Here we are, already in April. I cannot believe it! I’ve definitely put off Easter planning until this week, I think because it just seemed to have crept up on us so quickly. Even if you’re in the same boat, I have full confidence you’ll get it done. Somehow moms always find a way.
Last week we talked about resilience and how much you carry without even realizing it. This week the theme is momentum. Because here’s the thing, resilience is not just about getting through the hard stuff. It is about what you do after. It is about keeping going when the calendar is full, when the weeks are moving fast, when you’re too tired, and when Easter somehow snuck up on you again. It’s not dropping the ball, that is just keeping up with a full life.
This week the challenge is a swap. One thing you would normally do for someone else, swap it for something you do for yourself instead. Not in addition to everything else, actually instead of something. Notice how uncomfortable that feels at first, and then notice how much you needed it. Hit reply and tell me what you swapped. I want to hear it.
Date Night
For something a little more under the radar, Luxe is a gem. This intimate Dana Point spot has live piano music, a serious martini menu, and Italian-influenced dishes that consistently impress. The lamb chops and pistachio-crusted halibut are standouts, and the atmosphere is warm and cozy without feeling stuffy. It feels like a local secret even though it has been in Dana Point for years. Tucked along Del Prado in the Lantern District, it is easy to drive by without noticing, but it is definitely worth a visit.
The outdoor patio is a big part of what makes it special. It is a large glass-protected terrace right off the main walkway, with overhead lighting, shade, and plantings that make it feel like its own little world in the evening. It is also fully dog-friendly, so if you want to bring your pup along for a date night out, this is your spot. It is not going to be packed and loud, but it has a lively charm with the piano music and the bar scene that makes it feel festive and fun. Great for a date night if you want good food and great cocktails without having to shout across the table.
Open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 3 PM, closed Mondays. Located at 24582 Del Prado Avenue in Dana Point. Happy hour runs Tuesday through Sunday from 3 to 5 PM at the bar and on the patio, if you’re looking to get started a little earlier.
Easter Egg Hunt
San Clemente Sensational Springtacular
San Clemente goes all out for this one and it is worth every bit of the hype. On Saturday April 4, the city's annual Springtacular takes over Vista Hermosa Sports Park from 9 AM to noon with egg hunts, live music, Easter Bunny visits, games, inflatables, face painting, and crafts. Wristbands are available for the activity stations and the egg hunts are divided by age group starting at 10 AM so every kid gets a fair shot.
And if you want to keep the fun going, the city also hosts a SPLASHtacular at the San Clemente Aquatics Center right after from noon to 4 PM, including an underwater egg hunt with the Snorkel Bunny, which is exactly as fun as it sounds. It is a full day of activities without having to drive anywhere. Vista Hermosa Sports Park is at 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa in San Clemente. Check the City of San Clemente's website for the latest wristband pricing and details.
Dana Point Easter Egg Hunt
This one is a South OC classic and it's completely free. The City of Dana Point hosts their annual egg hunt on Saturday April 4 at two locations, Pines Park in Capistrano Beach and Sea Canyon Park, so you can pick whichever is closest to you. The Easter Bunny shows up from 9 to 10 AM at both parks for photos, and the egg hunt kicks off promptly at 10 AM for kids up to age 10. Bring an empty basket because they fill up fast.
The bonus here is the pancake breakfast, available at both locations from 8 to 11 AM with proceeds going to the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary's charitable efforts. So you can fuel the kids up before the hunt and feel good about where your money is going. Show up early, grab breakfast, let the kids run, and you have got yourself a really sweet Easter morning. Pines Park is at 34942 Camino Capistrano and Sea Canyon Park is at 33093 Santiago Drive in Dana Point.
Coffee Break
This one is my weekend go to. Not only do I love their coffee, but the outdoor area out front by the fire pit or outback with the canyon views make it impossible not to relax and enjoy every sip. It’s tucked away in the Esencia neighborhood of Rancho Mission Viejo but it’s well worth the trip.
Featuring Blue Hummingbird coffee, who treats it like a craft. They specialize in single-origin espresso drinks and ethically sourced beans, often working directly with farmers. The signature Blue Hummingbird latte with house-made pandan syrup is worth ordering at least once, and the matcha and cold brew options are equally solid. I personally love the cold brew topped with a little vanilla cold foam. The fresh pastries are definitely worth the calorie splurge. They even have a Babyccino for the little ones. Open seven days a week from 7 AM to 2 PM at 75B Esencia Drive in Rancho Mission Viejo.
Movement Motivation
I’m loving the warm weather and the sunny days which has made me start looking for outdoor workouts. iHeart Yoga in Dana Point partners with the City of Dana Point to offer Yoga in the Park classes outdoors at Lantern Bay Park. iHeart Yoga has been hosting Yoga in the Park at Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point since 2009 and it has grown into one of the largest outdoor yoga communities in all of Orange County. The setting alone is worth showing up for. You are on the south lawn of Lantern Bay Park, right in front of the Laguna Cliffs Marriott, with ocean views, green grass, and a Pacific breeze that makes the whole thing feel like anything but a workout.
Classes run daily at 10 AM with evening classes Monday through Thursday as well, so there are plenty of options depending on your schedule. No experience is needed and all levels are welcome, which means whether you have been practicing for years or this is your first time on a mat, you will fit right in. You do need to book in advance at iheartyoga.org or through their app since classes fill up and are first come first serve. A single park class is $10 and memberships are available if you fall in love with it, which based on the community they have built, is very likely.
What makes iHeart Yoga special beyond the views is the story behind it. Founder Elsa Stuart started with a donation tin at a park class and it grew into one of Dana Point's most beloved wellness communities. Voted Dana Point's best yoga studio eleven years in a row. If you’re craving an outdoor workout, this one is for you.
Get the baskets done, figure out the plans, and knock out whatever is on your list this week so that when Easter Sunday arrives you are actually there for it. Not running around in your head, not stressed about what you forgot. Just present with your family and enjoying the weekend you worked to create. Feel good about putting the phone down and enjoying time with the family.
And in the middle of all of it, find one pocket of time that belongs to you. The yoga class at the park, the date night you keep pushing off, a morning where you move your body and clear your head before the day starts. Make the swap this week, one thing for someone else traded for one thing for yourself, and notice how different it feels. Hit reply and tell me what you chose.
See you next Thursday!
