2nd Annual City Living Network Editor's Retreat

It was an honor to host our 2nd annual Laguna Beach Living x City Living Network Editor’s retreat earlier this month. We hosted editors from both near (Newport! Irvine! Dana Point! Huntington!) and far (Wilmington! Las Vegas!) for a day of bonding and boating.

The City Living Network is the brainchild of Laguna Beach Living’s founder, Lindsay DeLong, who took the success of LBL and packaged it into a course and web design agency that builds you a city publication, from idea to launch.

Since launching in 2021, the City Living Network has worked with talented locals from Lexington, Denver, San Diego, Prescott, Salt Lake City, Wilmington, Las Vegas, Long Beach, La Quinta, Irvine, Dana Point, Newport, and Huntington Beach to launch publications.

After each city launches, the Editors are able to utilize the Network through monthly Zoom calls, providing motivation, inspiration, and encouragement as everyone is just one step ahead of each other.

The mission with these city publications is to highlight the best of each town — whether it’s a small business, inspiring person, or iconic landmark.

For this year’s retreat we met at Billy’s at the Beach in Newport Beach for a welcome cocktail and passed out customized stocked-to-the-brim Apolis Gift Bags sporting each city’s name.

We then boarded a yacht where we cruised around the harbor at sunset, took headshots, ate cake by Diva Debs Cupcakery, grazed charcuterie by Newport Charcuterie, drank Californian wine, and even had a mini journaling workshop where we wrote down our business goals for the coming year.

A big thank you to our photographer Bobby from Laumea Photography, for capturing the magic, and our event planner, Jules of The Picnic Style, for making sure everything was picture perfect.

Sending so much gratitude to each of the amazing brands who donated to our special Editor’s Day…

EATS & DRINKS

DIVA DEBS CUPCAKERY

Diva Debs Cupcakery in Irvine elevates the cake game by using only top-tier organic ingredients in their creations. Known for an impressive range of gluten-free options, the bakery caters to those seeking that "wow" factor for their events (which we definitely got)! Be sure to plan ahead; with a lead time of 3-4 weeks, Diva Deb’s calendar fills up quickly… but it sure is worth it!

NEWPORT CHARCUTERIE

Newport Charcuterie in Newport Beach specializes in curated charcuterie boards, putting a unique spin on traditional grazing tables. Alyssa Paine founded the company based on her passion for food and community, making it the ideal choice for gatherings that crave quality and creativity. With a focus on high-quality, seasonal ingredients, Newport Charcuterie delivers an experience that goes beyond the ordinary cheese and cracker spread.

KAENA WINE

Kaena Wine, now in its 20th year, showcases founder Mikael's deep-rooted passion for Grenache. The winery is based in the Santa Ynez Valley, earning Mikael the affectionate nickname "The Grenache King." The brand name "Kaena," a shortened version of Mikael's Hawaiian name, translates to "potential for greatness," a philosophy reflected in every bottle.

BARBIERI WINES

Barbieri Wine Company crafts world-class wines in Santa Barbara County. With tasting rooms in both Los Olivos and Santa Barbara, the company offers a local experience to explore their diverse selection. Produced in a nearby facility in Buellton, Barbieri Wines bring a fun and personalized touch to the California wine scene. The Vermentino was perfect for a boat day!

JOSH CELLARS

Josh Cellars was founded in 2007 by Joseph Carr as a heartfelt homage to his father, Josh. Josh wasn't just a lumberjack, but he also bravely served in the U.S. Army and later volunteered as a firefighter, instilling strong values of dedication and perseverance in his family. These same values motivated the creation of Josh Cellars wines, epitomizing the best of California with their well-balanced taste and stringent quality standards.

GOODIE BAG GOODIES

JEDIDIAH COFFEE

Run by the cutest couple, Jedidiah Coffee is Laguna’s favorite fresh-roasted coffee company, that will deliver directly to your door. They host pop-ups in town, are at every local event with their mobile coffee bar, and are in the process of opening up a new location on PCH!

