Welcome!

I’m a huge history and Viking nerd!
Because of my obsession with Vikings, I spent a semester studying them in Denmark, and I spent my last semester in college researching and writing a 45-page thesis disputing Viking stereotypes using Icelandic sagas. I love all things Scandinavia, and I just took a class on Old Norse at Fordham University and I volunteer at the local American Swedish museum. I recently spent another month studying Vikings in Denmark and I just finished up with graduate school at Villanova University!

to get to know me better, here are some fun facts about me

Annika is my Siberian Husky sidekick! I got her soon after I moved to Philly, and she's tagged along on many of my adventures since.

I have traveled to 17 countries and territories: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Estonia, Northern Ireland, France, Ireland, Mexico, Italy, The Bahamas, the Faroe Islands, Germany, Austria, England, Colombia, and four Canadian provinces.
I’ve also visited all 48 contiguous U.S. states, almost 30 U.S. Presidential homes (fun fact: Ulysses S. Grant’s wife’s name was Julia Dent!), and numerous National Parks (my favorite is Yellowstone).

Like I mentioned before, I run my own business! I founded Julia Renee Consulting, and I do SEO consulting and Pinterest strategy for small businesses. I documented my journey from quitting my job to failing as a freelancer to becoming a business owner on my freelancing posts. 

When I travel, I love finding hidden gems, exploring small towns, and capturing local life, which you’ll see a lot of in my posts. I’m also pretty obsessed with taking photos of colorful places.

During my first semester of studying abroad in Denmark, I met my husband, Matt :) We have a pretty unique love story, and you can read all about it on Our Danish Love Story | Engagement Photoshoot in Old City Philadelphia and you can see our new wedding photos on Our Perfect Summer Wedding at Union Trust in Philadelphia!

i'm the second oldest of 5 kids- 3 boys and 2 girls

I went to a women's college! And I created my own major (Journalism) and had five minors: Photography, International Studies, History, Environmental Sustainability, and Professional Writing. I did all that (as well as lots of jobs) because my dream job was to be a photojournalist for National Geographic!

i LOVE spicy food! i put Cajun seasoning on almost everything, and i never eat popcorn without it

I am obsessed with old film cameras, and I collect old black-and-white photographs. I’m hoping to have a darkroom in my future house!

Denmark and the Faroe Islands are my favorite places to visit! And now I love Austria and Germany since I got to spend my honeymoon there :)