one hundred and fifty-eight: a letter for Dr. Win

Friends, I got glasses. I’ve been blessed with surprisingly good eyesight despite my genetics (both my Mom and Dad were in specs by age twelve). I’m still getting used to my frames, feeling a little shy like Avery. But thanks to Dr. Win, eye extraordinaire, my left eye is getting a helpful little boost.

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June 8, 2011

Dear Dr. Win,

Thanks for the flawless eye exam! I feel like it was my best yet—no sweaty palms or wooziness—and I left with my first ever prescription. Extra thanks for squeezing me in on such short notice. I’m pleased to report I found a lovely pair of Warby Parker glasses that are suiting me quite nicely. I’ve almost adjusted and have noticed a tremendous difference after hours in front of the computer.

Thanks again!
Lauren

Crane & Co. 

one hundred and fifty-six: a letter for Candace

Today marks the fourteenth anniversary of Sex and the City’s television debut. Fourteen years—can you believe it? Nearly four million viewers tuned in to the premiere, and by the end, ten million were hooked. (And still are—despite owning the series on dvd, I just watched back-to-back episodes on E!)

I so admire the brains behind the charming characters we’ve come to know and love (and assign to our girlfriends). Candace Bushnell wrote what she knew, and became wildly successful for an alter ego. How fabulous is that?!

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June 6, 2011

Candace,

I’m sure you get lots of fan mail, but I like to think of this note as thank-you mail. I hope you will too.

I’m a big fan, mind you. I think you are just swell!

I’ve read all your books, save the young adult series and am most impressed by your characters. The four women of Sex in the City are shinning examples of your brilliance: complex, confident, and uncharacteristically independent. These disarming gals taught us about friendship and the empowerment of female sexuality. They encouraged us to be true to ourselves, to chase our dreams and to never give up on love. Thank you for thinking them up. I don’t think there will ever be a better foursome. Ever.

Fondly,

Lauren

P.S. I love that your alter ego stole the heart of millions—including mine!

old school kate spade writing paper

Muji pen

one-hundred and fifty-five: a postcard for Kevin

Kevin is a natural joy-spreader. He has an amazing sense of humor, an uncanny skill for retouching photos and a tattoo of the solar system. Does it get any better than that? And today he’s getting a “YOU’RE AWESOME” letter because he is.

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June 5, 2011

Kevin,

I caught up with Charles the other day and he told me his fabulous news. I don’t know how you did it, but I am OH so glad you did. He is so happy! You may have a whole new career in sales, or law for that matter, wink. Thanks for being such an all around great guy. Must see you soon!

Lauren xxo

enormous champion for Chronicle Books postcard

one hundred and fifty-three: a letter for Dwight

My friend Elizabeth and I have a penchant for dance. We’ve become especially smitten with Complexions, a contemporary ballet company based in New York.

We took in a performance at the Joyce last week, and realized after the first act we’d already seen the parts of the show—oops! I guess we are officially groupies. The second act was new (and amazing) and the last act was this great U2 compilation that left me jazzed (once again). The dancers have the most incredible bodies and the choreography is so unique. As Elizabeth said, you’ll never want to eat carbs again! If you ever have a chance to see these amazing dancers perform, take it. You won’t be sorry.

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June 3, 2011

Dwight,

I took in a performance at the Joyce last week and was blown away. Your choreography is just brilliant! I love the fluid movements, mix of methods and ambiguous story lines that permeate each performance. And those dancers of yours are nothing short of amazing. Your music choices are pretty darn great too—that rendition of Swing Low Sweet Chariot gave me goosebumps.

Thanks for sharing your talent and such a unique vision of dance. I am already looking forward to your fall performances.

Best,

Lauren

Mr. Boddington’s Studio 

one hundred and fifty-one: a letter for Grace

I think Grace Bonney is just brilliant—she has a great eye for design and a seemingly endless supply of inspiration. She generously catalogs her finds and musings on her blog, Design*Sponge. Today the site launched its fancy re-design. Everything is shiny and new and even better than before (no, really!).

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June 1, 2011

Grace,

Congratulations on your fantastic redesign! I can only imagine the hours you’ve logged planning the design, cataloging posts and making everything just right.

And just right it is! I love the new color scheme. And the improved organization system delights this type-A girl. I’m even into the ads—which never happens!

Congratulations on a job well done! And thank you for providing such quality content to all the design lovers out there. I don’t know what I would do without you!

Best wishes,

Lauren

Tokketok

one hundred and forty-nine: a letter for a soldier

As you heat up the grill and slice the first watermelon of summer, please remember the people who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. In honor of Memorial Day, today’s letter goes out to a soldier.

A Million Thanks delivers letters to soldiers stationed all over the world—more than five million have been delivered! I encourage you to send a letter too–can you think of anyone more deserving? I wonder if he/she will write back… I’m already giddy with anticipation!

