We've Moved...

Hi Everyone! We've moved...

The blog got a new home and a new look... Check it out!

www.belovedindeedblog.com

Clambake: Part 2

The Clambake party was a huge success! The Clambake recipe was easy to do and the food was soooo good. Along with good friends, fun games, and tasty cocktails the evening was full of great times!

It was so fun to see our simple idea, dining underneath a light tree with friends, become a reality. Thanks to ALL our friends who brought food, drinks, chairs, and stovetop pots!

It was so great maybe we'll have to do it again next year! Cheers!

Clambake: Part 1

One night, while walking the dog, the hubby and I came upon a neighbors outdoor dinner. There were lights in a giant tree with a huge, long family style table underneath it and there was a group of family and friends dining and enjoying the warm, summer evening in their front yard. Immediately I was inspired... my mind started twirling with ideas. So we spent the rest of the walk talking about what kind of party we could throw in our backyard, underneath our big tree, with lights, and a big group of loved ones.

I suggested a clambake. I had seen it on Martha Stewart and although we had never tried to cook any of the seafood the recipe suggested our adventurous spirits were ready to take on the challenge.

I got started on gathering addresses for invites and other party decor. While, the hubby started scoping out the seafood at stores and markets all around town...

{see more custom greetings at: belovedindeed.com}

Whats in my shopping cart?

I just don't have the time to go out and shop anymore... but I still have evenings that I fall into the wonderful world of online shopping, placing things in my cart I'll never buy, and searching for all the things that would complete my closet.

Last night was one of those nights. I spent some time on Madewell.com and well, these are the things I put in my cart...

{biker legging jeans, colorful scarf, pendant necklace, gold cuff, demin shirt, and gray pullover sweater}

Happy Weekend!

Its a Clambake ya'll! To round out the ending of summer (although its just starting to feel like summer here on the coast) we're throwing a Clambake for all our friends this weekend...

Hope you enjoy your weekend! Here's to good food, good friends, and warm summer nights...

Check back for a look into our party!

Heel Challenge Finale

With a little tear I'm writing to you with my Heel Challenge Finale. Yes, the challenge is over and our bank account survived it!

It really was a silly little challenge between me and hubs, but these shoes created many fun conversations at work and with friends and inspired me to put away the everyday flats and get into some heels, whether I'm wearing a tee and jeans or a dress.

I'm starting to wonder if there's another challenge in my future... bags, accessories... what do you think? I may not be able to talk the hubs into it, but you never know...

Back Home Again in Indiana...

I recently went home to Indiana to spend a little R&R with my parents and catch up with old friends. Living in Southern California at the beach for the past three years, I found myself once again in love with the very green trees and grass, large open spaces, neighborly friendships with open door policies, and the summer thunderstorms of Indiana.

I think no matter where I go, where my parents move, or where my family lives, Indiana will always be home. I'm not sure I will ever move back, but it was wonderful to marvel at the sights and sounds of my Indiana home.

PS... yes it was hot, you could swim in the humidity outside, and the mosquitos are huge...

30 Wishes

For a dear friend's 30th birthday, we wanted to do something sweet and something fun that celebrated love and life.

Some glam, some pattern, some pink, 30 small cards, 30 wishes (some sweet and some to get a laugh,) 30 pieces of hot pink ribbon all attached to two giant metallic 3-0 balloons completed the birthday gift.

We shared some "ahhhh's" and some "hahahaha's" as we read through all the wishes, popped open some bubbly and celebrated.

Happy Birthday dear friend! Cheers!

Inspiration Board: Glamour

I've been gathering up some new inspiration this week for a new project I'm working on. After watching "Breakfast at Tiffany's" last night... I am inspired and heading to the drawing tables!

July Heels... the finale

After taking a close look at the shoe collection I've created in the last year, thanks to the hubs and his "heel challenge," I realized I was missing an animal print of some kind. After searching through leopard prints, zebra prints, etc. etc.... I chose this snakeskin sandal from Elizabeth and James. I love its gray and mint green colors and its sandal yet ankle bootie character.

Well, the "heel challenge" is officially over. (A tear is falling down my check...)

