Absolute Living by Eduardo Pena

Absolute Living

MAY 2021

IN STYLE SELF - CARE EVA HARRIS & CRISTINA WISEMAN

ASHERWOOD OF CARMEL

FINDING FUN IN THE SUMMER SUN

'TIS THE SEASON TO SAY "I DO"

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CONTENTS

FINDING FUN IN THE SUMMER SUN

20 IN STYLE SELF – CARE

EVA HARRIS & CRISTINA WISEMAN OF THE BEAUTY LOUNGE

'TIS THE SEASON TO SAY "I DO"

ASHERWOOD OF CARMEL

EMBRACE YOUR FUTURE THIS SUMMER WITH THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE!

FIND YOUR SLICE OF HEAVEN AT THE NEW ASHERWOOD OF CARMEL Volume 14. Issue 5. (#160)

@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

Contributing Writer KIM GOLETZ

Photography GABRIELLE CHEIKH NOEL JES NIJJER EDUARDO PEÑA

Art NICK PEÑA

Marketing Coordinator ISMAEL PEÑA

Circulation USPS & ABSOLUTE LIVING MAGAZINE

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Subscriptions SUBSCRIBE@ABSOLUTELIVINGMAGAZINE.COM 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.

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Finding Fun in the Summer Sun

By Susan Salaz

Longer days and warmer weather seem to invite adventure. You may be wishing for a weekend away, yearning for a day surrounded by nature, or just looking to get out and about close to home. Whatever you desire, you don’t have to travel far to find summer fun.

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This summer, getting away from it all is easily achieved. Get out of town--or stay put in Indy! Fun can be had in any direction.

For those ready to get away, Fort Wayne is a great weekend destination. Discover the recently revitalized historic neighborhood and commercial district that has it all—The Landing. Stay in Fort Wayne’s first boutique hotel, The Bradley (a collaboration with Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, co-founder of Vera Bradley), which is set to open this summer. Dine across the street at Tolon for heady farm-to-table fare that alone is worth the drive from home. Grab a Utopian Coffee and stroll the block, sip a local craft beer and try some tasty BBQ at Landing Beer Company, and find design inspiration while shopping home décor at House to Home. Fort Wayne is an urban adventure offering plenty of ways to spend the day. Tour the public art trail and find vibrant murals around each corner, take in a TinCaps Minor League Baseball Game at Parkview Field, or walk along the tree canopy trail for a bird’s-eye view of the St. Marys River in Promenade Park. Don’t forget to stop for the finest locally made chocolates at one of the three DeBrand locations, or even indulge in a factory tour. (And If you need to satisfy a chocolate craving now, the DeBrand at River Crossing right here in Indianapolis can take care of all your sweet needs).

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If the spring green and sunshine are calling and nature is your natural escape, consider a trip south to Brown County, home to Indiana’s largest state park with the same name. In the park you’ll find miles of hiking trails for rugged or relaxed adventure among the rolling hills, mountain biking galore (Brown County Bikes in nearby Nashville can accommodate daily rentals), and scenic overlooks that are a sight to behold. Find quaint country charm wandering through downtown Nashville, full of restaurants, shops and art galleries. Try brunch and apothecary cocktails at Bird’s Nest Café, or stop in the popular Big Woods Pizza for the perfect slice. Explore handcrafted, artisanal jewelry inspired by nature at the New Leaf Gallery. Off the beaten path you’ll find Hard Truth Hills, the state’s largest destination craft distillery, complete with a restaurant, tasting center, and tours.

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If a stay-cation is more your style this summer there are plenty of great spots close by. Check out downtown Indy’s trendiest new spot, The Bottleworks District at the north end of Mass Ave., where you can stay in the historic Coca-Cola bottling facility turned luxurious hotel, enjoy all kinds of food options in the Garage Food Hall, or take in a movie at the Living Room Theaters. And don’t forget about the lovely scene along the Monon Trail right here in Carmel. In the eclectic Arts & Design District you’ll find hometown favorites like Bazbeaux Pizza and Sun King Brewery. Continue on foot or bicycle through the playful Midtown Plaza and south to the Carmel City Center where you can keep up the burn at InCycle indoor cycling and strength training. On Saturday mornings bring your basket to fill with all kinds of fresh fruits and veggies at the busy Carmel Farmers Market, or opt for the area’s newest culinary offerings at Vivante French Eatery inside the city’s long anticipated Hotel Carmichael.

