one hundred and forty-three: letters for Ethel + Sara

Today’s letters go out to two exceptional women. Bryanne told me all about her lovely grandmother who recently celebrated a big birthday. And Amy told me exactly what to pen to her friend Sara, the doer! I hope these gals like their mail!

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May 24, 2011

one hundred and forty-three:

Ethel,

Your eldest granddaughter Bryanne told me how much you enjoy hand written letters, so I thought I’d add another one to your mailbox. I hope you’ve settled into your summer address in Wisconsin and are enjoying the blooms and butterflies of the season. I have a feeling it’s going to be a hot one! And I know I’m a little late, but I heard you recently celebrated your 90th Birthday! Happy, Happy! You must have some stories. Enjoy the summer breezes and your family (who love you so much!).

Fondly,

Lauren

Rossler Papier (Kate’s Paperie)

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one hundred and forty-three and a half:

 Sara,

Congratulations on being a doer!

Love,

Amy (+ Lauren )

Rossler Papier (Kate’s Paperie)

one hundred and forty-one: a letter for Laurean’s love

Today I pulled from the ol’ requests file. I’ve been wanting to write this letter for a while now. I got a lovely note from Laurean who told me all about her wonderful boyfriend. As she described it, he is her Jack (as in Titanic)—love that! So I penned a little love note on her behalf.

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May 22, 2011

Laurean is completely smitten with you! She sent me a note sharing your many talents, going so far as to call you a renaissance man— perhaps the ultimate compliment?! She gushed about your caring nature and your brilliant artistic abilities but failed to mention your name. She is so fond of your romantic gestures and wanted you to feel especially loved for a change.

Laurean appreciates your unwavering support and guidance in her life. Your love fills her with joy, coloring her days and lighting up her nights. Her heart beats with anticipation for the time you spend together. You are the king of her world.

She (+ I) thought you should know. I wish you a happily ever after straight out of a movie (without any sinking ships of course).

Fondly,

Lauren

Kate’s Paperie (with some help from the Valentine)

one hundred and thirty-nine: a letter for a gal named Judy

Today’s letter goes to a lovely lady who unselfishly sends hand written letters but rarely receives them (Attention Judy’s Family + Friends: Shame on you, pick up your pens!). I so appreciate the world’s letter-writers and decided it was time for Ms. Judy’s mailbox to get something other than bills.

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May 20, 2011

Judy,

I commend your efforts—letter writing is a wonderful art. And I can’t help but celebrate those who share my penchant for paper! I am certain your friends treasure your correspondence even if they don’t always write back. In the days of email and 140 character messages, I think a lot of people have forgotten how to pen a proper note. It’s nice to know there are devotees out there, keeping the tradition alive.

I recently discovered a great collection of love letters you may like, “Other People’s Love Letters: 150 Letters You Were Never Meant to See.” I mean the title alone has you at hello, no? It’s good stuff. Perhaps it will inspire your next letter to the one you love?

Thanks for writing (and for reading). May this letter be one of many in your mailbox!

All the best,

Lauren

R. Nichols (graciously donated–thank you!) 

one hundred and thirty-eight: a letter for a letter-lover

Friends, do you know about Shaun Usher, fellow letter-lover and blogger extraordinaire? I discovered Letters of Note a couple of weeks ago and was not heard from for days. And then I jumped over to Letterheady. And then I knew, the way you know about a good melon, this fine fellow needed a letter.

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May 19, 2011

Shaun,

I was beyond delighted to discover your blog(s). Letters of Note is brilliant—it  kept me busy for hours; letter-voyeurism is so addicting. And then Letterheady and its enchanting collection of typographically pleasing stationery—SWOON. I felt I must write you a proper thank you of sorts.

Thank you for spending so much time cataloging the notes of others. You are championing the art of letter writing and should be applauded for your efforts. I feel it’s a lost art of sorts in our technology-driven existence. And yet, nothing quite compares to artfully crafted, hand-written correspondence.

And Letterheady is a beautiful capsule of very official stationery. I think everyone deserves personalized paper—perhaps that would encourage more letters? I love the simplicity of some (Paul Simon, I’m looking at you) and the cleverly illustrative nature of others.

You’ve made my day Shaun! Thanks for cataloging such great stuff. Continued success—long live the letter!

Best,

Lauren

PS. I must know, do you have a favorite letter? I got chills reading “John Lennon signed my album” and felt a huge rush of inspiration after reading “Be your own self. Love what YOU love.”

Roger la Borde

one hundred and thirty-one: a letter for my pen pal Kathleen

Kathleen is my new pen pal. She attempted to send me a postcard all the way from Australia, but sadly it was returned. She sweetly scanned the card and emailed it my way. Luckily, my inbox was more hospitable. I love the idea of having a pen pal a half a world away, pulling on her sweater as I slide on my flip-flops. Since this lovely lady posted me mail from her hometown I decided to do the same.

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May 12, 2011

Kathleen,

I was overjoyed to receive your email… it would have been twice as nice to hold your postcard in my hot little hands, but I so appreciate your effort. My favorite line was “Do you have any contacts in Oz?” I can picture your sweet Aussie accent, ardently inquiring. And when I read it I imagined Oz, as in the Wizard of OZ, and really, who doesn’t want to be transported back to childhood, even if just for a moment. I bet your Oz is equally as wonderful as Dorothy’s ruby slippers. I have always wanted to visit Australia. And to answer your question, you are my first contact Ms. Kathleen and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m counting on you to help me plan my first adventure “down under.” What’s the best time of year to visit and where should I start. I know there is a whole lotta country to explore. Have you ever been to New York?

