CREATING A PRODUCTIVE AND INSPIRING WORKPLACE BY KIM ARMSTRONG Planning a home office that is aesthetically pleasing and conducive to getting things done takes some planning and creativity. However, the payoff is worth the effort for a place you spend up to eight hours a day occupying. EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE Functionality is key, so you want to address your floor plan and storage needs first. Think of the things you need regular, easy access to, such as a printer, binders, samples (for instance, if you are an interior designer), etc. You can create storage from built-ins, bookshelves, or m ..read more

SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOUR BESTIES IN COASTAL MISSISSIPPI BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT Since Hurricane Katrina basically wiped Coastal Mississippi off the map in 2005, the nine beach communities along this shore of the Gulf of Mexico have undergone a dramatic makeover. What has emerged is a vacation destination that’s garnering rave reviews from vacationers from all over the world. With 62 miles of white-sand beaches, this might be the perfect place for your next girlfriend getaway. Whether your idea of fun is a private rental where y’all won’t see another soul or fun, funky, artsy towns with som ..read more

THIS MOTHER’S DAY, GIVE THE GIFT OF A HOMEMADE DISH BY JENNIFER BAJSEL STRAWBERRY CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES SERVINGS: APPROX. 16 CUPCAKES | PREP: 30 MIN. | TIME: 20 MIN. | TOTAL: 50 MIN. INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. fresh strawberries, washed and hulled | 1⁄2 cup champagne | 2 cups cake flour | 1 1⁄2 tsp. baking powder 1⁄2 tsp. baking soda | 1⁄2 tsp. salt | 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature | 1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar | 2 egg whites, 1 whole egg | 2 tsp. vanilla extract | 3⁄4 cup half & half Frosting: 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries | 1 cup unsalted butter, softened | 2 1⁄2 cups confectioners ..read more

WHY WOMEN ARE MORE PRONE TO VISION PROBLEMS THAN MEN BY ANNETTE BROOKS Did you know women are more susceptible to certain eye diseases and have a higher overall risk of losing their sight than men? According to the National Eye Institute, two out of every three people living with blindness or vision problems are women. Designating April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, Prevent Blindness (PreventBlindness.org) aims to educate women on eye health and highlight the importance of early detection and treatment. EYE HEALTH AND PREGNANCY Pregnancy causes several physiologic changes in the bo ..read more

SAVE MONEY AND TIME WITHA TRAVEL AGENT BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT As my sister and I picked up our rental car, the clerk couldn’t get over our low rate. “Wow, this is a great price! Do you work for Enterprise?” Nope, we just know an amazing travel agent. Shannon not only found great rates on our flight, car rental, tours, and accommodations, but she also made wonderful recommendations for things to do and see during our trip. For years, I was under the misconception that using a travel agent (also known as a travel advisor) costs more. But I’ve found the opposite to be true. Travel agents can ..read more

Make Unused Rooms Functional Again BY AUDREY SELLERS Do you have a spare room at your house that you’re tired of using as a dumping ground for odds and ends? Maybe your teen has flown the nest, or you’ve moved into a bigger home with more living space. Whatever your situation, if you have an unused room, you can make it functional and beautiful for your family. Read on for some ideas to make the most of your space and enhance your home’s environment. MAKE A GUEST BEDROOM Wouldn’t it be nice to have a designated room ready to go for overnight guests or family members visiting for the summer ..read more

Turn Kitchen Food Scraps into Soil Nutrients in Hours BY ANNETTE BROOKS Composting is eco-friendly and better for the environment than dumping food scraps and organic materials into a landfill that produces methane. Despite the benefits, not everyone can compost. Your HOA may not permit compost piles or bins, you may not have a good spot on your lot for composting, or perhaps you worry that compost might smell or attract unwelcome wild animals. While some towns have implemented municipal composting programs where food-based garbage is kept separate from regular garbage and recycling and taken ..read more

A DIVE INTO POPULAR FLOORING OPTIONS As we enter a new season, it’s time to explore popular flooring options that promise to elevate your spaces with charm and refinement. From timeless classics to innovative newcomers, these flooring choices are making waves in the realms of style and comfort. LUXURIOUS HARDWOOD Nothing exudes eternal elegance quite like hardwood flooring. A perennial favorite, hardwood floors are the epitome of sophistication and add a touch of warmth to any room. Whether you opt for the rich tones of oak, the classic beauty of maple, or the exotic allure of teak, hardwoo ..read more

SERVICES TO ENHANCE YOUR APPEARANCE BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT A medical spa is a bit of a hybrid. Take the pampering nature and calming environment of a day spa and add the specialist knowledge and expertise of a medical clinic, and you’ve got a medical spa. Usually referred to as a medi-spa or medspa, it offers the indulgence of treatments like facials and massages together with a certified and licensed staff — overseen by a licensed healthcare professional — and the latest aesthetic technology and training for non-invasive treatments and procedures to rejuvenate the skin and body and leave ..read more

BARIATRIC SURGERY OPTIONS, WHAT TO EXPECT, AND ARE YOU A GOOD CANDIDATE BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT The first thing to understand about bariatric or weight-loss surgery is that it’s only part of a lifetime weight-management plan. But for many, it’s an absolute game changer after years of trying — and failing — to permanently lose weight. There are several wonderful options available, and perhaps one that fits you, your health, and your lifestyle. A consultation with an experienced bariatric surgeon can be the first step in a new life for you and those you love. Bariatric surgery has been around ..read more