A cup of tea with: Murissa Maurice Shalapata

The Khoollect community is made up of a diverse collection of people residing in far-flung corners of the world. In the first of our new series, which shines a spotlight on members of the Khoollect community, someone you might call a #khoollectsuperfan, we’ve asked Canadian-based travel enthusiast Murissa Maurice Shalapata a few questions. Boil the kettle and get to know her, then hop over to the Khoollect forum where Murissa’s hanging out:

Name: Murissa Maurice Shalapata
Home: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada (the Okanagan wine region!)

What do you do?
I write. I am founder of my website TheWanderfullTraveler.com, I freelance and I am writing my first novel. But for my day job I work at the family business as the head of marketing for Jona Panel Sales. We sell environmentally friendly building materials across North America.

What do you #khoollect?
What don’t I Khoollect?! Italian and French cookbooks by David Rocco, Rachel Khoo, David Lebovitz and Julia Child. I have a collection of novels and photo books that overwhelm my house. I love scarves and started my collection in Florence. I love wine glasses in all shapes and colours. But most of all I #khoollect experiences.

What’s your favourite post on Khoollect this week?
Stir It Up: lemonade five ways! It’s set to reach 35˚C here in the Okanagan Wine Valley this weekend, so I’ll be using my patio herbs to try out the recipes.

What’s your favourite snack?
I am getting married in August so snacking has been limited to cottage cheese or fresh Okanagan fruit with a drizzle of honey. However, I do love a properly made croissant or a baguette with butter/cheese.

Where’s your go-to hangout in Kelowna?
I live around the corner from the Summerhill Pyramid Winery. It is Canada’s most visited winery. I go there because of the views of the Okanagan Lake (especially at sunset), charcuterie and some of the best sparkling wine made in the valley.