We first crossed paths with Tammy on a press trip to Turkey. Tammy has quickly become one of our favourite people out there. Not only is she charming, and wicked smart, but she has the heart of gold. She can be found craving out the online world of Travel and Escape, that is if she isn’t travelling somewhere fantastic!
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re most passionate about.
The two passions of my life have long been travel and writing – I wanted to be a writer from the moment I first learned how to read, and my apartment is decorated with travel books, maps, globes and postcards I’ve collected. And I’m always at my happiest when I’m on the road, living out of a suitcase. So I feel really fortunate in that I get to do both in my career. I’m the online editor for the Travel+Escape television channel at Blue Ant Media, where I oversee a team of travel bloggers and even get to do some travelling myself; I just came back from a trip to Turkey, and this fall I’ll be heading to Ireland and New Zealand, and then to Vietnam in the spring. I’m also a total school nerd who never really got over having to graduate and join the real working world, so I’m always signing up for professional development courses and taking on freelance projects; I’m a member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada and the vice-chair of the Toronto branch of the Editors’ Association of Canada. I find myself at a lot of media and travel events, too – the monthly Toronto Travel Massive meetup is my favourite. My friends and family are always warning me about burnout (some weeks, I barely see my apartment), but I really love being so busy – I don’t know what I’d do with myself otherwise!
I am wearing:
I am almost always dressed in jeans or black leggings with a loose, peasant-style blouse (my best friend calls my tops “flouncy”), ballet flats or sandals, and at least one piece of large, chunky jewellery.
The most versatile item in my closet:
My grey blazer from Aritzia. Bought it on a speedy shopping whim and now wear it every time I want to look like I’m actually put together.
Beauty must-haves…
Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Aveeno Positively Radiant moisturizer and MAC Studio Fix foundation – that stuff hides everything.
One thing every girl should have:
A friend you can call up in a crisis, day or night, and know that she’ll show up on your doorstep within the hour carrying a bottle of wine and a chocolate cake.
What are you listening to right now:
Bruno Mars’ Unorthodox Jukebox album. And I’m terribly addicted to 80s pop. My neighbours can probably always tell when I’m cleaning my apartment or getting ready to go out because I’ll be blasting Tainted Love and 99 Red Balloons at full volume. And singing along.
The one thing I can’t leave the house without:
My agenda/notebook and a pen. My friends laugh at me because I work in digital media, but I still write out all my appointments and notes by hand. I’m a paper girl at heart; if it’s not handwritten in my calendar, it doesn’t exist in my brain.
Favorite place to eat in the city:
For a special night out, Lee on King West. It’s just such a Toronto icon. Also, Lisa Marie at Queen and Bathurst. The vibe there is so great, and the chef/owner Matt Basile is a friend and total sweetheart – his TV show, Rebel Without a Kitchen, airs on Travel+Escape, so I’m also a bit biased.
Ideal friday night plans:
Going out with friends for tapas and cocktails, and staying up far too late talking about the most random topics.
All time favorite book/movie:
Life of Pi by Yann Martel, although I haven’t seen the movie version yet (I was a bit scared to watch it because I love the book so much, but I’ve heard it’s just as magical).
