024. ASTRID PAPER PLAYGROUND [VIDEO]

From global brand collaborations to hand-assembling custom event stationery for Sydney’s most stylish weddings, Astrid—the creative visionary behind Paper Playground—has earned her place as one of the most influential names in the Australian wedding and events industry.

In this episode of Crew Table, Astrid sits down with George John to discuss the evolution of stationery styling, the rise of luxury wedding aesthetics, and what it really means to stay ahead of the creative curve. A former fashion insider and long-time design contributor to high-profile platforms like Oh It’s Perfect, Five Star Party Co., and Life’s Little Celebrations, Astrid shares raw insights into navigating personal tragedy, stepping back from mass production, and why she now works exclusively with planners and stylists.

Whether you’re a wedding stylist, designer, creative entrepreneur, or simply someone who appreciates thoughtful, intentional storytelling—this conversation is one to remember.

HOSTED BY @georgejohnphotography

PRODUCED BY @danieljohnmedia

Episode Transcript

(00:10):
Astrid, welcome to the crew Table.
Thank you for having me. You're so welcome.
Are you enjoying a March on? Yeah, to trek out so, so much
up. Thank you so much.
You're so welcome. I was saying I told you my
daughter already made me one, soit was all right.
Yeah, it's definitely not going to match hers, but enjoy it.

(00:30):
Thank you. Well, guys, if you don't know
who Ashford is, you're going to get to know someone who is a
true visionary and a massive creative pioneer in the
industry. She's going to die.
Every time we talk about her work or her, she's like
cringing, which is the funniest thing to watch.
But you're going to have to sit down and take some of this
because not only did I do my research, but I've also pulled

(00:51):
in some favours from some friends.
Thank you, Mary, Shout out to Mary Ronis, he's super tight
with Astrid and she gave me a little bit of like a catch up.
She put me up to speed about everything to do with Astrid and
Paper Playground. But before we really start to
dive real deep into it, because I've got quite a number of
topics and questions that I really want to pick your brain

(01:12):
about, I want you to actually take the rain and dive in and
introduce yourself to someone who's never had an introduction
to you. Allow them to understand what
Paper Playground is and tell us a little bit about it.
OK, well, my name is Astrid. I run this little business
called Paper Playground. I do event stationary, but I

(01:37):
also do graphic design for, you know, the bigger stuff like the
backdrops could be a sign, a milestone.
So yeah, servicing pretty much events for the design.
Graphic design. That's pretty much it.
Like I produced, I produced the,you know, the little things from
lunch boxes to like menus. So yeah, that that.

(02:02):
Kind of stuff. Are you downplaying the
stationary side of your job? That's pretty much it.
Like you. Guys, she's she does stationary,
but if she doesn't do your normal like little stationary,
that's what I'm trying to get at.
You're very, it's very detailed orientated, a lot of hand
crafted. Yeah, like hand folded.
Yes, yes, pretty. Hours and hours of work.

(02:23):
It's never just like a card. It's always like, I feel like
something's like there's so manyelements to your work.
Yeah, well, you know, has to something special about it, you
know, for every job. So how long have you been doing
it for? Oh, I'd say over 10 years.
I don't like to keep count because, yeah, it's still fresh
in my mind, you know? Like, yeah, yeah, over 10 years,

(02:45):
I'd say. Well, the last time we worked
together was like you were you were pointing.
I was pre COVID. Yeah.
It's been a long time. Yeah.
It would have been like five years since I think I've last
seen you. Yeah.
It's like a lot has happened. So there's a lot for me to catch
up on, which I'm excited about to talk about.
I want to get up to speed about where you're at today and
everything going on. Yeah, but there's actually a lot

(03:06):
that I didn't learn or know about you that I'm learning as
I'm diving through this about like your past history and your
career and where it stemmed from.
Because you've you've created this like niche and intricate
career path in Australia, but you also went very global.
With your work, yeah. Which is very impressive.

(03:27):
Which I'd never thought. Would be possible?
Yeah, it wasn't, you know. Miami is one of them.
Where you were working? Where else?
All. Written down.
Well, I wouldn't say working like I, you know, I went there
to to talk like on a panel, but for, you know, yeah.
But I've, I've got like clients from, you know, from LA and

(03:51):
yeah, Miami and primarily America and Canada.
Yeah, so. So with the US and the like
North American side, your clients, is it just still like
international communications andship office with like
stationary? Yeah, yeah, pretty much.
We communicate pretty much via Instagram or even email and then

(04:11):
I'll send, you know, the draughts through and then yeah,
I'll ship it Always express our Courier, which is like triple,
quadruple the amount like to to ship.
But yeah, that's pretty much howit works.
So sick. And I, I don't take many of
those on because the shipping itself, like I get, I get scared
that it'll get lost, it'll come back to me.

(04:32):
So just to avoid all that, like I only take a few on.
Yeah, it's just be stressful. Mary said that if she was to
describe you, and she wrote, I don't mind if you quote this,
She's a driving force in the industry.
She's a pioneer in a trailblazer.
Her work is highly sought after.But mostly she's a deeply
wonderful human. Oh, that was really nice.

(04:56):
I think I think that actually perfectly describes you because
you are actually a really nice human.
Oh, thanks. Which is like, you know, really
refreshing in like when you whenyou find people in in the work
world to have a really nice kindof personality and a genuinely
good human to work with, which Ithink is a big part of some
people's success and some people's failures when they, you

(05:19):
know, their personality shines through.
Have you found that your personality has formed
relationship like being that bonding path to form
relationships with work? Yeah, I guess so.
But I feel like it's not even something I think about like,
you know, I, you know, going into the industry, I, I'm just
me and, you know, I meet up with, you know, potential

(05:42):
clients, people and, you know, just, I don't know, we just
bond, you know, I have some kindof like relationship, you know,
after a while. And yeah, I didn't feel like
it's something that I actually focus on, but yeah, something
that I'm totally grateful for, Iguess.
OK. Yeah.
Do you mind if I hit you with some hard business questions?

(06:02):
Yeah, sure. Because this is the kind of
stuff that not many people speakabout or explain to other users,
whether it be, you know, people in the same field of work or
just people who are just following you for many years.
But you've collaborated with brands like My Little Pony,
Spotlight, You've spoken at International Summits, Bambi,
Soiree in Miami. Yes, that's it.

