Episode 12 - The Lost Art of Letter Writing
Show Notes:
Our special guest today is Emily Hamel, owner and creator of I Miss Post. We talk with Emily about the lost art of letter writing, her passion for postcards and how that fits in with her Soul Style.
Emily’s Soul Style:
Emily’s French heritage, love of travel and ephemera are infused in all aspects of her Soul Style. Her home is filled with collections that have personal meaning and a deep connection to her family’s history and culture.
The Little Prince book and a framed 50 Franc note of French money with the little prince on it 2. Oyster shell from a a remote island in western Canada used as a soap dish; and French linen from Emily’s grand-mere from the turn of the century used as a hand towel 3. Vintage Chilean magazine covers from the early 1950’s with Autumn lanterns 4. Vintage French bug educational poster; clock with 9 world time zones; vintage bird drawing from Parisian flea market; framed bug from San Francisco taxidermy store & slate used in French elementary schools with Antoine de Saint-Exupery quote “make your dream devour your life, so that life does not devour your dream”. 5. Picaso & Yves Saint Laurant postcards 6. Receipt clipboard from a flea market used as an ever evolving postcard display 7. French vintage postcard and magazine clipping on mini secretary desk 8. Man Ray postcard in frame 9. Airplane safety card wall
What postcard writing means to Emily:
Mindfulness - taking the time to pause and be in the present moment with care and reflection on the other person
Time - because the sender has taken time out of their busy lives to find the postcard, write the message, find your address and send the postcard. All of which feel more limited in this current day and age
Love - as in I care for you and this is specifically for you with a personalized message.
Joy - because small gestures can make a huge impact on someone and postcards are intrinsically delightful
Emily’s favorite places to find postcards:
Art gallery gift shops
Extremely touristy gift shops. As in over the top cheesy and at times possibly retro
Vintage shops / flea markets
Book shops
Chronicle Books out of San Francisco make great postcard packs by theme and often come with 100 different postcards for $19.95
Emily’s Soul Style Discovery:
In this turbulent year of 2020, I have once again reread my favorite book of all time, “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, which is a brilliant read for both kids and adults alike. There is something mysterious about the little prince who looks at the world through the eyes of a child but articulates his observations like a wise man. It is a book for the children in us all. Favorite quote: Voici mon secret. II est tres simple: on ne voit bien qu’avec le coeur. L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. Which translates to: Here is my secret. It is very simple: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
All the places you can find Emily:
through her website www.imisspost.com
on Instagram @imisspost
special promo code for our Soul Stylists for the entire month of October: SOULSTYLE25 will get you 25% off an of their products
also during COVID-19 they are sending “i miss post” postcards to Canadian retirement homes
they are currently working on a new travel collection
join in their 52 week postcard challenge on Instagram. Anyone can join and if you want a more realistic challenge, try the monthly postcard writing challenge meaning 12 for the year. Tag @imisspost or use #imisspost to show the your postcard sending or receiving joys.
remember the space on a postcard is limited, which means you don’t have to feel pressured to write a huge amount of text to get your point across. JOIN THE POSTCARD WRITING REVOLUTION!