Check the blog soon for a complete look back over last year's "heel challenge..."

Why Beloved Indeed?

When you brand a name for yourself... its hard. It takes something original. Something someone will remember. And to me... it means you have a story behind it.

My story started my 6th year in college, finally... my senior year. My last project was a "personal packaging system." The assignment was to tell your story through a packaging family; a logo, a brand, and four pieces of packaging that were my choice. Since I was in my first year of marriage, love was the only thing on my mind. Not knowing what to call my packaging I started with researching my family origins... beginning with the meanings of names. First... Caleb and Ashley... then Davis (my maiden name) and Zwar (my married name. Bingo! Davis means, "son of David, Beloved." Zwar means, "indeed (in German)."

From there I created a packaging system that told the story of dancing with my dad in the basement to finding "true love" in highschool to dancing with my groom at our wedding.

When I started branding my own custom stationery business I knew the name would be Beloved Indeed. There wasn't a question in my mind. My brand tells the story of a little girl who dreamed all her life that she would find her prince charming. My brand is inspired by my families. The family who taught me to love and the one who will love me for the rest of my life. To the people who have loved me, encouraged me, and stood by me... this is my brand... Beloved Indeed.

... BelovedIndeed.com

After many years of searching for the perfect time...

And after many many months of designing and redesigning in front of the computer night after night...

My website is finally up and running!

Thanks to family and friends who have supported my dreams, listened to me brainstorm, and simply just believed in me. I chose "Beloved Indeed" because of the family I've come from and the family I now belong to... your love is my inspiration.

And for you two fabulous photographers over at Studio 28 I thank you for your friendship, your persistent questions and encouragement and your incredible talent that you continually share with us.

Check out the site... Tell me what you think!

June Heels

Kate Spade helped me out this month by putting these little beauties on sale...

I'm sad to say that July is my last month of the heel challenge... the year FLEW by! Hopefully I can talk the hubby into something reeeaaaal nice for my July heels...

Jonathan Adler + Pillows = LOVE

Swooning over these pillows by Jonathan Adler... they would look perfect on my sofa...

Summer Nails

new colors I'm totally going to try out this summer...

Dresses for Every Occasion

I love that dresses are trendy and exactly what every fashionista wants in their closet for every season and every occasion from casual weekends and fancy weddings...

Just a few (haha...) of my favs over at Mod Cloth...

May Heels (Introduced in June)

Because I was so busy in May (check out previous post for details...) the hubby let me slip this one time and get my May heels in June. At least I was only one day off from May!

I've been looking for a fun pair of white heels and with only a few more months left in my 'heel challenge' the classics that must be in every girl's closet are becoming a necessity.

May in a Minute

May has absolutely flown by...

To whoever may be out there still checking up on my blog, my apologies for slacking off this month!

We were busier than ever! My Besties came to town from Indiana and Seattle, we celebrated our fourth anniversary in Palm Springs, I was helping my sister-in-law plan and do wedding programs for her wedding last weekend, spent Memorial day weekend at the Indianapolis 500... and also have spent many days and nights working on a new side project... www.belovedindeed.com. Check back in a couple weeks for the full website!!!

We've been to Palm Springs, Michigan, and Indiana this month... somehow I knew June would roll around and I'd look around and think "wow, where did May go...???"

I promise I'll do better in June!

April Shoes

Now how fun are these! I've been looking for a fun patterned heel and here it is thanks to JCrew.

I'll admit I had a bit of a hard time this month choosing just one pair (in my price range.) With only three more months to go its getting tricky to figure out what I don't have in my collection...

A Printed Tote

Love Forever21 for fun finds that you don't feel guilty buying...

Painted Sketchbook

Came across Caitlin McGauley's blog, "My NYC Sketchbook"... her watercolors are lovely. I love her quote, "... I continue to see something exciting or compelling everyday that I can't really put into words, so I paint it instead."

Real Simple Color

These pops of color would brighten anyone's day...

