Save Heaven Charity: Just Candy


Just Candy
SAVE HEAVEN Charity
Just Candy believe in the gift of giving and are therefore, supporting the charity Save Heaven, Ethiopia (an official non governmental organisation), with the purpose of making a small positive contribution to the misery that engulfs the country.

Save Heaven is currently providing shelter for 12 orphans and providing essentials for 50 less fortunate children.

Mission
The mission at Save Heaven is to provide a home and shelter for Ethiopian orphans and street kids consisting of a blend of love, upbringing, nutrition, clothing, medical attention and education.
Vision
The vision for Save Heaven stands with the basic thought that every child has the right to be loved, to have a save h(e)aven to come home to and to enjoy proper education so that they will be able to stand on their own feet in the future.

Donations
All donations and contributions directly benefit the children and are accounted for accordingly.

Reach out and make a difference…

Just Candy is now looking for sponsors from individuals, companies and organisations to help support Save Heaven Charity. For more details and information please contact

The Best of Marbella promotes and supports all charity projects FREE OF CHARGE.

Beauty

Beauty with Beatrice Michels

Semi-Permanent Make-up with Beatrice Michels, a fully qualified specialist with an ever growing client list and an amazing expertise in achieving either a natural look, to enhance your eyebrows, eyeliner and lips, or something to make you stand out from the crowd! Beatrice has 11 years experience in the art of make-up design, starting out as a general Make-up Artist she then diversified, qualifying as a stunning Permanent Make-up Designer. Beatrice has worked with numerous famous photographers and magazines. She completed her make-up training 11 years ago and since then she has been helping women in Germany, Austria and Spain, to achieve their desired look.

"Wake-up with Make-up" is her slogan. Look fabulous any time, day or night. Are your eyebrows sparse or fair? Why not have perfect brows every day? Trouble applying eye-liner? For perfect eyes every day treat yourself to an eyelash enhancement with a natural or more dramatic looking eye-liner. A perfectly outlined lip contour makes your lips look stunning and helps to make them appear fuller and more shapely.

“There are lots of things I love about the semi-permanent make-up that Beatrice did for me: I get to get up and go, knowing that my make-up always looks great; my lips, which are naturally quite thin, now look much fuller; my eye-liner looks amazing, really enhancing both the colour and the shape of my eyes and I know that, even in the summer heat or after a swim in the pool, my make-up will always stay in place. Thanks Beatrice!” Louise (Definity MedSpa).

Wellness with Beatrice Michels:
In addition to permanent make-up, Beatrice can also offer you the unique patented wellness products: Bios Life and Bios Life Slim. A revolutionary way to lose weight, 100% natural, safe and easy, Bios Life and Bios Life Slim are the natural solution for your health and weight management. Bios Life is a patented, clinically proven, natural solution to the world's leading health problems.

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!
Bios Life is a unique and patented formula of naturally derived ingredients. When taken as a drink, Bios Life forms a fiber matrix in the digestive system. This fiber matrix envelops nutrients and sugars as they are consumed, releasing them to the body at a natural rate.

This revolutionary breakthrough provides the following health benefits:
• Clinically proven to reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol
• Clinically proven to increase good (HDL) cholesterol
• Balances blood sugar levels
• Eliminates energy spikes and crashes
• Aids in weight management
• Promotes healthy digestive function
• Strengthens the immune system
• Decreases triglyceride levels
• Cleanses the colon

Thousands of healthcare and medical professionals around the world have helped millions of people improve their health with this safe and scientifically proven natural solution to many of the world’s leading health problems.

For more information, free consultation and special offers please contact:
Beatrice Michels
Tel: (+34) 647 26 90 18
(+34) 952 88 24 78

The Beauty Magazine


The Beauty Magazine is the luxury health, beauty and fashion expert.

The Beauty Magazine offers everyone the information they need to live a beautiful life. We specialize in reporting on the latest luxury products and services as well as providing concise details on the most up to date health studies and trends. Throughout Europe and beyond our readers can expect a clear explanation of what really works, what the best fashion trends are and how to be happy and beautiful on the inside and out.

