As I mentioned in yesterday’s Weekend Recap post, we headed out of town for our Babymoon/Anniversary getaway last weekend. We went back and forth on where we wanted to stay… as we typically head to San Diego (it’s where we met, so it’s always been a tradition)…. but decided to change things up a bit and headed slightly up north to the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes for a few nights of rest + relaxation. We’d never visited the resort before, and it exceeded all of our expectations. The service was wonderful and the property was absolutely gorgeous. TJ + I couldn’t stop talking about how spectacular the views were of the coastline. They really have all you need in one spot… from casual to fine dining restaurants… a few stores… several pools (spa pool, adults pool, and family pool) so there really is never a need to leave the property.

We dined at Catalina Kitchen and highly recommend them for breakfast… the avocado toast is delicious… and Sea Beans has quick coffee + breakfast options, as well as delicious gelato. We opted to spend all Saturday by the spa pool (we paid a little extra to have day passes) and I can’t recommend it more. The pool is quiet (something we were looking for) and the service was great. The views are sweeping of the coastline, and the restaurant serves organic + fresh plates (and boozy beverages… not that I was able to take part in that aspect). Nelson’s is also a beautiful spot for a casual lunch/dinner…. with dining right on the water. We ate there for lunch the first day…. and they serve Whispering Angel Rosé (one of my favorites)… so we will for sure be returning so I can sip a glass and enjoy the beautiful views.

Their gym is top of the line with several Peloton bikes and an extensive selection of equipment to choose from. We actually opted for a 2.5 mile hike along the coastline… and I highly recommend it. Not strenuous at all, but the views are breathtaking.

Overall, we were very happy with our experience, and stay, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area… or just looking for a quick staycation in California……

And since spring break is right around the corner for a lot of people, I thought I’d share what I packed in my suitcase for a coastal getaway……

DRESSES

While the weather was relatively cooler than I would have expected for this time of year, it didn’t stop me from wearing a few dresses that I had purchased specifically for this trip…. weeks ago….

Free People Clementine Set: I’d had my eye on this dress + cardigan combo for several months and figured it would be super comfortable to wear in the last several weeks that I am pregnant (as well as after…. maybe a few months postpartum). It’s incredibly soft and I love that the pieces can easily be worn separately and mixed in with some wardrobe staples. I brought this suede jacket to layer over it on this particular evening and it looked super cute. I sized up to a small for the bump… if you want it looser I’d do the same… if you want it more fitted stick with your regular size. I also wore this slip underneath.

Free People Tiered Ruffle Dress: This dress is the perfect blend between feminine + comfort…. I wasn’t sure how the ruffles and slit would work with the bump, but I loved how simple it was to toss on and how it hugged the body. It didn’t look frumpy at all, and the slit wasn’t too high. TJ + I took some anniversary photos and I wore it for those… but plan on wearing it for a few other upcoming events that we have… as well as all those summer vacations. The material is lightweight, so it’s perfect for summer heat. In the spring you can layer it with a denim or suede jacket. I also wore the slip I mentioned above.

SWIM

I really didn’t want to purchase a new suit for these last few weeks of my pregnancy so I relied on a favorite from the end of last season (when I was newly pregnant)…..

L*Space Asymmetrical Top + Bottoms:  I’m still all about the asymmetrical tops for swimsuits and this is one of my favorites, for sure. I love the ribbed detailing and it fits nicely on the body (i.e. no back fat). I do insert my own bra cups for a little bit of added support. I’m wearing a medium in the top (I sized up to account for a larger pregnancy/nursing chest….) and a small in the bottoms (which fit when I was 13 weeks pregnant, but now are just a little too tight around the waist… so I’d size up if you’re pregnant).

Leopard Suit: So…. I brought this top/bottom combo with me and when I went to try it on, it looked awful. It was way too tight in the top (despite sizing up to a medium) and overall wasn’t comfortable. Just thought I’d share, since I think it’s helpful for people to know what didn’t work as well. I’m sure if I wasn’t pregnant it would have worked.