{green mod lamp, crossgrain fedora, hot pink throw, gardenhouse chair, pulsations skirt, rubberband container, metro kate spade, cake pedestal}

French Flair and Eclectic

This is the home aesthetic I dream of and aspire to have someday... when can I move in??!!

March Heels

With one day to spare... here are my March heels.

I've got my eye on a pair of Kate Spade's ... and some pretty chic sandals but until the weather really starts warming up these will do. Plus I think they'll look great with jeans or a little dress or skirt.

Trench Watch

I'm on the Trench Coat watch. Its one of those classic items every women should have in her closet. Since I can never buy anything too normal or too classic (even my classic black pants are cropped) I'm looking for something other than THE classic trench... maybe instead its clay with studs, ruffles all down the front, a big open collar, short and cropped, stripe accented, or waterfall tiers...

Love of Typography

A spectacular recreation of vintage destination blinds. All Stops To... by PrintDolls

Liberty of London

Just a FEW of my favorites of Liberty of London for Target

Bows...

Pretty bow bags at Kate Spade... can I have just one pleeeaasseee!

DIY Headboard

In this new economy, I think we're all looking for creative and cheap ways to update old rooms without spending a fortune on furniture, wall accents, and lamps...

Here's me and the hubby's take on a new headboard... a curtain rod, a panel curtain with pockets from Ikea, and some curtain clips. Plus, it takes care of our storage issue for our books, notebooks, etc. that we leave by the bedside.

February Heels

Every girl needs a pair of classic nude heels... they make your legs look longer. And these have a bow... CUTE!

Flower Wallpaper

Saw this installation over at Apartment Therapy...Interesting "wallpaper" done by Front Design. Whether you love or hate plastic flowers, you have to admit the airy graphic feeling of this cafe is absolutely lovely. Tea anyone?

Bird Crazy

I'm a little bird crazy right now... love these different textile pieces from Dwell Studio... I wish they would do a cheapy version for Target...

Whats in my Bag...

Really cute items I wish I had in my bag... everything from the necessities of a wallet to a fab Chanel lip color... and Oh yes... an umbrella for the rain thats been popping up in Southern California and a scarf because in the morning I'm always cold. I guess I better get a really big bag!

{left to right: umbrella, keychain, wallet, iphone cover, lipstick, moleskin, scarf, hair ties, beauty bag, sunglasses, hair pins}

Mrs. Lilien

I don't really know what blog etiquette is, BUT I wanted to feature and give mad props to Mrs. Lilien--- my new favorite daily read!

The style is fabulous! The descriptions are hilarious and whimsical! The styling is genius! The imagery and design is great! Love... love.... love! Check her and her new styling house out... its well... fabulous! (Did I say fabulous too many times?!)

{image: Mrs. Lilien}

Stunning...

I fell in love with these wedding invitations designed by The Scoop... absolutely stunning!

{photos by Laura, The Scoop}

Green Cube

A new gallery and boutique in Laguna Beach called Green Cube showcases environmentally-friendly products from a Living Wall to exquisite store front window designs... totally unique... can't wait to check it out!

Forever 21 for the kids

Heritage, a Forever 21 brand, is launching its children's line tomorrow! How cute are these looks??!!

Currenty Loving... Things in White

I love the look and feeling of all white... its crisp, clean, fresh... and although its the opposite of black, its still so chic...

{left to right: burberry trench, chloe sunglasses, leather strip clutch, lamb booties, bow ring, white watch}

January Heels

So I don't know if it was all the rain we had this week or the girliness in me... or the GREAT price...but pink seemed to be the perfect color for my January heels...

A Time to Give

In light of the most recent natural disaster in Haiti, how to give and how to help has been on the hearts of us all. Check out TOMS shoes and see how you can help them help Haiti as well as many other hurting countries all over the world.

Also check out CNN's Impact Your World on ways you can help and donate...

Love Her Style...

Love Ginnifer Goodwin's style. The bob cut...the pixie cut... whether in denim or a short polished dress... adorable!

Just Google her... you'll find more you love too!

Ready to Read.

All on my list to read, while also sitting beautifully on a coffee table...

{left to right: downtown chic, love poems, wuthering heights, vintage cocktails, sartorialist, hue}