Desk's Profile

Agreed on all points -- it's a landlord /311 issue. That said, I had some pesky mold/mildew on the walls in my bathroom and was constantly cleaning it with bleach. I found a product at Home Depot called Concrobium "Mold Control" and it worked great. No fumes. Mold has not come back. It's not sold everywhere, and I was only able to find it at the HD on the Upper East Side in the tool rental area. I think it's like $10 or so for the bottle. Clean the area with bleach first, then spray this stuff on.

I'll be playing "The Chipmunk Song" by Alvin & The Chipmunks. Santa, please bring me the red one.

This year I'm looking to get my air conditioner stored/cleaned for the winter. Does anyone have any recs about who to use? Any pro/con about Amsterdam Air Cooling (amsterdamac.com), specifically? And, any words of caution before I decide to do this? (In years past I've just left it in the window or stored it on a porch, so this is my first time trying the storage option...) I'm on UWS. Thanks!

I love that kitty has a little shelf there for his books in case he needs to do some reading while doing his business...

1. I have a little box of nice toiletry things that I leave out in the bathroom in case our guests forgot something. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, nice lotions, facial soap, etc.
2. I have an uncanny ability to pick up dropped/lost subway passes that still have a lot of money on them. So I write how much money is on them, save them and then give them to guests when they visit.
3. Years ago, I made up a folder with maps, take-out menus and a list of useful neighborhood stuff (including, what grocery store is open latest and where the nearest bank is, don’t eat at this restaurant, etc.).
4. When I leave towels out for guests I fold them up nicely and wrap them up with a nice grosgrain ribbon.
5. Sparkling wine in fridge.

BTW, his cookbook is excellent. I've been using it all summer and the recipes are flawless. Pepper ice cream was so wonderful and fun.

Does anyone have any recommendations for good thrift/vintage/antique shops in Hudson Valley? Between Rhinebeck and NYC? I’m looking for stores that would have a good selection of mid-century things, but I'm also interested in places a la Olde Good Things. Not interested in really fancy shops, or precious antiques. I can make repairs and fix finishes so rough and ready places are good, too. Thanks in advance.

I can't say enough good things about Heidi Swanson's Super Natural Cooking. It's one of the best cookbooks I've bought in recent years.

There is only one solution -- do it up with a mechanized disco ball. With that thing turning it will catch the sun, bounce off the mirrors and your cats will be leaping around all day trying to chase the light (like a laser pointer for the cats, but way way better).

(Seriously, take them down, risk the security deposit.)

Yes, green. An outdoorsy dark green. I had one.