Observing the natural world requires curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Still, on a birding trip you need more than good character traits. [Read more…]
Spring fever

Galveston resident Joylisha Lloyd models a Seamless Cami from By Together (Head to Footsies, 2211 Strand, Galveston), Mademoiselle Tote from My Flat In London at Brighton (The Front Parlor, 2111 Strand, Galveston) and Balenciaga sunglasses (TSO Galveston, 515 22nd St.) at the Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Warmer weather brings flowy pants, new prints and feminine details
Shoppers ready to embrace warmer weather will have plenty of new styles, colors and prints to pick from this spring as designers push new silhouettes for women’s pants, mix up patterns and emphasize a new palette of hues. [Read more…]
Breaking tradition

Joyce Maxwell is the first female commodore in the 60-year history of Lakewood Yacht Club. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Lakewood Yacht Club welcomes first woman commodore
Joyce Maxwell has more than one claim to fame these days. Growing up in Metropolis, Ill., the adopted home of Superman, was pretty remarkable. So was getting her law degree. [Read more…]
Krewe U

The crowd clamors for beads as a colorful float passes by during the 2014 Krewe of Gambrinus “Lights up the Night Parade” on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston. Each major krewe hosts a parade during Mardi Gras with elaborate floats and custom-made beads. Photo by Kevin M. Cox
A primer on key groups that keep Mardi Gras rolling
The krewes of Galveston have been masters of the island’s Mardi Gras festivities from the very beginning. [Read more…]
A bow to a Texas tradition
Mardi Gras duchesses and island debutantes must master the ultimate curtsy
Any debutante can perform a simple curtsy. But it takes equal parts grace, flexibility and courage to curtsy in the very extravagant way young Texas women do while being formally presented to society. [Read more…]
Flying South

Galveston resident Cheryl Proctor walks on the beach at 47th Street. Vintage suitcase from St. John Antiques, 2001 Postoffice St. Montana West Cowboy hat available at Head to Footsies, 2211 Strand in island’s downtown. Photo by Robert Mihovil
Snowbirds make themselves at home on the Texas coast
Fifteen hundred miles away in northern Minnesota, with temperatures below zero and a foot of snow on the ground, Ivy Hanson is dreaming of Galveston.
“I love the island’s warm temperatures and our family of friends,” Hanson said. “It’s the busiest place I live.” [Read more…]
Art of picking

Scottie Ketner, owner of Le Chat Noir, 4301 Ave. S in Galveston. Ketner became a picker long before it was cool. Her best find a few years back was a $700 Lalique perfume bottle, which she bought at a Tiki Island garage sale for 25 cents. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
There’s a skill to finding vintage, antique treasures
Legend has it that the pirate Jean Lafitte buried his stash somewhere along the Gulf Coast. That’s why, centuries later, believers still bring metal detectors on vacation. [Read more…]
Holiday Red-y

Friendswood resident Kathy Glass, owner of KG Weddings, models a red chiffon dress from Sosie in front of Dr. Mike Magliolo’s 1955 Ford Thunderbird in the backyard of the San Leon home Magliolo shares with his wife, Diane. Glass is joined by her dog, JJ, who is sporting a Santa hat. Makeup by Daya Gracia and hair by Rebecca Rivera, both of Total Technique Salon in Texas City. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
Season is ablaze with fiery hues
Red is the color of Christmas, love, hot sauce on a tamale and Dorothy’s slippers, to name a few of our favorite things. And it’s one of the hottest colors this winter.
From home goods and handbags to gadgets and glassware, we cherry-picked the sweetest red-hued items at area shops. So, get red-y to shop. [Read more…]
High tidings of comfort and joy
How Texans make the most of Christmas along the coast
When Santa slides to a stop on the upper Texas coast this year, odds are he’ll have on flip-flops and sunscreen. And that’s the way we like it.
With our average December days hovering in the 60s, here are five fun ways to make the most of a coastal Christmas. [Read more…]
Seaside sweets
A coastal take on holiday cookies
Baking cookies is a holiday tradition on par with hanging stockings, singing songs and building a snowman, albeit the latter is a rare treat here in southeast Texas. [Read more…]