Tag Archives: Lifestyle

Asociación Contra Cancer Marbella host their Annual Gala for a noble cause

Irena, Gary, María Matías, Santiago Gómez-Villares, Juan José Gomez Castillo, Louise Hazleden, Laurent Coulée

The Asociación Contra Cancer Marbella, held their 2023 annual gala dinner at the enchanted venue of Finca de La Conceptión on the 5^th of August. The Gala was a tremendous success raising 300.000€ for regional cancer awareness and support for cancer patients and their families. Exquisite food and first class entertainment was served throughout the evening. Congratulations to the president of AECC Marbella Santiago Gómez-Villares and his dynamic team for organizing such a memorable evening and thank you to Juan José Gomez Castillo, Director of the Marbella law firm GC Asociados for inviting Marbella Properties to this grand event in favor of a noble cause.

A spectacular evening held in the enchanting venue La Finca de La Concepcion, Istan

Meet the Team : Louise

Louise Hazleden, Marbella Property Consultant

Louise knew from an early age that her destiny was in Marbella and in 2004 she took the bold step to relocate. Since then Louise has been enjoying the Marbella lifestyle while helping others find their dream home. Working in Marbella Real Estate, with two decades experience in the field, she´s seen a lot of changes.

Louise met her partner in Spain. They are proud parents of two children born and raised in Marbella. Here Louise recalls her journey and shares her passion for living in southern Spain.

When did you first come to Marbella and what are your earliest memories from that time spent here? I first came to Marbella in the early 80´s. My dad is a golf fanatic he fell in love with the area and following that all our family holidays were here. Some of my earliest memories are seeing Sean Connery at Los Naranjos Golf Club, chilling out by the pool at the Siesta Club and a little bit later in the 90´s, hanging out at Babaloo beach. (now respectively Ocean Club and Mistral Beach).

Why did you relocate to Marbella? In my early 20´s I had a dream that I would live in Marbella one day. At that time I was living in London running a corporate event management company organizing golf trips to southern Spain. I worked with Abercombie and Kent and Blue Chip organizations such as Chubb Insurance and British American Tabacco. I was collaborating with golf clubs on the coast; Valderrama, San Roque Club, Almenara to name a few and travelling to and from Málaga quite regularly. Leaving Spain always pulled at my heart strings and I asked myself ´´what I am waiting for if I want to live in southern Spain I should do something about it´´. So I reached out to my contacts on the coast and made enquiries.

Tell us about your journey in real estate? In 2004, I had an interview with the Chairman of Ocean Estates International, a leading real estate agency with several offices on the coast at that time. I accepted an International Sales position in their elite division and relocated shortly after. It was a period when inspection trips were hot and clients were flying in to purchase their dream home in 2 to 3 days. This first experience in real estate was a huge learning curve. After some time I was ready to move on and I was contacted for a position at the Danish owned real estate agency Livingstone Estates. The founder had, with the renown architect Melvin Villarroel, built several prestigious developments at Guadalmansa Playa; Torre Bermeja, Cabo Bermeja and Menara Beach.

The company had a personal approach, it was a great environment to work in and I formed friendships that made a lasting impact in my life. During my years at these large agencies I gained an in depth knowledge of the real estate market. In 2009, as a new mum, I set up my own Real Estate venture specializing in servicing properties in the exclusive area of Los Monteros Beach. In 2013 I joined forces with the long-established brand Marbella Properties®.

How has the real estate industry changed since 2004? The business is transient and I have seen a lot of people come and go. When I arrived on the scene there where mainly big players such as Ocean, Viva, Interealty, Andalucian Dream Homes. These top agencies had numerous offices along the coast and a legion of staff. Following the financial crisis of 2008 those agencies had to sharply down size to avoid total closure which few managed to do. Following the crisis we have seen the emergence of smaller real estate companies with a more personal approach. While the market was dominated by the Spanish, English, Irish, German and French, we now see buyers coming from across Europe and beyond.