(06:24):
Was that the summit? Yeah, that was the summit, Yeah.
What do you think has made you stand out enough to represent
Australia on a global stage? But also, what do you think has
made you stand out to be either poached or work for such big
ticketed clients? I think it's, it could be my
unique approach on how I create things and ideas that people

(06:51):
haven't really done before. And you know, when I say ideas,
it might not even come from me, but a collaboration between me
and my client and we come up with something and we.
Yeah. And then it just started the
trend. So it's.
Yeah, I think that's what it is like, you know, starting trends
and creating something differentthat no one really have done

(07:12):
before. OK.
So you think that creating stuffthat has never been hit the
market obviously got you that volume and that put you on that
spotlight where it's spotlight where it's kind of got in
spotlight to look at you. How did those transactions go
about? Did they just reach out through
to you or did you like pitch yourself?

(07:32):
No, I literally, you know, just post things as, you know, as I'm
doing my work and it's, you know, another party's done.
I get the photos or I create, you know, flat lace at home and
I'll post it on Instagram and that's how it starts.
And they'll reach out to me. Awesome.
So yeah, like Bambini soiree, which I thought I was dreaming.
Like I got an email in the morning, you know, saying, you

(07:55):
know, I would like you to come to Miami.
And it's like I had to check. It's like this is a scam.
So it's not real. But yeah, it's it's literally
just social media that I post. And I don't even use Facebook or
any other ones. It's just Instagram.
OK, Pretty much. What did you guys speak about at
the babies? Sorry.

(08:15):
We spoke about trends, yeah. We pretty much, I was on the two
panels. The main one was the trending,
like what's, you know, what's trending in the party world and
mainly kids parties. So that's pretty much it.
Yeah. Colours, you know, all the nerdy
designy stuff. Yeah.

(08:35):
So you said that well from understanding this chart right
now, you're saying that a lot ofthe trends that you create with
your clients as well. Just a big peek from me has
obviously led to a lot of business growth.
Has has there been any secret asto how you've kind of got in
that relationship with your clients or how does it actually

(08:55):
work operational wise when sometimes you're you're fighting
stuff like budget and like you know, time frame restraints and
then getting your client to believe an idea.
Is there anything that you do ona business perspective that kind
of pitches or kind of brings these ideas forward to the
clients? Yeah, I mean, like I think a big
factor is time and people it's, I don't know how it is with you,

(09:18):
but with events it's always lastminute.
So I'm always, I feel like I'm always stuck with the time that
I have to create something. So at the end of the day, it's
always a time thing. Like I can create something even
like 10 times better if I had a month instead of a few days, you
know? So, but I try to pitch what is

(09:39):
possible in that time frame and I feel like I don't know, my
clients are pretty good. Like they, they see the vision.
I try to, I think it's understand the understanding
between me and the client that they, they, they believe in me
and what I can create. And they most of the time it's,
yeah, they just let me take the reins and create what I want to

(10:02):
create. Has that always been the case
since the start? Most of the time, yeah, I think
I've been pretty lucky. OK, Yeah, I don't believe in
luck, but yeah, I'll, I'll accept that.
You have a certain aesthetic, right?
Yeah. Like when people look at your
Instagram, they see your photos,they see your creations and
that's why they choose you because that they see your the

(10:22):
work that you produce. So I think it's I think it's a
good start already that they know what kind of work that you
produce and the kind of designs that you do, because I think
everyone's got a different design aesthetic percent I.
Think everyone's got a differentdesign aesthetic but also
different skill sets, right? Like you've physically got to
have the skill when it comes to like papery.
Yeah, absolutely. Graphic design, yeah.

(10:44):
You can't just, you know, have an idea in your head and not be
able to produce it. Execute it.
Execute it right. You know what I mean?
I just know a lot of businesses in general typically struggle
with having the ideas, being able to execute it, but then
also getting the client to give that approval.
Yeah. Even as a photographer, I
sometimes suffer with that. You know what I mean?
I don't always suffer with it. I do get a lot of times when

(11:04):
clients are like, what do you think?
And I'm like, love this question.
Yeah. It's like, now I want it this
way. And you're like, OK, like it's
hard to kind of break that mouldof creating a trend or break
that mould of, you know, evolving.
Yeah, yeah. I don't know.
I feel like, yeah, I think getting the right clients for

(11:24):
you, you know, works in your favour.
So, but also like when you say about limits with my work, like
I have to work with other printers as well because I don't
have a big fancy printer. I don't have like gold foiling,
like, you know, things like that, that people look for that,
yeah, you have to outsource and,and I think it's nice to have a
little, you know, community where everyone helps each other

(11:47):
out. So that's also the key to like
making things work. He's filming the oh, he's go
creating that bond with suppliesand stuff.
Yeah. Question.
You said no to public orders. It's on your Instagram bio.
Oh God, how long has that been on your bio for?
Years. So does that mean you just work

(12:09):
with planners and stylists exclusively or what's it go?
Most of the time, yes, yeah. But I will take on, if I have
the time, I will take on like new clients, but also I, I don't
like to spread myself too thin. So that's why I have it there,
just to ensure that what I'm producing, I'm happy with.
And it's 110%. And every single job is what I

(12:32):
love. Yeah.
And you know, 'cause you know you can.
See it? You know that, right?
No, I just do that to protect me.
Yeah. I'm like, no, I can't.
I can't. Does it make you just feel like
you have control? Yes, yes, absolutely.
Yeah. Has it ever impacted?
Have you seen any positives or negatives since that's been up
there? I know this feels like grilling,
but it's totally like, no. I'm just curious as to like how

(12:55):
has it been on that end? I think it's it's fine.
Like I don't, I don't find anything negative coming out of
it. OK, yeah, I do still get the,
you know, people coming and messaging saying hey, I saw
this, but are you still able to,you know, so I still reply and
say, well, no, I can't. But what's the experience like

(13:17):
working with planners and stylists versus having customers
now that you know you've createdthat?
That little boundary. Yeah, boundary's a good way for
it. Yeah, I guess I think it's I, I
love working with event plannersbecause they, they sort the back

(13:40):
end stuff before even getting toyou.
I think that's why it's easier for me.
Like the, the they're like the middle man who already you know,
who knows what the colour palette is, who, who knows the
direction of like the theme. So I, I'm here like, you know,
receiving all the information already ready to go where if I'm
working with like I've got, you know, I still have all my

