Latest news with #Bea
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I tried to move to Spain but three months in I was begging for help'
Bea Meitiner, 39, grew up in Spain and speaks both fluent Spanish and Basque. She is now in the process of moving back to the country after spending time there as a child A travel blogger has voiced her struggles with the process of relocating to Spain, after trying to navigate the bureaucratic system on her own. Despite being fluent in Spanish and having previously lived there, Bea Meitiner, 39, has found the path to becoming a Spanish resident far from straightforward, leading her to seek help. Bea dreams of settling down in Navarra, an enchanting region boasting quaint villages, rugged mountains, and a leisurely lifestyle. Having spent her childhood in the area with her parents, she is proficient in both Spanish and Basque and is now endeavouring to return to the place filled with cherished memories. However, while the prospect of a slower pace of life appeals to the Brit, she has found that this laid-back approach also characterises Spain's government, which has hindered her efforts to establish herself in the region. She revealed she has encountered obstacles in the process and admits to struggling alone in her quest to secure legal permission to reside in the country, reports the Express. In response, Bea sought the expertise of Lucía Lagunas, a Spanish immigration solicitor from MySpainVisa, who has assisted thousands in their transition to the European nation. Their team manages all aspects required for settling in España, from paperwork to appointments to renewals. Bea, reflecting on her journey of relocating to Spain, said: "Before reaching out to Lucia, I tried doing it on my own, by visiting the immigration office. I wasted three months and every single person I spoke to gave me different and contradicting information to the one before. Don't make the same mistake I did. Get help from the start!". "I'll be honest: Spanish bureaucracy is no joke. That's why talking to a professional like Lucía makes a huge difference. If you're craving a lifestyle with slower mornings, sunny afternoons, and maybe a glass of wine at lunch... then yes. Spain could be your next chapter. "It's not always perfect-yes, the paperwork can be annoying and things move slower than in the U.S. or U.K.-but the reward is totally worth it." She also shed light on the lessons she's learned while navigating Spanish bureaucracy and elaborated on why Spain is such an alluring destination for expatriates. Discussing the various locations Spain has to offer, Bea mentioned: "They're fantastic, but also more expensive and faster-paced. Ideal for younger people or those who still want a bit of that 'city hustle'." Moreover, Bea suggested that these places may suit individuals who plan on working remotely or running their businesses. In terms of Mallorca, she highlighted it as offering an excellent blend of urban and island lifestyles, ideal for those seeking equilibrium. The capital, Palma, is witnessing advancements in infrastructure and a burgeoning international community. However, she cautioned prospective movers about the recent anti-tourist sentiment, which has started to affect British residents. Valencia is being hailed as a top choice for expats, with its bike-friendly streets, lush parks, and inviting beaches. The city's dynamic food scene is a hit with aficionados of Spanish cuisine. "Many of our retired clients choose Valencia," Lucía revealed. "It's peaceful, beautiful, and has an amazing quality of life." Discussing visa options and residency. Lucia explained: "Many of our clients start with the non-lucrative visa or retirement route, and eventually apply for permanent residency."
