Welcome to Chaos and Coastal Vibes

Bold. Unfiltered. Coastal Chaos

Embracing Chaos — From Mountains to Coastlines, Unfiltered and Unapologetic

Welcome to Chaos and Coastal Vibes — a little slice of real life where motherhood, grandparent life, coastal dreams, and everyday chaos collide.

Raised in Colorado but forever drawn to the coast, I now split my time between the mountains and the salty air of Alabama.

I’m a mom, a proud Gigi to two amazing grandbabies, an Amazon Affiliate, a Scentsy Director with Scent Boutique, and the heart behind Operation Fayth — our nonprofit born from my daughter Fayth’s autoimmune journey.

Around here, we celebrate the beautiful mess of it all — real moments, big dreams, and the courage to keep chasing sunshine.

What You'll Find Here

Real Life, Raw Moments & Coastal Inspiration

Embrace the Chaos

Mom life, Gigi life, and the messy in-between. No filters here.

Raw Moments

Owning my journey, unfiltered, raw and real.

Share the Vibes

Amazon finds, family wins, real talk, and beach dreams. Always.

Why I'm Here

This is me – Unfiltered and Unapologetic

From Colorado's mountains to Alabama's coastlines, I've lived the chaos – and found peace in sharing it. This space was born from motherhood, trauma, heartbreak, healing, and hope. It's not perfect, but it's real. And that's enough.
Melissa Cates

Brands I love & Share

Fresh from the chaos

Stories from the messy, magical world of motherhood – raising kids, Gigi life, and embracing the chaos.
Read the Mom Life blogs ➜

Unfiltered reflections on trauma, growth, and choosing to show up for myself — even when it’s hard.
Read the Real Life & Healing blogs 

If it makes life easier or prettier, I’m sharing it — Amazon favorites and finds from all over.
Check Out My Favorite Finds ➜

Behind the scenes of my Scentsy business — my favorite fragrances, seasonal tips, and sales.
Read All About Scent Boutique Here ➜

Our travel chaos, favorites, and finds — from beach trips to quick getaways, plus anything inspiring I read or run across along the way.
Get Travel Ready ➜

From weeknight chaos to beachside cravings — simple meals, comfort favorites, and even healthy wins.
View the Recipes Here 

Pathway Home Lending (our brokerage) and Pathway Home Real Estate (my husband’s brand) — helping families find, finance, and love where they live. One path, two ways home.
Your Pathway Home Starts by Clicking Here ➜

Visit the Blog

Real life, unfiltered — from mom life and healing to coastal living, Amazon finds, and recipes straight from the chaos. This is where it all comes together.

Operation Fayth

Inspired by our daughter’s autoimmune journey, Operation Fayth is our nonprofit mission to raise awareness, share her story, and offer strength to others walking the hard road.

My Favorite Reminders

What I'm Loving Right Now

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It's Not Perfect. But It's Real. And You're Invited.

Here’s to healing, chaos, and moments that matter – one post at a time.