Mariah Parriott Arana

This September has me looking around the house and suddenly seeing everything. 😂

The unfinished project. The cluttered spot I keep walking past. The cabinet that desperately needs attention. And, naturally, the brand-new project I'm thinking about starting before I finish any of those.

So I'm doing a Florida Fall Home Reset—but not the picture-perfect, transform-your-whole-house-in-a-weekend kind.

I'm starting with a much simpler question:

What would make our home feel better right now?

Clean before buying more.
Shop our own house for things we already love.
Get the kitchen ready for more cooking.
Start transitioning the garden.
Finish at least ONE lingering project.
And most importantly, actually enjoy our home while we're still working on it.

Because a home doesn't have to be finished to feel good.

I put my whole September reset—and the very realistic rules I'm giving myself 😂—together on the blog.

🍂 Discover The Florida Fall Home Reset: Making Home Feel Good Again:
https://unapologetically-diverse.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-florida-fall-home-reset-making-home.html

And tell me: what's ONE thing in your house that's driving you crazy right now? Maybe we can all get one thing crossed off the list this week.

Keep Discovering.

😂 “My housekeeping style is best described as… there appears to have been a struggle.”

And apparently, some of our college freshmen have adopted the same philosophy. 😂

Parents… have you made that first visit to your college freshman’s dorm room yet? You dropped them off with clean sheets, organized drawers, fresh towels and every intention that they would keep it that way.

And now? Things may already be getting a little… questionable. 😳😂

Melaleuca must have known.

🧹 The Dorm Room Cleaning Bundle is the Monthly Feature Special and comes with 7 products for tackling everything from toothpaste-covered mirrors and coffee spills to mystery stains, wrinkled clothes and that “What exactly is that smell?” situation.

You’ll get Clear Power Glass Wipes, Sol-U-Guard Botanical Wipes, Tough & Tender Wipes, Sol-U-Mel 3-in-1 Cleaner + Mixing Bottle, and Revive Fabric Freshener & Wrinkle Relaxer + Mixing Bottle.

✨ Choose your Revive fragrance: Original, Sea Salt & Vanilla, or Tropical Fruits & Floral

Available through September 30th while the special lasts!

Perfect for a college care package… or, you know, those of us whose own homes currently suggest there may have been a struggle. 🙋‍♀️😂

Want one? Send me a message and I’ll help you get it!

September is always a funny little season in Florida.

The calendar says fall. The stores are covered in pumpkins. The internet has apparently moved directly into sweaters, fireplaces and soup.

And we're still sweating. 😂

So this year, I'm not trying to make September look like somebody else's version of fall.

I'm calling this month Harvest & Home.

For me, “harvest” is about more than what comes out of a garden. It's looking at what we've been working on, what we've learned, what's working and what we want to carry into the next season.

And “home”? Well... ours is definitely a work in progress.

There are rooms to finish, things to organize, a yard and garden to work on, food I want to make, books I want to read and probably another project I'll start before finishing the last one. 😂

But I'm learning that I don't have to wait until everything is finished to enjoy the life we're creating.

This month on Unapologetically Diverse, we're talking home projects, Florida fall gardening, rustic seasonal food, books, beautiful old things, products and ideas actually worth sharing, and all the unexpected discoveries that happen in between.

And there's something new coming too. 🎙️

I'm finally sitting down to begin recording the first pieces of the Unapologetically Diverse podcast.

No giant polished launch. I'm going to start talking, telling stories and sharing discoveries—and we'll see what this thing becomes.

September doesn't have to look like fall somewhere else.

We're going to enjoy the season we're actually in while making room for the one that's coming.

Welcome to Harvest & Home. 🍂

Keep Discovering,
Mariah

https://unapologetically-diverse.blogspot.com/2026/09/letter-from-editor-harvest-home.html

Every August feels like a fresh start to me.

More than January 1st ever has.

Maybe it's because so much of my life has been measured by the school calendar. New classrooms. New routines. New goals. Another chance to begin again.

Now that Alfonso is back in the classroom, I find myself slipping into that rhythm too. Summer adventures are giving way to meal prep, planners, projects, football, jeans, and all the little routines that somehow make life feel grounded again.

Don't get me wrong—I love summer. The camping trips, the late sunsets, the beach days, and every excuse to stay outside just a little longer. But I've also learned that every season deserves to be lived intentionally, not simply rushed through.

This month on Unapologetically Diverse, we're embracing a fresh start together.

You'll come along as we:
🍂 Transform a World History classroom into a museum.
🥗 Prep healthy meals for busy weeks.
👚 Transition our wardrobes into "Florida fall."
🌿 Get the garden ready for a new season.
🏡 Create simple systems that make everyday life a little easier.

If August feels like your reset button too, I think you're going to enjoy what's coming.

✨ Read the full blog here: https://unapologetically-diverse.blogspot.com/2026/08/august-reset-why-this-feels-like-second.html

I'd love to know...does the New Year feel like January to you, or has back-to-school always felt like the real beginning of a new chapter?

I think it's safe to say I've developed a full-blown lemon 🍋 & lavender 💜 obsession.

It all started with the Melaleuca Lavender collection... and somehow it has snowballed from there. Now I'm hunting down lavender everything.

✨ Lavender body wash? Already found it.
🧁 Lavender might be making an appearance in my baking.
🕯️ The diffuser has been working overtime.
📌 And yes... I may have started an entire Pinterest board dedicated to this little obsession.

