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WHETHER YOU’RE WEARING, EATING, DWELLING, WANDERING, OR CELEBRATING, HOWEVER YOU’RE LIVING, OUR FOCUS IS TO BE YOUR GUIDE IN CREATING A LIFE FULL OF ADVENTURES FROM CITY TO COAST AND CLOSET TO KITCHEN, ALL IN GOOD TASTE

 

Hi!


I’m Alyssa, founder, editor and, as you probably guessed from the name, the one behind this site. 

Formerly known as Runway Chef, I launched this site in 2011 as a creative outlet and hobby. More than a decade later and it has evolved into a full lifestyle site and brand.

Originally from the east coast (Massachusetts), after 8 years in NYC, my husband, Dave, and I decided to make the move to sunny Southern California, where we’re now based out of Los Angeles, along with our cat Bomba. Outside of running this site, my work also extends across recipe development, food styling and photographing and a variety of other creative endeavors.

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I grew up in a creative environment where I was constantly encouraged to use my imagination and talents. Martha Stewart was just about the only thing we ever watched on TV. We were always playing dress up, gardening, putting together tea parties, cooking, drawing, sewing, knitting and crafting. I watched my Great Aunt get all dressed up (She had the best hats!) and my Mom put together a beautiful home, and throw pretty parties. My family would gather to make ravioli. My hobbies started to include planning parties for friends and re-decorating my room (a million times). I entered 4-H competitions for flower arranging and baked goods. I started my first business, making jewelry to sell at the kids’ entrepreneur day at the local children’s museum. Then I started Kids Business, a newsletter covering many of the same topics I do today, that I printed and sent to subscribers. I put together an Earth Day gathering encouraging others to help the planet. I started a babysitting business, and eventually a cleaning business. I, along with the help of a friend and our siblings, put together a backyard carnival (we had flyers, we advertised, we had games and prizes and snacks...the whole works).

All of these things shaped me into who I am today. All of these things have allowed me to develop the business that I have now. In some ways I’ve always been doing some version of the things I create and share now. In some ways, my whole life has been building up to this site.

Which is why when people tell me to find my niche, I say I found it... 25 years ago. And when people tell me to stick to one topic, I say “Why start now?”.

While my platform has changed and my delivery and presentation has evolved, I still care about and enjoy a variety of topics. Sure, part of it is because it’s what I’ve always loved, but you know why else? Because I believe, at the core, so many things are intertwined. Style and art is in everything- how you present a dish, how a hotel is decorated, how a home is put together. And taste? Well, if you do it right, all of life should be in good taste, not just what’s on your plate.

Could I only share recipes? Sure! Could I only talk about travel? Absolutely. But why limit myself? After all, no one lives a one dimensional life, so why have a one dimensional brand?

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I THNK EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS ART. WHAT YOU DO. HOW YOU DRESS. THE WAY YOU LOVE SOMEONE, AND HOW YOU TALK. YOUR SMILE AND PERSONALITY. WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN, AND ALL YOUR DREAMS. THE WAY YOU DRINK TEA. HOW YOU DECORATE YOUR HOME. OR PARTY. YOUR GROCERY LIST. THE FOOD YOU MAKE. HOW YOU’RE WRITING LOOKS. AND THE WAY YOU FEEL. LIFE IS ART.
— HELEN BONHAM CARTER
 
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FASHION IS NOT SOMETHING THAT EXISTS IN DRESSES ONLY. FASHION IS IN THE SKY, IN THE STREET, FASHION HAS TO DO WITH IDEAS, THE WAY WE LIVE, WHAT IS HAPPENING.
— COCO CHANEL

want more?

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THINGS OF NOTE

  • I BELIVE IN IMPACT OVER INFLUENCE

  • and using my platform for good

  • I PREFER Quality over quantity

  • LOVE hunting down deals

  • LOVE vintage finds EVEN MORE

  • live for anything OAT MILK LATTE (or as I call it “OML”) colored

  • I BELIEVE IN making the everyday special

  • AND finding ways to add little joys to the every day

  • LIVE FOR A SAUCE…OF ANY KIND…ON ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING

  • FLOWER ARRANGING IS A FAVORITE WEEKLY ACTIVITY (in another life I would have been a florist)

  • one day I plan to own a farm and fill it with rescue animals

  • I can’t go a day without chocolate

  • tequila and mezcal are my spirits of choice (live for a good ranch water!)

  • I ADORE NATURAL MATERIALS (THINK plaster, LINENS, RAW WOOD, STONE, OLIVE TREES)

  • I’ve visited 49 states and lived in 6

  • FRIDAY NIGHTS ARE ALWAYS PIZZA NIGHTS IN OUR HOUSEHOLD

  • NOTHING THRILLS ME MORE THAN GETTING A NEW STAMP IN MY PASSPORT

TO MAKE LIVING ITSELF AN ART, THAT IS THE GOAL.
— HENRY MILLER