I spent the first ten years of my life in Toronto before my family moved to a small town on the shores of Georgian Bay. At 18 I left home to attended Wilfrid Laurier University where I received my Honours Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in sustainability. Since graduating, I have returned home to the picturesque community of South Georgian Bay where I work locally.
Here on Olive + Wisteria you will find plant-focused recipes and accounts of my travels and experiences. Much of my work is inspired by the amazing region that I live in and the availability of fresh, seasonal produce. Although I do eat animal products, I was a vegetarian for five and a half years of my life and still have a soft spot for vegetarian and plant-focused cooking.
My love for cooking began when I was in high school and has since blossomed into one of my life’s greatest passions. Around the same time, my journey as an amateur photographer began when I purchased my first camera. I had no knowledge of how to use it beyond the basic automatic settings. Determined to learn, I sat down and read the users’ manual and have been shooting ever since. Combining these passion with my love of travel, writing, gardening, and sustainable living created the groundwork for Olive + Wisteria.
I started Olive + Wisteria in the fall of 2017 shortly after graduating from high school. I made the decision to take some time off before pursuing post-secondary education which gave me the time that allowed Olive + Wisteria to come to fruition. Since 2017, this blog has served as an outlet for me to share my hobbies and passions with friends, family, and anyone else who wishes to follow along.
Why Olive + Wisteria?
When I decided to start my blog I spent a lot of time brainstorming the perfect name. One of my favourite books I have ever read is The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, which inspired me to look to the Victorian Language of Flowers for inspiration.
In the Victorian Language of Flowers each flower has a different meaning associated with it. Olive flowers symbolize peace and wisteria flowers symbolize welcome. I thought the meanings of these two flowers best represented what I wanted to portray with my blog. My hobbies that I share here are what bring me the most peace in my life and I want this blog to be a welcoming place for all. From that, Olive + Wisteria was born.
Ashley’s Work
Olive + Wisteria has created exciting opportunities for me share my passions outside of my own blog. My work to date can be seen below.
Food Bloggers of Canada Featured Foodie, April 2024
Media kit available upon request. Contact Ashley.