(14:03):
clients I've worked with for, for years now, you know, all the
mums. And the difference is like, we
could be doing like 20 messages before we get it right.
As opposed to with event stylus,it's 2 messages.
You know, it's, it's so much back and forth the.
Time thing. Yeah, it's a time thing.
And you know, even like sleepingat 3:00 AM, like I was saying,
it still doesn't catch up like with the all the things I need

(14:26):
to do. So the faster something is, the
the easier and it's just smoother for me to get the job
done, yeah. It's crazy, guys, what she's
referring to something we spoke about before we actually went on
and I had to cut the conversation because it was
pretty good. But we're talking about sleep
and how you tell me that you sleep very late.
And I was kind of like telling you that you really need to kind

(14:46):
of take charge of that because it's so unhealthy.
Like, you know, for your mind and your everything, like you
just, it's so important to get sleep.
Yeah, I feel like I have permanent brain fog.
It's OK. I'm functioning.
I'm. Good.
You were telling me it's becauseyou're, it's such a physically
demanding job that that's literally the only time you have
to like, cut, prepare for everything.
Yeah. Over the decade, has there been

(15:08):
any changes? Have you found anything to kind
of help with balance or are you still struggling with that?
Well, first of all, saying that I'm not available, like I'm not
taking orders. 2nd, I have learnt to kind of learn to say
no, OK, it's very hard, but I can only take on so much and I
limit myself, so that helps. But I think that's pretty much

(15:31):
the two main things, yeah, that just just taking on the jobs,
like knowing how much I can do in a week, in a fortnight, Yeah,
in the month's time, you know? So that's pretty much it.
Listen, I get it. Because sometimes when you're
working with the right faner andthe right stylist that just like
understands your business in andout, the transaction is a lot
more fluid. Like they just get you, they

(15:52):
understand how your processes work.
So it's a lot more like trustingyou feel like you can just
actually focus on the craft. So I totally get it.
You've worked with some incredible names, from iconic
dessert Queens to major editorial publications.
Pretty sure you're in Vogue. Was I?
Yeah. No.

(16:12):
Yes, when I can fill it up, the work was featured in it.
I don't remember. I'll say to the article.
God. And you've walked away from like
big name club has, has like you've walked away with some big
name clubs under your belt. Has there any been a
collaboration that you've like, Nah, I'm not going to do this.
I'm not going to do it. Yeah.

(16:33):
Have you ever turned down a collaboration?
Oh jeez. I can't.
I wish she she doesn't even knowshe's in publications, but I've
got another publication title that was written about you.
But yeah, continue. I can't remember like, no, I
think everyone's that's come, it's like, oh wow, it's just
exciting. Like it's been like.
You're like always down for it. Most of the time, yeah.
Yeah, it's cool. Yeah.

(16:53):
Good to know. I was just trying to be sneaky
and see if there's anyone that you're like, Nah, I don't.
Think it's not lining? OK.
Where do you draw your main sources of inspiration?
And I know it's a very broad question to ask on a podcast.
It's it's a broad question to ask anyone.
Yeah. Just out of curiosity, when it
does come to the graphic design,to everything within yourself,

(17:14):
not briefs given to you by planners or stylists.
Yeah. Where do you usually be?
Like, I got an idea for this. Where did that come from?
Comes from everywhere. Like, I could be driving, you
know, and say something from thecorner of my eye or I can, I
remember last time I was like ata pool and the, you know, those

(17:35):
things that ropes the, the thingthat divides the swimming pools.
Like, I don't know, the, the combination of that like, and
something else, like the colour palette, like really inspired
me. It was just like at the pool and
I was like, yeah, let's do something and just little
everyday things, you know, obviously I love looking into

(17:55):
fashion and publications, which is, you know, quite rare these
days with magazines. But like, actual feel touch
magazines, like I love just getting inspired by little
things like that, Yeah. OK.
Like paper? Different types of paper.
Yeah, awesome. Yeah, I can imagine that
happening. But then how do you then see a

(18:17):
pool divider and then take it tothe next realm?
It's it was the colours, it was the colour combination it.
Is so cool. Yeah.
Like, I'd love to see your mood boards and stuff.
It'd be like the wildest thing. It's like this sidewalk and this
pool looks great. Let's put it together.
Together with the much out the. Green signature, you know, it's

(18:38):
something no, that's so funny. You're a part of organisations
like Oh it's perfect party with Lenzo and now five star.
Yep, you work at 5 star quite well.
What have you learnt about the collaborations with those
particular companies and like all the takings you've you've
had with your experiences with them?

(18:58):
I think I'm very grateful that with each one of them I've
learnt something new because with OIP that was like at the
beginning of my so called career, whatever you want to
call it. But yeah, so from that to party
with Lenzo, they introduced me to, you know, big scale like the
spotlight and just working with corporate, which I never done

(19:23):
before and now with Five Star just working with I guess the
business structure to things. It's because I do so much
freelance and I pretty much do what I want kind of thing.
But when you're working for a business IT, you have to stand

(19:44):
by, you know, little things thatis actually possible to produce,
like, you know, packaging and stuff like that.
The guidelines and restrictions.That's right.
Yeah. Yeah.
OK. Yeah.
Found ways to break the mould through them or take that kind
of teach anything from your freelancing, Any experiences
you've had kind of combining those worlds or insights you've

(20:06):
provided. I think trying to customise
things like, because it's such abroad, you know, when you're
producing something on a mass scale, it has to suit a lot of
like take a goodie box for example.
It has to work with every event or every, you know, celebration.
But customising that like havingthat fine balance between being

(20:30):
able to I think fit into every celebration and also making,
making it a little bit more special.
Yeah, like that's how I that's the.
People in the party game or the mums listening, What's like
trends that you think or you predict coming up?
Oh my God, I feel like the trends are staying like longer

(20:53):
than usual. Do you, do you find that like,
yeah, I don't know, like with the draping, like that's hanging
around with the bows. It's been like years, I feel.
And now with like, I think colours, colours play a lot with
like the bringing the mood like with burgundy, like.
That's making a big turn. Yeah, like all the before we

(21:14):
were like so into the pastels and like the, you know, the more
like, I don't know, I'm not sure.
But now it's like all like, boldand bright and like, like.
Playful colours and now it's like dramatic.
Yeah, and sexy. Like, really?
Yeah, it makes you feel a certain way.
Yeah, I think a lot of colours. I don't know, I feel like in

(21:38):
this also like in this time, like with everyone cutting back
budgets and stuff like that, a lot of DIY.
So I think maybe accommodating to people who do want to,
because before it was more like,I need this done, you know, I
don't want to do anything. But now I, I, I feel like it's

(21:58):
shifting a little and people actually want to do things
themselves because one, is within their budget and two,
it's, it is a little bit more special when you do something
yourself, you know, and DIY things.
So I feel like that's where it'sgoing.
You pro DIY against it. I'm I'm pro DIY like that's,
that's how it's all came about for me.

