I’ve always known Vivian to be a true original, and when I asked her if I could interview her for the Style Council she said, “Well, I’ve always been left-of-center, and these days I don’t really care if my plaids and stripes match! I just like to suit myself.” Perfect! The thing is, when you decide not to follow “The Rules,” and you set out to “suit yourself,” that’s when true creativity happens.

One pattern I have observed across organizations is how executives are distinguishable by the legacies they leave behind. In my prior organization, I could pretty accurately predict whether a person had ever worked directly for a specific executive, based on the thinking skills they demonstrated and developed in others. This executive had taught her staff how to think by challenging them and being transparent about her own problem solving and decision-making thought processes. She was a multiplier, and she left a legacy of strong thinkers and leaders.

MEET MISSY: In 2011 Missy Hartley’s husband, Charlie, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a highly invasive form of brain cancer.  Together, they spent the next two years enduring treatments and living life. Fighting cancer, raising two girls, running a business, and keeping up with the finances shifted their daily existence into survival mode. Charlie passed away in 2013. Missy closed their building supply store and focused on her girls. Hair, makeup and clothes were the last thing on Missy’s mind. The years of heartache and worry left Missy looking and feeling run down.

Whether it is Tom Hanks playing a WWII hero, Will Smith protecting the White House, or Matt Damon as Jason Bourne keeping our CIA honest, Hollywood has supplied us with incredible Patriotic Films. The Reel Corner challenges you to a Patriotic Films “Find the Film Words Challenge”

Summer is officially here and with a vengeance.  It is hot, and that’s a fact! I absolutely love long, hot, summer days, and I love the long, warm, summer evenings, even more. Unfortunately, I have read many articles explaining that summer can be extremely unhealthy.

To tell you the truth, both statements are true. Summer is fabulous, and to my mind, the best time of the year. But, there are things one must do to protect against the hot and harmful elements of summer. Many thoughts I will share are common sense and simply serve as reminders. However, a few new things are important, as there is updated research about "things" we thought we knew.

Everyone loves the idea of purchasing a new (or new to them) vehicle and often will research the smallest details of their new car purchase. I have friends who will quote me volumes about safety features and “5-Star” ratings, even about how well the audio interfaces with their iPhone. But when they call me and ask a maintenance question, and I give my opinion and ask about the car's warranty coverage, I often get a blank stare.

Isn’t it lovely to see women, of any age, find their niche? When their inherent gifts line up with what they do for a living every day, and everything just seems to blossom and expand? This is true about Catie Wolfe in many ways…

One pattern I have observed across organizations is how executives are distinguishable by the legacies they leave behind. In my prior organization, I could pretty accurately predict whether a person had ever worked directly for a specific executive, based on the thinking skills they demonstrated and developed in others. This executive had taught her staff how to think by challenging them and being transparent about her own problem solving and decision-making thought processes. She was a multiplier, and she left a legacy of strong thinkers and leaders.

MEET MISSY: In 2011 Missy Hartley’s husband, Charlie, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a highly invasive form of brain cancer.  Together, they spent the next two years enduring treatments and living life. Fighting cancer, raising two girls, running a business, and keeping up with the finances shifted their daily existence into survival mode. Charlie passed away in 2013. Missy closed their building supply store and focused on her girls. Hair, makeup and clothes were the last thing on Missy’s mind. The years of heartache and worry left Missy looking and feeling run down.

I approached Marilyn about joining the Style Council because of her quintessential elegance and beauty, but what I learned is that she has quite a fabulous background in the fashion industry: As a fresh-faced, young lady from Larchmont, NY, she became an in-house model for the Henri Bendel and Bergdorf Goodman stores in Manhattan in the late 1950s, which she describes as an “alive and exciting experience. There were some outrageous and interesting personalities around at that time.” She met Julie Andrews, who was a newcomer, and Elizabeth Taylor, who was sporting that huge diamond! She also met her husband George then, and they have been married for 55 years. Continuing her modeling career in New York with the William Morris Agency, Marilyn has many wonderful and colorful stories and memories from that period in her life. After starting a family, she began employing her classic style and excellent taste selling clothes for the Tanner Company, and in fact still works for them today at the Doncaster Outlet on Hilton Head. Not just another pretty face, Marilyn feels strongly about giving back and today she is a sustaining member of the Junior League, a tireless volunteer for her church and the Boys & Girls Club, among others. Here’s to Marilyn’s classic style and timeless beauty! 

A few years ago, researchers at Yale University sent out a fictional application to science professors at top U.S. research universities asking them to evaluate an applicant. There was one variation in what the professors received—the name of the applicant for some was Jennifer and, for others, it was John. Both male and female professors showed a significant bias toward John in their evaluations of competency, hireability and salary to offer. This study came ten years after a study at Harvard University that asked students to share impressions of an entrepreneur—named either Heidi or Howard—with similar results. These studies disclosed unconscious bias—a bias that you are unaware of and, therefore, unable to control. This is not just a gender bias issue. Studies have confirmed that unconscious bias applies to numerous other factors including race, nationality, height, weight, accents and beliefs to name a few.

All right, no falling asleep now.  No nodding off either. This is a very important column and you really should read every word very carefully. Who is that snoring out there?  It better not be you or you will miss out on some very valuable information about—you guessed it—sleep.

