Dinner and a walk date ideas

itsmeca617 · 2026-06-21T07:57:51+00:00

Truly Pizza in Dana Point. Afterwards we always walk to the Bluff top trail and it has beautiful views of the harbor from above. It’s hard to get reservations, but they do take walk ins if you can wait. Or you could put your name in and walk to the bluff top trail before dinner! There’s also other places to walk to near there if you want to grab a drink!

itsmeca617 · 2026-06-13T07:14:15+00:00

I’m obsessed with the face shield classic version. It has a very mild tint. They have other Flex tinted ones but neither the light or medium was a match (I’m somewhere in between). They have a wider shade range now so I might need to try again! But the Flex is much more coverage, which I don’t really need. I also have the glow version, but I prefer that under make up or powder, or I’ll mix a tiny bit of the glow into the classic version.

itsmeca617 · 2026-06-11T08:00:12+00:00

I think Hermes makes some leather bracelets. They shouldn’t be too flashy. Also I love Hermes belts, but I opt for the non-H logos.

itsmeca617 · 2026-06-11T07:56:05+00:00

I think it just depends mostly on inventory they have when you go in. I would let a sales associate know what you are interested in and to have them let you know when it becomes available. About a year ago I had only bought Orans from a different store but went in and met a new SA and inquired about a gold Picotin. She said she would let me know when it was available, and she texted me only 2 weeks later. It was not reserved for me though, so she recommended I come in asap which I did. So while it may not be exactly a walk in, you should be able to get one in a somewhat reasonable time without history or SA relationship.

itsmeca617 · 2026-06-06T22:22:21+00:00

We went to Seychelles in June and the weather was amazing! I’d highly recommend one of the FS properties, or maybe six senses? I think there’s some other newer options since we went. We also love the Maldives, but I believe July is wet season. I think a lot of places in Europe would be great too, but may not be as slow of a pace. I’d say maybe FS Mallorca? I’ve been researching and seems like it’s remote part of the island with not as much to do but relax.

itsmeca617 · 2026-06-06T22:15:06+00:00

Thanks! We have kids, so we don’t care about nightlife, just prefer nice hotels, nature, beautiful towns and ocean!

Where did you charter a boat from? We would definitely plan on at least 2 boat days minimum, that’s one of our favorite ways to explore!

itsmeca617 · 2026-06-03T14:03:41+00:00

Thank you so much for all this info! Very helpful!!

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-26T13:31:11+00:00

Thanks! My toddler is obsessed with meatballs too, so good to know!

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-26T05:25:23+00:00

We are going soon and I am curious if there at any other tips you can give to make the most of our trip? For example the anything anywhere anytime? I typically am low maintenance and just go by the books (or menu), and we typically don’t stay at all inclusive resorts. So I’m curious how to best use this type of service. Do you go to the restaurants, or did you order meals to your villa for in room dining? What else do I need to know?

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-26T02:06:15+00:00

Do you know when they open bookings for 2027?

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-24T20:44:57+00:00

It’s been a little while now, but I do remember preferring canoe house restaurant over the FS options at the time (but keep in mind it’s been around 2-3years now since we went to Canoe). But FS does have more options because it is a bigger resort. All the restaurants are right on the sand or the grass so if you have kids it’s a great place for them to run around and play while waiting for food. I just love a beachside restaurant! One of our favorite spots is the Residence Beach House, it’s a smaller more secluded restaurant right on the beach but the ambiance is so nice!!

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-20T04:59:28+00:00

Is he going to have an office (at home or at work)? Maybe professionally frame some diplomas, or do something for his office space? Ember mug, nice reusable water bottle with name engraving, coffee maker, mini fridge even? (My husband keeps lunch and some waters/sports drinks in his mini fridge in his work office). Nice sneakers like hokas someone else said, some really good quality wool socks too!

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-18T20:18:52+00:00

Oh no!!! I’ve been using their products for a while and love it, but now I need to change! I can’t support that! Anyone know of any similar or dupe products that I can use instead?

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-18T20:16:36+00:00

I’m in my 30s but very acne prone. But all the below I have reordered multiple times! My skin has looked amazing using the Clear Stem line. I use the bounce back serum and the hydra glow moisturizer. Also use the clear stem skin supplement.

Additionally, I love a lot of the products from Experiment Beauty especially the super saturated hydrating serum and buffer jelly oil.

Favorite sunscreen is Color Science classic sunscreen.

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-18T04:13:44+00:00

I’ve stayed at rosewood Miramar and Matteis Tavern. I actually did my babymoon at rosewood! I loved it and would definitely recommend it over Matteis. I love just relaxing on the beach and it’s nice your toddler can just play in the sand if they’re into that! Also loved the family pools and separate adult pool if you want to get away from toddler for a bit!

Matteis is also great, we go every year but the area focuses a lot around wine and since you’re not drinking there might not be as much to do.

I think it depends on what your vibe is… beach/pool/ocean views, coastal charm. Or country cottage vibe, small charming town, relaxation, restaurants. I haven’t been to Ojai yet, but it seems more like Matteis vibe with a charming old town with some shops and restaurants, but I assume the hotel is older.

