byrd and blooms

The Byrd Collective: Austin's newest floral and events design studio

Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages

“Don’t be afraid of the flowers.”

Interesting and unexpected words when it comes to the highly stylized realm of flower arrangements, but it’s precisely this loose and comfortable approach that defines Ashley Woodson Bailey’s floral philosophy.

For an area so closely associated with perfection, Bailey brings a fresh and decidedly unregimented approach to her lush, romantic designs.

But then again, intuition plays a large role as well – she just knows what works.

She emanates an enviably steady calmness, not to mention style. Having relocated to Austin from Savannah merely a couple of months ago, Bailey has already hit the ground running with The Byrd Collective, her floral and events design company. Named after her spirited 3 yr.-old daughter, Byrdie, the business is her latest adventure in event production.

So where does the ‘collective’ part come into play?

“I don’t think any event you work on – whether it just be flowers, or doing an entire event from start to finish – is solely from one brain. I think you collect from other people. I mean, there is no way that one person comes up with every idea,” she says.

Most recently, Bailey was the Director of Events at the Savannah College of Art and Design – a role that exposed her to a steady stream of talented artists and solidified her love of creative collaboration.

“When I was at SCAD, I got to work with these incredible artists – they’re quirky, they’re interesting. When you’ve been doing events for as long as I have, you start to see things that just look the same; but artists who are true artists... they see things totally different.”

When I was at SCAD, I got to work with these incredible artists – they’re quirky, they’re interesting. When you’ve been doing events for as long as I have, you start to see things that just look the same; but artists who are true artists... they see things totally different.

Having worked on events for nearly 15 years now – from Houston to New York City – she is no novice when it comes to the creative challenge of executing a flawless occasion.

“I can be a jack of all trades, but I prefer to do the flowers. I just find that part soothing,” says Bailey.

It was a workshop at the Florence, Alabama studio of fashion designer Natalie Chanin (of Alabama Chanin), that planted the seeds of independence and fueled her desire to invest in her own venture. Sure, she may have learned a few sewing skills that have since informed her designs (as evidenced by her delicately crafted ‘flower bracelets’), but Bailey’s real takeaway was all business.

“The much more valuable lesson I learned is just to be independent and to do what you want to do,” she reveals.

In other words, live the dream.

Lucky enough to attend a recent "Food + Flowers" event hosted by The Byrd Collective and local blogger Camille Styles, I was able to see Bailey in action as she directed a small group of floral newbies in the art of the effortlessly chic and recipe-free arrangement – her specialty. Pairing with Any Style Catering for the lunch, Bailey was test-driving a Flower School concept, a side project she hopes to expand in the coming months.

“I’d love to collaborate with other florists and artists to continue Flower School out of my home-based studio," she says. "Ideally, it would be small class on Sunday afternoons.”

That said, this fall is looking mighty busy for the newlywed, who is expecting in November.

“I like to do a hundred different things.”

And with a few weddings, a blowout birthday party, a charity gala and her own launch party already on the books, she’s not kidding.

Ultimately, Bailey hopes for The Byrd Collective to be a one-stop-shop for event production. Well on her way, she already provides a unique letterpress service to her clients, working with Fort Worth-based Byrd & Bleecker to source and design invitations.

Seems like “don’t be afraid of the flowers” may as well be a metaphor for getting after it and making those sidelined dreams a reality.

…Just be sure to water often.

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For more information on Ashley and The Byrd Collective, feel free to email her directly: ash@thebyrdcollective.com

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The Wellness One Percent

2 Austin spas named among world's best by Condé Nast readers

Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort

Lake Austin Spa Resort has reached the top of the list for U.S. properties.

Just in time for Austin's festival season comes a reminder to cool it and do some intensive skincare: Condé Nast Traveler readers have voted for their favorite spas in the world, and two Austin spots are on the list.

Lake Austin Spa Resort has been named No. 3 among the "Best Destination Spas in the US & Around the World," which was also No. 1 out of the American contenders. In the 2023 awards, it was second in the country, and it could continue moving up the ranks worldwide if it beats the Ikbal Thermal Hotel & SPA in Turkey, or BodyHoliday in St. Lucia — two very tall orders.

It is joined by Miraval Austin Resort & Spa at No. 20, the only other Texas resort on the list. There were 30 spas and resorts on the list overall.

Contributing writers from the magazine acted as reviewers to make sure the selections were covered in firsthand detail.

"Everything is centered on wellness," wroteLake Austin Spa Resort's reviewer, Texas contributor Allison Bagley, "from the exceptional spa treatments to the healthy cuisine and the stunning natural setting."

The 40-room resort looks Texan to folks who know what to look for — lots of mixed stone and timber construction, plants everywhere, and vaguely rustic interiors — but doesn't get cheesy with references to the Lone Star State. As Bagley points out, this isn't a place to pop over between errands, but a retreat from the city about 30 miles away.

Lake Austin Spa Resort's gently eclectic interior.Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort via Condé Nast Traveler

The review also covered the expected stuff: a largely female clientele, a "cottage feel," a soft bed, and some of the spa's own products in the bathroom. But more amenities less central to the typical spa experience were also praised, including the room service menu featuring ingredients grown on site, guided stargazing sessions, and the approachability of classes by Paul, the yoga teacher.

"One of the pools is housed inside a barn — it's a striking setting," wrote Bagley of highlights that didn't fit neatly into the pre-determined review categories. "And I loved that the spa treatments use products grown on the grounds (wildflower and organic honey are used in the facial scrubs) and that some treatments take place in semi-open settings."

In a release, Lake Austin Spa Resort expressed gratitude and shared more tips about the property.

“Moving up from the #2 position to #1 is a true testament to the passion and dedication of our entire staff, who work tirelessly to create transformative experiences that have a lasting impact," said general manager JoAnn Lenhardt in the release. "We are sincerely grateful to Condé Nast Traveler readers for their trust and ongoing enthusiasm for our Texas Hill Country retreat."

In addition to Bagley's favorite things, the property also calls attention to its stand-up paddle boarding, cooking demonstrations, fitness classes, and a special treatment tool that's the only one of its kind in North America: a Comfort Zone Zone Skin Analysis Scan. It also shares four awards from 2024 alone, coming from Travel + Leisure, USA Today 10, Elle Magazine, and the Hotel O-Awards.

At Miraval, Austin-based contributing writer Stirling Kelso took note of similar highlights like a natural setting removed from the actual city of Austin, a focus on wellness, and Texas stone architecture. One big standout, although it might just be Kelso's clever turn of phrase that emphasized it, is the clientele.

Miraval Austin interior Miraval's stark, modern looks.Photo by James Baigrie, courtesy Miraval Austin via Condé Nast Traveler

Answering, "Who stays here?" Kelso writes, "The wellness one percent. This is where high-powered professionals come to detox, restructure, and take a break. You'll see men and women ambling around in robes and yoga gear. Note that cell phones technically aren't permitted except in dedicated zones, although we saw more than one person breaking the rules."

It also sounds — and looks from pictures — like Miraval is a more stark, modern experience than its Lake Austin competitor. The art is not of nearby flora and fauna, but abstract shapes and references to Eastern design. Kelso also points out that wine, beer, and cocktails are available, despite being rare at wellness retreats.

With both falling in the world's top 30, Austinites surely can't go wrong choosing either spa. More information about the selected properties, broken up into similar elements for easy comparison, is available at cntraveler.com.

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