(22:19):
So yeah, OK. Yeah, yeah.
Flipping the table, anything youkind of like this needs to go.
Oh. My God, I think the Unicorn
needs to go. I still.
I still. I'm grateful I don't see many
unicorns in my life when I go towork, but yeah.
Oh my God, I still see the rainbow and like I don't
understand how this like thousands of Unicorn images and

(22:43):
not one of them is cute. Like, can we like get over it
like. So don't ask you this anything
else. Maybe frozen?
OK. Yeah, I, I, every time I do it,
I love it because I actually dida Frozen theme for my kids
birthday, for my daughter's birthday, but it's like 10 years

(23:05):
on, it's like. Yeah, it's yeah, but it's going
to be a hard ask for parents to not do Frozen and stuff.
Yeah, the kids are going to be begging for it.
It's OK, I'll still take frozen.Yeah, I don't.
Think it's up to you or us. It's up to the it's up to these
three year olds. Dominican frozen party.
But you know what? I look back after I've done and
I'm like, oh, it's so beautiful.Like it's still so.
Whatever makes these little kidshappy.

(23:26):
Very nostalgic for me. Not at that stage of my life
yet. Oh my God, I've got it.
Wait until you are, because they're gonna tell you what they
want and you're like, I can't I.Can already foresee it.
I can taste it happening. Like how do you not gonna give
them what they want for their birthday?
Yep. Yeah, that's awesome.
You're the go to creative for somany elite events.
What's been the biggest This might break me moment?

(23:47):
Oh. My God, what do you mean?
Like break me like I'm walking away kind of thing or.
It's been 10 years, Astrid. What's been like the biggest
fuck this is this is too much. I felt like it happened not long
ago and I was just like, I, I can't, I can't do it anymore.

(24:09):
Like, I think it's a time thing.It's like when someone messaged
you and say you need it that week and it's like, and you've
got so many things going on, youknow, got a family to like, you
know, go home and cook dinner every night.
And, you know, it's, I think it's, yeah, all it takes like
that one message or one phone call and it's like I can't do it

(24:29):
anymore. And like, I feel like I just
need to go away and do somethingelse.
But it's, it's, it's come close like a few times that I'm like,
I can't, I can't do it anymore. I can't do it to myself.
I can't do it to my body and my health, although I still do it.
But yeah, yeah. You're dubbed or you were dubbed

(24:52):
in an article if you haven't read it as one of the best
dressed women in the room. Do you read about?
Do you Google yourself? Wait.
Which article is this? Oh man, I'll, I'll show you
these articles later. You you will be written as one
of the best, best dressed women in the room.
Do you think that there's an intersection between fashion and
identity and creativity when it comes to your work?

(25:13):
Yeah, absolutely. Sorry, she's just having
flashbacks trying to with. The thing is, it the Grazia one
where I'm not even going to get into it because I don't want you
to probe. I'll I'll send it.
I don't have the link, I just have my questions.
What were we talking about? Fashion.
I do. Feel like, do you feel like
there's an, like an like an intersection between fashion and

(25:34):
work and. Yeah, absolutely.
Like they all. Identity.
Yeah, because the, I mean, you know, everyone, I mean, I have,
I have a style, but I also love to look into the trends with
fashion especially. And I mean, when I got out of
uni, I was doing fashion like I was, I was working in a fashion
company, so. What company?

(25:55):
It was Pascucci, Quechua slash kit and pink.
Anyway, she was doing a lot of women's like, you know, going
out dresses, I guess clubbing and oh, OK, yeah.
But it was it was it was really fun.
But yeah, I feel like fashion isintertwined with design in

(26:17):
general and events in my work so.
Why did you step away from the fashion world?
I got pregnant and it was super demanding, like, and yeah, after
I think I was five months pregnant, I'm like, I can't do
it because you're staying back. Like I was involved in a lot of
the photo shoots as well. And that was an old day, like
morning till night. And it was a lot.

(26:39):
It was a lot. So I stepped back and when after
I had the kids, I felt like it'snot really my passion anymore.
So. And that's where I found.
Never looked back. I've never looked back.
OK, No, I loved it for that time.
And you know, when you say, oh, people come into your life for
that period of time and for a reason.
And I feel like that's the same,you know, with your careers and

(27:00):
yeah, everything that happens inlife, so.
Was there a day like after that moment timeline wise, where I
was like, you're working in fashion, fell pregnant and
you're like, I think I'm gonna do a stationary company.
No, it didn't. It didn't.
It wasn't like that. I, I had my, I, I gave birth to
my daughter. And then I, I think I have to

(27:22):
actually credit my PND, which I don't even like, talk about
like, you know, publicly or anything.
But I had had postnatal depression for a while.
And yeah, I just, I felt like I need it because I was, I stopped

(27:44):
everything. Like after I gave birth, it was
all about, you know, my daughterand my boy and a son and I
needed to, yeah. I just fell into a, a spiral.
Like I didn't even know what, what it was.
And then and then I had it. I sat down with my husband and
he was like, what is it that youneed to do that would make you

(28:06):
happy again? And I said I think I need to
pick up my camera and start taking photos.
And then you take. Photos.
Yeah, I mean, like that was my favourite subject at uni was
actually photography. Wow, yeah, that's crazy.
So I was doing photographer for a while and my favourite part
was going into the dark room and, you know, developing the

(28:29):
photos. Yeah, that was my favourite.
Yeah. So I I loved photography, but
it's not for me anymore. But anyway, that's for you.
No wonder why Instagram looks sogood.
I'm like God, does this girl do it or?
No, because I get photos like from photographers like you to
post as well. So yeah, you know, but that was

(28:50):
that was a pivotal moment for myself.
Even though you suffered throughthat, sorry to hear.
Yeah, I mean, I mean, I, I thinka lot of women do, you know, and
for them to actually say it out loud and do something about it,
it's yeah, it's therapy. So, but I, I took photos, I, I
went out, I had time off, you know, my husband would take care

(29:12):
of the kids and I'd be out and just taking photos of whatever.
And, and that's how I slowly getgot back into feeling like my
creative self, like back to how I was before I had, you know,
the kids. And from that I just started
being creative again. And my daughter's birthday

(29:34):
rolled around and then I did the, you know, invitations and
the little goodie bags and everything.
And that's, that's, that's how it started.
And I'm like, this is fun. Our.
Life just works sometimes, though.
Yeah. But it's awesome to hear.
And you should be so proud that from a dark moment, yeah.
Of struggle, yeah. With the incredible support of

(29:55):
your partner, yeah, you were able to like, give time for
something to happen. Yeah, Because that's the most
important thing, right? It's absolutely like giving
yourself the opportunity to not know where you're going towards,
but just walking that path. Yeah, yeah.
Which? If you didn't, it wouldn't have
been getting into the creative realm and then also then
creating for your daughter's birthday, which look at you now,
10 years on. Yeah, it's crazy.

