Need some tips on becoming a ''Yummy Mummy'' ? ...... read on

What's the ingredients to feel like a Yummy Mummy? Do you look at other mums, envious to how good they look as they leave the kids to nursery/school when you are only too glad that you managed to get the kids washed, dressed, fed and at the school on time....and that no-one noticed you still had your pyjama top on below your fleece.

Wow, they must be Superwoman. Not everyone is a morning person so the struggle may real for some of you, but for others, its a breeze. Army camp comes to my mind... and seriously good time management skills. I salute you ladies. I find the more time I have in the mornings, the more I 'pansy' around and still manage to leave the house no earlier.

(Holly Willoughby looking as fab as ever)

You may be asking yourself how things can get easier and run a little smoother and yet you still manage to take time out for yourself to get dressed and feel happy with your choice. Let's face it, we all have choices in life..... you have to choose to take some time out for yourself....even if that's only enough time to apply tinted moisturiser and brush your hair. Here are a few pointers I feel may help you.....

Colours - What Brings Out The Best In You

I'm 99.9% certain that you all have 3/4 colours you feel really comfortable with and at least 2 that make you feel terrible. Colour analysis is a very interesting topic and I find that it is not necessarily just the colour that is important, but the shade of colour. For example, I love green but khaki green is sooooo boring on me. Get to know what colours suit you best and which to stay well clear of. Add pop's of bright colours to the areas you are most happy with and darker colours to the areas you least favour. For example, if you are pear shaped, then add bright and floral colours up top to draw the eye up and choose a dark and plain colour for the bottom half to help minimise. You get my drift? Colour Analysis is one of my services which I offer, so feel free to get in contact to find out how I can help you. (07713449617)

Bottom Half Cover-ups

I love to see a mum in a nice pair of flattering jeans. It doesn't matter what her footwear choice is, but I think a mum in jeans 'rocks'. Just make sure that you choose the right cut for your bodyshape. Jeans below the ankle is a must as they elongate the legs, especially for pear shapes. For those in particular that have just recently had a baby (congratulations) and are conscious of your belly, then high-waisted jeans just gives you that extra bit of support and in turn increased confidence. If you are heavier on the bottom half, I suggest you wear darker coloured denims.

Also, with regards to colour, make sure that the fabric choice is correct; I tend to stay away from linen on my bottom half as it wrinkles easily and doesn't give much support. Plus, for you mum's, you have to think of those little chocolate fingers. Add key pieces of different and more luxurious fabrics to make you feel more glam....obviously, I suggest you wear these at weekends,lol. Leather, velvet and silk can be easily mixed with cheap high street store buys to instantly give a catwalk look.

Skirts, cullots, dresses and shorts are also options which can be very serviceable, but unless you have time to constantly have those leg's in tip-top condition and nicely bronzed, keep these for weekends, lol. Practical.....we are talking practical and time management! For those summer months, you also have the option of a maxi dress. Just make sure that the length is correct......too short looks rediculous and too long means that it is a safety hazard. I also offer Bodyshape Consultations if you need more advice.

Basics - Exactly What It Says

A vital part of my suggested capsule wardrobe are my basics. Basic short and long sleeve tee's in an array of colours will be your new best friend. This year I was particularly impressed with M&S basic long sleeve tee's as their quality was much more superior than last years; and at a very affordable price of £6.50. I generally purchase at least 2 new white ones once the warmer weather starts to make an appearance as over time they turn a little grey. I suggest you purchase black, white, navy, cobalt and cream as these colours can easily work with jeans and other staple pieces in your wardrobe. The beauty is that they are timeless and can also be put into the washing machine with those little ones uniforms.

Other basics are shirts.....white, black and navy are a must for me as they can be wore casually with a cardigan and pumps or dressed up with a fitted blazer, well cut jeans and a pair of wedges or heels. Florals, stripes and patterned shirts take basics one step further and makes a change from that favourite hoodie you may just love to wear.

Daily Makeup and Special Occasion Makeup

What has happened? The makeup trends has completely changed.....its like chalk and cheese. You either see bare faced/very natural then to the other extreme of a lady walking towards you with a FULL face of makeup applied - one even looked like a transvestite last week (and I try to keep a straight face.) Like seriously, what has happened?....how long are these women spending applying this to their faces. Could they not be bonding with children, having a cup of tea, a well earned rest, catching up with friends on the phone.... Apart from the time element, many don't even look like their true selves. Those eyebrows, in my opinion....oh dear, I wont go there. And the highlighter around the eye area....some look like they've been to Marbella for a week but left on their sunglasses......WHITE is the word springs to mind here.

My advice, KEEP IT NATURAL !!!! For daywear, a little blusher, mascara and lipgloss does wonders, and if you have those extra 60 seconds, apply a tinted moisturiser. Simple, effortless and REAL. Painted nails is a bonus for many, so choose something that is manageable and least chip-proof. Again apart from the time element, but if you step out daily with a full face of make-up, you won't look or feel any different when you DO actually get the opportunity to spend more time getting dressed....others, and especially your soulmate, WILL notice the difference and the effort you went to.....let the compliments role.

Manageable Hair

Choosing the right hairstyle is not as easy as lifting a magazine in the salon and saying ''that's the one I want''. You must take into consideration your face shape and what style will show off your best features. Colour also falls into this category; if colouring your hair, choose a colour that suits your skin tone.

