Good morning, friends!
Andrew and the four Shull girls made our way home from NYC yesterday morning.
It was so good to see Smith and the dogs, but man, we weren’t ready to leave. I always prefer to leave a trip wanting more (and not leaving when I’m bored/over the destination/ready to be home), but goodness, I wanted lots more of this one.
At the beginning of the school year, we told the three girls that they could pick where we went for our fall break. Smith needed to stay home for football practice, but we had three nights to get away with the girls. Andrew and I told them to talk it over and let us know. I was positive they were going to say Walt Disney World, so imagine my surprise when they came back with New York City.
New York in the fall? Yes, please!
I always, always, always love traveling with my kiddos, but it felt extra special to spend time with these three sisters. With one in high school, one in middle school and one in elementary school, it’s not often Andrew and I get time with just the girls. We laughed and laughed so much together. It was really such a sweet little trip.
I have a few pics from the first part to share today…
With homecoming festivities the day before, we didn’t leave super early on Sunday morning. By the time we landed and checked in, it was time to freshen up and head to dinner.
But first…
…an outfit selfie in the hallway with Mades 🙂 .
+ COAT for the win this trip!
On this night, someone suggested we have dinner at…
…Milos for the view. The food was good (it’s Greek!), but the glare and reflection from the interior lights didn’t really allow for any sort of great views inside the dining room. The other two dinner spots we enjoyed while in NYC this trip were fantastic, but this one was just okay.
That being said, we were SO pumped to be in New York and thoroughly enjoyed our dinner together.
Yes, please!
We are big fans of Greek food!
We are also big fans of spending time with our girlies.
The next morning…
…the girls wanted to sleep in, so we had a very relaxing start to our day. The pictures don’t do it justice, but the leaves were beginning to look oh so fall in Central Park.
We grabbed our umbrellas and headed off around 10:00…
Since our girls had all been to NYC several times before, they had specific ideas about what they wanted to do on this trip: walk, shop, eat, and look. Before we left, I kept suggesting museums or the theater, but nope, they wanted to walk, shop, eat, and look. Sounded like a plan to me!
Of course, we had to stop and take pics with the foliage too 🙂 .
I basically wore the same outfit two days in a row. It was comfy and kept my packing simple.
MY FAVORITE BLACK JEANS + THIS TOP (for this day, I did swap my tops) + MY CHELSEA BOOTS + MY BARBOUR RAIN JACKET (Mine is low in stock but more are HERE…and check out THIS DUPE VERSION. Goodness, it’s super cute!).
Coffee and the Upper West Side are always a good idea
Everything looked oh so fall in NYC!
We walked to lunch where we had reservations at…
…Jacob’s Pickles. HOLY COW, this place was delicious! I, of course, could not say no to a Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned…
…or their deviled eggs.
Everything we ate was DELICIOUS!
After lunch, we walked over to the Upper East Side and enjoyed more strolling, looking and shopping…
…we were able to stop for tea at the brand new Dior store which was certainly a treat too.
It was just the sweetest day…
Give me all the pumpkins.
Later that night, we freshened up to head to dinner…
How fun is MY SWEATSHIRT?! I paired it with MY SKIRT and BOOTIES.
We absolutely LOVED our dinner on this night at…
…Monkey Bar! The music, the ambiance, the food, this one was a HIT! We will certainly, certainly be back.
And that’s PART ONE of our fall trip to New York City!
We did have tickets one evening for The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. This is a family-friendly event based on the movie where you walk through the gardens and see the big light installations based on the movie along with music and happy Halloween fun. Due to the weather, our evening was rained out, but should you be going to NYC soon too and love the movie like my girls do, I wanted to share this festive event.
Okay, I hope you guys have the best best Thursday! I will see you back here tomorrow! xx
Jami Romano says
Love this! We love NYC ◡̈
Gina Mitchell says
My family LOVED Jacob’s Pickles when we were in NYC last fall. We sat at a high top table and my youngest dropped her fork 4 times. Each time she dropped it someone sprinted over with a clean fork, a smile, and a laugh. Delicious and friendly is a fantastic combo.
The The Hill’s says
Shay!!!
Have you thought about taking the fam to Montana? I just got back from visiting my sister and would love to see if your agency can plan a trip to Bozeman. I bet your kids would love it too. It’s so beautiful up there and would be a great getaway destination.
