Joy Pecknold is a fashion and travel writer who also writes about almost everything else because the world is an interesting place and she’s curious. She is the Western editor of FASHION Magazine and Passport blog editor for Kiwi Collection. She also contributes to MONTECRISTO Magazine and The Globe and Mail. Like pretty much every other writer, she hopes to pen a book and/or screenplay someday. Her choice extracurriculars include hiking, surfing, snowboarding, boating, reading, dancing (between 10pm to midnight to ensure there’s room for a floor slide) and karaoke — her song of choice being Pat Benatar’s Love is a Battlefield. Follow the awesomeness that is Joy via @joypecknold.

What neighbourhood do you live in and what makes it home? I moved from the West End to Mount Pleasant three years ago. I miss the beach, but in the summer it was bonkers. There’s an energy to East Van, but it’s not frenetic, and that’s more me. At Carp, a new little sushi joint nearby, the owner knows me and remembers what I tend to order, and that feels awesome. I also love the Kingsgate Mall; it reminds me of the weird mall I went to where I grew up. I don’t like when an area becomes too slick and polished. I prefer my neighbourhoods to be a little random and rough around the edges.

What was the last live concert you saw? Robin Pecknold and Joanna Newsom at the Vogue. Robin’s my cousin, and I’m pretty sure that in whatever magical other universe Newsom is from we too are related, so it was an extra special night.

A local designer you’re digging right now (and what are they producing that impresses you)? I’ve got two. First, Eliza Faulkner. She recently relocated to Montreal, but you can’t take the West Coast out of the girl, right? Her trademark pleating is perfection, but she’s also doing off-the-shoulder tops and dresses with wide elastic that capture that killer combo of sexy and easy, breezy. Second, Beth Richards. Her swimwear is alluring in the most unobvious ways. She succeeds in striking that superb balance between strength/femininity and street/high-fashion.

Three fashion blogs you hit every day? I keep up with Fashionmagazine.com because that’s my mother ship. Vogue.com periodically, particularly during the fashion weeks, but they lose me when they get all Kardashian clickbait-y. I also dip into The Business of Fashion and Garance Doré.

The thing that is bad for you that you will never stop eating? All the deep-fried things. Fries and donuts are prime examples.

Default drink/cocktail of choice? I alternate between a Margarita and The Last Word. A psychologist could probably unpack my personality with only that info.

Dogs or cats? Both: one to love you unconditionally, one to remind you aren’t king of the world. Don’t think I need to clarify which is which.

Your last Halloween costume? Quality wigs are expensive, so for the last few years I’ve used the same black mullet to be Joan Jett, Wayne Campbell and Cher.

Your all-time best Halloween costume? Peg Boggs from Edward Scissorhands. I went door-to-door with a briefcase saying “Avon lady calling,” instead of “Trick or treat.”

What game did you love as a kid? Dodgeball, because you were allowed to hurl balls at each other. Essentially it was school endorsed delinquency.

The strangest talent that you possess? I have this weird vein-y neck thing I can do that makes me resemble a Cardassian. If you weren’t a Star Trek nerd as a kid like I was, you’ll have to Google that.

Oddest place you’ve ever slept? In a Gastown alley to raise funds for Covenant House Vancouver. Unfortunately that sleeping arrangement isn’t a rarity for many Vancouverites.

What keeps you up at night? It vacillates between ideas, feelings and world issues.

What do you do when you can’t sleep? In order of the aforementioned, I write, listen to music and pray.

Your major character flaw? So many minors that add up to a major. The ones currently burgeoning are romantic pessimism and political apathy.

Three role models? Malala Yousafzai, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Amy Schumer.

Coffee or tea? Strong coffee in the morning, herbal tea at night.

How do you decompress? Getting deep into nature does it best, but if I can’t escape the city then a good book or at-home dance party-slash-sing-a-long usually does the trick.

What’s for breakfast at home? Yogurt, granola and fruit, or if I’m feeling more ambitious, a breakfast burrito.

Biggest surprise of the last year? Going to Patagonia and Atacama regions of Chile on assignment for Montecristo Magazine. It’d been a dream of mine to go there and I didn’t expect to get sent for work. There, I surprised myself and completed a higher attitude ascent — now I have googly eyes for Everest.

Three books that made an impact on you in your formative years? Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham showed me the importance of word play and nonsense. Wilson Rawls’ Where the Red Fern Grows inspired friendship and adventure. Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations reinforced that conscience and heart are worthier aims.

Your biggest fear? That I’m wrong about God.

The next clothing purchase you plan to make? That’s a nice lighthearted one to follow the fear question. I just indulged it and got myself a pair of made-to-order lace-up black flats from Poppy Barley.

Favourite item in your closet right now? A pair of high rise, cropped, wide leg jeans by Mother I got at Oliver & Lilly’s. They do my booty right and are hella comfy.

The first album that made you love music? So it’s not the coolest answer, but honestly The Cranberries “Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?” Adolescence was such a lonely, confusing, emotional time and singing along with Dolores O’Riordan in the dark, in my room was cathartic. As an adult I still do that with albums. Right now it’s Sufjan Stevens’ Carrie & Lowell.

A character from a movie that you’d love to share a meal with? Any character Bill Murray has played because I love him. Or any character Jake Gyllenhaal has played because I love him for very different reasons.

