And the winner is...

And the five winners of a Green People toothpaste of their choice are

Joan Sawka - @joanna_kow

Maya Russell  - @maisietoo 

Claire Butler - @BBDIVA1977 

Clare Leahy - @clareandtribe 

Helen Harris - @picklepie35

Congratulations - please get in touch via the contact form and let me know which flavour you would like to receive!

Competition: Win £40 worth of skincare products from Yes To

The days are getting shorter and with autumn and winter knocking on the door, it's only a matter of time until you snuggle up in wooly jumpers and roast in front of the radiator. But did you know that it's the change from cold air outside and warm air inside that makes your skin dry and sensitive?

To help you through the winter months and make sure that your skin stays glowing and nourished, Mummy Alarm has teamed up with Yes To to offer you the chance to win a Yes To skincare package worth over £40.

Yes To's deliciously nourishing formulas combine high quality organic fruits and vegetables with the power of 26 minerals and trace elements and leave your skin feeling great with an unmistakable healthy glow.

Begin the day by using Lycopene-enriched Yes To Tomatoes Terrific Totally Tranquil Facial Hydrating Lotion (50ml, RRP £12.35) rich in tomatoes, an essential source of Vitamin A and C that also encourages a fresh shine-free complexion, and Rosemary, a natural antioxidant.

Give the skin a serious moisture boost, with Yes To Carrots Night Moisturising Cream (50ml, RRP £12.35), which contains a host of antioxidants such as Beta Carotene, Vitamin E and Green Tea, with purifying dead sea minerals to help replenish and refresh during the night. Waking up never looked so good!

After a chilly Autumn day, Yes To Cucumbers Calming Facial Mask (48g, RRP £11.99) gives tired skin a gentle boost of nourishment and helps reduce puffiness, whilst the Yes To Cucumbers Facial Towelettes (30, RRP £4.99) contain cooling Cucumbers, Aloe Vera and Green Tea to detoxify and rejuvenate all in one swift swipe!

Yes To is available via www.victoriahealth.com and www.asos.com.

*** COMPETITION***

Please, use separate comments for each entry. Failure do to so will result in only one entry per person.

How to enter the competition:

Required:

1. Leave a comment telling me your top skincare tip and leave a way to contact you - required

For extra entries: 

2. Follow @caro_mad on Twitter & tweet: "I want to win £40 worth of skincare products from Yes To with @caro_mad. You can enter here: http://bit.ly/fN8EKA " 3. Comment on one of my non-competition posts & let me know which one you commented on

4. Subscribe to Mummy Alarm via Google Friend Connect
5. Subscribe to Mummy Alarm via RSS feed
6. Follow Mummy Alarm via Networked Blogs
7. Like Mummy Alarm on Facebook
 

Terms & Conditions:

The closing date of the competition is 31/10/2011

The winners will be chosen at random.

The winners' names will be shown on this page.

Competition is open to residents of the UK only.

The prize is non-refundable and cannot be transferred. No cash alternative is available.

The Prize Finder - UK Competitions 

Loquax - The UK Competetion Portal

5 top tips for skincare in autumn and winter

Dry air and scratchy woolen jumpers can easily become your skin's worst enemy. For Mummy Alarm, Geraldine Howard, Founder of Aromatherapy Associates, passes on her 5 top tips to achieve soft, supple, radiant skin during the harsh winter months.

 

1. Moisturise

Once a week, apply a layer of products to the face and body before bed. Begin on the face, with a serum, facial oil and moisturiser. If your skin is feeling dry and generally looking a little lacklustre, also apply a mask as an additional layer under the moisturiser to seal in the goodness. Then, layer a body gel, body oil and cream over the whole body. Wrap yourself in loose bed clothing and leave to absorb overnight. You’ll notice an immediate benefit.

2. Pretend it's summer

Get into the habit of looking after the skin as well in the winter as you do all summer. Whilst not as many areas of skin are on show, the better condition you keep your body in throughout the year, the easier it will be when you do wear dresses or sleeveless items in the colder weather.

