We have pretty much wrapped things up (ok, so maybe not entirely) but close enough that when we had our party last Wednesday night (a Big Wednesday/check out our new place event) people were really impressed. We're renting our first place together and I think what got our friends the most (many of whom are married and/or homeowners) was how much work we had put into a rental, and how homey it felt. It made me feel grateful for everything I've learned in the past few years, much of it through AT, about how to make your place into a real home worth bringing friends into. Even though *I* see all of the tasks that remain there is clearly a feeling that people get when they walk through the door that the folks who live here care.

I wish more people could realize that just because you might not own the space in which you live, or even if you do, there is much to be gained by de-cluttering and letting go of "things", deep cleaning on a regular basis, investing in the bones of your abode and not being afraid of a little change.

Thanks AT, and here's to a strong finish for all those working hard on their homes this week! :)

I would like to have people over more. The thing is, I have only lived in LA for a year and a half, and my boyfriend and I don't know that many people. We have a couple friends here, but we have not been as proactive about meeting people as I'd like. I'm a little shy about inviting people over. But I would really love to throw a dinner party or something soon. Something casual and intimate.... I will think about it. Maybe I can come up with something to do before we go out of town for the holidays. Fun... :)

I definitely want to think of some improvements for the bathroom before I have guests over, though! If I did a house tour, it would definitely be my "biggest embarrassment." It is a jumble of painted-over tile, plastic counter-tops, linoleum flooring, and dingy paint. It's a 1920s bathroom that was someone tried to modernize, and it's an eyesore. But I don't want to invest a lot in it since it's a rental, and I don't know how to fix the issues without investing. So I am at an impass there until I come up with something.

Entertaining at home is less important now that I have a boyfriend. Or, shall I say, formal entertaining, by which I mean inviting people over who don't live here, is less important.

Still I like to have parties because, as an old roommate of mine used to say, all parties are either dance parties or trough parties (the latter being the type where everyone stands around the food table for the whole party). I beg to differ. I've had informal music recitals and art shows ("art" being defined as anything you made yourself), clothing swaps, pumpkin carving parties, a tool party (bring your favorite tool), a chocolate/Willy Wonka party, and lectures (about your work or hobby for your layman friends). I want to have a will party soon (not this week, though) where we watch the movie "A Gun, A Car, A Blonde" and talk about wills gone wrong and our own wills (or lack thereof). There will be songs about death playing in the background such as They Might Be Giants' "Dig My Grave" and the Austin Lounge Lizards' "Last Words" (aka "Can I Have Your Stuff When You're Dead?").

PS--Please free free to steal all these party ideas. We need more fun parties in the world.

@livc, your bathroom sounds embarrassing for your landlord, not you. If the sink and toilet work and the toilet paper, soap, and a towel are easily accessible, I'd say you're good to go. And if you can't make it elegant, you could always go with cheesy: I had friends with the ceiling paint peeling away so horribly in one huge spot in their (rented) bathroom, that they finally had to attach a Godzilla foot as if it were coming through the ceiling.

@Apartment Therapist: Nice photos and thanks for bringing us the Cure as well!

@STLcolleen: I completely agree with regarding decluttering and rentals in general!

@livc: Um, I know exactly what you mean. Some genius previous tenant has painted the enamel bathtub in my flat, but it happened years ago so now the paint is flaking, and due to really hard water here it's been coloured this orangy grey that is more than appalling to look at. I'm so completely embarrassed, but unless I paint it again or start scraping it off (which might never even be possible to complete) I just have to live with it. My solution is to keep most of the shower curtain put "into action" while I have guests, but you can still see it. What gets to me the most is that it looks sooo dirty - and normally I never have a dirty home. (And no, I don't take baths in it...) As long as your linoleum etc feels clean and there's light, toilet paper, running water and a fresh towel people won't mind! Just invite them over already :)

@GrainSmasher: Great party ideas! And VERY nice tip re Godzilla!!!

Re entertaining in my home: I love having people over as long as I feel that they return the favour once in a while too and it's not just me paying for it (I'm still studying, they are working), cooking and preparing for hours both before and after the event. Some of them aren't always very proactive as you can hear :)

Not curing at the moment, but would just like to say how much I LOVE the Apartment Therapist's mother's dining room; it is the Thanksgivingest of them all, and makes me wish I had been there to experience it myself. Sooooo lovely!

I'm also a fan of the beautiful dining room!

@Apartment Therapist: would you mind pointing us toward a source for glass tabletops? We'd like to start pricing a few things for our next round of curing.

PLEASE PLEASE show more of your mother's gorgeous dining room! It looks like it's from a 40's era holiday movie!

In fact, do an entire house tour!

That dining room takes me back to our iconic Thanksgivings at Gramma's. The wallpaper, the furniture, the plate shot!

I had to give up on my Cure due to lack of money. But I found out last week that I got a new job, so I'll be re-starting my Cure in January with bigger paychecks!

Entertaining is fairly important to me, but until this year we haven't had a place large enough to accomodate everyone. Since moving two months ago we're looking forward to having company for Christmas, even if we have to break out the TV tables so people will have a place to eat (for some reason rental properties in my area never have dining rooms).

@GrainSmasher: Amazing party ideas! AT should feature you so we can find out more!!!

Ha! No features! And those parties weren't all amazing. For example, if you have a Willy Wonka/chocolate party, do not let everyone eat all the chocolate they can before watching the movie or the delicious chocolaty scenes will just make people groan.

The party I didn't go to but wished I could (not around, though invited):
My sister-in-law's White Party (in honor of Scandanavia, esp. Norway) at the Summer Solstice -

rice pudding. White bread & butter, vanilla ice cream, white wine, white cheddar, couscous, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs plus a lot more that I didn't register as on the menu. Cauliflower? Anyway, plenty, savory and sweet, all funny and jollly and people of all ages really had a good time, by all reports.

I have planned my party for the new year, after the new sofa and desk arrive.

Thanks very much for a great cure.

I invited friends over for tapas style cooking (sit at the counter and eat as it comes off the stove) before we went to a show near my house. :-) It was nice! I'd like to have people over more often.