Costa Women Blogs

A thought is never in the present. It is always in the past or in the future if only for a fraction of a second. If you want to connect to the present, you have to connect to something that exists in the...

September 22 and 23, 2014 we have celebrated the Autumn Equinox. It was and still remains the perfect opportunity for us to make sure we are balanced, putting ourself first, prioritising things that are important to us. Releasing everything that no longer serves us. Walking away from situations that do not resonate with our heart and preparing ourself for an ‘upbeat’ time where life and our physical body might seem to be having a break down… but understand it is all part of a natural cycle, to allow Humankind to choose to raise its own unique vibration and live as magnificent and loving beings we truly are. October 7 and 8, 2014 is the 2nd full Lunar Eclipse of a 4 consecutive cycle of blood moons, that I wrote about in this post IAM reblogging. Life is going to heat up even more from now on… our body and life as we have known it for so long, is being shaken up to make sure we release everything that no longer serves us. So please be aware of this turmoil time that we have to go through and stay calmly centred with your IAM presence, breathing consciously and deeply, listening to what is in your best interest to do and follow through. Listen to your heart and not your mind and trust that you are in the perfect place at the most perfect time. Don’t allow yourself to step into the fear… Trust that everything is perfectly well in all of creation. Take care of yourself… Barbara x Original Post… For a few years now we are observing the world around us literary ‘heating up’ and expanding, as high intensity solar activity and photon energy (the latter being a magnetic flow of light on the galactic plane, along the Milky Way where there is a great concentration of stars that give birth to ‘photon light particles’) influences the magnetics and core make-up of Mother Earth and all of Humanity. It is a natural galactic cycle bringing in new energies to expand and transform our old 3 Dimensional World of Duality, Fear, Limitation and Separation… to a Multi Dimensional World of Unity, Compassion, Cooperation and Authentic Power… We observe our weather patterns changing, the uprising of people under dictatorship, the power and greed of governments no longer being tolerated, the foundations of our financial, economic, religious, spiritual and education systems wobbling, unbalanced relationships exploding and the limited and ego-minded physical body and mind becoming sick. We are seeing and feeling all the past trauma, pain, wounding, untruths, secrets and darkness that have been passed down our ancestral lineage, being penetrated by intense electromagnetic light that is naturally releasing all the cellular memories that have been stored on Earth, within each person and all our creations. Our divine consciousness that we have totally ignored for many lifetimes is being woken up.  The ancestral lineage ends with us and we now have a choice whether or not to allow the release of all the cultural and family patterns and beliefs of fear, conflict and darkness and come to a new understanding that our *temporary pains we are experiencing are part of this natural cycle and our transformation. *temporary pains… We feel in some parts of our physical body and mind, both our own and our ancestral trauma, pain, wounds, untruths and darkness being released from our cellular memory.  We can consciously breathe in and out of this physical area and allow the stuck energy to move out of our body and into a neutral state… pure new potential for us to play and create with.  To remain ignorant and resist this transformation will ensure further suffering until the death of our physical body and mind. We have the opportunity to choose to open and expand our body, heart and mind, to resonate with what is happening and allow ourself to create a balanced space of love, peace and calmness around us.  A space in which we can consciously breathe in the flow of new energies that are here to support us in the integration and crystallisation of our divine soul, human body and mind and release everything that no longer serves us.   We can allow ourself as DivineHumanBeing, that we truly are, to ascend and walk consciously here on earth, steering ourself through the chaos (that we understand to be the natural restructure of Mother Earth and Humanity) and enjoy creating in the now moment… Creating together with fellow sacred hearts a new peaceful and harmonious world in which to thrive and bring in new potential to serve our hearts desire… Today Monday 14th April 2014 is the eve of another natural cycle, 4 consecutive full lunar eclipses with the last one taking place on 28th Sept 2015… During this time we have the extra influence of the full moon as she represents the flowing feminine, the waters, the emotions, the east, the negative, the darkness, the mystery. She, the full moon will be helping us all to fully open up and face our woes and fears.  