The store, on the mall’s ground floor boasts a true Caribbean atmosphere, reflected in its polished wooden floors, antique colonial furnishings with gingerbread trim, and specially painted walls reminiscent of typical Antillean landhuizen.

The store honors all daughters of the soil, the island’s living and breathing Caribbean Queens who are beautiful inside and outside. By tradition, Caribbean women have always adorned themselves with colorful scarves, flowers and jewels, and decorated their home with lace, shells, and homemade artifacts, choosing colors which echo the region’s joy of life.

That joy of life is palpable in the store as visitors who enter are immediately immersed in beauty. True to the store’s credo Adorn Thyself, women will find a great selection of jewelry, bags, totes and clutches, hats, hair ornaments and accessories, belts, animal print umbrellas, headbands, and the latest, cute fascinators, those classy, lacy and feathery head coverings, perfect for New Year’s Eve or Carnival.

The store will also be honoring a monthly Caribbean Queen, a local artisan who lives and creates here. For the month of December, it’s Carina Molina with Upcycled Design, bags , belts and jewelry made from discarded rubber inner tubes. Yes, old tires receive a second lease on life at the hands of Molina who presents her fresh and innovative collection at Caribbean Queen.

Visit the store at the Palm Beach Plaza Mall, and enjoy the unusual décor and unique merchandise. The store will be fund-raising for three local art foundations via its Repair of the World, Tikkun Olam program, designating a percentage of every purchase to The Aruba International Arts Foundation, AIAF, supporting local artists, or the Pancake Gallery, offering summer art courses to youths,  or Ateliers’ 89, an art school and studio for adults.

Caribbean Queen offers gift-certificates in all denominations, which can never expire!

Visit soon and Adorn Thyself.

“Give the Gift of Spa, and receive a little something for yourself,” says director Angie Martinez, who owns Indulgences by the Sea in Aruba and in St. Martin.

She goes on to explain that in our busy and demanding lives we often forget to take care of ourselves. For that reason, during the Giving Season, the spa and salon rewards clients for loyalty with a simple program:  Buy a gift certificate for $250 and receive $50 as a personal gift; buy a gift certificate for $150 and receive $25 as a personal gift; buy a gift certificate for $75, and receive $15 as a personal gift.

Gift Cards can be redeemed at Indulgence by the Sea Salon at Tamarijn Beach Resort &  Indulgence by the Sea Spa at Divi Beach resort, against products and services, the offer is valid till December 25^th, 2011.

But that is not all: Indulgence by the Sea is collaborating this season with several fine retailers on the island. When you spend more than Awg 100 at Kooyman, Divi Links Golf Course & Pro Shop, Flora Market, Fantastic Gardens, Diamonds International, EQ3, Surprise, Antraco and/or Indulgence by the Sea Spa you will receive a raffle ticket for a $250 spa gift certificate.

Indulgence by the Sea also offers the BEST manicures & pedicures in the Caribbean, and is currently introducing Shellac by CND, a revolutionary nail color which goes on like nail polish, wears like gel and removed in minutes. Shellac allows a 14-day wear with a mirror finish, zero dry time, and no nail damage.

The new Shellac nail colors complement luxurious manicures and pedicures which include a Rose Petal Soak, Organic Sugar Exfoliation, a Rose Enzyme Organic Mask, an Aromatherapy Paraffin Dip, and a melt-away-from-it-all massage with deeply hydrating rose oil on arms, hands, lower legs and feet, for the ultimate in graceful hands and feet treatment so you are ready to dazzle this holiday season.

Finally as an added touch, Indulgence by the Sea serves complimentary wine, mimosas, coffee, and tea to all clients and should you be interested in more information, you may peruse the full menu of services on www.spaaruba.com, or stay connected via FACEBOOK, visiting Indulgence by the Sea.

As a matter of fact Coach just opened its first flagship store in Europe, in London, this past August. The store is located in the legendary boutique-lined New Bond Street. Coach also arrived in Aruba, on September 16th, finding a glamorous home address, at the Renaissance Mall, in downtown Oranjestad, “Where Fashion Lives.”

The store carries all recent Coach collections, including the just-arrived luxurious Kristin Collection, designed for the Fall of 2011, with handbags in three new shades, Purple, Plum and Aubergine. The collection features rich buttery leathers with Kristin Spectator Flap Satchel, displayed right at the entrance to the store, touted by fashion bloggers as a must-have, appearing first of their Lust List for the season, immediately after the gorgeous Madison Collection’s Sophia Satchel, available in Aruba in Brass, Bone, Silver, and Black & Taupe.

For men, the Crosby collection features extra premium Italian leather in modern and sophisticated bags, wallets and technology cases, the perfect choice for the upcoming gift season.

Coach shoes inspired by the famous handbags are also available in heels, sandals, platforms, wedges, flats and sneakers and watches will be coming in soon, to complement the accessories collection of scarves, hats, key rings, and sunglasses.

Coach chic and artful jewelry may be perfectly paired with the bags and the accessories, with a great selection of opulent necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings.