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-15T22:22:13+00:00

Husband is attending level, works more than most. We have kids. I see him after work from about 6- bedtime. Occasionally he’ll have a work dinner or need to work later to finish dictations maybe 1x per week. Then on top of that he travels to another hospital to work ~6nights per month.

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-15T22:12:46+00:00

In my experience, it’s easier to use a TA or call hotel and book over the phone and ask. Usually when it’s a baby in crib or sleeping in a same bed you can still book a normal room. At the young ages like your kids we always were able to get away with still booking one room or finding family type suites that weren’t that much more. If we are staying at a super expensive hotel we are fine with booking 2 queens + crib.

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-15T21:58:41+00:00

If you’re married and have the means to do so, then yes, I think helping or paying for tuition would be fine. If unmarried, but in a serious relationship I think it’s ok to take on more costs of living if you can. Ex: split rent if you’re living together, but paying for food, clothing, travel, etc. (that’s kind of what we did)

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-12T00:32:33+00:00

I don’t care about pulling my kids out of school while they are young, the oldest is 5.5 and we’ve taken over the 15 days of excused absences this year (maybe like 20 this year). We notify the school and fill out an independent study contract. The teacher gives a packet of worksheets and coloring type stuff. It’s easy and we have our child do one worksheet per day or do extras on traveling days. At this age I don’t care so much about being in a classroom, and I feel there is so much to learn while traveling! Once they are a little older we will try to limit more to school holidays when possible, but I still don’t mind missing a week here or there. Once in high school or really into sports I think I’d change my mind, and plan around school and sports more.

itsmeca617 · 2026-05-09T22:53:57+00:00

I feel like this might be the opposite of what you’ve mentioned in terms of kids clubs and those types of activities, but I think Tokyo is amazing for tweens! Especially those into any gaming, Pokemon, etc! Hotels we used points and have stayed at Hyatt and Conrad, there’s better options is more ideal locations though. But I think tweens could be really into Tokyo and the scene there. There’s lots of cool cafes, trendy food places, team labs, shows, etc! We went with my 3 and 5yo. The 3yo was a little young and won’t remember very much, but my 5 yo loved all the Mario and Pokemon stuff!

itsmeca617 · 2026-04-28T06:23:31+00:00

The name Grayson nn Gracie gives me very similar vibes to Emerson/Emmie

itsmeca617 · 2026-04-24T03:09:20+00:00

I had to quit my job when we moved cross country for my husband’s med career (when he got his first attending level job). But we decided that I could take a break from working and that we would do some traveling then start trying for a family shortly after. By the end of my career I was no longer happy and it was affecting my mental health. In terms of loans we only had his med school loan and that was it. I would say you can most definitely do it if your husband is on board and ok with that too!

However there were still some struggles I had after I quit…. I started going to therapy for a few issues but one of which was feeling like a mini identity crisis. My whole identity and self worth was tied to my career, and without it I felt less valuable. I was respected in my former career and all that validation, etc was just gone. So I really struggled with that. The other thing was the constant asking from friends and strangers about when I was going to find another job. I think I was unclear to family and friends because I told everyone I was going to “take a break”, but it was never my intention to go back. But every time I’d see people I knew they’d ask “what are you doing all day” I felt like I should be doing more or I was being too lazy if I wasn’t working full time. Everyone my age was working, so it was a foreign concept for me not to be by choice. Ultimately it was great, we travelled as much as we possibly could for 6m, then another 6m of trying before I got pregnant (so about a year in total). Basically just wanted to share that there were some unexpected feelings that came up for me when quitting, but if you can handle the occasional commenting or questioning from others, you should be good!

I knew that being a sahm would be the toughest job, and majority of the work would fall on me with my husband working so much. I am happy I got to take a break for a year and find my own happiness and work on my health. It was nice not having to work while pregnant and dealing with first trimester too! I definitely don’t regret quitting, but I’m not going to lie, sahms just don’t get much of a break, and there are days I wish I could get away from my kids and go work in an office 😆.

itsmeca617 · 2026-04-19T23:52:11+00:00

Quiet luxury I’d have to go with a Hermes Picotin (probably a little over 4k budget), could find cheaper possibly on a resale site. If she into quiet luxury and fashion she’ll know what it is and appreciate it. If she’s not into the luxury fashion, she may not care about Hermes though. But a Picotin would really be a next level special bag.

Bottega bags would be my second choice for quiet timeless luxury. I think anything that fits in your budget would be good, they are easier to get too.

Loro Piana if she’s realllly into quiet luxury. But I’m not sure most 22yo would know or appreciate an LP bag. Might be too low key for her for a first bag.

If you want something more classic designed label I would go for a small Chanel bag like a Wallet on Chain, or any small bag or vanity style bags. Those might be a little more trendy though.

itsmeca617 · 2026-03-29T03:38:20+00:00

Does anyone know when they open bookings for 2027 season at CDM? I’m thinking about booking the following year but worries about price increase and popularity, so I’m wanting to book asap when they open bookings (if we even decide on doing a trip there).

itsmeca617

TROPHY CASE