Happy Friday, Everybody!
My friends and I snuck away for a girl’s trip earlier this week, and we got back from Boston on Wednesday. It’s now Friday morning, and I’ve yet to be served a Bloody Mary by anybody that lives with me, which is disappointing.
BUT Y’ALL. THE TRIP WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! This is our 3rd girl’s trip in as many years, and I’m so thrilled that we’ve made it a priority to make it an annual tradition.
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Today’s post is going to recap our trip this year. But if you want to take a trip down memory lane, you can…
In 2017 we went to Mexico! You can click HERE for just a handful of pictures.
In 2018 we went to New York! You can click HERE for a full trip recap outlining what we did and what I wore.
Shay planned the entire trip including flights, hotel stay, transportation, tours, dinner reservations, and everything in between. Thank you, Shay! Y’all know I don’t travel a lot, so I sure do love to not have to make any type of decisions. I just show up with my girls and have a blast!
BOSTON – DAY 1
Sunday morning came EARLY when my alarm went off at 3:45 a.m. so I could be ready for Narci to grab me at 4:45. Luckily, it coincided with the time change, so I actually got an “extra” hour….which meant I slept a whole 4 hours. #REFRESHED
A flight and lots of walking on arrival called for leggings and a cozy sweater.
exaggerated neck relaxed fit sweater / high waisted leggings/ black sneakers with gold accents/ favorite earrings / scarf from last year/ cross body strap
On the plane and SO READY for uninterrupted girl time!
I mean, have you ever seen a happier group in an elevator? We were in Boston and on our way to baggage claim. Haha!
My genuine love for my suitcase convinced Shay that she needed one too. Shay obviously travels a lot more than I do, and she is super impressed with the functionality as well. More on that in just a minute.
I also always travel with one of my Barrington totes. This time I chose my camo bag. It’s the perfect size to hold my laptop, a water bottle, and some snacks. And remember, you can always use the code STMTSAVE10 for 10% off your Barrington purchase.
camo tote bag / suitcase ON SUPER SALE (mine is the 28″)
On the way to our hotel and all smiles.
We stayed at the Marriott Copley Place, which is one of Shay’s favorite places to stay, and I can see why! It’s economical, it’s in a great location (easy to get to everywhere you want to go in Boston!) and has tons of amenities right on site such as a Starbucks, restaurants, and even a HUGE mall.
Our rooms were ready, so we dropped off our things and hit the ground running with some lunch and shopping!
We headed to Eataly in the mall and it did not disappoint.
Come to mama.
After some wine and pasta, we headed to Gucci. That’s right, I got a new bag!
I have one designer bag that y’all see on the blog all the time (my LV Sully), and truth be told, I was a nervous wreck before I purchased it around 7 years ago. But after carrying it for 7 years, I can confidently say that it was worth the money for me. And now, after several years, I decided I was in the market for a new bag. I knew I wanted it to be black, I knew I wanted it to be smaller than my LV, and I knew I wanted to be able to carry it cross body. I also knew about how much I wanted to spend, so I started looking around and considered several different brands.
In the end, it was an easy decision for me. I settled on this fabulous Gucci bag! (Also available at Nordstrom HERE.) It’s classic, and I know I’ll carry it forever. And you’ll see on today’s post that it looks just as good with an Amazon sweater, leggings, and sneakers as it does with coated denim and sequins!
exaggerated neck relaxed fit sweater / favorite earrings /Gucci bag (also available at Nordstrom HERE) / high waisted leggings/ black sneakers with gold accents
Our group had fun in the store. And my friends are realllllllllllllly good at the whole “Get the bag!” encouragement that I needed.
We did a bit more shopping and then headed up to the room to freshen up before dinner. I took a couple of minutes to grab some quick pics of my traveling essentials.
Here’s the suitcase open. In addition to the hard shell and how easily it glides all over an airport, one of it’s very best features is that both sides zipper shut.
