I’m sorry, but HOW gorgeous is that washing machine and tumble dryer combo?

A sentence I never expected to hear myself say.

Via Pinterest, from the online doyenne of home organisation, Clean Mama!

Usually, it’s only Barbie who gets the cute (non) white goods …

Excuse me while I have a ‘vintage fashion moment’.

It (almost) makes me feel like a real, proper, grown-up fashion blogger.

But then I go and spoil it by saying: I’m SURE I recall my Sindy doll having a case just like this!!

Rather than wax lyrical and knowledgeable about the fact that it’s by a Fifties/Sixties English luggage company called Revelation, its gorgeous curves, and the fact that it’s a little bit Mad Men, it’s …

JUST like one my Sindy had. Except bigger (obviously).

But the background is the best: I was given it by a friend of ours from church who was visiting from the States, where she has returned after looking after her beloved late Mama here.

And this suitcase (and the little vanity one that’s hidden inside!!) belonged to her.

Which, honestly, makes it more special than anything else.

A little piece of history, that will be DEARLY loved!

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.