The difference between "Style and Fashion"

As a personal stylist I spend many hours reviewing wardrobes. Given the fact that we only wear a shocking 20% of what we buy, frankly most of my clients waste money. The buzz of buying translates into the unworn, there is nothing remotely glamorous about this. Learn the difference between style and fashion and wear most of your wardrobe until it wears out.

“Fashion” is last season’s sleeveless jacket. Hugely expensive, but did you ever see anyone wearing this? This is a non-garment, too cold to be a jacket, too edgy to be worn often by most in public. “Fashion” is also the here-today-gone-tomorrow looks. Shoes are a fantastic “fashion” statement and so are bags.

Fashion should be fun!

We all need regular “fashion” hits but we should not pay too much for them. Remember the 80:20 rule, and do not pay over the odds for something you will wear only for a season or not at all. Buy the diffusion ranges or the better high street brands and look to wear for 2 seasons only.

Sometimes we are all hit with a “I will die if I don’t have that” and these instincts should be followed for sheer fun occasionally, but if you let them dominate your wardrobe you will have nothing to wear.

Style is what you actually wear 90% of the time so spend money here, buy the best you can afford and look to keep the clothes. A great beautiful coat in your style and colours will last 10 years so simply buy a more expensive one. The “fashionable” coat will last 4 months so don’t pay too much, have fun with it buy a great colour, and look to replace it.

Find your signature style. Style should be items that you love deeply that you will wear forever. Jackets, jewellery, coats, cashmere should not be dull but beautiful in rich colours. Fit is everything, buy for how you are now, not for when you lose weight, for example, as this does not work. Buy beautifully cut garments that flatter whatever shape or size you are now.

If grey is in, and it does not suit you then don’t buy it. In short, learn what suits your body, learn what style you are and buy clothes that fit you. Baggy clothes generally don’t flatter and make you look fatter than you are. Go spend your money on fantastic must-have shoes instead or a great piece of jewellery and when things are in the shops that you love, that make your heart sing, that really really suit you, buy them. These will form a great wardrobe for many seasons to come. Aim to be beautiful and fabulous and you will be!  

Susie Wilson Leading Personal Stylist.

A Mother Has Undying Love for her Children...

A mother has undying love for her children. Her presence itself deeply affects the entire life of her little one. Our mother is the first woman in our life and cannot be replaced by anyone. Though a mother loves all her children equally, despite distinction of sex, it has been seen often that a daughter is always more attached to her father, while a son is closer to his mother. A mother's love always makes her son stronger as well as balanced in his life. While a father makes his son strong enough to fight with the world, it is the mother who teaches him when and where to think from his heart.

The most delicate aspect of mother and son relationship comes, when another woman enters into his life, either as a girlfriend or as a wife. This is the time, when almost every mother starts feeling insecure and becomes apprehensive.

From being the only woman in her son's life, she has to share the affection with someone, who is as important in her son's life as she is. This is the time for the son to make his mother understand that she has and will always be the most special person in his life and that someone else can never take her place. On the other hand, a mother should also understand that she has to stop holding on to her son all the time and let go of him.

There is a thin line between love and dominance. When the love turns into domination, it is then that the mother son relationship starts turning strenuous. The delicate balance of a mother and son relationship should always be maintained and the effort should be from both the sides. A mother should never interfere in her son's life, but at the same time, she should always be there when he needs her. Similarly, a son should never take his mother's love for granted and should always give her due respect.









Tips To Strengthen the Mother Son Bond

• Communication holds the key for any relationship and a mother-son bond is no exception. Conversing with one another can prove to be very beneficial as well as advantageous.
• Listening is another important aspect of a bond. A mother should listen to ever thing that her child says to her, even if it sounds silly and stupid. On the other hand, a son should listen to whatever advice or suggestion that his mother gives. He should realise that whatever she is saying is for his own benefit.
• Right from the beginning, teach your child what is right and wrong or what is expected from him or what is not. This way you are sure to face fewer trifles with him, when he becomes a mature adult.
• Every son looks at his mother as a best secret sharer. To be his confidante, every mother should build in confidence and make her son get that feeling that she is the best person he can look up to.
• Remember, action speaks louder than words. You need to set a perfect example for your son, because that is the only way he would look up to you as a role model.

