Sweet Airmail

Confession: Valentine’s Day is my second favorite holiday (it is hard to top Christmas). And its just thirteen days away! Cupid is stockpiling arrows. And I’m turning my thoughts to love letters–the ultimate valentine. Nothing tops a heartfelt missive on paper. But perhaps some edible airmail could come close? I set to work in the kitchen.

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I rolled out sugar cookie dough and used a knife to shape envelope-like squares. I also made a few hearts–I just couldn’t resist.

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Using an xacto knife, I cut cherry and blue raspberry Airheads into airmail stripes. I used a mini cookie cutter to make some hearts and mixed a batch of Royal Icing to give the cookies an extra kick of sugar (and a nice envelope-white surface).

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I spread a thin layer of icing on each cookie and decorated them with the airmail stripes. The mini heart made a perfect stamp for my mail!

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Such a sweet treat deserved an extra special delivery. I packaged the cookies in kraft boxes (more hearts!) and penned a quick note.

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With the Airheads logo in mind, I tied a red balloon to each box and ding-dong-ditched the cookies at unsuspecting friends’ doorsteps!

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I just love sweet surprises! Are you planning to surprise anyone this Valentine’s Day?

P.S. Airheads put me up to the challenge. You can vote for your favorite entry here!

 

a love letter for Adam

Well friends, a lot happened while I was away. Bits and pieces will make their way back here I’m certain, but there is bit of news that just can’t wait–I am getting married! And its in big part, because of a letter.

You remember Adam, right? Well we’ve been friends for years, eleven to be exact. We met in college, fought over fridge space in two apartments, and stayed friends long after graduation. When he moved to New York City a few years ago we picked up right where we left off. Our families knew each other, I was the unofficial date to all plus-one affairs, and best of all, we genuinely enjoyed spending time with each other. After a few false starts, I decided it was time. This time, for real. So I sent him a letter.

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I picked this card, mostly because of its school-charm. Do you remember passing notes like these in grade school? Inside I asked if it would be okay if I called him my boyfriend. I popped it in the mail and waited three (!) days for a reply. And just like that, we were going steady. And then, madly in love. Eight months later we were fighting over fridge space again. And a few months after that, Adam asked me to marry him on a boat at sunset.

I am a sucker for love and I feel so blessed to have found the truest kind with Adam.

Whats the best letter you ever sent? I think this one is mine.

Presidential Love

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I love couples in love. Regardless of your political affiliation, its hard to deny the sweetness between Michelle and Barack. They seem so in love, twenty years later. And on Inauguration night they dazzled.

Geri Bauer

Geri Bauer

But my favorite political romance of all time is the Reagans. Perhaps because President Reagan was such an avid letter writer. He wrote dozens of love notes to his wife, which she later compiled into a book entitled I Love You, Ronnie.  One of my favorite lines from the book… “Every time Mr. Reagan sees the evening star or blows out the birthday candles or gets the big end of the wishbone he thinks the same wish– a prayer really–that so much happiness will go on and somehow be deserved by him.” Mr. Reagan often expressed himself in the third person-bah! A wish for happiness, how sweet.

the typewriter ribbon is fresh

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In case, I wasn’t entirely clear, I didn’t write a letter a day in 2011. I wrote a ton of letters, but I fell off the wagon sometime in late August, and again in October, and before the holidays, many a letter suffered. And then there was all of 2012, and radio silence.

I set a goal, had high hopes, and fell short. For a while it plagued me, and then I realized many people set goals and fail. The point is to have goals. So here I am. The trickiest part about writing a letter a day, wasn’t the letter part. It was the everything else (photographing, re-typing, posting, etc.) that weighed me down. So as part of my grand comeback, I’m making a few changes.

I won’t be writing a letter every day. But I’m still taking requests! If you know someone who needs a proper letter, please let me know. I will continue to write (and post) letters to people who I know and strangers alike a few times a week. In addition I’ll be writing about letter-related things, like stationers I admire and paper products I covet. If you have a suggestion, I’d love to hear. I hope this new arrangement suits us both. I have high hopes.

after a long hiatus…

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… I’m back. I wish I had a juicy explanation for my absence, like I was off getting a Phd, learning Mandarin or solving international disputes. But no, I was just busy living a very ordinary life.

I got a little derailed by my web trouble. Switching servers caused some setbacks and a whole lot of hair-tugging on my part. I had big ideas, but zero experience coding.  And then the letters started to pile up. I kept writing, but the nitty-gritty part (photographing, uploading, re-typing, re-sizing, etc.) took oh so long. And one day, turned into one month, and then before I knew it a whole year and a half had passed. Sigh.

I did continue sending letters, scouts honor. Sometimes they were accompanied by cake + presents. See!

