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Time to Rewind: Our Father’s Day Weekend at Kennedy Space Center

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Some places make it onto your bucket list and just stay there for years because life gets busy. Kennedy Space Center was one of those places for us. It had been on our bucket list for many years, and this past summer, we finally decided it was time to make it happen.

So, for Father’s Day weekend, we packed up the family and headed to Kennedy Space Center. And honestly… we were not prepared for how much we were going to love it.

Rob and I have always loved science and space. I mean, we have watched Apollo 13, Armageddon, and The Martian probably a dozen times. There is just something about space exploration, the science behind it, and those stories of people pushing the limits of what we think is possible that completely fascinates us.

And then there is Interstellar.

That is my all-time favorite movie. I could talk about it forever, but one of my favorite things about that movie is the soundtrack. Hans Zimmer created something absolutely incredible.There is something about the music, the story, the science, the visuals… everything about it just gets me.

So you can imagine how excited I was to finally walk into a place where so much of the history behind those stories actually happened.

I went in expecting to see rockets and cool NASA artifacts, but I didn’t realize just how much history there would be to take in.

We saw rockets, spacecraft, artifacts, exhibits, mission information, astronaut stories and so many pieces of America’s space program. Standing underneath these enormous rockets and looking at the actual technology that helped send people into space was surreal.

I could have spent hours just looking at everything.

And that’s exactly what happened.

We were so fascinated by the missions and the astronauts that we actually didn’t get to do all of the rides and experiences we originally wanted to do.

We kept finding another exhibit we wanted to learn about, another rocket we wanted to look at, or another piece of history that made us stop and take it all in.

Honestly, I’m completely okay with that.

It just means we have an excuse to go back.

We even watched an IMAX space movie, which was such a perfect addition to the day. The IMAX theater shows space films on a giant screen and is included with admission.

Now let’s talk about the weather.

It was HOT.

Thankfully, the sky was overcast the day we went, which helped tremendously, because the humidity was no joke. I had convinced myself that since we would be visiting indoor facilities, I should dress for cooler temperatures.

So naturally, I wore pants. And the girls had sweaters. WHY?! This is Florida. In the summer. I should have known better.

There are plenty of air-conditioned spaces, but there is also a lot of walking between attractions and outdoor areas. If you’re visiting during the summer, dress for the Florida heat, bring water, wear comfortable shoes and don’t underestimate the humidity.

One thing I would definitely recommend is looking at the schedule before you arrive.

The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour is a big part of the experience because it takes you behind the gates and includes stops such as the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The official site recommends allowing about three hours for the full bus tour and stops, and the last bus leaves 2.5 hours before the visitor complex closes.

That is something I wish I had understood better going in.

The center can close relatively early depending on the season, so don’t wait until late in the day to start the things you really want to see. The hours vary throughout the year, so definitely check the schedule for the day you’re visiting.

There is SO much to see that time disappears quickly.

Yes, you can bring food! This was another thing I wanted to know before we went. You can bring your own food and drinks. You just need to pack them in a small, soft-sided cooler or lunchbox. But not to worry, there are plenty of places to eat inside, including Orbit Cafe, Space Bowl Bistro, Red Rock Grill, Starbucks and other snack locations.

When we went, the dining area was packed, so just keep that in mind when planning your day. You may want to eat at an off-peak time or bring some snacks with you.

And if you’re anything like me…

Don’t skip the gift shops. One of my favorite parts!

There is a huge selection of NASA merchandise and souvenirs, including shops dedicated to the space shuttle and Apollo missions.

The best way I can describe Kennedy Space Center is that it feels like a small Disney World for people who love space. There are attractions, rides, shows, movies, interactive experiences, shopping, food, characters, history and so much to explore.

And honestly, I can see this place continuing to expand. There is already so much there, but I kept thinking about what else they could add.

And there is one thing I kept wishing they had… A PLANETARIUM!

How cool would that be?!

