A recap of Eat, Sea, Retreat, an intimate blogging retreat that took place at Terranea Resort, LA’s hidden gem along the Pacific Ocean.
I met Amelia several years ago when we both attended BlogHer Food in Austin on behalf of Stonyfield. Sharp as a tack, wonderfully laid back and a natural beauty, Amelia exudes positivity and optimism. Her relaxed vibe draws you in and her wide smile keeps you coming back for more which is why it took me no more than 30 seconds to say yes when she invited me to attend Eat, Sea, Retreat: an intimate blogging event to take place in Southern California.
As you know, I have a serious case of #WanderLust and there’s only one cure…
My passion for travel is matched only by my passion for cultivating and nurturing relationships with those who motivate, inspire and encourage me on a daily basis. Left to Right: Ashley, Megan, Me, Amelia, Lauren, Lindsay and Kristin. Not Pictured: Nikki whose flight was late.
Luckily, Nikki arrived in time for 6am Seaside Cycle overlooking the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. Let me tell you – it sure beats the gym.
Terranea Resort was our gracious host for the weekend. A hidden gem located just 17 miles from LAX, we were treated like royalty from the moment we received our complimentary champagne at check-in. As you may know, I have a four year degree in Hospitality Administration and spent 10+ years in the hotel industry before I began blogging full time.
Admittedly, I might be slightly on the picky side when I travel because I spent so many years understanding the art of delivering good customer service. Let me tell you: the kind people at Terranea have perfected the art. They’ve also perfected the frozen mojito but I digress..
Our goal for the weekend was most certainly to recharge and relax but even more importantly, Amelia worked hard to design an agenda that ensured we all went home with tangible take-aways to help improve our blogs and our businesses.
Since we are all self-employed and working out of our homes by ourselves on a daily basis, it is vital for the success of the entire blogging industry that we support and lift up one another.
To help make this happen, we each took turns leading different sessions covering topics such as expanding readership beyond our niche, handling drama, food photography and my favorite: the challenge circle. Essentially, we sat around a bonfire roasting s’mores while each person took 3 minutes to describe a challenge. Then, we went around the circle and everyone had to give a 1 minute solution. When it was all said and done, we each left with 64 ideas to make our lives easier and our businesses more successful. It was incredible.
Of course, this retreat would not have been possible without our two generous sponsors: Stonyfield and Nature’s Path. Each morning we got to create custom yogurt parfaits with endless bowls of California strawberries, granolas, seeds, nuts and other tasty toppings.
I also finally got my hands on one of Stonyfield’s newest products, Oh My Yog! Holy smokes.. it tastes like butta! So creamy, thick and decadent.
And did I mention the lemon trees? You have no idea how badly I wanted to steal these lemons from the resort landscape. Swoon.
When I began blogging five years ago I had no idea I would form such strong friendships with other like-minded people all over the world. I am so grateful for these rare moments spent face-to-face, no tweet required.
Until next time…
Disclosure: I was not compensated to write this post and all thoughts are my own. Travel expenses were covered by our generous sponsors: Stonyfield and Nature’s Path. Accommodations provided by Terranea Resort.
Dying at how absolutely gorgeous this trip looks. And what a wonderful group of women! You are my travel guru, darlin.
Awww thank you lovey. I can’t wait to see you SOON!!
I love your recap – it looked like such a fun weekend!
We had a blast – you live in such a beautiful part of the country, Aida!
You guys picked an awesome spot to retreat and that workout pic is hilarious!
You live in such a gorgeous region of the country!
Wow! This looks like an amazing place. And what a fun girls’ retreat! I am jealous! And the photos. Amazing.
I hope you get here one day! You’d love it!
This looks like such a lovely trip & location! I’m now wondering if someone (maybe us?!) should try and put together a blogger meet-up trip here in the UK… I’d love to join one! :)
I would LOVE to get out to the UK one day again soon!! Studied there in college :)
What a great time with friends…and that resort is gorgeous!
Thanks Cathy! It was so beautiful!
What a gorgeous place and such a fun retreat!!
This retreat sounded amazing! :) I remember seeing photos of this on Instagram and was green with envy. What a wonderful opportunity to recharge, connect, and relax! Such a great solution for blogger burn-out. And I love that idea of the Challenge Circle!
It was such a wonderful time – so grateful for face time with people I normally tweet!
You girls are too much!! Love all these candid shots :)
haha… we are a bunch of crack ups!! xoxo Miss you
Look at you all, exercising on vacation! You go girls! What an awesome place for a getaway. Love your pictures. It looks both relaxing and refreshing!
It doesn’t happen all the time but it sure helps justify all the eating! :)
Oh Liz, what a wonderful opportunity! I bet you wish you lived there {just kidding, you’d really miss your family!}
I hope to go back soon WITH my family!!
What a beautiful recap and that resort looks amazing! So fun!
Thank you friend! I hope you get a chance to experience Terranea yourself one day!
I loved following this retreat on IG! And isn’t it amazing how great of friends fellow bloggers can be? I never imagined the friendships that would be forged when I started this!
It continues to baffle me every day!! Thanks Lisa!
I can’t believe it’s almost been TWO WEEKS! Let’s go back! I came away from there, so inspired, relaxed and FULL of laughter, light and FOOD from you and the girls. What a spectacular weekend it was!
I would cut my right off to be enjoying a s’more with you right now!!! Miss you girl!
looks like an awesome time!
Thanks so much Nicole!
CAN.WE.PLEASE.GO.BACK?!! Such a wonderful weekend challenging each other as well as learning! Love you!!!
I love you too girl and can’t wait to do it again soon!! I think we need to make it annual!
Oh Liz, how I love you so! Thank you for your kind words, and for this amazing recap. I couldn’t have said a single thing better than this!!
Thank you so much for hosting us my friend!! Can we make it annual?
I’m glad y’all had fun!! It looks so pretty there!! I’ve never been to California.
I hope you get can there one day soon!
Seaside cycling really was amazing! Definitely set a positive tone for the day after such a frustrating flight! :) You’re the best roomie and I can’t wait until we get to spoon again! Speaking of spoons, I want to dip my spoon right into that beautiful yogurt parfait!!
xoxo!
ahahah I can’t wait until we can spoon again too friend!!
I love seeing your travel pictures! What a beautiful overview, I want to head into the sunshine of CA right this very second :)
You and me both girl!! It just won’t warm up here in Michigan!