Large, charitable events, often on limited budgets, require immense creativity and collaboration to achieve their fundraising objectives.  The upcoming Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton (BGCB) biennial gala, Reach for the Stars, at Belfair on May 9, is a shining example of this challenge.

The classic wrap dress—a vintage favorite—was introduced by Diane Von Furstenberg in 1972.

Susan Boyer likes to say she grew up wanting to be like Nancy Drew. And that day has certainly arrived.  Now a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author, Boyer’s lifelong love for mysteries and solving puzzles has evolved into her distinctive series of Liz Talbot novels.

Red and green peppers dancing up a lattice in a wooden box. A terra cotta pot bursting with ripe, juicy tomatoes. Small clay pots sprinkled with budding pole bean plants. All of these and more are examples of the wonderful art known as vegetable container gardening. And the diversity and simplicity of this much loved practice is what makes it enticing to everyone from master gardeners to those with just a hint of a green thumb.

Are you looking for a new and totally different adventure? If so, this is the destination for you! A little off the beaten path and just a short road trip away lies the Ashantilly Center in Darien, Ga. As you drive onto the 18-acre property, you can’t help but feel transported into another era. Ashantilly was built circa 1820 and was the mainland residence of prominent antebellum planter Thomas Spalding. It was partially destroyed by fire in 1937 and has been somewhat restored by William G. Haynes Jr., its last private owner.

It’s a common scene at any daycare, playground or birthday party: a crying child clinging to a parent who is desperately trying to convince the child to let go and join the fun. Almost all children have some aspect of separation anxiety during the first six years of life. Separation anxiety should not be feared or even wished away, as it is the most obvious and identifiable sign of your child’s love and trust in you.

In January 2010, Mandy Hale found herself divorced and single at the age of 30. Ready to begin her life again, she found herself in a sea of advice...for finding a man. But, what if she wasn't necessarily ready to find a man?

With Valentine’s Day on your mind, not to mention your lips and hips, it’s a good time to take to heart four strategies you can embrace—starting today—to make your ticker stronger and last longer.

Thinking about taking a little vacation and escaping to the warmth of a tropical locale? Then get set for a few packing tips from one of the most famous fashion jet setters of all—Rachel Zoe.

My life changed radically 21 years ago, when I broke my self-imposed gag order and told the whole world about my struggle with a debilitating spending problem. I had no idea at the time that this would be one of the smartest things I could ever do. By telling my story and owning up to my problem, I became accountable.

Most women can remember the moment well. As girls, we stood in a dressing room, surrounded by dresses in a rainbow of colors. Some with sparkles, crystals or maybe beading. Others had full skirts that rustled when we touched them. We picked one off its hanger and stepped into it, shimmying it into place. We asked our mom to come in and zip it up. Then, we turned around and faced the mirror.
It was perfect. We had found our prom dress.

Our living room is fairly large but narrow, so the sofa can only go against one wall, which leaves the room open to the entry hall through a wide arch. How can I make it feel self-contained and cozy, not wide-open and breezy?

To recover on any personal injury claim against a third party you have to prove negligence and that the at-fault party’s negligence caused your injuries. There are four basic elements of negligence, all of which must be proven if the claim is unable to be settled and goes to trial: presence of a duty of care; breach of that duty; that the breach of the duty directly caused the injuries; and proving the nature and extent of the injuries or damages.

Women are great at multitasking! Our families depend on us to do many different jobs. Our parents ask for our knowledge, our children need guidance, and our husbands get our opinion, whether they want it or not! Thus, you are the gatekeeper of your family’s health.

Money and finance were “taboo” topics of conversation in my family when I was growing up; we lived with a “those who have it shouldn’t talk about it” mentality. In college, I was amazed to discover that other students had their own checking accounts, and I was totally shocked by my future husband’s family’s openness about financial matters. Still, this was the very beginning of a journey that eventually ended with an MBA in finance, a CFP® certification and a lifelong commitment to financial planning, especially concerning those issues specific to women. Our culture puts a premium on financial success and security, but often, for women, withholds the opportunity, exposure and experience required to become fluent in financial language and comfortable interacting in the world of investments. Women on their own face some daunting cultural and circumstantial challenges. 

