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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Travel ·

Spring Break in Miami: PART 1


Well, today, I was going to post pics of my new office, buuuuuut there is one little thing missing, so I thought “I’ve waited this long, I might as well wait another week”.

Sigh.

It’s very hard to believe that my house still isn’t 100% finished…but it’s not.  Just yesterday, I had a plumber, electrician and cabinet guy here with me.  I’m going to miss all of these people when they’re finally gone.  #kidding #ienjoymyquiettime #itsbeenalmostayearatthispoint

So, I punted and decided to show you a few pics from Spring Break instead!

We like to go somewhere cold after Christmas and then somewhere warm during Spring Break, so this year, we thought we’d try Miami, Florida.  The weather was pretty terrible the first two days we were there, but we made the most of it and things definitely improved as the week went by.  We laughed a lot, you guys.  Looking back on this week with my fam, I’m going to remember lots of laughing 🙂 .

It’s been over a year since I’ve done a travel post, and I feel super ill-prepared (aren’t we supposed to be talking about desks and office furniture today?), but rusty as I may be, here are a few pics from our first few days in Miami…

Welcome to the Sunshine State!  Ha!  What it lacked in sun, it certainly made up for with tropical depression like wind.

It was so windy.

The windiest conditions I’d ever experienced in my life.

Andrew says he’s been in windier conditions.

He’s also been in three hurricanes.

(Insert that emoji smiling with big teeth here.)

We left Dallas on Monday morning and flew to Miami (we literally were running to our gate and flew by the Slaughters at the airport.  Ha!).  Our plan was to stay at our hotel (The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour) and enjoy the sun.  We arrived, checked in, ate lunch and then headed to the pool…

My sweet kiddos jumped right on in, but I stayed under my towel(s) and read.

Look at that face.

I’m clearly out of practice with this whole “blogging vacations” thing because that’s all I have from our pool time.  That day, our resort pool was empty (probably because the wind was blowing 105 mph), so we had the space to ourselves and enjoyed it.

That night, we cleaned up…

…and headed to dinner.

Dinner table snuggles with my girl!  We had reservations that night at Cafe Prima Pasta, and it was delicious!!  The atmosphere was great, the Italian food delish and the whole place felt super charming.

These are the pics from my phone…

 

…what.is.happening?  Needless to say, lots of laughs and happy faces.

 

We might have been lacking sun on our first day, but we were not lacking happiness.  After dinner, we headed back to our hotel and went to sleep.

The next morning…

…we woke up to some blue skies!

Agh!  My heart!  How sweet is this girl?!  I bought Ashby and Madeley new swimsuits from Target and they were even more extra adorable on then I had imagined!!

They both very much wanted me to take pics of them in their swimsuits.  Aren’t they fun?!

So…we ate breakfast, put on our swimsuits and headed back to the pool and beach for the day.

I have no pictures because I swear to you the wind was 184 mph and at one point we were laughing so hard because our food was legit flying off of our plates at lunch.  Even though it was not ideal, we laughed so much because it was really insane.  Since it was crazy windy, after lunch, we cleaned up and decided it was time for a Plan B…

…there was a mall right down the street, so we went over there to walk around, check out the fish and turtles and kill some time until dinner 🙂 .

Awwwwww!  Love him!

Those crazy fourth kids, y’all.

We ended with a fabulous dinner at The Palm and laughed about so many things from our time poolside earlier that day.

After our yummy dinner, we headed back to the hotel, and then the next morning, we had lots of sun and very little wind.  I’ll save all that fun stuff for a second post 😉 .

In the meantime, that’s a little look at the beginning of our Spring Break!

Happy Thursday, friends!

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Comments

  1. Erika Slaughter says

    Ahhhh!!! Love Madeley’s swimsuit! I was just looking at Target suits for B yesterday and they had so many cute options!

  3. Lis says

    How did you feel the Covid precautions were in Miami and at your hotel specifically? Are most people wearing masks or is it hit or miss? I’ve heard it’s a bit crazy down there right now but would love to go somewhere warm!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I thought it felt very similar to Texas. Lots of social distancing and mask wearing indoors. Outdoors was hit or miss. I don’t know how crowded it typically is, but it didn’t feel suuuuper crowded (for spring break).

      • Lis says

        That’s good to know! Thanks! Definitely itching to travel again but just nervous to get somewhere and feel stressed about everything covid-wise!

    • Betsy says

      It would be really nice if you would show those mitigations! You didn’t include one single mask picture in your entire post… I sure hope you were more responsible than this post reflects. We’re still in a pandemic.

