As a freelance travel and food writer, Melissa's articles have been published on AAA World Magazine, Lonely Planet, Zagat Stories, Roadtrippers, Canadian Traveller, Business Insider, MoneyInc, Resident Magazine (NYC), JohnnyJet, World Footprints, and many more. Her favorite travel articles can be found on Darling Magazine. She also writes for local print magazines such as SoCal Life Magazine, Malibu Coast Lifestyle Magazine, Conejo Valley Lifestyle Magazine, LA Travel Magazine, and LA Downtowner. Her love of adventure and learning were fueled while traveling around the world at age 20 on Semester at Sea. She received a Master's degree in Education, taught in England on a Fulbright scholarship, and has been an educator for over 20 years. After growing up in Connecticut and a decade in Washington, DC, west coast living has won her over. Living in LA the last 13 years has brought Melissa so much joy - thus why LaLaScoop was born. A desire to cover and discover the Best of LA became a shared passion that expanded to numerous guest writers bringing the 'LaLaScoop. Besides teaching children on Zoom and writing during the pandemic, Melissa spends her free time gardening, baking, savoring the Malibu coastline, discovering new hikes, and taking DIY to a whole other level. Contact her at Melissa@lalascoop.com.