Hi, I'm Marielle.
It's pronounced /Mar-YELL/
Welcome to my blog, ellescapades!
I couldn't find a regular 9-5 that would allow me to combine my love for travel, food, and art, so I decided to take it into my own hands (literally) by blogging about it. I've been lucky enough to explore, eat, and engage with art from 4 different continents - but that's just the beginning!
Hopefully, by sharing my escapades, you will be inspired to also embark on your own unforgettable journeys, eat delicious bites, and explore artistic wonders! You don't even have to go far - you can start in your (metaphorical) backyard like I did.
I'm always ready for more delightful, delicious, and dazzling escapades. Are you?
My Story
I was the artistic kid doodling with my 90s glitter gel pens and folding paper stars during class. I've since graduated from gel pens to watercolors, and from dressing Barbies to dressing myself up in cute outfits.
Naturally, it was a given that I would be an art major, and then obviously find work in my field. Until I learned (the hard way) that creating for others... wasn't quite the dream job I had imagined for over 20 years. But by the time I learned, a traditional career path wasn't exactly appealing either. I craved a challenge that still indulged at least some of my passions: travel, food, or art. Sadly, I couldn't find a listing for such a job.
So I fell back on old childhood habits from growing up in the Philippines: If I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, I would draw it out or make it myself, which is how you're now reading my blog!
Now I have the privilege of building my dream life: exploring, eating, and engaging with art - most often with my favorite person, my husband! The one who gets to enjoy the still-warm food for both of us, while I'm taking endless photos! 
The world is our oyster, and I can't wait to bite (then blog) into it!
Why I started my blog
My biggest fear is to get stuck in a rut: checking off life milestones and accomplishments, technically experiencing life, but without engaging in life.
But if the global pandemic taught me anything, life is too uncertain to be a passenger. Once I realized that my life so far had been something that was happening to me, I decided that I needed to change that. For something to change, I had to step outside my comfort zone. So finally, in 2022, I started my blog.
As an introvert, I understand how terrifying it is to put yourself out there. But I knew it wouldn't be enough for me to just watch someone on my phone, living out my dream life. So I had to try, no matter how embarrassed I was to take photos and film in public. I know I'd rather look back on cheesy photos of a life lived to the fullest, than regret not having those photos when I'm older.
Previously, my life felt like a choose-your-own-adventure book, and I navigated each page that I landed on as best as I could. But turns out that a combination of bad circumstances + a supportive husband helped me see that we could change the trajectory of our stories.
Today, I'm the author picking up my pen (and keyboard) and writing my own travel, food, and art escapades.
Why travel, food, and art?
Travel
The best part about traveling is that there's always something new to learn. I've traveled and taken cheesy photos across 13 cities (across 4 continents!), and I'm excited for more.
Food
Growing up in the Philippines, I see food as a love language. So whether it's street food from my native home to Michelin-starred restaurants anywhere in the world, I'm willing to bite into it.
Art
Art is my first love, and will always have a special place in my heart. It's also the best way to learn about a culture, functioning as a window to their unique perspective of the world.
Love the way I write about travel, food and art?
I would love to talk about writing opportunities you have for me. Contact me at ellescapades@gmail.com.Â