Ashley McElmurry

Have you ever wondered where some of your favorite music artists or go-to genres come from? We all know that New Orleans has concocted quite the reputation when it comes to jazz, while Austin is known for its lively performances from genres cultivated all over the world. But there’s so much more to each city. Haunting performances by gospel artists run through the streets of Louisiana, while New York, although known for its eclectic upbringing of many styles, has a jazz community that is often

Living like a local is the best way to experience LA, and here's your guide to living you your best life in the City of Angels.

There’s no doubt that Portland is the hipster’s paradise. And while that may be true, there’s a lot more to do here than just search for exclusivity on every corner. You can crack open a cold can of Rainier beer by the beach, getting more in tune with your nature-loving side. Or, you can dabble in the downtown scene by wondering into 2nd Avenue Records to sort through the sounds of world-renowned stars and underground masterminds alike. If you’re a fan of Portlandia, maybe explore the different

The City of Angels. A place where dreams go to thrive and you go to live your best life. Los Angeles has an impeccable reputation that lies deep in the roots of Hollywood – offering itself as a place where those who want to be someone, try to become that someone. But some of us simply want to dip our toes into the pool of paradise that is this city, and that’s just fine. You don’t need to stay long to appreciate everything this city has to offer. From Silver Lake to West Hollywood, Downtown to

There’s no need to convince you that Spain in the summertime is a must. And while Barcelona and Madrid may be on your radar, there are places to go and things to see in a region that offers just as much if not more. This summer, head to the South of Spain and experience it by taking its popular regions by storm. From the fluid art of the flamenco to tapas on tapas, there’s an endless amount of culture, food and beach to go around. Pack your favorite vacation garb and get ready for a summer unde

It’s two years ago on a fall night in Dallas, Texas and Christelle Bofale Miller is tuning her acoustic guitar in my bedroom, strumming and humming through the songs on her setlist. She was performing that night at a local venue but I was stealing a private show. To say that I was caught up in her moody melodies would be an understatement. I was utterly enamored and floating on the gentle waves that rippled through each riff. Now, Christelle Bofale is an emerging artist in the stellar Texas mus

In Mexico, they measure their restaurants on a scale of Bueno, Barato and Bonito. It just rolls off the tongue, so you don’t care to question what it means – it just sounds good. Bonito? Perfect! But if you must know, they stand for: good, cheap and nice (or pretty). While this is a good barometer for deciding on where you’re going to get your daily dose of Chilaquiles, Mexico offers an immeasurable world of beauty too profound to rate on a scale. Whether you’ve been to Mexico ten times or two,

Forbes and Travel + Leisure run lists every year of the best places to visit all over the world. A city like Santa Fe, New Mexico reigns supreme for speaking to an adventurous dialect, while upstate New York welcomes visitors ready and willing to break free from a bustling cityscape. What makes these places, among many others, unique is that on top of offering vacation time and much-needed escapes from everyday life, they also offer Greystar apartment communities. That’s right. Why limit your c

Anxiety can be a psychological burden that at times, can seem impossible to bare. Tremors, heart palpitations and flip-flopping stomachs are some of the persistent side effects that fit the description of a common anxiety attack. However, we all know there is more to reckon with when it comes to being at the mercy of anxiety or an anxiety disorder. Another detrimental side effect that anxiety sufferers deal with is the ongoing struggle to shut off their brain when it’s time for bed. Thinking ab

When your day is done and it’s time to hit the hay, do you ever get caught up in the simple wonder of sleep? You close your eyes and then some eight hours later – give or take a few – you’re rested, recharged and ready for another day. So what really happens when you surrender your eyelids to your dreams and let your body rest? Your curiosity will be pleased to know that something very interesting takes place as you sleep. When you doze off, you go through two distinct types of sleep with varyi

There’s a lot of debate on the benefits of wine, particularly red. Some say it’s good for the heart but most Oenophiles agree that any kind of wine is good for the soul. Tasting wine can be a serious sport. Reds are best enjoyed at room temperature while whites benefit from the warmth of sitting in your glass. Some wines require that you let them sit in your mouth to soak up each and every ingredient. No matter if you’re on the varsity level or just getting the hang of becoming a true wine conno

To some, architecture just means the simple construct of a building. However, architecture encompasses more value than the eye can even fathom. Architecture, in most places, serves as a cultural and religious marker, a work of art and a visual representation of a city’s history. Today, we’re exploring five of the most architecturally rich cities in Europe. As if you needed another reason beyond exemplary foods and diverse cultures to fall in love with Europe, you now have one. Such influences,

It’s safe to say that most of us have a codependent relationship with our beds. We crawl in and out of it every single night and morning. When we’re not sleeping in it, we’re daydreaming about how we can’t wait to get back into our bed. But science says – may we rejoice – that’s a good thing. Your desire for sleep comes from your need to cater to total body wellness, but you can’t do that without a cozy, reliable mattress and comfortable mattress pad. According to The Better Sleep Council, a go

Hong Kong is heavy in culture and unrivaled experiences, but we can't help but indulge in shopping. Find the best boutiques, markets and more.

It’s no secret that some big-time superstars are born and bred in Canada. The sounds of Leonard Cohen, Alanis Morrissette, Celine Dion, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Avril Lavigne, Drake and Justin Bieber have all infiltrated your speakers at one point or another. Most of them – coincidentally – make for the perfect background music for summertime travels. While others are doing ordinary camp things this summer, take the family on an adventure that gives them something to brag about when school ro

Brand voice is all about shaping and maintaining the integrity of your brand’s image and personality. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked when discussing a hotel’s digital assets. Investing in the latest technology ensures indexability, a fast mobile experience, and good overall UX, but that is only the delivery mechanism. At the end of the day, the success of your online efforts will be driven by how well your content resonates with your customers. A hotel needs to have a clear and concise brand voice that is representative of what it has to offer. The steps you take to maintain the integrity of your brand voice will determine how well you’re taking care of your future guests.

We can already smell the orangey-scent, all-purpose citrus cleaner. Spring cleaning is in full bloom, which means the aisles at your local grocery store are stocked with your favorite cleaning products. Wood cleaner? Got that. Duster? Need that. However, there is much more to spring cleaning than just an accumulation of your favorite products. Spring cleaning takes discipline. To effectively master the art, you must Marie Kondo your entire approach. Find the cleaning methods that spark joy and

Spring has sprung, even if the weather doesn’t reflect that in some parts of the country. The new season welcomes a chance for rebirth, rejuvenation and renovation. No matter if you’ve just moved into your apartment or you’re looking to enhance the aesthetic of your outdoor space, it’s time to get your patio or balcony up to par. Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t flash your favorite finds or grow a gorgeous garden. Get your Pinterest page ready because these tips will

Ashley Armstrong was beginning to feel rooted in the world – until she was diagnosed with breast cancer and her life was turned upside down. She had just moved across the country, started a new job and moved in with a new partner when she got the news that would change her life. Now an avid yogi, social media influencer and mom of three, Ashley is on an endless pursuit to regain structure. She has fought her way through this daunting diagnosis with “intentional living,” “radical self-care” and

There’s nothing quite like traveling with friends and family, right? You get to make wonderful memories and there’s always that one person in the group who hates photos enough to volunteer as the delegated photographer. However, while the company can be fun – there is also something to say about the enriching independence of traveling alone. Waking up and creating your own schedule is unmatched. The freedom that comes at the end of a spell of fear is what traveling alone brings to someone who ha