Sometimes getting your life in order involves the often painful process of ending relationships, in particular a marriage. Issues involving money, expectations, lack of intimacy, infidelity, physical abuse or substance abuse are sometimes present and make the continuation of the relationship impossible. 

When I first realized that qi existed—inside the body, inside of my body-—I was just turning 30. It was an astonishing aha! moment, part of a fascinating Aikido workshop led by the late, great teacher and author George Leonard.

Katie Cleland, a high school senior, started a personal project that captured the Pink staff’s collective imagination. The project was as multi-faceted as its creator. It showcased Katie’s talents as a stylist, fashion photographer, wordsmith and communicator. It made use of technology and social media. And it was full of heart and soul.

Moving can be scary, especially when you are a successful retailer, who has been in the same tried and true location for 14 years. There are many unknowns when deciding to move the location of your business. For Jennifer Megliore, owner of ArtWare, who recently decided to move her art and gift store from Main Street to the new Shelter Cove Towne Centre, it was “an act of faith.” She left what she knew was good for the opportunity to hope for great.

Are you thinking about buying or selling Hilton Head Island or Lowcountry real estate? What do you do next?

Running is still leading the pack as one of the best ways to work out, burn calories, calm your mind and strengthen your heart and lungs.

Even if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool “separatist” and love putting together your own unique ensemble, dresses can be the perfect solution to holiday fashion. For this holiday season, you can’t go wrong with a “one-hit-wonder,” especially if it’s in black.

“When you need to make an impression, nothing disguises pounds or adds height and general allure like the little black dress,” says fashion expert Paula Reed, creative director of the luxury etailer, MyTheresa.com. “Clearly, the little black dress is not as simple as it looks. Any old one will not do.”

In her highly touted book, Style Clinic, Reed offers some suggestions on choosing the perfect little black dress to flatter your figure’s best attributes. 

The Holidaze are sneaking up on us more rapid than eagles their coursers they came. 
Let’s whistle, and shout, and call them by name! An Opportunity for Family Dysfunction.

 Holidays are filled with cheer, generosity, creativity, love and nostalgia. And I’m not saying everyone has it, 
buuuuut JUST in case you experience ANY discomfort in the sphere of family, here’s the updated version of my 
tongue-in-cheek and yet possibly useful dysfunctional family survival kit:

Over the years, the laptop has evolved from a semi-portable, heavy computer to a mobile, lightweight, super thin status statement. It is estimated that 187 million laptops will be sold in 2014, worldwide. So, how do you find your perfect laptop for you?

If there are cynical souls who doubt that a magical world inhabited by fairies—old and young, wise and devious, industrious and mischievous—actually exists, they haven’t crossed the portal into the Christmas cosmos of Sandra Caglayan.

Usually, when the topic of people suffering from hunger comes up, visions of starving children in Africa, Ethiopia, Haiti or some other far off places are imagined. While these areas of the world have citizens, both young and old, experiencing severe hunger, surprisingly so does our own Beaufort County, along with neighboring Jasper and Hampton counties. It’s true; hunger is a real problem right in our own backyard. Fortunately, there are organized efforts to help those in need. Second Helpings is one such organization that is making a huge difference between many having food on the table or not.

Operation Christmas Child is an organization built to support and have an impact on children around the world who are less fortunate.  Under the umbrella of the Samaritan’s Purse organization, they do many other missions, too, such as the world medical mission, child ministries and feeding programs. To be apart of such an amazing organization is such a blessing because to impact even one child in another country, can be a true, life changing experience. This program not only provides grace for children, it also is a deep blessing to all who give by teaching us how to be grateful for all the things we have and offer compassion for those children who have very little.

Check out these Spooktacular crafts!

Check out these Spooktacular crafts!