I love living in the south; life is slow, and the people are friendly, but boy, IT IS HOT. It's almost impossible to beat the heat without blasting the a/c unless you catch a breezy day at the beach (my personal favorite way). But having the a/c blasting from May to October can get pretty pricey. Check out the BALANCE blog below for Ways to Reduce Summer Cooling Costs.

As we head further into the heat of the summer, Here are some of the hottest events happening along the Grand Strand this month that are perfect for enjoying the spirit of summer. No matter what type of things you enjoy, there is a little something for everyone. Be sure to comment below on which events you're looking forward to the most!

Summertime has finally arrived at the grand strand, and unfortunately, hurricane season came right along with it. Living near the coast, we are in hurricane season from June 1st to November 30th. Thinking about a potential hurricane can be somewhat stressful. However, being educated and prepared can help relieve a bit of that anxiety.

Looking for some ideas to kick off the summer? There are a lot of fantastic events going on along the Grand Strand this month that are perfect for getting into the summer spirit. No matter what type of things you enjoy, there is a little something for everyone. Be sure to comment below on which events you're looking forward to the most!

Did you know that May is mental health awareness month? According to Mental Health America, approximately 20% of adults in the United States are experiencing a mental illness, with South Carolina ranked 8th in prevalence, according to Forbes Advisor. 

Every year around Mother's Day, I tell myself that I'm going to start gift shopping early to give myself enough time to find the perfect gift. I typically start thinking about gift ideas well in advance; however, selecting a gift and purchasing one is a whole different story.

Mother's Day is always one of the most challenging holidays to shop for because there is genuinely no gift on the planet that is good enough to thank my mom for all that she's done/does for me. And since I know the perfect gift doesn't exist, I typically buy my mom something that I know she needs, and then I wait until the very last minute to buy it. Luckily for you, that means I'm the Queen of last-minute gift ideas. So, if you still haven't found the "perfect" Mother's Day gift, check out my last-minute gift ideas below:

Artfields is officially back! During ArtFields, the town of Lake City, once one of South Carolina's most prosperous agricultural communities, becomes a living art gallery as we recognize, celebrate, and share the artistic talent of the Southeast.

ArtFields started in 2013 with a simple goal: honor the artists of the Southeast with a week's worth of celebration and competition in the heart of a traditional Southern small town. The competition and exhibition offer over $145,000 in cash prizes. The votes of people visiting ArtFields determine the winners of two People's Choice Awards; a panel of art professionals selects all the other awards, including the $50,000 Grand Prize and $25,000 Second Place award.

With Carolina Trust having a branch in the heart of Lake City, I'd been through the town several times before, but after attending Artfields a few years ago it's become a can't-miss annual event for Adam and I. Saying that Lake City completely transforms for Artfields would be an understatement. The amount of fine arts culture and community closeness that Artfields creates left such a lasting impact that this event will find a spot on my calendar year after year.

If you're planning to attend Artfields this year, here are all the things you need to know:

April is CUNA Youth Month, which is a perfect opportunity to start the conversation with your kids about money. Let’s face it: no kid is going to master money at age five. However, introducing financial concepts early on can help them be more capable and comfortable with money later in life. Here are some easy tips you can teach your five-year-old about finance:

I can't believe that my favorite season of the year is almost here, wedding season. Once we start seeing the first few glimpses of spring weather, I can always expect wedding invitations to start flooding in. And with every wedding invitation that I receive, there is sure to be a shower invitation to follow. I've been invited to so many weddings this year that I'm starting to think the saying "April Showers Bring May Flowers" isn't about rain after all. 

Are you looking to get into the Valentine's spirit? Head into Downtown Conway and check out the city's Conversation Heart and Marquee Light Displays. With romantic signs like Kiss Me and Be Mine or fun friendship signs like Bestie or Furever, it's the perfect Valentine's experience for anyone looking to get into the season of love. And the best part is that walking around, taking photos, and enjoying the city's charm is totally free!

Below are the locations for the Conversation Hearts and Marquee Light Displays:

Conversation Hearts:

•  First Kiss: Riverfront Park
• Hug Me: Beside of The Lennon Collective
• Crazy4U & Too Cute: Between A Cup Full Coffee Shop and Ann Booth's Jewelers
•  I'm Yours, Bestie, and Te Amo: Town Green
• True Love: Courtyard to the left of City Hall
• Be Mine and XOXO: City Hall

Marquee Light Displays:

• Love- Kingston Park
•  Single and Happy- Terrace
• Kiss Me- Side of City Hall
•  Be Mine- Courtyard beside of Whitaker's restaurant
•  Best Friends- Under Archway near Planning and Zoning
•  Single and Looking- Public Restrooms near Town Green
•  Furever & Marry Me- Riverfront Park
• Pink and Purple Lights- Walkway Under the Bridge

For more details, check out my Valentine's Day reels on my Instagram page, @successinthebag.