The Beauty Magazine is not only a valuable guide, but an entertaining, uncompromising, indispensable health, beauty and fashion resource.

For more information and advertising options, please contact:

Darius R. Zelli, Director of Operations or
Alexandra Collard, Editor
The Beauty Magazine S.L.
CN340, KM161,
Dominion Beach
Ofic. 2-4,
Estepona, 29680,
Malaga
Tel. +34 952 79 17 01
Mob. +34 636 316 457

The Sentinella Costa West magazine


The Sentinella Costa West is an A5-sized monthly magazine, full of light-hearted content and publicity from local companies. Above all, my son and I like their humourous articles... They are so funny!

The Sentinella now covers the entire Costa del Sol, from San Roque to Nerja on the Costa del Sol and inland to Antequera, Ronda, Lake Viñuela and Competa. It also covers part of the Granada and Almeria provinces.
The Sentinella Magazine started five years ago in the Axarquia region of Spain, on the Costa del Sol. It now covers seven different regions of Spain and it is expanding rapidly. In 2007 The Sentinella Global Magazine Network was launched to give people the opportunity to run their very own The Sentinella magazine from their home town, or from an overseas destination which they wish to relocate to. The magazine itself is A5 in size, with the slogan 'the little mag that fits in your bag'. The pages are a contrast of both colour and black and white giving advertisers a varied choice of advertising and pricing options. Our headquarters can be found on the Costa del Sol, near Torrox Costa in the Axarquia region of Spain. We aim to have expanded The Sentinella magazine into various parts of the UK and at least two other European countries by the end of 2009.

"We are always researching new product lines to add to our thriving brand and our mission is to have three new income streams in place for all members by the end of 2010."
Values
We believe that you get out what you put in and we are committed to injecting as much energy as necessary into helping our networkers make the most of their magazines. A healthy income is essential for quality of life and that is why we continue to set up new income streams for our members and allow information and tips to be shared openly. We believe it is everyone's right to experience a high quality of life doing a job they enjoy. Any new skill we learn, we communicate to our members. Any new opportunities we stumble across, we strive to involve our members to the benefit of all. The values we aspire towards are support, advice, love, training, fun, energy, passion, determination, education, communication, honesty, open mindedness, kindness, growth and professionalism.
From August 1st, 2008 for every new The Sentinella launched, we will donate 150€ to Leukaemia Research (in remembrance of Colin Checkley, founder of the original The Sentinel magazine, who passed away from Leukaemia in 2004) and 150€ to Children In Need.We also donate an additional end of year sum to a charity of our choice.

There are many reasons why Sentinella is one of the selected and highly recommended magazines on the Costa del Sol to be promoted on the Best of Marbella: they share the same vision, values and passion like we do... Their advertising rates are very reasonable, so if you need some extra exposure of your business in a local magazine, please contact The Sentinella Costa West magazine and quote The Best of Marbella website to get the best advertising rates: 20% discount on standard advertising rates.

The Best of Marbella is starting a new "What´s On In Marbella" Page in The Sentinella Costa West magazine, a special kind of social, cultural and networking events calander that promotes the cosmopolitan lifestyle in Marbella and Costa del Sol. To be included in the Best of Marbella events calendar, contact maria@thebestofmarbella.com


The magazine is distributed along the Coast from Riviera Del Sol to San Roque including inland areas such as Benahavis, Monda, Istan, and Ronda.

If you would like copies delivered to your place of work / office / shop etc. please contact costawest@thesentinella.com and we will do our best to deliver them personally to you (quantity and time permitting).

Lisa Sadleir
The Sentinella Costa West
Tel. (34) 608 840 692
Email costawest@thesentinella.com
http://www.thesentinella.com/

Funny Beach Marbella

For those who love the amusement, speed, adrenaline, vertigo... Unlimited frenzy.

