With Childminders' Week taking place from Saturday 20 to Saturday 27 March, Childminder Advisory Officer Collette Coughlan speaks to Marie Madden about the development of the childcare profession and the supports that are now in place Childminding is a job that, for many years, was conducted on a casual basis rather then being considered a 'serious profession'.

The average woman's cosmetic bag is out of date by a worrying four years, according to new research by department store Debenhams. Women are using cosmetics well past the use-by date, unaware that products can be a magnet for germs, which could cause damage to their health and looks.

Floral prints are everywhere this season and we like to think it's a nod of a long hot summer to come! From dresses and jackets to shoes and bags in a whirlwind of colours and styles, you can find the perfect print to suit you! This flirty floral number (€59) from Love Label at Littlewoods Ireland is a pretty take on the trend and is also available in cute culottes!

L'Occitane has formulated a new organic bodycare range based on the powerful Olive tree. This eco-certified combines extremely natural formulas with a simple and essential benefit, long lasting hydration. The olive tree leaves have an amazing ability to regulate water. L'Occitane has proven the moisturising benefits of the leaf extract for the skin, finding that after 8 hours there was an 81 per cent increase in hydration.

Unique Personal trainers has teamed up with Shelley's Health & Beauty Clinic to offer a unique package targeting mind, body and soul that will make you look and feel your best as you walk down the aisle. Unique and Shelley's have introduced a series of exclusive packages, catering to clients' individual needs.

Spring is a time of regeneration, new beginnings and a renewal of spirit. To help kick-start your family's fitness regime, The Kingfisher Club has a wide range of classes and a special offer for the month of March for new members. Starting from Monday 29 March and running for two weeks in all the Kingfisher Clubs, the fantastic Easter camps for children include a timetable of events that will encourage children to interact with each other, with team building exercises along with entertaining games.

The Menlo Park Hotel will be the venue for the 'Health is for Life' and 'Over Weight and Obesity' seminars, which will be hosted by Uwe Arnoldi on Thursday and Friday 25 and 26 March. Arnoldi, who comes to Ireland from Germany after ten years working in the Pharmaceutical Industry and as a Psychological Management Trainer, will be explaining how to help prevent medical conditions that can lead to years of pain, isolation and expense.

'I love my daddy,' says my little niece as I lower her into her car seat. 'That's nice,' I say, 'But what about Mammy?' She shakes her head, 'No, just Daddy,' she insists. 'So, who loves Mammy?' I ask her, feeling bad for her mother, who is struggling to secure the second screaming child into her car seat. 'Jane,' she replies pointing one pudgy finger in her sister's direction.

Despite all the fad diets and quick-fix exercises that bombard our television screens, it has become clear that, whether we like it or not, the key to a great shape is healthy eating and regular exercise. However, with most women already juggling a career, relationships and a hectic social life, finding time to hit the gym can be as tough as the workout itself.

Treat your mum to the gift of smooth, nourished skin with Age Re-Perfect from L'Oreal. As age advances, the body's levels of hydration and nutrients decrease. The skin becomes denourished, seems more prone to the signs of ageing, slackens, becomes drier and more crinkled.