It is therefore so important to understand what is happening, not to be afraid, but to embrace everything, all our broken and hurt wounds of the past, to love them unconditionally from a balanced space of being and allow everything that no longer serves us to be free.  It is all going to be OK… humanity is moving on… we are going to be living in each moment, experiencing new potential and have no need to go back and compare our past or project ourself in a limited and probable future anymore. Divine Consciousness is now awakening and wants each one of us to claim it as our own, to allow the integration of the DivineHumanBeing that will walk as an embodied ascended master here on Earth.  It’s never been done before… we are the new standards… Lets go for a new experience… Interesting information about the four lunar eclipses and blood moons…http://spaceweather.com Especially how the christian church try and provoke more fear out of this event… http://www.christiantoday.com/article/four.blood.moons.pastor.john.hagee.getv.broadcast.april.15.time.lunar.tetrad.video/36747.htm My friend Heather Carlini has written a wonderful and powerful E Book about the shift we are going through and how the solar flares are having an affect on Earth and Humanity… It truly helps us to understand in a simple way what is happening… Please go to her website to purchase the book. http://www.carliniinstitute.com/how_solar_flares_help_you_to_evolve_book A Free E Book… A Selection of True Awakening Experiences The Earth and humanity are naturally awakening, consciousness is expanding, you are changing, the Earth is changing… It is time to find that sacred and quiet space within you, to keep you balanced and safe in the coming times of CHANGE… Together with 33 other wordpress friends we have published A selection of True Awakening Experiences which can be downloaded on my blog space… http://memymagnificentself.wordpress.com  A Free E Book for you to  read… to be inspired… to let you know that it’s all going to be ok… You can also download it from my homepage side bar… Take care, stay balanced and enjoy it all… until next week… Barbara Franken… Inspiring New Energy Consciousness  

Ceramic tiles have left an indelible stamp on Andalusian culture for centuries – a fundamental feature of Spanish culture conjuring up images of undulating countryside, dancing horses and fiery flamenco. Combined with a series of unusual Modernist themes, these artistic images have been committed to clay on countless colourful ceramic tiles adorning the home of artisan painters Dieter and Sigrid from Pictures On Tiles, Mijas Costa. After visiting Valencia’s Ceramic Tile Fair many times, I wrote tips on kitchen and bathroom design for the UK Tile Association, opened the first trading day of an 8,000 sq.ft. tile showroom (photo available for a laugh!), and ceramic tiles featured in my first Costa del Sol article. View a slideshow of Dieter and Sigrid’s interior and exterior villa designs in this stunning online art gallery, contact info@solview360.com for details.  Artisan ceramic tiles add distinction to décor, www.paradisemarbellarealty.com/blog/artisan-ceramic-tiles-add-distinction-to-decor/ JumpCDove.jpg

Is meditation boring? For people looking at a meditating person it might seem boring. But that goes for so many occupations. How interesting is it to an outsider to look at a person reading an incredibly fascinating...

Happy Wednesday! Following on from our fabulous feature Wedding Gown Trends for 2015, we have some tips and advice for shopping for your wedding perfect Wedding Gown! So let’s get down to the nitty gritty!! I am not about to tell you that this will be easy, that you will definitely love every moment of the experience, because I can not promise you that! My own experience was far from perfect, I had to deal with unfriendly sales people, rushed appointments, grubby dresses to try on and really unhelpful service before I found my dream gown and I really do not want you to go through any of that! I was expecting to be treated like a princess and be handed a glass of Champagne, after all I was intending on spending a month’s wage on a dress!! How many times do you hear of a bride that buys a dress or even orders a bespoke dress to be made and then finds something else that she absolutely must have ? Lets use our learnings from my mistakes and the experiences of those around us and make this experience a great one! So here are some tips and good advice to make your Wedding Gown shopping experience fabulous, fun and pleasurable! Set Your Budget As with everything in regards to your wedding you need to set a budget. If you know you’re not going to spend £4,000 on your dress, don’t waste your time trying on gowns