For as long as I can remember, I’ve believed that vacation is always a good idea.

Last month, my hubby and I escaped for a little work and a little play to the most breathtaking oceanfront property, SURF & SAND, for a much-needed kid-free vacay.

From our hometown on Mercer Island, WA, we boarded a 6am flight to soak up every minute of being off duty as parents. Don’t get me wrong, we LOVE our 3 cuties more than anything, but quality time with my hubby is hard to come by when we’re in our day-to-day routine at home. Sound familiar anyone?!

I remember when our oldest, Henry (7), was first born and the transition to parenthood was a HUGE adjustment for us, as a couple. I was searching high and low for tips to navigating this big transition. I’ll never forget reading this book called, Baby Wise, searching for answers. For the record, I followed basically 99% of this book and I’d highly recommend it for any new mamas or even anyone who wants a fresh perspective. The first chapter has stuck with me to this day – titled, “The Right Beginning.”

Chapter one dives into the meaning of HOME and how monumental that term is for your children. Essentially emphasizing that “home” is where love is first defined and that nothing will have a greater impact on your home environment than the relationship between the parents. It’s also where you define the dynamic of raising children in a way that’s parent-directed not child-directed. In my opinion, the key takeaway was this… a loving home environment is not something that just naturally emerges. It takes work and sacrifice, and it requires BOTH parents to be intentional in their love for one another. And the truth is this, there are so many things in life you can’t control, but creating a loving, calm home environment is totally up to you!

I honestly believe this theory wholeheartedly, mainly because I see the positive impact our time together has on our children. And even on the days when my hubby annoys me (that happens a decent amount - lol), I’m motivated by this wisdom to rise above and always prioritize time together. Because staying connected as a couple requires work, but the positive impact that our connection will have on our family is everything.

For us both to leave town for only 3-days required a lot of coordination, about 10-pages of schedules/instructions, and my incredible parents who rose to the occasion to be on-duty so we could escape to paradise.

Upon arriving at the beautiful Surf & Sand resort in Laguna Beach, we were flooded with so many incredible memories of our 10-year history in Southern California. I truly believe I’m a California girl at heart because the sound of the ocean, the way the sun kisses your skin, the swaying palm trees, feeling the sand between your toes – it truly speaks to my soul and makes me feel so happy.

Staying at this resort felt incredibly tranquil. Our room overlooked the ocean, and the sounds of the crashing waves was the rhythmic soundtrack to our vacay.

Aside from my photoshoot day, each day on vacation looked a little like this… coffee on the balcony while soaking in that ocean air. Followed by a short walk to town to find the perfect brunch spot.

Some of our favorite Brunch & Lunch spots included:

· Nick’s Laguna Beach – highly recommend the tuna tartar and bacon deviled eggs.

· Sapphire – Their delicious breakfast burrito is a must!

Then a walk back to the resort on the beach with our toes in the sand. Quick change for the pool scene and we quickly became professional resort loungers. If you have kids and you’re used to being by the pool with them, lying on a daybed peacefully for more than 5-minutes feels like a dream. My hubby and I were able to catch up uninterrupted on all topics – career, second home aspirations, bucket list discussions, and just that realization of how much fun we have together. Oh, and just how dang funny my hubby is. He’s more serious at home since he’s always got a million things on his plate, but I love getting to relax and unwind together and this was truly the PERFECT setting!

By 4’oclock – it was happy hour so we would indulge in the carefully curated cocktail menu by the pool. My favorite adult-beverage on the menu was called, La Bonne Vie – I mean, could the name be any more fitting! A mix of vodka, St. Germain, grapefruit juice, sparkling wine, and a lemon twist… plus an order of chips and guac made for the perfect poolside refresher.

Our favorite dining experience was most definitely Splashes restaurant at Surf & Sand. Conveniently located inside the resort and situated front and center for the most breathtaking ocean views. The perfect place to watch a signature Laguna Beach sunset. The cuisine was just as divine as the location.

Our very knowledgeable waitress took the lead and ordered us an array of items off the menu. My 2 favorites were the crispy Brussel sprouts, made with the perfect blend of sweet and savory ingredients. Also, their Paella dish is something we still dream about. It was packed full of fresh seafood and enhanced with the perfect blend of saffron.

Needless to say, we left Surf & Sand feeling reconnected, rested, relaxed, and very much anticipating our return visit. If you’re looking for a chic romantic escape that is the essence of all things California Dreamin’, I would highly recommend this magical resort.