Just as I was about to turn the big 4-0,
my husband, who travels for work and has spent countless birthdays and anniversaries away from his family, was asked to present at an event. An event that took place over my birthday.
An event to which spouses were invited.
And so one of the items from my great big bucket list was crossed off:
visit California with Mark!
Although I have done a fair amount of travel in and out of the country, I have somehow never made it any further west than Colorado, and have always wanted to go to California with Mark on one of his many work trip out there. After 14 years of him traveling to the Golden State, the timing was finally right and thanks to an army of family and friends we were able to leave our precious darlins behind and head out west for a few glorious days together.
We went out a few days before the work event to celebrate my birthday at Dana Point in gorgeous Laguna Niguel,
on the coast between LA and San Diego in Southern California.
I finally touched the Pacific Ocean!
I am the most enthusiastic traveler you have ever seen – all I can say is,
my poor husband! He is a saint!
I was like a 4 year old and asked him 47,928 questions on the plane and for the first 2 days of the trip like
What is this plant? What is this flower? How come you don’t know? Haven’t you ever asked anyone out here?
What are the mountains made of? Clay? Sand? Rock? What kind of rock? Granite?
Are there seasons here? How hot does it get? How cold does it get?
What are the pro sports teams in California? What are the good college teams in CA?
How long would it take to drive to LA? Carmel? Tahoe? San Diego?
What’s your favorite part of California? When can we go there?
Do you want to go for a run? Take a walk? Go to the gym?
Check out the gardens? Sit on the terrace? Relax? Read? Sleep?
Go to the pool or lie on the beach?
Should we have a margarita, a lemonade & vodka, or a mojito?
Isn’t it funny that people from California don’t have an accent?
And, most importantly:
Why do they think I have a Boston accent???
I also took 7,287 pictures of everything I saw.
{Do you suddenly feel like a dinner guest who is trapped when your host brings out photos from their big trip somewhere?}
Quick honey, let’s sneak out the bathroom window and make a fast getaway!
That is our hotel behind Mark. The views were a-mazing!
We sat on the warm sand and watched the surfers under the bluest sky: 75 degrees and a gentle breeze blowing, while my babies back at home all happily hanging with their grandparents.
What more could a girl ask for?
I had major camera envy, I will admit. My brand spankin new point-and-shoot is small and handy,
but look at this bad boy! (The camera, not the guy! 🙂
That path that you see off the left continues on for miles along the coast and winds up past swanky hotels and homes.
The whole coastline was in bloom and there was more beauty than the eye could behold.
I could seriously uproot my whole entire life to wake up and look out my window to this every single morning!
Okay maybe not but it’s fun to dream.
The hotel was complete eye candy as well!
A dining room in the hotel had walls of shirred, silky fabric and the most gorgeous light fixture I have ever seen…….
….branches of wire and crystals…..
….so lovely!
(PS how many freaky guests go around taking pictures of the hotel light fixtures???)
Mark & I both got way too much California sunshine but still managed to enjoy every second of our time there!
We have a busy life that revolves around our kids back home and we feel so blessed that this is the case!
However, time together that does not revolve around our kids and their activities, conversations that are not just about who needs to be where, when, and what we are having for dinner, and if so-and-so’s uniform or shorts or water bottle is clean were OH so heavenly!
One more glimpse of Laguna Niguel.
After this amazing birthday weekend we headed out to Palm Springs for the work event….
stay tuned for pictures of the funkalicious Jonathan Adler-designed hotel we stayed in!
Hope you have had a good week and thanks for visiting!
Kathy C. says
Looks like you and your husband had a great trip! I love all the pictures! That hibiscus flower is gorgeous. I have two trees that I keep indoors for the winter. I took them outside a couple weeks ago and they're still adjusting… I can't wait for their blooms!
Kristin says
1) happy belated birthday!
2) i'm so so so glad that you two had an amazing californian getaway! 😀
it looks absolutely beautiful & sounds like you had a wonderful time! 😀
Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says
Girl—-Laguna is 45 minutes from me, I would have crashed your honeymoon!!!!!!!
Next time!
Glad you had a fabulous time, us moms need it!!!
XO
Kristin
Sandy says
Happy belated birthday to you Lisa!!
I live like like smack in the middle of San Diego and LA.
Me too could have sooooo crashed your Honey Honey Honey moon!
I am about 45 min. from San Diego so I am a little closer to SD than LA.
And uh I all the time get the question if my accent is from the East coast. Funny isn't that?
I think it is great that you were like a kid.
Just a total Blessing it is to have these romantic times with hubby.
Some day – I hope sooner than later I will go to have that second honeymoon…. On Catalina Island.
Sandy says
Happy belated birthday to you Lisa!!
I live like like smack in the middle of San Diego and LA.
Me too could have sooooo crashed your Honey Honey Honey moon!
I am about 45 min. from San Diego so I am a little closer to SD than LA.
And uh I all the time get the question if my accent is from the East coast. Funny isn't that?
I think it is great that you were like a kid.
Just a total Blessing it is to have these romantic times with hubby.
Some day – I hope sooner than later I will go to have that second honeymoon…. On Catalina Island.
Low Tide High Style says
Your pictures are gorgeous, and Happy Belated Birthday, what a wonderful way to celebrate! We used to live in California and the views of the ocean truly are amazing, so glad you finally got to visit!
Kat 🙂
Four Flights says
oh my word you were just down the coast from me! I am in Seal Beach, which is the first beach in the OC. Lucky girl you got to stay at the Montage, or is that the Ritz? Looks like the Montage. Glad you had a wonderful time. Cali is special 🙂
classic • casual • home says
Happy belated birthday…gorgeous photos! So gald the weather was good while you were here. June Gloom today.
classic • casual • home says
Happy belated birthday…gorgeous photos! So gald the weather was good while you were here. June Gloom today.
Vicki V @ blestnest.blogspot.com says
Happy belated 40th! It looks like you spent it in memorably and in style! How great that you could escape for a few days with just your husband.
natasha {schue love} says
Glad you had SO much fun in CA! 🙂 SO fun to hear about all the things you had questions about and observed! So many of them are things I've always known and never questioned! OH and your question about how far you were from Tahoe? About 8 hours! 🙂