(30:17):
Yeah, it is crazy. That is when I look back, Yeah.
That is so awesome. Well, you've always, my next
question is just a little bit more about you, but you've
always been described as someonewith a very radiant spirit.
And anyone that does know you, you're you're a very happy,
bubbly, light person. You always radiate, always a
smile. But we also know that, you know,
with life, there's a lot of depth that people don't

(30:38):
understand. What's been the hardest thing
that you've had to navigate through with life, especially
that's reshaped you as a person and create like as a creative?
Oh, I think it was when I lost my sister in law and my nephew
and my niece a few years ago. Sorry to hear.
Thank you. That's, yeah, that.

(31:01):
I don't know, you just never think something like that's
going to happen. Like when I received the news, I
was like, no, like it's not really can't be, you know?
And yeah, I feel like losing 3 people at once.

(31:21):
I feel like I've just, I just want to hold on to everyone and
all my relationships, all my friendships and everyone that I
hold close to me. And I feel that that's one of
the, I guess that's one of the ways that I've dealt with like,
like you were saying, you know, trying to put boundaries with

(31:45):
work. And I've learned that I need to
make more time, like I need to make more time for my friends,
for my family. And I can't afford to lose like,
any more people, like any more people that I love in this
lifetime, you know? And that's.

(32:05):
Yeah, that's pretty much it. Yeah.
Yeah. It's a great lesson to take from
that moment. Yeah, and one that I still walk
with every day, you know, and I it, it, it, it's, it's a, it's a
reminder every second that I, I need to, you know, not just, you
know, do my best with everything, but also take time

(32:25):
out to spend time with people and be present, be in the
moment. It's.
A beautiful message. Yeah.
If you don't mind me asking the flip side of the repercussion of
that, because as business owners, when we are the actual
business owner, yeah, we can't always foresee or predict

(32:45):
unfortunate events, unfortunate events, right, on both
spectrums, not just, you know, stuff that that can go wrong.
Yeah. How did that impact business?
Well, I had to stop working. Yeah.
I, I couldn't, I couldn't work for months.
And I, I was just thankful that,you know, I had friends who, you
know, would send me food, you know, and Mary actually, like,

(33:09):
sent me like a whole box like offood that I can put in freezer
for the week. I don't have to cook, you know,
like a little things like that that I don't have to do during
that time, you know? So I, I, yeah, I lost a lot of
time not working. And then we decided we need to
go. So we went to Japan as a family.

(33:30):
And yeah, it was like, I felt like it was the best thing.
Like after that, I remember justbeing in Japan actually, like me
and my daughter cry her eyes out, you know, on the side of a
beautiful river. But it, it was that it was those
little moments that needed to happen, you know, for me to be

(33:50):
able to come back and say, I I can tackle this again.
Yeah. It's, I don't ever think it ever
leaves you. But you know, you, you've had a
bit of time and you're trying tolive with it every day.
And, you know, you just try to do the best you can and you try
to be as happy as you can and, you know, be grateful for

(34:13):
everything that is actually likesurrounding you.
Yeah, 1000%. Yeah, so.
Thanks for sharing that, I know it's hard to talk about.
Yeah. Yeah, it's, it's very difficult,
but you know, there's incrediblelessons that maybe someone can
see through your strength throughout your whole journey to
know that there is a silver lining to give yourself the
availability and chance to, you know, flow back up.

(34:35):
Yeah, no, it's it does happen eventually.
You're incredibly strong. You're amazing.
I should. Thank you, you're amazing.
Well, you're a mum and a stepmom.
As well. Yep.
And the creative force. And, you know, now we're
starting to see a little bit more of like the depths and
highs and lows of life that you've kind of experienced and
lived. You're good.

(34:55):
I'm good, OK, I'm good, do. You want a minute?
No, I'm OK. Sure, I'll have a much soup.
No one even knows too much of stories for the time.
What do you hope your kids learnfrom you and everything that
you've built in China? Oh.
Gosh, I hope that they see how passionate I am with everything

(35:19):
that I put my heart into, and I hope that they can translate
that into their own passions in whatever they want to do in
their life. I hope that they see that
kindness does work. It's you don't always have to be
a certain person, a certain, youknow, like, yeah.

(35:41):
And I love that. Message.
Yeah, I feel like hard work, hard work, persistence and I
think consistency. I hope they say that I am, I'm,
I wouldn't say hustle, more likejust being consistent with

(36:02):
things and always making sure that, you know, things get done.
Like I hope they see that, you know, through all that they'll
eventually get to where they want to be.
And yeah, that's pretty much, pretty much.
It if there's anything you can kind of teach me as a young dad,

(36:22):
because yours are your, your, your kids are in there like
teens, right? Yeah, they're little adults.
They're little adults, yeah. Anything you've learnt over the
last 10 years like any positive tips, negative tips of like I
totally stuffed this up what by through work or this worked
really well for me. I think to be able to put time

(36:44):
aside and it probably looks and sounds easy, but to actually be
present to take the time out to go to that school play to see
them perform to to the little things like, you know, picking
them up from school, having just15 minute drive.

(37:04):
Like the first thing they see isyou when they come home from
school and everything just vomits out, like, you know,
everything they want to say everything they've experienced,
you know, with their friends. I feel like that was like,
that's the little things, the little drives that makes that
time special. Like it doesn't have to be
anything major. Sounds like you have some fun

(37:26):
car rides with kids, yeah? I do, I do, I I I I pick them up
and they could be like, I hate this teacher, you know, I'm
like, say it, girl. Tell me more.
I hate her too. Do you need me to talk to the
principal? Yeah.
You know, like I just always being in the corner.
That's awesome. I think, yeah.
That message? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

(37:48):
You got a lot. You got a lot of money like.
Such an incredible mum. You you, you're doing really
well. I try.
I feel like sometimes I'm not there because I work from home,
you know, and separating myself from work to what they're going
through, what they want you for,and yes, finding that balance
that doesn't really exist, you know?

