hello emma

love, love, love

2012-02-14T17:00:00.000-06:00

Or Happy Valentine's Day, as some folks know it.

key frame

2012-02-07T22:13:00.000-06:00

2012 is a year of firsts for the ol' blogert, apparently! First real photoshoot happened last month, and now I'm pleased (and kind of surprised!) to present my very first give away! Shabby Apple is a darling clothing company whose swimsuits I'm spending a lot of time ogling in my never-ending search for the perfect beach attire (Yes, I know I live in Minnesota and it is currently February. And last summer I wore a bathing suit approximately three times. Let me have my silly obsessions). Imagine my surprise, then, when they contacted me about doing a giveaway! It was definitely an "I can haz real blog?" moment, let's just say that.

After reviewing the pieces available to give away, I've chosen the Key to Wonderland Necklace. It's no secret I have a thing about keys, so this is the perfect piece for my first give away! Charming and sweet, I think it would look great with cocktail dress or in your favorite t-shirt and jeans.

Okay, so here comes all that technical that I feel so special writing! REAL BLOG ALERT!!!

~~In order to be eligible for this giveaway you must:~~
~~+Be from the USA. Sorry international readers, hopefully there will be another giveaway someday where you can enter as well.~~
~~+Follow Shabby Apple on Facbook. That wasn't so hard, was it?~~
~~+Comment here with your favorite item from Shabby Apple... and you're set!!~~

~~GOOD LUCK, DEAR READERS. Tell your friends! Make me proud! Entries accepted until February 15th!~~ UPDATE: Entries have been closed! I'll draw a winner and announce it in the next few days, stay tuned!

who what wear

2012-02-03T18:21:00.001-06:00

(left: target top, vintage belt, skirt swapped from erin, bag from the new domestic, swedish hasbeen heels. right: forever21 cardigan, thrifted shirt, jeans from urban, modcloth flats)
Just some recent outfits. I'm finally taking more outfit photos - mostly over the weekends and after work sometimes. And yes, we did finally take down our christmas tree... I hate to see it go!

(left: vintage cardigan, forever21 dress, vintage belt, vintage clutch, swedish hasbeens. right: vintage scarf, urban cardigan, thrifted shirt, skirt from the swap from erin, modcloth flats)I've been wearing my Swedish Hasbeens and these Gold Oriented flats from Modcloth like CRAZY. Red, red and more red plz!!

BONUS PHOTO! Me n' my best gal Alli at the great swap that Erin hosted a couple weekends ago - decked out in our new finds! I'm wearing this exact jean jacket tonight (from Maggie, thanks lady!) to a poster show that I'm participating in. If you're in the Twin Cities area you should head on over to Big Table Studios sometime soon, this is a show you shouldn't miss.

coat of arms

2012-01-29T12:17:00.000-06:00

I drew this after seeing this great photo on the Satorialist. I always need to draw more dudes - and this great coat was exactly the motivation I needed to do so! I obviously took some liberties on a few things, but that's the joy of drawing stuff for fun.. right?

If you're wondering what happened to my cold season series (and you're probably not, because I think I have about 5 people who read this regularly. Hi Chance!), worry not! I still have one left - the beautiful and super sweet Maggie from Dimestore Diamond has the final slot. I'm thinking about doing a similar series for the spring - and this time I'd like to take submissions! If you'd like to participate (and have me draw you!), please send an email to etrithart (at) gmail (dot) com along with:

(1) An item of clothing that you're looking forward to wearing this spring. It could be something you own, something you've seen in a store, or something you've seen in a photo that you love.
(2) A non-clothing item that will factor into your spring plans somehow. This is also pretty open - a vacation, a dish, a book, a plant... ANYTHING.
(3) A link to your blog and a few sentences about your chosen items.

You can be a boy or a girl (I need to draw more boys, after all), btw. Tell your friends!

pot luck

2012-01-26T22:48:00.000-06:00

empty vessel by william edmonds

I can't really remember what put the spark in me, but I'm super interested in taking a pottery or ceramics class right now. I started pinning ceramics onto my goods board about 10 months ago and with every new pin I realize more and more that I want to make these things, rather than buy them. It's been a long time since I worked with clay, so once I have time I'll find myself a nice ceramics class and get back in the swing of things.

In the meantime I'll just look at all the pretty things other people are making... I'm really drawn to rustic items that still keep a little bit of whimsy to them.

berry bowl by clam lab
two bird plates by Makoto Kagoshima
sawdust fired cup by City by the Sea
CLOTH PAPER CLAY bowl by Pigeon Toe Ceramics
Have you seen that awesome illustrator and fellow MCAD grad Tuesday Bassen is making painted clay magnets? They adorable to the max!

orange you glad

2012-01-22T15:52:00.001-06:00

This weekend has been such a great time for me to relax and enjoy myself. I got in a kind of confusing artist's funk last week and am now pulling myself out of it - even though I think I'm getting sick. No matter, I'm still going to make some candied blood orange peels and draw fashionable gentlemen and maybe even my character in Skyrim. That's how I roll, baby.

back in action

2012-01-19T19:42:00.001-06:00

Thanks to the cuties at Le Muse for featuring my post their blog - such kind words, such lovely clothes!

I've got some posts planned, but real life is getting in the way! Hopefully I'll have some time this weekend to get them written up... although whenever I say that, it doesn't happen. So I'll just sign off for now!

xoxo,

Emma

(p.s. I have been watching a lot of Gossip Girl on Netflix. Don't judge.)

out

2012-01-17T17:53:00.002-06:00

hello emma will return to your regularly scheduled programming on January 19th, 2012.Learn more at the SOPA strike page.

catch 22

2012-01-15T22:52:00.000-06:00

Do you want to be the very best, like no one ever was? Is catching them your real test? Is training them your cause? Waking up last week to an invite to participate in the Pokemon Battle Royale show was maybe the highlight of my week. I was an avid poke-player/watcher/card gamer when it hit big in the USA, and I even picked up one of the DS versions in past years to give it a go. There's just something so charming about the character design, and it was EXTRA hard picking which pokemon I would do. With Psyduck (my fave) already taken, I turned to my pokedex and found Omanyte near the end of the list. He's born from a fossil and has the most adorable eyes ever! OBVIOUS CHOICE.

I'm also so excited because two of my most favorite contemporary illustrators, Meg Hunt and Kali Ciesmier are participating! The full list is on the website, and it's a great one. I can't wait to see everyone's fantastic pokemanz.

This is just a sketch, but I'm pumped for my final illustration. Which Pokemon would you choose?

black magic

2012-01-14T15:59:00.000-06:00

It's pretty obvious when you look around my little corner of the internet that I am not a very good fashion blogger. This blog started as more of a way to keep scraps of my life in one place and to promote my illustration work, but it's evolved to reflect my many interests - and yes, one of those things is fashion, but it gets thoroughly mixed in with everything else.

As such, I never expected to be one of those fabulous ladies who gets to style fabulous pieces of clothing sent to them by fabulous companies. So imagine my surprise when something just like that happened!CraftFields is a collection of Lithuanian artists who have interesting and adorable products to sell to you! When their founder, Monika, contacted me and asked me if I'd like to pick out an item to review I obviously jumped on the chance... there are just so many adorable things to choose from! But I wanted a challenge - and when I laid my eyes on this night blue jazz sweater from the cuties at Le Muse I knew I had found it.

My style doesn't normally stray into the land of structured pieces, so I wanted to give it a shot. The sweater has what could almost be described as an avant-guarde construction, but once I put it on and played around with it for a bit I felt mysterious and oh so warm! This baby is made of felted wool AND is lined, it kept me toasty even when we ventured out into the snowy tundra to take some photos.If I had been feeling less adventurous I might have picked up this black sensuality muse dress instead, but I'm glad I took a chance!

sweater: night blue (it's very dark blue, which is why it looks black in the photos) jazz sweater, c/o craft fields

belt: vintage (from mom <3<3<3)
jeans: forever21
boots: nine west

It was so so soooo much fun to shoot these photos (credit goes to Bryan), and a big thanks to Monika, the girls at Le Muse, and the talented Rhea O'Connor for recommending me!

twelvsies

2012-01-07T16:24:00.000-06:00

Hello 2012! I like new years - everything feels fresh and special. My only big resolution is to (for the first time in my life) be able to comfortably touch my toes. I know, I'm shootin' for the stars. Daily yoga should do the trick, although the whole "do it every day" thing is difficult for me unless it involves sleeping or eating. Is there some sort of cupcake yoga I could do?
I'd like to start documenting my outfits better, and maybe even venture out into the wild for photos. Posting sketches and more art would be nice, too. Does my blog have more resolutions than I do? That would be silly.
Here are two outfits from 2012 - my new years eve getup and an attempt at being a girl who can pull off long dresses and skirts.
left-jacket: forever 21necklace: vintagedress (actually a nighty, don't tell anyone): targetbooties: bcbg, nordstrom rack
right-cardigan & scarf: hand me downdress: anthropologie (I went in to see if I could say 'hi' to Maggie, and though she wasn't there I still bought some stuff...)shoes: swedish hasbeens

film club

2012-01-05T18:51:00.002-06:00

Let's look at a smattering of photos I've taken with the good ol' point and shoot camera, while my life is consumed by freelance projects and playing Skyrim (video gamessssssss....)(did you see this one on dreamcats? I let out a tiny squeal of excitement when I saw it there, among all the cats of my dreams. Thanks to Aoeife and her person/my best buddy Chance for letting me take this photograph)

back it up (part two)

2011-12-31T15:00:00.000-06:00

+boot crazy

+surprise parties with pretzels hanging from the ceiling

+trips to chicago for fencing, cheese, and deep dish pizza

+bachelorette parties with wine and crowns

+a wedding (and it was beautiful!

