Life is full of surprises. For instance, this article is supposed
to be about show dogs, but it’s not going to be. Let me explain.

When I arrived at Janet Rahn’s farm in Ridgeland, where Dog Gone Sensational, a sprawling, professional dog training, boarding and grooming facility, is located, I was there to see the top AKC Spanish water dogs in America. Dog Gone is known for their show dogs and co-own/train seven of the top 10. In fact, their dog Jango is the No. 1 Spanish water dog and has his own Facebook page, with more than 58,000 likes.

Southern fiction writer Karen White is no stranger to the New York Times bestseller list, and she is bringing yet another phenomenal book to the table. Based on her hometown of Milton, GA, newly released The Night the Lights Went Out is a mystery that will keep you guessing. With a small town suburban gossip chain, questionable friendships, plenty of secrets and a newly single mother trying to make a go of it, Karen unravels surprises galore. This one was hard to put down.

Spring is here, which we all know will last about two days.
It’s time to get the garden going and spruce up the lawn.
Blow the pollen and oak leaves off your porch and start decorating
for all those warm summer nights that will be spent outdoors.
We went in search of unique yard art—accent pieces both fun and functional—sure to give your outdoor space a fresh new feel.  
Our retailers didn’t disappoint, from local artists and coastal décor
made from recycled goods, to Asian motif—we’ve found it all.
Hello sunshine! Welcome back.

Spring, dear readers, is nature’s way of saying that you can begin again.

If it’s true for trees and tulips, it’s true for you and your well-being, because we’re all organisms on this earth, made of the same essential stuff, all wanting to get our sap rising, our energy flowing, our legs strong enough to walk the stairs without cursing our knees.

I love sharks. I find them infinitely fascinating with their migration, whimsical swim patterns and shear size. The truth is we don’t really know that much about them, but fear not, shark research has increased in recent years and the quest for knowledge among researchers and the public is steadily growing. It just so happens that one of the best Great White Shark fisherman lives right here on Hilton Head. On a beautiful overcast day in March, I headed out to the dock to interview Chip Michalove, captain and owner of Outcast Fishing Charters. We sat out on his boat, enjoyed the great weather and talked sharks.

Get outside and glamp! That’s not a typo; glamping is a recent trend where women have taken over campgrounds all over America in their glammed-out, adorable campers all for the sake of a little R&R with their girlfriends. Glamping is taking “girls’ weekends” to a whole new level of fun—and connection. They are called Sisters on the Fly, a national group of more than 8,000 women, who take camping, sisterhood and adventure serious. Well, not that serious. These camping trips are all about fun! The “sisters” are able to escape their daily grind by getting out in nature and celebrating life and friendship together through the simplicities of camping, bon fires, story telling and cookouts.

Heads up ladies, there’s a new kid on the block...
and you’re going to want to get acquainted!

Meet Kristy Woodson Harvey, blogger and author of Slightly South of Simple (on shelves this month). This young author is making a splash in the Southern fiction world. With accolades for her earlier works Dear Carolina (long-listed for the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize, optioned for film and appeared on many “must-read” lists) and Lies and Other Acts of Love (an Okra Pick and Romantic Times top pick) Pink Magazine is excited to feature her new book and give our readers insight on Kristy.

We’ve all had the experience of walking the beach, finding beautiful shells, and coming across some sort of unidentified sea creature. Sometimes, these mysterious finds can even draw a crowd. Beachcombing is a favorite pastime of many Lowcountry residents and vistors. However, strolling the beach can be way more exciting and interesting when you know what you’re looking at. Wouldn’t it be a great experience to walk into a crowd all hovering over a giant blob and begin to educate the group with your vast knowledge? We think so, and that’s why we teamed up with Carlos Chacon, the Naturalist at Coastal Discovery Museum to learn more about what’s washing up on the shores around the Lowcountry.

Take a break this spring from all the fashion “don’ts” and turn them into the new dos. Change is in the air, and just when you thought you’d never wear “those” two colors together, you’ve got new ideas to inspire your wardrobe in a whole new way. Here are some ways to break out of that old thinking for the season ahead. Go ahead and break out of these old “don’ts.”

Anyone who’s been in the Lowcountry for a while knows there’s more to Hilton Head than great beaches and bars. Hang onto your sun hats, ladies! I’m taking you on a tour that delights the senses and satisfies that craving for some well-earned girl time.

Recently, I read an article titled, “Across the USA by Train for Just $213” and immediately did a double take; Wait, there is no way I can travel from coast-to-coast for that cheap! So my friend and I began to research blogger Derek Low’s article and found that, yes, you can travel across the US for a fairly low cost. I was instantly intrigued and felt inspired to share my newfound information with Pink readers.

