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

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[...]

Las Vegas, Travel

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August 18, 2022

Four Unique Things To Do In Las Vegas This Weekend

Hey girl! The joy of hitting up Sin City is that it's filled with fun activities to let your hair down and go crazy. But sometimes, going to clubs, pool parties, and drinking your butt off aren't exactly your number one priority. Well grab your fanny pack and your crew (or boo) because we're talking four things to do in Las Vegas this weekend that have become some of my all-time faves. table of Contents Thrills & ViewsThe Stratosphere Skypod & Roller CoastersUpscale DiningThe Capital GrilleFremont StreetSwim with SharksThe Mob MuseumNau[...]

Las Vegas, Travel

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August 11, 2022

Free Things to do in Las Vegas — Including Partying with VIP Access

Hey girl! In case you haven't heard before: ladies literally have it all in Sin City. That's right, I'm talking free drinks, free pool party access, free club entry, free VIP section & cabana access, the works. (Sorry fellas). And while drinking and partying is definitely a major highlight and probably why you're going, there are also lots of other free things to do in Las Vegas, no matter your gender! Read on for some insider secrets to finesse your way through the city as well as just some cool sights to see while you're there. Table of Conte[...]

Las Vegas, Travel

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August 11, 2022

Places to Stay in Las Vegas Without Breaking The Bank

Hey girl! If you're looking for places to stay in Las Vegas, you know there are so many resorts and hotels to stay in that it can be overwhelming. As a teenager, my parents had us stay at the Westgate every single year since that's where their timeshare was. It was like, whenever we'd walk down the strip, these other fun resorts would be calling out to me, yet they felt so distant... Ever since I've gone back on my own dime, I like to book a different place to shake things up and get a feel for the different themes. And what I've learned from that is most[...]

The PNW, Travel

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July 11, 2022

Vacationing in the San Juan Islands, Paradise of the PNW

Hey girl! It's officially summertime — aka, time to hit the beach, am I right? Well, the Pacific Northwest is home to its own little paradise known as the San Juan Islands. It may not be your typical sip-a-mai-tai-in-the-sizzling-hot-sand type of island, but I mean, it beats just about anything else nearby. Just a couple hours northwest of Seattle, the San Juan Islands sit east of the Canadian border. And it's just across from the city of Victoria (which I heard is amazing BTW). Although we were just a hop skip away from Canada, I didn't venture over the[...]

Food & Wine, Food & Wine Pairing

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July 6, 2022

White Wine Food Pairing: GFF Chardonnay & Shrimp Tempura Bowl

Hey girl! I recently came across one of my absolute favorite dishes for summer from HelloFresh — Sweet Heat Shrimp Tempura Bowls. This dish boasts simple ingredients: shrimp, broccoli, rice, cucumbers, and scallions. But despite its simplicity, it comes with a kick of flavor, boasting white wine vinegar and sriracha. And IDK about you, but this girl loves a nice sprinkling of sesame seeds to top off a dish. I also had to drizzle my fave sesame chili oil that balances well with an already sesame-filled flavor palate. Recipe Recommendation[...]

Books, Fiction, Non-fiction

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June 26, 2022

Book Marketing Ideas To Use After Publishing

Hey friend! If you're wondering how to best promote your book, look no further. Here are some book marketing ideas that I have used myself to promote my own young adult fiction novel that really work. I've also included some external resources I wish I had used so you have all the best strategies in one place. Want to learn about my experience with writing and publishing a book? Check out my blog on "My Journey Publishing a Young Adult Fiction Book." Let's jump right in! Table of Contents Host a Summer Internship Building an Author WebsiteDo a Bo[...]

Books, Fiction, Non-fiction

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June 26, 2022

My Journey Publishing a Young Adult Fiction Book

Hey writer girl, you! Did you know I'm the author of a young adult fiction thriller novel? Maybe you did, if you've been paying attention to some of my sly book references throughout my blog. If not, now you know! It's officially been over a year since publishing Genesis Mortalis, Book 1 of the Take It Trilogy. So, I thought I'd do some reflecting as well as give you the inside scoop on Book 2 Siege. Oh yeah, and this breakdown will include tips to help you on your own fabulous author journey to book stardom. Table of Contents Born With The Writing G[...]

Books, Podcasts

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June 5, 2022

One of the Best Podcasts for Writers (And How to Publish A Book)

Hey girl! If you're a writer, you've probably spent countless days and nights tucked away in coffee shops with your MacBook and a vanilla latte. Or maybe that's just me... (There's just something about being hidden amongst total strangers that unlocks those creative juices and frees our mind from judgement, am I right?!). But getting from Point A (writing a book) to Point B (publishing) is a total beast to take on. If you don't know where to start, that is. I was lucky enough to come across one of the best podcasts for writers just as I began the journey of pu[...]