A bob can be very chic, but if you are a busy mum on the go with very little time for yourself, then a longer bob may be a wiser solution so you can tie it up if necessary. Short hair is a dream; I have been there. Thanks to Victoria Beckham I got my hair cropped when I was a teenager. It was unbelievably easy to manage daily BUT it meant more trips to the stylist for her to keep it in shape. Plus, o looked the same every day.

Longer hair means you can do so much more with it ...... from a pulled back ponytail to a Jane Fonda blow-dry. Keep it well conditioned and trim those ends when needed.

Best Foot Forward

Shoes is a weakness for a lot of ladies; let's face it, sometimes its hard to walk away from a bargain, even if the heels are 5''. Footwear really plays a key part in any outfit and in some cases, ladies choose to have the shoes as the key feature and everything else is played down. Again, we must think practical so opting for heels that are of 'walkable' height is a MUST.

If you are petite, wedges are fab and very comfortable as opposed to hard solid heel boots which can be a task for most. Add interest with leather, suede, canvas and trainers..... now trainers are far from what they used to be. Step out in that sports luxe trend and still look awesome playing with your kids in the park. Make sure and purchase protector spray for those suede and leather numbers. Pumps are very handy to pull on, but be warned, they have no arch support and are not good for your back if wore for long periods. Same with Uggs. Plus, I don't know about you, but I find these pull the calf muscles off me. Heels, yup, I'm back to the subject of heels....pull these out every so often and I guarantee, if the heel height is correct, then you will feel like you can conquer the world and even dare I say it.....feel sexy.

Add a Finishing Touch of Uniqueness with Accessories

It's surprising what the addition of a necklace can do to an outfit. Mum's the word so we have to think practical.....if you have very young children, please be advised that they will no doubt be intrigued by your bling and feel the need to pull on it...pull quite hard might I add!!!!! For you busy mum's I find that a pretty earring is a nice addition and draws the eye up. Opt for a diamante or pearl stud that is timeless and again, a child will not feel the need to pull on these as much as they would a longer dangly version. Leave the statement earrings for the weekends, date nights and special occasions.

For winter months, a hat can hide a very bad hair day. Stay clear of dark colours if you are very pale as these only make you look even more tired than you might possibly be.

Whether you are going through your wardrobe or on a shopping spree, choosing a scarf and handbag can change an outfit from boring to effortlessly polished and very yummy mummy-ish. Just check out my fav Yummy Mummy Holly Willoughby in the pic above. Scarves can be picked up in high street stores from as little as £3 right up to silk or cashmere with a huge price tag. Scarves add that extra dimension to your outfit and also adds a pop of colour; make sure to choose the right colour as scarves are right up there against the skin tone so be careful.

Handbags are most ladies favourite accessory...choose a bag that is practical and is large enough to hold all you need. Take into consideration that if you have 2 or more children, a cross body bag is a good solution as it leaves your hands free. For special occasions, a plain outfit can instantly be dressed up with a statement clutch bag. Just make sure that the finish of the bag does not destroy your clothes. Talking from experience, as once my glitter clutch bag destroyed a dress. Thankfully I cut it up into a top so all was not lost.

Keep that wardrobe tidy

Do you have a wardrobe with lots of clothes but feel you have nothing to wear? Would you like less clothes but more outfit choices? Do you have clothes in your wardrobe with the labels still on? Do you feel that you have more dressy clothes and not enough smart casual? Do you constantly reach for the same items every week? If you answer yes to the above question then you need to sort it out.

Let's face it, you either get dressed before the kids waken or else inbetween their getting dressed and watching morning CBeebies. You need to address where your wardrobe issues are and make sure that your wardrobe reflects your lifestyle and personality. If its messy, then you don't know what you have. I iron all my clothes so that they are ready to wear and everything, except underwear is hung up. Thankfully, I am blessed with space to do so; that could change over time. I make sure that every winter, my coats are either freshly steamed by myself or professionally dry-cleaned if necessary. No point having your kids impeccably dressed and poor mum running around wearing a wrinkled cardigan or a coat with stain marks!!!! Remember, your time is extra precious so try to have it as stress-free as possible.

If you are not sure what should be in your wardrobe, then my Wardrobe Consultation services may be of interest to you. Feel free to get on contact to discuss further - 07713449617

Make The Right Choices

As I said at the beginning, we all have choices. A friend (thank's Ali) recently told me that any choice we make, usually effects 7 other people.....have a think about that one! Its a very interesting statement.

I am a very busy woman, and no we don't have a family yet, but I do realise the importance of taking 'time out' to yourself. How can you constantly pour from your teapot into everyone elses' teacup and not eventually run dry? You need to re-fill. Whatever that might be for you. Don't feel guilty for sitting down and having a cup of coffee, visiting your parents, catching up with friends, have an early night, having a date night or even a peaceful bath without any interruptions. Who is going to be Mum when you are run-down and laying in a bed ill not knowing where to turn. Your precious little babies need you.

Mum's I salute you, you are all Superwomen in my eyes and a role model for your children....be happy..... be confident.....know who you are.... be more....let your true beauty shine from within

Then you will realise you are fearfully and wonderfully made!!

Much Love,

Deirdre xx