back from the sun
Hi! Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Hope that you had a great one filled with relaxation and fun. Ours was the perfect mix of the two, as we headed to Palm Springs on Thursday afternoon for a little weekend vacay.
A majority of the weekend was spent poolside and enjoying some of the incredible restaurants in Palm Springs.
(Pic from Instagram! Suit is old from Anthropologie and hat is from F21)
After my last girls’ trip to the desert, I thought Palm Springs would be the perfect spot for an upcoming family getaway. It’s like a desert oasis filled to the brim with beautiful resorts, shopping, awesome restaurants, and a funky retro vibe. I knew Liv would love playing fish at one of the pools, and that we could enjoy relaxing and exploring this (new to us) area.
We stayed at the beautiful Omni Rancho Las Palmas, who kindly offered a media rate for our stay. Rancho Las Palmas was exquisite, with a variety of kid-friendly amenities and activities. Naturally, we had a blast.
The best part: Betsy and her fam met up with us so we got to enjoy pool time and dinners as a family. 🙂
Some highlights from the weekend:
The lazy river at Splashtopia!
The Omni has a lazy river that makes a huge circle joining the beach area and splash pad. We spent a lot of time floating around, in between naps, snacks, and chilling in the shade. Liv and I probably went around the lazy river no less than 40 times haha.
At night, they had s’mores and movie night for the kiddos. You pay for your s’more kit and head downstairs to toast your mallow. (I like mine charbroiled. Like, on fire for a few seconds.)
Breakfast at Cheeky’s
YOU GUYS. Breakfast is serious business, and Cheeky’s is probably in my top 5 of all time. The menu was filled the clean options, but not the kind of “healthy food” that feels like it’s lacking something. Their menu consists of options that are house-made with whole and local ingredients. Everything was so fresh, and so delicious. I was so happy I tried the gluten-free waffles because they were EVERYTHING: crispy, and topped with salted butter. I enjoyed them with two scrambled eggs, a green juice, and coffee. I could it this meal every day and be so happy.
Liv’s first escargot experience
Aka my child’s palate is more sophisticated than mine and the Pilot’s will ever be. We had a random conversation maybe a year ago about how different cultures commonly eat insects. I told her I’d eaten grasshoppers before, and that people also eat snails. She immediately decided she wanted to try them, so we told her if we ever found ourselves somewhere with snails on the menu, she could order them, and the Pilot would try them with her. Sure enough, Lulu California Bistro (<— great food + drinks) had escargot on the menu.
The verdict: she loved them.
They came in an order of 6, so the Pilot and Liv shared, and I braved a bite. It definitely wasn’t my cup of tea, but it was’t as terrible/slimy as I was expecting.
The rest of the food at Lulu was A+. I had the curry chicken salad (and a Bloody Mary), which was light (not too much mayo) and served with greens, pineapple, grapes, raisins, shredded carrots and coconut.
Family dinner at Las Casuelas:
We met up with Betsy, her husband, and kiddos at Las Casuelas for Mexican food. The food was ok, but the company was the best part. The restaurant had a guitar duo performing, and they got a kick out of the kids dancing.
We went out for ice cream, enjoyed movies at the hotel, and just enjoyed a relaxing weekend together. The Pilot’s schedule has been crazy with work + his Master’s course schedule, so it was really amazing to spend some time as a family exploring a new spot.
It was also P’s first time really swimming!
She has had her toes in the ocean, but it was her first time in a swimming pool. She LOVED it. She floated with us on the lazy river, and also hung out in this thing for a little while. Since she’s so fair, we limit her time outside and in the sun, but she really enjoyed being in the water. I think we have lots of swimming adventures ahead of us.
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, too!
See ya later and hope you have a very happy Monday.
xoxo
Gina
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Live is one brave soul! Either that or she asked after your brother the chef. Even I wouldn’t eat a snail if someone paid me to.
right? it’s just funny because she’s been asking to eat them for at least a year now. finally! haha
Sounds like such a fun experience, one full of adventure for the little ones! And a lazy river definitely doesn’t sound half bad right about now – in fact that sounds amazing with the heat we’re having in Denver right about now.
Our weekend was probably full of a little bit too much relaxation with us leaving town for our wedding in just under a week. We have so much to do! Eek! 🙂
Hope you’re having a wonderful Monday!
XO, Jessica
http://www.semisweettooth.com
AHHH that is so exciting!! can’t wait to read all about it 🙂
Looks awesome! Makes me want to visit Palms Springs! Liv is so brave, I know for me you couldn’t pay me to eat snails. I love that blue dress you are wearing in the pic with s’mores. And I still have not tried s’mores yet I need to. Great post as always.
thank you so much! and yes, she is quite the adventurer.
xoxo
It looks like you guys had a great weekend. Sometimes a weekend away is all you need even though it’s only a few days.
exactly! hope you had a great one too 🙂
What a great wknd—Palm Springs has been on my list of vacations spots to get to for a while:) Can you advise again, where your tote bag can be bought? I love it!
it’s such a fun spot! here are the totes: http://www.apolisglobal.com
Where did you get that yellow dress Liv is wearing?!?!
gap! i checked to see if they still had it but it’s gone. tons of really cute floral dresses right now, though!
sounds like such a fun weekend!!! I’d be in the lazy river the whole time too! so relaxing!
i want to be in the lazy river right now haha
My Husband’s Aunt and Uncle live in PS and ALWAYS take people to las casuelas. I agree that the food is meh, but it’s become a tradition. next time we’re down there I’ll have to try and branch out to some of your other suggestions. they look much better!
yes, definitely try cheeky’s! i’ve also heard great things about workshop but we haven’t made it there yet
That place looks gorgeous…totally having travel envy right now!
And the FOOD! Om nom… 😉
Beautiful place to vacation and everyone looks so well. Liv is adorable. Food looks awesome.
First of all, you look amazing!!! You should be so proud! (I’m sure you are – but I’m just saying). The food and hotel look awesome, too. What a fun trip!
Looks like a fun family getaway! Love both the girls’ dresses at Las Casuelas!
Am so eager to do a getaway in Palm Springs or Palm Desert. Been jonesing after the JW in PD for a long time but haven’t gotten it together yet. Next year, my annual work conference will be held there (we were in Orlando this year) and I am so excited. Meanwhile, thinking the hubs and I need to do an Omni escape before baby Stella comes in August.
Also – I’m a long time reader, first time caller here. Who is this Betsy? Just checked out her blog and am going to binge. Seems right up alley. Cheers, Fitnessista!
Also – have you been to Great Maple yet? And/or OB Warehouse?
that is so amazing. you will love it!
betsy is one of my closest friends here. definitely check out her blog- she is a hoot haha.
and YES, great maple is a fave! we still need to check out OB warehouse
xoxo
oh those s’mores look soooo good!
Great photos! Looks like such a fun place! I love that blue dress you are wearing! Can I ask where it is from?
thank you! it’s from stitch fix, i think back in march??
Ah such a fun trip! I’ve never been to Palm Springs but want to now!!
I also love your blue dress….details?
you would love it! such a fun place 🙂
thank you! it’s from stitch fix. i got it right before easter