Pre-Shift to Postcards!

What brings me here, you may ask? That’s a great question…

I’m the girl who loves to sit down at her computer and travel. And when I say travel, I mean falling down endless YouTube rabbit holes, learning the best places to eat, drink, and explore in whatever city has my attention that day. Sometimes I’m “walking” the streets via Google Maps, zooming in on neighborhoods like I already live there. Other times, like any good millennial, I’m deep in Reddit threads, trusting strangers with suspicious usernames to guide my next adventure. I’m always exploring. If not physically, then mentally building a running list of my “next places.”

Which brings me to one of my favorite hobbies: my maps. I create detailed Google Maps for cities filled with restaurants, bars, hotels, and hidden gems. Anything that might elevate a trip or even just a random Tuesday afternoon. Honestly, it’s an underutilized travel hack. Imagine wandering around a city, not sure what to do next… and instead of settling, you open your map and instantly find somewhere you’ve already vetted. It’s saved me countless times, whether I’m on a weekend getaway or a spontaneous day trip.

My love for exploring started early. I was born in Los Angeles, more specifically, “The Valley” in the late 80s. My childhood was filled with beach days at Leo Carrillo, afternoons at Descanso Gardens, museum visits, and annual passes to Disneyland and Magic Mountain (thank you, Uncle!). Safe to say, the bar for fun was set pretty high.

At 11, my family moved to Northern California, which only fueled my curiosity more. We traded theme parks for camping trips to Fort Brag’scMcKerricher State Park or Caspar Beach. Sometimes quick escapes to Reno, or Tahoe to go skiing. I still remember my first trip to San Francisco. It felt completely different from LA. The air was cooler, crisper, and everything felt new. Twenty-something years later, it’s still one of my favorite cities… and yes, one of my best maps.  After 13 years in Chico (go Wildcats!) and the last several in California’s Central Valley, my list of destinations and recommendations has grown extensively.

Now, if travel is one half of my personality, food & beverage is the other.

I’ve been in the restaurant industry for over 20 years, and I genuinely believe it’s one of the most dynamic, unpredictable, and rewarding fields out there. I started at 15 at McDonald’s, moved into pizza spots and campus cafés in Chico, and even spent a few summers running concessions for the Chico Outlaws baseball team, which was as chaotic and fun as it sounds. After a brief detour into banking, I found my way to a wine bar that completely changed the trajectory of my career. I spent over seven years there, growing professionally and personally, and building relationships that still feel like family. That experience sparked my passion for events: planning them, executing them, and creating moments people actually remember.

Of course, in true industry fashion, I was never working just one job. I’ve spent time in sushi bars, tea lounges, and even a boutique hotel! Each one adding another layer to how I understand hospitality. In 2019, I moved to the Central Valley to be closer to my now husband, managed a busy downtown restaurant through COVID (which taught me more about resilience than anything ever could), and eventually transitioned into event management at a private country club. Today, I’m part of a thriving casino and resort in the Sierra Nevada mountains, helping bring large-scale events to life.

At the core of it all, I love creating unforgettable experiences for people, but I love living them just as much! Traveling, whether it’s across the country or just an hour up the road, grounds me. It gives me space to reset, recharge, and reconnect with what inspires me. And let’s be honest… in 2026, we could all use a little more of that.

So come along with me!! Let me show you where I go, what I eat, what I drink, and the incredible people I meet along the way. Let’s explore this wild, beautiful world together.. deal?!