Beach House Diaries: Hosting Hazards

The company has arrived and a Ralph Lauren ad comes to life. Tow-headed children with perfect teeth laugh cheerfully as they leap hand-in-hand through frothy waves; in the foreground, their parents (all well-toned and wearing linen) lounge on the deck sharing clever conversation. A refreshing breeze blows. Let's be honest, though. If every beach house visit played out so beautifully both Dr. Phil and Captain Bacardi would be out of business.