This blogger continues to produce quality content, is now an author of 100 Things To Do In Wichita Before You Die, and she has not let any grass grow under her feet in 2022.

– Midwest Travel Network, 2022 Blogger of The Year: Vanessa Whiteside

One Delightful Life started with taking a creative risk and resigning from my job to fulfill my genuine desire to write a blog featuring travel destinations and foodie finds. My travel posts focus on telling the hyper-local experience. Now, I’ve authored “100 Things To Do In Wichita Before You Die” and Secret Wichita: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure published by Reedy Press.

My blog is devoted to making the lives of others easier, whether you’re booking your new vacation wine country in Texas or preparing to explore Nashville’s downtown scene. 

I’m equally enthusiastic about my next travel adventure. From discovering new adventures within my hometown to traveling across the country, I appreciate spending time outdoors, learning a new skill, and getting to know the people who make a town or city what it is today. To truly know a place, you have to go where the local go and dine like them.

I’m passionate about storytelling, photography, and teaching others about the world we live in. (I was a high school teacher in a former life, which is why I never pass up a chance to view a restored one-room schoolhouse like the one pictured below.).

All of these sought-after experiences have provided me with one delightful life, and I hope you find them equally inspiring. Bookmark this site, and let’s enjoy the journey together.

FAQ

How did I got started:

One day someone close to me asked me, “What do you love doing, love thinking about?” and it wasn’t my day job. After reading a highly motivational book, receiving a supportive letter from a family member, and a lot of soul-searching, I set out to launch One Delightful Life. The thought of helping others while working for myself aligned with my truth. Now, I partner with destinations and brands to promote tourism experiences.

Equipment:

I’ll use my iPhone 13XS Pro for most my travel photography, and I edit using Adobe Photoshop on a MacBook Air. I use a Canon Rebel T3 with a macro lens to shoot food photography recipes for the blog.

Can you use my photos?

Please don’t use the images of my blog without my express permission. Every photo on this site is protected under copyright. Therefore, using my images anywhere without my written permission is illegal. On occasion, I use courtesy photos with permission from a tourism board or company.

My food philosophy:

You should live to eat. I’m not always a healthy eater, but I do try to incorporate as many healthy ingredients into my daily diet as possible. That said, life is a balance. I love cheese. I love craft beer and wine. I love meat. I don’t regret indulging in deliciously rich and fatty foods, especially when dining out, but I make sure to eat more greens the next day. It’s about balance.

I can’t afford to be a food snob. Sure, I like to grab my grocery bags from the trunk and head into the organic grocery store, and you won’t always find me at a fine dining restaurant. The local hole-in-the-wall eateries serve some of the best, inexpensive food.

My culinary experience:

I grew up eating my mother’s fabulous dishes made from her creativity. She loved (and still reads) glossy food magazines, so she made it a point to continue learning about ingredients, food pairings, and food trends. She also worked for years in the restaurant industry.

Therefore, I was exposed to sophisticated ingredients as a young child. My friends ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in their sack lunch, but my brown bag often included the likes of a savory meatloaf sandwich or egg salad sandwich with springs of fresh dill.

Having worked in the restaurant industry in every role, from dishwasher to bartender, I understand what it means to cater to diners and serve them gorgeous food or a cocktail that brings them back. I want people to remember my food writing and enjoy my recipes.

I’ve written restaurant reviews as a one-time dining panelist for my city’s newspaper. Here’s an example of a phenomenal Vietnamese restaurant, a place I reviewed because I love their pho. You can also view some of my dining-out experiences on Instagram. 

Contact Information

Email a question or topic and post suggestions to [email protected]. One Delightful Life can also be found on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also leave a note on the contact page.  

Do you want to collaborate on a tourism partnership? Email a suggestion to [email protected].