ISSUE 48: 12 things for May
A list of recent loves, likes and ideas, remembering how good it feels to go to the garden centre, the pants I will live in, the career game changer that came out of nowhere and more.
The Debrief is a weekly newsletter - because the post life event chats are (almost) always better than the event itself. Forever honest and aesthetic driven.
Life has felt incredibly full as of late. Full of work projects, full of dance competitions, full of school emails, full of cleaning, full of driving and — and I just keep holding space for just a little bit more.
I thrive on this fullness. As my call with Sam Klein last week reminded me - I am a true generator and I live for that responding kind of energy. She also reminded me that I need to remember the part of me that loves to climb mountains, that relishes the pleasure of getting lost in a book while laying on a lounge chair - the other part of me that craves not rest exactly but a different state of being.
So last weekend I remembered how good it feels to go to the garden centre, to put your hands in actual dirt and to pay attention to the designing of something that isn’t on a screen.
12 things for May:
1 | A space
Pure colour and detail decadence in this home built in 1949 spotted in Emily Forgot’s Instagram. Recently I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really colourful brands and after seeing this shot, I want to put that bright turquoise/jade colour somewhere. It’s calling to me. And please just take a moment of appreciation for the door.
2 | A wallpaper
I’m working on a new concept store for a client and I went down the rabbit hole of wallpaper. I looked at stripes, I closed my tab and then the internet algorithm gods presented me with this. It’s bright and weird and would be so fun in a small space.
3 | A pair of summer pants
I know I’m going to live in these pants this summer.
4 | A game changer
I recently launched a new website for Harper Spero. Harper is someone I didn’t know I needed in my life but now that I’ve had the pleasure of working with her as both her designer, and she as my business coach I won’t be giving her up anytime soon. (Big thanks to my past client Sophie Mathewson for connecting us!!). Harper is a business coach, speaker and podcast host and her website and rebrand came together so effortlessly for me. Maybe it was the interesting dynamic of being both her client and she my client, and feeling into her business a little bit more - or maybe it was the fact that she told me that my 50% effort level is likely most people’s 100% effort level. Either way you should probably know Harper too (especially if you have a business of your own).
5 | A way to make driving everywhere better
I was in the car for almost three hours yesterday driving my daughter to and from school. The commute is killing me. - I was listening to a DM this morning and immediately recommended audio books - how I’ve recently given Station Eleven another chance and how all of the driving to dance and trampoline and cheer have suddenly felt less like a chore, and more an experience. A good audio book makes the kilometres slip away and two audio books that I still cherish for their richness in delivery are The Glass Castle and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.
6 | A really good workout
I started adding a HIIT workout a week to get the buzzy post intense cardio feeling in the middle of winter and Mary somehow makes hard cardio a little less awful. (Use code ASHLEYIZSAK for a free one month trial).
7 | A curly hair booster
I added mousse to my routine about a month ago and it seems to be the magic ingredient. My curls seem bouncier and the volume is bigger and maybe it’s because summer is coming this way but after a winter of too much straightening, all feels right again.
8 | A cute hat
For the days I debate washing my hair but just don’t have it in me — I found a hat that actually fits my head in a colour I actually want to wear.
9 | A good place for inspiration
This month’s issue of Dwell arrived and I already have corners folded which means I will save it until I have a project that feels fussy and I remember to come back to the folded goodness.
10 | A really cute mani
11 | A beautiful pair of heels
Why do I find $500 shoes so unattainable yet I’ll spend literally $500 on one dance leotard? They’re just so pretty.
12 | A life mantra.
Want more of this? Send me a DM on Instagram, hire me to design your brand or website.
Thank you for reading. I used to write a lot so this feels good. — Ashley.
You are so talented it’s wild.
Summer energy decorating such a valuable reminder 🌞🦋. I love this issue!