Absolute Living

Absolute Living

DEVOTED TO DeBRAND LORI SONNER, CATHY BRAND-BEERE AND AUDREE BEERE

WE LOVE LOCAL

INTRIGUING INTERIORS LET'S TALK THERAPY JAN/FEB 2022

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Jan/Feb 2022

Photography By Gabrielle Cheikh Noel

CONTENTS

10

LET'S TALK THERAPY

30

WE LOVE LOCAL

18

DEVOTED TO DeBRAND

36

INTRIGUING INTERIORS

START THE YEAR RIGHT BY GIVING YOUR MIND THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES.

CATHY BRAND-BEERE, DAUGHTER AUDREE BEERE, AND INDIANAPOLIS PARTNER LORI SONNER SHARE A SERIOUS PASSION FOR DELICIOUS, DELECTABLE, DEBRAND.

THE ABSOLUTE LIVING 2022 VALENTINE'S GIFT GUIDE.

SWEEP DARK WINTER AWAY WITH WILLA GRAY HOME.

Volume 16. Issue 01. (#168)

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@absolutelivingmagazine

SUBSCRIPTIONS For more information go to absolutelivingmagazine.com, call 317.509.3981, or email jpena@ absolutelivingmagazine.com. To sign up for Absolute Living's monthly newsletter, go to absolutelivingmagazine. com/newsletter. COMMENTS Contact us via social media or email us at jpena@absolutelivingmagazine.com

Absolute Living

Publisher / Editor JUSTYNA PEÑA

Marketing Director EDUARDO PEÑA

Assistant Editor MATTHEW HUME

Writer SUSAN SALAZ

Photography GABRIELLE CHEIKH NOEL EDUARDO PEÑA

Art NICK PEÑA

Marketing Coordinator ISMAEL PEÑA

Circulation USPS & ABSOLUTE LIVING MAGAZINE

Contact Us INFO@ABSOLUTELIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

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Absolute Living Magazine is published monthly by Pena Group, Inc. Copyright by Pena Group, Inc. Absolute Living Magazine is a registered trademark of Pena Group, Inc.

ABSOLUTELIVING

Let's Talk Therapy

By Susan Salaz

There is no better time than now to begin new habits and to pay attention to the needs of your psyche.

According to Google, mental health is having a moment. The world’s most popular search engine saw the phrase “how to maintain mental health” searched more times in 2021 than ever before. While cybersurfing offers a wealth of information at our fingertips and has opened the door to a culture where therapy isn’t such a surreptitious undertaking, it is no match for a trusted professional. Therapist Lynn Hynes, PhD, specializes in depression, anxiety and relationship counseling, among other issues, assisting individuals, couples and families through an integrative approach. “I welcome all people who wish to explore, discover and find their way to a more fulfilling, creative and peaceful life,” she says.

As another year begins to unfold, many are seeking a fresh start, and according to Dr. Hynes, building resilience on your own or in therapy is a good way to do that. Here she offers some inspiration for those wanting a new beginning in 2022.

Adopt a

fresh-start

mindset in 2022.

• Believe in fresh starts.

Make this attitude a reality by adopting a freshstart mindset.

• See your resolutions as a growth process.

Make a list of the changes you want to see in your life, and know that you don’t have to do them all at once.

• Let go of past resentments.

Even if you’re in the habit of regularly letting go of negative emotions, an annual purge won’t hurt.

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• Prepare for the year ahead.

Look to areas of your life that need preparation for the coming year. Now is a good time to think about modifying your living space or to do some financial planning.

Creating a budget or getting your taxes started now will make the months ahead easier.

• Choose a healthy lifestyle.

This shouldn’t be a one-time thing, but rather an ongoing attitude toward life. It’s all about balance and making decisions that you know are good for you.

• Forgive yourself first.

You might not realize it, but you’ve probably been too hard on yourself in the past. It’s time to let it go and let yourself off the hook. None of us are perfect.

• Apologize if you need to.

Admitting you were wrong can be hard, but living with regret or guilt is harder. Much of the time, all it takes is a simple, heartfelt “I’m sorry.”

• Be better to yourself.

We often make resolutions for other people, but it’s wise to make a promise to be better to yourself as well. This doesn’t mean to be indulgent, but to be psychically kinder to yourself.

• Keep your promises.

A resolution is a promise you’ve made to yourself, and that’s a good thing. Keeping promises you’ve made to those who count on you is even better. If (or when) you slip up, it’s important to remember that you’re only human and then have the courage to acknowledge those mistakes.

• Be the best version of yourself.

That’s YOU—not someone else.

Lynn Hynes, PhD, works as a Depth Psychologist in private practice in Broad Ripple. There is no better time than now to begin new habits and pay attention to the needs of your psyche.