3. Get massaging
The circulation can be more sluggish in the winter, so it’s important to incorporate massage into your daily routine to keep a radiant complexion. Rather than viewing cleansing as just removing make up each evening, consider it an opportunity to perform a mini-treatment on the whole face. Carry out lots of small circular movements as you apply the product – this is an invaluable way to boost capillary circulation, helping to remove impurities and generate radiant, healthy skin.

4. Scrub it

I recommend a full body exfoliation at least once a week, and the same for the face. But always be conscious of which of your products actually contain a form of exfoliation, so that you don’t overdo it. One of the biggest causes of premature aging is over exfoliation of the skin, which causes inflammation.

5. Don't forget your hair

If you wear a hat in the cooler months, hair can get very dry and become static. Treat it weekly with a nourishing hair oil, massing into the scalp through to the ends of the hair.

Geraldine Howard is President and Co-founder of Aromatherapy Associates, a UK company formed in 1985 to develop specialised aromatherapy products and treatments for spas worldwide. Geraldine has personally worked on all of the Aromatherapy Associates’ formulations and these best-selling blends, known for their high quality essential oils and naturally active ingredients, bear the hallmark of her influence. She trained as a beauty therapist at the London College of Fashion & Beauty and also achieved qualification as an aromatherapist. Geraldine blogs here: Aromatherapy Associates Blog.

Competition: Mumpreneur of the Month with Benjoy Nutrition

This month's Mumpreneur of the Month, Michelle Daniells from Benjoy Nutrition, has not only generously sponsored one amazing main prize for our competition but also two great prizes for our runner-ups. The winner if this month's competition receives a whopping 5(!!!) cases of yummy Benjoy treats and both the runner-ups will receive one case each, giving them the chance to try each of Benjoy's products.

Please, use separate comments for each entry. Failure do to so will result in only one entry per person.

How to enter the competition:

1. Follow @caro_mad and @BenjoyNutrition on Twitter & tweet: "I want to win healthy treats with @caro_mad and @BenjoyNutrition. You can enter here: http://bit.ly/rktggY"  - required
2. Leave a comment telling me what healthy flavour you would create - required

For extra entries:

3. Comment on one of my non-competition posts and let me know which one you commented on

4. Subscribe to Mummy Alarm via Google Friend Connect

5. Follow Mummy Alarm via Networked Blogs

6. Like Mummy Alarm on Facebook

7. Like Benjoy Nutrition on Facebook

Terms & Conditions:

The closing date of the competition is 31/08/2011

The winners will be chosen at random.

The winner's name will be shown on this page.

Competition is open to residents of the UK only.

The prize is non-refundable and cannot be transferred. No cash alternative is available.

The Prize Finder - UK Competitions 

I'll miss my maternity notes

I had my last midwife appointment on Friday and was officially discharged from their care. This does not only mean that a health visitor will be regularly checking on Amy from now on, no, it also means that I had to hand in my maternity notes and with them my entire pregnancy: the results of my blood tests, my scan reports, my birth plan and all the little reports that the midwives have written in the hospital and after we have been discharged.

During the last 9 months I have grown quite fond of my orange notes. I took them to every appointment at the health centre and hospital and I was regularly reading what the midwives had put down after every appointment. I know it sounds a bit weird but I am kind of sad that they are gone. I am sure that I would have loved to sit down at some point, drinking a nice cup of tea and going through them. They would have been a nice memory, not only for me but also for Amy when she is older, allowing us to look back on my pregnancy and how things went. I know that it's important to keep medical records but why was I allowed to keep my maternity notes with me throughout the whole nine months of my pregnancy just to hand them in as soon as my baby is born? Were you disappointed when you had to hand in your notes and do you think it would be a good idea to allow mothers to keep their notes at home and just take them in when a medical professional asks to see them?

