oh, oprah

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mom, clark, and i rolled through the starbucks drive-thru recently to grab some refreshing treats before the braves game.  after placing our orders, i pulled forward to the window and was pleasantly greeted by the employee.  upon returning my card, she asked if we would like to try the oprah chai tea, a new creation made possible by the crafty hands at teavana.  never one to turn down a new experience, i cheerily replied, “why not!”  the employee recommended it over ice since the sun was out and warm that afternoon.  the chilled drink was sweet and spicy, just how i like my chai.  i highly recommend you give it a try in place of your usual double, skinny, sugar-free vanilla latte with whipped cream and nutmeg.

along with oprah-inspired chai, your cup will be hugged by an inspiring sleeve.  the sleeves are a part of oprah’s steep-your-soul movement, one that encourages us to pause and reflect during our day.  to no one’s surprise, i was hooked.  i’ve held onto the three sleeves we were given for nearly two weeks now because i like them so much.  here are the wise words that were shared with us:

“the only courage you ever need is the courage to live the life you want.”

“know what sparks the light in you.  then use that light to illuminate the world.”

“live from the heart of yourself.  seek to be whole, not perfect.”

whether it’s a stroll around the block or an actual mid-afternoon frappuccino break, take some time in your day to pause, reflect, and give thanks.  sometimes the days are so beautiful that our busy lives cause them to pass by.  inhale.  exhale.  smile.  repeat.

panbury’s – atlanta, ga

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Panbury's-Web-Logo

a while back my coworker andrew had sent me a link that provided an extensive list of new restaurant openings here in atlanta in 2014.  as we decide which restaurant to try next, i always consult this list to get some ideas.  panbury’s double crust pies was scheduled to open in april, so i reached out to the owner lauren duxbury to share with her about our group and my mission to discover delicious local spots.  she was quite excited about my inquiry and invited me to stop by for lunch one day.  well, last weekend provided the perfect opportunity with my mom and younger brother clark in town to discover just what kind of pies this place was serving.

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lemon lime pound cake

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lime

doesn’t that just sound delicious?  i’d been snooping around on ree drummond’s web site in search of a perfect spring treat to make.  thankfully this recipe for lemon lime pound cake was front and center in the desserts section, and with such a beautiful finish, there was no question i’d be making it in the near future.

although i didn’t have a fancy pan like ree, i used my standard bundt pan, and the cake was still incredibly delicious.  the pound cake is dense and moist and perfectly complemented by the zesty and sweet glaze.  this cake was well-received at my office, so i highly recommend you get that grater and mixer out and get to work!

dear diary

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diary

i took some serious elbow grease to the condo this weekend, cleaning that thing from top to bottom and left to right.  in the midst of dusting my bedroom bookshelf, i stumbled across an old spiral journal and couldn’t help but smile.  my old diary!  one of many, i assure you.

it was a gift from my aunt tutti and cousin hannah, how many years ago i do not know.  wait, i take that back, i’m going to guess eleven years ago since the first entry is dated february 2003.  dang!  i’ve held onto this little guy for just a bit, yes?

i read the first few entries and took a deep walk down memory lane.  i literally wrote about everything in my day, from school to band practice to what my brothers were doing to what we were eating for dinner to what we watched on tv.  i cannot help but picture fourteen year old kelsey writing diligently in her diary each evening, recapping her day and reflecting on all the problems that freshmen high schoolers have.

it was fun to see my handwriting change throughout those years, from very precise to very girly to very cool and artsy.

the daily entries were interrupted every now and then by other thoughts and feelings and aspirations.  one page contained a list of “things to do before i die.”  well, i was quite ambitious then, wasn’t i?  it included the following:  roll a house (done), bungee jump, go abroad (next year – fingers crossed!), have the perfect kiss (ah, such a romantic), give blood, ride a train, and go to college.  the list goes on and on, but i’m not looking to embarrass myself too much today.

i apparently was also a quote fanatic then.  there are pages and pages of inspiration and wisdom here!  below are some of my favorites i had jotted down.

“the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”  frederick buechner

“all our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”  walt disney

“always do right.  this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”  mark twain

“the measure of a man’s character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.”  thomas babington macaulay

i’ve carried the journal around with me all week, and when i see it peeking out of my bag, i cannot help but smile.  it tickles me to read about my high school days and everything that came with them.  it makes me even happier knowing that i kind of get to keep a journal or diary here with you all.  as all my friend and boy and fashion problems come to mind, i’m sure you’ll get to read all about them.

dc – day 3

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so, i know you all have been dying to find out how i spent my last day in dc, yes?  i thought so!  sunday we lounged about lazily (no surprise there) before we strolled back down to the eastern market area for more eats.  we were meeting up with my college friend ann for brunch and to, of course, sit outside.

we found ourselves dining at matchbox, and it was a wonderful choice.  when you’re tucked in among dozens of other restaurants on 8th street, you’ve got to make sure you are doing something unique and impressive to first get people in the door and then, secondly, to keep them coming back.  matchbox has quite a varietal menu, ranging from their well-known pizzas and crusts to their simple and classic bistro dishes.  the staff was quite friendly and attentive, and i expect it’s a great spot to come after a long day at work.