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With 2022 in full swing, design is all about warmth with a side of whimsy. This year, muted jewel tones and pops of color are joining the classic neutral palette, and curvaceous, organic shapes are pairing up with clean lines. At Houseworks, you can find all the inspiration you need to transform your space—whether it’s by adding a few new items or an entire floorplan. We love the non-invasive curves of this arcing floor lamp, the classic glass and wood combination of the Terrace coffee table, and the capricious quality of the artworks that will suit any mood.

Paula Wright Design Consultant

Welcome Home

317.306.6300 Mary.Wernke@TalkToTucker.com

www.MaryWernke.com

F.C. Tucker Company, Inc.

Devoted To

DeBrand

By Susan Salaz

Photography By Gabrielle Cheikh Noel | Artwork By Eduardo Peña

“It's delightful, it’s delicious, it’s de-lovely—” and we aren’t talking about the famed Cole Porter song. Here we refer to the delectable creations of another Hoosier visionary, Cathy Brand-Beere, and her own DeBrand Fine Chocolates.

If you’ve had the pleasure of walking through the Indianapolis DeBrand store at River Crossing, you know the elegant ambiance, top-notch service, delightful smells, and, without a doubt, the endless flavors of chocolate. A visit to DeBrand Fine Chocolates is always an unforgettable experience.

But did you know those chocolates are handcrafted right here in Indiana, with recipes developed by the company’s founder, Cathy Brand-Beere? The Indianapolis store, operated through a partnership with Lori and Bill Sonner, is the fifth DeBrand location, and the only one outside of Fort Wayne, where the company is headquartered. It’s not just a business—DeBrand is Cathy’s passion, art and life.

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“In the beginning, DeBrand was in a tiny kitchen and showroom in my parents’ business, and it has slowly grown from that to a 30,000-square-foot building,” she says of the company she began 35 years ago. (She also says that 30,000 square feet is starting to feel cramped.) The youngest of seven children, Cathy was born into and raised among the family’s confectionary supply business, Country Kitchen, which her mother Mildred began in 1964, and which is still operated by the family today. Playing chef and experimenting with all kinds of sweet ingredients when she was a child, chocolate quickly emerged as her favorite. In elementary school, she sold homemade chocolates and candy creations to her classmates, then graduated to the custom wedding cake trade as a high school student.

But the chocolate obsession never waned.

Cathy’s childhood dreams of opening a “real chocolate shop” became a reality 35 years ago. In 1987, Cathy opened the first DeBrand Fine Chocolates. Within a year, she married her husband, Tim Beere, who brought with him a background in advertising and, like Cathy, a commitment to excellence—not just in the products, but in every aspect of DeBrand’s offerings, from the presentation to the service to the packaging. “I could never have fun cutting corners and making any of our chocolates inferior, knowing that they could be better,” insists Cathy, who loves the challenge of constantly creating and improving. She recalls those first years as the busiest and most exciting time of her life.

As DeBrand grew, so did Cathy and Tim’s family, as they welcomed three daughters, Niki, Jasmine and Audree, in the early years of the business. Cathy explains that they met the formidable challenge of balancing work and children by sharing responsibilities—and often having the girls at work alongside them. Audree Beere, who now serves as the company’s business operations manager, has fond memories of being raised in the real-life candy land, where she loved getting to taste-test

experimental products in the shop after school.

“I remember being excited to grow up so I would be tall enough to see over the counter in the shop and be able to help customers,” she says. Over the years, Audree has worked in almost every part of the business—the kitchen, the shipping department, and of course, the shop. Upon her return from The King’s College in New York, Audree joined the marketing team in 2018 before taking on her current title. “All of those roles have been great and have helped to prepare me for this position,” she says. Cathy adds that she loves working with Audree, not just because she is her daughter, but because she has good business sense, common sense and an artistic eye for design.

Like mother, like daughter—DeBrand founder Cathy Brand-Beere and her daughter Audree Beere, business operations manager, have a lot in common. They are both artistic, business-savvy, and love finding ways to improve and enhance DeBrand’s potential.

In other similarities, neither could name their favorite DeBrand chocolate. Cathy says it’s whatever she is eating at the time (which changes daily), and Audree has too many favorites to count.

“When I started DeBrand, I never imagined that I would someday have a family and that we would all be able to enjoy working in this business together,” expresses Cathy, whose three daughters and a son-in-law have each found a well-suited niche within the company.

