What’s all the buzz about STEM? It’s the initiative in schools to emphasize Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics instruction from elementary grades through high school. With the support of the Beaufort Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Laura Burcin submitted a proposal for a daylong workshop to introduce middle school girls to local professionals in the field. The chapter received a Program Development Grant with the Society of Women Engineers through a generous donation from the ExxonMobil Foundation.

The HGTV® Dream Home is marking its 21st anniversary on St. Simons Island, Georgia, where the white sand, moss-draped oaks and laid-back island lifestyle, make it one of America’s favorite beach towns.

1. USE A STAND-UP DESK. You thought I was going to say exercise, right? Later. There are 10,000 studies that show how damaging it is to your health and vital organs to spend long periods of time sitting down. (I love my Varidesk; it’s a cinch to raise and lower.) When you rise repeatedly, your kidneys can breathe and your energy can flow.

The holidays are here and it’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s the season for gatherings of friends and family, tables overflowing with food and glasses filled as we clink a toast of good cheer and make way for the New Year.

Every family has at least one tradition—whether it is where the holiday meal takes place, who says the blessing, or the after dinner festivities. Commonly, traditions seem to be about what we should do, or what has been done for years. Customarily, we follow along with traditions, often forgetting the reason why. The core of a tradition often offers insight to the true meaning that it holds. It is not just about the custom, but about the meaning behind the custom and how it has come to future generations.

Arriving on a 30-acre working farm in Ridgeland, framed by towering pines and moss-laden live oaks, my animal immersion experience began. Chelsey Lancaster, the business manager at Dog Gone Sensational, greeted me with an exuberant smile and a persona bursting with energy. “Let’s get started,” she beamed.  I asked if I could use the potty and Chelsey pointed to a space off the main office. “Sure, you’ll be sharing the room with our recently rescued baby squirrel.” After a fun stare-off with the little guy, Chelsey pointed out they were working on finding homes for several dogs, two ponies and a duck. Janet Rahn, co-owner of DGS and Chelsey’s mom, drove up in her golf cart athletically balancing her cup of coffee.

Recently, while packing up files and expense records I came across a file for a business trip that could have been very expensive but was so cheap. I am still amazed.

Fall in...into boots and step out in the footwear fad that's kicking up its heels in high style this year. From sophisticated ankle boots to rugged motorcycle boots to leggy thigh highs, boots have marched right into our wardrobes and they are here to stay. There really is a pair of boots for every day, for every party...even for every rainstorm.

The humble teddy bear is one of the most beloved and treasured toys of all time. I loved my childhood teddy bear even after he lost an eye and most of his fur wore off. When I went off to college, somewhere he got lost. I was devastated to discover that he would no longer be at my side for my next life chapter.

Meet five women of the non-profit, volunteer organization Friends of Sapelo (FOS)—three decorators, a volunteer coordinator and the group’s publicist—all in LOVE with Sapelo Island, Georgia for its treasured past and promising future.

The ladies range from eight to 21 years as organization members and are proud of the many woman-hours they have worked as volunteers. For Linda Daniels, Sapelo Island is where “you take a natural step back in time.” Kaye Traer said, “Sapelo Island must be preserved.” Tonya Lam, agreed. Woodra Clontz said, “Sapelo is where we must preserve and protect our heritage.” Pat Tippins' favorite Sapelo Island site is the RJ Reynolds Mansion where FOS gets to put a beautiful Christmas face on a beautiful mansion each holiday season.

You know your name, your shoe size, and I’ll bet you know this, too: If you want to live a healthier, happier life you have to exercise regularly and eat well.

But what else? Think now: Wear your seat belt? Get a poodle? Buy low, sell high?

Your home should be a place of refuge from the stress of the outside world. It should be your cocoon, your nest, where you can relax and be yourself. But, sometimes who you are changes. That kitchen with the stenciled ivy border and the bedroom with the sponge painted accent wall that used to sing your heart’s song, the one that now sounds more like a dirge, and if it doesn’t, then maybe you just aren’t listening, because those walls are definitely crying, “It’s time for a change.” Even though we all know when we enter a space that makes us feel happy and comfortable, we aren’t all gifted to know how to create that space, but there is help, and where there is help there is hope.

The holidays include many things like décorating, shopping, parties and family meals. After all, a good meal can be the equivalent of saying, "I love you!" And, especially here in the South, what is a good party without good food? No need to fret if you’re already up to your eyeballs with things-to-do or not a natural in the kitchen. With the wide array of delicious epicurean products on the market, it’s easy to be a gourmet-on-the-go. These products can turn simple into stunning and difficult into delightful. Here’s a sampling of what we’re cooking:

There’s a lot of cleaning up to do at the Penn Center on St. Helena’s Island in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew’s blustery visit. Victoria Smalls, Director of Development and Marketing, says that the staff and volunteers are going all out because there is some awesome decorating and celebrating coming our way. As we transition from fall to winter, the Penn Center is moving forward to celebrate the past in the present. The mission remains steadfast, to promote and preserve the history and culture of the Sea Islands.