GO KARTS for adults and children over 6 years old. Show your skill on the TRAMPOLINES. You may also enjoy the BUMPER BOATS, and many other attractions such as: VIDEO GAMES, ELECTRIC BIKES AND CARS, POOL and CHILDREN´S RIDES and BUGGY - KARTS.
Además, gran parte del año puedes disfrutar de nuestras actividades acuáticas: JET SKI, BANANA, WATER SKI...

Discover in our RESTAURANT a varied and reasonably price menu for all ages. From hot dogs, to fish dishes to to a delicious barbacue. Also, it's perfectly conditioned for the organization of all type of events and parties. You can have, various pankakes, cocktails, fresh juices, deck chairs, sun shades... and a lot of music in our CHIRINGUITO in one of the best beaches of the coast.

Funny Beach is open all the year.
Summer: From 11:00 to 02:00 Hours
Winter: From 11:00 to 23:00 Hours

To print your voucher from Money Off Voucher website, please click here: http://www.moneyoffvouchers.net/print_voucher.php?vid=MTAyMA

With this voucher you will receive 20% discount off all attractions - Can be used any day at anytime. Strictly one voucher per person per visit - and cannot beused in conjunction with any other offer.

Contact details:
Funny Beach
CN-340, KM.184
Beach Side
Tel: 952 823 359
Marbella, Malaga 29600

La escuela de joyeria: Estepona

La escuela de joyeria: Estepona
LA ESCUELA MUNICIPAL DE JOYERIA A PUNTO DE FINALIZAR EL CURSO 2008-2009.

Es el momento de reservar tu plaza en la escuela municipal de joyeria. Si quieres aprender una profesion brillante y con futuro.


ANIMATE Y LLAMANOS AL
952 80 6255,
952802212 o
629588887,
Avda de España 266,
ESTEPONA.

Este año los alumnos han asistido al XVII encuentro de Escuelas de Joyeria de Europa.
La escuela presento cinco piezas para el concurso, de las cuales dos fueron seleccionadas para un pase de modelos, que organizaba la escuela de Liepaja en Letonia. El primer premio lo gano Belgica, donde se celebrara, el XVIII encuentro en el 2010.


Los datos de contacto:
La escuela de joyeria
Avda de Espana 266
Estepona
Yolanda Rodriguez
Tel: (34) 952 80 6255,
952802212 o 629588887.

Estepona Floral Art Club


 ESTEPONA FLORAL ART CLUB (affiliated to NAFAS)
NAFAS is the National Association of Flower Arrangers Society, which, we Estepona Floral Art Club, are pleased to be affiliated to. Mavis Tolfree past Area Chairman, East of England Area, founded Estepona Floral Art Club in April 1999. Mavis is now Honary Life President.

The Estepona Floral Art Club meets once a month, on the third Tuesday of each month, except July and August when we take a summer break. Our Christmas Meeting is always the second Tuesday in December. We hold our A.G.M. in March so we do not have a demonstration in that month. We meet at The Benavista Country Club, Benavista, Estepona, N340 KM167. From 3.00p.m. – 5.00p.m. Refreshments are available at The Benavista Country Club prior and after our demonstration.

Arrangement designed & arranged by David Thomson, NAFAS National Demonstrator
Copyright: Estepona Floral Art Club

Estepona Floral Art Club has a raffle at each month’s demonstration, and 5 lucky ladies take home one of the wonderful arrangements that have been created that day. We are very fortunate to be able to introduce to our members each month an NAFAS Area or National Demonstrator from the UK who delights us all with their different types of Floral Arrangements.

Forthcoming events in 2010:

March 16th we hold our A.G.M. so there will not be a demonstration this day. First Call is 11.45 and the meeting will commence prompt at 12.15. A light lunch will be available after the meeting. Contact the Chairman for details.
April 20th, we look forward to welcoming back to the club Ann Marie Kendrick, National Teacher from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.
May 18th, we welcome Susan Philips, National Demonstrator from Orpintgon in Kent.
June 16th, we will be holding our Annual Event, Details to be announced next month.
July and August no meetings
September 21st, we welcome back to our Club Dulcie Lofting, NAFAS Area Demonstrator from Kings Lynn in Norfolk.
October 19th, we welcome Christopher White, NAFAS Area Demonstrator from Co. Dublin
November 16th we welcome Jayne King, NAFAS Area Demonstrator from Oxford.
December 7th, w welcome back to our club Alan Beatty, NAFAS National Demonstrator from Clogher N. Ireland.
A 3 course Lunch will be included in this days demonstration. Details to be announced.
January 18th 2011, we begin our New Year by welcoming Stephanie Laing, NAFAS Area Demonstrator from Sussex.
February 15th, we welcome Tom Hodge, NAFAS National Demonstrator from Southport.

