You may have an impression of who I am from what I share on social media, but there’s so much more to my story. So, let me officially introduce myself—I’m Tawnie Jaclyn, just a girl navigating her way through this wild journey.

My early existence began in La Mirada, California, a small city nestled in southern Los Angeles County, right on the edge of Orange County. I consider myself more of an OC native than LA, and believe me, there’s a significant difference between the two neighboring counties. I have a deep appreciation for my SoCal roots, especially growing up in the 90s when surf / skate culture was thriving. As a blonde-haired kid with sun-kissed Hispanic skin, I spent my childhood under the warm Orange County skies. I’m forever grateful to have been raised in a place many people dream about visiting. Nothing can ever compare to home. 

After graduating from Cal State Fullerton in 2011, I moved to Hollywood to pursue the entertainment world. That’s when I discovered modeling, right as Instagram was gaining traction, and new opportunities started to emerge. This path eventually led me to work as a brand ambassador and promotional model, representing a wide range of brands and events. Not having a sense of where any of this was going to lead, I was just a young girl having fun in a big city. The fast-paced city life was everything I thought I wanted. I was drawn mostly to places like the Sunset Strip and Laurel Canyon, where rock legends once roamed. These quickly became my stomping grounds and where I formed lasting friendships with some of the closest people in my life today. 

A big part of my story shifted in 2017 when I moved in with one of my best friends, Kim, who I’ve known since we were kids. She also grew up in La Mirada and it was nice to have that bond that felt so close to home. We got along very well and understood one another on a deep level. Our energies had always complimented each other in a very natural way. During that time of living together, we were inseparable and shared some of our happiest moments. It felt more like a sisterhood than just being roommates.

There was a night in July of that year when Kim went out with some friends and never came home, and it still haunts me to this day. That was a very pivotal time for me, and from then on, my whole world had changed. I moved back to my childhood home with my parents to give myself time to isolate and heal. I was 28 and felt like everything I had known up until that point didn’t make sense anymore. My entire life stopped. I stopped modeling, I stopped going out, I stopped the LA scene. I wanted no part of it anymore because of what it had done to my friend and the trauma it left inside of me. It felt as if I had transformed into an entirely new dimension and I was redirected down a new path in life. A path that led to more meaning and substance that allowed me to live more authentically with purpose.

Since then, I’ve been committed to my personal growth and embracing this new perspective on life. I approach everything with intention now, fully aware of how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away. That is why I live by what only feeds my soul and brings out the best in me, which has led me here. 

I recently began this new journey of nomadic living where I travel in temporary stays from place to place. Being in a position to work remotely, I felt the urge to shake things up and change my scenery at any given time as long as I have access to Wi-Fi. Taking a leap into the unknown has been nothing but humbling and exhilarating. There have been a lot of learnings and challenges along the way, but nothing compares to the liberating feeling when you accomplish something on your own. Solo traveling takes a lot of adaptability and vigilance, and I believe I’ve been built for this lifestyle. I’ve never felt more at home than being on the road. 

A little more about me, I am what they call an “old soul”. Not to come across as cliché, but I really don’t belong in this generation. It’s more than just loving vintage and the history of things, it goes much deeper in the sense that eras of the past feel more familiar to me than the time I’m living in now. During my travels, I’m always looking into the history of towns I visit and establishments that have been around for quite some time. I want to learn and feel the essence that still lingers from the past. There are some cool places I have visited with unique backstories that I would love to share on this platform. 

I’m also a very proud dog mom! My baby girl, Ginger Stardust (4), is my little travel companion who loves to explore new sights with her mama. It makes solo traveling less isolating when you have a fur baby by your side. I have been asked how I navigate traveling with a dog and it’s not always easy. I treat my dog like my child, and I am always considering her happiness and comfort level in everything I do, so it’s just a matter of following your instincts. I couldn’t ask for a better travel partner and I’m so glad I get to share these moments with Ginger.

The cool thing about being on the road is seeing the beauty of my surroundings. I enjoy capturing moments on my adventures both as a subject and behind the lens, using my creative vision. I have an eye for visual creativity, finding inspiration in scenic landscapes, styling outfits, and curating content that reflects my unique aesthetic. I am nowhere close to being a professional photographer, I still have a lot of learning to do with my Canon camera, but my trusted iPhone has done me good so far.

If you have been following my journey through social media, just know that this will be the space where I share it all. The good and the bad. My non-picture-perfect life. I want to be very honest about my learnings throughout my travels and provide a glimpse into my unconventional world. It only feels natural to create a space that allows me to share my knowledge and experiences, so I hope to inspire those seeking the nomad life as well. 

With that said, welcome to my travel blog. Enjoy the ride.  

XO, Tawnie