Come On Over

Why hosting has been a huge upside of this new chapter

When you live in a one bedroom apartment with a partner, having guests is hard. Maybe that’s not true for everyone, but it was for me. In the years I lived with my ex our only overnight guests were on his side. Aside from the limited space, on a subconscious level, I didn’t feel comfortable inviting people into our space for a long time, which speaks to some deeper issues. Even though I had sometimes friends over for dinner or to watch a show, it was easier to host if he was out of town or at a work dinner.

Even though I’m living alone for the first time, since the break up, my home feels more full than ever. Though I live with my cat, Este, who is the sweetest, I have guests over constantly. My apartment has become a spot to get ready for an event, a family brunch, a place to cook dinner, and a safe harbor if you’re having a bad day. Even when I’m out of town, I love having a friend stay and hang with Este (she loves people and has even befriended my super). This makes me incredibly happy as someone raised by two dedicated hosts and many episodes of Barefoot Contessa.

Este is a great host! She loves to sit behind this lamp and sit on people’s laps

Last week, my cousin and friend Lizzi stayed with me for four nights (miss you, Lizzi) and Miranda stayed for a night. Natalie is coming to stay in a few weeks and I’m so excited to host her. I wanted to share some things that worked while hosting and the things I’m still working on.