How was the AT party last night? Let's get all the juicey details & please put up pix.

This weekend I'm jonesing to go to a flea market.

EBAY just isn't the same. Wide selection, yes. Easy to get to, yes. The same? Not even close. Does anyone know any super-secret flea market locations out west here?

Oh...and a plug...the nice folks from Emeco gave us bragging rights to be the first one's with their new Philippe Starck Icon chair as seen on AT a while back.

Yes I was there. Here is what happened.

So I’m walking down the steps to the lounge in the Coffee Shop last night, looking forward to meeting New Tenant, seeing if love is in the air, perhaps giving P2 a big hug, perhaps flirting with Jamie Pup’s wife, whatever. Anyway I am heading down the stairs and walking behind two women. Then I hear one of them say something like “if Jonathan is hot I might make out with him. Otherwise I am going to ‘accidentally’ spill my drink on him.”

As a spineless neurotic, of course I was shocked at this threat of violence. More to the point, since I doubt she would find me hot I probably would have wound up with an apple martini splashed all over my Super 160 thread count custom suit. And so, for the first time ever on this site, I had no choice but to introduce myself under a pseudonym. I met a couple of you who I was curious about and headed out. That aside, the party had a WONDERFUL New York vibe to it and I think it was a great idea. Next time I will wrap myself in Saran Wrap to fend off “accidental spills” and introduce myself as Jonathan.

The AT party in NYC last night was crowded and loud and of course fun. I only met a coupld of new people (Hi anne! Hi pphillip!) and mainly caught up with old ones. And snazzy contest postcards! It's all so highfalutin' and fancy around here now.

Unfortunately I missed the Chicago party due to work and a big proposal deadline today. Hope it was a big success and that I can make it next time.

Jonathan, I actually wanted to meet you. And have an actual human conversation without the spillage of drinks involved. I hope you'll come to the DWR party. Should I look for the Saran-wrapped man?

so jonathan, pseudonym or not did they find you hot?

I missed the Chicago party as well unfortunately (damn law school exams!) Hopefully the Chicago people will have another party before I move to NYC late next summer.

I have another allergy question for you experts.. Currently I have big overstuffed sofas which I absolutely love, but probably aren't great for allergy sufferers. I have ben told that vinyl (yuck!) or leather are the materials of choice for couches.. but everytime I think of leather I just imagine that it is either uncomfortable (the clean square styles I like), unattractive (the poofy leather couches), or terrible expensive for my student budget. So are there any other sofa materials that are allergy proof? I thought that since ultrasuede is non-woven that might work, but I've been unable to find information.

Thanks!

Meera, when I heard the woman (was it you????) say she planned on making out with me or dousing me with her drink, I didn't introduce myself as Jonathan so she probably didn't notice me. Was that you???? Shame on you!!!

i actually made it; no longer can i be a mysterious stranger. greetings to all the nice peoples i met.

(and, you know, i *hate* the whole "gossip mill" thing, but i'm POSITIVE i saw jonathan making out with channel 11 weatherman, mr. g, in the bathroom.)

unfortunately i am in london, england. i would have loved to be there. but i am still curious

PPHILLIPP:

You were one of the people I met last night.

I wasn't making out with any weatherman in the bathroom. Life would be much easier if I were gay, believe me. As it stands however no such luck.

It was a fun night and so nice to put faces with names. Jamie Pup I'm SO SO sorry you had to repeat your question, like, seven times before I could understand! My ears are horrible in crowds and don't filter out the noise well. It was a little hard to meet everyone and Curtis was missed.

One perplexed bystander was wondering why we had name tags on. "Are you all speed dating or something?" he asked. ("God no!") That gave me a giggle.

CakePainter and I were of like minds and headed over to Whole Foods afterwards. She found me inspecting the cottage cheese selection - we were talking to Sara Kate about the subject earlier. It had been the passionate subject of a lengthy AT Kitchen thread. Thanks Max & Sara Kate!

Very pleasant evening at the AT Party last night. Yes, Trish I had a little trouble hearing too so it wasn't just you. Great to see familiar faces and meet some new ones. All of you who said you "lurk" and read the site please welcome to join in with comments.

Thanks to Maxwell, Sara and the AT crew.

"You were one of the people I met last night"

yes, i know - dark hair, tweed coat, seemingly innocuous questions, searching for mr.+ mrs. pup - it was jonathan.