How do you think the pandemic affected the Marbella real estate market? Marbella will always be a desirable place to live. Its enviable climate, location and ever improving infrastructure are the solid foundations for this real estate market. During the pandemic this became more apparent and encouraged those who had the desire to make a change in their lifestyle relocate, it also pushed those that had been dreaming of owning a place in the sun to purchase a property. Remote working became possible to a wider range of professionals allowing an entirely new generation of home owners to enjoy living in southern Spain. The Marbella real estate market bounced back immediately after the lock down ended and demand remains strong since.

Tell us about Marbella Properties? Marbella Properties® is a long established real estate brand. We are a dynamic team of professional experts that are passionate about Marbella and passionate about property. Buying or selling a property is the largest investment most individuals will make in their life, thanks to our experience we are helping clients make the right choice. Marbella Properties has a loyal client base and are highly regarded among industry professionals.

Where do you live and what do you like about it? I live in a quiet and leafy neighbourhood in Nueva Andalucia. The district of Nueva Andalucia it is a great place to live, it offers loads of amenities that serve us as a family. The village of La Campana is on our doorstep and San Pedro town is easily accessible, both authentic areas that have Andalucían charm and keep things real.

Family time exploring the Benahavis countryside

What do you enjoy most about living in southern Spain and how do you spend your free time? I love the outdoor lifestyle and the weather. I love to see a blue sky and the Mediterranean Sea, it makes such a positive impact on the day. Living by the sea provides a fantastic environment to raise a family, we often cycle to the beach at the weekends. I love the sharing concept of Mediterranean dishes and the delicious seafood. The countryside is great for hikes, river walks, day trips by the lakes, plenty of options for adventure. Road trips are fun, Tarifa and the Atlantic coast is just an hour away and we can easily drive to Granada for skiing in Sierra Nevada. When taking time out it´s yoga, there are fantastic yoga teachers in Marbella and when the opportunity arises I enjoy playing golf. Southern Spain is a magical place and every day I am grateful to be living here.

Have you experienced the ´Blue Mind´?

´Oh we do like to be beside the seaside´ was a popular British music hall song written in 1907 by John H. Glover-Kind, expressing his love of visiting the sea for family holidays. It was composed at a time when yearly holidays to the sea were booming. Fast forward over 100 years – neuroscience research, supported by recent findings in ecology, marine biology and psychology, scientifically prove that being by water is associated with a positive state of mind. That´s right, and this positive association can be triggered by the sight, sound and texture of the water activating the ´Blue Mind´ (Dr. Wallace J. Nichols) which takes us to a positive mental state, as of that when submerged in the water.

Make a splash and activate your Blue Mind

Living by the Mediterranean Sea is officially good for the health. A Blue Mind, relaxed and calm, boosts the immune system making us less prone to virus and bacteria. Salt air of Mediterranean Sea is clean and enriched with vital minerals; salt, iodine and magnesium, promoting respiratory health. These minerals also aid sleep and help reduce depression and anxiety, by preserving the serotonin, melatonin and tryptamine.

Living by the Mediterranean Sea in Marbella offers endless possibilities for an active, outdoor lifestyle. The sporting options on and in the water range from a pleasurable dip to an endurance swim; from a paddle board to kayak; surf the waves or fly with the wind. Plus with plenty of nautical options available to enjoy in Marbella there is something for everyone. Let´s not forget about fishing and the plethora of fresh seafood readily available along the coast. The fruits of the Mediterranean Sea promote healthy eating benefits. Seafood is filled with nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A and vitamin B, fish is high in protein and is a stable for good brain health.

There is no doubt about it, the lifestyle by the Mediterranean Sea is seriously good for you. Tempted to dip your toe into this healthy lifestyle choice. Here is an up to date selection of beach side properties currently available for sale. Contact us for more details and viewings.

What´s happening over Christmas on the Costa del Sol?

As Christmas is fast approaching it´s a good time for planning festive activities. Here is some inspiration on where to find Christmas cheer on the coast over the holiday season.

