There is something inexpressibly elegant about fine cream cards and
gold-lined envelopes, and it was with great delight that I found my
favorite monogrammed cards at Sears. One of my ninangs introduced me
to Crane and Company‘s elegant gold-embossed cards by way of a gift
for my 21st birthday, and I have been in love with them ever since.

I sifted through racks of stationery at bookstores and convenience
stores to pick several more for my collection. Four
blue-and-green-tinged sheets shaped like leaves are perfect for
writing about fall. Cream stationery with classic gold-embossed angels
are just right for writing to the people who have done extremely
wonderful things. A card with a quotation about eloquence captures my
sentiment after the Toastmasters convention, and a birthday card
featuring an annoyed cat reminded me so much of Neko that I can hardly
wait to send it to my mom for her birthday.

With the awesome collection of gel pens my mom gave me, I can match
each card to just the right color of ink. I want to buy a colored-ink
set for glass or fountain pens, having discovered the joy of glass pens through fellow enthusiast Charo Nuguid.
With the right pens and cards, writing thank-you notes becomes such a pleasure.