#WeAreArity Wednesday: Ashley Gotliebowski

You can only eat one food again for the rest of your life. What is it?

My all-time favorite, and a food I would never pass up, is pierogies — the cheese and potato! The way my mom makes them, with sautéed onions and butter, is preferable.

Are you more productive in the morning or at night?

I am more productive in the morning, without a doubt. I have two children, work a full-time job, and own a T-shirt company. By the end of the day, I am very ready for bed.

What is the best kitchen gadget?

This was a recent purchase for me but has been life changing. I have a two-year-old son, so the importance of a cut grape is high. I bought a grape cutter that cuts the grape into fours with one push, and it’s been a wonderful addition to my kitchen.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

My family owns a small tree farm, so we’re open every year from the day after Thanksgiving until the week before Christmas. It’s my favorite holiday tradition to spend with my husband, children, parents, siblings, and their families, and lots of friends. We offer a small Christmas décor boutique, hot chocolate station, fresh-cut trees, pictures with Santa, and the Grinch, and more. There are Christmas-related things all throughout the town for the few weeks before Christmas. It’s an actual real-life Hallmark town. It’s the best time of year, surrounded by my favorite people.

What was your first job?

My first job was at a place called Squeaky Clean Auto Wash. We would prep the cars to go through the wash and would towel dry them at the end. I worked with my best friend, and we had a blast.

Beach holiday or ski trip? And to where?

Beach holiday – one hundred percent. The destination would be Key West. Key West holds a special place in my heart. My husband and I got married there, and we revisit once a year.

What is an easy way to do something nice for someone?

I am a big fan of paying it forward. We live in a small town, and we enjoy going to breakfast at the local diner where we usually pick one table to buy breakfast for anonymously. It truly warms my heart to see how happy people get to have their meals paid for randomly. Making someone’s day in a small way brings me such joy.

What is your favorite way to practice self-care?

Scheduling a massage or facial is my favorite way to relax and practice self-care. It’s so important to me to tune the world out, even for just an hour, and relax.