Mix and Match Mama says
Andrew has been to Bozeman and LOVED it! It’s absolutely on my list!!
Elspeth Mizner says
How fun! I love how you got some one on one time in!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Kari Miller says
I’m just going to pretend I’m in NYC today. Looks so magical in the fall.
Can’t wait for part 2!!
https://karimillerblog.com/fall-frenzy-on-kari-miller-blog-faith-fun-and-fall-favorites/
Tara G. says
We ate at Dizzy’s Club (jass at Columbus Circle) when we were in the city this summer. Great show and food.
Tara G. says
*jazz 🙄
Kristen says
We are headed to NYC mid December, can’t wait! I saw on insta that you got reservations at Polo Bar, how long in advance did you have to book those?
Mix and Match Mama says
That one we called on the minute they opened the reservations for our date. I can’t remember how many days in advance that one was? Maybe thirty? Look on their website to see. We called right away.
Molly says
30 days, 9 am, be prepared to wait over an hour on the phone.
Paula Hobbs says
What a sweet trip for mom & dad with their girls!! I can’t wait for part 2.
Sheaffer says
Well, this definitely makes me want to get back to New York as soon as possible! Looks like a great time with your favorite people!
Julie says
You guys lived You’ve Got Mail! So fun!! 🍁💛
Kerri Myers says
What size is your sweatshirt, so cute!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s so soft too! Mine is an xs.
Hope says
I love the idea of nothing specific planned but just enjoying the city as you come across things. Where did y’all stay?Do you recommend a week in NY or however many days you can swing it. That’s a big one on our list. How far in advacne did you have to make reservations for tea?
Mix and Match Mama says
We could make a week work in NYC. There are just too many things to do and see. It’s such a great spot for families. We stayed at the Ritz on Central Park South this trip.
Leslie says
I love NYC! Looks like the perfect getaway.
Grace says
I loved the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned, like what a great idea! Those deviled eggs look great too! I know they are just deviled eggs but the yolk piping along with the sliced pickle garnish did it for me. What is the dish in between the meatballs and crab cakes(I assume) at Monkey Bar? Looks like it was a wonderful time! Cheers!
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s their monkey bread, and it was INSANE! Oh my goodness, so so good!
Sandy says
Looks like a great weekend with family. Will a post on homecoming be coming?
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t think so. My kiddos had a great time, but it’s hard to share those pics without including a lot of photos of other people’s kiddos which is tricky.
Kristen says
I know you can’t share pics but a link of K’s homecoming dress possibly? I have a teen and always like to see what other teens are wearing! thx
Mix and Match Mama says
This time, we got her dress at Revolve. It had so many great options!
Angela says
Ohhhhh, we love NYC, too!!! The fall colors look beautiful!!! 🍁🧡❤️ This makes me want to book a trip to the City!!! Where did you guys stay this time? We love staying at the Lotte Palace, but we’re open to other suggestions!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
We stayed at the Ritz Carlton on Central Park South.
Shirley says
We were also in NYC last weekend! My husband and I met our grown sons and DIL’s there for a long weekend together. We are scattered across the country, so we decided to periodically meet in a fun place to hang out for several days and catch up with each other. Only one of us had been to NYC before, so we did the typical activities: Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, 9/11 Museum and Memorial (we highly recommend taking the tour in the museum), World One Observatory (with ZERO visibility because of the rainy weather), Central Park, THe AMerican Museum of Natural History, The Great Gatsby Broadway show (fantastic!) and a show at The Comedy Cellar (amazing too!). We had a blast despite the weather! We stayed in the One Dutch Hotel in the Financial District which was terrific because we had a 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment for all of us. We highly recommend that accommodation for families or a group of friends. I looked to see if your travel agency planned domestic trips before we went, as I was overwhelmed with what all to do, and I was disappointed that you did not. But I read lots of articles online, did some more research, and I don’t know that it could have been any better (well, except for the weather!). Glad you and Andrew could get away with your girls!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow, Shirley, it sounds like you did so many AMAZING things!! I absolutely love that you do this with your family. I hope Andrew and I get to do things like that with our kids and in-laws.
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I was so excited when I saw y’all were in NYC!! I keep thinking I want to do an NYC trip for my 40th since it’ll be in the fall and your trip just looked so dreamy! Where did y’all stay? It looked like a perfect location!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh friend, that would be a great way to celebrate your 40th! We stayed at the Ritz on Central Park South.