In the aftermath of a disaster such as Hurricane Matthew, there is an urge to hold loved ones a little tighter, reach out to friends and celebrate our blessings. As our community begins to pull together their homes with the holidays approaching, joy and decor is sure to flow. With that in mind, the Pink team reached out to the Branches design team for holiday decor inspiration. They took on the challenge, and making the best of circumstances, inspiration struck and they decided to utilize the abundance of wood and debris in creating a woodsy winterland that will have everyone in awe.

Sweater weather is officially here, and it’s time to build your sweater wardrobe. These versatile essentials are the comfort food of our wardrobes. There are the casual V-necks we curl up in at home to eat popcorn and binge watch Gilmore Girls. There are sweater coats we wear to work when we just can’t face that boring black blazer any more. And then there are sequined cardigans we wear to cocktail parties. There is a sweater for every occasion. Here are a few ways to put sweaters on the fashion menu this fall:

When I evacuated, I thought we’d return to life as usual. I had no idea I’d be driving down roads looking at giant trees fallen like soaked scattered matches. The destruction was shocking: neighborhoods underwater, boats sunk, docks destroyed and trees crashed through roofs where rain had fallen for days. Now, weeks later, debris still looms. Sides of roads are now home to the material sum of people’s lives, piled 10-feet high on both sides.

Mary Alice Monroe's newest novel, A Lowcountry Christmas, isn't your average love story. There's no childhood friend that reappears or a mysterious woman who moves into town, but instead the story of a family's love and their struggle to discover the strength of their family bond. There is no doubt this book will pull at your heartstrings and evoke a few happy tears.

There are always ways to update our wardrobes in a new season, especially in the fall. It’s always been the start of the fashion calendar.  And this year, there are lots of ways to put a new spin on the old standbys. So here’s a quick list of the basic must-haves to get you started. Take notes on these fabulous five fashion finds:

Fun Finds for Fall!

Most of the tourists have gone and Beaufort County is embraced by true Lowcountry folk, full-time residents and winter snowbirds. It’s our time to party after another long spring and summer of servicing our wonderful guests. Nothing beats the venue of an oyster roast. There’s complexity to the physiology and proper preparation of the oyster but there’s nothing complicated about the process or the people eating the meat of these succulent bivalves. The conversation is light, the attire is casual, the beer is cold, the consumption is messy and a community has come together!

All politics aside (completely impossible these days) I offer up three ideas—three luscious fruits—to move you toward better health, greater happiness and an organic chicken in every pot.
Just to remind you, lifestyle change is a step-by-step kind of thing. No one can do it for you, not even your next president. Sometimes it’s two steps forward, one step back. And that’s OK, because every day you can begin again, eating smarter, moving instead of sitting, mindfully releasing the stress and heebie-jeebies that come from watching the Hillary and Donald show.

Halloween isn't just for trick-or-treating, it's a great time to throw a bone-chilling party to gather friends and family for a fun night out. A Hallween party doesn't have to just be about the costumes, check out these recipes, games, products and music to keep your party rockin' all night!

In October 2015, more than a thousand people participated in the Pat Conroy at 70 Festival celebrating a milestone birthday and honoring the iconic southern writer in his hometown of Beaufort. The event was a once-in-a-lifetime gift to the community and to the author himself, who passed away from pancreatic cancer just months later. The immersive festival model proved to be so successful the organizers are continuing it as an annual event and now calling it the Pat Conroy Literary Festival. Under the leadership of Jonathan Haupt, director of the University of South Carolina Press and Conroy’s partner in the Story River Books fiction imprint, and in partnership with USCB professor of English and author Ellen Malphrus and Bonnie Hargrove, director of the USCB Center for the Arts, the inaugural Conroy Literary Festival will be held October 20–23. Details and the festival’s expansive lists of events, presenters, partners and sponsors can now be found at www.patconroyfestival.com.

Can you imagine a rainy day wedding with a rainbow appearing in the sky at the end?  A lucky bride and groom had that happen at their wedding in 2010 at beautiful Palmetto Bluff, and the wedding planner was none other than local girl Ashley Rhodes.  Although she doesn’t take credit for the rainbow, it is just an example of the fairy tale weddings Ashley has masterminded, as her website states “From Charleston to Savannah and everywhere in between.”

Our customers love: Our motto—”Life is too short to wear department store jewelry!” All of our items are made on site.

Our customers love: They know we are always there for them. Located in the heart of the south end of Hilton Head since 1983, our salon has built its reputation on being consistent and accommodating to our loyal clients, as well as those new to us.

Our guests love: That we offer all aspects of hair needs with an emphasis on hair color.

Our customers love: Being the most important person in the room—the focus is 100% on them. Also, they love us making their skin the absolute healthiest it can be. Our clients are always commenting on the major difference in their skin with regular facials. Like anything else, maintenance is important for aging skin. I was also featured in Pink for my waxing abilities, which we pride ourselves on making the client as comfortable as possible.

Our customers love: The time we dedicate to each of them! When a customer sits in our chair, we spend time on the consultation, making sure we understand completely what each person is looking for, whether it is their first visit or they have been with us for years. We believe that client education is important. We want to make sure our guests understand how to take care of the styles we have created with them, using the correct products and styling techniques. Education assures that their style will continue to satisfy their expectations.