So I am a little bit late on this news but I figured it was still exciting enough to share. Last week, I was featured on Refinery29 – blush!! They asked me to pick out four complete looks that we could photograph around town – so I dove into my highly neglected closet and picked out my favs!! We started the day at my studio in Jack London Square and departed from there. I am still very new to the area so it was a lot of fun exploring my hood. Overall, I’m happy with how everything turned out. The feature was flattering and the interview challenged me to think a little bit more than I usually do about my personal style!

Here a few of my favorite images from the shoot – Thanks to Eva Kolenko for the photos! and to Angela Tafoya for inviting me to be apart of the feature!

( …yes, there are palm tress in the bay area )

This dress above is my new absolute favorite! It’s from the vintage inspired shop, Ruche. Sadly, it’s not available anymore but they have a plethora of pretty dresses so don’t fret! The shoes are from BC Footwear and are also a new go-to! They pair well with just about everything and who doesn’t love a good platform? …and last but not least, I decided to indulge in my bandana obsession with the red one from Madewell. I have a black bandana with the classic print that I’ve owned since high school – it’s been everywhere with me! I rode with it on my scooter in Oklahoma and tied my hair back with it on my bike in France. It’s my special “thing” that I think I will always have – until it disintegrates or flies off unexpectedly mid-bike ride!

Below is a romper from Anthropologie that feels like a fancy set of PJ’s. It’s baggy legs and cinched waist are so comfortable. I paired it with my Warby Parker glasses, thrifted clutch, and new studio flats from Need Supply Co. This was the last look so we ended the afternoon with water and beers from this shack looking bar. We found out it’s actually the oldest bar in Oakland – it’s all sunken into the ground and super dark! Welp. that’s about it. Cheers to playing dress up!

Happy Friday! This was such a weird and long week for me – I am ready to step back & recalibrate! I am headed to this amazing old theatre in Oakland tonight to see The Great Gatsby. The reviews have started to roll in but I have not read a single one – I want to make my own opinion of Baz Luhrmann’s new film. I have to admit, I am sort of freaking out about this movie. I have admired Baz as a director for a while now and this story is one of my favorites – so the combo is a bit exciting for me. I have read the book so many times that I’ve started to loose count. I’m not sure what it is about it that draws me back in…

This little vid is a great preview of the film – it also has an interview with Baz & some of the musicians that collaborated with him for the soundtrack. NPR had a great First Listen up but it’s been taken down… Find someway to listen to it because it’s great! Anywhoo, I got this tee like 2 years ago & definitely plan to wear it today at some point, ha!! …EVERYONE go see the film & fall in love with Fitzgerald’s story. 

I don’t even know how to begin this post – I have been looking forward to writing it for so long that I am drawing a bit of an anxious blank! I’ve had to keep this experience a secret through all of it’s up and downs and now I finally get to share what it is! I know I have been teasing and talking about this “secret” for way too long so thanks for sticking with me as I am sure your patience has run pretty thin, ha! I leaked a few photos a while back about it here but wasn’t able to tell you much. I mentioned that it had to do with knitting but that was about it – Some of you guessed that I was re-opening my old online shop and some thought I was starting a line of clothing! Close, but no cigar! Well, I guess i’ll just spit it out… Okay… Cough… Drumroll… 1,2,3… I… wrote a knitting book!! 

Chronicle Books reached out to me a little over a year ago about working together. I was very familiar with their books and was incredibly flattered about being contacted. My editor, Lisa Tauber, had come across this look-book ( that I had made for fun with a few of my friends ) and proposed that we take the same feel & style but turn it into something bigger – a how-to knitting book! …and that we did!

Chronicle describes the finished product as this:
“Fashion-forward knitters who crave more than a project book will delight in this visually rich collection. Emma Robertson presents a unique and creative approach to knitting as she walks readers through her process from the kernel of inspiration to its rewarding execution. For each of the 15 stylish projects, Robertson presents hand-drawn sketches, eye candy–laden mood boards, and Polaroids of the objects that inspired her—and encourages knitters to think outside of the yarn box by incorporating other materials into their wares, from a knitted vest with a leather pocket to a breezy tank with a dip-dyed finish. With page after page of stunning photography, this book will motivate knitters to look around them, cull inspiration, and design their own fabulous looks.”

…I couldn’t have described it better myself!

