Where rest is sacred,
play is essential,
and community is woven
into every moment.
At Rest & Play, we believe that true renewal happens when we embrace both rest and play—when we step away from the demands of everyday life to slow down, reconnect, and breathe deeply.
Our mission is simple: to help women create space for both. Whether through restful retreats or small intentional pauses in your everyday life, we hope to inspire you to slow down, savor, and embrace the beauty of living well.
Rest & Play is more than a retreat—it’s a sacred space where women feel seen, heard, loved, and valued. A place to lay down burdens, to exhale, and to experience sabbath rest in the company of kindred spirits. Here, community is woven into every gathering, reminding each woman that she is not alone.
Our dedicated creative team works behind the scenes to thoughtfully shape each retreat experience, ensuring that every detail fosters peace, connection, and renewal. We are passionate about creating spaces where women can step away from the noise of life and into a rhythm that restores both heart and soul.
Rest and play aren’t luxuries; they’re lifelines. We invite you to embrace both—fully, freely, and without guilt.
Meet Kelli
founder & Retreat hostess
Kelli believes that rest and play aren’t luxuries—they’re lifelines. As a wife, mama of four, and retreat hostess, she knows how easy it is for women to pour endlessly into others while putting their own well-being on the back burner. That’s why she created Rest & Play—a space where women can breathe deep, slow down, and reconnect with themselves and each other. With a heart for hospitality and a love for creating meaningful experiences, Kelli designs retreats that feel like a warm hug—where laughter, deep conversations, and moments of stillness all have a place. Her greatest joy? Seeing women feel seen, loved, and encouraged as they step away from the noise and into the gift of rest and renewal.
Meet Chloe
Creative Visionary & mentor
Chloé is a dreamer, designer, and creative force who believes in the magic of storytelling through art and paper. As the founder of English Tea Paperie, she transforms ideas into beautifully hand-crafted keepsakes, blending timeless elegance with heartfelt meaning. Originally from London and now nestled in a charming Virginia cottage with her husband and daughter, Chloé brings a touch of British charm and a whole lot of creativity to Rest & Play! With an eye for beauty, a mind for strategy, and a heart for transformation, she helps shape each retreat experience, ensuring every detail reflects intention, inspiration, and warmth. Whether through artful touches, encouraging words, or simply the way she makes women feel seen and cherished, Chloé infuses Rest & Play with an undeniable spark of joy!
Meet Anna
photographer & joy Capturer
Anna is a literal ray of sunshine—bringing warmth, joy, and a keen artistic eye to every room she walks into! Since meeting Kelli at a conference in 2018, she has been a steadfast encourager and dear friend, always lifting others up with her kindness and authenticity. As a wife and mama, she knows how precious life’s fleeting moments are, and she brings that passion into her role as one of our retreat photographers. Through her lens, she captures the candid, joy-filled, and soul-refreshing moments that make our gatherings so special. More than just taking photos, Anna tells the beautiful stories of women finding rest, connection, and renewal—ensuring that every attendee feels celebrated and cherished long after the retreat ends.
Meet Ashley
photographer & storyteller
Ashley is a gifted photographer and storyteller who has a heart for capturing the beauty of real, unfiltered moments. Since meeting Kelli at a creative conference in 2018, she has become not only a trusted creative partner but also a dear friend and encourager, always ready with wisdom, laughter, and unwavering support. Through her own journey of resilience and faith, she is a living testimony to the redeeming power of God, and she carries that same heart of restoration into her work. As one of our retreat photographers, Ashley preserves the joy, connection, and renewal that unfold at Rest & Play, telling the stories of women stepping into a sacred pause. Her compassionate spirit and artistic eye help ensure that every woman feels seen, valued, and deeply cherished—both in the moment and through the memories she so beautifully captures.
Meet Katie
Spiritual Mentor & Encourager
Katie has a gift for walking alongside others through life’s transitions, offering encouragement, wisdom, and a steady presence in the midst of change. Whether in relationships or personal growth, she helps others break free from stagnation and step into their God-given strength and worth—just like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. She lives in Middle Georgia with her husband and two sons, bringing the same deep sense of love, faith, and community into everything she does. At Rest & Play, Katie’s presence is a reminder that we are seen, known, and capable of far more than we imagine. She holds space for curiosity, honesty, and growth, always pointing women back to truth, love, and the limitless possibilities ahead.
Meet Amanda
Creative friend & Compassionate listener
Amanda is a steady and compassionate presence, the kind of friend who listens deeply and speaks truth with kindness. As the founder of Thrive24 Design, she helps women move from just surviving to truly thriving, using her creativity to inspire and uplift. Since meeting Kelli in 2018, their shared Georgia roots and love for serving others have formed a sister-like bond. At Rest & Play, Amanda’s gift for hand-lettering, encouragement, and thoughtful conversation adds a layer of beauty and meaning to each retreat. Whether through a perfectly placed word of wisdom or a hand-lettered keepsake, Amanda’s heart is always to make sure every woman feels heard, valued, and truly seen.
