I moved from New York to California during the early days of Covid and was struck by how different social plans felt. In New York, I was used to planned dinners and walks and coffee dates, but CA was so much more laid back. Friends cycled in and out of my apartment without real plans, and we simply lounged around together. It was so NICE. This was partly due to Covid (many local businesses were still closed), but not entirely and I haven’t found a way to invite it back into my life since coming home to New York.
such an interesting observation! would love to hear / follow along as you do so. one friend @Shohini Gupta, also in ny, has been inspiring me lately by defaulting to inviting friends over for dinner at her house vs. going out.
I agree! I think also if someone is doing a cafe as part of "influencing" that is a bit tiring. But having a hangout with a cute theme is just hosting. I'm actually having a fish themed party today! 😆🐟 My spouse and I try to have at least one monthly gathering. Our space is small but we make it work and feel much more connection these days. I recommend silly themed parties! I might borrow the cafe idea 😄☕
You should have been in town for Cafe Selma. It was every Wednesday morning at 700A, at a house on the Old West Side. Open to the public. It eventually got shut down because the neighborhood was not zoned for commercial use.
Had to look that up on reddit - I feel like there are so many stories of these home movements, like the basement concerts, that all went away before I moved here.
I love the idea of Sunday Salons and home cafes, but this post also made me a little sad because I've tried so hard to create those kind of spaces yet still felt like getting people to show up was like pulling teeth. Striking the cool girl balance of just enough planning and just enough friends with just enough closeness is a lot more demanding than it seems!
i love this!! i also really want to host an at home cafe 🥺🥺🥺 at a time where our most precious resource is time, this is such a wonderful way to be generous and loving
The home cafe is one of my absolute favorite trends. I loved this reflection on the concept. It feels so much more intimate and relaxing to have an open-door, come-if-you’d-like invite than a planned event at a public place. I get to do something I love and interact with people I enjoy without the chaos and noise
this captured how i’ve been feeling as a new grad in new york- lots of my friends are here and i want to spend time with them, but not necessarily having to “do a formal activity” or spend money. maybe i’ll start doing open houses!
I had never heard of the "turn your home into a café" trend before, but honestly, I dig it! It's a cute way to get together with friends, and I may have to do this some time. Thank you for writing this!
The idea of a Sunday Salon is absolutely genius, i might have to combine it with the cafe idea this summer and truly capture the in and out vibe of a local coffee shop. Less pressure, how beautiful
I moved from New York to California during the early days of Covid and was struck by how different social plans felt. In New York, I was used to planned dinners and walks and coffee dates, but CA was so much more laid back. Friends cycled in and out of my apartment without real plans, and we simply lounged around together. It was so NICE. This was partly due to Covid (many local businesses were still closed), but not entirely and I haven’t found a way to invite it back into my life since coming home to New York.
such an interesting observation! would love to hear / follow along as you do so. one friend @Shohini Gupta, also in ny, has been inspiring me lately by defaulting to inviting friends over for dinner at her house vs. going out.
I agree! I think also if someone is doing a cafe as part of "influencing" that is a bit tiring. But having a hangout with a cute theme is just hosting. I'm actually having a fish themed party today! 😆🐟 My spouse and I try to have at least one monthly gathering. Our space is small but we make it work and feel much more connection these days. I recommend silly themed parties! I might borrow the cafe idea 😄☕
gotta know how the fish party turned out! agree - love a good theme!
It went very well! I think everyone had a good time. One friend made a fish shaped chocolate cake with scales! It was very impressive.
You should have been in town for Cafe Selma. It was every Wednesday morning at 700A, at a house on the Old West Side. Open to the public. It eventually got shut down because the neighborhood was not zoned for commercial use.
this sounds incredible! i wish i had the chance to go.. i feel like there's a yearning for a new version of that here.
Had to look that up on reddit - I feel like there are so many stories of these home movements, like the basement concerts, that all went away before I moved here.
coming back to this..... boop boop. Parisa and I had a convo. or two or three. I can't wait til the three of us are all on the same dirt. :)
I love the idea of Sunday Salons and home cafes, but this post also made me a little sad because I've tried so hard to create those kind of spaces yet still felt like getting people to show up was like pulling teeth. Striking the cool girl balance of just enough planning and just enough friends with just enough closeness is a lot more demanding than it seems!
i love this!! i also really want to host an at home cafe 🥺🥺🥺 at a time where our most precious resource is time, this is such a wonderful way to be generous and loving
The home cafe is one of my absolute favorite trends. I loved this reflection on the concept. It feels so much more intimate and relaxing to have an open-door, come-if-you’d-like invite than a planned event at a public place. I get to do something I love and interact with people I enjoy without the chaos and noise
Great read!
Community over commodity, every time.
Loved every word. Beautiful reflection of today’s third space culture.
Also so intrigued and excited to hear your thoughts on the grad-student-SO-in-a-college-town trap. I imagine will be very relatable to many ♡
will be cooking this one up soon!! excited to get your eyes and takes on it hehe
this captured how i’ve been feeling as a new grad in new york- lots of my friends are here and i want to spend time with them, but not necessarily having to “do a formal activity” or spend money. maybe i’ll start doing open houses!
Love this! Been sitting on the idea of opening a “cafe” in my home, but now I’m really gonna plan it!
I had never heard of the "turn your home into a café" trend before, but honestly, I dig it! It's a cute way to get together with friends, and I may have to do this some time. Thank you for writing this!
I learned how to host from church baby showers, which means if you come to my house for a special occasion you get a punch bowl with 7up and sherbert
Not anymore.
The idea of a Sunday Salon is absolutely genius, i might have to combine it with the cafe idea this summer and truly capture the in and out vibe of a local coffee shop. Less pressure, how beautiful
it adds whimsy to life , whimsy is good
i love the idea of sunday salons — what a perfect way to have people over in a lowkey way. we’ve forgotten how to hang out!