+croquet and grand ol' day

+cotton candy nail polish

+friends leaving, friends returning

+cabin lounging+top knot wearing+catan 4 ever+hair experiments

+pancakes, bbqs

+going to the races

+eating out way through the state fair

+working our butts off on freelance

+seeing more plays, loving them all

+new glasses

p.s. I hate to say it, but I've been pretty delinquent in my outfit documenting in these colder months. I don't have much to show for now, but maybe my resolution for 2012 will be to take more photos in general!

back it up (part 1)

2011-12-31T12:23:00.002-06:00

I liked doing my round up of outfits I liked from last year so much, I think I'll do it again.... but this time I'll include some memoriessss as well. So step into my time machine (which I imagine is gold and sparkly with pink lucite chairs inside), and we'll travel through the first half of 2011.. TOGETHER!

+made resolutions, accomplished some.

+snowsnowsnowsnow

+hard boiled eggs

+got my hair dyed professionally for the first time

+tried out the holga

+super bowl chili party extravaganza!

+botanical garden trips

+a new partner in crime

+snowsnowsnowsnow (still)

merry & bright

2011-12-25T13:00:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

holiday inn

2011-12-24T14:13:00.003-06:00

Hello blogtimes!

I'm in Michigan for the weekend - today we're celebrating my mom's birthday. We already went out and bought pies (instead of cake), got a giant potato cheese mountain for breakfast, looked at furniture, splurged on cupcakes, and now we're settling in for some olives and cheese.

Does everyone else have this sort of food centered Christmas eve, or is it just me?

Either way, I'm glad to be home.

ohayo

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-06:00

A little late, but here's a photo recap of my trip to Akron, Ohio with Bryan for Thanksgiving! He met about half of my five billion relatives, and a good time was had by all.

We like to play a lot of games after we eat - this year included Mafia, Bang!, Four Square, Euchre, Boggle, and a few others that I forgot already...

We also ventured into downtown Akron, which was way cuter that I realized! We poked around a tiny Christmas market and dropped boom-boom dollars at the peanut shoppe. Friends, if you ever find yourself in the fine city of Akron, do yourselves a favor and go to the Peanut Shoppe. Old fashioned sweets and memorabilia lining the walls? Who could ask for anything more?!

I'll leave you with this rad photo of my dad and his wonderful siblings. This is the greatest photo in the world!

cold season (#3)

2011-12-11T17:20:00.004-06:00

I don't know about you guys, but it's officially winter in Minnesota. We had a longer fall than usual, and every day without snow was maaayyybeee the best day ever. Fall is seriously my favorite season, but now that there's snow on the ground I'm trying to remind myself how much I love cozy nights and holiday food. Luckily I've also got a couple more of these cold season posts lined up! This time it's the fantabulous Erin from Babes in Thriftland. I just got to peak into her closet last night (at a fantastic ugly sweater party) and it confirmed my suspicions that she is the master of thrifting. I'm betting that by the end of the year Erin will have found both of the items on her cold season list!

"The clothing item I am most looking forward to would be a big scarf. I love snuggling up in chunky knits and I think that they compliment any outfit. I can see myself in a cute dress, jacket, tights and my big scarf. Now if only I could knit really fast..."

(I can't knit at all, so I might check out this scarf from ASOS!)

"For non clothing items, I've been looking for a new to me vintage afghan. I found a light and dark teal one the other day but it wasn't quite right. I'm hoping to find maybe a chevron print one. I love being able to drink a hot cocoa and snuggle under a warm blanket when the temperatures drop"

(Looking for a chevron blanket too? How about the one above from Gore Dean or this vintage one from Sue Stitches?)

Thanks again, Erin!

relish it

2011-11-27T13:39:00.005-06:00

Oh hello there, blog. I went away to Akron, Ohio, for a few days to see my dad's side of the family and overload on cranberry relish. I meant to post this little happy cranberry as a "brb" while I was out, but in my excitement to introduce my fella to my extended (read: VERY LARGE) family I entirely forgot! Happy belated Thanksgiving to all, I hope you enjoyed your holiday as much as I did mine. I'm thankful for everything!

Bryan and I got back to Minnesota last night and promptly ran downstairs for a surprise party for our friend David. Alli took some super awesome photos, and I'll leave you with one of those, since I'm too zonked from a long weekend of playing hard to do anything else:

p.s. ladies making silly faces 4ever!

flagged

2011-11-20T10:18:00.003-06:00

Here are how things generally go in the Emma/Bryan apartment household: One of us will e-mail the other one with some sort of link to a photo of another person's apartment that looks cool. We both freak out (via e-mail, which looks like this: YES OMG YES LETS DO THAT PLZZZZ). I then start online window shopping for whatever it is that we need to recreate the photo, and Bryan sets off to measure things and figure out how to lay things out and all the practical stuff that I am no good at.

This is essentially what happened when Bryan decided that he wanted an American flag for our living room, which I agreed was an awesome idea. After a quick etsy search I found the perfect specimen at sit and sing vintage. Each stripe is a different piece of fabric, and it's got the right amount of wear and tear.

in bloom

2011-11-19T19:19:00.005-06:00

cardigan: banana republic / necklace: modcloth / dress: vintage from blacklist / belt: thrifted / booties: bcbg

I don't normally post outfit photos, but I was so happy with this little number I threw together for work last Thursday that I figured it was worth a looksee. I tried out the sock bun technique this time with MUCH success. I'm a total sock bun convert, friends.

I've actually been trying a LOT of new hair techniques - last night for the MCAD Art Sale I attempted to do this little faux jazz age bob, and though it looked NOTHING like what it was supposed to turn out like, I think it still looks pretty good! Three cheers for trying new things, yeah yeah yeah!

unlisted #2

2011-11-15T17:07:00.005-06:00

Yep, I liked my little hexagon layout from the last time I wrote up the ubiquitous "list of obsessions", so I'm sticking with it.

This time around:

-tattoos. I keep thinking about them. This one is of Caroline Loosen shot by Stefan Khoo. Though Ms. Loosen seems to not have this tattoo in real life, it is my perfect floral tattoo. I keep coming back to the florals, and then get scared away from them. I'm also still not sure I want color. Luckily I'm waiting till Bill and I finish up the neverending project of boomboom $$ to splurge, and as this project is neverending .... well, I have some time to think about it.

-fun reads. It is almost impossible for me to click onto The Hairpin and maneuver myself away from it in less than thirty minutes. I tell myself I'll only read one article, and then I stumble upon the personal bests archive and it's all over. I may have read several articles just now when I went to get the links for this post. These are some of the funniest females (and sometimes dudes too) that I've ever had the opportunity to read.

-future diys. I'm definitely planning on taking this cute kid's playroom storage idea and spray painting the animals gold and filling the jars with cookies and giving them out as holiday gifts. YOU CAN'T STOP ME, THE CRAFTING WILL HAPPEN.

-wishlist additions. Gosh, is it almost Christmastime ALREADY? Oh no I will have to write a Christmas wishlist and OH NO, I will have to put The New Domestic's newest offering, the Bon Journey Bag on it. Woe is me!

-gift ideas. Speaking of the holidays, it is finally time for a new issue of Gifted Magazine from Creature Comforts! When the first issue of Gifted Came out last year, I was so thrilled to find a gift guide that actually had good recommendations, and this year's issue is no different. I already found something for my notoriously hard to buy for mother (whom I love sososososo much), what will you find? Also it's pretty to look at, which is generally a plus.

-fancy nails. I am terrible at painting my nails, but the tutorials on the beauty department have given me hope. I feel like maybe I can cover up how bad I am at this very important aspect of girldom by simply doing crazy designs over all my imperfections! I already tried my hand at black and gold nails, I'm thinking gold and pink next.

What's on your list?

cold season (#2)

2011-11-10T18:00:00.005-06:00

I think it's about time to bring another inspiring ladyfriend in to talk about what's keeping her excited for these collllllld winter months. Today was the first snow of the season for us in the Twin Cities, so it seems fitting (although I won't lie, I cried exactly three tears at the sight of it). You folks may know Maria from her blog, Lulu Letty. If not, go check it out! Maria has a fantastic style and a sweet etsy store full of goodies. We share a love of the fries at Sweeneys, and also both hail from Michigan (M go blueeeee). I know you'll love what she's got on her cold weather list!

"I am obsessed with coats and have more than any normal/sane person should own, but I just can't seem to help myself. I love being able to snuggle into a coat and feel my winter blues melt away. This vintage beauty was an amazing find that I was lucky enough to snag from the lovely Amanda's shop, Salvaged Strawberry."

(I couldn't find anything similar to this marvelous beauty of Maria's, but if you like the floral tapestry look you should check out this coat.)

"I'm really looking forward to going back to MI for Christmas and hopefully going up to my parents' cottage on Torch Lake. Maybe I'll even get to see some deer like last year!"

