Darling Dinner x Lou & Grey

Hosted by Darling Magazine + Lou & Grey, Darling Dinners are curated to foster conversation and community

Darling's mission statement inspires integrity, sophistication, authenticity, and creativity; ideals BECKLEY & Co. stands behind and strives for daily

We loved photographing this night at Americano and enjoying what felt like an Italian family feast with both wine and conversation flowing freely

florals and event design by Chelsea M Carter

It's a Pizza and Champagne Party // Part 3 with Pizza and Champagne

Part Three of our styled shoot series featuring sister bloggers Kelsie and Lexi of Pizza and Champagne , with (of course) pizza and champagne

After this shoot, we wouldn't want to enjoy a pizza party any other way - champagne and boxes of Cane Rosso everywhere

shop the looks

Lexi || dress - Lulu's , earrings - Kendra Scott 

Kelsie || jumpsuit - Rent the Runway, shoes - Steve Madden

photography || Rebecca Kirstin for BECKLEY & Co.

styling || Alexandrea Cohen for BECKLEY & Co. 

Nordstrom Giveaway!

We are excited to be working together with a great group of bloggers to offer an $800 Nordstrom Gift Card to one lucky winner for Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale!

Sale runs July 14-July 21 for Nordstrom Card holders (early access) + July 22 - August 7 for general public

Some of our favorite looks this season that can be purchased at Nordstrom have included stylish head scarves

summer-to-fall hybrid ankle boots

More information about what items may be going on sale can be found here!

Enter below for your chance to win an $800 gift card to Nordstrom! We are so excited to find out about new blogs!

Giveaway ends Wednesday July 13 at 10pm

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Sisters Who Brunch // Part 2 with Pizza and Champagne

Part Two from our styled shoot with sisters Kelsie and Lexi of Pizza and Champagne

"We're Kelsie + Lexi - sisters who embrace the spontaneity of life, crave good eats + changes of scenery. We hope you enjoy our adventures, whether they're in our kitchen or another country!"

Travelers and foodies, we loved Mercat Bistro as our brunch backdrop - bringing some Parisian bistro dining to Dallas

we loved these complementary off-the-shoulder dresses suited for each sister's style

 Texas heat is real, but that won't stop us from keeping our brunch game strong

SHOP THE LOOKS HERE

Lexi || blue dress - Target | necklace - Impeccable Pig + similar | fringe heels - Target

Kelsie || cream romper - Revolve | peep toe heels - Nordstrom

Photography by Rebecca Kirstin of BECKLEY & Co. | Styling by Alexandrea Cohen of BECKLEY & Co.

Breakfast in Bed with Pizza and Champagne

Part One of our styled shoot with sisters and food and travel bloggers Kelsie and Lexi of Pizza and Champagne | light and airy breakfast in bed complete with girly mags, hot java, and their specialties banana and strawberries on toast, and poached egg on avocado toast

Of course, within the blogosphere, you feel like you know people long before you actually meet in person. Such was the case with Kelsie and Lexi. As soon as we finally met in person, ideas were flying back and forth for planning a styled shoot together. We love their passion for food and travel, as well as the fact that they are sisters that do almost everything together. 

We styled and planned a full "pizza and champagne day" starting with toast and coffee in the morning as part one of our three-part series

Stylist | Alexandrea Cohen

Serene Styled Shoot with Root and Bloom

A dreamy portrait shoot with Jessica from Root and Bloom Floral Design brought together all things we love - fresh flowers, darling sundresses, and sunlight beaming through the trees on a warm afternoon. 

STYLING | Alexandrea Cohen 

green bell-sleeve dress | Lion & Witch //maxi skirt + white tie top| Planet Blue //black floral wrap dress + bralette | Planet Blue

hair + makeup | Erika Curry

florals | Root & Bloom

THE GROVE, TYLER

All the adventure, luxury, and rejuvenation of a weekend getaway all wrapped into one afternoon. We ventured with One Small Blonde, So Heather, Street Style Squad, Tanya Foster, and The Middle Page out to Tyler, Texas, to visit The Grove Kitchen and Gardens. 