Can we also talk about these backgrounds? They're absolutely gorgeous and make me smile every time I pull one up.

Sometimes it's the little things—a favorite scent, a cozy color palette, or a collection you didn't know you needed—that make everyday routines feel a little more special.

So tell me... what's your current obsession? Lemon, lavender, both... or something completely different?

💜 Discovery link if you're curious about the Melaleuca Lavender collection: https://www.melaleuca.com/productstore/cleaning-and-laundry/ecosense-lavender-cleaning-bundle

Some things earn a permanent spot in my hiking pack... this is one of them. 🥾🌿

Between mountain biking and hiking at Airline Mountain Bike Park, the Carolina heat definitely put us to the test. I always pack the essentials—water, a buff, snacks... and one little product that has become a must-have: Neora Hydrating Facial Mist.

Don't let the size fool you. This little bottle packs a refreshing punch! After a few hours on the trail, a quick spritz instantly helps my skin feel cool, hydrated, and refreshed without feeling sticky or heavy. It's small enough to slip into my hydration pack, backpack, purse, or carry-on, making it one of those products that's easy to bring everywhere.

Some products are nice to have... this one has become one I don't leave home without.

✨ Discovery Link: https://arana.neora.com/us/en/shop/Hydrating-Serum-Mist/1197_US

What's one item that's always in your hiking pack, no matter where the trail takes you?

Sometimes you just need to lace up your hiking shoes and see where the trail takes you.

I spent the morning exploring the Papertown Express Trail at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park, and it was such a great way to start the day. The trail was well maintained, mostly shaded, and full of beautiful mountain scenery around every turn.

One of my favorite parts of traveling is finding places like this. They're usually a little quieter than the big attractions, and you get to experience an entirely different side of an area.

As someone who lives in Florida, I'll never get tired of mountains. Every chance I get to hike one is a good day in my book.

Have you ever hiked at Chestnut Mountain, or do you have another favorite trail I should add to my list for next time?

🥾🌿⛰️

Can we just take a minute to appreciate how good this was? 😍

I stopped by Pisgah Bakehouse for breakfast and ordered their Squash Onion Tart with cheddar cheese and oyster mushrooms. It was one of those things that was so much better than I expected.

The flaky crust, the roasted vegetables, the cheddar...everything just worked together. It was rich without being too heavy and packed with so much flavor.

In fact, I liked it so much that before I left, I bought two more to take with me so Alfonso and I could have them for lunch later. (Zero regrets. 😂)

One of my favorite parts of traveling is finding little local bakeries and restaurants like this. They're the places you remember long after the trip is over.

If you ever find yourself in the Brevard, North Carolina area, Pisgah Bakehouse is absolutely worth a stop.

✨ Discovery Link: https://share.google/Lw1m0r99Vpkn3EONM

Now I have to know...what's the best thing you've ever stumbled across at a local bakery? 🥐🥖🍰

Confession...

I used to skip sunscreen more often than I should.

Not because I didn't know better, but because I hated the way most sunscreens felt. They were greasy, heavy, left a white cast, or made my skin feel like it couldn't breathe. So, more often than not, I'd convince myself I'd be "fine."

Then I found one I actually enjoy wearing.

Since spending more time outdoors—working in the garden, tackling projects around the house, hiking, traveling, and simply enjoying these long summer days—I've made protecting my skin a priority. Neora Invisi-Bloc SPF 40 has become part of my everyday routine because it feels lightweight, blends in beautifully, and doesn't leave my skin feeling sticky.

The best sunscreen is the one you'll actually wear, and for me, this is it.

If you're looking for an everyday SPF that works just as well for porch mornings as it does for outdoor adventures, this one is worth a look.

☀️ https://arana.neora.com/us/en/shop/Invisi-Bloc-Sunscreen-SPF40/1173_US

Have you found a sunscreen you actually look forward to putting on, or are you still searching for "the one?" Let me know below!

🚙 Adventure is Calling... Again!

Well...we were supposed to leave two days ago. 😅

Instead, our trusty Kia decided it had other plans.

Thankfully, our amazing friends at Superior Muffler [https://share.google/mjbPlmd1vL1eGnUpt] came to the rescue and got us back on the road. If all goes as planned, we'll be rolling out first thing in the morning!

This trip is a little different than our last big adventure. This time it's just the two of us...the "big kids." ❤️

We're spending the next several days camping our way through a few of our favorite places, and this trip will be exclusively KOA campgrounds. If you've followed me for any length of time, you already know we love a good campground, and KOAs have become some of our favorite places to stay.

So while we're traveling, I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite KOAs with you—what makes each one special, what we love, and whether we'd stay there again.

I'm kicking things off with what is probably my favorite KOA anywhere...even though I couldn't quite work it into this trip's itinerary.

If you've ever wondered whether a campground can actually become part of the vacation instead of just a place to sleep, this one might just change your mind.

☕ Amazing coffee.
🛍️ A gift shop you'll actually want to browse.
🔥 One of my favorite community fire pits.
🚂 Unique train car accommodations.
🏊 A great pool.
🎲 Yard games and spaces that make you want to stay awhile.
✨ And some of the friendliest staff we've met anywhere.

I'll drop the full blog below. If you're planning a road trip—especially along I-95—this is one stop I think deserves a spot on your list.

Now...wish us luck! Here's hoping the only thing we have to worry about for the next few days is deciding where to hike, bike, and find our next great cup of coffee. ❤️🏕️

https://unapologetically-diverse.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-campground-we-look-forward-to.html