Hello, beautiful.
And happy Saturday to you all! How’s everyone’s day shaping up so far? Jay and I were both up at a decent hour this morning, despite going to bed around 2am thanks to a fun evening with friends, so we could be ready to sign some contracts…
It’s time to get some new siding up in here!
Our contractor came over early this morning to work out the final details, write up our contract, and get things rolling. Jay and I had thought that we had decided on a color last week, but as the guy was writing it up we both ended up doing a bit of a double take at the color charts and made a last minute change.
Originally, we were going to go with the color above the circled one, but we ultimately decided that we liked the darker color better.
So long, partially-missing-seafoam-green siding!! 
We’ve still got a about a month wait time until the big renovation, but just knowing that it’s even on the horizon makes me BEYOND excited!
So shortly after we finished up with that this morning, I put together and quick and easy breakfast.
Iced coffee + a cereal combo made with loads of berries, Kashi Go Lean, Special K, and unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
Now, Jay and I are going to get ready to head out for our out-of-state road trip tooo…
New Haven, CT!
If anyone has any recommendations and/or must-go places for a little day trip, we’re all ears! One place I do know that we’re stopping at though? IKEA.
I have never been to an Ikea…should I be prepared to want to spend my entire savings or what?
I get so excited for home projects. Y’all have put so much work into your house, and it shows! :)
That breakfast looks so refreshing and oh so summery!!! I’m jealous of your roadtrip. Those are the best. Scouting out local restaurants are so fun. And IKEA…oh man. Prepare yourself. It always makes me question why I didn’t go into interior design! You better leave your wallet in the car!!!
The siding on my house is a similar shade of brown! I definitely think darker is better!
Have fun at Ikea; there’s always a lot to check out!
Oh man you ate going to love IKEA although your wallet might not feel the same! I went once and felt like a kid in a candy store haha! Apparently their soft serve is a must-try!
Whaaaaaaaat?!?! Soft serve in Ikea?!?! You’re KIDDING.
Oooo Ikea! Be ready to feel a little overwhelmed. ;) I have mixed feelings about the place. It’s fun to look around, but there’s a LOT. We’ve found some good stuff there, but some of it is kinda “cheap” looking. Just depends on what you’re looking for! Have fun!
Oh my god, make sure you pack some snacks for IKEA!! I always love the idea of going there and then it’s sooo huge and overwhelming that I get super exhausted and cranky if I don’t bring remedies to get my blood sugar back up! Luckily though, they put the food court right in the middle so a stop for Swedish meatballs is always a must to refuel! :)
You should be prepared to spend your entire DAY.
Ashley’s ice cream!
I am from CT- If you want to try a vegetarian cute cute cute place for lunch (not sure how jay feels about that??) go to claire’s corner copia! It is great! There is also a jcrew, urban outfitters, and other fun little boutiques near yale’s campus!
I recommend you stop and eat at Pepe’s Pizza. It was a favorite of ours when we lived there. http://www.pepespizzeria.com/?page=locations. Enjoy New Haven!
oh i second that-the white broccoli at pepes is delishhhhhhh
Pepe’s Pizza! (157 Wooster Street New Haven, CT 06511) I live in southern CT and Pepe’s is a CT tradition. Honestly there isn’t better pizza out there. Just thinking about it is making me hungry. You’ll have one happy tummy!
Have fun in new haven. You will lice IKEA!! I live on fairfield ct. Believe it or not I have never had dinner in new haven but I know there are a lot if great restaurants there!
Never been to that part of CT, but I know their aquarium is nice! lol
Enjoy Ikea! It’s fun to walk around in there, but I warn you that it takes a while to see everything!
I grew up 20minutes outside of New Haven!! For eats, my favs have always been Claire’s Cornicopia and Frank Pepe’s Pizza (it’s world famous!) walking around Yale is always fun too. And Ikea is overwhelming but so worth it…enjoy!!
I’m from right around there! Def pepes pizza and froyo world you’ll love both!! There both right in the center of new haven!
What fun! I love home projects- unfortunately I have been the one doing all of them though. It can kind of burn a girl out! I would be stoked about someone else helping me spiffy up the house.
Travel safe & have tons of fun with Jay! :)
i second claire’s! i go there and dont even think its vegetarian. they have great small items like coffee cakes etc and food.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana – get the local summer tomato pie.
I’m on a little road trip too (San Antonio, TX). Have fun on your’s!
I think the darker one will be nice! Home reno projects are always exciting.
Ikea…bring a credit card. Preferably a near-blank one. :-)
Prepare yourself for crowds and potentially an argument with Jay. ;-) My husband will not go there with me ever again and I know he’s not the only husband to say that! haha
IKEA is so much fun!!!! I live in about 20 minutes from the IKEA in CT and was just there last weekend!!! Be prepared to spend lots of money, because seriously, everything in that store is amazing!!!! Have fun!!!!