It was a little bit of a trek, but pulling up to the farmhouse-style restaurant nestled int the trees satisfied the feeling of being away from it all. Fresh air, and the aromas of southern cooking blended together. 

We were seated outside at long table and served family-style, enjoying each dish highlighting local flavor, without a detail overlooked.

We have a long list of places to visit in Texas, let alone all over the country, nay the world, but the thought of getting back to The Grove with a group of girlfriends, even for a very extended brunch that leads to happy hour that leads to relaxing listening to live music and enjoying some shared barbecue. Yea, we are all consulting our calendars for the next free moment we can escape to the Grove.

AUSTIN MEETUP

When we started BECKLEY & Co., we had goals to meet new people, open a studio, and travel much more for this living daydream we call "work." About seven months in, and we have officially checked off our boxes. 

Yesterday we hosted a coffee meetup in Austin and got to know some pretty amazing people. From music bloggers, fashion and lifestyle bloggers, new bloggers, to seasoned bloggers, we learned so much from every person. We are especially looking forward to the next #ATXbloggermixer!

We could not be more thankful to everyone who joined and helped out that day. The blogger and creative community has such vibrancy. We loved seeing people get to mix and mingle over coffee and macarons, and we cannot wait for our next trip!

Hosted at Mozart's Coffee Roasters | Custom Macarons by We The Birds Macarons | Tablescape decor from Three Twelve Co.  

CONNECTING THROUGH CELEBRATION

This April SusieCakes opened it's first store outside of California in Preston Center, and we couldn't be happier to call them "neighbor."

Inspired by both her grandmothers' baking, Susan, the founder, wanted SusieCakes to be a "household name synonymous with celebration."

We enjoyed a cake and wine pairing and after the first bite can attest that memories of family get-togethers came flooding in (also synonymous with celebration). 

SusieCakes stands by authenticity, quality, and and customer service. "No fondant, marzipan, spun sugar - only buttercream and hand-done logo work." Each order is followed-up with a personal call - the hospitality is real. "We care about people and these are really important moments." Their Celebration Specialist sets them apart from every other bakery. 

As Susan was sharing her story and emphasizing customer care, I could relate to the responsibility of ensuring the client's special day is just that. Wether it's the perfect birthday cake or capturing the exact moment a child blows out the candles - it is so important to go above and beyond in our lines of work. 

Now for the RUNDOWN. No one needs convincing that SusieCakes is delicious. I feel I've been missing out after only trying it for the first time recently,  but it's never too late to catch up! These expert wine and cake pairings are excellent for any celebration!

1. Lemon Cake + Sauvignon Blanc

This may have been my favorite. I'm more of a chocolate girl, but the sweet and tart were so perfectly balanced, and the little crunch of the sugar on top left me speechless (for once.)

2. Tropical Coconut Cake + Prosecco 

Susan's grandmother Mildred had always wanted to go to Hawaii, so she would put pineapple in her coconut cake to make it more tropical - it was her most popular cake. 

Coconut Cake (Or Cakonut Coke as we call it) is THE celebration cake in my family. One taste and I was back with my family watching my grandpa fan out his birthday candles with a paper plate. 

3. Vanilla Celebration Cake + Ice Wine

The most popular cake donning SusiCakes' signature blue was paired with Ice Wine - sugary yet crisp. Susan added, "Even if you're eating it on a Tuesday afternoon, you're still happy." Any day is a party when there's Celebration Cake.

4. Carrot Cake with Praline Filling + Washington State Riesling

A carrot cake perfected - no words can accurately describe the joy of a perfectly nutty, sweet, fluffy, decadent carrot cake.

5. Red Velvet + Rosa Regale

A wonderful sparkling rosé great for a day outside. The wine was soft and appealing - good for before dinner or after dinner with hints of roses and raspberry. It paired well with the cocoa powder and pairs well with fruits and a wide range of a desserts. (If we walked away with nothing else, Rosa Regale is a great wine to have on hand.)

