wall-to-wall

this page is where you get to discover all those posts, ideas, and thoughts that just cannot be categorized anywhere else. perhaps we could call this the sporadic stream of consciousness? i suppose we will soon find out.

who wants a beauty wedge?

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image

recently i was at my neighborhood ulta, a place where it is easy to get lost in all the interesting stuff they have for skin, hair, and body care.  i had already picked out my new favorite lipstick and was on the hunt for a new concealer.  i found it in the cover girl trublend makeup, shade l6 buff beige, which i am loving more and more the more i use it.  it provides great coverage while really blending with my natural skintone.

now, that word ‘blending’ is what got me thinking, and i’m glad i stopped myself before heading to the checkout counter.  in the past, i would just use my fingertips to apply concealer and foundation whenever i needed it.  however, my eyes were caught by the makeup application aisle, conveniently placed on my way to pay.

i quickly found a package of beauty wedges, and i’ll easily say that i don’t think there will be any turning back at this point.  even though it’s now a beauty expense i didn’t have in the past, these little wedges are still quite affordable.  a package of 32 wedges for three bucks isn’t a bad deal, and considering i don’t wear foundation/concealer all the time, they won’t be of daily use.

more importantly, though, i’ll be using a clean surface to apply my makeup.  i don’t think my hands are overly oily, but anything on my fingers will still transfer to my face when i touch it.  these little wedge sponges help me more evenly apply the makeup, avoiding a patchy or uneven look.  i don’t really consider myself a makeup expert, but anything i can do to help keep my face clear and clean can’t be a bad thing, can it?

plus, they make me feel ultra girly and classy, a great way to feel before whipping out the door and facing the world.

lipstick: my new favorite accessory

kdavis 4 Comments

last night a bunch of us went to the painted pin in buckhead to celebrate valentine’s day.  i don’t have a significant other, so i considered all of my friends that night my date!  i was pumped for a carefree evening and was also looking forward to hearing our friends play in the band velvet runway.  they rocked the place for a solid four hours, playing all of your favorite 70s and 80s hits.  the bartenders kept the 7s and 7s coming, and after several rounds of bocce ball, i deemed the night a great success.

before the festivities began, though, i went to do a little shopping, hoping to find a new outfit, if not maybe a new top, since it was a special occasion.  my closet might be packed, but there’s room for a couple more blouses in there.  ah, my father would be proud!

i unfortunately had no luck on the racks and felt a teeny tinge of disappointment as i left another store empty-handed.  it’s always that you don’t find something when you’re looking for it, isn’t it?  well, at least that’s what they say.  i turned left and took the stairs down to ulta, for i needed a few beauty supplies.  growing up i was never big into makeup, and there are times these days when i find that i hate “having” to wear it.  i know, i know, i don’t have to, but honey, this face doesn’t look perfect when i roll out of the bed in the morning.  i firmly believe that natural days have their place, as do makeup days.  🙂

i like to think i have the basics of makeup down (somewhat), but one area where i never venture too far from the conventional look is with the lips.  i usually lean more towards subtle glosses or nude shades.  i thought, though, that even if i was going to wear something in my closet, i could easily transform it into a whole new look with a new lipstick.  at least it would feel new to me, and feeling confident is what matters, right?  if you feel confident, you’ll appear confident to others, and according to society today, confidence is the best accessory in your closet.  wait, was that tyra who said that?  or is it your smile that’s your best accessory?  maybe it’s both?  maybe i’ve watched too many seasons of america’s next top model…

so, with that i began the hunt for the new perfect lipstick.  i already had a tarte lipstain that i was in love with, but they didn’t have the right shade i was looking for that day.  i wanted something a little more red-orange, not too pink and not too coral.  i began to peruse the shelves and was finally spotted by an employee who was ready to happily assist.  we walked up and down the aisles, trying out different shades on our hands, and then we finally found it:  urban decay’s revolution lipstick, the bang shade.  it was the perfect shade, super saturated and super rich.  not too glossy but not too matte.  it was a match made in makeup heaven, if such a thing can even exist, and i’ll say it looked killer with the rest of my outfit last night.

it also looks great with baseball tees!

it’s quite amazing how something like a little pop of color on the lips can make you feel like a whole new person.  heck, i even threw some on when i went to starbucks to write this post, just because i can!  the lipstick print on my coffee cup is adorable, and i cannot keep from smiling.  *kiss kiss*

first-year professionals

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each day i get e-mails from linkedin about articles that might interest me professionally.  today i clicked to read kathy caprino’s insight to the 7 negative behaviors of first-year professionals that limit their success.  before you go any further in my post, take about four minutes to go read hers.

