Healthy lifestyles don't just happen,
the way dust balls do.

It's up to you to carpe diem, to let go of old habits so you can dance with new ones—two steps forward, one step back—until the new ones become a juicy and joyful part of your life.

It all begins and ends with you, your readiness, your determination, your support system, your willingness to do something as silly sounding as keeping a journal.

Let me share a user-friendly, three step plan for you to consider when it comes to making a positive change in your own life:

There are five areas in the world known for the best health and longevity of its residents. These areas are referred to as Blue Zones™️ and include Loma Linda, CA; Island of Okinawa, Japan; Nicoya Peninsula, Coastal Rica; Mountains of Sardinia, Italy; and Island of Ikaria, Greece. Blue Zone regions aren’t just known for their people living long lives, many well beyond 100, but also for living longer lives that are better and healthier with less chronic disease and disabilities than anywhere else in the world.

Sparkling lights, bustling streets, larger-than-life holiday displays
at every turn, the Rockettes and one really big Christmas tree,
it’s New York City at Christmastime!

For years, my mom has been saying she wanted to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall…but it was a pipe dream at best. My thoughts always turned to “the holidays are just so busy, we have early deadlines, there are so many events”—all the convenient excuses. Well, this year, was the year Mom decided we were going to make It happen. So, the tickets and hotel were booked, and the next thing I knew, we were on a flight headed for the Big Apple.

The Lowcountry has long been a haven for those ready to savor life a little more—sunshine, friendships, and the freedom to set your own pace. Booming Brilliantly is for women stepping into their next chapter with confidence and joy, embracing these years as some of the best yet. Think of it as a rising tide of wisdom, wellness, joy, and new adventures.

You’ve spent years taking care of everyone—your parents, your children, your grandkids, your career, your household, and let’s be honest… sometimes even the neighbor’s dog. You’re the glue. The fixer. The one people call. But when it comes to planning your own future? Well, that usually gets pushed to “someday,” right?

Maybe you already have a dusty binder or a will from years ago. Maybe you’ve been meaning to “finally get this handled.” Or maybe you’ve never talked with an elder law attorney because the word elder feels a little too… early.

When Beaufort Memorial became the first in the region to offer robotic-assisted hysterectomy surgery 17 years ago, few could have predicted the sweeping changes ahead. Chief among them: robotic joint replacements that can take patients from the operating room to their living room in a single day.

More than 2 million total joint replacements are performed annually in the United States. By 2030, that number is expected to reach 3.5 million, making it one of the most common elective procedures in the country.

If you’re a Baby Boomer thinking about where to spend the next chapter of your life, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, deserves a serious look. I say that not just as a local real
estate agent, but as someone who has lived on the Island since 1972 and has helped people reach their goals and dreams of buying and selling homes and villas here for the past 40 years.

Over the decades, my wife, Frances, and I have watched Hilton Head Island grow from a quaint coastal retreat into one of America’s top destinations for families, retirees and second homeowners. It is easy to see why—beautiful weather, low property taxes, incredible medical care, outstanding outdoor living, and a rich arts and volunteer community all help to make this Island something special and a place to call Home.

Cognitive decline starts in your 30s. But you can slow it down.

If you’re over 30, neurologist Dr. Norman Bettle of Novant Health Neurology—Beaufort Plaza, has some unsettling news: You might be starting to cognitively decline. Studies show that by your 30s and 40s, you may be worse at learning new things than you used to be. And by your 50s and 60s, memory, retrieval, multitasking, and paying attention can become harder. The good news: You’ve also gained judgment and experience with age, so your overall performance is probably still better than during your younger years. And taking some proactive steps can help keep your brain sharp.

Every woman knows there’s one piece in her closet that never lets her down: the little black dress.

It’s the ultimate style chameleon—classy at cocktails, captivating on a date, powerful in a board meeting. No other outfit has carried us through nearly a century of late nights, big moments, and last-minute “what do I wear?” crises quite like the LBD.

It all started with Coco Chanel in the 1920s, when she dropped a shockingly simple black sheath into Vogue Magazine. At the time, black was for mourning, not martinis. Chanel rewrote the rules, calling her creation the “Ford of fashion”—accessible, practical, and chic. Translation: She made black sexy, and women have never looked back.

Next year marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War.