Michael, Diane, Susie ( Mother) Bianca..

My children. Who are amazing, inspiring creatures and who fill my life with such light and love as to nearly, at times, overwhelm me. Who make me laugh and who make me cry and who make me laugh until I cry, 

Who make me grateful for my soft belly and squishy boobs and for my messy hair and my undereye circles and my scars, because these are the markers of this work that I do – this tiring, often frustrating work – and of the miracles that I have produced and that I am, every day, producing, through this work; these miracles, my children, without whom I would not know love as completely as I do. My children, for whom I do this work, if not gladly, then without regret. My children, who make it possible for me to bitch tirelessly about motherhood while still feeling, deeply, to the very tips of my toes and possibly even further, that this motherhood thing is the most beautiful – the most hazily, gauzily, barefoot-in-a-field-of-daisies romantic – thing in the world. And if I’m clutching a bottle of wine and an Ativan prescription while spinning through that field of daisies… well, as I said: it’s complicated. Wonderfully, terribly, delightfully so.... :-)

I love my three children- Michael, Bianca and Diane....." I am so proud of you all " 


As, I watch you all develop into amazing citizens, "The world is a better place, having you all in it" Leave your positive mark on the sand of time my darlings!

I love you - I love you- I love you..

Mummy xoxoxoxoxo

Our Angel's in heaven:  Steven who died aged 8 months, and Jennifer, Diane's twin sister... 

We love you....

Chanel No. 5 Perfume History: How Did Chanel Create the Top Selling Fragrance of All Time?

Chanel No. 5 Perfume History: By Susie Wilson- " I simply adore wearing Chanel No.5"

This famous fragrance was created for Coco Chanel in 1921 by a perfume creator named Ernest Beaux. Something which may seem surprising in a 21st century obsessed with getting back to nature is that Coco's inspiration behind the scent was to create something very artificial. She is quoted on the official Chanel website as saying “I want to give the world something artificial.... like a dress. Something that has been made.... I want a perfume that is a composition”. Ernest Beaux responded by creating a masterpiece inspired by the midnight sun, the lakes and the rivers of the Arctic circle which he had visited a year previously.

The Scent of Chanel No. 5
• Top note – Ylang-Ylang and Neroli
• Heart note – Grasse Jasmine and May Rose
• Base note – Sandalwood and Vanilla

In addition to being Marilyn's favourite scent, Chanel No. 5, like many other iconic brands, secured a place in the art world. In 1959 Andy Warhol, an icon himself, did a series of nine silk screens of the Chanel No. 5 bottle, once again making it the fragrance to covet.

The fragrance now sells a bottle every 30 seconds and is the top selling fragrance in the world. Celebrities still flock to wear it, and one of the modern day spokespeople (among other celebrities is Nicole Kidman. The adverts are based on Baz Luhrman's Moulin Rouge, a movie in which (perhaps not coincidentally), Nicole pays tribute to Marilyn Monroe in singing her own adaptation of Marilyn's "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend".
So now to the namesake of this scent. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was born in 1883, although in a move amusingly similar to many women today she claimed to have been born ten years later. She opened her first millinery shop in 1912, selling simple tailored clothes for men and women, as well as perfume, jewellery and textiles.

Coco Chanel believed that women should wear perfume wherever they wanted to be kissed. In addition to her No. 5 perfume Chanel also created modern classics with the Chanel cardigan, the Chanel Suit and the little black dress, now a staple in most women's wardrobes. In the '70s, Coco introduced bell bottoms and pea jackets for women. Coco worked until she died in 1971, leaving Karl Lagerfeld in her stead to as the head designer of Chanel.

As Marilyn Monroe once famously said “What do I wear in bed? Why Chanel No. 5 of course”.
This is probably the most famous of Marilyn's quotes and undoubtedly what gives Chanel No. 5 such appeal. Who wouldn't want to smell like Marilyn? That is not however the beginning and the end of the story. Chanel No. 5 is a very carefully planned and created scent both in the philosophy behind its creation and the inspiration for its fragrance.
Coco Chanel's evergreen designs and quality have secured Chanel's, throne as the classiest and most stylish of designers. The planned sensuality of Chanel No. 5 has ensured that it remains the top-selling fragrance of all time, but it seems the birth of it as a cult classic is largely thanks to the celebrity endorsement of Marilyn and Andy.

