blazer. (on sale yay! I bought 00P) shirt.(on sale!) jeans.(I bought a 25) sunglasses. bag. shoes. (designer version here.) necklace. ring.
Well we’ve been in New England for about 5 days now, so of course you know I have to pull out my preppy clothes… I’ve waited my whole life for this! Just kidding. Sort of. ;-)
But seriously. It’s been really, really great to all be back together again, even if my kids have been sick since we got here, and we’ve been quarantined to our hotel.
First off, house update. You guys. Closing on a 230 year old farmhouse is so much more complicated than closing on a normal house. (Like you know, one that was built after the revolutionary war and stuff.) I know that this is just the beginning, and that buying a house this old is opening the door to lots of quirky things and lots of (we’ll call them) adventures, but I kind of love the idea of living in something with so much history. And also, our inspector told us he’s never seen a house this old in such amazing shape. So good job, little farmhouse! Already an overachiever. I cannot wait to show it to you guys, and in just a few more week (as long as there’s not some huge issue that comes up) I promise I will. We drove the kids past it on Sunday and immediately Ethan started making plans for the pasture. You know, to accommodate our future horse. I cannot wait to move my children into such a magical house. (In case you haven’t realized it yet, I am a gigantic nerd at heart.)
So yesterday, we ventured out. Ethan and Ava are basically still sick, but we HAD TO get out of the hotel for a few hours (if only to let the maid come and take the trash out/bring new towels.) I figured the fresh air would do us all good, and it did. My husband’s company is taking really good care of us, it’s actually a really nice suite with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a little kitchen, and a small living room, such a nice place. But 4 kids couped up for 5 days with nothing to do but read, watch TV and play solitaire frenzy with mom… we’re all getting a little stir crazy. Which brings me to, we are not TV watchers. What do people even watch? I find myself flipping through the 200 channels wondering where to even stop.
Okay, so back to our outing. We drove around a bit, trying to get to know the area. (Impossible at this point, I’m completely disoriented every time I get in the car. Like everything is just rolling New England roads branching out in every direction, with pretty houses, deciduous trees everywhere (oh I bet summer is just gorgeous here!) and I don’t even know which direction is north. Like seriously, I had to keep checking my phones compass. Local Nutmeggers, please tell me that this gets better.) Then we got some lunch, and I noticed a group of teenagers and the boys were all wearing khaki’s rolled up with boat shoes and windbreakers, so “Dorothy we’re definitely not in Seattle anymore…”
We found some fun boutiques (fun for me, not the kids) and then stopped at the bookstore, because my kids are all very fast readers and finished the books Craig bought for them by day two. It was a good day. My first real outing with my kids in Connecticut, and I’d say it was a success. (Even if I had to use my GPS to get EVERYWHERE.)
A few other random observations about Connecticut:
Connecticut drivers drive really fast. I’m from California and I naturally have kind of a lead foot, but man they fly down those country roads! (Or maybe it just seems that way, because I’m driving slow due to earlier stated disorientation.) My husband said the same thing, so I don’t think it’s just me.
It’s cold here. The cold feels really cold in Connecticut. I used to say that in Seattle, because it’s wet, but now I see that I was just being a wimp. #sendmorelayers
The coast is like insanely pretty here. I am so excited to take my babies to the beach this summer.
I’ve never seen a place that so intentionally tries to maintain historical integrity. You’ll see a Dunkin Donuts and it looks like it just jumped out 1800. I really respect that. It makes everything really pretty and idyllic.
It snowed yesterday, and just as I suspected, it made all those New England houses look even more picturesque. It’s so pretty here.
Okay this isn’t an observation, but really a question. We’re in this hotel till the end of February and while I do have a tiny kitchen, I’m not really cooking, if you are from around here, where are some cool places to eat?? We’re staying in Glastonbury, but I don’t mind driving. Give me all your recs!
And speaking of preppy. I like ninja assassin stalked this blazer until it came back in my size (00P) and I am so glad I did. It’s perrrrrrfect. And a lot of the reviews say the arms are tight, but I think J.Crew fixed the design because I have thicker arms and they aren’t tight at all.
There are some really great J.Crew pieces at Nordstrom right now, and a bunch of them are on sale, so I linked to them in the widget below…
Happy Thursday everyone!
