I blame the weather, but I’ve become ever so slightly obsessive about scarves recently.

I keep noticing them being worn in various, super-creative but completely untried-looking ways. Take, for example, this pic of Kat at possibly-the-most-fabulously-named-ever fashion blog Does My Bum Look 40 In This …

How do some mamas do that? SO clever.

Left to my own devices, I can pull off something just-this-side-of-ridiculous, after much faffing and totally by fluke (so I could never do it again).

See, too, my failures at improvising shepherd/innkeeper headwear for church Nativity spectaculars.

I actually tweeted Kat, and she said that she is planning to post on exactly this at some point soon (and I’ll link to it as soon as she does, hooray!).

I also asked the lovely, super-stylish mama Amanda of Online Stylist, and even she claims to end up looking like she ‘had a fight with spaghetti’ (which, I can assure you, is SO not believable. I’m longing for her to do a how-to!!).

In the meantime, I’ve stumbled on a few inspiring step-by-steps!

How to tie a scarf like a pro

•  First up, this simple step-by-step from one of my go-to glossies, Real Simple!

•  Next, a great link (which I discovered via the fabulous Simple Mom site) has some great how-to videos, too: The Knot Library: 50 + ways to tie a scarf! It covers classic, simple ‘knots’ like the Simple Tie, Loose Wrap, and – my favourite – the Four-in-Hand …

I’m thinking I might need four hands to try it, but I’m up for the challenge!

•  Then there’s this ‘Pretzel Knot’ how-to from super-talented jewellery maker and blogger Lisa Leonard …

(see Lisa’s post for the full step-by-step!).

•  Nicole at Mom Trends also shot this video a while back, which includes a how-to on a very sweet ‘rosette’ look to wear with silk (or similar) scarves. So pretty!

Are you heading for that scarf and a mirror right now? I know I am.

If I get stuck, I’ll yell …

HAPPY FRIDAY-EVENING-THE-WEEKEND-STARTS-HERE, everyone!!

To end the week, a couple of links I’ve been meaning to post since, well, Monday in fact …

First up, I was HUGELY honoured to be asked by the totally lovely Fiona of The Beauty Shortlist to guest post as part of her all-things-natural-beauty-awesomeness Green Beauty Week!

If anyone knows their ‘green beauty’ onions, it’s Fiona – she knows all those oh-so-cool, off-the-beaten-track natural beauty brands, as well as being an authority on the big names loved by any organically inclined beauty buff worth her ‘no nasties’ nail polish.

Throughout the week, Fiona asked a crop of beauty insiders and founders of ‘green’ labels for their Top 5 desert island beauty staples and ‘green’ beauty tricks and tips (I cheated and counted five nail polishes as one pick. Oops!).

Be inspired by what everyone had to say here (I was SO thrilled to be asked – thank you so much, Fi!!).

Also, a couple of Pinterest links to share.

Have you seen the AMAZING new summer jewellery in M&S?

They’ve done THE most beautiful, very retro-looking and oh-so-on-trend rhinestone and pastel-stoned statement necklaces, many with a touch of diamanté, that look truly vintage.

And earrings, like these …

And then, just this evening, I stumbled on this …

… what better way to start the weekend?!!

Have a lovely one, whatever you are doing!! XX

I’m thrilled that Evans has asked me to spotlight the new Clements Ribeiro Swan Spring/Summer 2013 collection (as we did here, last autumn, at nonstopmama).

What’s not to love about any fashion label that makes it easier (or even possible) for mamas of all heights, shapes and sizes to find their fashion fabulous and not to struggle when shopping for gorgeousness?

I’ve got two tall, totally stunning mama girlfriends who shop specialist ranges for their height (I trip up just looking at the skirts) and others who are ever-grateful for the ‘Petite’ lines (the only thing labelled ‘petit’ in my house has ‘filous’ after it).

If nonstopmama rocks one fashion/style motto, it’s that it’s not about what size you are, but dressing to enjoy every inch and uniquely you part of it (which kind of links to the post I wrote not long ago about the Dove commercial. I digress).

For the knockout-gorgeous, fuller-figured mama, Evans is really hitting it out of the park in offering fabulous, finger-on-the-fashion-pulse pieces and the new Clements Ribeiro line - which has just gone online and into stores – proves it.

