My Story

Where is Home? Well… I've packed up my entire life and moved on countless occasions, I’ve traveled to 20+ countries, and lived in 3.

The physical place? I haven’t found that just yet… On one of my first modeling jobs, the makeup artist asked if I was comfy, and told me to make a nest.. That stuck with me. Home is wherever I am.

Where am I from? I was born in Ontario, grew up between the North (cottage in Fenelon Falls), small town Unionville and the big city of Toronto. I spent summers in the woods, camping and trekking through Georgian Bay and Algonquin. In 2006 I packed up and moved life to Los Angeles to model.. Over the 14 years I lived in LA, there were many chapters and countless apartments (I lived in Studio City, WeHo, La Canada, Beverly Hills, and Malibu, and Puerto Vallarta Mexico). I carry a little of everywhere in my heart, no roots.

How was Life in Los Angeles? Initially, I was modeling (including infomercials), as well as bartending at two of the hottest nightclubs. After working my way through a 500 hour yoga training (as well as countless other fitness modalities), I privately trained high end celebrities and business moguls. On a weekly basis I worked the most prestigious and exclusive poker game in the United States.

How did you Get into Design & Photography? Interest!! I went back to college as a mature student and graduated with honors from UCLA Design Communication Arts Program and began building my career working with clients while simultaneously pursuing my passions for taking photographs of/in nature. Photographing subjects and ideas of interest, subject that muse me. I have been fortunate to work remotely as a full-time creative with dream clients for the past 11 years.

What Did You Do During the Pandemic? After 14 long years away from my family, when COVID hit, it just felt as like time to leave. Not fully knowing what would happen next, I packed everything and shipped it to the East Coast. From July 2020 and over the four years span, …. I lived in my parents basement, downtown Toronto (Lisgar Street), Mexico, The Barbie Dream House (Bolton St), my parents basement… and beyond (the Journey). Aside from my client works (see here), I used my time for several personal passion projects and soul rejuvenation. I really immersed in the outdoors, soaking in the wild (everything gardening, tie-dying, sewing, arts & crafts) — like I had always done as a kid. I was exploring nature and rediscovered my love for camping. I continued photographing wild-flowers up close and studied their wisdom. I played in mom’s garden, and made a wildflower garden of my own, and then I pressed them into artful cards see samples here.

You Love the Woods the Most? I love it all! A lot of time was in the woods, it was where I felt the most free. In my world I was the Goddess of the woods and actually, the woods saved me. I felt the need to document my nude forest bathing experiences, I called them “Self-Portraits” yet to be released, I was truly doing it for myself. I felt so nourished, so whole, so pure. I could let my imagination run free, I was grounded. The forest supports me, protects me, thrills me, and challenges me all at the same time. It was then I knew, I needed to save the woods too.

When I learned about the axe to the ancient trees? I honestly didn’t know, and of all places, in Canada they were still clear cutting ancient forests. I began to cry thinking about these unprotected ancient life giving trees being cut down on the West Coast, and what a disgrace that is to the planet as a whole. I made it my mission to help save the ancient trees being axed. It hurt my heart. I created an awareness campaign to execute an awareness campaign to Save the Woods. Simultaneously, I created an apparel & living essentials brand: Peace Love Woods. It’s a brand, with a voice and a vibe: Earth Being Wild, it’s all about stepping into yourself, harnessing your super-power, and shining your light. It’s positive, it’s liberated, it’s honest, it’s cheeky, it’s high-vibe-tribe, it’s for the easy going, go getters.

No Roots, Does that Mean Go Anywhere? Yes, Anywhere in North America. Designing my life has been more important than anything else. Thinking through how I want to spend my days and where. Like the ultimate day from waking up to going to sleep, the most ideal scenario(s). In pursuit of my mission and after ruling out exactly what I didn’t want (the city is definitely not for me, and I am a terrible gypsy traveling anywhere alone with gear and two dogs…. ) I needed a Mary Poppins house to roll out my mission. I needed a vehicle to carry me, my dogs, and all my goodies to Save the Woods. I had been savoring the idea of a 4x4 trailblazing the great outdoors, on the open road to freedom, to the wild places, for seeing the outdoors up close, and with all the essentials I could possibly need for creating magic. The possibilities are endless.

How was the Process of Putting your Life on Wheels? Things take a lot longer than I thought, every little detail, every little inch is so important, so whenever possible, take the nicest route or the scenic route and enjoy the ride. The process has been 6 months including the 1st buy/sell, 2nd buy/build/journey part one/practice lap, 3rd buy/build…. (shhhh The Journey part two is just beginning). It’s a journey getting on a journey and it’s all been really fun.

What Were The Steps for Organizing the Journey? No. 1 Streamlining (a huge step!) Selling, donating, & giving away almost everything— only keeping only the basics that I actually use. Learning still, I need much less than I think. Less is more. No. 2 Finding the right vehicle to travel with and rigging it (it only took 3 to get it right). The vehicle of choice/final answer: My dream truck for life on the road, The 2023 Platinum Toyota Tundra. No. 3 Rigging it to work for me when I am working. A-Z bed platform, power, compact kitchen… (See all my Tundra Upgrades & Gear here).

Where Will the Journey End? I need to leave something a mystery. The story is still unfolding, and beliefs are just thoughts we keep thinking. I’m always getting ready to be ready, I just keep calibrating, and I keep going. I’m eager. The possibilities are endless.

xx ALG