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Audrey Hepburn's mother Ella van Heemstra, left, told her to 'always be kind', while Seinfeld actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in orange dress, was told by her mother Judith Bowles, right, to 'keep a sense of humour'

Nuala Jameson, 35, PR, London, was told:

'If you like it, buy it.'

Nuala says: 'I'm kicking myself now because I didn't buy that gorgeous pair of boots I saw last week! My mother ALWAYS makes us buy stuff there and then, and I think she's right.' 

Emma Smithwick, 36, TV producer, Dublin, was told:  

'Other people just want to talk about themselves, so let them.'

Emma says: 'This was in a bid to help me make friends at a new school, aged nine, but I think it still stands.'

Gerda Jacoba Alette Maritz, left, told her film star daughter Charlize Theron to be responsible for herself

Actress Charlize Theron, 44, was told by her mother Gerda Jacoba Aletta Maritz:

'If you get yourself into trouble, you've got to get yourself out of trouble.'

Theron says: 'This was my mother's philosophy. There was always this awareness that you have to be responsible for yourself in order to have what you want.'

Martha de Lacey, 33, writer, London, was told: 

'An egg without salt is like a kiss without a moustache'

Martha says: 'This advice was given to me by my mother, who was herself given it by her moustachioed, Polish father.

Gwyneth Paltrow's mother Blythe Danner told her to 'dress like a lady', while Isabella Rossellini' mother Ingrid Bergman, right, told her to embrace growing older

Gwyneth Paltrow, 43, was told by her actress mother, Blythe Danner: 

'My mother always told me to dress like a lady and I’d never regret it.'

Isabella Rossellini, 63, on advice given by her actress mother, Ingrid Bergman: 

'My mother once told me that growing older was the only way to have a long life. So my attitude is, of course we are ageing. And it’s natural, and it’s beautiful.'

Tory Burch, 49, fashion designer, was told by her mother, actress Reva Schapira: 

'No matter how bad today might seem, you wake up tomorrow and it’s a whole new day.' 

Tory says: 'She's the eternal optimist. She is also the most stylish woman I know.'

Designer Tory Burch's mother Reva Schapira told her to embrace every new day, while Beyonce Knowles's mum, Tina, right, taught her singer daughter to work hard and visualise her future

Beyonce Knowles, 34, on guidance from her mum, Tina: 

'My mother worked hard for her family and never complained. She taught me the principles of hard work, setting my own goals and visualising my future. She is one of those people that you feel honored to meet. And no matter who you are, you fall in love with her because she is spiritual, she's inspiring, she's strong, she's funny, she's creative, she's talented... she's everything that I want to be."

Trudie Styler, 62, actress and filmmaker, on advice from her mother, Pauline: 

'My mother’s advice was always, "When you’re lost, always ask a policeman." And there’s a bigger truth there. To reach out. To communicate. Help is always there.'

THANKS MUM!  SPECIAL GIFT IDEAS FOR REALLY SPECIAL MOTHERS

If your lovely mum has given you fab advice - or even if she hasn't but is good at handing out occasional £20 notes - you'll want to show her how much she means to you this Mother's Day.

If she's partial to a nice bunch of flowers, you'll be spoilt for choice at M&S, which you can visit either in-store or online at the specially curated Mother's Day shop.  If she's more of a fan of drinkable gifts (we know a few mums who are!), or foodie treats, there are lots of options for her, too.

Here's our pick of the best:

Spoil your mum with a Rose & Hyacinth Bouquet (£35), left, or a Rose Jug (£25, both online only), from M&S

Floral bouquets

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and flowers are the go-to choice for a reason - we all love them!  Choose from this selection of M&S's beautiful bouquets designed especially for Mother's Day. We love their Rose & Freesia Gift Bag (£35, online only), their Rose & Hyacinth Bouquet (£35, online only), their Rose Jug (£25, online only) and their Mother's Day Flower Bouquet (£30, online only). All flowers include free nominated delivery day, including Mother's Day on Sunday 6th March.