between bites of cinnamon rolls (evan stole the middle roll, i was so jealous!) and shrimp and grits, we did all the catching up that three wonderful women can do.  again, it is such a treat to get to spend time soaking up the sun and having sparkling conversation with people so near and dear to your heart.  it was the perfect last meal before my trek home, and i only hope it isn’t too long before i find myself back up there.

we exchanged bittersweet goodbyes after paying the bill, and then evan and i somehow ended up back at the market stands to discover more treasures.  i swear, there was some invisible, magnetic pull that dragged us back over there!  evan was on the hunt for vases and flowers, and i had no trouble helping her spend some hard-earned cash.  warning:  i am the best and worst person to shop with, all at the same time.  if you like something and it would make you happy have, i will encourage you to buy it, and in every color.  and if it’s on the expensive side, i’ll easily sway you by reminding you that you make money to spend money.  seriously, ask evan and my brother’s fiancée kari.  they will testify!

our attention was caught by a vendor with a few tables of items that appeared to be quite a mish-mash of different odds and ends.  he politely welcomed us and said to let us know if we have any questions.  i personally have a very eclectic style, so many of the things i suggested to evan were met with a polite “no.”  that’s alright; different strokes for different folks!  her eyes finally found a tall pewter vase.  “it would be perfect for the hallway table on your landing!” i exclaimed.  see how i did that?  you have to be able to picture yourself living with it, exactly where it would go.  we knew that one was coming home with us, but we continued to rummage around in case anything else leapt out at us.

and then there they were!  these strange, hand-carved vases in mustard yellow and cream.  i jumped over to evan in excitement to take a closer look.  “evan, they’re just so cool!  and unusual!”  yes, they were both of those things.  evan looked a little hesitant, but then the vendor made her an offer for the three vases that she just could not refuse.  “wrap them up!” i said “we’ll take them all!”  again, if you do not want to spend money, do not go shopping with me.  that is the first and only warning you will receive.

“well, now we need flowers!”  we made our way to the south hall market to find the perfect flowers for these perfect vases.  the selection at the blue iris flowers stand was just stunning.  evan showed the assistant the pewter vase we were filling.  she asked for the vase, grabbed some beautiful pinky-orange roses, disappeared behind the counter, and returned with them cut and arranged just perfectly.  how fabulous!  we also grabbed a bunch of sprightly dandelions for the hand-carved vases.

“okay, we have to get home before i spend more money!”  we hustled back to the house, dropped our things, and spent a good thirty minutes arranging and rearranging everything.  we leaned the cutting boards against one another, stacked some books, shuffled around the vases, stood back, and ah!  it was perfect!  i know people say money can’t buy you happiness, but i’d say we were pretty overjoyed.

by then it was nearly two o’clock.  well, my flight left at three, just a short hour later.  we raced to get my things packed and then thrown in the car.  why is it that time flies when you are having so much fun?  i guess i’ll just have to be back again soon!  and i can guarantee you’ll find me writing about my next trip here before too long.

this post is for the ladies

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20130410-sport-ftr

well, now that i think about it, it might be for the fellas, too, considering the picture.  if any of you women are athletic or active in any way, you know the importance of well-fitted support.  especially my busty sisters out there.  after years of generally uncomfortable bras, i decided it was time to spend a little dough on something better.  you get what you pay for, right?

i figured what better place than victoria’s secret.  i popped in, wasted no time, and quickly waved down an associate to lend a hand.  she was quite helpful once i told her what i was searching for, and it was only a matter of minutes before i knew i had found the one.  the incredible by victoria’s secret sports bra is supportive, curve-hugging, and keeps everything in place, just where they should be.  i picked out two fun colors and have been wearing them during my workouts for the past couple of months without complaint.  if you’re looking for new athletic wear, ladies, your search ends here.

p.s.  at check-out i was given a sample of the bombshells in bloom fragrance.  it is sweet and delightful and i have ordered a whole bottle for myself.

p.p.s.  just to clarify, that picture is not of me, and although i may be envious of this model’s smoldering looks, i know she is jealous of the unbearably exciting life i am leading here in atlanta.  surely she is!

dc – day 2

kdavis 1 Comment

saturday morning we lounged around in bed, trying to convince ourselves to get our day going.  we eventually freshened up and made the lovely walk to the eastern market area.  the weather was just GORGEOUS.  i could not get over how beautiful it was, and i counted myself quite lucky that we were able to spend the day outside in the sunshine, catching rays and just enjoying everything around us.

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bar meatball – atlanta, ga

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logo_barmeatball

***author’s note:  since the first visit last spring that prompted this post, bar meatball has unfortunately closed its doors.  do read on, though, to hear about the fond memories we’ll always keep of this local eatery!

this beautiful spring week we weaved our way to the neighborhood of virginia highlands for a lovely evening of dining at bar meatball.  yes, a restaurant centered around the meatball.  does it get more american than that?  kyle had heard about it from eater.com, so we took a chance on a newer place in town, and i’d say it was worth the try.

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