Here, Finley
“Ready to go see your friends at Nativity?” These magic words get Finley’s tail wagging before heading to school with her owner, David Kearney, principal at Nativity Parish School in Leawood. This fall will mark the second year that Finley has been a certified therapy dog for this local Catholic PK1-8 grade school. “Finley loves her days at Nativity and…
The Ripple Effect
Will Gurley, a Leawood resident and junior at Kansas City Christian School is making a big impact in our community through music. The You Matter Music Festival is the brainchild of Gurley and is helping break the stigma of mental illness by bringing awareness and resources to the area.
Welcome Home, Baby
Nurseries are undoubtedly one of the sweetest spaces to dream up. They are also such an important part of the nesting process for expecting parents. Lanie Draper and the design team at Rooted KC were thrilled when their client let them surprise them with this sweet space as they focused on other ways to prepare for their baby boy’s arrival. With almost unlimited creative freedom, their client’s only…
Farm-to-Table Entertaining Al Fresco
Spending time outdoors and enjoying friends and family over good food and drinks is a great way to usher in summer. This gorgeous farm-to-table dinner is set in the breathtaking Timber Barn space at Weston Red Barn Farm. From the fresh flower arrangements to the locally sourced produce and herbs, this earthy spread is brimming with character and flavor. The earthy ceramic and clay vases give the perfect…
WORKS FOR ME
When you love to solve problems as much as Jean-Paul Wong, providing optimal workplace solutions for clients throughout multiple industries among several locations is just another day at the office. As president and CEO of PURE Workplace Solutions, Wong is a mastermind of industry knowledge, anticipating the market curve, acquiring, rebranding, and repositioning for maximum growth.
The Ferrari Club of Kansas City
Italian luxury, performance, and design has been epitomized by Ferrari ever since that 125S, 1500 cc. 12-cylinder won its first victory in the Rome Grand Prix in 1947. Named after Enzo Ferrari (b. 1898, Modena, Italy), the prancing horse logo symbolizes “Italian excellence that makes the world dream.” Decades of racing success has created a loyal following, revved by state-of-the-art…
Paella pro tips
Chef Jonathan Justus of Black Dirt (formerly of the infamous Justus Drugstore) taught a paella cooking class at Kitchen Studio: Kansas City, the proceeds of which benefited Operation BBQ Relief. The experience was complete with wine, salad course and cheese plate for dessert while guests learned techniques to recreate his paella recipe at home.
She Can Do It
Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor two months before Nadine arrived in Washington, D.C. that late winter in 1941. In another two months, the cherry blossoms would be in full bloom, a prior gift from Japan before the countries became enemies. Twenty-two-year-old Nadine would be reminded of their message that life is beautiful, but short and fleeting.
Porch 2 Ways
Erica Krzykowski and design assistant, Angela Wedekind are the masterminds and the creative forces behind Prairie Home Designs. With their attention to detail, eye for innovative design and limitless creativity, this duo packs a powerful punch to transform any space. Principal designer Krzykowski makes it her personal mission to make each client’s space feel beautiful and reflect their unique and personal style.
True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen believes delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand-in-hand. Without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence, their menu was inspired by the philosophy that food should make you feel better, not worse. Shannon Keller, True Food Kitchen's chief marketing officer, is excited for Kansas City to experience their vibrant culture and robust culinary scene at their newest restaurant located…
The Makerista
Gwen Hefner, known as the Makerista, is a local influencer with a passion for home and design. She’s a Jane-of-all-trades sharing her tips and tricks for a variety of projects, including how to renovate a room, thrift, throw a party, and make a house a home with some flair. Whether it’s something for herself, her children or her Leawood home,…
Fixer Upper
We moved into our 1972 Leawood fixer upper in 2015 and have spent the last few years remodeling and updating nearly every room in the house. It has character galore, which is what drew us to the house. Some unique features include a finished attic with an observatory and “secret passageway” bookshelf door, built-in Murphy beds, and more. If you’re…
At Home with Becky Hillyard
Creative Becky Hillyard showcases her love of a neutral color palette, rich textures and workhorse statement pieces that will grow with her family on her lifestyle site, Cella Jane Blog. Named after her grandmother, the internationally popular blog is a place where Hillyard finds connection and shares inspiration on topics of fashion, beauty, fitness, baby, motherhood and more.
