Melificent

Holiday Bucket List #1: Tates for Substitute Santa

If you follow me on social media, you know I decided to make our first annual family friendly holiday bucket list! Every holiday break, my husband is off and we are able to adventure as a trio more so than usual. This year, I decided to make it official, turn it into a list and share it with you all. Make sure you follow me over on Instagram (@melificent) to get the full list and possibly join in on the fun (seriously, let me know if you want to meet up)!

First on the list was Tates for their annual Substitute Santa. Instead of Santa Claus, Tates gets a different fandom character to sit in for pictures with the family, and usually, hilarity ensues. If you want to get in on the fun before it’s over, make sure you head up to Lauderhill (an hour north of Miami) next weekend – their special guest will be Darth Vader! This past weekend we had Hela, Thor’s evil sister, and goddess of death. All pictures are free – whether you take them with your phone/camera or theirs!

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Tattoo Tour

Funny enough, while filling out one of those Instagram templates about tattoos, I had several people comment that they had no idea I had so many. One suggested a tattoo tour, and here I am! I love all my tattoos, I love the culture and the way they make me feel. In a very conservative city like Miami, they are often covered up, as people here are not always very fond of them, but I’d really like to change the stigma. Sure, it is lifting in many places, but I feel like if you are a young professional mother, they are still frowned upon, which is just the silliest.

I have established really amazing relationships with my main tattoo artists, and I really love that I have mainly been tattooed by women. I’ll be sharing the who/what/where of them, and also their stories because although they are really pretty or cool to look at, they also have deep meaning.

  1. Butterfly on lower back // Tattoos by Lou // Artist unknown

Lets start at the beginning. I didn’t hesitate one minute when I turned 18. The only birthday gift I wanted was a tattoo, and it was quite the affair. My older sister came with me, along with a pile of my friends. I picked something off the wall, at a generic but popular tattoo shop and put it in the most eye roll inducing spot ever. What can I say? I was a teenager. Yes, I have a tramp stamp. No, I don’t care in the least. I have fond memories of it, and that time in my life. Plus, I never see it. Like, taking these photos is when I was able to really get a good look at it after all these years.

2. Smashing Pumpkins heart // Tattoos by Lou // Artist unknown

My second tattoo was the SP logo. They were my favorite band, with an adorable logo, so it was only natural I would get it tattooed. I know a lot of people get freaked out getting “favorites” tattooed, especially when they are young, but I can honestly say they are still my favorites. If you know me personally, you definitely know this is true. I got this one about a year after my first, so I went to the same shop with my best friend at the time, who got her first that day as well.

3. Smashing Pumpkins lyric // Ocho Placas // Javier Betancourt

There was a very big gap in time between my 2nd tattoo and my third. Like, 8-ish years (?) worth of a gap. In that time, I had a lot of friends that were into tattoos and was way more informed as to what a good shop and a good artist was. This was a totally spontaneous one. My husband and I were at a bridal shower where we had a few too many tropical drinks and started talking about tattoos. Before we knew it, our friend who has beautiful handwriting had scratched out two of our favorite Smashing Pumpkin lyrics and we were at her most trusted shop, Ocho Placas, with its most talented artist, Javier (who is now the owner). Mine is from the song, Fuck You (An Ode to No One) and reads, “Destroy the mind, destroy the body, but you cannot destroy the heart,” while my husband’s is from Muzzle and reads, “I fear that I am ordinary, just like everyone.” Fun fact (s): it was his first tattoo + I was wearing a dress when I got there so I had to go into a private room so I wouldn’t be exposing my goods for everyone to see. Ah, youth.
Unfortunately, this one will be covered up in the near future as it hasn’t aged well due to placement. It rubs up against my pants a lot and has gotten really blurry and hard to read.

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Santa’s Flight Academy Comes to Miami

Would you believe me if I told you that I used to refer to myself as The Grinch? Well, at times I still do, but since having a child, my opinion on Christmas has changed drastically. There’s a lot of things that change when you have a kid, but my absolute favorite has been the magic surrounding it all. During Christmastime, this only gets amplified and I revel in it. Even though deep down The Grinch is still my spirit animal, I can’t help but get excited to make the holidays special for my daughter. And this year it started a little early with a visit to Santa’s Flight Academy at Dolphin Mall.

We didn’t really know what to expect aside from a photo op with the big dude himself, but were so pleasantly surprised at all the interactive, fun elements throughout. The experience begins with registration and getting a badge with your photo that you scan at all the different stations. This allows it to be fully interactive and personalized – displaying your child’s name on all the activity screens.

There was a flight suit dressing room, where Luna got to virtually “try on” an elf’s outfit and dance around in it. We even got video sent to us later of her in action! Luna also got to see what the controls look like in Santa’s sleigh and was able to fully immerse herself by pushing buttons, pulling levers and getting commands. But Luna’s absolute favorite was getting to play in a room full of snow! In Miami, that doesn’t happen often, so she couldn’t get enough of tossing it around and laughing uncontrollably.

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Three.

I am having a hard time processing the fact that I am writing your THIRD birthday post here on the blog.

Even though you are only 3, your big personality is shining through. I have loved getting to know you, and am going to love every second of continuing to watch you grow and evolve into the amazing human being you are. Sometimes, when you put your face close to mine and giggle infectiously like only you can, I take a moment to take you in. REALLY take you in. And I can’t believe you are mine.

Your imagination is wild, and you love to make believe. Dressing up is your favorite and I can only address you by whomever you are dressed like at that moment or you will quickly prompt me otherwise. You hate conflict and will constantly try to make things right – even when your friends get into disagreements or are sad. You are so social and affectionate. You love to hold hands, group hugs and seeing others smile. Your smile, though, is the one that could light up the whole world.

You love fashion and prefer to wear dresses over anything else. Every day after school,  you ask to change into a different princess dress, although if Elsa is an option, you will always choose her. You dance. Constantly. When you aren’t dancing, you are performing a scene from one of your favorite movies or TV shows. You really love PJ Masks and Blippi, and could watch Frozen Fever for hours on a loop. You are easily scared by villains, but love to watch Jurassic World. Blue is your favorite and I’m pretty sure you have a crush on Chris Pratt.

You inherited your mom’s sense of adventure. You are curious and love to explore new situations and places. You prefer to be out and about, but sometimes will ask for home if you are really tired. You love spending time with our friends, and love their attention. You are at your core, a happy child: full of energy and a free spirit. You are playful, talkative and expressive. Your eyes are constantly sparkling with joy, and you have no idea how much my heart swells with unconditional love for you.

I say this often, because it is true. I have no idea how we got this lucky to have you. Sometimes I feel like you can’t even be human. You are so pure and magical and UNREAL. I don’t want anything to taint you. This you I see right now. You make me feel like a child again too, and that has been such a gift. I see the world through your eyes and it is so beautiful, even amongst all the ugly that surrounds us.

Happy third, my lion.
One | Two

 

 

 

All pictures by Agustin Sanchez.

Must be that Fall feeling

Ever sit back and realize that things are really good at the moment? I mean, things are always hectic and my life will never be chilled and calm due to family health issues, but recently I have really felt like my routine is solid and things are so good. I think it’s important to reflect and really take in the peace when you feel it because lord knows life can take drastic turns when you least expect it. Right now? I’m real happy. And whenever I feel that, I like to put it out into the universe and appreciate it because I think it’s a pretty special thing, to be happy. Don’t you?

All pieces c/o of ModCloth
Pants | Blouse | Jacket