(The Mitten State really is picturesque in the winter. Want to see it for yourself? I think this Michigan cabin looks great. I also dream of staying in a treehouse cabin one day, like these ones in Washington.)

Thanks again, Maria, for sharing your winter pick-me-ups! Stay tuned, I've got the equally fab Maggie and Erin on the docket.

stuffed

2011-11-06T11:57:00.003-06:00

I don't often work in 3D media. I've delved into bookmaking from time to time, but it was really only for school projects. I think I have a hard time removing myself from paper, because I find drawing to be so incredibly cathartic. (In reference to cathartic drawing, see also: making tiny marks over and over again, painting stripes of white onto colored paper, etc).

When I see work from people like Lithuanian adantine, however, it makes me think twice. They're simple yet stylish, and SO adorable.

Mr. Leo brooch (he is calling my name! I need him!)

The Black Pig (did I mention that the photos are sublimely styled?!)

How about a Fox?

A Kindhearted brooch.

Now quick, go snap these up - the holidays doth approach and I have a feeling these will be fantastic gifts!

creeper

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

On our way home last night, Bryan and I happened to catch the Halloween edition of Sound Opinions on the radio - and they were, of course, talking about the songs that creeped them out the most. This really got us thinking, so we put our heads together (well, Bryan's vast-knowledge-of-music head and my minute-understanding-of-what-music-even-is head) and put together a little list of creepytown Halloween sounds for you! Happy Halloweenie, and thanks to Bryan for help on this one.

Le Chat Du Café Des Artistes - Charlotte Gainsbourg

When you're dead, you're dead. My top pick.

The Amazing Sounds of Orgy - Radiohead

Bryan's ultimate #1 top pick.

Pirate Jenny - Nina Simone

Sound Opinions played this one, I'd never heard it before but DANG. Nina Simone knows what's up.

God's Away on Business - Tom Waits

Master of demented songs, and a great music video!

Venus in Furs - The Velvet Underground

"It's like a fever dream" - Bryan

What's a Girl To Do - Bat For Lashes

1:20 in this video seriously haunts my dreams/makes me want to draw 500 million ghosts.

Wicked Game - Chris Isaak

Another genius pick by Bryan, Chris Isaak with a song that manages to be 100% creepy and 100% sexy at the same time.

b - iamamiwhoami

Remember when there was speculation that this lady might have been Christina Aguilera? Xtina!

Devil Town - Daniel Johnston.

Disturbing song from a disturbed mind.

And, to end on a light note, this silly song for funsies:

Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell

vitamin e

2011-10-27T17:27:00.002-05:00

OH HEYYYYY! Remember that fab weekend I had? And that extra fun Paper Darts party I went to? Well, I didn't want to jinx it but I totally got stopped by the super awesome Ellen Dahl Lawson (of the minneapoline fame) to do a little outfit photo for vita.mn's fashion column, and the photos are up today! Was that enough links for one blog post? SORRY FRIENDS, I'm just excited. Nothing like feeling like a minor internet celebrity (as fleeting as it may be) to brighten my day.

Also, check out that extra hottie next to me! Regan is one awesome lady, and she looked awesome that night. Big congrats to her for being amazing in all aspects of life!

Okay, excitement over, go back to your regularly scheduled blog reading.

cold season (#1)

2011-10-23T20:15:00.004-05:00

I'm bringing in some fashionable ladies I know every once in awhile for the next couple months to talk about what's keeping them going now that fall/winter is upon us. They'll be accompanied by an illustration, because I need to make sure I keep drawing now that fall/winter is upon me! First up is Allison Vallant of dotluv. Not only does Alli blog about fashion and photography and a lot of other cool stuff BUT she is also one of my bestest ladies! We are pretty much the most perfect shopping companions for each other, which is a true sign of friendship greatness.Here are Alli's top choices for fall:

"I want a nice black wedge boot that I can wear with both jeans and dresses, but is also in some way Minnesota-winter appropriate. Both fashionable and sensible. It would be great if I could find one with tread! But when am I not thinking about shoes? Never."

"I also cannot stop thinking about rearranging the living room in our apartment. I've been thinking lately that our apartment is a little bit more on the feminine/whimsical side than I would like it, and especially now that winter is upon us, I've been wanting to make it a little more masculine looking. A new rug, and maybe rearranging the art and plants that we have will help for now! There are a few things that I will have to just dream about for now (two Eames shell chairs to replace my yellow upholstered chair, anyone?) but something I can do, is invest in a clean white cow skin rug."

THANKS ALLI!! Stay tuned, folks. I've got more ladies on the docket for you!

sweathouse

2011-10-16T12:28:00.001-05:00

What a weekend I'm having! Do you ever have one of those weekends where you do five million things but still want to do more BUT you also want to collapse on the couch and not do anything for five days? That's how this weekend has been shaping up, and I love it!

Here's a list of some of my weekend activities, for my future self to come back to and look at:
-Halloween-themed wedding in a haunted cave
-Vintage clothing show at the State Fairgrounds with Alli (who should dye her hair pink) and Erin (who has the cutest outfit with a long skirt on her blog right now). I got this amazing awesome sweater (pictured) and also got talked into a winter coat... at least now I have something to look forward to when it snows! I had to cut out early, SO curious to see if the other ladies found anything good!

it's true, i have the pale-est hands / new sweater, new glasses!

-Saw Burial at Thebes at the Guthrie with Bryan after a fab lunch at their Level 5 Cafe. The play was so amazing, it certainly had me in tears by the end of it. Greek tragedies ftw!

-Went to a party for a new book put out by Paper Darts with an illustration featured ON THE COVER by my buddy/art partner Bill. It was everso much fun. Now I'm back from a breakfast date with plans to watch some Breaking Bad and maybe look at the internets for awhile. Can this weekend last for a few more days?

2011-10-11T17:21:00.003-05:00

After months and months of scouring etsy for the perfect garland and coming up with NOTHING (I'm sure it's out there, I'm just not always the best etsy searcher), I finally bit the bullet and decided to make my own. A quick google search turned up this handy diy, of course. We've got a dark grey wall in our living area (where we sit/sleep), and I figured gold was the perfect color to offset it! A quick trip to wet paint for gold paper (as usual, they had the perfect thing) and I was off! It was so simple, I don't know why I didn't do it before!

I think if I ever completely give up on being an artist (god forbid), I want to be a party planner! Doing garland research really made me wish I had time to do art/go to work/plan five million fabulous parties all at once.

unlisted

2011-10-06T22:26:00.000-05:00

Thursday roll call! Time to spill my guts about the things that have been occupying my noggin:

-FANCY. GRILLED. CHEESES. I stumbled upon Grilled Cheese Social (the name alone is too good to be true) last week and haven't looked back since. Bryan and I are in charge of dinner one night for an upcoming Bryan-family vacation, and we've decided that we should do fancy grilled cheese night. This, of course, means we have to test out a lot of the recipes on GCS. OH THE HUMANITY.

-Uh, do you guys know about Carson Ellis, aka My Favorite Illustrator? If not, go to her website and then come back here after you've enjoyed it. Now that you've done that, check out Wildwood - a new young adult fantasy novel that she created with her husband, aka Colin Meloy of the Decemberists. Yep. It's awesome.

-Finding the perfect knee-high, short heel, warm brown, leather boot with some sort of buckle accent but NOT TOO MUCH and also preferably under $200. Having Zappos at my fingertips does not help me narrow my search down. The boots pictured above are from J. Crew are, as is to be expected, not in my price range. Heck, I don't even know if they're the perfect pair!

-In other seasonal clothing quests, I need a new winter coat. And I want a pair with toggles. The coat pictured above is from Anthropologie, and considering it costs less that those boots I am SO ready to pop on it.

-Did you see Drive? I have seen it twice. The Gosling (as I have taken to affectionately calling him) is everso attractive in it - that jean jacket? Be stillllll my heart. The soundtrack has been stuck in my head nonstop.

-Pop up dinner parties! Surprise surprise, considering I'm in love with everything Oh Happy Day! right now. She hosted a great little pop-up dinner party in Paris (jels) and also wrote a small article on the Real Simple Blog about a HUGE pop-up dinner party that has its roots in Paris. Until someone plans a Dîner en Blanc in St. Paul, I'll have to stick to planning my own pop-up dinner party. I think a fall themed on in the park nearby on the hill would be wonderful. Guess I've got to read up on the St. Paul laws for their parks! (edit: also check out Kinfolk's magazine and blog for more beautiful party ideas.)

What's taking up your brain space?

glass house

2011-10-02T13:01:00.001-05:00

Owen on the left, Fillmore on the right.

After going through the traumatic experience of sitting at a certain eye glass retailer and literally hearing the frames (seen in this post) I brought in to be fitted SNAP due to bad quality (they were dried up!), I have given up owning a second pair of vintage frames. Where's a girl to go after her (second) pair of dream glasses die a quick but paintful death? DUH GUYS, duh. Warby Parker! If you have been living under a blog rock, Warby Parker makes really fantastic looking vintage inspired frames and fills 'em with your prescription for a measly $95 (although if your eyes are bad like mine they tack on $30). Added bonuses include the donation of a pair of glasses to someone who needs them with each purchase and completely free home try-on and you've got yourself a perfect company.