Chairman: Anne Atkinson Tel:- 952 890 352
After the 16th March the new Chairman: Marilyn Pemberton Tel:- 952 928 197

For further information on any of the clubs monthly meetings or any of the above events, please contact:

Lesley Storey
Publicity Officer
Estepona Floral Art Club

Andrew Forbes: freelance writer and photographer

Andrew Forbes is passionate about communication through the written word and photography.
With a background of almost 20 years in media & marketing in the UK, Andrew now has his studio in Andalucia, regularly working between southern Spain and the UK and further a field,
o­n corporate copy writing projects, freelance magazine & travel projects as well as photography.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.andrewforbes.com/ or
http://www.andaluciadiary.com/

CCG article about the Spanish Economy and the Obama plan

Spanish companies specialising in infrastructure and renewable energy may benefit from projects in Obama’s Stimulus Plan if they try.

Nowadays, there is much talk about finding new markets as the economy continues to suffer. When looking to expand and develop new markets, countries such as China, the US and Europe are often the first to come to mind. For those who see beyond the economic crisis, the US still continues to offer opportunities.

There is much talk of Obama's Stimulus Plan and some companies see it as a gateway to the U.S. market. As the relationship between Spain and the US continues to improve, so do the opportunities for bilateral trade which are on the increase. The Obama Plan will provide $317 billion for investment and Spain sees this as an opportunity. Furthermore, the Spanish government in March launched a new campaign in NY, 'Made in / Made by Spain', which was inaugurated by the Princes of Asturias. This is just one example of the many initiatives taken by ICEX, Extenda and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the United States. Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian said that Spanish companies may benefit from up to $71 billion from the Obama plan, which is the same amount Spain is investing in their own stimulus plan.

Infrastructure and renewable energy are the two sectors which can benefit from the Obama Plan. Regarding infrastructure projects, Spain is well regarded in the construction industry. They have experience in building airports and the AVE which the US Secretary of State for Transport, Ray Lahood, visited in May when he travel on it from Zaragoza. Secretary Lahood is considering implementing high speed trains in ten US. Moreover, six of the ten firms specializing in transportation in America are Spanish. Companies such as Ferrovial, ACS, FCC and OHL are already working in the states of Florida, Illinois and Texas amongst others.
The second focus of the Obama plan is renewable energy. Spain has already proved itself to be a leader in this sector in the US. Companies such as Iberdrola, Acciona, Abengoa and Telvent may benefit, because the Obama plan aims to double the level of renewable energy over the next three years.

This is just a brief overview of the new opportunities that are available to Spanish companies. It is up to them to take advantage of new markets, especially as many of Spain’s largest companies have successfully penetrated the US . A new wave is swelling so more Spanish companies enter make it the US shores.

For more information about the CCG, please have a look at their website:
http://www.ccgspain.com/

CCG
Calle Arturo Rubinstein 5, local 2
Marbella, Malaga 29602
Telephone: +34 902 486 000
Fax: +34 902 486 111

Buddha Beach Summer Party


Buddha Beach Summer Party
To view a nice video from the Buddha beach opening, click here:
http://streaming.plush-world.com/video/buddhaBeach/buddhaBeachOpening09Video.html

The Marbella Summer Season officially began with one of the most eagerly awaited events on the coast, the Buddha Beach Summer Party. Over 600 of the crème de la crème of Marbella’s glittering social scene were joined by international sports stars including Tottenham Hotspur and England international David Bentley, who is a part owner of the club, as well as fellow professionals Shay Given, Carlton Cole, Jermaine Jenas and Sevilla’s Jesus Navas.

