All the details on my 30-hour trip to NYC (and a restaurant we absolutely loved!)

Plus a book I finished and more! Hi, Friend! I went on a quick 30-hour trip to NYC this past week. It had been six years since I had been there and it was the first time for me to go on an overnight trip by myself since Kierstyn was born in 2020! It felt so weird to only be packing for myself! The reason I went is because my friend, Jenn, was nominated for this very big award in her industry and I wanted to go to support her and be a cheerleader for her. When she found out I was going to go, she made a Choose Your Own Adventure Trip Plan with four different sections of the day we had in NYC and choices for me to pick from. It was the BEST idea and we had a really incredible time. Plus, the weather was beautiful! We went to the M&M store -- my first time there! It's three stories high in the middle of the Times Square area! We also went to Central Park -- my first time to go there, too! I don't know what I pictured when I thought of Central Park, but I was shocked to find that it was HUGE (843 acres, according to the sign!!!) We ate at the Central Park Boathouse. I would HIGHLY recommend it. It was such a beautiful view (see below) and the food was delicious!! By NYC prices, it wasn't too bad. Lunch for both of us (we both got a burger and dessert) was about $117 including 20% gratuity. We also window shopped on Fifth Avenue, which was a fun adventure! All in all, the 30-hour trip was packed with so many wonderful experiences, lots of walking, and lots of great conversations! And it inspired me to plan a trip with Jesse for the fall! Stay tuned for more on that trip -- our first time to go on an overnight since 2019, I think. We set a goal this year to go on two overnight trips together. I don't know that we're going to hit that goal by the end of the year. but I'm thrilled that we might make 50% of that goal, since working out the details of childcare for our younger three is something that isn't really simple with all of David's needs. But we think we're ready to do a 30-hour trip and see how it goes! Want more ideas into things to do in NYC? Check out [my first visit to to NYC back in 2014.](=) [How to Get Cheap Broadway Tickets]( [Our Family's Trip to NYC]() [My Instagram Post about my trip with my sisters to NYC](=) [My Instagram Post about our trip to the NY Stock Exchange]() I came home from NYC and got to go visit our college girl in Murfreesboro. She's thriving and I love watching her juggle so much and do it so well! She's continuing her remote position with the nonprofit in DC this semester and working extra hours due to the election + serving on leadership in her campus ministry and planning dozens of events this semester as part of that + opening up her home to many different people and doing a great job in school. I'm just so proud of her and love watching her navigating this new season of life! Micah came with me to visit Kathrynne and he was SO excited to get to hang out with her! = FREE Printable: 50 Cheap & Easy Breakfasts for Busy Weekday Mornings! Struggle with breakfast on busy weekday mornings? Download these [50 FREE Cheap & Easy Breakfast Ideas](=) for some simple make-ahead solutions! If you’ve been following along here for a while, you probably already know what BIG fans of breakfast we are in our home. (In fact, we often make breakfast for dinner!) And I know how much of a struggle it can be to find quick and healthy breakfast ideas on busy mornings, so I wanted to put together [this list of some of our favorite breakfast recipes](=) from over the years! With this FREE list of breakfast ideas, you’ll get: - A huge variety of easy breakfast ideas, including: savory eats, waffles & pancakes, muffins & breads, oatmeal, sweet splurges, smoothies, and more! - SO many ideas for making breakfast ahead of time! This is my biggest tip for easy weekday breakfasts, and almost all of these recipes can be made ahead of time (with the exception of the smoothies). - Tons of delicious, freezer-friendly breads and treats. - Tricks for sneaking in extra fruits, veggies, and protein during breakfast. [Click here to get your FREE list of breakfast ideas!](=) = This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: When Doing It All Is Undoing You In this week's episode of The Crystal Paine Show, I sit down with the incredible Alyssa Joy Bethke, who shares some deep, soul-refreshing wisdom that is sure to bless you — especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or just plain tired of the daily grind. We take some time diving into her new book, [When Doing It All Is Undoing You: Meeting God in Your