New spring fashions are popping up in stores and online, tempting us to think about sunnier days ahead. (And getting to the gym!) Here is a sneak peek at what you will want to put in your shopping carts now.

There is a place just about 90 minutes down the road that feels about as far away as you can get. It is the perfect place to relax and recharge. There is a magic that slowly seeps into your soul. This magic is an organic blend of nature, beauty and friendliness that gently beckons you to cozy up in an Adirondack chair with a front row seat to the best views any bed and breakfast on the Georgia coast has to offer.

On a chilly morning last fall, a good Samaritan found a 5-week-old kitten unable to stand or even lift her head. Vets at the Palmetto Animal League Community Clinic in Okatie could find no underlying cause for the kitten’s paralysis. Staff members fed her with an eyedropper, but she showed no signs of improvement and they feared the worst.

Dear Readers: We’re now in the third month of 2017, and do you know what that means? For a lot of us, it means our New Year’s resolutions are already a thing of the past. It isn’t that we’re not committed to positive change. It’s just that often we’re not clear about how to achieve it. Especially if resolutions are general­—sure, we all want to lose weight or save more money, but it can be hard to follow through.

You’re driving home, and you’re worried. You’ve just been to visit your mom for the third time this week; she seems to need more and more help each time you return. She has been pretty down since dad passed away, and hardly ever leaves the house. Her nutritional habits are a little concerning, as well. Standing to cook a full meal is just too much, so she has resorted to eating little bits of TV dinners. Two weeks ago when you visited, you intended to get her prescriptions refilled. But when you looked at the pill bottles, the medicines were hardly used at all.

A friend recently sent me a picture of a billboard, which showed an advertisement for a divorce lawyer with a message of: “Undo… ‘I do’… Fast…Easy…Affordable.” Unfortunately, for many, it may not be as “fast,” “easy,” or “affordable” to simply “undo” one’s marriage. The process for “I do,” which includes obtaining a marriage license and holding a ceremony to sign the marriage license, is much less involved than the process to obtain a divorce from the marriage.

When buying a home, it is always best to be prepared. Write down a description of your dream home. Meet with a mortgage lender to get an idea of their procedures and for how much you will be able to borrow. Once you get serious about buying go ahead and get pre-approved! Do not make any big purchases during this time and continue to save for your down payment. It is best to put down 20 percent of the purchase price and finance 80 percent or less. This way you will not be required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). However, there are programs where as little as 3 percent down and financing 97 percent are available.

Pillow fights are nothing but fun–joyful, energizing and giggle-producing. Food fights with your kids, on the other hand, are stressful, crazy-making and can result in eating disorders down the line.

However, his artistic talent went far beyond the printed page and yet, to this day, his Secret Art Collection is virtually unknown to the general public. Throughout his lifetime, Ted Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) created paintings and sculpture, which he secretly stashed away at the Dr. Seuss Estate.

What “best kept secret” non-profit has a great party in early March? Their name sounds kind of “stuffy,” yet their work is making a significant difference in the education of our children in Beaufort County. They are the Foundation for Educational Excellence and they are successfully raising money to help our children learn through creative and innovative methods.

For years and years, I lived under a dark cloud of worry that I would end up financially destitute, a bag lady.

A study conducted by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America reveals that I’m not the only one. In fact, most of us have felt that way, not because we’re broke but because we don’t have confidence that we know how to hang on to our money. And that makes us timid, worried and financially insecure.

February is American Heart Month and a reminder that we need to take special care to protect our vulnerable hearts. That’s why my 90-minute yoga class last week was dedicated to postures designed to open the heart, support the heart, and nourish the heart. I felt so stress-free after class that I was able to get through an entire night of TV news without a single taco chip.

It is difficult for parents to balance giving financial help to their adult children and allowing them independence, even if independence means hardship. I do not have all the answers. I struggle because I’m a mother and my mom heart wants to protect my children from every possible bump in the road of life.

The members of McIntosh Art Association are onto something good as they connect our community’s future to its past in an artful and unique way. Association president, Ethel Wilson, shared the group’s exciting 2017 event plans:

Q: What drives you crazy about your spouse?

A: SUSAN: The way he looks at me when we are at a social gathering from across the room drives me crazy in a good way. He is so particular about the way his closet is color coordinated, especially his golf shirts, they are hung by color and all facing the same way
TOM: She comes up with so many great ideas and concepts but doesn’t implement them. She thought of Angie’s List first!

Instead of all the “new year, new you” declarations, relax. Think about going rogue. Let’s just hit the reset button and focus on some of the “little” things that will make a difference when living your life in style.