to celebrate. I love to create. And, most of all, I love God.

Visit again tomorrow to meet another side of me that you didn't know before.

Photo by Gina Meola. Makeup by Stephanie Neiheisel. Hair by Kim Cornwell. Styling by Alex Evjen, AVE Styles.

A New Chapter of AVE Styles

Today, I'm not only releasing a new website design, I'm releasing a new chapter of A.V.E. Styles. Over the past four years my business has evolved greatly as I have learned what areas of fashion styling I like, love and can't live without. I've also become a mother, let go of two other jobs that I was doing when I first launched my business, and found unexpected success as a tastemaker and social media influencer. The combination of these elements lead me to hire a business coach, Jess Lively, and re-ask important questions such as, "What does my heart beat for? Where do I see myself in ten years? What do I want to be when I grow up? What am I truly good at? Who do I want to work with?" After some serious soul searching, I have come to these answers...

• My heart beats for creating culture that reflects God's beauty and influencing people to see that beauty.
• I am and want to continue to be a fashion stylist and art director who helps make people's vision come to life right before their eyes
• I am gifted with a curatorial eye. I have a knack for knowing what people like and want to see more of. I am great at sharing and connecting people with others.
• I see myself now and in ten years working with stylish brands of all shapes and sizes to cultivate brand awareness through the creation of original and artful content and sharing it with the masses
• I want to work with men and women who are influencing culture in a meaningful way

Once I came to these answers, I realized that even though I thought I no longer had a passion for public relations and communications (what I studied in college and what I did for four years after school), I still do. I also realized that I particularly love styling and art direction for the purpose of creating images and film. I adore meeting with men and women in their homes and empowering them to find their personal style, but it doesn't get my brain spinning, my heart racing and leave me craving more as much as working with the camera.

So, here I go...Cheers to a new year, a new website, new services and knowing myself better than I ever have before! Happy 2014 everyone!

Photo by Gina Meola; Makeup by SN Makeup Artist; Hair by Kim Cornwell, Styling by Alex Evjen

A Thankful Heart

I'm so glad we have a holiday the makes us reflect on all that we are thankful for. There is a lot of selfishness in the world, but this is a holiday that should be anything but that. Of course, this idea of giving thanks should happen every day. I really do try to live my life that way, but I'm so happy to get to spend all day celebrating with family and a feast. I know that holidays are a hard time for many because they are reminded of what they have lost, but if you are reading this that means you are alive. That means that you are here on this earth for now and for a reason. I really do believe that with all my heart. I want you to know that I am thankful for YOU. I'm thankful for you taking one minute out of your day to read my words. It is truly an encouragement to me. You matter, you matter to many.

So, if you find yourself a loss for what to say you are thankful for, I guess start with the air you are breathing and you heart that is beating.

Image from I Heart Nap Time