INTERVIEW: ASHLAE FROM OH, LADYCAKES

I've followed Ashlae's Instagram feed for some time now, relishing in the perfect blend of jealousy-inducing travel photographs and drool-worthy food porn. I challenge you to follow her and not add the places she visits to your travel bucket list, or not want to immediately click through to her blog to discover the beautifully written recipes for the food she photographs.

Follow Ashlae on Instagram: @ohladycakes

GF: What's your name and what do you do?

AW: My name's Ashlae (pronounced Ashlay, not Ashley), and I'm the lady behind the blog Oh, Ladycakes.

GF: What was your favourite thing about Iceland?

AW:The fact that there are few, habitable places in the world with scenery as diverse as Iceland. The black sand beaches, glacial lagoons, active volcanoes, rugged highlands.. I love it all.

GF: Name the top three things that you would recommend to someone visiting Iceland?

AW: 1) Hire a car and visit Jökulsárlón and Vík (find the Navy wreckage, if you can).

2) Go to a remote, geothermal hot pot and have yourself a long soak.

3) Spend at least one weekend night out on the town in Reykjavik.

GF: Please could you share some tips for your favourite spots in Reykjavik?

AW: My favorite place for coffee, hands down, is Reykjavik Roasters. But Stofan Cafe is a close second. 

Reykjavik has some of the best street art of any city I've ever visited. And it's everywhere. You could literally spend an entire day wandering around, just looking at all the funky artwork.

We really, really, really love Kaldi Bar. The atmosphere is laid back, the bartenders are friendly, and you'll be hard pressed to find a better drink in Reykjavik.

GF: Where's your favourite place in the world? 

AW: It's this place called White Park Bay on the Northern Coast of Ireland, nestled between Craig Cottage (the B&B we always stay at) and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. I could probably sit in the lush, emerald green grass, wind whipping through my hair, and watch the turquoise waves crash against that beach all day. It's my happy place.

GF: What's on your travel bucket list?

AW: Thailand, Egypt, New Zealand, Sweden, Vietnam, and India (scratching that off later this year). Specifically? Walking the Santiago de Compostela, climbing to Everest Base Camp, visiting the salt flats in Bolivia, swimming at the top of Victoria Falls, soaking in an Antarctic hot pot, hiking through Zhangye Danxia, and the list goes on and on and on.

Follow Ashlae on Instagram: @ohladycakes