Kindred Spirit Mailbox-Sunset Beach, NC

A few years ago I heard about a mailbox (Kindred Spirit) on a beach off the coast of North Carolina. I blogged about it and thought that if I was ever that way, I would make a trip to see this interesting mailbox. 

Fast forward a few years... My mom and I always read Nicholas Sparks books. As it is our tradition, she buys his books the day they come out, reads it, and then gifts it to me. I am a proud owner of all of the Nicholas Sparks books. Well his newest one "Every Breathe" came out in October and as tradition goes, I was given the book. To my surprise, he got the idea for the book from Kindred Spirit!

My mom and I talked about how great the book was and decided this year, for our annual Birthday adventure (we have the same birthday), we would go to North Carolina to see the Kindred Spirit mailbox! We mentioned it to my cousin who also loves Nicholas Sparks so she and her husband decided to meet us there for our adventure!

We stayed at an adorable Airbnb in Wilmington, NC for the weekend and on Saturday morning started our adventure to Kindred Spirit. Kindred Spirit is located on Bird Island in Sunset Beach, NC which is about an hour drive from Wilmington. We found some directions online and it said to park on 40th street, where there are only about 4 parking spots available as it is pretty much a residential resort area. Once you are parked, you walk down a long boarded walkway to the beach. When you get on the sand you will see a sign that says Kindred Spirit is to the right (away from the pier) and to walk about 1.4 miles and it will be up in the sand dunes. There used to be a flag that you would be able to spot, but I think hurricane Florence might have taken that down as there wasn't one there when we went to visit!

The walk was very relaxing. It isn't a very crowded beach and the sand is flat and compact (so much so, that you can ride your bike on it). It was a warm day during our adventure, but there was a refreshing breeze which made it nice. 

We were walking along and I was the first one out of our group to spot the mailbox and I got so excited! There was no one there, so that gave me a good chance to get some photos and enjoy the moment with just the four of us!

After we were there for about 20 minutes, several groups of women started gathering on the beach to visit the mailbox, so we were glad we had a little while to really take in the excitement of it all and read some of the letters inside. After I read a few, I wrote a little note myself in one of the notebooks.

Then we headed down towards the water where I gifted my Mom and Cousin with bracelets I had made to remember the trip by. They both loved them and were excited to wear them. I also have similar ones that I have made and they are for sale in my Etsy shop!

If you ever get the chance to check out Kindred Spirit, I highly recommend it. Some of the locals in town said it has gotten busier now that Nicholas Sparks has written about it, but in the cooler months, it is less crowded. Check out their official website for more info.

xo,

ellen

World's Smallest Post Service Kickstarter

BIG NEWS!

Lea Redmond at the World's Smallest Post Office has a new Kickstarter and it is awesome!

She wants to open a brick and mortar tiny post office and she needs our help!

You can watch her video on Kickstarter to see all the wonderful ideas she has planned and see all of the different pledge options!

Consider helping!

Image from WSPS Kickstarter

You can even be an Ambassador! Send an email to Adrienne (ant@leafcutterdesigns.com) with a list of name and addresses and they will mail a tiny postcard letting them know about the project!

  

Image from WSPS Kickstarter

Lea Redmond started World's Smallest Post Service back in 2008. Visit her website to learn all about this great concept and purchase a Tiny Mail Stationery Kit, so you can send tiny letters yourself!

xo,

e

Reasons to send a letter...

Since today is the start to Letter Writing Month, what better way to start it off than with a list of ideas to help you get started writing!

1. write a thank you note
2. write a letter to your future self
3. send a letter with a fun activity in it
4. send a text through the mail... a one sentence note
5. don't forget... kids love mail too
6. send a letter in multiple parts... they have to wait for the next part
7. write down your favorite quote and give it to a stranger
8. write a note to your letter carrier
9. draw your self portrait and send it to your friend
10. decorate the envelope... go crazy!
11. send an apology that you have been putting off
12. send your favorite celebrity some fan mail
13. send a letter to a friend to let them know you've been thinking of them
14. send a letter to your mom or dad
15. send a letter to your child, or any child for that matter
16. send a card to a new parent
17. send a get wall card for someone under the weather or recently had surgery
18. send a "thinking of you" card to someone experiencing a loss in their life
19. write your pen pal a letter
20. find a recipe in a magazine? cut it out and send it to a friend you know will enjoy it
21. make sure to send those birthday and anniversary cards

do you have any other tips and ticks to get people encouraged to write letters? If so, I would love to hear about them in the comments!

xo,
e

Sticker Subscriptions

I recently started subscribing to several sticker clubs after debating with myself over it for a long while, so I thought I would give my take on each of the three clubs that I currently subscribe to -- Stickii Club, Pipsticks, and Sticky Kit.

