2000 miles and a basket full of bribes

I agree- 2000 miles in a car with three small kids and eight different hotels/beds sounds a little loco. We are halfway through our adventure and I have to say...best spur of the moment decision ever. I'm sure some of you are curious how this is possible, spur of the moment...I would be! We've been tossing the idea around for quite a while, so we were mentally prepared (and that's important...trust me). A few trips to China took care of unplanned hotel costs...thanks, points! We also have a holiday savings account which goes untouched all year. We allow six months worth of that for vacation and the other six months for Christmas shopping. This extraordinary trip up the east coast and back has costs us a fraction of what a week at the beach cost us last summer. Every minute has been totally worth it and aside from a few minor meltdowns and typical sibling battles, the kids have been amazing travelers.

We had the best time in Charlotte! We got to visit some of our good friends and reconnect with HIGH SCHOOL/college friends which was awesome. Monday, we moved on to Washington D.C. and ended up spending an extra night because it was so fun...and because none of us could bear another five minutes of interstate. We did more than we planned on in DC (our kids are rockstars)...the capital, the white house, played on the mall, Lincoln memorial, Thomas Jefferson, one of the Smithsonians (MC needed to get the hope diamond and Ford needed to see the dinos).

1000 miles down and 1000 to go...we're thankful for XM radio, a really long, really comfortable Yukon XL and my special basket full of bribes (chocolate, crackers, juice, toys, etc...) More later!

The Big Apple (family style)

A friend recently asked me to share a list of my favorite New York City spots (as a mom who goes there pretty often, but still just another out-of-state visitor). She wants to take her daughter for the first time and she is looking for a happy medium between The Whitney and FAO Schwartz. Here's my out of the ordinary NYC tourist guide. I'd love to know your go-to's also!

1. If you're not interested in standing in line at the Shake Shack, but need a good (casual) burger, try Schnippers. There are three locations and if you're worn out and need some energy, your whole gang will appreciate the atmosphere and the food.

8th Avenue and 41st Street
212-921-2400

2. New York is expensive! When I want to buy my kiddos something cute to wear, but can't afford to shop at my most favorite stores, I go here. They know me by name (if 'the girl from Georgia' is considered a name). You'll find everything from babyGAP to PRADA. I've scored so many pieces from Bonpoint, Rickshaw, Papo, Eberjay, etc...love this place. While you're shopping, send your hubby and kids out to play in the fountain in Washington Square Park...unless it's freezing, of course!

39 1/2 Washington Sq. S.NY, NY 10012212.228.9333 (West 4th between 6th Ave and Macdougal)

3. For a true local feel, head to the Upper West side and enjoy a laid back but delicious dinner at The Mermaid Inn. It's a tiny little gem with wonderful seafood. Plus it's fun to get away from the hustle and bustle and pretend you're a regular.

568 Amsterdam Avenue
(between 87th 88th)
212-799-7400

4. This is a precious boutique where I could spend hours. A friend of mine introduced me to this store when I had my daughter, and now I have to stop by every time I'm in the city. Dominique owns Les Petits Chapelais and her story is so charming. Do yourself a favor and pay her a visit! You might even see a celebrity mama while you're there.

142 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 625-1023

photo credit: Dominique, Les Petits Chapelais 

5. Is rain in the forecast for your visit? Instead of dragging the kids to a fancy museum, take the whole family here for hands-on, educational fun. This is different, but when else will your kid be able to take part in a symphony at Lincoln Center?! So cool.

Concerts are at Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th Street
(212) 875-5656.

6. If you want to shop for toys, but have anxiety over the mass chaos (and unending wonder, I should add) of FAO Schwartz, try Boomerang! 

TriBeCa - 119 West Broadway

New York, NY 10013
212-226-7650

7. How about a (free) story break at Bank Street Books? If you're lucky, you could even be read to by the one and only,  Julie Andrews! 

Corner of West 112th Street and Broadway
212-678-1654

8. The Highline always has something fun going on...click here to check their calendar. 

9. The MoMa is always on the top of my list. There's always inspiration around the corner for young and old! Obviously this is number nine, but this is in no particular order...

11 West Fifty-third Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues.

10. Last but not least, Eloise at the Plaza is fun for all little girls...very cute!

212.546.5460
eloise@theplazany.com. 
Charge it please, thank you very much. 

Photo Credit: http://www.theplazany.com

There are many more! Maybe we'll revisit this soon...

Way Back Wednesday

My husband heads North a handful of times each year for work. I got the 'big city bug,' a long time ago, so he lets me come with him when we can work it out. A few years back, Mac had a cooking/dining expo in West Chester, PA. I tagged along and brought a shopping buddy.  Ashley and I are college friends and were roomies in NYC during the ‘fashion intern’ parts of our lives. 

It was Saturday when Mac headed to work and Ashley and I headed to shop. We expected him to be late, but when 11pm rolled around, we grew concerned that perhaps he took the turnpike to Montana instead of back to the city. When we finally got through to him, I could barely understand what sounded like "I’m in the basement of the 7-eleven near Bryant Park."  "Uh...come again?"  

Turns out, he had been given 12 beautiful lobster tails from his friend "Dan the lobster man" while at the expo and had spent the last hour walking around Manhattan trying to convince someone to, you know, just let him grill a few crustaceans in their restaurant kitchen.

In all of Manhattan, only one guy was willing to risk it all that night. (I mean how creeped out would

YOU be, if at 11:00 at night some guy in khaki shorts and a thick southern drawl walked into your store with a garbage bag full of 'lobster,' asking to go in your basement?!)  So the owner of the

7-ELEVEN made Mac a deal...it would cost him nine lobster tails and his chef would do the grilling.

When Ashley and I arrived in the basement of the 7-eleven (i can't help repeating myself...it's just still so weird), Mac and "the chef" were hanging out waiting to tear into the almost-finished lobster tails. Apparently Mac took over when the dude said he’d never heard of GRILLING lobster. 

Just when I thought things couldn't get more random, that store owner sold all 9 of his tails as we ate our three in the middle of the chip aisle. Totally normal. I am going to have to go back and show them these pictures. I wonder if they are still there... 
                             

You can’t beat Lobstergram lobster tails. Give them a try! I hope, for the sake of your future dinner parties, you get the chance to enjoy them like we did...in the wee hours of the morning in a 7-eleven near Bryant Park. 

   

If you want to attempt to recreate this crazy story, you can have the lobster sent ahead of time by ordering here.  You can also just bake them in your own (clean) oven.  They are GREAT either way! 

Thanks, again, Dan! I kind of want a lobster roll now...