The Chicago Blog - Sincerely, Ashlea

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October 8, 2023

Puglia, Italy: The Unexpected Wedding Destinaton (Chicago Agrees!)

Hey girl! I just discovered an underrated dream vacation and wedding destination that I have NEVER heard about before: Puglia, Italy! If you haven't heard about Puglia either, you're not alone. Puglia (pronounced "pull-ya") is known as the unexpected wedding de[...]

Chicago, Travel

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September 27, 2023

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Sparkles at Symphony Ball

Hey girl! Last weekend, I had the total honor of attending the largest annual fundraiser for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra: the Symphony Ball. Celebrating its 133rd season and hosted by the Women’s Board of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, the gli[...]

Chicago, Food & Wine, Restaurant Review, Travel

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September 19, 2023

I|O Godfrey Rooftop Lounge: Chicago’s Year-Round Patio Dining

Hey girl! I|O Godfrey Rooftop Lounge is a must-visit, swanky, year-round oasis in River North atop The Godfrey. After a full year of living in Chicago and seeing SO much of its most glamorous things to do (and not having enough time to post about all of it, sor[...]

Chicago, Food & Wine, Travel

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June 23, 2023

Lyric Opera of Chicago Sparkles at 2023 Wine Auction

Hey girl! Last month, I had the honor of being invited to cover one of the most glamorous events of the season: the 2023 Wine Auction at Lyric Opera of Chicago. When I tell you it was a dreamlike Cinderella moment, that's even still quite understated. For those[...]

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[...]

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 inv[...]

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 enco[...]

Chicago, Travel

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March 26, 2023

Carmina Burana Dazzles in Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concert

Hey girl! Recently, I had the privilege of seeing the infamous Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform one of my all-time favorite works, Carl Orff's magnum opus Carmina Burana. For those of you not quite familiar with the name, you will quickly recognize its most w[...]

Chicago, Food & Wine, Food & Wine Pairing, Italy, 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[...]

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[...]