Visit the store at the Renaissance Mall, with two entrances, one through the mall and one street side, facing the Oranjestad waterfront.

The affair was attended by many of town’s movers and shakers sipping nicely-chilled Spanish champagne and nibbling on Spanish-accented canapés prepared by the Renaissance Marina Hotel, Food & Beverage team to the gypsy music of Angela Croes and her band.

Boutique owners Carmen and Carlos de Veer, impeccably dressed in by Adolfo Domínguez  creations, together with family members welcomed guests to the party with great enthusiasm and warm hospitality.

Two male models and four local Koma models showcased the designer style during the party. The men wore Adolfo Domínguez famed long-sleeved cotton shirts with stripes that look casual and comfortable, yet very elegant, and perfectly befitting Aruba’s sizzling temperatures in the summer, while the ladies started with the designer Be Yourself line, a young and contemporary collection and later showcased the designer’s classic evening wear which is exceptionally made and wonderfully fitting, at prices below all other designer clothes.  Party guests agreed that the quality and design of the clothes offered at the boutique can easily compete with all high-end designers, but the prices are much more reasonable, and the look more appropriate for the tropics.

The new Adolfo Domínguez store is large yet its design promotes its intimate feel, giving off a classy European vibe. In addition to the clothes being of great quality and fit, the service and the ambience, are equally inviting, and the range of styles offered will appeal not only to the Dress for Success client but also to the average man or woman on the street.

Adolfo Domínguez whose origins go back to the 1950s, to a tailor’s shop set up by Adolfo Domínguez Senior, became a global brand over the past six decades.

In 1973, with the opening of his first retail store, which initially focused on tailored suits, the corner-stone of today’s fashion empire was laid. Over the years, Adolfo Domínguez launched a range of new product lines, including fragrances, and his innovative designs placed his name at the forefront of the revolution of Spain’s fashion, promoting ready-to-wear urban styles. In 1985 the designer presented his first women’s collection on the Paris catwalks, and this marked the start of the firm’s international expansion, which has taken his collections all over Europe, Japan, America and South-East Asia, and now to Aruba to the Renaissance Mall.

The Adolfo Dominguez brand embraces design, production and distribution through an extensive network of the company’s own stores and franchises, all linked by means of a state-of-the-art technology.

The store in Aruba is custom designed by the Spanish mother-firm which manufactured all displays and custom created anything from floor to ceiling. The store stocks both the men’s and the women’s lines including gorgeous shoes and handbags, beautiful jewelry and accessories.

The evening was guided by Wine Artist Clive Faustin, Wine Portfolio & Account Team Leader at

Romar Trading and toured local lovers of wine and food through a five-course menu, carefully prepared by Kaffas culinary team.

Restaurant Manager Yenny Pena welcomed her guests to the tastefully decorated second floor eatery, with a chilled flute of Torresella Prosecco which was paired with appetizing Napolitanean-style Bruschettas heaped with diced mushrooms and smoked salmon.

The appetizer, a generous Ensalada Caprese, with sliced beefsteak tomato and Buffalo mozzarella was drizzled with Kaffas unique pesto, and paired with a crisp and fresh Torresella Pinot Griggio 2010.

True to the evening’s Italian theme, a piping-hot linguini with roasted garlic, shrimp, leeks, and sundried tomatoes in white wine reduction, was named after movie legend Sophia Loren who was once quoted saying: “Everything you see I owe to spaghetti,” crediting Italian food for her beauty and sexy figure. Sophia Loren’s Linguini was paired with a dry and lively Santa Margherita Chardonnay 2008.

Guests enjoyed the restaurant ambiance and the excellent service as the Forest Risotto was prepared in the open, exhibition-style kitchen, and served flavored with an exquisite selection of mushrooms, spinach, and sweet corn, paired with Torresella Cabernet Sauvignon 2008.

At dessert, the velvety Chocolate Cake, paired with Concha Y Toro Late Harvest 2007, guests expressed their appreciation for the well-prepared menu and impeccable wine pairing, as presented by Wine Artist Clive Faustin, Restaurant Manager Yenny Pena and her helpful and efficient staff, to the music of Sax Man Eduardo Proveyer.

The restaurant is open seven days a week from 5pm to 11pm, at the Palm Beach Plaza Mall. Kaffas menu is very extensive, featuring fusion creations.  The restaurant boasts an excellent Martini and Cocktail list, then goes on to offer Appetizers, Soups, Creams and Crepes. Vegetarians will delight in a list of 12 fresh salads, and beef-lovers will be gratified to peruse the Black Angus dishes, as well as poultry, pastas, risottos, casual sandwiches, Tex Mex favorites, fresh fish and seafood. Kaffas which owes its name to the African name of coffee beans is proud of its specialty coffees and skilled baristas, practicing latte art with every cup of coffee they serve.

Kaffas, a Venezuelan chain has a number of restaurants in Valencia, Barquisimeto and now also in Aruba.

