Each month, Coast Monthly visits with some of the most charming people on the Texas Coast to chat about their style.

Photo by Chris Kuhlman
There are many educators in D’Ann Schneider’s family. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to follow their path, so she earned a degree in finance. Soon, she discovered a desk job wasn’t for her.
Today, she is the academic coach who works with math teachers at Lobit Education Village in Dickinson.
She also is a proud member of the Junior League of Galveston County.
“When my husband, Nicholi, and I moved to Galveston two years ago, I knew I wanted a philanthropic outlet,” she said. “It’s a great organization empowering women to help out wherever we can.”
What she likes best about the Galveston coast is the weather and the chill vibe that comes with living on the island, she said.
This summer, she’ll be wearing sundresses, flip-flops, rash guards and J. Crew Ratti prints.
“My fashion style is not glam,” she said. “I like comfortable, but cute. Anything that is tropical, floral or geometric — the louder the better.”
Here are a few of her favorite things:
1. Hat: My best friend made this for me when we were about to leave on vacation to Aruba, saying we had to have one of these hats to signify our trip. “Vacay all Day” was perfect.
2. Seahorse: My husband gave me this seahorse memory block by artist Sid Dickens on my birthday. I collect them — I have over 40 — and they all have quotes on the back. This one says: “And the ocean asks, Can it be true … that in this world of marvels, one’s as wonderful as you?”
3. Art: We saw the work of Simon Hardeveld while on a trip to New Orleans and fell in love with his style. He custom made this for us just by asking what colors we liked and what we wanted it to say. It arrived in the mail and it was perfect.
4. Passport holder: This is my passport holder with my initials and pineapple print on the front. I love all things with a pineapple design — it’s a sign of friendship — and I love to travel. I’ve been to Europe five times and to almost all the islands several times.
5. Sandals: I bought these when my husband and I were in the villages of Cinque Terre, Italy. There are no drivable roads, so we took a passenger train, went into town and found a shoemaker who made these for me. I love the gold, rose gold and silver because they go with everything and are super comfortable.
6. Conch shell: We got this in the Bahamas. Vendors along the roadside were drilling holes in them so they would sound more like a horn. Yes, I can play it.
7. Coin necklace: Mel Fisher was a treasure hunter who searched for treasures on sunken ships in the Gulf of Mexico. This Spanish coin was in his collection at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West.
8. Sunglasses: I used to wear aviators, but when you push them up above your forehead, the metal pieces get caught in your hair. These, by Diff, are plastic with fun colored frames so you can wear them anywhere, especially the beach. They’re iridescent and polarized.
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