The partygoers, who also included owners Ian Radford & Claire Strutton, Bobby & Zoe Strutton as well as British Consul Steve Jones and other stars from the world of football included Liam Ridgewell, Stephen Warnock, John Gregory, Ledley King and Stephen Hunt, were soon enjoying Buddha Beach’s famed atmosphere, while the live DJ kept the music coming.

Sky Sports TV also interviewed several of the stars at the party, including Argentinian football legend Claudio Caniggia, and the local press were also able to get shots of both David Bentley and Jesus Navas at a busy photocall during the evening.

The party marked the official beginning of a busy summer at Buddha Beach, Marbella’s boutique beach club. This year Buddha Beach will be staging regular events including the popular Sunday Sunset Sessions, Limelight on Thursday and Sintillate on Friday.

Budda Beach,
Urb. Villa Marina,
Nueva Andalucia
Tel. 952 81 38 82
http://www.buddhabeachanus.com/

The Jazz Appreciation Society


THE "JAZZ APPRECIATION SOCIETY"
Registered No. 4168

FOUNDERS: Brian Parker & Alice Babs Sjoblom

The Jazz Appreciation Society was founded, in 1992, by Brian Parker and Alice Babs Sjoblom.
Brian Parker was born in London. He plays Bass, Violin and Guitar. Playing bass, He took up jazz in 1953 when he joined the Galleon Jazz Band in Tooting London to finance his studies in Architecture. He then, joined Sandy Brown's Band and, at the same time, he had his own modern jazz quartet band. Later on he formed a mainstream band, with Pat Hawes, they featured on radio and recorded records etc: It was probably, the first mainstream band in England. He retires from music in 1959 to concentrate on his career as an Arhitect he retired to the Costa del Sol in 1983, in 1992 he started promoting Jazz on the Costa del Sol, and created the Jazz Appreciation Society, and started to play the bass again with his own trio, as well as running his radio programme - All That Jazz - on Onda Cero, International.

Since 2000, he has been involved in setting up an Internet Jazz Radio, running 24 hours a day, and so has not played for a while. Amongst others, he has played with Humphrey Lyttleton, Louis Armstrong and Lionel Hampton. He toured with Mick Mulligan's Band with Geroge Melley. Also, Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee.

Alice Babs Sjoblom was born in 1924. She studied at the Royal Academy. From 1956 she was active in fllms, TV and on stage. Between 1959 and 1963 she joined forces with violinist Sven Asmussen and guitarist Ulrik Neumann to form Swe-Danes. The purity of her voice and her sense of swing, attracted the attention of Duke Ellington, with whom she made many appearances. She recorded with him on the Reprise label and appeared in some of the Sacred Concerts, including the second, in New York City in 1968, and the third, in London in 1973. She hosted the International Ellington Conference in Stockholm in 1994. She was appointed as Royal Court Singer, the only non-opera singer to be given that title, by the King of Sweden in 1972. She was elected to the Royal Academy in 1974. Ellington remarked that 'She is a performer without measure. She can sing anything she sees or hears, Opera, Bach or Jazz"."What has Alice Babs got, that other singers lack?" A reporter asked Ellington later. "EVERYTHING!" The composer replied.

The original idea of the Society was to assemble a group of Jazz lovers, who could gather together regularly to discuss Jazz, listen to records, tapes, CD's and watch videos and, generally, enjoy the company of likeminded people.It was hoped that the Society would, one day, develop and provide a ready Audience toenable it's members to bring international jazz musicians to the coast for everyone to enjoy. The meeting place has changed quite a few times over the years, and will now be meeting at the Benavista Country Club - Restaurant, where the meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month, except July and August.

