Radiant Health Magazine + Opportunity + Feelings

If you follow me over on the ‘Gram then you know I have take weeks/months off over the past year.

We all know that even when we stop, life continues to rush in. Sometimes it rushes in in the best way possible and well, sometimes not.

During my last social break, there were so many fun and amazing things that happened for not just family and friends in real life and online but also for me.

Back in September the fall issue of Radiant Health Magazine released and I was invited to join in for this issue as a featured creator to speak on what it means to create restorative spaces that bring healing to ourselves our families and to others.

Not only was it a pleasure to partner with my new friends over at Radiant but the entire process exceeded my expectation.

 

Here’s the thing, ya’ll: I don’t talk much about the brands I work with or partnerships or media mentions much around here. That has a lot to do with the fact that I don’t think it should get the center of attention around here and I never want this space to become a commercialized machine that just feeds you information or boasts about the connections I make or whose mentioned me. I am, in some way, the brand around here and in some regard, I fully accept and understand that. I also understand, however, at the end of the day, my ultimate goal is to keep the main thing the main thing and that AIN’T me.

But here’s where I’m landing with this Radiant Magazine spread: I cried, ya’ll. Like full on crocodile tear-cried.

I cried and felt a tremendous wave of emotions because it was my first magazine spread in a Black, female-owned publication.

I’m not sure if that will connect with you or make any sense to some of you and it’s completely okay if it doesn’t but I do need you to understand the thread that binds us:

There is nothing quite like the opportunity given to be seen, heard and known by those who know what it’s like to live without those gifts.

This isn’t to say that I love for these moments, of course, but there is just something really special and, dare I say, significant about being welcomed into a space that just feels like home.

I’d say that is pretty ironic considering most of my public time is spent speaking on that specific topic.

This moment was just that.

I hope you’ll order yourself a copy of the magazine and maybe even subscribe not just because I’ve got a pretty hefty spread in this issue but because, overall, Radiant is just a really great publication doing great things for a lot of people and I’m just honored to be a small part of that impact and vision.

Until next time, friends…

Kennesha

OUR GALLERY WALL + MY FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOP FOR ART

It occured to me that I haven’t done much sharing of the coming together of this gallery wall of ours here on the blog and that is unacceptable. With that in mind, I wanted to share, not only pics of the gallery wall in our living room that is forever evolving and changing, but also share some things I love adding to mine and where I like to source some of my most fave wall art for others or for my own home.

This gallery wall of ours was all the rave throughout the year but as we know, all good things must come to an and.

Right now, our living room is in shambles as we begin work on refacing our fireplace and I am just beside myself with excitement about this project.

We’ve been patient and have waited for the right time as time and finances have allowed and well—it is time!

Anyhow, I wanted to share some of my favorite resources for vintage art as I begin to plan for another refresh in our living room and pulling it all together with the new fireplace facing. I can’t wait to show you the process and, of course, the final product. Stay tuned.

  1. Vintage Supply

  2. Restoration House Shoppe

  3. Etsy

  4. Tuesday Made Shop

  5. Fabius Grange (Etsy)

  6. Chairish

  7. Chairish

  8. BFF Print Shop

  9. Juniper Print Shop

  10. Ebay


I hope you have some fun shopping for some art to fill your spaces.

I’d love to see how you’re filling your walls and homes with carefully curated pieces that tell the world more and more about who you are and what you’re passionate about.

Be sure to join us by us by signing up for our newsletter and also joining the RH community on Instagram as well.

Until next time,

MY OUTDOOR PATIO PLANS + SOME INSPIRATION

We’ve been in the house now for almost two years this summer and most of the furniture that we have on the back patio we brought form our old place (where it lived on our front porch as we never used our back patio) and to be honest, it was never furniture that complemented the lifestyle of our family of six very well.

You all know that investing in furniture for your outdoor spaces can get quite pricey which is why I decided to give it some time, shop around and find some really great deals on pieces that would last and that I also love.

When given the opportunity to partner with Amazon Home for a bit of summer refresh, I knew I’d want to put most of my focus on clearing out and cleaning up the back yard and I knew the linchpin to hold it all together would be the replacing of our old seating and adding layers and textures with greenery and plants and other pieces of decor that would help make the space feel a little more cozy and cohesive.

 

I’m in love with the idea of an English garden. (*screams in “eeeek! “) I admire how much actual planning goes into them but how unfussy they ultimately look. When I consider the English garden there are a few things that this type of outdoor space should have.

FIVE THINGS EVERY ( AND MY ) ENGLISH GARDEN NEEDS

 
  1. VINEY, VERTICAL GROWTH. I planted a bit of white flowering potato vine on the back, left side of our patio but I’m aiming for more. I’m not sure there is such a thing as too much greenery when it comes to the idea of the English garden or ANY garden, in my opinion.

 

2. AN ARBOR OR ENTRY GATE. Around the side path there is the perfect place for an arbor and entry from the front to the back yard. It’s pretty shaded by mature trees that keep that side of our house pretty cool in the summer so we don’t want to cut them down. We’ll have to find just the right plant to place there that will be able to thrive in the mostly shady spot.

 

3. LIGHTING + SEATING. Traditional seems to be the way but my seating will be a good mix of both modern and traditional, much like the rest of our home. Traditionally, this style of garden would boast gas sconce lighting but in this world and budget, we’re going for the good ol’ party lights.

4. HEDGES. Boxwoods and the like, no garden is complete without them. I have yet to determine where mine will go but I love a good boxwood here and there to create symmetry and boundaries.

And last but certainly, not least…

5. Line the path. This space is meant to soak up the relaxation and spend time in. We don’t have acres and acres of property but there is a path that leads from the front to the back of the house and I do plan to use the space. English gardens are meant for walking and communing and who doesn’t love a good view when partaking in those activities?

via Gardenista photo by Kendra Wilson

via Gardenista

photo by Kendra Wilson

I love the idea of a crushed rock of some sort or gravel. My plan is to go with flagstone pavers for the gravel portion on the side of our patio.

I hope some of this has been helpful for you and aspirational as we all likely dive into blowing the dust off of our outdoor spaces and livening them up as summer approaches.

I can’t wait to show you the progress for our space. You’ll be able to track all the behind the scenes shares over on Instagram and I’ll also share the final reveal here.

Until then, friends…

XO,

Kennesha

 

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