Ashley McElmurry

Welcome to the spot. Here you will find copy that I have written for multiple platforms. I have dabbled in the transforming world of fashion for Papercity Magazine, curated listicles for Heartland consumers for Wide Open Media, wrote in awe of musicians I love for Austin's MUD Magazine and now I focus my time as a Content Writer, producing content for clients such as Marriott, SHEEX®, Vacations by Marriott, Capital Senior Living, Greystar®, Windsor and Klipsch®. I have also had work published on HelloGiggles and Marriott Traveler. If you would like to see how my brain works at 5 a.m., feel free to check out my unofficial blog.

    <
    >
Baby Brezza •

How Much to Spend on a Baby Shower Gift

It’s a dilemma like no other: You’ve got a baby shower coming up soon and you haven’t bought a gift yet. What is the socially acceptable amount to spend on a present? Before you go crazy on a baby shower gift, there are a few things to consider - especially if you want to get an appropriate gift for the expectant parents. Begin by asking yourself, how well do I know the expectant mother/family? This can help you determine how much moolah you want to set aside. Once you’ve established that, you
Baby Brezza •

How to Pick the Best Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer

Did you know that it’s essential to sterilize baby products that directly touch your baby’s food and mouth? Pediatricians recommend that you sterilize and dry all baby products like bottles and pump parts before their first use, then every few weeks after that. If your baby is in daycare, sterilizing and drying should happen weekly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that breast pump parts be sterilized daily. And, you should always sterilize all baby products after y
Baby Brezza •

When Can Babies Have Water and How to Transition Them

As a new mom, you’ve been serving formula and breast milk in a bottle for quite some time. Wouldn’t it be nice to simply pour a sippy cup of whole milk or water from your refrigerator instead? Introducing a sippy cup such as our transitional sippy cup goes hand in hand with leaving formula and breast milk behind for other beverages. According to KidsHealth®, “most doctors recommend introducing a cup around the time a baby is 6 months old.” While they may not know what to do with it, in time they
Baby Brezza •

Recent Investigation Shows Metals Founds in Baby Food

Listen up, mom! This is important. A recent national investigation into baby food displayed some startling results. Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF), an alliance of nonprofit organizations, found that 95% of store-bought baby foods tested contained neurotoxins such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead. These poisons increase the risk of cancer and are destructive to your developing baby’s brain - and you’re likely feeding them to your tiny tot every day: puffs, teething biscuits, infant r
Baby Brezza •

Unique Baby Shower Gifts

Finding the perfect gift for the expectant parents in your life can be a challenging task. There are so many baby products on the market, it’s no wonder that you may feel overwhelmed by your choices. Do you go with a dapper diaper bag for dad? A stylish breast pump bag from mom? What about those insanely cute socks for baby? Just showing your support for any expectant parent is a lot. However, if you want a gift that truly makes a difference, leave the baby clothes and diaper caddy for someone
Baby Brezza •

The Do’s and Don’ts of Safely Warming Breast Milk

Nature intended for babies to drink warm milk, so why not serve them what nature wants? Babies prefer warm milk over anything else because a mother’s breast milk - your “liquid gold” - is at or near the average human body temperature of 98 degrees before it’s stored. According to Dr. Jacqueline Winkelmann, a Pediatrician and former Chief of Staff at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, serving “cold breast milk or formula might lower the body temperature of a newborn, which can be risky.”
Baby Brezza •

Unique Baby Products: Why Do I Need A Formula Maker?

As a new momma catering to a newborn, you’re likely making a new formula bottle every 2 to 3 hours. That can amount to 8+ to 12 bottles a day. That’s a lot of pouring, mixing, and shaking for an already tired mom. You may have heard about the Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced or “Baby Keurig” as many users call it. But are wondering -- “is it worth it?” Is it worth about $200 to make a bottle automatically? The resounding issue is “Yes!”. Here’s why: The Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced Baby For
Baby Brezza •

Baby Feeding Tips: How Much and Often Should Your Baby Drink?

