I define happy mail as the following: magazines, cards from friends or family, bonus checks, and packages that contain books, clothing or out of the blue surprises. Bills and water filters for our refrigerator don’t count. This past week I received two packages that made me SMILE. One was a gift of sugary sweets which remind me of my childhood, and the other was something I spied on Chronicle Books Instagram feed and knew I just had to have it. Instagram is happy mail on my phone. I love to follow The Happy Page on Instagram and I’m always inspired by PNP Flowers quotes.
I loved coloring books as a kid. There is something about coloring that puts me in a sort of zen/meditative state. I heard about adult coloring books awhile back, but never really checked into them. I came across this Fantastic Cities coloring book by artist Steve McDonald through Chronicle Books. Steve is a lifelong traveler who has recreated images from cities around the world. His work has been showcased in many gallery exhibitions, documentaries and publications.
As you can see from this page of Piccadilly Circus in London, England Steve’s drawings are very detailed and intricate. So intricate in fact that they might be a bit of challenge for my color in the lines self. My daughter and I recognized Piccadilly Circus right away. At first it reminded us a little of New York, but then the double-decker bus gave it away. I’ve shared some of my travels to New York here and here and our travels to London here.
The second package I received was a thank you from the SITS Girls. I’m a sugar addict and I love the concept of Sugarwish. You select a sugarwish package and an ecard and your recipient selects the candy of their choice. It’s shipped to them in an adorable package and all of the taxes and shipping are covered. There are tons of candy options to choose from: gummies, licorice, taffy, hard candies, chocolate and seasonal items which include some nuts and dried fruit. I chose swedish fish and licorice scotties. I’m normally a chocolate gal, but I love red licorice and swedish fish.
photos via Sugarwish Instagram account
There are three package options. The smallest is a pound of candy for $25. It’s a little pricey, but convenient and a small price to pay to put a smile on someone’s face. Sugarwish would be a nice treat for someone going through a rough time in life. A little sugar will usually brighten someone’s day. They also offer mini packages for corporations.
I hope these two deliveries have inspired you to send some happy mail. Sending a card in the mail is so much more personal than an email or social media comment. In our fast paced lives we sometimes forget the simple things that bring joy like happy mail. Have you received any happy mail lately either to yourself or from someone else?
I love happy mail so much I joined postcrossing.com, a website which lets me send and receive postcards from around the world. I keep the postcards in a photo box and some of my favorites are from Belarus, Finland, China and The Ukraine. They have an option to send and receive postcards from the U.S. as well. It is a nice way to connect with the world in a small way, and it is inexpensive – the price of a card and postcard stamp!
I love that idea Julie. I haven’t heard of post crossing, but now I’m going to check them out and join too! Thanks for sharing!
I received my Happy Mail last night while I was grading a pile of papers. Mixed amongst the stack of papers was a sweet little note addressed to: Mrs. Stortz From: Your Class. On notebook paper in their best of handwriting was a paragraph about how “smiley” I am no matter what. Well…I’m not so sure about that. They talked about everything they appreciate about me. I have to say, it brought tears to my eyes. How did they know that was just what I needed? That was my Happy Mail that will be posted on my wall to make me smile daily.
That’s so awesome Michelle! If I were a kid I would want you to be my teacher. You are smiley and it’s so great that school has only been in session for a few weeks and they already love you! I know you have had some challenging students in the past. Cheers to a class that makes you smile! Love this!
I received some happy mail this week too! My brother in law and his partner gave us a fruit of the month club for a year, so each month we get a new fruit. This week the pluots came, I have been enjoying one each morning for breakfast. We have really loved getting a new box of fruit every month! 🍑
That is a great gift Anne. Pluots are something I wouldn’t normally buy and it probably encourages you to try new fruits as well.
