corso – buckhead, ga

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this past sunday had been lazy in every way a girl could want.  i slept in, caught up on personal e-mail, did laundry, watched football, and did my hair.

it had been a gorgeous january afternoon with blue skies and a slight breeze in the air.  i decided i needed to be a part of it, so to the coffee house i went.  i had every intention of heading to the local starbucks, but then i nearly swerved off the street when i passed by corso in the new buckhead atlanta complex.  “of course!  this is where i should be instead!” i exclaimed to myself.  i whipped into a spot, strolled along the sidewalk, and made my grand entrance.  oh, and by grand entrance i mean that confusion was clear on my face because there wasn’t a hostess stand, it’s not obvious where you should order, and the menus are taped flat on the countertops.  surely i’m not the only one to react in this way?

i approached the counter, not really sure what to do.  thankfully a kind employee welcomed me, making me feel a touch more comfortable.  she directed me to a menu where i busied myself in making a decision.  the menu is simple with your basic coffee selections and a small set of pastries from which you can choose.  they also have sandwiches if you’re a bit hungrier and a bar if you’re needing something a bit stronger.

i had come for the coffee, so coffee is what i ordered.  i went with the cafe au lait (which, strangely, wasn’t actually listed on the menu; i am an official coffee snob – love me for who i am!).  i also ordered a chocolate croissant – something sweet sounded like a good idea.

after swiping my card, i settled into a table.  i would have preferred the bartop so that i could watch the world pass by, but i needed a bit more space for all of the spreading out i wanted to do.  it seems i arrived at a good time, for the place got a bit of a rush after me.  if i’d waited 15 minutes more, there would not have been a table for the kessie girl!  ah, an almost rhyme, nice!

as i waited to be served, i took in the space.  this place is absolutely adorable.  the big leather banquet faces cute marble-topped tables that are bookended by comfy leather bucket chairs.  the large tiled wall is charming with the oversized logo.  the striped canopies outside are catching and inviting.  they clearly did something right to get me in the door.

it was a good mix of visitors that day.  super urban fashionistas, a mom and dad with daughter and son, a trendy couple in the corner on their macbook pro, and a couple of bros having a couple of beers.  i think i fit in that day with my slouchy overcoat, polka dot flats, and bright poppy-colored nails.  yes and yes!

my plates were soon brought over, and i shuffled my books around to make room.  the cafe au lait was steaming, a good sign.  and that pastry?  ooh, son.  it looked super flaky in all its buttery goodness.  things so far were looking good.

things of somewhat varying heights.

as i went for a sip of coffee, i noticed that it had slopped all over the sides.  i like a full cup, don’t get me wrong, but i also like good presentation.  oh well, the great news is that the coffee itself made up for it.  this cafe au lait needed not one sugar packet.  adding one would have been a crime because the coffee was complemented perfectly by the silky steamed milk.  cafe au laits are my favorite cafe drink, and i was highly pleased with the one served up here at corso.

next up was to give that chocolate croissant a try.  i promise i wasn’t trying to make a mess, but that pastry was so perfectly baked that i got crispy flakiness all over the stinkin’ place.  well, what can you do?

i wouldn’t say croissants are my top pastry (where are all my cream cheese danish fans in the crowd?), but this one was pretty dang delicious.  it was buttery and light without being too airy.  a filling snack alongside your favorite cup of joe.

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i tore into my next bike, eager for the chocolate that i knew must be closer to the center, but alas, no chocolate to be found!  i peered into it with no sign of chocolate at all!  hm.  i had ordered a chocolate croissant, hadn’t i?  yes, i had.

i went to the counter, returned the regular croissant, and was quickly brought a chocolate croissant.  the manager was apologetic and friendly, assuring i would be satisfied in spite of the mix-up.  i took a bite almost right as she left and, oh, yes, i was satisfied.  that dark chocolate was generous but not overwhelming.  if you’re a chocolate lover like me, the chocolate croissant is what you need to get when you come.

