INTERVIEW: MELISSA SONICO

I've always wanted to be a California girl. Not one of the bleach blonde, surf chic stereotypes -  but a hip young creative who explores every inch of her eclectic surroundings. Melissa Sonico has inspired me ever since I first stumbled across her Instagram feed; introducing me to the rocky beaches, dusty deserts, humid cacti greenhouses and cool cafes that I long to explore.

Follow Melissa on Instagram: @melissasonico

GF: What's your name and what do you do?

MS: My name is Melissa Sonico. I am a fiction writer, fashion/lifestyle blogger and burgeoning shop owner! I'm also a college English professor and a wife of almost 3years.

GF: What's your favourite thing about living in California?

MS: I love the different types of landscapes and climates! It's a misconception that California is just sun and sand and palm trees; we've got snowy mountains in Big Bear, redwoods in Big Sur and the desert - as well as big city life. We have it all!

GF: Can you share your favourite secret spots with us?

MS: For breakfast/brunch - One of my favorite breakfasts out here is the LA Chapter at the Ace; their ricotta pancakes and avocado toast are so good.

For coffee - I'm actually a tea drinker, and my favorite is a chai tea latte from Augie's, my local downtown coffee shop!

 For exploring - Big Sur for sure

For tranquility - The library or, more recently, art galleries

For swimming - Malibu!

GF: If you didn't live in California, where would you live? 

MS: I think I might like to live in Portland or Washington  for a bit-- maybe Brooklyn - but I see myself settling somewhere in California!

GF: Where's your favourite place in the world? 

MS: Under the covers at home watching Silicon Valley or whatever new TV show my husband and I binge watch, eating pizza

GF: What's on your travel bucket list?

MS: The Midwest. It's a mystifying place  to me and I think I'd like some time away from the hustle and bustle. But on a grander scale, Vietnam or Spain.

Follow Melissa on Instagram: @melissasonico

ROAD TRIPS: INSPIRATION

My favourite holiday I ever went on was a road trip. Two summers ago, my boyfriend and I drove around Normandy and Brittany in the north of France in a tiny little Smart Car, our tent and an impressive amount of belongings carefully stacked in the back. I felt completely free for that fortnight, without the usual public transport travel restrictions a holiday normally throws your way. If we read about a tiny little village in the middle of nowhere (or a bizarre theme park based around discovering hilariously bad dinosaur statues in the middle of the countryside), we could just hop in the car and head that way. We had a rough route planned in, but anything could happen.

This summer will be our second mammoth road trip. I'll go into it in more detail soon, but we'll be exploring somewhere very close to home where I've somehow managed not to visit previously: Scotland. In preparation for this adventure, and those to come in the future, I've planned in a series of road trip themed posts for Girl Folk. Expect playlists, planning tips and my ultimate road trip bucket list.

Let's start things on the right foot with a little inspiration.

Images:  Misha Taylor for Shop Dawn, Chantal Anderson, Carly Foulkes, Misha Taylor for Shop Dawn, Emily Knecht for Shop Dawn, Hazel & Pine, Jessica Tremp, Mischa Taylor for Shop Dawn x2

INTERVIEW: ADRIANA SINKE

I've been stalking Adriana's Instagram feed for some time now, in awe of the landscapes that she shares. I was delighted when she agreed to be interviewed for Girl Folk, and I'm thrilled to be sharing her tips for the best hikes in the Vancouver area - I only hope that I can get out to Canada and try her recommendations for myself one day!

Follow Adriana on Instagram: @adrianasinke

GF: What's your name and what do you do?

AS: My name is Adriana. Currently I live in Vancouver, BC with my husband and work as an accounting assistant for a small non-profit organization. We will be making some big life changes in the near future so both where I live and what I do will be changing dramatically within the next year. While I love our current situation, I am really excited for this new season of my life and the next adventure!

GF: Where is your favourite hike in the Vancouver area?

AS: Oh this is a tough one, there are so many wonderful hikes that are just a short drive away. My favorite hikes are the ones that are a bit off the beaten path. I love quiet trails that aren't crowded with people. 

If I had to pick a favorite (or two), I would choose Brandywine Meadows and Russet Lake via the Musical Bumps. Brandywine Meadows is just over an hour from Vancouver. The hike can easily be done in a day, however I would recommend staying over night if you can! The meadow is so gorgeous, and we have never encountered more than a couple of people while there. I've done the hike in summer and fall and was surprised by how much the landscape changed with the seasons.  

Russet Lake is located in Garibaldi Provincial Park, just outside of Whistler, and can be accessed a number of different ways. Hiking the Musical Bumps trail to Russet Lake was one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever been on. The alpine landscape is truly something else. I really hope to do this hike again this summer, it doesn't disappoint.

GF: What are your essentials to take with you on a day's hike?

