How to Host a Big Chili Cook-Off in a Small First Apartment

November 30, 2022 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Nothing helps keep away the cold like a hot bowl of soup or stew, and chili is one of the most iconic dishes to fill this role during the fall and winter. There are many variations of this spicy stew, so chili cook-offs are a popular event during this time of year. Want to host…

How to Safely Have Friends Over As States Reopen

June 5, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Nearly three months into the COVID-19 pandemic, many states have begun to reopen their economies. As restaurants, storefronts, and other businesses return to a semblance of prior functioning, you may feel tempted to start seeing your friends again too. But is it safe to see friends or have visitors to your apartment yet? Or is…

Three Fun Video Dinner Party Ideas

April 9, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Just because you’re social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19 doesn’t mean you can’t communicate with friends. Sure, you can’t see people in person (well, other than your roommates), but you can always have a video dinner party with your friends to make the best of your physical separation. If anything, the massive impact…

Easy Apartment Party: Weekend Brunch!

August 25, 2018 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

Brunch has really been in the spotlight lately, and it’s clear why! Nothing beats a delicious casual noontime meal with friends or family, especially with beautiful fall weather in sight. The only downside to weekend brunch? With it’s increased popularity comes increased prices! Heading to brunch each weekend isn’t in budget for many, especially as…

How to Help a Friend Find Their Perfect Place

March 27, 2018 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

Congratulations, you must be an awesome friend! You’ve been asked to help your friend find an apartment. This is a huge honor and means they must appreciate your input, so look at it that way! Maybe you’ve been living in your own place for a while, maybe you live in a location they’re interested in,…

Apartment Activities with New Friends

May 20, 2017 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’re moving into your first apartment away from your college city or hometown, you may find it difficult to make friends! This is totally normal, and happens all the time. But after you move away from college roommates and friends, you’ll need to find a squad to support you in person when Face-Time just…

Hosting Four-Legged Guests

March 5, 2016 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

My roommate/boyfriend Matt and I have two amazing dogs! Having them in our place makes it feel more like home, they are fun to be around, and they ensure that we spend time outside every day walking and playing with them. Well, this weekend, we are also hosting my parents’ two dogs! As you can…

How to Host the Perfect Housewarming

November 14, 2015 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

If you moved into your first apartment over the summer, by now all your friends and family want to see what you have done with the place. It’s time to invite them over for a little get-together, and — lucky you! — at this time of the year you can even make it a twofer,…

Should You Live with Your BFF?

March 22, 2014 | By Melissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Whenever I hear this question, my immediate response is no, you should not. Unless you met your BFF in a roommate circumstance (it happens!), you probably should nix the idea of shacking up with your BFF. It may sound like fun, and like something out of Girls or Friends, but in reality it causes a lot…

Should Your First Apartment Be Like a Post-College Dorm?

January 22, 2011 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

In New York (and most bigger cities), you’ll find all sorts of 20-somethings, ranging from hipsters to ex-frat brothers, looking for their dream first apartment. You’ll even find 23-year olds who still miss college enough to pretend that they’re still there – at a steep cost of $3200 for a one-bedroom. The NYTimes recently ran a scathing…