Enjoy,
Sincerely, with a smile- Susie ;-)

How has Tiffany & Co Become the Darling of American High Society

Icons: Tiffany's Jewellery Stores:
 How has Tiffany & Co Become the Darling of American High Society

By: Susie Wilson

The sight of a Tiffany & Co little blue box is apt to set many a heart a flutter, but how has a shop founded in 1837 become such an iconic brand?
In September 1837, New York was first introduced to the stationary and fancy goods store Tiffany & Young, established by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young. It was renamed Tiffany & Co in 1853. The store made history by being one of the first to have non-negotiable prices for each item. It was at this time that the aqua blue colour, still used today, was chosen for all packaging.

Throughout history, Tiffany's have played a large part in setting industry standards. In 1851, Tiffany's became the first American company to use the 925/1000 standard for all of its silver. In 1907, Tiffany's chief gemmologist was instrumental in setting the measurement of "carat" as the weight standard for gems. In 1926 the United States also adopted Tiffany's standard of purity for the official standard of platinum.
In 1861 Tiffany's made its first big impact upon the media world as a presentation pitcher was commissioned for President Lincoln to commemorate his inauguration. He also presented a seed pearl bracelet to his wife. Tiffany's further ingratiated itself as the unofficial jeweller of the United States as it provided swords, flags and surgical instruments for the troops in the Civil War. In 1885, further establishing itself of the darling of the USA, they were commissioned to redesign the Great Seal of the United States of America. This can still be seen on the one dollar bill. A true American company through and through Tiffany's also designed the Super Bowl trophy in 1967 and in 2004 the NASCAR trophy.

By 1873 Tiffany goods were viewed by high society as forms of art and were displayed in a number of museums and galleries. This view continues to this day with collections by Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso and Frank Gehry.

In 1950 Tiffany's had its biggest boost in popularity as Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's was published. Tiffany's was shot to worldwide fame in 1961 when the film adaptation staring Audrey Hepburn was released. This film and its star became icons, as did Tiffany's.
It is because of its innovative designs, timeless classics and being the darling of high society that Tiffany's is a coveted iconic brand.

Etiquette the Past to the Present..

Louis XIV's gardener at Versailles was faced with a serious problem: he could not stop members of the nobility from trampling about in the delicate areas of the King's garden. He finally attempted to dissuade their unwanted behaviour by posting signs, called etiquets,which warned them to "Keep off the Grass."   When this course of action failed, the King himself had to issue an official decree that no one could go beyond the bounds of the signs. Later, the name "etiquette" was given to a ticket for court functions that included rules regarding where to stand and what to do.

The word 'etiquette' has evolved, but in many ways it still means "Keep off the Grass."   Remaining within the flexible boundaries of civil behaviour allows relationships and us to grow like flowers in Louis' garden. Moreover, it lets us present ourselves with confidence and authority in all areas of our professional and personal life.

In our own society, good manners were considered an important part of a cultured person's upbringing until the 1960s. Educational institutions incorporated social graces as a crucial aspect of a well-rounded curriculum, and finishing schools specialized in etiquette, deportment and proper manners at the table. The '60s and '70s ushered in a decline in the popularity of etiquette training. The return to traditional social values in the '80s and '90s, partly as a reaction to the previous two decades, has created an increasing awareness of the importance good manners have in our culture. As our world becomes a smaller place and our economy becomes increasingly global in scope, it is becoming increasingly clear how important good manners are in all cultures.

http://www.wix.com/susiewilson/etiquette-specialist

Instilling Manners in Children

Many adults agree that a lack of manners in children is a growing problem in our society.