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Welcome Home

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Photography By Gabrielle Cheikh Noel

Artwork By Eduardo Peña

In Style

Self-Care EVA HARRIS & CRISTINA WISEMAN OF THE BEAUTY LOUNGE

By Susan Salaz

Elite stylist Eva Harris and aesthetic nurse practitioner Cristina Wiseman, co-owners of The Beauty Lounge in Carmel, have created an extravagant space that goes far beyond salon basics and medspa services. It is a cutting-edge destination for all of your hair and skin wellness needs.

(promotional content)

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“Self care is more important than ever,” says Eva Harris, co-owner of The Beauty Lounge in Carmel. “Especially with last year, women want to feel good and they want to look good. And they want to have a little getaway.” Harris and co-owner Cristina (Crissy) Wiseman both believe that self-care is an important part of our physical, mental and emotional well being, which is what inspires them to create a top-notch client experience at The Beauty Lounge. I decided that I should experience it for myself (in the name of self-care and good reporting of course) so I chatted with Eva and Crissy while getting a long-overdue trim. With crystal chandeliers dangling between exposed ductwork overhead, the full-service salon and medspa has a modish vibe— sophisticated but unpretentious. You can shop high-end product lines in the front (they carry one of my favorites: Jane Iredale medical grade makeup), or follow the living moss wall that invites you to the styling area, where each chair faces an oversized, champagne-gold trimmed mirror. Eva puts me at ease with her calm and confident demeanor, assessing my tresses and facial features before offering suggestions. We decide on a long bob and she leads me to the cozy shampoo room, where I could have stayed all day. Melting into the soft massage chair, I ask about the yummy scent filling the room. “We use Davines exclusively,” Eva tells me, explaining that it not only smells good, but as an ethical, sustainable B Corporation it also does good. “I like to carry products I can stand behind.” She eventually rinses my hair with cool water and we make our way back to the chair. Eva doesn’t rush

the cut, but works meticulously and with control. While cutting, she tells me about the hand-tied hair extensions she specializes in (The Beauty Lounge is one of only a handful of salons in the state to offer this tedious service). Hand-tied extensions are meticulous work, she explains, but they are the healthiest option in hair extensions. The team at The Beauty Lounge also offers high-end luxury coloring treatments and styles, and they are committed to continuing education, holding weekly classes to stay on top of the ever-evolving beauty industry. As the pair opens up about the salon and medspa, they often finish each other’s sentences and it’s obvious they’re close. A mutual friend introduced them only a couple of years ago when Crissy needed a colorist (Eva is one of the best). They became fast friends, and as they learned more about each others goals—Eva wanting to find the right partner to expand the options available at The Beauty Lounge, and Crissy wanting to open her own medical aesthetic practice closer to her home in Zionsville— they realized they were destined to work together. Last year, in the midst of the pandemic, they fleshed out the details and put together a plan. “Right away we were on the same page as to what we saw the future of The Beauty Lounge being,” Eva says. After the mechanics of the cut, Eva’s blow out and style leave me feeling like a million bucks. The salon offers a complimentary makeup touch up, but I opted for a tour of the medspa instead. Tucked away through glass doors, is a private and relaxing oasis. The gorgeous lounge, with low lighting and calm music, is the perfect place to unwind before and after treatments.

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“We believe we have assembled one of the area’s best aesthetics teams. We have four highly skilled aestheticians with significant experience in medical aesthetics,” Crissy tells me, explaining that they perform medical grade facials, dermaplaning, peels, skin tightening procedures as well as laser treatments for skin resurfacing. Crissy, who has been trained by some of the top plastic surgeons in the nation, focuses her expertise on cosmetic injectable treatments, such as dermal filler, neurotoxins (think Botox), and PDO thread lifts. “I take a lot of time and try to make everything perfect. I want patients to be happy with their service.” “We offer it all,” she says, noting the medspa is equipped with a variety of advanced technologies to aid in different types of skin resurfacing, skin tightening, and wrinkle reduction, and they have just unveiled several new technologies. VirtueRF is the latest radiofrequency micro-needling treatment, providing a minimally invasive tightening and contouring through collagen stimulation. The CO2 laser CoolPeel is a non-surgical resurfacing treatment that also promotes collagen production and reveals younger, healthier looking skin. The Subnovii Plasma Pen is the first handheld plasma device that stimulates the fibroblasts, creating a lifted and firm appearance. Another new addition, the SkinWave waterbased facial treatment, guarantees to leave you with a glowing, hydrated complexion. To have all of these tools and the ability to use them effectively, available all in one place, is a testament to Crissy’s dedication to her craft. “Crissy is literally the best of the best,” says Eva about her business partner, adding that