(38:10):
You spent years elevating so many parties.
I like elevating. OK, you like that word.
OK, styling experiences and making everything magical for
others, but what's what makes you feel celebrated?
Food. OK.
I I swear, if someone's like, it's your birthday, let's go,
let's eat. Where, where do you want to go?

(38:31):
What do you want? As simple as that.
It's like, yeah, take me there and let's eat.
What's your favourite place to eat right now in Sydney?
Oh my God, I can't. I can't.
Give me a top three like Nah these are my favourites Oh my
God. I don't even know, I can't think
of 1 like. Going out with friends.

(38:51):
Food's always cracker. I guess I can say the top three
cuisines would be like Thai, yeah, Italian and Indonesian.
Come on, give us something, A hidden gem, a place that you
like. Ria It's Indonesian and there's
one in Parramatta and one in thecity.

(39:12):
It's the best Indonesian food. Ria, RIA.
RIA. Yeah, I'm gonna try it.
Yeah, I've never even heard of it.
Have you tried Indonesian food? No.
I don't think so. See, you gotta you gotta try it.
OK. Yeah, I'm more of like a
Japanese kind of like. Japanese good.
Just saki like I'll be a yes forme every single day, OK.
But like, I don't know, I'm a bit, a little bit like, you

(39:34):
know, white boy when it comes torestaurants, 'cause I'm just
gonna like the, you know, the mainstream ones.
I never really know the nooks and crannies.
Yeah, I like the little dirty, you know.
Yeah, I can never find them. Pocket.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Awesome.
Well food makes you feel celebrated.
I should have had like a platterfor you.
No, you had much. It's all good.
It's good, It's good. Yeah, yeah.

(39:54):
Are you sure? And I'm gonna take it.
Up when I have peanut butter. Yeah, yeah, OK.
It's a good trick. Thinking about my little things
about like my little favourites was like green apples and peanut
butter. Anyways, you lived a life full
of high profile events, collaboration, global travel,
personal hardships. When you reflect on one lesson
with every what's what's sorry, what's the one lesson you wish

(40:15):
every creative in the industry would would pause and take in
speak to the industry right now.If you'll speak to all your
friends or your colleagues, and if they would take a moment to
breathe and think and hear from you, what would you want to tell
them? I think to step back and look at
the creation that you've actually created.

(40:36):
It's, it's just to take a momentin time because we're always
like on the go. We're always, you know, just
like it's on to the next thing. It's one you've done this, it's
there's another five, you know, 5 jobs to do, but just just take
a step back and I guess celebrate the fact that you've

(40:56):
created something you've made a party extra special might not
mean anything to, you know, anyone else, but to you like
just to take a take a step back and realise that it's you've
done something special. Yeah, it's a good reason.
It's. How could you do that for
yourself? Not much.

(41:18):
I hope. I hope you do it more often.
Yeah, it's hard to do that. It's it's hard.
You do get stuck with the business side of things, yeah.
And I feel like as a creative, Idon't even ever want to think
about business. Like I just want to concentrate
on the creative side to things. And nowadays you have to do it
all. You have to be able to do the
business side as well. And I feel like some creatives

(41:40):
are not built for that, including me, you know?
So, yeah. I want you to think about this
next question. We're going to go back a little
bit, but if you were to go back to the version of yourself just
starting out, so think of Astridwith the with the camera or at
her daughter's birthday party, that Astrid at the very
beginning, before the publications, before the pains,
before the like all the victories.

(42:01):
What would you tell her? I would tell her that the best
is yet to come and to enjoy every moment.
I would go back and say just enjoy the ride and not stress
about the little things, OK? Yeah.

(42:22):
What little things were you stressing about over the years
that comes to mind? It's just like, you know, being
a freelancer is, is it, is it adequate enough to just just be
a freelancer and be financially stable, you know, be able to,
you know, you know, have, you know, be there for the kids and

(42:44):
also do the thing that I love. Like it's just a little hurdles.
And I feel like, yeah, I feel like sometimes you don't really
know the direction you're going.But I guess that's looking back.
It's like that's the journey that you have to take.
You know, you can't always. I feel as women, we always want

(43:06):
to plan every second of life andit's you can't.
And, you know, saying yes to things could open up, you know,
amazing doors. Like if I, if I stuck to my guns
and listened to my scared inner voice about going to Miami, I'm
like, I can never talk. Like, that's my biggest fear.
Like talking in front of like hundreds of people.

(43:28):
But I said yes. And I and I went through with it
and it was amazing. You know, you just, you don't
know what's tomorrow going to bring.
So yeah. Random question just came to me.
Going to trips and doing like talks at places in Miami for
these summits. Do you actually feel like it
returns back to you? Like is it actual progression in

(43:52):
your business or is it just likean accolade?
I feel like it's a, it's a, it'san amazing experience.
And like when that happened, I was invited back the next year
and I felt like that was the progression.
Like it was, it was nice to like, I would never think
someone, you know, from little me in Sydney would actually have

(44:15):
some, you know, taken someone's interest in overseas, you know,
like that itself was like mind blowing.
So I think like for me coming back and learning so much from
the actual trip itself because it was like a three day summit.
Yeah. Like, you know, it opened up my
eyes like to how the Americans do it, like someone overseas do

(44:35):
parties and. We get none of these summits or
anything. It was Australia.
Crazy. Yeah.
And it was the first of its kindbecause it was like focusing on
kids parties where, you know, you've got like heaps of
wedding, all those wedding threeday summits.
But but that was the first for the kids.
So yeah, it's it was, it was a good experience for me and I did

(44:57):
take away so much and I learned so much from that.
So yeah, it was great. Juicy topic about the kids
parties. Do you ever like obviously
everyone knows like in the current market, it's not really
post COVID, but like in recent times, you know, there's been
the conversation around a lot ofcut cuts in budgets.

(45:17):
A lot of clients are not spending as much and it's very
obvious, right? Yeah, compared to before.
Correct me if I'm wrong. No, I don't really do like
events as as frequently as what I used to five years ago.
But one, it has there been a lotof cutting budgets and like just
changes in terms of like production and budget
allocations for general parties.Absolutely.