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done reading it?  excellent!

i myself was a first-year professional just about five years ago now.  fresh out of college from the university of georgia, i had no idea what the real world held for me.  i knew how to be polite, how to treat people more senior to me, and the basic do’s and don’t’s of professionalism.  what i found was the case, though, was that i had to twist and turn to find my role in a place where i had no experience.  luckily i came into an organization that was fairly small (only about 40 employees at the time) and was thrilled to get their hands on young, untapped brainpower.

our company continues to bring in recent university graduates, as our college-hire program has proven to be a wild success over the past seven years.  we’ve created a place where younger minds can freely explore the different offerings in our workplace, truly promoting a “sky’s the limit” mentality.  many of us are still here while others have gone on to pursue their passions in different positions.

this article piqued my interest mainly because i have had the chance to observe the first-years around me.  after reading caprino’s article, i, a former first-year, can say she has literally hit the nail on the head.  hm, how about that?  i think it’s an interesting thing when someone with the first-year experience in the not-so-distant past has the self-awareness to say that these things about our generation are true.  they may not be completely inclusive or applicable to all first-years, but to a very specific point, there is much to be gained from this insight.

the points that i see most around me and think are most detrimental are items 1, 2, and 5, all of which i feel go hand-in-hand with one another.  it’s that word, that feeling of ‘entitlement’ that makes me go bonkers.  you don’t even have to use that word for me to know that’s how you feel.  so you passed some tests and think you deserve a raise?  well, let me burst your sweet little bubble, darling:  obtaining certifications is part of your job.  yes, they make you more valuable to a degree, but can you prove that knowledge in a client-facing situation?  i need you to show me your skills rather than talk about them, for what good is talk without the game to back it up?

we all have to start somewhere, and even though you may not like it, most organizations have some type of structure in place to define where you begin and where you can go.  depending upon your experience, professional or educational, you have to do the work to earn the paycheck and, as applicable, the promotion that may come with it.  proving this worth comes with its fair share of responsibility, much of which is out of your control at times.  as they say, it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond to what happens to you that really defines your character.  your character is largely affected by your work ethic, and if you don’t have that, then why should we keep you around?

now as for me?  i don’t have a single person who reports to me.  i’m a consultant and am not in a position of management, but i can tell you with certainty that if i notice any of these traits in you, then folks in upper-level positions are definitely aware of them as well.

i believe that the root of these traits is largely attributed in the way a person was raised, but that doesn’t mean i’m here to point out who was parented better.  i’m here to say that if you read through these traits and feel any of them apply to you, perhaps it’s time to take a step back and ask yourself why.  then, if you truly want to better yourself and the future of your career, do something about it.  look at how other first-years behave and interact with others and then figure out if you yourself can mirror it.  talk to successful people and ask them about their experiences as young professionals and why they believe they are excelling.

if you do the same thing you’ve always done, you’ll get the same thing you’ve always gotten.  to further that point, you’ll also feel the same way you’ve always felt.  self-improvement is a cross we carry all our own.  it’s up to you if something changes.

“the death of business casual”

kdavis Leave a comment

okay, so i don’t think i would really consider myself a fashionista.  i simply don’t have enough free time to read through style magazines, watch e!, or peruse the racks at tj maxx and marshall’s for steals on designer brands.

but!  i do know how to put myself together, and thanks to my dad’s critical eye, i know what works with what and what needs to be worn where.  after being in the corporate world for nearly five years now, i also have plenty of experience dressing for clients and colleagues and c-level personnel.  i don’t let my personal style suffer too much, but sometimes you do what you gotta do.

now, with all of this being said, i came across a very interesting article on linkedin today for the men in the audience.  mr. rob madelmayer takes a very quick look at what the styles of corporate men once were and how they compare to what you gentlemen are sporting today.  his generalization is just that, a generalization, but it evoked a moment of pause in my afternoon to think a little more on it.

i will never forget my first day at work, back in june 2010, when my then coworker emmanuel showed up to the office in a suit and tie.  this man knew how to dress himself, and he was looking sharp, and even though a couple of more senior folks gave him a little jab about it, i think a certain level of respect was nearly instantaneous because, whether we like to admit it or not, first impressions do matter.  throughout his time at my company, he continued to dress for success, and it is something people continue to remember about him even though he hasn’t worked here in almost three years.

you might want to say that looks don’t matter, but the clothes you put on your body say a lot about who you are.  they tell, or maybe don’t tell, people “hey, i looked in the mirror this morning and was confident this outfit would be an acceptable way to present myself.”  and even if you never meet a person, if they see you in the grocery store or the local sub shop for lunch, what do you think they’d have to say?

just a little food for thought.

oh, 2014

kdavis 3 Comments

i know facebook has this whole “year in review” thing going on, but this post?  this post is going to be much more exciting!  oodles of stuff happened in 2014 for me, and i am going to give you the ultra recap you never knew you needed but have been dying to read.

first things first of 2014, i started this blog!  it began on a whim one dreary january morning when i was in starbucks, and it has been the best thing i have done for myself in a long time.  you guys, my loyal readers, inspire me to keep it up and give you guys an insight into my world.  thank you for the encouragement and loyalty!