out of your price range. You’re much better off focusing on your realistic price point so you can spend more time collating the options you can actually buy. The average dress will cost between £800 and £1,800. Some of the more accessible brands, such as Maggie Sottero and Essense of Australia have enormous collections which often take their inspiration from the leading designers. If you’re looking for something at a more affordable price with stylish details, look no further. Other options are buying store samples, seek out wedding dress sale days. Keep in mind that you’ll need to factor in the cost of alterations, taxes and potentially shipping fees, plus your veil, shoes, lingerie and jewelry, which can add up to £250 or more altogether. Get a Head Start This is one of the things that surprises everyone. You really need at least six to eight months to get your gown and that’s if you’re a good decision maker. If you’re fussy or you just don’t really know what you want, start looking eight to 10 months before your wedding day. Give yourself plenty of time; if you put it off for too long, your selection of dresses could be limited or you might make a quick decision you may regret later. Once you’ve found your perfect wedding gown, give yourself at least eight weeks to have any alterations made. Custom gowns take six to eight months to tailor on average, and heavily-embellished ones can take up to a year. Attire Guidelines You may need to consider religious restrictions when shopping for your gown. If your ceremony is in a house of worship, find out whether there are any attire guidelines you’re required to follow, such as covering your shoulders. Choose Your Ideal Style Think about your venue, the country, the season and the time of day you’re getting married at to help narrow down your dress style. Rule out fabrics and silhouettes that won’t work (a heavy ball gown is probably not the best fit for a midday beach affair) and consider what styles will flatter your body shape. To help you search, use magazines, Pinterest, the Wedding Blog sites and stay on top of the new collection launches (usually March to April). Create some Pinterest Board of your favourite designs, make a tear sheet of your favourite dresses from the magazines and start to see what styles you love. Categorise them and take notes of the designers. If you love a particular designer, find out if they’re having a bridal design day or trunk show in your area, you’ll see a larger range of their collection and you might even get a discount. If their collection prices are hugely out of your price range then any good bridal store will be able to advise you of a designer with a similar style, so do not despair! Try to stick to three designers is you can and don’t confuse yourself with too many options! Don’t forget to refer back to our feature on Wedding Gown Trends for 2015 for style inspiration! Where to Shop The best way to find your perfect Wedding Dress Boutique is by recommendations, ask your friends and also search on Rock My Weddings-Love Lust List. If you want your something old to be your dress? Try  Vintage by Charlie Brear and Fur Coat No Knickers. You may need to travel to find the dress you want so do call ahead. Just because a store carries your favorite designer doesn’t mean they will have the exact dress you’re dying to try. If you phone and request a specific style, the store should be able to call in a sample of that gown especially for you. Many Boutiques do require you to book an appointment in advance to try on their gowns, so you will definitely want to call ahead. The last option would be to have a dress made bespoke. Make sure if you are getting something made that you are either familiar with the shape and style you are asking for or that you have tried the dress style on yourself. It’s all to easy to ask for a dress to be made that you are not so familiar with and find once it’s made that it’s not what you envisaged or is not a style that suits you. A word of warning about buying online, there are no guarantees that the fabric, stitch quality, fit or style will be what it is in the photo- be very sure before you go down this route. You could be wasting both time and money! Take Advice From the Professionals If you love the feel of the Boutique you’ve booked to try on your dresses and connect with the sales staff then do trust in them as professionals. The wedding boutique assists thousands of brides each year. Don’t eliminate anything at first glance. If the salesperson brings you something she says you should try, try it, even if you don’t initially love it or think it’s totally “you.” It is possible and more often than not that a bride will buy a wedding gown she didn’t think she’d ever like or want and in actual fact it ends up being ‘The One’! But equally don’t be bullied by anyone to buy a dress that you are really not sure about. It should feel and look