Take this new Op-Art Placement Print T-Shirt (£35) …

I think it would look AMAZING teamed with skinny jeans and heels for day or a night out!

Meanwhile, the Animal and Daisy Print Dress (£60) mixes it up and would also be FAB for summer evenings (I’m picturing this with black, strappy wedges and hot coral toenails) …

Or, another floral-with-an-edge, this Daisy Dot Print Jersey Dress (£39.50) …

I could see accessorised with a big, gold statement necklace!

Or, made for holiday fun, the Lobster Print Jersey Dress (£35) would look great with low-top sneakers (or flip-flops), with bare legs or leggings ..

I’d also add a stack of bangles, to add sparkle in the sunshine …

As of today (YAY!!), you can shop the whole collection online at evans.co.uk, or check the collection out in stores (find your nearest here!).

This is a sponsored post.

Oh wow, this smells SO. GOOD!!!

Exotic island-ish.

Like someone should be presenting you with a Hawaiian flower Lei (I just Googled that – I knew it started with an ‘L’) or a really scrummy, tropical cocktail.

Preferably both.

It’s a lightweight, totally un-greasy dry oil designed to make bare skin look better and to enhance a tan with a subtle golden shimmer (Honey Bronze is the new, lightest shade.

Since I tried it, I just can’t stop smelling my arm, which I admit, looks weird.

Try it yourself, and I defy you to stop smelling yourself!!

If you know what I mean.

You’ve got to admire a mama who can rock a rhinestone statement necklace and gorgeous pink heels before 9 am.

OK, granted, Tanya Kazeminy Mackay (above) – one of the founders of Mama Mio skincare – did arrive at the press breakfast to launch the new Mama Mio Pregnancy Fit Skin Test in trainers, before doing a quick change to greet journalists and beauty bloggers.

Another aside: I was SO glad I ordered fruit salad – even though the cooked option sounded super-tempting – because no one else did and I would have felt REALLY self-conscious tucking into scrambled eggs whilst Tanya talked “firm, gorgeous skin that holds you in and holds you up”.

Especially as I’d already had breakfast (but don’t tell anyone).

Over breakfast (#whoscounting), Tanya presented the new Pregnancy Fit Skin Test, a just-gone-live, top-to-toe skincare evaluation especially designed for nonstopmamas-to-be and new mamas.

After answering the questions about their key concerns (honestly? Trialling it over my pineapple and papaya chunks, I wanted to tick all the ‘most concerned about’ multiple choice options. And have whatever the impossibly glowy Tanya was having).

At the end of the test, you receive a personally tailored, prescriptive skincare report, with lots of beauty, fitness and wellbeing tips plus a recommended product regime (used and loved by a certain Royal mama-to-be, I’m reliably informed).

Go check it out, mamas (oh, I almost forgot! Enter the password’ Special’ to get going!).

Meanwhile, I’m DELIGHTED that the Mama Mio mamas are kindly giving one nonstopmama the oh-so-fabulouso Congratulations! Kit (worth £46), designed to be used during pregnancy …

The gorgeous kit includes the bestselling, award-winning Tummy Rub Butter to help prevent stretch marks, beautifully scented OMega Super-rich Body Cream and OMega Shower Cream, for dreamy daily cleansing.

Fancy entering, mamas? Or want to spoil a nonstopmama-to-be you know?

Enter the giveaway to WIN a Mama Mio Congratulations! kit, in two easy-peasy steps:

 1. ‘Like’ the nonstopmama Facebook page or Follow us on Twitter, at @jbadenh or Pinterest (JBadenHoward) – OR all three (you can’t blame a girl for asking …).

If you’re following on Twitter, please tweet the message “I’ve entered to #WIN a Mama Mio Congratulations! kit with @jbadenh and @mamamio at nonstopmama: http://bit.ly/12vBnMG“.

2.  Then simply leave a Comment below, to let us know you’ve done the above!

That’s it!!

The winner will be chosen at random by computer (we’ll email them to arrange for the delivery of their Mama Mio Congratulations! kit!).

Please take a mo to check out the giveaway rules here, thanks so much!

This giveaway will close at midnight on Saturday, 29 June 2013.