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good luck, 2015!

kdavis 1 Comment
as the pioneer woman would say, the cast of characters.

as the pioneer woman would say, the cast of characters.

well, i don’t know about you, but i had a blast ringing in the new year.  new year’s celebration is one of my favorite holidays, and last night was just what i wanted.  kyle, kari, nathan, alison, brandon, larissa, and i had a killer dinner at rosebud in morningside.  i mean, doesn’t crawfish risotto sound divine?  after several drinks and delicious meals, we headed back to buckhead to drink champagne, eat cheetos, and light sparklers in our pajamas.  it may not have been a black tie affair, but who cares?  it’s not about what other folks think; it’s about doing what makes you happy.

in a renewed spirit of “chase after your dreams” and “live the life you’ve imagined,” i wish 2015 and everyone experiencing it the best of luck.  spend your days doing what you want, for anything else is just a waste of time.

so, in the name of new year’s tradition, i give you my all-time favorite black eyed pea dip recipe.  no new year is complete without this classic dish, and if you haven’t had any yet, you still have a few hours!  now, if you’re a good andrich woman, you will do two things when making this recipe.  first, you will make it a few days in advance of january 1st so that it has time to chill and meld in the refrigerator.  second, you will also prepare it far ahead enough so that the grocery store doesn’t run out of regular cans of black eyed peas, because then you have to use black eyed peas with snaps, and then you’ll be standing with the bowl over the trash can, picking out each green bean because you waited until the last minute.

this recipe includes lots of chopping, so get out your best knife and cutting board and get to it!

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“know the good people”

kdavis 2 Comments

good peopleas my eyes surveyed the shelves of our upstairs refrigerator, i happened upon a can of beer that wasn’t miller lite, a strange sight in our house.  we are a miller family, thanks to mark and kathleen, and i promise i mean it in the best of ways, really!

back to the mysterious can of pale ale beer:  i plucked it from its spot and read “good people brewing company.”

“dad, isn’t good people a local birmingham place?”

“yes, somewhere downtown, i think.”

“cool.  can i give it a try?”

“of course!” he sweetly obliged.  i popped that can open and gave it a sip, immediately thrown, for no apparent reason, by its innate hoppy taste.  i typically know what i like and what i do not like, and pale ales tend to be on the latter list.  however, i am determined to like pale ales because they seem so cool and trendy, a real “beer drinker” beer.

not one to shy away and let something go to waste, i poured the beer into a frozen pint glass.  my hopes were that drinking it out of the can was my mistake, and to my pleasant surprise, it did go down much more smoothly out of the chilled vessel.

american pale ales are the game at good people, and they offer five varieties year-round.  apa’s are known for their generous quantities of american hops that distinguish them from european or british pale ales.  well, since i usually stray away from choices that are on the hoppier end of the spectrum, i took this chance to learn more about this particular beer and strive to find something i like in it.  things i like about it?  it’s on the lighter side and has subtle caramel tones that you can really taste if you really stop and think about it.

as i sit here writing to you, my adoring fan, i happily notice that my glass is nearly empty.  i’ve drunk an entire pale ale with nearly no complaint at all!  as i take the last few sips to finish it off, i pleasantly notice that it is not as hoppy as i thought.  it’s just that first taste you get, right on the middle of your tongue, that catches me off guard each time.  perhaps pale ales are one of those brews that you have to drink much of to really like it…?  am i reaching here?  perhaps, but at least i stuck with it, right?  right!  i’ll take a moment to pat myself on the back here.

if pale ales are your thing, and you live in alabama or tennessee, look in your local grocer for good people beer.  from what i gather on their site, the pale ale is the least bitter.  they’ve got a brown ale that looks like it could be a contender for me, but it might be one i try with someone else close by, so that i can kindly offer it to them in case it’s not for me.

soup heaven

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panera soup

okay, so maybe i’ve been on a soup kick all week, is that so awful?  i agree that it isn’t, which is why i kept on with it today when we ordered in panera bread for my client training session.  like always i went with the you pick two, selecting the thai chicken salad as one of my options.  it was when i was trying to make my other selection that there, on the order screen, was a picture of the vegetarian autumn squash soup, and my heart was aflutter.  it looked rich and savory and i just had to have it!