about halfway through my croissant and coffee, i was told they were closing up the place.  it was only 6:10, but it was a sunday evening.  i’ll say that they need to put their hours on the door.  i was afraid exactly this would happen:  get all settled in with my treats and boom!  calling it a night!  they weren’t rushing me out the door at all, but still, i didn’t want to be that customer.

my hope for corso is that it stays a secret and doesn’t become too popular.  corso describes itself as a spot with a “cosmopolitan vibe,” and considering i was tucked in between the bella bag store and the future dior location, i’d say i agree.  i want a place i can come that isn’t overcrowded and overrun with folks jumping on the bandwagon for the next cool place.  i guess i’m okay with you guys checking it out, though.  you’re alright.  😉

oh, and i think i take back my comment about the coffee presentation.  had it not slopped all over the sides, i wouldn’t have this cool, hipster coffee-splatter art to show you.  well played, corso.  you knew what you were doing all along.

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putters patio and grill – winston-salem, nc

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i know it's dark, but i promise it says putters patio and grill.

i know it’s dark, but i promise it says putters patio and grill.

last week and this week have me traveling to winston-salem, nc for a client.  hello, tar heel state!  although it isn’t the shortest drive up 85, it isn’t so far to keep me from visiting.  the client is amiable and the work is straightforward, a nice change of pace from the complex projects i sometimes have to handle.

with a new city comes new adventures, and as you could expect, i couldn’t help myself from trying some local eateries.  last wednesday was the first wednesday of the year, and even though i couldn’t celebrate nrw back in atlanta, that didn’t stop me from celebrating it here in winston-salem at putters patio and grill.

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“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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fireball jell-o shots

kdavis 2 Comments
it's kari!

it’s kari!

a few weeks ago, my boss had us all over to his house for a little Christmas get-together.  everyone was in the holiday spirit in their tacky sweaters, and throughout the night we enjoyed appetizers and desserts and drinks….and fireball jell-o shots.  yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard me correctly.  my coworker rob brought a tray full of fireball jell-o shots, and had i been staying in town rather than driving 45 minutes home, you can bet i would have had more than just the one.

this recipe is ridiculously simple and is a great adult-spin on the college favorite.  if you can handle the fiery, cinnamon flavor of fireball, then this recipe is one for you.

ingredients

2 cups apple cider

1 large box of orange jell-o

2 cups of fireball cinnamon whiskey

directions

boil apple cider.

pour orange jell-o into cider, using a whisk to quickly mix it all together.

stir in the fireball.

get dixie-sized bathroom cups (plastic is best, but if you only have wax, then double them up) and spray them with a quick shot of non-stick cooking spray.

evenly fill all cups and then let them set in the refrigerator.

once they are all settled and wiggly, enjoy!

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aunt helen’s balls

kdavis 2 Comments

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okay, folks, before we get started, i have to confess that i am in no way related to this aunt helen.  my aunt cindy, who is my actual aunt from my dad’s side, has a friend cheryl.  aunt cindy and cheryl play bunco together, and it is cheryl’s aunt helen who is the originator of this recipe.  it took a quick phone call to actually find out that information, and now we know!  this simple appetizer is a solid recipe to have in your box and is a good base for something even more amazing.  maybe try it with some finely chopped asparagus or some green pepper/red chili mix.  my first though was bacon because as we know, just like puppies, bacon makes everything better!

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honey teriyaki appetizer

kdavis 1 Comment

last week i got caught up in the flurry of an online recipe exchange – how exciting!  i had received a honey teriyaki appetizer dish from our good family friend mary b., and with so much free time over the holiday weekend, i roped my mom into giving it a try with me.

maybe you should give it a try, too?  go on!  flex those cooking muscles, ya beast!

okay, i’ll stop.  you know how i cannot help getting carried away at times.

wait, carried away?

“i get carried away, by the look, by the light in your eyes, before i even realize the ride i’m on, baby, i’m long gone”  “i get carried away, nothing matters but being with you, like a feather flyin’ high up in the sky on a windy day, i get carried away”

ha!  gotcha!  i couldn’t help myself.  who doesn’t love indulging in some classic george strait?  that’s right.  EVERYONE loves indulging in classic george strait.

okay, i really will get down to business with this recipe so that you can enjoy it.

did you say “get down to business?”

