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.

Your Local Pinkterest Board
The Lowcountry Lookbook

As women, we have all had a hair emergency. Usually, it’s based on a bad hair moment, like a home dye job “gone wrong” or a huge event coming up where we have to look absolutely perfect. But what if your bad hair day was turning into a bad hair life? This is exactly where 29-year-old Michelle Ortega found herself. Though she has a long, beautiful head of dark hair, it has been falling out since her late teens, becoming a source of increasing worry and embarrassment.

What would you do if you had all the “business’’ of your life in order? What if all of your estate matters were planned and your wishes were all set? What if you had your financial plan in place, where you knew exactly what your retirement entailed, including checking some things off your bucket list. Imagine the sense of peace your family and loved ones would feel knowing you have made it easy for them. More importantly, imagine the assuredness and tranquility you will feel knowing your life is in order and your wishes will be respected.

When you turn 64 years old, your ultimate benefit as an American is just around the corner—Medicare! While it doesn’t take a year of research to figure out what you need to do, navigating your way into the world of Medicare can be daunting. Not to mention there are don’t-miss, unforgiving deadlines! There are also decisions to make that can affect the remainder of your healthcare life. This is why it is so important to find a Medicare insurance agent who can thoroughly explain the options and how they will affect you as you age and as your health care needs evolve.

Lawyers are sometimes derisively referred to as “hired guns”, implying they will fight for whoever pays them without regard to “right” or “wrong” of the underlying conflict. The truth is, excellent lawyers fight for their clients and wage war, if required. Lawyers fight to protect their clients, especially women, from the other side’s unscrupulous conduct in litigation.

It is surprising how many people believe they can take advantage of females in litigation. Insurance companies may discount a woman’s injuries because perhaps “she’s just a stay-at-home mom.” Or, insurance defense lawyers often think “a woman won’t have the endurance to see this trial all the way to the end.”

In all your roles as a woman, your time is valuable and your life is often filled with complexity—whether it's expanding a business, running the household, welcoming new family members, or preparing for retirement. Amid all of life’s demands, it's easy to forget about one of the most critical pieces of your financial and personal strategy: your estate plan.

Estate planning is not a “set it and forget it” task. Just as your life evolves, so should your estate documents. An outdated plan can lead to unintended consequences, such as probate complications, unnecessary taxes, or even disinheriting loved ones. So, when is the right time to update your estate plan?

Did you know your home may be the smartest purchase you will ever make in your lifetime? More than just having a place to call home, homeownership has been proven to provide families and individuals with financial stability, as well as the opportunity to build wealth for themselves and their future generations. In addition, owning a home is something to be proud of and gives families the wonderful experience of being part of a community.

Living on Hilton Head Island or in the South Carolina Lowcountry may just be one of the best places on earth. Take into account the sheer quantity of visitors who aspire to own property on or near the Island. We are the lucky ones who are able to live here.

Life is messy. Let’s plan anyway.

Between juggling careers, caregiving, and carving out a sliver of “me time,” it’s no wonder that so many women put off the business of estate planning. It’s one of those things we all know we should do—but often delay until a life event forces the issue.

Here’s the truth: the best time to get your ducks in a row is when life isn’t in crisis. Estate planning is your opportunity to take control, protect what matters most, and make sure your wishes are honored.

And no—estate planning is not just for retirees or millionaires.

Sometimes, the smallest tweaks can have the biggest impact. Take your favorite go-to outfit—maybe it’s jeans and a white top, or a simple black dress you swear by. Now imagine pairing it with a wide-brimmed straw hat. Suddenly, you look boho-chic and effortlessly cool. Swap that for a baseball cap, and the look shifts into sporty, laid-back territory. Change it again to a colorful, chic, floppy brim, and now there’s a subtle nod to elegance. It’s all the same base, but each hat tells a completely different story and hits a home run.

Along a stretch of Route 17 in Yemassee, SC, is a historic home with a picturesque 300-year-old live oaks standing proudly in the front yard.
The house, built in 1868, has periodically been restored over the years, mostly to bring it in line with today’s contemporary codes and expectations.

Today, this historic residence, known as Frampton Plantation House, is home to the South Carolina Lowcountry Tourism Commission.

The Commission is one of 11 regional destination marketing organizations in South Carolina. It represents Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties, and its job is to promote economic development and things to see and do in our area. “Savannah and Charleston are very well known, but we want people to know about everything in between,” said Peach Morrison, Executive Director. “Charleston is like our older sister—well-established and sure of herself. Savannah is our younger sister: beautiful and loves to party.” Peach continued, “We are the middle sister who will put her pearls on, get in the boat, and go get shrimp for dinner.” 


Margaritas are officially in season!

