A New York Day at The Plaza, Love Shack Fancy & Ralph Lauren

Hello Friends,

I feel like I can finally breathe a little. I just finished my last work trip of 2026, and with September officially here, it feels like I can slow down just a bit.

I recently filmed an end-of-summer video for YouTube, and I’ll be sharing it on my channel soon. Lauren is all moved in and has officially started her senior year of college, which is hard to believe!

I also finally finished the guest bedroom, and I’m so excited to share it with you. And just like that, I’ll be kicking off the Guild show house season here soon. There is always something happening this time of year, and I’m looking forward to sharing it all with you.

Before we move too far into September, I wanted to finish sharing a little more from my New York trip. There were so many beautiful places I visited while I was there, but I especially wanted to take you along to a few of the stores that caught my eye—The Plaza, Love Shack Fancy, and Ralph Lauren.

Each one had its own unique New York charm, and together they made for such a fun and inspiring day in the city.

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

Of course, I couldn’t help but stop by the Ralph Lauren store while I was in New York. I absolutely love the women’s side—it truly is a dream. This was my second time visiting, and I actually shared my first tour of the store back in 2022.

There is so much to love about the space, and I found myself taking in all of the details and drawing plenty of inspiration for my own dressing room. From the beautiful displays to the timeless interiors, it is one of those places where you could spend hours just taking it all in.

After looking around, we headed downstairs to the pastry shop for lattes and a few pastries. We found seats in the gorgeous café and enjoyed our treats before heading back out into the city.

Next up was LoveShackFancy, and while I’ll admit the clothes are a little young for me, I absolutely fell in love with the store itself. The interiors are a dream—so feminine, romantic, and filled with the prettiest details. From the floral wallpaper and draped fabrics to the antique-inspired furniture, beautiful chandeliers, and fresh flowers, every corner felt thoughtfully styled. I found myself taking more inspiration from the decor than the clothing! There were so many little details that I’m filing away for future projects, especially as I continue working on my own home. It was definitely worth a stop just to take in all of the beautiful design inspiration.

The last place we visited was The Plaza, and I have to say, walking up to the hotel and stepping inside felt like something out of a dream. The architecture, the details, and the history of the space are absolutely beautiful, and I’m so glad I had the chance to see it in person. But if I’m being completely honest, something felt a little off during our visit. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I never really felt welcomed or comfortable there. We stopped into the gift shop, and at one point I got the feeling that the woman working there thought I was stealing. Shortly after, a security guard came into the area and seemed to be looking around, even though my family and I were the only ones in the shop. Perhaps I misread the situation, and I certainly don’t want to assume anyone’s intentions, but it left me with an uncomfortable feeling. As beautiful as The Plaza is, I left feeling like it just wasn’t a place I would choose to visit again. Sometimes you can’t quite explain a feeling—you just know when something doesn’t feel right.

Despite the feeling I had at The Plaza, our trip to New York this year turned out to be such a wonderful adventure. We made so many special memories as a family, and that is what I will remember most.

We took Lauren to the Museum of the Moving Image, where she got to see the Jim Henson exhibition featuring the Muppets. She was absolutely in heaven! She also discovered a store called Museum of Nostalgia, which was right up her alley. She has such a love for the 80s, which I have to admit I find so interesting, but I love seeing the things that make her happy.

We also had some wonderful meals, spent time with dear friends, and simply enjoyed being together in the city. New York always seems to have something new to discover, and even with a few unexpected moments, this trip was one we will remember fondly.

I certainly hope I get the chance to visit New York again soon. There is still so much I want to see, do, and, of course, shop!