“let’s get down to business to defeat the huns”  “did they send me daughters when i asked for sons?”  “you’re the saddest bunch i’ve ever met, but you can bet before we’re through, mister, i’ll make a man out of you”

okay, OKAY!  i really, really do promise that’s the last of it.  at least for you.  this show in my mind is 24/7.  ah, to be so lucky…

ingredients

8 ounces of cream cheese, very softened

1 – 1 1/2 cups of shredded chicken (you can also chop it if you need to save a little time; don’t worry, the chicken doesn’t know if it’s shredded or chopped, so i promise it will taste the same)

*also!  this chicken can either be a rotisserie you picked up from the grocery OR you can poach/boil the chicken yourself.  it will really depend on what’s available and how much time you have.

garlic powder

shredded carrots (the recipe calls for shredded, but we only had matchstick carrots on-hand and found those were a great choice because their crunch held up; just personal preference)

coarsely chopped dry roasted peanuts

chopped green onions

honey teriyaki marinade (just look for a bottle of this stuff in the international aisle of your grocery store)

directions

for a few hours, marinate the chicken in some of the honey teriyaki marinade (not marinate, for marinate is the verb and marinade is the noun; the more you know!).

mm, marinated chicken.

mm, marinated chicken.

grab a greased glass baking dish (a 9 x 13 will do, or something a tad smaller; you don’t want an 8 x 8, though, for that won’t be enough space) and spread the cream cheese out on it.  sprinkle with the garlic powder.

all i want to do is put raspberry jam on it and eat it with a bagel.

all i want to do is put raspberry jam on it and eat it with a bagel.

add ze chicken.

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now, at this point you can take this dish in one of two directions.  direction one is to serve it warm.  direction two is to serve it chilled.  i will detail both directions so that you can wisely make a choice.

direction one (warm)

on top of the chicken, add the carrots and peanuts.

drizzle on some more honey teriyaki marinade.

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pop the baking dish into a warm oven for 15 minutes to get everything warmed through and slightly bubbly.  be careful, though; you don’t want to burn that cream cheese.

top with the green onions and serve with crackers.

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direction two (cold)

on top of the chicken, add the carrots, peanuts, and green onions.

drizzle on some more honey teriyaki marinade and serve with crackers.

whether you prefer direction one or direction two, the dish is going to be a hit.  now, as a cream cheese lover, i am always in favor of more than less, but the 8 ounces the recipe calls for here is just perfect.

mom recommended throwing in some water chestnuts, which are another one of my favorites.  i totally understand that they have zero flavor whatsoever, but that crunch is just so delightful!

finally, if you don’t want them on a cracker, we decided it would be just as delectable in a lettuce wrap, either for an appetizer or an entree.

dc december – day 4

kdavis 1 Comment

at last!  our final day of fun in dc ushered itself in on sunday morning.  our flight wasn’t until the early evening, so we had plenty of time together before everything came to a close.

after getting our packing done, we headed out the door for brunch, but wait!  not before i can coordinate these adorable photos on the stoop of our chinatown home!  aah, i looked at them and could hardly contain myself.  what a great trip because of these gems!

nathan, sarah, jamie, lenora, me, alison, kiley, garth.

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dc december – day 3

kdavis 1 Comment
apparently i love taking pictures of metro signs…
garth & me!
garth & me, ruining greg & jamie’s picture. i mean, ENHANCING it….

saturday morning came a little earlier than i would have liked, but there’s no time to lose when  you’re on vacation in dc, so i rallied (can you rally at ten a.m.?) and we set out to take on the day.

we stopped at panera bread for some quick sustenance and then hopped on the blue line in chinatown to head to arlington.  we plan our annual trip around the wreaths across america ceremony, and with this year being the 150th anniversary, i wasn’t going to miss it for anything.

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