I was able to work with such an incredible group of people on this project and 100% admit that the book would not be as beautiful as it is if it weren’t for them. To get you excited about seeing everything, let me fill you in on who was involved – because it’s a pretty killer team. Max Wanger was the photographer | The models were: Melanie Ayer, Kate Miss, Jen Coleman, Beth Poploskie, and Kristine Claghorn | The styling was done by Ali Brislin | and Hair & Makeup was done by Kelly Shew. There were many other people involved in the overall project but this was the direct group of people who made the photo-shoot come to life!

So what now? I anxiously await to get the first copy on my front door step. I am going to rip that box open like there is no tomorrow. I am incredibly excited to see how it translates into print because… everything is better in print! By the way, the book is currently up on Amazon and available for pre-order. The official release date is October 22, right around the time that you all will be craving warm & cozy accessories!

**All of the above photos were captured by the lovely Marissa Maharaj | Polaroids taken by: Max Wanger | The photos below are from my iphone

This just about sums up what I spent my entire weekend doing! There was lots of white paint, and more paint, and then a huge amount of MORE white paint… It is in my hair, on my shoes, and under my nails. I decided to give the place a really good clean before I moved in – I am so glad that I took the time to dust everything off and give it a fresh face. I can’t give you too many details because I will be showing the space off in its entirety pretty soon. For now, you get to see…. paint :) ha.

Okay Okay so I know I just ooo’ed & gooo’ed over Makeshift Society & how much I love working there – & I do! But – there were some things missing that caused me to hit craigs list hard & start searching for something of my own. Something like what I had in Los Angeles.

I didn’t like that I had to lug all my stuff into Makeshift and clean up at the end of the day. Not only did it use valuable time but it interrupted my work flow and halted my creative process & momentum. I like to set up shop, make a mess, and leave it there for me to seamlessly pick up the next day. Also, as inspiring as the place was, it didn’t feel like my own. I like to hang stuff up, stack things, rearrange, tape up inspiration, blare music, invite people over, get messy, clean up… I have to be able to let loose and claim my territory! Everyone is different – these are my demands!!

So, somehow I lucked out and found this gem. I won’t share TOO much about it right now because I am planning a killer make-over and will document the whole thing for you guys. Get excited!! p.s. My 3 studio mates are painters – cool right??

I have to say that everything on this weeks board is seriously killing it.
It’s exciting to think about how much designing is going on in the world!!
Have you guys picked up any nice printed pieces lately?

The board includes:
A bright hand painted card from Jenny Pennywood | Jessica Comingore’s new floral business cards | A beautiful note from PresshausLA | A floral broach from the Alameda Flea Market here in the bay | A Quince & Co. tag from some recent yarn I purchased | Skull illustration by Jen Oaks | Tags & patterns from Baba Souk | A note from Jimmy Marble | A hello postcard and biz card from Frances May | Business cards from Dove Vivi & Studio on Fire | and more…

Per your request, I took a bunch of pictures of Makeshift Society today! It was incredibly easy to snap these because the space is filled with light and has plenty of great things to gaze upon. As of right now, I am only working here one day week. You can buy different levels of memberships so I went with the smallest one to test it out first. The test drive has successfully dragged me out of my home office and into foggy San Francisco. Before I made it to my computer, I had an awesome walk through Hayes Valley ( my legs needed a good stretch ), some Blue Bottle Coffee, and did a little bit of window shopping ( oops ).

Now Now, before I leave you to these pretty pictures, I wanted to chat a bit about what I think makes a working space superb! Keep in mind, I am a freelancer so my thoughts are based on the lifestyle that my job provides and requires. I’d love to hear about what’s important to you guys!?

01. Lighting –
Lighting is important to me for a couple reasons ( …and when I say lighting, I mean natural light coming in from big pretty windows ). Most importantly, it keeps your internal clock in check and your sanity in place. No one wants to be in a closed off room without a clue of what’s going on outside. It’s too easy to get sucked into your computer and not take a single break – I find that if the sun is shining into my space, I am more prone to stop and enjoy it. Breaks people! Take breaks. Also, it is a better set up for photos. I am about to reshoot my portfolio and will need a room FILLED with light. No matter what you’re photographing ( design projects, instagram, blog posts ), lots of natural light will only enhance those photos for the better.

02. Kitchen / Food –
This definitely goes back to taking breaks. Yes, they are crucial but I also get very anxious when I find myself wasting time during the day. A long & leisurely lunch break will definitely cause some stress ( contradicting? yes! but I can’t help it ) Don’t get me wrong, I’ll totally take a long lunch break now & then but NOT everyday. So it’s important that I have quick access to a kitchen or that I am close to a few good take-out places ( preferably in walking distance ).