perfect! Make Time to Shop Be aware that Saturday afternoons are the most popular times, you may not get the attention or assistance you have been dreaming about. Unless the store is by appointment only, try to target those slower times. Consultants are fresher earlier in the day and can give you more of their attention. A morning mid-week will be the perfect time. A calm store means a more personalized shopping experience. Don’t bring an entourage with you. It may be tempting to include all your friends in this experience, but any more than one or two means too many clashing opinions and this is a decision you need to make for yourself. You have to love the dress! Buy a Dress That Fits You Now Even if you’re planning on dropping 5 kilos before your wedding, your body type isn’t going to completely change. Besides, it’s a lot easier (not to mention less expensive) to take a gown in than to try and make a too-small dress work. Read the Small Print When you order your gown from a salon, it’s important to triple-check the contract. Read it carefully, so you don’t end up with the wrong size or color, and get the designer, style number, measurements, delivery date, the price of the gown and number of fittings, as well as the deposit amount, all in writing. The Be Prepared Bit! While most boutiques will have shoes on hand for you to try on with your gown, you should still come prepared with a nude bra and underwear for the fittings. Bring shoes with a similar height to what you plan on wearing at the wedding, so you can see how the dress falls with your heels. Take the opportunity to try on your other day-of accessories too (if you have them), like your veil, this will give you an idea of how your whole look will come together. Freshly done hair and make-up will also make you see more clearly how things will look on the day! Trust Yourself! If you feel amazing, look beautiful, can’t stop yourself from shedding a tear then you have no doubt found ‘the one’!!  If you have to be reassured that the dress looks great on you, it’s probably not “the one.” If you can’t see yourself walking down the aisle in it, move on. When you find the right dress, you’ll know, you won’t want to put on anything else! Good luck in your search and if you have any questions then please do get in touch! We would be more than happy offer you advice! We hope you find your perfect wedding gown soon! Why not subscribe below to our blog so you don’t miss us!  As always, happy planning! If you have any questions about your wedding design and styling, please CONTACT us on 00 44 7876 752 435 or {lucy@boutiqueweddingsinspain.com}. To find out more about the services we offer, please go to Wedding Planning Services Love Lucy x

Hello Gorgeous Ladies, Today’s post is the first installment of a two part article for the Bride’s of 2015…I thought you might know a few!! Finally, the most exciting, emotional and important task for your Wedding Day has arrived, it’s time to book your appointments and choose your dream Wedding Gown! But first we wanted to inspire you with the key bridal ‘Looks’ for 2015, whether you are a style conscious bride, dreaming of a modern wedding or a more traditional girl looking for some classic elegance inspiration, there is something for all! Well you are such lucky ladies, 2015 has some new and super exciting bridal trends that are certain to bring out your inner princess for your wedding day! There’s so much opportunity these days to choose a dress that completely suits your personality and style, rather than having to adapt through lack of options. Traditions are changing and the freedom and options a Bride has today are amazing! We have put together a few palettes to illustrate the Key wedding gown trends for 2015, a selection of our favourites that we hope you love just as much as we do! Next week we’ll be back with a guide to shopping your perfect Gown! Modern Tulle This light, whimsical and romantic fabric is huge for 2015. Whether you opt for a full romantic Tulle Gown or a Tulle Skirt combined with a separate lace top, cashmere jumper, denim shirt or even a rocking biker jacket. You can create a classic or a modern and sassy bridal look! The Designers to look for are, Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera, Theia, Hayley Paige and Marchesa. The Boutique Wedding Co. Wedding Dress Trends 2015- Modern Tulle Trend Setter and fashion Influencer, Olivia Palmero choose to wear a three piece Carolina Herrera ensemble for her wedding to German Model Johannes Huebl. Her detachable full Tulle skirt with a high slit at the front,  shorts and a white cashmere sweater created an utterly Chic look, finished off with blue embellished Manolo Blahnik Shoes. The very same style that Carrie Bradshaw wore for her civil ceremony to Mr Big! The Boutique Wedding Co. Wedding Dress Trends 2015 – Modern Tulle Naked Lace White or Ivory Lace with a nude lining, AKA ‘Naked