Ladies. I have so much to write about. Oona’s Bridal Shower was this past weekend and the weekend in Cincinnati was just way too short!
I landed home in Philly on Sunday. As you can see, I was plum tuckered out from the food and beverages consumed!
We had a blast and it was somewhat bittersweet for me. My baby is getting married in a little over two months. She and Sam will begin their lives as one and I feel my job is done.
My baby and me. It felt as though I began to give her away!
But before I get all misty-eyed, there’s something else that I want to tell you about.
I got more than misty-eyed when Oona’s Maid-of-Honor gifted both me and Sam’s mother, Anna, these hankerchiefs. Both moms cried! Isn’t it beautiful?
The shower was not given by me. The shower was hosted by Sam’s two sisters with the help of their mom. And because of the time constraints, she opted to not have an additional shower here in the Philly area. She feels that since everyone is traveling and spending money on accommodations for the wedding, a shower would be asking too much.
Stay tuned…I’ll be writing about the Cincinnati weekend later this week!
More will be written about the shower later this week. In the meantime, I still recovering!
But…. about a week before the shower, I was contacted by the people at Paperless Post. As I read about this online stationary company, I became more and more intrigued.
This is my new obsession! Everyone’s going to be getting little cards from me!!
Why? You might ask? Well….it dawned on me that we don’t take the time to actually write to anyone anymore. Do you remember the days of Pen Pals and writing letters to those you hadn’t seen in a long time?
Remember those days of ..well, not plumes but of fountain pens and writing letters? I do!
Back when I was a young girl, it was a very exciting moment whenever we received letters from our relatives in Ireland and Australia. The whole family gathered around the table to hear my dad read our family’s words.
Even when Bonaparte’s aunt, Daniele was alive, she would write letters to me in either French or broken English and I would follow suit.
Check out the date on the letter Daniele wrote to me. I kept all her letters. They are very sweet to look back on!
These days, I still look forward to the little notes and clippings that my Aunt Terry sends to me.
The notes that my Aunt Terry sends me are also kept! It’s like a treasure chest of letters!
But that’s rare. Our current means of writing these days is by texting or email.
An invitation of sorts from Oona for me to cook dinner! Our means of communication–texting!
Trust me, the times, they are a changin’—this was the first birthday on record that I didn’t receive any cards via the USPS. My greetings came in the forms of emails, Facebook birthday wishes and Instagram birthday wishes. I ain’t complaining either—I’m becoming more aware of our changing social habits!
And that’s where Paperless Post comes in. Since we live in hurried and busy times, this ingenious company has taken the work out of getting into the car, driving to the store, spending hours searching for the right card.
A sampling of an invite! I’ll be there!!
All you need to do is head to the website and peruse the variety of various cards, stationery, invitations and announcements.
Best stationery I’ve ever seen! The NYC skyline–just for me to you!
You can even send announcements and flyers out via your iPhone!
Isn’t that nice? And so much better than an e-bill!
The premise is easy-peasy. You purchase “coins” that you use to “purchase” your card, invitation, or announcement of choice.
You fill in with any one of the text sizes and fonts. If you chose, you can purchase an envelope or use the free envelope offered. Various backgrounds add some visual interest too!
Fonts, colors, text–all your choice! This is greatness!
And…you add your contacts to the site for easy sending. I’m presently texting everyone I know for their email addresses and I’ve got a few cards in “My Post Box” at the ready for emailing!
I’ve got some thank you cards in my post box waiting to be sent!
I like this. It’s more fun than a generic email and it adds a little “something something” bringing a little note to another level.
While we may not have time to sit down and compose a letter with pen, ink, and parchment these days, we can make time to use our computers to compose an e-letter, invite or card!
I’m guessing that years of The Palmer Method of writing is being replaced by a variety of fonts that can make letter-writing more fun and creative!
What say you? Have you gone the Paperless Post route yet? How long has it been since you wrote to someone? Paperless Post is making it mighty easy!!
The possibilities are endless. Why…I think I’ll create a card to send to my sons that reads “Call you Mother!!!” Love, Your Mother!
It’s really funny because Paperless Post came to me at a time when I can really use the offerings! I may create recipe cards to send out too!
…or perhaps a flyer!
Let me know in the comments how you write—or if you do–or if you’ve gone Paperless Post!
Let me know what your thoughts are because now I don’t have to wait until others get gray hair before I write to them! Now that I have Paperless Post, I’ll be writing more often!
