During our hour-long catchup, an old friend and I unloaded our stresses from the last few months. Kids, navigating tricky friendships, sick babies, solo parenting days, disagreements with the grandparents and the minutiae of day- to-day life that’s left us with back pain, headaches and just burned out. Both of us have two little ones under 5, day jobs and parents who live far away.
“We really need a break,” she said. “I know,” I agreed. “I want to feel like myself again.”
We were dreaming of tropical vacations, but perhaps we don’t need to look too far for a little reset. It’s easy to forget how much our city has to offer when I’ve been immersed in my corner of L.A., consumed by two demanding children. I recently forced my postpartum self to take an afternoon to explore Larchmont Village, a part of town I rarely have reason to visit, though there’s plenty to offer, especially if you’re a mom who just needs a break. Sometimes, a change of scenery, good food and a little spa date is all you need to refill your tank.
I kicked off my solo date at Larchmont Sanctuary Spa, which, as the name suggests, is a true sanctuary in the middle of our bustling city. After I changed into a cozy robe and slippers, staff led me to my pre-treatment soak in the spa’s private copper Jacuzzi tub. I draw a bubble bath for my daughter every day, and yet this was my first bath in over a year! After a 30-minute soak, which was just enough time to forget the stresses from that morning, I experienced my first facial. My aesthetician, Alex, understood postpartum skin changes and customized the treatment to fit my skin, which included scalp, arm and lymphatic drainage massages.
After my treatment with Alex, I thought I was truly relaxed, but Nicole, my full-body massage therapist, made me aware of how much more tension I still needed to surrender. “Take a deep breath in,” she gently guided. As I breathed in, the scent of lavender filled my nostrils. “Fill your lungs to capacity. Now exhale and leave everything on the table.” Her cue caught me by surprise. I choked up a little as I realized I was harboring guilt for leaving my baby for a few hours. As moms, sometimes we need permission to truly let go.
All that relaxing really worked up my appetite, so I headed to Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese, a family-owned-and-operated corner market with imported oils and vinegars, artisan cheeses, curated wine and a full-service deli. I ordered a soppressata salami sandwich on a baguette. To have a whole sandwich to myself — and eat it in peace — was its own form of self-care.
As I strolled along Larchmont Boulevard, I noticed quite a few parents with strollers and wondered how many of them have had a day to themselves recently. Not wanting to take my few hours for granted,
I browsed Chevalier’s Books, L.A.’s oldest independent bookstore, and Shorthand, a color-coordinated stationery and print shop that displays office goods like candy … you want everything! After practicing self-control, I strolled over to Jeni’s Ice Creams. I opted for my go-to: salty caramel. Ice cream makes everything better.
Never not in need of a coffee, I grabbed an iced pistachio milk latte from Suá Superette, a new café/ Sichuan grab-and-go market from Fly by Jing founder and CEO Jing Gao and digital creator Stephanie Liu Hjelmeseth. I also tried their mala-fried lotus chips, which are addictive. In addition to pre-packaged meals and snacks, the market’s shelves are lined with carefully curated gifts and cook- ware, including a flower tea ritual set, slotted spoons and cookbooks.
When the big Larchmont Village clock struck 3 p.m., it was time to pull on my mom hat once again. I didn’t get a tropical vacation, but an uninterrupted afternoon of spa treatments and neighborhood discoveries was exactly what I needed to feel a little more like me again.
