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.

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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
MUD •

FEATURE // CHRISTELLE BOFALE

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
Vacations by Marriott •

Sunsets, Sightseeing and Sol: These Mexico Destinations Will Have You Coming Back for More

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,

Be the Envy of Your Friends When You Live in One of the Best Places to Vacation

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
SHEEX •

Anxiety and Sleep | Sleep Tips for Anxiety | SHEEX

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
SHEEX •

Stages of Sleep | Sleep Cycles | What Is REM Sleep | SHEEX

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

Stomp on That: A Wine Journey Around The World

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

Building the Classics: A European Tour for the Architecture Enthusiast

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,
SHEEX •

Do I Need A Mattress Pad? | Benefits of a Mattress Pad | SHEEX

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

No Canadian Tuxedo Necessary: We’re Touring the Best Cities for a Summer Vacation in Canada

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
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