Living a #tuhkanalife with Melissa Rodrigues

Today we bring you one more special girl who loves living a #tuhkanalife! Meet Melissa Rodrigues, the 24-year-old Florida-based graphic designer and blogger who loves exploring nature, photography and her family.

Get to know more about Melissa and read some fun facts about her below.

Melissa rockin' her Sharp Bikini Top and Tingle Bikini Bottom in Pacific at Riviera Beach, Florida

Facts about me
I’m a 24 year old girl that currently lives in south Florida. When I was 12 years old my dad took my family and moved us to Brazil to a small beach village in the south of the country. My family designed and had our beach house constructed 5 minutes away from one of the best surf beaches in the country. I lived there for 10 years and loved it! Growing up there made me love and appreciate the nature around me so much. After graduating high school I came back to the states to start my college education. I’m currently studying Graphic Design at FAU.

Melissa rockin' her Chillax Bikini Top and Thrill Bikini Bottom in Honey at Royal Palm Beach, Florida

3 things we should know about Florida and Brazil

Florida is a pretty amazing state nature wise! There’s so much to explore. First thing to know about Florida is that it is NOT all just beaches. We have some of the most beautiful springs in central
Florida (Ginnie Springs is one of my favorites, look it up!). A not so cool second fact about Florida is how hot it is all the time. I actually enjoy the hot weather, but sometimes it can be a bit too hot! Lastly, Florida is home to many, and I mean many...retired folks! I think it’s great because I think elderly folks are super cute...so I just stare away and sometimes call them grandma.

Ginnie Springs in High Springs, Florida

Brazil is a pretty amazing country, and again there is so much to explore there too! If you ever go, make time to visit the non touristy places (like the Amazon, which is amazing!). Brazil has some amazing food. Best Acai bowls EVER. No explanation needed. Lastly, Brazil has people that will take you into their homes like you're their own family and it can make you feel pretty special to see how loving they can be.

Macacu Falls in Garopaba, Brazil

We know you love the beach lifestyle, what’s your favorite beach?
This is a tough question! I love so many beaches for so many different reasons. The first one that came to my mind is the local Dania Beach near Fort Lauderdale. That would be one of my favorites just because sometimes the water is SO clear and calm there, it feels like I’m at the Bahamas. It’s also one of my favorite diving spots and I have a lot of good memories there!

You have some really amazing underwater videos. What was the coolest thing you saw underwater?
Another though one hehe. I’ve seen all sorts of little critters underwater and they are all so cool to me. My most favorite was a time I went diving and spotted a family of pufferfish all together in some coral. They looked surprised to see me, but oh so cute! That was my favorite moment and picture of that day!

Pufferfish family spotted while freediving in Florida

Something you are really passionate about
I love photography. I love photographing a moment. Whether it be a place, an animal or even myself when out in nature. Photography for me is something I’m really passionate about because I like to always look back and remember that moment in time.

What’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday?
Usually my favorite way to spend my Saturday is out in nature and exploring. Especially when it’s a super nice day out! I don’t know why but if I stay in doors I feel guilty for not enjoying the beautiful world we have out there.

Melissa exploring Kelly Park in Florida

Melissa having fun in her Sharp Bikini Top and Tingle Bikini Bottom in Pacific at Kelly Park, Florida

Who's the most inspiring person to you?
Overall, I have many people that inspire me everyday. One of them would be my mom. She is always so confident and happy in what she does. I love that! I really appreciate women that are confident in what they do

Something most people don’t know about you?
I was born with 6 fingers. Haha bet you didn’t see that one coming! Really I was. Of course when I was a baby I had it removed (thank goodness for modern day surgery). But maybe if I kept it I would’ve been able to play the piano...hmmm.

If you had a super power to change one thing in the world, what would that be?
I would love to be like a little cupid shooting arrows of compassion and kindness into the hearts of people. I think the world needs more of that nowadays.

Melissa in her Tangled Bikini Top and Tangled Bikini Bottom in Valentine at Jupiter, Florida

Check what Melissa is up to!

Instagram: @melikinis
YouTube: /melikinis
Blog: melikinis.weebly.com