ISSUE 54: the october six
the way she can somehow churn out a believable male raspy voice, exiling bad denim, almost losing an arm wrestling match, a new brand, web (& interiors) project and more
The Debrief is a weeklyish newsletter - because the post life event chats are (almost) always better than the event itself. Forever honest and aesthetic driven.
I was sitting in a former Target store, the — what can only be described as aggressive cheer music playing in the background, my fingers clicking away entering cabbage shaped plates into my client’s e-commerce shop when I picked up my phone, turned toward our daughter Alice and caught her doing two back walkovers in a row. My heart tugged.
It was the same feeling I get when watching Isla on stage dancing at a competition and the same feeling I get when watching Ben throw a standing back tuck at his private parkour lessons.
Indescribable pride.
And I know it may sound pathetic because of course I am their mother and of course watching them excel at something they love is going to feel good - like all of the hours acting as their personal uber drivers are worth it, all of the money that it takes to be in these sports doesn’t matter, it’s that pull that matters. The knowing that they are accomplishing things that matter to them. That’s what I love.
And there’s something simmering there for me on a business level too. And I kind of hate writing that here - because isn’t my substack for all of the other things - but who makes these rules anyway? (I guess I’ve made these rules). But last spring I got to design a brand and website for Sojijitsu and this summer I got to redesign a website for DanceRoots and both of these projects felt like there was a voice inside of my head whispering more. And not more as in I plan on niching to exclusively movement studios but more so a reimagined second arm of my brand - one that offers more accessible design to movement studios where I am in fact the ideal client.
But who has the time for a second business - but the more I consider this, the more I realize that there will never be the time for more unless I just make it happen.
The October Six
01 — Read
I picked up Pete and Alice in Maine after picking it up two years in a row at Sherman’s. I like buying books in the summer at small independent book shops and then pulling them out when the weather turns bad (anytime after summer really) to remind myself of where I just was - in a warmer reality in a place I love.
It’s about fleeing NYC during the early days of the pandemic, an affair and adjusting to an isolated reality in Maine. It brought me right back to the early days of 2020 - when we made fun of Andrew for going “covid crazy” and bringing home a slew of toilet paper and non perishables. And then the after days of being sequestered in our own island of all of us at home, Andrew telling me it would all be okay, me working some nights until 2am.
But it wasn’t all bad (the book and the reality). I soaked up the idea of being steeped in Maine, how I could relate to how her days shifted so profoundly. The ending fell a little flat for me but I still enjoyed the journey getting there.
I also read Emily Henry’s Book Lovers and that was a fun quick escape (but I do admit I prefer her books read to me on audible).
02 — Listen
Speaking of listening..
I’ve recently listened to People We Meet on Vacation, Happy Place, and currently Beach Read — all by Emily Henry and all narrated by Julia Whelan. I’ve decided that Julia Whelan makes these stories that much better. I’ve come to expect her different tones, the way she can somehow churn out a believable male raspy voice, and the art at which she delivers humour.
Her voice keeps me company while I clean, drive, walk, and purge a closet.
03 — Move
I’ve decided that I need to add in some serious strength training after a jarring round of post dinner arm wrestling where I almost lost to Isla. I mean I expected her legs to be strong from all of the hours she spends dancing weekly but I did not expect that kind of performance from her arms.
So I will be venturing to the strength classes on Obé - adding them to my usual sculpt, pilates and hiit rotation. If you feel like trying the app (I’m taken well over 400 classes), use code ASHLEYIZSAK for a free month long trial)
04 — Shop
Last week I ripped out four pairs of jeans from my closet. I say ripped because I’d had it with afternoons spent in utter discomfort due to ill fitting denim and my stubbornness to not let go of a certain pair because it looked good.
As the pile of exiled denim grew on my bedroom floor I started a mental denim acquisition plan. I would only buy Agolde denim or another good quality brand going forward. Old me used to only purchase premium denim. Current me regularly spends $500 on a single dance costume yet cheaps out on good jeans. Not anymore.
As if I manifested new jeans, I found a greatly reduced pair of Agolde’s on a rack of sweaters on Friday night in my size. So far my plan is working out :).
In non denim news I purchased this oversized sweater and this cardigan while away in Littleton, NH (they had the cutest clothing boutique) last weekend and I am already living in both of them.
05 — Beauty Finds
I will forever maintain that getting up, working out, showering, getting dressed with some make up on before taking our youngest to school is a game changer. I feel infinitely better when I am zoom ready early in the day and this blush, mascara, and eyebrow gel duo are new favourites.
I found this Rolla’s skirt on an end of season sale (this site has more in stock) in a size up from my usual but maybe that was the missing piece to being able to sit and work in a denim skirt and not feel terrible all day. It feels like butter and I plan on wearing it year round with sneakers, boots and flats.
06 — Five Things I saved this week
01 | It’s the 6th slide for me - something about the unexpected backsplash tile arrangement that just sings to me.
02 | Outrageously commercialized yet I kind of love it.
04 | Just because it’s so pretty
05 | This entryway.
New at Ash Izsak Studio
Lume Club is launching soon in Manotick Village. Here’s a peek but if you’re local you’ll want to stop in when it opens. I got to work with a former client of mine Kristen to design her new brand, website and her shop interiors too (yes you read that right!!). I can’t wait to share more with you soon!
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.
Gimme more, gimme more! Looking forward to the next debrief after such a lovely read this was, xo.