Your Ultimate Guide to Portland, Oregon: Affordable, Ethical & Full of Local Gems
Exploring East Portland: Culinary Delights, Hidden Gems, and Local Charm
Welcome fellow travelers and adventure enthusiasts! Join me as I take you with me on a journey into my recent five-day excursion to Portland, Oregon.
Kauai Travel Food Guide: A Guide for the Ethical & Sustainable Tourist
When I first thought about heading to Hawaii, I had this image of fancy resorts and touristy spots - sipping cocktails on a beach chair while some person making pennies waits on me, hand and foot. (Gross). But, my best friend Morgan, a frequent traveler of the islands, convinced me there's way more to it than that. She promised me an adventure that aligns with my values—sustainability, respect, and a good dose of exploration.
Van Life: A Journey to Liberation from Societal Norms
For years, I found myself captivated by the allure of #vanlife, watching countless videos of people transforming their vans into cozy mobile homes and embarking on nomadic adventures. Yet, I deemed it an unattainable dream, tethered to a traditional lifestyle that society had prescribed for me – a college-educated, career-driven individual on the path to a stable income, homeownership, and the conventional markers of success.
Embracing Every Curve: Body Inclusivity in Vanlife
As a vanlifer who spent over two years living on the road, I can attest that it was the most liberating decision I ever made for myself. Yet, in the picturesque world of vanlife and the ski community, my plus-sized identity often felt underrepresented.
Hey, 2024 - Bring it On
Hey Friends,
Happy New Year 2024! 🎉 How's the vibe? Sending vibes for an extraordinary year ahead filled with epic adventures and moments that make you go, "Wowza, that was gnarly!"
What’s Next?
Here we are, one year after the crash. After the wreck, it took me only 10 minutes to know that I wanted to start over and rebuild. Even though I had just lost my house and my heart was broken, I didn't feel like vanlife was over for me. There was more I wanted to experience.
However, I may have jumped the gun on investing in a new-to-me van. The one I ended up with was beyond my budget, but I just wanted to get into something as soon as possible, hoping to get my nomadic life back.
How a Beverage Company Helps Humans that Struggle with Addiction
A couple weekend ago, @erikgabrielchavez and I took a weekend road trip up to Santa Cruz to help a friend move. Of course, what is a road trip without an abundance of snacks and bevvies to accompany the hours of oldies and true crime podcasts - so we piled up the cooler with watermelon, la croix, sunchips (sour cream and onion flavor, obvi), boiled eggs, and some Yerba Matte to try.
The End of VanLife?
We’re coming up on the one year anniversary of the demise of my spectacular home on wheels, Sunnie, and though I talked about it a little on my socials, I feel like I wasn’t able to share what totaling my van really meant to me.
It was the evening of August 24th, just days after I had been laid off of my favorite job that I’ve ever had. We left Chicago in the late afternoon. The sun was going down, and the light was fading. I lay back in the passenger seat of my tiny converted camper van, as Morgan was on diving duty to get us to our next destination, The Wisconsin Dells.
How Do Two Best Friends End Up Living in a Van Together?
What are you doing right now? What is your best friend doing right now? If the answer to both of these questions isn’t ‘traveling in a van with the bestie’, then it may be time to rethink your life!
Vanlife in Acadia: Typical work day, exploring Bar Harbor and Chasing the Sun
It’s the freakin’ weekend and were going to Acadia! The weekend started with work - waking up in Freeport, Maine at the L.L. Bean flagship store. Morgan and I worked for quite a few hours in the Coffee By Design shop on the bottom floor with okay wifi, and a quiet ambience. That evening, we trekked about 2 1/2 hours to Acadia National Park, found a nice trail head to spend the night, made some ramen, and watched Black Widow.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone. Have you heard? Have you been? HAVE YOU SEEN!? GET IT TOGETHER! Okay, just kidding. I didn’t visit this park until I was 30, so what am I even saying.
Luckily, for my first visit to the park, I had a Yellowstone pro with me. Morgan spent the summer of COVID-19 near Yellowstone and therefore is VERY versed in its facts, money spots, and places to stop for lunch.
Ferry Boats, Mermaid Spotting, & Paddle Boarding on Orcas Island
Our van-venture began on July 8th from Southern California up to Anacortes Washington. Follow us as we take the Ferry to the San Juan Island of Orcas and enjoy on mostly unplugged week at Morgan's Family Reunion.
Traveling Solo Female, Portland Maine, Acadia National Park
After my best friends wedding week, she headed off on her honeymoon, and she left me to look after her house. So when in Maine, I had to make my way up to Acadia National Park. I had never been, and I was in need of some alone time in the sun and looking at water.
Sunnie with a chance of SNOW STORMS
After months of preparations, building, planning, glueing, anxious excitement, and dog drama, this trip was the "biggon".
To begin, I want to preface this by saying, this trip made me confident! In myself as a woman traveler, in Sunnie as a fully equipped livable rig, and in my friends for being THE BEST EVER. This journey came with its hardships, but was WAY outshined by its amazing memories.
Death Valley: New Friends in the Van
With a name like Death Valley you know just how important it is to visit at the right time. As a hater of heat, I chose to go in winter so I could enjoy the absolutely beautiful landscape in the comfort of a cozy sweatshirt. My friend Sarah (we’ve been besties for 13 years now!!) isn’t entirely into the full time “vanlife” thing, but she still wanted me to show her the ropes so we planned a little weekend friend-cation for just the two of us.
The Grand Canyon: Our Maiden Voyage of VanLife
And so it begins...
Have you ever wanted to do something so badly that once you’ve accomplished it, it doesn’t even feel real? That is exactly what this trip felt like for me
3 Best Traveling Apps for Free Overnight Camping
With a name like Death Valley you know just how important it is to visit at the right time. As a hater of heat, I chose to go in winter so I could enjoy the absolutely beautiful landscape in the comfort of a cozy sweatshirt. My friend Sarah (we’ve been besties for 13 years now!!) isn’t entirely into the full time “vanlife” thing, but she still wanted me to show her the ropes so we planned a little weekend friend-cation for just the two of us.
Studio Vlog: Commission Illustration and Vegan Cooking
It was a week before I went on vacation. Sundays are usually the days that I get the most of my commission work completed, and I had a bunch to finish before leaving.
Superbloom: Shop Opening, Poppy Files & Lots of Dogs
With heavy rainfall in the Inland Empire, comes a SUPERBLOOM of Poppies. This beautiful and picturesque spectacle feels like you’re in the Wizard of Oz. Please don’t tread on the flowers…
Join me for a day in my life as an illustrator and small business owner.