I have been thinking about one of those adult coloring books myself. I keep thinking if I get one, it might keep me from doing what I ought to be doing, you know, things like laundry, dusting, cleaning out the fridge, writing for the blog. I am going to have a couple of long flights to and from Europe coming up, maybe I will get one of them for those flights, then I wouldn’t feel guilty about what I am not getting done. I like that idea about the post crossing, too, that sounds like a great way to connect across the globe. I am so glad you got some “happy mail” I could use some of that today!
I thought coloring would be a great thing to do while watching TV this winter otherwise I wind up snacking. I have to keep my hands busy. It would be a good for a flight and you could listen to music or a podcast for something different. I’ll be sharing some podcasts I’m loving in the future. I hope you get some happy mail soon Chloe!
I bought an Adult Coloring Book about a month ago. I haven’t colored in it yet.
I have a friend from high school Phyllis Harris. She is a children’s book illustrator. She has started designing Adult coloring books. Check on Phyllis Harris Designs on Facebook and/or Etsy.
The Sugar wish is a great idea. Freshmen in college or any college student comes to mind.
I will definitely check out Phyllis’s work. Thanks for sharing Shari! Sugarwish would be a great idea for a college student. I’m going to have to do that this year.
Love this Happy Mail post! So nice on a Friday. 😊
Love these books!! I always enjoy getting happy mail, speaking of, id like to send you a card. I remember you liked the yoga ones and ive just created some new ones. Email me your address xoxo
Thanks so much Ulyth, I will! I enjoy practicing yoga.
At first getting mail for colleges for Callie was kind of fun, now it’s just crazy. I can’t imagine how many pounds I’ve thrown away! I love coloring books too. And sidewalk chalk!!
Good luck sorting through all the college mail this year Denise. I just got to the point I was sending it straight to recycling. It is sort of fun at first. There are a lot of colleges I’ve never heard of.
I definitely love happy mail. It doesn’t come all that often, but when it does, it is such a wonderful surprise. I used to spend hours coloring in mosaics and posters like the one you picture here. One summer I broke my arm right at the beginning of summer and I spent most of it coloring. I always have found that coloring detailed pages is both creative and relaxing. Never heard of Sugarwish, so this is great to know about!
I agree Seana, happy mail doesn’t come often enough. I have several magazines subscriptions and I’ve been ordering a lot of books from Amazon lately so I’m getting more happy mail than usual lately. I need to slow down on my book purchases a bit 🙂
Good morning and thank you for your Happy Mail Post, you share such wonderful things that bring such delight to my heart … I would like to share a Happy Mail Post that I just received thru the mail from a dear friend of mine this week. First I came home to find that the post man had left me a delivery note… sorry your parcel is to big to fit in the mail box so you must come and pick it up yourself. How fun & exciting is that!! anyhow off I went and picked up this wonderful little package with my girlfriend Cathy’s hand writing on it. What could it possible be?? I had no idea AND so I left it on my desk and starred at it and surmised what it might be and I allowed my mind to run away to far away places and just totally LOvED and enjoyed her hand writing, the stamps, the twine she tied the package up with, and the idea that my dear friend, whom I dearly miss… loved me enough to send this amazing wee package off to me, to me…have I mentioned that I actually starred at this little delight for TWO WHOLE DAYS before I could even bring myself to unwrap the little brown package, SILLY, maybe, BUT I just soooo enjoyed this little package, just the way it was!! I did give in though and as slow as molasses, I unravelled the most amazing tea cup and saucer with a lovely note and tea bag, telling me that she missed OUR tea time and chats too!! My heart will never get any better than that! LOvE and ENCoURaGEMENT from away, in a little wee brown box. Enjoy the SONshine, Jayne xxx
Jayne I’m so happy you shared this story. It made me smile! I do love a pretty package even something as simple as brown paper wrapping and twine. I have to say though that I’m amazed you waited two days to open your package. I don’t have nearly that kind of patience or self restraint. What a thoughtful gift from your friend and I’m sure you will think of her whenever you sit down to have tea. I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy more tea times together. Have a wonderful week!