Stickii Club:

Stickii club is the first kit that I subscribed to. I bought one of their kits from their online store before subscribing and I have been a member of this club for a while now. This one arrives just a few days after it is shipped and they have two different shipping dates a month. They have one kit available, but with three different themes you can choose from:

-Cute Pack-

Kawaii/Warm/Pastel

-Retro Pack-

Vintage/Earthy/Nostalgic

-Pop Pack-

Bright/Trendy/Cool

All packs include:

5-6 Sticker Sheets

1 Sticker Flakes Bag

2-3 Stationery Items

Stickii Storage

$10/mo +shipping

They give sneak peeks of each pack at the beginning of the month so that you can decide which pack you want that month. I typically rotate between the cute pack and the pop pack! Those two have been my favorite so far. Sometimes, if I can't decide, I will add one of the packs for that month only. 

January Kit from Stickii Club

January Kit from Stickii Club

Instagram: @stickiiclub

Pipsticks:

I subscribed to Pipsticks after receiving a coupon code, so figured I would give it a whirl. The first month I received the welcome pack, and the pack that everyone gets their first month includes all of their most popular stickers. They recently changed their shipping method and it arrives a lot faster and there is only one shipping date a month now! They don't have monthly themes, so the stickers are always just a randomized assortment. They have several different kits you can subscribe to each month:

-Pro Club Classic-

15 Sheets of Stickers & Goodies

$17.95/mo 

-Pro Club Petite-

7 Sheets of Stickers & Goodies

$11.95/mo 

-Kid's Club Classic-

15 Sheets of Stickers & Goodies

$17.95/mo 

-Kid's Club Petite-

7 Sheets of Stickers & Goodies

$11.95/mo 

All of their subscription packages come in a reusable holographic pouch, a subscriber raffle ticket, an issue of "Pippy" (sticker club zine), access to the Sticker Club Facebook Group, exclusive Coupons & Printables, and 5% off in their online shop! The kids subscription club has stickers geared more towards kids, but lets be honest... it's stickers. I am sure you would love them as an adult too!

They also offer a printables subscription you can subscribe to.

Welcome Kit from Pipsticks

Instagram: @lovepipsticks

Referral Link: (https://www.pipsticks.com/refer/ellen-BRBNZHSR)And if you enter the Code: FRIENDSROCK at checkout, you will get $5 off your first pack!

Sticky Kit:

Sticky Kit was the last one that I subscribed to. I never received my January one and after about six weeks, I emailed them to let them know and they said they typically charge to send a replacement kit but would not this time. It definitely bummed me out that they were going to charge me again after not even receiving my first kit. However, they made it right so I was happy. The following week, my February kit arrived and it was "mail" themed! I LOVED it! This kit arrived in less than two weeks, so I figured the first kit never arriving was a fluke. They offer three different types of kits you can subscribe to:

-Sticker Kit-

4-5 Sticker Sheets

1 Sticker Flakes Pack

Extra Stationery Item

$12.99/mo + $2 shipping

-Washi Kit-

3-4 Japanese Washi Tapes

Extra Stationery Item

$14.99/mo + $3 shipping

-Combo Kit-

All the Stickers

All the Washi

2 Extra Stationery Items

$26.99/mo + $4 shipping

I like this subscription because everything is from Japanese companies, so it is stuff you won't be able to find locally as easily. I also like that each month is based on a certain theme. 

February Kit from Sticky Kit

Instagram: @stickykit

Overall, I think they are all three amazing sticker subscriptions and you can't go wrong with any of the three. I would have to say that out of the three, my overall favorite for the value and items included is the kit from Stickii Club! All three of them renew automatically and can be cancelled at any time, which is a plus for me!

So, if you are in the market to sign up for a sticker subscription I hope this post helped, and honestly, since you can cancel at any time, why not give them all a try and see what you think!

xo,

e

Vintage Flora Colors-Paper Source

Have you guys seen the new paper bar colors that Paper Source released at the beginning of March?

These beautiful colors are part of their new Vintage Flora line! I went to the store already, and picked myself up a pack of each color in the envelopes! I can't wait to use them for my snail mail!

You can see all the products offered at the paper bar in this new color line on their website!

Which color do you like best?

xo,
e

Take ORF Postcards

The other night I picked up my husband from the airport and wanted to get a picture in front of the new LOVE sign they had in the baggage claim. (They have these LOVE signs all over the state of Virginia so if you ever find yourself in Virginia and want to find one of the signs, you can view the map of all their locations.)

They have a sign next to the giant LOVE sign advertising "Snap and Share your Love" along with 5 plastic holders holding "Sending Love" postcards for you to take.

This is the second postcard design that I have seen available now at the airport. I just love this idea so much. Grab a postcard and send a little love while you are waiting for a flight or picking someone up. I of course, grabbed a handful so I can mail them out to friends and family! 

The above, is the spring postcard in the series of "Sending Love" postcards available at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia. After doing a little research online, I found out this is the third postcard so far. They have had a Fall (I also have a handful of those), Winter and now Spring! I think they are very well designed and I look forward to hopefully seeing more designs available in the future!

xo,

e

Valentines,VA Postmark

I wanted to share all the letters I received from my trip to Valentines, VA! It is so fun to have a mailbox filled with all the pink and red envelopes!