I had 5 pairs delivered and three made the final cut. Up there you can see the Owen in Striped Tortoise and the Fillmore in Revolver Black. Because I'm blind as a bat and had a self timer as my photographer I look sort of redonk in every single photo I took, so lets overlook that, hmm? I liked the Filmore quite a lot, but I'm sort of looking for a larger frame to contrast with my current glasses. The Owen was also nice, love that little metal detail! They seemed just a tidbit too boxy for my face, though.

Tenley, in both pictures. Apparently asleep in one picture.

The Tenley in Burgundy Fade really sealed the deal for me in the end. I love the rounded bottom, the size of the frame, and the color is really fantastic. Bryan and some folks on Instagram seem to agree as well! What do you think?

p.s. Something on the current page is pushing my sidebar alllll the way to the bottom of the page and I cannot figure out what it is!! Any ideas?

gold standard

2011-09-28T20:06:00.000-05:00

I dragged myself home halfway through the day yesterday with a crazy headcold. It's been awhile since I got sick, and this one threw me for a loop! I got some pho and watched When Harry Met Sally, though - and today I feel GREAT.One of the nice things about being couch-ridden for half the day was I got to poke around the bloggies! I'd been meaning to delve into Oh Happy Day as it essentially has all the things I want: pretty pictures, someone living in Paris, good taste in clothing AND... pinatas?

image c/o Oh Happy Day

Don't get me wrong, I loved a good pinata and the rain of sweets that it produced back in the day, but I haven't really though about them since the fifth grade. Jordan, being the genius she is, has brought me back. This precious DIY golden alligator pinata drew some serious "OH FOR CUTE"s from me, albeit in a stuffy, tired voice. Mark my words, I WILL make this pinata, and I will hang it in my apartment and I will name him Frank.

But in the meantime, I will do a drawing of him wearing a top hat!

scout's honor

2011-09-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Look around you! There are neat places to eat and shop and look at stuff EVERYWHERE. And I'm so excited that the gloriously talented Tuesday and Meg Lewis of studio sweet studio asked LITTLE OL' ME to contribute City Guide for their Minneapolis edition of City Scout! I cheated and mostly featured St. Paul places, but you can hit up my best buddy Alli's guide some some tasty Minneapolis tidbits.Also ignore how many times I wrote "top notch", because it's embarrassing.

film club

2011-09-23T19:08:00.001-05:00

leaving canterbury park

In the middle of the summer, Alli lent/gave me a silly lil' point and shoot Olympus Accura and I have been so happy with my newfound camera phone alternative! I'm not photographer, but I think some of these give a pretty good representation of my summer. Hopefully I'll get the same results for fall... although I'll also hopefully master how far away I need to be from someone's face for them to be in focus. I think there are about 8 photos with blurry faces!

box fan summer
RA's last breakfast / Alli at the flea market
canterbury park fashion
my favorite part of the state fair that i've never been to

Bryan shows concern at the pickle shaped rock Alli got for her birthday

optional

2011-09-10T15:34:00.000-05:00

top: urban outfitters, skirt: vintage from dutchdrift (and pointed out to me by darcy), shoes: swedish hasbeens

I finally sat down and started thinking about the two longer-length skirts I have in my closet right now. HOW THE FRICK AM I SUPPOSED TO WEAR THEM. The things you can wear with shorter skirts just don't work here! So today I present to you my two new skirts, both with a stripey top. Any other ideas, friends?

This white, ballerina/carrie bradshaw-esque skirt will probably be better in more cocktail party situations, as it feels so FANCY when I see it in person. We have plans to possibly attend a play at the Guthrie next week, perhaps that will be the perfect occasion!

top: urban outfitters, skirt: everly, purchased at primp, hat: charlotte russe, bag: vintage, sandals: vintage from it's a date

And here's my more recent purchase, this olive green maxi skirt. It's a bit more casual and thus leaves me even more dumbstruck as to what I should do with it. I don't want a mini Michael Kors playing in my head screaming "It looks like she just stepped out of A FARM in the AMISH COUNTRY or something. Just put a BONNET on her head and you've practically got LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRARIE". So how to I make this baby work?

A note to all you Minnesota girls: PLEASE CHECK OUT PRIMP. It's on the corner of Selby & Dale in St. Paul and it's absolutely adorable. They get new items in every day and EVERYTHING is under $100. I've seen a few things in there that you can also find on Ruche.com... but they're cheaper at Primp!!So please, give me your styling tips! I could use them!

Also, I'm pretty sure I need to get lenses put in the glasses I'm wearing in these photos. I popped them on for fun and didn't want to take them off!

fill 'er up

2011-09-06T18:58:00.001-05:00

A quick "rest of the summer" recap to tide my "I don't post enough on this thing"-guilt over while I work on something a little more long form for this here bloggie. Hopefully it will be interesting to others!!

over all

2011-09-01T18:47:00.001-05:00

I can't tell if the summer is ending, or if it's got a few more kicks left.....

later on

2011-08-24T18:30:00.006-05:00

Yep, August is about to end. I know, how did this happen? It's been a lovely summer, and these last glorious days are so perfect! No humidity, perfect temperature.... BIG SIGHS ALL AROUND. I've been spending it well, though - lots of "family dinners" and patio outings and even a visit to the History Center last night with Alli, Erin, Maggie and Maria! Tonight, a double date at a new restaurant.

I've been contemplating making a list of essentials and sorting my clothes out - keeping what fits on the rest and trying to sell the rest... and then working on finding what remains. Does this sound too intense? I think it sounds like FUNFUNFUN, but will possibly be spendy.

Dream late summer wardrobe? Long skirts (yep, still looking for the right one. May have purchased two - jury's still out on those), hats, sandals, everything with the possibility of layering.

(clockwise from left: Jigsaw straw hat, Monsoon maxi skirt, John Lewis bracelet (out of stock), Tory Burch clutch, Car Shoe espadrilles, Michelle Mason tank top)

(clockwise from left: Sequin rope necklace, MiH Jeans chambray tunic (out of stock), ASOS orange sunglasses, Madwell leather purse, Swedish Hasbeens)

2011-08-14T11:22:00.006-05:00

I was poking around on etsy this morning and practically swooned when I found these dried & preserved moss pendents from Mr. Lentz. If you can't tell, I've been particularly taken with forests and plant-life as of late.

LHR13's outdoor spaces board on pinterest has also been inspiring - I wish I had less of a black thumb and more of a yard to garden. Maybe someday!

p.s. I've got a few posts planned soon - hopefully with more illustration-y goodness!

busting out

2011-08-03T18:21:00.002-05:00

Do you guys read BUST magazine? Yes? Well check out this month's issue to see a little illustration by yours truly! I worked with the supremely awesome Erin to create a piece accompanying an op ed on the uber-famous Rebecca Black. After drawing lil' Rebecca's face over and over again, I started to feel a little attached to her... I know she chose to be in a music video, but give the lady a break, folks! I certainly don't think she's some kind of "sloot", just a teenager who maybe doesn't have the best taste in who to pick to produce her music & music videos.

But again, I'm sooo sososooso honored to be featured in BUST again. If you've never picked up this magazine before (be still my heart), please go check it out! They have some absolutely fab articles and fashion spreads. I always get good etsy recommendations through them!

Look, there's my illustration again:

lake placid

2011-08-02T09:00:00.001-05:00

Woah. Did I really forget to post about the trip to Alli & Alex's cabin? Yes? What gives! I can't even express how excited I was to get away to some sort of cabin-type thing for a long weekend over the 4th of July - cabin-type things have been my favorite kind of vacation for as long as I can remember! I've been majorly pining to make it out for the family trip to Beaver Island in Michigan for awhile now, but haven't yet been able to swing it. And so, AlliAlexCabinTime was the 100% perfect substitution.

And now, a list of things accomplished:
//book reading
//chill tubing
//sea cucumber hunting

//cattan settling
//firework lighting
//watermelon & feta salad eating

hot house

2011-08-01T19:56:00.004-05:00

(left: vintage scarf, j crew blouse, UO backpack, omg jeans, UO shoes. right: charlotte russe hat, forever 21 dress, UO backpack, minnetonka moccasins)

Dang. It's hotter 'n a hot thing that is hot these days! I seem to remember there being snow on the ground and not being happy about it but COME ON. Living in the tropics of Minnesota isn't that great either, especially without any A.C. in our apartment.

Here are some wardrobe photos, as I am too frazzled to post anything else. The images you see where I am standing next to a glorious air conditioner were taken while doing my yearly stint as resident assistant for MCAD's Pre College Summer Sessions - so I stayed in the dorms and blasted the AC and put my mattress right next to said AC. It was, I can assure you again, glorious.

(left: vintage dress & belt, UO shoes. right: h&m cardigan, target shirt, vintage necklace, coach purse, omg jeans, UO shoes)

home page

2011-07-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

While I've only lived in St. Paul for a few years, I already feel a strong connection to this lovely city. There's a lot of visible history - the old houses, some cobblestone streets, old pubs and the like.

St. Paul also has some amazing foodie experiences. The Happy Gnome, Cheeky Monkey, and (DANGER, obnoxious theme song on this website) La Cucaracha come to mind immediately... but my new excitement is the Wednesday Food Truck Court. I ventured downtown St. Paul this Wednesday and, after surveying my options, got some pulled pork tacos from The Chef Shack.

