For almost 7 years I've been living between cities. Although most of my heart, mind and soul will always be in Porto, living alone and "away" made me grow and be able to recognize myself in a way I never thought before. Being alone in a different town, when you're still practically a child can be - at times - a hard lonely road to run. One of good things is the chance to meet nice people.
Hello everyone!
I'm finally here after holiday time at home. Have you enjoyed your festivities?
Here in Portugal, there's a traditional way for things both at Christmas and New Year's eve.
I've always seen the people of my country as family type, with all of it's nostalgia and warm love, always finding a good excuse to get everyone together, enjoying the most delicious plates, and the company of their loved ones. My celebrations are not that different from what you imagine in a Portuguese family. We love to eat, so there's always all types of snacks and sweets for everyone to taste. My grandmother loves to cook, and these times are perfect for her to cook some special exclusive dishes. Also, and to keep memory for our roots in Lisbon, we sing Fado. Well, not all of us, but those who feel brave enough to try.
Here in Portugal, there's a traditional way for things both at Christmas and New Year's eve.
I've always seen the people of my country as family type, with all of it's nostalgia and warm love, always finding a good excuse to get everyone together, enjoying the most delicious plates, and the company of their loved ones. My celebrations are not that different from what you imagine in a Portuguese family. We love to eat, so there's always all types of snacks and sweets for everyone to taste. My grandmother loves to cook, and these times are perfect for her to cook some special exclusive dishes. Also, and to keep memory for our roots in Lisbon, we sing Fado. Well, not all of us, but those who feel brave enough to try.
Every time a year changes, I feel like I'm leaving something behind, and sometimes even let a tear or two out. But, nevertheless, I feel specially thankful for everything good that's happened to me, and the bad that in the end taught me something for life.
As you already know, I always have a warm feeling whenever I receive a letter from my own country, specially for places that are special to me.
And our dear Rita was point perfect bringing all that good nostalgia back, sending me the most traditional nice things. First, I'd never had received a letter kept within a lottery (Christmas Edition) envelope, and it was such a nice surprise - I truly smiled! There's a story behind it, a good memory I guess... My grandfather used to buy those - some years ago - to an old man that was always by the road. Somehow, I never saw that man again, and my grandfather never bought the lottery again.
Anyways, with her coolest letter she also sent me a nice Christmas card, one of the coolest postcards I've got for my b&w collection and the sweetest cutest handmade postcard with a quote from one of my favorite writers: Miguel Torga. It says something like "you loose life, wishing it so much".
I am so very thankful for having such amazing people in my life :)
2015 was after all, a nice year.
With love,
M.
M.
Since my snail mail project started - and even before - little messages were sent and left to strangers. Same kind of messages that I send to my penpals. My main purpose is to give a little unexpected light to each one's day, leading them to explore and enjoy simple things we humans often pass by.
So lately I've been working on new messages but I turned all of them into stickers. This way, people can share them just like I do, or just use them anywhere they wish.
I am a lover of every kind of sticker cute thing I can find. I always find some useful purpose for them. But isn't it nice to have a world of stickers with kind challenges and nice words?
If you are interested in having some of these, or if you're looking forward to enter the challenges just e-mail me via psenditforward@gmail.com (NOTE: free of charge only for project subscribers)
With love,
M.