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
'If you're moving to Spain don't make the same mistake I did'
EXCLUSIVE: Travel blogger Bea Meitiner, 39, has spent the past few months trying to get Spanish residence and has been left frustrated by the process A travel blogger has shared her struggles with the red tape involved in moving to Spain, despite speaking the language and having previously lived there. Bea Meitiner, 39, found the process of becoming a Spanish resident far from straightforward and has now sought professional help. She dreams of settling down in Navarra, an area known for its quaint villages, rugged landscapes, and relaxed lifestyle. Bea spent her childhood in this region with her parents, where she became fluent in both Spanish and Basque, and is now eager to return to the place filled with cherished memories. However, the slower pace of life that attracts many to Spain also seems to apply to its bureaucracy, which has hindered Bea's attempts to establish herself in the region. She admitted to facing numerous obstacles in the process and confessed to struggling with the task of securing legal permission to stay in the country on her own, reports the Express. In response, Bea turned to Lucía Lagunas, a Spanish immigration solicitor from MySpainVisa, who has helped thousands of individuals in their transition to the European nation. The team at MySpainVisa takes care of everything one needs to settle in Spain, from paperwork to appointments to renewals. Bea, reflecting on her efforts to live in Spain again and the hurdles faced with local bureaucracy, admitted: "Before reaching out to Lucia, I tried doing it on my own, by visiting the immigration office. I wasted three months and every single person I spoke to gave me different and contradicting information to the one before. Don't make the same mistake I did. Get help from the start!". "I'll be honest: Spanish bureaucracy is no joke. That's why talking to a professional like Lucía makes a huge difference. If you're craving a lifestyle with slower mornings, sunny afternoons, and maybe a glass of wine at lunch... then yes. Spain could be your next chapter. "It's not always perfect-yes, the paperwork can be annoying and things move slower than in the U.S. or U.K.-but the reward is totally worth it." She noted: "They're fantastic, but also more expensive and faster-paced. Ideal for younger people or those who still want a bit of that 'city hustle'." Additionally, Bea suggested that locations such as Mallorca, which offers a blend of city and island life, may suit those looking for balance, while warning of anti-tourist sentiment which includes British nationals. Valencia is a cherished destination among expats, providing a compelling option with its cycle-friendly avenues, lush parks, and inviting beaches. The city's dynamic culinary scene is a hit for aficionados of Spanish fare. "Many of our retired clients choose Valencia," Lucía remarked. "It's peaceful, beautiful, and has an amazing quality of life."
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Public warned vs ‘task scams' via messaging apps
Authorities cautioned the public from taking part in 'task scams' sent via messaging apps where victims are given assignments in exchange for cash before being convinced to "invest" their money in return for quick profits. In her report on Thursday's 24 Oras, Darlene Cay said victim 'Bea' lost P9,800 in an 'investment', most of which is money she just borrowed. Bea said she was encouraged to send money via a digital link after she initially saw it quickly gain profits. However, after she sent a larger sum, the money was never returned and the person she was transacting blocked her. Pearl, another victim, said she lost P38,000 through the same scheme. She said the scammers sound very professional and convincing. Pearl said she participated because she was looking for a way to earn extra money. Despite her pleas, the scammer ignored her messages and later blocked her. 'Work from anywhere' Via unsolicited messages through messaging apps, people introducing themselves as members of a digital marketing agency offer "work from anywhere" opportunities. Victims are enticed by earning as much as P9,000 daily just by clicking 'likes' of products in different shopping apps. According to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), task scams lure victims with the promise of earning easy money. 