Oh em gee.

They were amazing.

So thank you, St. Paul, for being great. As long as I live here I will continue to love you.

skirting the issue

2011-07-20T21:29:00.001-05:00

Thanks to the blogsphere and the long-reaching arm of the fashion industry, I am now in the market for something I never thought I would want: a longer skirt. Preferably: pastel or black, with pleats, looks good with flowy summer tops and espadrilles, and is under $50. With pockets.

Hey, a girl can dream, right?

(stockholm streetstyle)

(glamcanyon)

(collected blog, this one might be my favorite...)

(the satorialist)

print preview

2011-07-19T20:01:00.002-05:00

For something a little less gloomy - an illustration I did for an upcoming issue of bodytalk! (p.s. if you'd like, you can see a current illustration of mine in their Size Issue, free to download via their site!)

artful

2011-07-18T22:11:00.004-05:00

Making drawings, taking photos of drawings.

Making fantasical images of nerdy things (I've been playing a lot of video games this summer)

Getting inspiration from "up north" photos (by anna verlet shelton and allison, respectively)

earth day

2011-07-07T19:06:00.003-05:00

Hen and chicks "is a common name for a group of small succulents belonging to the flowering plant family Crassulaceae, native to Europe and northern Africa. They grow close to the ground with leaves formed around each other in a rosette, and propagating by offsets."

I'm growing my collection of low maintenance plants. The large succulent (no idea what it is specifically) I got at Trader Joe's, and the little "Crassulaceae" came from a flea market. Finding plants in weird places is apparently a talent I posses. My goal is to have a collection rivaling the one in this great photo, which I originally found on Kate Miss' pinterest and then hunted the original down like a mad woman.

Any good hardy plant recommendations?

phoney

2011-07-02T09:16:00.004-05:00

It was about a year ago that I got my beloved Droid Incredible and thus was ushered headfirst into the world of "I cannot be without my phone for too long, or I will shrivel up and die". It was total and complete love.

And then, two weeks ago, I dumped it for an iPhone. Don't hate me, Lil' Droidy! Soon you will have a good home, I promise. But for the time being I have to do the obligatory "I CAN TAKE THE PICTURES WITH THE IPHONE A HUR HUR" post. Look away, Droid. Look away.

p.s. I'm using Cross Process - any other favorites from you fellow iPhoners?

leave me be

2011-07-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

Look! another girl drawing! SURPRISE. After I saw this image from Alli's honeymoon I kinda knew that I had to draw a lady surrounded by leaves.

jazzed

2011-06-27T16:47:00.004-05:00

from jwannie's Jazz Age photos on flickr

Have you guys heard about this amazing Jazz Age Lawn Party thrown on Governor's Island in NYC? Every year, Michael Arenella and his band host this totally sweet looking 20s themed shindig, complete with dance floor and cocktails by St. Germain (a product I've been meaning to imbibe more of!). Everyone dresses up and dances and eats pies.. it sounds like my kinda night!

from New York Metromix

from New York Post

Of course, seeing this year's pictures got me thinking.... what would I wear? There are so many fashionable folks pictured, it seems like it's necessary to go all out! If I had a dream budget, it would probably go a little something like this:

silk dress from my theresa, 5 layer necklace from trend boutique, round sunglasses from la garconne, straw hat from reiss, tapestry purse from modcloth, mary janes from rupert sanderson

whether or not

2011-06-20T23:22:00.008-05:00

all images c/o theSteward

I think if I could live in the world of any website in existence I would pick theSteward. Part WASP-y home in the Hamptons/Vail, part European holiday and 100% beautiful, theSteward is a mostly wordless collection of super beautiful images from the past and present. I really love the mix of photos of exteriors, landscapes, people and a few songs thrown in for good measure. I dare you not to keep going back in the archives, for serious. It's all lakeside days and nighttime feasts.

Especially with this crappy Minnesota summer (humid and kinda rainy in the day, chilly and humid at night) I'm just wishing for a nice dry day in the sun at a lake... or even (I can't believe I'm saying this) a cozy winter day tucked away into a snowy cabin with plenty of snacks and blankets. Maybe what I'm really yearning for is relaxation and the time to put together nice meals.

lady problems

2011-06-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

After looking at all my illustrations in frustration and then screaming towards the heavens "I WILL DRAW MORE THAN JUST GIRLS, I WILL I WILL!!!", something kind of funny happened! Two illustrations of girly nature landed in my lap.

Universe, if you're trying to tell me to keep drawing girls.... I WILL DO IT.

hats off

2011-06-09T08:00:00.002-05:00

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I stopped off at good ol' Target to grab popsicles and ingredients for tzatziki sauce for falafel.... and walked away (as one generally does with Target) with something else. This big floppy straw hat with its blue bow was so charming, and after texting a photo to Alli for confirmation of cuteness, I took the plunge.

The thing I love about this hat is that I feel like, depending on what I wear with it, I'll either look like a character from a Miyazaki film or a lady at the beach in the 30s. WIN WIN SITUATION, GUYS. Who wants to go to the beach with me?

recap

2011-06-05T20:48:00.002-05:00

Remember when it was tights wearing weather? Like... a week ago? That has changed, as previously stated. Today we walked around in shorts and whatnot, it was pretty great.

Here's what I was wearing before it got warm - I've hardly taken any wardrobe remix pictures this year. I just don't know when to take them! I never want in the morning, and it's too dark when I get home! HRMRMRMMRRMRMMMM, conundrum.

showtime

2011-06-04T11:12:00.005-05:00

Oh my friends. If you know me in real life you've probably heard me talk about television quite a bit. We're very selective about our shows here in the tiny St. Paul apartment, but I think we've got some good ones. Highlights include The West Wing, 30 Rock, The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, Mad Men, Arrested Development and now.... Downton Abbey. Produced by Masterpiece Theatre and the BBC in 2010, this frickin' show is only 7 episodes long and it ABSOLUTELY KILLED ME. Downton Abbey is, in a nutshell, a drama surrounding the turmoil of a rich family and their servants during the 1900s. It starts with the sinking of the Titanic and ends on an EXTREMELY DRAMATIC NOTE - but I won't say what, for fear of the spoilerzzz.

This is seriously one of the most beautiful shows I've ever seen - the costumes are sooooo wonderful, from the footmen to young Mary - one of the Earl's daughters who (although not the kindest person herself) is having a pretty rough time finding a husband. The color palettes range from dull greys to rich greens and browns to white and yellow, and they all play perfectly into the mood of the scene. The set is GORG as well - they filmed it at a real castle, you know. Obviously I have mostly chosen photos of the younger actors to show, but I'm attached to every single character - including the totally badass Maggie Smith as snobby/kind/kniving Violet Crawley.

Please, my friends. Watch this show. It's on Netflix Instant and, if you're like me, you'll finish it in mere weeks and be waiting eagerly for season 2 (due in autumn of this year). ALSO: credit must go to Bryan for finding this show. I probably wouldn't have watched it if he hadn't started it up one night!

(all photos click through to the source)

sun spots

2011-05-30T22:28:00.005-05:00

(outfit #1, L to R:maison martin margeila blazer, lauren pierce scarf j. crew striped silk dress, dorothy perkins briefcase, old navy crochet espadrilles)

Guys, summer is here. It was hot and muggy today and I wore shorts with NO TIGHTS ON two days in a row. I had grilled corn twice, I broke a sweat outside, I thought dreamily about that jcrew swimsuit I ordered that should be on its way to me next week. I played lawn sports, I made cobbler.... Summer is here.

So, that means a new wardrobe, right? RIIIIIIIIGHT? I want more sandals and stripes, sunglasses and brown leather.

(outfit #2, L to R: john patrick lace shirt, rue 21 braided belt, Only CORAL shorts, keds champion austin skimmers, emilio pucci canvas shopping bag, topshop headband, cacharel sunglasses)

hello ladies

2011-05-28T10:18:00.004-05:00

Excuse me while I get all barfy on yins guys, but TODAY IS A BIG DAY. My bestest lady Allison is getting married to an awesome dude, and my other bestest lady Katie is moving to Sunnytown USA (aka Los Angeles) tomorrow. I love them both SO MUCH and I'm so happy for both of them!

Alli already did a cute post with some recent pictures of us, so now I will take the opportunity to walk down MEMORY LANE.

(of course, I had to sneak in a photo Alli & Alex. CONGRATS GUYS. YOU ARE THE BEST!)

shop girl

2011-05-21T09:45:00.004-05:00

Etsy is KILLIN IT right now. I sort of gave up on the site for awhile after a long slump of "I can't find anything I like"-itis and a little bit of being overwhelmed by all the options. But recently I hopped back on and instantly found a few things that I can't live without... although my bank account seems to think I'll be okay. I'll probably listen to my bank account.

triangle garland by littleseeta, honey badger mug by corduroy (p.s. if you have not seen the honey badger video, make sure you are not at work or in the vicinity of those who might not like to hear swears and give it a watch. It's pretty hilarious.)

the greedy seagull has a PLETHORA of adorable clothing, although I'm particularly obsession with this pink printed dress, this linen ikat dress and this Jerry Gilden dress

large glove mold from AMRadio, small geo planter from mgmy

tour de force

2011-05-06T17:46:00.004-05:00

Greetings! Go check out my feature today on Studio Sweet Studio!

