weblog by angel robinson

I had the pleasure of spending a lot of time this summer with my cousin’s kids who are the absolute joys of my life (when they aren’t absolutely driving me nuts!).  They have gone home, back to Texas, but in clearing out summer papers last night, I came across a little exercise that I’d done with my goddaughter, Kaia.  I was teaching her the beginnings of thank you note writing, things like when it’s appropriate, how long should you wait between the kind act or gift and giving the note, what should you say etc.  She’s only eight years old, so part of this lesson fell on deaf ears.  But, luckily for me, she loves stationery as much as I do and loves when I let her play with old stationery I don’t use anymore.

Anyway, she and I played a game where I’d give her a scenario (for example, I was a co-worker who’d helped her finished a big project on time or I was her teacher who had taught a really great lesson or her best friend who threw her a surprise party) and she would have to write a thank you note for the situation.  She & I had a great time and it was an opportunity to teach her a life lesson under the guise of fun.

Teaching kids to have manners is important in maintaining a civil society.  It’s never to early to learn social graces. And it’s never too late to remember them.

In working with brides, one of the most prevalent questions I’m asked has to do with where to list registry information.  Every single book, article, pamphlet, slip of scratch paper, or bathroom stall graffitti I have read on the topic state that nowhere on your written invitations should you include your registry.  Some even go so far as to state that this information shouldn’t be included in the same envelope as the invitation.  To do otherwise has been described as gauche, uncouth, and highly improper.  Brides are given dire warnings that they will offend their guests by even mentioning the registry in the invitation package.  However, these same resources tell brides that the invitation should refer guests to a website that would provide registry info or that they should rely on their mom or bridesmaids to get out the word.

I, for one, am all for decorum and complying with social mores.  However, rules evolve and change with the times and this is a rule that I believe has run its course.  In a society where friends and family are spread across the globe, the invitation has to do a lot more work.  Invitations provide all of the information a loved one may need to travel to the event, itinerary information, maps, and/or points/places of interest to visit.  People no longer live in one spot their entire lives so their friends and family are widespread.  It is impossible for some moms or bridesmaids to spread the word to everyone on the guest list.  Besides, anyone who is planning to purchase a gift for the couple out of genuine love will not abandon that plan because they are offended by the invitation.  In fact, informed guests are happy guests.  No one likes buying wedding gifts.  It’s not like a birthday present where it’s for one person and it can be something fun and not a blender (although I personally love blenders AND food processors).  Who likes trying to figure out what the couple needs to complete their household, especially couples who are getting married later in life?  A registry satisfies two needs: first, the couple gets to decide exactly what they’d like and need for the home and second, it takes the pressure off of guests to decide something the couple would like - just pick something from the list.

So, I tell my brides to include any information in the invitation package that will make their guests’ experience easier, stress-free, and fun.  If anyone gets offended, tell them 1869 called and it’s time for them to come home.  No seriously, if someone is offended, it’s most likely a person who would never buy you a gift anyway. So apologize and move on.

I thought I would share a just finished a project near and dear to my heart.  My friend Nonetta gave birth two weeks ago to her first child. Of course, I did the announcements. We decided on a pink and chocolate brown color story and quite a sophisticated overall look from the envelopes to the announcement itself.  Originally, she and her husband Leonard wanted a teddy bear theme.  I gently persuaded them to go into a different direction after showing them a few design samples of my ideas.  My design tip for new parents is to gear your announcements toward an adult level of appreciation.  Announcements are given to your adult friends, not kids, so design them accordingly.  I absolutely love the way these turned out and the parents do too.

I believe the envelopes should be as pretty as what’s inside . . .

The envelope labels are made from 100% cotton paper and the envelopes are recycled . . . so eco-chic!

 I have always had a fascination with fonts even before I knew what the word “font” meant.  I liked seeing my mom and my grandmother’s handwriting and how they wrote the letter “R” exactly the same.  I now write my capital “R” the same way as well.  I liked how different pens made my handwriting slightly different, still uniquely me, just different. I was intrigued by the way that every individual person interprets the shapes of 26 alphabets.  My first introduction to different type fonts was in grammar school when our school secretary would make some of the letters to our parents in cursive which interested me to no end because I knew she did it with a typewriter.