      • Mix and Match Mama says

        Hey Stephanie, I have no idea what the pics look like for the second post because I haven’t uploaded them yet, so there totally could be a mask pic or two, but honestly, I don’t want to remember these times, so I’m not really interested in posting a ton of pics of my kids in their masks. I’d rather look back on this trip and not immediately think of something sad/negative/unfortunate. I’d rather see pics of their cute smiling faces 🙂 .

        • Laura says

          i’m with the previous poster. it honestly looks like you and your family have decided that you don’t care about covid, following covid precautions, or care about all the lives lost, people still getting sick or doctors working tirelessly. i also live in TX, where according to every single public health expert – there still should be a mask mandate. i most certainly do not have a degree in public health…which is why i try to trust experts and follow cdc guidelines. you run a travel agency, so i’d trust you for travel recs…when the CDC recommends traveling again

          • Mix and Match Mama says

            Well that’s you putting that out there and not me. I shared like 14 pics of my fam over a 72 hour period (at least two were in a pool and two were in a hotel room). If you want to project that, that’s totally on you. We went, we wore masks, we were socially distant, we had a great time (all weather aside), and I can’t wait to share the other pics. If it upsets you because you’re assuming or interpreting it your own way, then totally feel free to check out my Nutella Brownie post today instead. I post pics all the time of my family and rarely in masks because I just don’t want to look back and immediately see that. I love upbeat, positive, happiness and cheer in this dark world and will continue to project that in my little corner of the internet. Have a great day!

          • Priscilla says

            These photos are taken outside, or sitting down at a table, inside. I live in Florida, and Shay and her family are perfectly in line with Florida guidelines. Stop being so critical. She’ll family, try St. Pete Beach next time. It would just voted most beautiful beach in the country!

          • JoJo says

            Wow – who pissed in your cheerios this morning? Settle down. Should we suck the joy out of everything?

          • Amy Simmons says

            Shay, I very much appreciate your non-mask pictures/posts. Who wants to see that?! I would guess the majority of us don’t. Keep on truckin’! ❤️

          • Coty Tubb says

            I love your post, Shay and I love seeing smiling faces, not faces covered with like muzzles to suggest we are some sort of animal. Keep on shining bright girl and keep on showing your happy family – only miserable people try to bring down others. GOD BLESS!

          • Valencia Canales says

            When I take pictures during this time I never take pictures with masks. I am also in Texas and most of us wear masks but people when they take a simple photo don’t wear a mask. Please stop believing the media because they really are showing Texans do not care about the pandemic. We do!! Everyone social distance down here and wear there masks.

      • Tara says

        I dunno… Can Covid even survive in winds of 105 mph?!? Just sayin! ? Everyone should do what works for their family and not criticize others who make different choices as long as they are complying with whatever local laws/rules/regulations exist. To each his/her own!! Be respectful of those just trying to live life and support the economy and those businesses that are actually still open at this point!

  4. Sheaffer Sims says

    “What it lacked in sun, it certainly made up for with tropical depression like wind.” I feel terrible about the weather, but that statement made me lol.

  6. Katie Macsherry says

    Omg I was just there and we had dinner at the ritz on Sunday night! My kids loved the mac n cheese. Would have been crazy to see you!

  7. Alanna says

    I am loving the swim from Target for girls this year too! Scooped up some for my daughter. As a native Floridian your post has me giggling a little 🙂 that wind is no joke when you are on the coast. Spring break is always hit or miss in FL on the coast but usually windy/rainy. So happy the sun came out for y’all the next days though! Making memories is really what it’s all about and it sounds like y’all made them 🙂 I am with you and counting down to summer now!!

  9. Lyssy says

    We were in Miami last February and I couldn’t enjoy the beach that much because of the wind – I was wearing a lightly winter coat on the beach and I’m from Michigan ?

  10. Monica says

    I’m from Miami and I LOVE Bal Harbour! My mom and I had a tradition of before I went back to college in the fall we would go to the Bal Harbour Shops and have lunch at Carpaccio! So yummy and such fun memories !

  13. Cindi says

    With that crazy wind, I can’t help but wonder what your flight from Dallas was like?!? (Insert wide-eyed emoji here)
    Regardless, we’ve learned that some of our most favorite vacation memories are the unplanned and unexpected ones! God always gives us reasons to experience joy!

