Amazing summer break

Tonight I sit here typing this post both sad but happy. I always am sad when summer comes to end because my girls go back to school and reality is back, the early alarms, crazy routines, hectic schedules and missing my daughters. I love summer time because I get to have my girls home with me so we can have fun adventures and get to spend every day bonding. Sure they have their cheer practices and other activities they both are involved in or I have to do different protects for work, but we get to basically enjoy endless hours of time together. Once school returns I feel like they spend more time at school then with me, I basically leave them in the early morning hours not to see them again till after 3 then they have their practices so we maybe spend a few hours together before its time for bed then back to the daily grind again. 

Today we spent the morning and early afternoon at the beach, it was amazing. Water was crystal clear and flat. Perfect end to the perfect summer break. 

I am happy because both my girls make me so proud with all the amazing things they have achieved, I'm so blessed to have some super smart kids both being gifted or high achievers taken advanced classes or honor AP courses. It's inane my oldest is going to be a junior this year which means only two years left till I'm writing this end of summer post after dropping her off at college. It is so hard being a mom and having to eventually realize that we have to let them go to become who they are meant to be. I want to sometimes just freeze time and keep them here in the safety of my home cuddled up watching our latest favorite Netflix series lol, but I know I have to let them grow, chase their dreams and achieve their goals. 

Butterfly World photo, one of our families favorite spots to visit. We have a monarch cocoon ready to open any day. We even have started our own butterfly garden over the summer planting seeds that have grown, new plants and old orchids. Can't wait to share some photos. 

I now sit here reflecting on another amazing summer filled with new memories and amazing adventures. We truly had an awesome summer again with another amazing summer road trip, long weekend adventures to the Keys and days floating in the ocean talking, reminiscing and dreaming of the future. I have this feeling that things are about to change for the better. Huge changes are on the horizon and I'm not just talking about my oldest going off to college. We have some big changes with my career coming up, my hubby's job, and moving. We really are about to start an amazing adventure over the next couple of years that in the end will lead to being where my heart has been for over six years. I can't wait to share more in the months and year to come. For now I'm going to leave you with some of my favorite ootd shots from the last week of summer, along with some other fun summer photos of our amazing summer antics and adventures. We always love to explore and are a wanderlust family at heart for sure. I can't wait to share many new adventures in the future along with some really amazing and exciting announcements in the weeks to come. 

Heading to bed since my alarm will begin going off again at 5:30 am, but I will say one last thing, it's officially the start of my birthday week. Going to have some fun stuff to share this week along with some spontaneous giveaways. Didn't get the response on the Rafflecopter hosted contest I started a couple of weeks ago to celebrate my 20k followers but I do have all the entries from those who did enter and decided I was going to share some of the many prizes I had set aside with everyone. If you already entered my contest you will be receiving an email from me once I confirm your entries then sending out prizes to everyone. Anyone who wants to win some fun prizes to celebrate my birthday week from some of my fave shops and designers keep an eye out here and in my social media for more chances to win. Figured since it's my birthday and I know I love opening presents I want to surprise all my amazing followers who took the time to enter with their own present. 

As always peace, love and light to all. Hope all the teachers and kids going back to school tomorrow, or in the weeks to come have a great first day and week of school. Cheers to another amazing school year and to an awesome upcoming holiday season, may it be Dliteful, full of surprises, love and of course peace xoxo 

My arm-stack from the beach today. Wanderer bracelets an amazing brand I joined up with as an ambassador this summer and have been honored to be a part of promoting this amazing brand. Use my code MELISSA20 for 20% off and all sales help secure jobs for local Bali artisans. Excited to bring you more amazing product releases, a bigger discount and more from this amazing brand for fall. 

Chill out mom it's just the end of summer break, we have a long weekend coming for Labor Day and the holidays are right around the corner. My girls think I'm so emotional and they are right lol, love those kids so much they are my everything, I absorb and cherish every moment. I'm so blessed to be able to spend all the time I get with them and couldn't imagine it any other way. I would go back and make all the same career and school sacrifices I made to be able to stay home with both as babies because in the end I was still able to chase my dreams and achieve my goals just took a little longer but being a mom has always been first. 

The tank is by Chaser brand, shorts are Silver Jeans Co boyfriend shorts in light wash and my compass gold Necklace is from Bikiniluxe.com. 

One of my favorite of many amazing birthday presents that have arrived and have many more to share this week. I have been a long time fan of Spell Designs also known as Spell and the Gypsies Collective and Spell of Byron Bay. Since my first kimono a couple years back I have been scooping up whatever I can find, over the summer they launched a US site and I celebrated by ordering some amazing graphic tops for my collection along with making many purchases for my birthday with gift cards and cash I was given for that reason. This skirt is amazing. I also got a few other skirts, couple of dresses, some tops both graphic and floral print, intimate apparel, a kimono, purse, jewelry and more. I have a lot of amazing gypsy bohemian posts and outfits coming soon. The top is older and from Free People. Alex and Ani Bracelets which I can bet the new fall bracelets may be part of my presents this week, I added a few new styles and designs to my wish list earlier in the week. My mom always gets me one or two along with other family and friends. They make amazing gifts and this girl can never have enough. Love to stack, mix n match my arm candy. 

Speaking of Alex and Ani this was my butterfly world influence arm stack Monday. Love their wings of change charm, UNICEF butterfly, feather charm and quill bracelet, peridot in honor of my birth month, and other fun pieces I adore. 