The Meetings start at 8.00pm with videos of great Jazz Artists and last until about 10.00 then there is live Jazz with members of the Jazz Society, Food and refreshments are obtainable, from an extensive menu, throughout the meeting. However, if you prefer to eat earlier, then you will find that there will be some background jazz, from a CD or Audio Tape, from around 7.00 pm, until the meeting starts. If you are a jazz afficionado, and would care to join us at one of our meetings, please ring Brian Parker, on 952 785616, so that seating can be arranged to enable you to enjoy All That Jazz!!

It was hoped that the Society would, one day, develop and provide a ready Audience to enable it's members to bring international jazz musicians to the coast for everyone to enjoy.

For more information and membership details, please contact:
Brian Parker on (34) 952 785616
bp@jazz-radio.fm
Please also check:
http://thebestofmarbella.blogspot.com/2009/05/all-that-jazz-radio-with-brian-parker.html

Just Candy


Just Candy
Just Candy offers a wide selection of unique gift experiences that will thrill, inspire and excite you, including: air, adrenaline, health and beauty, lifestyle, gourmet, water and snow, gifts, because I love you, corporate... If you are looking for that special gift for a loved one, a birthday, Christmas or any other special occasion then Just Candy has something for everyone.

Simply The Best
With our bespoke service Just Candy offers something different from any other gift experience company – a totally personal service. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, please just ask, we can find it and make it happen!

We pride ourselves in working to extremely high standards to provide the best service possible to all our customers. We know how important it is to give the perfect gift that will leave happy lasting memories. So just leave it to us … that’s what we do best!

We look forward to helping you find the perfect gift.
Just Candy believe in the ‘Gift Of Giving’ and are organising a sponsorship programme where all our service providers, clients and friends, will have the opportunity to donate to help orphans and street kids in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia: http://www.saveheaven.org/

For more information and bookings, please contact Just Candy at:
+ 34 951 317 939

Oriental Design







Oriental Design offers you to bring home the various cultures of the World. Oriental Design travels around the Globe looking for the most beautiful handmade pieces. Each piece found in our catalogue is authentic; if it is stone it is not casted but hand carved, if it is wood, it is not plywood but solid wood from the best essence.

Furniture, Buddha images or statues, lamps, decoration items and objects of exception, our products mark themselves out by their originality and authenticity. With Oriental Design, discover the Orient's secrets that will help you create a charming and warm atmosphere at home.

Guarantee of quality
Oriental Design guarantees you the best Quality. We visit a lot of artisans before choosing the right ones to supply us with articles produced with thin details and applied outputs. Although most of our products come from Asia because Asian production is more diversified with better quality. Asian workers are conscientious and imaginative. We always enjoy working with them.
You will find as well Burmese reces and some others.

But among all Oriental Design wants you to enjoy the best prices. We work directly with the artisans and import our products directly to our warehouses in Europe. There is no middle man; this enables us to offer you the best quality at the best price.

So, if you are dreaming of an exotic and harmonious interior, Oriental Design is made for you. Your satisfaction is our reward.

For orders and direct inquiries, please contact:

Oriental Design
Industrial Poligono San Pedro
Calle Eslovakia
Nave 28
Tel: (34) 952 816 721
info.orientaldesign@gmail.com
http://www.orientaldesign.com/

The Blue Sky F1 Experience

Impact TV are proud to introduce the ultimate F1 Experience brought to you by Blue Sky Super Car Hire.

The Launch started on 24th June at the Miramar commercial center in Fuengirola.
Located at the main entrance of The Centro Commercial Parque Miramar, the Blue Sky F1 Experience is bringing the first ever F1 virtual experience to the Costa del Sol.

This F1 virtual experience is designed and built to the exact specification of today’s F1 cars (without the engine). Set on a motion platform using pneumatic gas, you will be able to wear an F1 suit and step into the body of a Formula 1 superstar. This is your chance to pit your wits against the sports heroes like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

Hear the roar of the 2.4 litre V8 as it hits 20,000 rpm as you accelerate. Feel the G – Force through the corners and soak up the atmosphere from the crowd. With over 60 official grand prix tracks to choose from, your day out will be an F1 Experience you will never forget.

Parque Miramar: Parque Miramar is located directly off the A7 (N340) Fuengirola, and is rapidly becoming one of the largest shopping centres on the Costa del Sol.