The funny thing is last year I sent out Christmas cards via USPS and my friends and family were excited to get ”real” cards. I might do paperless for some events but old school for others.
Hi Animar! How the times have changed! I remember when we used to get a ton of Christmas Cards via the USPS…and it’s morphed into texts, Instagram posts and FB posts! My husband always mails cards to his clients!!! XXOXOXOXOXO
How exiting these months will be for you and more for Oona of course. I used to have a pennpall way back. We didn t even have computers as we have now. So we had to write!
Hi Nancy! Yeah…the timer to the wedding is a clickin’!! I had a pen pal in Ireland! XXOXOXO
Before I start commenting on the paperless post (too exciting – what a GREAT idea), I just have to say how gorgeous your girl is – not only is she antithesis of the big hype and bridezillery nonsense which makes me adore her even though we haven’t met, but you know she is going to have a great life when her future in laws want to host her party, she will be well loved – you’re not parting with her Cathe. You’re sharing and as a parent you do that anyway – it’s all good – better than good (but a big hug anyway), its a sign that everything you’ve done (and we doubt ourselves as mums) has been great so far, you’ve still plenty of parenting to be doing.
Now the paperless thingy – too exciting. When our son died I found I couldn’t open cards that came in the post, I still find Christmas cards too traumatic – nr1 kid does that duty for me, but I LOVE cards – just NOT in envelopes and NOT Christmas cards. I think your idea of recipes on these wee cards etc is utter greatness (oooh distracted – I saw a birthday card of Paris with balloons…), and if it hides the utter embarrassment of my appalling handwriting (leftie – smeary and very bad) then that’s good too. I cant wait to get going with this – exciting!!!
and yep – I had penpals, I am still great friends with my Swedish girl and a German boy – almost 40 or so years later 🙂
Juliet! Thank you so much. It’s so odd because my mind always teeters between …my kids are so independent–either I did a great job at parenting or I sucked so badly that they wanted to be far away. You validated the first choice so I thank you!
I never knew you lost a child and my heart goes out to you I understand why you don’t want mailed cards.
But……..I’m thrilled you like the Paperless Post. I’m taking some time out this weekendto check out more of the offerings!!! XOXOXOXO
Paperless Post is brilliant but I still like getting snail mail – I am old school for sure because everything is digital. Glad it can be beautiful as well!
xo,
Kellyann
Hi Kellyann! I’ll tell you it’s the best of both worlds. We can still be old school and buy cards at the store and have the Paperless Post for when we can’t make it! Right?? XOXOXOXO
Well I embraced paperless cards for some occasions, when we moved from England to Spain. Firstly, there’s not much choice here in Almeria province, when it comes to cards and postage is very expensive. However special birthdays and Christmas , I still send the real cards to family and very close friends. It did feel impersonal when I started a few years ago but now…….. x
PS looking forward to seeing your MOB outfit!!!
Hi Carole. That’s a great point. I know when Daniele or when Bonaparte’s dad sent mail it took forever.
Teehee. I’m looking forward to my MOB reveal!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXO
I never used paperless cards. I always send a mailed card. I’m old fashion I guess.
Congrats to your daughter. A lot of exciting things happening for you.
Your wigs are beautiful by the way!
Have a great day!
Thank you Denise! Yeah. It’s an exciting time for sure. My wigs…MY WIGS!! I love the fact I can change up my hair every day!!! XOXOXOXO
I never heard of paperless post…interesting…I designed, drew, colored and mailed Christmas cards last year just because it makes me happy….I am now doing pop up cards and get a kick out of them too…so I guess I’m still old school…well, OK…funky old school. 🙂
Hey Jean! Old school or not, I’ll bet your cards are great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXO
I regularly send pretty cards by postal mail to my friends because it still makes my day to see a personal card or letter from someone I love. It is still such special and, yes, becoming rare.
So true. The cards we receive from the USPS are very special and always make us happy–but, as an alternative, this isn’t too shabby!!! XOXOXOXO
I ould love some of your recipes or all of your recipes on a paperless post. Now this is going to sound really dumb. Does that mean you don’t actually get a letter? You get something simply on your computer? Didn’t know you could just send notes or cards. I thought Paperless post was for invitations. What do I know?
Hi Sandy! Any letter can be sent via the internet. It’s an interesting concept and I’m still playing around but I am seriously thinking of recipe cards! You know a lot–especially about lipstick! XOXOXOXOXO
What a beautiful post Catherine as always. Accessing my e mails in the library today at a quiet time where i get a sense of space as opposed to home where somehow I feel hemmed in when going online. Love all your photos especially the one of you and Oona and the lovely handkerchiefs.