Parents are partly to blame if they ignore their children’s rude behaviors. Some parents demonstrate poor sportsmanship, display inconsiderate attitudes and blame educators for their child`s problems. Disrespectful conduct portrayed in the media is also at fault.
Educators can play an important role in children’s development by demonstrating basic civility. Modeling a respectful attitude and requiring students to be considerate of the rights and feelings of others help create a cooperative learning environment. When people treat others with respect, they feel better about themselves and develop self-confidence. When educators model courtesy, children can learn to be considerate of others.
What else can educators do to instill manners in children?
1. When possible, greet each child as they enter the classroom. Also, send best wishes with them at the end of the day.
2. Take pleasure in being their teacher, so that the children feel valued.
3. Have children name examples of good manners and list them on the board. Then have them identify examples of rude behavior. Divide the children into groups to make posters illustrating desirable and undesirable behaviors. These can be hung on the wall to remind children of appropriate conduct.
4. Discuss socially acceptable behaviours.
5. Teach, model, and post a respectful vocabulary such as “Please,” “Thank You,” “You’re Welcome,” “I`m sorry,” “Excuse me,” "I like the way you ..." “May I?” Have students add to the list.
6. Call attention to the harm that thoughtless, unkind words and actions can cause.
7. Teach students to stand up for themselves and others if they are called derogatory names.
8. Assert that any form of bullying including gossiping, excluding, and aggression is unacceptable.
9. Stress the importance of treating others the way you would like to be treated. Help them learn to empathise with others by reading books.
10. Use role plays and/or puppets to reinforce positive behaviours.
11. Have the children practice a manner each week or month; for example, raise their hands to receive permission to speak. Role-play it, reinforce it, and review the last manner before adding a new one. 
12. Acknowledge students when you see them acting in a kind or helpful manner by describing the specific behavior you observed.
13. Have a bulletin board that promotes manners. When you observe a child being especially courteous, write down the action on a colourful card with the student`s name at the top and post it. Have students observe good manners in others, write down what they saw on a card, and add it to the board.
14. Take pictures of children using good manners, have the students add text, and make a Power Point presentation for children in lower grades or parents to view.
15. Have the children write, illustrate, and publish a book on manners. Students might work in groups to brainstorm situations. They could create questions for each page with several answer choices.

For example, a child grabbed another child¹s pencil. Possible choices:
a. Grab it back.
b. Scream, “Stop!”
c. Say, “That is my pencil and I need it back. Please give it to me.”

16. Have the children create a song, poem or play about manners.
17. Help establish a school-wide “Good Manners Program” to include all subject areas. A music teacher could teach songs about manners. An art teacher could have the children make posters depicting manners. A physical education teacher could play games where children introduce themselves to each other, and a classroom teacher could have the students write thank you notes to adult classroom helpers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, custodians, etc.
18. Advise children of behavioral expectations. Classroom rules you may want to use:

• Be respectful.
• Be responsible.
• Be kind.
• Be safe.
• Listen and follow directions.
• Do your best.
   

19. Depending on the age of the children, decide on the rules together with your students. Discuss what needs to happen in the classroom for everyone to be able to learn. Write the student¹s suggestions on large chart and hang it in the room. The students could also help you define consequences for inappropriate behaviors.
20. During work time, establish a classroom non-verbal signal to warn an individual student of inappropriate behavior. Stare at the child, and if necessary call out his or her name and then use your signal. For example, hold your hand up in the stop position, lower your hand, or put your thumb down. Or, touch a student gently on the shoulder as a reminder of appropriate behavior. If the child does not stop, administer a consequence.
Students interrupting a teacher are a problem in many classrooms. The following are some ideas concerning this behaviour:
21. Tell the children that you want them to get the most out of school so you will not allow them to be rude and to interrupt you when you are speaking. Say, “I am here to help you learn; therefore, you need to listen and follow instructions. I am worried that you will be missing important information if you talk while I am giving instructions. When I am speaking, it is teacher time.”
22. Let them know that they will have “student time” to talk to each other when they are working in pairs or groups or at other designated times.
23. Tell them exactly what you expect of them and follow it up with consequences. If children are talking when they are supposed to be silent, stop talking, stare, and do not start again until the room is quiet. If you start to talk, and someone interrupts, then stop again. You may want to say something like, “I am waiting,” or move the disruptive child to another seat. An additional idea is to make a mark on the board to indicate that the class will lose one minute of recess. When it is quiet, begin again. Be consistent in whatever classroom management plan you use.
24. Teach the students that when they hear a bell, chime or see your hand up, they are to stop talking, not move, and listen. 


Other manners that may be taught and practiced:

How to give and receive a compliment

• Child says: “I like to play with you. It`s fun!” Response: “Thank you. I like playing with you, too.”
• Child says: “You play fair!” Response: “Thanks, I try to follow the rules.”