IKEA is amazing!! Stuff is so reasonably priced there!
Be prepared to be a little overwhelmed at IKEA!! I feel like you just have to walk through the whole thing once, and then go back through to find the things you want!!
Have fun! :)
Ikea! Jay is a saint. My boyfriend won’t step foot in the place anymore! You won’t spend a ton of money there as the prices are great but your head will be spinning with ideas of redecorating. Plus you’ll need a nap after because it’s very over stimulating!!! Have fun!
enjoy the vacation!
IKEA is so overwhelming but AWESOME. Have fun!
Love IKEA! I grew up living two miles from one, and I bought my first piece of artwork there – a large blak and white Audrey Hepburn canvas. You have to look awhile but you can find some great stuff if you’re patient. Have fun!!
I just love home projects! Your house is going to look beautiful! have fun at IKEA!!
Oh my gosh, IKEA?! Don’t get me started. Your first time will be like a kid walking into a candy store. But don’t forget to eat there – swedish meatballs and mac and cheese all the way!
your cereal photos are stunning this morning. hope you have a great weekend, court!! :)
I live in New Haven. You should definitely go to Pepe’s and then Libby’s (right down the street) for dessert! Have fun!
YAYY house stuff!! Have fun today!
I spent four good years of school in new haven. Nothing like nyc where i live now but there are hidden gems. Pepe’s of course, or walk right down the road to Sallys. They have a great pizzeria rivalry. Bar also has great pizza (mashed potato and bacon pizza there is divine). 116 Crown for a nice tapas dinner and a great way to cap off your night.
Ikea — yes, soft serve for 99 cents. Can’t beat it. Also, you won’t be able to resist the scent of the cinnamon buns!
Have a great trip! I grew up in Fairfield….and New Haven was pretty fun! You’ve got to get some candles from IKEA…I love the green apple scented ones! xoxo
Prepare to be there for your entire day! It’s a good thing they have a cafeteria. Don’t forget to grab some cinnamon buns on your way out! Can’t wait to read about your experience!
Have fun at Ikea! You will fall in love for sure!
Go to Pepe’s Pizza! I lived in NH for a year and am now a littler further south in CT!!
Ooh!! I just went to IKEA earlier today! Going there on a weekend..not such a good idea. There’s A LOT to see so it’s better if you don’t have a massive crowd surrounding you at all times. It can get quite frustrating. I did my share of bumping, hitting, pushing..haha gently, though- some accidentally, some purposefully ;)
Everything’s very affordable and cute!
I LOVE their nonfat yogurt cone! It’s only a $1!! Can’t beat that!!
Have fun in New Haven! My brother and sister-in-law used to live there, and when we visited them back in September, it was gorgeous!! Felt like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls ;)
Ahh IKEA! I could live in that place.. you will love it for sure ;)
For lunch:
Claires Corner Copia’s puebelo salad with buffalo soy chicken, burritos, carrot cake, or chipotle quesadilla!
For breakfast:
Try Claires again for their amazing eggs florentine or blueberry pancakes or check out the pantry on mechanic street.
Frank Pepe’s is an institution. Do not order salad.
Yeah a for new siding!! have fun :)
You’re going to have even more redecorating ideas after you stop at IKEA! They have so much cool and affordable stuff!
awe I love New Haven. I think walking the Yale Campus is fun in itself. Something about old college campuses is just beautiful to me.
Have a great getaway!!!
PS your cereal bowls always look so good! I need you to come construct my breakfast :-)
Ikea is awesome! Just know you have to assemble all the furniture yourself, but it’s well worth the amazing prices. I got a desk there for my jewelry making station, and it came together really easily and works very well. Ikea never disappoints!
Ikea is so deadly for the pocket book! They have some awesome deals!!! Have fun xo
tania on July 28, 2012 at 1:50 am said:
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Hi, just want to spread the word that you beware to NOT undereat…I learned the hard way and can’t run at all now…
some things you ought to consider:
http://www.gwynetholwyn.com/blog/2011/9/14/do-i-need-2500-calories.html
http://www.gwynetholwyn.com/blog/2011/9/17/is-it-too-late-for-me-to-recover-from-restricted-eating-beha.html
You can read all the other blog posts there too…food for thought!!
You are Young and need a LOT of cals…even if you just sat all day…so make sure you do your body right…I see way too many (unadmittedly) orthorexic bloggers on these websites…amenorrheic or too much exercise or fake, low cal foods…or new “diet” or something…jeesh, take care of yourself
Hahah that’s where I was born!
I like today’s post, because it is so similar to what we are doing right now (for months)- renovating a house we bought. :)
Can’t wait for the pictures of your freshly painted home!
And IKEA is a lot of fun. My mom and I will go there on Monday. Though I know exactly what I NEED, I always find other stuff I WANT :) .