Review: Diva Popcorn

Product: Diva Popcorn

Price: 85p per bag

Available from: Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Dobbies Garden Centres, Wholefoods, many sandwich, farm and health shops plus premium high street health chains

Suitable for: everyone who wants guilt free snacking

Initial Reaction: I absolutely love popcorn, but I am usually not really keen on savoury flavours. Things have changed during pregnancy though and I can honestly say that I could live on popcorn at the moment. You can imagine that I was really excited to try some new flavours.

Pros: delicious and healthy, only about 100 calories per bag and less than 0.4g saturated fat, ull of antioxidants, vitamins B and E, minerals and fibre and innovative flavours: Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar, Camenbert, Gouda & Brie, Rock Salt, Sweet Chipotle Chilli

Cons: bags are too small to share them and unfortunately the popcorn is not widely available yet

Value for money: Yes, they are a bit more expensive than your average crisps but they are much healthier.

Overall reaction: Our verdict is pretty simple: Diva Popcorn is absolutely delicious and the fact that it is low in fat and calories makes it even better to snack on. Before testing the different flavours I was slightly worried that the popcorn was going to taste artificial but all the flavours are really natural and don't leave any sort of nasty aftertaste. All in all, Diva Popcorn is a brilliant alternative to your sweet flavoured popcorn. That's why it's such a shame that it is not widely available yet.

Top Tip: Order your popcorn online via concierge@divallstars.com.

Thank you, Innocent Drinks!

Look what baby bump and I received today: lots of delicious goodies from the lovely people at Innocent Drinks. I absolutely love Innocent Smoothies, so you can imagine that I jumped around the cool boxes like  it was Easter and Christmas at the same time. Daddy-to-be couldn't really understand my excitement, but I'm sure that once he's tried one or two drinks (afterall they're for me and the bump, hehe), he'll be just as hooked to Innocent Smoothies as I am. But here is a little overview of all the nice drinks that received this morning:

 Smoothies for Kids: Strawberries, Blackberries and Raspberries & Orange, Mangoes and Pineapple

Special Fruit Smoothies: Strawberries & Banana, Cranberries, Blueberries & Cherries, Blackberries, Strawberries & Boysenberries, Pomegranates, Blueberries & Acai

 Special Fruit Smoothies and Fruit Juices: Pineapple, Bananas & Coconuts, Mangoes & Passionfruits, Orange Juice with and without bits, Kiwis, Apples & Limes, Peaches & Passionfruits

My Big Mumpreneur of the Month Giveaway

As I promised in yesterday's big Mumpreneur of the Month feature with Aycin Wateridge from B Organic Skincare, I have got two gorgeous Ladies Gift Bags (each of them worth £35) to give away to two of you, my lovely readers. If you win, you can choose between the following:

The Ladies Grapefruit & Lemongrass Gift Bag:

Bath & Shower Gel will leave your skin soft and nourished whilst Grapefruit and Lemongrass will help energize you and get you started for the day. A big tub of  Pure Organic Shea butter with grapefruit and lemongrass will help you feed your skin whilst Vitamin E and rosehip oil will help to replenish dry and damaged skin and naturally promotes elasticity and firmness. Gorgeous body lotion will leave your skin soft and nourished without leaving any nasty chemicals residue on your skin. Grapefruit and Lemongrass will leave you fresh and energized. Use it after the bath and shower gel to compliment the body lotion.

Ladies Lavender & Ylang Ylang Gift Bag:

The luxurious organic lavender and ylang ylang gift set is the perfect treat for mummies that need a soothing break. Organic Bath and Shower Gel with Certified Organic Lavender and Ylang-Ylang Our Bath & Shower Gel will leave your skin soft, squeaky clean and nourished whilst certified lavender and ylang-ylang essential oils help you relax and pamper yourself. Pure Organic Shea butter with lavender and ylang ylang will help you feed your skin to promote its elasticity and firmness while leaving an absolutely gorgeous smell on your relaxed body. Use it after the bath and shower gel to compliment the body lotion.