Barbara Catenaci, Executive Director of The Heritage Library on Hilton Head Island, understands the importance of history and lineage. As such, she began dreaming of ideas of how The Heritage Library would celebrate this historic anniversary. Over cocktails and conversation with friends, Barbara amusingly confided, “This will be the war that does me in!” After all, it’s not every year a milestone of this magnitude comes along directly in the wheelhouse of The Heritage Library.

I wish I could make you cut back on sugar, breathe away your stress or eat only grass-fed beef. But wishes are like dishes: You usually have to do them yourself. What I can do is introduce you to "power-ups": moment-by-moment strategies to spark joy and boost your well-being this holiday season.

With the holiday season cruising full speed ahead, our calendars are filling up with soirées, dinners, cocktail hours, and cozy get-togethers. But these aren’t just parties—they are moments that become forever memories with the people you love and cherish. Hosting well isn’t just about putting food on the table; it’s about creating an atmosphere where good times flow as freely as the wine, where everyone feels at home. 

We’re here to give you some gentle guidance on how to be the hostess with the mostest, meaning you get to enjoy your party as much as your guests. And just as importantly, how to avoid the classic mistakes amateur hosts often make.

A glow up isn’t just about changing how you look—it’s about transforming how you feel. It’s the process of becoming the best version of yourself, inside and out, often sparked by the natural desire to look and feel your best as you move through life. Aging, once seen as something to fight against, has become part of that journey. It’s no longer about chasing youth; it’s about embracing growth, confidence, and self-care in every stage.

For some women, it’s all about the face. More than any other part of the body, the face gets the most scrutiny, especially in that lit-up magnifying mirror you more than likely have in your bathroom.

We all stare into that mirror ignoring our beauty and dwelling on the fine lines, marionette lines, smile lines, crows feet, 11s, and all the other catchy-termed lines which simply mean wrinkles. Some women are perfectly fine with the inevitable signs of aging. After all, they are an outward nod to having the honor of age, wisdom, and longevity, all things to be proud of that many people do not get the chance to experience. But on the other side of the spectrum, many women say Bah-humbug to the signs of aging and long for a more youthful appearance. And lucky for this group, there are new and improved technologies for combatting that mean magnifying mirror.

Choosing the Right Aesthetic Treatments
With the fast-paced evolution of aesthetic technology, deciding which procedures are best for your skin can be challenging. Innovations such as lasers, RF microneedling, facials, toxins/fillers and body sculpting now provide safe and effective solutions, all while minimizing downtime. As technology continues to advance, selecting the most sophisticated options becomes essential for achieving the best possible outcomes. Understanding what to expect from each procedure will help you make informed decisions and maximize your results.

The Lowcountry is a place where salty breezes, fresh seafood, and sun-kissed skin are part of everyday life. But for some, those golden rays come with a hidden risk: skin cancer. When a diagnosis leads to surgery, many wonder: what happens next? How do you get your natural glow back?

Fortunately, there’s a highly effective treatment that not only removes skin cancer but also helps preserve your natural appearance: Mohs surgery. And when paired with reconstruction done by a plastic surgeon, patients can truly get their glow back.

Losing extra weight isn’t just about looking better, it’s about being healthier and feeling stronger every day.

Even a modest amount of weight loss can lower your risk of many diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, some cancers, and joint pain, while also giving you more energy and confidence. New treatments like GLP-1 injections are making weight loss easier to achieve and more sustainable by helping control appetite, improving blood sugar levels, and supporting a healthier metabolism. Together, these changes not only help patients reach their weight goals, but also protect long-term health, offering a better quality of life.

Women’s bodies experience many changes throughout adulthood. From the freshman 40 in college to losing the freshman 40, to pregnancy weight gain, childbirth and breast feeding, to never losing the baby weight, to being so busy between being a wife, mom and professional, it becomes hard to find time for fitness, it all feels like a constant losing battle…not to mention perimenopause and menopause. You may wonder “where has my inner glow gone?”

Transformations don’t happen overnight. There’s no “easy” button or wave of a magic wand.

True change takes work, dedication and trust—trust in yourself and, in Michelle Howard’s case, trust in a plastic surgeon to help her reclaim her confidence and feel like herself again.

Before moving to South Carolina, Michelle, 57, decided to change her life over a decade ago in New England. She was 302 pounds, and she chose to undergo bariatric surgery with a clear goal: losing weight and embracing a healthier lifestyle.