Unmet Expectations](=), where Alyssa shares her journey of dealing with the pressures of life, from managing a family of five and the ups and downs of ministry to handling a massive move from the dreamy shores of Maui to Tennessee. What really stands out, however, is her vulnerability about the moment that she realized that she was coming undone, leading her to embrace a season of self-care and soul care — truly a powerful reminder that we don’t have to do it all and that we sometimes need to step back, acknowledge our feelings, and tend to our hearts. Alyssa and I also explore her practical tips for processing emotions using the three Ns: Notice, Name, and Navigate, which Alyssa learned from her friend, trauma therapist Tristan Collins. Alyssa’s approach is both grounding and freeing, reminding us that it’s okay to slow down and listen to what our bodies are telling us. Tune in to discover how to find true refreshment for your soul and why it’s so important to let go of the illusion of control. This conversation is one you won’t want to miss, especially if you’re ready to step into a season of deep, transformative rest. [Listen to this podcast episode here.](=) What I'm Currently Reading/What I Read Last Week Book finished this week: I finished [Resilient: The True Story of CrossFit's Greatest Comeback](=) -- if you love CrossFit, stories of athletes, or inspiring comeback stories, you may like this book. I didn't love the writing style of not quoting people but just sort of saying what they said, but it was still a very interesting story. Currently reading: [Momma Moments with God]() [Through the Eyes of a Lion]( [The Unplugged Hours]( Last Chance to Get Your Ticket to the FREE Online Organizing Event! I’m so excited to be one of this year’s [Get Organized HQ Virtual speakers]()! This huge online event started yesterday and will take place all of this week, September 9-14, 2024. There will be over 100 workshops to watch and they'll roll out daily. You’ll have 24 hours to watch each video for FREE. I’ll be presenting a class on How to Save $1000+/Year By Reverse Meal Planning! But there are so many other good sessions – here are just a few that I think will be so helpful: - Cas from Clutterbug is speaking on How to Help Your FAMILY Declutter - Dawn from The Minimal Mom is speaking on the concept of Home Hushing - Dana K White from A Slob Comes Clean is sharing about her No Mess Decluttering Process - Christine from Frugal Fit Mom is speaking on Tips to Stop Feeling Stressed Out By Your House And truly, that is just the tip of the iceberg! With over 100 sessions at Get Organized HQ Virtual there is something for everyone regardless of your season of life or interests! Be sure to [go grab your FREE ticket]( to be able to watch as many free videos as possible! HOT Sam's Club Membership Deal! If you’ve been thinking about getting a Sam’s Club membership, you can currently grab a [one-year membership for just $15](! This is a[super RARE discount off of the regular price of $50](and a HOT Sam’s Club membership discount, because you don’t have to pay very much out of pocket for your membership! Psst! Want a [deal on the Plus Membership?]( You can get $60 off — making it [just $50]( instead of $110! Paramount+ Deal: 50% Off An ENTIRE Year! Paramount+ is currently running a HOT deal for new customers to [score 50% off an entire year](! That’s just $2.50 per month! This is a rare discount and just in time for football season. If you’re a sports fan, you’ll get access to NFL on CBS Live, plus tons of other live sports! You can also stream all kinds of shows like[Survivor, The Amazing Race, NCIS, Star Trek, kid’s shows, and more]()! [Click here to take advantage of this deal.]( = Links You Should Check Out: [How to Make $500/Month with Amazon Review Videos](=) — If you're looking for creative ways to make money from home, the Amazon Influencer Program might be a really great option! Jessica walks you through how to get started, how it works, and how easily you can make passive income with this program! [Easy Apple Turnovers]( — My sister, Olivia, is back with another one of her delicious (and frugal) recipes! These look SO yummy and I love that the origination story is from one of our favorite places as a family (Silver Dollar City)! _______________ Have a wonderful week! -Crystal P.S. Are you [following me on Instagram](? If not and you love my personal enewsletters, you'd probably really enjoy [all the behind-the-scenes and real-life updates I share there!]() I'd love to connect with you there! [Unsubscribe]( Money Saving Mom, LLC 2020 Fieldstone Parkway, Ste. 900 #313 Franklin, Tennessee 37069 United States