I just love the heart shaped postmark on every envelope along with the hand stamped heart Kathy

(the postmaster) stamps onto every envelope! It truly makes the mail that much more special!

I can't wait to head back to Valentines, VA next year!

Valentines, VA 2019

This past weekend my mom, Bells and I took our annual drive to Valentines, VA to mail all of our valentines! It takes about 2 hours to get there from where I live, so we make a day out of it. We always laugh that people probably think we are nuts for driving so far to mail letters. But it is something we look forward to every year and love doing!

We started out our day being matchy matchy in our Lularoe typewriter pattern! I had to have this dress as soon as I saw it. The pattern was so perfect!

44 valentines ready to be mailed!

Bells with some of her cards to mail!

I love all the vintage details about this post office! It has so much charm!

The postmaster Kathy has been the one behind the counter every year since we started going around 2014! She recognizes us every year and has seen Bells grow up since we have been coming in with her since she was 2 months old!

She gave Bells a gift bag this year filled with crayons and a coloring book! So sweet.

My mom and Postmaster Kathy

3 generations of letter mailers!

If you are ever up for a fun little journey next year I suggest adding the Valentines, VA post office to your list! And if you live to far away to make it there, you can always mail a stamped envelope full of pre-addressed stamped letters to them and they will make sure that they all receive the special Valentines, VA postmark and hand stamp! (More about the hand stamp in an upcoming blog post)

Valentines Post Office

23 Manning Drive

Valentines, VA 23887

xo,

e

Thank Your Mailman Day!

Today is...
THANK YOUR MAILMAN DAY!

You can celebrate by writing a nice little thank you note or leaving a treat for them today. 

I wrote a thank you note and got a chocolate bar for not only my mailman, but also the mailman that delivers to the company I work for! I hope this small gesture makes them feel special today!

Happy Groundhog Day!

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!

This summer, my family and I took a little road trip up to Boston and then over to Pittsburgh! On the way to Pittsburgh we stopped in Punxsutawney, PA to see the home of the famous Punxsy Phil!

We stopped by the gift shop first (DUH!) and I picked up a few groundhog themed things (stationery, a rubber stamp and some postcards, to name a few). Then we walked over to Phil's home in the center of town. He lives in his burrow outside the library when he isn't predicting the weather. After seeing him sleep we took a little drive to see where the famous prediction event happens! Gobbler's Knob! It was neat to see all this in person, since I see it on TV every year.

Once we were done at Gobbler's Knob we drove around trying to find the various Phil statues throughout town. This post office Phil was my FAVORITE! He is so cute in his little mail outfit!

So, what will the groundhog predict this year? More Winter or is Spring around the corner...

If you would like a chance to win a postcard that I picked up in the gift shop of post office Phil, comment on my post and I will draw one lucky winner!

Today is the Day! Postage Increase Begins

graphic created by me!

One of my 2019 goals is to get better at using procreate, so my first task was creating this infographic about the postage rate! It isn't the best design, but it gets the point across. :)

Regular stamps have gone up 5¢ for the first ounce to 55¢. Postcards will remain 35¢.

REGULAR MAIL RATES
Letters (1oz.) 55¢
Letters (additional ounces) 21¢
International Letters (1oz.) $1.15
Domestic Postcards 35¢

Handwriting Day!

Today is Handwriting Day!

There are several ways to celebrate, but my favorite is to take some time today and sit down to write a note to someone. I am going to celebrate today by getting caught up on some overdue letters!

How will you celebrate?

Delivery Exception...

Well this is a first... I was expecting a package from lemonystitch (adorable fabric wash tape) and instead of it being delivered, I got this message from USPS. I am not sure what kind of Animal Interference they had considering all I have at home is an indoor cat that likes to look out the window. Has anyone else ever received this message before?

When I do receive the adorable fabric washi I am waiting on, I can't wait to share it all with you!

Baby Shower Invitations-Basic Invite

Happy Friday everyone! I recently discovered Basic Invite and wanted to share them with you! They have beautiful designs that include baby shower invitations, business cards, stickers, and much more.

Basic Invite-Baby Shower Invite

I was especially drawn to the Bee Themed Baby Shower Invitations as the baby shower that my best friend held for me (How was that over three years ago already?) was bee themed and my daughter's bedroom is honey bee themed!

Basic Invite-Baby Shower Invitation

Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with an instant preview online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the smallest detail. This is definitely a huge draw! I don't know about you, but there have been a ton of times I have found an invitation online that I loved, but it wasn't the colors I wanted and there was no option to change it. I think this is awesome because you are not bound to the one or two color options they have chosen for you!

Basic Invite-Couples Baby Shower Invitation

If you know me, you know I love a good colored envelope! Basic Invite is just as colorful with their envelopes as they are with their invitations. You can choose from over 40 different colors to make your invitation stand out before it is even opened. All their envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be quickly and securely closed.

Basic Invite-Birthday Invitation

I definitely recommend that you go check them out and browse all their wonderful designs! You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram!

Right now Basic Invite is also offering 15% off with the coupon code: 15FF51