AS: For a day hike I always make sure I have plenty of snacks and lots of water. I am always surprised by how much food I can eat while hiking and try to plan accordingly. I try to bring food that is light weight, but will also provide a lot of energy. Things like nuts, dried fruit, trail mix and peanut butter are always staples.

I also make sure to dress appropriately for the hike.I find dressing in lots of layers is best, that way you can take layers off or put them back on depending on your temperature. A good, sturdy pair of hiking boots is another essential. I purchased waterproof hiking boots, and am glad I did as they have saved me from having wet feet on more than one occasion! 

Other essentials I always bring on hikes include; a headlamp (because you never know when you are going to be hiking back in the dark), a second pair of socks, a knife, a book and my photography equipment.

GF: Can you share your favourite secret spots with us?

AS: For breakfast/brunch - Le Marche St. George or Nelson the Seagull

For insane scenery - The Chilcotin and anywhere with an alpine landscape

For coffee - Vancouver has plenty of great coffee shops, but my favorites are Matchstick and Revolver.

For getting away from the crowds - It's not easy to avoid the crowds in and around Vancouver. People around here are fairly active and love to get out and do things. Cafes and shops are usually quite busy on the weekends, as are the local trails. Truly getting away from the crowds requires a bit of a drive and a willingness to get off the beaten path.

For getting a bit of culture -  Vancouver is a fairly multicultural city so it's not hard to find culture within the city.I love walking around Chinatown and taking in the sights and smells.I also love finding small art shows to go to.

GF: Where would you most like to explore in the world?

AS: Oh this is a really tough one because there are very few places in the world I DON'T want to explore. If I had to narrow it down I would pick either Mongolia or the Faroe Islands for their wide open spaces and lack of crowds.

GF: Where's your favourite place in the world? 

AS: I'd have to say Şirince, Turkey.I have such fond memories from the day my husband and I spent there on our honeymoon. Şirince is located near Ephesus, and it's this beautiful little town situated against the hillside. We met some locals who lent us their scooter for the day (the kindness of the people we met in Turkey was like nothing else!). We rode up the hillside and spent the most perfect day there. When I think of one of my happiest days, this one always comes to mind. 

GF: What's on your travel bucket list?

AS: It's too long to list! Within the next year we plan to do a bit of travelling around SE Asia and some local travel as well. Some of the countries we will be heading to are Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, India and Turkey (to celebrate our five year wedding anniversary we went to Turkey for our honeymoon). We will also be taking a trip to the Yukon this summer and then driving across Canada at the beginning of fall. I'm pretty excited about a year of travel, and I will definitely be checking some items off my bucket list. 

Follow Adriana on Instagram: @adrianasinke

INTERVIEW: SUSANNA RISSER

You may know Susanna by her Instagram alias, Lady Cascades - she does have over 68,000 followers! I've developed an obsessive fascination with Oregon, thanks to Instagram, and Susanna's feed only adds to that addiction. Breathtaking shots of local landscapes sit alongside her sunlight drenched portrait work, whetting my appetite for a future visit to the PNW. Alongside her own account, Susanna also co-curates @thosePNWgirls alongside another favourite @ajclementine. 

Follow Susanna on Instagram: @ladycascades

GF: What's your name and what do you do?

SR: My name is Susanna Risser. I am a wedding, portrait and landscape photographer. Its sort of a new found passion of mine, which makes sense since my father was a photographer. I picked it up a couple years ago and it sort of took off. Word of mouth is by far the best form of advertisement. I also work for a PNW coffee company called Dutch Bros coffee. Its the perfect job because they are super flexible with my crazy schedule. 

GF: Where is your absolute favourite place in the PNW ?

SR: This is a touch question for me. I have too many, honestly. Does Yosemite count as the PNW? By far thats one of the most beautiful places Ive ever had the pleasure of visiting. Also, the Big Four Ice caves in Northern Washington is a must. They are huge glaciers that melt into caves. Dangerous for sure, but worth the hike in to see the views from Mount Baker. 

GF: Where are your go-to spots when photographing people?

SR: I love a shallow depth of field for my portraits. So I can really shoot anywhere I want because the back drop won't matter too much. But the obvious best place is outside where you can collect the best lighting. Anywhere there are mountains or beautiful landscapes I am there! Also, sunset (golden hour) is the best time of day to do portraits. 

GF: Can you share your favourite secret spots with us?

SF: For breakfast/brunch - Portland Oregon's "Por Que No?" best brunch ever!!!!

For insane scenery - Grand Teton, Crater Lake, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. 

For coffee - Drive thru coffee is Dutch Bros coffee, sit down is Coava in Portland OR. 

For tranquillity - Oregon Coast 

For exploring - The Redwoods 

GF: Where would you most like to explore in the world?