If you haven't seen this most excellent blog yet, then you are in for a treat my friend. Tuesday Bassen (a fellow MCADien) and Meg Lewis post daily about the living spaces of creative people they admire.... and they also do some sweet interviews, how-tos, and general "you should check this out!"s. It's fab, and I'm so honored to be a part of it. Thanks, ladies!

double trouble

2011-05-05T22:30:00.003-05:00

I'll be posting over on the 5x5 blog every couple weeks from now on! You wanna see some vintage Emma artwork? Hop on over there! I can promise it will be funny.

Also - after alllll debate over tattoos and such, I got one today! Except it's obviously not the giant floral honker that I was planning.... it's a tiny anchor! Alli, Katie and our awesome buddy Angie all got together a few weekends ago for Alli's bachelorette party - and we all decided to get anchor tattoos! The four of us have been advice-givers, ear-lenders, picker-uppers, and sexandthecity-watchers for each other for so many years. With Alli getting married and Katie moving out of state and Angie buying a house, the anchor is an awesome reminder that we'll still be there for each other. BARF ATTACK.

face time

2011-04-27T18:30:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago my favorite comics lady Kate Beaton of Hark, a Vagrant posted a small timeline of self portraits she had done from 2004 to the present and I went CRAZYGONUTS. Hers are way awesomer (and more consistant!) than mine, but I figured it was time to do one of my own. It was especially great/painful to find that one from 2004, my senior year of high school. I thought Magritte was the greatest, if you can't tell.

Here's where I get my pink glasses, and still wear earrings.

Here's where I learn how to use Illustrator and then graduate from MCAD and start doing outfit drawings.

Sadly I have not done any self portraits in 2011! WHAT GIVES, EMMA

mad about hue

2011-04-21T18:49:00.008-05:00

photograph by style me pretty & painting by morgan blair

My awesome buddy Tanya just pointed out that I've been collecting this color palette of white, tan, orange, marigold, red and teal a LOT. And it's true! I can't get enough of it, it's girly but not the cotton candy and pigtails kind. Looks like it's time to get crackin' at another illustration.

painting by Arian Behzadi

The other thing I'm excited about right now is Melancholia, Lars Von Trier's next movie. It's a companion piece to Antichrist AND it stars my girl crush, Charlotte Gainsbourg! It looks gorgeous and sad and a little terrifying (I'm super afraid of outer space for some reason). Antichrist, if you haven't seen it, is not exactly a movie for the faint of heart, but I've come to really like it. My movie lovin' boyfriend showed me some making-of documentaries and articles that gave a lot of insight into what the movie was all about. It's also pretty gorgeous.

Anything catching your eye a lot recently?

windy city

2011-04-18T18:14:00.007-05:00

It's already been over a week since my mini-Chicago vacay? TIME FLIES, FRIENDS. I had a ton ton ton TON of fun, so much food and a lot of watching my lil' bro do some fancy fencing footwork - and I got to hang with my buddy Molly, who rocks. Here, some photos of said food and said fencing. It was pretty much cloudy or low lighting the whole time I was there, so a good 99% of these photos are BLURRYTOWN.

I wish I had a nice DSLR or something fancier than my dinkydink PowerShot to capture the fencing, it was extra exciting and the photos are, as explained previously, extra blurry. The brother did awesome, though - both he and his team placed in the top ten!

Oh my god the food. I died of happiness SOOOOOO many times. We had snacks at the cafe des architects, which included some preserved eggplant dip and creme fraiche AND five different cheese samples. The other highlight was mondo deep dish tourist attraction lou malnatis, who impressed me so much with the sweet vinaigrette in our salad that I'm planning on attempting to recreate it this weekend. Oh, and the pizza was worth the hour wait FOR SURE.

Thanks for the awesome times, Chicago! I hope I can come back soon.

self image

2011-04-14T16:30:00.001-05:00

In my quest to discover new photoshop techniques and try new color palettes, I did this illustration! More brush tool fun, lots of texture experiments, tra la la. I'm still not quite happy with that rabbit, though. It looks weird!!

As an artist I've definitely seen myself go though phases of style and inspiration, but I struggle sometimes with what I want my work to look like. It's easy to connect my work to my life, and right now it feels both are sorta in limbo! I want to be able to settle down and really cultivate a certain look... I just don't know what that look is yet. ART, GUYS. IT'S DIFFICULT.

This illustration should be showing up on something fun tomorrow, however. SECRETS!

inkblot

2011-04-13T17:28:00.004-05:00

I think I'm still a little surprised that got a tattoo (1.5 years ago, at that!). I'm not sure why, either! All sorts of people get tattoos - not just bearded ladies and dudes who like mosh pits. Perhaps it's because I was pretty sure I didn't want one up until about a year before it happened. But now I'm extra super duper in love with them, and of course (like everyone told me) now I want a new one.

Here are some pictures I've been looking at for inspiration!

Amanda's tattoo was a big kick in the butt for me! Flowers were kinda on my list of things that I might like to be a permanent part of my body - especially since (in keeping with the childhood home idea) my parents have always kept a great garden. My memories of the peonies opening up with little ants crawling all over them are especially strong, so I'll probably work some peonies in there.

However, I think I'd like to draw the tattoo myself....

Like calligraphy extraordinaire Jessica Hische! She is really one of my heroes.

Left arm/should/back area is where I'm aiming for this time..

A great blog to check out if you're considering a tattoo yourself is Sometimes Sweet. Danielle features a lot of tattooed ladies (and some gentlemen) in her weekly Tattoo Tuesday series. That's where I found Megan Fay's super awesome laurel tattoo. Allison and I had big ol' gush fest on Sunday about laurel tattoos.

Another spot for inspiration is the somewhat hilariously titled f*** yeah, girly tattoos (c'mon now, no swearing in front of the blog!). There's a lot of uber trendy stuff (WAY too many feather tattoos, yikes), but every once in awhile something really beautiful pops up.

(p.s. As I always say when this topic comes up: sorry mom! I love you!)

day tripping

2011-04-08T07:36:00.001-05:00

farewell folks! I'm off to see my brother in a fencing tournament (i know i know, awesome) and eat my way through the windy city! Have a lovely weekend.

music to my ears

2011-04-02T13:44:00.004-05:00

I listened to this song NONSTOP yesterday. It might be a good karaoke song, if I did karaoke. It's just a Blondie kinda weekend, I guess.

Next week there's something fun in the works.... I can't wait to share it with you guys! In the meantime, let's listen to some of my other Blondie favorites....

waitlist

2011-03-27T10:22:00.003-05:00

I had a big ol' post planned that I was going to write up this weekend... and then I decided that taxes and cleaning the apartment took precedence. Sorry interwebs!

In the meantime, enjoy this picture of pancakes and watch this AWESOME interpretation of one of my favorite stories from Radiolab.

shoe in

2011-03-23T18:18:00.003-05:00

Last weekend was glorious. There was the outing at the conservatory, and a birthday dinner (salmon! spinach! ravioli! smoothies!) on Sunday..... and also I bought THESE SHOES. They practically sing out "SPRING!!!", don't they?

Well, imagine my surprise, after having tried them on and deciding to get them, when I noticed that the box read "Miss America". That's right. Pageant smiling, tiara wearing, "omg i can't believe i won" face fanning Miss America. Apparently they make shoes now... and dang, I cannot wait to wear these ones.

But hey, what happens when I buy a super springy pair of shoes in anticipation of the snow melting and happiness being restored to the land?

It snows again. Thanks a lot, Minnesota.

garden variety

2011-03-21T19:42:00.002-05:00

This Saturday, Bill and I took a field trip to the Como Zoo and Conservatory to check out the plant life for a poster we're designing together. It was SO. MUCH. FUN. The weather was quasi-nice though, which (in Minnesota) means EVERYONE wanted to go outside - and somehow they all ended up there! We sat around with our sketchbooks and drew and fielded questions like "DO YOU DRAWWW?!??!!".

We got some good sketches out of the trip, and I took some reference photos. My favorites of the batch are all the leaves and ferns! Look how pretty!

something

2011-03-20T14:17:00.003-05:00

I've got a lot of little tchotchkes, but this one is my favorite - a little coin bank in the shape of the house, made in Japan and somehow migrated to an antiques shop in Minnesota. All the colors are so perfect, and I love the tiny imperfections in its construction.

dresser

2011-03-15T19:50:00.005-05:00

Dianthus Fields Dress and You Were Mint for Me Dress from Modcloth, Pleated Shift Dress from Topshop

If you're reading this, there is a 1 in 5 chance that you know me in person, and thus know that I'm going to be a bridesmaid (for the first time!) in my wonderful friend Alli's wedding. Oh man, am I ever looking forward to it. It's going to be a lovely day full of good foods & friends. But first things first: I need to buy a dress.

The plan is that all us bridesmaids + Alli will go shopping together to find some pretty little things to wear - but knowing me I will get overwhelmed and overexcited, so I decided to pick out some imaginary options for if I could only online shop... and then some fun extra spendy ones.