'Pasasakayin ka e. Kunwari bibigyan ka ng mga gagawin mo para kumita ka ang mabigat kasi dito, grupo grupo rin yan,' said Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, PAOCC Executive Director. It is possible syndicates use easy catchers or devices that have the capability to access telephone numbers, messages and data from the smartphones of potential victims. Cruz said the scammers would get these cellphone numbers and would initiate a text blast. If a person's phone receives an ad, he or she could then be convinced by scammers to join by completing their assigned tasks. The phone numbers could also have been sourced from phones whose users clicked on phishing websites according to the Cybercrime Investigation Coordinating Center. CICC Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary Renato Paraiso said possible victims could have provided their names, numbers and email addresses believing they were taking part in a promotional event or a discount but these details could be sold to scammers. PAOCC said it is continuing to investigate the said scam which it believes is being operated by Filipinos. Be suspicious Authorities advised jobseekers that no legitimate employer would ask money in exchange for employment and that they would not contact you via messaging apps if you did not apply in the first place. 'Employers do not get in touch with individuals they pass through channels or platforms. Nobody calls from a company to offer a job to somebody. People should be suspicious by this system alone,' said Serge Ortiz-Luis, President of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines. —RF, GMA Integrated News
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Top Creators DIY 50
Looking to unclog a drain, remove a stain, wallpaper a bathroom, or redesign a living room? Social media's renovation and repair creators have turned millions of fans into amateur contractors, interior designers, and DIY weekend warriors. What once required hiring a pro—or cracking open a how-to book—is now just a tap away. The debut Forbes Top Creator DIY 50 list celebrates the influencers who are redefining how we fix, build, decorate, and design. From laying tile and reviewing power tools to painting the perfect powder room and growing the ultimate garden, these creators inspire the next generation of homeowners to get their hands dirty. This year's honorees collectively boast over 225 million followers across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok—powering a booming content category that blends education with entertainment and drives serious product sales in the estimated $550 billion home improvement market. To build this debut list, Forbes partnered with creator marketing firm Influential to crunch data on follower counts and engagement rates for thousands of internet personalities. The result? A snapshot of the top creators remodeling the massive home DIY market. Got a dirty job? Look to Bea. She transforms appalling apartments and filthy flats into pristine palaces. Her big clean-up earned her the highest engagement rate on the list. His DIY videos on cleaning and gardening have the slick edits and high energy of a music video. Cleaning with lemon and baking soda has never looked so cool. The construction couple attracts millions of engaged fans with renovations (libraries, pantries, powder rooms) to unboxing reviews of power tools. If you have the stain, McCauley has the hack. Her deep-cleaning videos teach followers to make linens, ovens, and dishwashers shine like new. Smith mixes family life with over-the-top home projects–think redoing a school's field and blacktop, building an epic bunk room, and outrageous garage organizing. He's the dad who makes all the other weekend warriors jealous. From laying plaster to posing for a fashion shoot, the Utah-based influencer gives fans a mix of remodeling, interior decoration, and lifestyle design. The designer teaches her community how to create cozy interiors and decorate their home for each season and holiday. In 2023, she released her design book 'A Home for Every Season.' With an eye for clean lines and neutral colors, Rue shows fans how to bring sleek, modern design to any room in the house. For Uncle Jhonn, wood is good. The influencer teaches his millions of fans the power of lumber with tutorials on constructing from scratch tables, benches, sheds, gardens, and beyond. The builder and woodworker shows fans how to mill logs, fit joints, and even build their own workshop. For gearheads, he shows off plenty of high-octane saws and drills, too. Using his own Bay Area home as a social media stage, the designer posts tips and inspiration on refreshing your bedroom, garden, and porch—all while giving fans a full view of his life. With bright colors, bold patterns, and funky furniture, the Gen-Z decorator delivers content and inspiration that is anything but boring. Calmus mixes DIY tips with a healthy dose of dad jokes. His merch line hawks t-shirts celebrating the glamor of suburban life—'Big Dad Energy' anyone? Using high-quality visuals of projects, design tips, and behind-the-scenes snaps, the Kansas City-based design and remodeling firm has amassed a massive fan base on Instagram. Fans flock to Vanhoy's long-form videos showing how antiques, flowers, and classic design details can give homes a warm, timeless feel. From hidden dog feeding stations, budget bathroom remodels, and social media-worthy holiday décor to retiling a bathroom