Hillary Johnson's Profile

Emailed directions are definitely the way to go. This post raised one of my personal pet peeves, which is that I loathe it when hosts and hostesses who fuss endlessly over giving me directions over the phone--especially over my own protestations of self sufficiency. I end up pretending to write down what they're saying. I have a GPS that's eerily accurate, and even if I didn't, I'd much prefer to google. I suppose if there's a really solid reason the google directions will be wrong (a recently closed street, for example), I'd be glad to know it, but otherwise, I'd prefer to be given the address and left to my own devices--especially if I've already politely but firmly said as much.

The larger point to me there is that there is a huge difference between graciousness and fussiness--too many people think entertaining is about harassing guests with a show of being very, very busy and anxious on their behalf. Which actually just makes us guests feel like we're a lot of trouble. The best hosts make you feel like you're at home, and no trouble at all. Emailing directions to a tricky destination strikes me as the un-fussy, gracious approach.

Trader Joe's sells an air freshener that contains nothing but citrus oils. It smells like a freshly peeled orange and works like a charm on stinky rooms.

Why aren't all houses like this?

I like this solution, which puts them up at the ceiling:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/bikelift

Don't use a bedsheet to decorate, the couch is funky and cool. Bring the painting lower, and center it over the couch. Apple green silk throw pillows. A bright, shaggy rug that picks up the green. I have a danish wool rya rug that I bought on eBay for $160. If you can't find one, you can buy a carpet remnant in a deep pile shag and tape the edges.

This is one of my favorite apartments ever. I love how a few accent colors and treatments made such a huge diufference, especially in a mean little rental kitchen (much like the one I've got).