How to greet an adult

• Look them in the eye.
• Shake their hand.
• Child says, “It`s nice to meet you.”

How to engage in polite conversation

• Child asks, “How are you?”
• Show interest in what the other person is saying.
• Do not interrupt.
• Do not talk about embarrassing topics.

How to behave during a meal

• Sit up straight in a chair.
• Put the napkin in your lap.
• Keep your elbows off the table.
• Wait until everyone is served before eating.
• Take small bites.
• Do not talk with your mouth full.
• Chew your food with your mouth closed.
• Do not interrupt a speaker.
• Talk in a normal tone of voice.
• Make eye contact when speaking.
• Do not play with food.
• Say “Please pass the________,“ rather than reach for an item.
• Say, “Thank you” when appropriate.
• Say, “The ______ was very good,” or give some other compliment to the host or hostess.
• Say, “May I be excused, please?” and wait for consent before getting up from the table.

School cafeterias are not conducive to using good table manners; however, school staff need to encourage basic standards of behaviour while eating..

Are you projecting a professional image?

First impressions can be effective or disastrous, but they are usually lasting—even when we know that we are experiencing them! When we meet others, our general objective is to establish confidence, trust and rapport. This is not always easy. Companies spend millions of dollars each year packaging their products—and so should you with your corporate image! The packaging must say something special about you. You may be the best in your field but if you don’t package yourself effectively, you are limiting your success.

Your company’s reputation is only as strong as your customer’s perception of the last person with whom they worked. Answer the following questions to examining your level of impression management competency:

Are you noticed when you walk into a room?
How is your entrance?
When greeting someone, do you offer your hand immediately, regardless of the person’s gender?
Are you comfortable with your handshake?
Do you make eye contact and smile when you greet people in meetings and throughout conversation?
Do you have any distracting gestures that get in the way of people fully connecting with you?
Are you aware of how you show you are nervous when you are under stress?
Are you conscious of the nonverbal messages you are sending?
Do you know what nonverbal messages are?
Are people always confused with the visual message you are sending?
In business, many professionals are not aware of how they are communicating with their visual presence. It’s been proven by research, that 55% of your first impression is visual. Visual consists of the clothes your wear, hopefully they cover 98% of your body, and the nonverbal message you send with your body language.

For example, if you are attending a meeting and you walk into the room with your eyes cast down, shoulders slumped and not connecting with anyone you are sending a clear and loud message. You lack confidence! You feel awkward! If you lack confidence why should any one else have confidence in you. Not making good eye contact sends the wrong message. In addition, to send the message that you are confident and approachable, keep a smile on your face and keep your body language open. Take charge of the unconscious nonverbal messages you are projecting and use it to your own benefit to project confidence and competence in any situation.

Unfortunately, we never see ourselves as others see us. If you are not getting the results you want in your career and you are willing to accept comments and make changes in your behavior and appearance, ask for feedback from others so you can better understand what is holding you back. You may want to ask your friends for feedback—but be careful not to select friends that are clueless themselves and show a visual presence of none awareness.

Here are three tips to help you unlock the secrets to promoting a professional presence:

Tip 1: Dress appropriately, wear only clothes that fit you well (this includes your body type) and are appropriate for each business occasion you attend. Understand the difference between traditional business attire and the different levels of business casual. Wear clothes that say you are there for business and should be taken seriously. Here is my definition of what is not business casual: If you wear it to the beach, on a hot date, or to the park—it’s not appropriate for business. With that in mind, keep mini skirts, jeans (of any kind), low-cut tops, clothes that are too tight or are not age appropriate, sandals, flip-flops (even the ones with Rhine stones) and sneakers for your weekend or at-home wardrobe only.

Tip 2: Women—wear appropriate makeup. Inappropriate makeup includes wearing too much or not wearing any at all. Women should wear mascara, lipstick or lip gloss, and blush to portray a “pulled together” image. Remember, your face is the first thing everyone sees, so put your best face forward.

Tip 3: Men—watch your grooming. Clothing and grooming choices send messages about your personality and mind-set and offer other clues about you as well. Appearing slovenly with your clothes will make others question if you are the same way with your work. (Slovenly includes wearing clothes that are not clean and pressed.) Also, keep in mind that it is not always the clothing items themselves that give a positive or negative impression as much as how you wear them.