Another Spell Designs skirt and top, paired with Alex and Ani bracelets and an amazing turquoise and silver squash style necklace with amazing feather details I came across on eBay of course. This skirt is one of my faves and can't wait to share the blue mid dress this week. Yeeeee:). 

If you saw my Pam & Gela post the week before last I also stocked up on some pieces I had been wishing for from their awesome huge warehouse clearance sale. It's still going on now and just ordered a few more pieces along with some new fall styles, one more birthday splurge my hubby insisted on. The choker is by another fave Ettika and watch out this week for my new purple locks, my current color is going to be touched up and revamped for fall I can't wait to share it with you all Friday. 

Finally ending my photos with one last beach shot from this amazing ocean and beach today. Feeling so blessed and ready for whatever is coming for fall. I have some amazing new brands and brands/designers I have been honored to work with for some time now, their newest fall styles and looks all coming in the weeks ahead. I promise you will love all the new trends and my faves if you like my style or taste. Have an awesome night, sweet dreams xoxo 

My Sand cloud towel and I at Hollywood Beach

My lovely towel today at Hollywood Beach use the link below or I have another post a few posts back with a link also that will take you direct to the sand cloud website and you click the bottom for your 40% off coupon, then use that on your first purchase. I appreciate anyone and everyone who uses this link or my Wanderlust25 code because this helps me earn points and shows that you found their site or product through my blog or social media. It means the world to me. I am super excited to have had a couple referrals already and it really does make my day. Please let me know below in comments if you do place an order or use my link/code. Also if you want to become an ambassador yourself let me know and I will let you know all about the amazing program/company.  Who doesn't want to have a gorgeous beach towel or blanket, they also have bag towels, beach blankets, pillow towels, pocket towels and iPhone cases. It's a great deal to save 40% plus they always have free shipping and 10% of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to saving marine life. Love it ✌️❤️

           Sand Cloud 40% off promo

      

Don't forget to use my link in previous post to receive a 40% off coupon for first time orders that will expire soon,  or you can use Wanderlust25 to receive 25% off your order plus always free shipping and they donate 10% of proceeds to save marine life. Love that. 

Love my towel and love that I can use it as a wrap or sarong when not laying out on top of it or drying off. I am obsessed with Sand Cloud. Check them out @sand_cloud on IG and at www.sandcloudtowels.com. I am getting the coral pillow towel next for my Costa Rica trip will match with a lot of my suits, even considering the blue bag towel. Love their products. Xoxo

*Brand Ambassador 

Moroccan oil

This passed weekend I finally took the plunge and purchased the Moroccan oil shampoo and conditioner along with the light oil. Was a investment but after one use I already see a huge difference in my hair. Usually my hair tangles awful because I color my hair a lot and have bleached it many times, I had no issue combing it after my shower and then after towel drying applied a small drop to the ends of my hair with nothing else, it dryer amazing and feels so soft. Not to mention the amazing smell. 

I haven't posted in awhile because I have been very busy with volunteering at my daughters school and working on photography. We are also in the process of doing some work to our home. I can't wait to share all the photos when we are done. I have almost finished the dining room, my bedroom is complete just have to finish my closet update and organizing. Then we are redoing our living room with all new furniture, decor and rugs, painting, family room is getting a mini makeover with new rug, curtains, decor and more, guest bathroom will be gutted in a few weeks and totally redone and our kitchen is getting a mini update because we have to fix a cabinet with our garbage can that the track broke, also awhile back my youngest daughter spilled nail polish remover and it messed up the wood on our island plus from people sitting at the stools it got messed up so we are adding some stone and sanding down then staining it. I also remodeled my home office with stuff I already had and some diy projects to make it a office and craft room for my girls and I. I am updating entry way and much more. I will have lots of before and after photos along with some amazing deals I have found while shopping. Still hunting for rugs and some small items. We were excited to finally find a fabric sectional that customizable also. It is a huge change. We have always had leather but I wanted something comfy and not cold that my pillows don't slide off of. 

Stay tuned and promise I will be posting lots of new photos and work I have done with my photography in weeks to come. Fashion finds, home decor as remodeling pics and some more on my Moroccan oil experience. Thursday I have a hair appointment and my now orchid, purple ombré that has been worn for passed six months will be blonde with multi colored ombré ends and orchid underneath, spicing it up for the summer. 

Also excited for the summer. We are renting an apartment on the beach this weekend for Memorial Day weekend, going to Washington, D.C. for forth of July and hubby's birthday, surprising him! Then we are renting for a week in the keys again, same house we rented last summer. It is going to be a fun filled and memory filled summer for sure. 

Again stay tuned for the home renovation photos and posts. Have had a lot of contractors here from garage door guys, patio guys, outdoor kitchen, windows and new doors, paint, kitchen, bathroom, and more. Excited to share our journey and show my brown basic neutral home brighten up and come alive with lots of color and inspiration from the beach, and morrocan design. Hope everyone is doing great. I couldn't be busier or better since my Botox treatment things have been life changing. I had my third treatment last week and doing amazing. 

Happy Memorial Day weekend 

Happy Cinco De Mayo

We spent this amazing day at the beach. Life is good and living in Florida is amazing, not sure I would trade it got anything yet, maybe in five years.

Have a happy and safe Cinco De Mayo.