Travel Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Sincerely, Ashlea

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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, Restaurant Review, The Greater St. Louis Area, The Midwest, Travel

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May 21, 2022

Josephine’s Tea Room & Gift Shops, A Restaurant Review

Hey, friend! Want to know a secret? On a rather desolate and unimpressive street in Godfrey, Illinois, there is a hidden gem called Josephine’s Tea Room and Gift Shops. It’s my favorite place in all of the Midwest. Drinking tea at Nana's, where my tea obsession started. To unaware vehicles passing by on the road, the frame of the small ranch-style house-turned-restaurant is drowned out by an overgrowth of strategically placed green vegetation, thus making its presence somewhat exclusive. But newcomers flock to Godfrey from all over. Many ha[...]

Books, Los Angeles, Travel

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April 11, 2022

Los Angeles Bookstores To Visit

Hey girl! Would I actually be an author if I didn't pay a visit to local bookstores while on a trip? On my weekend adventure to L.A. last summer, I made it out to two bookstores (three if you count the UCLA bookstore, which is basically just like any other college store with a limited book selection) that are worth raving about: Book Monster & Book Soup. First off, in case you find it weird to associate L.A. with books, just know that reading and bookstores are very happening. Even in a place known for celebrity parties, Hollywood, and filmmaking. M[...]

The PNW, Travel

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April 10, 2022

Skiing in Oregon & The Magnificent Columbia River Gorge

Hey, girl! Can I just say, Oregon is pretty damn beautiful. Even more so, skiing in Oregon is pretty freaking awesome too. I'll lead off by saying that I am in no way an advanced skier, or even mediocre for that matter. But since my boyfriend Aidan is an avid and quite experienced lover of the winter sport — and because he's the only person in the world that can get a gal like myself to try something as "active" as skiing — I'm currently learning to flail down snow-covered mountains with the hope of not hurting myself. Thank goodness we live in such a[...]

Columbia, MO, Food & Wine, Restaurant Review, The Midwest, Travel

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April 9, 2022

Barred Owl Butcher & Table, A Restaurant Review

Barred Owl Butcher and Table in Columbia, MO

Hey friend! Since its opening in 2016, Barred Owl Butcher & Table in Columbia, MO quickly became a favorite spot. The restaurant's decor and earthy theme is as appealing as its refreshing craft cocktails and unique menu items. Downtown COMO — Columbia, Missouri's nickname for those of you not familiar with the quaint little college town that is totally food and alcohol obsessed — truly inherited a foodie treasure with this locally and sustainably sourced gem. In college, I had gone back to Barred Owl as often as my minuscule college bank accou[...]

Style, The PNW, Travel

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February 9, 2022

6 Tips to Make Your Hiking Outfit a Fashion Statement

Hey girl! If you're going to visit the Pacific Northwest, be sure to buy a quality pair of hiking boots. And definitely a rain jacket. Being the self-proclaimed queen of style and the girly-girl that I am, it took me awhile to come to terms with wearing something as casual and sporty as hiking shoes and attire. (The most sporty look I've ever worn are my golf outfits when hitting the course. But even those typically include a pretty cute mini skirt or golf dress to embrace my feminine nature!) If you're relating to this at all, stick with me. I've mastered th[...]

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The PNW, Travel

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February 7, 2022

The Best Hikes In Washington For Mountain Views, Beaches & Waterfalls

Hey girl! Want to know a secret that blew my mind? When Washingtonians aren't sipping coffee in one of the billions of cozy coffee shops around the area, their favorite hobby is actually getting outside the city to the great outdoors! That's right, being "one with nature" and doing things like hiking the best Washington trails are super popular here. Maybe your jaw just dropped hearing that, like mine originally had. But it's true that I've been on more hikes here and in more mountains than I ever dreamt of doing in my lifetime. (I should mention that this is[...]

Los Angeles, Travel

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February 7, 2022

Tips for Finding Decent Hollywood Hotels to Stay In

Hey girl! Choosing where to stay when visiting the city of Los Angeles can be daunting. Especially if you've been duped online and find yourself staying in the "slums" of Hollywood the way I did. Because of this terrifying experience, I feel the need to start with where not to stay in Los Angeles. And then we'll get into how to avoid being in a similar situation when looking for Hollywood hotels. Read my story of what brought me to Los Angeles. Before I get into the nitty-gritty of it, I would just like to point out that the Montevega twins would never[...]