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May 30, 2011

Dear Soldier,

My name is Lauren, and I’m writing a letter a day in 2011. It’s a little 365-day project I embarked on this year. So far it’s been an amazing journey.

I thought you were especially deserving of some correspondence today, it being Memorial Day here in the states. Our country honors your service and your sacrifices today, alongside some potato salad of course. I hope there are hot dogs wherever you are…

I live in New York City, where we just welcomed some very fine service men and women during Fleet Week. I think they brought summer along with them. Our temperatures have spiked—hot and humid days are ahead. I’m not complaining though. It was a long winter and I’m a southerner at heart (I grew up in Florida). What’s the weather like where you’re stationed?

I’m a long time letter-lover. I bet you love receiving letters. They’re the best part of my day and I have plenty of other distractions. What do you like to do to pass the time? I’ve been working on my crossword skills. I’m trying to work up the courage to attempt the Sunday Times’ Puzzle. I also love Scrabble. I’m a word-girl, what can I say?

Before I go, I do want to say thank you. I know you’re making a huge sacrifice for the safety and well being of me and our country. And for that I am so appreciative! I know your daily grind must be thankless, but please know there are strangers out there thinking of you and hoping for your safe and speedy return home. Thank you again.

All the best,

Lauren

P.S. If you want to follow my letter-writing adventures (and have internet access) visit www.lettersfromlauren.com.

P.P.S. I wouldn’t hate it if you wrote back, wink.

Muji writing paper 

one-hundred and forty-six: a letter for Dr. Lyon

Yesterday I endured my annual physical. I’m extremely lucky to be in excellent health, but something about any doctor’s office makes me queasy. And don’t even talk to me about the vials of blood they extracted—I pull a Scarlett O’Hara almost every time I see a needle. But my doctor is lovely. And the chocolate croissant I treated myself to post-visit made things almost okay.

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May 27, 2011

Dr. Lyon,

It was a pleasure seeing you yesterday. I much prefer preventative visits to the ones where I’m congested or can’t swallow. Your calming demeanor and thorough, yet informal discussion of my health makes the experience as pleasant as a doctor’s visit can be.

Big thanks for keeping me in tip-top shape and for the cardiologist recommendation. I look forward to receiving my next echo on a table that can accommodate my long legs, ha!

With any luck at all, we’ll meet again this time next year (and no sooner).

In good health,

Lauren

effie’s paper  (graciously donated–thank you!)

one hundred and forty-two: a letter to James + Jacob

Postcard: Bryant Park Corporation / 34th Street Partnership

A big anniversary celebration is taking place on Fifth Avenue right now: The New York Public Library turns one hundred today. Guarded by two gargantuan lions (Patience and Fortitude), the majestic building at 42nd Street has been spruced up for the occasion. In honor of this milestone, I decided to write to James Lenox and Jacob Astor. These two gentlemen smartly merged their libraries in 1911 to create a truly impressive collection of knowledge.

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May 23, 2011

Dear Mr. Lenox and Mr. Astor,

I know it was a tough decision to merge your respective libraries in the midst of financial difficulties, but I think you made the right decision. Today the library you helped create is celebrating one hundred years of service. One hundred years gentlemen! If you were still around such an occasion would surely call for a top hat and tails.

Your generous philanthropy has benefitted so many New Yorkers, and thanks to this newish thing called the Internet, people all over the world. Yes, the world!  The Library has become part of the fabric of this city—both its historic location on Fifth Avenue and the eighty-nine locations spread throughout the five boroughs. Your impressive collection of one million books has grown to total more than fifty million items, including materials for the visually impaired. And those lions out front, well, let’s just say they’ve had their photograph taken a few times.

Thank you for making such a forward-thinking decision. You’ll be pleased to know the current leadership of the library is following in your footsteps. And yet, the historic charm remains—especially in the research facilities, which I have benefited from on more than one occasion. I wish you could be here to see this, but I trust you’re toasting with a glass of scotch somewhere…

All the best to you both,

Lauren

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 twenty-eight: a letter for Etta

Etta is a most charming lady. She is tiny in stature, but large in spirit. And for the last six weeks, every Wednesday night, she’s been advancing my knowledge of typography. I have had such fun geek-ing out to letterforms with like-minded peers. Etta is wonderfully patient and so encouraging—she’s the kind of teacher everyone should have at least once (this makes three classes for me–I’m extra lucky!).

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May 9, 2011

Etta,

I am a wee bit sad about this semester coming to a close. Mostly because I’ve taken all three classes you teach—there’s nothing left to enroll in!

I so enjoyed talking type weekly and pouring over your amazing book collection. And while my branding project is still wanting, I learned an awful lot.

Thank you for your wisdom and your encouragement. Learning from you has been such a pleasure. I do hope we’ll stay in touch—I know I intend to continue filling your inbox with my type finds, wink.

All the best to you,

Lauren

Paper + Cup