I received my first computer in August of 1991 - an Apple Mac Classic II.  I began my love of computer fonts then.  I like how different fonts make words feel different. A font can convey an emotion to the written language; it helps to communicate.  The word love written in Times New Roman seems declarative and matter of fact. The same word, love, written in Beautiful feels romantic and lovely.

Recently, I decided to make a catalog of all of my fonts in order to make designing easier.  I have so many; it’s difficult to find the perfect letter “K” when I need it quickly.  I thought this little project would take about an hour or two.  Now, I’m a week in, at 400 pages, and am not finished.  Fonts are fantastic but my little project has started to grate on my nerves a bit.  I will finish because I’m no quitter and if I were going to quit, it would have been long before page 400!  This project has taught me to chill on my font love a bit.  No more new fonts for a long time.  There is such a thing as having too much.  But for now, I have spent a week getting organized and falling in love with many of my fonts all over again and being inspired to leave my comfort zone with others.  I’ll let you know what the final page count is . . . .

There’s a little more than an hour of Father’s Day 2008 left, so I’d like to send a quick shout to all of the dads whose eyes light up when their kids enter the room.  Hope you had a great day!

So, it’s done.  I’ve moved to New Orleans, well back to New Orleans.  Almost three years ago, I packed a duffle bag thinking I was going to be away for the weekend and my weekend trip is finally over.  I now understand how Gilligan must have felt on his three hour tour!  This move haven’t been without mishaps.  I haven’t unpacked anything.  I don’t know what’s in a LOT of boxes and I haven’t even tried to unpack anything yet.  I’ve shed many tears over the past couple of days, but all in all and all things considered, I know I am exactly where the universe needs me to be.  There are no mistakes.

And because I like blog posts with pictures, I thought I’d treat you to my first one here.  My friend Christy & I were talking about the “Let Love Rule” house which is in Central City.  Years ago, someone painted “Let Love Rule” on the back of their house and the only way to see it is on the downramp of the Pontchartrain Expressway at the St. Charles Avenue exit.  I was joking about how I’ve always wanted to get a picture of it, but you have to catch the red light AND you have to have the camera ready.  Well, desire met opportunity met preparation yesterday and I got a shot.  It isn’t the best, but did I mention you had to catch the red light on the downramp with the camera ready?  That in mind, it’s pretty sweet and here it is . . .

First of all, let me confirm the worst-kept non-secret secret ever.  I am moving my company out of Texas to New Orleans.  I have always called Write Robinson a Texas business with a New Orleans soul.  Now the soul is going home.  To get there however, I have to pack up everything I own, load it on a truck, and head south.  Like everyone I know, I hate packing.  I’m trying to use this as an opportunity to purge (which I have already begun) and start fresh.  My friends love that part.  I have always thought of myself as a minimalist with a maximalist shopping habit.  This process is going to be over soon whether I like it or not or am ready for it or not.  The family gets here in less than 48 hours to help me load everything.

By the way, I’ve collected Marcia Baldwin’s art pieces for years.  I used to have them hanging on a large wall in my bedroom in New Orleans, but some of them made their way into my workspace.  I love them as it’s always spring in here!

It’s storming here so I’ll cut this short….keep you posted on the progress!

Day One - May 30th 

This summer is going to be great!  First of all, I am already organizing a girl’s party to go see the Sex & the City movie on May 30th.  I already have three lined up and plan to invite more.  May 30th should be a celebration of girlfriends.  Girls, women supporting each other and loving each other through the good and bad times.  Were it not for my friends, Write Robinson wouldn’t exist as I know it.  They have encouraged me, been customers, investors, and marketers.  It’s so lovely to know that my girls support my dreams wholeheartedly!  Therefore, on May 30th when I make the pilgrimage to the theater to revisit Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda, I will smile in my soul knowing that I am watching a celebration of their friendships while surrounded by mine.  Because in the words of Carrie Bradshaw, “Life doesn’t always turn out to be your fantasy; that’s why you need friendships that are real to get you through it all.”