or crafting a gingerbread dollhouse—she's got you covered. Thanks to whimsical and wild details like psychedelic paint patterns and scratch-n-sniff wallpaper, she turns your home into a fun house. The craft enthusiast offers storage tips and home hacks, too. Dean blends family life with creative home renovations—from crafting designer-inspired furniture from scratch to building secret clubhouses inside a staircase. Want a green thumb? Follow Swales. The British garden guru shows you how to grow veggies in nearly everything: planters, window boxes, or a full backyard garden. Also an author, this year Swales released her garden guide 'Give It A Grow.' The LA-based interior designer offers an eclectic blend of content, from luxury house tours and posh glamping to renter-friendly renovations. Kruger blends craftsmanship with relatable, high-energy content—ranging from tool reviews to home renovation tips to behind-the-scenes looks at life in the trades. Ever thought about spider-proofing your home? Anna Louisa is your go-to. The British guru shares the deep cleaning tips you didn't know you needed in her 5 Minute Cleaning Hacks book. The self-proclaimed 'queen of cleaning' went from housekeeper to home improvement hero with Scrub Daddy and Clorox partnerships. The Austin-based creator aims to make a clean home accessible to her followers by offering free cleaning services and giveaways If upcycling was a person it would be Maggie Mcgaugh. From scavenging for discarded house items in people's trash to repurposing the 'ugliest thing' at Goodwill, the Texas native has an eye for hidden gems For Luis Arturo Sanchez his high rise apartment is his canvas. The content creator and homebody is not afraid of canceling weekend plans to enjoy his rent. Sharing home decor inspiration, he invites fans into the creative playground that is his LA home. You will not find cliche game day decor at a watch party of Julie Sousa. The self-taught interior decorator with ADHD has mastered the science of quick, easy and 'looks expensive.' A boy mom at heart, her toddler son is enjoying the fruits of her latest ice cream truck toy race car track projects. Show, don't tell. That's a strategy ToolsTour tests in their short 10 second explainer videos with no dialogue. From gluing ice to the back of a phone and calling it a 'phone cooler' to building hanging rods out of bottle caps, the account is a haven for contrarian chores. The gardening gurus Char and Mav have harvesting hacks for every outdoor engagement. From using copper mesh to protect herbs from slugs to growing heart shaped veggies for Valentine's Day, the couple has reimagined agriculture for the everyday gardener. It has never been easier to get into trades. Mykhalo Panschisak frequently shares this belief to his loyal followers who flock to his page for innovative home renovation projects. A champion of the Titanium Economy, the instagram contractor knows the value of earning an honest dollar What started with MrBeast style youtube videos in his teenage years ended with imagining home improvement projects as a father of 2. From modernizing his 70s style bathroom interior to building 'busy boards' for his toddler, the 25 year old seamlessly balances fatherhood and handyman. Fans flock to his page for funky furniture inspiration. Jonny Carmack's eclectic interiors feature every house item you can think of from bedazzled toilet seats to garden-themed ceilings. Often taking thrifting suggestions from his comment section, the maximalist knows his audience. Need fashion feedback? Go to Kirsty Gore's page. The British mom is no stranger to a good makeover. Fans go for the mum and daughter OOTDs and stay for the Nordic styling hauls. The Massachusetts native has turned makeup into millions of dollars. Nogueira creates beauty tutorials and reviews for her 20 million fans across TikTok and Instagram. Big brand deals have followed, including partnerships with Estée Lauder and e.l.f. In March, she launched her own brand, Point Of View, offering serums, moisturizers, and lip balm. Based in Dubai, Kaur has more than 4 million Instagram fans who follow her for sleek, modern design tips and inspiration. On the side, the former beauty pageant queen creates handmade jewelry via her company, House of Mitti. Drew Scott teaches fans about design, renovation, and vintage styles as he documents the renovation of his 1929 home. Meanwhile, his online shop sells vintage furniture and home goods, including 18th-century tables and pewter dishware. The home makeover master provides inspiration to fans no matter the budget or the home size—apartment renters included. In 2025, she published the how-to book 'Own Your Space: Attainable Room-by-Room Decorating Tips for Renters and Homeowners.' Watch builder Kyle Stumpenhorst construct a home from scratch: framing, drywall, window installation, and roofing. His site, RR Plans, sells fans building plans ranging from sheds to garages to