Style Blog

The wine available in the supermarkets here in Spain ranges from 99 cents to 4 euros and above. Generally, I go for a Spanish-produced red in the 1,30 - 2,00 euro bracket, such as the vino tinto Tempranillo pictured.

Now, I can just hear the cries of derision from Brits claiming, "It must be rubbish at that price!” - something I have heard many times before. And therein lies a deep naivety, since the Spanish people do not accept junk. Generally, they have refined pallets, do not overindulge, and certainly know about quality in the food and drink department.

The quality of my ‘budget’ wine is usually far superior to the processed screw-topped equivalents in British supermarkets, off-licences, and certainly wine bars and pubs.

Something to ponder when you're next spending £6, £11, and £20 on your bottle of wine in the UK.

On a final note, please opt for real cork stoppers, since cork production is a sustainable industry and the cork oak forests provide vital habitat for globally endangered species.

Pregnancy is a really exciting time; there are lots of things to learn, buy and think about when it comes to your unborn baby, but until your due date you’ll have other things to think about too! There is everyday life to get on with, whether this is working, studying or whatever else you do in the day. Then there are social events such as weddings, birthdays and other celebrations too - you won’t want to sit inside for nine months whilst everyone else you know is having a brilliant time. Sometimes it might feel like a struggle, but if you embrace your pregnancy and realise that you can have just as much fun as your friends and family, it can become a whole lot easier.

One thing I noticed was how self-conscious I initially felt at parties as I felt like my outfits were frumpier than those of my friends; it turns out this is because they were! I wasn’t dressing for my shape, tending to cover up instead. So I thought it would be helpful for you, the mum-to-be, if I put together a few tips on how I changed my style to dress for summer parties when I was pregnant. Here they are...

Don’t head for menswear

The first mistake I made was going to the menswear section of my local department store in the hope that I’d find some loose fitting outfits for the latter months of my pregnancy. I admit, I bought some clothes there, and I also wore them. But I felt so unlike myself! Where was my shape and personality? In the end I chose to put the clothes in the charity bin and headed to the maternity section instead; it was a wise choice! It’s hard to dress for summer parties when you feel so unglamorous in men’s trousers.

Maxi dresses are essential

The weather's hotting up here in Almerimar and even the morning walks require hats and cream. Just near the marina to the east, there is a nature reserve that is home to flamingos and many species of birds ranging from stilts and avocets to roller birds and bee-eaters.

Our walk this morning was curtailed by some flooding and the threat of mosquitoes, so we did the civilised thing and retired a cafe, leaving a more adventurous trek for when we are better equipped.

Here are some pics:

@jsmithwriter

This photograph is evidence that you can ski in the morning and chill out on the beach in the afternoon here in Andalucía.  The snow capped peaks in the background are part of the Sierra Nevada range.  One of the southernmost in Europe, the ski resort is near the beautiful city of Granada and offers some great conditions, often in the sunshine.

In winter and spring, the windsurfers here in Almerimar sail in the bay whilst looking up at the snow covered mountains above.  It is a great setting, and mostly undiscovered by travellers who dismiss it as a wind-blown desert.

So,that's enough talk, where's my board and sail?

@jsmithwriter

It didn’t take long to get back into Spanish life out here and tuned into life on the marina. I did notice, however, that it seems very quiet for spring - a time when many yachts and motorboats undergo final preparations for the season ahead. There is usually more movement in the ports as vessels position themselves before undertaking a summer tour of the Mediterranean, or heading out of the Strait of Gibraltar for destinations further afield.

The reason for this year’s inactivity is no doubt due to the financial situation worldwide and huge pressure on Spain to resolve its economic crisis. The word on the streets is that there is little or no work about. This factor naturally influences the entire business landscape, including the marine industry. Certainly, there remains a lot of wealth on display - huge motorboats and yachts costing hundreds of thousands or even millions cruising about - but those assets are expensive to moor and maintain, and very difficult to sell or charter in the current climate.

The marinas are feeling the pinch and fees are likely to go up, prompting boat owners to hop from port-to-port looking for the best deal - a fruitless task, since all marinas are facing the same dilemma. The upshot of this is perhaps a gloomy one, especially for those with bigger craft, since mooring fees are proportional to the size of the boat.

There is no immediate solution to the marine crisis, and those who indulged their taste for gin palaces years ago, may now find the extravagance coming back to bite them.

@jsmithwriter

If you’re feeling more geek than chic – fear not! With the cosmetic procedures available today, you can transform yourself into an A-list celebrity in no time at all! If you want to keep the geek look then fair enough, but if you aspire to look a bit better then try the following tips.

Laser Treatment

If you suffer from acne or uneven skin tone, rosacea or thread veins, laser treatment can really help. Most people only need a few sessions and they notice a marked improvement in the clarity, tone and texture of their skin almost straight away. For clear, glowing skin, laser treatment is a great option. There are massive amounts of products on the market like creams and gels that claim to have skin treating properties but laser treatment is the only one that offers near permanent effects.

Cosmetic Dentistry

There’s no excuse to have yellow, crooked teeth with the cosmetic dentistry procedures available – most dentists will allow you to pay via a finance plan, so you can spread the cost of your treatment whilst enjoying a gleaming white smile and perfect teeth straight away! Dental implants, bridges and porcelain veneers can all go a long way towards transforming your smile, and this is one of the most positive steps you can take towards changing the way you look and feel today. Many cosmetic dentists like Progressive Dentistry in London ( http://www.progressivedentistry.co.uk/ ) are more than happy to have a consultation and put your worries at ease when it comes to dental procedures. Get that Hollywood smile!