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Long Distance: Ashley Atiyeh Miles

Photos courtesy Erica Gannet/Refinery29

Former Baton Rougean takes charge at Refinery29 in the Big Apple

Age: 32
Here: Student
There: Executive vice president of sales and brand partnerships at Refinery29


Why and when did you decide to move to New York City?
I have lived in Manhattan for 10 magical years. My passion for journalism, uncovered during my college years at Ole Miss, originally drew me to New York.

What’s the best thing about living in New York?
The entrepreneurial and creative spirit that New York embodies is addictive. Daily life in New York gives you the confidence that anything is possible and big dreams can become a reality if you work hard and exert passion and dedication to your individual craft. 

What’s a typical day at Refinery29 like?
I typically spend my early mornings with my family: coffee, dress up and cartoons in bed with my daughter and hubby. A Starbucks grande bold coffee [gives] me the early jolt that I need before entering the bustling offices of R29, filled with editors, creatives and brand-experience magic-makers. …  We are cranking out 120 stories a day and launching over 500-plus brand campaigns [per] year. From there, I am typically in and out of customer meetings pitching brands all across the country from N.Y. and L.A. to Chicago and Detroit and globally.

Opener1You live in a historic 1800s carriage house in the West Village. With good real estate in New York City so notoriously hard to nab, how did score this spot?
We stumbled upon our beloved carriage house after outgrowing our apartment a few blocks over in the West Village. It’s our little secret getaway and escape from the high energy levels in NYC. 

I read that your home was once owned by noted photographer Diane Arbus and frequented by SNL writers.
Diane Arbus used the space as both a home and as her photography studio in her prime. SNL writers spent lots of time at the carriage house, with guests including Mick Jagger, Jim Belushi and others. 

How do you incorporate your Baton Rouge roots into your New York City home?
I am quite the collector of vintage pieces. Many of my Louisiana collectibles are placed throughout the carriage house (and in my closet). Not to mention our hot sauce collection in our refrigerator, with Louisiana hot sauce as my daily go-to. 

When a friend from B.R. comes to visit NYC, where’s the first place you take them?
Madame Matovu Vintage and Cafe Cluny, one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants. 

How often do you visit B.R.? What are your must-dos when you come back to town?
Two to three times a year. A visit to Sammy’s Grill in Baton Rouge or Galatoire’s in NOLA never hurts!

What does New York have that you wish B.R. would have? And vice versa?
Baton Rouge has an incredible spirit of family, fun, delicious food, passion for the Tigers—a light spirit that is unmatched by any city I’ve ever experienced. This lifestyle gives one the opportunity to focus on the things that are most important.

A New York lifestyle often feels like a pinball machine—so many dimensions and moving parts, from career to personal passion projects to family to subways to cultural events. It’s non-stop. My husband and I are very mindful of creating space for special family time, friends, travel away from the madness, but of course, soaking up all the action simultaneously.