I became a little watery eyed when reading the bit about receiving letters from Ireland in particular which reminded me of the newsy ones my aunt (mother’s sister) used to write before any of us had a phone. I still have old letters from familie’s relatives in Australia, here and Ireland but none from U.S.A. where dad lived for a short period of course before he met mum. Mum told me she and dad wrote regularly to one another when both living in Ireland and when he lived in London. Only the other day when looking for something I came across a letter my dad had written to my brother when my brother and I were in Ireland for a wedding. Mum used to say he hated letter writing so for him to keep it up over the years must have been no mean feat.
Every now and again I write short notes to friends which I enjoy doing. I always write birthday, Christmas and post cards to select people. The Irish Christmas card list is slowly dwindling as people pass away however there are still a sizeable few
.I do find Christmas posting quite stressful as nowadays, as well as choosing and writing cards I have to weigh and send by air mail etc. I visit The Gambia regularly and my last visit was 27 December 2018 to 28th April 2019. Before my visit I found the added pressure of Christmas preparations including Christmas card posting, holiday preparations including difficulties accessing relevant vaccines was exhausting. Last Christmas was exhausting also without the holiday pressures.
Your post is quite timely Catherine as only the other day i booked my next trip to start 4th December well before all the rush. I envisage writing post/ christmas cards from a Gambian beach.
I will revisit this post to access your link.
Thank you and I look forward to your next update 🙂
Hi Margaret. It was so nice to read about your family”s letter writing as well. My dad was a lot like your dad. I know the letter-writing was taxing for him as he had little time but his letters turned into novels! And the news we received was always so interesting and fun!
The Gambia and the beaches must be so beautiful–I know you will have a restful and delightful time there in December! XOXOXOXO
❤️😎💍👒👗👠🌝🍾🍹🏖
I have to agree with previous posts, I like getting mail…my family jokes about it but always fun to see what could be there…a new magazine, a card, a fun catalog to browse. I also like picking out fun cards for my friends and sending them for no reason. I didn’t really see just general I am thinking of you cards with funny thoughts or pictures…does the site have those?
Hi Nancy. I know what you mean and boy…I used to get a TON of catalogues and magazines. I stopped the magazines when they became more youth-oriented and left our demographic out in left field..but I miss thumbing through catalogues. I remember when J. Crew was mail-order only! Yeah..the site does have thinking of you and other cards. It’s pretty cool! XOXOXOXO
Hi again Catherie, have just posted some pics of Gambian seasides if you want to take a look. recently been having word press tehno problems so I would appreciate some feedback as to whether you can access the post.
Just realised relevance of beatles song ‘When I’m 64’ which of course is on 12th July. By coincidence I have just booked in for four nights from 13th May staying at Adelphi Hotel in centre of Liverpool. I have always loved the city and it’s people. It holds so many memories for me;- visits to Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King (affectionately nicknamed locally as ‘Paddy’s wigwam’ when it first opened and in later years with mum r.i.p and of course the many sailings in later years on the Liverpool-Dublin overnight crossing. Mum used to sing ‘In my Liverpool home’ on arrival.
I am looking forward to my stay and my list of things to do gets longer by the day, good reason for another trip. Thanks so much for triggering this link :).
I have recently stumbled onto your blog and I love it. I am approaching the 60 year birth date this year and I am always looking for women who inspire.
Now, about the Write Way to Communicate. I love technology and I am one to send a Thinking of You text at the drop of a hat. BUT, there is something to be said about someone taking the time to sit down and write a handwritten note. To think that someone thought of me ahead of time by purchasing a card or stationary and then sat down to put pen to paper to convey their thought….it makes my aging heart so grateful.
That being said, I stopped sending Christmas Cards a few years ago and I am one who will make a Facebook post to wish my friends and family a Merry Christmas. That is why the Paperless Post intrigues me; there is still thought behind it and it seems like it can be somewhat individualized.
Note to self: Look in to it! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Valerie! And thank you so much. I’m appreciative and happy that you enjoy this blog. We are on the same page with the greetings! While I love receiving actual mail, these days, it’s just so much easier to send greetings in that non-tangible way of the internet. Seriously.. My siblings and I have a text network and we all just Happy Mother’s Dayed to all. My kids–text or on special days such as this, the phone calls arrived! The Paperless Post is incredibly intriguing and so far, I’m pleased with it. I’ve sent “cards” which were well-received! XOXOXOXO