This giveaway has been promoted at Loquax and ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions.

Just. Love. This.

Or these, rather.

Via Sophie Likes, who will be among those taking part in the homes, crafts, food and family fun of the Wealden Times Midsummer Fair on the 6, 7 and 8 June (including a live celebrity kitchen theatre, created by Bespoke Interiors).

How summer-pretty?!

So, I didn’t get around to watching Les Mis on DVD last night, as I posted I was planning to (any attempt to watch a movie on a weeknight – and remaining conscious past the opening credits – needs to start a LOT earlier than I ever manage. Like, around midday).

Instead, I got a little distracted on the new nonstopmama Pinterest page, where I just re-pinned this, via the lovely Pure PR team …

Which is super-fitting as we’ve got a GORGEOUS giveaway going live a little later today, PLUS!! – coming soon – a super-exciting new feature at nonstopmama which I. Cannot. Wait. to tell you about!!

As always, thanks SO much for being here, have a WONDERFUL day, whatever you’re up to and all will be revealed soon!!

KITCHEN TOWEL, SOMEBODY!!

I know, it doesn’t sound as good as tissues, but it’s what was closest to hand.

This video – shared by author Ann Voskamp on her blog - had me lunging for a piece of the scratchy stuff almost immediately.

And just a little bit convicted.

A great reminder of why every little ‘everyday’ thing that anyone who mothers – in all in the different forms that takes – makes time for, makes a deep-down difference.

ALL the difference, in fact.

And, I’m planning on watching this …

… finally out on DVD, YAY!, this evening. For the first time. Because I knew I’d cry an embarrassingly large amount at the cinema.

Better to do your extra-absorbent kitchen towel sniffling in the comfort of your own home, I say.

I should’ve pulled myself together by tomorrow …

Tonight, a few bits of beauty gorgeousness which I’ve been meaning to post about for days, so consider this a ‘bumper’ beauty post!

First up, I’m really, really loving Clinique’s new A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skins (top) – what about those COLOURS?!

Totally gorgeous.

And the formula – which is especially made to minimise skin and eye sensitivity, too, interestingly  - is lovely and, yes, it does feel different. Lighter and more fluid, somehow, and the thinner, flatter brush makes it easier to glide colour accurately onto the nail (great if, like me, you’re usually doing this approximately 20 seconds before you need to be somewhere. And possibly after you’ve put your shoes on. Really. Need. To. Stop. That).

I’ve had compliments on the limited edition, silver metallic Strappy Sandals – which I wore on my decidedly unstrappy hands, since the sun hadn’t made an appearance at that point. And I gave the gorgeous, hot-orange Happy to an amazing girlfriend who has been through chemo, is doing fabulously and totally rocking her newly-growing back curls with the most fabulous hair flower in exactly that colour (and not a million miles from this lovely new coral by No 7).

Next up: Lily Lolo’s Mineral Bronzer, a product I came across whilst guest-blogging for the fabulous My Beauty Emporium site recently …

As a self-confessed bronzing maniac with a tendency to go ten shades darker than is possibly advisable, I’m no stranger to unintentional streaking and have teetered on the edge of Tango.

Daylight mirror checks are essential, to avoid embarrassment. To other family members.

But this one is fabulous. It layers and blends beautifully and has a really authentic, reddish-tan undertone. That said, Bondi Beach is quite dark …

But I can’t help myself.

Then, lastly (but not-in-the-least leastly), not one but TWO winners from Bobbi Brown, and both for lips!

I love a good gloss, always go back to it, and Bobbi does them so brilliantly. The new limited edition Tube Tints (above) are no exception: super-shiny (but not sticky) and easy to pop on, anywhere …

The new Sheer Lip Color, meanwhile, had me at “Mistake-proof, no mirror lipstick” (SOLD!!).

And that’s pretty much true: this sheer formula looks and acts like a lipstick, but goes on in a forgivingly subtle way, and with a lovely sheen.

Have you made any lovely summer beauty discoveries? Tell me about them here, or over at Facebook!

Is it wrong to want one of these?

For myself, I mean.

Looks like fun, after a rosé or two …

Sharp heels off first, maybe.

(£45, at The Science Museum!).