i brought my brown bag back to my desk and opened the lid with much anticipation.  first, the smell alone was so warming.  wisps of cinnamon and curry floated up to me, and i dove right in with my spoon.  it was thick with all that pureed squash and pumpkin, and the honey and apple juice helped sweeten it up just a skosh.  the chewy pumpkin seeds were a nice surprise with each bite, and i was glad i had ordered the bowl size instead of a cup – it was that delicious!

if you are a soup-lover like me, i highly encourage you to give this one a try the next time you find yourself hooked up to the wifi and catching up on your personal e-mails and netflix series at a panera bread.  it’s perfect for those cool fall days and will bring calming thoughts of slippers and gloves and scarves to your sweet little mind.

eos: my latest lip balm obsession

Imagekdavis Leave a comment
photo cred to my big brother kyle. he's planning on quitting his consulting career to become a professional photographer. (to anyone who took that seriously, i kid!)

photo cred to my big brother kyle. he’s planning on quitting his consulting career to become a professional photographer. (to anyone who took that seriously, i kid!)

okay, by the title of this post, you might think that i have several lip balm obsessions.  i would like to say that fact really isn’t true, but considering the amounts of lip glosses and chapsticks i have scattered throughout my life (bedroom, purse, clutch, car), i might not be able to deny it.

while watching tv the other day, i saw a commercial for eos lip balm.  it wasn’t a new one, and i’d seen it plenty of times before then, but something about this recent viewing of it got me convinced that it was finally time i give it a try.  so, it was incredibly convenient that i was already making an unnecessary trip to target for other things that i probably do not need, but hey, i couldn’t resist this sweater and this top.  aren’t they just perfect for the change in seasons?  i thought so, too.

anyway, so i caved into the cute and clever marketing efforts of this company and picked up a sphere of the strawberry sorbet flavor at the checkout line.  this little ball is sweet and so precious that i couldn’t help but smile when gliding it over my lips.  it’s dainty and light with a subtle flavor, and there’s a very good chance i might never go back to anything else.  as a consumer who had no opinion but her own inkling to give it a try, i highly recommend it you.

we are #andrichheavy

kdavis 3 Comments

okay, folks, i know things had been quiet on the blogging front from me for the past couple of weeks, but i have good reason:  my brother kyle and kari got married last week at the first southern andrich wedding!  we had been busy bees in those days just beforehand, and when all was said and done, everything was worth the effort.

out-of-town guests started to arrive on thursday, and so began the #andrichheavy invasion.  so, what is this #andrichheavy hashtag of which we speak?  well, we had a lot of family and friends from the andrich side of things at the weekend festivities, so we coined it all as being #andrichheavy.  the words were spoken, and that was all she wrote.  every post and tweet and instagram picture were tagged with #andrichheavy, and we could not have loved it more.

andrich heavy

the rehearsal dinner was a blast at the yellow house up in roswell.  so much southern food, plenty of beer and wine, and lots of laughing as we roasted the groom and played a few ditties for the happy couple.  as i have been told, i was quite the tipsy hostess all night, and i would not have expected anything less.

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now, after months of planning and a whirlwind weekend of activity, we have a new addition to the #andrichheavy clan, miss kari.  kari and i met each other in college through the redcoat marching band.  she and kyle began dating our sophomore year, and it wasn’t before too long we all knew something really special was there.  over the years, kari has slowly inducted herself into the andrich family, counting herself lucky getting to meet them in waves rather than all at once.  i’ve been told we can be a bit to handle…

kyle and kari black and white

the october weather was cooperative and gorgeous, with crisp and untainted clarity in the air.  the wedding party looked sharp, and the guests were glamorous as well for the evening event.  you could not have asked for a more perfect setting.

more tears!
a beautiful bunch.
me, getting emotional, again.
aaww.
that’s some real emotion right there.

after a teary-eyed ceremony, the real fun began as we danced and drank the night away at the roswell mill club.  glow sticks and tunes carried us into the cool autumn night, keeping us close to a sweet event of love and laughter.

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as i drove into the office monday morning, i realized i was crashing hard, physically and emotionally.  my body was exhausted from the weekend’s events, and it seemed my heart was just as sore.  i was overjoyed to have our loved ones in a single place to celebrate such a wonderful step in life, but watching them all leave on marta trains and delta planes left a bitter taste in my mouth.  i was in a glass case of emotion for nearly four days straight, and now i’ve been ripped back into reality.  ah, such a harsh jolt!  when you feel things as fully and strongly like i do, it can all seem like a big wave sweeping down, no matter the occasion.  i guess we’ll just have to plan our next gathering soon!  who’s up next?