I would absolutely love to see a planetarium at Kennedy Space Center. Imagine sitting underneath a giant dome surrounded by stars and being taken on a journey through the universe after spending the day learning about human space exploration. Maybe someday.

We will definitely be back

Our first visit was definitely not enough.

We didn’t get to experience everything because we became so absorbed in the history and learning about the missions and astronauts. There were things we skipped simply because we ran out of time.

And that’s okay. It gives us another reason to come back.

If you’re looking for something different to do as a family, I absolutely recommend putting Kennedy Space Center on your list. Especially if your family loves science, history, space, rockets or just learning something new together.

Since you’re already making the trip to Kennedy Space Center, here’s a little side recommendation from us: add Cocoa Beach to your itinerary. We decided to explore Cocoa Beach while we were in the area, and it was the perfect way to add a little beach time to our space adventure.

After spending the day surrounded by rockets, astronauts and space history, there’s something pretty great about heading over to the coast and relaxing by the ocean.

And next time?

We’re hoping to experience a rocket launch.

Although technically, we can see rocket launches from our backyard…

But that’s a story for a different post.

Until then, I’ll be listening to my Interstellar soundtrack and pretending I’m about to launch into space. Kennedy Space Center — officially checked off our bucket list.

And I’m already looking forward to going back.

I Think I Found My Favorite Beach: Venice Beach, Florida

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Oh, I think I found my favorite beach.

It’s all in the name—Venice. It sounds like somewhere you’d find gondolas floating through canals in Italy, but this little slice of paradise is right here in Florida and, thankfully, much closer to home.

Did you know that Venice is known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World?” Millions of years ago, Florida was covered by a shallow sea, and fossilized shark teeth continue to wash ashore today, making this one of the best places in the world to hunt for them. The city even hosts an annual Shark’s Tooth Festival celebrating this unique treasure.

We arrived on a Friday night and couldn’t wait to head to the beach the next morning.

On this beautiful Saturday, our first stop was Fossil Frenzy. Since Venice is famous for its shark teeth, we were determined to find some of our own. We picked up an ocean sifter, a basket sifter, and even a few gems from the shop before making our way to the shore.

As we headed toward the beach, we stumbled upon the sweetest surprise—a Little Free Library. There’s just something magical about finding books by the sea.

The sand was soft, the ocean was crystal clear, and the water temperature was absolutely perfect. The first thing you notice when you arrive at Venice Beach is that everyone is on the same mission: searching for shark teeth. Everywhere you look, people are hunched over, sifters in hand, scanning the shoreline for tiny black treasures.

And guess what? We found plenty!

The water was incredibly calm, which made the day even better, and the girls absolutely loved every minute of it. We swam, searched for shells, collected shark teeth, and simply enjoyed being together.

Then came the sunset.

Let me just say… the sunsets at Venice Beach are truly magical. The sky transformed into shades of pink, orange, and gold, and before we knew it, the day had slipped away from us. We had planned to walk out onto the Venice Fishing Pier, but time got the best of us. I guess that’s just another reason to come back.

The next morning, before heading home, we decided to explore Downtown Venice and pick up a few souvenirs. We wandered into Sea Pleasures & Treasures, and let me tell you—that place is massive! There was so much to see, and my old mermaid soul wanted to take home every single shell, trinket, and coastal treasure.

To finish off our trip, we stopped at Venice Avenue Creamery for some ice cream. We ordered the Cookie Monster flavor and, oh my… you absolutely have to try it. It was so creamy, delicious, and the perfect treat on a hot Florida day.

Venice Beach completely captured my heart.

In just one day, I found my first shark eye shell, several shark teeth, and more seashells than I could carry. More importantly, we made memories that I’ll treasure forever.

We had an absolute blast, and one thing is certain:

We’ll definitely be back.

NYFW 2025- Christian Siriano & Alice + Olivia

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I’ve known about Christian Siriano ever since he was in Project Runway. That show was one of my inspiration to study fashion in college.