6. Marble Cake + Pinot Noir

A great cake for anyone who's not sure what they want. The Pinot picks up the chocolate notes. This cake also left me speechless.

7. Six Layer Chocolate Cake + Port Wine

SIX. LAYER. CHOCOLATE. CAKE. 

Mother's Day is around the corner, and with each taste, I could envision a celebration unfolding. Family gathered, sitting, chatting, laughing. Celebration isn't all about the food, but it mostly is. 

 

KWESTIVAL 2016

KWESTIVAL | by THREE TWELVE CO. + KWEST APP

The biggest pop-up in Dallas, KWESTIVAL brought together eleven Dallas neighborhoods at Klyde Warren park this past Saturday. From jewelry to fresh coconuts, couples yoga to smoky barbecue, there was something for everyone. Live music filled the air from morning 'til evening. 

We loved capturing the fun of the day and were very thankful to be able to duck into the VIP tent for some snacks (but mostly shade) throughout the day. (I'm from California, but a tan is never something I've mastered.) 

You can see ALL PHOTOS here! Available to purchase for print or download! 

ONE-ON-ONE CAMERA LESSON

You've invested in a nice camera - a Nikon, a Canon, a Sony, an Olympus. You've been playing around with the AUTO settings or navigating your way around MANUAL, but your photos just aren't coming out how you expect them to. Whether you're a blogger taking photos of products or food, or a mom trying to capture good photos of your son or daughter to send to grandma and grandpa, you need to know how to use your camera. 

I sat down with Victoria last Friday - who purchased a Nikon D3300 so she can take stunning photos as she travels the world. 

Starting with the three main factors - shutter speed, aperture, and ISO - I guided her through what each mean and in what situations they would change. Victoria will travel to Portland and Seattle in a couple days, and what better backdrop for travel photos could you ask for? 

For Victoria, I walked her through shooting in manual and let her practice changing the settings for different scenarios she may find herself in. Want a cool backlit photo of your Seattle coffee in a dark coffee shop? Or a well-composed landscape of the city lights at night? Street style captured with clarity and the right focus? Equipped with knowledge of her new Nikon, I'm excited to see what photos she returns home with!

BECKLEY & Co. offers one-on-one lessons for anyone who owns a camera and wants to learn the basics, or knows the basics and wants to learn a little bit more. Lighting, composition, camera settings, and editing are all things we can discuss during a session. We want to make sure you walk away confident and excited to practice with your camera! 

Book with us at BECKLEYPHOTO.COM/SERVICES to sign up for your first lesson!

URBAN BAZAAR ON BISHOP

Last Saturday, local vendors lined Bishop for Little D Markets' Urban Bazaar. From handmade jewelry to painted pet portraits, there was something for every shopper at any age. We enjoyed meeting each merchant and learning a little bit more about their craft. Bringing the community together to support local business in shopping local, Little D Markets put on a great event, and we are excited for what's next!

feel free to repost any photos with credit to BECKLEY & CO. linking to our website and/or Facebook page

GEODE WORKSHOP // THREE TWELVE CO. x PAPER & POSIES

Coffee, exercise, work sleep. Coffee, work, laugh, work, drinks, sleep. Coffee, work, drive, work, drive, work, work, sleep. 

I have never felt such a sense of urgency or excitement to work hard and keep making the BECKLEY dream a reality. A combination of over-caffeination and over-stimulation though, makes it hard to sit back and realize has what already come to fruition. I am in a constant state of looking ahead at the next thing, which is by no means detrimental, but focusing more attention on the here and now does not come as easily to me. 

On Saturday, gathered around a large wooden table with flowers, watercolors, and rosé, it became much easier to sit back and enjoy the moment. Hosted by Three Twelve Co. featuring Jenna from Paper & Posies, the women learned how to paint whimsical geodes using a few different techniques. Local Moto + Provisions offered the perfect space with natural light pouring in (...AND - everyone's favorite by the end of the day - a bold cactus just outside offering the perfect photo backdrop for guests and their finished paintings)

Coffee . . . chat . . . listen . . . learn . . . paint . . . rosé . . . chat . . . listen . . .