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year, and it's not just the oversized taffy apples. I'm talking crispy cool days that call for turtlenecks and yoga tights, a seasonal shift to fading colors and falling leaves, great sales on outdoor furniture.

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree," writes Emily Bronte.

"This is the season of the harvest," writes Elson M. Haas, "the fruition of all the growth of spring and summer."

Fashion’s latest obsession is the “Coastal Grandma” look—a polished yet relaxed aesthetic, built around breathable fabrics, timeless tailoring, and a soft neutral palette. Think crisp linen trousers, wide leg jeans, oversized button-ups, and monochromatic layers in shades of white, cream, and blue. It’s a style that feels refined without being overdone, casual but never sloppy.

As long as there are books, there is hope, especially when it comes to improving one’s health. Whether mental, self-care, or physical health is your concern, there is practically an endless selection of books to turn to when you want to dive deeper. You will find books on specific conditions, healing, eating, and everything else that comes along with addressing your ailments and living a healthy life.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is recognized worldwide for providing life-saving treatment, free of charge, to children diagnosed with cancer and other serious illnesses. Their care goes beyond medical treatment, offering comprehensive support to families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the experiences of children undergoing treatment and the families who support them.

I hate to start off in such a negative way, but I’m positive it’s essential to your well-being: If you don’t make a special effort to take care of your brain, your brain may stop taking care of you.

Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise and now considered the third-leading cause of death in America. One-third of all seniors will develop it, and it’s not just older people who are suffering from alarming cognitive decline. Younger people are also showing unexpected signs of brain dysfunction, including memory loss, an inability to focus, and a tendency to prefer violent video games over a quiet walk in the woods.

If the paper monster has you buried under an avalanche of receipts, bank statements, ATM slips, investment records, paycheck stubs and bills, then read on. The good news is you can probably throw most of it away without worry. But before you fire up the shredder, you need to know what to toss and what to keep—and for how long.

STEP NO. 1: TOSS ALL YOU CAN
Monthly. Once you have recorded the amounts and reconciled your bank and credit card statements, you can shred ATM receipts, bank deposit slips, credit card receipts and sales receipts at the end of each month. Exception: Keep receipts for purchases that may be tax deductible, those that involve a warranty and any item whose replacement cost exceeds the deductible on your homeowners or renters insurance.

I love reading true stories and historical fiction about women who made an impact in the business world against all odds. These women usually have incredible stories laden with challenges, hurdles, and naysayers. Amazingly, with all their determination and grit, they show us how to rise, overcome, and win despite the struggles. It’s astounding to discover the level of savviness and resourcefulness these women go to in order to follow through on their visions, dreams, and beliefs.

Beyond learning so much about these women who have literally shaped all of our lives in some way and became world-wide household names, they really are very similar to you and me. Their feelings of overwhelm, defeat, fear, doubt, accomplishment, and triumph are all universal. It’s intriguing to see the power of how women can come from nothing and become everything. Enjoy the reads!

Did you know?
The first 6 weeks of freshman year are a vulnerable time for underage college drinking and alcohol-related consequences because of student expectations and social pressures at the start of the academic year.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) indicates that drinking by college students ages 18 to 24 contributes to an estimated 1,519 student deaths each year. In addition, there are an estimated 696,000 assaults by another student who has been drinking, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or date rape each year.

Change is being delivered for careers in logistics and supply chain, traditionally known as a male-dominated field. What exactly is Logistics and Supply? According to Steve Thrift, logistics instructor at Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL), it applies to any product used by consumers or business. “It starts with getting raw materials to production, storing the products, procuring products, storing and transporting products to warehouses, and transportation to its final destination. There are a lot of activities involved.”

Historically, females are under-represented in this industry, he explained. “There is a lot of opportunity today, and jobs are hard to fill, so women may want to consider this field. There is a wide variety in roles, most are challenging, and offer good career path progression, especially in procurement,” Steve said.

My friend Bobbie is bored with her workouts.

We talked about it. She feels so ... blah.

Your stress plays a part, I explained. Unrelieved stress can trigger negative emotions, I told her, translating into boredom on the bike and in the gym. "Really?" she wondered, sounding relieved.

That heavy, lethargic feeling of "who cares?" could also be because Bobbie is a chronic perfectionist, famous for pushing herself too hard at everything she does. Boredom is your body's natural defense against overdoing it, I explained.

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