AND GREAT NEWS! It’s on CRAZY SUPER SALE RIGHT NOW! We’re talking 50% OFF, and then an additional 30% OFF with the code FRIEND. Mine is the 28″, but there are several different sizes and accessories in this line. This 28″ suitcase is normally $700, and right now it’s ONLY $244.99!!!!! WOW! With the sale going on, I’m thinking of grabbing the coordinating tote bag or backpack.
And look how easily my packing cubes fit into the suitcase! These little bags are UNBELIEVABLE. (If you want to see how well they work, click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the post.)
I’m also super excited about my new makeup travel bags (one is leopard and one is gold – seen on the bottom left). They come in a pack of 2.
suitcase / packing cubes / travel makeup bags
This is the second largest bag from the set. And I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s holding 6 sweaters. SIX SWEATERS! Yes, I was only there for 3 days. But that’s how I roll.
And we can’t forget my new Lay-N-Go Bags. They come in a pack of two. I use one bag for my makeup products and one for my skincare products and other toiletries.
These little drawstring bags are freaking genius. They cinch up very easily, hold a lot, are easy to throw in the wash, and I absolutely LOVE how you can spread them out like this. When you spread them out, you can see all of your products without having to search for them or take them out of a bag. And when it’s time to go, you just cinch them back up and throw them in your suitcase or bag.
I’m telling you. GENIUS.
You can also click HERE for my travel skincare. It’s 20% OFF right now with FREE SHIPPING!
We headed to a semi-fancy dinner on our first night. I thought it called for coated denim and sequins. And I could hardly wait to take my new bag for a spin.
sequin top / hoop earrings / moto jacket / similar black coated denim / cage heels are several years old / Gucci bag (also available at Nordstrom HERE)
I popped my rollers in my hair for a quick refresh (I use these rollers), but first I sprayed this on my hair. My girlfriend Karla was my roommate, and after she sprayed this on her hair and I smelled it, I knew I needed to try it.
It’s a heat protectant that you spray on dry hair before using your wand, your flat iron, rollers, etc.
Since I’ve only used it once I can’t claim that I know for sure it’s protecting my hair from intense heat or making it shinier, but even if it’s not doing those things, I seriously think it’s worth it for the smell. IT SMELLS THAT GOOD. And you can see I already love the product line, because that’s my flexible hold hairspray that I love in the background. BOTH ARE ON SALE RIGHT NOW!
And here I am all fancied up and waiting for our Lyft.
sequin top / hoop earrings / moto jacket / similar black coated denim / cage heels are several years old / Gucci bag (also available at Nordstrom HERE)
Here’s the outfit from a mirror selfie at home if you want a better look.
sequin top / hoop earrings / moto jacket / similar black coated denim / cage heels are several years old / Gucci bag (also available at Nordstrom HERE)
We grabbed some selfies while waiting on our ride…
That night we dined at Boston Chops, and OH MY WORD it was delicious. We were treated to champagne (thanks to Andrew for having it sent to our table!), had some out of this world steaks and some of the best sides I’ve ever eaten. If you go, GET THE BRUSSELS SPROUTS.
It was a great night with great food and great friends!
Since we’d been up since before 4:00 a.m., we all headed back to our rooms for an early night. It was a wonderful Day 1.
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DAY 2
Day 2 was my favorite day. We had lots of fun activities planned and the weather was perfection! Here’s what I wore…
sweater / blush scarf / must have earrings / similar AG jeans/ bracelets (use the code FALLFUN for 40% OFF) / black wedge booties
And a quick mirror selfie before heading out the door…
I adore the color of the sweater, and I especially like how this pretty blush scarf looks with it The site calls the sweater “red mum”, but I definitely think it leans coral. It’s soft, it’s a relaxed fit, I love the wide band at the bottom, and it’s the perfect length to wear out or do a 1/2 tuck. This sweater comes in TONS of colors, and I have several of them. That’s how much I love it. I’m wearing a small, and it’s still oversized. The site recommends to size down 1.