"Life would be much easier if I were gay, believe me"

oh, yes, being gay has made my life just one big utopia. i will leave you to your fantasies.

Too bad, Jonathan, I actually went to all that trouble and brought the specs for your white primer and the finish paint - and you cowardly hid behind the ps-m. Oh well, your loss.

NT, I'm sorry I missed you-when I asked maxwell to introduce me, you've already left.

Hi, Frank, and hi Jim and 2-Tracy-2, and of course Maxwell and jamie p (and their lovely wives) and hi all the others- it was a pleasure to put the faces to the nicks. It was definitely hot down there yesterday (no, pphillip I didn't mean what you think I did)

"no, pphillip I didn't mean what you think I did"

????

despite the chicago cold rain and being sick, i made it to webster wine bar (on time!) and happily met janel, kathryn, walter, jen and others...though mingling was hard since we were sat at a long rectangular table. jp suggested we get a bell and chime in every 15 minutes for a rotation (a la speed dating, but we were without nametags). ok, so there was no bell. and i wish i could have stayed to chat with everyone more, but that's what sick girls do: leave early. hope the rest of the night was great. i know janel has several photos, i'm sure we'll see them shortly...

Hi ya'll - couldn't make it last night as I'm in the middle of a move to our very first own home! But sounds like the NY party was fun - With or without Jonathan!

While on the topic - I'd like to hear folks' recommendations on house-warming gifts for new new apartment owners (no-not for myself, this is for a friend who also bought a place recently).

Of course I have my budgetary constraints, but it would be nice to compile (perhaps a Top 10?) a list across various price ranges/ lifestyles.

I see I overestimated you, pphillipp.

Wish I could have made it. But I'm too shy, post here under a different name every other day, and thus lack a persona. Doi.

Besides, all my free time is tied up watching Lil’ Kim’s Countdown to Lockdown on BET these days.

"I see I overestimated you, pphillipp"

the story of my life. hey, i'm having a fragile friday, be nice - 'splain!

Hey guys

I managed to push my other appointment back to 8:30, so I was able to stop by, but could only stay a short time. It was great to finally put faces to names. It was pretty hot down there. I'm sorry I missed you Jonathan. Next time.

Fun, fun, fun!
So good to see old friends and meet new ones! These parties get more fun the more you go. And everyone was outrageously friendly.

maxwell--
Thanks for, as always, being the perfect host. So good to meet your publisher, even though he merely waved the advance copy in front of us to tease...

sarakate--
I hope this does not get old, but you always look just so, so lovely.

pphillipp--
GREAT to finally meet you! You are as droll and witty in person as on line. But much cuter than you ever let on! :)

cherie-- (I hope I go that right!)--
You owe me a phone call, pre-burst!! ;)

And such an honor to the ATers that some significant others joined the crew... so nice to meet The (lovely) Mrs. Pup (but we expected nothing less), and a certain playwright fellow...

And really psyched my Mister G costume fooled at least ONE person. Say what you will, Jonathan is a GOOD kisser.

Next time, New Tenant. Apparently pphilip guessed who i was. He got the dark hair right, but my coat wasn't tweed. he forgot to mention the curls sculpted by god, the beautiful fitted suit, the bedroom eyes and the pillow lips

My Japanese garden: is this just a stupid product or cool?
http://www.landliving.com/articles/0000000987.aspx

Housewarming gift:

There is the herb garden kit that's made by Chia (y'know, of ChiaPet fame) that's sold at Duane Reade. I know it sounds kind of el cheapo but I gave it to a friend who just moved in to a new place along with some hand-written recipes that featured the herbs. She loved it. Just wrap it up in nice paper and it won't cost you more than 20 bucks.

pphillipp
sam champion (ch7) was also lurking,
and was asking about YOU, dear

(you really are cute)

nice chatting with folks . . .
thx maxwell and sara kate!

J
I think those look cool - at least in the night shots - but they look kind of tacky in the day shots. I think they would be best peaking out under folliage or combined with other rock formations - not just sitting by themselves.

Geee....I wonder which would be the better way to piss off a neighbor? The old leave-a-flaming-bag-full-of-feces-on-the-doorstep-and-ring-the-bell, or giving them a product from the makers of FRICKIN' Chia pet?

The lack of judgement on this site continues to bewilder me.

