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!).

Grapevine/Zumba/power walk away from the baggy t-shirts and stretched-beyond-all-recognition leggings, nonstopmamas-to-be!

I’m THRILLED that fabulouso maternity fitness wear label FittaMamma is teaming up with us to give away this totally gorgeous, maternity workout outfit!

It’s part of a full range of specialist clothing designed to ‘Love your bump’ while you exercise (there are different styles to suit various activities) …

I think the combo of the Gentle Support Top (£32.99) and Mamma Shorts (£39.99), pictured top, work really well together and would be perfect for summer workouts.

Check out the FittaMamma website, too, for fitness and nutrition tips!

To enter the giveaway to WIN the outfit above (in your size!), all you need to do is:

 1. ‘Like’ the nonstopmama Facebook page or Follow us on Twitter, at @jbadenh or Pinterest (JBadenHoward) – OR all three!

If you’re following on Twitter, please tweet the message “I’ve entered to #WIN a FittaMamma workout outfit with@jbadenh and @FittaMamma at nonstopmama: http://bit.ly/10Y7lnB”.

2.  ‘Like’ the FittaMamma Facebook page or Follow FittaMamma (@FittaMamma) on Twitter or Pinterest!

3.  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 FittaMamma workout outfit!).

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

This giveaway will close at midnight on Saturday, 1 June 2013.

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

So, the last few days have been sad ones here, after a loss in our family last weekend.

Hence, it’s been quiet here. And I wondered about whether to post about this or not, or if maybe I’d just take up the reigns again when I felt ready to, with no mention of it.

But it would feel ridiculous not to give a space to it, given that nonstopmama is a place of sharing, encouragement and real life – and this very particular sadness is a part of that, too.

So here I am, full of gratitude and thanks for the blessing of family and friends, grace and faith. And thinking of all those reading this going through their own times of difficulty, sorrow and sadness (and sending them LOTS of love!!).

Since hearing the news on Saturday, I’ve been busying myself around the house but in a different, more focused way. Whether it’s clearing the kitchen decks or keeping on top of the laundry, it all feels more deliberate and methodical. More intentional, somehow (if a bit dazed, all at the same time).

I don’t think it’s simply a question of control (or an attempt to feel some sense of it).

The home focus is more than that, as I’ve also had the unexpected urge to shop for new things for the house, including a cheery, blossom-covered cushion and another that simply says ‘Love’.

In fact, after going to church yesterday – at the same time that the funeral was taking place overseas – I chose to go to Ikea.

I filled my big, yellow bag with anything bright and spirit-lifting, from boldly coloured placemats to colourful glass tumblers with flamingos and pineapples on them. And some hot orange seat cushions which are DEFINITELY going back because they’re about 10 sizes too small and look like neon mini pizzas on our kitchen chairs.

Above all, I felt the need to get things for the home which would bring smiles and laughter (those cheap and cheerful flamingo glasses are FUN. I recommend checking them out).

It’s felt a lot like nesting before the birth of a baby. And, strangely, I think there’s a link.

It has to do with celebrating life and being thankful for it.

At it’s very root, I know, it’s connected with a longing to create a home that loves, as I have been loved.

And to give this gift to others.

Picture, top of post, via Molly Balint on Pinterest, originally pinned by MJ/Pars Caeli - so beautiful, no?!

HOW great is this?!

Via Kate Leser on Pinterest - btw, if you’re on Pinterest, I’d love your company at my shiny new Pinterest page!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

There is, I’ve learned, an art to helping on a school trip without it having too adverse an effect on your sugar and sanity levels.

Or to result in the immediate need to pass out, face down, on the sofa the moment you set foot in the door at hometime (having already texted your order for any form of caffeine on the coach journey home – as one mum I sat next to did today).

Don’t get me wrong: I LOVE helping on trips. Always have. The fluorescent Lollypop Lady jacket? Not so much. (If possible, I try and look the other way when they’re handing them out, if they’re running low and there’s a chance of getting away without wearing one).

So there’s the first tip: look the other way if there are only a few neon jackets to go round.

Tip 2: Take a flask of tea/coffee/your hot caffeine supply of choice. I cannot stress the importance of this, having found that complimentary cuppas for the helpers are NOT necessarily the norm and experienced serious Flask Envy when other, more organised sorts whip out their Thermoses during picnic bench stops. No matter what time of year it is. It. Is. Worth. It. 

Tip 3: Take a rucksack or cross-over body bag. You need to be hands-free, to corral wayward charges, hold coats and examine the contents of pond dipping trays. Which brings me to …

Tip 4:  Pack anti-bac hand gel. Definitely.

Tip 5:  And maybe a travel pack of baby wipes (if you want to be a real professional).

Tip 6:  Wear layers. Always: you WILL be too cold or hot at some point (often within the same half hour) and you need options.

Tip 7:  Pack some sneaky snacks – preferably salty and carby ones. I don’t know what it is about school trips, but I’m always hungry and craving snacks within the first hour. I can highly recommend Mini Cheddars.

Tip 8:  Go to the loo at every official opportunity. You know it makes sense.

When it comes to the actual helping bit, do as you’re told and do your best. I’m not ever so good at this (walking my own child into a lamppost on a church Christmas visit being a low point).

And today, I actually screamed during the pond dipping activity. I thought we’d hoiked out a snake (it was a soggy reed. But I could’ve sworn it moved).

The teacher said really it wasn’t on for the parent helpers to scream.

Everyone was very nice about it (and hence I REALLY needed the ‘recovery pack’ of chocolate + strong tea, above, afterwards. I’m feeling much better now).

How do you survive school trips? I’d love to hear your tips and stories – share them here or with the other nonstopmamas on Facebook!