Halston Heritage Ruffle Dress, Zac Posen Crepe Dress, Chloé Salmon Crepe Dress

finishing touch

2011-03-08T19:21:00.005-06:00

I finished up that illustration - and boy, does it look different than it did when I posted it last! This was definitely an experiment in using the brush tool in photoshop. (Get ready for a few boring sentences about Photoshop) Believe it or not, I normal only use the pencil tool in my illustrations, I like the hard edge it has and the options it gives as far as grabbing a shape with the magic wand tool and moving it around. This time I made sure I had the sketch down pat before going in and doing the linework and fills and whatnot. It was a lot of fun!!!

This is also fufills one of my to-do's for the year: using a new color palette! I may or may have not stolen it from Kanye's Runaway music video. Don't tell.

Also I really really really REALLY!!!! want a floppy black felt hat, but I'm afraid that (like the suspenders, tassle top, and hoodie that had this weird wrap around attached scarf) I only like floppy hats in theory... and if I buy one it will sit in my closet until my boyfriend makes fun of me for never wearing it and I either try to sell it at Buffalo Exchange or drop it off at MCAD's free shelf. I think I'm overthinking this.

(left to right: floppy hat that i can't find anymore from sportsgirl, burnt orange hat (only $20!) from amazon, camel felt floppy hat from topshop)

missing in action

2011-03-05T19:22:00.005-06:00

You know what should have been on my list of things to do this year that I forgot? UPDATE THE BLOG MORE OFTEN, JEEZ-O-PETE. It's been an awful while since my poor bloggie has had anything new on it. So I'm going to throw up that little snippet of an illustration I've been working on every so often and also sing the praises of Pinterest.

Alli sent me an invite last month and I have been HOOKED. I even told her that sometimes I just go on there to look at all the pins I have - and then I get that same feeling that I get when I come home after shopping and look at whatever I bought. DO YOU KNOW THAT FEELING? It's great, right?

I've also got a tattoo board on there (for the next one, sorry mom I love youuuuu!) and one for a possible trip to Hawaii next winter. I'm trying not to think about that one too much, for the weather is still pretty nasty here. If you'd like to go check out my pins, they live here.

shot through the heart

2011-02-20T14:23:00.003-06:00

I finally got the first two rolls of film from my Holga developed and printed. This is the first time I've shot any sort of film in 4ish years... and... well.... they came out really blurry. You'll note that I trickily took photos of the "best" ones, thus somewhat masking how blurry they are. Has anyone shot with a Holga before? Any tips?

There's another blizzard hitting Minnesota again. I'm... so happy... about it.

heart and soul

2011-02-14T09:00:00.001-06:00

dear interwebfriends,

I've made this little barfy Anna Howard Shaw Day card for you! You can also send to your special lady/man/cat/creature from outerspace, as long as you tell them how awesome that Emma person who drew it is.

This is also the first post I've ever planned (ONE WHOLE DAY) in advance. I'm learnin' the interwebs real good.

love love love l-o-v-e xoxoxoxo,
-emma

blah blah blah

2011-02-13T11:04:00.003-06:00

Winter. It's still here. I'm everso tired of no open toed shoes and waiting for my car to heat up in the morning before driving to work and not being able to sit outside for lunch. It's all blerg. Yesterday it was a balmy 30 degrees, though, and my lady friends and I took advantage of this by going out for brunch and shopping to our heart's content. It was so great! I can't wait until 30 degrees seems cold again.

In the meantime, though, I've been listening to lots of Kid Cudi (what a great video omggggg) and hunting down the brightest, happiest color palettes possible. FOR INSTANCE - citron and tangelo? Yes plz.

from vela images via creature comforts.

peek-a-boo

2011-01-30T11:27:00.003-06:00

A couple months ago the super awesome Sarah from BodyTalk Zine contacted me about doing an illustration for their upcoming size issue. Really, anytime drawing a girl in a bra is involved I say "YESYESYESYESYES", so obviously I was pumped. I'm still excited, even after completing the illustration - it was so fun to do, and it reminded me that I haven't really been drawing all that much recently! Having a design job is great, but sometimes I forget to continue my personal work when I get home. MORE DRAWING IN 2011!!!!

Speaking of drawing and awesome people, if you live in the Boston area you better check out Good vs. Evil!, the current show at Space 242. My cousin Amanda is one of the contributors and, as you will see below, she rocks. When I was little I would stare at her drawings and try to absorb her fantastic drawing skills into my brain.

cold season

2011-01-22T12:15:00.004-06:00

Towards the Horizon by Phillip Klinger

Perhaps it's because I've been living in Minnesota for 7 years and have built myself a strange dual mentality of "I HATE THIS WEATHER / I chose to live here to I better get over it", but whenever I hear the woes of people living in balmier states getting a few inches of snow I have to scoff. Yesterday it was EIGHTEEN DEGREES BELOW ZERO. My car literally protested starting up, although I really can't blame it. Someone mentioned the "January" thaw the other day and I felt far too hopeful that this would happen soon. I'm not asking for 80 degree weather and a pool with a cabana (although I wouldn't say no...), I just want it to be, say, 20 degrees above zero. Heck, I'd be okay with 18.

In preparation, though, for when this cursed icy tundra does start to melt a tidbit, I've begun to think about late winter clothing. The floppy hat in particular is calling out to me... although it might be a trap (see: suspenders). Backpacks are also on my mind, altough I'll save that particular obsession for another post.

(hat:miss selfridges, yuketen backpack: madwell, booties: kurt geiger, sweater dress: marc my marc jacobs, polka dot tights: opening ceremony, sunglasses: h&m, snood scarf: heine, belt: calypso st. barth)

hi-res

2011-01-15T17:58:00.004-06:00

For some reason I kept thinking "New Years resolutions. They're so lame, I don't need to do THOSE this year".... and then, as if in an act of defiance for being such a weirdo, my brain started coming up with them. So I actually don't think they're lame at all.

.........and then I found five dollars!!!!

Without further ado, my list:
+floss more
+get another tattoo (sorry mom!)
+cook even more
+use new color palettes in my illustrations
+start taking film photos (I've already got two rolls of film to develop from my new holga!! NERVOUS)
+get fancier pajamas
+write a web comic about my alter ego, Moomie. Yes, this is actually a real thing that I actually want to do.
+make more art in general!!

woo!

week end

2011-01-09T14:21:00.003-06:00

ahhh, back into the regular routine. 5 day weeks, 2 day weekends, no more christmas tree. It's sort of sad to leave the holidays behind, but once the transition is over it can be a relief.

I still am in hermit-mode, with most of my nights involving sitting on our (new!) couch and watching movies and tv. We've watched MicMacs (cute), Please Give (very cute), and about four more episodes of Boardwalk Empire (dang that show is good).

Today is shaping up to be pretty good so far, too. I've got breakfast (toast with laughing cow cheese and jam, and a hardboiled egg) and later I will probably buy myself a new robe or bake a cake. Or both.

In other news I did some design work for the positively charming Rebecca Brown over at we are large, people and in thanks she sent me a bevy of goodies, including a handmade slip... which I still need to photograph properly. I'm so excited to wear it under everything when it gets warm out.

the end! happy 2011

year round

2010-12-31T15:04:00.007-06:00

(january 11th: I went layering crazy for awhile, usually using that cardigan and scarf, my favorite items of clothing.) (february 23rd: yep. more layering, more primary colors.)

When I started my new job in June my wardrobe remix collection kinda slowed down - it's tough when I wake up early (too dark) and get home late (too dark!). But I still like to review my photos from the year, and after seeing dear beatrice's adorable roundup, I thought I'd pick my favorite outfits from each month... be they drawn or photographed!

(march 28th: got my prized timberland wedges at a goodwill, making march my favorite month. This is also my favorite w_r photo for the year.) (april 13th: making a move to more monochrome pieces.)
(may 25th: maybe not my best outfit, but our trip to new york - this photo was taken at coney island - was really the highlight of the year. This was the first vacation for me & bryan and it couldn't have gone more perfectly!) (june 26th: by this picture I had started my new job AND was living in a dorm at night working ses, so using as many floral prints as possible kept me going!)
(july 17th: I went to more weddings than usual this year, thankfully I've got a few under-used party dresses waiting in my closet.) (august 8th: this was the only wardrobe remix I took this month! I still like it, though. It's my "If Emma Lived in Seattle Circa 1994" look)

(september 19th: my obsession with short boots was full fledged at this point. I honestly own at least three pairs, and I'd own more if I could just fit them in my tiny apartment.) (october 23rd: got this grandpa cardigan at a sidewalk sale, it's so cozy.)

(december 3rd: with the dark winter hours setting upon us I really can't find time to take any w_r photos! I might try to do more w_r drawings this year, they're so fun.)

to boot

2010-12-18T11:37:00.005-06:00

yep. I have a boot problem. a bad one.... and with this awful Minnesota snow, I'm focusing on the ones that will keep my toes warm too! There are a lot of sidewalks here that haven't been plowed or even shoveled! Walking back to the apartment from my car today, I actually had to climb a mountain of snow to cross the street! A pair of Sorels might make that easier.