  15. Lynn says

    Did you ever do a post about your Hawaii cruise? If I remember correctly it was right before Covid hit (spring break last year?) Sure would love your thoughts on it in a delayed post haha. It is at the top of my list when cruising returns!

  17. Maryann says

    Always, always love your vacation posts!! So glad they are making a comeback (the posts… and vacations!!) Thanks for sharing your travels, your life, your recipes, and your beautiful family on your blog!

  18. Ranisa Brletich says

    But those colors!!!! The blue/green going on in those first photos. Stunning.

  19. Jenny Curtis says

    Am I the only one who gets excited when you go on a trip because I know the next months book post is going to be great?! ?

  20. Lisa Cano says

    Love Miami! Looks like a fun trip. And can I just say how fabulous your skin looks?? Glowing!

  21. Jenny says

    I always love seeing your travel posts! My husband and I love to travel and I love getting ideas for places to eat and stay from other peoples posts. We haven’t traveled a ton this past year because of Covid, but I totally agree with you about mask pictures. Even if we are wearing our masks we take them off for pictures. Why would I want to post a bunch of pictures of my precious family with their faces all covered up?!

  22. Raquel Whatley says

    Hi Shay, yay for a travel post! Looks like you all had a wonderful time. Nice to see all the smiles, goodness we need smiles.. 😉 Okay, your skin, Andrew’s skin, is it that amazing due to products you use or do you get specials treatments? Please share.. #skincaregoals

  23. Carol says

    So fun! I love seeing the travel posts! Will you–someday–blog about the Hawaii trip? We have a Hawaiian cruise booked for next year and would love to see!

  24. Maria says

    Have you seen this on Elin Hilderbrand’s insta:

    The SEQUEL SHORT STORY (it’s long, about 1/4 of a novel) to 28 SUMMERS called THE SIXTH WEDDING (referring to Cooper, obv) will be out on all e-formats and audio on June 29. If you had issues with 28 SUMMERS, you’ll still enjoy this because I incorporated all my readers criticism and my characters — Jake, Link, Fray, Bess, Leland and Ursula — address the big topics. I wrote this FOR YOU ALL — every opinion, every viewpoint. I believe the e-version costs $2.99!

    So excited!!!

    Also, so happy to see vacation posts again! I love Miami!

  25. Alexandra says

    Bal Harbour is such a fun little spot in Miami! So happy you guys had a great time, crazy weather and all! I loved seeing a vacation post from you! Happy Thursday!

  26. Stephanie Harris says

    Thank you for sharing so much fun with us. I’m sorry people feel they have to police other people about masks. Don’t let them rain on your parade. Enjoy your family, the fun, and happiness they give each and every day. God loves you.

  27. Melissa Friscia says

    I’ve been around for a long time, I rad a lot of blogs because of you. I LOVE how you and the others make it so easy to shop with the links.

    I have a request. Please link the hotels and restaurants you go to. I work from home and when i download my work one of my favorite things to do is look at hotel and restaurants website and reading a menu is my jam!

    Thanks for turning me on to all this.

  28. Patty says

    Looks like a great trip and I too have missed your travel posts!! Sorry for the negative comments…don’t people notice how social distant you all are in all of these pics?? And outside or in a private room thus sans masks!?! Sigh.
    Where are M’s sweet little sandals from? Would love to get those for my rainbow loving niece! Thank you!

  29. Kim says

    Shay you have been so hysterically funny lately and I’m loving it!! I was born and raised in Miami and was so giddy when I saw on IG that’s where you went. Our weather is crazy unpredictable but usually hot and sunny, the wind can be no joke tho LOL. How did you decide on the Bal Harbour area to visit? Even though we live on the west coast of FL now we go home to the east coast often. Also, I’m with you on posting pics of my family with masks on, what would be the point with half their face covered?? That certainly doesn’t mean you didn’t wear them. ? I love the joy and laughter you continue to exude and your sense of humor has been on point lately. You go girl!! Can’t wait for part 2!

  30. Chelsea says

    The Target swimsuits are so adorable. I have missed your vacation posts, Shay! Can’t wait to read PART 2!