The best housewarming gift you can give someone is a tea pot, as it symbolizes the hearth, cozy moments and all that hallmark card bullshit. I am partial to cast iron Japanese tea pots because they are the best, they generally have a basket for tea leaves which is self-straining and if you fill them with hot water first and then dump it out before making your tea, it stays hot the longest. This is a $50 gift but much nicer than Malaika's horrible suggestion.

Here are some links:
http://www.thefragrantleaf.com/japcasir.html
http://www.sensationalteas.com/tetsubin.html
http://www.japanesegifts.com/adtea.asp
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Japanese-Cast-Iron-Tetsubin-Tea-Pot-NR_W0QQitemZ7748744128QQcategoryZ29455QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (my favorite)
http://www.asiachi.com/ironteapots.html

Jonathon,
I find those plastic, light-up stones incredibly tacky looking. If you are looking for lawn-ornaments, perhaps one of those wood cutouts that looks like the fat lady in polka-dots bending over in her garden? (They are in every catalog my grandmother recieves, therefore must be very popular.)

Seriously, I love Japanese gardens and think that fake stones with florescent bulbs in them would be a mistake.

I for one would be delighted to receive a Chia herb garden as a gift. It looks like just the kind of classic set one would want.

Not everyone has $50 to drop on a housewarming gift, rich man.

Oops. I apologize for misspelling your name, Jonathan.

To change the subject for one quick second -- since I'm running out of checks quickly (yes, I still pay some bills the old-fashioned way -- does anyone remember the link to some "cool, modern checks" that was mentioned in an OT not too long ago? Have done quite a bit of searching on AT and Google, without success.

As a housewarming gift I will usually give someone a bottle of wine or liquor, as most people have to restock their bar when they move. This also allows for a wide price range depending on how well you know them.

If the person doesn't drink, then I'd likely just get candles or flowers.

I don't think I'd give anyone a teapot, just because they would likely already have one, ot if they don't, they probably don't drink tea. I also would stay away from any decorative items unless you know their personal style very well.

For my best friends I might give them art - but I usually wait until they're a bit more settled and find a piece that goes with their decor.

Ouch! Jonathan: It was, after all, just a suggestion. I assumed, wrongfully perhaps, that new_to_at wanted a budget friendly, somewhat quirky, and ultimately thoughtful gift idea. Isn't it the thought that's supposed to count? But I'll ask my friend if she would have rather had a flaming bag of crap instead. Hmmm. Maybe next time.

Henriette, is "rich man" an insult or epithet? Not to me.

Here are three beautiful cast iron tea pots for less than $30:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Japanese-Cast-Iron-Tetsubin-Tea-Pot-NR_W0QQitemZ7748744128QQcategoryZ29455QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Tetsubin-Gold-Yellow-Cast-Iron-Teapot-Tea-Pot_W0QQitemZ4445089848QQcategoryZ20634QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Tetsubin-Turquoise-Cast-Iron-Teapot-Tea-Pot_W0QQitemZ4445300447QQcategoryZ20634QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sad I missed the party this time. At least I am enjoying reading the gossip/reports while here in Tanzania.

Fiona-
I hope you have a great safari! You will have to tell us all about it when you return.

gawrsh, p2 and guido, i'm blushing. perhaps if i'd worn gingham and spectacles, you would have noted the uncanny resemblance to irene ryan.

re: housewarming gifts - i love to give orchids. when someone has a new apartment, unless you know something tangible they *really* want, you're often giving something that's going to wind up in the closet. an orchid is "non-functional," but it's beautiful (albeit in an overused, 90s type of way), and it's something living, which i think is a nice symbol for starting in a new space. you can get beautiful orchids at home depot for about $21.00 - if you're feeling flush, buy two. and if they die - well, you had 'em for a few weeks, and enjoyed them longer than the other housewarming gifts which are either in your closet or on the "re-gift" pile.

oh, and guido - ms. champion? done 'im.

That is a trick question!

It was not meant as an insult, let me put it that way.

As it happens I'm thinking of buying a teapot so thank you for your suggestions, Jonathan.

I usually dread receiving gifts because of the likelihood that the gift will be something I don't want but can't get rid of easily for a neurotic web of reasons. But you guys hit the trifecta with an herb garden, a teapot, and an orchid--all wonderful ideas. And of course wine is always good.

