The Lost Art of the Handwritten Note

The handwritten note… It’s a lost art, and such a treat to receive one.  Truly, with email, texts, instant messaging, Facebook, and cell phones, it’s a rare gift to receive a handwritten note.   My friend Stephanie sent me a beautiful note, hand-written, and it made such a lovely impression I decided to dedicate a blog to it!  I’ve kept her note in my purse (along with one from my Dad, that means the world to me), and it makes me smile each time I see it… Heck, I’ll probably ask that it be buried with me …but hopefully not for a very long time!

These are some notecards and stationery that I have either received, or own, and love them all… Pick note cards and stationary that reflect who you are, or chosen especially for the person you are writing the note to…not ones that are necessarily reflective of moi, as these denote. :)

Dempsey and Carroll:  The Simon Doonan Collection, with these snappy sayings:

$50 at TT Patton in Barrington (a truly Fabulous store specializing in the art of fine writing).

Dare to be Fabulous:

Shoe Girl: this was a poster, that I copied off the internet, and had note cards made from it:

Leopard Stationary – $10.95 – Papyrus

I received this in a birthday card, and was thrilled I found it in notecards, $16.95 at Papyrus

Simple with a twist…I love cupcakes, but hear ”cupcakes are sooooo 2010″.  I mean, who knew (unless you are a regular reader of this blog, then you already hear it)?  What I do know is I adore these note cards…and would adore them even more with a “T”!  www.myexpression.com 10/$10.95

Kate Spade Note set – $10 at TJ Maxx.  I find fantastic  notecards, invitations and stationary here, and always at great prices.

I remember reading that Princess Diana used to write personal notes to people, all the time.  In fact, when she would arrive home from a dinner or engagement, she used to pen a personal note that very evening.  What a lovely legacy to leave and hopefully the recipients kept them.   Priceless.

Trust me, a hand written note, even on a napkin, will make a lovely impression on the recipient.  My friend Kathy and I were at a bar (I know, shocking), and she wrote me a note on a napkin that said, “The first one is on the house”…and I did one for her as well, and we both have kept those napkins!  And don’t ask what it means, for I’m not sure we even remember…what I do remember, is I have a keepsake, from a wonderful afternoon with a dear friend.    So order some note cards, stationary, or post it notes, and keep a supply of stamps on hand…next time you think of someone, put pen to paper, (or stick to parchment as my Uncle used to say), and make someone’s day!  

Happy Writing,

xoxo,

T.

And for everyone who comments on this blog, I will send You a hand-written note.  The first one is on the house.   :)

PS – Many of my friends and family are great at writing beautiful hand-written notes.  Sadly, I lack in such social graces.  However, a new resolution for the year…let’s call it my post St. Patrick’s Day resolution, is to write more hand-written notes.  I will touch base mid year and let you know how it’s going.

Good Manners are Always in Style!

 

OK – I have a bee in my bonnet.  What is wrong with some people?  Why have good manners gone the way of the covered wagon…I think I’m polite…People even comment on it.  Both my children are polite, and I always receive compliments on how polite they are.   But that is the way it’s supposed to be…We are All supposed to be polite.

Remember Barney the Purple Dinosaur?  How could you forget?  Barney sang a song about saying please and thank you, and I truly think some adults need to listen to that song, and act like little sponges.   I don’t think I could stand to listen to it again, as Meredith’s favorite TV show was Barney, but I’m polite, and do not feel I need this refresher.

Pardon me is one of my favorite sayings.  Instead of saying “excuse me”.  I say pardon me.  I like the words so much, that I enjoy saying them.  Plus, it’s really good manners when you bump into someone, cough, sneeze, pass by someone, interrupt, burp or perhaps let go of other bodily functions. 

I always hold a door open for people coming in after me…Always.  and I sometimes hold it waiting for someone to come in, who is quite a bit away from the door.  More often than not, Women…yes, Women, will saunter in, and not even say thank you.  Hey…I’m a woman too…and I am holding open the door, and you do not bother to say thank you?  Most men insist on taking the door, and always say thank you.  Ladies…put forth the correct example,and when someone holds a door for you, say thank you.

This is a gentle reminder for all of us… but try to return emails and phone calls.  I admit, at times, I am so overwhelmed by phone calls, that I cannot always return a phone call in a prompt manner.  But I really try.  Plus, if I cannot call someone back, I do try to email them to let them know when I can speak to them.  Some of my favorite people in the world don’t always return my call or email as promptly as I would like, and I find it shocking.   I always think, who wouldn’t want to speak to me, or engage in a little email banter? It’s not easy, and everyone is busy, but please try and make an effort.  It’s good manners.  It’s good business. 

Other examples of rudeness that rile us me and my sister Megan (who was kind enough to provide these examples)…People who pull all the way to the front of the line in backed up traffic and then cut in front of everyone else who has been waiting… People who don’t give you “the wave” when you’ve let them in front of you in traffic; people who spill their coffee, creamer, sugar, etc on the communal kitchen counter at work places and don’t clean up after themselves;  We could go on and on and on.

Remember your manners, and you’ll be remembered, fondly.  Watch your words, as they can come back to haunt you.  Be nice to others, and they will be nice to you.  Gosh…I do believe my mother told me all these oh so long ago!  and as usual, she was right.   Mothers usually are.  Just ask Mer Mer and Paddy.

xoxo

T.