Oh, hey!

I’m starting something new this month and sharing a March “Coffee Chat” with you!

I know this blog is all about healthy recipes and cooking but, I also believe it’s about getting to know each other and creating community. Because we’re all REAL PEOPLE behind these screens and what’s the point if we can’t get to know each other a little better?!

I’ve long wanted to share a bit more of my real life happenings on All the Healthy Things but I couldn’t figure out the best way to do it. Every week felt too frequently but we’d be here all day if I shared quarterly or something like that. I probably wouldn’t even be able to remember what happened if I waited to share quarterly updates. Haha!

I figured the best thing to do would be to share a monthly update on all the things. Like a virtual coffee (or tea if that’s how you roll) chat of sorts!

I can’t promise what these updates will be about each month, but I can promise that they’ll be a hodge podge of all the things on my heart and mind. So pull up a chair, grab a coconut chocolate chip cookie dough bite, and let’s chat!

Today we are chatting about:

  • We Got Married!!

  • Staycations (Are you into them?)

  • The Life Saving Magic of Breakfast Sandwiches

  • New Skincare Finds (Recommended by YOU!!)

  • Work Rhythms and Planting My Feet

WE GOT MARRIED!!


March Things

Y’all! We got married! And it was the best day ever! Seriously. I ended up with a full blown cold and two huge pimples on my face the day of our actual wedding, but it was still perfect.

We decided to have a more non-traditional intimate wedding ceremony and reception and I’m so glad we did. It was small (only 30 people) and we held everything at a farm to table restaurant in downtown Asheville, NC. Getting married was so much fun and I wish I could do it all over again. I’m working on a full wedding recap blog post with more pictures and details of our big day, but for now I’ll just say that it was beautiful, and magical, and so “us”, and I can’t wait to share more with you!

As for married life, it is the best. A lot of people have asked me if it feels “different” and honestly it does in a lot of ways but also doesn’t at the same time. Haha! What it has been is so much fun. Mainly because my husband is hilarious and there is never a dull moment in our house, but it’s also just fun to live with your best friend. It’s special and I never want to forget how sweet this first month has been as husband wife.

STAYCATIONS


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Are you a fan of staycations? Let me tell you something, I AM. I love getting away in my own city. You get all of the best parts of a vacation without actually having to do much travel which can be really nice. I mean, I love traveling, but sometimes it can feel like you need a vacation from your vacation, ya know?

Chavez and I had the chance to stay at The Carolina Inn for a special event this month and y’all we had so much fun. We enjoyed a four-course dinner prepared by the new head chef for The Inn, Jeremy Blankenship, which was superb. From the appetizers to the dessert, it was all just so good. I also had the chance to spend time with a few other bloggers and creatives from North Carolina, which as someone just starting out in this space, was such a great opportunity.

We spent the night and then enjoyed a full Sunday brunch at Crossroads, The Inn’s restaurant, which was also delicious. It was so nice to get away with Chavez, even if it was only for a quick overnight trip. I know this won’t be the last staycation trip we take together.

BREAKFAST SANDWICHES


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Do you have a favorite breakfast situation right now? This breakfast sammy is my current go-to and it is delicious. Sourdough, bacon, egg, spinach, tomato, garlic aioli mayo, and if I’m feeling kind of fancy I’ll add in some smashed avocado or leftover guacamole. Also, guacamole on toast? You’ve got to try that ASAP.

If you’re in a breakfast rut, I highly recommend this combo. You just can’t go wrong. Also, if you haven’t heard, April is officially BREAKFAST MONTH at All the Healthy Things and I think you’re going to love it. We’re focusing this entire month on simple healthy breakfast recipes and ideas to help make the most important meal of the day a bit easier, because breakfast is important y’all.

If you’re not already, be sure to subscribe to ATHT newsletter so you never miss a recipe and follow along on Instagram for fun recipe tutorials and more helpful tips.

NEW SKINCARE FINDS

When I broke out literally days before my wedding, I asked the ATHT Instagram community (come join us if you haven’t already!) for their recommendations. I received so many DMs about Cocokind Skincare and their Turmeric Spot Treatment Stick. So, y’all, when I saw that stick in Target the day before we left for Asheville, I grabbed it!

I had been out of my tried in true Primally Pure Cleansing Oil (another reason why I think I broke out in addition to the all of the pre-wedding stress) so I figured it couldn’t hurt. Y’all, I loved it! My pimples didn’t go away overnight, but the spot treatment definitely made them smaller and less inflamed. I also went back and got the Macabeet and Matcha sticks and I just love all three.

Here’s how I’ve been using them:

  • Turmeric Stick: as a spot treatment on any breakouts after I oil cleanse my face

  • Macabeet Stick: as a chapstick/lip tint and on my cheeks for a very subtle hint of color

  • Matcha Stick: as a moisturizer around my eyes and chapstick

I’ve loved the sticks so much that I’m kind of itching to try some of their other products so I’ll report back if I do!

WORK RHYTHMS AND PLANTING MY FEET


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While actual married life doesn’t feel wildly different, what certainly does feel different is not having to plan a wedding anymore. It feels so freeing knowing that I don’t have to make a phone call, send an email, or go to a fitting. Wedding planning wasn’t my favorite, can you tell?

I talked about it a little bit here, but one of the things I struggled with when it came to wedding planning was the way it cut into the time I had to work on my new business. When I quit my job to take on All the Healthy Things full time, I wanted to dive in and do all the things, but my top priority had to be wedding planning and preparing for marriage. It meant that I had to spend a little less time on blogging and more time on wedding planning and that was a little frustrating at first. But, once I recognized that I was in a temporary season and began to practice more gratitude, my perspective changed and I decided not to spend another second feeling frustrated.

Now that the wedding is over, I’ve been trying to establish some new routines and rhythms for both my work and personal life. Right now, it looks like a lot of trial and error, but I’m slowly but surely starting to figure out what works and more importantly what doesn’t. Since I work for myself now, I have the freedom to craft my day however I want, so I’ll be sure to share what ends up working!


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I hope you enjoyed this month’s coffee chat! I’m super excited to continue to share these with you. Riley says that he hopes you have the best April EVER!!

P.S. Riley is seriously getting a haircut in April…


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2 Comments

  1. Jerilynn Rhodes says:

    I heard you on Lara Casey’s podcast and came over to check out your blog and site.
    Loved your story and insights on her podcast and truly love your site here!
    May God richly bless you in these new journeys that you are experiencing!

    1. Ashlea Carver says:

      Thank you so much, Jerilynn! I’m so glad that my story and journey resonated with you! God bless you, friend!