(45:39):
And going back, do you feel likeit's it's a good thing that that
has happened or is it like, was it too overblown out of
proportion at certain realms or I don't know.
What's your being your experience about that?
Because obviously there is like that whole like it's a kids
party. They don't really know if you're
like why you're spending 100K orwhatever.

(46:01):
You know, you've seen those crazy parties.
What's your take on it? Because I have a take on it, but
like I'm curious about yours because you're really like into
that field. Yeah, well, I, I love
celebrating. I think ever since my mum
celebrated everything. So I think that translated to me
having like grown up with her and she used to celebrate

(46:21):
everything. Everything was a big thing, you
know, and I feel like in life you should be celebrating more,
you know, like with little things.
So when it was big, it was great.
But it, I feel like it did get blown out of proportion.
Like I think just pre COVID, just before COVID hit, it was
like like huge, you know, and everyone wanted everything.

(46:42):
But now it's scaled back. It's it's still pretty big here
and there, But I feel like I don't know, you're talking to
someone who loves to celebrate. So I do like the more the
biggest celebrations, the, you know, it's just special, so.
Do you feel like online the presence of like hate towards

(47:03):
like special events is just hatefor the sake of hating or
there's actual like? I feel like the.
Truth behind it. No, there are some truths behind
it because a lot of it is could be seen as waste.
You know, like when someone doesgo to me and say what is needed
on the table and I'm going to behonest with them, I go look,
kids are going to be on the table for probably 10 minutes.

(47:25):
You know, the, the most attention span that you know
they'll give you is probably colouring in some stuff and then
opening up the goody box, whatever, you know.
So I would say no to the party hat.
That's not, that's not like a necessity that could be, that's
just, it's just going to look good and it's just going to be
waste, you know. So I'm, I'm always honest with
like what's actually needed or and then there's people that

(47:48):
wants everything because it's going to look good.
So and I'm all for that too. Yeah.
So you know, it's it's fine. Line Tate like you have a cop
Tate online. Online, I remembered once I
think it was, it was more balloons though, so I posted
something and they're like, oh, those balloons, you know, what a

(48:10):
waste environmentally like, you know, unfriendly and you know,
what are you going to do is I'm like, well.
Are you class 8 slither? That's right.
Like you can just literally pickout anything.
Exactly. I'm, I'm on the same page as
you. I feel like I constantly say
this, even when it comes to Weddington.
You get comments from people, you people accidentally DM you

(48:32):
when you post a story. I get that every single week,
you know, and then send it to a friend and they, they, they're
like when to go write a message.Do you ever get that or is it
just me? I'm sure other people do it,
but. Always get like someone who's
like every single week they werelike go to like send that story
to someone and they accidentallyreply to me and I'm like, that's
rude. Oh my God, you get those

(48:53):
comments. I either hear it by accident or
hear it on purpose. Yeah.
But I just feel like it's if if someone has the means to, who
are we to? Exactly.
Say anything Exactly. And that's gonna make them
happy. That's so it's a life
celebration. Yeah.
You're gonna, you're not gonna die with, you know, your bank
account. Yeah, exactly.
If they if they want to do it, they can do.
It Yeah. Life short, man.

(49:14):
You know, you look at the photos, you know it was amazing,
you know it makes them happy. It lights up, you know, it's
like, it's all good. God knows what people do behind
those doors as well. Yeah, exactly.
Anyways, we spoke about past Astrid, but now I want to talk
about future Astrid. Oh, when you're no longer
working, when that day comes, hopefully it's in a very, very,

(49:36):
very long time and people speak about what Astrid created.
What would you hope they say? I hope they say that they've,
that I have created a beautiful memory for that special
milestone for them, for that special moment, and that they'll
look back, you know, with all the happiness and the joy that

(50:00):
it brings them that might, you know, that this little thing
could just. Yeah, light up, spark up a
little memory and say, hey, thatwas, that was, that was such an
amazing day. That was awesome.
You know, like, yeah, it's just.That's what you want your legacy
legacy to be. Yeah, a little bit of joy in
everyone. I think you've already carved

(50:21):
quite a decent path to that legacy.
Hope so. I'm going to ask a couple of
hard questions. Some like deep reflective
questions. I'm just.
Even harder questions. Sorry, I also had Liana submit a
question. Do you want do you want her
question first? Yeah.
Liana asked if you if you and her were to trade places, what's

(50:42):
one thing she should know about you?
She. Should know that I am a true
cancer and that. I what that means?
OK, I read into everything too much.
I feel about everything too much.
Everything means something to me.

(51:03):
And I'm just like, and I can just cry at the drop of a hat.
So. OK, yeah.
So if she's prepared for that mental instability, then we can
trade, you know? And I would love to trade with
her because like, she's like moving things all day.
I'll be like, super. Yeah, writing poems.
Yes, Oh my God, she's. Going to hate me for that.

(51:27):
Release all her poetry and get that book and just scan it and
upload it to the. Internet we can get sensitive
together and cry I'm. Down.
Yeah, yeah, I'm not at all. I wouldn't want to freak a
Friday with anyone. All right, I.
Love that one. Yeah.
I thought it was a great question too.
Yeah. Do you think that from your

(51:49):
experience, do you think pain makes us more creative?
Has any contribution to your creative realm?
Yes. In what sense?
I don't know, I I feel like all the trials and tribulations
always make me feel like I need to get that out.
And the outlet is that creativity.

(52:11):
So it serves me as a purpose because I remember when after
the accident, like my first job was a Little Miss Sunshine
Party. And I, I, I, I told the event
planner Danny from designed by Dee, I told her I got, I needed
this. I, I needed to sit down and I

(52:33):
needed to do something happy forsomeone and, and actually just
focus. It was therapeutic.
Yeah. You know, And the fact that it
was like a Little Miss Sunshine,it was just like, yeah, it's
like highly symbolic. Like, to me, this is what I
mean. Like I, I, I, I read into it and
I'm like, Oh my God. Like this is super special.

(52:54):
Like, I, I should be doing this.I need to be doing this.
And it it, you know, it makes me, it helps me recover from,
you know, from things. Would that be?
Would that be one of your greatest lessons to like kind of
pass forward to someone who might be God forbid suffering
through pain right now or God forbid suffering through pain in
the future is just a kind of persevere?

