The only conference where shoes are optional! #BeachesMoms #BeachesDads

Who takes off their shoes at a conference?
BeachesMoms and BeachesDads do!

Social Media on the Sand was an amazingly successful conference and networking event yet again in 2015. Social Media on the Sand 2015 was the second of what will hopefully be a long-running annual experience for social media influencers and their families. See the past BalancingMama BeachesMoms posts to learn about more of my favorite elements of the resort and conference, and enjoy this fantastic video form our friends at Beaches Resorts.

I guarantee it'll make you smile!



This year’s Social Media on The Sand ‪#‎BeachesMoms‬ and ‪#‎BeachesDads‬ ditched the boardroom and set-up shop along the turquoise coastline of Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa. With their feet in the sand, the 150 social media influencers sharpened their skills, created meaningful opportunities for their business and of course, immersed themselves in the Beaches Luxury Included Vacation lifestyle. From ‪#‎throwbackthursday‬ 80’s Party and Sip and Sail Welcome event, to a Trick-or-Tweet Halloween bash, this year’s event was epic!

For more info on the event, check out http://www.socialmediaonthesand.com/.

We ate our way through #BeachesMoms!

If you missed my tips on having a memorable and rejuvenating girls' weekend at Beaches Resorts, click on over and read all about it. 

Some girls eat like sweet little birds and watch their calories closely, even on vacation... not me! Throughout my four-day girls' weekend adventure with a friend for #BeachesMoms 2015 at Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos, our main topics of conversation were: the color of the water, the conference activities, and food.

photo: StayingCloseToHome.com

Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos has 20 international restaurants, all of which are included in your resort price. Beaches Turks & Caicos restaurants offer delightful cuisine ranging from family-friendly offering chicken nuggets and french fries, to pizza, to hibachi style Japanese, to high-end French cuisine. Some restaurants like the new Jerk Shack offer picnic table seating right on the sand while others have white tablecloths and candle light. There is a wide range in between to suit any desire, including a few buffets if you want to eat quickly to get back to the Beaches Pirate's Island waterpark, one of six sparkling swimming pools, or the unsurpassed beauty of the Turks and Caicos oceanfront.

Did I mention? There was a lot of talk about food.

photo: BalancingMama.com

"Let's go down to breakfast." 
"And then we can plan where to eat lunch!" 

photo: StayingCloseToHome.com

Five "do's" for a girls' weekend at a family resort

Let's assume you are a busy mom, a multi-tasking master, fulfiller of all snack requests. Assume you need a break from it all; a chance to slow your pace and find your inner "me" again. It is not very difficult to imagine, is it? You are likely living it. The pace, the needs, the taxi service that you seem to be running. The dream of stepping away from it all, for just a moment, to catch your breath.

What you need is a girls' weekend. Or a whole week! Leave the children with your capable husband, maybe an in-law or two, and go. I was able to do this last week when I traveled, sans family, to Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos for the second annual Social Media on the Sand Conference. I arranged to bring a friend to fill in for my family - and what a fantastic time we had!

Can adult women have a luxury experience at a family resort like Beaches Resorts? Yes! Here are my five "do's" for a successful and refreshing girls' weekend at a family resort:

#1: DO find an ideal quiet spot. Silence is probably scarce at home with children. To fully recharge, spend some time in your favorite resort relaxation spot. At Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos, it was easy to turn a corner or two and find a mini oasis with shade, comfortable seating, and few other humans. I loved the serene charm of the open-air Veranda House in the Key West Village. My friend enjoyed a hidden piece of the Italian Village, tucked behind the shops, that she discovered on our second day. Even though it is a family resort, Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos offers many peaceful escapes from the beach, pool, and water park.

Thrilled to be a #BeachesMom again!

About two months ago, I clicked into my email and happily read this subject line:
You're Invited: Beaches Resorts Social Media on the Sand

I am honored and extremely excited to have received the coveted invite once again. I will be attending the second annual Social Media on the Sand conference at the glorious Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos!

Our 2014 experience at Beaches Turks and Caicos was one of luxury, impeccable service, and amazing natural beauty. The conference was inspiring with great sponsors and influential speakers including highly successful working moms, beloved bloggers, and the CEO of Sandals Resorts himself, Adam Stewart. Last year, I was thrilled to be able to travel with my husband and daughter (baby boy was only 9 months old and had a great time with grandparents at home). Seeing Beaches through a child's eyes really makes you fall in love with the fantastic vacation experience.

I will be traveling without family in 2015, unfortunately, as it just did not work out this year with timing and finances. I look forward to focusing on the valuable conference content and seeing the resort through adult eyes this time! I am seeing more rum punch and extended relaxation by the pool for this busy mama!

If you want to check out Beaches Resorts for your next family vacation, I do highly recommend it. It is comparable to a cruise in many ways and actually so much better in others. Huge resort rooms, non-stop service with genuine smiles, and everything you could ever need is included in the original price. If you are a social media influencer, you can learn more about the Social Media on the Sand Conference and sign up for more information and a chance to be invited next year.

Turks and Caicos, Beaches Resort, and fellow #BeachesMoms and #BeachesDads.... see you in a few months!