Check out the official trailer at here.

Day Two - July 1st

The second day this summer that I anticipate like a child waiting for Christmas is the release of “Where the Light Is” on July 1.  I’m SO SO excited.  Almost two years ago, I saw John Mayer live for the first time and it was the second most amazing show of my life.  As much as I love the Mayer, the number one show of my life is still Run DMC/Beastie Boys in fall 1987 at the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans.  For long stretches of John’s show, however, I found myself staring at his hands as they strummed the guitar and I felt that this man was literally strumming out his soul.  I caught a piece of it that night and will forever respect him as a musician and artist  These two terms I think are unfortunately handed out like candy nowadays rendering them meaningless.  Anybody who sings on a record or raps over a track is NOT an artist (just a pet peeve of mine).  Anyway, John is an artist as he intends to create new sounds and translate classic ones through his own lens of pop, rock, blues, and soul.  I use his music to feed my own creative soul.  When I’m working for long stretches of time, I put on the entire Mayer catalog and work and sing until I’m either done or am absolutely exhausted. I once read an interview where he said that he has played the guitar everyday of his life since he was thirteen years old.  I took that as a challenge to myself to fully commit to my passion and work on Write Robinson every single day.  John’s going on tour again this summer and unfortunately I won’t make the Houston show as I’d planned.  “Where the Light Is” more than makes up for that.  Christy and I have already planned to have a viewing party, even if it’s only the two of us, where we will wear our best Mayer paraphenalia and groove to the sweet sounds for 22 songs! Check it out July 1.  I sure will!!!!

 Acoustic Set:
1. Neon
2. Stop This Train
3. L.A. Song
4. Daughters
5. Free Fallin’

Trio Set:
6. Everyday I Have The Blues
7. Wait Until Tomorrow
8. Who Did You Think I Was
9. Come When I Call
10. Good Love Is On The Way
11. Out Of My Mind
12. Vultures
13. Bold As Love
 
Band Set:
14. Waiting On The World To Change
15. Slow Dancing In A Burning Room
16. Why Georgia
17. The Heart Of Life
18. I Don’t Need No Doctor
19. Gravity
20. I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You)
21. Belief
22. I’m Gonna Find Another You

By the way, my top concerts are:

1. Run DMC/Beastie Boys - 1987

2. John Mayer - 2006

3. Black Crowes - 1993

4. The Jacksons  - 1978 (solely because I remember Michael performing “Rock with You” in the same outfit as the video and he was AWESOME!)

My life has been extremely stressful lately.  The big Mother’s Day holiday has been great around here at Write Robinson with a number of clients wanting to surprise their moms with couture (How awesome is that? No seriously, how AWESOME is that!!!???).  I so enjoy what I do.  Christy’s wedding stationery planning is in full swing.  We’ve been working on this for a year, the wedding is in less than 20 weeks and the ENTIRE design scheme has changed this week!  Talk about pressure.

Nothing cures my soul like a little retail therapy.  And what, to my delight, arrived in my mailbox a few weeks ago?  The latest catalog from Arhaus.  Now I know I’ve gushed over them before.  But seriously, credit has to be given where it’s due.  I love their catalogs so much.  First of all, they just highlight the furniture in a way that’s subtle and elegant.  I look at their catalog and it makes me want to redo my entire house!  I will be purchasing the Ibarra bookends though.  My love for wrought iron is immense and that particular scroll-style has special meaning for me and is repeated in elements in my home’s architecture.

Casual luxury and simple elegance is what I believe in and Arhaus provides me with an outlet to dream everytime I get a catalog.  Seriously, just looking at this table makes me want to create a Saturday morning breakfast tradition.

Kudos again to Arhaus and the Epstein design team for a job well done!

I am honored to announce that Write Robinson has been selected as an official 3Luxe “Best of” company.  I would like to thank Bill Worple and his entire team for reviewing our products and deciding that we merited this distinction.  3Luxe highlights and reviews the best luxury brands in a myriad of lifestyle categories.  I am pleased to be in the company of such illustrious and revered brands.