The scarf is soooooooooo soft and very warm. I highly recommend it as well.
sweater / blush scarf / must have earrings / similar AG jeans/ bracelets (use the code FALLFUN for 40% OFF) / black wedge booties
There was a definite chill in the air, so when walking around Boston, I had my new Amazon puffer on for much of the day.
sweater / blush scarf / must have earrings / similar AG jeans/ bracelets (use the code FALLFUN for 40% OFF) / black wedge booties
First up, we did a Duck Boat tour, which was SO MUCH FUN! Conveniently, they picked us up right across the street from our hotel. The tour was about an hour and a half and we were both on land and in water.
On the duck boat and ready for some fun!
The tour included an awesome and charming tour guide, lots of really interesting Boston history, great information about popular spots, lots of jokes, and it ended with our friend Jeni driving us around the Charles River.
After we hopped off the duck boat, we walked to lunch. The weather was beautiful. I was just soaking up the gorgeous scenery and time with my girls.
And I was so impressed with how clean the city was. It is beautifully landscaped and so well maintained. If you love a window box, you will love Boston.
When we walked by this beautifully painted wall, my friend Meagan told me to hop in front of it for a quick picture. I’m so glad she did!
sweater / blush scarf / sunglasses / must have earrings / similar AG jeans/ bracelets (use the code FALLFUN for 40% OFF) / black wedge booties
We grabbed lunch at Russel House Tavern.
They brew their own ginger beer and have absolutely delicious Moscow Mules. The food was awesome too.
After lunch, we made our way towards the Harvard campus.
And OH MY WORD. The campus was majestic.
The buildings were gorgeous, the trees were gorgeous, the grounds were gorgeous…..and I kept on wondering what the IQ was of everybody who crossed my path.
Let me take a minute to brag on my friend Lori. That’s her scootin’ around the campus. She had surgery on a bad break about a month ago, but that didn’t keep her from going! She scooted her way around Boston, and although the campus was easy to maneuver, the rest of Boston wasn’t quite so easy breezy. Lots of hills, lots of winding streets, and lots of uneven brick paths and cobblestones…which are incredibly difficult on a scooter. But she was a total trooper and did it!
This is the John Harvard statue. Legend has it that rubbing his toe brings good luck, which is why his toe is shiny. Tourists rub it like crazy!
We left the campus to do some more exploring. Here we all are!
We strolled through Beacon Hill, saw some gorgeous parks, and gawked over some absolutely incredible Brownstones.
Erika / Lisa / Karla / Jeni / Lori / Narci / Shay / me / Andrea / Meagan
We strolled, talked, laugh. And then we strolled, talked, and laughed some more.
And around every corner we took in the beauty.
We popped into quaint little shops.
And talked about what it would be like to live there.
More window boxes? Yes, please!
It was definitely chilly in the shade, so I was thankful for my new Amazon find.
The puffer is warm, it’s water resistant, the pockets are deep, and it covers my bum! The quality is awesome, and the price is INCREDIBLE!!! When it was raining on our third day, the hood was necessary and appreciated. And I loved the deep pockets that were big enough for my phone and even buttoned closed to keep it protected.
This jacket also comes in grey and navy.
I got a medium, but if I didn’t need room in the chest, I’m sure I could have stuck with a small.
sweater / blush scarf / puffer/ sunglasses / must have earrings / similar AG jeans/ bracelets (use the code FALLFUN for 40% OFF) / Gucci bag (also available at Nordstrom HERE) / black wedge booties
These booties deserve a highlight too.
I walked all over Boston in them FOR 2 FULL DAYS. The entire time my feet stayed comfy, dry, and warm.
And let’s not forget CUTE.
