How to be a yummy mummy

14:46 06 March 2006

We've all seen pictures of celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Sadie Frost showing off their perfect post-pregnancy bodies in gorgeous designer clothes.

But can yummy mumminess be achieved by ordinary mothers who have limited cash and no free time (not to mention no nanny, no cleaner and no personal stylist)?

Former TV presenter Liz Fraser claims that the ordinary mother can - with the help of a few tricks.

Liz's book, 'The Yummy Mummy's Survival Guide' is aimed at real mothers who'd love a piece of the yummy mummy action but don't know how to get it.

"It's the simple things that make a mum feel yummier," she says.

"It can be as easy as dabbing on a little lip gloss and slipping on a pair of pumps before leaving the house."

Read Liz's top yummy mummy tips:

• Never believe that becoming a mother means you should stop wanting to look and feel as good as you can
  
• Buy multiples of cheap, basic clothes, such as T-shirts and long sleeved tops, so you always have a clean one
  

• It's yours to own! The Yummy Mummy Survival guide.

  Don't go out in the baggy trousers and tops you wear at home. Put on jeans and a pretty top and you'll feel instantly yummier
  
• Keep your house clutter-free. Mess and baby clobber everywhere makes you feel down. Even 20 mins tidying a day can make a huge difference
  
• After a long, stressful day with your baby, don't just crawl into bed feeling low. Have a soak in a bath, light a few candles (the cheapest tea lights will do). Pop in a little lavender oil and spend 10 minutes having some pamper-me time
  
• Talk to a friend if life is getting you down. It's amazing how many seemingly perfect mums will be feeling the same way, and just knowing you are not alone is enough to cheer most of us up
  
• Keep all the baby things in pretty, matching storage boxes cheap ideas include using old wine crates and cheap baskets or chests from car boot sales and junk shops and jazz them up with a coat of paint
  
• Keep your nicest clothes and one special bag separate from your "mummy" life. When you want to walk out feeling gorgeous and grot-free, you can put on your clean, un-snotty, un-stained clothes, grab a bag with no baby bottle sin and walk out feeling yummy again
  
• Try to keep a simple make-up and cleansing routine going. Just five minutes a day is all it takes to transform from pale, tired and grumpy to radiant and yummy