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-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 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 forty: a letter for Amelia Earhart

Seventy-nine years ago today, Amelia Earhart completed a two thousand mile transatlantic flight. Sure, Charles Lindbergh made the journey five years earlier (to the day in fact). But Ms Earhart was determined. And she succeeded. Don’t you just love that?!

Five years later she would embark on a trip around the world to never be heard from again. We lost a passionate and driven lady much too soon; thankfully her memory lives on.

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May 21, 2011

Amelia,

I’m having a cupcake at lunch today in your honor. Truly. Sure your transatlantic flight was impressive and deserves recognition. And your many aviation awards and honors are noteworthy. But I’ve always been more enchanted with your spirit.

You had such fierce determination and a fearlessness most men can’t muster. You flew to faraway places, wrote best-selling books, and you supported the Equal Rights Amendment when it was less than fashionable. And you were a sought after lady too—letting some man propose six times is cruel (and also a little bit awesome).

And even though your world flight didn’t go as planned, your memory continues to captivate. You are an inspiration to so many women (we did eventually get those equal rights) and a legend in your own right. Aviator caps off to you, wherever you’ve landed.

Fondly,

Lauren

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-seven: more sympathy for Claire

My darling friend Claire is kicking serious butt as a magazine editor in a war-torn country. I don’t know how she does it, but she is hands-down the most adaptable person I know. Claire’s been having a rough go of it. She’s far away from her family and friends, and well, lots of people have been leaving her life lately. If anyone deserves some mailbox cheer its this girl.

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May 18, 2011

Claire,

Almost immediately after I got your sorrowful news, I came across some poetic graffiti in the subway. A little Helen Keller for the commute: “ For all that we love becomes a part of us.” I think it reins especially true for the ones we love and loose, don’t you?

Your Dad will be a part of you forever—in your affinity for books, your taste in music, and most of all in your heart, every day. I know he was so very proud of you and that he loved you to the end of the earth and back. And now he’s got your back, somewhere in the sky…

You’re in my thoughts and prayers love. And if I can do anything, just say the word. I love you.

Love,

Lauren xxo

Dee and LaLa

one hundred and thirty-six: letters for Stefanie + Sara

Today’s letters go out to Stefanie and Sara. Stefanie recently celebrated a big birthday (I will keep the official number under wraps—girl code). And Sara spent twenty-nine days giving gifts to others—how inspiring is that?

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May 17, 2011

one hundred and thirty-six:

Stefanie,

Your friend JoCarol let me in on your birthday secret. I know I missed it, but happy belated. I hope there was a giant cake and enough balloons to float you home after the party.

I love your plans for this year—I am picturing you dancing around your bedroom with the Beatles “Revolution” turned up nice and loud. I think everyone should have a life checklist to keep them on track and I applaud you on yours. From the sounds of it you’ve got a load of friends to encourage you every step of the way.

Best of luck on your journey,

Lauren

Gartner Studios

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one hundred and thirty-six and a half:

Sara,

Your proud Mama bear wrote to me and told me all about your 29 Day Giving Challenge. Wow! I immediately wanted to know more.

I bet your lucky recipients felt so touched—isn’t it amazing how one small gesture can really make someone’s day? I have no doubt your commitment to this project has proved to be life changing. And I bet you’ve inspired a few people along the way too.

I applaud your efforts and your commitment Sara—I kind of want to take on the challenge myself (in full disclosure, I have a geeky love of wrapping paper and bows). Thanks for the great idea!

Fondly,

Lauren

Gartner Studios

one hundred and thirty-five: congratulations for Siho

Siho was one of my college roommates. We shared a flat in London, an apartment in Syracuse and on rare occasions, salad dressing. He has bigger muscles than should be allowed and a positively adorable giggle (he is such fun to see movies with!). And he just landed a sparkly new job, woohoo!

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May 16, 2011

Siho,

Congratulations on your new gig! I hear they’re working you hard, hopefully not too hard. But if I know you, you’re still living the mantra, “work hard, play harder.” I like the addition of doughnuts, you? Best of luck in the new position—I hope it brings you great success. Lets meet for a drink sometime, maybe out at the beach (if we’re both lucky)?

xxo Lo

Soulissimo

(the inside of the card says: work hard, play harder, eat doughnuts)

one-hundred and thirty-four: congratulations for Kristin

Friends, it’s all weddings all the time in my world. Last night, my oldest friend got engaged. Her fiancé let me in on his proposal plans, so like any good friend I was waiting by the phone, hot with anticipation. I picked up on the first ring wherein a giggly Kristin revealed the details of her seaside proposal. Now I’m all tickled too!

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May 15, 2011

Kristin,

CONGRATULATIONS! Yes, all caps are necessary for my bonded buddy! Even though I knew this was coming (your now-fiancé was gushing about his plans at Er’s wedding) I am still wrapping my head around this—I feel like just yesterday we were talking about our middle-school crushes while catching waves at the beach. I think we’re officially growing up old friend—can this really be?

I am so very happy for you. Best of all I love that I’ll be standing beside you for another milestone (this summer makes twenty-two years of us—beat that Jon!). I can’t wait to give you an in-person squeeze.

Love you lots,

Lauren  xxo

Mr. Boddington’s Studio