I just love getting mail, real mail. In today’s sea of bills and catalogs, a card is a rare treasure.
I’m especially fond of the ‘change of address’ card (what can I say, I’m a sucker for tradition). It’s rare in a city like New York where people change addresses with the seasons. So when one came across my post, I felt compelled to send a reply (I was wooed by Phyllis Theroux’s words, what can I say?).
How do you let friends and family know of your new address?
I’m a sucker for good stationery. I’ve even been known to travel for it (or coerce unsuspecting travel companions off the beaten path in the name of paper). It’s true.
I wrote loads of letters while I was ‘away’ so I thought I’d catch you up on a couple of highlights. In this case, the only potato salad recipe you’ll ever need. With a forecast like this, bbq season must be around the corner. Happy weekend friends!
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I gave up my paper subscription to The New York Times many years ago, and a part of me misses it. There is nothing quite like holding a newspaper in your hands, creasing the folds in an effort to make more room on your breakfast table. Every so often my Mom will save a section of the paper, especially if she thinks one of the articles will “speak” to me (one of the million things I love about that woman). This weekend she set aside the Sunday Styles section. And for good reason.
Paris is a city like no other. Gorgeous architecture, fashionable women, kissing couples, patisseries… its the kind of place that nestles into your soul and never leaves. It’s pure magic.
I’m in this sweet spot right now where things are pretty darn great. And I am so grateful. I have my health, a wonderful family and a job I love. Sometimes I want to stop time or at the very least have a strong reminder of this moment in my life. I’ve never written letters to my future self, but I’m kind of digging the idea.
Ah, let’s pick up where we left off, shall we?
As promised, I’m posting the letter I wrote to Claire on her wedding day. And because I hurriedly penned this pre-wedding (in the car no less), there is no photographic evidence of my correspondence. Instead, I give you the beautiful bride (and a link). The note is peppered with references spanning our thirteen year friendship. I maintain the real goodness of any letter its the stuff that comes straight from the heart.
Garrett Nudd
So this happened! I never expected to stay away so long, really. But you know how these things go. I had a grand plan of returning post-wedding with a honeymoon glow and a sharpened pencil. There were plans for letter-lovely gift guides (gift guides are my ultimate guilty pleasure) and holiday cards, oh my.
But then the reality of being out-of-office for three weeks took over. And there were presents to wrap and champagne to drink and winter doldrums to combat… the list goes on. But I am back. And so delighted to be penning letters again. Know someone who needs a proper letter? Email or tweet me!
I came across the most wonderful thing over the weekend: a postcarden. Its a post card! No, its a garden!
Pop open the vegetable ink-based card, water the base, sprinkle the seed packet and watch it grow. It thrives on sunny desks and window sills–in two to three days time you’ll have unruly sprouts of Lepidium sativum filling the archways. A cityscape and a botanical garden are available for purchase ($12 each) through Uncommon Goods. OH, and don’t forget to buy extra postage–it costs about $1.30 to mail gardens domestically.
Wouldn’t this be just the best surprise mail?!
P.S. Apologies in advance for my light posting. Our wedding is quickly approaching, and my head is spinning with to-do lists. I will write as much as I can between now and then, scouts honor.
The wedding bliss continues: my dear friend and longest-running roommate got married on Saturday. I am still beaming with love and happiness for her and the lucky groom. It was such an honor to be a part of the ceremony and watch her make the biggest commitment of her adult life. She is one in a million friends.