These boots are fully waterproof, have an elastic insert on the inside and asymmetrical zip closure on the outside. They are easy to get off and on, and they have a removable padded insole. I love the wedge heel and the chunky textured sole. They give me some height, elongate my legs, and are still incredibly comfortable. True to size for me, but after reading reviews online, it seems like if you are between sizes that you should go up a 1/2 size.
Shay has them in brown! They are true to size for her too.
Every spot was beautiful.
Breathtaking, really.
There wasn’t anybody around, so we settled for a selfie.
And then we spotted somebody who happily agreed to snap a quick pic for us.
And then we stopped the next passer by, because we wanted more of the scenery behind us. #takethree #shenailedit
It’s like we were walking around in a picture book.
I could have made an entire day out of looking at the Brownstones.
Each one was so unique.
These girls are so special to me.
That night we had dinner and drinks at Bostonia Public House. Everything was excellent including the atmosphere, the service, the drinks, and the food.
If you go, GET THE RISOTTO. My friend Meagan didn’t, and she was still regretting her decision the next morning! Haha! I also highly recommend the crab dip, the polenta fries, and the salad with hazlenuts and dried cranberries.
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DAY 3
On Day 3, we met for coffee and girl talk downstairs before heading off to our scheduled food tour in the North End.
The forecast called for rain, so even though I had originally planned on wearing my sneakers, I switched to my booties that had proved themselves the day before. And I didn’t want to wear jeans on this day BECAUSE FOOD TOUR. Leggings seemed to be the most logical choice. Haha!
hot pink slouchy turtleneck sweater / sunglasses / favorite earrings / plaid scarf / high waisted leggings/ Gucci bag (also available at Nordstrom HERE) / black wedge booties
I grabbed a quick shot of the view from our hotel room before we walked out the door, and before the rain came!
As mentioned previously, it was going to be cold and rainy in the afternoon, so the puffer jacket was necessary.
So let’s talk about the leggings. Officially, they are called High Waist Power Flex Leggings – With Tummy Control. They are FANTASTIC. In fact, when I asked on facebook about doing an Amazon haul last year, several people messaged me saying that I definitely needed to try these leggings. Well, they were right. They’re awesome.
I’m wearing a small in the leggings.
puffer / hot pink slouchy turtleneck sweater / sunglasses / favorite earrings / plaid scarf / high waisted leggings/ Gucci bag (also available at Nordstrom HERE) / black wedge booties
We started our food tour at BenCotto.
At this stop, we had pumpkin ravioli (seen below) that was out of this world, cheese pizza fired in a wood fired Italian oven in just 90 seconds, and peach bellinis that were both gorgeous and delicious.
But seriously y’all, THE PUMPKIN RAVIOLI. What you are looking at is homemade pasta stuffed full with pumpkin, and then the raviolis are gently sauteed in European butter, sage, and crispy pancetta.
I KNOW.
We strolled from one food stop to the next, enjoying all sorts of scenery along the way.
Holy lobster roll.
Just a handful of girls in front of Paul Revere’s house.
Soon after this picture was taken it started raining. And it didn’t stop for hours. And it wasn’t just sprinkling, it was really coming down.
When it started pouring, we had a change of plans for the afternoon. We headed into a pub for a couple of drinks and TONS of laughs. And when we still had time to kill before dinner, we just strolled around the mall.
That night at dinner almost all of us had the clam chowder (#wheninRome) and then my friend Lisa and I split the shrimp scampi. Once again, the food was delicious.
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We headed out bright and early Wednesday morning to get back to our families. Between all of us there are 28 kids, and I’m only contributing 1 to that number (obviously), so my friends left TONS of kids behind!
So here’s my 2 cents on girl’s trips…
It takes a lot of work to pull off a trip like this, but it is 100% worth it. Make the effort, save the money, schedule the sitters, and get the dads on board. Girl’s trip are good for the soul, and investing time in friendships is always worth it. And here’s the deal, you don’t have to make it a big trip. Four of us that were in the same car on the way home from the airport talked about how it’s not WHERE we go that makes it fun, it’s just all of us being together. Heck, we could rent a place in Dallas and still have uninterrupted time together and makes lots of amazing memories.