How to enter the competition:

1. Follow my blog using Google Friend Connect (required)
2. Visit B Organic Skincare and tell me what your favourite product is (required)

For 1 extra entry:

● mention this giveaway on Twitter including @caro_mad and the link to this competition (you can use the button below to share this post, but do not forget adding my name to assure I see that you have tweeted)

Please, do not forget to let me know how many entries you get using seperate comments.

The closing date of the competition is 17/02/2011

The winners will be chosen at random.

The winners' name will be shown on this page.

Competition is open to residents of the UK only.

The prize is non-refundable and cannot be transferred. No cash alternative is available.

ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions

And the winners of a B Organic Skincare Gift Bag are

julkenny222 - @relisys222

and

kemo_2002 - @kemo_2002

Congratulations - I will be in touch shortly!

My Mumpreneur of the Month: Aycin Wateridge from B Organic Skincare

1. Can you quickly introduce yourself to our readers?

I am Aycin, mum to a beautiful little girl and founder of B Organic Skincare.

2. When and why did you decide to become your own boss?

My daughter was born with severe eczema. It was so severe that she even had it on her eyelids and it was red. She suffered with Eczema for a couple of years and during this time we tried everything on the market. We couldn’t find anything that was gentle enough to not dry her skin. This included the prescribed medication, ointments, bath milks etc. I started investigating what we should and shouldn’t be doing to make sure she could get some relief from the scratching which resulted in her being covered in blood every night.  She still has those scars on her arms 3 years later.

I started educating myself about all the chemicals that are in the bath and body products that were supposed to be helping and ended up putting some things together. I then teamed up with a really good bunch of professionals from different fields of expertise who helped me to create B Organic Skincare.

3. What sort of products do you produce and sell? And which one is your absolute favourite?

We have Bubble Bath, Body Lotion, Shampoo, Conditioner, Hand Soap, Hand Lotion, Bath & Shower gel and Handmade Organic Soothing Body Balms with Face Skincare to be launched very soon.  I love and enjoy them all, but I am really so proud of our Soothing Body Balm which soothes Eczema, Dermatitis and Sensitive Skin. It is so mild it can be used on babies as well. It works wonders!

4. How do you juggle being a successful business woman and a mum and wife?

My daughter comes first and she always will. I fit my working schedule around her time table. We have our quality time and she understands sometimes mummy has to do some work in the morning, check my email etc whilst she plays with her toys and I start working once I drop her to school lunch time. I fit all my business meetings, visits around this time and I continue working after she goes to bed as well. My husband has been the best supporter whilst I was building this business and he still helps me with the business on the IT side of things whenever I need it. He understands that I love my job, I actually don’t see it as a job that’s why I don’t mind working till midnight most of the evenings. We make sure we have family time as well so it’s not always about work.

5.  Is there anything you wish you'd known before becoming a mumpreneur or wish you'd done differently?

I knew it was going to be hard. I didn’t get any bank loans or have any investors, so it was all me. This can be very stressful at times as I have to juggle my budget all the time, some things can’t be done as quickly as I’d like and have to wait, this can be very frustrating. What I learnt is that it really doesn’t matter how good your product is, if people don’t know you exist they won’t buy it and you need to be prepared for everything.

  

6.What do you love most about your job and what are your plans for the future?

The advantage of running your own business is the flexible working hours. I can have time with my little girl and have these precious moments whilst she grows up, take her to dance classes, swimming and do silly girly things together. I love picking her up from school every day and cooking together. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this otherwise.

B Organic Skincare will be available nationwide in the Pharmacies and Health Stores in February, this is very exciting for me. We are currently working on improving our products to make them even better. We are also about to launch our Face Skincare line for ladies very soon.  I am currently working on getting our Soothing Body Balm reviewed by a very well known organisation, we may even have a chance at winning some awards for this lovely product! Next the rest of our lovely luscious organic range with no nasty chemicals.

If you love the sound of B Organic Skincare, pop around tomorrow to win 1 of 2 ladies bath sets.