As we stepped onto the soft, powdery sand, we were greeted by the sight of azure waters stretching as far as the eye could see. The color of the water was akin to Blue Frost Gatorade, a refreshing and invigorating hue that beckoned us to dive in. With Sofia, our bundle of energy, in tow, we wasted no time in setting up our little oasis on the beach.

Sofia's excitement was palpable as she darted towards the water, her laughter mingling with the rhythmic sound of the waves. Watching her splash and play, it was clear that Anna Maria Island was not just a beach destination; it was a playground for the soul.

But beyond its stunning natural beauty, Anna Maria Island boasts a rich tapestry of history and culture. Here are a few fun facts to enhance your appreciation of this hidden gem:

Our day on Anna Maria Island was nothing short of magical. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, we knew that this was a place we would return to time and time again. For those seeking a true escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Anna Maria Island beckons with open arms, ready to welcome you to its tranquil shores.

with love, Katrina

We will always be a Disney family but we have become curious to the other theme parks around Orlando and also by us in the Tampa bay area. We want to go check out Busche Gardens theme park, so I'll keep you posted on that visit when it does happen. 

We also want to go back to the Universal parks and check them out again. I loved the Harry Potter areas in the Universal parks. Universal is also expanding and building a Nintendo themed area in their new Universal's Epic Universe that is coming in the next few years. 

Our son is now 13 years old and is interested in some of the bigger rides. We are very excited for the new Tron coaster at Magic Kingdom that will be opening on March 7th to the public. I am not a fan of the virtual queue that you need to join on the app, because the window to join is so slim and if you miss it, there is no other way to get on the ride. No standby waiting! We still haven't been able to experience the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride at Epcot because of the virtual queue shenanigans. 

Enjoy these photos of Sofia twirling around and smiling in her princess dress! It just melted my heart to see her pose for me when I would take my camera out. My little princess!

A closet is a collection, like art. I prefer to keep my closet aesthetically pleasing by having everything match.  I chose to go with a white color palette for the closet accessories such as hangers and clear/white/grey for the in drawer organizers. In unison the white wood hangers and pants hangers look so streamlined and organized when they are lined up in my closet. It's a great look and one thing I do notice when I am in my closet. I remember the days of using any color and style of hanger, and for this new closet, I knew I was going to go for a uniform hanger look. It does make a difference for the aesthetic of the entire closet. Acrylic display risers were the perfect addition for displaying and organizing my bags and other various goodies in my open display shelves. 

This past weekend I got to have a girls trip with my former co-worker turned friend, Rachel. We planned this trip for a few weeks and were so excited to eat and drink around the world at Disney World's Epcot. We wasted no time getting right to it by marching right to Mexico to grab margaritas and get the day started. I wish I had taken more photos of the things that I got to eat, but then again it wasn't all that much. I did really enjoy the France pavilion and the boulangerie hidden deep in the streets of France. I got myself a ham and cheese sandwich with a French twist, and a strawberry tart from there and I wanted to go back for seconds. The sandwich was perfect, the bread was a dream, and the strawberry tart was just the perfect finisher. 

We had so much fun taking photos and using my Annual Pass photo pass to have the professional photographer on site snap pics of us and pose us! With the photo pass option you have hidden gems and surprises like this Iago that can be superimposed on your photo when it loads into your Disney World app account.  

The mini backpack has evolved a lot since then, and now we get characters from our favorite films to come to life in mini backpack glory. Loungefly had teamed up with Disney to give us mini backpack heaven for quite a while now. Im so glad their collaboration has withstood the test of time and now Loungefly is even carried in the parks! These bags have become staple items in every Disney lovers closet. I myself have one bag in my collection but I am constantly looking and shopping in my dreams for more of these beautiful bags to add to my collection. The bag that I choose is a classic Mickey. Black, red, and white glove decal in the zipper mini pocket closure. I know...very safe. 

Here is a list of the bags that I can't stop thinking about. Every time we visit the parks I'm in and out of the shops looking for new Loungefly bags. Sometimes I kick myself for missing out on a bag design. Well, Im on the hunt for my next bag now, and despite how hard it is to choose just one, Im going to find one that I just MUST have!