RATE CARD: (consists of different options), e.g.
Car Sponsor € 3,500
Leader Board Sponsor € 700
Back Panel Sponsor € 500
30 second advert on 3 plasmas € 500
Helmet Sponsor € 300

..... and many different packages such as:

MONACO PACKAGE x1
Car Sponsor
Leader Board Sponsor
Ticket Sponsor
Photo Sponsor
Drivers suit Sponsor
Helmet Sponsor
Back Panel Sponsor
Uniform Sponsor
120 x 30 second ads per day on 3 plasmas € 5,000
Side Panel Sponsor x 8

For more information, details and bookings, please contact Iain Fenwick and quote The Best of Marbella website to get the best deal:
IMPACT TV
Dannie Trude
Avenida Ricardo Soriano 72
Edificio Golden
Portal B 1,
Planta Office 529601
Marbella, Malaga
Tel: 655 475 751

Are you a single parent on the Costa del Sol?

Hi everyone,

This is one of my very first personal blog post as a public message to all of our readers and followers of the blog, especially addressing SINGLE PARENTS ON THE COSTA DEL SOL... First of all, I must say that I am one of you... :-)

After 5 years of living in Marbella and trying so many different, short term jobs, I realized that I can not AFFORD any full time job in Spain: not only because of the small salaries, but also the working hours are impossible for a single parent like me... There are almost none existing part-time jobs and even if there are, with the part time salary, nobody can survive, unless they have an additional part time job or extra support or income.

So, it is a vicious circle and makes no sense... During one of my running sessions on the beach (when I usually get inspired) I got an idea to create this networking website/blog where I can work from home, express my love and passion for this beautiful place, attend my son and at the same time support all the local businesses in Marbella. Namely, it is a WIN-WIN situation for ALL. I am convinced that this is the ONLY way to move forward.

Being a single parent (I have a 12 year old son), I know from my own experience how challenging it is to raise a child and start a new business at the same time (especially during the current economic crisis). However, the great news is that even though I am just starting, WE Magazine from the USA included The Best of Marbella blog in the list of top 101 Women Bloggers to Watch for 2009:
http://wemagazineforwomen.com/101-women-bloggers-to-watch-for-2009/

I also received some inspiring e-mails from other single parent (Something Cakey), asking me to include her businesses on The Best of Marbella that spontaneously developed into a decision to offer special conditions for the promotion of all single parents on the Costa del Sol (part payment/part exchange) to support people who are in a similar situation like me.

Recently, I also found a very interesting website/blog that I can highly recommend to all working moms. Even thought it is in Malaga in CA, USA, the world is small. Thanks to the internet, we can all connect as one global family. Please have a look at this great website:
If you are a single parent on the Costa del Sol, have a business on your own that needs extra promotion and publicity, or need extra income, please feel free to contact me: maria@thebestofmarbella.com, tel: 627 06 0042. I have very special conditions/ promotion fees for single parents like me...

I look forward to your replies and remain, with best regards,

Maria

Maria Petrak
Founder and Proprietor
The Best of Marbella

Something Cakey: innovative edible cake toppers

"Our only limitation is your imagination"
SomethingCakey.com is an innovative company based in Marbella which creates fantastic looking edible images on high quality icing using edible inks.

Edible cake toppers, or photo cakes as they are also known, are an ingenious way to get a fantastic celebration cake for any special occasion without having to spend a fortune.

With prices starting from only €3.00 for a sheet of 12 cupcake toppers and €4.50 for the celebration cake sizes, these picture cake toppers are a great credit crunching idea. And kids and adults will love them.

Launched at the very beginning of 2009, the business was initially marketed towards children’s themed birthday cakes.

“We quickly discovered the wide appeal these cake toppers had for any age or event.” says company owner, Nicola, “One request for a 60-something year old was a picture of rugby players mooning!”

With 1000s of designs online or the option to upload your own image or make a special request, their slogan “Our only limitation is your imagination” is very apt.