I'm ambivalent about gifts off eBay because they can't be returned. I'll risk it if I'm confident of the person's tastes, but otherwise I'm more comfortable buying something with an exit strategy.

Henriette, don't worry about other peoples' tastes. Worry about YOUR tastes. Assuming they don't suck, then you should give what you think is right and then couple that gift with an insut to the recipient so they feel foolish if they don't like it. This is how I give gifts. For example, if I were to give one of those lovely iron teapots, I would write in the note "enjoy this lovely teapot. i find it tasteful and very gorgeous and if you don't like it then you are a f*cking idiot with no taste whatsoever." This way you influence them to like the gift whether they have the insight to appreciate it at first or not.

You might think i'm kidding. i'm not.

I like Jonathan's idea of teapots (OMG did I just say that?). Really, nice idea. I have a collection. Teapots are a nice way to go.

Oddly, I also like the chia pet thing because my younger brother (early balding - ok, bald) received one from me once as a joke and I'll be damned if he didn't get a kick out of it. And the orchid thing, ok, bring me one because I love them. All these ideas are good.

I'll throw an idea into the mix: being Portugese and Irish, somewhere in that mutt thing I was taught to always bring a loaf of bread and a glass bottle of sea salt. Something about wishing health and prosperity for the new home & homeowners. I still do this, adding a nice bottle of wine and wrap it all in a little gift thing with silk and linen and buy organic gourmet bread and make the whole thing really pretty.

A chia pet is much less money...but cute and silly....cute is good.

On an entirely different, and only marginally design-related subject, does anyone know a resource for sophisticated carriers (if that's not an oxymoron)? I've been looking online for one, but all I see are strange, frumpy creations that my little Disco would certainly turn her nose up at. And frankly, if I wanted to look like I was carrying a diaper bag, I would have had a baby, not gotten a puppy.

I'm looking for something that looks like a classy handbag and has a window for her to stick her head out. She's only 3 pounds, so it doesn't have to be very big. Any ideas on where to look for such a thing??

Sorry that this post is so very off-topic...chide me if you must!

The above post is referring to DOG carriers...sorry...I seem to have left out a very important word!

I am not a sports guy, and even less of a football guy. But the one thing I would really, really love to "drop kick" is one of those little rat dogs that goes inside carriers.

I have impeccable taste, not to worry.

Well, Jonathan, if you're going to punt her, would you at least aim your shot for a sleek-looking calfskin bag? I'd be forever grateful.

kris are you in nyc?
I see lots of uberfashion Discobags. Too many actually.
In West Village petstores, and Park Slope groovy stores.

Thanks for the help, Jonathan! If I ever decide to host a dog-fry, you'll be the first to know. Heck, at that point you can eat the bag too.

Guido, alas, I'm not in NYC, but on an island off the western coast of Canada. Hence the lack of snooty pet shopping. My husband may have tied me up and dragged me here from the city, but I refuse to look like the rest of the dreadlocked island inhabitants. Don't worry, though, I'm plotting my escape...

kris, sorry you're livin' the Greenacres life!

maybe you can get someone there to make you one out of felt . . . or bear skin.

And I thought it was bad enough that my bf wants me to move from Manhattan to NJ.

Well . . . that is still pretty bad

try living in sheepshead bay.

Hi all - thanks for some excellent suggestions... love the Chia Herb, teapots and orchids! Am just very skeptical of gifting anything 'living' to busy New Yorkers - I know I'd hate killing a plant (or fish!!) I received as a gift...

A gift that I have loved to give in the past is a clock... kinda brings a homey feel to a new place, no? The gift is atually for a couple (should have stated that ahead)... so would like it to be something they both can enjoy... still looking.

It's official...I need an AT 12-step program.

JMarieb--I do the bread thing, too...not the salt, though. My mom always said it was bad luck to not bring someone bread the first time you visit. And, my mutt mixture is Italian and Polish.

An idea with the bread would be to bake a loaf inside a nice pan and give the pan too? Or, separately...or a tea towel...okay, there I go getting all Martha....

hey, at least you're close to the airport . . .

On a different thread last night I told my funny little tale about the party.

My out-of-town company called me at the last minute alerting of a delayed arrival chez moi of 7:30 or so, so I decided that I would try to meeting whomever was there as early as 6:15pm and stay until 6:30pm and then be home with some margin. So, I was there at the venue for the party by 5:45pm and when 6:30pm rolled around I had to leave.