Leslie Wilcox says
Just lovely!
Stacy says
Have you ever posted your fave spots to stay with kids in NYC? Or transportation? Are you taking subway, uber, taxi? The logistics make me nervous if I’m being honest but that’s where my kids have asked to go next
Mix and Match Mama says
I have so many posts on NYC with kids! You can catch them all and see so many of the details here: https://mixandmatchmama.com/?s=new+york
I don’t know how old your kids are, but we have been able to make walking, the subway and taxis/ubering work. We love going with our kiddos!
Anne says
The girls would love the Rockettes Christmas show.
Mix and Match Mama says
I took them in December! It was one of my FAVORITE mom moments.
Kristy Moore says
Oh this has just inspired me to get back to NYC. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this city! As a cookie maker, those sweet little decorated cookies were too cute! Do you remember when I sent your family cookies in the mail years ago Shay? Looking back now I wouldn’t be surprised if they arrived as crumbs! 😛
Looking forward to your second NYC post tomorrow!
Mix and Match Mama says
I do, I do!!! Of course, I remember. It was SO thoughtful (and delicious!).
Lori says
Where did you stay?
Mix and Match Mama says
The Ritz Carlton on Central Park South.
Heather says
I love all of this and all of the You’ve Got Mail quotes please!! My Mom and daughter especially can never not say “thank your, thank your ladies and gentlemen.”
I mean we can’t even just say thank you anymore. Lol
Mix and Match Mama says
We must have quoted that movie at least 50 times while we were there.
Kimberly says
Where are some places you recommend staying in NYC?
Mix and Match Mama says
We’ve stayed in several different spots, but the past few years, we’ve really loved both the JW Marriott and the Ritz on Central Park South for the location and views.
Kathy Olson says
Oh my goodness! It all sounds amazing to me!!!
Ellen says
I’m going this weekend, can’t wait! Did you catch the Grand Central Station exhibit?
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh man, we did not. I hope YOU have so much fun!
Amanda says
My almost-16 year old and I just returned from an NYC girls weekend with our best friends! We did a Taylor Swift NYC theme, ate at her fave restaurants, re-created her paparazzi photos at the actual sights, did a T Swift walking tour- just a great girls long weekend! Wish we would’ve run into you guys! Also saw SIX on Broadway- perfect show for your littles, if they haven’t seen it yet. So fun!
Mix and Match Mama says
How fun is that?!
Erika Slaughter says
Part One looks like a GREAT beginning to your Fall Break!
kristen says
What an awesome fall break! And always so special to have different combinations of kids with you! So glad you had such a great time!
Terry says
I have yet to visit NYC but it is STILL on my list! Although your pictures are amazing and fall is my favirite season, I would love to visit in December. The window displays! One of these days! Thanks for sharing your trip Part 1 – looking forward to Part 2!
Michele says
I love Kensington’s dark hair! It looks great. Did she color it, or is that her natural color?
Mix and Match Mama says
I love it too! It’s a bit darker than her natural color.
Cheryl says
New York is ALWAYS a good idea 😍
Bre R says
Your photo of the bodega on the UWS made me tear up a little. I lived around the corner from it for almost 9 years in my 20s.
Also, are you open to sharing how you handle leaving 1 (or more) kids at home now that you have more teens? I.e do you allow the older ones to stay home alone or do you have family come stay with them etc?
Mix and Match Mama says
Really?! Wow! I can only imagine how those years shaped you. Smith and the pups stayed home with a friend from church 🙂 .
Bren says
As soon as I saw your post title, I was excited to hope that you would be sharing that quote from “You’ve Got Mail”! I actually have the movie on in the background right now, as their voices, the music, all of it is is definitely on my fall-comfort-joy list!
I have never been to NYC and it looks like next fall may finally be my opportunity to go. To say I am excited and to also fully admit I poured over these photos, enjoying seeing your family’s adventures and looking forward to my own- well, that’s a giant understatement! Fall in NYC just seems perfect and I so enjoyed following your fall trip! As always, thanks for sharing, Shay!
Shelby says
Can you please say where the Dior tea was? That looks lovely!
Mix and Match Mama says
It was at Dior!
Alisha says
Kensington’s hair! How beautiful on her! I am loving both of you guys with darker hair 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU! xx