From the Editor

Before my parents had me, their first (fur)child was a Boykin Spaniel, Rhett. Besides eating all our socks and the occasional shoe, he was an extremely smart pup and a dependable companion. I was allowed to get my very own pet once I reached second grade which is when we got a second Boykin named … Continued

Although I have explored life in many ways, I have not traveled nearly as much as I would like – yet. Most of my traveling was during college when the Tiger Band would accompany the football team for important games. For playoffs, we would spend a full week somewhere and although we had lots of … Continued

The senses of summertime are quite sensational, especially when you enjoy the season near the coast. Okay, maybe not the hefty traffic or buzzing mosquitoes, but I choose to focus more on the delightful aspects. It’s no surprise that growing up along the Grand Strand has shaped my perspective to appreciate the raw beauty of … Continued

Keeping my life spicy means applying the concept of variety. Variety, as in the absence of monotony. While I still value my Saturday to-do list and other specific routines that help me stay sane and healthy, the idea of variation is still present in much of my lifestyle. Due to having multiple jobs, I enjoy … Continued

Although my red hair is a giveaway that I have some Irish in my blood, my lineage also has French-Canadian, German, and Swedish roots. I remember in grade school when we were discussing surname origins how the teacher used my last name as an example and said that maybe my ancestors raised Hawks. I laughed … Continued

The feng shui of my personal space has always fascinated me. Even growing up, when the only space I sort of had a say about was my bedroom, I sure had significant opinions about how it should look and feel. I would constantly move furniture around in my room whenever I was feeling stagnant. I … Continued

Regardless of which time period you research, fashion has always been a pinnacle form of art – one that constantly changes yet also comes full circle often. What you wear and how you present yourself to the world have forever been lively discussions throughout history. From clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, hair accessories, makeup trends, belts, … Continued

I believe that living and loving are action words that go hand in hand. Living well is not possible without loving deeply – especially when it comes to loving yourself. In the spirit of honesty, I have decided to share with you my recent health discovery. After a lifetime of feeling random symptoms, I finally … Continued

Creativity is a luxury many of us forget about as we age. Thanks to societal norms, our minds become consumed with rational (as well as irrational) thoughts and fears about the world and our future. While feeling worried is a valid emotion and spending time focused on real-life tasks is essential, I could also argue … Continued

For many people around the world, getting into the holiday spirit can be brought on by the stunning sight of snow. For those of us who live along the Grand Strand, that’s a rare occasion. Although I was born in Texas, my family moved here when I was three, and that’s when I saw snow … Continued

Gathering with loved ones and gobbling down some yummy food is most certainly underrated. Not to mention that it’s a beautiful time of year, from the charming colors to the perfect weather. Warm hues of yellow, orange, red, and purple coupled with the cozy sweater attire certainly creates wonderful feelings of comfort. Despite how lovely … Continued

If you stepped inside the little home my roommate and I refer to as the “Zen Den,” you would instantly be immersed in a rich blend of funky texture, retro vintage, and color galore. After you’ve been acquainted with the cats (Mr. Tom and Rosie) as well as the butterfly rug and sunshine mirror in … Continued

There certainly never is an “I” in team, but I learned early on how “I” personally affect my teammates and the role I play within the team that’s created. As a baton twirler, I joined the local competition team when I was seven and as I advanced, I naturally became very (too) proud. My coach … Continued

Most of you are probably aware by now that I was a stubborn child, but who wasn’t? (I always blamed the red hair.) As you can imagine, that particular trait sometimes led to some not-so-great events. I am sure we all have those past experiences that are awful at the time, yet hilarious down the … Continued

Twenty years is a significant amount of time. July of 2002 was the summer I celebrated my 6th birthday. My party involved playing in the neighborhood pool and eating what is still one of my favorite foods – pizza. I think it’s extra special to reflect on the fact that some of those party guests … Continued

Planning events and playing hostess is my jam – literally. One of the best aspects of a party is creating the perfect playlist to match the vibe and excite the guests (which depends on which of my friends or family are attending). Luckily, I listen to a wide variety of genres and I know my … Continued

Although life does not come with a manual, you sure are lucky if yours comes with a helpful mother. However, I am not so sure they ALWAYS feel quite so lucky to be stuck with us. I was stubborn even before birth. After many years of IVF treatments, the dang stick finally revealed a positive … Continued

Charles Wright had the right idea when he wrote the classic, soul-funk hit “Express Yourself” that made its grand debut in 1970. The song is timeless and so is the melodious message. My favorite verse is, “Some people have everything, and other people don’t, but everything don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t the thing … Continued

I hope all of my wonderful grandmothers are proud that my green thumb has grown since this time last year. I moved into a new place with bright lighting and immaculate energy. I am now the mother of twenty-two house plants, some outdoor flowers, and I even added a small herb garden on the porch … Continued

Who are we as women if we do not support other women? No matter what their hopes and dreams may be, I am proud and honored to know all of the females who surround me. I have gal-pals who are managers, lawyers, beauticians, teachers, accountants, real estate agents, personal care aids, nurses, soon-to-be doctors, some … Continued