aehearn1@cougars.ccis.edu, Author at Sincerely, Ashlea

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January 16, 2023

A Fun Workout Class You’ll Become Totally Obsessed With: The Peloton Bike

Hey girl! Remember back in 2019 when that "controversial" Peloton commercial was ALL the rage? For those out of the loop, it basically shows a woman whose husband gifts her one for Christmas and the internet BLEW UP with all kinds of backlash against men forcing their wives to workout. LOL. Peloton has come a very long way from 2019 and is arguably one of the most sought-after, popular, and well-respected exercise programs. And it is now my absolute favorite fun workout class that I may never be able to go back. Table of Contents The 2019 Peloton Co[...]

Food & Wine, Restaurant Review, The Greater St. Louis Area, The Midwest

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January 13, 2023

La Patisserie Chouquette: A Must-Visit Boutique Bakery in St. Louis

La Patisserie Chouquette St. Louis Tea Room

Hey girl! While I have always been a big fan of drinking tea both at home and in cafes, I recently experienced the very posh concept of Afternoon Tea, and boy will it be hard for me to ever go back from there. Ladies, if you've ever put on a pretend tea party as a little girl, think of that but ten times better. This year for New Years Eve, some of the women in my family decided to attend Afternoon Tea at La Patisserie Chouquette — and for those of you who didn't take French class like my mother and her terrible pronunciation, it's pronounced "pah-teece-serh[...]

Beauty & Wellness, Food & Wine

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January 3, 2023

Weight Loss & Keto — What They Don’t Tell You About This Low-Carb Diet

Hey girl! I've been hearing a lot recently about friends and family trying Keto for weight loss, so I wanted to do some further exploration into what this is and how it works. The Keto Diet has gained popularity for many health benefits — like reduced appetite and inflammation, increased endurance, and better focus — but weight loss happens to be the most common reason people seek out this timeless eating regime. While this primary goal is widely due to positive results seen time and time again, losing weight on the Keto Diet does not come without a[...]

Beauty & Wellness

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December 7, 2022

Learn to Love Working Out with Orangetheory Fitness

Hey girl! Today we're talking fitness. While I am now quite an active person and workout roughly 5-6 days a week, I wasn't always like that. But I do completely credit my love and appreciation for exercise to Orangetheory Fitness. To put things into perspective, many people make the assumption that I learned to workout from my experience of being in the Army Reserves for eight years...wrong. They don't exactly teach you how to enjoy working out so much as they force you to run until you vomit. And no, I'm totally not kidding either. That's actually part o[...]

Chicago, Food & Wine, Travel

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November 16, 2022

RH Chicago and 3 Arts Club Cafe is Luxury Furniture Meets Modern Art

Hey girl! Ready to dive into furniture heaven with a glass of pinot noir in hand? Well, I managed to stumble upon the ultimate art gallery and cafe in the chic Chicago neighborhood of Gold Coast. Restoration Hardware, also known as RH Chicago, is a total bougie vibe. It's a six-level furniture gallery with a rooftop park and conservatory, and also home to a grand courtyard dining experience known as 3 Arts Club Café. I discovered this gem shortly after my recent move to Chicago's bustling River North neighborhood, meeting a potential business partner here[...]

Food & Wine, The Alaska Coast + Vancouver, Travel

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November 5, 2022

Radiance of the Seas, An Alaskan Cruise For Foodies and Families

Hey girl! In September 2022, I went on my first cruise to Alaska aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas. I will start off by saying that yes, it was overall pretty awesome and filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I won't get too much into the excursions though here. This particularly post will just go into the pros and cons of the ship itself to better help you plan your perfect getaway sailing the high seas! Table of Contents Ticket CostsThe VibePlan Your Fun-Filled ItineraryWifi & Drink PackagesAbove Deck AmenitiesBelow Deck Ameni[...]

Chicago, Food & Wine, Restaurant Review

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October 17, 2022

Quartino Ristorante & Wine Bar, A Restaurant Review

Hey girl! Only one day after moving into my new apartment in Chicago, my family, boyfriend, and I decided to dine at Quartino Ristorante & Wine Bar. And boy, did it not disappoint. I definitely feel quite lucky having this spot right in the heart of my new neighborhood, River North, although trying this Italian cuisine has me so excited to venture over to Chicago's Little Italy. Quartino is not your average restaurant, but rather, it feels like an authentic Italian dining experience. And sure, you might argue that someone who hasn't been to Italy may n[...]

The PNW, Travel

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September 12, 2022

An Adventurous Weekend in Leavenworth

Hey girl! If you're anywhere near the Pacific Northwest, particularly Washington State, you simply must spend a weekend in Leavenworth. A German-themed town, Leavenworth, Washington is a gorgeous little Bavarian Village, which certainly has its charm: the snow-capped mountains views, the lush surrounding trees that turn into breathtaking fall foliage in Autumn, the little shops with endless places to drink wine or beer. But to be completely honest, I personally find the town itself somewhat of a tourist trap, with all the real wonder just miles outside the[...]

Food & Wine, Restaurant Review, The PNW, Travel

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September 5, 2022

Oyster & Thistle, A Restaurant Review

Hey foodie friend! As far as charming French seafood restaurants go, The Oyster and Thistle Restaurant & Pub ranks at the top. Tucked away in Skagit Valley's quaint town of La Conner, my boyfriend and I stumbled upon this gem after perusing a gorgeous tulip farm in the area. It's just 70 miles north of Seattle, and 30 miles southeast of the beautiful San Juan Islands. Read about the San Juan Islands in my blog, "Vacationing in the San Juan Islands, Paradise of the PNW." For those who don't know, Skagit Valley is a gorgeous area in Washington kno[...]

The PNW, Travel

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September 5, 2022

Tulip Festivals In Washington And Exploring Skagit Valley

Hey girl! If you're looking for that perfect Instagrammable moment, look no further. During the spring, people flock to the region of Skagit Valley to view some of the largest and most memorable tulip farms in the state. That's because the tulip festivals in Washington are unmatched, boasting 300 acres of colorful rows and bringing in over 1 million visitors each year! Quick side note... Skagit Valley has easily become one of my favorite regions during my short two and a half years living in Washington. Particularly, the outdoor beauty is unlike nowhere els[...]