Three events you are most looking forward to this year? My parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, because that’s fucking incredible (sorry I swore, Mom); my birthday trip to Palm Springs where I hope to miraculously score reasonably-priced tickets to Desert Trip’s Rolling Stones-Bob Dylan double header; and the third I’ll leave open — Jake Gyllenhaal falling madly in love with me perhaps.

It’s last minute and you need an outfit for a fancy garden party – where (other than home to your own closet) do you go? Violet Boutique. I’ve acquired a small collection of Rachel Comey frocks from there. The shop is strictly online now, but that just makes it easier to make my choice without getting out of bed.

What trend have you followed that you now regret? Regret is a strong word, but the ten-sizes-too-big pants I wore in the ‘90s were pretty ridiculous, even more so because it was a skate culture thing and I didn’t skateboard. I mostly regret being such a poser.

Favourite BC winter activity/excursion? Snowboarding, at a charming little ski resort called Whistler Blackcomb.

Favourite BC summer activity/excursion? Surfing, in this little gem of a coastal town called Tofino.

Your go to, no-frills place for dinner in Vancouver? El Camino. It’s in my neighbourhood and, as I’ve mentioned, margaritas are my thang. See y’all there on Monday.

If you could board a plane this afternoon, where would it be taking you? Haida Gwaii. I went there for a fishing trip and fell in love with the place. I’d like more time there. Or Madagascar because of all the endemic animals.

Favourite Vancouver landmark? The North Shore mountains.

Three places you like to take out of town visitors? Bike around Stanley Park to Third Beach, day trip to Bowen Island and a night at a great cocktail bar (right now it’s Juniper).

The cliché that you overuse? “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” One of these days it will kill me.

Shoe of choice? Barefoot is nice, but if shoes are required then sneakers or flats. I like to know that I can run away if I have to.

The different career path that you could have gone on? I’ve considered all the creative things – singer, actress, painter. I’m still contemplating comedian, but that seems like such a uphill battle and it makes me tired just thinking about it. I also seriously considered crime scene investigator at one time, but in some ways I’m doing that with my life anyway. Metaphorically, no real murder, I promise.

Your ancestry? So white. I wish I was more exotic. English, Irish and French. I’m hoping there’s at least some Spanish in there somewhere. Three years ago in a security line-up at the Madrid airport, a Spanish man thought I was Spanish and I’m telling you this now because that’s how thrilling it still is for me.

Where did you grow up? Sproat Lake, which is technically Port Alberni, but Sproat Lake sounds more exotic. I loved it as kid, hated it as a teenager, and love it again as an adult. Now it’s my quiet, familiar refuge.

Three favourite dishes in Vancouver? Currently, whatever they’ve dreamt up at Mission in Kits, any of the pasta dishes at Ask for Luigi, and an A&W Teen burger and root beer in the frosted mug post-hangover.

Top three films from your high school days? Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, Good Will Hunting and 10 Things I Hate About You. I was also into all the ‘80s teen movies because of my older sisters’ influence, so I need to give a special mention to The Breakfast Club.

Last piece of art you purchased? Lately, I’ve been gifted art. My sister gave me a “I Fell In Love Here” print based on Tracy Emin’s neon work for the Dean Hotel in Dublin and my friend Jeremy Crowle gave me one of his works, “I Secretly Compare Your Face to the Sea.”

What are you the most proud of? That I’m supporting myself as a writer. That seems like an increasingly rare feat. And my friends, they’re all doing cool shit, and on top of it, they’re such solid human beings.

Forest or beach? Don’t make me choose. A beach that backs onto a forest. We’ve got lots of those in B.C.

Most beautiful body of water you have ever gone swimming in? The lake I grew up on, which I’d like to keep a secret, but the cat’s already out of the bag. It’s crystal clear and the perfect temperature in the summer. And then there’s all the nostalgia it holds.

The best thing about your work? Not having to commute to an office every morning.

The worst thing about your work? Not having health benefits. I took those for granted when I had a regular job. I should have gone for all the massages.

One ritual, tradition, or superstition in you observe? Other than brushing my teeth and washing my face, I try to start every morning with 15 to 30 minutes of reading, reflecting and journaling — I generally feel a whole lot better about the forthcoming day when I do.

If you had a motto, what would it be? I might borrow from the late, great Aaliyah, or rather songwriters Static Major and Timothy Mosley, “If at first you don’t succeed, then dust yourself off and try again.”

Scariest situation you’ve ever been in? Nearly losing my sister to illness when I was 11.

Your favourite curse word? Motherfuckershitfuckshit. I love me a good compound swear.

What object of no monetary value will you keep dearly until you die? The hand-drawn birthday cards my dad makes for me.

On a perfect day off, what are the top three things you’d like to see happen? Some kind of nature adventure, either a hike that culminates with a kickass vista or surf session in Goldilocks-sized waves. Also, a really delicious meal, preferably made by someone else. Finally, a sunset-campfire situation, and ideally I’d have a guy I really like there to make out with.

Your first memory? Not sure if it’s the very first, but it’s a vivid one. Living in Dawson City, Yukon when I was four, I remember my dad shoveling all the snow off the roof of our duplex and making an igloo for me and my sisters. I also lost my beloved harmonica that winter.

Three words that would describe you as a child? Curious, observant, happy.

Your favourite local place to kick back with a beer? My patio or Brassneck Brewery.

The most beautiful place in the world? Chile is such a stunner, but home is where my heart is, so the wild West Coast of B.C. forever and always.