(clockwise from left: kensie girl Kedrina, Sorel Caribou, Sorel tivoli, Sporto Kelly, Sporto Kim, Sperry Top-Sider shearwater boots)

p.s. I leave to see my family in the mitten state tomorrow! It's going to be a week long christmas and birthday (for me AND my mom!) celebration, with lots of cookies and cake and food and fun! HOORAY!

dog days

2010-12-15T17:27:00.004-06:00

oh hello, blog. This update is mostly for my buddy Chance, who informed me that he finds babies entirely too scary and didn't like seeing one at the top of the page. SO! Here's some recent artwork, and a list of other recent things:

eating: sparkling linzer stars which I made to bring to the paper bicycle cookie trade.... but then the sky opened and dropped all snow in existence onto Minnesota, so I turned into a little weekend hermit and ate them all myself.

wearing: this great vintage poncho which will eventually have to be better photographed, although it's too cold for me to wear it as my coat. It will probably make an appearance in Spring.

listening to: the oddest combination of Bing Crosby christmas music, Savage Love podcasts, Warpaint, and... Kanye (SHUT UP I know I know. But I can't help it! I'm watching that half hour long Runaway video right now and I love it. SHUT UP!!)

watching: Boardwalk Empire. It's seriously so amazing. Just... watch it.

baby grand

2010-12-02T18:29:00.004-06:00

BABIES. BABIES EVERYWHERE! If you have a baby, you know a baby, maybe you even are a baby (and if so, how did you learn to use the internet so fast) perhaps you would like to get a beautiful onesie from this great company called Slumby! I did some design work for them earlier in the year, and I have to say it was a lot of fun.

Speaking of gifts, I've been loving all the great gift guides that design*sponge and riflemade have been putting out! I'm finally getting a good idea of what to get my various family members!

give thanks

2010-11-27T14:46:00.003-06:00

Okay, so maybe I'm posting too many camera phone pictures (I blame vignette) but it is awfully convenient when you've been traveling almost constantly for the last couple days - MN to MI to OH to MI and tomorrow... MN! So here's my Thanksgiving in a nutshell:

(p.s. Wondering what that tiny little doorway is at the top? Perhaps you'd like to know about the nerdily adorable obsession Ann Arbor has with FAIRY DOORS.)

white out

2010-11-17T21:10:00.003-06:00

In case it wasn't made clear enough in the last post, on Friday afternoon it was a perfect fall day. By 1AM Saturday morning, it looked like this... (that's my boot on the ground, i realize the perspective is a little confusing).

When Bryan and I decided to go to breakfast later that morning (after many z's) it looked like this, and Bryan spent a good couple minute getting the snow off his car while I huddled inside....

winter welcome wagon!

band together

2010-11-13T08:37:00.005-06:00

uhhh yeah. Girl crush-o-meter has maxed out in mere days on Warpaint, I heard them twice in one day on The Current and I DIDN'T EVEN CARE. They are like girlyness embodied but in a "wearing my garter belt and playin' my guitar" sort of way. And, in case you were curious, I love the music too! "Ethereal" might be too obvious, but it's snowing like crazy outside so I can't quite think of a better way of describing it. LEMON OUT.

present tense

2010-11-07T09:41:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I will see a link to something (music, artist, youtube video, whatever) constantly linked to on all the blogs I like... and for SOME REASON I don't click on it. Does this ever happen to you? It is a strange phenomenon that most recently manifested itself in Gifted Magazine - linked to by two of my favorites, RIFLE made and sweetfineday. Well I finally clicked on the link and was NOT disappointed, holy moly.

lots of gold? check.
cute gift ideas for everyone? check
delicious photos and whatnot? of course.

I highly recommend you page through this rockin' free online magazine from creature comforts if you like pretty, cute things.

Speaking of holiday madness (it isn't even thanksgiving yet, what's wrong with me!?!? I still have to freak out over pumpkin pie..) I created these maps of the fair Twin Cities for the MCAD Art Sale. Go buy them!

tea for two

2010-10-23T19:21:00.003-05:00

Isn't it funny how little themes pop up in your life? Right after I got a little freelance job to illustrate a postcard for a teatime holiday boutique I watched Tea for Two on Netflix Instant (what would I do without Netflix? Go crazy, probably.) I also love this time of year for drinking some earl gray, which got me to thinking about the perfect day of lounging, tea drinking, and book reading... so I made this ($50 and under!) set.

cardigan: uniqlo // top: dorothy perkins // leggings: brandalley.fr // thunderbird moccasins: tobi // bag: urban outfitters // madame bovary: high valley books // tea tin: kusmi tea

By the by, I love love love the packaging for Kusmi Tea - so regal. I'm sure it's delicious too...

ready, set, go

2010-10-16T12:42:00.003-05:00

Inspiration from a local antiques mall. The annual art sale at MCAD is coming up, and I've got a few more years that I'll be allowed to participate as alumni -every year I say it, but I really need to get my butt in gear for this! It's a good reason to make some new paintings and such.

(how about the type on the "in god we trust" poster? I want that as a tattoo, except maybe it will say "i love cheese" or something.

hunt & gather

2010-10-02T13:58:00.003-05:00

Some images I've been saving on my tumblr and on flickr. All photos are clickable.

report card

2010-09-25T16:50:00.003-05:00

Took Friday off to hang out with my parents, who are in town for the weekend! // Ate a plethora of things, including ham and bean soup // wore my new boots & gave my parents very belated trinkets I got for them in NY.

laced

2010-09-24T12:10:00.003-05:00

I have to make sure I don't buy any more short, heeled, lace up boots. Its an illness. SEND ME TO REHAB.

cover girl

2010-09-12T09:24:00.004-05:00

Last year I was approached by my friend Wes (I linked to his IMDB page because I think it is amazingly cool that he has an IMDB page), saying he had a young adult fiction novel he was writing, and did I want to do the cover?

"YESYESYESYESYESYESYES"

I'm always admiring the youth fantasy fiction section when at book stores - from the realism (like this cover by Sam Weber) to the more stylized covers, they're always so fantastic and fun, it always looks like the artists have a good time with them.

The characters in this book were so great to draw, too. Mary is a very realistic young lady to me - at home in a bleek Minnesotan tundra until she's placed in the world of magic that she secretly wishes was real. You should probably read the book... if not just for the wicked Muma Padruii (on the right) who has the most insane description I have ever read (I didn't even do half of it justice in my drawing).

dream on

2010-09-11T09:35:00.002-05:00

I call this piece "My Perfect Fall Outfit / What I would Buy If I Didn't Have Student Loans But Did Have A Few Hundred Extra Dollars Lying Around"

(Clare Tough cardigan, Elizabeth and James denim shirt, Stella McCartney wool skirt, Jeffery Campbell boots, A.P.C. Madras tights, DANNIJO necklace, Good Hood glasses.)

report card

2010-09-06T15:24:00.004-05:00

went to a pretty adorable wedding // wore my vintage blue dress around the mini golf course // ate some pretty delicious bbq. Congrats to Tanya and Brian on their totally amazing marriage!

shipe shape

2010-08-21T09:04:00.003-05:00

I think I may have found something that my brother and I could collaborate on. The thing about my little brother is that we are mostly opposites - he is very tall, good at math, excels in music (trombone! sousaphone! piano!), and actually went to college for something that will make him money.... NAVAL ARCHITECTURE AND MARINE ENGINEERING. (The only reason I remember this incredibly long and difficult sounding major is that you can shorten it to NAME.) There's little overlap in our fields... except for DAZZLE CAMOUFLAGE

Dazzle camoflage was created by a British marine artist that, instead of making the ship difficult to see, made it difficult to determine the size, speed, and direction the boat was heading. If I was a bad guy and I saw one of these things comin' towards me I would also surely be terrified by my enemy's excellent taste.

Dazzle camo has also been used for personal ships, including a yacht designed by Jeff Koons and the amazing DAZZLE LASER SAILBOAT whose name I may never get over.

So Jacob: lets design a floating modern art museum/ cruise ship. It'll be great, I promise.

poster child

2010-08-14T09:14:00.003-05:00

No report card this weekend, namely because someone kept someone else up all night on thursday because of a storm.. (I'll give you a hint: it was me) and thus Bryan and I were extra tired on Friday night. We got some pizza and made some drinks and watched the last two episodes of season two of the Wire. (SIDE NOTE: How can a show simultaneously make me so excited to watch more and depressed about the characters that I know will probably die? ITS SO GOOD WATCH IT NOW).

But LAST WEEKEND my wonderful friend Bill and I printed some posters for an upcoming poster show that we are participating in. I've actually only silk screened once before in my life, and that was my senior year of HIGH SCHOOL and it was really only one color.... so this was quite a new experience! It was so much fun though.

p.s. if you a givin' kind of person, we've got a kickstarter page where you can pledge some $$$ towards our show - and get a poster back! Also, if Bill and I manage to sell enough posters to break even on what we spent on supplies, I plan on donating my half to the gulf coast. YEAH!

report card

2010-08-10T21:52:00.002-05:00

Friday... it seems like it was a long time ago. Perhaps that's because next Friday is happening soon. I was actually going to write this yesterday, but while I was in the process of uploading images this ginormous bolt of lightening struck SUPER NEAR the building and I freaked out.

eating a brat for lunch, fancy cheese later on in the day // wearing my new gold belt I got at a vintage scavenger sale // setting up my new air plant // finding the strangest seed pod I have ever seen.... it looked like a little squirrel tail with seeds in it! We also drank tequila I got from work and ate wings at our neighborhood bar, but that didn't get documented...