There’s something oh so romantic about letter writing. This tradition has been proclaimed obsolete due to our reliance on technology but I think we should make more time to write to our loved ones and in today’s post I’m sharing a little guide on how I write my letters.
It is late at night, and someone across the way is playing “La Vie En Rose”. It is the French way of saying, “I am looking at the world through rose-coloured glasses,” and it says everything I feel. I have learned so many things, Father. Not just how to make vichyssoise or calf’s head with sauce vinaigrette, but a much more important recipe. I have learned how to live… how to be in the world and of the world… and not just to stand aside and watch. And I will never, never again run away from life… or from love, either… ♡
I couldn’t resist sharing this beautiful quote from Sabrina (1954) It is a scene from one of my favourite films where Audrey’s character is writing a letter to her father from Paris, recounting her experiences and declaring her internal growth.
As some of you may know, my mother and I are visiting Paris next July and I’m planning on re-creating this scene from my hotel room. I managed to book a room at the Hotel Raphael Paris which is my dream hotel! I was also overjoyed to discover that this was Audrey’s favourite spot in Paris.
Writing on a stationery set you adore is so important – this can convey the intention behind your letter and whenever someone receives a letter they’ll instantly recognise that its from you.
It took me a while to find my dream letter set but I was so overjoyed when I came across Papier. They have a unique assortment of stationery which you can personalise and tailor to your own tastes…
There were so many different designs to choose from but I settled upon the Blush Ribbon set; it has a delicate, soft watercolour design which is printed on textured Mohawk paper. To make it bespoke, I added my own message reading ‘Love Sophie’ in a beautiful, cursive font.
You can begin your letter with a simple address to the person you’re writing to ~ ensure you know their title whether it is Miss, Madame or Mademoiselle or Sir/Mr etc. You may also frame the greeting with a word which conveys your relation to them, for example: dear,, or if your letter is to your significant other, to my love, darling or dearest. You can make it as informal or formal as you wish. The opening of your letter should express your reasons for writing to them. It is also the perfect opportunity to enquire about their well-being and their family.
Once you have established your opening paragraph, you may want to delve into the main content of the letter. It can be a lovely to let this person know whats going on in your life; for instance, the activities you have been partaking in or how you feel. However, this would only be appropriate in a personal letter. You could include also include a bible verse or a line of poetry; this adds a sentimental flourish to your letter and makes it even more heart-felt – you may pour your heart out to this person, if you trust them.
If you are writing a love letter, it can be sweet to use little terms of endearment to your prose. I have created a list of french phrases you can save to your phone and use in your letter-writing…
Watching romantic period dramas always provide me with the inspiration to write letters; to make the moment extra special, why not wear one of your dreamiest dresses and watch Marie Antoinette, The Duchess or Anna Karenina whilst you write?
Now it is time to wrap up your letter with a pretty pink bow ~ if you would like to see this person soon, maybe suggest a socially distanced catch-up. Tie everything together with your wishes for the future, your hopes and dreams.
kind regards, best wishes, lots of love, all my love,
and your signature!
Sophie’s tip: it can be a wondrous idea to spritz the letter with your favourite perfume…
I have always longed to use a wax seal stamp on my letters; they remind me of my favourite Jane Austen novels and I had so much fun using this kit for my letter.
Inside you receive two sealing wax sticks, ribbons and a wax stamp engraved with “I love you.”
As I wrote my letter at my vanity table, I felt like a great heroine in a work of literature. Using the wax seal was far easier than expected ~ here is my little step-by-step guide!
I truly hope this post has inspired you to compose your own letters! Please let me know if you love writing as much as I do and if you use a wax stamp to seal your letters…
I’m sending lots of love to you all,
This blog post was truly dreamy & inspiring angel, I also adore letter writing, it’s so much more personal & sentimental! 🌸 I love your wax seals, so regal & elegant, I’ve been searching for the perfect signature wax seal kit too, which I hope to find eventually. Sabrina writing the letter to her father in Paris is one of my favourite movie moments as well. 🤍
My dearest Freya, your kind words have truly added a little sparkle to my day. I’m so happy you love letter writing too! Its so therapeutic isn’t it? It took me a while to find one! I’m going to look for another wax seal stamp so I can build up a little collection 🌸
Your letters look so elegant and lovely! I also believe that we should write more letters to those that we are closest too, as it is a lot more personal than an email or a social media message. I absolutely adore all of the thought that goes into writing a physical letter; the stationary, the handwritten message, and all of the small details that you can add to it that you wouldn’t normally be able to add to an email, or even an e-card. The wax stamps you used in your letters are endearing! I feel as if, now more than ever, it’s important to find ways to find ways to connect with those we care about in a more personal way than just texting, or even video chatting, and letters are perfect for that. 🎀
Letters can also be a wonderful gift to someone in your own household for any occasion, whether for their birthday, a holiday, an anniversary, or even just to say “I love and appreciate you”. This is something I most certainly want to do for my romantic partner in the future, and for my friends as well. 💖✨🌈
Dear Katherine, thank you for your kind words about my letter. I think that writing a letter can be such a special sentiment, and show someone you care. I wish more people would take the time to do this! I’m currently creating a collection of pretty stationery to use for my letters; I even purchased a pretty Swarovski pen and I couldn’t agree more about using this situation we’re in to write more! Its so important to let people know that we care about them, especially if they’re feeling lonely. I hope you are well angel, sending all my love.
xo Sophie Bethany Rose