These are the latest awesome incomings that were arriving since December started. There were some amazing letters, and some really moved me. Also, my grandmother came to town, and brought me some "lost" mail the mailman gave her. I felt so relieved! Meanwhile, in my address things were starting to feel weird. Since a long time I couldn't remember a time when there was not a single incoming in my mailbox - well, except for bills, that always find their way to reach us...
Then one day, one of the new neighbors was consistently denying to open the door to the mailman. It was just lucky, but I heard them arguing and ran to my window trying to figure out what was going on. I was starting to get nervous, but specially angry when I finally understood all about it. But then, days passed, and in the middle of a rough busy week, a sweet letter finally arrived.
I fell automatically in love with this little fellow with cute round paw-paws. He is the loyal companion of a dear friend, Bahanur, who captured this beautiful combination of cats and letters.
I asked her to share three things with all of us, and she was glad she had the opportunity. But it is me who thanks her for being such an amazing young lady.
I'm very organized, but not with everything I admit. So every little trick to keep everything in order always deserves a try. This post is for those who find it hard to manage time and mind between the infinite piles of letters that keep arriving at our mailboxes.
Hello everyone - past days have been crazy!
I've taken some time to organize my albums and sendings. I'm trying to keep both parts of my life in order: hotography and snail mail.
Meanwhile I've found some time to finally read some letters brought my grandmother, and among those there it was, a sweet beautiful letter from Claudia (@cloudydaysandletters).
She cared to send me these awesome tea bags, so the letter was deliciously scented, what made everything even more special. Her artworks are trully amazing, and I trully recommend you to take a look at her gallery. Let yourself be lost in such cuteness!
Also, I've received a nice lovely letter from Rita Cunha, that lives in Lisbon. We're country-mates, and I was really happy to meet a new portuguese penpal. Also, I loved her envelope. It states the true: less is more. And you know how I adore anything photography related.
Since Christmas time is all around is, for the past month, I've decided to follow the theme, and tried to make it more festive related. I've made a delicious mug of tea, and enjoyed the cozyness of winter at home writting back to her. And of course, I've added some special challenges for her to accomplish. Let's hope she'll share her journey with us! - and that she shares the good feelings forward.
With love,
M.
Hi everyone, and be welcome to the brand new page for my snail-mail project.
Well, I was dealing with technical issues in our previous one, so I decided to keep it simple once and for all, and moved it here: a more familiar platform, in my point of view.
Some changes have been applied since I've moved to this new humble place, so my first advise is to explore the sections yourself. Also, a major change has been made.
The submit section is now gone, but for a very good reason. Before, you could upload anything from your devices, but to make it easier and funnier, I decided that from now on all entries will be selected from our main hashtag #senditforwardp directory, both on facebook or instagram. This way you get a chance of getting featured on our inspirational selections or for possible collaborations or further surprises.
Send it Forward challenges: those little inspiring daily tasks I often send you are back, of course, but with a brand new shape. Now, you'll receive them as stickers, so you can share the movement with the ones you love or in your favorite places.
Freebies: from the first moment I've started this project, I've always had the idea and will of sharing some of my printable creations with my readers. Unfortunately, I was not able to it previously due to those conditioning issues with the website. But now, everything is good to go, and I can finally tell you that today you are receiving your first set of printables.
I'm leaving you with this set of 2 different ruled pages for letterwritting. I hope you'll find them beautiful and useful. You can download both pages here.
With love,
M.