Christmas Lights in Málaga

Calle Larios is the principal shopping street of Málaga city center and each Christmas famously illuminated by tens of thousands of LED lights. Each year carries a different theme and this year Calle Larios is decorated with 16 magnificent Celestial Angels. Plus 32 columns of lights have been installed along the whole stretch of this grand pedestrian street and the experience a delight for the mind, body and soul. The side streets of Calle Larios are also beautifully decorated with festive lights, making an evening shopping trip or dinner in Málaga city center extra festive.

Málaga´s Christmas lights are switched on Saturday 26th November at 19:00h. The lights are then switched on daily, Sunday to Wednesday from 18:30h to midnight & Thursday to Saturday 18:30h to 02:00h. With the exception of 24^th, 31^st December and 5^th January when the lights remain lit until 06:00h. During the evening there are 3 sound shows where the lights illuminate to the beat of traditional Christmas carols, Carol of the Bells and Jingle Bell are on this year’s soundtrack. The sound show takes place daily at 18:30h, 20h and 22h (except on 24th and 31st December). The lights are switched off on 6^th January at midnight.

Cirque du Soleil on Ice

Exciting news that after a period when, due to the global pandemic, the most we could do was watch from the arm chair, the world famous spectacle, Cirque de Soleil is back in Málaga this Christmas with their first ever aerobic performance on ice. The show aptly names Crystal, will present fast and fluid performances by world-class ice skaters and acrobats in a frozen arena, as they defy the laws of gravity with never-before-seen stunts. The show is running from the 10^th until 18^th December at the Palacio de Deportes, Jose Maria Martín Carpena, Malaga. Find out more information and book tickets through this link: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/es/crystal#about-the-show

Christmas Lights at The Botanical Gardens La Concepción,Málaga

Due to its hugely popular success last year The Botanical Garden La Concepción in Málaga will once again host a spectacular light trail across it´s immense grounds. Last year 11,000 visitors were captivated by the beauty and magic of this historical parks enchanting illumination across its stunning grounds. This year a new route of light and colour named ´Stella´ will allow visitors to accompany the Three Wise Men on their magical and surprising journey with the Star of the East. A renovated route of more than 2.2 kilometres in length will be lit by millions of points of light and more than 20 light installations will transport visitors to historic places such as Persia, Babylon and Bethlehem. The attraction starts on November 27^th until to January 8^th with several time slots for entry per evening. See here for more details: https://laslucesdelbotanicomalaga.com/en/

Coffee Time with Shirley O´Neill Wellness Coach and Soft Tissue Therapist

Shirley talks to us about how her professional journey in the Wellness world has evolved since moving to Spain, her love of authentic Andalucía and her passion for the outdoors.

Can you tell us about yourself and what brought you to Marbella?

I moved to Marbella 15 years ago. I was working in London as a Clinical Soft Tissue Therapist. My partner, who prior to us meeting had spent several years working in the Balearic Iles, couldn´t settle in the UK. As I could take my work anywhere we discussed relocating and decided to come and look at mainland Spain. We came to Marbella and we ended up buying a Cocktail Bar. So we were running the cocktail bar and I started to build up my practice. We chose Marbella as the place to relocate because there are people all year round and with all the sporting activities the area offers; cycling, golf, racquet sports and water sports, there was good potential for my work.

Tell us about your journey in the health and fitness industry?

My journey as a professional in the health and fitness industry started in 2001 which is when I qualified from the London School of Sports Massage as a Clinical Soft Tissue Therapist and in 2002 Myofascial Therapy. I was fortunate to work at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 in the Athletes Center, supporting competitors with their needs.That experience motivated me to extend my training into Clinical and Remedial soft tissue therapy. So when I returned to the UK, I trained and qualified. Following that I was working at Physio in the City, a multidisciplinary clinic with sports doctors, physiotherapists, podiatrists, osteopaths, acupuncturists and soft tissue therapists. When we relocated to Marbella one of my first group of clients were ex-army guys on boot camps, through meeting them my network expanded. I met various health coaches and that´s what started me on a 5 year training program with the Institute of Integrative Nutritional Health Coaching and from there I went on to study at the School of Applied Functional Medicine. I have since qualified as a board certified Functional Medicine Health Coach. Now I practice both the Functional Medicine as an online consultancy and the Clinical and Remedial Soft Tissue Therapy at my studio in Marbella.