her expertise, knowledge and chair-side manner is something The Beauty Lounge has never seen before. “Our clients get the relaxing spa experience, and it comes with medical grade results.” It’s understandable if you haven’t taken much time for self-care lately, but also all the more reason to make it a priority now. Eva, Crissy and their team at The Beauty Lounge can help create

an individually tailored beauty plan just for you that will leave you looking and feeling incredible. Find The Beauty Lounge at Merchants Pointe in Carmel and follow @tbl_carmel, @evamarie_harris and @aesthetically_wisenp on Instagram.

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Elite Stylist Eva Harris moved to the north side of Indianapolis right after her high school graduation to study at Kaye’s Beauty College. She opened her first studio at age 22, and has been building her brand ever since. “I knew what I wanted. I have always loved business and fashion – and going to the spa.”

Nurse Practitioner Cristina Wiseman has 22+ years of nursing experience, ranging from emergency medicine at Riley Hospital to plastic surgery at IU Health, with extensive training in both facial anatomy and aesthetic treatments. “This is my passion. It’s the most fulfilling and satisfying job ever. I love getting to make people happy and helping them feel better about themselves.”

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‘Tis the Season to Say “I Do” By Susan Salaz

our wedding is a special day you will remember forever. It is so much more than just a day though. The event is often the result of months of planning and preparing for a lifetime of wedded bliss. Take your time, have fun, and don’t let tending to all the tiny details overwhelm you. Whether you want to hire a professional wedding planner or take a do-it-yourself approach, make your wedding day a dream that fits your personal style so that you and your significant other can relax and enjoy the day. Start by getting organized, make a plan and consider all of your options. Our resident photographer Gaby, who is featured here, offers great advice for brides and anyone planning a wedding. She says, “The most important thing is finding vendors that you trust and feel confident in, so that they can do their job so that you can relax. Always allow your vendors to do their best.” Wedding vendors are more than the mechanics moving your wedding day along. They are people that take pride in ensuring the couples they work with have a beautiful, memorable day to say “I do” and start their lives together. Check out some of our favorites here to get started making your “happily ever after” a reality.

(promotional content)

THE RING with Petite G Jewelers

Dana Friedman Owner

The engagement is often one of the most genuine parts of a couple’s journey to matrimony, and finding the perfect ring will make that special moment dazzle. Shopping for engagement rings can be overwhelming, which is why owner Dana Friedman keeps the atmosphere warm and welcoming at Petite G Jewelers. Friedman has been serving the Meridian-Kessler, Butler-Tarkington neighborhoods as their resident jewelry expert for more than 20-years, and with the help of a dedicated and knowledgeable staff, she makes finding just the right rings fun and enjoyable. “We are a small store with a full service design department, which is rare,” says Molly Moreau, marketing director. That means when you design your ring with Petite G Jewelers it is completely custom and local. “From start to finish— sketching down to the wax mold, casting and fabrication are all done in-house,” Moreau adds. In addition to custom styles, Petite G also offers exquisite rings right out of the case. Friedman knows that the trends are always changing, and while she always offers classic options, she stays ahead of the curve by sourcing boutique brands and smaller lines you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

Engagement rings aren’t the only reason to visit Petite G Jewelers before the big day. You can also find Lashbrook gent’s bands (which come complete with a silicone safety ring), beautiful bridal party jewelry, Shinola watches for the perfect groomsmen gift, and anniversary bands for years to come. They also offer repair, appraisal, and heirloom services. Visit Petite G Jewelers Monday through Saturday at 5609 N. Illinois Street in Indianapolis for a one-ofa-kind jewelry experience and be sure to follow @ petitegjewelers on Instagram.