Open Knit Maxi Coverup: Knowing that the weather was going to be cooler, I brought along this open knit maxi dress. It was the perfect cover-up…. but it would also work for warmer temps as well. It was super comfortable and I can’t wait to wear it to the beach this summer. I love the hoodie component to it as well. I bought it in an XS.

COMFORT

Open Knit Pullover: I bought this a while back, and have worn it so many times since, so I knew it would be the perfect open knit to toss in my suitcase for the cooler evenings. Slouchy knits are always my favorites, especially when I’m at the beach, and this one is so easy to throw on and go. I almost paired it with these white jeans, but opted for my stretchy tried + true light wash skinny jeans. I sized up to a M to cover the bump, but I’d go with your regular size or one size up if you’re without a bump.

Lounge Pants + Pullover Combo: Since we spent most of our later evenings lounging in the room I brought along this comfy, and super soft, combo. I’ve had the pullover for a while, and love wearing it post workout… wearing S/M in both.

Joggers: I wore these traveling home…. I bought them pre-pregnancy but realized that they’re equally as great during pregnancy as well. Wear the waistband folded over and under the belly, or wear the waistband fully extended over the belly…. either way is super comfortable and they work so well pre, during, + post pregnancy.

Leopard Muscle Tank: Another soft + comfy piece… easy to wear for a comfy look, but also cute front tucked with jeans and a jacket. I also wore this tank with the lounge pants I mentioned above. I sized up several sizes (to a L) to accommodate the bump, but likely would have gone up one size for a slouchy look.

WORKOUT WEAR

I always back workout clothing whenever we travel so we can get in a quick sweat session, but this time I knew that the coastline around the hotel was gorgeous and that a hike would be in line…..

Beyond Yoga Leggings: I shared these in my favorite products roundup on Friday but they’re so soft and comfortable for all workouts. I love this shade for the spring + summer months too.

Breathe Tank: Another favorite products item is this super soft breathe tank. I absolutely love wearing it for all my workouts… and it fits perfectly over the bump (wearing a size M)…. I also own it in black.

Zella Cropped Pullover:  Again, another favorite from the past month, this pullover is seriously so easy to toss on for a workout or after as well. It has a slouchy fit, and if you’re not pregnant looks super cute without a tank underneath with high waisted leggings. I sized up to a small.

SHOES

I brought a few pairs of neutral shoes so that they could easily be mixed + matched with whatever outfit I decided to wear….

White Mules: These are always on heavy rotation and they worked so well with the Clementine set since it was a cooler evening. They’d even look cute with the open knit pullover + cut-offs if the weather had been warmer.

White Slide Sandals:  I always pack a pair of white sandals because they go with everything… and these are no exception. Super comfortable + padded they’re easy to walk in and can easily be dressed up or down depending on your outfit.

Studded Slides: (see above) Beek has been a favorite brand for over 3 years… and their sandals are truly well made, stylish, and last season after season. I brought these to dress up any neutral outfit, and ended up wearing them home. I’m always a size 6.5 and wear a 7 in these.

ACCESSORIES

I always rely heavily on accessories when traveling… they’re such an easy way to make pieces look new + different…..

Straw Hat: Such an easy way to change the look + feel of an outfit…. and a great way to hide hair you don’t want to hassle with. I have this hat in 3 colors…. it fits so well and this pretty color is beautiful for the warmer months. I’m bought a size XS.

Wood Beaded Earrings: I’m usually all about the dainty pieces, but I’d had my eye on these for a couple of months and decided they’d be perfect for this trip. You can’t see, but I’m wearing them with the open knit + jeans outfit above…. and I also think they’d be a beautiful way to dress up a simple outfit with your hair pulled back in a low bun….

Dainty Gold Hoops: I actually didn’t end up wearing these, but I think they’re a great jewelry staple to have since they’re so dainty.

Lariat Necklace: I wore this coined lariat necklace throughout the entire trip…. loved the subtle statement it made with every outfit… even my swimsuit.

 Gold Bangle: (20% off with code SHANNON20) I’ve had this bangle for almost a year now and wear it several times a week with two other bracelets on my wrist…. a super dainty one, a mid size bangle, and then this thicker bangle… it adds just the right amount of balance. You can see it styled with all three above in the shoe photo.