By Rhea Cortado

For the months that I was a beach bum living out of a suitcase—and a bucket and clothesline was my wash/dry cycle—bikinis were my underwear. In the tropical heat, wearing anything structured or proper felt as ridiculous as walking in stilettos on the sandy waterline. Back on the mainland, I’m always searching for a way to hold onto the comfort and carefree attitude that a tied triangle … Read More






When my eldest daughter graduated from college she embarked on a classic rite of passage and departed with her best friend for a 6 week trip through Europe. Having saved for this journey for months, they left with only backpacks and great expectations. On a very tight budget, it was pretty obvious that souvenirs would have to be mostly in the mode of life forming memories. So when she returned … 