Resources are abundant when it comes to how you should raise your little one. As a parent, it must be hard to wrap your head around always changing parenting rules. One of the most talked-about topics on mommy and daddy discussion boards revolves around food. What kind of bottle shape is good for a baby’s grip? When is the right time to transition a baby to regular milk? The list goes on and on! The one question that seems to stand out in all of this noise: What should a baby’s feeding schedule
Vacations by Marriott •

The Caribbean Calls: Inside a Stay at the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort

Located in the southern Caribbean Sea, the island of Curacao dazzles with beautiful bays, colorful coves, and shimmering waters along white-sand beaches. It’s perfect for anyone, whether you’re in search of a relaxing retreat or an adventurous getaway. Plus, Curacao is outside the hurricane belt, making the island ideal for off-season travel. While Curacao has bright, bold buildings all over, standing out among the colorful, Dutch-colonial architecture is the newly renovated Curacao Marriott Be
FRONTLINE Selling •

Sales Training Through Continual Improvement

“Practice makes perfect,” they say as you grow up with a ball in your hand or instrument at your feet. That same theory held true with sales when you entered the working world. In the early 1950s, – a word derived from the Japanese words Kai (improvement) and Zen (good) – came around. Kaizen differs from your standard improvement methods. It asks people to improve quality, increase productivity and reduce costs with small daily changes that will purposefully result in development over time. Whe
Vacations by Marriott •

Visit These Haunted Cities to Get Your Fill of Spine-Chilling Thrills

October is here and Halloween is just around the corner, meaning it’s time to indulge in the paranormal. Whether you love the thrill of horror films or are fascinated with the ghosts of America’s past, this list of some of the most haunted cities in America has something for you. So, leave the costumes at home because you won’t need them where you’re going. Real ghosts, witches and goblins only on this haunted ride. What makes Boston freakishly haunted? Perhaps its unmarked graves, public execu
Vacations by Marriott •

Not Your Average Pumpkin Patch: Get in Line for These One-Of-A-Kind Fall Festivals

The dog days of summer are quickly becoming a thing of the past. In no time at all, pumpkin patches have begun popping up on every corner, and pumpkin spice has taken over your coffee order. Plus, there’s no shortage of fall festivals coming up. If you’ve been eagerly awaiting autumn’s arrival since you packed away your flannel late last year, we have the perfect trip ideas for you. From local fairs to seasonal food and beer fests, nothing says fall quite like the festivals on this list. So, gra

Travel with Style: Top Fashion Cities Around the World

The fashion world waits for no one. You wake up and there’s another trend to follow and yet another photo of Céline Dion flaunting the latest fashion fad. Whether you’re a Diane Von Furstenberg lover or prefer the street style of HBO’s latest drama, Euphoria, there’s nothing like spending some hard-earned money to look and feel your best. Like Carrie Bradshaw said, “I like my money where I can see it…hanging in my closet.” Because we’re all about channeling our inner fashionista(o), we’ve decid

An Exclusive Getaway Made for Everyone: Inside Your Stay at The St. Regis Bora Bora

There’s no better time than the present to book a blissful getaway to Bora Bora. The sun is shining, the water is crystal clear and one spot in particular is calling your name, The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. This stunning oasis offers the largest overwater villas in the South Pacific, perfect for an island daydream. Curious to find out what it’s like to stay at one of Travel + Leisure’s Top 100 Hotels? Then put your to-do list on hold and get ready to follow us to paradise, even if it’s just fo
Vacations by Marriott •

This Must Be the Place: Savor the Sounds from These Top Music Cities

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
Vacations by Marriott •

Live Music, Fresh Food and Local Goods: It Doesn’t Get Better Than A Portland Summer

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

Been There, Done That: A Guide to Los Angeles for the Hip Millennial

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
Vacations by Marriott •

A Summer in Southern Spain: Your Guide to the Best of Seville, Granada and Costa del Sol

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
Load More Articles
Close ✕