this week’s kai conversation features isabella thorp, a devoted mother, avid traveler, and true morning person who believes in living with intention and joy. she’s chased adrenaline in new zealand, found peace in ocean breezes at her rhode island beach house, and savors slow, simple rituals in boca raton. her style is polished yet approachable, and her spirit radiates gratitude, making her a natural embodiment of kai’s mantra: breath, life, flow.
xo, kai
how did you first discover kai?
kai and i met the way all great modern love stories begin—through a pr package. it was a dreamy little delivery: the iconic fragrance and the body butter. i tried both immediately (because self-control is overrated), but the fragrance… chef’s kiss. within an hour, i had multiple people stop me (at the elevator, the concierge in our condo when she handed me a package and a neighbor walking her dog as we chatted) ask, “what is that scent?!” that’s when i knew —kai wasn’t just a fragrance, it was a statement. clean, beachy, and just the right amount of “who is she?” it had me hooked from the very first spritz.
what’s your favorite kai product and why?
easy, kai’s signature fragrance is my favorite. i’ve always had a soft spot for gardenias (they remind me of elegance with a hint of wild), and kai captures that floral magic perfectly. it’s fresh and feminine without trying too hard—like your effortlessly chic friend who always smells amazing but swears she “just threw something on.” one spritz and i’m instantly transported to a tropical daydream, even if i’m just running errands in sneakers.
guilty pleasure?
truffle fries. i tell myself they’re practically a vegetable… with a little flair. crispy, salty, earthy perfection—i can never stop at just one (or ten).
what book are you reading currently?
these days by lucy caldwell. it’s beautifully written—set during the belfast blitz, with layered female characters and hauntingly poetic prose. i’ve been savoring it like a good glass of wine… or truffle fries.
what’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done?
bungee jumping off the kawarau bridge in new zealand—because apparently, throwing myself off a perfectly good bridge sounded like a great idea. and if that wasn’t enough adrenaline, i also went skydiving with my daughter to celebrate her 21st birthday. nothing says “bonding” like free-falling from 13,000 feet while screaming/laughing/possibly crying. would i do it again? absolutely. (but maybe after a strong espresso; i don’t drink alcohol.)
ideal way to relax/unwind?
a steamy, eucalyptus-scented shower to wash the day away, followed by a generous lather of kai body butter—because silky skin is non-negotiable. then i slip into my plush robe and curl up in my favorite chair—either the one overlooking the golf course from our 9th-floor condo in boca raton or my ocean-facing armchair in our rhode island beach house. add a good book, and i’m in my happy place. total bliss, no passport required.
morning person or night owl?
definitely a morning person. pre-covid, i was up at 4:30 am and at the gym by 5. these days i let myself sleep in a bit, but early mornings are still my magic hours—quiet, calm, and full of potential (and coffee).
do you have a mantra you live by?
absolutely: “dress for the success you’re dreaming of.” style is powerful—it’s how i show up for myself and the life i’m creating. whether i’m chasing goals or just chasing grandkids, i believe in dressing the part… with flair.
describe your perfect day.
waking up without an alarm (the dream!), sipping a strong cup of coffee on the balcony while the sun rises—preferably with an ocean breeze or golf course view. a morning pilates session to get my body moving, followed by a long, leisurely brunch with my husband or one of my kids. maybe a little shopping, a little reading, and absolutely a nap. then golden house mocktails with a view, a delicious, preferably vegan dinner somewhere fabulous, and ending the night in comfy pajamas, slathered in kai body butter, watching something that makes me laugh. simple, beautiful, and full of gratitude.