complete homes. Got a space that needs a facelift? Check out Cass Smith. The self-taught DIYer teaches fans how to renovate kitchens, create a sleek gym—even make a home theatre. Got a space that needs a facelift? Check out Cass Smith. The self-taught DIYer teaches fans how to renovate kitchens, create a sleek gym—even make a home theatre. When Shea and Syd McGee aren't running their design firm Studio McGee, they post highly produced, long-form YouTube videos featuring modern, luxury remodels. Tim Parker, a full-time firefighter, is a popular DIY and lawn care expert. He's famous for transforming overgrown yards into jaw-dropping makeovers through his viral series Free Mow Fridays. Self-taught DIYer Amanda Vernaci began posting in 2019 to show off the renovation of her small rental home. Today, more than 1.4 million Instagram fans follow her for practical tips ranging from building a treehouse, epoxying a garage floor, and upgrading a living room. The social handle says it all. Plant pro Jamie Walton teaches millions of fans how to grow a garden of flowers, fruits, and veggies—all in an eco-friendly way. His best-selling book 'Nettles & Petals' debuted in 2025. Winton covers it all—from top home goods finds, creating the perfect laundry room, and building your own back porch. Looking for cooking and fashion inspiration? She has that, too. Philip Bradford is your digital handyman, teaching you how to install a kitchen backsplash, set up exterior lights, and properly use power tools. He also throws in lawn care tips for good measure. Mysha Bolen mixes her education in fashion design with renovation know-how. She shows her millions of fans how to hang trim, remodel a bedroom, and maximize storage in basements and garages. To help you get the job done, she recommends her favorite tools and products. Brad Royce and family post practical home repair videos teaching fans how to fix leaks, cracked paint, and clogged drains. On the remodel front, the Royce family covers retiling, hanging drywall, and clever storage ideas. Looking to renovate the style of your home—and yourself? Look to Cassandra Noel. The creator covers design, fashion, self-care, and food in her wide-ranging social accounts. Not only does Ostrander redesign homes, the hands-on influencer lays carpets, handles power tools, and builds shelving from scratch. She makes scary-good Halloween displays, too. Not only does Ostrander redesign homes, the hands-on influencer lays carpets, handles power tools, and builds shelving from scratch. She makes scary-good Halloween displays, too.
Los Angeles Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘Patience' introduces a quirky and charismatic sleuth on the spectrum
Once upon a time, PBS was virtually the only portal through which British mysteries came to America. Jeremy Brett's peerless Sherlock Holmes, two flavors of Miss Marple, David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, Roy Marsden and Martin Shaw successively as Adam Dalgliesh, 'Inspector Morse' and its prequel 'Endeavour,' Michael Gambon in 'Maigret,' Helen Mirren in 'Prime Suspect,' 'Rumpole of the Bailey,' 'Foyle's War,' the Benedict Cumberbatch contemporized 'Sherlock,' Alec Guinness in John LeCarre's 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,' 'Wallander' with Kenneth Branagh — classics, all. With the rise of cable, as channels looked abroad for content, there was eventually competition for shows, and in the streaming environment, with BritBox and Acorn TV wholly devoted to bringing U.K. content to the U.S., there is even more. Meanwhile, PBS, which used to run 'Mystery!' under its own flag, now has it booked as part of 'Masterpiece.' Yet it still nabs some genre gems, often with something conceptually extra, recently including the meta 'Magpie Murders' and its sequel, 'Moonflower Murders.' Now comes 'Patience,' an ingratiating episodic series premiering Sunday, whose title character, played by Ella Maisy Purvis, is autistic (as is Purvis herself). Adapted by Matt Baker from the French series 'Astrid et Raphaëlle,' it stars Purvis as Patience Evans, a civilian clerk working in the seemingly uninhabited and endless archives of the York police department, where, by wheeling some shelves together, she has fashioned herself a little fortress of solitude in which she hides out with some pet mice. In the opening two-part episode, she detects a pattern linking a new and old murder, which brings her into the orbit of detective inspector Bea Metcalf (Laura Fraser), her juniors Jake Hunter (Nathan Welsh) and Will Akbari (Ali Ariaie) and their boss Calvin Baxter, played by Mark Benton, whom BritBox watchers will recognize from 'Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators,' if considerably cleaned up and a little lighter. While Bea sees the merits of bringing Patience into the investigation, Jake rejects her, both as an outsider and as 'temperamentally unsuitable for this kind of work,' though — spoiler alert — he will come around. (It's a friendly show.) 