KAIRA ROUDA

Not only is Kaira Rouda my friend and personal favorite author of all time, she’s also an award-winning USA Today bestselling author who is known for her Domestic Suspense novels like “The Next Wife” and “Best Day Ever.” She lives in Laguna Beach (she was a guest on the LBL podcast!), and often writes about places that are in Orange County. Her latest book, “Beneath the Surface,” (which she signed and donated to all the Editors), takes place on a luxury yacht from Newport Beach to Catalina! Talk about perfect timing!

90 DAY HABITS

The 90 Day Habits Journal is a meticulously crafted tool specifically designed for female entrepreneurs and professionals. Rooted in scientific evidence, it offers valuable resources to establish lasting habits in 3 months that pave the way to one's goals. Notably, its founder Haley Duncan hails from San Clemente, blending both innovation and local authenticity. Perfect for those aiming to enhance productivity and lead a more fulfilling life (aka: City Living Network Editors)!

OAK AND EVE

OAK + EVE is a woman-led jewelry company founded by Marisa, a dedicated wife and mother of three with a passion for coffee and crafting. With each of her designs she is committed to creating distinctive, high-quality accessories to treasure. While Marisa's roots are currently planted in Ontario, Canada, her heart resonates with the West Coast so she was loving making all the SoCal Editors their customized bracelets!

OSEA MALIBU

OSEA Malibu (inspired by the elements of Ocean, Sun, Earth, and Atmosphere), infuses their Undaria Collagen Body Lotion with a commitment to planet-conscious wellness. This family-driven brand crafts their lotion with vegan collagen and hyaluronic acid, promising hydration and a noticeable skin firming in just 4 hours. Recognizing the ocean's bounty, they also harness the power of seaweed in each of their products, a superfood packed with vitamins for anti-aging benefits and deep moisturization.

GLOBAL GARDENS

Global Gardens, tucked away in the Santa Ynez Valley, pioneered Extra Virgin Olive Oil production in Santa Barbara in '98. They planted over 2,000 olive trees, some even imported from Crete! (Owner Theo is Greek.) If you're curious about authentic olive oil flavors leagues beyond your average store buy, their in-house Olive Oil Sommelier is the go-to expert and will provide a genuine taste adventure. ( A very welcomed break in between all the wine tastings when you’re visiting the SYV!)

DIONIS SKINCARE

Named after Dionis Beach in Nantucket, founder Kate Crosby wanted to make soap without all the harsh chemicals and detergents. Her creamy goat milk soap, crafted on her own farm, has quickly gained a reputation for being transformative, moisturizing, high-quality skincare with natural ingredients.

DELAVIE SCIENCES

Delavie Sciences’ Aeonia Age Defying Serum uses a groundbreaking formula harnessing Bacillus Lysate (a unique ingredient developed through Space Certified Technology™️ ACTUALLY researched on the International Space Station). This lightweight serum enhances skin moisture and combats visible aging signs like wrinkles and dark spots. At $125 a pop, each Editor was elated to receive skincare literally from the stars!

BOTNIA SKINCARE

Botnia Skincare, based in Sausalito, crafts its Wisdom Oil using a blend of rose hip, raspberry, and sea buckthorn oils, all aimed at enhancing the complexion and shielding the skin from environmental harm. Boosted with green tea and comfrey, this elixir prioritizes skin renewal and cellular revival, with its ingredients sustainably sourced from local, organic farms.

VITA SEA

VitaSea is a eco-friendly company that champions the marriage of sun protection and environmental stewardship. Drawing inspiration from a founder with deep-rooted connections to the Hawaiian islands, VitaSea emphasizes the importance of sustainable sun protection to foster a healthy outdoor lifestyle. Committed not only to the skin's well-being but also to Mother Earth's, the brand prioritizes environmental initiatives AND our skin on SoCal boat days!

*Also thank you to JUNA for the Detox drops and COVRY for our sunglass repair kits!

VENDORS

LAUMEA PHOTOGRAPHY | THE PICNIC STYLE | VINO VAQUERA CONSULTING

HOST

CITY LIVING NETWORK | LAGUNA BEACH LIVING

We’ll see you on next year’s retreat! AHOY!