One of the great things about these icing toppers is that they keep for up to 6 months before use and do NOT need to be refrigerated and so are easily posted to clients throughout Europe.

They are extremely easy to use and come with a step-by-step guide how to put it on the homemade or shop-bought cake. There is even a YouTube clip on their website showing you what to do. Foolproof!

SomethingCakey does not make cakes themselves. Instead, they have chosen to team up with some really fantastic, reasonably priced professional cake makers along the Costa del Sol, from Gibraltar, Sotogrande, through Marbella and towards Malaga and inland.

SomethingCakey has definitely filled a huge gap in the party supplies market here in Spain and is fast becoming a thriving business in a year dogged by recession.

For production information and orders please go to their website http://www.somethingcakey.com/ or contact Nicola on +34 616399382.

Please quote The Best of Marbella website to get the best value for money and extra friendly service.

BARRA FONTAINES & CHEMINEES Special offer



Special Offer for renewal of the range of BIO ETHANOL from Barra
Oferta especial para cambio de la gama de BIO ETHANOL de Barra

While renewing our range of Bio Ethanol chimneys, we offer a special discount on our last models. Please have a look at our interior models where we are offering 50% discount.

Estamos cambiando nuestra gamma de Chimeneas de Bio Ethanol, y por la ocazion ofrecemos una oferta especial sobre nuestros ultimos modelos. Por favor, encontrais con esta oferta nuestros modelos con 50% de oferta.

Bernard Barra & Camille Majal
BARRA FONTAINES & CHEMINEES
Tel: 672 394 779 / 678 053 594
You can also visit Barra in:
Podéis también visitar Barra en:

- RocheBobois Marbella para Piedra Natural, Inoxidable y chimeneas Bio Ethanol
- KSR Lighting a Poligono San Pedro para chimenea de exterior (Bio Ethanol)
- ARTISANS a Poligono San Pedro para productos de Piedra Natural
- Loft Design a Poligono San Pedro para fuentes de Inoxidable

Amazing artists Richard Meric and Syl Chad

'The man inside' - Oil on Canvas -
60 x 90 cm - Richard Meric Digital Art by Syl Chad: Digital Art by Richard Meric:

SYL & RIC: We are a couple of French artists: Painters, Photographers, Digital artists, Web Designers, and screenwriters. Our original creations, combining Surrealism and Hyperrealism, are mainly inspired by esoteric traditions and symbolism, but, aside from any intellectual approach, we mostly hope to communicate to our human fellows positive feelings, as well as our love for beauty and harmony.

Unique creations to suit your personal taste, to match your home decoration style and color tones. All “original art” is painted to order by our talented artists Syl & Ric. Your painting is prepared in the finest oils. Our service is for those wishing for a truly unique artistic experience where they live or work.
Syl & Ric create custom hand painted artwork specifically for you, and never duplicated. You are in complete control of the image, design, colors, size, everything! The artwork is priced based on the size and level of detail requested. Custom paintings can be shipped to any location. Receiving your own custom painting is easy, just get some ideas down, or gather photos you like, and inform us with the size you need. We have created custom painting from just an idea or photograph. The work can usually be finished within a month depending on size and level of detail.
COMMISSION A PORTRAIT: Lifelike colorful Portrait, drawn or painted from your photos.
You’re looking for an original gift, you would like a portrait carried out by professionals, a photo enlargement does not satisfy you! We offer to carry out this portrait according to your desires, using your photographs. You choose the technique of realization of the portrait: a portrait drawn with pastels or charcoal, in hues of gray or colors- a portrait carried out with oil paint on canvas. A portrait can contain several subjects, for example, by assembling several photographs. Ric creates amazing personalized portraits.

Prices upon request. For further details, please contact:

Syl and Ric
Art Galleries:
Custom-made Visual Arts
Web Design:
Tel: (+34) 628 342 317
Please also check:
http://thebestofmarbella.blogspot.com/2009/09/graphic-paradise-web-design-company.html
Copyright: Syl Chad and Richard Meric
The Best of Marbella and its contributors