Many people love to travel, but a lot of people don’t get to travel for work and share their experiences with the world. Tara Salinas of Trippin’ with Tara turned her passion for traveling into a blog that features her many trips, as well as recipes and product reviews.

Between boarding planes, testing new products and writing, Salinas took some time to answer a few questions the O-Squad had on blogging, pitches and her favorite Phoenix places.

Q. How did you get into blogging?
A. I am the social media specialist for a vacation home company in the Disney area in Florida and have been fortunate to work with some really great bloggers that reviewed our properties. Because of the relationships I had built and blogger events that I held, I was highly encouraged to begin my own blog. Super long story short, I began writing about things I like or things I would do, and in about a year, I have had some of the most incredible opportunities. I have met some of my best friends in the blogging world. So I guess I got into blogging for fun and continue to blog because for me, it’s still fun and has become a passion.

Q. You blog a lot about your travels. What was one of your favorite trips?
A. Well, I take a lot of trips. I love when Disney invites me out to Los Angeles to a premiere and I get to experience the West Coast. The red carpet treatment is always a treat. I have some posts currently in the works for Europe and Toronto, and I really enjoy traveling international. But if I didn’t live in Florida, I would live in Arizona, so it’s easy to say honestly that the trip to Phoenix with my girlfriends was hands down one of my favorites!

Q. What types of features are you looking for PR pros to pitch?
A. I love to travel. I love to cook and feature recipes on my site. I like to review things that are things that I would really use. I like to keep it real. One thing that I haven’t had someone send me a good pitch yet is for a family trip. I have two teenage daughters and I would love to do a destination review with their input. They are both really great about helping me with reviews when it’s pertinent to them. I would love them to share their thoughts on a destination as teens along with mine as a parent, couple and family.

Q. What is the strangest thing someone has pitched you?
A. Oh boy, I have received adult toys – is that strange? I also get pitched often on baby products – and I am way past that stage. That is when you know a PR rep didn’t do their research.

Q. Any advice for someone looking to start their own blog?
A. First think about what you want your blog to be about. Who do you want your audience to be? What is your passion? If you are doing it for opportunities, know that it is work. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of fun and I LOVE having my blog. The best part about blogging is that it’s yours and you do get to control what you want out there. But it takes time to build an audience, so don’t get frustrated and make sure to have fun!

Q. What were some of your favorite things about your recent trip to Phoenix?
A. Wow, I love Phoenix.  I made so many great memories there with my friends. I had the best meal of my life at Different Pointe of View at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. I loved horseback riding in the desert. I saw the most spectacular views while being adventurous on the hot air balloon ride and got an incredible fill of culture at the Musical Instrument Museum. I will be back again no doubt! Next time with my family.