Can you explain a little bit about Integrative Nutrition and Functional Medicine?

Integrative Nutrition is when we look at the person as a whole and what that means is we look at their primary food and their secondary food. Primary food is everything that nourishes you off the plate, so that´s a person’s environment at home and work, what they do, any passions they´ve got, their financial situation, relationships; family and personal, so everything that makes someone up. Secondary food is the actual physical food that they eat from the plate. The premise being with Integrative Nutrition that the primary food is actually more important than the secondary food, at the end of the day you could put the cleanest diet into your body but if you have chronic stress in your life that will impact on your digestive system, which may mean that you´re not able to digest the food that you are taking in or absorb it and get it past the cell membrane for cellular use. So that´s the main thing that we look at with the Integrative Nutrition. It goes hand in hand with the Functional Medicine because there we are looking at root cause resolution, who is this person that has these collection of symptoms causing dis-ease in their body. So by that we have to look at the whole person and its all-encompassing. Everything that´s in the Integrative Nutrition as well as potentially looking at lab work to be able glean more information on that person at that moment in time and to find out what it is that´s out of balance in that person’s body and more importantly why and what can be done to bring about reversal of the symptoms and then most importantly to be able to maintain that wellness.

Who can benefit from a Wellness Coach and what results can clients expect?

Everyone can benefit from working with a coach but they have to want to do the work, we can’t work harder than the person who are coaching and I think that´s quite often a stumbling point where people think that we are going to fix them, that´s not what a coach does we walk side by side with them to help them on their path to finding better wellness by guiding them and inspiring them, by educating them about what their body needs at that moment in time. Also understanding that what´s right now, might change in 6 months’ time or 1 years’ time, depending what was going on for that person. Results can depend on the individual, on why they are coming to you and how long their symptoms have been in place. For example; If someone has used sleeping medication for over 2 decades, it would be unrealistic to think that in a couple of months they can heal their bodies from their symptoms, it’s about managing people’s expectations and educating them on how the body can heal given the correct environment.

Marbella is often portrayed as a party destination, how would you describe Marbella´s scene to others?

I think that Marbella is cosmopolitan in that you have so many different walks of life that pass through. It is a little bit transient people do come and go which can be quite hard when friends leave. Having been here 15 years I think you can find your niche, for me it´s the mountains, the sea and finding the true Spanish aspect like wondering round Marbella Old Town and spotting for tapas or going inland and discovering the white washed villages.

Where do you live and what do you like about it?

I live on the outskirts of Marbella center. What I love about the area is that I can literally walk out the door turn one direction and I´m in the countryside or I turn the other direction and walk into town. I have fabulous views of the mountains and sea.

How do you like to enjoy your free time?

Generally our free time is spent as a family; walking the dog, in the summer going to the sea, paddle surfing. We like to go up the Ardales Lakes https://www.antequera.co.uk/ardales-lakes/ with friends for a picnic and of course paddle surfing. We all enjoy hiking so we walk a lot there are many places for that, El Refugio de Juanar we love. In the winter we like to go to Sierra Nevada https://sierranevada.es/.

Where are your favourite places for buying food and eating out?

I like to buy my fruit and vegetables from El Mercadillo, the Guadalhorce Ecological farmers markets https://www.guadalhorceecologico.org/ which take place each weekend up at various locations on the coast throughout the month. I buy meat from a butchers in Divina Pastora and from Honey Suckle Farm in Coin. One of our favourite places to eat is on the beach at Restaurante Las Flores, in Las Chapas. If we are in the mood for meat we´d go to La Patagonia an Argentina restaurant close to Paseo Maritimo or Gorko Grill, that´s another favourite.

How can people find out more about you and your services?

You can find me on Instagram at sustainable health_fm, on facebook or my website www.shirley-oneill.com. On my website you will find more information about Functional Medicine and my contact details. Bodywork, Local 20, Centro Commercial El Capricho, Marbella.

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