SR: Well, I still have never been to Alaska. And the Swiss Alps has always been a place I'd love to visit. But I'm the first one to say, explore your own backyard first. So many people don't even realize what is near them. They spend all sorts of money traveling far when the most beautiful things are sometimes just a couple hours drive! I've pretty much explored all there is in Oregon, northern Cali and Washington. I'm ready for some new scenery..

GF: Where's your favourite place in the world? 

SR: One of the most incredible places I've ever visited in my life was on Prince Edward Island, Canada. It was a lighthouse called Peggy's cove. It sits on the smoothest cream colored rocks on the edge of the Atlantic. White bodied with a bright red top, it is an award winning view. The day I went it was filled with tourists. But I remember just sitting on a bench and starring as long as I could. I told myself some day I will return. Something about that lighthouse that just moved me. I highly suggest making it a point to visit. 

GF: What's on your travel bucket list?

SR: Iceland, Greenland, Swiss Alps, Alaska, Ireland. 

Follow Susanna on Instagram: @ladycascades

INTERVIEW: LIZ HULL

I've followed Liz on Instagram ever since I first discovered the app - and have frequently featured the inspiring look-book's for her online vintage store, Mayflower Supply on my other blog. New York is somewhere that has always been on my travel bucket list, and I would love to hang out with Liz and her friends if I ever got the chance to cross the pond - so it was only natural that I got in touch to ask if she would like to share some of her favourite places in The Big Apple, and beyond.

Follow Liz on Instagram: @liz.hull

GF: What's your name and what do you do?

LH: Liz Hull, and I'm the owner of an online vintage boutique called Mayflower Supply. We also sell some accessories from local designers and artisans that compliment the vintage.

GF: What's your favourite thing about living in New York?

LH: The people! I've met so many incredible and inspiring friends since moving here–including the man I'm going to marry! Whenever I'm feeling down, or just having a "what am I doing with my life?!" moment, these folks lift me back up and remind me why I'm here, and keep me moving forward.

GF: Can you share your favourite secret spots with us?

LH:  For breakfast/brunch - Cafe Ghia is by far my most favorite brunch spot in my neighborhood. The food is amazing, there's hardly ever a wait and the staff are just the sweetest, coolest folks.

For coffee - It's not really a to-go spot, but Mominette is this adorable little French cafe near me that has that quintessential French vibe. I love going in there, sitting at the bar and just ordering a coffee. They also have a fantastic backyard that is divine during the warmer months!

For getting out of the city - I'm originally from Massachusetts, and I always love escaping to my home state whenever I can. I especially love Western Mass. We have a couple friends who live out there, but it's also just incredibly beautiful and has some really great thrifting!

For escaping the crowds within the city -This is a hard one because no matter where you go there's people! I like going to The Strand and getting lost in their endless rows of books. Especially the top floors where the fashion and art books live. There's far less people and sometimes it gets quiet the same way a library does. Kind of magical.

For dancing - I think dancing could be replaced by karaoke. It's so much fun when you have a group of pals to go with too. Pine Box has great karaoke, Arlene's Grocery does insane live band karaoke that will make you feel like a rock star, and there are tons of places where you can rent a small room for you and your best pals for an evening. BYOB, sing along to your favorite jams and dance the night away. Nothing better!

For hanging out with friends - I think my favorite place to be with friends is in everyone's own homes. There's something so special about having good, homemade food and drinks with pals. It feels like a little slice of family for all of us. However, if we're all going out for dinner or to celebrate birthdays or something, we'll usually head to Royal Bangladesh in the East Village. It's a little basement restaurant that's famous for it's insane interior which is covered in Christmas lights. I mean, covered. The hosts are a little eccentric (they call you into the restaurant from the street), but the food is delicious and cheap.

GF: If you didn't live in New York, where would you live?

LH: This is such a tough one! Sometimes we talk about moving to the south–a place like Nashville–but I honestly can't see myself anywhere else than NYC at the moment. I love visiting LA, and have lots of family in Portland, Oregon, but I don't know if I'll ever live in those places. I know people say this all the time, but New York really is just the best.

GF: Where's your favourite place in the world?

LH: My family has a small cottage in the Muskoka region of Ontario. My grandparents bought the property in the late 60's, and my mom and her brothers have been vacationing there every year since they were little. I've been going my entire life. Our cottage is the last house at a dead end road, and we named it The Living End. It's cozy, simple, nothing too fancy. The air is clean, the water in Skeleton Lake is crystal clear and it's a slice of heaven.

GF: What's on your travel bucket list?

LH: My fiancée and I have been dying to go to Tulum for about three years. Mexico in general actually. His family lived in Chiapas for about 3-4 years before he was born, and he's had an interest in Mexican culture and history for as long as I can remember. I also have some family in San Miguel de Allende, so a Mexico road trip would be really amazing. Some day...

Follow Liz on Instagram: @liz.hull

Visit Liz's online store: Mayflower Supply