(53:16):
Yes. Would you reckon that's like
actually what helps travel through trauma?
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, whatever the outlet is a
positive outlet that you can focus and let it all out.
It's a highly therapeutic, like,just let it all out, yeah.
If style is extension to oneself, what do you think your

(53:36):
designs over the years will say about your evolution as a
person? Oh my God, Oh my God.
I don't know. I like to think that.
I mean, I, I can't say for myself, but I like to think
back, look back and be pretty proud of my designs.

(53:59):
So I would like to think that it's what what do you call it
when it transcends the test of time?
Like it's a, it's not so much ofA classic like, but that kind of
design that I'll, you know, stand the test of time.
You look back and you're like, yeah, that's, that was done
really well. That was executed thought out
really well. I'm surprised by your answer
being like someone who's known to kind of be very trendy and

(54:23):
create trends and be quite fluidwith movement of time.
Yeah. Like it's hard to be that person
because it's hard to not have your feet grounded when it comes
to creativity all the time and be stuck with what you're used
to. Yeah.
Yeah. And not conform to norms and
constantly on a very frequent basis.
Yeah. Surprise that you're saying
that, like, you feel like your designs will send the test of
time, which they do. But like.

(54:43):
Yeah. But like looking back, very
interesting. You know, when I do have to do
the Unicorn party, like I'm I'm going to try and translate it
the best way I can in the style that I'm happy with that I like,
you know, so it's not like. I think you need to put yourself
to the task of actually graphic designing a cute Unicorn.
I don't know why it's getting tome so much.

(55:05):
Like I feel like you need to getthe the pen the pen out and
start sketching some really, really cute unicorns.
Oh my God, that is so funny. What's something people
misunderstand about living as a creative?
That it never ends. I think like it's, there's never
a time where I guess when I close my eyes and go to sleep,

(55:27):
that's when it stops. But the moment that you wake up,
your mind's already thinking about things that you could be
doing, you know, things you could be creating.
And I think that's the one thingit just it, it never stops.
And what does that translate to in reality?
Translates to a lot of sleeplessnights.

(55:50):
No, it translates to, I guess that's the fuel that keeps me
going with every creative job that I have, you know, whether
it's it's for myself or whether it's for the the clients.
Yeah. Genuinely, if you never ever
created Instagram or you had been taken down very early on,
you never made a publication, never went to a seminar, do you

(56:12):
think you would truly be fulfilled with Yes?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because I'm creating and
although I'm creating for other people, I'm creating for myself.
So you find fulfilment simply inthe craft, Yes.
That's awesome. Absolutely.
Yeah. OK.
Yes, I love it. Yeah.
That's awesome. One of the last questions What
does this success look like now compared to when you start a

(56:34):
paper playground? Success.
A success, OK, success to me is having a balance that, like I
said before, doesn't exist. But I guess the best way to
navigate through my day to day life is to have that time with

(56:57):
my kids and to have to be present in the moment and to go
to bed. I think fulfilled in that what
I've done today is the best to my ability and that I've done it
with joy and happiness and with purpose.
Did success always look like look like that to you or was it

(57:19):
different? It was different, Yeah, it was
different. Yeah.
I think it was the whole like, oh, I'm going to be this career
woman, you know, that's going to, you know, go to this, you
know, amazing office and create and, you know, direct and do
things. And you know, that was success
to me. Like, I guess out of uni, like,

(57:41):
you know, thinking that's how it's going to go.
You know, I wanted to do marketing.
I wanted, I was looking at Saatchi and Saatchi after, you
know, after uni, I'm like, that's the that's the business I
want to work for, you know, likeadvertising, all that kind of
stuff. But yeah, that wasn't the case.
And I look back now and I'm likethat.
I'm so happy I didn't do that. Like, and I did this.

(58:04):
Yeah, that's. Good.
I'm glad. Yeah.
You played one final game beforeyou wrap up.
Has it been hard? Your first podcast been good?
It's. All right.
Yeah, Yeah. Not that difficult.
Yeah, it's not that bad. Nice and easy I'm.
Glad, I'm glad. Yeah, you're a natural.
You're a natural. No, you're a natural.
We're just friends catching up. I want you to pick a card and

(58:26):
read it out to the audience intothe mic.
What kind of card is this? Should I be choosing the brown
because it's Pantone colour of the year?
Sure. I feel like that's going to do
me real bad. Surface What is your most
embarrassing moment in your life?

(58:47):
Never pick the brown cards. This goes.
It does actually really go, yeah.
Sneezing. Most embarrassing moment.
Oh my God, if. I call bullshit.
You're going to tell the real 1.No, I swear every, every single
time I have to like talk like inpublic, no.

(59:08):
Come on, it has to be an embarrassing moment.
Oh. My God.
Marrying us 2 episodes before you.
She's already trumped. Like you cannot trump her her
party story. I can't even think like
embarrassing moment in my life. Can I pick another card because
I can't think. It's been so many.
Yeah. Tell me one.

(59:29):
I I can't even think of one. No, I'm sorry.
You never walked into like a party or work with like two
different shoes or. No.
No, no nightmares of mine. Really.
Yeah. What's your most embarrassing
moment? Oh man, I've had heaps, are you
joking me? Was it like work related?
Oh, I could tell you 1000. Really.

(59:50):
Yeah 100%. Go look at the rims of my car.
What are you proud of but never had the excuse to talk about?
That's a good one. What am I proud of?
The fact that I can I make sure I I do my bed every morning.
You know what? That is officially a most
embarrassing moment of your life.
Making your bed is what you're most proudest of.

(01:00:12):
I. Am so proud because that gets me
going. It's like 1 accomplishment.
That's the first thing I do and I've already accomplished
something and I can accomplish anything else that's good.
The day brings me. You know what you schooled me?
That's a good perspective. I take her back.
She's got me there. You know, Astrid, it's an
accomplishment. I will make my bed tomorrow
morning. Yes, first thing.

(01:00:33):
Tell me, tell me about it and how you feel after.
I'll send you a picture like, ohyou know, I'll even iron it.
I'll get the full realm. No, I hate ironing.
OK, Yeah, I took it too far. Always take it too far.
Well, thanks for coming. It's so good to catch up.
It's been way too long. It's way too long.
I can't wait to see what the rest of this year is, you know,
holding off for you. Yes, I'd like to see that.

(01:00:55):
Too in the future. Yes.
And here's to a very, very successful 2026.
Cheers, cheers. Cheers.