These love letters to New York and past selves and the curation of taste that you've built with devotional commitment -- I feel like I get to know more about who you are and how you select objects, clothes, experiences
Thank you for ATA and the fullness of your sharing. I love the experience of reading, your writing reminds me of those days (Kurt Cobain dying, standing in line without a cell phone, the excitement of an IMPORTANT book, meeting a celebrity and being a human with them)
Reading your letters are one of the small/great gifts I give myself, and a mirror to see how much my life is meaningful because of how much I value yours <3
Christene, I swear to god, I felt like I was walking around the UES with you. I know in my heart that at some point we passed each other on those streets, and got coffee at that market on the corner of 82nd and First.
You captured the grit and the joy of living in NYC. I want a whole book, Sister! ❤️
This was a beautiful, intimate reflection of all the spaces and places that have influenced you. Was a joy to travel back in time with you. I remember E 82nd street and trying outfits on there and dropping Joaquin off after you graciously offered to babysit! ...i'm sure we smoked out the window! I remember our Friday night ritual of me picking you up in the taxi on the UWS and hiking it down to The Ear...too many to recount, but thanks for sharing these past shards of memories...x
I loved this, thank you Christene! You have inspired me to get writing about my own past NYC apartments just so I don’t forget all of the quirky details and characters that filled them.
Loved everything about this. You have such a gift for taking your readers on a journey. Though I love your posts about thrifting and design, it’s pieces like this that get me dreaming.
I loved everything about this! Just been in NYC for a visit and as always I have been captured by the incredible energy. Wondering how it would have been to live there… thanks for giving a peek! And the tribute to Kurt Cobain… I was 16 when he passed I was devastated and the summer of that year was the first time I visited NYC. ♥️
This was terrific. My first apartment in the mid-90s was a fourth floor walk up with a Murphy bed on 88th Street and Third Avenue. I felt like I was walking around with you. Thank you for this.
What a beautiful journey. My first apartment in NYC was also on the UES. E 63rd <3 I really needed to read this. Especially the bit about having to leave to sort through life. I just left NYC this month and I feel wrecked about it right now. I know I will be back soon. Thank you for your words.
That is right Mallory….its the leaving that gives us that contrast….I could only write this because I’m not there anymore. And when YOU come back, the love you have for those parts you lived here will awaken again….Into something new✨✨✨
This was a fantastic post. I recently re-read This Is New York by E.B.White. He said (in 1947) that the spirit of NYC has to do with all the people that come here from various corners of the world. They (we) throw their energy into the pool of energy everyone else has tossed into the city. This essay reads like the perfect love letter to a younger self, one's own adventure and the glory of this beautifully crazy NYC.
This was such a lovely way to start my Friday. I appreciate how kind and tender you are to your past self. That something I have to work on sometimes. Really great piece.
These love letters to New York and past selves and the curation of taste that you've built with devotional commitment -- I feel like I get to know more about who you are and how you select objects, clothes, experiences
Thank you for ATA and the fullness of your sharing. I love the experience of reading, your writing reminds me of those days (Kurt Cobain dying, standing in line without a cell phone, the excitement of an IMPORTANT book, meeting a celebrity and being a human with them)
Reading your letters are one of the small/great gifts I give myself, and a mirror to see how much my life is meaningful because of how much I value yours <3
Nancy….how can I thank you for this comment? 🥹❤️
Christene, I swear to god, I felt like I was walking around the UES with you. I know in my heart that at some point we passed each other on those streets, and got coffee at that market on the corner of 82nd and First.
You captured the grit and the joy of living in NYC. I want a whole book, Sister! ❤️
Someday sister, SOMEDAY
This was a beautiful, intimate reflection of all the spaces and places that have influenced you. Was a joy to travel back in time with you. I remember E 82nd street and trying outfits on there and dropping Joaquin off after you graciously offered to babysit! ...i'm sure we smoked out the window! I remember our Friday night ritual of me picking you up in the taxi on the UWS and hiking it down to The Ear...too many to recount, but thanks for sharing these past shards of memories...x
And Takashimaya and Elaine’s and you becoming one of the most important people to come into my life…the CLASSICS
I thought of those two times, as well..here’s to building more great memories, in special places and spaces:)
This made me nostalgic for a life that is not my own! A beautiful encapsulation of life’s moments of serendipity and sorrow and everything in between.
Thank you Grace❤️❤️❤️
I loved this, thank you Christene! You have inspired me to get writing about my own past NYC apartments just so I don’t forget all of the quirky details and characters that filled them.
That was part of my own assignments….just wait till I start re-reading my journals, oy!!
This upper east side odyssey was a gift today
Thanks Leo….there was a 3-month sublet on the UWS but it didn’t quite make the cut. It was pretty rad tho
This essay has it all including a Robert Sean Leonard sighting. It was the perfect antidote to the news, a real salve for my soul.
Miranda, this means THE WORLD TO ME. Also, can't tell how grateful I am for the paid sub, too. More A Tiny Apt. in 2025 and beyond! xx
Loved everything about this. You have such a gift for taking your readers on a journey. Though I love your posts about thrifting and design, it’s pieces like this that get me dreaming.
That is one the lovliest compliments ever...to inspire a little dreaming for all of you/us. What could be better? Thank you Stefanie! xx
You brought a bit of New York to my London flat this morning and it was beautiful and messy and wonderful. Thank you for sharing ❤️
That makes me happy❤️
I loved everything about this! Just been in NYC for a visit and as always I have been captured by the incredible energy. Wondering how it would have been to live there… thanks for giving a peek! And the tribute to Kurt Cobain… I was 16 when he passed I was devastated and the summer of that year was the first time I visited NYC. ♥️
This took my breath away. Thank you.
Thank you so much Mrs. S!❤️
This was terrific. My first apartment in the mid-90s was a fourth floor walk up with a Murphy bed on 88th Street and Third Avenue. I felt like I was walking around with you. Thank you for this.
We were probably neighbors, Alessandra❤️
What a beautiful journey. My first apartment in NYC was also on the UES. E 63rd <3 I really needed to read this. Especially the bit about having to leave to sort through life. I just left NYC this month and I feel wrecked about it right now. I know I will be back soon. Thank you for your words.
That is right Mallory….its the leaving that gives us that contrast….I could only write this because I’m not there anymore. And when YOU come back, the love you have for those parts you lived here will awaken again….Into something new✨✨✨
This was a fantastic post. I recently re-read This Is New York by E.B.White. He said (in 1947) that the spirit of NYC has to do with all the people that come here from various corners of the world. They (we) throw their energy into the pool of energy everyone else has tossed into the city. This essay reads like the perfect love letter to a younger self, one's own adventure and the glory of this beautifully crazy NYC.
I really loved this. Thank you.
This was such a lovely way to start my Friday. I appreciate how kind and tender you are to your past self. That something I have to work on sometimes. Really great piece.