I feel I would be remiss to not mention the inspiration behind this trip on today’s post.
I know many of you have been reading here for awhile and remember my precious friend Manda. Her passing at such an early age obviously affected all of us very deeply. And she set such an example to everybody who knew her. Most importantly, she taught us so much about what it means to live with an incredible and unwavering faith, even in the midst of painful and heartbreaking circumstances. She also showed us how important it is to invest time in family and friends. It’s her life that inspired us to all make the time to take these trips together, and even though she’s no longer with us, she’s definitely still with us in spirit. We keep her memory alive and talk about her often. We love and miss her so very much.
And finally…When talking about Manda, I always feel led to share two additional links. Because there is no doubt that Manda wanted to win her battle with cancer, but there is also no doubt that she wanted to tell people about Jesus and bring people to Him. I know her coffee house talk and her service did just that. Manda was one of the most incredible people I’ve ever known, and her coffee house talk and her service will give you a wonderful look at who she was. I know that people accepted Jesus into their hearts for the first time because of Manda. People that didn’t even known her personally. I’ve also heard people say their faith was reignited because of Manda. A mom even wrote me to say she let her young son watch part of the service, and after watching he said he wanted to “be a flashlight for Jesus”. These are sweet words that our girl would love to hear.
All right, ladies! I know that was a super long post today, but I hope you enjoyed “coming along” with me on our trip. Now, grab your girls and get out of town!
p.s. Nordstrom’s Fall Sale started today, and it’s sooooooo good! Click HERE and see what they have to offer! There’s even limited time savings on top beauty brands! I’ll be posting deals I find on social media throughout the weekend, so make sure you are following along!
Narci says
What a fun trip it was!!! Loved your recap!
Erika Slaughter says
YES, Sheaffer!!! Such a great trip! I had so much fun with you and your voice of reason. ?
MaryInMaryland says
I believe the lunch restaurant is Russell House Tavern. Looks like a great trip.
Sheaffer says
Thank you so much, Mary! If anybody can confirm, I’ll update the post!!!!
Anna says
Yes, that’s Russell House.
Maggie says
Sounds like such a fun girlfriend trip! Question in your suitcase, is that the size you can carry on the plane or is it too big and you have to check it out?
Sheaffer says
Oh, mine is definitely too big. I have to check it. They do have a carry on size though! xoxo
Rikki says
So happy that you enjoyed your trip. Welcome home Sheaffer. We missed you!?
Jean says
Aw i loved this post around my town! wish I could’ve run into you guys as I’m just blocks away from so many of these spots! So glad you guys had a wonderful time here!
Sheaffer says
Jean, I would have squealed if I would have seen you!!!! Gosh, that would have been fun if we would have run in to each other. I LOVE your town!!!! xoxo
Carly says
As the temperature has dropped to winter inexplicably here in Waco, I’m wondering if the leggings you wore around Boston kept you warm? I’m always cold in jeans so I prefer leggings, but I need some that are cozy!
Sheaffer says
They did, Carly! Although, if you are really worried about keeping the heat in, I would recommend a pair of fleece lined leggings. I don’t have a current pair that I love, so I just recommend searching them and reading reviews! xoxo
Sarah L. says
Hi Sheaffer! I live in Boston and it’s called Russel House Tavern – There is also a hidden sign behind your group picture that gives it away.
P.S Love your Gucci bag! I walk past that exact Gucci store everyday going to work.
Sheaffer says
Hi, Sarah! Thanks for the restaurant name, I will go update the post! I LOVED your town! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
marianne says
Loved this post. Your trip looked amazing!
Emily Maybin says
Are the Sorel boots so comfortable that you’d wear them to Disney several days in a row! 🙂
Sheaffer says
Hi, Emily! I totally would! I was soooo amazed at how comfy they were! xoxo
Shay Shull says
Sheaffer, your recap was PERFECTION! How did I take like three pictures the whole trip? I’m just going to steal yours 😉 . It was just so much fun, friend!!!
