Mother’s Day is fast approaching on May 8th, a day where we show our appreciation for all that our mom’s have done for us. I love to shower my mom with gifts, but what I know she really loves is spending quality time with me and my family. What is better than taking time out of our busy schedules to spend uninterrupted time with each other? Last year, I planned a surprise Mother’s Day trip for my entire family to visit Alisal Ranch. This year, I decided to stay local and spend the day pampering my mom in her own neighborhood, just the two of us.
Luckily, my parents live in a beautiful city called Westlake Village, which is in close proximity to me (a 45-minute drive from Beverly Hills.) There is so much to do there, that I decided to plan an entire day taking my mom to places she loves the most (all within 10 minutes from our family home!)
We started the day by taking a beautiful scenic hike in the Santa Monica Mountains on a trail called Sandstone Peak. My mom and I used to take a hike or walk almost every day before I’d go to school, and it’s something we still love to do together. It’s a great way to connect, without the distractions of cell phones or computers.
After the hike, I set up a lunch at one of her favorite restaurants in Westlake Village, a cozy Italian trattoria called Bocaccio’s. Bocaccio’s has been around since 1968, and is a staple to local residents. It is set on the serene Westlake lake surrounded by lush greenery, quaint homes and small colorful boats. We enjoyed an amazing wine-paired meal. To start, we sipped Sterling Wines 2013 Napa County Sauvignon Blanc with pan seared duck breast and dover sole. The bright floral notes of the wine went well with the light proteins. For dessert, we ordered decadent chocolate cake and sipped on Sterling Wines 2012 Platinum, which bold weight of black cherry brought out the intensity of the dark chocolate.
After our leisurely lunch, we headed over to the Four Seasons Westlake Village. This particular Four Seasons spa is world renowned for its expansive state-of-the-art facilities. We spent the afternoon poolside, enjoying fresh fruit smoothies and desserts in the sun. After a few hours by the pool, it was time for our spa treatments. We both had amazing Swedish massages in a serene spa suite, and spent a few hours after enjoying the facilities like the steam, sauna, and jacuzzi tubs.
To end an unforgettable day, we watched the sunset and toasted to all that we are thankful for with Sterling Wines Sparkling Brut. This wine is my favorite for special occasions, as it’s fun and lively with vibrant and refreshing flavors.
I know I am certainly thankful to have a mother who is also my best friend and hope I can show her how much I appreciate her not only on Mother’s Day, but all yearlong.
If your mom is far away, you can always send her a gift certificate for a spa day near her, and accompany it with a few bottles of her favorite wine. Sterling Wines is having a great Mother’s Day sale on their site – you cannot go wrong with their whites or reds!
** Kindly note: I am working in partnership with Sterling Wines and I am being compensated for my participation in this campaign. All thoughts/opinions are 100% my own. Wine is intended for those whom alcohol is legal and appropriate. Please drink responsibly!