  31. Tammy says

    I have so many questions! Were the restaurants good/would you recommend them? Were there GF options at the pasta place? The Palm is a fancy steakhouse, right? Did they have a kids menu? If not, what did your little ones eat? Why did you choose to stay at the Ritz Carlton? I don’t remember you guys ever staying at a Ritz before.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      All great questions! 1. Yes! They were! We made reservations in advance before the trip at all of them to make sure we didn’t have to wait with a crowd or anything (we wanted specific times so we could be seated immediately), plus, we always check the menu in advance to make sure there are g-free options. The Italian restaurant had g-free pasta and boiled it in separate water just for K (no cross-contamination). At the steak restaurant, K and S had steak with Caesar salads and then the little girls and me split the fish and shared some of the steak sides that Andrew had ordered. We made it work! We have stayed at Ritz properties before and always check them with looking at Marriott properties because we really like the Bonvoy hotels and resorts. This one appealed to us because it was on the end of the island, a little secluded, could sleep six easily, our rate was great, it had a pool and beach access. All in all, great!

  32. sandi says

    Even the pictures from the balcony with dark skies are gorgeous! Looks like a great time. And like a previous commenter, I can’t wait for the next book review because we all know you devoured some books on this trip.

    I have a senior in high school and I don’t want every picture to have masked faces. We take precautions when needed and follow the guidelines the school sets for enjoying his last high school sports season. I’m just glad they are trying to have normal activities (even if they include lots of rules) for this unconventional year. As we have been watching soccer in 35 degree weather, the mask sure has helped in the warmth department. 🙂 and he can still hear me cheering with it on also.

    Shay, I have to comment about how you respond to others when they have negative things to say. First, the pictures posted without masks on have NO ONE within any distance of your family. It does not look crowded at all. When you respond you do so with respect and grace for the person you are responding to. That is a gift. Keep shining your light and sharing your faith and family with those who enjoy following you.

  34. Chrys says

    A travel post…YAY! My very favorite! And I’m sorry that others feel that you and your family are not being safe because you did not post pictures with masks on. We recently traveled and are traveling again next month and we actually have less picts than usual because we would only take them when it was safe not to have a mask on. But that doesn’t mean we weren’t responsible travelers. It just means I’d like to see my family’s face in pictures and not just their forehead and eyeballs. Anyway, keep the posts coming!!

  35. Katie Stuen says

    I got all giddy this morning that you were finally recapping your Spring Break! I have missed your Vacation posts so much over the year! I love your sweet fam so much and look up to you more than you know. I can’t believe the COVID Police came out in the comments and hope this doesn’t hold you back from posting your vacation pictures. People are unreal :(. This world needs more Shay’s.

  37. Kelly Davis says

    Love the response to the mask comments. Great attitude! I saw another blogger post pictures that were taken at Disney as part of an extra package “Princess photos”, and the child was wearing a mask that covered her entire face in every photo- photos of her alone and very socially distant. It was so sad to me, and I said exactly what you said, “why would I want reminders of this ?!”.

    Keep being positive and true to you- it is much appreciated!

  38. Kim says

    So exciting to see your vacation post today!!!! Love all your posts. They are such a bright and happy place always. Thank you for sharing all that you do. And I’m with you in that who wants to remember pictures with masks on? That’s not a reflection of poor judgement not to show masks pictures. ? Can’t wait for part two of your Miami trip. Also can you link what you were wearing in the picture of you and Andrew? Looks so pretty. Making your Buffalo ranch tortilla soup tomorrow. Can’t wait!! Thanks for sharing all things happy and encouraging!!

  39. Tammy says

    I LOVE everything you share with us! I started following you about 10 years ago after my husband passed away. You are such an INSPIRATION, whether your posting recipes, home decor, fashion, book reviews, the adoption process, sharing your precious family, or sharing your love for Jesus! Please don’t let negative comments hurt you. Thank you for letting your light SHINE!!! You have truly been a blessing to me!

  40. Amanda says

    Hi Shay! Ughhh wind can be so frustrating but your kids looked like they made the best of it. Long time follower here and I commend you for one, posting vacation photos and two, how you respond with grace to readers who feel the need to police everyone during this awful time. I have been traveling but not posting because I don’t want to hear it from anyone. I am choosing what is best for me and my family while following the precautions asked of me. I’m with you, I want ZERO reminders of this time. We all gotta get that sunshine for mental health!! Can’t wait for part two!

  41. Lauren says

    So happy to see you back to blogging about travel! I’ve truly missed your travel posts and it puts a smile on my face to see your family on vacation again! Something to look forward to 🙂

  42. Kelsey says

    Any kind of vacation sounds amazing! Happy to hear you all had a wonderful time!

    Is it a watch or bracelet you’re wearing in your last picture? Would love to check out a link for it!

  43. Lois says

    Yay! Love your vacation posts!! Winter in south Florida is extra windy. You need to come back in the summer when the ocean is usually flat!
    I want to commend your positivity when people make negative comments. We’re all just trying to do our best and you are putting yourself out there with your blog. Do you girl! And keep avoiding pictures with masks, I’m over this Covid nonsense! ??