Meagan Ruse says
Biggest regret: Not eating that dang risotto!
michelle hammons says
Wow this looks like an awesome trip. I am amazed that you got 10 gals together to coordinate 3 years straight! Our girl trip are usually 3 or 4 nights somewhere simple like Palm Springs or the beach. Everyone’s too tired to do much else. Ha ha. But this looks so fun.
Samantha says
So fun! Question – I have a 28″ suitcase and when I pack it full it’s way over the 50 lb limit. Is your’s over if you pack it full? If not, I need the deets on that! LOL! And I do use packing cubes and am obsessed with them. Enjoyed your post.
Sheaffer says
Hi, Samantha! Mine was packed full and weighed 45 pounds! xoxo
Rachel G says
Hi Sheaffer!
I love Boston…so glad you and your friends had a great trip. I love the Anthropologie sequin top. What size did you get?
Sheaffer says
Hi, Rachel! It’s a small! xoxo
Mother of 3 says
I love your day #2 outfit and I am always up for a duck tour in Boston (or anywhere in Mass really as the one we went to on the Cape was great too!).
Lisa says
Love everything about this!! Curious how far in advance you choose your trip dates. I am lucky to have a fabulous group of mama friends like you, but we just CANNOT ever seem to schedule a trip like this!! We talk and talk about it but can’t seem to put the plan into action! Any pointers? Thanks!
Sheaffer says
Hi, Lisa! We’ve found that this time of year is good for between most sports seasons for kids. We’ve also found that although people who work full time have to take off, it’s often easier for the dad’s to manage the kids when they are in school most of the time, so we often are gone during the week. This also helps with airfare and hotel pricing. It’s hard to schedule around kid’s birthdays and things like that, but so far we’ve made it work! xoxo
Sara says
Love the cage heels that you wore with the sequin top. Can you tell me what brand it is?
Sheaffer says
Hi, Sara! They are Jessica Simpson! xoxo
Jeanie says
Looks like the BEST time ever!
Sheaffer says
It truly was, Jeanie!
Dana Scarpitti says
Great choice on the Gucci purse! I bought the same a few years and have used it a ton. It’s definitely one of my favs! Glad you enjoyed Boston! I went for the first time 3 years ago and it quickly became a favorite place to visit.
April Parrish says
Looks like you ladies had the best time. What a beautiful testimony about Manda’s life & legacy she left behind. ❤️
Erin says
Best post ever!! Looks like SO much fun! Excellent choice on the bag!!
Melodi says
Do you have the Savannah tote or the St Ann tote from Barrington? I can’t decide!
Sheaffer says
Hi, Melodi! It’s the Savannah Tote in my post, which I prefer for everyday. I actually prefer the extra room the St. Anne gives for traveling. xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
Jeni says
I loved every bit of this post and all the time I got to spend with you last week. Love you!!
Heidi says
The trip looks amazing. And I’m sure impressed with your friend Lori for doing all of that on the scooter! I had to be on a knee scooter for a trip to New York a few years ago and it was so hard to manuever around and the cobblestone in Boston was probably so much harder. Way to go Lori!
Sheaffer says
Heidi, she was a TROOPER! I couldn’t have done it!
Marie says
I can’t get the camo tote to load. It’s probably my computer.
Sheaffer says
Hi, Marie! E-mail me at pinteresttoldmeto@yahoo.com and I’ll send you the link! xoxo
Desiree says
The pics speak for themselves—you girls had a blast! Nice read. Keep posting.
Janet says
I purchased the black Sorel booti3s based on your recommendation and completely ageee. They are fantastic. So comfortable and waterproof.
Sheaffer says
YAY! So happy you love them, Janet!
Alexis says
Y’all should do Charleston next year!