'I don't care if she's autistic,' says detective Bea, 'I just care if she's right.' (She is — mostly.) For her part, Patience tells Bea, 'Your deductive leaps of logic can be haphazard and your notes are cursory,' but she admires her clearance rate, the best in the country. Whether diagnosed (or diagnosable) or not, the quirky sleuth has been a feature of detective fiction since Holmes first whipped out a magnifying glass. Fans and scholars have retrospectively diagnosed the character as being on the spectrum, and you can easily find essays and discussions as to whether Poirot's fastidiousness at least borders on OCD. There are arguments pro and con, but some fraction of the neurodivergent community is happy to claim them as their own. In this century, television has given us 'Monk,' 'Bones,' 'Professor T.' (also via PBS, and streaming from the website), the ongoing 'Ludwig' and broadcast shows 'Will Trent,' 'Elsbeth' and 'High Potential,' with heroes whose preternatural, if not pathological, focus amounts to a superpower. (Diane Kruger's Det. Sonya Cross on FX's 'The Bridge,' is often held up as particularly true to life.) Of course, all fictional detectives, whether social, antisocial or introverted, tend to be superhuman to some degree, whatever personal challenges they might face, with a more original, more acute perception than their colleagues. That's why we love them. The opening episodes offer a primer in autism, conducted mainly by Patience's godfather, retired Det. Douglas Gilmour (Adrian Rawlins), with whom she lives, and Billy Thompson (Connor Curren), who leads an autism support group. (Curren is also autistic.) If it's a little on the money in terms of dialogue, it's useful information given that many are aware of autism without knowing much about it — it shows up more on TV because it shows up more in the zeitgeist, and screenwriters are always looking for a new angle. (It's especially welcome here, given the ignorant remarks of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current secretary of health, on the causes and experiences of autism.) Still, the neurotypical viewer might wonder how accurately the series portrays neurodivergence, and indeed, within the community, which is nothing like homogeneous, one finds a multiplicity of views. (The series has already shown in the U.K.) That Purvis, now 21 and diagnosed at 17, is herself autistic, suggests that, while she's playing someone other than herself, the series is to some degree true to her own experience. Patience carries two umbrellas in case one breaks. (It rains a lot in England, you know.) Building up to approaching Bea, she writes out what she wants to say in a conversational flow chart. She won't cross a 'police line, do not cross' tape unless ushered through and she jumps from an elevator as soon as it becomes too crowded (and exceeds its legal capacity). She's incapable of small talk ('Are you just being polite or do you really want to know?' she asks Bea, when Bea asks how she is), but does point out that Bea's socks are mismatched and tells cute forensic specialist Elliot Scott (Tom Lewis) that 'Your surname's a first name and your first name's a surname,' though, to be picky about it, both names are first names and surnames. Still, it's the beginning of something. The mysteries are of the usual unusual sort common to cozy mysteries. (They can be a little sillier than they're meant to, but it's not fatal.) Why are apparently happy men killing themselves, on the fourth Friday of the month? One, set in a natural history museum, involves fossils; there's a locked room mystery (with a mystery writer for a victim), which delights Patience, an Agatha Christie fan, and there's a corpse that seemingly walks off a table in the morgue. Patience, who cannot resist an unsolved puzzle, is drawn reluctantly out of her shell, and Bea begins to notice things in her young son Alfie (an impressively individual Maxwell Whitelock) that remind her of Patience. There are times when characters act less than reasonably, or less intelligently than their official position might indicate. If Patience is fast in making calculations and connections, the others can seem slow off the mark, and although everyone is on the case — in cop shows, teamwork typically makes the dream work — she makes the breakthroughs that lead to a solution. Of course, the very logic of the series demands she be invaluable, and in this regard, it's no different from most mystery series, where one character is out ahead of everyone else in solving the crime. Not everything makes perfect, or even imperfect, sense. But as always, the plots are there almost as a pretext to spend time with the characters, and the whole cast is good company. But Purvis especially, in spite of Patience's self-containment, radiates quiet charisma — new-star power. A second season, happily, is already on the cards.