In this collection, I picked these pieces because  of the dramatic silhouettes. Look at the architectural elements he put into these garments. I love the tailoring; he is giving a three-dimensional  architectural quality. The form looks proportioned, I love the geometric shapes making these garments masterpieces- I can visually see these coming down the red carpet.

In the Alice + Olivia collection – you can envision romance. An inspiration shown throughout the garments was that of William Shakespeare. The first piece from the left showcases a ball gown skirt with brocade print and the front of the dress exhibits a v neckline. I love that the front looks simple but once turned, the back is exposed held by bow tie ribbons. The middle garment is a mini dress covered by a blazer with puff shoulders, adorn in embellishment, I love the touch of ribbon and the peekaboo lace on the wrists making it look romantic. And my last pick to the right is the same style as the first one with a minor change, a painting for the print. Overall, the collection is fantasy meets modern.

The 2025 Grammys

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The Grammy’s were held on February 2, the styles are in and here is my review on best dress.

The theme I saw most popular down the red carpet was that of gold/silver embellishments.

Let’s start with GloRilla. She wore Lena Berisha. I didn’t know about this designer before but once I looked her up, I am intrigued on ALL her dresses. The designer, Lena Berisha is a well known in the fashion industry as a bridal designer yet makes elegant custom-made couture dresses as well. Truly a stunning dress. GloRilla has modern elegance in the dress; the tailoring suits her. I love the flowing drape she has towards the hip.

Up next is Beyonce. She wore a custom Schiaparelli. I love that she paid homage to Cowboy Carter as the pattern on the dress looks like a bandana. She looks rejuvenated. I like how the silhouette hugged her figure, the cutout below the bust was a great detailed she paired it well with the gloves.

Paris Hilton wore Chrome Hearts. Her dress gave me a feel that we were back to the 70’s. She emitted an energy of Cher with aviator glasses, and this sheer embroidered v neck plunging dress. I loved how she gracefully played with the sheer cape down the red carpet.

Heidi Klum was dressed from Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran. Straight out from the Spring Summer 2025 couture. She looked glamours in the sequin strapless gown. I love the intricated details.

Madison Beer- I knew that dress once she came on the red carpet because I just wrote about it. She wore Miss Sohee Spring 2025 couture. Madison radiated in the mermaid sheer hand embellished gown.

Taylor Swift  dazzled in a red one-shoulder sparkly mini dress from Vivienne Westwood. She completed the look with T rosary on her upper thigh, giving a nod to her song Gulty as Sin lyric “What if he is write mine on my upper thigh”. She ate that look, Taylor has legs for days she looked like a runway supermodel, simply gorgeous!

Chappell Roan will be our next fashion muse! She is showcasing to be a fashion icon, she is an activists, and her makeup is breathtaking! She wore a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier couture dress. Over 22 years to be exact. The gown has a printed Degas painting on the tulle. If you haven’t seen the painting or any artwork, please look up Edgar Degas paintings. They are a realistic portrayal of modern life. He uses asymmetrical/ vantage points and artificial lights in his artwork. He was well known in 19th century to paint Parisian ballet dancers. I remember from art class back in high school having to study his paintings – so beautiful, so figured focused and realistic. I want to give a shout out to her stylist, Genisis Webb – who dressed her and executed a masterpiece. Deep down I feel like that several of her looks were a French motif of Viva La Resistance and I get it. I see it.

Charli XCX wore Jean Paul Gaultier custom. The gown displayed an abundance of ruffles in a dramatic yet glamours way. I love the detail of the cinched corset in the middle which accentuated her waist. I adore the fact that the ruffles were over the shoulder top, but it wasn’t over done as the V neckline gave a subtle exposure of skin yet by doing this it created a longer silhouette to the eye. The color ashy grey with I would say had a hint of blue tint goes well with her dark hair. The makeup was paired well with this look. The open toe high boots gave a bit of a punk mix to it as well.