Last month I shared a couple of lifestyle tips, and interestingly enough, I had several email questions about the little piece I shared dealing with sleep as a health issue. I will expand on that since there is interest, and also since there is a variety of new research about the benefits and drawbacks of sleep. Yes, believe it or not, there are actually as many drawbacks and health issues surrounding the concept of too much sleep, as there is about too little.

How much influence has Hollywood had on how we define Love? Whether it be a historical romantic film, drama, thriller, comedy, or fantasy, when love is portrayed on the screen, it sends a message. Love has been portrayed in a variety of ways over the years in film and has evolved over time. Thus, it is often debated whether films influence society or society influences film. While you contemplate this thought try to match a well-known love quote to its movie.

Zepp and Joey
Zepp and Joey are both labradoodles, brothers from the same mother, but you’d never know it. Zepp sports a soft-haired coat like a giant teddy bear, while his brother Joey wears his wild, wiry haired mane without apology. The two brothers arrived at the Hilton Head Humane Association after their owner passed away. Nearly inseparable, the plan was to find a family who was willing to take both of them. After hearing their story, Pink Magazine was excited to help out by treating these two already handsome guys to a gentlemanly makeover giving them center stage in our pet takeover edition.

How does the health of your gums contribute to bad breath?
Bath breath, medically known as halitosis, is something most of us try to avoid because of its negative impact on one’s social life and health.  While certain foods we eat can impact one’s breath, a major contributor to foul odor is bacteria. Bacteria use sugars from leftover food particles, not cleaned from the oral cavity, to multiply and produce waste products and acid that breakdown tooth enamel, damage gums and cause a horrible odor.  It is impossible to remove all bacteria from the mouth but with consistent cleaning of the teeth, gums and tongue, the overall bacteria count can be kept at a lower level and prevent bacteria from sticking to the teeth and gums for long periods of time.

Research shows that exposure to music from a young age, and musical training, can create new pathways in a young brain. You don’t need to be a professional musician or trained opera singer to give your baby the benefits of music. There are many ways to introduce your children to music, and it is very likely that they will love it! Since music can be good for your baby’s development, here are a few ways to bring music into your baby’s life.

Born to a US Army Captain and a contract player for Paramount Pictures, Field got her start on television as the boy-crazy surfer girl in the sitcom Gidget (1965–66). Her big break was playing Sister Bratille in The Flying Nun. She went on to more formidable roles, which won her two Academy Award Best Actress awards and several Golden Globes.

Her role as “Doris” in Hello, My Name is Doris shows that her talent has endured the test of time.

Blogger and Wall Street Journal best-selling author Stacey Little is committed to getting folks back to the table for dinner.  His quick and easy recipes are allowing families to get a home-cooked meal on the table without a lot of hassle or expense.  Southern Living Magazine named Stacey one of the top 30 bloggers to be following for two consecutive years.  He has appeared on The Today Show and Fox and Friends and has lent his talents to national brands like Betty Crocker, GE, White Lily, Martha White, Kraft, and Queen Latifah, just to name a few.  Today, his easy, delicious recipes and heartfelt stories have brought millions to his blog, SouthernBite.com, since he created it in 2008.  Stacey's cookbook, The Southern Bite Cookbook, is available at book retailers across the country and online.  Stacey's deep Southern roots have him firmly planted in central Alabama where he lives with his wife, little boy, two dogs, and his collection of cast iron skillets.

Stay up-to-date with these tech savvy tips for your daily life!

I realized last week during an impromptu question and answer session that started during a friend’s BBQ that lots of car related “myths” exist. So what better subject for
this month article than a bit of automotive debunking.

Myth: Engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles. Wrong. For the proper answer to this one your best bet is to look in that ever useful owner’s manual tucked snuggly in the glove box and ignore the quick oil change places’ fear campaigns. Under normal driving conditions, most vehicles can travel 7,500 miles or more between oil changes and many new cars and trucks have 10,000 mile recommended changes. Changing your oil more often certainly won’t harm your engine; it just wastes money (and oil). If you are trailer-towing, or going off-road, 3,000 miles between oil changes might be a good idea, but again consult the owner’s manual.

I don’t have anything against lemons. They are a brilliant shade of yellow—one of my favorite colors—and they are simply beautiful to look at and use in decoration.  I love the way they smell so fresh and clean, and they taste deliciously yummy in chicken picatta, lemon meringue pie, old-fashion lemon squares and my mother’s favorite, lemon-apricot cake. What I don’t like is a slice of lemon in my water.

Yes, your mother used to say it, and so did mine. In general, this is good advice, but in my case, not so much. I grew up on a farm with everything from cows, sheep, pigs and horses to chickens and guinea fowl. It was not all that safe to play outside if you know what I mean. You really had to watch your footing. The air was not all that fresh either. Again, you catch my drift?

As you all know we now have numerous ways to contact people—telephone, text, email, Skype, Facetime, IM, regular mail, Facebook, Twitter, Snap Chat and, of course, face-to-face visits. One would think with all of these innovative, highly convenient, practically instant methods of communication, the rate of return on RSVPs would be on the rise. Not so. It is at a dreadful, miserable all-time low, shattering etiquette books to smithereens and sending Miss Manners dangerously close to her deathbed.

For the record, let’s define RSVP just so we are all on the same page. This paragraph is also a public service announcement for those who have either forgotten or have never fully understood what those four letters in that particular order mean. Officially, the acronym RSVP originated in France and stands for répondez s’il vous plaît, which translated, is simply, “Respond, please.”