  44. Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says

    Love love love the trip recaps!! I’m still dying to see Hawaii!!! We had terrible weather when we went to Galveston a couple of weeks ago…the fog was so dense we could barely even see the water. ? So I’m already dying for another beach getaway to make up for the lack of beach time!

    That Inspired Chick

  45. Mindy Tierney says

    Cute photos! I miss vacation so, so badly!! Our last one was June 2019 due to schools here always only having a week off for winter break and then spring break falling over Easter, which was part of the covid shut down. Please pray my family can go away this summer. We desperately need it for so many reasons.

  46. Candace Hundley says

    Hello sweet Shay,
    Wow you’ve received some very nasty remarks, which I’ve not seen before !! Consequently, I felt. the need to write you !!! It’s all malarkey and it’s more than evident you care deeply for your beautiful family and would do nothing to put them in danger !!! It’s apparent these mean spirited comments come from a place of fear — BUT, you and I come from a place of definitely wanting safety but also having a promise and a trust and a faith in our Lord Jesus !! I’m 72 years old and I’m not going to allow fear to guide me — I’m smart and I’m doing all I can to prevent illness in myself or spreading it to others !! I feel so badly for those who do live in fear — I do think all should go about our days, taking precautions But remember kindness goes along way, especially now when times are tough !! My own brother wrote to tell me he doesn’t want to see me again unless I get vaccinated — we,as a family, have chosen not to because of different medical conditions BUT there again, we need to respect others decision ! It very clearly states in the Bible in the last days that brother will come against brother etc — I wear a mask in stores etc BUT Truthfully seeing a small child wearing a mask just breaks my heart ! You’re a great, loving attentive mother — just go on doing what you’ve been doing and happy days are coming, I just know it !!!

  47. Andrea B says

    So happy to have a travel post from you!
    I’ve always loved your travel posts.
    Looking forward to part 2 & I still hope you post Hawaii from last year.
    Don’t let negative people bring you down.
    We’ve traveled responsibly and like you I don’t post the mask pictures.

  48. Kimberly Nations says

    Can you tell me where you got Mades and Ashby’s sandals. I am so glad you are posting about vacations. Cant wait to see your office.

  49. Michelle says

    We are at Miramar Beach (Destin) this week and I can totally empathize with Andrew because it is crazy windy here, even chance of tornadoes last night, but we Kansans are like, “we’ve seen worse”?

  50. Abby says

    I am so so so glad to see the vacation posts return! I always check them before I travel anywhere to see your recommendations. Your post has me looking into a Florida trip, itching to be by the beach.

  51. Sara says

    YAY! This post makes me so happy. Family fun and just purely happy photos! So excited for your vacation posts again. Thank you for sharing with us! ?

  52. Angela says

    So glad you and your family got away! Thank you for your posts and pictures. I always enjoy your travel posts. My family loves to travel and go to great restaurants as well. I am so disappointed by the negative and unnecessary criticism of you and your family. You handle it with such grace. I look forward to more pictures without masks! You have a beautiful family 🙂

  53. Chelsey says

    Your response to the assumptions of how y’all are handling covid seriously made my day. Check out my Nutella brownie post ? I die! If you don’t approve this comment I totally understand, just wanted to tell you I absolutely agree with what you’re saying!

  56. Lisa says

    I’ll never understand why people can’t just keep scrolling. Unbelievable. It never once crossed my mind that your family wasn’t wearing masks. Looks like a fun trip! I’ve never been to Miami but now I kinda wanna go! Can’t wait to see/read part 2!

  57. Holly says

    This looks amazing. Keep up the travel posts it gives me such hope for a brighter future! I live in NB Canada. We have 40 active cases in our entire province and 0 in my city. We are unable to travel outside our province without quarantining for 14 days which is checked in on by “peace” officers. The churches that are abiding by the government have just opened to allow half capacity with mask wearing at all times the ones not a Pastor out west was in a high security prison for weeks. We are only allowed to see a steady 15ppl. So if can move about do it! I want to see smiles not masks.

  58. Diana says

    I’m so excited to read your travel posts again, they are my favorite! I can’t believe it’s been so long since you wrote a blog about your trips, but I am so glad you are writing them again! I love reading about your travels and I get to live vicariously through you! ? thank you for sharing your family adventures, I can’t wait to read about the rest of your trip!