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THE VENUE Hotel Carmichael

Zachary Tharp Director of Sales

Hotel Carmichael, Carmel’s new 122-room boutique hotel in City Center, boasts far more than mere lodging. The six-story hotel has opulence and every amenity for a distinguished wedding venue—from classical architecture providing a timeless backdrop for photography, to refined catering services with creative culinary offerings ranging from small bites to four-course dinners, to musical entertainment featuring some of the region's best solo artists and bands. Zachary Tharp, Director of Sales, wants each wedding hosted at Hotel Carmichael to be as unique as the couple getting married, adding that they operate under the adage: Always live, never scripted. “We want to create singular experiences and to appreciate the moment for a memory,” he says. Every detail is considered. Tharp’s team of professionals includes an event planner that can help guide each couple through their wedding day preparations with ease. “We want to make things simple for the bride and groom,” explains Tharp. Everything is packaged into different, customizable catering options and bar packages. The hotel offers 5,000-square-feet of event space, with the impressive Cole Porter Grand

Ballroom—an ideal space to create an elegant wedding experience. The ballroom can house a variety of guest configurations that include formal sit-down dinners, cocktail style parties, and more. Smaller, more intimate meeting rooms can be used for rehearsal dinners or wedding showers, or even lounge areas or powder rooms for the bridal party on the wedding day if needed. Ceremonies are welcomed onsite as well, with indoor and outdoor locations available. Experience the genuine hospitality of Hotel Carmichael, an Autograph Collection hotel by Marriot, located at 1 Carmichael Square in Carmel City Center. Find out more at www.hotelcarmichael.com.

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THE PHOTOGRAPHY with Gabriel Cheikh Photography

Gabriel Cheikh Noel Owner

As you curate your ideal wedding day, you’ll want one of the city’s premier photographers capturing everything from “I do” to the first dance, and all the details in between. Gaby Noël, of Gabrielle Cheikh Photography, says, “I am most interested and excited about the quiet moments—the interactions between family members and the people that are important to the bride and groom.” With a fine arts degree from Indiana University, she offers clean and classic photography for any style of wedding, along with a perceptive understanding of lighting, thorough knowledge of equipment, and a charming personality. When choosing a photographer, Gaby suggests finding someone you are confident in and comfortable with so that you can relax on your wedding day. It is also important to find a photographer who will work to ensure your timeline is conducive to getting the best images possible while allowing you to enjoy the special moments and people involved. Gaby meets with each of her clients several times before the wedding day to better understand the family dynamics and to finalize what is most important to each couple, and her team is available for the entirety of the wedding day.

Gaby loves getting to know the couples she photographs before their wedding, and offers packages that include engagement photos, boudoir shots, and bridal fittings. Often, this is just the beginning of her relationship with clients. “I stick with my couples through maternity, newborn and family sessions,” she says, adding how rewarding it is to help document the ongoing memories of each family. Connect with Gaby at www. gcphotography. com and add her artistic eye to your Instagram feed @G_ CPHOTOGRAPHY.

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THE GIFTS with Charles Mayer & Co.

Claudia Ryan Owner

Wedding gifts are a way to express love and support for the newlywed couple, and for true treasures look no further than the legendary Charles Mayer & Company. Established as a four-story specialty store downtown in 1840, the current store at 56th and Illinois is owned and operated by descendants of the original founder, and still offers a superb wedding gift registry. “We provide a full-service wedding gift registry for today’s couple,” says owner Claudia Ryan, who has an extensive background in modern and traditional tabletop design. She and her knowledgeable Sales Associates go above and beyond to show each couple the many traditional and contemporary options available, suggest what fits the lifestyle they envision, and what will complement any heirloom pieces they may already own. Each registry is available on the Charles Mayer & Co. website, making it easy for friends and family to shop online, over the telephone, or at the store, where their choices are displayed for their friends to see. Giftwrap is always complimentary.

iconic porcelain, crystal, glass, and metal brands such as Baccarat and William Yeoward, as well as inspiring tabletop lines like Anna Weatherley and Christofle Silver, plus many other modern and traditional brands. She encourages couples to register for pieces they love—that fit their lifestyle and will be enjoyed for years to come. Assistance with hostess gifts and other special gifts for the wedding ceremony and party, as well as customized invitations and thank you notes are also available. Visit Charles Mayer & Co. Monday through Saturday at 5629 N. Illinois Street in Indianapolis and find “Beautiful Things for a Beautiful Life” on their Instagram @charlesmayerco.