To win the game you have to learn how to play by the rules. Keep finding ways to help you put your best foot forward—everyday.

 The "Little Things" Do Count, Starting with How You Look
You can't judge a book by its cover, the saying goes, but many people still do. That applies especially when you're up there presenting. The first impression you make comes from the way you look.

People form impressions within the first few minutes of seeing or meeting someone. So the first impression you make as a presenter should be as strong as possible.

Start with your choice of attire.
How you dress is no substitute for the substance and delivery of your presentation. Still, it goes a long way toward supporting a well-prepared presentation. Your best guide: always dress for the audience and the event. More to the point, dress a small cut above your audience. So, for example, if your audience is wearing slacks and a shirt, you could add a sport coat.

Dress appropriately.
Business and social dress are not the same, so avoid attire that's overly formal or overly casual. If your appearance draws attention to itself, it'll draw attention away from you and what you're saying. You don't want your listeners to be distracted by your clothing, hairstyle, accessories, or any other aspect of your personal appearance. So save the sheer, tight, transparent, flashy, slick, or super stylish looks for the social life. When you're addressing a group of colleagues, every aspect of your appearance should be directing their eyes to your face, and not anywhere else.

"You don't want your listeners to be distracted by your...appearance."

So what's right and what's wrong?
There's no one set of rules for every occasion. Sometimes, you can be guided by your organisation's dress code. Some companies have written dress codes that are very rigid and specific. Other dress codes may be unwritten, vague, and/or flexible. In the end, you need to match your appearance to multiple aspects of your daily work, including your company's culture, but also that of an event or a client and to your role on any given day. If you work in IT, and occasionally need to crawl under desks, you probably shouldn't be wearing a fancy suit (or short skirt for that matter). On the other hand, if you have a meeting with the board of directors, you may need to wear a suit in an otherwise casual environment. Yet again, at some companies, anyone seen in a suit is probably interviewing for a job.

If you are wearing a suit...
First, a suit should fit. You should be able to move, even gesture, in a suit. You should be able to walk (no narrow skirts or tight pants). Make sure the sleeves are the right length, and that the suit is not too big or small as a result of dieting, binging, or the fact that you haven't worn it since prior to your adolescent growth spurt. If it has been that long since you've worn it, make sure it also isn't faded, threadbare, or hopelessly out of date. What you wear should help you to both look and feel comfortable. If your suit prevents you from breathing, get it fixed or replace it.

Colour
Use color to drive eyes toward your face. This means that the brightest elements of your attire should be nearest your face. For suits, it's easy—a dark suit with a lighter shirt or blouse and bright tie or scarf all works to drive the eye upward. On the other hand, light hosiery and shoes tend to draw the eye downward. The same concepts apply to more casual attire, but casual also means more latitude so double check in the mirror that the whole look drives the eyes to the face, ideally to your eyes.

"The brightest elements of your attire should be nearest your face."

Accessories.
The same principles apply to accessories. To the extent that you wear them, they should not distract. Avoid jewellery that is louder than you are (nothing huge, flashy, dangling, jangling, or otherwise noisy). Avoid ties that have golfers or modern art on them. Avoid scarves that drape to the floor. Don't stuff your pockets with any more items than you absolutely need, and don't have pens, pencils, or any other items poking out of your shirt or jacket pockets. Do make sure your shoes are polished and not scuffed. Your briefcase or purse also should fit the image you're trying to project—typically leather, well-maintained, and of a certain quality (but not covered with logos, and please don't display it on the tabletop—it belongs on the floor or at your side, never in anyone's face). And, if you can help it, don't take your briefcase or purse up to a lectern.

Grooming.
Starting at the top, make sure your hair is neatly cut and the color natural looking. Keep your hair out of your eyes and off your face. You should not have to fuss with your hair. Men, please trim those nose (and ear!) hairs and any facial hair. These days, you may even want to eliminate a unibrow (a single continuous eyebrow that extends over both eyes). Women, make-up should look fairly natural and appropriate to the circumstance.

final note.
It bears repeating: your audience can form its first impression of you before you speak a single word. It follows that how you look helps determine your credibility, for better or worse.

"Susie Wilson Etiquette and Image Specialist"