Before Chelsea Thornton decided to bring The Local Moms Network to South Orange County, she worked as a financial software trainer. The mom to three—her son is 9 and she has two daughters, 8 and 6—says that she began realizing her southern California area (which incorporates Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo and San Juan Capistrano) needed a central resource like TLMN provides. “I felt we were missing that go to place for all things South Orange County. You will find a lot of sites talk about a single city, but I wanted a one stop site for all of the fun things my friends, family and I love to do and see in South OC,” says Chelsea. So she starts South OC Moms! Follow along at SouthOCMomsNetwork.com and on Instagram for more. In the meantime, here’s our conversation with Chelsea about her popular tourist destination hometown, in case you’re planning a visit! Plus, her favorite tip to give other moms the gift of time (besides, of course, her new site!).
Eating Out Without kids: Selanne Steak Tavern
Eating out With kids: Mangia Bene Cucina and the Beachcomber for breakfast is a must on the weekends.
Hotel you tell friends/family to stay: This is a tough one, there are so many great hotels around. Even when you live here, a staycation is equally amazing. The Montage is pretty fantastic….
Go-to drink spot: Rooftop Lounge atop La Casa del Camino in Laguna Beach
Favorite stores (to shop for yourself and kids): Funny question, I don’t have time to go into traditional stores, but I swear by Zulily for my kids and myself.
Where to entertain the entire family indoors/outdoors: My kids beg me to go to CircusTrix, but we can usually be found at the tennis courts. But let’s be honest the best place to entertain the kids outdoors in South OC is the many amazing beaches.
Don’t miss events for visitors (and locals!): The Christmas light display and boat parade in Dana Point Harbor. The family friendly music concert series at the Aliso Viejo Town Center. Pageant of the Masters and the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach are a must. High Tea at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel. Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano. The list goes on and on…
Best time-saving tips/resources as a mom: I would say time management and planning ahead are my best tips for moms. I never like to feel rushed or uncertain of how I will accomplish a kid’s birthday party, a class Valentine’s Day celebration or our summer camp lineup. I plan everything a few months ahead of time. I type everything down in a spreadsheet to keep myself organized and accountable. Don’t worry I will keep you all in the loop when I order my kids valentine’s, right after New Year’s.
Date Night at Home Ideas
A regular date night out is a great thing, if you can make it happen. As any good therapist (or Instagram meme…) would say, the foundation of your family started with your relationship, so keeping it strong will benefit everyone. But date nights can be tricky to plan (read: finding a reliable babysitter) and expensive (read: paying said sitter plus whatever entertainment you choose for the evening). That’s why we also love a good date night in. There’s nothing wrong with a classic Netflix and take out combo post-bedtime, but we’re sharing five creative ideas to freshen up your regular routine.
Meet the Mom Behind Revtown Jeans!
As moms, finding wardrobe staples that are both comfortable and stylish is key. We need to be ready to go from the playground to pick up and from meetings to lunch, quick. That’s why we’re loving Revtown, a new brand of denim started by former Under Armour executives. We spoke to the Product Development Lead Jennifer Carcich, who is Mom to Wilder, 2 ½ and Violet, 7 months, about this innovative brand, her life as a working mom, and what’s next for Revtown.
Turkey and Sweet Potato Rainbow Chili
I love all the different colors in this dish, hence the name rainbow chili, and that it incorporates sweet potatoes without being overpoweringly sweet like some sweet potato chili recipes I’ve had. I also love that it’s so easy to get creative with and add any vegetables you like or have on hand and need to use. Plus it means I can make it a few weeks in a row and adjust it enough that it tastes unique each week.