Simplistic Beauty
The homeowners were able to combine textile inspiration from all over the world to create this cozy and eclectic space. Warm red kilim and Persian rugs ground the space and add warmth and texture while the traditional patterns impart a sense of familiarity and timelessness. Indigo-dyed throw pillows add a bohemian flair inspired by African mud clothes and indigo dying…
Lyric Opera
Lyric Opera of Kansas City has been creating transformational opera experiences for more than 60 years. Lyric Opera currently performs in the heart of the city at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts with Tracy Davis-Singh as the director of production. “I coordinate all members of the production team, from costumes and scenery to lighting and makeup,” says…
Introducing Tara Kesner
Tara Kesner is a local artist and active mother and wife who lives in Leawood with her three young daughters and husband, Carmen. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and was heavily involved in the performing arts both during childhood and college. She had a passion for art at an early age, but pragmatism led her…
Art Around Leawood
The mission of Leawood’s Public Art Program is to integrate highly visible art into the Leawood community for the purpose of creating a legacy of works to be enjoyed by current and future generations, and they are doing just that. This is just a small collection of some of the exquisite pieces of art that can be enjoyed around Leawood.
Artisan Kombucha
Artisan Kombucha is Kansas City’s craft kombucha brewing company with a passion for healthy holistic living. Using organic and local ingredients for the highest quality kombucha, it is proudly brewed in small batches using organic loose-leaf teas, herbs, spices and real fruits and vegetables without any juices, concentrates or chemical additives. The result is a satisfying raw unfiltered beverage full…
Cold Winter Weather Blues
Keep your skin hydrated with these DIY skin products Audrey Kuether is a creative director, designer, DIYer, KCTV5 DIY contributor, photographer, interior stylist, and blogger. Her work has been featured on Houzz, Apartment Therapy, Better Homes and Gardens, Buzzfeed, Brit+Co, Marie Claire, Disney Baby, Zillow Blog, and more. She lives in Leawood in a fixer upper home with her…
Holiday Bunch Bowls
The holidays grant us with a unique opportunity to bring friends and family together. If your family is anything like mine, gathering around the dinner table to share a meal and a few cocktails is a revered tradition. Being the only person in my family with a cocktail background, I am constantly playing barkeeper when I would much rather be relaxing…
Holiday Decor Trends
Megan Mosier is the designer behind Megan Gensky Interiors. After working for Magnolia in Waco, Texas and winning awards while working for a local builder, she decided it was finally her time to start her own design company. She stays busy during the holiday months setting up clients’ homes and offices for the holiday season. Besides holiday decorating services, she…
Steps of Faith
For Billy Brimblecom music has been an essential piece of his existence. It has become a melody played on a continuous loop -- giving him comfort during personal storms, opening doors that seemed perilous, and providing him with an irreplaceable tool that has helped him to live out his wildest dreams.
Not Home for the Holidays
While the rest of us are gathering around the Thanksgiving table and decking our halls, some of our fellow community members are leaving behind their own families to work long shifts where they will care, protect and serve. This holiday season, we give thanks for their service and sacrifice.
Home Sweet Home
Four years ago when this Leawood family was house hunting, they were originally looking for a traditional Colonial-style house, but instead found a Cape Cod style house where they pictured their daughters playing basketball in the driveway and swinging on an old-fashioned rope swing in one of the enormous trees in the backyard. Today those dreams have come to fruition…
Leawood Officers Inspire Hope
Leawood Officers Inspire Hope To be a cop, you need to pass a physical ability test. You must be fast, agile and ready to run. That means muscle endurance and upper body and core strength. You must also have the emotional and intellectual capabilities required to deal with heated situations. Leawood police officers meet all of those qualifications. They possess…