La Med Spa offers Spider Vein Therapy, a non-invasive treatment to help removal of spider veins off your legs, so you can wear your bathing suit, showing off your legs, without a care. The spa’s Laser Hair Removal safely removes unwanted body hair without damaging the delicate structure of the skin. Facial and bikini areas are usually completed in less than 45 minutes, while legs and arms also receive attention at La Vie Med Spa and Beauty Salon, and take a little longer to perfect.

Visit La Vie Med Spa ahead or time to get your toes ready for the beach, trimmed and painted in fashion colors to match your new bathing suit. And the spa’s Infrared Sauna helps clear cellulite and assists weight loss of up to 400 calories per session.

The brand new spa is beautifully appointed and decorated to help patrons reach the state of ultimate beauty in a most relaxing, gracious environment. LaVieMedSpa@gmail.com, located upstairs behind J.H.Yee Asian Bistro, ample parking on site.

Each watch by Hublot Geneve boasts a number of materials and textures mixing and matching Carbon, Ceramic, Gold, Palladium, Steel, Tungsten and Zirconium, in the creation of the stylish time pieces.

The watches are also famous for their rubber straps, which took three years and millions of Euros to develop, and are the first natural rubber straps to ever be made in the history of watch making.

Diamond International carries all of Hublot Geneve collections with Bib Bang, Bigger Bang, Classic Fusion and King Power among them, offering many stunning variation in dial, movement, bezel and case design, in addition to strap materials such as Alligator, Steel or natural rubber – Caouchouc – in different colors! Check out the irresistible Tutti Fruitt watches, in many fashion colors, adorned with diamonds and precious stones, once you try one, you’ll never want to take it off!

The countdown is on: Diamonds International is opening a dedicated Hublot Boutique adjacent to its flagship Oranjestad location at the entrance to the cruise terminal.

Havana Nine at Paseo Herencia is pleased to announce that the New Spring Collection 2011 has arrived, featuring the company’s latest linen-based resort-wear, inspired by its core values of Rhythm, Romance, Feeling, Fun & Havana.

At the heart of the collection, the famed traditional & contemporary guayabera, two interpretations of the much-loved Cuban men’s shirt, embroidered in the signature style Havana Nine, fusing island-chic and comfort.

The new collection promotes all Tranquillo styles, spring stripe and check patterns, long sleeve contemporary shirts, cropped linen pants, long linen pants, shorts, and a fantastic selection of Habano & Fedora Hats.

At Havana Nine’s men shirts come in two versions, one is nicely fitted, and the other is comfortably loose, accommodating all ages and body sizes from small to XXXL.

Men of all ages can now look cool, projecting a fun, casual attitude, that always comes with buying and wearing Havana Nines clothes.

The Havana Nines store also stocks a great variety of Cuban-themed gifts such as domino sets, even a domino tables, cortadito coffee cups, cigar ashtrays, Mojito glasses, music CDs, books and Rum Cocktail Recipe books.

Havana Nines, at Paseo Herencia, Palm Beach is open from 10am to 10pm and on Sunday from 5pm to 10pm. For more information visit: www.havananines.com

Joha just recently came back from Italy where she walked the runways with the premier Moda E Specttacolo Tour, and where she shot a bikini bathing suit calendar for MaHaWuass, combined with much-photographed appearances on sfilata Modugno Moda.

Joha was among the Miss Venezuela contestants when she was scouted by the Italian fashion houses, which made her an offer she could not refuse.

Pictured here, Joha, in black, making friends in Aruba, meeting the Koma models, affiliated to Trash and designer Ronchi de Cuba, at the downtown boutique and the upcoming Aruba Film Festival organizers.

One of the highlights of the season is the introduction of the Havana Nines Polovera. It has the feel and attitude of a guayabera and the look of a polo shirt, but it uniquely stands alone as a hybrid of two great silhouettes.  It also has a small slit pocket, that is a great space for reading glasses or a fine cigar!

The Spring features some fun, fresh colors such as cantaloupe, celery, maize, blue Curacao, honeydew, ice blue, butter, pomegranate and azure blue along with the company’s core colors of white, black, caramel and nutmeg.

Shopper will see continued influence of the military, via shoulder epaulets, also just-introduced gingham checks and soft stripes, in addition to great solids.  The clothes made with Havana Nines cotton stretch chino, are comfortable, yet look very sophisticated no matter what color you choose.

In addition, Havana Nines also features a new collection of long sleeved cotton woven shirts in many patterns and colorations. These continue the perfect Havana Nines looks for day and night combined with jeans or dress slacks, perfect for hanging out with friends or dinner at an elegant restaurant.

New and fun embroideries and colors also appear on Tranquilo short sleeve shirts, and for the cost conscious shopper these styles are made in linen/cotton and linen/rayon combinations. They have quite a lot of style for a great price!

For women, Havana Nines continues the very popular linen drawstring pant as well as the line of ¾ sleeve guayaberas. The company is re-introducing the Halter Guayabera Dress. It has all the pleating and button details of the male guayabera yet in a dress style. And ladies might even consider wearing it as a vest/duster over a tee or tank with leggings.

Check out Havana Nines – great Spring vibrant colors balanced with basic, classic colors, new and exciting styles, patterns and looks to keep patrons “dressed to the nines!”