03. People –
If I am in my own head for too long – I go nuts. I need to converse with fellow creatives – even if that is only for a few minutes here and there. A small amount of company is better than no company at all, eh!?? Having people around can mean a regular crew that you work with everyday or an always-changing group of randoms that keep you on your toes. Either way – it’s necessary and healthy to have this kind of company.

04. Inspiration –
If you’re going to be spending tons of time in a space, it needs to leave you feeling inspired – from overal decor to small details. This can be hard because not only are you having to invest money in renting the space but now you have to decorate it!?? I am not in a financial place right now to completely dive into something like this so I have to get creative. Whatever you end up doing, it will ultimately set the tone for your work so take it seriously but still have fun with it. Duh.

Here are my two favorite nooks in Makeshift. Above is the conference room ( the door is in between those bookshelves ) that is built out of untreated wood – leaving a nice raw feeling. This tiny wooden room provides a round table type scenario that is great for meetings and phone calls that require a bit of privacy. Below is a window seat complete with patterned pillows, blankets, and great people watching via the street!!

Check out Makeshift’s —> Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

p.s. This is the most I have written for a blog post, ever. What do you think? Too much? Should I go back to my one-liners!? ha. No No but seriously, I hope you enjoyed my ramblings.

Happy Friday everyone. Excited for the weekend!?? ‘Cause I sure am. I have been doing such a better job (in the new year) at working LESS and taking time off. It was a goal of mine and I have to say… it’s been pretty easy to achieve. I rest more, eat more (and better), I ride my bike a ton (because they bay area is friggin’ gorgeous), the list of fun activities goes on…

Here are two pictures from this week that I thought I would share. The one of the car makes me so happy. Between its orange color and the pink house, my eyes love that little part of my street. The frames are a work in progress but I thought I would still show off the incomplete arrangement of things. First things first, O MY GOSH I am so bad at hanging stuff. It was a challenge to perfect the spacing but I did it (with a helping hand) and adore it. I am waiting on a few more things to go up and then it will be done. I’ll show the finished wall, promise.

Note: The “first draft” poster was made by me. I had a lot of people ask that on Instagram so I figured I’d clarify. That saying is a lesson that I experience over and over again within graphic design – as well as with everything else in life! It is SO TRUE and I think about it on a daily basis  |  The french cut-out canvas is by Jimmy Marble  |  The “Phases of the Moon” poster is by Kristen Marie  |  More to come!

Project real life mood-board is going really well. I was curious to see how long it would take me to acquire a fresh new board of pretty trinkets. The past two weeks have thankfully been rich with new friends, food, and fun so it filled up fast!! – and here’s everything to show for it. The Bay has been great to me so far – I still haven’t skimmed the surface of exploring all the wonderful suggestions y’all gave me when I posted here. I actually landed in the East Bay, not SF – so I am all ears if you have favorites spots over here.

…What’s on the board?
…Here are some of my favorites +

A Local Natives sticker | I went to Cookbook for the first time this month | Beads from Karen Kimmel | A STATE tag and thank you message | Pretty patterns from Kristen Marie | Purple dried flowers picked from my street | A print from David Dresbach at Studio On Fire | I felted the colorful balls myself | A navy & silver card from Flora | Some new earrings from Fresh Tangerine

Note —> You can see my first go at project real life mood-board here

Having just packed up and organized all my things, I found a bunch of visual goodies I had tucked away in random places all year – including business cards, letters, photographs, and inside jokes! To make my new work space feel more at home and me-like, I selected some of my current favorites and made a mini mood-board! I am so used to making boards on the computer for my clients or for the blog so it was such a nice change to be able to handle the composition with physical objects. I plan to do this more, rotate and switch out all the visuals, and share the ones that I think are worthy of showing!! More coming soon + !!

…What’s on the board?
…Here are some of my favorites +

An orange print by Jen Gotch | An invitation from Kinfolk to their Dinner Series | Polaroids taken by Max Wanger | A postcard from the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs | Lots of business cards, including – My favorite place to get pastries in Los Angeles: Proof Bakery, a client from 2012: Cire Alexandria, a talented friend of mine: Kate Miss Jewelry, a drink master: Pharmacie LA, a memory from a long time ago: Magnolia Bakery, one of the most delicious pizzas I have ever eaten: Dove Vivi, a wood lover: Herriott Grace, and more…