I always have a childish smile on my face whenever there is incoming mail, but specially, when it carries such beauties. This one was sent by my dearest Denisa, from Czech Republic.
She is always very thoughtful and supportive about my deep love for photography. She made me a beautiful envelope with a black and white photograph, that I really got passioned about. Also, she sent me this lovely postcard looking like a part of a colouring book we ll know very well: the secret gaden. I didn’t even knew it was available in postcard type. I’d love to water colour it soon, but I’m also fighting against the will of keeping it like this. (I’m a lover for black and white illustration :P)
Anyways, it’s was a special moment to finally receive and read Denisa’s letter :)
Anyways, it’s was a special moment to finally receive and read Denisa’s letter :)
With love,
M.
M.

But, most of the letters of this pile are going to Brasil. Lately I've made contact with several people from there, and it's kind of awesome to see the little language diferences, that are more than some people might imagine. I've never felt any special curiosity on visiting Brasil, but I admit some of my penpals changed my head, describing it as a very dreamy place if you learn how to follow other path than the mainstream touristic guideline. Explore Brasil must be a much enriching journey, than to spend the weeks between hotels and beaches.
With love,
M.

Finally an update! Since I’ve been moving between homes, my latest incoming pile reached me out a little bit later than I’ve expected, but it was totally worth the wait - as always! Also, I’ve had the amazing pleasure of meeting some new penpals, along this series of incomings, who warmed my day with beautiful and kind words, specially from Brasil.
I've never had many penpals from Brasil, but lately I've met some amazing Brazilian people, that changed my mind about their country. I always thought Brasil wouldn't be on the top of my dream places to visit one day, but now I really think it was based on the common type of vacation people have there. I'm not a sunny-beach person, so I always tend to choose places with more history, local culture museums, and such. It was dumb of me, I admit it.
I have had several penpals telling me how Brasil has potential, and how it can be enjoyed like if you belong there. Isn't it beautiful to be able to get so close to the beauty others see?
I have had several penpals telling me how Brasil has potential, and how it can be enjoyed like if you belong there. Isn't it beautiful to be able to get so close to the beauty others see?
With love,
M.

Hello everyone!
This time, I'm sending two first letters! One to Miffy, in HKSAR and another one to dear Nelly, in Portugal. It's taking me some time to finish all the sendings for this project, since I'm working and moving home simultaneously, but I promise I'm doing my best to reach everyone as soon as possible.
This time, I'm sending two first letters! One to Miffy, in HKSAR and another one to dear Nelly, in Portugal. It's taking me some time to finish all the sendings for this project, since I'm working and moving home simultaneously, but I promise I'm doing my best to reach everyone as soon as possible.
For Nelly, I wanted to make her feel special. It was my understanding that she has been a part of the snailmail movement for quite some time, so I really wanted to bright up her day with a positive message. So, I mad this lovely postcard, to leave a big smile on her face, as soon she reches the mailbox.
With love,
M
M

This time I'm here to show you something. For those who usually are on instagram , they might already have crossed her ways, but I'm telling you about her anyways.
Claudia is a nice girl who lives in Barcelona. She is very crafty and talented, and I couldn't resist to show you this lovely envelope she made. Are you curious enough?
Claudia is a nice girl who lives in Barcelona. She is very crafty and talented, and I couldn't resist to show you this lovely envelope she made. Are you curious enough?
I invite you to check her gallery via @cloudydaysandletters on instagram, and to let yourselves be delighted by her crafty treasures. Isn't it pretty?
With love,
M
M


I really can't wait to read her answer. Could be more excited.

Some good advise and wishes of a lovely week.
With love,
M.
M.

I really enjoyed reading her presentation letter. She seemed really spontaneous and funny, telling me how it was nice to get mail that didn't have the purpose of billing anything. She told me a little about her days and hobbies, and even decorated her letter in a very cute way. I really wanted to send her something really special in return, so I did this handmade postcard so that she'll never forget to be smiley, funny and spontaneous everyday of her life. Unfortunatelly, I never got any other answer from her, but I'm hoping she loved it and cared about it, in spite of everything.


Outgoing mail for dear Marta Vicente, in Portugal
She was one of the very first subscribers of this project, and was really excited of being a part of it. Until today, I feel I disappointed her. But I'll tell you the story.
Well, she was really sweet and cared to send me such kind words that I really wanted to reply her letter. Also, she made me a challenge, too. As some of you might already know, I usually send these little challenges/surprise tasks that I hope that people accomplish and share with us what was they're experience, what they felt, etc. This time, she sent me hallenges, aswell. She wanted me to photograph a couple of themes she gave to me, and then, I'd have to tag them with cute tags she cared to make me. Once that was ready, I was supposed to give away he photograghs.
After a couple of days I realised I've taken really inthimate pictures, that would not have any meaning for those who don't atually know me. So, I've decided to start it all over.
But life happened, and somehow, I haven't done it yet. But I will!
Anyways, I really hope she’ll enjoy these handmade treasures that I spent a lving afternoon making. I can only hope she'll like it!

This letter and postcard are for Jane, in Australia. I really wanted to give her something that was about my country, so I chose this postcard about Fado, a very typical type of music.