Apparently the actor who played me could have just been changing costumes to portray Jamie Pup or Guido, because they apparently arrived seconds later.

It was very strange to have such a gorgeous space all to oneself for that long, knowing that much fun would be happening without one later!

Christine: Italian and Polish? Ah, then we are similar in that they are interesting mixtures of genetic stuff.

I was taught the same thing about bad luck without the bread. I don't remember the exact point of the salt. I just know the two go together in my past. Interesing. So I'm not the only one.

I don't give a pan because I've given up baking anything. I'm alone again with the cat and don't want temptation for overeating. But it is a great idea.

You can get as Martha as you like. I really think being invited to someone's home for the first time is an honor and should be treated as such. Good going...

"hey, at least you're close to the airport . . ."

hmmmm...not really, especially if you're taking the train there.

but actually - i know, call the guys with the nets - i kind of like it here. i go to the ocean at least 4 times a week.

proximity to the sea is one of the great under-reported attractions of NYC

NOWHERE in NYC is close the airport by train, unless it's the West Village and we're talking about Newark.

OOOh i feel so left out--hope I can meet you all next time. Maybe Maxwell can give a reading.

Proximity to the Sea (nice book title that would make) is highly under-reported everywhere. I've lived at the Jersey shore, in Santa Monica, and spent some time in Malibu and there just isn't anything like it. And now I live along the Hudson River.

Is it me, or does the AT banner look stronger to you - the font seems more outstanding?? I just recall before being barely able to read it and now it pops. I like it.

Holly

larger font on the green/city bar, holly

pphillip, are you kidding me? You live in Sheepshead Bay? I live in Sheepshead Bay!! I'm sitting on the B train every morning and have to take that ridiculous Q train home later at night. Why are there stops at both Ave. H and Ave. J? So the people who live at Ave. I have a choice?

Last night was fun. Curtis, I'm sorry you didn't stay. I was sitting with Mr. & Mrs. Jamie Pup and Guido at around 6:30 last night. It would have been nice to meet you before the crowds descended.

As for small dogs, I'm with Jonathan. Seriously. Years ago, I was sitting on a bench with my mom (pphillip, on the Manhattan Beach side of the bay) and we watched a small ratdog go by. My mom asks "What is a dog like that for?" And I said, "If you get the angle just right you can drop-kick it really far." She just gave me a look.

Thanks guido for confirming that I am a total font geek. :) You noticed too, huh?

I have a question...when is the chicago AT site going to launch?

Holly

Ahem on drop-kicking small dogs. Mine aren't rat-sized, but I would mightily resent their abuse.

http://www.hitthosekeys.com/images/crick.jpg
http://www.hitthosekeys.com/images/rookie.jpg

They are good for cuddling. Duh.

New-to-AT, I think a "new to the neighborhood" kit makes a good gift: maps, insider tips on restaurants or shopping places, maybe a gift cert or some coupons, that sort of things. It was just such a gift that I count as my favorite after our recent move to Chicago: a simple list of {name withheld} family favorites.

OMG ruth - i thought i was the only one.

and don't get me stawted on the q-train. coming to the AT party i waited 17 minutes for that &*%^^#.

I think that if small dogs were merely dogs and merely small and that were all there was to it, that would be fine. In fact, some of them are the kind of cute that I kind of don't mind.

But unfortunately, many of them have the kind of bantam rooster cockiness that makes them bark a lot which is ALWAYS kind of a yip that makes me want them to evanesce.

Curtis, i think that's less a fault of the dogs than of their people. A lot of people get those tiny dogs so they can have a cute accessory and don't put in the time or effort that it takes to have a well-behaved animal. People think small dogs don't need training like big dogs do. But dogs need rules and structure just like kids do. They bark because they haven't been taught not to.

sigh... just getting caught up on this thread.

my mom gave me a chia herb garden as a stocking stuffer this christmas. makes me think of her every time i look at it, and it's starting to smell good. ...the herb garden, not my mom. she smells the same. which isn't bad. wait.

the herb garden wouldn't be my choice as a housewarming gift, but if i were the recipient, i'd be happy that my friend was thoughtful enough to get me ANYTHING.

re: small dogs - RUTH! there goes the dinner invite for you. i have a norfolk terrier and a westie. and while i DO enjoy dropkicking them, they also provide hours of love and entertainment.