Ashley Houston of Brentwood loves being a work-from-home mom to daughters Keatyn, who is 9, and Charlie, who is 5, and a wife to husband Matt Houston. One of her favorite pastimes is spending time with them and her four-legged kids: Piper, a Pug mix, and Ginger, a King Cavalier Spaniel. But, she also loves to write, to share, and to lift up other women, and does so in a way that reaches thousands, in and out of Tennessee.
“I started Nashville Wifestyles in 2016 as a creative outlet,” she says. “I didn’t feel like I had my own identity and needed some way to express myself. I have always loved to write and took this as a chance to jump on something on the front end since there weren’t a lot of bloggers saturating the industry at that time.”
While many of her posts and videos are upbeat and fun, such as creating a kid’s charcuterie board, new and hot fashion trends, and romantic date night ideas, others are deep and soulful. “I enjoy being able to have a platform to discuss things with women that aren’t typically discussed,” says Ashley. “I love that I’m able to start opening up about issues like childhood trauma and anxiety and instead of feeling ashamed, I’m helping other women process and heal as well. We are talking about what obstacles in our lives are keeping us from feeling like we are reaching our full potentials in life.”
Ashley went through many challenges in her childhood, and has suffered from mental health issues most of her life, especially anxiety, which can be an everyday battle for her. “I wanted to connect with other women who were going through the same struggles that I was going through and use this platform to support them as well.”
Ashley hopes the women who follow her encourage others to join in these conversations and let them know that it’s a safe space to share their stories. In turn, she is very open and honest about her life as well. “I want it to be a community where we can get real and talk about the good and the bad that we face each day as women,” she says. “The number one feedback I get from my audience is thanking me for being so real, honest, and vulnerable in a world full of influencers who portray their lives in a perfect, Instagram-worthy manner.”
Some recent feedback has included, “You’re one of the most authentic influencers I follow," “I feel like we would be great friends,” “I love how real you are,” and “When I watch your stories, I feel like I’m sitting down with a girlfriend having coffee or a glass of wine."
This is exactly what she hopes to convey when people think about and interact with Nashville Wifestyles. “I want them to say exactly what my audience says now -- that I feel like a best friend that they can tell anything to because sometimes that’s all we need after all the stress we encounter each day of our life,” she says. “We just want someone to listen and someone to relate to so we don’t feel so alone in our struggles.”
As an influencer, Ashley also loves trying out new recipes (she loves food, especially chocolate), dabbling in do-it-yourself projects, reviewing restaurants (especially if they serve wine!), and testing products that she thinks other women will be interested in. “I honestly love all the beauty products and love to play with so many of them,” she says. “I get asked to do tutorials a lot, but the truth is I rarely wear makeup during day-to-day life.”
Some of her favorite products right now are The One & Done Volumizing Mascara by Lawless and Fenty Beauty Ease Drop Blurring Skin Tint. For home products, she says she’s absolutely obsessed with her Ninja Food Grill. Find more of what she loves under the “Shop” tab on her website. With categories that include Home Décor, Accessories, Hair Products, and Kids’ Fashions, there’s something for everyone.
In 2020, Ashley was voted one of the Top Nine Bloggers in the Southern United States by Yahoo Business. The amount of time she spends blogging varies greatly and she tries to fit it in wherever she can. “It depends on deadlines and content for the week, but I work full-time hours and more trying to fit it all in while balancing my kids and home workload,” she says.
Her family and friends believe strongly in what she’s doing. “My friends and family are extremely supportive and proud of what I do,” says Ashley. “They know I’m on a mission to make a difference and end the stigmas of mental illnesses, childhood trauma and every day struggles we face as women. I haven’t had any friends or family that are reluctant to be a part of my social media sharing, but I also respect their privacy and try to keep it low key about featuring those around me.”
Nashville Wifestyles allows her to have a huge impact on others while still being there for her family, who find themselves in a lot of her posts. She and Matt, whom she calls a handsome science geek, are both from Eastern Tennessee. “We were great friends here in Nashville before we dated, so I definitely recommend marrying your best friend,” she says.
Spending time with her family is a priority and something she prefers to do over most other activities. This might include something as simple as snuggling on the couch with her kids watching a movie. “I know my time with them at home is short, so I try to relish every moment,” she says.
So, if realness and authenticity are what you’re longing for on social media, she hopes you’ll connect with her and travel along on the journey. “I’m always sharing recipes, home décor, travel, fashion and beauty tips, but I also talk about gritty stuff that truly opens your soul,” says Ashley. “I am a hardcore advocate of manifestation and healing our trauma so we can be the best versions of ourselves.”
Ashley can be found at @nashvillewifestyles on FB, Instagram and Tiktok and on her website NashvilleWifestyles.com.