About Me

Welcome to my blog! I’m Kelly Chen (now Okland), and I started this lifestyle blog as a creative outlet to share different aspects of my life, from books to food, home, style, and travel. I’m a twenty-something who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2019, I moved to Phoenix with my then-boyfriend, Brett (now my husband and the photographer for this blog). We live with our baby girl, Arielle, and our fur babies, Tucker and Copper.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2017 and earned my Master of Business Administration in 2020. I’m working full-time as a contracts administrator during the day and blogging in the evenings.

In my free time, I love curling up with a good book. I’ve loved reading since I was young, and I’m glad I’ve continued to make time for reading. There’s nothing better than snuggling up with a cup of coffee and getting sucked into a romance or thriller. You can read all my book reviews here.

Like a true Taurus, I’m a foodie. Give me a tender filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, and a sweet, decadent chocolate dessert, and I’ll be a happy gal. While I love a fine dining experience, I’m learning to put together delicious meals at home without breaking the bank. You can browse all my recipes here.

After living here for two years, we put down roots by building a house.

Other fun facts about me: I’m a bit of a control freak and a planner, and sometimes, I’m guilty of reading spoilers to books and movies. When I love a song, I repeat it until I can’t stand it anymore; I do the same thing with my meals and outfits. Christmas is my favorite holiday, and fall is my favorite season. Forever a hopeless romantic and love a restaurant with a cozy ambiance. I am an equal parts homebody and adventurer. To read more about me, click here.

Thank you so much for reading and supporting my blog. xo