Your “American” Friend,

Lauren

P.S. Thanks so much for reading and for your sweet comments—swoon!

vintage over-sized postcard from Dan’s Parents House at the Brooklyn Flea

(every time I see the towers I get a little pang in my heart, sigh)

one hundred and twenty-nine: letters for Mary + Mary

Today’s letters are for Mary B. and Mary F.

Mary B. is facing some difficult decisions but taking them in stride. And Mary F. is busy planning a wedding, while overcoming some health challenges. I hope these requested letters bring a little sunshine to their respective days!

one hundred and twenty-nine:

Mary B,

I am so very sorry for your situation. Mind you, this is not “feeling sorry” masquerading as empathy. Unfaithful men are the worst! And the wake of their reckless decisions can be unbearable.

I am so proud of you! For standing up to your husband and for choosing a better life for you and your daughter—she will thank you for this someday. You are not a wounded puppy but a fierce warrior. And anyone who tells you otherwise probably just wants to protect you. This must be tough on the people who love you too.

I hope this time in your life flies, and that you find happiness and love again soon. I’ll be thinking of you.

Best,

Lauren

Paper + Cup

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one hundred and twenty-nine and a half:

Mary F,

Your friend Allison tells me wedding bells are in your near future. Congratulations! I have a foot in the wedding business and know planning a proper celebration can be equal parts fun and exhausting. I’m sure whatever you’ve cooked up will be just perfect for you and your fiancé.

Allison also mentioned a couple of health issues and medical bills threatening to rain on your parade. Chin up Mary! I hear you have a very sunny outlook in life (which I greatly admire) so chase those rain clouds away. I know it’s especially hard during times of trouble. I wish you good health and all the happiness you deserve. And a fairytale wedding to the man you love!

Best,

Lauren

Paper + Cup

one hundred and twenty-five: a letter for Maura B. Jacobson

Confession: the New York Times Sunday crossword puts the fear of God in me. I’m still learning how to navigate symmetric grids. And those cryptic, crossword-only words—ess, ere, erie—they get me every time.

BUT, I have been practicing on one Ms. Maura B. Jacobson’s puzzles. They are by no means easy friends, but they are mind-boggling fun (and full of puns)! Maura is hanging up her hat after thirty years of puzzle making. I felt a proper goodbye was necessary.

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May 6, 2011

Maura,

Congratulations on your retirement! Your puzzles have been delighting me for the past six years. When my weekly issue arrives, I flip straight to the second to last page and fill in all the easy clues. Then I read page by page, until returning to your puzzle!

I loved your tribute in last week’s edition. I had no idea you’d been at this for thirty years or that you drew your puzzles by hand until just recently. And I love that you were a winning contestant on Jeopardy! You are a legend.

Wishing you a wonderful, well-deserved retirement! Thanks for bringing such joy to your puzzle solvers.

All the best,

Lauren

P.S. I hope you liked the “toast” pun, wink.

bumble ink, New York Magazine tribute

one hundred and eighteen: congratulations for William and Catherine

I am a self-proclaimed anglophile. I spent a semester abroad in college and have been desperate to live in London ever since. There is something so magical about that city, especially today.

To say I was looking forward to the Royal Wedding would be a complete understatement! I dutifully set the DVR and rose early to catch a quick glimpse of the dress (gorgeous!) and the kiss. And now I have over twelve collective hours of royal footage to settle into. I think this calls for some scones and clotted cream from Tea and Sympathy. Ah, I love today!

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April 29, 2011

Heartfelt congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! Thank you for letting us all share in the joy of your union today. The ceremony was so lovely and you both dazzled  (especially you in that dress Kate!). Best wishes for a long, happy life together!

Fondly,

Lauren

Tallu-lah

one hundred and sixteen: a letter for Jennifer

Jennifer probably gets called a hero at least once a day. She’s a “genius” at the Apple store in Soho. And on Tuesday night she was my hero. She did some diagnostics, some restarts and fancy keyboard shortcuts and…revival! I was beyond thrilled and had to resist the urge to jump across the counter and squeeze her silly (I’m a hugger).

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April 27, 2011

Jennifer,

Thank you for your swift repair of my laptop. You must hear this all the time, but you were my hero Tuesday!

Its amazing (and perhaps a little embarrassing) how dependent we are on electronics these days. You listened to me with such genuine concern for my technical woes. Best of all, you were able to fix me up and send me on my way. And if my screen decides to be smart and play the fuzz trick again, I’m coming straight to you. Thanks again for your help!

Best,

Lauren

Bella Ink  (graciously donated–thank you!)

one-hundred and six: a letter for she hit pause

I discovered She Hit Pause Studios at the Brooklyn Flea a couple of weeks ago and nearly swooned on the spot. Photographer Matt Schwartz’s dream-like polaroids are completely entrancing. There are so many stunners to choose from, but ‘girl in a field’ spoke to me and begged to be taken home. Naturally, I obliged.

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April 17, 2011

Dear Matt,

I just thank my lucky stars I found you at the Brooklyn Flea. I am so enchanted by your work, especially my newly framed girl in a field. She has such promise of sunny days (they must be just around the corner, right?!) and carefree lolling. Best wishes and continued success!

All the best,

Lauren

Paper Source