Mothers need a girls trip away for their health. It’s science.
Whether you’re a ‘Stay At Home Mum’ or a working mother, you work hard. You’re not just running from school drop off/pick up, to soccer or swimming, while trying to figure out what to feed them, you are carrying the mental load of motherhood too. It is an exhausting full time job and we all need a childless break to avoid burn out.
According to Motherly, ‘It’s okay if you want to take a weekend away with your BFFs, mama. It doesn’t mean anything about your commitment to motherhood or your partner. Science suggests that humans need connections outside of our romantic partners and mother-child bonds, and that when we don’t connect with our friends, our health suffers.’
So in light of this very important information, my besties and I decided to head to West Hollywood for a Vanderpump Rules inspired girls weekend away…because…well…science! It was perfect for our mental health but perhaps detrimental to our livers.
Why West Hollywood?
I didn’t used to watch reality tv but since I’ve had kids, the negativity of actual tv is just too much. I love to disappear into a world of ridiculous storylines, of deluded caricature-like ‘reality stars’ and their poor life decisions that have zero effect on my life. It is my own personal escapism.
One of my favourites reality shows is Vanderpump Rules, a show about a group of waiters and waitresses in West Hollywood who work for the glamourous Lisa Vanderpump of Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills fame. As Los Angeles itself has a certain mystique, oozing of luxury in a Hollywood haze, a trip to WeHo, the playground of the rich and famous, was ideal. We could, like so many reality show casts do, pretend we were among the elite. For one weekend, we were more than, ‘MOM!’
Where To Stay?
As it was Emmy weekend when we headed south, we needed to stay somewhere star-worthy with a celeb-worthy pool scene. Cue The London West Hollywood, a luxury hotel just off of sunset strip with stunning views of the Hollywood hills.
The pool was an exclusive oasis with LA panoramics, a well crafted, unique food menu, and an enviable cocktail list. Here we spent time lounging in the sun, sipping rose and people watching, perhaps one of the ‘must do’ activities when in LA.
The staff was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring that our glasses were topped up and we always had a snack. As busy mums, this was a well deserved role reversal.
What to do?
I wouldn’t call us fitness junkies but my girlfriends and I like to move. At home, we sneak in trips to the gym early in the morning or workouts with friends after the kids have gone to bed. At the beginning of each week, I look at my calendar and try to pencil in at least three days when I can work out, release stress and reset in order to maintain my sanity. Here in LA, we had time to explore new ways to exercise and move.
Our favourite was an early morning hike through Runyon Canyon. This famous piece of landscape looks out across LA, and over houses of stars like Queen Latifah, Drew Barrymore, Tony Hawk and Slash.
It is not unusual to run into a celebrity or two running (or walking) the trails. The Kardashians famously lost weight running up and down a set of stairs halfway along a trail (Check out the highlights in my instastories).
I loved seeing the Hollywood sign on a hill in the distance: It made me want to quote every classic movie line about ‘making it in Hollywood‘….that or immediately go get an agent and try to be an actress…again. Neither of those things happened, you will be pleased to know.
We also tried out Shape House, an urban sweat lodge where you lay, fully clothed, in a sleeping bag type sack, wrapped in a heavy plastic. Then you sweat.
For an hour.
Apparently, it’s the equivalent of running 10k. Shape House a huge hit in LA (almost always fully booked), and it is a very cool concept. I will be honest though, it made me feel quite claustrophobic and a bit nauseous. I don’t think I would do it again but I’m glad I tried it out.
We also checked out Playlist Yoga, a small yoga studio that practices their downward dogs and vinyasas to famous hip hop songs. The room was dark and the whole studio, (lobby and change room), had a very cool, very chill, very ‘LA’ vibe.
Conveniently, it was also a very instagrammable space.
I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to workout with kids around, late at night or in the gym daycare, but all of us enjoyed being able to focus on our physical self without distraction.
Where to eat?
I think the question should be: Where NOT to eat?! West Hollywood is home to so many sensational and delicious restaurants, and many with celebrity names attached. For a ‘star inspired’ style girls weekend away, it gave us lots of options.
We stopped by Lisa Vanderpump’s SUR, Pump and Gracias Madres. We even stopped by the cocktail bar, TomTom, where we met Vanderpump Rules, Tom Schwartz. We schmoozed, drank crafty cocktails and sipped some sultry California wines. We danced, laughed and chatted the night away.
Each venue was unique, beautiful even, stunning interior decor with perfectly placed trees, flowers, metallic art and lighting. It was clear that every detail of these restaurants had been poured over, considered and contemplated before becoming permanent. Even staff met the high aesthetic standard of each restaurant. I’ve never so many beautiful people in one space!
Out of all these restaurants, Gracias Madre was definitely my favourite. This vegan Mexican joint had an array of tequilas, mezcals and our favourite, a fruity strawberry cocktail. Brunch was exceptional, a truly flavourful dive into a creative plant based menu. With the world actively embracing a vegan lifestyle, it was comforting to know that there are so many glorious food options out there.
Our time in West Hollywood was fun. It was so much fun. We discovered, explored and took time to focus on ourselves.
We fed our friendship, our minds, our bodies and of course, our stomachs. We were 100% purely us.
We came back from our weekend away excited to see our families, ready for all the kisses and cuddles that come with returning home. We all felt re energized and ready to step back into the madness of our day to day lives.
As the song says, ‘Everybody needs a little time away…Or so they say…‘ It’s true. Especially us mothers. If you’re considering a girl’s trip, this is me telling you to go. Take it. Take that time for you. Guilt free. You (and your girls) deserve it.
We are already planning next year’s getaway. Any ideas?
This experience was sponsored by Visit West Hollywood. They did not pre-approve this post.
*All pictures were shot on iPhone XR
Why Mom Getaways Are Essential To Your Health