this week's kai conversation features ruth mckeaney — author, creative, and mother of five whose life is rooted in home, hospitality, and the art of loving people well.

a former assistant attorney general for the state of virginia, ruth's path took a meaningful turn when she and her husband began flipping homes together. that chapter quietly shaped everything: a philosophy of intentional living, a deeper appreciation for the spaces we inhabit, and a belief that connection is its own kind of craft. she now shares that perspective through her book hungry for home.

kai found its way into ruth's life over a decade ago, and the moment felt nothing short of serendipitous. after discovering the fragrance at her hair salon, she was stopped by three different strangers asking what she was wearing — all before the day was over. that evening, her husband, who had never been drawn to scent, couldn't stop talking about it. she knew then that she'd found something truly special. today, kai is woven into her daily rituals — from her morning shower to a candle lit at home to layering the fragrance throughout the day.

grounded in ritual, family, and a profound sense of belonging, ruth believes that purpose isn't always found in a career or a title. it lives in the people we invite to our table, the memories we make, and the beautiful, messy work of navigating life together.

we hope you enjoy this glimpse into ruth's world.

xo, kai

how did you first discover kai? 

i discovered kai over ten years ago when i spotted the signature perfume sitting on the counter at my hair salon. i gave it a try and was immediately blown away! on my way home, three strangers stopped me to ask what i was wearing. that had never happened to me before with any fragrance! what made it truly unforgettable was my husband's reaction. he's never been a scent person, but that evening he couldn't get enough of it. that's when i knew this was something special. it was one of those rare moments where you just know you've found the one.

what are your favorite kai products?

my top three kai products are the rose eau de parfum, the signature body buffer, and the skylight candle, and i genuinely use all three every single day! i wear both the signature and the rose perfume, layering them throughout the day whenever i need a refresh.

for my morning shower, the body buffer is a must. i'll admit, when it first arrived in the mail, i was caught off guard by how firm it was, but once it softens up in the shower the lather is incredible. it's become a non-negotiable part of my routine and i look forward to it as soon as i wake up!

and lastly, the candles! i light one every single day at home. kai offers both the signature and rose scents, and they are honestly two of my favorite candles of all time. there's something so lovely about having the same scent you wear on your skin also filling your home.

what’s your favorite quote, or do you have a mantra you live by?

my favorite quote comes from my mother, and it has stayed with me for decades. we were in the middle of flipping houses — total chaos — and she asked why i wasn't entertaining more. i told her there was no way i could have people over in the middle of all that mess. without missing a beat, she looked at me and said:

"ruthie, it's not about performance or perfection. it's about loving people well."

i have never forgotten those words. an amazing woman i met years later actually handwrote it on a sign for me, and it has hung in my home ever since. it's more than a quote, it's the way i try to live my life every single day.

morning person or night owl? 

i am absolutely a morning person, through and through. there is nothing better than waking up with the sun, enjoying a few quiet moments to myself, getting some exercise in, and lighting a candle. that combination just sets the tone for the entire day. it's my little ritual, and i protect it fiercely! it makes everything that follows feel brighter and more intentional.

what’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done?

i have to say, one of the most adventurous things i've ever done was flipping houses with my husband. we moved every 18 months for 16 years, all while raising 5 kids! at the end of that wild, beautiful journey, i wrote a book about it called hungry for home. it was quite the ride!

beyond that, our family has always had a deep love for outdoor adventures. no matter where we go, kai's travel kit is always packed in my bag. it has everything you need — shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and perfume, all in the signature scent — and it fits perfectly on a plane. it's the one thing that makes any destination feel a little more like home.

what book are you reading currently?

i love to read, and one of the books i most recently finished is theo of golden — it moved me deeply because of the way it captures the art of truly seeing people for who they are. that's a mantra our whole family tries to live by, and finding it so beautifully reflected in a book was special.

the other book i'd recommend is one near and dear to my heart. my own, hungry for home! it's all about how you can bless the people around you through your home, whether it be through family traditions, family recipes, gardening, or entertaining. it's not just something i wrote; it's something i genuinely return to and live out every single day.