Latto was classy and gave glamour. She was channeling a modern version of Marilyn Monroe. She wore Alexandre Vaulthier couture. She paired it with a white fur shawl somewhat like a boa that draped down to the floor. In other pictures you would see that the back of the dress had a scoop neckline, and the sides of her hips had peekaboo triangle cut outs. Overall, Latto was gracefully beautiful.

I had to point out the three outstanding looks that Sabrina Carpenter brought!  Very Old Hollywood glam and I infatuated with it because she can pull this off.

When she arrived at the Grammys, she first walked the red carpet in a baby blue silk custom gown by JW Anderson. From the front of the peplum fitted gown, you can detail a halter neckline. Once she turned around, she gave the audience a jaw dropping moment – the silhouette was scooped down tailoring her body and held by a beautiful Choprad necklace. Love the hint of feathers along the hem both at the hip and bottom of the gown.

The next outfit of the night was of her performance. She wore a custom baby blue strapless sweetheart bodice body suit by Dolce & Gabbana. Very showgirls – maybe a Las Vegas residency in the near future? I love her performance her acting, dancing and singing was marvelous.

The last look of the night was of a custom gold sweetheart neckline strapless gown by Versace. Looking like an award herself she radiated the night.

Paris Haute Couture Spring 2025- Georgio Armani Prive

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Georgio Armani has been showcasing designs for many years. But this year it is special because its one to celebrate marking 50 years down the runway. If you didn’t know Georgio Armani Prive is the Haute Couture line for Georgio Armani. This collection has a classic elegance while balancing modernity. Each piece is a work of art. The tailored gowns are sleek yet sophisticated with intricated details like the handcrafted embellishments. The crisscross drapery technique used is remarkable- please note that this method is shaping the fabric by hand into folds, I have always been fascinated when a designer can excel in this skill as it’s a time consuming, yet it adds value. There is one garment that I questioned. “What was it composed of?” It was the purple metallic possibly with a sheer fabric; it made it look like a luxury liquid fabric. It was astounding. My opinion overall of this collection is exquisitely everlasting as it’s brand.

Paris Haute Couture Spring 2025- Schiaparelli & Georges Hobeika

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Paris Haute Couture Spring officially started on 01/27/25. When I view fashion shows- I put myself as a stylist. And I ask myself, “Who would wear this piece, where would they wear it? and will it be on the best dress list?” Then I make my decision accordingly. These are my selections from the collections that attract my personal admiration.

SCHIAPARELLI

Elegance, elegance, elegance. I’ll keep this simple – as I would love you to check out the piece Daniel Roseberry wrote on Schiaparelli.com/en I love the fact the designer had the time to write about the collection and connect with the reader/viewer. This collection called Icarus, reminded me of the silhouette’s I studied in my college Fashion History class of the 1920’s and 30’s. Away with the over stalked clothing as less is more. The colors worn were inspired by ribbons that were hidden away when Germany invaded France. The use of butter, saffron, very light colors are appealing to the eye. A round of applause is needed for the ateliers as each of the garments down the runway were created in a seamless effect – truly remarkable.

GEORGES HOBEIKA

STUNNING- You should hear me behind this screen, “WOW-how beautiful!” Let’s talk about the embroidery the craftmanship- the attention to details Georges Hobeika has done in this collection. Standing ovation on my behalf! My selection had to be done in two because that’s how much garments I can see styled on a celebrity. Let me tell you, if you aren’t aware Beyonce, Lily collins, Cardi B are a few to name that have worn Georges Hobeika. A little backstory about the designer, he is a Lebanese fashion designer and has been showcasing his collections in Paris for over a decade. As I was researching on this collection, I was taken back to learn that this collection was a tribute to his mother and grandmother who passed away last year. If you look at the beginning of the runway you can notice 3 model’s wearing running mascara down their face. The color choices began with black much like a somber feel, then transition to colors of blues, greens, reds, purple, pink and then to an abundance of refreshing lights of golds, silvers to white. This collection spoke without words and its impact was heavenly.