Niki, an organizational expert, seeks out potential qualified wholesale clients. Jasmine, an artisan chocolatier and culinarian, is lead assistant in the kitchen and is training to

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Not everyone will treat themselves to the most expensive vacations or the fanciest cars, but DeBrand Fine Chocolates are an affordable luxury for treating yourself and your loved ones, says Debrand founder and owner Cathy Brand-Beere. “There are not many gifts that have this ‘wow’ factor to excite an entire group of people in an office or family,” she says, explaining that DeBrand offers a variety of products, from tasting bars and ice cream toppings to the limited edition 2022 Fabric Heart Box and chocolate art boxes—along with three different gift box collections to thrill any type of chocolate-lover. The Classic Collection is made up of timeless, traditional American and European favorites. The Truffle Collection consists of twelve oversized, artfully decorated iterations of ultimate chocolate luxury inside and out. And the Connoisseur Collection features eclectic and exotic flavor combinations for the aficionado who is looking for beauty and adventure.

Classic Collection featured in 2022 Fabric Heart Box

become the kitchen manager. And Micah, a skilled machine operator, works on the DeBrand kitchen floor.

With a firmly established hold on the Fort Wayne area market, Cathy and Tim took a leap of faith and partnered with longtime DeBrand devotees Lori and Bill Sonner to open the Indianapolis DeBrand store in 2017. “I am honored that Lori believed in DeBrand,” Cathy says, “and I love having DeBrand be a part of the Indianapolis shopping experience because we can reach more people who kindly say that they take pride in having world-class chocolates made in Indiana.”

She adds that she could not have opened a store two hours away without the dedication and commitment the Sonners have brought to the enterprise.

Back in Fort Wayne at the Auburn Road headquarters, you can still find Cathy acutely involved with every aspect of the business. “I love creating made-from-

scratch centers and determining what chocolate each should be paired with, whether it is a French, Belgian, Swiss, American or South American chocolate,” she says. The design of each piece and the packaging provide challenges of their own, and Cathy says it can sometimes take two years from the conception of a new idea to being shop-ready. Through it all, she remains grateful for the team she has surrounded herself with, a team that holds every part of the process to the same high-quality standards and perfection that she does. Whether you are visiting one of the opulent DeBrand stores for an upscale treat, sending luxurious chocolates to a loved one to mark a special occasion, or touring the factory and flagship store in Fort Wayne, you will know that each and every chocolate and dessert was created with intention and enthusiasm by a deeply passionate family that has spent years perfecting their skills in the confectionary arts.

Visit DeBrand Fine Chocolates in Indianapolis, located at 8685 River Crossing Boulevard, or call 317 669-0955 to place an order for your favorites. You can also visit one of the four Fort Wayne locations, including the Auburn Road headquarters, where you can take a factory tour to learn more about the chocolate making process. For more information, visit debrand.com and follow @debrandfinechoc on Instagram.

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The Shops at River Crossing (next to The Fashion Mall) • www.debrand.com • 317.669.0955

“Luscious decadence!

The chocolates are so divine.”

By Susan Salaz

We Love Local The Absolute Living 2022 Valentine’s Gift Guide

Spread the love this year and shop for your sweetie close to home.

A delicious date night at Tucci’s (11 W. City Center Drive, Carmel City Center, tucciscarmel.com).

You don’t have to be a food and wine enthusiast to fall for the newest restaurant on the scene, but it definitely doesn’t hurt. Taste the love with the brie, pear and prosciutto pizza and a bottle of bubbly. “Tucci’s beckons those in search of an intimate, yet friendly dining experience,” says Ashley Templeton of Tucci’s Carmel. “We pride ourselves in offering the finest and freshest local ingredients in a culturally diverse menu, as well as a wide variety of wines from our two-story wine vault.”

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Heart spoon set and cutting board from Willa Gray Home (6516 Carrollton Ave., Indianapolis, willagrayhome.com) Home is where the heart is, and if you’re looking for soulful décor to set the mood, Mandy Skelton’s boutique and gallery in Broad Ripple has a lot to love, including these charming heart-shaped serving pieces.

Elegant lingerie from Barbara’s New Beginnings (8635 River Crossing Blvd, Indianapolis, barbarasnewbeginnings.com) Right now, we’re crushing on the gorgeous and intricately designed Agathe bra and panty set in Passion by Empreinte, but you can find all of your intimate apparel needs at Barbara’s, as well as custom fittings with a trained professional.

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A romantic retreat at Hotel Carmichael (1 Carmichael Square, Carmel City Center, hotelcarmichael.com) From the entertainment and culinary delights of Adagio Lounge, Feinstein’s Cabaret and Vivante French Eatery, to the luxurious rooms and suites—you don’t have to go far to enjoy a dreamy weekend getaway.

Couture jewelry from Petite G Jewelers (5609 N. Illinois Street, Indianapolis, petiteg.com).

Unlock the key to her heart with mix-and-match charms from Three Stories Jewelry out of Los Angeles—a stunning example of the exquisite collections found at this small but mighty MeridainKessler, Butler-Tarkington jeweler.

