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.