And seriously, with one of the first nice days to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine, I decided to task my friends with a margarita mix tasting. I have always been a die-hard fan of the tried-and-true Jose Cuervo margarita mix, but with boutique brands popping up everywhere, I wanted to try some of what I consider “newer ones” to the market.

There’s just something about a man and his chair. If a man’s home is his castle, then the king must have his throne, right? From Archie Bunker’s iconic recliner to Sheldon Cooper’s carefully positioned “spot,” pop culture is filled with men and their chairs. Here at Pink, we usually focus on the women of our community, but each June we give the guys their time in the spotlight. Some of these gentlemen seem to be always on the move, never taking a moment to sit down, but our photographers managed to capture them in their favorite resting spots. They graciously answered our questions and opened up about themselves. We proudly present a few of the Lowcountry's Men and their Chairs:

A spur of the moment trip to Coligny Beach that a Beaufort mom decided to take on Sunday May 4 was a meetup she will never forget. Jennifer Campbell heard about the beached whale that was there, and just as a whim, thought she would take her 32-year-old daughter Caroline to see it. Pink readers may remember Caroline, a high-functioning adult with Down Syndrome, who was featured in June 2014 (itsallpink.com/featured-women/item/caroline-campbell).

Summer's here. Time to kick back, take a deep breath... and focus. Slowly inhale through your nose; hold it for a couple of seconds; then exhale, also through your nose.

Then do it again.

Why? Because whatever your favorite summertime sport—running, swimming, biking or daydreaming on a sun-dappled porch—you'll do it better and spark more joy if you develop this skill, which you already have but may not have the habit of using.

Click below to check out this year's fabulous and furry line up!

“I love it when a plan comes together” was a frequent line from the old A-Team show. And that’s exactly what happened at Beaufort Elementary School when a math coach and members of the Beaufort Shag Club connected. Third and fourth graders got a chance to learn the South Carolina state dance, the Shag, from experienced instructors, and needless to say, everyone had a great time!

Camellias, azaleas and red bud trees…oh my! What a stunning, colorful show spring brings,
beckoning us to grab our gardening gloves, go outside, and play in the dirt. Not only is gardening a healthy hobby, it also offers rewards that can be enjoyed year round. Whether you’re a novice or a master gardener, there is always more to learn about what to plant where and when. That’s why we asked the experts to share some of their best knowledge.

Savor rhymes with favor, and if it’s not in your vocabulary, it should be. Why? Because learning to savor is a wonderfully effective steppingstone to greater happiness, according to the latest research in positive psychology. And yet, these days—when so many of us are feeling chronically rushed and endlessly distracted—who has time for savoring?

Lorna Hollifield is a Southern author with a real twist. “I’m not the Southern author with sweet tea dripping everywhere, I write about dark and ugly things,” Lorna said. Her newest book, Bright Little Girls, is full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Don’t have time to travel the world this weekend? No worries.
It’s easy—and close—to find fun and interesting things to do right here in South Carolina. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Airshow
When: April 12-13, 2025 Base Access: 8:30 A.M. Gates Open: 9 A.M.
Where: Hwy. 21/Geiger Blvd., Beaufort, SC
Distance: Approximate 1-hour drive
Tickets: Free general admission, but must get free ticket online
Learn More: www.beaufortairshow.com

Comfortable shoes, once reserved for casual outings
and practicality, are redefining fashion by making
their way into a dressier state of mind.

The days of sacrificing comfort for style are fading as sneakers, loafers, and even chic orthopedic-inspired designs become a staple in pairing with adorable, fun-to-wear dresses. From street style to high fashion runways, the fusion of elegance and ease is setting a new standard, proving that fashion can be both polished, practical…and painless!

The colorful masterpieces featured on Pink's cover each month are one of the signature features of our magazine. Created by artists from down the street and across the world, the chosen artwork is carefully procured to set the tone for the monthly theme and bring the issue alive.

In celebration of our 20 year anniversary, we'll be bringing you 20 covers each month to enjoy and reminisce!

Don’t have time to travel the world this weekend? No worries. It’s easy—and close—to find fun and interesting things to do right here in South Carolina. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Race over to the 90th Running of The Carolina Cup
When: Saturday, March 29, 2025 Where: 200 Knights Hill Rd, Camden, SC

What are the chances that a popular United Kingdom screenplay, written by the very talented Tim Firth, who also wrote Calendar Girls, would make its American debut at May River Theatre in Bluffton? Unlikely, but it is happening thanks to Liz MacGinnes, a London native, Bluffton resident, and active May River Theatre volunteer.

Liz is excited to facilitate Sheila’s Island making its way to the States. “I go back to London to visit frequently. Growing up in theater, I still have many friends in the industry. Last summer, my good friend and mentor told me about the play, thought it would be perfect for May River Theatre, and encouraged me to look at the script. Neither of us had any idea it had not been performed on American soil,” Liz said.