Notes & Neighbors - The College Roommate(s)

During my college years, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a year studying abroad in Sydney, Australia. (Hence all of my Aussie obsessions.) While there, I lived in an odd housing situation with nine (NINE!) other girls. When I first learned of where and while whom I'd be living, I assumed the whole thing would be a disaster. That's way too much estrogen in one place for things to go smoothly! Much to my surprise and delight, not only did we all get along, we all became super close friends. But as happens in life, over time you lose touch and once in a while I'll think, "Where the heck is Jill these days?" You may not have nine other people to stay in touch with, but look up some of those college friends and roomies and send them a note to say hello and reminisce about that one crazy night.

Happy Writing!

Notes & Neighbors - The Stylist

All day they work, wading through hair clippings and breathing chemical fumes so we can look our best. Being "blessed" with naturally curly hair, a stylist can really make or break my self-esteem. A good cut will make the ringlets tumble and a bad one will make the frizz fly. If you're indebted to your hair stylist send them a note telling them you love how effortlessly your hair falls into place.

Happy Writing!

Notes & Neighbors - The Friend Abroad

Yay! It's time for the first "real" Notes & Neighbors post. To read what this is all about, check out the inaugural post here.

We've all got that friend that we like to live vicariously through. They're off doing adventurous things all over the world while we're doing our part to stimulate the economy with our desk job. One of my good friends is currently living in rural Kenya working on a project that will bring clean water to hundreds of millions of people in Africa and possibly across the globe. He got to visit President Obama's Kenyan grandmother, while I got to figure out what to make for dinner. You get the point. The truth is, as exciting as the lives of these friends sound, they get homesick. And what better to cheer them up than a hand written note from a friend they know and love. If you're feeling really generous and have an extra few bucks for shipping, you might send them their favorite candy bar or other treat they can't find over seas. (Avoid sending nuts, or anything "natural" as these usually get confiscated by the fussy agricultural people.)

Happy Writing!

Notes & Neighbors

The other day a friend and I were lamenting the fact that all we find when we go to the mail box are bills or junk mail. Remember the days when you used to get letters? Today there are countless forms of quick and easy communication that we just don't take the time to sit down, hand write and snail mail a letter. Since my earliest days I've been obsessed with stationery (hence this wonderful Paper Mango gig). To me, note cards are like mini pieces of art. It's not just what's written, but the whole package. It's always good to know someone was thinking of you to the extent of spending some of their time to drop you an encouraging line. And we could certainly use every bit of encouragement we can get these days! So, in an effort to inspire this digital world to sit down and use a pen with ink in it I'm going to be starting a series called "Notes & Neighbors" that will post once a week or so where I'll highlight someone you might not normally think to write a note to.

To give one lucky person a jump start, I'm giving away a set of 10 cards! Just leave a comment with the design you'd like if you win and you'll be entered! Check out all of the designs at the Etsy store. Maybe we can start a little movement to bring some happiness to the world. One hand written note at a time!

New Designs for Spring - Hello Palms & Birthday Cupcake

I've got another Spring design "twofer" for you today. Both are very different in their intent, theme and use of color, but the one thing that brings them together is, fun! Both cards just ooze with a sense of fun and inspire me to get out from behind this computer and go enjoy life. You can grab both of them at the Etsy store!

Hand drawn mixed with a little retro and a fabulous Spring color palate and you've got yourself a fun card! Send it for no other reason than to just say, "Hello!".

A simple line image of a birthday cupcake loaded up with candles. The slate and gray blue color combination and fun image make it a great way to pass along birthday wishes to anyone.

New Designs for Spring - Thank You & Birthday Card

I'm a bit behind schedule on sharing the new Spring designs, so today you get a two for one. Both of these cards are favorites of mine and I hope you think so too! You can pick both up at the Etsy store, along with all the other new Spring designs!

Super fun and a little retro, the "Connect-the-Dots" Happy Birthday Card will bring back child hood memories that will make anyone feel a little younger on their day.


I titled this card "Feathers Caught in Breeze" and it just makes me stop...and breath. I'm sure who ever is on the receiving end of this card will sense your gratitude even before reading your message.

New Designs for Spring - Grassy Field Thank You Card

Saying "Thanks" will be refreshing with this new Thank You card from the Paper Mango Spring 2009 collection. The only thing this card is missing is the smell of freshly cut grass. It's clean lines and fresh colors may have the power to will Spring into existence. Perfect for any expression of gratitude. You can pick them up over at the Etsy store. Check back next week for more Spring 2009 collection reveals, or to see them first check the Etsy store daily where they will be available before they're highlighted on the blog!

New Designs for Spring - Yellow Buds Happy Birthday Card

I'm so excited to unveil the first of the new Spring 2009 collection! Many of the designs for this spring are simple, nature inspired and peaceful. You'll see a few fun and retro designs, but everything is designed with positivity and peace in mind (since there's enough craziness out there already!) This Happy Birthday card was designed with those in mind who would rather run through a field of wild flowers than go to dinner and a movie on their birthday. Of course, like all of the Paper Mango cards, it's printed on eco-friendly paper and this one in particular is on Sundance Paper's felt texture cover stock. Head over to the Etsy store to pick a few up! While you're there, you can also get a sneak peak of the next Spring 2009 design being revealed on the blog later this week.