Lifestyle with Melendy

a mom sharing her Recipes, Inspiration & Life

memories

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Staycation – When I want to be a tourist

Have you ever Needed a staycation?
I have been back home from California for a week, but – I am feeling the need for some down time with the family!
Living in one of the best vacation destinations in the world (in my opinion!) means that sometimes we miss out on the paces and events that make our state special.
Sometimes it takes someone else showing us what we are missing for us to truly see it.
Every year my aunt and uncle travel from the middle of the country back to the Ocean State for a visit. This visit means that we get a chance to explore the Ocean State like we were tourists. With so much to explore in such a small state, the nice thing is you can decide each morning what you want to do!
There is  something about taking the day off, heading to the beach , and just enjoying time together that actually makes everything seem really amazing again. I love the fact that when they are  here we splurge on things like seafood and trips to Newport, and sometimes Maine. We take the time to pause, breathe,  look at the ocean and remember the reasons we live where we live.
I look forward to their visits every year. Having family that lives so far away is hard when the closest airport to them costs us about $1000 per person to visit, it seems out of reach. The fact that they are drawn to the Ocean, back home, and that we can see them and enjoy their company makes it worth so much more than any airfare could be. I live in a state where I am no more than 30 minutes from the Ocean no matter where I am, and I have not visited the beach yet this summer!! I long for their visits because I get to come home too, see the state I love, and be a part of their home coming too.
 Rhode Island
What do you love about where you live?
What would you do if you were a visitor in your own state?
What would you miss?
What is keeping you from getting out and exploring like a tourist?
Go do it!

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how a dress changed my life…

We all have that one outfit – The one we love the most. you know the one – The outfit that when you wear it – you run the world!
For me – This is the dress. You see, this dress is the one I was wearing the day i decided to join LuLaRoe. It fits me perfectly, and is covered with the most amazing floral pattern. My grandmother had the best garden, and when I wear floral, I feel like I am close to her.

Isn’t it funny how something like a flower on a dress, or a whiff of perfume can bring you back to a moment. My grandmother was in love with fashion, she owned hundreds of shoes and had closets filled with clothes. Her costume jewelry collection was astounding, and her real jewelry was very well cared for. A true southern belle, she was always well put together. I always wanted to be that way.

As a little girl I would get dressed up with gloves and hats. I was also really good at being a Tomboy though. I was never afraid to get dirty, and I often wonder how my grandmother felt about that. I wanted nothing more than to fit in, be beautiful, and love who I was. As the teenage years began, I started to realize, I didn’t love me. That “Unlove” of myself lasted a long time. I questioned friendships, lovers, adults. I did not believe I was worth loving. The one I cared about the most was my Gram.

Reaching into adulthood, being a wife, a mom, and never finding me in any career was so hard. Then – A dress – this dress, and I felt comfortable – beautiful – confident. This confidence led me to a decision that changed my life. The rest is history, but this dress, it brings me back every time.

What draws you in? what creates memories for you? how do you use it to strengthen your present?