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But I’ve missed this space. And you too! So I’m back. This day may never have come, if it were not for the lovely Sarah. She rescued the site and made it sparkle. Take a look around. That FAQ page I’ve been promising, it’s up top! And ways for us to keep in touch like twitter to Facebook, look right.

Lots of good things are in store, so do come back. I promise I’ll be back too.

one hundred and seventy-five: wedding congratulations for Griffin + Nicole

Today my cousin celebrates his marriage to Nicole. Sadly I won’t be able to partake in the jams + cupcakes, but I am there in spirit, wishing them all the joys this life has to offer! Congratulations!

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June 25, 2011

Griffin and Nicole,

Congratulations on your wedding! I’m sorry I can’t be there to toast your union, but I am cheering from New York.

A little Irish blessing for a happily ever after:

May your hands be forever clasped in friendship

And may your hearts be forever joined in love!

Wishing you both all the best!

Love,

Lauren  xxo

favorite design

one hundred and seventy-four: birthday cheer for Lisa

Lisa is one of my most favorite people. She has the best attitude about even the worst stuff. She inspires me endlessly (she had a heavy hand in this letter project!), makes me hoot with laughter, and she whips up a mean buffalo wing dip. What’s not to love?! Today she celebrates her birthday!

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June 24, 2011

Lisa,

Happy Birthday pretty lady! I hope today is full of birthday delights (balloons, cake, fanfare) and that ALL your wishes come true. May the year ahead be your best yet—I can’t think of anyone more deserving of rainbows + pots of gold! I am so lucky to have you as a friend! Looking forward to red-velvet cupcakes and celebratory cocktails in your honor! I heart you!

Love,

Lauren

xxo

uncookedland.com 

one hundred and seventy-three: a letter for a very patient receptionist

Isabella is the receptionist at my new dentist. This woman is a saint. I have a very tricky schedule—every day is different. And yet she manages to schedule my cleanings with expert skill. Thank you + props necessary.

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June 23, 2011

Isabella,

A big thank you for your unfaltering patience with me—I so appreciate it! I know my work schedule creates difficulty when making appointments. Thank you for always squeezing me in and working with me until something well, works (even if six messages are involved). You are a gem! And I just love getting appointment reminders from you—you have the best accent!

Thanks so much,

Lauren

Sarah Drake (graciously donated–thank you)

one hundred and seventy-two: a letter for a rock legend

 

I was a little late to the party–I didn’t see “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” until I was in college. The catalyst for watching the movie was of course the song by the same name (the tune was very popular during sorority rush, for obvious reasons). But I digress, today is Cyndi Lauper’s 58th birthday. And she is indeed a woman worth celebrating. Not just for her music, but for her activism. Let’s sing this 80’s pop legend a birthday ditty!

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June 22, 2011

Cyndi,

Happy Birthday! I cranked up a few of your greatest hits today, in your honor. I hope today is sparkly celebration with all the fancies you deserve! You are a legend and a true inspiration. I hope this year is full of melodies and wonderful surprises (like your impromptu performance in Buenos Aires)!

All the best,

Lauren

Good on Paper 

one hundred and seventy-one: letters for Quinn + Tula

Today’s letters go out to two letter lovers—one who eschewed technology for forty days (hats off, Quinn) and a veteran pen-pal.

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June 21, 2011

one hundred and seventy-one:

Quinn,

Firstly, your full name is awesome—you must get that all the time.

Secondly, how did your forty-day technology fast go? Your friend Jessica told me about your plan. Did you make it? I love that your friends mailed you letters to communicate (what good friends). I’m a letter-lover through and through, so much so, I’m writing a letter a day in 2011. Jessica sweetly asked me to put one in your box during your tech-free days, but I had oh so many requests. I hope a tardy letter is welcome all the same…

She also told me about your grand plans for sweet potato fries. Success? I have a mandolin and consider myself a fairly decent cook, but I’ve yet to master the fry technique. Mine always cook unevenly and are never crunchy enough! If you have any insider tips, I’m all ears.

All the best,

Lauren

P.S. I hope summer is treating you well and the beard is winning hearts and minds, wink.

sugar paper

+

one hundred and seventy-one and a half:

Tula,

I am always delighted to meet like-minded letter lovers! I love that you have carried on so many correspondences over the years. Why did you stop?! I’m sure your letters were little bits of cheer for their recipients, especially your grandfather.

So tell me, what are your favorite stationery lines? I’m always looking for new paper discoveries. I’ve been finding all sorts of gems on etsy lately.

I hope this here letter gives you a little nudge to start using your pretty paper again! The world is a better places with letters!

All the best,

Lauren

kate spade