This is the pattern of life I need to employ more often. A magical day, as any other created by Lauren of Three Twelve Co. - creating and learning with other beautiful and interesting women, what more could anyone ask for in life? 

Our reflection for the week: How do we balance looking forward and planning ahead with taking time to sit back and enjoy what is around us? If you manage to find even a glimmer of this in your life, post about it with #BECKLEYblog - we would love to see where the week takes you!

photos may be purchased to download and print here

THE MEETUP || GO!FORTH

A single white linen-covered table runs directly through the center of a local Dallas boutique, clothing racks surrounding the perimeter of the store, and fresh flowers, girly wine, boxed waters, and succulents heavily dot the room. Girls are welcomed in, promptly, about 2 minutes to show time because fashionably early is the new trend and everyone is eager to get started. 

Starting with a welcome toast and an outline of the evening, Ashley at The Teach Diva, hosted by The Meetup at Lion & Witch sat down to start sharing her blogging wisdom with the class. Blogging, as most know, has evolved into equal parts art form and personal business for many women in particular. Equipped with a folder full of note paper, an outline of the evening, useful tools and tips, and wine, snacks, and water, the eager bloggers, stylists, graphic designers, self-starters, and the like, introduced themselves and then eagerly listened and took notes on the invaluable information shared with them by Ashley.

high-resolution un-watermarked photos may be purchased here

#PETALPARTY

Last Saturday Three Twelve Co. teamed up with the Backyard Bouquet at Tate Farms to host a Flower Crown Workshop. Girls arrived on the picturesque farm in their sundresses and floral garments, perfectly poised for a magical day of creating flower crowns. In addition to the workshop, there was a braid bar, makeup artist, full array of tasty snacks, convenient shopping, refreshing cocktails, and the most delicious waffle brunch.

Words really cannot describe how wonderful this day was and how much we look forward to working with Three Twelve Co. in the future!

See more photos (we love LOTS AND LOTS!) and purchase high-resolution imamges to download for your blog, website, or personal use at this link! https://beckleyphoto.smugmug.com/Dallas-Events/PETALPARTY/

Hosted by Three Twelve Co. // at Summerfield at Tate Farms

Makeup: Love Dose Beauty
Braid Bar: Revel Workshop ft Hair By Shelley
Photo Booth: Photo-Wagon
Cocktails: Austin Cocktails
Waffle Brunch: Lala's Cakes ft. gluten free by A Double Dose
Goodies: Clearly Kombucha + We the Birds Macarons
Shopping: Shop Haute Wheels
Photography: Beckley & Co.
Video: Dyad Films

HOW TO QUIT YOUR JOB TO PURSUE YOUR CAREER

Not even six months ago I quit my day job, rerouted my life, and followed a passion that had been put on the sideline for far too long. Since then I have never worked harder or felt more satisfied in what I do every day. So here's how I did it.

STEP ONE

Find a hobby that you continue to shove into the background. Major in science, intern everywhere you can to get into a good graduate school, get a solid job, and work with a secure job for the rest of your foreseeable future

STEP TWO

Start building up your skills in your hobby. Do too much work for free or for a kind review or recommendation. Do it as much as you can for your school, your friends, your family, etc. Work two jobs - one in food service and one to boost that graduate school resume. Take as many classes as you can - still grasping at that graduate school that will pave the way to success in security.

STEP 3

When the time is right, have a long meaningful conversation about your future with your significant other, realize you've been suppressing the need to have a creative outlet and have time to make it grow, and say "screw it, I'm going to do what I love"

STEP 4

Live in a city that surrounds you with inspiring people who want to work with you, support you, and encourage each other to continue to kick ass and take names. Daily. 

STEP 5

Document everything. Continue to kick ass and take names (in the most lovely way possible). Go on adventures. Meet new people. Smile. Pick flowers. Drink wine (but not too much because most of your work days start at 7 am)

Step 6

"Stay humble; Hustle hard"