Lace’ is huge for 2015. Lace has been a key wedding trend for what seems like eternity. The Nude lining gives your look a more modern edge, effortlessly feminine and timeless. My favourites are designed by Reem Acra, Naeem Khan, Watters, Rivini and Lace Loves Grace. The Boutique Wedding Co. Wedding Dress  Trends 2015- Naked Lace Separates and Crop Tops Separates and Crop Tops are perfect for the edgy, fashion-forward brides wanting to bring a modern feel to their bridal gown! One of my favorite trends for 2015, the designers to watch are Theia, Elizabeth Stuart, and Houghton. The Boutique Wedding Co. Wedding Dress Trends 2015- Separates and Crop Tops Capes Whether you would like to cover up for cooler seasons, walking down the aisle or have a different look day to night a cape is the perfect option. Designers rocking this super cool style were Monique Lhuillier, Watters, Naeem Khan, Theia, Alberta Ferretti, Angel Sanchez and Mira Zwillinger. The Boutique Wedding Co. Wedding Dress Trends 2015- Capes Coloured Wedding Dresses While designers in seasons past may have given us lines of boldly colored gowns, this year they are keeping it light and airy. With just a hint of colour that might even be missed if you glance too quickly. Monique Lhuillier gave us beautiful robin egg blue dresses, while the other designers loving just a breath of colour are Ellie Saab, Jenny Packham, Inabl Dror and Theia. The Boutique Wedding Co. Wedding Dress Trends 2015-Coloured Dresses The New Necklines Illusion Necklines  and off-The-Shoulder gowns ruled the runway this season showing in shows such as Monique L’huiller, Jenny Packham, and Marchesa. If you want to highlight your gorgeous “décolletage” off-the-shoulder is the perfect gown for you. An ornate Illusion neckline gives you the support of straps without the look of them! Plunging V-Necks were also huge with designers taking advantage of this look to give gowns a more old-Hollywood glam or Grecian goddess feel. The Boutique Wedding Co. Wedding Dress Trends 2015-New Necklines The Plunging and Embellished Backs These are definately my favourite looks for 2015. I am totally obsessed with the idea of highlighting the back of the dress; it’s both unique and utterly romantic. Designers Claire Pettibone, Christos, Alberta Ferretti and Naeem Khan featured pretty wedding dresses with beautiful embroidered or lace applique backs and plenty of pretty bows and ribbons. Claire Pettibone wins my vote everytime! And for a mid summer or destination wedding then a deep plunging back would be the perfect look. The Boutique Wedding Co. Wedding Dress Trends 2015-Plunging and Embellished Backs A few other key trends to look out for are: Column beadwork embellishments from the likes of Jenny Packham, Ines De Santo and Peter Langer. As well as being a beautiful design with a 1930’s feel, vertical beading works to elongate the body and has a slimming affect. Lattice weave fabric with a  netting or a basket-weave design into wedding dresses for a style that’s unexpected yet timeless. Angel Sanchez, Monique Lhuillier and Indal Dror designed dresses this season with lattice details, both large and small. The Dropped waist dress offers you the best of both worlds allowing you to show of your perfect figure whilst also allowing you to wear a full skirt. Seen at Zac Posen and Amsale. That all for this week folks! All I can say is that I’m so jealous of all you Spring 2015 brides! I hope this roundup of trends helps steer you in the right direction of finding your dream dress for the big day. Why not subscribe below to our blog so you don’t miss us!  As always, happy planning! If you have any questions about your wedding design and styling, please CONTACT us on 00 44 7876 752 435 or {lucy@boutiqueweddingsinspain.com}. To find out more about the services we offer, please go to Wedding Planning Services Love Lucy x Image references: Modern Tulle: rstyle.me, Pinned by Jaclyn Bailey, Emilyriggsbridal.com, bessfriday.com, ciararichardson.com, peoniesandpearls.co.uk, Olivia and Johannes from oliviapalmero.com Naked Lace: Claudia Boccardi, www.gentandbeauty.com, Elle Nederland, cdn.indulgy.com, blog.theknot.com Crop Tops and Separates: onefabday.com, elizabeth-stuart.com, etsy.com, bridalmusings.com, etsy.com, lihihod.com, graceloveslace.com Capes: lushcazine, brides.com, www.lovemydress.com, www.jennypackhambridal.com, www.brides.com Coloured Wedding Dresses: theweddingscoop.com, projectwedding.com, etsy.com, www.jennypackhambridal.com, weddingsparrow.com, www.jennypackham.com, ;www.stylemepretty.com, www.polkadotbride.com The New Neck Lines: Jenny Packham, Marchesa, Marchesa, Jenny Packham, Reem Acra, Monique L’huillier, Jenny Packham, Tony Ward The Plunging and Embellished Backs: etsy.com, thecinderellaproject.blogspot.com, stylecaster.com, garyguyphotography.com, www.clairepettibone.com, thecinderellaproject.blogspot.com, www.clairepettibone.com