It’s almost spring! The weather is definitely gorgeous. So it’s time for another post on my recently discovered favourite things. I thought I’d keep them all to the online category considering that most of the world is currently in lockdown.
Also, if you have any tips that may fall into this category, I’d be happy if you could share them with me via email or in the comments below!
Let’s share our favorites!
WRITE
Write letters to people in need. Each month this website posts hand selected letter requests. Check out the current requests, read the stories, pull out your stationery, and get scripting! All love letters will be hand-delivered to the person you read about in the story!
NOMINATE
Think you know someone who deserves a ton of letters showing up at their door? Ready to take charge and make some magic happen! Nominate your loved one for a love letter bundle.
Isabella Pavanati is an Italian artist who creates custom made sculptures made of paper, terracotta, wire as well as paintings, planters, portraits, origami, and home decor. So if you’re looking for an original gift and want to support the arts, check out her Etsy shop.
Experience international and local newcomer talents in your own house.
Discover amazing artists and bands for any occasion.
Host concerts in your office, coffee shop, club or co-working space.
While we wait for live concerts to be possible again, Sofaconcerts does offer the possibility to book personalised musical video messages or live concerts via video chat. The possibilities are endless.
I find it often hard to find home decoration, furniture and lights that are not found in just about everyone’s home. Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of Ikea. But sometimes you just want that something special for that corner, right? And lights are often not very original or just plain ugly.
Well, Polyluma has the solution for you. These lights are handmade in Berlin and combine modern techniques with traditional craftsmanship. They’re also made from natural materials and have smart functionalities that allow for easy installation and exchange. And of course the design is just simple and beautiful. What do you think?
Artnights originally offers painting events on location with an artist. Since Covid, it is now also possible to book Artnight Live events or follow video courses. All kinds of art styles are represented and I love this interactive platform that allows any artist to offer their classes without having to set everything up themselves. The bonus is that you can even order the starter material set so you don’t even have to go out and be confused about what to buy.
Remember to ‘good old days’ when we had penpals? I was writing with quite a few people from all over the world and was always excited to get an envelope in the mail from a land far far away.
Nowadays, we hardly get any snail mail anymore that’s not a bill or advertisement. Let Postcrossing help you to a little nostalgia again. It’s a project that allows you to send postcards and receive postcards back from random people around the world. That’s real postcards, not electronic!
Although your sending needs to contain at least a postcard, you are of course not limited to a postcard. You may include other things as well. A friend of mine has been doing this for a while and sends and receives lots of lovely goodies.
I just signed up and sent my first postcard!
Giving visibility to the silenced genitalia. Yes you read that right.
The Vulvastic handmade crocheted vulvas were originally created as Christmas ornaments but have since also been adopted as accessories used as key rings and charms all year round. While not pretending to depict the female genitalia correctly, Vulvastic vulvas do want to draw attention to a part of the female anatomy, which today is still widely mislabelled, ignored, silenced and mistreated. The hope is that every crocheted vulva will lead to a discussion or simply create a caring connection, helping to alleviate some of the ignorance, taboos and misconceptions that surround the vulva.
Every Vulvastic crocheted vulva is unique, as is every vulva.
Also they are made in Luxembourg.
Letters of Note is an online museum of correspondence which has been celebrating the humble letter since 2009.
A compulsive collection of the world’s most entertaining, inspiring and powerful letters with love at their heart.
Includes letters by Simone de Beauvoir, Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keeffe, Zora Neale Hurston, Evelyn Waugh, Vita Sackville-West, Nelson Mandela, John Steinbeck
& many more.
Letters Live, an ongoing series of live shows–inspired by Letters of Note–in which some of these letters are brought to life by talented performers in memorable venues around the world.
There’s also a book.
Ecosia is a search engine. But unlike the Googles of this world, it plants a tree for searches that you do via their engine. Your searches on Ecosia are powered by 100% renewable energy; they plant trees that fight climate change by removing CO2 from the atmosphere, and they accelerate the energy transition away from fossil fuels by adding solar energy to the electricity grid.
I’ve just installed it and will be searching and planting from now on.
La petite boutique des auteurs
Do you like to write? Oh do I have a treat for you.
This online shop, created by a writer, is dedicated to authors, but really just anyone who loves paper and writing. Besides the usual paraphernalia needed to write, you can also order ‘coffrets’, thematic boxes that help set the mood, spur on your writing or find some inspiration.
Looks like we will continue to have online meetings in 2021. If you are looking to start your meetings in a fun way or simply add a fun touch to your family/friends zoom calls, Funmingo is your place to go as it provides goofy games for your video chats. Whether on Zoom, Skype or elsewhere, add some fun to your get togethers. Watch the video of some people have their goofy call.