I can’t wait to see until the house is done. Hopefully you’ll do a house tour! That blazer is perfect!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
You think it will be pretty in the summer just wait til fall. I lived in upstate NY for about 4 years, but a Texan at heart. so I hear you about the layers, we moved here in early November. We made several Target runs before we felt somewhat prepared. You learn new tricks each year.
I’ve lived in CT for 4 years now and still use my gps all.the.time. It doesn’t help that half the time the streets aren’t marked with street signs. Drives me crazy! Also, people just drive differently here. I could go on and on about that. But I think once you get used to the windy roads you’ll find yourself driving faster too. (When I’m on an unfamiliar country road I am much slower.) And yes, spring/summer is beautiful with all the trees, but fall is just out-of-this-world breathtaking! It’s like driving through a painting. CT really is so pretty! I also love the historical part of it all. Can’t wait to see pictures of your farmhouse. :)
Oh I just love New England so much. We recently moved to California and I miss the east coast. What year was your house built?
I’m LOVING following your adventures!!! Can’t wait to see your new house/property!!
You must go to any of Max’s. There are two in Glastonbury. Have you been to West Hartford yet? Lots to do there! Shop and eat all day through there. How about taking the kids to the CT Meueum in Hartford? Has anyone told you about Stew Leonard’s? There really is so much to see and do in CT. You will be happy!
Tons of restaurants in Glastonbury. Ken’s corner for bfast and lunch or Lottie’s country kitchen. Sakura for hibachi or Japanese. Whenever you and your husband can get out for a nice dinner out, definitely 2 Hopewell. Whole Foods just redid their eat-in area- lots of options there.
Spent 7 years in Ellington, CT, and left a part of my heart there! Our kids were preschoolers when we left, but man, did we take them all over the Eastern seaboard before we left! CT is a great springboard to seeing so many interesting places. We loved visiting Yankee Candle and the nearby butterfly farm in Deerwood, MA. Camping in NH and VT is a must. Woodstock, VT is ultra charming and the nearby Montshire Museum (across the border in NH) is fascinating. Storyland in VT is delightful with kids in the summertime. We loved Old Saybriook CT and eating FRESH Maine lobster is a must! Winter is terrible but Fall is absolutely, positively magical. What an adventure for your family!
Max Fish or West Hartford has some good places! We live in Madison and I think Guilford has some adorable places especially for lunch (guilford marketplace your kids will LOVE it) Roosters for cookies – AMAZING – Anyway no I have lived here for 25 years and the fact that 95 N/S actually runs east west still messes me up – Email me if you need any ideas I have lived all over CT. We just moved to the Shoreline 2 years ago so I can help with beach ideas too!
Welcome to CT! I second the recommendation of Ken’s Corner for breakfast, and Luna Pizza is in the same plaza – great family friendly spot for dinner. If you’re looking for something a little nicer, Bricco and J Gilbert’s are both lovely spots with delicious food. If you want to venture out a bit, Bear’s BBQ in Hartford is fantastic, and there are about a million restaurant options in West Hartford (probably a 20 minute drive from you if it isn’t rush hour). Enjoy exploring!
hey there! official welcome to CT! if you like wings (they have other stuff too some great salads and sandwiches) but you have to check out J Timothy’s in Plainville. It’s a bit of drive from Glastonbury (maybe 30 min if that?) but it’s the best tavern ever and the building was built in the 1700s! I think you’ll love the charm. i love it there. a CT must. they were voted to have the #2 wings in the country one year. if you order wings, get them “dirt” style. it’s their signature. West Hartford has tons of great options too!! I live in Bristol (home of ESPN) so if you need suggestions I’m happy to help! I love following your move so far :)
I’m so behind! You’re living on the East Coast?! We have to come visit! Geof. will be so jealous. We miss Virginia so bad. We are extremely excited for you!
So very excited to read about this move! Have been following your blog since we were both pregnant back in 2012. Our family lived in Seattle from 2011 through 2016. We just moved to an old colonial (circa 1810) in Vermont. Also in terrific shape. Absolutely love it so far. I’m really excited to keep reading and follow your adventures back east. We live somewhat parallel lives!
I am from CT ( currently living in Seattle for a few more years)……. All the above are great recommendations. Definitely check out Simsbury! There are some good restaurants there, notably Abigail’s and Millwright’s. You will love the charm of that town!!!! I miss it there so much and seriously counting down the days until we are back!! Outside of CT ( when the weather warms up), you also have to check out Newport, RI. One of my all time favorite places when I’m on the east coast!!