Food & Wine Archives - Sincerely, Ashlea

Beauty & Wellness, Chicago, Food & Wine, Restaurant Review, Travel

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May 9, 2023

Candle Making in Chicago: An Afternoon of Serenity & Orgasmic Pizza

Hey girl, I recently had the pleasure of spending a rainy afternoon candle making in Chicago, an incredibly fun and relaxing adventure. My friend and Brazilian influencer Stefanny Luz invited me along to a complimentary experience at Candle Castle & Co. in the neighborhood of Bucktown. With spring in full swing and many more stormy days to come, I highly recommend taking a class here before heading next door to taste some of the most amazing pizza in the Windy City. Table of Contents Step into Heaven: The Ambiance at Candle Castle & Co.The Ex[...]

Chicago, Food & Wine, Restaurant Review, Travel

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May 7, 2023

Bazaar Meat Chicago by José Andrés is Inventive & Daring

Hey girl! If you ever find yourself in the Windy City and enjoy upscale dining (like I do), you simply MUST visit Bazaar Meat Chicago by Michelin-starred Chef José Andrés. This steakhouse truly transcends the idea of sophisticated dining with colorful and inventive dishes that makes for a rather intriguing dining experience. No seriously, our heads were constantly on a swivel taking in all the sights of plates and drinks ordered by nearby tables, not that our own wasn't fascinating enough! Dining for special Occasions Like the Opera Because of the[...]

Chicago, Food & Wine, Restaurant Review, Style, Travel

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April 8, 2023

Ralph Lauren Restaurant in Chicago: High Fashion Meets World-Class dining

Hey girl! As if I needed another reason to fall in love with Ralph Lauren, I recently discovered that the iconic designer has expanded to restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. The Ralph Lauren Restaurant in Chicago is an upscale and swanky bistro that fully encompasses the timeless classic brand in every aspect. Table of Contents My History with Ralph Lauren and High FashionThe Restaurant AmbianceService Fit for a QueenThe Freshest Seafood and CuisineRalph Lauren Clothing Store and Coffee ShopWorldwide Ralph Lauren Dining LocationsOverall Rating and[...]

Chicago, Food & Wine, Food & Wine Pairing, Restaurant Review, Travel

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February 14, 2023

Eataly Chicago, A Must-Visit for Valentine’s Day & Beyond

Hey girl! Since my recent move to Chicago in 2022, I have found there is literally no shortage of things to do, especially when there's any kind of holiday or national day. Well, thankfully for Valentine's Day (or I should say, the week before V-Day) I stumbled upon an incredible experience for my boyfriend and I to partake in a celebration of love, food, and vino galore: the "Valentine's Taste-Around" at Eataly Chicago. Chicagoans like myself who came out for the Eataly pre-Valentine’s Day tasting event certainly fell in love with all the deli[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]