As did the original Charles Mayer, Claudia travels the world seeking out only the best brands for Charles Mayer & Co., personally hand selecting exclusive gifts and decorative accessories from

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THE LOOK with The Beauty Lounge

Eva Harris & Cristina Wiseman Owners

While the anticipation and excitement of your wedding day will likely have you glowing, Eva Harris and Crissy Wiseman, co-owners of The Beauty Lounge in Carmel, are happy to take care of the rest. They believe every bride deserves to feel beautiful and confident, and weddings are one of their favorite specialty services. With so much available at The Beauty Lounge, brides, and often mothers of the bride and groom, can begin beauty routines long before the wedding day. “We have a niche here,” says Crissy, an aesthetic nurse practitioner. “We can develop a plan with injectables starting six-months out so that they are picture ready.” In addition to neurotoxins and lip fillers, The Beauty Lounge also offers skin rejuvenation packages that include medical grade peels and facials, dermaplaning and laser treatments. Other services to consider include handtied hair extensions, luxury color application, lash extensions and lifts, along with hair removal services (cue the tropical beach honeymoon). On the wedding day, the bridal party is welcome to reserve the elegant private lounge to relax and get ready, or Eva and her talented hair and makeup team are available to travel to the wedding site for a streamlined experience. “We spend the whole day

with our wedding parties because it’s a special day,” says Eva, adding that she wants to help make the day perfect for each bride. Be sure to visit The Beauty Lounge, open Tuesday through Saturday in Merchants Pointe in Carmel, and online at www. beautyloungecarmel.com to find out more about bridal packages or to schedule a consultation. Follow @tbl_carmel, @evamarie_ harris and @aesthetically_ wisenp on Instagram for more beauty in your feed!

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By Susan Salaz

Asherwood of Carmel Find your slice of heaven at the new Asherwood of Carmel (promotional content)

(conceptual illustration)

Carmel’s newest private estate community, Asherwood of Carmel, will be one-of-a-kind. Led by local developers Gradison Land Development and Old Town Companies, the project will be a collaboration between three of the area’s most prestigious custom homebuilders. Gradison Design Build, Old Town Design Group and Wedgewood Building Company, with an average of 30-years experience in custom home building each, will be the exclusive builders involved. “We are excited to be in Carmel with such a great project,” says Joe Gradison, of Gradison Land Development and Gradison Design Build.

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In addition to the fairytale beauty of the estate, the property has a lovely personal story. “This is such a treasured asset. It’s a special place with a great history,” Gradison explains. The original 107-acre Asherwood Estate and lavish residence once belonged to the late Melvin Simon and his wife Bren. Last year, Mrs. Bren Simon gifted the estate to The Great American Songbook Foundation. After careful consideration, the foundation (located at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel) decided to sell the property and use the proceeds to secure its financial future and invest in longterm goals. “We want to protect the history we have here and execute at the highest level possible,” says Gradison, adding that the grand beauty of the property is

an unmatched setting. “There is not going to be another neighborhood like this in Carmel.” The main residence and several surrounding acres have already been sold and will be owner occupied, existing in a cohesive fashion within the neighborhood. Newly platted lots are located across the remaining 70-acres of the property, what was once Mel Simon’s private golf course. The immaculately landscaped community is gated and surrounded entirely by mature hardwoods, which are also found throughout the 40 estate-style lots—each gem more than an acre in size. The developers’ goal is to maintain the integrity of this gorgeous property by creating a private community of

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stunning homes hidden away from the road frontage. Nate Weis, head of design at Old Town Design Group, says the size of each lot offers almost limitless design options. “Beyond that, multiple architectural styles will be allowed which gives us an opportunity for a greater variety that other, more regulated communities might not allow.” Weis adds that large lots are impossible to find in the area, and Asherwood of Carmel offers the added benefit of seclusion—none of the lots will back up to another property. Gradison considers the three award-winning homebuilders involved to be some of the most reputable groups around, each with

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in-house design services and the highest standards of excellence. While each offers their own services and unique styles, Gradison says their homes integrate well in a community setting. “We are all different and attract our own audiences, but we play well together as a group.” He is excited to enhance the neighborhood with distinct architecture, noting that big homes are not the requirement. “We want good, strong architecture—well designed and well executed custom homes.”

Still in the early conceptual stages, Gradison explains that they are beginning to tour prospective buyers, and he anticipates pricing guidance available soon (expected to range from $1.75M+). A sales event will follow in June and Gradison hopes to be breaking ground by late summer. This rare opportunity—with beautiful lots and secluded custom homes in southwest Carmel—won’t last long, especially in the current real estate market. Visit asherwoodcarmel.com or call Judy Berthold at 317-507-0829 to schedule your tour today.

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