DIY coffee body scrub from @BeachesResorts Red Lane Spa #BeachesMoms

It has been almost two weeks since we departed ATL for the BeachesMoms Social Media on the Sand conference at Beaches Turks and Caicos. I am desperately trying to cling to the "no problem" attitude and relaxation from being completely pampered by fantastic service.

An aromatic body scrub in a warm bath may help... and it's a good thing that Beaches Resorts invited us to special DIY experiences over the conference weekend. I attended a DIY at the Beaches Red Lane Spa.

Not only did they spoil us with a goody bag of luxurious spa products, they also taught us how to make our own body scrub at home with items from our pantry!

#BeachesMoms via Instagram

I am dreaming of ocean breezes and luxury today, but when I glance out the window, the rain is drizzling and skies are gray.

So, I think this Wordless Wednesday calls for another look at #BeachesMoms!  Some of my adventures via BalancingMama on Instagram:

How does all-inclusive compare to a cruise? We investigated from @BeachesResorts

If you took a glance at BalancingMama on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook this weekend, you probably already know how I spent the weekend with my husband and daughter: meandering along wooden plank boardwalks nestled within tropical foliage, sinking my toes in the softness of white sand while admiring a water color that, surpisingly, can actually be found in nature. Part of my weekend was spent with energetic people who all have a passion for family experiences and writing all about it. And also with some of the most accommodating, friendly resort employees I have ever had the pleasure to meet.

Yes, our weekend was truly grand. Our weekend was... #BeachesMoms! We attended the Social Media on the Sand conference hosted by Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos.

Beaches Resorts are family-friendly and all-inclusive. As any employee will tell you, the only 'no' you will hear is 'nooo problem' (insert Caribbean accent). As a fan of cruising, I found myself continually comparing a cruise vacation with the experiences we were having at Beaches. Repeatedly, I said to my husband "this is like a cruise" or "wow, this is better than a cruise!".

So, how does an all-inclusive resort compare to a cruise?
My response: You definitely need to put it in your list of options when planning family travel. It may be very well worth it.

I miss him, but #BeachesMoms is amazing!

I soooooooo miss this gorgeous little guy.

We only just arrived, but so far the #BeachesMoms event (Social Media on the Sand 2014) has been amazing. Beaches Turks & Caicos is gorgeous beyond words. Lots of photos to come on Mommy and Me Monday and Wordless Wednesday! (Although that probably won't be wordless - too much to tell you about!)

We had an energetic and friendly meet and greet and the pirate pool party last night. Amelia is happy to be able to stay up late and soak up all of the attention. We all miss our sweet baby boy, but this experience is one in a million.

See you soon, sweet Andrew! Sending smooches and squeezes. XOXOXOXO

Flying through the blue sky to paradise #BeachesMoms

Social Media on the Sand begins tomorrow afternoon!

 

 

I think I know how the morning will go; the hectic rush to get up, get the kids ready, double-check the luggage. Did we forget anything? Honey, did you remember the...? Is Amelia dressed - did she brush her teeth?

 

I will make time to snuggle and kiss on my sweet baby boy who will be staying home with Grandma and Granddad. I have never been away from him overnight - that will tear me up inside. I will be going through the motions of a mom on the verge of vacation while shoving aside thoughts of the goodbye I have to say to that sweet little guy.

 

 

As usual on crazy out-the-door mornings, I will probably skip breakfast. I will plan to grab food at the airport, but might manage to snag a bottled Starbucks Iced Coffee from the fridge before the husband whisks us away down the interstate. We will have Atlanta rush hour traffic to contend with; I will be stressed and worried that we will be late.

The Sandals Foundation: Making a difference in our Caribbean #BeachesMoms

Social Media on the Sand starts in less than two weeks! The conference attendees have been busy meeting and greeting on various social media and the what to pack talk has begun.

It is a three-night excursion for me, and I already know that I am checking a bag. Why, you ask? Why would I pay an airline fee to check a bag for three nights? I will tell you: I am packing for a purpose! Not only do the Sandals (and Beaches) brands equal fun and relaxation and pampering in the sun, they also support the Sandals Foundation. They have asked us to pack for a purpose.

The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International and it plays a meaningful role in the lives of communities across the Caribbean - in so many ways.

Adopting schools.

Awarding scholarships.

Training teachers.

Building computer labs.

Supporting infirmaries and children's homes.

Donating books and computers.

Creating marine sanctuaries.

Planting trees. 

Providing access to dental and eye care.

All of these things (and more) are done through the funds, supplies, and manpower donated via the Sandals Foundation.

I am stuffing an extra backpack full of school supplies to take on the trip. Beaches even sent the attendees a backpack to help us in our donation efforts. I will check a small suitcase and use the backpack as carry-on with a simple tote for my other personal belongings. I can even donate the backpack back to the Sandals Foundation once I arrive - I plan to do so!

I love that the BeachesMoms experience allows us to give back on top of all the fun and learning we will do in the gorgeous Turks and Caicos islands.

For more information on the Sandals Foundation, visit SandalsFoundation.org