When your mom turns 75 and she’s a world-class discount shopper, you celebrate big! My sister and I planned the ultimate NYC girls’ getaway packed with food, fun, glam — and one unforgettable Times Square surprise.
The author was hosted at select locations for the purposes of this review. All thoughts and opinions are her own.
The Perfect Home Base: The Kimberly Hotel 🏨
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We checked into The Kimberly Hotel, our home base for the weekend — and what a gem it was! With spacious rooms (ours even had a separate living area and private balcony — unusual for NYC!). We also enjoyed the Kimberly's fantastic service and its unbeatable Midtown location. It made exploring the city easy and fun.
For families or groups, The Kimberly is truly one of the best affordable hotels in New York City.
Fall in the City 🍂
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Walking through the city in fall is pure magic — the gorgeous autumn and Halloween decorations made every corner Instagram-worthy.
Lunch at Sugarfish by Sushi Nozawa 🍣
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Our first stop was Sugarfish by Sushi Nozawa, just around the corner from the hotel. It completely lived up to the hype — fresh, simple, and absolutely perfect.
A Little Retail Therapy 🛍️
Next, we headed over to the iconic Bloomingdale’s for some shopping before glamming up for our big night out.
Getting Glam at Blushington NYC 💄
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To make the night extra special, we booked hair and makeup appointments at Blushington NYC, the ultimate beauty destination that offers blowouts, makeup applications, and skincare services all under one roof, in one appointment.
In addition to their beauty services, Blushington also hosts groups and events via their Pretty Parties offering. Their “Pretty Parties” are amazing — perfect for birthdays, girls’ nights, or even multi-generational celebrations.
The team did a wonderful job, and we all left feeling pampered and gorgeous.
Not in NYC? Make sure to check out their newest lounge opening in Boca Raton this December.
Just for Macaroni KID readers, Blushington has graciously extended a new client offer!
Use code Macaroni20 to get 20% off your first in store service at Blushington NYC.
Valid until April 31, 2026. Not valid on memberships, gift cards, or Blush on the Go Appointments.
Dinner at Bistango 🍝
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Dinner was conveniently downstairs at Bistango, a cozy Italian spot inside The Kimberly. The food was incredible, but the sweet potato ravioli was the star — rich, flavorful, and the perfect pre-show meal.
The Big Moment: A Times Square Billboard Surprise 🎉
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Then came the highlight of the weekend! We told Mom we were stopping for a quick photo — and at exactly the right moment, her face appeared on a giant Times Square billboard, wishing her a happy 75th birthday!
Everyone around us started clapping and cheering. The billboard was booked through TimesSquareBillboard.com, where you can upload a photo or video, choose a time slot, and have your message appear every hour for 24 hours.
We even went back later that night to see it again — and it was just as magical the second time.
Broadway Magic: The Queen of Versailles 🎭
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After our big surprise, we headed to the St. James Theatre for The Queen of Versailles, starring Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham. The show had an amazing set, nonstop energy, and plenty of laughs.
We capped off the night with cookies from Schmackary’s, a Broadway favorite that never disappoints.
Day Two: Matching Tees + More NYC Fun 👕
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The next morning, we surprised Mom again — this time with matching t-shirts featuring her face! Naturally, we had to take a photo in the hotel’s gorgeous lobby.
Sweet Starts + Bag-Free Exploring 🍓☕
We grabbed strawberry and cream matcha drinks from nearby Bond Street, then dropped our bags off through Luggage Hero so we could explore the city without lugging everything around.
Candy, Shopping, and Sample Sale Heaven 🍬👜
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Our next stop was Bon Bon Candy for sweet treats to take home before diving into the NYC sample sale scene — my mom’s happy place!
We hit the week’s hottest sample sales: SEA NY and IRO Paris, both part of the 260 Sample Sale network. Every week, different designer brands take over at each of their four NYC locations, offering massive markdowns on clothing, shoes, accessories and more. Not in NYC? No worries, they offer the same deep discounts at their LA, Dallas and Miami stores as well as their weekly online events! Check it out here.
Pro tip: The best deals often come after the official sale ends, when prices drop even more!
We wrapped up with a stop at the Paul Smith Sample Sale before catching our train home — hearts (and shopping bags) full.
Want to Plan a Similar Trip?
Make your next Mother-Daughter Weekend one for the books — with a little glam, a lot of laughs, and maybe even your own Times Square moment. Start planning now!