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Rejuvenate your relationship at Renova Aesthetics (145 W. Elm St., Carmel, renovaaesthetics.com) Detox as a duo with a Halotherapy session in Renova’s invigorating salt lounge—the perfect place to escape from reality with your partner. Better yet, boost your break with an IV therapy session. We love the Myers infusion, a blend of essential multivitamins and nutrients designed to restore your body to natural balance, but the medical team at Renova can help you choose which selection is best for you.

A shareable cycling package at InCycle (736 Hanover Place, Carmel City Center, incycleindy.com) Strengthen your relationship and get fit together with a 20-class couples package this February. “The great thing about this package,” says owner Cathy Miller, “is that it includes all of our classes at InCycle and InCycle Strength.”

Charcuterie for two at 317 Charcuterie (61 City Center Drive, Carmel City Center, 317charcuterie.com) This bougie new spot is the perfect place to reconnect with your loved one over an extravagant snack. For Valentine’s Day, they have heart shaped boards filled with tasty treats and perfect pairings, along with beer and wine for the ultimate flavor combinations. “It’s a fun activity for groups and couples—and it’s yummy,” says owner Emily Houser.

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By Susan Salaz

Intriguing Interiors Spring might be on the horizon, but winter is with us for a while longer. Fortunately, Willa Gray Home is brimming with beautiful ways to make your home a serene oasis full of warmth and respite this season.

T

he shop, nestled just north of Broad Ripple proper, offers unique and niche home décor, furniture, and art from all over the world, along with room planning, decorating and sourcing services to help clients find just the right piece to suit their home and lifestyle. Owner, Mandy Skelton, has a distinct, yet uncomplicated style that layers not only warm, neutral colors, but also tone, texture and even time, juxtaposing antiques and contemporary elements with ease.

While her serene, intentional design methodology isn’t strictly Belgian—Willa Gray Home offers an eclectic mix of soulful décor—Mandy says some of her wintertime favorites are from Belgium or influenced by the aesthetics of Belgian design. The ever-indulgent Kurlisuri throw, hand-woven by artisans in Belgium with traditional techniques, combines alpaca wool and cotton in a luxurious boucle knit and is perfect to curl up under. Tired of these long winter nights? Create a luminescent glow with a mix-and-match set of Belgian hurricanes. Each clear, mouth-blown glass vessel varies slightly from the next, and they pair perfectly with the cream-colored, hand-poured church candles also available. For winter whites or a pop of color, Mandy has just introduced a line of Belgian vases in paper-mache and glass that are sure to brighten your day.

With a style that is deliberate and earnest, Mandy believes in slow design and says you should never feel rushed to fill your space. “It’s not about decorating for the sake of decorating,” she explains. “It’s about finding pieces that are meaningful, and holding space for something you will eventually find and love.” She is not interested in throwaway décor, which is why she loves natural, sustainable brands like J’Jute, an Australian company that offers handmade woven (promotional content)

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baskets designed to last a lifetime. The tall, fringed J’Jute Bazar basket is perfect for toting laundry, storing blankets or keeping firewood and kindling on hand near the hearth. Out of central Kentucky, the team at Sunhouse Craft uses traditional Appalachian techniques to create timeless classics.

Dust off your winter woes with the soft sweep of the agave Tampico brush paired with a unique leather dustpan—perfect to get a head start on your spring cleaning.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for in the shop, Mandy encourages you to ask. One of her favorite aspects of the business (and what led to the inception of Willa Gray Home in the beginning) is her passion for sourcing the perfect piece. She loves discovering new artists and artisans, and maintains thriving relationships with dealers, vendors and makers all over the world.

Visit Willa Gray Home, located at 6516 Carrolton Avenue in Indianapolis, to breathe fresh life into your living space. You can also shop online at willagrayhome.com and follow @willagrayhome on Instagram for ideas and inspiration.

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NEVER NOT PHOTO STUDIO BOOKING 2022 & BEYOND

ENGAGEMENTS, ELOPEMENTS, WEDDINGS, &

SO MUCH MORE

J E SNI J J E R . C O M | @ J E S K E E PS W I M M I NG

YOU &

YOUR

FOREVER +1

wishing

you houseplants & happiness in the

new year

SALADS | PASTA | SANDWICHES & WRAPS | FLATBREADS | DEEERTS | AAETIZERS | SOUPS | DRINKS | SALADS | PASTA | SANDWICHES & WRAPS | FLATBREADS | DEEERTS | AAETIZERS | SOUPS | DRINKS | SALADS | PASTA | deeerts SANDWICHES & WRAPS | FLATBREADS | sal DEEERTS | AAETIZERS | SOUPS | DRINKS | FL SALADS | PASTA | SANDWICHES & WRAPS | des INDIANAPOLIS

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