A wanderer at heart! I am a culture and culinary blogger.
I have traveled many places, I have lived in many places, and I have found treasures every step of the way. My passion is to share them with you, here. I invite you to join me in exploring all of the beautiful lands and cultures our world has to offer and find what ties us all together.
I was born in Texas and have lived in Maryland, San Francisco, Boston, Cape Cod, and England. When I left Cape Cod, I ventured on my own to England, my most treasured journey yet. I met my soul mate within hours of arriving in London. Six weeks later he asked me to marry him at his rugby club’s annual ball (gala) in Richmond, England. Three months later we were married. Russ is my happily ever after.
England ignited my life’s passion for travel. I was fortunate to participate in a Women’s Enterprise Programme at Westminster College in Oxford, awakening and developing my entrepreneurial spirit. Not long after, I became a ‘mum’ to two of the cutest boys ever. Even when the boys were little we continued to travel through Europe and the experience fueled that insatiable passion I just can’t shake. During my time in England, relatives from America encouraged me to search for my English heritage, which is where my obsession for genealogy began. Many years ago, I developed a love for photography. This has been essential to my travels, allowing me to capture and garner such special memories. Combining all of these hobbies has crafted who I am today.
We relocated our family back to Texas in 2001, and I was presented with a wonderful opportunity to utilize my experience of living and working in England as the Executive Director of the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the British American Business Council (BABC). My time with the BABC was such an incredible experience. I met dignitaries, and royalty, and worked with British organizations such as the Historic Royal Palaces and Dallas Cup (International Youth Soccer Tournament), but most of all created friendships that will last a lifetime.
This is more than a website for me, this is my life! I look forward to building more friendships, with you, through The Culture Ties.
“Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.” – Jawaharlal Nehru
The Culture Crew
Assistant to The Culture Ties
Hi! My name is Kayla Morren and I have a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Natural Resource Management. I am excited to work with The Culture Ties as it incorporates so many of my passions.
I have many interests including environmentalism, books, and travel! With my love for travel and culture, one day I hope to move to Europe and can share my experiences with you all.
My name is Chris Smith, originally from England, now living in Texas for over 30 years, I consider myself a native.
I am an MS sufferer, a born survivor, and now retired. I am a very keen cook and grill master and have been lucky enough to have had tutoring from several of the top chefs in Dallas, who I now call good friends.
I am passionate about trying new methods and recipes from around the world. Being originally from England I also learned from both my grandmother and mother.
I am also a photographer, and avid college football and Premier League soccer fan.
Hi! I’m Bianka Cramblit and I have a love for language, reading, and writing which was fostered while studying English Literature at the University of Idaho and a two-semester study abroad stint at Universidad del Pais Vasco in Bilbao, Spain.
I always have a book in my bag and a cup of coffee in my hand. An avid traveler, I have called sunny Madrid my home for the past four years. I enjoy baking, yoga, and hiking.
I am an experienced facilitator of international development projects, having founded and grown a charity in Uganda over a six-year period to date.
I have a successful independent coffee house in Birmingham, UK – Bora Coffee Co., with strong ties to charity work in Uganda.
Author of Tie Up the Lion, a book that explores the concept of ‘Voluntourism’ and an advocate against the unregulated sector.
I love travel, relationship building, and cross-cultural communication. I appreciate like-minded people and organisations to collaborate with on different projects.
Hi, my name is Rachel Jackson and I am a teacher from Scotland. I have a Master of Arts degree from the University of Aberdeen in Politics and International Relations.
In my spare time, I love to explore new countries, learning about their culture, history, and traditions and I have travelled to over 40 countries around the world – and still counting! My hobbies include exploring new countries, going to the cinema, and spending time with my family in Scotland and Ireland.
I have been diagnosed with Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, so my health is also a big focus in my life.
