Fun Five is a monthly email I send out on the 5th. Each edition is a short list of five things I’ve been enjoying lately. Things like inspiration, design, music, food, small curiosities, and more.
November is here and we have been taking in some really beautiful fall days with all the changing leaves lately. Before the holiday rush kicks in and our Black Friday sale arrives at the end of the month, we are leaning into the slow coziness of the season while it lasts. Here are five small discoveries, ideas, and projects that caught my attention this month.
1. Sweating the small details in game design
I love seeing creators get deeply passionate about the tiny details most people might take for granted. I recently came across this short video by @Mr_Jackio where they break down the custom score counter they built for their upcoming game, Bounce 2. Watching them share where they pulled their typography inspiration from and how they worked through the creative process to make the numbers physically shift and snap into place is super inspiring.
2. The hidden wisdom in Haikyuu
I just finished rewatching Haikyuu with my partner, who was watching it for the very first time, and we both absolutely loved it. Beyond being a great sports anime, the show is packed with unforgettable moments and a surprising amount of quiet wisdom woven into the story. Right after we finished, I stumbled onto this TikTok by @derekquill where he breaks down a key principle from the show about comparison. It is a great takeaway that applies to just about anything in life, and it doesn't spoil any key moments from the series so it's safe to watch even if you plan on starting the show eventually.
3. Words as spells
Someone shared a fun idea this month that really stuck with me: words are spells, which is why we call it "spelling." Every time you speak kindly about yourself or someone else, you are putting that good energy out into the world. It works both ways though, so try catching yourself before speaking negatively about people (including yourself) or your day-to-day experiences, and see how your mindset shifts. Even if the connection is just a coincidence and not where the word actually came from, it is still a great way to think about how we talk.
4. Designing a custom home cookbook
We do a good amount of cooking at home and are always testing out new recipes, so we have been mulling over the idea of eventually designing a custom cookbook of our favourites for ourselves and for family and friends. Building one from scratch that is tailored to how we actually cook feels like such a rewarding project, and super handy for those nights when we aren't sure what go-to meal to make. I recently found this video by @projectsbysabina where she walks through how she compiled recipes and mismatching reference photos from multiple family members into one cohesive, organized book. I love how hers turned out, and you can definitely expect to see our own version in a future Fun Five.
5. Looking back at Rufio in Hook
This character breakdown of Rufio in Hook by @jason.c.lewis is incredible and well worth a watch. Growing up with that movie, I never really grasped the weight or emotional depth behind his character when I was younger, and this perspective makes you appreciate the story in a whole new light.
Thanks for reading the Fun Five. If any of these resonated with you, or if you have a go-to recipe that belongs in a custom cookbook, hit reply and let me know!